Your Self-Confident Baby, How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities-from the Very
Start, by Magda Gerber and
Allison Johnson Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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observation of one's child, a simple yet safe environment and clearly
defined limits are some of the concepts that make parenting of babies from
birth to two years rewarding for both parent or caregiver and child. In
"Your Self-Confident Baby," Magda Gerber explains the principles
of her parenting philosophy, based on respect, which is taught to
parents and professionals at her Los Angeles center, Resources for Infant
Educarers (RIE). An "educarer," a word Magda coined, is one who
both educates and cares for children.
The book begins with the basics of Magda's RIE
philosophy and her background, then progresses through a child's
developmental stages from birth to two years old. Included in this book is
a chapter on how to select the best child care and another chapter written
for "newborn parents," whose needs are also considered. Respect,
Magda believes, is a two-way street.
The authors use anecdotes from Magda Gerber's many
years of work with families and experiences from parents who have
participated in her classes with their infants. These examples provide
constructive suggestions that help mothers, fathers, and professional
caregivers turn "chores" such as feeding and diapering into
rewarding experiences for both the adult and the infant. Respect for the
infant as a human being is the basis for raising a self-confident baby.
Treating the baby as a competent person, communicating with him or her,
trusting in his ability to explore, learn and take her "first
steps" on her own, will result in a happier, healthier baby--and
parent.
RIE: