Why Reggio Emilia Doesn't Exist: A Response to Richard Johnson

Abstract

In this colloquia the author responds to Richard Johnson's ‘Colonialism and Cargo Cults in Early Childhood Education: does Reggio Emilia really exist?’ ( Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 1, pp. 61–77). The colloquia paraphrases Richard Johnson's article, examining the metaphor of power and prestige and extending it in this textual interaction. The author argues that while Richard Johnson makes many valid points about ‘cargo cultism’ in early childhood education, he may have misread the literature on Reggio Emilia, and has failed to adequately deconstruct his own perceptions of Reggio Emilia programmes, and his own position as a member of a professional elite.