Family Times - Christchurch - Autumn 2014

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Mature mums

The pros and cons of starting a family later in life

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Parents doing too much Drop the drama and simplify parenthood

A news magazine and online resource for families

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ISSN 2324-450X (Print) ISSN 2324-4518 (Online)

CHRISTCHURCH / ISSUE 73 / Autumn 2014

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inside this issue

Contents

Features

11 Words of Wisdom

5 Parenting pressures post quake

12 Girls growing up

Family time counts in stressful situations.

6 Mature mums

Former Prime News anchor Suzy Clarkson talks about motherhood in her 40s.

8 Parents doing too much

New research shows that girls reach puberty earlier.

Autumn in the garden with Alan Jones.

Eva Maria talks about encouraging good study habits in your preteens.

Tips on how to prepare your kids for stress-free exams.

17 To vaccinate or not?

Communicate with your baby and toddler through baby sign language.

Be informed about protecting your kids.

Comment

Neuroscience trainer Nathan Mikaere-Wallis on how to nurture your baby’s development.

22 Kids’ view

18 The baby brain:

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19 How much sleep does your child need?

Kids have different sleep needs at different ages.

30 Birthdays

Delicious birthday treats and fun theme parties.

32 Fit families

Dust off your childhood games for your kids.

34 The great outdoors

Experience the ultimate animal adventure at Orana Wildlife Park, NZ’s only open range zoo.

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Publisher Robyn Willis Design & Production Moody Shokry Advert Production Target Press Production Office Editor Vanessa O’Brien Digital editor Rochelle Savage

Media Executives Shona Robb, Nicky Barnett, Jane Hunter, Naomh Cusin, Penny Leary, Linda Radovancich Office Manager Raelyn Hay Office Assistant Jackie Pithie

Contributing Writers Alan Jones, Fiona Oliphant, Jackie Cowan, Nick Draper, Karyn Riley , Diane Levy, Eva Maria, Wayne Webb Reach us at: Family Publishers (NZ) P.O. Box 36-004, Christchurch 8146, NZ Ph. 03 355 9186 0800 285 510 Fax: 03 3559 183 Mobile. 0274 359 414 admin@familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz DistributionPrinted and distributed quarterly approximately two weeks before each major school holiday.

44,499 distributed through early childhood centres, primary and intermediate schools, Christchurch City Council offices, recreational facilities, libraries and service centres, selected medical and midwifery premises and McDonalds restaurants.The opinions expressed in this publication are not those of the publisher unless indicated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the publisher. Family Times is not responsible for unsolicited material. Family Times is funded and published solely through the support of its advertisers. They support us, please support them.

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15 Preteen corner

Get ready for the next generation of science whizzes.

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13 The vege patch

16 Baby sign

10 Reintroducing science

Diane Levy dishes out advice.

Life coach Karen Riley asks parents, “what’s the rush?”

9 How to beat test anxiety

DOC share some great autumn camping spots.

We ask kids about their study habits.

Special features 37 Destination Dunedin

Explore all that the delights of Dunedin on a family holiday.

Resource information 17 24 25 27 36

Help is at Hand Calendar of events Holiday programmes Entertainment Top reads

From the editor Parenting’s postquake pressures

T

his edition marks five years since I took up the role of editor at Family Times.

During this period we’ve covered a plethora of parenting topics, from dealing with head lice and beating holiday boredom through to sibling rivalry and parenting through separation. Still, every edition I find myself learning something new.

One topic that we haven’t covered – until now – is the overwhelming trend for women to have their first babies at a later age in life.

My mother was 18 when she gave birth to her first child – my sister – and 21 when she had me. And it was perfectly normal at the time. Today, in most of Western societies, this would be looked down on.

Developments in the equality of women in education and in the workforce have seen a growing number of women pursue careers that only 30 years ago were mainly in the male domain. While in previous generations women were scorned as spinsters if they weren’t married and having children by their mid twenties, women today are increasingly expected to have an education, a career, to travel and fully experience life before settling down to have a family.

The result is a growing number of first time mums in the 35 to 40-year-old bracket, and in the 40-plus bracket.

There are some great benefits to this: a lot of women report feeling more settled and ready to make the sacrifices needed for motherhood. But on the downside, women in this age group often struggle with fertility, with increased complications in pregnancy, and with an increased rate of miscarriages.

Simply put, a women’s body is at its best age for pregnancy when she is in her twenties, yet more and more women are putting the

While clear communication has always been key to successful parenting, local research shows that this is becoming harder for Canterbury parents.

biological clock on hold until 30-plus.

This edition we talk with former Prime News anchor Suzy Clarkson about her experience becoming a first-time mum in her late thirties, and the birth of her second son when she was in her 40s. We also speak with inspirational mum Jacquie Dale from Hamilton, who fell pregnant with twin boys at the age of 46!

We’ve got lots of other great features to sink your teeth into this issue, plus entertainment ideas, competitions and giveaways galore.

Don’t forget to check us out at www. familytimes.co.nz for ongoing competitions, feature articles and podcasts.

Enjoy!

Late last year All Right? carried out research on how 14 to 21-year-olds (and their parents) were faring.

The research found that communication is a big issue for Canterbury youth, with some saying their parents can be distracted at times. It will come as no surprise that the stresses caused from dealing with EQC, insurance companies, and from living in a city recovering from a disaster, were seen as the key reasons parents were distracted.

All Right? also heard from parents who said they felt that they weren’t spending enough quality time with their families.

All Right? manager Sue Turner says that there’s no denying that living in Canterbury over the last three years has provided its fair share of challenges.

“Our region has changed a lot and while we have much to look forward to, we are some way from having all our homes repaired, our CBD rebuilt, our roads totally fixed or our insurance claims settled.

“Through all of this, it’s important to remember that while many of the issues we are facing are out of our control, there are things we can do that can make the recovery

a little easier.

“We mustn’t underestimate how the small things - like catching up with friends, a walk in the park or just noticing the amazing Canterbury sunsets - can improve our mental health and wellbeing,” says Turner.

Ms Turner says that parents need to give themselves credit for the quality time they do spend with their children.

“We’re facing heaps of pressures and there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Kids know when we aren’t listening to them properly.

Sometimes all it takes is five minutes of quality listening, two or three times each day with your children. If you can do this you’re off to a great start.”

All Right? aims to support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of Cantabrians as we rebuild. All Right? seeks to make the recovery a little easier by providing simple tips people can use to improve the way they feel and look out for others.

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feature story

Tackling motherhood later in life More than 2500 New Zealand women age 40-plus gave birth in 2011, and 11,000 women aged 35-49 gave birth in the same period, according to the Perinatal Mortality Review Committee report.

Across the Tasman, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that there are now more first-time mothers over the age of 40 than ever before. In fact, 10-years ago, 3838 more babies were born to teenagers than to women aged 40-plus. Now the older category exceeds the younger by 1854 births each year.

So the statistics clearly show that more and more Western women are leaving motherhood until later in life. One of those women is New Zealand television personality Suzy Clarkson. She was 39-years-old when she fell pregnant for the first time.

“My relationship status was that I didn’t meet my husband until I was 36, and I wasn’t ready to have a baby before that. I had it on my mind that I wanted kids, but I was doing Prime Television, then a travel programme at the time, and it just didn’t transpire that way for me.”

Auckland-based Clarkson considers herself lucky that she fell pregnant almost

immediately, without any intervention.

“I was thrilled. Although, until you have the baby in your arms you don’t understand what it means. There’s this momentary shock with elation, and it’s a real rollercoaster for the first six months. There’s the tiredness mixed in with excitement.”

“It was really scary because my first two children were natural births, full term with no difficulties. Your body when you are older is not the same as when you are younger.”

Career and family Clarkson, like many other women today, put her career first until she was at a place in life when she was ready to think about having a family. She believes that many women do the same, to their detriment.

“I think they are not actually consciously thinking about it at all. A lot of them are probably high achievers who think, “I’ll have kids when I’m ready, like any other project in life.” They’re achievement focused. By the time they think about it, they are 38-40 and have to enlist help to get pregnant.”

Forty-nine-year-old Jacquie Dale from Hamilton has a slightly different story. She had two daughters when she was in her twenties,

"Suzy Clarkson with husband Tim, and sons Ben and Toby" but when she remarried in her forties, she and her husband Tim decided to try for round two.

“We thought it would be nice, but we didn’t think it would happen at our age,” said Dale.

Hence the state of shock when a scan showed that not only was she pregnant, but identical twins were on the way.

“We didn’t talk to each other the whole way driving back from the scan. I guess the whole thing about having twins is, I didn’t know if we

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could cope.”

Pros and cons of pregnancy at an older age Dale was 46 when she fell pregnant with identical twin boys Toby and Finn, now aged 3. She was also shocked at the terminology that health professionals used to describe her condition – a geriatric pregnancy. She was automatically classed as a high-risk pregnancy.

There were more doctor and midwife

feature story

appointments, and due to complications she ended up delivering the twins at 29-weeks.

“They were in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit): Toby for six months, and Finn came home after two or three months.

“It was really scary because my first two children were natural births, full term with no difficulties. Your body when you are older is not the same as when you are younger.”

Clarkson agreed. “Being an older mum does put you at an increased risk for diabetes and having high blood pressure. But all the research points towards and says that if you keep fit and active and healthy, that it gives a much better start to life for your baby.”

That’s something that Clarkson is very passionate about; so much so that she’s just written and released a book about it – Fit For Birth and Beyond, The Guide for Women Over 35. In it, she diaries each trimester of her second pregnancy at the age of 44.

“Keeping fit doesn’t have to be expensive or at the gym. It’s core fitness, back strength and abdominal strength that you really need as an older mum.”

“My relationship status was that I didn’t meet my husband until I was 36, and I wasn’t ready to have a baby before that.”

Fighting fertility Many women who leave pregnancy until later in life aren’t as lucky as Clarkson or Dale. But Clarkson admits she was lulled into a false

sense of security about her fertility by the ease with which she fell pregnant with son Ben the first time. The second time around was not such smooth sailing.

“There were lots of starts and stops and miscarriages and IVF. Toby’s a miracle baby, the last of the last of the last embryos,” she said.

Science just doesn’t equate with the trend of more and more women over 40 starting families, or having a second or third child, said Clarkson.

“Some people just don’t manage it because they left it too late.”

Then, the desperation to have a baby can lead down many paths to disappointment. Wellmeaning friends and family dish out advice, and you can spend a lot of time and energy on the false hope of the latest fad intended to boost your chances of conception.

Clarkson says that if she could do it all again, she wouldn’t change her decision to wait for parenthood, but she would freeze her eggs at the age of 25. Dealing with 43-yeaar-old eggs and trying to get pregnant was no picnic.

But, she says, there are some advantages to being an older mum. Although your body no longer has the natural resilience of youth, you are usually more financially stable, settled in life and ready to make the sacrifices.

Dale also says that she wouldn’t change a thing, and that maturity makes a huge difference to parenthood. “It was an extreme kind of case, but the twins are keeping me young. They’re awesome. Really, I don’t think your age makes a huge difference, and I would say to women thinking about pregnancy later in life to go for it.”

Tips for mature mums Excerpt from Fit For Birth and Beyond – The Guide For Women Over 35, RRP $34.99.

Recent studies of regular exercise during pregnancy reveal: • No increase: early pregnancy loss, late pregnancy complications, abnormal foetal growth or adverse neonatal outcomes.

• No link or association between pregnant women exercising and miscarriage, congenital malformations, ectopic pregnancies, pre-term rupture of membranes, placenta insufficiency, retarded intrauterine growth, or unexplained foetal deaths.

• Fewer medical interventions during labour and delivery, and in some case shorter labour times.

• Decreased rates of postpartum depression.

• Enhancement of the baby’s birth weight.

• Maintenance and improvement of the mother’s heart and blood vessels.

• Improved strength for regular lifting and carrying required with a newborn.

• Stronger back muscles to counteract the pull and strain on your back and ligaments, as your centre of gravity shifts.

• Better posture, which prevents or

• • • • • • •

• •

alleviates some of the niggling complaints associated with pregnancy, particularly back pain.

Better awareness of the pelvic floor muscle exercise, helping prevent incontinence postpartum.

Improved positive mental attitude, helping the mother accept her changing body shape, and promoting selfesteem and confidence.

Increased resistance to fatigue.

Better quality sleep and better ability to deal with insomnia.

Smaller gain of extra body fat – outside of normal weight gain during pregnancy of 10-15 kilograms.

Faster recuperation after labour, and a more rapid return to pre pregnancy fitness, body shape and a healthy weight.

Reduced chances of gestational diabetes, which affects 5% of pregnant women, resulting from the effects of hormones but which usually subsides after delivery (if you do have gestational diabetes, exercise helps improve your blood sugar levels).

Reduced varicose veins and swelling of the feet and ankles.

Improved calcium uptake by the body, which helps prevent future osteoporosis.

For more on parenting, visit us online at www.familytimes.co.nz.

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What’s the rush?

Are you too busy – spending your days rushing from one activity to another? Do you feel pressured to live up to other people’s expectations or your own self-imposed standards?

Would you like to step off the “wheel,” find breathing space and simplify your life?

Christchurch-based parent educator and author Karyn Riley looks at ways to achieve more by doing less, relieve pressure, find balance and simply enjoy life as a parent.

As life seems increasingly busy, with quality family time and finances sometimes stretched to breaking point, parents can feel like they are on a treadmill day in, day out. Unrealistic expectations of “doing it all” often lead to increased pressure on individuals and families.

It can be hard to know how to break the cycle and regain a sense of control in your life.

Parents are commonly juggling careers, household chores, family schedules, school and sports commitments, maintaining relationships on top of finding time for themselves, quality time with children, or time simply to unwind, think and plan for the future.

The term “helicopter parent” is often used to describe modern-day over-parenting. In previous generations, children were expected to play outside, learn by trial and error, and take ownership and responsibility for themselves.

Nowadays, many parents experience some form of external or internal pressure or expectation to do things “right”: using “correct” parenting techniques; hosting the “best” birthday parties; enrolling kids in music lessons, sport or other classes; keeping up with the latest technology, gadgets or

fashion; or competing with other parents.

The resulting pressure can be daunting, overwhelming and endless, with children (and adults) often ending up tired, scratchy and over-scheduled.

Parents’ time, energy and patience is already stretched from the demands of work and family life. Parents find themselves not only managing their own time and priorities, but those of their children as well.

Many parents are in danger of becoming exhausted, overwhelmed and burdened with guilt simply because they have forgotten how to live life by their own personal values and guidelines.

Simplify Children don’t want or need too many activities. What they thrive on is quality time with their parents. Aim to keep things simple, achievable and realistic. This relieves stress, pressure and feeling overwhelmed, and supports a well-balanced life. Children and adults value time to play, imagine and be themselves, without structured activities everyday. We can all benefit from taking time out to slow down, relax and simply enjoy life as a family.

Prioritise Being over-committed is counter-productive.

Prioritise daily, focusing on and completing one thing at a time. Anything else you achieve is a bonus. Identify your priorities by asking: “What is the single most important thing

I must do today?” This alleviates feeling overwhelmed, out of control and under pressure to get everything done.

Boundaries Establish strong, healthy and consistent boundaries. Clarify your personal and family values: what’s important to you, what’s acceptable and what isn’t? Don’t be influenced or pressured by others – learn to say “No” without guilt or explanation.

Go easy on yourself, taking one day at a time. Avoid any additional or unnecessary commitments during challenging or stressful times. Have an “at home” or “down” day if you’ve had a busy week, sleepless nights or are finding it difficult to cope.

Common sense Ask yourself: “What is the worst thing that can happen if I don’t...enrol the children in extra-curricular activities/pay for expensive items/get involved in every opportunity available?” Trust your intuition and common sense.

Avoid comparisons to other parents who appear to have and do it all. There is no such thing as the perfect parent. Do what works for you and your family.

Support systems Don’t try to be “super-Mum” – this will only result in guilt, stress, resentment and burnout. Establish a strong support network.

Learn to ask for and accept assistance or delegate where possible. Talk with a friend, family member or trained professional – remember you are not alone.

