What is the Pikler Approach?
The Pikler Approach is a way of raising infants and small children that is highly respectful of who they are as individuals, giving great emphasis to freedom of movement, self-initiated play, and attentive caregiving between the child and the adult.
Jump to:
- Attentive Caregiving
- Freedom of Movement
- Self-Initiated Play
- How Caregiving, Freedom of Movement, and Self-Initiated Play Work Together
Attentive Caregiving
Physical touch is paramount to the life experience of an infant. From the moment they are born, they are dependent on the touch from adults, parents, and caregivers, for their physical needs to be met. An infant cannot immediately dress themselves, change their own clothes, bathe themselves, or feed themselves - it all falls to the adults in the infant's life to meet those needs.
The days of caring for young infants are filled with repetition, with tasks done over and over again. A routine unfolds, or is sometimes carefully crafted, and often parents and caregivers will find themselves going through the motions of the routine, assigning it as something mundane that just needs to get done. Sometimes, when we get into the mindset of wanting the routine to be over with, we rush the process of dressing, feeding, or diapering - and our babies can sense that we are rushed, and it can cause them to feel ill-at-ease.
In the Pikler Approach, these moments of routine can be prime moments when parents and caregivers can connect with the babies in their care. This requires going slow, taking our time, and using soft, gentle hands. In this way, we are present enough to use our sense of touch to feel if our child's body is tense or relaxed, to notice when they protest, and when they cooperate. We can use our voices to speak to the child, and not over them, in a measured and calm voice, teaching them that they are worth communicating with through our body language, through physical touch, and through vocalization.
Going slowly and paying attention to our babies cues and body language not only empowers them to be full participants in the caregiving process, but it also provides those in positions of caregiving the opportunity to be observant of their child, to be mindful of themselves, and to cultivate strong and lasting bonds with the children. In going slow, taking our time with the process, and being respectful with our hands and our voices, we are doing more than just taking care of the baby - we are meeting their emotional needs as well.
Freedom of Movement
As defined by Pikler, freedom of movement is allowing our children to move and grow unhindered by any teaching, placing our babies into positions, exercises, and so forth from parents and caregivers. Babies follow a natural progression of physical development - they have the full capability to go from lying on their backs to walking without any interference. They may take longer to reach certain milestones, or reach them sooner than expected, but one thing that is certain - they will reach it on their own timeline.
Physical Benefits
Allowing your child to move and develop freely without hinderance from adults often results in outstanding gross motor development. Children develop good balance, coordination, and how to take a well-calculated risk. Their body awareness tends to be high, their equilibrium impressive, as is their ability to handle their own bodies.
Emotional Benefits
When your child is allowed to figure things out on their own, they then have the opportunity to develop a strong sense competence as they find out what they can do. They develop emotional security and self-assurance, which leads to greater mental resilience in moments of stress or change.
What "Freedom of Movement" is NOT
Freedom of movement is not just leaving your child to their own devices. The parent is meant to be present and aware of the child at all times. If there were to be a delineation of "jobs" between the parent and child, the child's job would be to move freely, and the parent's job would be to observe the child, be present in the relationship, and provide an environment in which the child can be safe to move freely.
Essentially, we must give the child a prepared environment, fulfill their emotional needs, and they will feel comfortable enough emotionally and physically to develop well.
Self-Initiated Play
When a child's play is self-initiated, it means they are in charge. There are no rules to follow, except the ones a child makes up for themselves. We're not setting up activities for our kids that can be done a "right" or "wrong" way, but allowing them the freedom to imagine and explore. Their play is a free and spontaneous, motivated by an internal desire, and essential to their physical and emotional health. During play, children are able to move their bodies, and also work out big feelings. They aren't competing with anyone, but are expressing what they see in everyday life. They are free to imagine "what if" scenarios - allowing them to test out the limits of reality within safe boundaries.
Play is also important for the child's cognitive growth. In his book "Play" Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, posited that making play a part of our daily lives is likely one of the most important factors in being a fulfilled human being. "The ability to play is critical not only to being happy," he said, "But also to sustaining social relationships and being a creative, innovative person."
How Caregiving, Freedom of Movement, and Self-Initiated Play Work Together
It can be helpful to view these principles of the Pikler Approach as cyclical - playing off of one another. When a child is ill-at-ease, unwilling or unable to play alone, they may need more slow and careful attention from their parents or caregivers, particularly during moments of care and quiet. When a child is comfortable physically, they will be able to move freely. If their attachment to their caregivers is secure, their environment is safe and appropriate to their needs, they will be able to grow, imagine, and play autonomously.
When they are experiencing everyday moments, observing their parents, loved ones, siblings, and cohort, they will be able to digest their observations and manifest their learning through physical movement and development. Their emotional state and their physical state play on each other, and when one pays special attention to one of these principles, the others will naturally be effected.