Daycare.com Forum
BlackBear 10:10 AM 10-28-2013
Anyone run a RIE inspired daycare? I only heard about it last summer and have been reading Janet Lansbury website.
nothingwithoutjoy 10:24 AM 10-28-2013
When I took infants, the way I cared for them was definitely inspired by RIE. Lots of floor time, no "containers," no sitting or standing them until they did it on their own, lots of respectful communication.
Heidi 11:23 AM 10-28-2013
I love the concept, and years ago worked with a provider who studied at RIE with Magda.
My only argument, however, is that it's not completely practically based. Most of us have mixed age groups (including mixed age families). RIE, while very respectful of the infant, isn't always very realistic.
For example, at RIE, and infant should CHOOSE when they want to sleep. They have mats on the floor so that infants can crawl over and catch a nap. Okay, first of all, in my state, that's against licensing regs. Second, I would not be okay with my (fictional-mine are grown) crawling in and out of bed a night when they "feel" like sleeping. I'm very authoritarian when it comes to sleep. I decide...they don't. To me, it's called being a parent.
Another example is child-sized furniture. In an dc center, sure. In a home, it's awesome to have a little table and chairs for your toddler to play at or have a snack at. Sure, it empowers them. But, it's also good for a child to learn that they are part of a bigger world, and to be part of a social group. My kids sit at the table with us. We eat as a family. Me sitting on the floor so that they're comfortable is not really respecting ME, and I am the "elder" here. KWIM?
My only argument, however, is that it's not completely practically based. Most of us have mixed age groups (including mixed age families). RIE, while very respectful of the infant, isn't always very realistic.
For example, at RIE, and infant should CHOOSE when they want to sleep. They have mats on the floor so that infants can crawl over and catch a nap. Okay, first of all, in my state, that's against licensing regs. Second, I would not be okay with my (fictional-mine are grown) crawling in and out of bed a night when they "feel" like sleeping. I'm very authoritarian when it comes to sleep. I decide...they don't. To me, it's called being a parent.
Another example is child-sized furniture. In an dc center, sure. In a home, it's awesome to have a little table and chairs for your toddler to play at or have a snack at. Sure, it empowers them. But, it's also good for a child to learn that they are part of a bigger world, and to be part of a social group. My kids sit at the table with us. We eat as a family. Me sitting on the floor so that they're comfortable is not really respecting ME, and I am the "elder" here. KWIM?
nothingwithoutjoy 02:27 PM 10-28-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
For example, at RIE, and infant should CHOOSE when they want to sleep. They have mats on the floor so that infants can crawl over and catch a nap. Okay, first of all, in my state, that's against licensing regs. Second, I would not be okay with my (fictional-mine are grown) crawling in and out of bed a night when they "feel" like sleeping. I'm very authoritarian when it comes to sleep. I decide...they don't. To me, it's called being a parent.
Another example is child-sized furniture. In an dc center, sure. In a home, it's awesome to have a little table and chairs for your toddler to play at or have a snack at. Sure, it empowers them. But, it's also good for a child to learn that they are part of a bigger world, and to be part of a social group. My kids sit at the table with us. We eat as a family. Me sitting on the floor so that they're comfortable is not really respecting ME, and I am the "elder" here. KWIM?
Yes, I definitely used what was practical for us. Also, I might be considered an "attachment parenting" parent, so some of that is in conflict if you are very strict about interpretation. But it certainly informed my thinking.For example, at RIE, and infant should CHOOSE when they want to sleep. They have mats on the floor so that infants can crawl over and catch a nap. Okay, first of all, in my state, that's against licensing regs. Second, I would not be okay with my (fictional-mine are grown) crawling in and out of bed a night when they "feel" like sleeping. I'm very authoritarian when it comes to sleep. I decide...they don't. To me, it's called being a parent.
Another example is child-sized furniture. In an dc center, sure. In a home, it's awesome to have a little table and chairs for your toddler to play at or have a snack at. Sure, it empowers them. But, it's also good for a child to learn that they are part of a bigger world, and to be part of a social group. My kids sit at the table with us. We eat as a family. Me sitting on the floor so that they're comfortable is not really respecting ME, and I am the "elder" here. KWIM?
The crawl-in beds are also used in Reggio infant centers, and opened my eyes to possibilities. That said, only a very exhausted baby is going to chose to nap when big kids are roaming all around being loud. I followed infants' own schedules, but put them in a pack-n-play. (However, I did move them to mats quite soon, and used a mattress on the floor for my own daughter, never a crib.) (I'm pretty authoritarian about sleep, too.)
