Wonder Child: The ECE Lab

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! As a Canadian ECE with over 20 years of experience, I have often witnessed a beautiful yet delicate transition in many families: the arrival of a new sibling. While it is a time of great joy for parents, for the firstborn,  their sense of security can suddenly feel shaken.  I remember a father at my centre once shared that his toddler, who had always been so independent, suddenly started asking to be carried like a baby the moment they brought the newborn home. It wasn't misbehaviour; it was a heart-wrenching plea for reassurance.  The transition to becoming a big brother or sister is one of the most significant emotional milestones a child will ever face , and our role as caregivers is to provide the “emotional bridge” they need to cross it safely. Today, let’s explore how we can support our older children through this big change with empathy, patience, and thoughtful strategies. 1. Validating the “Loss” and Support...

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! As an ECE with over 20 years of experience in Canada, I have witnessed countless "tug-of-war" matches over a single wooden block or a plastic shovel. I remember a mother at my centre looking completely exhausted as her toddler shouted a thunderous “No, MINE!” at a peer. She whispered to me, “Is my child becoming selfish? I’ve tried so hard to teach them to share .”  I gave her a warm smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder. My dear friend, your child is not being “bad” or “selfish”; they are simply reaching a major developmental milestone in self-awareness. Think of it as a young child discovering that they are an individual with their own belongings. Today, let’s explore this challenging yet completely normal phase through the lens of early childhood development and discover how we can guide our little ones toward their first successful friendships with patience and empathy. 1. The Egocentric Stage: Why “Mine!” Is a ...

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators! There is one activity that children almost never seem to tire of in early childhood settings: water play. Whether it’s pouring water between cups, washing toy animals, or splashing with measuring spoons at the sensory table,  children are naturally drawn to water in a way that feels both calming and exciting at the same time. In our centre, water play is one of the sensory activities we provide almost every day because it consistently captures children’s curiosity and attention. I still remember one little girl who often stayed close to the sidelines during group activities. One afternoon, I added a few drops of blue food colouring to a basin of water, and almost instantly, her expression changed. She slowly stepped closer, dipped in a measuring cup, and became completely absorbed in exploring the swirling blue water.  Moments like these are a beautiful reminder of how sensory play can gently invite children into explorat...