The Atelier is a Unique Artistic Expression for Children

Topics: School Life 

Age Range: Preschool 

With the Reggio Emilia approach, a child is considered a competent, capable and natural researcher who wants to learn and explore. To encourage this, many Reggio Emilia schools, like KLA Schools, offer an Atelier for children to use.

What is an Atelier in Reggio Emilia schools?


A Reggio Emilia Atelier is a welcoming and inspiring place offering a wide variety of materials for artistic expression. “Atelier” means “art studio” or “workshop” in French. In a Reggio Emilia Atelier, kids experience these different materials that progressively support their expression. This early exploration of the visual arts offers children endless possibilities.

Inside the Atelier


In the Reggio Emilia approach, the environment is the third teacher. A bright and welcoming space, the Atelier is designed for kids to explore and have fun. Materials like clay, paper, fabric, wire, light, beads, wood, leaves, and shells are available for children to explore depending on their interest. The Atelier encourages collaboration and creativity. Children can work together with their peers to complete a project or discover new ideas. The Atelier mood is calm and inspiring. Children create at their own pace and learn to problem-solve and express themselves without time limits or restrictions.

Ateliers are led by an Atelierista. The Atelierista a teacher is a partner in the child’s artistic journey. They encourage the child to experiment and create, and collaborates with individual kids and small groups to support ongoing learning. As part of the Reggio Emilia educational approach, the Atelierista also documents each child’s process to understand and celebrate their ideas.

The benefits of art education in Reggio Emilia schools


An Atelier in a Reggio Emilia school like KLA Schools supports children in experimentation, intuition and spontaneous creativity. Its wide variety of materials encourages free expression of ideas. In addition to encouraging creativity and self-expression, art exposure develops motor skills, cognitive development, and social and emotional skills.