Education Archives

Education Archives

Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

School is not a competition

Daniele Novaraeducator

What is the best way to learn in school? Certainly not the competition. Our studies and scientific knowledge show that children learn best by working together and learning from their mistakes

Guide to using technology for ages 0 to 6

Daniele Novaraeducator

Small child in front of a smartphone

Respect for life’s transitions is important. Here are some actionable pointers for dealing with the challenges digital technology poses for younger children

Montessori and the furniture that helps you grow

Elga Albarellajournalist

Child in Montessori school

The management of school spaces is also an “educational” factor. In a Montessori school the space is divided into work areas and the child can freely move from one to the other according to his preferences

Children who bite: how to behave

Paola Cosolo Maragontrainer and educational consultant

Child biting mother's nose

It is important to help parents and teachers understand this normal, fleeting phenomenon, which is definitely related to a certain phase of the child’s development

Design is not an intelligence test

Louisa MorassiPsychologist

Close up of a child's painting

Learning to draw requires the development of complex interactive processes and different skills, which proceed at different times for each child

The Montessori transfusion, a game that children like

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The child plays by making shelves with his hands

Maria Montessori’s shelves are one of the favorite activities of young children, who thanks to the repetitive action manage to consolidate their skills and abilities, a real synaptic strengthening

Maria Montessori and the child-friendly home

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Montessori room suitable for children

To give the child the opportunity to move freely and safely, we need to rethink the spaces and the furniture. A child-friendly home benefits everyone: it makes children more independent and parents more peaceful

Crying and colic, instructions for use

Constantine Panchapediatrician neonatologist

The child is crying

What are the remedies for crying newborns? We talk about it, between medicine and anthropology, with pediatrician Costantino Panza

Adolescence: not only conflicts between parents and children

Giuseppe Sparnaccipsychotherapist

A teenager talks to his father, without confrontation

Is typical adolescent conflict biologically determined? It is actually more of a socio-cultural construct that can be weakened if approached without prejudice

Kindergarten: fundamental in the child’s development

Daniele Novaraeducator

Children playing in a kindergarten

Attending kindergarten is an important opportunity for children, with positive effects on future school outcomes and personal fulfillment. The teacher explains it to us

Homework: should children be helped?

Daniele Novaraeducator

The child colors a drawing

If children need help with homework, it should be given as much as possible, but it is wrong to replace it

Kindergarten is good, very good indeed

Sonia Bozziauthor

Hands of a child playing in kindergarten

An American study published in 2011 verifies the relationship between a preschool education program and the health status of adults who benefited from the project as children

Technology without limits: the iPad porta potty

Tiziana Cherubingraphic designer and atelier

A product created with the desire to simplify the lives of parents by helping them keep their children in the jar, but which risks becoming an annihilation station for the little ones

The use of violence in education

Constantine Panchapediatrician neonatologist

The little girl curled up on the couch

Studies show that using corporal punishment as a learning style leads to a greater likelihood of anxiety, depression, mood and esteem disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, personality disorders in adulthood

Children and rules: how to teach them to respect them?

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

Little girl moving chess and learning the rules

Parents must be able to help the child understand the rules that regulate common life, so that he internalizes and respects them. Let’s see how

A kindergarten that really educates

Giovanni Sapuccidirector of CEIS

children draw together at school

The school must work so that the boys and girls who attend it achieve visible developmental goals in three fundamental aspects: identity, autonomy and competence.

ADHD: A lively child is not sick

Daniele Novaraeducator

Children's grimaces

The tendency to seek ever earlier diagnoses is spreading to school. Too often this becomes a way to lure the student into a tool of no return

Montessori school goes beyond digital

Daniele Novaraeducator

The child plays with the Montessori sensory materials

To insist on digital school is to foreshadow the uselessness of school: if what matters is the connection to a tablet, a video screen or any digital medium, soon it may no longer be necessary to physically go to school

Infant masturbation: a pleasure that does no harm

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

Bare legs of a lying child, depicting infantile masturbation

Children discover quite early the pleasure that genitals can offer. It is part of the normal process of self-awareness, child masturbation should not be banned and demonized

Children and sport: frequently asked questions

Stefano Gorinifamily pediatrician

Many parents wonder how to choose a sport for their children, what to look for and what kind of physical activity to offer young children. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject.

Rules and vagaries Archives

Education Archives

Address and understand i childish outbursts It is one of the great challenges of parents, who often wonder how to manage crying spells, the struggle to get dressed or problems related to respecting the rules established by adults.

However, the term “whim” is often used inappropriately to describe sudden desires of little ones that adults tend to indulge more or less. It’s important to keep in mind that these behaviors always have a backstory an implicit needwhich the boy or girl asks you to consider.

