Francesco Tonucci

Francesco Tonucci is a educational psychologist and Italian thinker who questions traditional educational models, defending a child-centered education, based on curiosity, play and free exploration. According to him, learning should be a creative and pressure-free process, where each child learns at their own pace and develops skills to actively participate in society.

Tonucci is a researcher at the’Institute of Psychology of the National Research Council of Rome. In addition to his pedagogical work, Tonucci is known for his alter ego "Frato", with whom he draws comic strips that humorously criticize the educational system and the daily challenges of children.

Your project The city of children (1991) proposed an urban model designed to guarantee the safety and autonomy of the youngest, promoting public spaces that favor a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Featured works

The city of children. It is not just a theoretical work: it has given rise to an international project applied in dozens of cities around the world. It is the central reference when talking about Tonucci in institutional and municipal contexts.

With child's eyes. It is Francesco Tonucci's most cited pedagogical work, where he formulates his critique of traditional schools and defends an education based on autonomy, curiosity, experience and trust in children.

When children say enough. This book consolidates the political and democratic dimension of Tonucci's thought. Here children appear clearly as social and political subjects, not just educational ones.