The Importance of TIME and taking a PAUSE

Drawing by Victor, 5.8 years
Victor. (2017). In viaggio con i diritti. Scuola Comunale Dell 'Infanzia. Reggio Emilia, Italy. p. 4.

The concept of taking a PAUSE, or allowing children time for discovery, was my greatest take-away from my time in Reggio Emilia.  The children’s daily schedule is arranged to allow large chunks of uninterrupted play/work time.  I observed children working for over an hour on a construction project and others creating with clay.  The children working with blocks and construction material appeared to be discussing a plan for their creation prior to beginning.  I observed a back and forth dialogue and discussion, then the children began the building process.  Their structures were quite complex and the children were actively engaged for the entire time.  I believe the complexity of the children’s work was in direct correlation to the fact that the children were not hurried or rushed along. 

“The infant toddler centers and preschools are places of research and thinking by design.” – Daniela Lanzia

Several educators in Reggio Emilia discussed the concept of taking a pause.  One educator explained that they do not try to hurry up and finish a project.  Children and adults need ample time to develop a project and often there is a need for a natural pause or break within the project.  It is fine to take a break and then revisit.  It is more important to allow the children the time needed to pursue their interests and that the deepest understanding does not occur instantly.  A pedagogist explained, “We can go forward.  We can go backwards.  We can take our time.  We can take pauses.”  The projects and units of research completed by the children in the Reggio Emilia schools displayed complexity in thinking and discovery.  These projects took time to develop, many taking months or even years to complete. 

Drawing by Frederico, in a game created by the 4 - 5 year olds at the Girotondo Preschool.

“Stand aside for a while and leave room for learning, observe carefully what children do, and then, if you have understood well, perhaps teaching will be different from before.” ― Loris Malaguzzi

Drawing by a child in a preschool in Reggio Emilia
Image from
Davoli, M. & Ferri, G. (2000). Reggio tutta. Reggio Emilia, Italy: Reggio Children.

Deeper thinking and complexity of learning is a direct result of allowing children time for discovery and pauses in the learning process are sometimes necessary is my overall “ah-ha” for the entire week. 

The Wave to Wave Atelier

The Wave to Wave Atelier is a space developed for children to 
explore water and energy through research, 
experimentation, and discovery.