Wonder Child: The ECE Lab

  Hello to all the wonderful parents and caregivers! As your little one approaches the magical one-year mark, you are likely witnessing a whirlwind of changes. Today in my program, I had the most heartwarming interaction with a 12-month-old girl. She pointed her tiny finger at a ball I was holding, clearly expressing her desire to play. When I said, "Give it to me, please," she handed it back with the brightest, most triumphant smile.  Even though she hasn't started using spoken words yet, she was communicating with her whole body. Gestures, eye contact, and that infectious giggle said everything.  As a Canadian ECE with 20 years of experience, I want to reassure you that while some babies begin to say their first words now, many express themselves through these rich non-verbal cues.  In this post, we will explore the incredible milestones of the 10-12 month stage and how you can support your budding communicator and explorer.  1. The Silent Conversation: Naviga...

  Welcome back, wonderful parents and caregivers! If you feel like you’ve finally started to catch your breath, you’re not alone. Many parents tell me that the first six months are the most challenging as everyone adjusts to a new world. But around the seven-month mark, a beautiful shift happens. You may begin to feel more comfortable  going  out again,  meeting  friends, and  engaging  with the world again.   Most importantly, your baby is becoming much more engaged with you and the world around them. Between 7 and 9 months, many babies enter a stage I like to call the “Interactive Explorer.” This is when your baby shifts from mostly observing the world to actively engaging with it. You may notice them reaching, rolling, scooting, or even attempting to crawl. At the same time, they begin to connect socially—responding to your voice, copying your gestures, and showing excitement during interactions. It’s an exciting stage full of discovery, ...