Magda Gerber Quotes

Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child. Earlier is not better.

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

Every baby moves with more ease and efficiency if allowed to do it at his own time and in his own way, without our trying to teach him. A child who has always been allowed to move freely develops not only an agile body but also good judgment about what he can and cannot do.

When you hold an infant, hold him not just with your body, but with your mind and heart.

I wish children could grow according to their natural pace: sleep when sleepy, wake up when rested, eat when hungry, cry when upset, play and explore without being unnecessarily interrupted; in other words, be allowed to grow and blossom as each was meant to.

Let the child be the scriptwriter, the director and the actor in his own play.

An infant always learns. The less we interfere with the natural process of learning, the more we can observe how much infants learn all the time.

By closely supervising our infants, by allowing them to do what they are capable of, by restraining ourselves from rescuing them too often, by waiting and waiting and waiting, by giving minimal help when they really need it, we allow our infants to learn and grow at their own time and in their own way. I believe that, no matter how much and how fast the world changes, a well-grounded, competent, and confident person is best equipped to adapt to it. This is our goal.

What infants need is the opportunity and time to take in and figure out the world around them.

When you approach your baby with an attitude of respect, you let him know what you intend to do and give him a chance to respond. You assume he is competent and involve him in his care and let him, as much as possible, solve his own problems. You give him plenty of physical freedom and you don't push development.

Do less; observe more; enjoy most.

What parents teach is themselves, as models of what is human - by their moods, their reactions, their facial expressions and actions. These are the real things parents need to be aware of, and of how they affect their children. Allow them to know you, and it might become easier for them to learn about themselves.

If infants are ready to do something, they will do it. In fact, when they are ready, they have to do it.

Allow the child to be authentic, to move, to feel the way they move, appreciating them for what they are.

Sadness, discomfort, frustration -- they are all valid human emotions. Why would we want to suppress them?

I have spent my adult life trying to figure out why parents and society put themselves into a race -- what's the hurry? I keep trying to convey the pleasure every parent and teacher could feel while observing, appreciating and enjoying what the infant is doing. This attitude would change our educational climate from worry to joy.

Remember, nobody can make another person fall asleep. How to relax and let sleep come is a skill your child, like everybody else, must learn all by herself.

Infancy is a vulnerable stage of development, therefore, it's not enough that babies receive good care, the care must be excellent.

Much harm has been done in the name of love, but no harm can be done in the name of respect.

All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time.

Children raised with respect and inner direction tend to play well in groups, at times quite peacefully, each involved in her own project or involved with the other chidren.

Wouldn't life be easier for both parents and infants if parents would observe, relax and enjoy what their child is doing, rather than keep teaching what the child is not yet capable of?

Focus on quality and ease of movement, not on the age a milestone is accomplished.

As I say so often, “Observe and wait.” Sometimes you may even find out that what you believed the infant wanted was only your assumption. It is natural to make mistakes and easy to misunderstand pre-verbal children. Nevertheless, it is important to keep trying

The way we care for our babies is how they experience our love.

Children do not play because they learn; They play because they play.

We all need someone who understands.

The more we do, the busier we are, the less we really pay attention.

Observe more, do less. Do less, enjoy more.

Set aside predictable, regular times to give full attention without being distracted by other concerns while also creating a safe, familiar place for baby to spend time playing alone.

A positive goal to strive for when disciplining would be to raise children we not only love, but in whose company we love being.

Educarers demonstrate love by showing and teaching respect.

Predictability brings about security.

Having Respect for the world is when you allow people to be what they are.

RIE emphasizes the benefits of infants spending peaceful, uninterrupted time following their biological rhythms of falling asleep when sleepy and eating when hungry, rather than their having to adjust too soon to external schedules and unrealistic expectations. First, we have to let the child develop his own rhythm; and then later he can adjust more into adult life.