Learning environments and inclusion: a case study of transposition of the Reggio Emilia approach in Swedish schools

The Reggio Emilia Approach is a child-centered educational approach, originally from the city of Reggio Emilia, Italy. This study explores the introduction of Reggio Emilia Approach in Sweden in the 1960s and its current application in the Stockholm region. Based on interviews and observations with staff members from the Reggio Emilia Institutet and professionals in preschools, schools and Reuse Creative Centers inspired by this approach, supported by photos and thematic analysis, the research highlights three main conclusions: (1) the historical and cultural factors that facilitated the adoption of Reggio Emilia Approach in Sweden; (2) the Swedish interpretation of learning environments aligned with Reggio Emilia Approach principles, emphasizing consistency, attention, and support for learning; and (3) inclusive practices shaped by both continuity with Reggio Emilia Approach ideals and local adaptations. The study shows how elements of Reggio Emilia Approach are reinterpreted and integrated into Swedish educational culture through a dynamic and reflective process.