RIE (pronounced “rye”) is the acronym for Resources for Infant Educarers®, a non-profit co-founded by Magda Gerber and pediatric neurologist Tom Forrest, M.D. in 1978. Gerber was well known for introducing the idea of respecting infants and seeing them as confident, competent individuals. The organization carries on her mission of improving the care of infants worldwide.
- 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
- 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 in order to understand his or her needs
- Consistency, clearly defined limits and expectations to develop discipline
The Educaring Approach fosters an authentic sense of self and lays a foundation for secure relationships, enduring curiosity, and lasting self-confidence to support infants to be:
- Secure
- Competent
- Confident
- Curious
- Cheerful
- Attentive
- Exploring
- Cooperative
- Peaceful
- Focused
- Self-initiating
- Resourceful
- Involved
- Inner-directed
- Aware
- Interested
