Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS It can be hard to hear at a parent-teacher meeting: "He tends to keep to himself" or "She mostly watches the other children." You may picture your child alone at the edge of the playground while everyone else is laughing together. Sometimes this is simply part of growing up, and sometimes it points to skills that need a little support. Here is how to tell the difference, and what you can do to help. Play Develops i

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS When we want to teach a child something, the instinct is to direct, to set the task, lead the activity, and steer things where we think they should go. But some of the most effective early learning happens the other way around: by following the child's lead. It sounds counterintuitive, especially when a child's interests seem narrow or repetitive, but meeting a child where they are is often the fastest route to con

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS "It's mine!" Sharing and taking turns are among the hardest social lessons for young children, and for a child with developmental differences they can be harder still. Yet they sit at the very heart of friendship, play and getting along in a classroom. The good news is that turn-taking and sharing are teachable skills, not character traits a child either has or lacks. Here's how to build them, without turning every

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS Play can look like the most trivial part of childhood, but it's actually one of the most important. Through play, children learn language, social skills, problem-solving, imagination and emotional regulation. So when a child doesn't play in the typical way, lining toys up rather than pretending with them, playing alone, or not seeming to know how to play, it's worth paying attention. Play skills can be taught, and

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS Learn how children develop friendship skills and how parents can support social interaction and peer relationships during early childhood. How Children Learn to Make Friends Making friends is an important part of childhood development. For many children, friendships provide opportunities to practise communication, cooperation, and emotional understanding. However, some parents may notice that their child finds it

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS Learn why some children struggle with sharing and how parents can support the development of cooperation and social interaction skills. Why Some Children Struggle With Sharing Many parents notice moments when their child becomes upset when asked to share toys or materials with others. For example, a child may refuse to let another child use their toy, become frustrated during group play, or react strongly when a f

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS Learn how children develop social skills through play and why play is an important part of early childhood development. How Children Learn Social Skills Through Play Play is one of the most important ways children learn about the world around them. While play may appear simple on the surface, it actually helps children develop important social, emotional, and learning skills. Many parents wonder: “How does play he

Written by Eugene Tng, QASP-S, Programme Director at ABA LABS Learn why some children prefer playing alone and how parents can support social interaction and play development during early childhood. Why Some Children Prefer Playing Alone Many parents notice that their child often prefers to play alone rather than interact with other children. For example, a child may choose to sit quietly with toys while other children are playing together, or they may seem less interested i