Remain calm Rushing around leading a hectic, busy, stressful life often results in chaos, feeling overwhelmed

or unable to cope. If you’re stressed-out, exhausted, angry or frustrated, it’s important to try to remain calm and in-control.

Practise slow, deep breathing or use similar relaxation techniques and coping mechanisms, or take some time out to unwind. Keeping a clear head, speaking calmly or using distraction can help overcome a difficult situation.

As a busy parent, juggling various roles and responsibilities, simplifying your life and focusing on what’s truly important allows you to have more time and energy, ensuring a stress-free, well-balanced family environment and a sense of calm and control in your life.

Karyn Riley is a time management and life balance coach, author of “How to Keep the YOU in Mum”, inspirational speaker, writer and mother of two. For more information visit www.rileylife.co.nz For more on parenting, visit us online at www.familytimes.co.nz.

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Test angst – help your kids beat exam stress Preparation is the key to beating test butterflies, experts say.

Test anxiety can be a real problem if you’re kids are so stressed out over a test that they can’t get past the nervousness to focus on the exam questions and do their best work.

However, if they feel ready to meet the challenge, they can keep test anxiety at a manageable level.

Stress is a physiological response that is tied into our fight or flight mechanisms. A child under stress therefore, is much less likely to be capable of performing well. Stress can cause the brain to get out of sync and have to work harder to process information and achieve results. It can also make your child more vulnerable to illnesses and other negative effects.

You can strengthen your child’s body against stress response if you: * Make sure that your child is getting a proper night’s rest. * Make sure that your child eats healthily. * Make sure that your child gets the right amount of exercise.

However, the best way to help your child cope with test anxiety is to teach them to be well prepared for tests and to focus on the positive. The first will give them the skills to navigate the test questions themselves while the second will have a powerful effect on the mind’s response to stress.

Start by making sure that your child is regularly studying and doing their homework. Make

sure that they understand their work long before a test looms on the horizon.

When a test does come up, make sure they have studied for it long before cramming becomes necessary. Then, on the night before, have your child put the books down and focus on something fun and relaxing instead.

Teach your child to interrupt negative thoughts about their test performance and replace them with positive, affirmative thoughts.

Use a little stress to your advantage

Stress is your body’s warning mechanism — it’s a signal that helps you prepare for something important that’s about to happen. So teach your child to use it to their advantage: Instead of reacting to the stress by dreading, complaining, or fretting about the test, teach them that stress is a reminder to study well in advance of a test.

Ask for help

Although a little test anxiety can be a good thing, an overdose of it is another story entirely. If sitting for a test gets your child so stressed out that their mind goes blank and causes them to miss answers that they know, then their level of test anxiety probably needs some attention.

Be prepared

Good study habits and skills are so important, and no amount of cramming or studying the night before a test can take the place of the deeper level of learning that happens over time with regular study.

Many kids find that their test anxiety is reduced when they start to study better or more regularly. It makes sense — the more they know the material, the more confident they’ll feel. Having confidence going into a test means you expect to do well.

When you expect to do well, you’ll be able to relax into a test after the normal first-moment jitters pass.

Accept mistakes

Another thing you can do is to teach your child to keep mistakes in perspective —refer to mistakes as “learning opportunities.”

Everything takes time and practice, and learning to beat test anxiety is no different.

Although it won’t go away overnight, helping your child with test anxiety will help them learn the valuable skill of stress management, which is useful in many other life circumstances.

For more on education, visit us online at www.familytimes.co.nz and check out our wealth of education feature articles.

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Kiwi kids need more science education Primary Science Week kicks off 19-25 May, and the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) is taking the opportunity to promote science education in primary schools.

P

rimary Science Week 2014 is focused on astronomy and is about celebrating science through understanding, investigating, communicating, participating and contributing.

Throughout New Zealand, students, teachers, parents, communities and science providers will be involved in a range of national investigations and local science activities

designed to promote awe, wonder and interest.

Primary schools will then be encouraged to have a science focus during Term 2.

The amount of science education in primary schools has steadily declined for the past 3-4 generations says RSNZ science education project manager Jessie McKenzie, as a stronger focus on literacy and numeracy has taken centre stage.

“We have taken into account all the research and we have been quite concerned about the lack of science education for a number of years now.

“We need to increase the profile of science education, and talk about the delivery of good science education in schools. The overall curriculum must allow for an enhanced science and technology curriculum.”

Part of the problem, McKenzie said, was that

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teachers didn’t feel confident with teaching a science curriculum and that more specialised training was needed. Learning opportunities around science were limited and teacher confidence was suffering as a result.

“I think there needs to be activities undertaken to support this confidence issue.

And it’s not their fault,” McKenzie said of school teachers.

The structure of New Zealand’s science curriculum was updated in 2007 in an attempt to reengage students and teachers in science and technology. Gone are the old days of a strictly biology, chemistry and physics focus.

Today, science in schools is more about the nature of science: encouraging kids to think about why there is a quest for knowledge in the world, and how they can use it.

RSNZs role is strictly to act as a catalyst for change. McKenzie says that in her opinion, science needs to be taught in a more “handson” way. “It’s kids doing things and not being worried about the mess or about the time.

Unfortunately, the reality in the classroom can be quite different.”

Reengaging kids in science education also needs the participation of industry, McKenzie said, and there was not a lot of incentive for science and technology businesses to invest time to increase the knowledge of school children. Getting more kids to participate in science may require increased research and development grants as pay-offs, she suggested; especially if the next generation was to become hooked on science.

Finally, McKenzie said that engaging kids in science also began with changing perceptions at home. If mums and dads were focused on promoting careers in law or accountancy – rather than science and technology – then a wider campaign was needed to promote all that science and technology had to offer career-wise.

We’ve got education covered at www.familytimes.co.nz. Kids struggling with reading? Visit www.familytimes. co.nz/learning-read-catching-reading-bug

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The Headmaster will speak at 10.00am and 11.30am. Academic, Boarding and Music Scholarships available for 2015 enrolments.

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Monday 12 May, 10.30am - 1.00pm The Principal's address will be at 11.45am.

For enrolment enquiries please contact: Tina Cartwright on 03 353 2563 or email tina.c@stmargarets.school.nz JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL 12 Winchester St | Merivale | Christchurch 8014 | www.stmargarets.school.nz

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Words of wisdom with Diane Levy My daughter is fine with using the potty and toilet for “number ones,” but having issues with “number twos.” She really does not want to do it and makes a huge fuss and screams. Any tips how to manage this?

Your daughter is struggling to make the leap from pooing in her pull-ups to pooing in the toilet. If we can just break the leap into smaller manageable steps, she will be able to poo in the toilet when her body needs to.

Step 1: Have her in undies and let her know that whenever her body needs to poo you will help her into a pull-up or she can go and put one on herself. Let her go off and poo wherever she likes and then you will be happy to change her.

Stay at this – and each – step until it is easy for her.

Step 2: When she needs to poo, you/

she puts on the pull-up and, instead of going to her favourite hiding place, she goes to the room where the toilet is.

Step 3: Pull-up on, go to the room where the toilet is, poo sitting on the toilet with the pull-up on.

Step 4: One day, your daughter will

triumphantly call you to show you that she has pooed in the toilet.

This gentle four-step process allows her to learn and get competent at a pace that she can manage.

My 14-year-old daughter has become very self-conscious lately in regards to how she looks and her size when in fact she is very slim and attractive. I am concerned that this will deeply affect her self-esteem.

What can I do?

The nightmare situation facing us all is that we are constantly bombarded in all media with images of impossibly-slender Photoshoppped models, “weight-watching” of all celebrities, endless diets, dire warnings about an obesity epidemic and a bizarre societal permission to greet people with an apparently praiseworthy comment, “Hello!

You look as if you have lost weight.” No wonder your daughter has become very selfconscious!

Protecting our children in this bodyconscious, weight-and image-obsessed society is getting more and more difficult.

Hopefully in her media studies at school she is already being made aware that almost all images that we see in magazines, billboards and advertisements are Photoshopped and if we all had the long, slender necks so lovingly portrayed, they would not be capable of holding our heads upright!

Avoid, where possible, any comments (praise, reassurance or criticism) about her looks and body size and focus instead on all her other wonderful attributes that have nothing to do with weight or appearance.

Two lovely sayings I have come across lately:

1)

The definition of “beautiful” does not

require the word “skinny.”

2)

The scales can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity.

That’s it. It cannot measure beauty, talent purpose, life force, possibility, strength or love.

Submit your parenting questions and concerns to family therapist, counsellor, parenting coach and speaker Diane Levy. This is a regular column, so get those questions flowing! Email us at admin@ familytimes.co.nz. Get an order form for Diane’s popular books via www.familytimes.co.nz.

Selwyn House It is important to prepare your daughter not just for this year’s test, but for all of life’s tests, especially in a global world.

Selwyn House School is one of a growing number of schools around the world that offer an international curriculum.

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we offer a curriculum that stirs the imagination, develops students’ critical thinking and inquiry skills, and fosters a balance between academic and other activities.

At Selwyn House you’ll also find extraordinary teachers who are experts in the subjects they teach, who love children, and who are passionate about teaching.

We know that the 21st century requires independent thinkers, responsible citizens,

creative problem solvers and confident decision makers. With a secure base in these skills, our students should be able to move on to other school environments and the wider world with confidence and optimism.

The classes are capped at Selwyn House.

Small classes mean that teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each girl learns: what interests and motivates each girl individually.

“We believe that we are the best at what we do and would very much like to have the opportunity to show you why we are so proud of Selwyn House,” said principal Jane Lapthorn. “The girls flourish here, both in and out of the classroom.”

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Why girls are maturing earlier It’s no secret that girls are maturing earlier now than 50 years ago or before. The question is, why?

I

n the 1960s, doctors considered 8 to 13-years as the normal age range for puberty to begin in girls. But in a landmark study of more than 17,000 girls in 1997, it was discovered that nearly 15 per cent of Caucasian girls and almost 50 per cent of African-American girls had already started showing signs of puberty by age 8.

In November last year, researchers released a report that featured the results of more

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than 1200 girls aged 6 to 8-years, who were examined multiple times between 2004 and 2011. The average age of puberty onset was 9.7 years old – three to four months younger that the average age reported in the 1997, and much younger that the average age suggested by data from the 1960s.

“With each new study in the past two decades, we hope the age of early puberty’ has bottomed out,” Marcia Herman-Giddens, a researcher at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, wrote in an editorial published with the new study in Paediatrics.

“When each new study has been published, however, we find the trend toward early puberty has continued,” Herman-Giddens wrote.

Scientists suggest a few key factors explain the earlier onset of puberty in girls. The most prevalent is obesity.

Obesity

In the study just released, researchers found that obesity was strongly linked to early puberty - more so than race or ethnicity, which were previously key indicators. Girls with a higher body mass index were more likely to reach puberty at a younger age according to the study. That’s backed up by other overseas studies, including a Danish study in 2009.

The earlier onset of development in girls doesn’t necessarily indicate a shift in the age of the first menstrual period, but researchers want to study this further.

There are several other factors that affect the onset of puberty and contribute to obesity: One is that today’s children are generally less physically active and consume fewer fruits and vegetables than those born in previous decades. Diets that are high in meat and dairy

What does it mean?

Medical complications can ensue from early onset puberty in girls. Studies have suggested that girls who mature earlier have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes later in life.

sense of confidence and self-worth.

Lindisfarne encourages you to visit the nursery school and collect a full information booklet. The teachers will be delighted to meet you and your child, and welcome you to Lindisfarne.

Further information is available at www. lindisfarnenursery.school.nz.

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Then there are the social consequences: there is a mismatch between how girls who mature earlier look, and how they behave and interact with people. Their emotional and mental age doesn’t change, yet those around can treat them differently. It’s crucial that parents protect their daughters at this age, and help them to understand the changes that are happening, sociological experts say.

We’ve got health covered, visit us online at www.familytimes.co.nz.

Lindisfarne nursery school Lindisfarne is an independent nursery school, founded in 1987.

The teachers provide a programme that promotes independent thinking, social competence and skill development. The aim is to have happy, settled children who enjoy an environment that fosters a love of learning, a respect for all people, and a

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• Perceptual motor activities in our on-site gym • Numeracy & literacy extension class • Music and dance • Children’s yoga • Language classes – Spanish, Teo Reo, French • Low ratios

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International School of Music Ever noticed how young children learn a new language really easily? At the International School of Music, music is taught in the same way that young children learn a language; initially by listening, then singing, then playing.

Beginning students are aged from 2-years, right up to beginners of 12-yearold. The new students’ timetable is available at www.ismchristchurch.co.nz.

Make an enrolment enquiry online or contact Nicky Fryer, the school’s director, on 03-377 3778.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Quality music education for children

All our music classes include singing, percussion, rhythm and note-reading, music appreciation, musical games and much more.

In our group piano lessons, students are taught initially by ear through a listen/sing/play approach to music. Learn music through having fun!

Jitterbugs: Ages 2-3yrs Little Beebopper Music: Ages 3-4 yrs Pianorama Junior Course: Ages 4-6 yrs Pianorama Primary Course: 7-10 yrs & 11-13 yrs

New beginners classes start every term.

Timetable, costs and course info at:

www.ismchristchurch.co.nz

Level 1, Barrington Mall, Barrington Street Ph: 03-377-3778 nicky@ismchristchurch.co.nz

Autumn in The Vege Patch I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas break with all those new potatoes, strawberries and peas etc.

What a great time of the year it is to be eating the results of all our efforts - the excess given to friends , family and into the freezer or preserving jars to enjoy later.

This year we introduced a Seeds 4 Schools programme with 95 children from Leeston and Southbridge taking part. Seeds were donated by the Ellesmere Lions club and prizes provided by McDonalds of Riccarton.

What a wonderful time the 10 judges had visiting the children’s gardens before Christmas and all were thrilled with the standards the kids achieved. The programme was such a success it will run again this year and we look forward to seeing more enthusiastic children take part.

As autumn looms, let’s talk about your winter garden. Now you should have broccoli, silverbeet, cauliflower and kale planted in colder areas. In areas not subject to constant winter frosts, you can plant beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots and parsley.

Keep the soil up around the leeks as they grow for the best tall, white leeks. Once you have planted the winter crops there will be empty spaces in your vege plot so dig in well-rotted stable or farm manure if available, or other fertiliser together with your own compost from the summer lawn clippings etc that we spoke of in my earlier columns .

Use green manure when a crop is planted, to dig in later. Blue lupins or oats mixed with mustard seed work very well, fixing nitrogen in the soil and helping with the aeration of heavier soils; dig them in about two months after sowing.

course yours were grown right here.

When the winter days are bleak, get excited about spring, look through seed catalogues and start planning!

Happy gardening.

Jonsey

By Alan Jones (Jonesy), 2010 New Zealand Gardener of the Year. Jonesy looks after Leeston Consolidated School’s veggie gardens and keeps school parents up-to-date with tips for home gardens.

Now you should have broccoli, silverbeet, cauliflower and kale planted in colder areas.

The Sleeping Beauty tale is told from the perspective of the villainous Maleficent and looks at the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse young Princess Aurora.

We have five double passes to give away.

Enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: My Heart is Laughing, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by 4 May 2014.

Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

Once you have sorted out the garden you can sit back and enjoy your winter crops as hot soups or in casseroles on cold days.

When you look at the prices of vegetables in the supermarket during winter, you will be pleased at the amount of money saved and of

Giving children the best start Barnardos has been nurturing and educating Kiwi children for more than 40 years. During that time, we’ve learned lots about the services New Zealanders want for their children. Under the Barnardos KidStart Childcare brand, we offer a unique service that provides a choice of homebased or centre-based care within the Barnardos tradition of quality services for children and their whanau.

Early learning centres We have 28 centres across the country, all offering a quality early childhood experience in which children learn, play and grow.

Home-based care Our trained educators provide quality childcare in their own homes for hundreds of families across the country.

Do you enjoy working with children?

