Princess of Wales Catherine 'Kate' Middleton's second and last day in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia focused on the part Nature has to play in the Reggio Approach to early education and development that the British royal is studying for her foundation on the same themes.
The environment and nature as a "third teacher" in children's first relationships and experiences is one of the pillars of the Reggio Emilia Approach, the educational philosophy that characterizes the city's municipal preschools, and the underlying theme of Princess Kate's second and final day in Reggio on her first sol trip abroad since her bout with cancer.
Thursday's first stop was the Salvador Allende Preschool, where Kate came to observe how nature-based learning is integrated into the Reggio Emilia Approach.
The school is a public educational center for children aged 0 to 6, part of the Reggio Emilia municipal system, with a strong focus on environmental education.
A highlight was participation in the morning outdoor assembly, a key moment in which the young students choose activities together with their educators.
The atelierista (an educator with an artistic background) was then tasked with showing the Princess of Wales how elements of the outdoor environment—willow, bamboo—can be interpreted by young children.
"Light, space, nature, and materials are carefully designed to stimulate curiosity, collaboration, and exploration.
Children are given the confidence to interact with their environment to ask questions, test ideas, and build knowledge through experience.
Today, we look forward to exploring the critical role environments play in supporting learning in the early years," wrote Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood on Instagram, the program of which the Princess is patron and for which she commissioned this special mission to Italy.
"I wish my school had been like this, and I wish all schools in the world were like this," she said at the end of her visit to the Allende preschool.
Reggio Children reported that these words accompanied an intense and deeply moving visit.
Kate explained that at home for Princes George, Charlotte, and Louis, she wanted a room reminiscent of the ateliers in Reggio Emilia's municipal preschools, with rocks, wood, and other objects in which to experiment with various materials.
She would like her children to continue exploring in this way, as do "all children in the world." A "hugely inspiring" visit, Kate emphasized, emphasizing the importance of both outdoor and indoor space, precisely for one's "inner balance." There were turtles, ducks, and even frogs.
The little inhabitants of the park surrounding the Salvador Allende preschool in Reggio Emilia were introduced by the students to Kate, Princess of Wales, who participated in the so-called "children's assembly," a moment that characterizes the start of the day at every Reggio Approach school.
The children gather in a circle to democratically decide the day's program.
The children told Kate about everything happening in the park and invited the princess to follow them to the pond.
There, they met with atelierista Stefano Sturlani, who designed, planned, imagined, and dreamed up this park, explaining the project to the princess.
It is the largest green space among the preschools in the Reggio Children network. It features a pond, a weeping willow, a bamboo forest, a secret hut, and a climbing tower. A natural and fairytale world enriched by teachers, children, and parents over the years.
The park is also described in a book, published by Reggio Children, which collects the words, photographs, drawings, and works of the children who contributed to writing its history.
The princess then moved on to a creative recycling center in a Reggio suburb to view a cultural project named Remida dedicated to sustainability.
Many people lined the street to see and greet her.
Founded in 1996, Remida combines creativity and the reuse of industrial materials.
It is supported by approximately 200 companies and attracts over 3,000 visitors each year. It is part of the municipal education system.
For her second day in Reggio, Kate opted for a pure white look and low heels, despite the sky-high stilettos she wore yesterday with her cerulean pantsuit.
The wife of the heir to the British throne appeared in the courtyard of the Allende nursery school wearing a flowing, cream-colored pleated skirt, a leather belt, and a sand-colored pinstriped blazer with matching light stripes and leather buttons matching the belt.
Around her neck was a white gold chain with a pearl pendant, and on her finger was the famous engagement ring once worn by Lady Diana.
Under her jacket, she wore a cream-colored choker that matched the skirt.
On her feet, Chanel's iconic two-tone slingbacks with black toes, which have made history in footwear fashion and in the emancipation of feminine elegance.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
