Hello! My name is Alina Khoma, and I am the author of this blog about raising children using the Montessori method at home.

 

When we look for answers regarding raising and developing our children, it is vital to know who stands behind the advice. Why is it so important for me to openly share my story with you?

 

First and foremost, I am a mother. And as a mother, I navigate the same endless ocean of online parenting tips every day, knowing firsthand how challenging it is to find truly reliable, safe, and scientifically sound information. For our children, we always seek the absolute best, choosing to rely on proven facts rather than myths or subjective opinions.

This is exactly why I chose the path of continuous learning. It is my core principle that every word, recommendation, and article on this blog must be verified and expert. I constantly study primary sources, earn certificates from leading global institutions, and upgrade my knowledge. I only write about what I know inside out—things I have deeply explored through both my practice as an educator and my journey as a mother. My goal is for you to feel calm and confident while reading this blog, knowing that only reliable and practical insights are published here.

 

 

My Professional Path & Expertise

 

I have been working in early childhood education since 2014. My experience includes serving as an educator in preschools in Uzhhorod, practicing in inclusive groups, and running a bilingual mini-kindergarten at a private child development center. To ensure the highest quality of content, I regularly invest in my education and share my experience with colleagues:

  • AMI Montessori 3–6 Orientation (2026): An international certificate course by the Montessori Institute Prague (69 hours) focusing on the development and psychology of children aged 3 to 6.

  • The Best for the Youngest (2026): Participation in the international online conference "A Call for Quality from Birth to Three" by the Montessori Institute Prague, focusing on quality standards in early childhood education.

  • Lecturing & Mentorship (2026): Conducting original lectures for preschool educators and speaking as a guest expert and speaker at the specialized training course for professional nannies at Smart Nanny Service.

  • AMI & Montessori.UA (2022): Certificate course "Philosophy of the Montessori Method" led by international trainer Maria Roth (96 hours).

  • Ukrainian Montessori Center (2022): "Montessori Education from Birth to 6 Years: Philosophical Foundations and Basic Principles" course (75 hours).

 

Why the bavka Brand Was Born

 

The bavka brand was born at the intersection of my professional experience and my own journey as a mother. I felt the pain of hundreds of parents searching for high-quality, aesthetic, and scientifically grounded materials for their children's development.

 

Today, bavka is a Ukrainian manufacturer of Montessori materials, children's furniture, and educational eco-products made from natural materials. Our philosophy is simple: "Not about toys — about childhood." We help set up prepared home environments that stimulate children's independence, confidence, and natural interest in exploring the world without pressure or fear.

 

 

 

 

Professional Communities, Recognition & Social Impact

 

The projects we create carry a deep social context. To exchange experience and advance global educational standards in Ukraine, I actively integrate into leading Ukrainian and international communities:

  • Association Montessori Internationale (AMI): An active official member of the world's leading Montessori organization, which preserves the authenticity of the method and protects children's rights to quality education worldwide.

  • Winner of the "Vidvazhna" (Brave) business accelerator by Visa and Diia.Business (the grant received allowed for production scaling using CNC technologies).

  • Finalist in the "Svitanok" program by Diia.Business and the "UA Global: Etsy Start" project by USAID.

  • Active member of the international business community "Board."

 

 

Social Responsibility & Charitable Initiatives

 

For me, the bavka brand is first and foremost about deep values and supporting those who need it most. Together with our community of conscious parents, we regularly organize and participate in charitable initiatives to bring warmth and security to children facing difficult times:

 

  • The Ongoing "Early Bird" Campaign: We designed a special charity comforter toy with a natural beechwood teether. Proceeds from its sales go toward supporting premature babies. Additionally, our website features a "suspended gift" option—anyone can purchase a teether for a hospitalized infant, and every three months, we ship these care packages to neonatal departments across Ukraine.
  • The "Kindness Goose" Christmas Project: A heartwarming holiday kit designed for families to paint a unique wooden goose ornament together. 100% of the proceeds from these creative sets are donated to the "Children of Heroes" charity fund, which provides long-term assistance to children who lost one or both parents to the war.
  • Charity Masterclasses & Community Events: I routinely organize interactive workshops and creative events to raise funds for the psychological rehabilitation and protection of children affected by the war. Through collaborative projects (such as the "Flowers of Kindness" event with Zabava Uzh or pastry masterclasses with Folks Patisserie), we have successfully raised tens of thousands of hryvnias for the Gen.Ukrainian foundation, Dobrodiy Club, and fulfilled major St. Nicholas gift campaigns for the "Misto Dobra" (City of Goodness) mother and child support center.
  • We regularly support the NGO Mama Plant a Tree, donating funds to plant trees for environmental restoration and to help finance specialized machinery for demining liberated Ukrainian territories.

 

Today, our brand's products are used by families and child centers in over 30 countries worldwide (from the USA and the EU to New Zealand). However, my primary mission remains focused on rewriting the culture of childhood here in Ukraine—supporting parents on their path toward calm, conscious, and happy upbringing.

 

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