If infants are ready to do something, they will do it. In fact, when they are ready, they have to do it.

Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child. Earlier is not better.

A positive goal to strive for when disciplining would be to raise children we not only love, but in whose company we love being.

RIE emphasizes the benefits of infants spending peaceful, uninterrupted time following their biological rhythms of falling asleep when sleepy and eating when hungry, rather than their having to adjust too soon to external schedules and unrealistic expectations. First, we have to let the child develop his own rhythm; and then later he can adjust more into adult life.

When you hold an infant, hold him not just with your body, but with your mind and heart.

As I say so often, “Observe and wait.” Sometimes you may even find out that what you believed the infant wanted was only your assumption. It is natural to make mistakes and easy to misunderstand pre-verbal children. Nevertheless, it is important to keep trying

Much harm has been done in the name of love, but no harm can be done in the name of respect.