Parent-Child Groups in Stokey
Not your ordinary playgroup.
In this unique playgroup, based on the teachings of Magda Gerber and Dr. Emmi Pikler, I invite parents, children and caregivers into my living room, located in the heart of Stoke Newington. Families come away from class feeling a greater sense of calm and connection, and are able to see their children with renewed grace, awareness and confidence.
photo by Nick Kane, 2017
Class is held in a peaceful architectural gem in the heart of Stokey.
I welcome you into my home space and create set a pace that is intentionally slow, peaceful, and supportive. Together, we take a break from the pace of urban life and co-create an environment where we can trust and attune to our babies, fostering a sense of community, authenticity and ease.
Each week I thoughtfully prepare our space to support the development of each child. The space contains gross motor equipment and simple, open-ended play objects that support creativity, movement and intrinsic motivation, inspiring deeply engaged play. Parents and caregivers are invited to relax and observe their babies as they play and explore with one another. You can ask questions, share concerns and enjoy discussion with other families in our community.
The structure of the class is simple. Its effects are profound.
After a brief check-in (which you’re always welcome to skip) adults quietly observe as babies explore. We practice minimal intervention unless we are needed for safety or support (we always attune and respond to our child’s cues around hunger, sleepiness, nappy changes, or emotional refueling). We then discuss what comes up for us. Expect to see your child “with new eyes,” as Magda Gerber, Founding Director of RIE®, once prompted.
In any given class, we’ll explore
• Finding joy and meaning as a caregiver
• The role of touch, tenderness and attention in daily caregiving routines such as feeding, diapering and bathing
• Spending meaningful time together, and meaningful time apart
• Gaining insight through observation
• Creating a safe and nurturing environment that makes life more pleasurable for you and your child
• Why its important to empower babies to move freely, unconstrained, and how to support them as they develop at their own unique pace
• The role of uninterrupted playtime: what it means to the life of the child and how it benefits the adult
• Rhythms of the day and how we can use them to make our lives easier and more peaceful
• The importance of rupture and repair as you and your child grow together
• Healthy, peaceful and connected relationships
RIE® Infant Group
RIE® Moving Babies Group
Toddler Group
I’m Amber, your facilitator
I attended Pikler and RIE groups with each of my babies. Because I found them so moving and transformational, I decided to train to be able to facilitate RIE groups myself. If you look closely, you’ll see RIE everywhere in the Designing Motherhood book and larger project—particularly a reverence for caregiving, and the view that babies are fully complete and wholly fascinating. I am also mentored by the brilliant movement psychotherapist Dr. Suzi Tortora, and am a graduate of her Ways of Seeing training. Each of these experiences has deepened my belief in the simple powers of observation, environment, movement and connection.
I wholeheartedly believe by starting with our most fundamental relationships, the care we give can radiate outwards. Together, we can create more conscious and connected families, homes and communities. I’m so excited to share this work with you.
