This research considers the views and perspectives of a group of students on an Education Studies and Early Years course in an English university that took part in an arts project inspired by the philosophy and pedagogy of the Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy. This ethnographic study included semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire which provided further themes for discussion. The intention of the research was to explore why the students perceived this style of learning as so difficult in order to support future pedagogical development on the course. Findings suggest that there is more preparatory work needed before students can comfortably engage with this approach to study.