Study Abroad

Current Study Abroad Programs 

CDFS 490 Special Topics in CDFS: The Reggio Emilia Approach and Inquiry-Based Learning

This course offers students an immersive opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching, learning, and child advocacy through extended study in Reggio Emilia, Rome, and Florence. In Reggio Emilia, students participate in lectures and hands-on workshops led by pedagogistas, atelieristas, and classroom teachers, exploring the core principles of the Reggio Emilia approach firsthand. They visit Reggio Children exhibitions and ateliers—showcasing the visual, poetic, auditory, and kinesthetic work of children and adults—and observe Reggio Emilia programs throughout the region, while engaging in discussions with local educators, families, and community members.

In Rome and Florence, students broaden their perspective on Italian education by visiting the Opera Nazionale Montessori and the Barbiana School, two influential models rooted in inquiry-based learning and child-centered pedagogy. Students also explore the history of Catholic education and child welfare in Italy through a visit to the Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence, one of the earliest institutions dedicated to the care and education of children. Alongside these educational site visits, students engage with the region's rich cultural heritage through visits to major historical and cultural landmarks in Rome and Florence.

This course is ideal for students and professionals interested in early childhood education, child development, or educational leadership—particularly those pursuing careers in Reggio Emilia-inspired or other inquiry-based early childhood programs, as well as anyone looking to open or lead a child development center grounded in these principles.