WonderBubbleLab

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! Recently, a family visited one of our drop-in programs with their 14-month-old toddler. Like many toddlers this age, the child enjoyed throwing toys. But this felt different. Each time one hand became free, it immediately reached for another toy. Within seconds, the toy was swung backwards with surprising force and released. A soft ball. A toy car. A large plastic truck. Almost anything within reach. The child wasn't trying to throw at anyone, but because the toys were often thrown without looking behind, it quickly became a safety concern for everyone nearby. As the child moved around the room, the parent quietly followed behind, picking up toy after toy. When we talked, the parent smiled and said, "It's the same at home. We've had to put most things away because everything gets thrown. It almost seems like throwing itself is what my child enjoys." That conversation stayed with me. Many todd...

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! During one of our family drop-in programs, I noticed two toddlers playing happily in the pretend kitchen area. One child had been carefully stirring soup in a toy pot for several minutes when another child walked over, picked up the pot, and carried it away. Within seconds, one child was crying. One parent looked uncomfortable. The other parent wasn't quite sure what to do. I could almost see the question on both parents' faces: "Should I step in?" "Should I tell my child to share?" "Or should I wait and see what happens?" If you've ever visited a family drop-in centre, library program, or indoor play space, you've probably witnessed a moment just like this. In fact, it's one of the most common social situations we see in early childhood programs. The good news is that it usually isn't a sign that either child is being unkind. More often, it's a valuable opportunity for chi...

  Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! A mom recently joined one of our family drop-in programs with her three-year-old daughter. As the other children rushed toward the sensory table, her daughter stayed close by her side. She watched. She listened. She held tightly to Mom's hand. Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. While the other children played together, she continued observing from a distance. Mom quietly asked me, "Should I be worried? She always takes so long to join in." It's a question I hear often. Many parents worry when their child seems hesitant in new situations, especially when other children appear eager to jump right in. But in many cases, needing extra time is not a sign that something is wrong. It's often a reflection of temperament. Let's explore why some children need more time to warm up and how families can support their growing confidence. What Does "Slow to Warm Up" Mean? Some children naturally approach new e...

  Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! Yesterday, during one of our circle times, something interesting happened. I began singing one of our favourite action songs. The children watched carefully. Some smiled. Some stared quietly. But very few joined in. As I looked around the room, I noticed something else. Most of the parents were sitting quietly too. They were watching me. The children were watching them. So I paused for a moment and gently said, "Remember, your children learn by watching you. If you sing, they are more likely to sing. If you move, they are more likely to move." Almost immediately, the atmosphere changed. Parents started clapping. Some began singing. Others joined the actions. And suddenly, many of the children who had been quietly observing started participating too. Moments like this remind me of something we sometimes forget: Young children are not only learning from educators. They are learning from the people they love most. Why Chi...

A parent recently asked me a question during a family drop-in program. "My child cries when another child is upset. Does that mean they're especially sensitive?" A few minutes later, another parent shared a very different concern. "The other day, I pretended to cry at home just to see what my daughter would do." She laughed softly. "My daughter looked at me for a second and then went right back to playing." "Should I be worried?" Questions like these come up often because empathy can look very different from one child to another. Many parents imagine empathy as a skill that appears suddenly. In reality, empathy develops gradually over many years. Like language, self-regulation, and problem-solving, it grows through everyday experiences, relationships, and practice. Today, let's explore how empathy develops, what milestones families might notice, and how we can support children as they learn to understand the feelings of others. What Is Em...