Professional Development

The Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network (BARIN) offers a variety of professional development opportunities for those seeking to learn about or deepen their understanding of the Reggio Emilia Approach.

• Annual Workshop Series – A series of evening workshops for educators
• Pedagogical Leadership Cohort – A cohort designed for leaders in the field to engage in direct communication and learning with leaders in Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Summer Seminars- A series of discussions and workshops for educators with a focus on strength of practice 

Interested in a specific workshop? Please reach out. We are happy to connect you with presenters, workshop leaders, and consultants. To learn more about Pedagogical Coaching opportunities, please visit the Services page.

Our Current Workshop Series:

Reggio in Action: Examining Key Moments of The Day

Join us for the 2025 BARIN Workshop Series as we take a closer look at daily life in a Reggio-inspired classroom. We will explore the key moments in the day that activate the Reggio principles and support the design of intentional environments and emergent curriculum. Each workshop will highlight a key element: Arrival & Provocations, Morning Meeting, Small Group Inquiry with Children, and Teacher Reflection. Important Reggio values such as the pedagogy of listening, participation, collaboration, progettazione, and the teacher as researcher will be woven throughout.

Registration is for the entire workshop series – all four events. Each event is described below. You can read detailed presenter bios here. All events are on Zoom from 7:00-8:30 p.m. ET.

Partnerships in Practice: Morning Meeting as a Space of Listening & Co-Creation

Workshop #1: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

What role does Morning Meeting play in the learning experiences of young children? How can Morning Meeting become a meaningful and transformative part of young children’s day? This presentation explores its role in fostering listening, collaboration, and community-building, grounded in the Reggio Emilia principle of attending to both verbal and non-verbal communication. Morning Meeting positions teachers as facilitators, ensuring children’s thoughts, emotions, and ideas shape the curriculum. Using real classroom examples, we will examine routines that position children’s voices at the center, empower self-expression, and foster co-constructed learning. Participants will explore strategies for facilitating discussions, gathering observations, and creating inclusive rituals that make Morning Meeting a space for connection, leadership, and authentic learning.

Presented by Dana Frantz Bentley, Ed.D, Beginner Teacher (PreK), and Amanda Caplan Goodman, M.Ed, Beginner Teacher (PreK), at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School. Read presenter bios here.

Setting the Stage: Arrival and Provocations in the Reggio Emilia Approach

Workshop #2: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

This Workshop focuses on the concepts of Arrival and Provocations within a Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment, emphasizing their significance in creating an engaging and responsive learning atmosphere. We will explore how thoughtful arrival routines set a welcoming tone for the day, fostering a sense of belonging and community among children. We will discuss the importance of provocations—carefully curated materials and experiences designed to spark curiosity and inquiry. Participants will see examples of the design of meaningful provocations that resonate with children’s interests encouraging exploration, critical thinking, and joy. Additionally, we will examine how these initial moments of the day can inspire rich discussions, collaborative learning, and deeper engagement with the curriculum.

Presented by Pamela Thompson, Director of Teaching & Learning, and Fay Ferency, Curriculum Project Manager, at Neighborhood Villages. Read presenter bios here.

The Power of Small Groups: Co-Constructing Knowledge Through Inquiry & Collaboration

Workshop #3: Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Using examples from practitioners working with young toddlers through pre-k, this workshop will explore the transformative impact of Small Group Inquiry with children. Specifically, we will examine how small group inquiry can foster deep engagement and learning among children, family, and educators. With videos, photographs, and other artifacts, presenters will outline the foundational principles of project design, and participants will examine effective teacher facilitation and intentional setups of learning spaces that encourage collaborative exploration. As we walk through examples of children immersed in various stages of project development, work in the “hundred languages”, and reflection, we’ll also delve into the teacher’s role as an expert and researcher, and the value of emergent curriculum design for enhancing children’s role in co-constructing knowledge in the classroom.

Presented by Lisa Goddard, MEd, PhD Fellow in Reggio Childhood Studies at Unimore, and Samantha Balch, MEd, Preschool Teacher at Radcliffe Child Care Center. Read presenter bios here.

Teacher Planning: Holding Space for the Educator’s Thinking

Workshop #4: Monday, April 28, 2025

In our final workshop of the series, we will investigate the significance of creating intentional spaces for teacher thinking and collaboration, essential components of the Reggio Emilia Approach. Participants will explore what teacher thinking looks like, how educators organize their thoughts for meaningful collaboration and planning, and the strategies they use to set daily intentions. Through videos and photographs showcasing educators’ thought processes—including notes, documentation, and planning strategies—we will highlight the ways in which educators analyze their documentation to determine what to make visible for children, families, and colleagues. Participants will learn about key principles such as the Pedagogy of Listening and the role of the Teacher as Researcher, illustrating how educators can cultivate environments that support reflective practice.

Presented by Olivia Bogan, M.Ed. Preschool Teacher, John Winthrop School for Young Children. Read presenter bios here.

Registration Information

The 2025 BARIN Workshop Series will be hosted on the Zoom platform. Registration is for all four events; single event registration is not available.

• $150 Supporting Fee: At this level, you are covering your fee for all Workshop Series events and helping to subsidize the reduced fees paid by others who have more challenging financial circumstances.
• $100 Our-Cost Fee: At this level, your fee fully covers the costs of you attending all events in the Workshop Series.
• $50 Subsidized Fee: At this level, your fee for all events is subsidized by the scholarship fund provided by BARIN Supporters and through the additional fees paid by those selecting a Supporting Level Fee.

Please email us at bostonreggioinspiredstudygroup@gmail.com if you have questions about registration or fees.

REGISTER HERE