If so, being a Barnardos KidStart Childcare home-based educator might just be the

best job in the world! Our educators care for children under five in their own homes, helping them develop as happy, confident learners.

No day as an educator is ever the same, and every minute is rewarding as you help children learn and grow. Expect laughter and lots of fun. Plus, Barnardos provides full training and support, and there’s the opportunity to interact with other educators and children through playgroups and outings.

More and more parents are seeking childcare that’s like a home away from home, where their child can form a strong bond with their caregiver and get lots of one-onone attention.

To find out more about becoming a Barnardos KidStart Childcare educator, phone 0800 4 BARNARDOS (0800-422762), email kidstart@barnardos.org.nz or visit www.barnardos.org.nz/childcare.

Maleficent – In cinemas May 29 – double passes

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The range of six Kidz Minerals are combinations of Schuessler Tissue Salts specially formulated for children and infants. They’re available from health food stores and selected pharmacies.

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Study tips for preteens A

preteen girl I once knew was really struggling at school. Her parents had sent her to me to coach because they felt she was spending a lot of time “studying” that didn’t reflect in her marks at school. It got so bad that they actually thought she was selfharming, or skiving off with friends when she said she was studying. It turned out to be that the reason was the simple fact that she didn’t have the study skills she needed. So here are some fool proof tips to help your preteen do well in their study, homework and exams.

1. Start a routine

It sounds obvious, but many young people lack structure. They know they have school between certain hours, but their time management skills outside of this lacks. Sit down and agree with them on a time they can dedicate to study and make sure they stick to it.

2. Use colour

Buy them some coloured pens and coloured paper. Encourage them to use these as tools to help with study when they need to remember specific facts and formulas, because use of colour helps memory retention.

3. Eat popcorn and dark chocolate

Not the buttered stuff, but just straight popcorn is actually really good for you (it does come from a vegetable, right?). Dark chocolate has also been found to be an energy and concentration stimulant. Get your preteen to opt for these as study snacks along with other vegetables and fruit, rather than fatty fast food or chips.

4. Understand the question Many youth fail school assignments simply

because they do not understand the question that is being asked. Instead, they spend their effort going on a tangent about something irrelevant. Especially with essays, sit down with your preteen to dissect the question being asked, and make sure they understand it.

5. Know your burger

Like a good burger, essays must have a structure; go over the beginning, middle and conclusion structure with your preteen. Make sure this structure is engrained in their brain

Fun, motivating tuition that gets results!

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ships around the world. She is the author of the bestselling You Shut Up! and sequel Shush, You!.

She travels throughout New Zealand, Australia 6. Listen to baroque music and Russia coaching families, running workshops If your preteen finds it hard to study without music, suggest they listen to Baroque music; it and speaking at conferences and events about has the same rhythm as the human heartbeat the importance of intergenerational relationships and youth in the workforce, offering understandand helps with concentration, relaxation and ing from “the other side.” www.eva-maria.co.nz. memory retention.

By Eva Maria Eva-Maria is a 23-year-old on a mission to help improve 10,000,000 adult-teenager relation-

Confidence breeds success at Kip McGrath Children who attend Kip McGrath tutoring sessions not only increase their school performance but also develop greater confidence.

Students can attend to boost their confidence, to catch up with their peers or to work on extension and enrichment work.

Kip McGrath Education Centres offer tuition in reading, spelling, English and mathematics, and can also offer a range of other subjects depending on demand and location.

Extension work is also offered and there is an increasing demand from adults wishing to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Students attending Kip McGrath Centres are firstly given a free, comprehensive assessment and then have an individualised programme planned for them. Unlike other tutoring services, Kip McGrath employs trained, certificated teachers,

Help your child reach their potential

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because this will be useful for them way past the time they leave school.

“I left New Zealand for a year in Chile a naïve, 16 year-old and returned an independent, determined young adult.” – Sarah.

who encourage the students to develop an “I can” attitude and deliver the 80-minute tuition sessions. Tutors work with their students to help them realise their potential.

There are no “secrets to success” or “quick fix” methods. Tutors help the students develop the mental toughness to overcome their difficulties, rather than allowing them to give in.

Excitement comes when the students learn to persevere, and they are rewarded with the realisation that they can succeed. The great thrill for parents is seeing the improved school performance together with the raised self-esteem and overall increased confidence shown by their children.

Kip McGrath is enrolling students now - phone 0800-888-674 or visit www. kipmcgrath.co.nz.

Marley Perkins – enjoy for success!

When you want to succeed, it makes all the difference if you’re enjoying yourself.

At Marley Perkins, our colourful, inspiring programmes encourage kids aged 5 to 14-years to fully engage with maths, reading and writing. Our qualified teachers and carefully structured lessons ensure that students explore the concepts expected at school, and more.

Whether your child needs to catch up, gain confidence or develop advanced skills, we can help. Contact us at www. marleyperkins.co.nz or 03-351-3000.

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The SBHS experience is founded on Five Pillars • Life-long learning • Personal excellence • Leadership • Participation • Citizenship

Open Night – Thursday 5 June, 6.30-8.30pm Parent information evenings will be held by John Laurenson (Headmaster) in May. See our website www.shirley.school.nz for details or phone the school on 375 7057

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Developing men of character from boys with substance www.familytimes.co.nz

15

support services

Baby sign What if our babies could somehow tell us what they’re thinking about, what they want, and what distresses them?

in America for more than 30 years. But it is enjoying a resurgence in New Zealand.

The concept behind baby sign is that babies and toddlers do have the ability to communicate their needs and wants if they are given the right tools to do so. Although many mothers develop an intuition about whether their baby’s cry is from hunger, obyn Holt, national coordinator for Baby tiredness, pain or need of a nappy change, Talk in New Zealand, says they can. baby sign language creates a direct form of Holt heard about baby sign language through communication that removes the mystery. an advertisement and decided to go along to “Definitely, one of the biggest things that a workshop. people notice is the reduction of tantrums,” “Sign language is something that’s always said Holt. interested me, and I thought, hey, it could “One of the biggest reasons for a tantrum is be really cool to try this with a baby because “I’m not making myself understood and I’m we are always guessing all the time what they frustrated.” actually want. Let’s give it a go.”

When they have the signing tools, they can be Holt started signing to her baby son Benjamin, understood.” now 12, and within two weeks he started to A baby can usually begin to understand and sign the sign for milk. She has since used baby use sign between the ages of 6-months and sign with her two younger sons Dominic, 8, 12 to 13-months, dependent on the child’s and Matthew, 3. developmental schedule set up by the brain.

Baby sign language is nothing new: the At that stage developmentally, the brain works practice (which is based on a simplified out how to move the hand, and the child starts version of adult sign language) has been out to play with their hands more and more.

R

Conductive Education Canterbury Conductive Education Canterbury is an early intervention provider catering for children from birth to six years. Its specialist staff provide programmes in group settings that aim to improve all areas; physical (gross motor and fine motor), cognitive, communication and self-help/ life skills. Conductive Education focuses

on the holistic needs of each child, with all developmental areas being taught at the same time rather than focusing on one particular area. For further information, Conductive Education Canterbury welcomes your call; please phone 03-3721399.

ONDUCTIVE EDUCATION

www.familytimes.co.nz

For more articles about babies and toddlers, check out www.familytimes. co.nz, and for tips on settling your baby, www.familytimes.co.nz/settling-baby

EARLY INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH MOTOR DISORDERS

Is your pre - school child living with a Motor Disorder/Cerebral Palsy?

IT'S ALL RIGHT IF YOU'RE FEELING OVER IT EXCITED LUCKY ON EDGE OR OVERWHELMED TODAY 16

and also your input as a parent. Some kids will learn about 10 signs, and others will learn 80-120 signs.

Holt knows of some toddlers who use more than 300 signs.

The key criticism that is aimed at baby sign language is that is slows down a child’s need to talk and use language. Holt says that’s simply not true.

“The only downside is that often they will start talking earlier and you can’t keep them quiet, and usually if a child is signing and not talking at an age that they should be, there are underling issues.”

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It’s during this time that parents can begin to teach baby sign: use the sign for milk while feeding, and also talk about milk, so that the child begins to make the link in their brain. Then begin to add other signs i.e. food, sick or pain.

“I know of one parent and their child was signing the sign for hurt by their mouth, and she realised they were teething. It makes life so much easier,” said Holt.

Nowadays it also possible to get flash cards, picture books, videos, and even apps to help the teaching process.

The amount of signs that your child will learn depends on their developmental schedule,

We may be able to help you What we offer

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Conductive Education Canterbury 22 Brougham Street, Addington Christchurch Ph: 03 3721399 www.cecanterbury.org

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Vaccinations The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that vaccination prevents between 2- 3 million deaths worldwide each year.

A

nd as Immunisation Awareness Week kicks off in the last week of April, WHO is reminding parents to make sure that their kids are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Immunisation Advisory Centre spokesperson Theo Brandt says that New Zealand has a lot to celebrate in Immunisation Week.

“Ninety percent of eight-month-old babies have received their first three lots of immunisations, helping protect them against seven nasty diseases.”

However, Brandt said that some older age groups were less protected, and the current wave of measles cases showed the need for all family members to consider immunisation.

But No Forced Vaccines – an association of individuals concerned about ethics and maintaining the fundamental human right for parents to make the health care choices they deem appropriate for their children – says that Kiwi parents need to be made aware of all the issues surrounding vaccination, not just the potential benefits.

“Making a free and informed decision about any medical treatment, including vaccination, is a basic human right,” spokesperson Katherine Smith said in a recent media release.

Another organisation, WAVES nz, does not advise people not to vaccinate, but facilitates an informed decision making process by provided resources for parents such as its

Conectus & The Immunisation Advisory Centre

online presence, referrals to other relevant websites, and book recommendations.

However, the majority of its members have made the personal decision not to vaccinate.

That’s not a course that is recommended by the WHO or New Zealand’s Ministry of Health. During Immunisation Awareness Week, WHO is encouraging people around the world to find out what vaccines are available, to check their vaccination status, and to get the vaccines that they need. WHO says that one in every five children are not vaccinated, and a lack of knowledge about vaccination on behalf of adults is the reason.

Brandt said the safety of vaccines was well understood. “There are common risks like a sore arm or general grumpiness, but these all pass with time. The risks of diseases are often ignored as they are not so often seen – but even so, three children in New Zealand lost their lives to whopping cough in the past few years, and many more were hospitalised.

New Zealand’s Ministry of health has an immunisation schedule available on its website, ranging from six-weeks-old to 65-years.

We’ve got health covered at www. familytimes.co.nz. Want to know how to handle headlice? Visit www.familytimes. co.nz/handling-head-lice

Educational and Therapeutic Resources • Stimulation • Challenge • Early learning skills • Language development • Co-ordination • Sight and hearing

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With autumn here, now is a good time to consider immunisation against influenza.

It is free for pregnant women and other groups who may be at greater risk of complications from the flu. Check out fightflu.co.nz for more information or call the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800-466-863.

support services

Sometimes you need some information or an answer to a curly question. Why not pick up the phone and call the relative support agency?

You’ll find professional caring people ready to assist you.

Alcohol and drug Concerned about your own or someone else’s problems with alcohol or other drugs? Call the Alcohol Drug Helpline today for free, confidential, friendly professional advice. 0800 787 797 www. alcoholdrughelp.org.nz

Christchurch Resettlement Services.

Help is @ hand www.angelfund.org.nz. Don’t let money hold you back. Save with the Angel Fund and build a nest egg – no fees. Wanting to step ahead in small or home business, education or training? No interest loans of up to $500 available to women on low incomes. Start with $5 or $10 a week.

Free social services for people from refugee Catholic Social Services and migrant backgrounds. Interpreters are Parenting and family support programmes provided. Phone: 03-335 0311 open to all, free of charge.

Angel Fund Wahine Putea Usual office hours with late night on A Women’s Savings and Loan Fund.

Tuesdays ‘till 6.30pm by appointment.

Phone: 03-366 9978 (city office), 358 8495 336 Cashel Street, P O Box 4237, (home office) or 022-412 6435 Christchurch. Phone: 03-379 0012

For information on immunisation, vaccines and the diseases they help prevent, call our FREE phone line during weekdays or visit our website anytime.

www.immune.org.nz 0800 466 863

109 Huxley Street, Chch Phone: 03-332 0733 www.specialneedslibrary.co.nz

Our doctors David Ritchie, Sue Levin, Donald Palmer, Mia Carson, Lada Kenton-Dau are registered general practitioners with specific training in different aspects of complementary medicine.

Other therapies and services supporting family health at Helios: ? Acupuncture (Matiu Pearson), ? Art therapy (Margaret Snowden) ? Eurythmy therapy (Simone Hamblett) ? Massage (Rita Noetzel) ? Nursing therapies (Shona Stronach)

Pegasus HealtH Pegasus Health’s Partnership Community Workers work in collaboration with general practices. They are based in community locations. PCWS focus on assisting people to enrol with a general practice, or who are enrolled but are not attending health care visits as often as they need to.

PCWs...

? Occupational therapy (Julie Frew)

Medical Centre that

? Osteopathy (Sarah Wisson and Emma Fairs)

> Assist people to attend appointments

delivers a combination

? Parenting support group (Shona Tupper)

> Support people with other needs that impact their health e.g. housing, finances and social isolation

of conventional and

? Physiotherapy (Leila Shahtahmasebi and Ietje van Stolk).

complementary

• Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Pilates (Julee Binns)

> Link people into supports that they need

of achieving the best

> Provide cultural support and interpreter services

of what modern

For more information visit www.pegasus.org.nz Contacts: Julie-Ann Pyatt 021 244-6922 or Donna Ellen P: 021 906-924 or 375-7135

Helios is an Integrative

therapies with the aim

medicine has to offer while encouraging an holistic approach to deepen the path to healing.

275 Fifield Tce, Opawa, Christchurch Phone 03-332 5702. www.helios.org.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

17

The baby brain Editor Vanessa O’Brien speaks with neuroscience trainer Nathan MikaereWallis about how parents can best aid their child’s development in the early years.

Vanessa: What don’t parents know about their babies’ brains?

Nathan: What we learned in the 1990s is that the first three years are just as important as your genetics. Parents basically thought that it was all about the genes, and that if Einstein was your father then you were pretty much sweet. Whereas, now we know that if Einstein is your father, that gives you good genes, but those genes need to be triggered in the first three years. The first three years are way more important than we ever thought.

Vanessa: What can parents do to help with the development of their babies in the first three years?

Nathan: They should be safe and secure, and in partnership as much as possible.

Vanessa: In what kinds of practical ways can parents facilitate that?

Nathan: By being responsive to their

baby and not letting their baby get too distressed for too longer periods of time.

Through being very soothing and nurturing to the baby – a lot of the things that you are

biologically wired and programmed to do anyway.

Vanessa: Has there been a move away from nurture-style parenting in order to make a baby more independent?

“The majority of humans have responded to nurturing the child because that’s what you are biologically wired to do.”

Nathan: Not really, I think we’ve always had an element of “We need to train them,” sort of like training the animal brain - training the baby’s behaviour in this way, there’s always been an element of that throughout all of recorded history. But mainly, the majority of humans have responded to nurturing the child because that’s what you are biologically wired to do. You are not biologically wired to leave the baby screaming. You are biologically wired to respond to the baby, to pick the baby up and rescue the baby. As soon as the baby gets upset, your heart rate goes up; you release the stress hormone. It’s good for the baby to be nurtured and not really good for the baby to be left.

Vanessa: Are you talking about being

more responsive to the baby, and picking up its signals a bit better?

Nathan: I suppose it’s understanding

that all of these programmes, and putting the baby through a routine and a structure,

is more about meeting the needs of the parents and the needs of the world, not about meeting the needs of the baby. So from a neurological point of view, for the first 18-months, it’s biologically impossible to spoil or over-indulge a baby. A lot of your job is just to keep their brainstem calm for that first 18-months. That allows the frontal cortex to grow and make them intelligent.

You don’t have to be reading to them or reciting the alphabet, you just have to keep the brain calm; you have to keep them in partnership so the baby is not far from you.

Having the baby happy and content is what you need for most of the first 18-months.

