About Us

Mission

The International Emmi Pikler Foundation at Lóczy is guided by the mission of founder Dr. Emmi Pikler to offer aid in raising healthy, happy children. Established in 1946, this internationally recognized agency is dedicated to empowering children and families through outreach programs that serve the child, parent, and caregiver. Dr. Pikler recognized the need to offer an environment where children are respected and nurtured to become emotionally and socially mature individuals, able to adjust to the needs of others and of society.

History

The Pikler Institute (nicknamed Lóczy from the street where it is located), was established in 1946 by pediatrician Dr. Emmi Pikler. The City of Budapest commissioned Dr. Pikler to organize a home for infants and young children who were deprived of their parents until satisfactory living arrangements could be found. Dr. Pikler's concepts and practices included ideas on respecting the child as a person - where he/she is an active individual and is allowed to move freely in a safe environment.

Purpose

The success at Lóczy has been recognized by the World Health Organization, and the concepts and practices have been translated globally with the establishment of Pikler/Lóczy Associations in France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Holland, Argentina and USA. The United States is home to an organization founded by Magda Gerber, Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE). Emmi Pikler was a mentor and colleague of Magda Gerber.

Goals

The goal of these Associations is to bring the resources to a global community that will help ensure a mutually respectful, fulfilling partnership between children, parents and caregivers. The International Pikler (Lóczy) Association was formed in 1997 in an effort to raise funds to ensure the survival of the Pikler (Lóczy) Institute in Budapest when the Hungarian government was no longer able to lend its support. Most recently, the Pikler/Lóczy Fund USA has been formed in the United States to serve as a central information base for these fund raising efforts. The generosity of those who give financially is matched by the knowledge that 100% of the gift will benefit the Pikler (Lóczy) Institute.