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.

11 Fun Coordination Exercises for Toddlers’ Physical Growth

Toddler Activities / By

Why should we, as parents, pay special attention to coordination-based physical activities? After all, young children are naturally active, aren’t they? If we spend more time on numbers and letters, children will make greater progress, right? Well… this is a common misconception we might have. By reading this article, you’ll discover that something as simple as […]

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Solitary Play: What It Is & Why It’s Important in Early Childhood

Play / By
A child playing alone

When you notice your child deeply engrossed in her own world, playing on her own, you’re witnessing the magic of solitary play. Far from being an indicator of loneliness or exclusion, solitary play is a critical stage in your child’s developmental journey, filled with self-discovery, imagination, and creativity. The six stages of play Mildred Parten

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Supporting Creativity and Empathy Through Imaginative Play for Preschoolers

Play / By

Think of your child as a visitor from another planet—competent and curious, but witnessing everything for the first time. Their endless questions reflect their eagerness and natural desire to understand the mysterious world around them. They yearn to organize the observations, discoveries, and knowledge they gather to make sense of their surroundings. They use a

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Creating a Reggio Emilia-Inspired Play Space at Home

Reggio Emilia Approach / By

The environment in which your child spends their time has a direct impact on their development and what they learn. This refers not only to the people they encounter and the situations related to them but also to the entire surrounding space. Seemingly trivial elements—such as the arrangement of furniture, the type and organization of

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Crafting with Toddler: Tips for Creating an Inspiring Art Corner

Toddler Activities / By
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

Baby Activities, Play / By
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

Baby Activities, Preschooler Activities, Toddler Activities / By

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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