Why Pikler?

As mentioned in my last post, it is essential that we get it right as early childhood teachers of infants and toddlers (and beyond). For us, one of the ways of getting it right has been to provide a peaceful and respectful curriculum that draws on the work of Emmi Piker, a Jewish Hungarian paediatrician who, after World War 2, set up orphanages at the request of the Hungarian government for children orphaned as a result of war, maternal death in childbirth or from tuberculosis. The approach she had used in raising her first child was the inspiration behind the approach she brought to the orphanages. She questioned the “modern” way of teaching infants rather than allowing their development to unfold naturally.

Why do we believe that a Pikler inspired approach providers a blueprint for sustainable practice with infants and toddlers and beyond?

In the words of Toni Christie, from Childspace, Pikler “advocated for infants to be given our highest respect, focusing on the establishment of authentic trusting relationships between adult and infant. Her peaceful approach urges early childhood practitioners to consider infants and toddlers as competent, confident and unique individuals who are focused, self-initiating, involved, resourceful, secure, cooperative and curious” (Christie, 2011, pp. 7-8).

For New Zealand early childhood educators familiar with Te Whāriki this will sound familiar. This is because our early childhood curriculum states that the aspiration is for all children "to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society."

Furthermore, the pivotal concepts of Pikler such as relationships, respect and peace sit nicely within a Christian context. Our God is a relational God: consider Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the prophets, Jesus' relationship with His chosen twelve, to mention a few. As Christians we can have a personal and living relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationship is not foreign to us. We all need it.

This is what we value about the Pikler approach: relationship is at the heart of everything we do. It is everything to the child. And as we'll discover later, the relationships we form are not just for the child but the whole family/whānau.

References: Christie, T. (2011). Respect: A practitioner's guide to calm and nurturing infant care and education. Wellington: Childspace Early Childhood Institute, pp. 7-8.

Ministry of Education. (1996) Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington: Learning Media,p.9.

In Three Words

If I had to define a Pikler-inspired approach in three words it would be:

relationship, relationship, relationship.

I believe that Pikler is not a methodology but a way of "being" with infants and toddlers. A search online might reveal five, seven or eight principles of Pikler and they would all be right. We have used this list with students and parents and find it both comprehensive and invaluable. Lisa McKimm is an inspirational facilitator who definitely knows her Pikler.

However, to keep it simple, I have decided to keep it to three key elements:

1. Peaceful Curriculum
a. Children's needs first and foremost;
b. Providing time for uninterrupted play;
c. Slowing down;
d. Engaging with the natural environment;
e. Unhurried, planned.

2. Respectful Curriculum
a. Relationship, relationship, relationship;
b. Caregiving moments build trust and relationship;
c. "With" and not "to";
d. Tuning into children's cues;
e. Gift of full attention.

3. Natural Curriculum
a. Natural unfolding;
b. "Free Movement";
c. Observe more;
d. Children as competent agents of their own conflict resolution;
e. Environment as Third Teacher.

How can teachers provide a peaceful curriculum where respectful relationships are central and children are encouraged to develop according to their own timetable?

• Dedicated caregiving / Primary caregiving / Key teachers;
• No rosters, timetables, or clocks;
• Plan ahead;
• Homely environment;
• Natural environment.

I hope to explain these key elements further in upcoming posts as well as share honestly about some of our journey, both in the past and ongoing.