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<ul class="summary-list"><li>When I had my first son, I subscribed to Lovevery because I was overwhelmed when it came to toys. </li><li>The brand sends you an age-appropriate box of Montessori toys every couple of months. </li></ul>When my first child was born five years ago, I thought I had every base covered. We had plenty of diapers, newborn clothes, a fancy stroller, and the <a href="https://www.insider.com/snoo-bassinet-best-purchase-parenting-2021-7">Snoo</a>. While that was enough for the first couple of weeks, I realized I hadn't thought about toys, and I panicked. At that time, everyone on my parenting Facebook groups was talking about the brand Lovevery because they sell age-appropriate, stylish wood toys that are available in subscription kits. Looking for an easy solution, I <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/parenting/best-baby-kid-products#a-block-set-that-will-keep-kids-entertained-for-hours-2">subscribed to Lovevery's</a> play kits without thinking twice. Each kit is aimed at kids of specific ages, and comes with four to five learning toys, one or two books, and an instruction pamphlet for parents on how to introduce each activity. As a new mom, I loved the idea of eco-friendly toys that helped my child's development and came automatically in the mail without me having to scour the Internet for play ideas. I proceeded to subscribe to all the play kits and received one box every three months. The real win came when I noticed my then-baby totally engaged with the toys. At first, the play kits consisted of things like chew toys, sock rattles, and black and white flashcards to develop eyesight. But as he got older, the open-ended toys captivated him, and he could be entertained for hours playing with stacking blocks, vehicles with peg people, and a puppet theatre with customizable puppets. The brand was also our first introduction to the educational philosophy developed by Maria Montessori, and it aligned so much with our family style that we signed up our three kids to a <a href="https://www.insider.com/montessori-teacher-outdoor-play-can-offer-gains-in-kids-2021-11">Montessori school</a> to continue to foster the kids' independence and development. <h2>Lovevery now sells play kits for kids 4 and older</h2>Up until recently, Lovevery kits were available only for kids up to 3 years old. When my three kids aged out of the kits, I kept looking for the next thing to help me with their needs. I tried <a href="https://www.insider.com/mom-of-three-tries-tiny-earth-toys-subscription-review-2023-2">renting Montessori-inspired toys</a>, which helped us with clutter, but options for my kids' age range of 3 to 5 were limited.We explored Legos, which kept them engaged but caused swears between closed teeth from my husband and me when we accidentally stepped on them. I tried avoiding toys with batteries like the plague because having three little kids is already loud and overstimulating. But then in May, Lovevery announced they were releasing three new play kits aimed at kids 4 and older. I ran to get them.<div type="image" title="Dad and son looking at a microscope" height="1137" width="1512" msid="100731181" hostid="261" sizebytes="246576"></div>Right off the bat, my kids each gravitated to a different toy. My oldest, who is into science, wanted to explore the microscope and inspect dog fur, leaves, and little pieces of lint. My 3-year-old twins, who are still in a pretend-play phase, went for the cityscape, swing set, and mini figurines.While other toys have a start and finish — like, for example, a marble run where the ultimate goal is to have the marble go down the structure — this kit allowed them to use their imaginations and explore the figurines however they wanted. Beyond being age-appropriate, the brand is also inclusive. My twins play with figurines consisting of little kids of different races and abilities. One figurine had a little wheelchair.The play kits also come with booklets to help parents talk to kids about physical differences and abilities. The booklets say these dolls can be mirrors or windows for children, allowing them to see their own identities reflected back at them and helping them learn to engage respectfully with other identities. As a parent of mixed-race kids, I really appreciate this. <div type="image" title="Kids playing with Loevery toys" height="1137" width="1512" msid="100731182" hostid="261" sizebytes="150780"></div>The new play kits, available for purchase on the <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=0e64b9030569d713618f4face937a867fd060a094fb9e2c1a2f357d4a945bbf0&amp;postID=647b39a0718ff94cc26a1023&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-play-kits" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">brand's website</a>, are delivered every three months. Each box costs $120.