Vanessa: What kind of research is this

based on?

Nathan: It’s not theory – it’s biological

fact. It’s based on the work of the 1990s, when brain scanning developed. So you can see the brain as it grows. Everything that we

Is your family The 2014 influenza vaccination

is available now, and it’s FREE for children under 18

18

www.familytimes.co.nz

knew before that was based on autopsy.

You have to understand how the brain is built: it’s built sequentially, and if you don’t build the nurture stuff at the base, then you won’t be able to build the intellect stuff at the top.

Vanessa: What about tips on building communication with your baby?

Nathan: The more a baby is spoken

to in the first two years of life, generally the better their outcomes are for the rest of their life. Because you are data gathering, the most complex data that you gather is really language from your primary caregiver - not just from anybody, because language from the TV doesn’t count, and language from a teacher doesn’t count. It has to be that language that comes from that loving, inpartnership relationship.

Visit www.familytimes.co.nz for Nathan Mikaere-Wallis’ regular podcast, exclusive to Family Times.

How much sleep

does your child need?

Sleep and newborns (1 to 2-months)

For newborns, sleep during the early months occurs around the clock and the sleep-wake cycle interacts with the need to be fed, changed and nurtured. Newborns sleep a total of 10.5 to 18 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake. The sleep period may last a few minutes to several hours. During sleep, they are often active, twitching their arms and legs, smiling, sucking and generally appearing restless.

Newborns express their need to sleep in different ways. Some fuss, cry, rub their eyes or indicate this need with individual gestures.

It is best to put babies to bed when they are sleepy, but not asleep. They are more likely to fall asleep quickly and eventually learn how to get themselves to sleep.

Sleep and infants (3 to 11-months)

By six months of age, night-time feedings are usually not necessary and many infants sleep through the night; 70-80 percent will do so by 9-months-of-age. Infants typically sleep 9 to 12-hours during the night and take 30-minute to 2-hour naps, one to four times a day – fewer as they reach age one.

When infants are put to bed drowsy but not asleep, they are more likely to become “self- soothers” which enables them to fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep during the night.

Those who have become accustomed to parental assistance at bedtime often become “signallers” and cry for their parents to help them return to sleep during the night.

Sleep tips for infants

• Develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules.

• Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine.

• Establish a regular “sleep friendly” environment.

• Encourage baby to fall asleep

independently and to become a “selfsoother.”

Sleep and toddlers (1 to 3-years)

Toddlers need about 12 to 14-hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When they reach about 18-months-of-age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about 1 to 3-hours. Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they may delay sleep at night.

Many toddlers experience sleep problems including resisting going to bed and night-time awakenings. Nighttimes fears and nightmares are also common.

Many factors can lead to sleep problems.

Toddlers’ drive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive and social abilities can interfere with sleep.

Sleep tips for toddlers:

TV, computers, the media and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares consistent bedtime routine.

• Make the bedroom environment the same and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching TV close to bedtime has been every night and throughout the night. associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty • Set limits that are consistent, falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and communicated and enforced. Encourage sleeping fewer hours. use of a security object such as a blanket Sleep tips for school-aged or stuffed animal.

• Maintain a daily sleep schedule and

Sleep and preschoolers (3 to 5-years)

Preschoolers typically sleep 11 to 13-hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common.

Sleep tips for preschoolers

• Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule.

• Have a relaxing bedtime routine that ends in the room where the child sleeps.

• Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is cool, quiet and dark – and without a TV.

Sleep and school-aged children (5 to 12-years)

Children aged 5 to 12 need 10-11 hours of sleep. At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school (e.g., homework), sports and other extracurricular and social activities. In addition, schoolaged children become more interested in

children

• Teach school-aged children about healthy sleep habits.

• Continue to emphasise need for regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine.

• Make child’s bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool and quiet.

• Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom.

• Avoid caffeine.

For more parenting tips, visit our parenting articles feature section on www.familytimes.co.nz.

Breakfast is sustaining and important “We are what we eat,” and children who consume a balanced and sustaining breakfast that maintains normal blood sugar levels are likely to have a more successful day.

Consumption of carbohydrate provides glucose for the body to convert into energy.

Carbohydrates can be measured by how quickly the energy is absorbed into the body: white sugar (glucose) is quickly absorbed providing a fast glycemic response. Oats (complex carbohydrate) are slowly absorbed providing a medium to low glycemic response. Over consumption of carbohydrates causes high blood sugar levels with the excess energy stored as fat and a long term pattern that may lead to type 2 diabetes.

We all need carbohydrates and we need to stay aware of fast and slow glycemic response to maintain even blood sugar levels through the day.

• Eat more whole grains, porridge oats, low sugar muesli, eggs with wholemeal toast.

• Drink water to help obtain the benefits of a diet higher in fibre (wholegrains).

• Stay active – 20 minutes of exercise.

• Maintain regular meals including sustaining carbohydrates such as oats, barley, brown rice, pasta and wholemeal bread.

Here is a recipe for a smoothie this is easy to make. The oats provide a source of slow release energy - a perfect breakfast for children and teens.

www.familytimes.co.nz

19

Apps: a family guide For the uninitiated, apps and software in general can be a daunting prospect.

If software and computing devices are not “your thing,” then it can be a confusing and harrowing prospect trying to make sense of it. The biggest fallacy about buying software though, is that you have to know all about it in the first place.

Like with most things, the right attitude and approach to selecting software for your family

is key. The other thing I would recommend is to not get caught up in the app vs. game definition. Games and apps are both just pieces of software and they don’t always do what they say they do. Some games educate incredibly well while some so-called “educational” apps are a waste of time. It’s good to know as much as you can about the product regardless of the label on it.

Here are five things you can do to stack the odds in your favour: 1 Research. You should know what Google does, so use it. A quick search on “Apps

2

3

Playcentre Building confident, happy, and intelligent kids is our job and we are good at!

Children love getting messy and sticky, gloopy and gluggy, wet and bubbly. If you want intelligent kids, indulge them - let them experience imaginary play and dressups: this will build their communication skills. Coordination and how the body works - crawling, walking, biking, scooting, climbing, obstacle courses - numeracy and literacy skills can be taught through baking, singing and watching others. Interacting with a mixed-aged audience helps build self-confidence and more importantly, self-esteem. These are a mere few learning examples considered “standard practice” in the fun, creative, educational and stimulating learning environment of Playcentre.

Playcentre is a hub of interaction, a place where children can explore their world in a safe and secure space. Playcentre boasts the lowest child/adult ratios in the ECE sector because it is a place where parents, caregivers or co-ordinators are on hand to assist, challenge or extend when needed.

Each Canterbury Playcentre • Has trained and highly skilled coordinators.

• Respects and values parents as the child’s first educator.

• Has a 1:5 child/adult ratio and is highly regarded by the Ministry of Education.

• Has free child-based seminars.

Phone 03-377-2540, visit www. canterburyplaycentre.org.nz or, drop in to one of 46 Canterbury-based Playcentres.

4

5

for kids” will bring you thousands of results, but instead of being daunted by the volume, pick the ones you like the look of and start reading. Look for comments and reviews by other parents.

Check with the peers you trust. You likely have family members, friends or colleagues in the same boat as you and they may be armed with experience or knowledge. Checking with someone you know and trust trumps guesswork every day of the week.

Watch out for micro transactions. The trend with “free” games and apps these days is to offer the game for free and then you pay to get extras inside the game. Passwords are your friend; always protect your devices with a password and especially the payment options.

Look for a rating. Apple, Android, App Store and Windows all have rating guides on their various sites and apps. If you can’t find one then don’t trust it and move on to something else. There are thousands to choose from.

It’s your decision, no one else’s.

Ultimately you know your children better than anyone and have the right and the responsibility to make content choices for

Early Childhood Centres

First four weeks free!

Flexible booking hours

Rangiora – 313 5675 Mairehau – 385 8311 Shirley – 385 9577 For the highest quality education and care by trained teachers for 0-5 years

Booking FREE S ½ DA5Yyrs 0-N2ow OSCAR approved

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Phone: 03-359 7944

www.theenchantedgarden.co.nz Providing a high quality standard of care and education to the children entrusted to us through ongoing support and partnership with our parents, whanau and the wider community. ? Dedicated, committed and fully qualified team of professional educators. ? The team at Seedlings provide and deliver a unique programme through the provision of a purposeful learning environment where children have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

www.firstlearners.co.nz

Stay and Play @ Playcentre

Spend quality time with your children

Actively learn alongside The smallest Adult:Child Ratios

? Purpose built facilities offering a large natural outdoor environment with space to explore, run and have fun!

The respected family ECE Option

? Opportunities for 3-5 year olds to attend at NO cost.

Free Education for Adults

Whânau tupu ngâtahi – families growing together

www.canterburyplaycentre.org.nz

Phone 377 2540

www.familytimes.co.nz

For more from the gaming guru, check out www.familytimes.co.nz – including Xbox vs Playstation www.familytimes. co.nz/exercise-kids/

y Child + Time = Happ

Part of your community for over 60 years

20

them until they are capable themselves.

Here are some of the apps that I recommend and will be around for a while: Duolingo: An app that teaches you to speak, read and write in several languages in a natural and fun way. Using the basic premise of “gamifying” the process (getting points, using lives, high scoring) a five minute exercise in this app every day will have you (or your school aged children) learning the core concepts and vocabulary of their chosen language without it feeling like a chore.

Flow Free: this game is deceptively good at teaching lateral thinking and good planning.

Essentially a game of connect the dots, the quick thinking child and/or adult will spend hours solving the puzzles and honing their hand/eye co-ordination.

Dora’s Colouring Book: A free app that has dozens of line drawings that need colour added via virtual crayons. There are hundreds of variations in the app stores for free and for a price tag. Have a look for the one(s) that suit your kids.

Puzzle Planets: Another game, but one that educates as much as it is fun to play.

Developed by a New Zealand company for the National Geographic Society, this game is all about planetary development.

By Wayne Webb Wayne Webb is a community services manager for SmallWorlds – an online gaming site that caters to a 13-plus age range – an avid technology fiend and the father of two children who also love “screen things.”

NUTRITION RESEARCH Does your child suffer from ADHD, or has symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity or has difficultly with concentration?

We are recruiting 8-12 year-old children to participate in a nutritional study. Children must be medication-free to participate.

To find out more, visit http://bit.ly/childadhd or contact Kathryn Darling kathryn.darling@pg.canterbury.ac.nz Phone: 03 364 2987. ext 7705

Daddy says I’m still beautiful.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms.

Before it’s too late.

Smoke alarms save lives. fire.org.nz The New Zealand Fire Service recommends long-life photoelectric smoke alarms.

www.familytimes.co.nz

21

This edition, editor Vanessa O’Brien visits St James School to talk with kids about how they manage exam stress. Here’s what they have to say:

Sesilia Faletoi, age 10

It’s usually at the start of the year and the end of the year that we take tests. We actually have to prepare during our own time at home and at school. If it’s a math test, it’s usually times tables that I have to prepare for. My sister helps me – she’s 12.

I usually take a big breath and when I’m really nervous my leg starts to shake. I just pretend like it’s normal work.

Kobe Fonoti, age 9

I’m nervous about tests. Reading mostly I get nervous about. The teacher gives us, like, stuff to do about reading, sometimes at home. I turn up on the day for the test, I feel nervous, I sit down and take a breath, but it doesn’t make it any better. My brother helps me to prepare for tests sometimes – he’s 12.

Emmanuel Fruean, age 10

Maybe on the night before the test I try to study as hard as I can. I have a times table board at home, so I just go over all my times tables. I feel ready for the test the next day. I feel confident. Nobody helps me to study. I just do it by myself.

D’Angelo Tauti age 10

Maths is my favourite subject. I don’t prepare for a test; I just have a rest on the day before the test is coming. I get a bit nervous before a test, but my mum and dad help me sometimes – they help me with everything. I just like to pump myself up, then just sit down and stay confident.

Cinderella meets Aladdin

It’s easy to win fantastic prizes with Family Times. Just fill in the entry form and post it to us by the due date, or enter online at www. familytimes.co.nz.

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Win LEGO® City High Speed Police Chase Win a birth-to-potty pack of cloth nappies

BY SCOTT KOOREY | 23 APRIL – 3 MAY 2014 ALL TICKETS $9 WWW.COURTTHEATRE.ORG.NZ OR PHONE 963 0870

22

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No need to worry about buying more sizes as your baby grows: this birth-topotty pack contains all of the cloth nappies that you will need to take your baby from birth to potty training. It includes flushable liners, snappi nappy fasteners and cotton booster pads for use at night or times when your baby needs a little bit more absorption. Save money and the environment at http://nappyneedz.com and ecobots.co.nz.

We have one of these packs to give away valued at more than $520.

It’s an all-out LEGO® City High Speed Police Chase to catch the crooks with the stolen money on their motorbikes!

Make sure the policeman is quick enough in the police car before slapping the handcuffs on them before they get away.

Includes three mini-figures with assorted accessories: two crooks and a policeman.

RRP $29.99.

We have 20 x LEGO® City High Speed Police Chase sets to give away.

Ellesmere College Design your own birthday cake. What would it look like? Send us your picture, and a brief description, and be in to win an amazing $50 prize pack from Crayola!

Three entry age groups: preschool (age 1-4), 5-8, 9-12.

Create your design on an A5 sheet or download the template and entry form from www.familytimes.co.nz. Post in to PO Box 36 004, Christchurch 8146. Entries close on May 4, 2014.

Congratulations to our ‘What is your favourite activity to do with your family in summer?’ competition winners from our last issue. They are: 1- 4 Lucie Cairney

" I like to draw. This is a beautiful colourful flower"

5 - 8 Rui - Yi Ong

" I like to go to the beach. We play in the water with the balls"

Engaging and Enabling students to

Excel For more information about enrolling your son or daughter in years 7 - 13, go to

www.ellesmere.school.nz or please phone: 03 324 3369

9 - 12 Luke Miller

"In the light blue skies and the crystal clear water. I like to go fishing at the river mouth and build sand castles with my family"

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Muppets: Most Wanted– In Cinemas April 10 - prize packs 1 x Double pass to the movie 1 x T-shirt 1 x Eight colour pen 1 x Sticker Sheet 1 x Door Tag (set ) 1 x Notepad We have five prize packs to give away.

Competition closes April 15, 2014.

ZingBokashi® Muppets: Most Wanted Birth-to-potty pack LEGO® City High Speed Police Chase

TIMEZONE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Win ZingBokashi® 2 x 15 litre bucket sets and 2 bags of Compost-Zing Recycling kitchen and garden waste has never been easier, and with the help of ZingBokashi® NZ Ltd and its range of environmentally friendly products, it’s easy to make a sustainable difference to your local environment - at home, at work and at play.

We have 4 sets to give away.

Just tick the things you want to win Autumn 2014

   

Te Kareti o Waihora

FAMILY FUN Rediscover the joy of

‘family games time’ & ask about

Name Address

Birthday Parties!

Easy Fundraising!

City Phone

plus - check out the special days & offers in-store

To be in the draw to win, enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Christchurch Competition, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch to reach us by May 4th 2014, unless stated otherwise. Only one entry per household.

Westfield Riccarton 343 3385 www.facebook.com/TimezoneNZ

WWW.TIMEZONEGAMES.CO.NZ www.familytimes.co.nz

23

cool activities

Calendar of Events Wrap the family up nice and 12 April 2014 warm and head out to enjoy New Brighton Seaside Market. Come and a wonderful array of goods, listen to some gorgeous autumn days browse live entertainment and join in fun activities! at the following family-friendly New Brighton Pedestrian Mall, Brighton Mall, 10am – 2pm. events. For more event and entertainment ideas, 12 April 2014 visit www.familytimes.co.nz Mount Pleasant Farmers Market. Local food for locals, local musicians always playing and enjoy our large, familyand guest stalls too. At 3 McCormacks Bay friendly resource.

Road. Open whatever the weather.

