Early Childhood

Category: Child Development

  • The girl who could not sit still!

    ‘Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.’ — Anonymous Sir Ken Robinson in his legendary TED Talk ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity?’ tells the story of a little girl, Gillian, who couldn’t sit still. At just seven…

  • When should I start reading to my baby?

    In my book ‘Early Childhood: Where the Magic Happens,’ I explore how reading to your child from birth can profoundly shape their cognitive, emotional, and linguistic development, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and connection. In her book ‘Reading Magic’ (2012), well-known children’s author Mem Fox emphasizes the critical importance of reading aloud daily to children.…

  • Does hard work beat talent?

    ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’ Tim Notke What is talent? When we think about talent, we often imagine an innate gift—something magical and effortless. The Cambridge Dictionary defines talent as ‘a natural skill or ability to be good at something, especially without being taught.’ However, this definition barely scratches the surface of a much more…

  • Is my child on track?

    Parents are often concerned about their child’s development. This concern is both natural and valid. These are the areas which most parents’ query: Standardized guidelines, such as CDC Developmental Milestones, provide valuable insights and offer helpful reference points to gauge how your child is progressing. Additionally, regular pediatric check-ups serve as an essential mechanism for monitoring developmental milestones and…

  • The essence of discipline is teaching

    Disciplinary practices have undergone a transformation over the generations. During my childhood, school discipline often meant physical punishment — a caning was not uncommon. Today, we’ve evolved to understand discipline through a more compassionate lens. It is fundamentally about guidance and teaching, rather than punishment. This shift reflects a deeper appreciation for how children learn…

  • ‘Serve and return’

    ‘Serve and return’

    I was excited to view this TED talk, brilliantly delivered by seven-year-old Molly Wright.  Here’s why her message hits hard – and what it means for you. Imagine your child’s brain from zero to five years as an incredible, rapidly growing supercomputer. Before they even start kindergarten, their brain is literally creating a million new…