Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber's RIE Approach [Paperback]

Ruth Anne Hammond (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Zero to Three (November 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934019356
• ISBN-13: 978-1934019351
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruth Anne Hammond, M.A., author of Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber's RIE Approach (Zero to Three 2009), is a specialist in infant/toddler development and caregiving, and has been leading the Pacific Oaks Infant-Toddler/Parent Program in Pasadena since 1996. She is the President of the Board of Directors and a mentor/teacher with Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), having studied under its founder, Magda Gerber. Ms. Hammond also teaches in the Human Development Department of Pacific Oaks College, and currently studies the psychoneurobiology of attachment and regulation theory under Dr. Allan N. Schore of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Respecting Babies", respectfully done, July 12, 2010

By 

Missy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber's RIE Approach (Paperback)

How do you describe RIE, by way of the written word, to someone who has never been in a RIE class before and really convey deep understanding not just dogmatic information? As a RIE mom twice over and a student of RIE, if I hadn't read it with my own two eyes, I would have said it wasn't possible. Yet, this is exactly what Ruth Anne Hammond has done. This isn't just a how-to book on the RIE philosophy--though it does explain the RIE approach. This book's real strength, is that it communicates the "why" behind the RIE approach. Understanding this "why" is what elevates Ruth Anne's discussion of the RIE philosophy. Ruth Anne seamlessly moves in and out of explaining care providing rituals and the pearls of wisdom that inform them, which I believe transforms what some see as a "technique" into the respectful, authentic caregiving that it is. Ruth Anne writes, "Because Magda was so eloquent, so wise and so beloved, it is tempting to try to freeze her teachings into some sort of template for perfection. However, this would not be in the spirit of her intentions...Magda meant for her students to find their own way of being authentic." (p.5) This book is empowering. It is supportive and respectful to both parent and baby. It's, also, an enjoyable read! This is the overall best book on RIE that I've read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful insight into what infants really need, September 2, 2011

By 

Christina Kessler (Concord, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber's RIE Approach (Paperback)

I'm a nanny and RIE student, and I loved this book! Ruth Anne has such a lovely, peaceful, and nonjudgmental tone. My favorite parts are when she describes how the way you touch (rushed? slow? gentle? rough?) impacts a child's view of the world, and when she describes walks led at a child's pace. Both of these sections were so well written I could really see the poetry in going at a child's pace and moving with respect. I hope Ruth Anne's work can inspire more caregivers to instill that kind of peace in their children's lives. This book also helped remind me to not only let the child know everything I am doing, but to then WAIT for the child's response. I've heard it so many times, but it takes a lot of practice to make it a habit, so thank you!

I've shared this book with people that are less familiar with RIE and they also appreciated it and took lots of direction from it. It's a great book to introduce caregivers to RIE methods.

Parents, this book has lots of useful suggestions to help you through the first few years of your baby's life. I've worked with dozens of children from many kinds of families. The families with the most RIE practices always have the most content, creative, independent, secure, and interactive children. It is especially stunning to me how dramatically different children's quality of movement is when they have been allowed freedom of movement and haven't been placed in positions (like sitting) that they can't get into on their own. All the RIE and Loczy books say that you can tell by a child's quality of movement if they have been placed in exersaucers, propped sitting, led by the hands when walking etc. I didn't believe it would really be that obvious, but it's true! Children really are the only ones who know when and how they need to learn and develop. All we have to do is provide a supportive environment, a responsive relationship, and leave the rest to them!

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your average child-rearing book!, February 24, 2012

By 

ChildAdvocate 4ever (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber's RIE Approach (Paperback)

A gentle book on how to care for infants and toddlers with respect. It's a philosophy that is completely doable. It creates emotionally healthy and secure children and ultimately adults! I highly recommend this book to ALL parents and professionals!