Child Development Expert Corner

Print All Around Us – Alka Burman

A print rich environment is one in which children interact with many forms of print including signs, labelled centres, wall stories, word displays, labelled murals, bulletin boards, charts, poems and other materials. With adult support, children gain literacy skills by interacting with print in their surroundings. Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, offers strategies to encourage children's involvement with print.Read More

Constructive Play in Early Learning Environments – Alka Burman

Constructive play is an organized form of play that is, in many ways, goal oriented and thoughtful. Children who are engaged in constructive play use materials to create something, and this increases in complexity as they get older. Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, discusses these concepts.Read More

Creating a Language-rich Environment – Julie Dotsch

As educators prepare their programs, they need to constantly be thinking of how to enhance the children’s language. One way to do this is to incorporate the home languages into the setting. Julie Dotsch, an ECE Diversity consultant for One World, discusses how to set up a language-rich environment. Read More

Welcoming Newcomer Children with Judith Colbert

Judith A. Colbert, PhD is an experienced writer, researcher and training specialist. She is the principle author of both the National LINC Childminding Requirements and Occasional Child Care Requirements. As an early care and education consultant with an international perspective, her goal is to build bridges between research and practice, mainstream and newcomer experiences. Read More

School Readiness: An Overview – Alka Burman

“School readiness” refers to a child’s ability to meet the demands of school. Often these abilities are broken down into key areas known as developmental domains. Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, outlines these developmental domains.Read More

School Readiness: Communication Skills and General Knowledge – Alka Burman

"Communication skills and general knowledge” refers to the ability to communicate one’s own needs clearly and to understand others.Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, discusses these concepts. Read More

School Readiness: Emotional Health and Maturity – Alka Burman

“Emotional health and maturity” refers to a child’s prosocial behaviour. It is the ability to recognize and express both positive and negative emotions in ways that are healthy, respectful and appropriate to the situation and to empathize with and comfort others.Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, discusses these concepts.Read More

School Readiness: Language and Cognitive Development – Alka Burman

Language and cognitive development is one of the more well-known areas of school readiness. Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, discusses these concepts. Read More

Understanding Separation Anxiety – Julie Dotsch

It is important for children to form firm attachments with their parents; however, a child’s ability to gradually separate from their parent is an important milestone. When the separation is handled well, it builds the child’s confidence, helps them with future separations, assists them in forming trusting relationships and builds trust between the parent and child. Julie Dotsch, an ECE Diversity consultant for One World, shares signs of separation anxiety and how to deal with them.Read More

School Readiness: Social Knowledge and Competence – Alka Burman

“Social knowledge and competence” refers to a person’s ability to get along with others. A child’s social competence is displayed through their ability to interact appropriately with their peers, family members and other adults around them.Alka Burman, Early Literacy Specialist, discusses these concepts. Read More