Montessori Nature's Smile

Here is what on our shelf this week:

     This is dedicated to us - mums. The reason I decided to write this blog, is because at times being a mum does not seem like much, and it is so easy to loose a focus in between wiping boogers, preparing dinner and picking up that same piece of Lego hundredth time a day. And the amazing thing is that our history is yet to be written and NOW we have time and chance to make a difference and raise beautiful people who will write a history one day. Looking into the lives and sacrifices great mothers made for the sake of their family, you understand that being a mum is a calling.

 Since we had to take our little baby girl to the emergency with the high fever without any other symptoms that lasted for three days I made a decision to research every way possible to strengthen her immune system with natural solutions. It really does work. Here are some ideas for you and your family I would love to share and hope to help you to be stronger this flu season.
I can't not mention a very important factor - a prayer - every time before the meal and when anyone of us get unwell. Let's face it even natural solutions can not really compete with the Creator of the Earth.

"Every baby is born with about 100 billion neurons. Neurons are the special cells responsible for most brain functions, such as thinking, seeing and feeling. We currently believe that those 100 billion neurons are all you get; few or none of them are produced later in life. Neurons connect with each other across tiny spaces called “synapses.” These connected neurons join together to form the systems that perform the various functions of the brain.

There are a few main points of our parenting that we truly believe provide a great foundation for brain development:

1.TALK to the child all the time so she is used to hearing speech (except when child is focusing on something else). When possible while talking make an eye contact. We also have been reading books every day since she was born. Our favourite books to read are the Bible and photography books with big beautiful realistic photos

I try not to offer to my child any toys unless I know they have a very specific purpose: it develops fine motor skills, helps to develop concentration, offers various sensory experiences, etc. We always try to adopt our living place for her to move freely and safely around, and sometimes I feel too many toys can be on the way of her discoveries. Very often her toy can be a piece of different material or a cardboard roll. I stay away from plastic and electronic stuff. I often get an inspiration to make activity for my 7 months old. For example:

 Maria Montessori was a legendary woman. She was the first to break the social stigma about women -she became the first woman to enter medical school in Italy at the age of 22. Maria was a strong and compassionate woman. In 1896 she added the appointment as surgical assistant at Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome to her portfolio of tasks. Much of her work there was with the poor, and particularly with their children. As a doctor she was noted for the way in which she ‘tended’ her patients, making sure they were warm and properly fed as well as diagnosing and treating their illnesses. In 1901 Montessori immersed herself in her own studies of educational philosophy and anthropology.

The beautiful thing about birth is that every mother has a unique story to tell. Mine was quite.. adventures. There were a few very incredible things happening on the way. For example, my girl already had her "favourites" before she was born. At the time of my pregnancy I was working with 3 and 4 your olds. You can imagine impression my belly made on these little people. Our girl got friendly pattings every day from children. She always responded most of the time to one same child by kicking back . The same kid came to me one day and asked if I want to call my daughter Valentina. Little did he know that it is my mum's name. Go figure...During one of our scans the moment we saw her on a screen her little arm went up and gave as a wave. So all those little events made the pregnancy so much more special. I was incredibly lucky and blessed to be accepted to the Birth Centre.

Since our girl was very little - just a couple months old- I thought to myself that all these different positions we put her in car seat, baby chair, later high chair, let alone the whole birth experience, can't be good for her soft little bones and spine.Recently  I heard so much about the benefits of chiropractor for babies so we decided to start the chiro sessions for her. I was so excited about it. Many wonder if it's safe. My husband was very sceptical and did not like the idea of giving our child such a rough treatment (those dads.. so hard from outside and so soft inside:). But it is amazing how God just gently leads us in making a right decision. Recently we talked with one family who took their children to chiro since they were born. They told us how some children can start having seizures out of nowhere. Later on we met another lady who told us that she takes he kids to chiro to help to avoid seizures in future.