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

2. 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.”

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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”

10. 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

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

12. 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.”

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?”

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

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