The philosophy of RIE is especially useful when parenting infants, and the theory behind it is still relevant even as your children age.  I found that RIE was the only parenting class in which the focus was truly on the child.  My time at RIE class with my daughter was a peaceful and relaxing period of the week which I always looked forward to.  I would recommend RIE classes for anyone looking to spend some truly quality time with their child while receiving helpful ideas on many of the parenting questions that you have over the first two years of life.

~Kay, Parent of 5 year old daughter and 8 year old daughter

Karen’s class was equally valuable for me as well as for my kids.  For me, Karen helped quell a lot of anxieties about parenting, both through her advice on tricky issues as well as through role-modeling appropriate responses to my kids’ behaviors.  For my kids, Karen offered a safe, fun, and thoughtfully-planned play environment with quality toys and a quiet energy that was such a welcome relief from the chaos and frenzy of so many of the other children’s programs out there.

~Abby, Parent of 5 year old daughter & 2 year old son

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I came to Karen Ziskin's class without knowing anything about RIE. Karen created an environment that I immediately knew I wanted my son and myself to be part of even though I had to drive 45 minutes! Karen gradually enlightened me about RIE and guided me and my husband to be more respectful and confident parents. In her classes I watched my son explore his environment and the other babies allowing him to uncover his authentic self. The best compliment I get from others about my son is how secure and confident he is. We are forever grateful for the gift of RIE that Karen has given us.

~Jo Jo, Parent of 3 year old son

When my oldest son started to crawl, I was not ready to parent a mobile, active little soul!  I racked my brain and experiences for how to handle his budding personality.  One of my work colleagues recommended Magda Gerber's books, which led me to Karen's RIE classes.  Finally, I could grasp a framework and approach that helped me parent!  The guidelines and tools of RIE are the foundation.  However, Karen's weekly classes put the RIE principles in action and provide a valuable and rare opportunity for my son to interact with other children of the same age. Using the RIE philosophy in our parenting, we respectfully interact with our children, always conversing with them and giving them many age-appropriate choices.  Karen's classes help reinforce and remind me of those principles and help build my confidence and offer comfort to me as parent. 

~Susan, Parent of two sons, 22 months and 7 years old

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When I signed up for RIE classes, I was a first time mom who wanted only the best for her infant son.  I was determined to allow my son to play and learn through play. I did not want to limit his inquisitiveness. I wanted him to find things out for himself from his own experiences. RIE provided all of that and more. RIE allowed me the privilege to watch my son discover the world around him, play with children his own age and set his own limits.  Thanks to RIE my son has developed into a charismatic, self--assured young boy.  Karen was of the most help to me. With her guidance and gentle reminders she enhanced my son's own progress. Thank you Karen for this. I can only hope the South Bay will embrace this program and your unique and important work.

~Haifaa, Parent of 5 year old son

RIE classes and the books by Magda Gerber gave my husband and me a plan for how to raise our children.  It was a plan we were so excited about and suggested things that made so much sense, but we had never heard of before or considered ourselves.  The plan was not just to stop the baby from crying and get it to eat and sleep when we wanted it to, but to really listen to the baby and slow down our agenda, and treat the baby as we want to be treated ourselves.  (Who wants a rattle shaken in their face?)  RIE was a huge eye-opening experience that forever changed us and has been a tremendous gift to our children.  To this day we use the things we learned there.

~Poppy, Parent of two sons, 4 and 7 years old

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Although it may seem unconventional, RIE actually makes perfect sense: too many parents forget that babies and children deserve the same respect that we do. It is so beneficial to be respected and to treat others with respect beginning at a young age; children grow up with a healthy understanding of their place in their family, the community, and the world. By attending RIE classes with both of my children I feel I continually grow as a parent, and I'm developing a truer understanding of what "parenting" is. I'm usually a control-freak but through RIE I'm learning to let go and watch my children grow, explore, and learn at the pace that's right for them. They don't need me to constantly entertain them; they are curious, resourceful, engaged (and engaging), fun-loving, and motivated ... all on their own! My son is now six years old and, despite his very sensitive personality, he's grown into a confident boy who is comfortable in his own skin. I was so pleased when one of his teachers told me that he's not a leader or a follower, he's happy and secure being himself. I knew right away that was from his RIE early childhood.  I am so thankful that we have been able to attend RIE classes with Karen. She has been a source of knowledge and comfort, especially when I was a new mom. I highly recommend RIE and you can find me giving out free RIE advice to all new parents I know!

~Yukari, Parent of 6 year old son and 1 year old daughter

Going to Karen’s weekly class and learning about the RIE philosophy has changed our lives.  As Diversity Educators, ourselves, we consciously try to treat others with respect. What an eye-opener it was for us to realize that there were many things we could do differently when interacting with our newborn and other children in order to respect them to the fullest.  At first glance, the ideas presented by RIE seemed to go against today’s cultural “norm.”  But as we continued to digest what was being presented, we discovered the great value of the authenticity that RIE inspires.  Since reading “Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities from the Very Start” and learning from Karen practical ways to put the RIE methodology in practice, we now strive to actively communicate with our daughter, rather than treat her like a doll; take time to observe (and enjoy) her more and do less; provide her with play objects that she can fully experience and engage with; acknowledge her feelings and actions without judgment; and give her space to master skills in her own timeframe: like rolling onto her stomach, sitting up, using utensils, drinking from cups, climbing stairs and even walking—so that she can achieve her own sweet success and savor her personal moments of genuine accomplishment, without our pushing and prodding.  Our minds are now open in ways we never imagined possible.  If you're open to learning new ways to be respectful and growing from the process, then give Karen and RIE a try!

~ Charles & Melissa, Parents of 1 year old daughter

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