On 8 April, as part of the "Foundations of Literary Education" course for first-year students of the pre-school and early school-age pedagogy programme, a guest lecture was held by Marta Szytel, a psychologist working with children, adolescents, and adults. She provides individual psychological consultations aimed at helping people better understand themselves and their children, identify the sources of difficulties, and find effective ways of addressing them. Her practice is grounded in attachment theory, mentalisation, and a neurobiological approach to trauma. She also conducts psychological assessments and offers consultations in Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, and English.
During the meeting, Marta Szytel addressed the topic of "Literature and Media for Pre-School and Early School-Age Children." She spoke about the various types of books and content appropriate for different age groups, explaining which books work best for the youngest children and which are worth recommending to older ones. She highlighted how to select literature in line with a child's stage of development, needs, and interests. The speaker brought a wide selection of books that participants were able to browse and discuss.
Various types of books were also covered — including picture books, sensory books, educational, therapeutic, and imagination-building titles — along with guidance on which audience each is intended for and when it is most valuable to reach for them.
The speaker also addressed the selection of appropriate content and books for children on the autism spectrum, emphasising that literature should be tailored to their needs, their way of perceiving the world, and their level of sensitivity. She indicated what kinds of content can be particularly valuable and helpful for such children.
An important thread of the meeting was children's functioning in the digital world. Marta Szytel discussed when children should not yet be using electronic devices, and when digital media can gradually be introduced. She outlined how much screen time is appropriate for children of different ages, and how device use should be structured to be safe and supportive of a child's development. The meeting served as a valuable complement to the content covered during regular classes.
Photo: Dominika Liplianska