In Uppa’s stele dedicated to rules and whims industry experts examine and delve into these requests, showing how to try to deal with these moments and how to interpret the requests of the little boy or girl.

Children’s tantrums: how to manage and cope with them

Francesca PericaMontessori teacher

Although tantrums are completely normal as a child grows, we can still work on “prevention” and thus reduce their number. To do this, it is best to follow the “3 Cs” method.

Punishments for children? Harmful and useless

Elena Ravazoloeducator

The little girl gets booked

The danger of an education system based on rewards and punishments is that, over time, children and parents become distant, because the child, in addition to having no freedom of choice, will not consider the consequences of what he does , but will only decide based on the adult’s reaction

Between “yes” and “no”: the important thing is consistency

Francesca PericaMontessori teacher

The little girl sulks because she got a no

It is not always easy for parents today to learn to say no to their children. However, it is important because only by constantly measuring permissions and refusals do we teach our children to be truly free

Children’s “no”: what to do?

Stefania NettiPsychologist

The child is crying

Through contrast the child experiences a sense of self that is separate and distinct from others. It is up to us adults to guide him in the most appropriate way in this delicate phase of development

Slap the kids: it’s always wrong

Valentina Alice Tomasellidevelopmental psychotherapist

The little girl cries after the slap

When our children get angry or we lose our temper, we may be tempted to respond with a slap. But it is never the right solution and the results are always negative

Prohibitions: what if the child reacts badly?

Elena Ravazoloeducator

Child reacting by screaming to a ban

The emotional outburst that can occur when faced with a ban is dictated in most cases by the fact that children do not feel heard and understood and cannot find any other way to communicate what they feel. We must avoid bringing them into this situation

Saying “no” helps children grow

Paolo Ragusatrainer and consultant

The little girl who tells him no

It is not always easy to say “no”, but it is important to be able to do it when necessary: ​​in this way the child’s development is promoted. Let’s see why

Children and rules: how to teach them to respect them?

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

Little girl moving chess and learning the rules

Parents must be able to help the child understand the rules that regulate common life, so that he internalizes and respects them. Let’s see how

Education Archives

Education Archives

Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

Parents and teachers: an essential alliance

Valentina Nicoledevelopmental psychologist

Both parents and teachers are interested in the education of children, and the misunderstandings that may arise are generally associated with anxiety and unmotivated fears.

When children have something to teach

Arianna Pesce GoffiPsychologist

Kindergarten children around a table in a different classroom

The Russian psychologist Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky conceived of learning as the fruit of social interaction. His theories are important for understanding the reasons that led to the creation of heterogeneous classes in kindergartens

Empathy also means learning to say “no”

Giuditta Mastrototaroeducator

Mother from behind hugging her daughter

Knowing how to say “no” to our children is important and can be a conversation starter: behind every “no” there is always a “yes” if you educate with empathy

Born in two: what does it mean to raise twins?

Valentina Alice Tomasellidevelopmental psychotherapist

Two twin children

Scientific studies over the past twenty years have allowed us to discover how the bond between twins begins already during pregnancy. These specific forms of interaction continue even after birth

Children and mountains: a winning combination

Elena Ugapediatrician

Children walk in the mountains

Physical activity during the developmental years contributes to the development of muscles and bones, the cardiovascular and endocrine-metabolic systems. The mountain is the right place for this purpose, but some precautions are necessary

Learning to work together without giving up individuality

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Kindergarten children working together on drawing

It is important for children to learn to cooperate with others and develop their individuality. They are not contradictory needs and both must be considered during the educational process

Prohibitions: what if the child reacts badly?

Elena Ravazoloeducator

Child reacting by screaming to a ban

The emotional outburst that can occur when faced with a ban is dictated in most cases by the fact that children do not feel heard and understood and cannot find any other way to communicate what they feel. We must avoid bringing them into this situation

Masturbation in children: let’s talk about it

Elena Ravazoloeducator

Braided legs of a little girl

Self-eroticism makes adults feel uncomfortable and they often don’t know how to approach this topic. In fact, it is a normal stage in the development of every human being

Aggressive behaviors of children

Elena Ravazoloeducator

Close-up of the child in an aggressive stance

How can we prepare children for the inevitable encounter with peers who behave aggressively or inappropriately? Our educator answers a mother’s question

If I’m wrong I apologize!

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Two children make peace

Today, does it still make sense to recommend some of the good manners that have been handed down over time, or are they just empty words, formal cues to behavior with no real educational content? Let’s learn together

Adolescence and perception of time

Valentina Alice Tomasellidevelopmental psychotherapist

Child balancing on a log

The relationship to time is central to identity formation and changes over the course of life. Let’s see what happens in adolescence and how to support our children in this not always easy period

How to choose the right musical instrument?

Maria Teresa Palermomusician and musicologist AIM

The little girl who chose to play the piano

How to help your child choose the right musical instrument? Let’s look together at the most important aspects to consider

Educate with empathy and raise them with confidence

Giuditta Mastrototaroeducator

Mother and infant looking at each other with empathy

Empathy is part of our baggage as human beings, it’s just a matter of not forgetting it. We don’t need to be closed in our role as professionals, as parents, as teachers, but we have the courage to bring the child closer from person to person.

The Importance of Cultivating “The Feeling of Nature”

Iliana Morellifounder of the BOBOTO project

Little girl blowing on a dandelion

Maria Montessori urges the child to nurture and increase the “feeling of nature”, understood as attention, respect and curiosity towards what lives in the world around him. Some tips on how to do it

Let’s leave them free to develop independently

Francesco Tonuccieducator

Children go to school hand in hand

Our children are always assisted and supervised by adults, both in school and in the afternoon activities. It has become impossible for them to experience experiences of discovery, exploration and adventure. Instead, it is necessary to ensure them the right level of autonomy

Montessori and Suzuki: education goes through music and the environment

Cecilia Musmecimusician and teacher And Eliza Sargentimusician and teacher

Xylophone for children

Montessori and Suzuki advocated the centrality of musical learning in children, also stating that everyone is born with talents that can be developed if the environment allows

Between school and nature: Maria Montessori’s advice

Iliana Morellifounder of the BOBOTO project

The child observes a flower

Through outdoor educational activities, the child can directly experience nature: he can observe the life cycle of plants, perceive the passage of time, the change of seasons, etc. Word of Maria Montessori

A kindergarten in the middle of the forest

Lorenzo CalliaCEO of Uppa

Child strokes a tree trunk

The project “The forest of the little ones”, in the province of Biella, is inspired by Montessori, Rousseau, Steiner, Neil, Pizzigoni, the Agazzi sisters. It is a reality in which there are no classrooms and the child is completely immersed in nature

Montessori play: what is it and how does it work?

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Little girl plays with toy work tools

Maria Montessori defines children’s multi-play activities as “work”, to emphasize their importance in development and maturation. Educator Annalisa Perino talks to us

Montessori Method: let’s sort it out!

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Children's room to arrange

Children, like adults, prefer order to disorder. So let’s try to help them get into the good habit of tidying up right away by following eight helpful tips

Train for autonomy

Isabella MichelettiMontessori coach

The child learns to wash dishes

The “executive functions” of the individual are not completely innate: they are gradually renewed through exercise and already manifested in the young child, gradually becoming more and more complex and refined.

Media Education Archives

Education Archives

With the expression Media training we refer to the educational and teaching activity aimed at making younger people understand how to use i new means of communication. Correct use not only allows children and young people to make the most of available communication tools, but also promotes better quality media, which aims for a more constructive approach.

In the Uppa column dedicated to Media Educationexperts and specialists, delve into how to introduce children to new digital tools and how to best manage computers, tablets and smartphones with young children.

Parental control: what it’s for and why it’s so important

Cosimo Di Barieducator

Both online and offline, the parent should not “supervise” but observe what the child is doing. The best form of parental control is actually to accompany the little one in critical moments, making him gain confidence and making him responsible while using the devices

Minors and the Internet: what risks?

Anna Rita Longocommunication scientist

little girl lying on the ground using a smartphone

The Internet and social networks are an integral part of children’s and young people’s lives and can prove to be powerful tools. It is important, however, to be immediately informed about their critical and conscious use and to monitor the online activity of minors, who are always exposed to potential risks.

Children and smartphones: never before the age of 3

Vincenzo Callapediatrician and founder of Uppa

Child sitting on the couch using a smartphone

Smartphones, tablets and laptops are widespread everywhere and it is important to be careful how children use them. Interview with the teacher Paola Cosolo Marangon

Technology user guide: from 6 to 12 years old

Daniele Novaraeducator

Little girl lying on sofa holding remote control

We try to know the interests and tastes of our children and accompany them in the discovery of creativity and the possibilities that technology can offer, establishing some rules

Guide to using technology for ages 0 to 6

Daniele Novaraeducator

Small child in front of a smartphone

Respect for life’s transitions is important. Here are some actionable pointers for dealing with the challenges digital technology poses for younger children

Technology without limits: the iPad porta potty

Tiziana Cherubingraphic designer and atelier

A product created with the desire to simplify the lives of parents by helping them keep their children in the jar, but which risks becoming an annihilation station for the little ones

Montessori Archives

Education Archives

Maria Montessori was an educator who dedicated her life to discovering the secret of childhood, listening with patience and humility to the voices of the little ones. His teaching is an education based on respect, on simple and clear boundaries defined with love and firmness: the child, free and disciplined, discovers the world with his hands and builds his intelligence. In this section, practical advice and suggestions for reflection on some of Maria Montessori’s most beloved subjects.

