June 20, 2026 — 2:00am
Children always give me hope. Their natural openness, their curiosity about the simplest of things, and their ability to wonder, dream and play remind me of the very best qualities of humanity.
The children I met on my recent trip to Reggio Emilia radiated such qualities. Their innate ability to connect and communicate in all sorts of different ways made me feel immediately welcome, as they accepted a complete stranger with confidence and joy. The Italian city is globally renowned for its unique approach to early childhood. Since World War II, it has understood children as equal members of society.
Children are treated with genuine respect and encouraged to express and share their ideas through their own “100 languages” – the many verbal and non-verbal ways they have of expressing themselves. This approach has created a wider community of care, where all generations are valued equally and work together for the greater good.
The city’s approach is built on humility: a mindset that encourages empathy, selflessness and curiosity – the social and emotional skills needed to build healthy relationships. The people of Reggio Emilia have shown that happy childhoods are the foundation of happy communities, and that genuine connection begins with listening and understanding.
