Language Development
Language Development Our ability to use language sets us apart from other animals and is, in essence what makes us truly human. We use language to communicate our thoughts and feelings to others, to warn them of dangers and to pose questions in an effort to gain greater knowledge and understanding of ourselves and the […]
Child Development
Child Development Child development is a nearly inexhaustible subject. Kids grow, develop, play and learn in rapidly changing yet fascinating ways. So much happens in the first five years of a child’s life that it is impossible to cover it all in a single article and I’ll focus on the finer details of development at […]
What is school readiness?
In a nutshell, school readiness means that a child is ready to learn. As confusing as it may sound, keep in mind that a child who is eager to learn is not necessarily ready to learn. Curiosity and an eagerness to learn is an important first step, but school readiness requires that a child is […]
School readiness checklist
I’m generally not a big fan of checklists – I believe that each child should be allowed to develop at his or her own pace and that it is primarily the function of education and parenting to support the child wherever he or she is in her development. But, I also understand that every now […]
Introducing Kula Growth
I am absolutely thrilled (and more than just a little nervous) to be introducing my latest project: Kula Growth. Kula Growth is all about Early Childhood Development (ECD) and will become an online portal for moms as well as early childhood practitioners to get more information on how the littlest members of our society learn […]
Imaginary Friends
Get a little creeped out when you hear your child having a conversation with thin air? Experts once believed that having an imaginary friend was a sign that something was wrong in a child’s life. They hypothesized that children who dreamed up imaginary friends were isolated, socially incompetent or lonely. Yet, it seems that the […]
The impact of child abuse on the developing brain
Child abuse is an especially poignant topic in South Africa. In 2012 there were over 50 000 reported incidences of violence against children. An even scarier statistic is that, on average, 3 children are murdered in SA every day. The impact of child abuse on adult survivors is varied. Experts have known for years that […]
The importance of creative play
The importance of creative play Kids naturally love creative play. They love painting, playing with play dough, dressing-up and making things. Not only is this type of play necessary for a child’s well-being, but it can also assist children by: Providing a safe, non-direct way for children to talk about their worries Strengthening the relationship […]
How to listen to your child
How to listen to your child “Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you…no matter what. If you don’t listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won’t tell you the big stuff when they are big. Because, to them, all of it has always been big stuff.” ~ Catherine. […]
Tips for feeding a picky toddler
“My child refuses to eat! Help!” This seems to be quite a common complaint for parents of toddlers, yet it can cause parents a lot of stress. The immediate reaction is to 1) punish the child and force him to eat, 2) give-in and give him what he wants because you’re afraid of him going […]
