our under–3’s community
8 RIE Principles
Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophy is a fundamental component of how we approach our day and learning with our under–3’s community.
This philosophy is based upon respectful practices and interactions to create a calm and peaceful place for your child to build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
#1 THE AUTHENTIC CHILD
An authentic child is one who feels secure, autonomous, competent, and connected. When we help a child to feel secure, feel appreciated, feel that “somebody is deeply, truly interested in me”, we influence that child’s whole personality and the way they see life.
#2 TRUST IN THE INFANTS COMPETENCE
We have basic trust in the infant to be an initiator, to be an explorer eager to learn what they are ready for. Because of this trust, we provide infants with only enough help necessary to allow them to enjoy the mastery of their own actions.
#3 RESPECT
We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them.
Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object.
#4 SENSITIVE OBSERVATION
We observe carefully to understand infants’ communications and their needs. The more we observe, the more we understand and appreciate the enormous amount (and speed) of learning that happens during the first three years of life.
#5 INVOLVING THE CHILD
During care activities, we encourage even the tiniest infant to become an active participant rather than a passive recipient of the activities. Adults create opportunities for interaction, cooperation, intimacy and mutual enjoyment by being wholehearted with the infant during the time they spend together anyway.“Refuelled” by such unhurried, pleasurable caring experiences, infants are ready to explore their environment with only minimal intervention by adults.
#6 A SAFE, CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT
Our role is to create an environment in which infants can best do all the things that they 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 spaces in which to move. Their natural, inborn desire to move should not be handicapped by the environment.
#7 UNINTERRUPTED PLAY
We give infants plenty of time for uninterrupted play.
Instead of trying to teach babies new skills, we appreciate and admire what they are actually doing.
#8 CONSISTENCY
We establish clearly defined limits and communicate our expectations to develop self discipline.