Respectful Caregiving

Independent Study

This course is a similar level of time commitment as a college child development course. You can expect to spend around 4-6 hours on the course each week:

• 2-3 hours in a live Zoom class, doing group activities and participating in discussion

• 1-2 hours watching pre-recorded lectures and other videos independently 

• 1-3 hours on reading, journaling, and other assignments

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Each week you will have one or two short assignments. Here are some examples:

• Practice techniques for respectful care with a child or adult in your life

• Read from assigned textbooks

• Practice vocabulary and strategies for setting limits

• Write in your reflection journal

• Prepare a short presentation of a concept covered in the course

• Conduct and write up your Field Observations

Field Observations

Additionally, you will receive support to schedule in-person observations of infants and toddlers in home settings, parent-infant classes, and childcare centers in your area. This gives you an opportunity to practice your observation skills and reflect on putting the principles into practice. There are four field observations in this course:

• a Gross Motor Observation 

• a Fine Motor Observation

• a RIE Parent-Infant Guidance Class Observation

• a Group Care Observation

You are encouraged to observe in person when it is possible. We also have videos available if you are not able to observe in person.

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Written Evaluations

At the midpoint and end of the course, you will answer short essay questions that share the meaningful things you have learned. You will receive detailed feedback and recommendations for deepening your learning.

You Will Need

There are a few required textbooks and other materials that you will need to participate in the course:

• tech requirements:

  • access to a computer (not just a mobile device)

  • a consistent internet connection

  • Zoom for video conferencing 

  • a web browser for our online course platform

  • a word processing application such as Word, Pages, or Google Docs

• a physical journal for your reflections (example), or you can type your journal

• The RIE® Manual for Parents and Professionals (Expanded Edition)

• Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect

• Unfolding of Infants' Natural Gross Motor Development (needed for only one week, can be borrowed)

• additionally, choose one of the following two textbooks:

  • Baby Knows Best: Raising a Confident and Resourceful Child, the RIE® Way - recommended for parents or those newer to the approach

  • Teaching and Learning with Infants and Toddlers by Mary Jane Maguire-Fong (2nd Edition) - recommended for those working in group care or who desire a more advanced approach to the course

• to borrow: a baby doll of realistic size, with clothing and a diaper (example)

• a collection of household items from your kitchen or loose parts from nature for free play

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Questions? 

Check out the FAQ below.

Tuition: $1,395 USD

• Early Bird Pricing - use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 10% off if you register at least one month prior to course start date.

• Limited needs-based financial assistance is available.

• Nonrefundable installments available upon request.

About Your Instructors:

Christina Vlinder

I have been working with infants, toddlers, and older children in child care and private homes since 1999. I began my career with some ideas about what I didn't want to do, but no concrete plan for what I did want to do. I worked with many families and slowly began to figure out what felt right. Once I began studying child development in a more rigorous way, I was able to relate those gut feelings to the huge body of scientific knowledge we now have about what children need and what helps them thrive. 

I discovered that the approach that most accurately satisfies both my gut and the research about infants and toddlers is the Educaring Approach (also known as RIE for Resources for Infant Educarers), created by infant specialist Magda Gerber. I began studying with RIE in 2010 and became a RIE Associate in 2017.