Why Work with Me?
I’m Rachel Tapping and I’ve been running classes since 2006 and, since beginning to study the Pikler approach in 2011, I’ve been bringing the principles of respectful care, co-operation, free movement and self-chosen play into everything I do.
Whether it’s parent-child classes for those with young children or workshops and consultations for parents and practitioners, these same principles shine an equal light on child development and parent/caregiver development.
By working alongside our children, we can positively influence their feelings of self-esteem, self-confidence and balance - both inner and outer. And, while we do all this, we can also discover how to stay true to our authentic selves - reconnecting to our inner childlike self and discovering simple, more mindful ways to be both parent/caregiver and partner to our children.
My inspiration to begin was the invaluable experience of attending parent-child groups with my three, now grown-up children over a period of about eight years. I became fascinated with child development and decided to support parents to be the authentic parents they want to be.
I attended the first Basic and Practice Guidance Level Pikler Trainings held in the UK, from 2011 to 2014. This was deeply inspiring, leading me to rethink my classes and develop a new way of being based on and inspired by the work of Dr Emmi Pikler and the trainings I’ve subsequently attended at the Pikler House, Budapest.
Balanced Babies Parent-Child Classes were my first step towards sharing this work as widely as possible. I now also work with early years settings, running workshops, online sessions, and helping practitioners do their own inner work in order to develop their skills and relationships through experiential learning. I also enjoy writing articles both for my own website and other publications.
In recent years, I’ve deepened my knowledge by continuing my Pikler training, mostly in Budapest, and I currently chair the Pikler UK Association, promoting the approach to settings and professionals in the UK. We deliver Pikler training, workshops and CPD for professionals and parents alike.
If you'd like to read more about how the groups work in practice, visit the Balanced Babies page and take a look at my Blog posts. And if you have any questions, try my Frequently Asked Questions first then head over to the Support Page if you’d like to know more.
For more about where my current inspiration lies, READ MORE HERE…
“The group is the highlight of my week, how often in our busy lives as parents do we have an opportunity to sit back and observe our children. I have learnt a huge amount from Rachel and other parents in the group and believe I am a more thoughtful parent as a result.”