seku-vaiku

Baby development by months: what happens each month, the most relevant Montessori activities, and which toys to choose at each stage. A practical guide for parents.

How to help children maintain focus and learn responsible screen use? "After the campaign to limit phone use in schools swept through Lithuania, we decided to explore and review this topic further," share certified Montessori practitioners and founders of sekuvaiku, Austėja Stancikienė and Miglė Rimeikė.

A newborn in the family is a significant change for the older children, so it is important to help them calmly navigate this period and convey the experience that awaits them.

  "All I want is for you to feel happy" – this is probably the most universal wish parents have for their children, regardless of culture, country, or other circumstances. We have good news! Harvard scientists, in a longitudinal study lasting over 85 years, have been studying the essential recipes for happiness. The main conclusion of this study is that happiness is our social connections. Adults who have strong and stable relationships with their partners, children, parents, or surrounding community are the happiest. But now let's go back to childhood, as childhood is often named the most important foundation of life. Did you know that children who contribute to household chores from an early age grow up to be more successful and happier? A University of Virginia study involving nearly 10,000 children revealed that kids involved in household chores during childhood are more likely to achieve professional success and feel more satisfied with life in the future. Little ones who participate in daily tasks develop responsibility, independence, and empathy, which helps them not only in childhood but also as adults. Sounds logical, right? Harvard scientists would agree: children who help with household chores in childhood feel more needed and thus build stronger family bonds. But the question arises – what chores can little ones do? Certified Montessori method practitioners, seku-vaiku founders Miglė Rimeikė and Austėja Stanickienė say that involving children in household tasks can be very diverse, but first and foremost, it is important to create opportunities for them to become independent and full members of the family. For example, one responsibility could be to hang up their coat as soon as they come home. Children usually cannot reach standard coat hooks until almost adolescence, but if you hang a hook at the child's height, you might be surprised by their abilities and desire to be independent. It is very important to create a child-friendly environment to contribute to family chores and then involve them.     "You will see how much joy children experience helping to wash an apple or dust together. This way, they feel needed and important family members and develop confidence in their abilities," comment child education experts. Below you will find recommendations adapted to children's ages, but remember – every child is unique, so the most important thing is to observe their individual development, not to pressure them, and most importantly, to create opportunities for children to try. What can you try with your little one? 12–18 months: Put toys into a box or basket Help wipe up spilled liquid with a cloth Put dirty clothes into the laundry basket 18–24 months: Help set the table with dishes Water the plants Put books back on the shelf after reading 2–3 years: Help make their bed Help feed pets Neatly put away shoes and coat 4–5 years: Help prepare simple snacks, cut food Help weed the garden Neatly put away groceries The most important thing is not the rules or guidelines, but your child! Remember – this table is not a strict requirement but just ideas for your family. Every child develops differently, so one may happily sweep the floor at two years old, while another prefers putting books on the shelf. The most important thing is to let the child learn through play and happily involve them in family activities by providing supportive tools and creating a safe environment for them.     Here are some tools that could help a child get involved in daily tasks: The first safe-to-use knife that ensures safety and allows independent cutting A step stool that the child can carry where needed to complete tasks independently Clothing hooks or hangers at the child's height Small chores not only develop responsibility but also give the little one joy and self-confidence. Moreover, this activity is very interesting for toddlers. So next time your little one wants to "help" you tidy up, don't rush to say "too small" – rather, dedicate more time to the activity and do it together, following the child's pace. Read more: https://mamoszurnalas.lt/tyrimai-atskleide-vaikai-kurie-nuo-mazens-prisideda-prie-namu-ruosos-darbu-uzauga-sekmingesni-ir-laimingesni

Today's children's toy market offers a wide range of options labeled "Montessori" as a symbol of exceptional quality and value. But are all those toys promising "Montessori" benefits really necessary for our children? How not to get lost when choosing tools for children, given such a vast selection, advise certified Montessori method practitioners, creators of "seku-vaiku," Austėja Stancikienė and Miglė Rimeikė.

Montessori toys and tools for children's independent play and development at home.