• What is the Montessori Method?
• What is the RIE Approach?
• Comparing Montessori and RIE
• Principles of the RIE Approach
• Where to Start with RIE
• Further Reading

What is the Montessori Method? 

The Montessori Method is an educational philosophy created by Maria Montessori in the early 20th century. She was a highly educated doctor in Italy who often worked with underprivileged children. As she made scientific observations of children’s development and natural tendencies, she developed the Montessori Method of education. The method is a child-centered approach that emphasizes respect for children, observing children and responding to their developmental needs, and following children’s interests.

“Respect all the reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them." - Maria Montessori, The Child in the Family

What is the RIE Approach? 

The Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) Approach was started in 1978 by Magda Gerber, a Hungarian-born educator who then lived in Los Angeles. The approach is based on the guiding principle of respect for the infant. In fact, Gerber was inspired by Dr. Emmi Pikler, a pediatrician in Budapest who researched the emotional and physical aspects of gross motor development in babies. Dr. Pikler was Gerber's mentor, and encouraged her to share what she learned about infant care in the United States.

The RIE Approach, also referred to as “Educaring,” is based on a belief that infants are unique and valuable human beings. It emphasizes that our interactions with babies can reflect our respect for them. Our interactions support their development into secure, independent, and competent children and adults. 

“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.” - Magda Gerber

Comparing Montessori and RIE

If you're thinking, "RIE sounds a lot like Montessori," you're right! We can't do a typical comparison between the two, since there is so much overlap. Montessori and RIE are very complementary and share many of the same core values and principles.

They differ in two main ways:

• The Montessori Method utilizes specific developmental materials designed by Maria Montessori for use by babies and children, while the RIE Approach does not incorporate any RIE-specific materials.
• The RIE Approach addresses care for children through toddlerhood, or around age 2, while the Montessori Method is an educational approach that spans from birth to adulthood.

The Montessori Method supports and encourages many of the principles of the RIE Approach, and families often draw from both philosophies since the two have so much in common. So what are some main principles of the RIE Approach?

For an overview of Montessori, start here!

Principles of the RIE Approach

Respect for Infants

The RIE Approach emphasizes treating infants as capable and competent learners, with their own preferences, abilities, and interests. It underscores the importance of interactions such as telling an infant before we are going to pick them up, talking directly to an infant (and not over them), and waiting for a child’s response before we act. 

Responsive Caregiving 

Caregivers are encouraged to pay close attention to their infant’s cues and signals for needs like hunger, diapering, or comfort. Responding promptly develops communication between the adult and even with the youngest of babies, and helps to build a secure attachment in the child. It also encourages the adult to allow the infant to take an active role in their own care activities rather than being a passive recipient, even at a very young age. This might look like explaining to your child the steps you are taking, and then waiting for a response or a movement (like pushing an arm through a sleeve when getting dressed). 

Slow, Unhurried Care

Caregivers are encouraged to slow down and not rush through tasks involving their infant. This means allowing the infant to move and explore at their own pace, even if it may not match the adult’s pace. It also means waiting for a response from the infant when you tell them something, which may come much slower than you might expect. 

Observation

The RIE Approach encourages caregivers to closely observe their infants to gain a deep understanding of their developmental stages, needs, and interests. If a child is absorbed in an activity, try not to interrupt, and wait until the right moment to intervene. 

Respectful Communication

The RIE Approach emphasizes the importance of verbal communication with even the youngest of babies. Caregivers are encouraged to use respectful and clear language to describe what they are doing, ask for permission before handling the infant, and wait for a response. 

Independent Play

Allowing infants ample time for independent, uninterrupted play allows them to explore their environment and learn about the world around them. The RIE Approach believes that instead of trying to teach babies new skills, they will learn and develop at their own pace if we provide a safe, challenging, and predictable environment and allow them to explore it at their own pace.

Consistency

Predictability is seen as essential to the infant’s sense of security and well-being. A consistent routine helps babies develop confidence in their environment and develop their own inner rhythms of sleeping, eating, and being alert.

No “Props”

This one may surprise you! The RIE Approach discourages placing infants in any devices like high chairs, walkers, bouncers, and swings that restrict babies’ freedom of movement. It also discourages placing babies in positions they can’t get into and out of on their own, such as propping an infant up in a sitting position, which can be disorienting and hinder their natural developmental preparation for movements like sitting, crawling, and walking. 

Much like the Pikler Approach, the RIE Approach advocates for infants to be able to move and explore freely in safe areas and environments. When they are old enough, children are encouraged to engage in gross motor activities like the Pikler Labyrinth and Climbing Triangle.

In fact, Magda Gerber, the founder of the RIE Approach, was inspired and mentored by Dr. Emmi Pikler and wrote: “I have felt sometimes like the bridge between Dr. Pikler and American society.”

Where to Start with RIE

If you’re interested in incorporating RIE principles into your parenting, you might start by slowing down and observing your baby.

• What do you notice about what catches their attention, what upsets them, and what absorbs them?
• Can you identify patterns in their cues or the daily rhythm of their needs? 

If you’re ready for a deeper dive, we encourage you to check out the following resources to learn even more about the RIE Approach!

Further Reading

Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect by Magda Gerber

Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities - From the Very Start by Magda Gerber