I tried Lovevery's Montessori-inspired play kits with my 3 kids, and I'll never go back to other toys

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A <keyword id="130981" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Utah">Utah</keyword> school said students could opt out of <keyword id="936192" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Black-History-Month">Black History Month</keyword> lessons, prompting complaints.</li><li>The option was announced in a Facebook post by the school's director, the <a href="https://www.standard.net/news/education/north-ogden-montessori-charter-school-to-allow-students-to-opt-out-of-black-history-month/article_dfaf1d50-49d0-5503-9138-162a7e01d902.html">Standard-Examiner</a> first reported.</li><li>Out of 322 students at the academy, only three — less than 1% — identify as Black, the AP reported.</li></ul>A charter school in North Ogden, Utah reversed a decision that would have allowed students to opt out of lessons related to Black History Month.<keyword id="10721980" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="maria-montessori-academy">Maria Montessori Academy</keyword> Director Micah Hirokawa initially announced the decision, which was met with backlash, in a Facebook post, according to local <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> outlet the <a href="https://www.standard.net/news/education/north-ogden-montessori-charter-school-to-allow-students-to-opt-out-of-black-history-month/article_dfaf1d50-49d0-5503-9138-162a7e01d902.html">Standard-Examiner</a>. "A few families" requested not to participate in the teachings related to Black History Month, Hirokawa wrote in the post, though he did not tell the Standard-Examiner exactly how many opted out or why."We should not shield our children from the history of our Nation, the mistreatment of its African American citizens, and the bravery of civil rights leaders, but should educate them about it," the post said.Hirokawa also said the requests saddened him but that he "reluctantly" issued a letter to parents "explaining that families are allowed to exercise their civil rights to not participate in Black History Month," the Examiner reported.The Facebook post drew swift criticism, with some comments accusing the school of enabling racism, the Examiner reported.On Saturday, Hirokawa walked back the decision."Celebrating Black History Month is part of our tradition," Hirokawa said in an email to Insider. "We regret that after receiving requests, an <keyword id="2326416" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="opt-out">opt-out</keyword> form was sent out concerning activities planned during this month of celebration."He said the school has removed the option to opt out, and that the parents who initially inquired have since worked with the school and that no students are opting out at this time."It's just heartbreaking that anyone who runs a school would believe that it is okay in any way, that it is acceptable in any way, to try to ban talking about black history," Lex Scott, the leader of Black Lives Matter Utah, told <a href="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/ogden-school-offers-parents-choice-to-opt-out-of-black-history-month-curriculum">FOX13</a>. "You can't opt out of black history. Black history is American history."One parent, Rebecca Bennett, said in a comment she was appalled to see that parents were even given the option, the Examiner reported."I was appalled to see the form sent out that allows parents to opt their kids out of this and to hear that this is all because some parents have requested it," Bennett commented on the post. "I echo others who are disappointed to hear this was even ever made an issue in the first place by some families in our school's community,"<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/article/6c277a0e58af42936d2a355705b9b5bc/utah-students-allowed-opt-out-black-history-curriculum">Data reported by the Associated Press</a> from the Utah State Board of Education shows that out of 322 students at the academy, only three - less than 1% - identify as Black. Almost 70% identify as white.

A Utah school reversed its decision to let students opt out of Black History Month lessons after backlash

