The early childhood programme of Reggio Emilia, Italy, has become recognised and acclaimed as an outstanding system of education. Carlina Rinaldi, former director of the municipal early childhood centres in Reggio Emilia, and successor to Loris Malaguzzi (one of the leading pedagogical thinkers of the 20th century), has an international reputation in early years education, and has spoken on the topic around the world. This book offers a selection of Rinaldi's most important articles, lectures and interviews from 1984 to the present day, with introductions explaining the context which inspired each piece. Much of this material has never before been published in English, and focuses on a number of questions: Why are the pedagogy of listening, pedagogical documentation, participation and research such important concepts in Reggio Emilia? How are they practised? ; How can educators most effectively make use of art and creativity? ; and What is so unique about Reggio Emilia? 'In Dialogue with Reggio Emilia' closes with an interview with Rinaldi by the editors of the Contesting Early Childhood series, Peter Moss and Gunilla Dahlberg. Here she discusses her current work and her reflections on Reggio's past, present and future. This book will not just be essential reading to those studying or teaching early childhood education. Anyone with a concern for the larger issues of learning, childhood and the place of the school in a democratic society will find this a seminal text. Carlina Rinaldi is an executive consultant for Reggio Children, a professo rat the University of Modena and Reggio, and a councillor for the municipality of Reggio Emilia.