Learning tower: what it is, what it’s for, and when to recommend it

Margherita VitaliMontessori teacher

In Italy the learning tower is also known as the Montessori learning tower, although it does not actually belong to this pedagogy which, on the contrary, provides an environment adapted to the height of the child.

Montessori panels: what they are and for what purpose

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

child plays with Montessori panel

The DIY Montessori board must be made of durable material, of good aesthetic quality, and have a color sequence. It can be offered to a child between the ages of about 15 and 24 months, obviously after assessing their interest and level of manual dexterity

How to apply the Montessori method at home

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

child playing in montessori house

Some tips to help parents choose how to arrange the furniture, what attention they should pay to ensure safety and promote the independence of the little one and what activities they can imagine inside the spaces of the house

How to create a Montessori room? The rules

Margherita VitaliMontessori teacher

little girl playing in her montessori room

Maria Montessori emphasized several times the importance of creating an environment suitable for both the physical and intellectual development needs of the little ones. Its principles can also be applied to children’s bedrooms, thus creating a stimulating space suitable for children’s development

Multilingualism and the Montessori method

Margherita VitaliMontessori teacher

a mother reads a picture book with her daughter

To encourage the acquisition of multiple languages ​​during early childhood, it is important to expose children to the languages ​​they want to learn as much as possible. No innovative strategies or methods are required, but some practical tips can be helpful

Children are never in a hurry

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

the child plays unhurriedly

What drives the child to action is a deep motivation for growth and personal development: he wants the time he needs, he is not satisfied with what is available to him. The adult can facilitate this progress by providing an appropriate, safe and interesting environment, being humble and patient and giving the child all the necessary time to express, understand and practice.

“Yes, mom, I will right away!”

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The obedient child helps load the dishwasher

For Maria Montessori, obedience is an achievement that consists of three steps, which she defined as “the three degrees of obedience.” First the child learns to respond to his own will and then to the will of others. Finally, during elementary school, he displays an interest in others, community, participation, and cooperation

Practice autonomy

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The little girl washes the dishes independently

A child becomes responsible gradually if we trust him and respect his intelligence. As part of this process, however, it is important to define what is permissible and what is not, and to allow the child to experience a level of responsibility appropriate for their age and developmental level.

Train for anticipation

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Children play together with animal puppets

The moment of waiting is an opportunity for reflection, and reflection allows you to choose better and prepare. To this end, it will be important to prepare the environment, for example by ensuring that the material is available in a single copy. This favors individual work, without at all excluding joint work and collaboration: when this arises spontaneously, children can “do together”

Child’s play is serious business

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The child concentrated while playing

Maria Montessori used the term “work” and not “play” to describe all serious and important activities that allow the child to perfect or acquire skills and abilities. When the child participates in one of these activities, the parent’s task will be to keep a low tone of voice, not to intervene unless asked, to allow time, space for choice and organizational autonomy.

What does it mean to educate?

Francesca PericaMontessori teacher

mother and little girl playing together on the carpet

Maria Montessori revolutionized the figure of the educator, encouraging the questioning of the traditional role of the authoritarian adult, “former” of the child, in favor of an educational model that allows the child to grow as autonomously, guided and accompanied as possible. discoveries and conquests

Ordering and planning in the age of coronavirus

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The child helps tidy up the house

In a moment like the one we are experiencing, forced indoors due to the coronavirus emergency, it is important to start putting things in order and planning our days, activities that reassure and guide not only the children but also the parents.

The Montessori method, what it is and how it works

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Materials of the Montessori method

What does the Montessori method consist of? First of all, when we talk about Maria Montessori, we should be talking about a philosophy and not an educational method. Let’s see why

The Importance of Cultivating “The Feeling of Nature”

Iliana Morellifounder of the BOBOTO project

Little girl blowing on a dandelion

Maria Montessori urges the child to nurture and increase the “feeling of nature”, understood as attention, respect and curiosity towards what lives in the world around him. Some tips on how to do it

Montessori and Suzuki: education goes through music and the environment

Cecilia Musmecimusician and teacher And Eliza Sargentimusician and teacher

Xylophone for children

Montessori and Suzuki advocated the centrality of musical learning in children, also stating that everyone is born with talents that can be developed if the environment allows

Between school and nature: Maria Montessori’s advice

Iliana Morellifounder of the BOBOTO project

The child observes a flower

Through outdoor educational activities, the child can directly experience nature: he can observe the life cycle of plants, perceive the passage of time, the change of seasons, etc. Word of Maria Montessori

Montessori play: what is it and how does it work?

