To continue my series of posts and videos “1-minute theorist”, let’s talk about another wonderful influential person in the field of early childhood education and care – Magda Gerber.

Magda Gerber (1910-2007) was a Hungarian-born early childhood educator and the founder of the RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) approach. Magda met Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian child’s pediatrician and decided to pursue a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Care. Gerber was inspired by many of Pikler’s ideas and incorporated them into her philosophy, which she called Educaring®. The term Educarer®, which she also coined, refers to either a parent or other caregiver and emphasises the co-influence of caring and educating. The term educare is also quite widespread in Scandinavian countries.

Magda developed her philosophy and approach to childcare based on her experiences working with infants and young children. Magda Gerber’s approach emphasises respectful and responsive caregiving, promoting a deep and respectful relationship between caregivers and infants. Can you see the links to the EYLF Belonging, Becoming and Being principle “responsive relationships with children”?

 Gerber incorporated many of Pikler’s theories into her philosophy, which she called Educaring®. The term Educarer®, which she also coined, refers to either a parent or other caregiver and emphasizes the bidirectional influence of caring and educating.

The RIE approach encourages parents and caregivers to observe and understand infants’ cues, allowing them to develop at their own pace. Magda Gerber believed in treating infants as competent individuals and respecting their unique personalities. The philosophy also emphasises the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for infants to explore and learn.

Magda Gerber’s work has had a significant influence on the field of early childhood education and parenting. Her ideas continue to be embraced by many parents, caregivers, and educators who seek a more respectful and mindful approach to caring for and interacting with infants and young children.

Magda Gerber’s influence extends beyond practical caregiving techniques; she inspired a transformative perspective on infants as whole individuals deserving of respect right from birth. Through her teachings, caregivers are encouraged to welcome babies as “honoured guests” into the world. This paradigm shift fundamentally alters our approach to childcare, instilling a deep respect for the innate capabilities and unique personalities of each child. The lens she offered has made caring for our children not only easier but also more intriguing and profoundly rewarding. Magda Gerber’s legacy continues to shape the way we perceive and care for the youngest members of our communities, fostering a nurturing environment that respects the autonomy and dignity of every infant.

“We teach while we care.” Magda Gerber created a groundbreaking model for parent education through her RIE parent-infant classes, where participants are encouraged to sit, relax, and learn from their baby’s natural self-directed activities. They also observe demonstrations of respectful adult-child interactions by a RIE facilitator.

Magda Gerber

Magda’s goal for RIE was to improve the quality of infant care, whether given in the home, in family daycare or a centre-based setting. Her approach focused on fostering a deep understanding of infants’ needs, promoting respectful interactions, and empowering caregivers to provide high-quality care that aligns with the child’s developmental stage. The RIE philosophy continues to influence parenting and caregiving practices, emphasizing a mindful and respectful approach to nurturing the youngest members of our communities.

Here are some principles of Magda Gerber’s approach.

• Basic trust in the child to be an initiator, an explorer, and a self-learner.
• An environment for the child that is physically safe, cognitively challenging, and emotionally nurturing.
• Time for uninterrupted play.
• Infant – Infant Interaction – freedom to explore and interact with other infants.
• Involvement of the child in all care activities to allow the child to become an active participant rather than a passive recipient.
• Sensitive observation of the child to understand his or her needs.
• Consistency, clearly defined limits and expectations to develop discipline.

Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object.

What do you think about Magda Gerber approach of educare?

Does it resonate with you?

Storykate