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12118312" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="montessori" source="Orion">Montessori</keyword> is about guiding others to learn or reclaim their skills. </li><li>While usually applied to children, there is some research being done with <keyword id="12143530" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dementia" source="Orion">dementia</keyword> patients. </li></ul>When a successful businessman in Oregon, who asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, found he needed to move into a memory-care facility as his dementia progressed, his depression came with him. He didn't expect the <a href="https://www.insider.com/montessori-teacher-outdoor-play-can-offer-gains-in-kids-2021-11">Montessori method</a> — something more commonly <a href="https://www.insider.com/childrens-clothes-are-not-designed-with-them-in-mind-mom-says-2021-11">associated with preschool</a> children and <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/parenting/best-montessori-toys">wooden toys</a> — to be the answer to improve his mental <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword>. Leading dementia researchers have tapped into what many Montessori educators and parents eventually discover: Montessori isn't about perfect wooden materials but a way of respectfully guiding others to learn or reclaim skills.<h2>Montessori methods could improve overall health for those with dementia</h2>At the<a href="https://www.cen4ard.com/"> Center for Applied Research in Dementia</a>, Vincent Antenucci, who co-founded the center with Dr. Cameron Camp, examines how applying Montessori methods in memory-care facilities can improve the overall health of dementia patients. <a href="https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/History-of-Montessori/Who-Was-Maria-Montessori">Maria Montessori</a> developed her philosophy while working with children with developmental delays and disabilities, beginning in 1896. At the time, people had discarded these children and considered them unteachable, a stigma that people with dementia face today. Antenucci and his colleagues, backed by years of research, want to change the approach to memory care — moving away from a model that trades patients' autonomy for assured safety and pointless activity. In a Montessori classroom, the environment is designed to maximize the success of a child's independent efforts — chairs, toilets, cups, and tables are all child size. Montessori-trained teachers create materials — activities or toys — that provide children with a "control of error" that gives them the feedback needed to self-correct their work without the assistance of an adult. Over the school year, teachers will demonstrate new materials that gradually reduce the control of error and challenge children to build off their previously learned skills. The researchers at CARD, inspired by the control of error and Montessori principles, created "cognitive ramps" and systems for dementia patients that allow them to use remaining strengths, like the ability to read, to continue to engage in life in a meaningful way.For instance, during our interview, Antenucci shared how providing visiting family members with easy-to-read name tags that indicate their relationship to the resident can improve a patient's recall of names. Minor adjustments like this can result in higher-quality social visits that enhance patients' overall mental health and confidence. <h2>Using the Montessori principles of respect and observation</h2>Dr. Evan Shelton, a researcher at CARD, shared that the Montessori-based adjustments to memory care also include its principles of respect and observation, by shifting caregivers' perspective that residents are not passive participants but capable contributors to their own care.<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318529226_Assessment_of_capabilities_in_persons_with_advanced_stage_of_dementia_Validation_of_The_Montessori_Assessment_System_MAS">Research</a> on the use of Montessori methods in assisted-living facilities shows a dramatic decrease in antidepressant and anxiety drugs, decreased agitation among residents, improved sleep, positive weight gain, and improved employee retention. These findings are promising and not surprising to me, a Montessori-trained teacher. Antenucci and his colleagues feel, much like Montessori herself, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30892134/">a moral obligation</a> to honor and respect the capabilities of dementia patients. By doing so, patients' quality of life, and the entire community, benefit.Back in Oregon, caregivers trained in CARD's Montessori approach asked their new, business-savvy resident what he would like to do to contribute to the community. "I would like to be resident ambassador," he said. Working with his care providers, they created the role of resident ambassador, in which he greets visitors and gives tours of the community.Allowing this patient to choose a contributing role that engaged his strengths provided him with purpose and significantly improved his mental health. "That resident has probably helped 'sell' more placements at the facility than any program director or doctor," Shelton joked.Jenny Eastman is a Montessori teacher, blogger, Maine enthusiast who shares her thoughts and adventures on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/raising_maine">@raising_maine.</a>

Montessori is usually used for teaching kids. Turns out it can also help those with dementia.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I'm a mom of two and a <keyword id="12118312" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="montessori" source="Orion">Montessori</keyword> teacher.</li><li>Maria Montessori was one of the first advocates for nature-based play.</li></ul>It's a standard scene at the beginning of the year: I'm presenting a lesson to a small group of Montessori preschoolers, and one student is doing his best to focus. He's your typical preschool kid: curious, energetic, and enthusiastic.I can see from his body language that he's trying to resist the need to move. It's not that hard to pick up on. He's literally sitting on his hands to contain himself. I look at the sign-out board to ensure there's space for one more student in the outdoor classroom. I lean over and quietly ask him if he'd like to go outside to finish his lessons. He not so calmly replies, "YES, PLEASE!"He changes into his <a href="https://www.insider.com/childrens-clothes-are-not-designed-with-them-in-mind-mom-says-2021-11">boots and jacket</a>. I open the door to the outside classroom for him. It feels like I'm setting him free, and I know he feels the same way. I watch for a second more and see the relief of fresh air and space move over him as he settles into a gardening activity. Some might think I'm letting him off the hook. In fact, I'm setting him up for success. When we encourage children to explore the outdoors in an unbridled way, free from constant direction and time limits, we're directly supporting their academics more than any forced classroom lesson ever could. <h2>Benefits of independent play outside </h2><a href="https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/What-Is-Montessori">Maria Montessori</a> was one of the original advocates for nature-based play. She emphasized when writing about the place of nature in education how "the strength of even the smallest children is more than we imagine, but it must have free play to reveal itself." She wrote eloquently about the benefits of independent outdoor play, and science has finally caught up with her. <h2>Effect on mental <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword></h2>Being in the sunshine helps your body produce the feel-good chemical serotonin, reducing stress and anxiety. There's also a growing body of empirical evidence showing that <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/116/11/5188">children who spent time outdoors</a> and had access to green spaces were less likely to struggle with mental illness in the future. <h2>Effect on physical health</h2>Montessori believed that children need a natural environment for their <a href="https://www.insider.com/montessori-parents-you-should-be-following-on-instagram-and-tiktok-2021-10">physical development and health</a>. She advocated for children to move freely and play in the garden or climb trees and hills to support their physical development.It turned out she was right. <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121011135036.htm">Studies have found that</a> children who played freely in nature-based playgrounds engaged in more aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity than their peers who played on "traditional" playgrounds. <h2>Effect on sharing and problem-solving</h2><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448497/">Researchers</a> have also found that children who had access to green spaces experienced fewer symptoms associated with ADHD. Providing children with access to free time in nature improves their ability to be <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-potty-train-children-following-the-montessori-way-2021-9">present for learning</a>.Unstructured time outdoors improves focus, problem-solving skills, impulse control, and self-discipline. It also improves executive functions that are necessary for building positive social skills. Children learn how to share and solve conflicts with more confidence.Back in my classroom, it was no surprise that an hour later, when my student came back inside, he was more centered and at ease. During the school year, every kid in the class will need what he did: space and time outside.For me, as a teacher and parent, going outside is almost always the answer.