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Little girl plays with toy work tools

Maria Montessori defines children’s multi-play activities as “work”, to emphasize their importance in development and maturation. Educator Annalisa Perino talks to us

Montessori Method: let’s sort it out!

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Children's room to arrange

Children, like adults, prefer order to disorder. So let’s try to help them get into the good habit of tidying up right away by following eight helpful tips

Train for autonomy

Isabella MichelettiMontessori coach

The child learns to wash dishes

The “executive functions” of the individual are not completely innate: they are gradually renewed through exercise and already manifested in the young child, gradually becoming more and more complex and refined.

Sports and exercise files

Education Archives

How to choose the child’s sport? Are there activities more suitable for development? Is a team sport or an individual activity better? These are some of the questions that parents ask themselves when faced with the choice of sports activity.

Uppa’s column is entirely devoted to sport and movement it clears up parents’ doubts and allows them to consciously choose the most suitable sports activity for the needs of the little ones.

How to choose a safe car seat? A word to the experts

Valentina Murelliscience journalist

To answer the questions of parents wondering how to choose a safe seat, we asked a CYBEX safety expert to answer some questions and explore the potential damages of an accident with pediatrician Paolo Moretti.

Traveling with children: what to pack?

Christina Serrabiologist and science journalist

mother and child travel by train

Traveling with small children can be tiring or, conversely, turn into one of the most fun experiences of life. Every family unit can find its own dimension of vacation, as long as you have everything you need with you and don’t ask too much of the children

What are the safest car seats?

Christina Serrabiologist and science journalist

The baby sleeps in a safe car seat

Not only the list of the safest car seats of 2022, according to crash tests, but also the ways to evaluate and choose a safe and suitable seat for your child

Babies and children in the mountains: from what age, altitude and precautions

Alberto Ferradopediatrician

little girl in the mountains climbs the path with her mother

As altitude increases, barometric pressure and oxygen pressure progressively decrease, a change that requires very demanding adaptations from the body, especially for children and newborns. That’s why it’s important to take some precautions when you decide to take a trip to the mountains with the little ones

Sports for children, how to make the best choice?

Michele Torellapediatrician

the children play sports with the teacher

The child who regularly does physical activity, whether recreational or sports, will reduce the daily hours of sedentary activity and become familiar with a series of movements and actions that will allow him to know and use his body better.

What is psychomobility for children and what is it for?

Leather KarrasiTNPEE

the child plays during the psychomotor session

The intertwining of psychomotor aspects is particularly evident in the first 10 years of children’s lives, a time when body development is a fundamental part of the maturation process and motor skills are the most direct way in which children express themselves and relate.

Movement during quarantine

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Children look out the window during quarantine

Not all families have a garden or outdoor space and during the quarantine this factor can penalize the physical activity of many children. See how to encourage the movement of our children even inside the house

Children and mountains: a winning combination

Elena Ugapediatrician

Children walk in the mountains

Physical activity during the developmental years contributes to the development of muscles and bones, the cardiovascular and endocrine-metabolic systems. The mountain is the right place for this purpose, but some precautions are necessary

Children and sport: frequently asked questions

Stefano Gorinifamily pediatrician

Many parents wonder how to choose a sport for their children, what to look for and what kind of physical activity to offer young children. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject.

Children and skiing

Giacomo Tofolpediatrician

The practice of winter sports is very complete, as it involves the entire muscles of the body, and also allows children to spend a few hours in completely uncontaminated environments.

Children and competitive sports

Franco Panizonpediatrician and teacher

Children and competitive sports: how to behave? Franco Panizon explains what to look out for and how to act during the physical activity of the little ones

Education Archives

Education Archives













Child care – Uppa


















Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

Montessori beds for the child’s autonomy

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The Montessori bed allows the boy or girl to move independently in the room, without having to call the parents, perhaps crying, to overcome the obstacle of barriers

Children and skiing

Giacomo Tofolpediatrician

The practice of winter sports is very complete, as it involves the entire muscles of the body, and also allows children to spend a few hours in completely uncontaminated environments.

The function of history in mental development

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

Children lying in bed listening to a story from their parents

When we describe an experience through a story, the child, even a young one, perceives the emotional core of the experience itself: he recognizes it through a precise empathic emotional resonance, almost as if he had that experience himself.

When children lie

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

Child in front of a batch of cookies

Face-saving lies, protective lies, self-indulgent lies: people lie for many different reasons, the psychoanalyst explains who and suggests how to act

Sex education: what does it mean?

