Loosing close ones is something that no one can be prepared to deal with no matter how strong they are. There is always a part that dies inside when dear person leaves forever. I worked with different ages of children, and what I have noticed, is that the older the children are the more questions they have.

As an Early Childhood worker I understand how stressful this time of the year can be with million and one things occupying teacher's mind. I decided to put this post together to make it a bit easier to find great, high quality, colourful and educational Christmas printables for kids. There are literally hundreds of awesome print outs for FREE. Just choose which one you would like and click on link.

Christmas time is such a magic time of the year for everyone, especially our little friends. Since they are going through sensitive period in their developing process, baby's senses get stimulated in a major way. Things like smiling, friendly faces of family members, bright colours of Christmas trees; sparkles of store displays, spiky feel of mistletoe, glittery dust on post cards from Grandma, yummy smells of crispy turkey and ginger bread cookies.. Gifts is also a great way to make Christmas more exciting for young children.

“Language lies at the root of 

that transformation of the 

environment that we call 

civilization” -Maria 

Montessori.

As Maria Montessori said, language is a "root". It is something that helps us to connect to outside world, our inner world, develop, grow, become part of the society. As a mum and educator I like to provoke deeper thinking look in the matter of things. Essential skills like reading and writing are skills that help to create person's world. For some reason becoming mum made me take completely different perspective on education and led me to decide to homeschool our children in future. As a part of my plan I have made a decision to past upon teaching reading and writing until the age of six or even seven. Here is why.

You truly realise that it is a small world when you look at our family: mum was born in Russia, dad is Chilean, daughter was born in Australia. Needless to say, our holiday destinations are pretty much already predetermined.  What do you think crossed my mind when I was thinking about flying across the world on my own (hubby had to stay home) with 18 months old toddler? I do not think I could possibly be totally prepared for 56 hours in the air with a small child in compound, limited space. Well, there were a few things that helped me to stay sane and actually enjoy our truly bonding experience. All in all it was not bad at all! Our girl did a very good job!

The other day I saw the most amazing and effective presentation for preschool children on sustainability given by lovely Wendy from Composkids.

It is time to share the most important and fundamental part of my life: tell about my friend, hero, motivator, mentor, adviser, teacher, Heavenly father - God, Jesus. How often did I hear these words: "why believe in someone you can not see, hear, touch, physically prove they are there? Are you crazy, why you are talking to yourself? Are you weak? Do you always need someone to help you to make it?" well... the things in our life that are most important or have enormous power over us are the things can not be touched or seen, or sometimes even expressed with words, like happiness, joy, love, depression, envy. These "things" motivate us, determine our fate. God is as invisible but just as real and powerful force that can be a part of people's life. How do I prove His evidence in my life? Hmm.. do you know the feeling when you are with someone who loves you so much that you can feel it with your skin, that soft, tingly excitement that fills your gut with bubbles? This is how it feels, multiplied by hundreds. Many times I lived through these precious moments when after a prayer I cried and cried with the cry when you feel your gut is going to explode, but not from sadness. It is a strange sensation like you have been washed from inside out. After that I felt so clean in my mind, soul, empty from any negative emotion
. When your eyes become crystal clear and people do not feel comfortable looking at you, because they just see through you. So when people try to "talk me out" of my faith, its simply impossible because we've been introduced with my God. We had many "cups of coffee" together when I poured out my heart to Him and He listened.. Again you do not need to see someone to know that they are listening.. And He comforted me, He always understood and stood by my side. Always. This is what I'm looking for in a close friend, in partner, in myself.. and in my God. So here is my story. The reason I share, is because I want to be able to introduce this awesome God, friend, counselor to others if they have not met Him yet. It is worth your while. The key, like with every relationship, is to not give up after your first 'chat' with Him.. It took me years to really get to know Him. A quiet cozy  place with a cuppa and Bible where no one is going to hear you "talking to yourself" is a good place to start.
Here is something that profoundly describes why exactly I chose my God to rule my life..

“I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the One Nietzsche ridiculed as 'God on the cross.' In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of the Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have had to turn away. And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in Godforsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross that symbolizes divine suffering. 'The cross of Christ ... is God’s only self-justification in such a world” as ours....' 'The other gods were strong; but thou wast weak; they rode, but thou didst stumble to a throne; But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds, but thou alone.”

― John R.W. Stott, Cross

God bless..

An inspiration for the day..

The most inspirational video you will ever see Nick Vujicic

Looking for idea for a Practical Life activity? How about making pomegranate juice. One of the oldest known fruits, found in writings and artifacts of many cultures and religions, the pomegranate (punica granatum) is an original native of Persia. This nutrient dense, antioxidant rich fruit has been revered as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life.