A journey of discovery

In 2008, I was fortunate to travel to Reggio Emilia on a scholarship to study at the students and professors workshops. This opportunity transformed the many articles, journals and books I had read about this place into a real life experience. Professor Carlina Rinaldi spoke about the meaning of pedagogy. Listening to her talk brought about a spiritual revelation as I remembered the child within and what it felt like to explore the world. Children are capable of leading the way, in making decisions and expressing ideas through a range of resources. To be creative one needs to be inspired. Most of our inspiration comes from nature. How then can we allow children the freedom to explore their natural surrounds when they are penned in an artificial environment? The outdoors, in the name of safety, has become anything but the outdoors. Trees have been replaced by metal structures for climbing, bubbling brooks and fountains have been replaced by safe water play, the texture, smell and colour of grass has been replaced by artificial turf and the many sounds of nature have been drowned out by recorded music.