About the Book
Now available in Aotearoa and Australia, Guiding Babies and Toddlers at Daycare invites readers into a beautifully written day in an early learning setting, seen through the eyes of Hannah, an intern experiencing a Pikler-inspired centre for the first time. In the first part, through actual interactions and conversations, we get to know the children, families, and educators and learn the concepts through real situations. Alongside this are inserts of theory and guided reflections and tasks. The second part offers a deeper dive into theory and development with chapters on movement, play and also importantly the rights of children in care.
“As an emerging teacher, I loved how this book bridged the gap between theory and practice in a way that felt both accessible and deeply encouraging.” - Ana Blackman
Please read the reviews below to find out more, or purchase your copy today.
Summarised Reviews
"As a student currently studying Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with a growing interest in the Pikler approach, I found Guiding Babies and Toddlers at Daycare by Hedie Meyling to be a deeply affirming and inspiring read. This book offers a beautiful, organic guide for those who are beginning to explore the Pikler approach, to better understand how to implement it within an early learning setting. For an emerging teacher like myself, I enjoyed how this book felt like an intimate mentor. The use of real-life examples helped bridge the gap between theory and practice in a way that felt accessible and encouraging. The flexible structure of this book allows it to be read traditionally, offering a cohesive journey, yet it is equally easy to dip into specific chapters for inspiration and guidance, making it a practical and supportive resource for everyday teaching moments." Ana Blackman
"This book was a pleasant surprise for me - written in an engaging and accessible style, the carefully crafted content introduces the Pikler approach. For teachers and students, the book provides a valuable resource, offering rich practice-related examples and prompts that encourage deep reflection on the realities and possibilities of working alongside very young children. " Dr Maria Cooper, ECE academic University of Auckland - There is also a full review to be released later this year in the journal, The First Years Ngā Tau Tuatahi.
"What sets this book apart for me is its commitment to recognising the youngest members of our early childhood settings as competent and confident individuals who possess inherent human rights, providing practical examples of how these rights can be upheld. It serves as a timely reminder of our obligations, making it a compelling and necessary addition to the discourse surrounding early childhood education and child advocacy. Its blend of practical application and research offers readers the insights needed to effect positive outcomes for children in their practice and environments." Jana To, BEd, MEdDevPsych
"While witnessing the narrated children’s experiences, we gain insights into their cognitive, social and motor development. Concepts such as autonomy, interaction, attachment, self-regulation, socialisation and self-confidence become concrete and evident. And the carers’ ways of communicating with the children and dealing with specific situations can serve as inspiration and instruction for childcare professionals and parents alike." Hedie Mehling, Author, Pikler® Pedagogue Netherlands
"The narrative structure and the many practical examples in this book bring to life the pedagogy that Emmi Pikler and her staff developed over many years. I am confident that not just experts in the field, but many parents, too, will read it with interest and pleasure." Anna Tardos, Child Psychologist and former President of Pikler® Lóczy Ass.
About the Author
As a young mother, Hedie Meyling was touched by Emmi Pikler’s view of the child, in which autonomy, trust and respect are central. Because of this, her career as an actress and Feldenkrais practitioner took an unexpected turn. In 1999, Meyling founded the Emmi Pikler Foundation Netherlands, and it became her mission to further spread the richness of the Pikler vision in her country. She trained in Budapest, Munich and Berlin and she’s part of the teachers’ group of the Pikler® Verband Europe.
In addition, she’s also an Infant Mental Health Specialist and Experiential Family Therapist working according to the approach by Jesper Juul.
She enjoys guiding parents and children and assisting them to both intensify and simplify their parenting tasks. Furthermore, she’s an enthusiastic teacher of the Pikler® pedagogue training programme in the Netherlands.
In this book, her creative and pedagogical qualities are united.
As a fundraising gift for time spent helping create the English version, Hedie Meyling has granted Nurture People Charitable Trust the right to distribute this book in Australasia!
$42.50 each (plus postage & packaging)
Save 10% when you order 4 or more copies
Students receive 20% off
