The Joys of Working with Children

Welcome to The Studio, a blog from , a Reggio inspired play space in Wilmette. Whether you’re a parent, educator or artist, we hope the ideas shared here inspire you to create meaningful experiences with children and art. 

A recent piece of artwork in our play space has peeked the interest of many families. It is a collaborative collage, created by two to five-year-olds. I am filled with pride when parents ask me where I bought it from. It is amazing what children can do when they have the courage and opportunity to try something new!

Below is a quote from “The Teacher as Researcher” by Carolina Rinaldi, where she sums up the joys of working with children:

“All children are intelligent, different from each other and unpredictable.  If we know how to listen to them, children can give back to us the pleasure of amazement, of marvel, of doubt. . .the pleasure of “why.”  Children can give us the strength of doubt and the courage of error.  They can transmit to us the joy of searching and researching. . .the value of research, as an openness to others and toward everything new that is produced by the encounter with others.”

Carlina’s full article can be found on p.3 of Innovations in Early Education: the International Reggio Exchange, Spring ’03 issue.

What does this quote mean to you? Share a time when a child has changed your perspective or taught you something new.