Paolo Rocatopsychoanalyst

The sexuality represented in the statue of Love and Psyche

Discussing sexuality with children often gets adults into trouble. Psychoanalyst Paolo Roccato explains to us why it is important to overcome embarrassments and fears and to educate our children immediately in a peaceful relationship with sexuality

Play in the learning process

Giovanni Sapuccidirector of CEIS

Studies show that free and socialized play has an important and fundamental function in the development of cognitive, creative and relational skills

Children and competitive sports

Franco Panizonpediatrician and teacher

Children and competitive sports: how to behave? Franco Panizon explains what to look out for and how to act during the physical activity of the little ones

Education Archives

Education Archives

Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

A harness for children? No thanks!

Francesca Romana Grassoeducator

The idea of ​​putting a leash on children, as absurd as it is, is unfortunately true and indeed often falls out of fashion. Let’s find out why this practice is harmful to the relationship between parent and child and to the freedom of the latter

Welcome to Kindergarten

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Kindergarten corridor

Here are the changes and stimulating challenges children face when they enter kindergarten

Children and smartphones: never before the age of 3

Vincenzo Callapediatrician and founder of Uppa

Child sitting on the couch using a smartphone

Smartphones, tablets and laptops are widespread everywhere and it is important to be careful how children use them. Interview with the teacher Paola Cosolo Marangon

We teach children to dress themselves

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Child who dresses himself

Children must always be given the opportunity to exercise their autonomy, limiting external interventions. A discussion that also applies to the process of choosing clothes and dressing

From kindergarten to elementary school

Giovanni Sapuccidirector of CEIS

Children in elementary school

Trying to make kindergarten a “small” primary school to speed up the transition to the second can be harmful because it does not put the child at the center of the issue.

First period: let’s talk about it!

Alessandra Pupomidwife

Sanitary napkin for menstruation

In many cultures, the first menstrual period is a moment of celebration and sharing, marking the transition from girl to woman. In our society, however, it is sometimes surrounded by a climate of secrecy, secrecy and shame

The value of silence

Isabella MichelettiMontessori coach

Child making a sign for silence

In a society that is increasingly less accustomed to silence, it is important to rediscover its value for individual and collective growth

Nature and the child

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Little girl in nature hugs a tree

Thanks to sensory exploration, the child collects the main information about his environment and develops. The natural environment is absolutely the best teacher for the refinement of the senses

Montessori: how to use scissors and knives

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The child learns to use scissors and knives

Children need to learn to handle potentially dangerous objects using real and functional ones, as replacing real tools with play tools gives the child inaccurate information

The frames with laces

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Frame with laces

Close shirts and jackets and tie shoes. Here are the frames with laces, materials designed to encourage the child’s autonomy in dressing

How has the father’s role evolved?

Paolo Ragusatrainer and consultant

Child shakes father's hand

Let’s see how the father’s role has changed over time: from authoritarian to evolutionary, who compares himself to the mother, accompanies the child as he grows up, but is able to say “no”

Saying “no” helps children grow

Paolo Ragusatrainer and consultant

The little girl who tells him no

It is not always easy to say “no”, but it is important to be able to do it when necessary: ​​in this way the child’s development is promoted. Let’s see why

Montessori, Pickler, autonomy and freedom

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The baby crawls during motor development

Like Maria Montessori, Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian pediatrician at the beginning of the twentieth century, also considered the natural motor development of the child, recognizing his learning autonomy and the risk of adult interference in the development process

Montessori: sensory letters for language development

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Sensory letters for language development

During development, children go through different sensitive periods: times when they are particularly sensitive to acquiring certain skills. Let’s see how to use “sensory letters” in the language acquisition phase

Montessori method: sensory materials

Iliana Morellifounder of the BOBOTO project

The child uses Montessori sensory materials

Maria Montessori did not want to define her teaching proposal as a “method”. rather he preferred to use expressions such as ‘help for life’, support for child development

Technology user guide: from 6 to 12 years old

Daniele Novaraeducator

Little girl lying on sofa holding remote control

We try to know the interests and tastes of our children and accompany them in the discovery of creativity and the possibilities that technology can offer, establishing some rules

Education Archives

Education Archives

Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

Children and advertising: stereotypes, risks and resources

Cosimo Di Barieducator

Children’s product companies are increasingly using specific marketing strategies to create highly engaging and effective advertisements. Supporting the development of a critical understanding of the media from an early age therefore becomes an important task for parents

Learn by playing between 0 and 18 months

Anna Oliverio Ferrarispsychologist and psychotherapist

It's crawling baby

The child is intrigued by the world around him, explores it step by step and feels satisfaction as he learns its characteristics, effects and cause-effect relationships

Reopening schools: what the studies say

Sergio Conti Nibalipediatrician and scientific advisor to Uppa

Little girl seen from behind with a backpack on her shoulders

The closure of schools at the time of the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy was justified by the limited information available on how the virus spread. Recent studies, however, show that the role of children in transmission is not very important and prompts us to reconsider the need for this containment measure

