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"Polé Polé" means " Slowly, slowly" in Swahili.
At Polé Polé Parenting, we believe in the value of slowing down and building relationship based on respect and trust.
As a resources center for parents, caregivers and infants aged from 3 to 24 months, we offer a variety of classes and workshops based on Magda Gerber's respectful Educaring® Approach.
Join us for a life-changing journey to connect with yourself and your baby
Slowing down in parenting will help you to...
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Build trust by taking time to observe, understand and respond to your baby's cues
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Respect your baby's natural pace
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Develop baby's sense of autonomy and problem-solving skills
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Take care of your needs and find inner peace
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Relax and simply appreciate your parenting journey with confidence
At Polé Polé Parenting, we offer the RIE® signature Parent-Infant Guidance™ Class, where parents observe their babies to explore and interact with other babies in a physically safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing environment.
Parents will learn this slow, yet meaningful parenting approach to connect and raise a confident child.
Observe more, do less, enjoy most.
Magda Gerber
What we offer
Our classes and workshops are offered online or in-person in Ottawa, ON,
facilitated by a RIE® Associate to share the work of RIE® and Magda Gerber's Educaring® Approach.
These classes provide opportunity for parents and caregivers to see infants with new eyes by learning to slow down and observe young children to unfold in their own way at their own pace.
Relax, Observe
and Connect
This is a class for parents and caregivers to relax, build respectful parenting style and enjoy getting to know your baby in a thoughtfully designed environment, as they explore their interests and interact with other babies.
In-person
1.5 hours weekly
$250 / month
Overview of the
Educaring® Approach
Learn how the Educaring® Approach encourages adult caregivers to see young children as competent and capable humans from birth. The Approach seeks to help them build stable, secure, healthy relationships with infants and toddlers.
Online and in-person
1.5 hours x 2 sessions
$240
Educating through Caregiving
Based on RIE® principles, we will transform your daily caregiving activities, such as diapering, into quality moments to build deep connection. We empower young children by inviting them to actively participate in caregiving.
Online and in-person
1 hour
$30
We offer home visits and online private consultations with a RIE® Associate to discuss your parenting needs in details.
Home Visits are available only in Ottawa, ON.
Home Visit
1 hour
$100
Online Consultation
1 hour
$45
Contact for more information.
About Me
Kumiko Akiyama:
RIE® Associate & Founder of Polé Polé Parenting
I am Kumiko and a mom of two children. While growing up in a fast-paced city in Tokyo Japan, my father, who studied Swahili, often reminded me to slow down based on a popular proverb “pole pole ndio mwendo - slowly is the way.” This always helped me to relax, appreciate the present moments, and see the bigger picture of learning in life.
RIE® and Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach reminds us the value of slowing down in parenting too. As a mother, I have learned to take a breath, observe more, and tune into infants’ needs as well as my own. I found an inner peace and healthy balance in my parenting journey. Read more about my story.
I am excited to share this respectful approach to support parents and their child to be more relaxed, secure and confident!
What our Parents say
Lin W.
Mother of a 2-yo infant
From a private consultation
“I was really exhausted trying to get my child to sleep, but after consulting with Kumiko, everything changed. Now, my child sleeps for over 12 hours every night, and the quality of sleep has significantly improved for both of us. It's been a life-changing experience.”
Mary M.
Mother of a 1-yo infant
From a private consultation
“I believe that this approach serves well to raise a competent human, especially in this current era, where they need to build a good balance of authenticity and respect.”
Join Polé Polé Parenting Community to relax and grow together
