What is the Educaring Approach?

Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Parenting is a bit like learning to waltz in a room full of kittens—you quickly discover that no two babies move (or feel) exactly alike.

The Educaring approach invites us to slow down, observe, and honor our infants as complete human beings with their own little dreams and desires.

In this post, we’ll delve into the rich details of Educaring ideas while exploring the history and thought leaders who paved the way for this gentle, respectful style of parenting.

A Brief History of Educaring

The roots of the Educaring approach stretch back to post-war Hungary, where pioneering pediatrician Emmi Pikler worked at a Budapest orphanage known as Lóczy.

Pikler’s revolutionary ideas emphasized the importance of allowing infants to move freely, learn naturally, and develop self-confidence without constant interference.

It was in this environment that a young Magda Gerber—who would later become one of the most influential early childhood educators in the United States—absorbed the idea that babies are much more than helpless beings.

Gerber took these insights to heart and eventually coined the term “Educarer,” a portmanteau of educator and caregiver.

In 1978, alongside Thomas Forrest, she co-founded Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) in Los Angeles.

This organization has since been dedicated to teaching parents and childcare professionals how to respect and nurture a baby’s natural abilities. Today, the Educaring approach has spread across the globe, influencing early head start programs and inspiring countless families to view parenting as a shared journey of discovery.

The Core Ideas Behind Educaring

Respecting the Infant as a Competent Human Being

At the center of Educaring lies a radical but comforting idea: your baby isn’t a blank canvas waiting to be painted by you—they’re already a masterpiece in progress.

This approach challenges the notion that infants are passive recipients of care. Instead, it encourages us to see them as active, capable souls. Every smile, coo, or squirm is a form of communication, a little sign of their innate competence.

By treating our babies with genuine respect, we affirm their individuality and create the foundation for self-confidence.

Authentic, Mindful Interactions

Imagine every caregiving routine as an opportunity to engage in a quiet, heartfelt conversation—even if your baby can only respond with a burp or a wide-eyed stare.

Educaring champions the idea of speaking to your baby in plain, clear language during every activity. Whether you’re preparing a bottle or changing a diaper, explaining what you’re doing isn’t just informative—it’s a way to include your baby in the moment.

This isn’t about delivering a scripted lecture; it’s about sharing your attention and creating a warm, mutual understanding that says, “I’m here with you.”

The Art of Observant Trust

One of the most challenging (and rewarding) aspects of Educaring is learning to trust your baby’s own abilities.

Rather than jumping in to immediately “fix” every little fuss, you become an attentive observer.

Picture yourself as a devoted audience member at a one-baby show, where your infant is the star actor exploring their surroundings. By carefully watching your baby’s cues—be it a curious glance or a fussy grunt—you learn what they need, when they need it, and when it’s best to let them figure things out on their own.

This observant trust not only builds self-reliance in your child but also teaches you to appreciate the often subtle art of communication.

Creating a Safe, Stimulating, and Calm Environment

Think of your home as a little wonderland designed for exploration—a place where simplicity reigns over the flashy and the overly complex.

The Educaring approach advises creating an environment that is both physically secure and emotionally nurturing. Instead of filling every corner with high-tech gadgets and overstimulating toys, focus on providing simple, open-ended objects that invite tactile exploration.

A soft, cushioned play area with just a few well-chosen items can do wonders for your baby’s natural curiosity. This carefully crafted space helps your child feel safe enough to explore, experiment, and, yes, occasionally make a mess.

Encouraging Independent Play (Without Checking Out)

Now, here’s a twist: while the idea of independent play might sound like a parental daydream (or a tactic to catch a few extra minutes of peace), it’s a cornerstone of Educaring.

When you allow your baby some time for uninterrupted play, you’re not abandoning them.

Rather, you’re giving them a chance to engage with their surroundings, solve little problems on their own, and build a sense of autonomy.