Touches and caresses, good bases for harmonious development

Rosario Monterossopsychologist and psychotherapist

Touching and caressing between mother and baby

Within the parent-child relationship, caressing and affectionate touch seem to have a special significance compared to other relational practices. Recent studies, in fact, demonstrate that tactile stimuli of an emotional nature are sent to the brain through specific pathways

The possibilities of distance education

Elena Ravazoloeducator

A child attending distance learning courses

Distance education has tested both families and teachers, who have found themselves experiencing this new situation from two different angles. These views should be incorporated in order to realize the potential of the instrument and limit its disadvantages.

By making mistakes you learn: the discovery of error

Elena Ravazoloeducator

The feet of the child at the feet of the parents

For Maria Montessori the meaning of autonomy is found in the expression “Help me to do it myself”, where “Help me” does not mean “Substitute yourself for me”, but, rather, “I need to know that you are by my side” .

Children, school and sociality in “phase 2”

Anna Rita Longocommunication scientist

close-up of little girl from behind with backpack

Children have been particularly affected by the health crisis due to the COVID-19 epidemic: their social spaces, starting at school, were very limited and their fears and concerns were not always taken seriously. Let’s see how we can help them deal with “phase 2”

What does it mean to educate?

Francesca PericaMontessori teacher

mother and little girl playing together on the carpet

Maria Montessori revolutionized the figure of the educator, encouraging the questioning of the traditional role of the authoritarian adult, “former” of the child, in favor of an educational model that allows the child to grow as autonomously, guided and accompanied as possible. discoveries and conquests

Discover the world without fear

Elena Ravazoloeducator

The child takes the parent's hand

In his first moments a child needs to feel safe but, at the same time, to do things on his own. The adult’s task is to take care of safety: to guide him with his voice, to encourage him, to reassure him, to leave him free to try

Movement during quarantine

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Children look out the window during quarantine

Not all families have a garden or outdoor space and during the quarantine this factor can penalize the physical activity of many children. See how to encourage the movement of our children even inside the house

Risk perception and prevention: what will change?

Silvana Quantrinopsychologist and psychotherapist

Close-up of a child pouring soap into a parent's hands

The COVID-19 epidemic has presented us with a completely new situation, which will affect our future perception of risk and the idea of ​​prevention. We try to make it an opportunity to promote the protection of individual and collective health with our children

Imperfect parents?

Silvana Quantrinopsychologist and psychotherapist

Mother and child from behind after a fight

Expressing our feelings authentically during a difficult time of change is one way to teach children the value of empathy, which will help them manage relationships even after the health emergency is over.

Verification and assessment in distance education

Anna Rita Longocommunication scientist

Little girl writing and watching distance learning on the computer

In recent weeks there has been much debate about whether and how to assess the preparation of children and young people during distance education. Let’s take stock of the situation together

COVID-19: Can we talk about death with children?

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Close up of a little girl hugging her mother tightly

In our society, talking about death with children is almost taboo, yet it is an important topic, even more so in these days of the pandemic. Let’s look at how we can help our children deal with and process grief.

Ordering and planning in the age of coronavirus

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

The child helps tidy up the house

In a moment like the one we are experiencing, forced indoors due to the coronavirus emergency, it is important to start putting things in order and planning our days, activities that reassure and guide not only the children but also the parents.

Explaining war to children

Silvana Quantrinopsychologist and psychotherapist

A mother talking to a little girl to explain something

Children inevitably come into contact with violent and dramatic images that narrate wars and humanitarian tragedies in various corners of the world. How to talk to them about such painful and terrifying events?

Talking about the coronavirus with children

Silvana Quantrinopsychologist and psychotherapist And Sergio Conti Nibalipediatrician and scientific advisor to Uppa

Parents talking to children

In a time of fear and uncertainty due to the spread of the new coronavirus, it is important to talk to our children to explain what is happening and help them live peacefully during this time.

INVALSI tests, between limits and opportunities

Anna Rita Longocommunication scientist

Arm of a student taking the INVALSI tests

The INVALSI tests, introduced in the 2005-2006 school year, are often the focus of criticism and controversy. We try to clarify the goals that have been set, the results achieved so far and the critical issues that need to be resolved

The Montessori method, what it is and how it works

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Materials of the Montessori method

What does the Montessori method consist of? First of all, when we talk about Maria Montessori, we should be talking about a philosophy and not an educational method. Let’s see why

Education Archives

Education Archives

Raising a child also means educating them, helping them learn the rules of life necessary to live harmoniously with others in the communities we live in, and most importantly, helping them become independent adults. In addition to these aspects, in this category we also talk about kindergarten and school.

