Q: What is RIE^tm?
A: Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of care and education of infants in a home setting, daycare, or infant group. Educator and infant specialist Magda Gerber and pediatric neurologist Tom Forrest M.D founded RIE in 1979. The RIE philosophy promotes the importance of respect, daily routines, and giving the child the opportunity to develop on their own. RIE has several publications, parent and infant classes, and adult trainings available. The RIE website is here: http://www.rie.org.

Q: How can I tell whether my expectations for my child are developmentally appropriate?
A: You can do this by observing the child or children, allowing and accepting where the child is and appreciating what the child is self-initiating and practicing all by him or her self. We are able practice this in the parent and infant classes and parent and child classes. During the class we have times of observation where we are able to focus on what the child is initiating. We also have a period when we discuss our observations.

Q: When should I baby proof?
A: The best time to baby proof a room is before your child starts rolling and crawling, you may use a gate to prevent his or her going into unsafe areas of the house.

Q: What is a safe environment?
A: I like Magda Gerber’s definition of a safe environment: “If whoever is in charge of the infant were someday accidentally locked out of the house until the end of the day, the infant would survive. The infant might be upset, be tired, be hungry, be crying–-but the infant would still be safe.”
 
Q: Do you have any suggestions for toys?
A: I prefer toys to be open ended with many uses, which may include various textures or various sizes. Toys where the child is active rather than a passive participant and toys that are battery free. Ageless toys: balls, bowls, wooden rings (2” diameter), 100% cotton bandana scarves, a doll, etc.

Q: How can I prepare my children for a vacation or family visit, a long drive or any special event?
A: I would let my children know about the trip or event perhaps while packing. Plan to take with you familiar objects – their blanket or sheet, bedclothes, "blankies", a few toys, even a port-a-crib if possible (for the infant).

Q: Why do you have a mixed age group in the Homeschool Garden Family Daycare and Parent and Child Classes?
A: I have chosen to work with multi ages in the daycare I provide and in the mixed age parent and child class because I find it a valuable experience for all. From my observations I have seen that the children are able to learn from one another they can learn about diversity, empathy, nurturing skills, self-care and social skills. Siblings are able to remain together, and children who have no siblings can learn to care for younger ones, how to interact with older ones and to show consideration for all.

Q: What is a community dinner?
A: It is a gathering held once a month (the third Friday of the month) to bring together the Homeschool Garden Community. Families have the opportunity to connect with new friends and old friends, share a meal and enjoy some conversation. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday. Families who participate in Homeschool Garden activities are welcome to join us and discover the comfortable, friendly atmosphere.

Q: What is Waldorf Education?
A: Waldorf is an educational philosophy developed by Rudolf Steiner. Its curriculum seeks to nourish the imaginations of children as well as their intellect. It has been featured in publications and is considered the fastest growing educational movement in the world. The Homeschool Cooperative classes (Eurythmy, Music, Spanish, and Handwork) are taught using the Waldorf methods.

Q: How can I try to understand my child, rather than misunderstand?
A: By observing more, and doing less. Children are often letting us know what they need but we may be busy, tired, and or thinking about something else that we miss the opportunity to hear or to see it. By slowing ourselves down and spending time observing the child we get to know them in a new light.