As a Montessori teacher, I know the importance of outdoor time. The answer is always outside.

Programming is the art of telling a computer what to do through a set of instructions. Those instructions are written in a computer's language, or code. We use computers constantly—be it for something as simple as killing the alarm clock or texting a friend. Turning into a programmer is one of the most ideal approaches to have an impact at the world since you can influence a large number of lives with the things you make. 
 As programming turns into an increasingly important part of the modern world—this is the new form of construction—educators and researchers are attempting to make it more fun and approachable, particularly for kids with little patience for frustration and abstraction. Lately, they've taken a stab at everything from books to games like Minecraft. Now, with another initiative called Project Bloks, a group of <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword> researchers is attempting to make <keyword id="1574956" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coding">coding</keyword> a hands-on experience. 
 
“Our aim is to create an open hardware platform to help developers, designers, and researchers build the next generation of tangible programming experiences for kids,” said Google in a statement. 
 Project Bloks is preceded and moulded by a long history of research: from Friedrich Froebel, <keyword id="331302" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maria-Montessori">Maria Montessori</keyword>, Jean Piaget's pioneering work in the range of learning by experience, exploration, and manipulation to the research started in the 70s by Seymour Papert and Radia Perlman with Robot Logo, TORTIS, and everything in between. 
 
What does it look like? 
 
So what does the platform really look like? There are fundamentally three parts that make up the Bloks system. At the heart of everything is the purported "Brain Board," a small Raspberry Pi Zero-based board that functions as the central processing unit and gives power to whatever is left of the system. 
 
The Brain Board then converses with the "Pucks" and "Base Board," that together make up the physical programming language of Project Bloks. 
 
How does it work? 
 
Base Board examines the instructions from the Pucks and pass them on to the primary Brain Board. They are essentially the channel to move instructions from the diverse parts of the program to the brain. Base Board highlights haptic motors and a LED so users can get continuous input. The Base Board can likewise be used to play audio. 
 
Project Bloks isn't the first, or only, way to approach using tangibles to teach programming abilities to kids. It takes its inspiration from numerous different projects. We anticipate that Project Bloks will be considerably more advanced and integrated when it arrives.

This is how Google is making coding as easy as writing a
sentence for you

Throughout history, tech innovators have had lots of common traits.
They're bright, outside-the-box thinkers, creative, and open-minded about the future.
But here's something you may not know about the tech founders listed below: they all went to Montessori school.
Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/">It is characterized by an emphasis on independence</a>, freedom within limits, and respect for a child's natural psychological, physical, and social development.
These elements are essential for proper Montessori training:
<ul>
<li>Mixed age classrooms, with classrooms for children aged 2½ or 3 to 6 years old are by far the most common</li>
<li>Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options</li>
<li>Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours</li>
<li>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(learning_theory)" title="Constructivism (learning theory)" class="mw-redirect">constructivist</a> or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction</li>
<li>Freedom of movement within the classroom</li>
</ul>
Here are the tech innovators who attended Montessori school:
Larry Page, CEO, Google - "I think it was part of that training of not following rules and orders, and being self motivated, questioning what's going on in the world and doing things a little bit differently," Page <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Tech-Culture/2012/0831/Maria-Montessori-and-10-famous-graduates-from-her-schools/Google-founders-Larry-Page-and-Sergey-Brin">has said of his Montessori education</a> in The Christian Science Monitor.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">AP</div></div> 
 