The first entry into society: kindergarten

Paolo Borinpsychologist

How can we help our child cope with such an important first step as entering kindergarten? Transmitting calmness and security in the previous months, because the calmness of the adult is clearly perceived by the child as well

“It’s all mine!”: infantile egocentrism

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Angry little girl

The little one does not yet know that there is a distinction between himself and the world and therefore focuses exclusively on satisfying his own needs. In general, in the first years of life, the child is busy building his own experience of reality

Working with children

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

The teacher plays with the children in the kindergarten

To work with children, it is not enough to love or make them play. It is an extremely delicate and complex profession, which cannot be improvised and which requires not only personal qualities but also sufficient professional training

I know what I want… help me make it happen

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Little girl watering plants independently

How can we respect children’s desire for independence and autonomy and at the same time help them acquire new skills? Let’s see it together

School progress: to be ‘first’ or not?

Elena Ravazoloeducator

Children in a primary school classroom raising their hands

Italian law allows children to enroll in primary school at the age of five and a half if they turn six by the end of April of the reference school year. But how do you know if a child is ready to enter elementary school early? Let’s see it together

Children’s privacy: navigating the ages

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

Child hiding behind a curtain for privacy

Why is it important to protect children’s privacy and teach them to respect the privacy of others? How should parents behave when children express desires for autonomy, independence and confidentiality? Let’s see it together

Between “yes” and “no”: the important thing is consistency

Francesca PericaMontessori teacher

The little girl sulks because she got a no

It is not always easy for parents today to learn to say no to their children. However, it is important because only by constantly measuring permissions and refusals do we teach our children to be truly free

Kindergarten and kindergarten: how to make the right choice

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Kindergarten or kindergarten classroom with blackboard in foreground

Enrollment in kindergarten or kindergarten is often the child’s first experience of prolonged separation from their parents and vice versa. To experience this transition more peacefully, it is important to be confident about the educational structure you have chosen. Let’s look at some tips

You can never be too careful… are we sure about that?

Claudia Ottellaeducator

Little girls run safely in the mud

If it is true that risk avoidance is a conscious and necessary action, an outraged vision of the child as an extremely fragile being and with an intelligence so underdeveloped as to not allow him to properly assess situations of potential danger, is a symptom of a society in which the sense of reality

I don’t want to be in the car seat!

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Kids rebelling against car safety rules

To prevent children from rebelling against the necessary safety rules imposed by their parents, we can organize the activities of our home and family so that obligations and prohibitions are not excessive and do not hinder their development and independence .

Be a man: get excited!

Valentina Alice Tomasellidevelopmental psychotherapist

Training children in a type of masculinity based on strength and power creates insecure teenagers and adults. We would do well to replace the ‘masculine’ model with new forms of identity that include the freedom to be oneself

Some call them “the terrible twos”

Marisol Tremoreducator And Francesca Zanellaeducator

Little girl snoring during "terrible" two years

It is a period of profound changes for the little one. Like all evolutionary phases, it has a beginning, middle, and end, but it remains a phase that needs to be understood and handled carefully to lighten the burdens.

Children’s “no”: what to do?

Stefania NettiPsychologist

The child is crying

Through contrast the child experiences a sense of self that is separate and distinct from others. It is up to us adults to guide him in the most appropriate way in this delicate phase of development

Slap the kids: it’s always wrong

Valentina Alice Tomasellidevelopmental psychotherapist

The little girl cries after the slap

When our children get angry or we lose our temper, we may be tempted to respond with a slap. But it is never the right solution and the results are always negative

Evil or prejudices?

Alessandra BortolottiPsychologist

Child in his father's arms

In our country, cultural and biological standards do not always coincide and there are many prejudices related to the care of newborns. Let’s find out more

For truth, for pretend: parents and children play together

Chiara Borgiaeditor of Uppa magazine

Dad is playing with daughter

Play is not the prerogative of childhood, but runs throughout human life. When children ask us to play with them, we too benefit from the special relationship that is created

Let’s give the kids their time back

Sergio Conti Nibalipediatrician and scientific advisor to Uppa

children-autonomy-their time

Children need “their time” to be able to learn by observing, but also to be able to learn by making mistakes and thus understand and achieve their goal

I do, I make mistakes, I learn

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

-make-mistakes-learn

What children need are opportunities to train themselves to be punctual, careful, orderly and calm, and strategies to do even better. Sterile scolding from an adult, therefore, is completely useless

The child is the master of his body

Annalisa PerinoMontessori educator

child whose body is washed during the bath

The child’s body is often treated as an object by adults who come into contact with it. Instead, we should let the little one decide how, when and how much to open up to others, without pressuring him but inviting him to the meeting