Here in the Nursery at BestStart Te Whāriki we believe in all our infants and toddlers having lots of opportunities to explore at their own pace.
This is a big part of our philosophy. Our practice incorporates the Emmi Pikler and RIE approaches which we believe helps children develop naturally, in their own time.
We value the importance of having a safe environment where our children can feel safe to explore moving their bodies as they feel ready. As babies grow, they natural develop. Putting babies into positions they are unable to get themselves into naturally can change the way they develop, preventing them from following the natural process. Babies learn in their own time to roll over, get up on all fours, crawl, sit, climb and eventually walk.
If allowed Freedom of Movement a baby will naturally crawl before they can sit. The Pikler philosophy developed by Hungarian paediatrician Dr Emmi Pikler. Emphasizes treating infants and toddlers with the respect and fostering their natural development, particularly in movement and self-directed play. It advocates for building trusting relationships with caregivers and allowing infants the freedom to explore their own bodies and environment at their own pace and stage of develop at their own pace.