 Sergey Brin, Co-founder, Google
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">AP</div></div> 
 
Thomas Edison - "I like the Montessori method," <a href="http://www.nps.gov/edis/faqs.htm">Edison has been quoted</a> saying, according to historians at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park. "It teaches through play. It makes learning a pleasure. It follows the natural instincts of the human being. The present system casts the brain into a mold. It does not encourage original thought or reasoning."
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Edison,_experimenting_in_his_laboratory.png">Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress</a></div></div>
Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon - The Wall Street Journal reports that according to Jeff Bezos's mother, "<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/">young Jeff would get so engrossed in his activities as a Montessori preschooler</a> that his teachers would literally have to pick him up out of his chair to go to the next task."
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">REUTERS/Richard Brian</div></div></div> 
 
Will Wright, Creator of "The Sims" videogame - <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/will_wright_makes_toys_that_make_worlds">In a TED Talk,</a> Maria Montessori's methods inspired Will to invent an entirely new video game genre-non-violent, open-ended games in which players use sophisticated computer simulation tools. 
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">CNN</div></div>
 Henry Ford, Manufactured the first car
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">AP</div></div> 
 Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia - Wales has described his childhood private school as a <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/">"Montessori influenced philosophy of education,"</a> where he "spent lots of hours poring over the Britannicas and World Book Encyclopedias" according to his Wikipedia page (which we hope Wales created himself, all considering.)
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">William Brawles/Flickr</div></div> Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions.

7 Tech Innovators Who Became Wildly Successful After Going To Montessori School

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A job listing indicates that a new Montessori Ad Astra school will open this summer.</li><li>The listing says the school will be set in over 40 acres of land on a former horse ranch.</li></ul>A job listing indicates that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> is planning to launch a new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ad-astra-school-2017-11">Ad Astra school</a> in Texas. An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wayup.com/i-j-Xplor-Education-733710150076336/">advert</a> for a position at the school says the school is located on a "former horse ranch on some-forty acres of Texas plain" and that it's slated to open this summer.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-school-texas-opening-summer-2023-12">Business Insider previously reported</a> that Musk was planning to launch a new private K-12 school in the state. He is also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-new-university-texas-report-2023-12">planning to build a university</a> in Texas and has donated around $100 million to the project. Musk cofounded Ad Astra in 2014 with Josh Dahn. While there had been reports that the school had since closed, Dahn <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-school-texas-opening-summer-2023-12">confirmed that it's now based at SpaceX's Starbase</a> in Boca Chica, Texas.Ad Astra appears to be partnering with Xplor Education, a firm that provides software for childcare operators, to form the new Montessori school.The job listing was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/10/us/elon-musk-charity.html">first reported</a> by The New York Times but it's not clear when it was posted.Montessori schools favor a "hands on, self paced" approach, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mariamontessori.org/about-us/what-is-montessori/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMontessori%20schools%20promote%20hands%20on,a%20lifelong%20love%20of%20learning.%E2%80%9D">Maria Montessori Institute</a> website.The ad also says that it will be based in Bastrop, Texas, and will include primary and lower elementary education.Musk's tunnel construction firm, The Boring Company, is based in Bastrop, Texas. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-headquarters-hq">Tesla is headquartered</a> in nearby Austin, and SpaceX's spaceport, Starbase, is also located in Texas.Students of the school could be children of Musk's employees. The ad stated: "While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide."The listing includes a photo of a one-story building with a garage and driveway with trees surrounding it.Musk's school has previously been touted as a company perk for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-elon-musk">SpaceX</a> executives, two former execs told The Times. However, they said it was extremely difficult for employees to get their children admitted.According to the report, five of Ad Astra's 14 students in its first year were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-children">Musk's children</a> and it initially operated out of his Bel Air home. Elon Musk and Xplor Education didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment, made outside of normal working hours.

