ABOUT MAGDA GERBER
"I am a great-grandparent, but I remember clearly how I felt as a young mother of two small daughters -- confused, uncertain, and at times, overwhelmed."
- Magda Gerber
Our Mission
Preserving the legacy of Magda Gerber
Even some of our fondest memories fade with time. There are images, words, spoken ideas, and details of a person’s life that give insight into their way of thinking. For those who did not have a chance to meet and work with Magda Gerber, we hope the contents of this website will help to fill in the gaps of information about her work and who she was.
The purpose of this site is to preserve in original form the expressions of wisdom and teachings of Magda Gerber.
We will continue to add to the contents of this site. With the help of those who knew, worked, or studied with her, Magda’s legacy will be shared with the world.
MAGDA GERBER, A TIMELINE
How it all started
Magda Gerber was born in Budapest, Hungary, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Education
Educated at the Sorbonne in France with a major in Languages. A skilled communicator, she spoke four languages fluently: Hungarian, German, French, and English.
Magda’s Characteristics
Charismatic
Eternally Optimistic
Independent
Inquisitive
Well Read
Strong faith in her own convictions
Non-conformist
Respect for others’ ideas and abilities
Exceptional Teacher
Married Imre Gerber
Imre was at a dinner at Magda’s parents’ home. He instantly fell in love. They were married within a few months. Venice, Italy, is where they spent their honeymoon.
BECOMING A PARENT
Magda felt unprepared for the challenges of parenthood.
Friends and colleagues
A pediatrician, Dr. Emmi Pikler, making a home visit changed Magda’s perspective on parenting.
Working with Dr. Pikler
Magda and Dr. Pikler worked together at the Loczy Institute in Budapest and quickly became close friends.
Los Angeles
After the Hungarian Revolution, Magda’s family came to the USA and settled in Los Angeles.
New Home
Magda and Imre purchased a house that later became the home of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE).
Demonstration Infant Project (DIP)
Magda and Dr. Tom Forrest worked together at the Palo Alto Children’s Health Council, where they formed DIP (Demonstration Infant Program) which was a seed of ideas for RIE. Magda flew from LA to the Bay Area each week to work with Tom, parents, and infants. Together they demonstrated the parenting and caring ideas Magda adapted from the institutional environment at Loczy for parents and caregivers in America. (This program was notable because it was the first to include at-risk babies and sought to prevent problems.)
Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) is formed
With support from friends, RIE was formed in the lower level of Magda’s house. Starting with Parent-Infant classes, taught by Magda with help and support from friends.
Your Self Confident Baby
Close collaboration between Magda and Allison Johnson resulted in the first book about Magda’s philosophy about parenting and caregiving.
“Our mother loved water. Pools, lakes but most of all the ocean. When she had a little time off from her busy schedule, she would drive to the beach, jump in the water and swim out far enough for lifeguards not to bother. She would swim, float on her back, and sleep, frolic just like a porpoise. Her joy was life-affirming.”
- DAISY Gerber
Magda's passion for
reading & writing
Magda Gerber was a passionate advocate for both children and parents. She found a new way to see infants and modeled for parents and caregivers a method that makes educating and caring easier and more enjoyable.
We've curated a few classics for you...
WHY IS RIE SO HARD TO EXPLAIN TO OTHERS?
Accept the feelings of your baby, positive as well as negative. Do not try to stop the crying with a pacifier. Do not tickle a sad baby.
Daycare Centers
Caregiving needs a balance between adult stimulation and independent exploration by the infant. One is the time spent with the adult who cares for the infant. The other is the time the infant spends alone freely exploring his/her environment. We believe these two areas are interdependent and influence each other. Only a child who receives undivided attention during all routine caregiving activities will be free and interested to explore his/her environment without needing too much intervention.
Caring For Infants With Respect
Giving the infant time, attention, trust and respect is the foundation of the RIE philosophy. Our goal is an authentic child one who feels secure, autonomous, and competent. Our method, guided by respect for the infant’s competence, is observation. RIE trusts the infant to be an initiator, an explorer and a self-learner. Because of this basic trust, we provide the infant with the minimal help she needs to overcome an impasse and allow the child to enjoy mastery of her own actions.