The traveling “Hundred Languages of Children” exhibition opened Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Fresno State campus with 30 Roosevelt High School (Fresno) students who were the first of several educational groups from throughout the state planning to visit during the three-month run.

The exhibition of 200 large Plexiglas panels, light boxes and cases — now on display in the Joyce M. Huggins Early Education Center in the university’s Education Building Atrium — features children’s work from the preschools nm by the city of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy and considered by experts to be the best early education system in the world.

Educational groups are coining from as far as the coast and the bay area with Mendota day care teachers scheduled to visit Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 a.m., said Dr. Shareen Abramson, director of the Huggins Center, who worked the past five years to bring the exhibition to Fresno.

Other schools or groups who have already booked visits include the Madera County Office of Education, Fresno Unified Schools – Child Development Programs, the St. Agnes Child Care Center, Yuba City Community College, Modesto Community College, Fresno City College, Monterey Peninsula Community College, Bakersfield College, Fresno County Child Care Center Directors, and the Council of California State University Children’s Center directors.

An accompany institute, “Reggio Emilia and Beyond,” consisting of four separate courses, will be offered during the exhibition. Enrollment in the institute or for individual courses is available through the university’s Extended Education at (209) 278-0333.

The first seminar on Sept. 12 attracted 53 people. Also, 15 volunteer docents were trained to assist with the exhibition. The fee is $89 each and pre-registration is recommended.

Instructors for’

or the remaining seminars are Dr. Carolyn Pope Edwards, psychology and family studies professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln on Sept. 18 and 19; Dr. Lillian Katz, early childhood education professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign on Oct. 9 and 10 (filled); and Dr. George Forman, education professor at the University of Massachusetts on Nov. 6 and 7.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Dr. Brad Mitchell, an Ohio educator who has studied the Reggio Approach, will be on campus for a presentation entitled “Bringing Reggio Home: Policy, Leadership and Classroom Dynamics” to about 50 faculty, educators and others at a reserved luncheon.

Primary funding support for the “Hundred Languages of Children” exhibition was provided by the Child Development Training Consortium from the state’s Department of Education with major regional support from the State Center Consortium of Community Colleges, Central Section Association for the Education of Young Children and central valley county school superintendents from Tulare, Mariposa, Madera, Kings, and Fresno counties.

Local funding sources include the Bonner Family Foundation, Supportive Services of Fresno County, St. Agnes Hospital, Children’s Services Network, Fresno County Association for the Education of Young Children, Inland Star Distribution Centers, Inc., and Fresno State Extended Education Division.

The free exhibit is open to the general public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed on Sundays. Guided tours for groups are also available for $5.00 per person and must be arranged in advance.

For more educational institute information, contact Extended Education at (209) 278-0333. For information about the exhibit and guided tours, contact the Huggins Center at (209) 278-0225.