Magda Gerber’s Approach to Professional Infant/Toddler Care Respectfully Yours Magda Gerber’s Approach to Professional Infant/Toddler Care

RIE Philosophy “Our approach is basically respect for infants.” “You don’t want them to do what they cannot do and be what they cannot be.”

Signs of Quality Care What are some of the keys that give you a feeling as to whether a family child care home or center is a quality one? “If I were an infant, would I like to be here?” Why or why not?

Caregiver Style Eye contact and talking when the baby desires it Lessen novelty by having primary caregivers Slow down Take cues from baby for holding

Give Full Attention Un-busy your body and your head Be fully with a child, then let her be “Unhook” yourself from all other things

Need for Security Infants need to feel they will be cared for In order for infants to feel secure, the adults caring for them need to feel secure

Care of the Very Young Everything a baby sees, hears, feels, touches is new Body does not function smoothly yet Allow children to learn step by step

Care of Older Infants Babies have a natural, inborn desire to move Toddlers believe they own the world They need freedom and lots of guidance

Socialization & Guidance Tell children the House Rules Have one place that is absolutely safe Give the message of gentleness Say “I won’t let you hurt other children”

When Toddlers Fight Over Toys Talk clearly and simply Use “I” statements Trust children to solve their own problems Adult interference produces either dependence or defiance

Distraction Distraction manipulates the child’s emotions Use as little as possible Give children permission to feel the way they feel Wait it out

Observation Look at an infant each time as if it were the first time. Get rid of what you think you know about the infant. “The more you believe that babies are helpless, the more you do. The more you do, the less you observe.”

Infant Stimulation Infants always do what they can do, what they want to do and what they are compelled to do. Stimulation means interruption By teaching you take away the chance for discovery

What About Infant Equipment? Snugglies? Love is empathetic attention, not just holding bodies Walkers? To walk you have to support your weight and balance on one foot Swings? Any child who has to be put into a swing is not ready for it

Infant Curricula? Infants are constantly learning, when teachers are “teaching” and when no one is paying attention. The infant knows best what he is learning now. Watch what the child does, follow her lead. Music, rhymes, and games are wonderful, if they happen naturally

Freedom of Movement Do not restrict children from exploring in safe environments. Do not push them to do what they are not ready to do. If a child becomes “stuck”, come near, be available and wait. As a last resort, ask the child, “do you want me to take you down?”

Dealing with Families Respect parents’ ways of doing things. Reassure them that you really care. The goal is authenticity.

Final Words Focus on how well children use what they already know. Try less and enjoy it more. Become less busy and more attentive.