Maria Walewska-Chmiel

I'm Maria, MD by profession, also a Reggio- and Montessori-inspired Early Childhood Educator, RIE enthusiast, caring for children and carefully observing their development by passion. I'm interested in neuroscience and the ways it can inform the activities we offer our children.

Crafting with Toddler: Tips for Creating an Inspiring Art Corner

Toddler sitting at the table and crafting

Working in a nursery and preschool, I’ve never met a child who wasn’t interested in crafting in some way. Of course, I’ve encountered children, especially older ones, who stubbornly claimed they didn’t like drawing or refused to colour a winter snowman. However, those same children always found crafting activities they enjoyed and used the crayons […]

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Unoccupied Play: Key Stage of Play in Early Childhood Growth

A child engaged in unoccupied play, lying on his back and looking around.

Unoccupied play, though seemingly simple, plays a crucial role in your child’s early years. This type of play lays the foundation for various developmental milestones and offers parents a unique insight into their child’s world. By learning about unoccupied play, you will see your little one’s actions in a new light. You’ll discover how to support

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Tips for Traveling with Children

Undoubtedly, we are in a period of smaller and larger trips using various means of transportation. Traveling with children can be a significant challenge. Children handle it differently; some do well, while others struggle. The tricky part is that even those who have previously had no issues with several-hour flights or car trips might “surprise”

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Developing fine motor skills through everyday tasks

A child pressing a tomato onto a pizza

As you watch your toddler grow, you’ll marvel at the developing skills they show every day. One of these essential skills is their fine motor skills, the foundation for tasks as simple as feeding themselves and as complex as writing their first letters. You can help them improve their fine motor skills through everyday tasks, making

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