Little kids may be cute, but boy, are they self-centered. Turns out that’s how they’re wired: the egocentrism of toddlers gives them confidence to explore and express themselves. But it also can make them a tad inflexible about points of view that might differ from their own. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

A theory as to why little kids may be terrible at hiding

Where experts agree (and disagree) on what causes kids’ egocentric behavior 

How to deal with the tiny egocentrists that we live with 

Experts tend to agree that by the ages of 5 or 6, most children understand and take into consideration the feelings of others. So hang on: you’re going to have a real group thinker by first grade. 

Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: 

Being the Parent: Understanding Egocentrism in Children

Scholastic: Must-Have Books to Teach Social-Emotional Skills

The Conversation: Young children are terrible at hiding– psychologists have a new theory why

Special thanks to this month's sponsors:

Athletic Greens supports your sleep quality, energy, immune system and more with just one scoop per day! Get a one-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free travel packs at athleticgreens.com/laughing.

Daily Harvest delivers delicious harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, and more, all built on organic fruits and vegetables. Go to dailyharvest.com/toddler to get up to $40 off your first box!

Lumineux makes toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening with certified non-toxic ingredients which leave the good bacteria in your mouth alone! Find Lumineux on Amazon and get $7 off today! 

Peloton has thousands of workouts on their app for every goal, day, and mood! We're fans of the yoga, meditation, and dance cardio, but there's truly something for everyone. Learn more: onepeloton.com.

Plant People makes doctor-formulated, regenerative plant and mushroom supplements that unlock people's potential. Go to try.plantpeople.co/toddler to get 15% off your first order with the code TODDLER.

Snow Days taste like the pizza bites we remember eating as kids, but without the junk! Use promo code TODDLER to save $15 off your first order at www.snowdays.com/TODDLER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices