Wonder Child: The ECE Lab

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 ...

  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, ...