Magda Gerber Quotes

Quotes about:

• 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

  Children, Writing, Race

  172 Copy quote

• We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object

  Magda Gerber

  Baby, Children, Mean

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  149 Copy quote

• Let the child be the scriptwriter, the director and the actor in his own play.

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Play, Directors

  99 Copy quote

• Do less; observe more; enjoy most.

  Magda Gerber

  Enjoy

  88 Copy quote

• Every baby moves with more ease and efficiency if allowed to do it at his own time and in his own way, without our trying to teach him. A child who has always been allowed to move freely develops not only an agile body but also good judgment about what he can and cannot do.

  Magda Gerber

  Baby, Children, Moving

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  122 Copy quote

• By closely supervising our infants, by allowing them to do what they are capable of, by restraining ourselves from rescuing them too often, by waiting and waiting and waiting, by giving minimal help when they really need it, we allow our infants to learn and grow at their own time and in their own way. I believe that, no matter how much and how fast the world changes, a well-grounded, competent, and confident person is best equipped to adapt to it. This is our goal.

  Magda Gerber

  Believe, Giving, Goal

  93 Copy quote

• When you hold an infant, hold him not just with your body, but with your mind and heart.

  Magda Gerber

  Heart, Mind, Body

  113 Copy quote

• An infant always learns. The less we interfere with the natural process of learning, the more we can observe how much infants learn all the time.

  Magda Gerber

  Natural, Process, Infant

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  95 Copy quote

• What infants need is the opportunity and time to take in and figure out the world around them.

  Magda Gerber

  Opportunity, Needs, World

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  93 Copy quote

• Allow the child to be authentic, to move, to feel the way they move, appreciating them for what they are.

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Moving, Appreciate

  78 Copy quote

• Sadness, discomfort, frustration -- they are all valid human emotions. Why would we want to suppress them?

  Magda Gerber

  Sadness, Frustration, Want

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  76 Copy quote

• What parents teach is themselves, as models of what is human - by their moods, their reactions, their facial expressions and actions. These are the real things parents need to be aware of, and of how they affect their children. Allow them to know you, and it might become easier for them to learn about themselves.

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Real, Expression

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  82 Copy quote

• I wish children could grow according to their natural pace: sleep when sleepy, wake up when rested, eat when hungry, cry when upset, play and explore without being unnecessarily interrupted; in other words, be allowed to grow and blossom as each was meant to.

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Sleep, Play

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  102 Copy quote

• The way we care for our babies is how they experience our love.

  Magda Gerber

  Baby, Our Love, Care

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  29 Copy quote

• All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time.

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Way, Milestone

  57 Copy quote

• When you approach your baby with an attitude of respect, you let him know what you intend to do and give him a chance to respond. You assume he is competent and involve him in his care and let him, as much as possible, solve his own problems. You give him plenty of physical freedom and you don't push development.

  Magda Gerber

  Baby, Attitude, Giving

  91 Copy quote

• Predictability brings about security.

  Magda Gerber

  Security, Predictability

  10 Copy quote

• Much harm has been done in the name of love, but no harm can be done in the name of respect.

  Magda Gerber

  Names, Done, Harm

  65 Copy quote

• If infants are ready to do something, they will do it. In fact, when they are ready, they have to do it.

  Magda Gerber

  Facts, Ready, Infant

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  79 Copy quote

• I have spent my adult life trying to figure out why parents and society put themselves into a race -- what's the hurry? I keep trying to convey the pleasure every parent and teacher could feel while observing, appreciating and enjoying what the infant is doing. This attitude would change our educational climate from worry to joy.

  Magda Gerber

  Teacher, Attitude, Educational

  72 Copy quote

• Infancy is a vulnerable stage of development, therefore, it's not enough that babies receive good care, the care must be excellent.

  Magda Gerber

  Baby, Infancy Is, Development

  65 Copy quote

• Wouldn't life be easier for both parents and infants if parents would observe, relax and enjoy what their child is doing, rather than keep teaching what the child is not yet capable of?

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Teaching, Parent

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  37 Copy quote

• As I say so often, “Observe and wait.” Sometimes you may even find out that what you believed the infant wanted was only your assumption. It is natural to make mistakes and easy to misunderstand pre-verbal children. Nevertheless, it is important to keep trying

  Magda Gerber

  Children, Mistake, Waiting

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  32 Copy quote

• Educarers demonstrate love by showing and teaching respect.

  Magda Gerber

  Teaching

  Magda Gerber (1998). “Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect”

  12 Copy quote

• Observe more, do less.
  Do less, enjoy more.

  Magda Gerber

  Enjoy

  13 Copy quote

Page 1 of 2

← Prev

1

2

Next →

• facebook
• twitter
• googleplus
• email
• linkedin