In the Reggio Emilia Approach, documentation is more than just recording what happens in the classroom—it is a powerful tool for learning, reflection, and communication. Through photographs, written observations, children’s work samples, and recorded conversations, documentation makes the learning process visible to students, teachers, and families.This practice allows educators to track children’s thinking, questions, and discoveries over time, helping to shape future learning experiences. It also fosters collaboration, as children revisit and discuss their own work, deepening their understanding and critical thinking skills.Beyond assessment, documentation serves as a way to honor children’s voices and ideas, creating a shared narrative of their educational jurney. By displaying learning moments throughout the classroom, it reinforces the belief that children are active participants in constructing their own knowledge. (Schroeder-Yu, 2008)How a Facilitator Documents in a Reggio Emilia-Inspired SessionIn a Reggio Emilia-inspiredclassroom, the facilitator (teacher) plays an active role in documenting children’s learning experiences. This documentation serves as a tool for reflection, assessment, and future planning, making learning visible to both students and the community. Here’s how a facilitator documents during a session:
Observing and Actively Listening
The facilitator carefully observes children’s interactions, conversations, and creative processes. Instead of directing learning, they listen closely to children’s ideas, theories, and questions to understand their thought processes.2. Taking Notes and Recording Conversations
Using a notebook, tablet, or voice recorder, the facilitator captures key moments of dialogue, noting children’s ideas, problem-solving approaches, and emerging interests.
These notes help track how children’s thinking evolves over time and provide insight into their learning approaches.
3. Capturing Visual Documentation
Photographs and Videos: The facilitator takes pictures or videos of children working, collaborating, and engaging with materials. This helps document non-verbal expressions, body language, and progress in projects.
Children’s Work Samples: Drawings, paintings, sculptures, or written reflections are collected as evidence of learning. These products will be shown posted in the classroom.
4. Organizing and Reflecting on DocumentationAfter the session, the facilitator reviews and organizes the collected materials, looking for patterns, themes, and insights that can guide future learning experiences. Some common ways to present documentation include:
Learning Panels: Displaying photos, quotes, and student work in the classroom.
Journals or Portfolios: Keeping an ongoing record of each child’s development.
Digital Platforms: Using blogs, slideshows, or online portfolios to share learning moments with families.
5. Using Documentation to Guide LearningDocumentation is not just a record—it’s a tool for shaping curriculum and supporting inquiry-based learning. By revisiting documented moments with children, the facilitator encourages them to reflect, expand on their ideas, and take ownership of their learning journey.Through this process, documentation becomes a bridge between past and future learning, reinforcing the Reggio Emilia belief that children are capable, curious, and active participants in their education.Simple Ways to Document Learning in a Typical ClassroomIdeas on how to document in a regular classroomEven in a traditional classroom, documentation can make learning more visible and meaningful. Here are a few easy ways to integrate it:
Photo Journals: Capture students’ work and activities with pictures, adding short descriptions or student quotes.
Learning Walls: Display key moments, student reflections, and work samples to create a visual timeline of the learning process.
Teacher Notes & Student Quotes: Record meaningful conversations, questions, and observations in a notebook or digital document.
Student Portfolios: Collect drawings, writing samples, and project work to track progress over time.
Video & Audio Recordings: Use short clips of student discussions or presentations to reflect on their thinking and growth.
Collaborative Learning Logs: Have students contribute to a class journal where they summarize their discoveries and reflections.
These strategies help capture children’s voices, thinking, and creativity while making learning visible, reflective, and interactive.