1st and 3rd Sunday of every month

12 – 13 April 2014

Weka Pass Railway. Weka Pass Railway runs its popular excursions on the first and third Sundays of every month, plus Easter and Queens Birthday Mondays.

9 March 2014 St Michael’s School open day. Every day is an open day at St Michael’s. Call the secretary, Magda, on 03-379-9790 to arrange for a tour of the school.

8 April 2014

13 April 2014 Opawa Farmers’ Market. Local artisan producers offer free range eggs, freshly baked breads, cheeses, mouth-watering ready-to eat-foods and much more. At 275 Fifield Terrace, 9am -12-noon.

18-20 April 2014 (Easter Weekend) Meccano Roadshow 2014. Model displays to enthuse children of all ages. Meccano, Lego, Knex and more. Adults $5, children $2, families $10. From 10 - 5pm, Cashmere High School, Barrington Street.

Family-friendly fun at ArtBox, Christchurch Burster Flipper Wobbler Dripper Spinner Stacker Shaker Maker — are eight energetic words that perfectly sum up Christchurch Art Gallery’s colourful, family-friendly exhibition at ArtBox. Artists from New Zealand and Australia playfully explore their materials, with morphing pencil sculptures, stretchy paint skins, gravity-defying stacks and videos of exploding paint-balloons.

Featuring works by Rebecca Baumann, Mark Braunias and Jill Kennedy, Judy Darragh, Steve Carr, Lionel Bawden, John Hurrell, Tony Bond, Helen Calder, John Nicholson and Miranda Parkes, the exhibition is supported by a lively and engaging programme for children of all ages, including floor talks, workshops and publications.

“We’re pleased to once again offer

something special for children and families,” says Christchurch Art Gallery director Jenny Harper. “The exhibition is full of surprises, with artists transforming ordinary things in unusual ways. We hope that visitors to ArtBox are as intrigued and amused as we are.”

Parents are encouraged to bring along their children, and there are even free activity books for them to complete. For new parents, the gallery runs tours called Oh Baby It’s Art. These are guided tours that give parents a chance to get a cultural “fix,” while also encouraging their baby’s sense of wonder. The gallery holds these regularly throughout the year. Visit their website for further information and contact details: christchurchartgallery.org.nz.

Y&R_WES0636_FP

Free fertility information evening. From 6pm-8pm at Fertility Associates, 249 Papanui Road, Merivale. To register, email fac@ fertilityassociates.co.nz or phone 0800-1028-28.

The Christchurch Toy Fair. Collectable toys and models or sale. Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, 75 Lyttelton Street. Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

FREE

SCHOOL

HOLIDAY

ENTERTAINMENT

JOIN IN THE FUN AT WESTFIELD RICCARTON

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

RIO 2 - ANGRY BIRDS EXPERIENCE

MONTY PLASTER CRAFT CENTRE

Monday 21st – Thursday 24th April 10.30am–2.30pm

Monday 28th April – Friday 2nd May 10.30am–2.30pm

Keep an eye out for me during the school holidays when you’re in centre or visit www.westfield.co.nz/riccarton for more information.

Friday 25th April 1.30am–5.30pm Join the fun at our Rio 2 themed activities.

There are loads of prizes to be won – including Rio 2 merchandise and movie tickets.

Rio 2 © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Monty the Monkey will be in-centre to entertain the kids and check out their skills, while they paint their very own Monty the Monkey plaster art to take home.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES GO TO WESTFIELD.CO.NZ/RICCARTON

MEET NICO AND PEDRO FROM RIO 2!

WESTFIELD.CO.NZ/RICCARTON

24

www.familytimes.co.nz

Monday 21st April 10.30am – 3.30pm

Rio 2 © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

cool activities

Holiday programmes

18 April - 27 July Take a journey of scientific discovery around the human body in this interactive and fun exhibition at Canterbury Museum. www.canterburymuseum.com.

Looking for something fun, educational or adventurous for your kids during these school holidays? Check out some of the great programmes available in the following listings:

24 - 27 April 2014 Southern Ballet Theatre. A Wild Wild West and Hollywood Whodunit fun-filled spectacle. At 2pm and 6pm daily. Adults $15, children and seniors $12.50. Bookings 03-3797219, email southernballet@xtra.co.nz.

South West Christchurch

25-27 April 2014

SHARP Trust provides quality, Christian outof-school care for children aged 5 to 14-years.

Enrol now at www.sharp.org.nz or phone 03-338-0673.

Ferrymead Heritage Park - Large display of heritage military memorabilia - WW1 and WW2, tanks, tents, uniforms, demos, rations and fun competitions. Adults $30, children $15 or family $75.

Antarctic Centre

12 May 2014 St Margaret’s College Open Day. At 12 Winchester Street, Merivale, 10.30am – 1pm.

Principal’s address is at 11.45am.

15 May 2014

Go Potty Ceramics visits the Selwyn House holiday programme.

5 June 2014

Marian College’s open afternoon. From 1.10pm-3pm at 122 Barbadoes Street, Christchurch. For more information, phone 03-3858449 or visit www.mariancollege.school.nz.

Shirley Boys’ High School Open Night.

All welcome, from 6.30-8.30pm. Come and have a look around, meet staff and students. For more information visit www.shirley.school.nz.

1 June 2014

Until 28 September 2014

Christchurch Airport Marathon. The South Island’s biggest marathon event. Options for everyone with full marathon, half marathon, 10k and kids’ mara’fun. From 8am.

Christchurch Art Gallery presents the family-focused exhibition, Burster Flipper.

At ArtBox (corner Madras and St Asaph Streets) Christchurch. Visit christchurchartgallery.org.nz for more information.

One to three-day programmes throughout the school holidays for children 6 to 12-years.

Details and bookings at www.iceberg.co.nz.

Mainland Football

ASB’s holiday programme for kids 7 to 14-years-old is a great way for young players to have fun and develop their football skills.

Visit www.mainlandfootball.co.nz or phone 03-375-4120.

Playball

Playball is a sport-based holiday programme for 3 to 10-year-olds. Have fun while learning new skills! Contact Ryan on 027-275-0728 or ryan@playball.co.nz for details.

Living Springs Kids’ Camp

Go Potty Ceramic Studio

Get creative at Go Potty Ceramic Studio with sessions at 10am or 12.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Bookings essential, email gopottynz@gmail.com or phone 03-332-2361.

Technotutorz

Technotutorz provide tuition for robotics, electronics and programming in schools, after school and school holiday workshops. Check out www.technotutorz.co.nz for details.

Kowhai Residential School of Riding

Horse riding courses available every weekend and throughout the school holidays, fully supervised, fun and educational. Shuttle from Christchurch available. Phone 03-312-4309.

Visit www.kowhai.co.nz.

Selwyn House School

Selwyn House School runs a holiday programme every school holidays from 8am – 5pm. It is open to all children. For more information contact k.matson@selhouse. school.nz or phone 027-458-8893.

Mandarin Stars

Mandarin Stars is running a three day jam packed Mandarin language immersion holiday programme for children from Monday 28 April - Wednesday 30 April. Email enrol. christchurch@mandarinstars.co.nz or visit www.mandarinstars.co.nz.

Sunday 27 April to Friday 2 May. Check out our website for details www.livingsprings. co.nz or call our office on 03-329-9788.

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Includes fun activities for kids!

A family-focused exhibition of seriously playful art!

Until 28 September ArtBox, corner Madras & St Asaph Streets

P

P

P

P

P

ArtBox

PROUDLY SUPPORTED

BY STATE INSURANCE Image: Helen Calder Yellow, blue, red and black (detail) 2013. Enamel paint, rubber cords. Courtesy of the artist

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cool activities

Entertainment visitors can see, touch and hand feed animals Need a fun activity to beat in a natural environment. the autumn blues? The Caesars Family Restaurant & Bar weather may be cooling Caesars is a families’ favourite restaurant down, but there’s still plenty with a kids playroom and menu – perfect for and celebrations. Visit www.caesars. of fun to be had at a plethora birthday co.nz, Phone 03-323-5420. of events and entertainment Christchurch Art Gallery destinations around the Christchurch Art Gallery presents Burster city. Here are a few ideas to Flipper - a family-focused exhibition - until 28 September 2014. ArtBox (corner Madras and get you started, and we’ve St Asaph Streets) Christchurch. got heaps more at www.

Time Zone Games Rediscover family games time, the joy of familytimes.co.nz.

Waimakariri Aquatic Facilities

Waimakariri Aquatic Facilities offer a wide range of aquatic activities. Phone Dudley Park 03-311-8905 or Kaiapoi 03-375-5041 for more information.

Black Cat

You can swim with dolphins all year round with Black Cat. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, hot showers, hot chocolate, free gift packs provided. Visit www.blackcat.co.nz for deals and details.

Canterbury Museum

Enjoy the natural and human history galleries, followed by a snack in the cafe at Canterbury Museum. Daily 9am - 4.30pm. Cafe opens at 9.30am. Visit www.canterburymuseum.com.

The Plains Railway, Ashburton Pioneer village museum buildings, steam trains, vintage tractors and relics of midCanterbury’s pioneering past on display.

Open September - May, visit www. plainsrailway.co.nz, 03-308-9600.

Robotics Club

For more information, visit: www.technotutorz.co.nz

A unique Antarctic experience for all, with snow and ice, an Antarctic storm, exciting Hagglund ride, 4D Extreme simulated cruise and the penguin encounter. Visit www. iceberg.co.nz.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Visit Willowbank’s Big 5; the tuatara, the kiwi, the cheeky kea, the mighty takahe and the very rare kaka. Visit www.willowbank.co.nz.

Orana Wildlife Park

Experience unique animal encounters only

March 30th April 6th, April 27th May 3rd

Antarctic Centre

Comics Compulsion is more than just comics. For more than 20 years, it has been the place to go for all your comics, gaming and war-gaming needs. Now, come and see their huge range of board games. These are not just ordinary games; many of them winners of the major international game awards. These games feature fascinating and engaging game play, high quality components and some truly stunning artwork. Come and see Comics Compulsion’s new shop opposite the Northlands mall.

MORE THAN S! JUST COMIC New Zealand An invitation to all girls aged 5 to 18...

Latest board g am from ar es oun the wor d ld!

Phone: 03-308 9600 www.plainsrailway.co.nz

The Plains Vintage Railway in Ashburton

The Plains Vintage Railway museum site is on Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton, just an hour’s drive from Christchurch. Spend time browsing the pioneer museum village; view the locomotive collection that includes K88, JA1260, A64 and a Vulcan Railcar along with a variety of vintage machinery. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the domain adjacent to the site, complete with playground and heated swimming pool for the children to enjoy. Visit www. plainsrailway.co.nz for an open day list and further information.

Horse Riding Courses Quality instruction on excellent horses and ponies in a safe, country environment. Suitable for complete beginners to advanced riders. 8~18 years.

Weekend: $140.00 includes 2 nights’ accommodation, all meals, horse riding, trekking and instruction.

Excellent facilities for Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country

www.girlsbrigade.org.nz E-mail: info@girlsbrigade.org.nz

for kids After & ol scho liday ho April sses cla

Ph: 03-354 1285 58 Main North Road (opp. Northlands Mall) comics@xtra.co.nz

Island Road, View Hill, OXFORD Phone: 03-312 4309 www.kowhai.co.nz

PLAN YOUR BIRTHDAY with a real difference!

Book your OWN TRAM for 2 ½ hours!

Have a birthday party on a tram or a train... KIDS, OLDIES, ANYONE!

SPACE MOUSE / UNDER WATER MOUSE WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY

11am–4pm MARONAN RD, TINWALD, ASHBURTON

Living Springs kids’ camps - new experiences for everyone.

Five day camps $320.00 Seven day camps $460.00

Come join the fun & friendship at any of our nationwide locations.

Circus Classes OPEN DAYS

Here are some great holiday ideas designed to keep you and your little ones entertained during the school break.

Comics Compulsion

Antarctic Centre

Get five movie tickets for $50 in our biggest offer ever – save up to $42.50 at Hoyts Northlands and Hoyts Riccarton!

Arion Farm Education Park is a unique facility at McLeans Island, Christchurch where

Holiday specials

competition and playing together at Timezone Westfield Riccarton. Visit Facebook or www. Two children get in free with a full paying adult. A fun, unique and interactive Antarctic timezonegames.co.nz. experience with snow, ice and penguins. Visit Dunedin Chinese Gardens www.iceberg.co.nz.

Learn about the Great Wall of China, plus a hunt and quiz around the garden with prizes.

From 19 April - 4 May, Phone 03-477-3248.

Hoyts

Arion Farm Education Park

15 minutes from Christchurch Airport.

Hand feed giraffe, view rhino and see the mighty lions. Open 10am-5pm. Visit www. oranawildlifepark.co.nz.

For workshop and class details

Visit: www.chchcircus.com Email: circustrust@gmail.com or call: 027-436 5384

50 Ferrymead Park Drive

Ph: 03 384-1970 • info@ferrymead.org.nz www.ferrymead.org.nz

MATT POWELL 19 APRIL–4 MAY 2014

TICKETS FROM MALTHOUSE.CO.NZ OR 0800 BOOKINGS www.familytimes.co.nz

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cool activities Black Cat

Space Mouse & Underwater Mouse

Kids cruise for free with Black Cat Cruises on the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise this Easter holiday. Dolphins, seals and much more. One child per full paying adult. Visit www.blackcat.co.nz.

Win a copy of My Heart is Laughing

Learn trapeze, unicycle, juggling, acrobatics and more. After school programmes too.

Email circustrust@gmail.com.

Cinderella meets Aladdin

Children can touch, see and hear the wonders of the natural world at Canterbury Museum.

Open daily 9am - 4.30pm. Ages 3-plus are $2 each. Visit www.canterburymuseum.com.

For school holiday fun, why not Paint a Picasso at Bush Inn? Gold coin donation, heaps of prizes and loads of fun. Monday to Friday, 11am – 2pm.

Holiday circus classes for kids 8-years plus.

Come and see what happens in this mouse adventure! At Canterbury Children’s Theatre, Malthouse Theatre 71 Colombo Street.

Phone 0800 BOOKINGS or visit www. malthouse.co.nz.

Discovery at Canterbury Museum

Bush Inn

Christchurch Circus Trust

Presented by The Court Theatre, 23 April to 3 May. When a magic wish goes wrong, these two famous story book characters come faceto-face. Visit www.courttheatre.org.nz.

Les Mills Christchurch Born To Move™ is Les Mills Christchurch’s school holiday programme for 5 to 12-yearolds. Get your kids moving with dance, martial-arts, jumps and games – call 0800-LESMILLS to find out more.

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

This is the standalone sequel to the acclaimed illustrated chapter book, My Happy Life (a New York Times Notable Children’s Book). Dani’s been trying her best to stay happy ever since her best friend Ella moved away. But when some girls in Dani’s class start being cruel to her, it starts a chain of rather unhappy events. Ages 6 plus. Author: Rose Lagercrantz. Illustrator: Eva Eriksson. Gecko Press www.geckopress.co.nz. Paperback RRP$19.99.

We have 10 of these to give away.

Enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: My Heart is Laughing, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by 4 May 2014. Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

Canterbury Museum Why not hear from an expert on your next visit to Canterbury Museum? Museum tours take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Museum educators will introduce you to our historic building and present an overview of the museum’s collections, providing you with a fascinating and unique insight into our human and natural history stories. Tours begin at 3.30pm at the reception area of the museum and last for an hour.

Discovery is a children’s natural history wonderland. Filled with colour and activity,

young children will have hours of fun with hands-on displays that encourage imagination and learning. Discovery is on level three and is accessible via stairs or the elevator. The museum cafe is one level up and is the perfect family-friendly location to take a break and enjoy a tasty snack.

Canterbury Museum is a mobility accessible location, open 9am - 5.30pm, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch. Phone 03-366-5000, www.canterburymuseum.com.

General admission is free; donations appreciated.

Fun holiday activity at Arion Farm Education Park Arion Farm Education Park is a unique facility run by the National Trade Academy at McLeans Island, Christchurch where visitors can see, touch and hand feed animals in a natural environment.

