Children’s Graphic Languages as a Tool for Everyday Research
In the municipal infant-toddler and preschools in Reggio Emilia, research transcends traditional boundaries of education, transforming them into dynamic spaces of inquiry and discovery. In this introductory presentation for the 2024 REAIE Australian Research Symposium, Dr Jane Merewether will explore how research, viewed as an everyday and relational practice, lies at the heart of Reggio Emilia’s educational philosophy.
Children and teachers alike are empowered as active researchers, engaging collaboratively to construct knowledge and meaning. In this way, research fosters continuous innovation and deepens understandings of childhood and learning. By drawing parallels with academic research methodologies such as participatory, ethnographic, and action research, Dr Merewether will discuss how research in schools and early learning settings enriches educational experiences, fosters creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement.
