New Eyes

When we see babies with new curious eyes,

we see something different and amazing, even in the most familiar of things…

RIE® inspired infant playgroups

NOW available in the Palisades, DC

Playgroups

Pre-Crawlers

(about 3-6 months old)

Rollers/Crawlers

(about 9-12 months old)

  • "A child who is allowed to move freely will develop a strong sense of self and confidence in their abilities."

    Dr. Emmi Pikler

  • "Respect in care means that we neither hurry the child nor interrupt them, but instead we wait, observe, and respond with sensitivity."

    Dr. Emmi Pikler

  • "The pleasure in movement comes not from being pushed to achieve, but from having the freedom to explore one’s own capabilities at one’s own pace."

    Dr. Emmi Pikler

  • "A child whose development is undisturbed will not only be independent but will also have the ability to ask for help when needed."

    Emmi Pikler

  • "Every infant moves and develops according to his own inner timetable. We should trust them to do so rather than try to teach them."

    Magda Gerber

  • "Observe more, do less. Do less, enjoy more."

    Magda Gerber

  • "Be careful what you teach. It might interfere with what they are learning."

    Magda Gerber

Meet the Team

  • RIE™ Associate

    A Rare and Golden Opportunity to Learn from a Direct Disciple of Magda Gerber

    There are educators, and then there are legacy keepers—those who have absorbed the wisdom of a master and carry it forward, undiluted, to the next generation. Liz Memel is one of those rare few.

    Trained directly by Magda Gerber, the visionary founder of RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), Liz Memel stands in an extraordinary lineage of child development wisdom. To understand just how rare this is, we must go back further—to Emmi Pikler, the groundbreaking Hungarian pediatrician who transformed our understanding of infant movement, autonomy, and respectful caregiving. Pikler mentored Magda Gerber, who then trained Liz Memel, making her a direct link in an unbroken chain of some of the most profound insights into early childhood ever recorded.

    For parents who want more than just advice—who seek a deep, foundational shift in how they see and interact with their babies—Liz Memel represents an unparalleled opportunity. She is not just an experienced RIE Educator; she is one of the last living educators to have studied under Magda Gerber herself, absorbing the philosophy firsthand, refining it through decades of practice, and guiding generations of parents and educators.

    As a Certified RIE ®Pathways Mentor Teacher, Liz Memel is offering her expertise remotely from California as my Mentor Teacher for my Parent-Infant Guidance class, where I serve as the facilitator. This means parents in my program will have the privilege of learning under someone who doesn’t just teach RIE but embodies its wisdom in its purest form.

    To sit in a class where Liz Memel is mentoring is to stand at the source of a movement that has transformed parenting worldwide. It’s a chance to experience firsthand the revolutionary ideas passed down from Pikler to Gerber to Memel—and now, to you. This is not just another class; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from one of the last living bridges to the origins of respectful parenting.

    If you have ever wanted to understand your baby at the deepest level, this is the moment.

    You can learn more about Liz Memel here.


  • Class Facilitator

    Marwa is a published early childhood researcher, a certified parenting coach, and founder of New Eyes Parenting, dedicated to preserving the integrity of early childhood through respectful, child-led, and screen-free learning.

    As a facilitator of these Parent-Infant Guidance classes, Marwa creates a developmentally appropriate space that changes as infants grow and where parents can observe, trust, and connect with their babies in a way that honors natural development. Now, she is bringing an unprecedented opportunity to families by offering a class mentored by Liz Memel, a direct disciple of Magda Gerber.

    Marwa’s approach is a rare blend of research, real-world experience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the wonder of childhood. You can learn more about marwa here.

We know that choosing a class for you and your baby is a big decision. This space is designed to be gentle, unhurried, and supportive—a place where you can observe, reflect, and connect while your baby moves and explores freely.

✨ This Class is a Great Fit If:

✔️ You have a 3–10-month-old baby and want to support their natural development from the very start—because even at 3 months, babies are learning through movement, balance, and sensory discovery.

✔️ You’re drawn to respectful parenting approaches like RIE, Pikler, Montessori or these principles.

✔️ You want to observe your baby’s movements and discoveries.

✔️ You’re looking for a calm, welcoming environment where both you and your baby can grow.

🚀 A small, intimate group means spots are limited—secure yours today!

💡 Wondering if Our Playgroups are Right for You?

“They are always onto something.

They effort and sometimes struggle. In a good way. They have a plan of play. They feel energized by their weight on the floor as they move. Eyes on the target. The perseverance, the pleasureful pride forthcoming, they are the art of becoming. If only they have the time and space…to truly grow at their own pace.” Marwa Abdelfattah