Give Babies Space

01/08/2008

It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.
Leo F. Buscaglia

In October of last year, the World Forum Foundation and the Pikler/Loczy Fund USA organized a week of infant care training for individuals working in orphanages around the world at the Emmi Pikler Institute in Budapest. Founded by Emmi Pikler after World War II, the Institute has become both a nurturing home to orphans, abandoned babies and children whose parents cannot care for them, and a center for research and training with students and observers coming from throughout the world. Ruth Mason from Jerusalem, who sponsored one of the participants in this week of training, has shared her thoughts on the Pikler approach in an article, "Giving Babies the Best Start in Life." Here are excerpts from her article...

"'Pikler babies are recognized in Budapest even when they are older by the grace and confidence with which they move. The roots of this grace and harmony lie in Pikler’s notion of what a baby needs for optimal development: lots of space and time for free, uninterrupted play, supported by sensitive, observant attention during slowed down daily care routines. The approach is based on respect for babies as human beings and not objects and trusts in them to develop as they are meant to without our interference or 'help.'

"...Given our hurried lifestyle and the pressure many parents feel to do what’s right for their babies, Dr. Pikler’s advice to 'do less' and let the baby’s development unfold naturally, comes as a welcome relief. Slowing down, paying attention, and giving babies — be they our children, grandchildren, or others in our care — lots of time for uninterrupted play not only gives infants a good start in life, it takes the pressure off harried parents and caregivers to constantly be 'doing.' Letting babies be allows us to take a breath and step away from our busy culture of doing and just let ourselves be as well.

The Many Projects of the World Forum

The World Forum project on Orphans referred to above, is just one of many diverse projects that have developed out of the biannual World Forum on Early Care and Education, where 600 - 800 early childhood professionals from 80 nations gather to share ideas of providing quality services for children and families. To learn more about other World Forum projects such as those listed below, go to the World Forum web site

• Global Leaders for Young Children
• AIDS Action Tank
• Nature Action Collaboration for Children
• Men in Early Care and Education
• Peace Building with Young Children
• Working Forum for Teacher Educators
• World Forum Alliance

GOOGLE HIRING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS: Google has expanded its employee child development program by opening a world-class children's center in Mountain View, California and is now hiring teachers.

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