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iJADE 32.3 (2013)
© 2013 The Author. iJADE © 2013 NSEAD/John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
Developing one’s creative potential is a basic
human right, and thus the relationship between
democracy and creativity is ineffable. Reggio
Emilia pedagogies recognise this intrinsically;
teaching through this modality embeds deep
learning and an aesthetic awareness not often
evident in formal schooling, despite the over-
whelming evidence regarding the value of
a sustained art education. Our children are
all born creative and brave, yet something
happens to them as they grow – the opportuni-
ties to express themselves artistically at school
become minimised, the art curriculum becomes
marginalised, and our children’s creative genius
falls away. What would Reggio Emilia look like in
the High School classroom? Imagine a curricu-
lum where all students’ creative potential was
nurtured, every day. This article explores this
proposition, and argues that by utilising
the highly successful pedagogies of Reggio
Emilia, we can attend to the fundamental right of
every child to an education that nurtures their
inherent creativity.
Keywords
Reggio Emilia, arts based research, school
reform, arts – secondary education
Art Spoken Here: Reggio
Emilia for the Big Kids
Alexandra Cutcher