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During my pregnancy, I came across something called the Pikler approach to infant care, and it seriously changed my whole perspective. You see, before this, I had all these misconceptions about how babies should move and develop, like forcing them into certain positions or using baby walkers. But the Pikler approach emphasizes freedom of movement and letting babies explore and develop at their own pace. And let me tell you, it works! I couldn't be happier with the results.
The Pikler Approach, developed by Hungarian pediatrician Dr. Emmi Pikler, emphasizes the importance of providing infants and toddlers with the space and freedom to explore their environment and develop their physical, emotional, and cognitive skills. When infants are given the freedom to move and explore, they can develop their gross and fine motor skills at their own pace, leading to improved balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. But it's not just about physical development. Freedom of movement can also lead to increased confidence and self-esteem, as infants develop a sense of independence and self-confidence that can boost their self-worth and overall well-being.
When my daughter was born, I knew I wanted her to have the freedom to move and explore. So, in the first few stages of her development, I made sure we spent plenty of time snuggled up together in bed, so she could wriggle and kick to her heart's content. As she got older and started to crawl at just five months old (cue proud mom moment), I knew I needed to set up a safe and stimulating space for her to play and explore. So, I created a soft play area where she could crawl around and discover the world around her. And let me tell you, the results were amazing. I watched as she developed her gross and fine motor skills, gaining balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. And the best part? She became more and more confident and independent every day. It's been an absolute joy to watch her grow and develop into a happy and healthy child, full of curiosity and wonder.
Mau (2018)
The Pikler Approach has taught me the importance of trusting in my child's natural abilities and providing her with the space and freedom to explore and learn on her own. It has not only benefited my child's development but has also given me the confidence to be a more supportive and nurturing caregiver.
Are you a caregiver or parent looking for a holistic approach to infant and toddler care that emphasizes independence, exploration, and development? If so, look no further than the Pikler Approach! With its focus on freedom of movement, the Pikler Approach provides a nurturing and supportive environment where infants and toddlers can explore and play at their own pace. And the results? Well, let's just say that watching your little one grow and develop into a confident, curious, and capable human being is nothing short of magical. Not to mention, it can help build a stronger and more loving bond between you and your child. So if you're ready to unlock your child's full potential and give them the gift of movement and play, give the Pikler Approach a try. You won't regret it!
Check out the natural sequence of gross motor development in infants in this infographic:
I didn't know about this approach either. I found it very interesting, especially now that we have a grandson. Sometimes, wanting to help, we may be limiting the babies' learning. When my daughter was born, we used the traditional approach, but that was 15 years ago. I'm glad that today we can find this information more easily - the infographic is assertive and makes it much easier to visualize.
Hi Jessica,
It was very interesting to read about the Pikler approach! and also was lovely to see your cute daughter. I have never heard it before so it was completely new to me and i enjoyed reading it so much as i got to learn something completely new. I am glad to know that Pikler approach worked wonderfully for you and your child and it helped you to trust your child's natural abilities and that you could giver her the freedom to learn and explore by herself. I think this topic is so sensitive and crucial for most of the parents as they just want their baby to develop the motor skills such as crawling, walking or running as…