It looks like Elon Musk will help launch a new Ad Astra school on a former horse ranch in Texas this summer

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some families are opting to have nannies that speak a different language than them. </li><li>These caregivers can help children connect with the family's native tongue.</li></ul>In our increasingly interconnected world, the decision to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-in-nanny-babysitter-judged-parenting-styles-2024-2">hire a nanny</a> is a deeply personal one for families, influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and comfort-driven factors. These caregivers not only provide attentive care but also serve as profound shapers of a child's development, imparting guidance and nurturing that leaves an indelible mark. For instance, Candi Vajana, an experienced nanny fluent in both English and Italian, has helped countless families in her 30-year tenure learn new languages. "Children learn very quickly, especially in the 0 to 5 age range," Vajana told Business Insider. "We live in a society where <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/raised-bilingual-grateful-family-communication-2023-10">being able to speak</a> multiple languages is now the norm."As a result, some families are intentionally <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nannies-of-color-america-racism-tiktok-2023-1">seeking out nannies</a> who possess the gift of multilingualism, recognizing the invaluable immediate and long-term benefits it can bestow.<h2>A multilingual nanny offers cultural exposure for both the child and the parent</h2>Jayna Patel, a real-estate agent based <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miami-things-you-should-never-do-according-to-local">in Miami</a>, receives care from a Spanish-speaking nanny for her 3-year-old son twice a week for a total of 10 hours a week.Discovered through the trusted grapevine of word-of-mouth recommendations from the family, Patel's nanny has proven to be a linguistic treasure trove for her son. "Despite our differing parenting styles, I love how she speaks to my son in Spanish, even when conveying the simplest of phrases like 'pick this up' or 'are you hungry?'" Patel told BI.In their home, where Gujarati is the native tongue, Patel's son is immersed in a rich tapestry of languages — English and Spanish at his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montessori-school-cost-mortgage-payment-2024-2">Montessori school</a>, and Gujarati instilled by his parents, complemented by the cultural heritage found in learning materials like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.moditoys.com/collections/books?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwzN-vBhAkEiwAYiO7oC9BkRAd8Hr8e9N31XTs4r5hChbasJSL7qTY-z2phOmrmvpCNKW6QBoCJ4gQAvD_BwE">Modi Toys</a>. Yet, it is the introduction of Spanish into her son's everyday vocabulary that captivates her and also helps her improve her own vocabulary."When you live in a diverse city like Miami, it's invaluable to have a foreign nanny, ensuring both you and your child develop a greater understanding and appreciation for inclusivity," Patel said. "I definitely recommend it to families to help their children with their linguistic tools and global appreciation."<h2>Knowing multiple languages helps with social and communication skills</h2>In the cosmopolitan <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-lifestyle-food-shopping-malls-weather-heat-misconceptions-2023-9">city of Singapore</a>, where self-employed business owner Natasha Bhalla Mistry lived for over six years, she sought a foreign nanny to care for her two daughters during their formative years."We intentionally picked a Filipino caregiver who spoke Tagalog for live-in help because of how nurturing and outgoing the community is," Bhalla Mistry told BI. "We wanted our daughters to reflect those traits, and they saw the nanny as a second mother."<div type="image" title="Girls with their nanny posing for photo" height="1512" width="2016" msid="109561979" hostid="261" sizebytes="155636"></div>Plus, the nanny helped Bhalla Mistry feel connected to her new home in Singapore amid a relocation from London during COVID-19; in the absence of family due to pandemic restrictions, her nanny became a steadfast presence in her life, teaching her Filipino customs and traditions. Additionally, the nanny purposefully taught Bhalla Mistry's daughters Tagalog while they learned Mandarin at school and Hindi at home.The family has since relocated to Switzerland, adding French to their daughters' growing communicative repertoire. "Children who grow up multilingual often develop better communication skills and can switch between languages more easily," Bhalla Mistry said. "The girls have cultivated an open-mindedness from a young age that will help them make deeper connections with other kids and adults."<h2>Multilingual nannies can help children connect with their native tongues</h2>Maria Olsson-Tysor of Orange County, California, hails from Sweden and only speaks Swedish to her children, while her husband speaks to them in English. Yet, she decided to hire two Swedish-speaking nannies; this decision was not merely a pragmatic choice but an act of cultural preservation."We visit family in Sweden annually, so it's important for all of our family to speak the same language and understand each other," Olsson-Tysor told BI. "There were times when my children responded only in English when relatives spoke to them in Swedish, and they felt embarrassed to speak the language, but we kept going."Despite living in the States, Olsson-Tysor incorporated multiple immersive experiences like Swedish schools, books, movies, playdates, and, of course, the companionship of the nanny to reinforce linguistic bonds."The more exposure to the language, with different sources, the better, and it will help your children flex their brain muscles and show them new ways of thinking," Olsson-Tysor said.