The park is an affordable fun and educational holiday option. Pony rides are available and a picnic and play area with shelter and shade is available.

The farm focuses solely on New Zealand farm animals and farming heritage. Visitors

learn about breeds, handling and care of animals, the farming industry and its contribution to the economy.

Arion Farm Education Park is an ideal venue for hosting children’s parties, family gettogethers or for a fun day for all the family.

Arion Farm Education Park is open daily from 10 am – 3pm. For information visit www.arionfarmpark.co.nz or booking phone 03-360-2192 or 021-881-279 or visit “arion farm education park” facebook page.

Come and be a Mandarin Star!

Fun & creative Mandarin classes for children age 1-12 years

Mel Radford Brown Director of Portfolio

Kids and Teens Modelling Workshops ? Dancing ? Singing ? Drama ? Craft ? Story time

FREE TRIAL LESSON

Build confidence / self esteem, makeup, grooming, hair, deportment, health / nutrition, fashion styling, goodie bags, catwalk, photo-shoot etc.

April school holidays BOOKINGS: PH 03-379 9011 E-mail: info@portfoliomodels.co.nz

www.portfoliomodels.co.nz 28

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www.mandarinstars.co.nz

enrol.christchurch@mandarinstars.co.nz

0800 68 86 68

cool activities

2014/2015 primary and intermediate school term dates Term 2, 2014

Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Term 3, 2014

Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Term 4, 2014

Monday 13 October to no later than Friday 19 December

Term 1, 2015

Between Monday 2 February and Thursday 5 February to Thursday 2 April

2013 and 2014 secondary and composite school term dates The view from “Scott Base” outside to “Antarctic”’ where it’s a balmy -8 degrees Celsius summer’s day. Be careful out there! The Antarctic Storm blows through Antarctica every hour with wind chills to -18. The International Antarctic Centre has undergone a $200,000 theme and exhibit upgrade since December 2013.

Caesars – the perfect place for celebrations Caesars is a great place for the whole family with affordable, quality food, a great environment and friendly staff.

Menus suit most tastes and budgets, including gluten-free and vegetarian choices.

Children enjoy the play rooms, the children’s menu and the colouring competition, while parents enjoy their drinks and meals in proximity.

The “families’ favourite” restaurant is ideal for birthday parties and functions of up to 200 guests. Caesars offers carrot, banana

or chocolate cakes for $32.90 and a free photo of the occasion.

On Mondays and Thursdays children dine free, while on Tuesdays Caesars offers two mains for $25. On Crazy Wednesdays, the second main is half price or $15 Grill on the Rocks. Dine on the sounds of live music on Saturdays while Sunday is a traditional Kiwi roast day. Authentic Moroccan tagines are offered on Thursdays. Daily, $10 lunch menu continues in addition to $15 Grill on the Rocks lunch menu (conditions apply).

Children’s play area Children’s for menu The perfect place celebrations!

Kids dine FREE Mon & Thurs*

* Conditions apply.

$10 lunch menu or $15 Grill on the Rocks Lunch Daily*

Crazy Wed 2nd Main HALF PRICE or $15 Grill on the Rocks*

Main North Rd, Northwood Supa Centre | Ph: 03-323 5420 | www.caesars.co.nz

Term 2, 2014

Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Term 3, 2014 Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

SCHOOL TERM DATES

Term 4, 2014

Monday 13 October to Tuesday 16 December

Term 1, 2015

Between Monday 2 February and Thursday 5 February to Thursday 2 April

Remaining public holidays 2013 18 April 21 April 25 April 1 June 27 October 25 December 26 December

Good Friday Easter Monday Anzac Day Queen’s birthday Labour Day Christmas Day Boxing Day

The Bush Inn Centre The Bush Inn Centre offers something for everyone. By day, our friendly retailers and easy layout makes shopping a relaxing experience. Meet your friends for a coffee and sample our growing variety of lunch menus available after shopping at our unique range of businesses within the centre.

At night, the Bush Inn remains a hive of activity with many dining options either at the centre, or take-home. Saturday nights in

the basement car park sees the centre host the emerging night market in Christchurch.

Come along and help it grow!

There is always something new popping up at the Bush Inn Centre so it pays to keep an eye on our website for current competitions - especially during the school holidays - or like us on facebook for up to date news and events.

Make the Bush Inn Centre your destination for all things unique in shopping and dining.

Paint a Picasso

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Gold coin donation to join in the fun to find the next Junior Picasso

HEAPS OF PRIZES AND LOADS OF FUN Monday - Friday 11:00am - 2:00pm Like us on facebook to keep up to date with current competitions

Corner Riccarton and Waimairi Roads bushinncentre.co.nz

Amberley Avonhead Bishopdale Fendalton Lincoln | Oaklands Paparoa St | Queenspark Rangiora | St Martins

Enter the promo code FAMILY when purchasing online for 50c off per box

Bringing out the BEST in everyone 0800 161 131 www.helenogrady.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

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parties

Birthday themes for older kids

Birthday themes for little Frogs’ eggs up a batch of tapioca pudding with a kids are easy – pirates, super Make few drops of green food dye, and give each heroes, fairies and princesses. child a spoon. The child who eats the most spoons of “frogs eggs” is the winner.

But what about older kids?

Cow part identification We’ve got a few party ideas You’ll be surprised at how many cow parts you can buy at the supermarket – tongue, for them based on popular liver, stomach. Get as many as you can television shows: and put them in individual plastic zip-lock Fear Factor

Find out who the ultimate Fear Factor champion is at your child’s adventure-themed party. Who’s willing to put it all on the line to take out the title?

Pony Parties & Their Farmyard Friends

Pony Parties & Their Farmyard Friends offer cute ponies and special farm animals especially for children’s birthdays, Christmas picnics, preschool visits etc. They can travel to you or you can book their specially designed indoor children’s party venue, located 15 minutes from Halswell. Rain or shine, they can host your party, fully catered, with entertainment galore. Visit www. ponyparties.co.nz and view party feedback on facebook. Book a party with a difference, phone 03-329-7266, 027424-7768.

bags. The winner is the child who correctly identifies the most cow parts.

Iced marbles

Fill a child’s paddling pool with cold water, ice, and marbles. Each child has to use only their feet to retrieve as many marbles as they can in 60 seconds.

Pampering parties with Magnifique

Pampering parties are so much fun for you and your best friends. Enjoy being totally pampered from head to toe for your next birthday party. Pamper parties offer you two hours where the girls are treated like stars by getting a fabulous up-dos, mini-mani and superstar makeup! Optional extra is your very own photographer. This hair and day-spa theme has been created for 4 to 16-yearolds. Phone Magnifique Hair and Beauty on 03-322-7297.

The Amazing Race Pixie Party Supplies

At Pixie Party Supplies, we love helping you create the perfect party or event with stylish products from New Zealand and around the world. Whether you’re organising a kid’s birthday, baby shower, wedding or “grown up” party – we can help make your event look amazing.

From children’s themed party supplies to pretty, boutique items for all occasions – our pixies have it all, and are always on the lookout for new, exciting products!

Visit us online at www. pixiepartysupplies.co.nz to browse & buy from our extensive range.

NEW! Indoor Party Venue Children’s Private

+ travel-to-you options

Stylish partyware & decorations from NZ & around the world

TAKING BOOKINGS NOW! Beautiful baby shower ranges, cute children’s themed party supplies & lots of pretty, boutique items for all occasions.

www.ponyparties.co.nz

Ph 03-329 7266 or 027-424 7768

Quick & convenient online shopping at

www.pixiepartysupplies.co.nz

BIRTHDAY PARTY SOLUTIONS

info@livingsprings.co.nz 218 Bamfords Road (03) 329 9788

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Playball

Playball is a complete sport and movement programme for 2 to 8-yearolds! With age-specific activities, equipment and more than 30 years of research and development, Playball has been successful all over the world. Using sport as the means, Playball develops the whole child. Weekly Playball sessions are proven to develop team work, life skills, self-confidence, gross motor development, concentration, listening skills, co-ordination, midline crossing, independence and more. Visit www. playball.co.nz or contact Ryan Jarvis, ryan@playball.co.nz to enrol. We also host awesome Playball parties!

Playball

relax

Looking for an easy birthday party option with a difference? Living Springs is a great venue and offers so many fun activities.

Pool parties, ponies, bouldering wall and other options to choose from. You can relax while we make your childs day special.

Call or email the office to to find out more information. www.livingsprings.co.nz

Capture the adventure of a whirlwind aroundthe-world race with an Amazing Racethemed party. This will be a very active and participative party, where everybody gets a shot at the title. This party takes quite a bit of organising, but is sure to be a hit with slightly older kids.

1 Workout your location – whether it’s your backyard or the local park. Decide where the clue points and challenges will be located and organise an adult to monitor each one.

2 Print out your clues in Amazing Race style, and pair the kids up into teams of two with matching bandanas.

3 Give the kids the first clue, and send them on their way.

4 Some cool challenges (road blocks) can be: an egg-and-spoon circuit; polystyrene cups full of lollies or jelly set out on a

Birthday

Parties • 2-8 year olds • 1 hour of fun, sport-based games • T-shirt • Playball • Birthday card

BOOK TODAY! Available Chch & beyond.

Ph: 0508 FAIRY 4 U (0508 32479 4 8)

Email: ryan@playball.co.nz

www.playball.co.nz

table, with a special marking on the inside to match the child’s clue. The child then must eat everything in that cup to progress. Use local landmarks for challenges – like counting the number of bricks on the first line of your patio. Assemble a puzzle.

Include a quick-fire geography quiz.

5 Don’t forget detours, when kids get to choose which challenge they sign up for.

6 The winners are those over the finish line first.

Master Chef

This one is a little tougher to pull off, especially with just a single home kitchen.

For the sake of space, limit the party to about eight kids, split into teams of two, ready for the cook-off!

1 Upon arrival, greet you little master chefs with their own apron and chef hat. Have coloured fabric pens on hand for decorating and autographs.

2 Make a small recipe handbook for the participants, so that they can choose which recipe they want to make, and take the recipes home with them afterwards.

3 Alternatively, for a simpler party, try the mystery box challenge. Put together boxes with mystery ingredients and let the kids’ creativity loose. Great things to include are mini meringues, chocolate mousse, sponge cake, different flavours of ice cream, banana, crushed nuts, cream, cherries, mint, berries, and of course, chocolate. Set a time limit – i.e.

20 minutes – and the best creation wins.

Remember, presentation is key!

4 Another great Master Chef challenge is cupcakes – you can either pre-bake the cup cakes and have decoration as the whole challenge, or start from scratch and have the kids bake the cup cakes. Bon appetite!

MADE BY ME

Feel the need to bead Beading supplies New workshops (see our website for details)

Birthday parties

Delicious and fun birthday treats So you’ve got the party theme sorted – now, what about the food?? It doesn’t have to take too much effort to make your child’s party the talk of the schoolyard – and on a budget.

F

o

ns R for the EE gif Phone: 03-347 3570 t birt info@madebyme.co.nz perso hday n. www.madebyme.co.nz

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Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

8

1- Teddy bear cars

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2

Kids of all ages will enjoy these fun Teddy bear cars, but they’re especially a hit with preschoolers.

Teddy bear cars are easy to make – you can quickly whip them up yourself, or enlist the help of your kids.

All you need is a box of Tiny Teddies, a packet of Tim Tams, some M&Ms and white icing.

Cut the Tiny Teddies in half and “glue” them on to the Tim Tam with the icing, about two thirds of the way down.

Cut the M&Ms in half and glue onto the Tim Tam in front of the teddy for the steering wheel. Then use the icing to attach four whole M&Ms as the wheels. A couple of dots of icing on the front of the Tim Tam serve as the headlights.

enough mixture to make a well-rounded ball.

Roll the mixture in your hands until perfectly round. Tip: clean your hands regularly while rolling the mixture, and keep them slightly moistened to aid the rolling process.

Place the balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Cover with plastic wrap and foil and refrigerate for at least four hours.

Use a skewer to create holes for the lollypop sticks. Secure the lollypop stick by first coating it with your cake pop icing or melted chocolate before inserting.

10 Coat and decorate your cake balls to

your heart’s delight! The sky is the limit.

We’ve got birthdays covered at www. familytimes.co.nz. Visit, search “birthdays” and we’ve got heaps of party, party destination, gift, food and decoration ideas.

3

2- Shark cup cakes These little beauties are perfect for a boy’s birthday party.

What you’ll need  Cupcakes, completely cooled  White or light-coloured thick icing  Blue food colouring  Oreo® cookies How to make it

3- Cake pops

1 Using blue food colouring, dye your icing

These delicious sweet treats are not as easy to make as they look – that is, unless you have a cake pop maker.

For those who don’t, you can still make a delectable cake pop feature for your child’s party; it just takes a little more time.

2 Frost your cupcakes and place in the

1 2

3 Carefully separate the Oreo® cookie

3

to the shade you desire. Mix well until it’s completely incorporated and a smooth colour. An electric mixer makes this much easier. fridge so the frosting can set while you prepare the cookie fins.

Birt Par hday tie Fre e and invitat s i

1

parties

and scrape out the white filling (eat it or discard it). With a serrated knife, gently cut one of the cookies in half, using a sawing motion to keep it from cracking.

Cut off the bottom third of the cookie to make a flat base. Place one fin in the top of each cupcake and serve.

4 5

Bake your cake, and allow to cool.

Cut off the hard edges, then cut the cake into four equal size pieces Pick up two of the pieces, and rub them together over a bowl to catch the fine crumbs.

Add just enough icing to the cake crumbs so that the mixture will stick together and make balls. Too much icing and the cake will become too moist and heavy.

Use a half round scoop to scoop up

www.familytimes.co.nz

31

fit families

Share, shape and sustain play through family games In a special series of articles for Family Times, Jackie Cowan and Nick Draper – primary school and physical activity specialists from the University of Canterbury –highlight some activities, family games and resources that can help families add more fun physical activity into their lives.

Over the holidays, we as parents often think about how our children can be occupied and engaged in physical activity during the break.

When friends are away and children struggle to settle on something to do, it can be difficult to get through a day without being hounded about time on technology or costly trips out and about.

This is our second article in a series of six that

explores strategies and ideas for sustainable family physical activity time. Our ideas in this article are based on the concept of “play” through family games.

Play is described in recent research as fundamental to the child’s quality of life and a major contributing factor to overall wellbeing (social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual).

Get your kids swim-safe at WaiSwim Can your child swim? Would your child survive?

It is important that your children know what to do if they get themselves into trouble in the water. It is important to keep them safe and to remember that regardless of where you swim, or if there are lifeguards on duty, there are dangers.

The WaiSwim programme at Dudley Park Aquatic Centre and Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre is not only designed to teach children to swim, but also to provide them with key water safety messages and techniques.

Group and individual options are available

for all ages and ability levels.

Children can either attend lessons during the school term or have a block of lessons in the school holidays. General bookings for Term 2 open 7.30am Tuesday 15 April 2014.

WaiSwim has qualified instructors and is a registered quality swim school through Swimming New Zealand. It’s fun to swim with WaiSwim.

For programme details and prices, phone Dudley Park Aquatic Centre on 03-3118905, Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre on 03-3755041, or visit aquatic.waimakariri.govt.nz.

The following ideas support SPARC 2007 and (now)Sport NZ guidelines that suggest children (5 to 18-years) need to engage in 60 minutes of accumulated moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, and adults should be engaging in 30 minutes per day, five days a week. We are talking about sustainable change but this time we focus on attitudes and how the outcomes of playing family games can be so much more positive when both parents and children create time to be actively and positively engaged in play

together.

As parents, it can be easier showing and teaching children something based on our own personal experiences. Family games and activities played in the past were certainly valued and are something that our new generation can gain from.

There are a number of advantages in using our own experiences, two of which are as follows: Firstly, we are more likely to be confident in teaching our children how to play these games having experienced them

A service of the Waimakariri District Council

Can your child

swim?

Would your child

survive?

The WaiSwim Learn to Swim and coaching programme is available at Dudley Park Aquatic Centre and Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre.

It is a registered Quality Swim School with Swimming New Zealand, catering for children as young as 6 months old through to adults.

