HOME ◼︎ CHILDREN ◼︎ BUDDHADHAMMA ◼︎ WRITING ◼︎ TOPICS
About
Magda Gerber was an infant specialist and educator who developed the RIE® philosophy (Resources for Infant Educarers) in the 1970s after working with pediatrician Emmi Pikler at the Loczy Institute in Hungary. Gerber brought the heart of Pikler’s work—respectful caregiving, observation, and freedom of movement—into a U.S. context, where she trained parents and professionals to interact with babies in more attuned, less intrusive ways.
Central to RIE is the belief that babies are competent, aware beings from birth—not empty vessels or passive recipients. The adult’s role is to create a safe, predictable environment, slow down interactions, offer undivided attention during care routines, and trust the baby’s inner drive to explore and learn at their own pace.
Gerber emphasized doing less, observing more, and allowing infants uninterrupted time for play and movement. She resisted devices that restricted natural motion (like infant seats or walkers), instead advocating for simple, open spaces where babies could move freely and make discoveries on their own.
How It’s Understood (and Used)
RIE has had a lasting influence on parenting and infant care, especially in home-based and relationship-based care settings. Its practices include:
- Speaking respectfully to infants—even newborns—before picking them up or changing them
- Allowing infants to initiate play rather than entertaining or directing them
- Avoiding unnecessary intervention or correction during exploration
- Prioritizing a strong, attuned relationship through consistent, respectful caregiving moments
In professional contexts, RIE is often embraced by infant/toddler teachers, doulas, and caregivers seeking an alternative to overstimulation, adult-driven scheduling, or developmental pressure. Its emphasis on relationship over stimulation provides a counterpoint to mainstream “educational” toys or premature skill-building.
Some critiques of RIE come from concerns about its minimalism or its potential to be interpreted rigidly. Others point out that while the approach emphasizes autonomy, it must also be deeply relational and culturally sensitive to avoid neglecting the emotional nuances of early care.
How It Relates to My Approach
Magda Gerber’s voice resonates with many of my values—especially respect for the child’s pace, bodily autonomy, and emotional integrity. Her invitation to observe, not rush, and to trust the child’s unfolding aligns with my contemplative stance and my emphasis on presence in caregiving.
Where I stretch beyond RIE is in the expressive, relational, and playful mess of daily life with children. I draw from Reggio, play-based, and nature-rooted approaches that welcome a wider range of materials, group experiences, and shared curiosity. But Gerber’s core message stays with me: Slow down. Speak with care. Trust the child.
Her teachings have shaped how I hold babies, how I listen to toddlers, and how I understand the sacredness of everyday care.
References
- Gerber, M. (2002). Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child’s Natural Abilities—from the Very Start
- Gerber, M. (1998). Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect
- Pikler, E. (1971). Unfolding of Infants’ Natural Gross Motor Development
- Gonzalez-Mena, J. & Widmeyer Eyer, D. (2011). Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of Respectful, Responsive, Relationship-Based Care
- Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE®) – https://www.rie.org
Glossary
- RIE® – A philosophy and organization founded by Magda Gerber focused on respectful, attuned caregiving for infants and toddlers.
- Educarer – Gerber’s term combining “educator” and “carer,” emphasizing that care moments are also rich learning moments.
- Freedom of Movement – The practice of allowing infants to move, roll, crawl, and sit up without external propping or restriction.
- Respectful Care – Interactions based on treating even the youngest infants as persons with agency, feelings, and perspective.
- Pikler Approach – The foundational influence behind RIE, developed by Hungarian pediatrician Emmi Pikler, emphasizing continuity, trust, and free movement.