The task of the environment
"The task of the environment is not to mould the child, but to allow it to reveal itself." So what does that mean? It means that we parents often have to think and feel what makes our child tick.
"The task of the environment is not to mould the child, but to allow it to reveal itself."
Maria Montessori
So what does that mean? It means that we parents need to think and feel very often about what makes our child tick. We need to get a feel for which characteristics and personality traits are inherent in the child - and how we can encourage these instead of demanding something that we think is cool, that we like to do or that we are good at.
Example 1: With a child who is very introverted, it won't help at all if you say "What do you say there?" or "Say thank you" every time you go to the bakery or butcher. The child won't do it because it doesn't suit their nature, because they don't have the confidence. And if they are repeatedly asked to do it in front of others, it's just a burden - and the child won't take the step any faster as a result. It needs to be strengthened in other ways and will then be able to master these polite things at some point.
Example 2: If you are a very passionate sportsman yourself, let's say a handball player, then there is absolutely no point in trying to turn your child into a handball player if you realise that they might lack the competitive bite or fine motor skills - or simply the desire to play handball.
You should simply develop a feel for the areas in which your child finds it easier to grow and in which you as parents can support them. Whereby "easy" is of course not true - for us parents it is sometimes terribly difficult. A small consolation, so to speak, as a tip: the more children you have, the greater the chance that one of them will enjoy doing what you enjoy doing :-).
Further interesting tips
U6 screening
The U6 screening is the doctor's favourite screening. Because at 10 to 12 months, the children are still cute and baby-cute and not yet so big that they can blow up the whole examination with a violent tantrum (yes, there's all that ...). In other words, the U6 is usually a very pleasant experience. How does it work?
Moles
Children are not small adults. One topic where this beautiful phrase once again applies is the mole, medically known as a nevus. Dealing with brown moles and the need to have them looked at by a dermatologist is very different for children than for adults.
Sun protection
When it comes to sun protection, as is so often the case, there are rules - but you also have to approach things with common sense. Please don't lock your children up out of panic about UV damage. Because both are possible: outdoor exercise and safe sun protection - if you follow a few rules. What never hurts: when adults set a good example.