Of course, you remain nearby—a supportive presence, ready to step in when needed. It’s a bit like leaving the stage momentarily while still keeping an eye on the performance, knowing that every small discovery is a step toward self-confidence.

Involving Your Baby in Daily Caregiving

Every caregiving activity—from bathing to feeding—is a chance for shared connection.

Instead of seeing these routines as mundane tasks, imagine them as opportunities for dialogue and mutual participation. Invite your baby to “help” by letting them watch you or even reach out a little.

Explaining your actions before you take them—“I’m going to pick you up now, okay?”—creates a predictable ritual that reassures your baby and reinforces their role as an active participant in their own care. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to show that they matter, even in the seemingly ordinary moments.

The Beauty of Selective Intervention

Perhaps the trickiest—and most nuanced—aspect of Educaring is knowing when to step in and when to let your baby navigate challenges on their own.

This isn’t about being a passive bystander; it’s about striking a balance.

Sometimes, a little struggle is exactly what your baby needs to learn a new skill or to build resilience. Other times, a gentle intervention is necessary to ensure safety or comfort.

This selective intervention requires you to listen to your baby’s cues and to trust your intuition. It’s an evolving process—one that might involve a fair bit of trial and error (and a few humorous missteps along the way).

Thought Leaders and Their Contributions

The Educaring approach has been shaped by a small but mighty group of innovators whose ideas continue to influence parenting worldwide:

• Emmi Pikler:
  A trailblazing pediatrician in Hungary, Pikler’s work at Lóczy introduced the world to the power of respectful, unhurried infant care. Her insistence that babies should be allowed to move freely and learn at their own pace laid the groundwork for all that would follow.

• Magda Gerber:
  Inspired by Pikler, Gerber took these revolutionary ideas and brought them to the United States. She coined the term “Educarer” and established Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) in 1978. Gerber’s philosophy emphasizes that every interaction with a baby—no matter how routine—should be imbued with respect and mindfulness. Her books, such as Your Self-Confident Baby and Dear Parent, continue to be cherished guides for parents and professionals alike.

• Thomas Forrest:
  As a pediatric neurologist and Gerber’s collaborator, Forrest helped translate these ideas into practical training programs that could be applied in childcare settings, ensuring that the principles of Educaring reached beyond the home.

Over the years, educators and authors like Deborah Carlisle Solomon and Janet Lansbury have further popularized and developed these ideas, each adding their own insights and practical tips. Their work, rooted in Gerber’s foundational concepts, has helped many parents and professionals see that nurturing is not about rigid rules but about fostering genuine connection and respect.

Bringing It All Together

The Educaring approach is a gentle invitation to view parenting not as a series of checklists and quick fixes, but as an art form—a dance where you and your baby learn from each other.

It calls for deep respect, authentic interactions, and a willingness to observe, trust, and occasionally step back. It reminds us that while babies may sometimes seem like unpredictable little philosophers, they are, in truth, incredible sources of wisdom and wonder.

In embracing Educaring, you create a safe, loving environment where your child can explore at their own pace while knowing that you are always there, quietly cheering them on. And in those moments of unexpected mess and joyful discovery, you might just find that parenting becomes a bit more like a well-choreographed waltz—even if, at times, you and your baby are dancing to different tunes.

So here’s to the journey—full of curious little discoveries, unexpected giggles, and the profound joy of watching your baby blossom into the confident, capable human being they are meant to be.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Gerber, M. (1997). Your self‐confident baby: How to encourage your child's natural abilities from the very start. Wiley.

Gerber, M., & Weaver, J. (1998). Dear parent: Caring for infants with respect. Resources for Infant Educarers.

Solomon, D. C. (1997). Baby knows best. Little, Brown.

Resources for Infant Educarers. (n.d.). Educaring® approach. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://rie.org/educaring-approach/

Resources for Infant Educarers. (n.d.). Our founder. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://rie.org/about/our-founder/

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Resources for Infant Educarers. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resources_for_Infant_Educarers