We are only a short drive out of Christchurch.

General Bookings for Term 2 open 7.30am Tuesday 15 April 2014.

For more information: Dudley Park Aquatic Centre – Phone: 03-311 8905 Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre – Phone: 03-375 5041 or visit: http://aquatic.waimakariri.govt.nz

It's fun to swim with 32

www.familytimes.co.nz

Ages 5-12

fit families ourselves. Secondly, it can be easier to be genuinely motivated to join in and in doing so model an interest and positive attitude towards being physically active when we as parents enjoyed these experiences in the past.

“As parents, it can be easier showing and teaching children something based on our own personal experiences.”

We can be guided by the following points gained from some recent research related to why children engage in physical play.

1 Children are more likely to show an interest when others (both children and adults) are involved. Children are motivated by the social aspects of play such as the time to connect with others and share time together. This is particularly so if the others participating are parents and/or a significant adult in the child’s life.

3 Children enjoy experiencing some ownership in the games and activities played. This is evident in school playgrounds where numerous games and activities are designed by children with their own unique modifications and played with very few issues.

Sharing old games and activities with children

Can you remember the following games and activities: hopscotch, jump rope, elastics, four square/handball, patter tennis, chasing games like Go home, Stay Home and Spot Light?

Modifying games – a twist from the new generation

After sharing and playing your game and/ or activity, encourage children to make modifications for the game. Playing the game with their modifications can indicate to them that their ideas are valued and an increased sense of ownership or contribution can increase motivation to play. You can encourage children to make modifications by asking open-ended questions such as; How could we make the game faster?

What could we do to make it harder to ……?

What would happen if we changed a piece of equipment?

So much of what children learn is modelled from what they see and how they feel during experiences in and through play. In sharing and shaping games together you will experience enjoyment, improved motivation and more time together.

Looking for a goal to keep you keen and lean over winter? Maybe a fun day out for the fit family? The Christchurch Airport Marathon has something for everyone!

Based on a scenic and safe course around Christchurch Airport, the Christchurch Airport Marathon has been the South Island’s favourite footrace for more than 30 years.

With a full marathon, half marathon, 10k and

the hugely popular Kids’ Mara’Fun, this is an event for runners and walkers of all ages, abilities and aspirations.

Almost 5000 runners and walkers line up for the annual Queen’s Birthday Weekend occasion. But don’t take our word for it find out for yourself: scheduled for Sunday 1 June, entries for the 2014 Christchurch Airport Marathon are now open at www. christchurchmarathon.co.nz.

2011

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ISSN 1176 7944

For more feature articles on family health, visit www.familytimes.co.nz. To get started, why not check out How to Exercise With Kids? www.familytimes. co.nz/exercise-kids/

Christchurch Airport Marathon - a fun day for the family

ISSN

2 Children enjoy the “fun” element that can be gained through playing games. More often than not, “fun” as described by children relates to participation, the positive feelings they get by being involved and completing an activity or what they may see as a personal challenge. Children also value the idea of competition, but for younger children, this is usually related to the challenges throughout the activity as opposed to winning. This means that the personal challenges emphasised throughout an activity become important in maintaining children’s interest

and more sustainable involvement.

Check out our Competitions online and win! www.familytimes.com.nz

Marathon Run • Half Marathon Run & Walk • 10k Run & Walk • Kids Mara’Fun

Sunday 1 June 2014

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY christchurchmarathon.co.nz

All entrants go into a draw to win a trip to the London Marathon!

33

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fit families

New Arthur’s Pass walking track I

wetlands—home to insect-eating sundew plants—to Jacks Hut, a restored roadman’s cottage. This hut once sheltered the men who laboured hard with pick and shovel to keep the road open for horse-drawn traffic and later motorised vehicles.

The next section requires a careful crossing of State Highway 73 to the Bealey Chasm car park. Watch out for birds such as bellbird, bush robin and rifleman through the oldgrowth mountain beech forest. The track then picks up the Dobson Nature Walk to the Arthur’s Pass lookout at the top of the pass (740 metres above sea level). From here you can see the Dobson Memorial that honours Arthur Dudley Dobson.

Arthur’s Pass walking track links to other tracks in the area and can be walked in part by starting further up the road from the village at the Jacks Hut or Temple Basin car parks.

n January, DOC celebrated the opening of a new family-friendly walking track that takes in the best of Arthur’s Pass. The easy walk takes you from Arthur’s Pass village to the pass itself. It follows in the footsteps of Arthur and Edward Dobson, who 150 years ago, were the first Europeans to discover the pass (it had earlier been crossed by Maori).

In March 1864, Arthur, aged 22, and Edward, just 16, rode on horseback from Cora Lynn sheep station in the Cass River valley. They camped in the Bealey valley near where Arthur’s Pass village is today. The next day, with light swags on their backs, they climbed through heavy bush to reach the summit of Arthur’s Pass, where they camped for the night. After checking out the steep descent into the Otira gorge they returned to their horses.

The route that took these pioneer surveyors all day can now be walked in an hour-and-ahalf. In just a few kilometres, the walkway gives you a real taste of the natural beauty and history of Arthur’s Pass and is suitable for people of all walking abilities. It has diverse alpine plants, mist-making waterfalls, spectacular mountain views and a rich history.

The walk starts from the Punchbowl Falls car park in Arthur’s Pass village. From there it’s a 20 minute walk through beech forest and truffula tree-like Dracophyllum to the Bridal Veil Falls lookout.

After crossing Bridal Veil Creek, the track takes you through alpine shrubs and

Win eco WIN, WIN, packaging: WIN! Kids Konserve and Bumpkins

Dobson Nature Walk. Photo: C. Bauer.

Turn over a new leaf this school year while teaching your children how to help the planet - send them to school with eco food packaging and reusable snack bags thanks to two new brands from The Sleep Store: Kids Konserve and The Bumkins range.

We have 5 packs of a Bumkins reusable snack bag, a Kids Konserve sandwich bag and reusable container to giveaway.

Enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Kids Konserve & Bumkins , PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by May 4, 2014. Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

How to get there:

Arthur’s Pass village, 153km (about two and a half hours drive) from Christchurch. Car park off Punchbowl Road.

For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz.

Check out our travel section at www. familytimes.co.nz for more great destination ideas, as well as essential family air travel tips - www.familytimes.co.nz/toptips-air-travel-kids

Bridal Veil Falls. Photo: R. Smith.

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34

A gift that lasts a lifetime

By Grahame Dutton BDS As a parent, all you want is the best for your child. That would include healthy teeth, a comfortable bite and a pleasing smile.

The Australian and American Orthodontic Associations recommend that all kids should get an Orthodontic checkup (assessment) no later than age 7 or earlier if a problem is identified.

The best way to achieve this is to start with regular dental care. It is recommended that a child visit a dentist/therapist by his or her first birthday, while baby (primary) teeth are emerging. Your dentist/therapist can alert you to any concerns about how the teeth and jaws are developing (call 0800 TALK TEETH).

Clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention include: • Mouth breathing • Difficulty in chewing , biting or with speech • Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth • Jaws that look too far forward or back • Early or late loss of teeth • Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth • Upper and lower teeth that don't meet properly • An unbalanced facial appearance • Grinding or clenching of the teeth Most orthodontic treatment is undertaken in the early teens however, in some cases it maybe indicated that early or interceptive treatment is necessary. If it is recommended, it is usually either...

• to improve jaw disproportions while growth still remains and before aligning the teeth • to prevent injury to protruding front teeth

Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment.

Appropriate intervention can influence growth and development, preventing more serious problems later.

In this article we are going to look more closely at how it is possible to change the

The most common use of a functional appliance is to encourage the forward growth of a retrusive or "under-developed" lower jaw.

The functional appliance holds the lower jaw forward over a period until the teeth, jaws and joints have "adapted" and the desired jaw position has been obtained.

Bionators are held in the mouth within the space that the teeth surround when biting.

They are used to expand the palate and create space for incoming teeth.

Twin Block Appliance – This appliance incorporates the use of upper and lower bite blocks to position the mandible forward for skeletal Class II correction.

Functional appliances align the jaws not the teeth, so they are usually used as a first stage of treatment (in a growing patient with a significant jaw disharmony) prior to the alignment of the teeth with fixed appliances (braces).

• Thumb-sucking

• to eliminate damaging habits

Bionator – Bionators initially look like a sort of combined upper and lower Hawley retainer, but do not fasten to the teeth and are not used for post-brace removal treatment.

damaging habits and promote correction of jaw discrepancies by the use of functional appliances.

Functional appliances are devices used to correct disharmony in the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. They work by influencing the growth and development of a growing patient.

• Protruding teeth

• to manage crowding

It is not always obvious to tell when your child has an orthodontic issue. It is possible that teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem. Pull back the lips and look for yourself.

The Twin Block has become one of the most popular functional appliance in use in the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA.

The most common types of functional appliance are listed below: • Herbst appliance

T4K (Trainer for Kids) is a preformed mouthguardlike appliance.

The manufacturers of which suggest that poor jaw development, myofunctional habits such as incorrect swallowing and breathing through the mouth are the major cause of misaligned teeth and poor jaw development.

Their research has shown that the correction of these poor myofunctional habits improves facial and dental development.

In the appliance tooth channels and labial bows guide the erupting/developing dentition into correct alignment, while the tongue tag and lip bumpers treat myofunctional habits.

It should be noted that after the permanent teeth have erupted, treatment is often necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase.

• Bionator • Twin Block appliance

Find useful information on children’s general dental health at: www.kidshealth.org.nz or www.health.govt.nz or call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583)

• T4K Herbst Appliance – corrects overbites by holding the lower jaw in a protrusive position. It is similar to the Twin Block Appliance except that it is fixed in place and hence non-removable. This appliance is most commonly used in non-compliant patients. The Herbst appliance is very effective in correcting large overbites due to small lower jaws in patients that are growing.

For our help, contact Duxton Dental: Phone 03-348 5488 Email info@duxtondental.co.nz Visit www.duxtondental.co.nz

TEENAGE AND CHILD ORTHODONTIC SCREENING Initial consultation ($78) ? Orthodontic assessment ? Jaw scan (if indicated) ? Digital photos If treatment is thought necessary further records will be required to formulate a treatment plan.

Records appointment ($175) ? Jaw Scan ? Lateral Ceph xray ? Study models ? Photo series Once all the information has been analyzed the treatment options can be discussed.

info@duxtondental.co.nz 35

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Treatment planning appointment (no fee) ? ? ? ? ?

Treatment options Costs Timeframes Retention Expectations

Orthodontic treatment is performed by Grahame Dutton who is a General Dentist with a special interest in Orthodontics. A specialist referral maybe required.

Phone: 03-348 5488 22 Bartlett Street, Riccarton. (Hagley Park end of Riccarton Road)

www.duxtondental.co.nz

Crissi Blair lives with her family in west Auckland and spends her time reading and writing, mostly about children’s books. Crissi organised the Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators for three years and publishes the useful guide New Zealand Children’s Books in Print which is updated every year. Visit www.silvertone.co.nz for more information.

TOP S READ

Junior Fiction

Picture Books Jim’s Letters

Glyn Harper Illustrations by Jenny Cooper Puffin, hardback $25 This story is based on letters written by and to Anzac soldiers during the First World War. It is told in the form of correspondence between two brothers - Tom, home on the farm, and Jim, in Egypt then Gallipoli, from December 1914 until Jim’s death in August 1915. With letters in envelopes and depictions of life at home and at war, this is a beautifully-made book. Ages 7 to 14-years.

Julian Tuwim English translator Antonia Lloyd-Jones Illustrator Bohdan Butenko Book Island, hardback $25, paperback $18 Published in Polish in 1956, this timeless tale, told in rhyme, is about Mr Miniscule, so tiny that his boat is a walnut shell and oars are cut from a matchstick. He is bold and adventurous, setting off to find a whale but all he can see is a big blue island… or is it? Line drawings with touches of yellow and blue capture the big adventure perfectly. Ages 3 to 8-years

Mrs. Mo’s Monster

Paul Beavis Gecko Press, Hardback $34.99, Paperback $19.99 There’s a knock at Mrs Mo’s front door and in runs a monster “looking for something to CRUNCH, MUNCH, AND CHEW. (That’s what monster do.)” The scratchy line drawings with brilliant colours and scrawling text capture the monster perfectly as Mrs Mo patiently encourages him to discover better behaviour and new things he can do. Kids will love the wild monster and perhaps want to learn to do what he does too. Ages 3 plus.

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Fortunately, the Milk…

Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Chris Riddell Bloomsbury, Hardback $22.99 Mum’s away and Dad is looking after the kids, but he’s forgotten to buy milk for breakfast.

He heads out to the shop, and is gone for a very long time. When he finally returns he tells a highly unlikely story about all the amazing things that happened to him – revolving around Professor Steg the timetravelling dinosaur, pirates, jewels and much more. Zany illustrations add pizzazz to this very imaginative story. Ages 6 to 11-years.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Stephan Fastis Walker Books, hardback, $19.99 Timmy Failure (11) declares himself the CEO of his own detective agency, with his sidekick, polar bear Total (company named Total Failure).

His nemesis is the too perfect Corrina Corrina who poaches (and solves) his cases. He narrates his own story, complete with drawings and handwritten notes. His justification of every move and decision he makes is hilarious and you can’t help willing him to finally succeed.

Dappled Annie and the Tigrish

Mary McCallum Illustrations by Annie Hayward Gecko Press, paperback, $19.99 Annie (9) plays in the hot summer weather while her father is out working on the lighthouse. She recognises faces in the hedge and spots a nest of tiny fantails. When an earthquake strikes and terrible winds blow the fantails away, with Mr and Mrs Hedge in hot pursuit, Annie simply must go to the rescue, aided by little brother Robbie and the wonderfully mysterious tigrish.

A fanciful and charming tale. Ages 8-plus. what’s happening. Ages 9 to 13-years.

Everything You Need to Know About Animals

Nicola Davies Kingfisher, paperback, $19 A great non-fiction book for young children interested in the natural world, encompassing a wide range of animals from the tiniest sea creature to the biggest elephant. It’s arranged in five sections, all with glorious colour illustrations and easy-to-follow text, fact boxes, features and internet links. Specialist vocabulary is featured and kids will enjoy the creativity challenges not often included in information books.

Ages 5-plus.

In the Garden: Explore & Discover the New Zealand Backyard Gillian Candler Illustrator Ned Barraud Craig Potton Publishing, paperback $19.99 Find out about the flora and fauna that’s in a New Zealand garden. We see different areas of garden and what is found there in the day and night time.

There are close-up views and lots of interesting and intriguing facts. There are sections about bees, wasps and flies; butterflies and moths; snails and spiders; lizards, mammals and birds. Aimed at children from preschoolers up and illustrated in painterly style.

Does My Goldfish Know Who I Am?

Gemma Elwin Harris Illustrator Andy Smith Faber and Faber, hardback $29.99 Why do cats always land on their feet?

Is silence a sound?

Do cows and sheep have accents?

Three-hundredplus questions from primary school children with answers from experts in their field such as Bear Grylls, David Attenborough, Paul McCartney and Tony Robinson. There are quizzes and favourite facts’ sections, brief biographies of the experts and an index. An entertaining and informative read. Also in paperback titled Why Can’t I Tickle Myself?

S

it ing agin g we im or... growin Are ds as well ers as ts ious on Partn paren harm

Janet Pates Illustrated by Gary Wood JP Books, paperback, $18.99 Peter needs money for a school trip but Dad is unemployed and money is tight, so Peter and his mate Shorty decide they’ll get holiday jobs to pay for it. It’s not that easy though, especially when Peter does things, like losing a mouse in his auntie’s handbag, which cost him money instead of earning it. But a lucky find might be just the thing.

A humorous family story for ages 7 to 11-years.

Counting By 7s

Holly Goldberg Sloan Penguin, hardback, $33.50 Willow Chance is a home-schooled genius with an obsession for nature, medical conditions, and counting by 7s.

When she goes to public school, keen to join school life, she just doesn’t fit in, ending up with the school counsellor, suspected of cheating.