Some families are hiring multilingual nannies. They say there are clear benefits for their children. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I'm a mom of three kids under the age of 5, and have amassed so many toys since they were born. </li><li>I've been wanting to declutter our living spaces for months while also encouraging my kids to play. </li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marie-kondo-given-up-tidy-house-moms-welcome-her-2023-1">Marie Kondo recently admitted her house is not as tidy</a> as it was before she had three kids. While I can relate to the chaos of having three kids, I've also wanted to declutter — following Kondo's famous style — for years, especially when it comes to toys. My family went a bit overboard buying toys and stuffies for my first child, who was the only grandchild of my side of the family. That was only exacerbated when <a href="https://www.insider.com/mom-of-twins-what-she-wishes-she-knew-before-birth-2022-12">I had twins</a> next, because everyone assumed we needed double everything. When my mom buys toys for the kids, she insists it always has to come in threes so there's no fighting, despite me wanting to encouraging them to share. I was intrigued when I heard about <a href="https://tinyearthtoys.com/pages/toy-library-3-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiny Earth Toys</a>, a <a href="https://www.verywellfamily.com/toy-subscription-services-2765126" target="_blank" rel="noopener">subscription service</a> that delivers toys to your home and allows you to use them for a couple weeks before returning the items and choosing new ones. I had used subscription services for clothes, both for myself and my kids, and I thought this was exactly what I needed to control our explosion of things everywhere. <h2>How the toy subscription service works</h2>The company has three plan options, ranging from five toys for $35 to 10 for $65 a month. You can also pay month by month or prepay an entire month for a discount. Once you receive the box of toys, you can keep it for two months before sending it back. <div type="image" title="Sample of Tiny Earth Toys" height="2274" width="3024" msid="98189267" hostid="261" sizebytes="611684"></div>I opted for the 10 toy option to ensure everyone had something to play with. Many of the toys are geared to younger kids than mine. However, I found that they still had a pretty interesting selection for toddlers. Their <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/parenting/best-montessori-toys">toys are Montessori-</a>inspired, so they are wooden — like Maria Montessori <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63f61a505178b075b80fab05&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Flovevery.com%2Fcommunity%2Fblog%2Fchild-development%2Fwhy-wooden-toys-make-the-best-playthings%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">preferred toys to be</a> —and educational. My kids were immediately excited about every item I pulled out of our first delivery. Toys are gently used and sometimes not even used at all. In every box, I've received at least one new item with the wrapping included. <div type="image" title="Brand new toys from Tiny Earth Toys" height="2274" width="3024" msid="98189269" hostid="261" sizebytes="589568"></div>I was stressed about losing pieces or breaking the boxes the toys came in, because my kids are, well, kids. As predicted, I couldn't find a car from a set, so I contacted the company to ask them what would happen if it didn't show up. They assured me that these incidents were considered part of the service, and I wouldn't get charged extra if we returned something with missing pieces. They also said that if I were to find the missing car at some point, I could always send it back with my next return. Once the two months are up, you put everything back in the box it was shipped in, attach the included label, and drop off. Once the box is received, you can make new selections and the items are shipped that same week. <h2>The subscription service made me declutter</h2>Seeing my kids play with new toys made me realize how many of the toys we have at home are collecting dust in a shelf. This prompted me to purge over one weekend and realize that many of our things were not age-appropriate anymore. Having new toys also made the kids stay engaged for longer. The first box came over a school break when I was working, and I worried how to keep the kids entertained without any meltdowns. I broke out one new toy at a time and they played together for hours because of the newness factor. <div type="image" title="Children playing with toys" height="878" width="1170" msid="98189271" hostid="261" sizebytes="142218"></div>My kids were a little sad when I told them we needed to return the toys, but I immediately got excited when I told them they could help me pick another 10 items for next month. Besides the newness effect and the decluttering, I'm also into how <a href="https://www.insider.com/sustainable-kid-products-diapers-toys-playsets-hand-me-downs-2022-3">environmentally friendly</a> this company is. I've tried to stay away from plastic toys and toys with batteries. All of the items fit that criteria, and also encourages reusing, which keeps toys and boxes from landfills. While I can't go back in time and buy less stuff, moving forward, I am ready to keep renting toys and keep an empty shelf in our playroom for every new delivery we get.

