Children Meaningful Interactions

10 Tips to use cloth nappies I had in mind I wanted to use cloth nappies for my baby, but I knew very little about the new designs. They are literally cloth nappies but different types from the times our mothers used to put on us. So, as a first-time mother, I went through a journey of researching about the whole universe of cloth nappies. I found a few things that work well and others that don’t, and I am going to share with you in case if you are considering using cloth nappies (read the previous post about considering using cloth nappies). 1)       Research about it extensively: there are many different types of cloth nappies. They vary on material, colour, sizes and styles. I had to spend some time looking at different companies’ websites and chat groups (especially Facebook ones, there are many groups that support the cause) to try to understand what style/maker/price I would choose. There are a lot of choices in relation to boosters, wrap, lin...

Why do we use cloth nappy?  Yes, I know! At the moment cloth nappy is mentioned, you turn around, make a disgusting face and automatically think of the work it can cause. But, please, let me tell you a few things and then we can talk again!  As any first-time mother, I had a whole universe of things to learn. It is unbelievable the number of things you must learn in order to taking care of a new born! So basically, since the moment you know that you are pregnant, you don’t stop researching reading and seeking information about baby’s stuff.  In the middle of all of that, you are also very sensitive to the life you wish to give to your son/daughter and to the world he/she will grow up.  It is impossible not to think about Mother Earth and the way we “human beings” have been treating her.  Cloth nappy advocators say that a disposable nappy can take centuries to decompose. The amount of rubbish a house with a new baby can produce is huge....

Can I breastfeed my baby in public?  Photo: Rosalia Passos  Science tells us "breastfeeding is the best start in life for a new born".  Adding to all the scientific great reasons,  I strongly encourage first time mothers to breastfed their babies: it is one of the most bounding and loving feelings you can develop with your little baby.  Breastfeeding does not happen "all naturally and easy" as we seen advertised. It takes time, it is a learning process between the mother and the new born ... It takes practice! It can require hard work and definitely requires persistence and determination. Ireland breastfeeding rates are very low. There is a long way to go to build a breastfeeding culture. And, unfortunately, we still seen stories like the one bellow.  Very recently, a paper in Co. Mayo published an article commenting on a situation which a reader was asked to breastfeed her baby in the toilets by the GAA steward before the   ma...

Valuing culture and traditions is part of an inclusive curriculum. It also can create a range of learning opportunities and great fun for the kids. As part of a globalized society we are all facing multi-cultural classrooms and offering spaces to appreciate the difference and promote inclusion is a daily compromise of preschool teachers. I grew up in Brazil and have a strong passion for my country heritage. When I was working in a preschool in Dublin, we had one of my biggest memorable days in childcare celebrating the carnival festival with the kids. It was such a great party atmosphere among those children, they learnt and enjoyed it so much! That is all what we want, isn’t it? Children learning while they are having fun! Carnival is an annual festival celebrated in Roman Catholic countries typically during the week before Lent. It involves street parade, music, dancing, and the use of masks and/or dressing up. Brazil holds the biggest celebration of carnival in the worl...

My name is Melissa, I am passionate for life and for getting to know the world. I was b orn and grow up in Brazil. My dad’s family is Italian descendant, so I have double citizenship. My mother tongue is Portuguese, and I also speak English, Spanish and Italian. I have been living in Ireland for 11 years, apart from working trips to India, Africa and Latin America. I hold a Primary Teaching qualification with expertise in preschool, a BA in Communications and Public Relations, a postgraduate degree in Educational Management, an MSc in Development Studies (UCD - University College Dublin) and I am current doing a PhD focused in Early Intervention for Children Meaningful Interactions in the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, National University Galway (NUI Galway). In terms of professional experience, I have a strong background working in communications, education and the development field. I have also set up (in Brazil) and been first Chair of a community association for...

I believe a smile is a universal face expression that can warm up hearts and spread good feelings anywhere they are presented. We all feel better when we are approaching a service and are received with a smile. The same happens when we arrive at work or at home. During a chat, we can feel how much reciprocity we are having if the other person gives any shy smile. We could say that a smile is an open doors tool. A smile is a fabulous ice-breaker. Nevertheless, a child smile is powerful. Young children are spontaneous creatures! They are free of any prejudice or social filters that humankind imposed to us. Young children are very sincere as well! If they are enjoying a play, they will keep playing with it; if they are bored, they walk way. If they are happy, they smile straight way. If they are upset, they show it straight way too. A young child smile warms up hearts quickly. Children spread such a positive energy around them – and basically through the lightness of their smile! ...