Here she finally connects with a couple of other outliers; Vietnamese siblings.

When Willow’s adoptive parents are killed she is thrown into an unpredictable world, transforming everyone involved into an eclectic family group. A quirky and delightful read.

Knowledge books

Quarterly e-newsletter

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M.C. Badger Illustrations Leigh Brown Hardie Grant Egmont, paperback $14.99 The three Tinkler children live in an apartment on the 33rd floor without their parents who are away being circus performers. Marcus, Mila and Turtle seem to do just fine on their own, with a very Pippi Longstocking outlook on how things should be done.

In this book they decide to go all the way from their apartment to the town clock tower without touching the ground. First in a great series. Ages 6 to 8-years.

A.K.A. Peabrain

Mr Miniscule and the Whale

me

Tinklers Three: A Very Good Idea

Intermediate Fiction

parenting publication

Kia Kaha Christchurch

Eight-page supple ment on “the new norma l”

IN CIN EM AS

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discover dunedin

“We managed to lose both our kids in the Tropical Forest in the Otago Museum. It took us three goes.”

Pete and Gill - Christchurch Parents

Dunedin embraces the chillier months and the Otago Museum is just one start point for a family adventure.

There are loads of fun events like the Jaffa race down the world’s steepest street, the Midwinter Carnival and the Polar Plunge for hardier souls. Having to take the photos is a great way to avoid taking the plunge yourself.

Parents who think their kids sleep too much are well advised to take them on a Hair Raiser Ghost Tour.

And those who think holidays should be more about learning, the NZ International Science Festival and school holiday programmes at the Otago Museum and Dunedin Public Art Gallery are well worth checking out.

Otago Museum The Tropical Forest is one of NZ’s best live butterfly experiences and the Victorian Animal Attic is packed full of more dangerous species.

Discovery World Science Shows are on every weekend and their edgy experiments let the kids get stuck into science, from instantly freezing liquid in the blink of an eye to discovering radio active materials.

Midwinter Carnival This spectacular celebration of the longest night is a family favourite. Giant lanterns, performers, musicians and hundreds of children carrying the lanterns they made themselves create a ring of light in the central city. A dazzling fireworks display completes a great night out.

Hair Raiser Ghost Walk

Larnach Castle

This spine tingling tour reveals Dunedin’s ghostly secrets hidden in the darker corners of the inner city. The kids will love hearing about the “Corridor of Death”, feeling the “Black Dog” breathing on their necks and trying to catch a glimpse of “Silke” - the ghost of a jilted bride still wandering in her white silk gown.

Winter only adds to the enchantment of New Zealand’s only castle. The whole family will love exploring every nook and cranny and learning about the castle’s intriguing past and friendly resident ghost.

The kids will be kept busy tracking down the statues of the characters from Alice in Wonderland and a high tea is the perfect afternoon treat.

Moana Pool

Otago Peninsula

This watery wonderland caters for every level of swimming ability. There’s everything from the Olympic sized Main Pool, the waves and rapid river in the Leisure Pool to the scarily high spring boards of the Dive Pool. The kids and the kid inside every parent won’t be able to resist rocketing down a water slide.

The kids will love sneaking through the Penguin Place’s system of hides and tunnels to get up close and watch the charming habits of Yellow Eyed Penguins. Natures Wonders take exhilarating tours in all-terrain 8 wheel drive vehicles to view spectacular winter landscapes and incredible wildlife.

Cadbury Chocolate Carnival

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Dunedin gets smothered in chocolate at this mouthwatering event. There are chocolaty tours, decorating, painting and facials. The Cadbury Crunchie Train ride is a fave with the kids and there’s nothing quite like 25,000 Jaffas thundering down Baldwin Street. Cadbury factory tours run all winter with its chocolate waterfall a must-see and the Jaffa hot chocolate in the new cafe is a must-taste.

New Zealand’s first Botanic Garden is a winter delight with its spectacular gardens, aviary, duck pond and playground. And if it’s too nippy outside, the Winter Garden Glasshouse is a warm haven with tropical, desert and sub-tropical plants. Make sure the kids rub the mouse at the bottom of the Peter Pan statue which will keep them young forever.

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37

discover dunedin

Discover Dunedin this year Advertorial

collection of activities to keep everyone amused:

Dunedin has a year-round calendar of exciting events for all the family. Here is just sample of what’s on offer: • For all the rugby mad families, there is the All Blacks vs Lions Test Match on 14 June at the covered Forsyth Barr Stadium - a great venue in all weather.

• There’s the not-to-be-missed Midwinter Carnival in June, when all of Dunedin comes to life to celebrate the cooler season with a plethora of events for every member of the family.

• A must-see for kids is the International Science Festival coming up in July, with its expos, stunts, street science, debates, interactive demonstrations and inspiring workshops with world leaders in science innovation.

• The Cadbury Chocolate Carnival from 12 – 18 July - includes the ever popular Jaffa race down Baldwin Street, amongst numerous other chocolatey activities.

• The Otago Festival of Arts runs from 10 – 19 September with something for everyone.

Amongst the festivals and events, there’s also a

tunnel to the most beautiful beach imaginable.

In the 1870s, a tunnel was excavated down to a secluded beach so that the Cargill families could bathe in privacy. You might even spot some yellow eyed penguins here.

For family fun, entertainment Dunedin’s outdoor fun - sun, sand and castles! and the ultimate getaway, The Otago Peninsula delights with its look no further than the stunning white beaches, huge sand dunes just South’s very own Dunedin. waiting to be explored and surf beaches.

Dunedin will deliver an Larnach Castle - Visit New Zealand’s only castle and walk the beautiful grounds and adventure for the entire before heading off to the ultimate family, no matter what your gardens afternoon treat - high tea. budget and interests.

Tunnel Beach – tiptoe down the limestone

Sandfly Bay – Just off the high road is the fabulous Sandfly Bay. The dunes are like visiting another planet - so high and so vast, with pretty blonde sea lions dotted along the beach or snoozing in the tussock.

Take a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway – one of the world’s great train trips. Departing daily from the spectacular Dunedin Railway station, it journeys through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery, which cannot be seen from the road. This is an all-weather experience not to be missed.

St Clair Beach and the hot salt water pools – soak in the open-air public swimming pool heated during the summer months at St Clair Beach. An iconic surfing beach complete with boulevard, cafes, bars, restaurants, sandcastles and sunshine.

Aaahhh.

A DEPARTMENT OF THE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL

Explore Dunedin’s stories at one of New Zealand’s most innovative new museums.

The only authentic scholar’s garden in the southern hemisphere.

Visit the teahouse for traditional tea and dumplings.

Admission charges apply.

OPEN DAILY 10am – 5pm

DUNEDIN CHINESE GARDEN Corner Rattray and Cumberland Streets (beside Toitu– Otago Settlers Museum) phone 477 3248 email chinesegarden@dcc.govt.nz www.dunedinchinesegarden.com

OPEN 7 DAYS | FREE ENTRY | FREE WIFI

10am – 5pm summer hours (October to March) 10am – 4pm winter hours (April to September) Late night Thursdays until 8pm 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin | P (03) 477 5052 | www.toituosm.com www.familytimes.co.nz

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discover dunedin City adventures

Dunedin has plenty of engaging activities for kids of all ages - the added bonus is that they are pretty compelling for adults too! The city is perfectly formed for walking between attractions, with cafes and retail stops along the way.

• A perfect miniature of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, the Dunedin Chinese Garden takes visitors on a journey to a greater understanding of Dunedin’s history, culture, heritage and tradition. It is the only traditional Chinese scholar’s garden in the southern hemisphere. The garden’s school holiday programme has games, activities and events for children of all ages and a multitude of rest areas for parents.

• Some days kids don’t know what they want to do – whether it’s reading, starting a craft project or looking at cool stuff. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is the perfect answer for these days. As well as numerous displays there are plenty of opportunities to get hands on – try on a turn-of-the-century dress, climb aboard the Roslyn Tram or Tiger Tea bus, play a 1980s Atari game or just chill out listening to music.

• The Otago Museum is a family activity haven. Check out the Victorian animal attic and find polar bears, monkeys, beetles, turtles and lots more. The Tropical Forest is a magical must-see. Come face-to-face with some of nature’s most beautiful butterflies and the odd tarantula or two.

• Feed the ducks and grab a coffee at Dunedin’s Botanic Gardens where you can explore the Rhododendren dell, discover the bird aviary at the top of the hill and soak up the ambience of 6800 plant species and the birdsong of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.

• Baldwin Street. Try counting the steps of the world’s steepest street and venue of the

famous Cadbury Jaffa Race. Can you better one hardy local who runs up and down this street 30, yes 30, times a day?

• Take the kids out for an airing at the Dinosaur Park at St Kilda. Bring your bikes and scooters for a spin around the track.

Feeding the soul and the troops

A holiday is not complete without shopping bags over the crooks of arms and a wine in hand – not necessarily at the same time.

Within a very easy walking distance, Dunedin boasts a vast selection of designer boutiques, artisan jewellery workshops, trusty department stores and High Street stores.

There are many world-class refreshment stops along the way - welcome retreats to refuel and sort through bags of glorious shopping. And interspersed throughout the city centre are fine art galleries, libraries, theatres and exhibition spaces that offer contemporary and traditional visual treats for those wanting their culture fix.

Unique accommodation

A little known fact is that Larnach Castle offers three different accommodation options – Stable Stay, Larnach Lodge and Camp Estate. Over the school holidays the “Kids Rule the Stables” promotion means kids stay and eat for free. Included in the accommodation price is entry to the castle and the grounds. And visitors are welcome to eat in one of the dining rooms where families are catered for with a kids’ menu.

There’s so much to see and do in Dunedin, so plan your holiday, then add on another three days to avoid disappointment!

To find out more about what Dunedin has to offer – including accommodations options – visit www.dunedinnz.com and start planning your family’s getaway to the best of the South.

LARNACH C ASTLE New Zealand’s only Castle Open Daily 9am

• Award-winning Attraction • Garden of International Significance • Café and gift shop

• Accommodation Options Available • Excellent collection of NZ Antiques • Enquire about our family rate

Phone 03 476 1616 • Email info@larnachcastle.co.nz www.larnachcastle.co.nz

39

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Nationwide shark competition launches fun-filled 2014 NZ International Science Festival Leave boring behind: a celebration of all things exciting and fun about science is the message behind this year’s New Zealand International Science Festival to be held 5 to 13 July in Dunedin.

Featuring an incredible line-up of events for young and old, including expos, stunts, street science, debates, interactive demonstrations and inspiring workshops with world leaders in science innovation, event organisers have created a week of fun-filled activities for the whole family.

“It’s time to leave boring behind and get to Dunedin this July school holidays,” says New Zealand International Science Festival director Chris Green. “There’s something for everyone here and all our events have been created with fun in mind.”

As part of this year’s festival, a nationwide

competition – “SharkLab 14: why sharks matter,” – has been launched. The competition celebrates the work done by shark researchers, such as one of this year’s festival guests, international shark expert and documentary maker Ryan Johnson.

SharkLab challenges a new generation of science storytellers to show why it’s important to learn about sharks and to tell that story in a creative way.

“Whether it’s classmates getting together to make a mini documentary about sharks, or families building a shark together, the more creative and exciting the entry the better,” says Green.

To enter, visit www.scifest.org. nz or www.facebook.com/nzscifest. #LeaveBoringBehind and get to Dunedin this July!

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Aimed at adventurers aged five and over, Lonely Planet’s World Search are fun “lift-theflap” books that span the globe to reveal the weird, wonderful and silly things that happen around the world. Lift the flap on animals in their natural habitat – including Antarctica, the Red Sea and Los Angeles - and see what’s happening inside.

We have 10 of these to give away.

Enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Incredible Animals, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by May 4, 2014. Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

Win a class or coffee group party with Melanie Poppins The Family Times 5 minute video podcasts featuring Miriam McCaleb and Nathan Mikaere-Wallis are proving to be helpful and popular. Thank you for the emails and positive feedback - below are two comments from viewers. Also, you have until 16 April to vote for your favourite podcast and win a class party* or coffee group party* with popular children’s magician Melanie Poppins: www. melaniepoppins.co.nz.

• SOOOO love your podcasts. You guys are really easy to listen to. The validation info has help me to calm down when fights break out and then the boys listen to me a lot more and I feel much better about the

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Go to www.familytimes.co.nz/category/ podcasts to vote and for further details.

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Family Times in the

Waimakariri

North Canterbury

Waimakariri District represents the best of both worlds; only 15 minutes drive from Christchurch, with miles of unspoiled landscape punctuated by thriving town centres.

A gateway to the viticultural haven of Waipara Valley vineyards, the Waimakariri District is only an hour’s drive to Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort.

www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz

TOP WAIMAKARIRI FAMILY ADVENTURES • Don’t miss the thrills & spills at local speedway in Kaiapoi and Oxford • Take a walk at Northbrook or Pegasus Wetlands • Explore the natural lagoon at Tuhaitara Coastal Park • Catch the last sailings on the MV Tuhoe before winter

Towns

Pegasus Town

The districts town centres nestled in the heart of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Oxford and Woodend/ Pegasus have personality plus with cultural and recreational offerings, including but not limited to boutique shopping, unique cafes, breath-taking art galleries and popular swimming centres.

The lake at Pegasus is also a great playground for sailing, paddle boarding or kayaking, or you can explore the nearby wetlands with access to beach.

Dads and Mums can enjoy a round of golf at the International Golf Course in the Pegasus Township.

Markets

Mt Thomas and Mt Oxford offer those families who enjoy a tramp native wonderlands as you rise through the podocarp forests to the snow tussock and scenic views of the district.

For those wanting a more sedate family experience Kaiapoi Lakes, Tutaepatu Trail and Kaiapoi Island never stop amazing.

History You can travel back in time with the river cruises on the MV Tuhoe or discover a rich Maori heritage. The Kaiapoi Lakes known as Nga Tapuwae o Mua (footsteps of the past) is an integral part of NZ and local Maori history along with the Kaiapoi Pã and Tuahiwi Marae.

Our local Museums

• Cust Museum: 1725 Cust Main Road, Cust.

Open Sun 2-4pm or by arrangement.

• Ohoka Market: every Friday

• Oxford Museum: 75 Main Street, Oxford.

Open Sun 11am-4pm or by arrangement.

• Oxford Farmers & Village Market: every Sunday • Rangiora Community Market & Car Boot Sale: first Saturday of the month • Cust Village Market: fourth Sunday of the month

Short Walks in the Waimakariri If you fancy a modern day adventure or just a casual Sunday stroller then you will fancy what the Waimakariri has to offer you with a bit of something for everyone.

• Land the last of the season’s salmon on the banks of the Waimakariri

EVENTS CALENDAR: APRIL - JULY 2014 April 27th

Biggest Sunflower Competition May 2nd to 4th Rangiora Creative Art’s Expo May 25th Last Sailing of the MV Tuhoe th May 18 Famous Sefton Tug of War May 31st & June 1st Canterbury Rally th June 15 Oxford Speedway July 19th & 20th Kaiapoi Art Expo

• Rangiora Museum: Good Street, Rangiora.

Open Wed & Sun 1.30-4pm.

Our farmers and craft markets offer innovative gifts, trinkets and the freshest local produce are held every week.

• Kaiapoi Farmers Market: every Saturday

• Learn to cook like Jo at Seagars Cafe and Cook School

• National Scout Museum: 12 Williams Street, Kaiapoi.

Open Sun from 1pm-4pm or by arrangement.

Kaiapoi i-SITE Visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz for more information on what to do and see and all the Events in the district.

The knowledgeable team at the Kaiapoi i-SITE can help you also and they hire fishing rods and bikes. Phone: (03) 327 3134.

CHRISTCHURCH

www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz 42

www.familytimes.co.nz

Quite simpy, Waimakariri has it all - and then some!

EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

and bookings throughout New Zealand Visit: Kaiapoi i-SITE. 57 Charles Street Phone: 03 327 3134 Email: info@kaiapoivistorcentre.co.nz

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