I started renting toys for my 3 kids. It keeps them engaged and reduces the clutter at home.

The <keyword id="138116" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toy-Industry" source="Orion">toy industry</keyword> in <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword> can easily generate nearly 30,000 jobs if it receives the required support from the state government, which would provide a thrust to the sector. With a minimal number of <keyword id="9666923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="toy-manufacturers" source="Orion">toy manufacturers</keyword> in the state, Chennai and Tuticorin can be ideal destinations for the industry with port connectivity, the <keyword id="15204985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tamil-Nadu-Toy-Dealers-Association" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu Toy Dealers Association</keyword> President Santosh Kumar said. Elaborating, he said when the national level toy exhibition was held in New Delhi, the Telangana government allotted 1,000 acres of land for the industry. "It is a very big and positive step, lots of industry people have already gone ahead and booked their places (in Hyderabad). Something similar (kind of support) is required here in Tamil Nadu.". According to him, Chennai is the capital for the toy market in the southern region and with huge investors in this space. "People from neighbouring Kerala, Andhra Pradesh have come here, because we have the port connectivity here and it is easy for logistics support," he said. Kumar noted that the toy industry in Tamil Nadu alone was valued at Rs 600 crore and it can further grow if the government provides land at subsidised rates for both manufacturing and warehousing. "Chennai is somehow a very strong market with its logistics support. But, sadly we do not have the support which every other government provides," he said. Speaking about the toy industry at the national level, he said the industry was open and there were grey markets in cities. "The grey market used to flourish in places like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai as the toy products made were without any specifications and standards and were of low quality with very low price and also without any duty," he said. With the launch of Centre's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaign, Kumar said the import of toys which earlier stood at 90 per cent of products has come down to 5 per cent. "Earlier 90 per cent were imported of which 75 per cent came from China. Now import from China is as good as nothing at 5 per cent." he said. Echoing similar views, Toy Association of India President Ajay Agarwal said the government policy on increasing customs duty on imported toys and making BIS certification mandatory for toys has given a boost to the domestic toy manufacturing sector. The Indian toy market is growing at over 12 per cent. Three years ago, nearly 80 per cent of the toys were imported. But today, the scenario has changed as imports dropped dramatically, Agarwal said at the recently held toy expo in the city. According to Agarwal, over five lakh artisans were involved in making toys and nearly 75 per cent of the toy-manufacturing facilities comprise micro, small and medium enterprises. Maharashtra is a major toy market followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, New Delhi, he noted. For manufacturing these toys, Kumar said places like Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Noida, Mumbai have got good infrastructure for manufacturers. ".. if the Tamil Nadu government offers support on the lines of the Andhra Pradesh government, which allocated about 1,000 acres of land, I think in Tamil Nadu we can easily generate direct jobs to the tune of 20,000 to 30,000" he said. Listing the products that can be produced in Tamil Nadu, he said soft toys, battery operated toys, baby products, and wooden educational items can be made here. "There is no montessori equipment in Tamil Nadu. No one manufacturers that kind of toys for kids here. Maria Montessori is a French concept of teaching, which is very good since a student will never forget whatever he has learnt. Nobody manufactures these kind of products in Tamil Nadu. But in Karnataka people do," he said. With a minimum one acre of land and a capital requirement of Rs 50 lakh, one can set up a toy manufacturing facility. "It is a simple industry. It is not rocket science," he said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/france-wants-to-be-indias-best-partner-in-defence-manufacturing-french-envoy-lenain/articleshow/94740730.cms" style="">France wants to be India's best partner in defence manufacturing: French envoy Lenain</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/putin-orders-intensified-measures-to-protect-crimea-related-facilities/articleshow/94737748.cms" style="">Putin orders intensified measures to protect Crimea-related facilities</a>

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