1.14: Gerber's Educarer Theory (Pikler)
- Page ID
- 233811
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Image Source: Magada Gerber's Video Library. magdagerber.org
Magda Gerber (1910-2007) believed that infants develop based on mindful interactions of their “educarers.” Her approach to infant care was inspired during her very first meeting with Dr. Emmi Pikler, a pediatrician in Magda’s native Budapest, who visited Magda’s home when their 2 year-old daughter was sick. Dr. Pikler spoke so honestly and directly with this very young child and Dr. Pikler'srespectful manner so uniquely impressive and deeply compassionate, that it convinced Magda to raise all of her children, in particular her infant son, following Pikler’s ideas. Inspired by this experience Gerber went on went on to get a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Her research furthered the work of Emmi Pikler.
The educarer develops the whole child through responsive, respectful care. Gerber believes the child should take the lead and that adults should not rush their development or interrupt the child with adult goals. The daily routines of feeding, napping, and diaper changes are the opportunities to be fully present with the infant and engage in meaningful conversations and responses. This is known as using caregiving routines as curriculum.
Gerber does not believe in using “containers” with children or in using devices that might stimulate skills the child does not have on their own (jumpers or exersaucers).
In 1978, Gerber and Forrest co-founded a non-profit organization in Los Angeles Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE - pronounced ‘rye’) to further their work with families and child care professionals. At , Gerber taught parents and professional caregivers the Educaring approach to caring for infants and toddlers.
Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) ®
Respect is the basis of the RIE philosophy.
Respect is shown to babies every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object.
RIE: Our Goal: The Authentic Child
An authentic child is one who feels secure, autonomous, and competent. When we help a child to feel secure, feel appreciated, feel that “somebody is deeply, truly interested in me,” by the way we just look, the way we just listen, we influence that child’s whole personality, the way that child sees life.
Trust in the Infant's Competence
We have basic trust in the infant to be an initiator, to be an explorer eager to learn what he is ready for. Because of this trust, we provide the infant with only enough help necessary to allow the child to enjoy mastery of her own actions.
Sensitive Observation
The RIE method, guided by respect for the infant’s competence, is observation. We observe carefully to understand the infant’s communications and his needs. The more we observe, the more we understand and appreciate the enormous amount and speed of learning that happens during the first two or three years of life. We become humbler, we teach less, and we provide an environment for learning instead.
Caregiving Times: Involving the Child
During care activities (diapering, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.), encourage even the tiniest infant to become an active participant rather than a passive recipient of the activities. Parents create opportunities for interaction, cooperation, intimacy and mutual enjoyment by being wholeheartedly with the infant during the time they spend together anyway. “Refueled” by such unhurried, pleasurable caring experiences, infants are ready to explore their environment with only minimal intervention by adults.
A Safe, Challenging, Predictable Environment
Our role is to create an environment in which the child can best do all the things that the child would do naturally. The more predictable an environment is, the easier it is for babies to learn.
As infants become more mobile, they need safe, appropriate space in which to move. Their natural, inborn desire to move should not be handicapped by the environment.
Time for Uninterrupted Play and Freedom to Explore
Provide the infant with plenty of time for uninterrupted play. Instead of trying to teach babies new skills, appreciate and admire what babies are doing.
Consistency
Establish clearly defined limits and communicate our expectations to develop discipline.
Source
- Educaring Approach. Educaring. © 2025 Resources for Infant Educarers® (RIE®)
- Our Founder, Magda Gerber. Educaring. © 2025 Resources for Infant Educarers® (RIE®)