Your thing about "respecting me" is something I learned from Reggio. Before that, it seemed that adult furniture was considered taboo in early childhood classrooms. But they emphasize making adults comfortable and welcome, too. The balance in my home is kid-sized table/chairs for daytime meals with the kids (I sit on an adult-sized ottoman that makes me comfortable there) and kid-sized stools and table in the studio. But at dinner, we eat at the dining-room table, my daughter with us. Always family-style. A mix of each of us accommodating the other.
BlackBear 04:48 PM 10-28-2013
Great points!
cheerfuldom 06:22 AM 12-23-2013
I really like Janet's website and have read it for several years. Lots of good inspiration there and I follow the basic principles with my infants. I think the biggest thing is that while a few of the techniques may seem a little extreme, I think the whole idea does combat helicopter parenting or container/restraining parenting. Babies are encouraged to play independently with supervision but little intervention. No equipment or propping into unnatural positions that baby gets addicted to. But also the parent is told to step back, step out of babies play, not entertain, but provide wholesome natural activities that are age appropriate. Also allowing baby to met milestones in their own way in their own time. I thought of her advice a lot when my 17 month old was still not walking! Not to push or pressure or compare kids or be alarmed if your child is doing something a bit out of the ordinary. A lot of it is very common sense but something today's parents NEED.
CityGarden 11:10 PM 03-27-2016
Originally Posted by BlackBear:
Anyone run a RIE inspired daycare? I only heard about it last summer and have been reading Janet Lansbury website.
I personally studied under Janey Lansbury in the Parent & Child class for just shy of 2.5 years and absolutely adore her!!! I also was the last class to study in the home of Magda Gerber. Anyone run a RIE inspired daycare? I only heard about it last summer and have been reading Janet Lansbury website.
RIE truly is the foundation of play-based, waldorf, montessori, reggio, etc. The largest gift our RIE experience gave was communication and respect. You have a baby only months old ---- you have to learn not only the crys and what they mean but the grunts, the moans etc. and what they mean. You have to know how to hang back and let them work it out and when to encourage them to try it "next time" ---- I still use so much of RIE with my 9 year old as she enters the tween faze. I am such a HUGE fan of it.
CalCare 07:51 PM 03-28-2016
Hi City Garden 
This is an old thread. I think you and I seem to have a lot of similarities in ECE philosophy. I too am convinced that RIE principles are so right on with what kids need. Most any quality program for infants and toddlers where I am is RIE. I also continue to use RIE principles with my older children as well as (try my best to) use NVC which is for grown peeps and is very RIE like.
This is an old thread. I think you and I seem to have a lot of similarities in ECE philosophy. I too am convinced that RIE principles are so right on with what kids need. Most any quality program for infants and toddlers where I am is RIE. I also continue to use RIE principles with my older children as well as (try my best to) use NVC which is for grown peeps and is very RIE like.
CityGarden 03:07 AM 03-29-2016
Hi CalCare ----- I also took classes on NVC!!!
We do seem similar in approach.
Sometimes (since I am new) I like to bump subjects that interest me!
Are you in the LA area?
We do seem similar in approach.
Sometimes (since I am new) I like to bump subjects that interest me!
Are you in the LA area?
CalCare 07:34 AM 03-29-2016
No, I'm not. I'm central coast. I feel weird broadcasting my specific location but I lived in LA for awhile and I loved it. I might go to that outdoor classroom level one training in the spring. Idk. It's $350.
but I lived in LA for awhile and I loved it. I might go to that outdoor classroom level one training in the spring. Idk. It's $350.
CityGarden 07:09 PM 04-05-2016
Originally Posted by CalCare:
No, I'm not. I'm central coast. I feel weird broadcasting my specific location but I lived in LA for awhile and I loved it. I might go to that outdoor classroom level one training in the spring. Idk. It's $350.
I completely understand (and respect) that. We do seem to share similar views so we will have to connect as I get further along this patch No, I'm not. I'm central coast. I feel weird broadcasting my specific location
but I lived in LA for awhile and I loved it. I might go to that outdoor classroom level one training in the spring. Idk. It's $350.
jenboo 08:46 AM 06-20-2016
I just looked into RIE and from what I'm seeing, i really like it. It sounds mostly like how my husband and I parent.
My daycare is 24 months and under and I would like up eventually market at RIE.
Where is the best place to find more information? Which books are the best. I just downloaded one to read.
I would love to go training next year in LA too.
My daycare is 24 months and under and I would like up eventually market at RIE.
Where is the best place to find more information? Which books are the best. I just downloaded one to read.
I would love to go training next year in LA too.