Family Times - Wellington - Summer 2013

ISSN 2324 4542 ISSN 2324 4550

WELLINGTON / ISSUE 56 / Summer 2013

Helping children to reach their full potential

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Blended families and Christmas Keeping the peace and building bridges

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Stay-at-home dads Growing trend or media hype?

A news magazine and online resource for families

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Raising bilingual kids Benefits of learning languages as a child

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Contents Features 8 5 Blended families and Christmas

How to make the most of the season’s festivities

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9 Preserving native languages

Tips to help your bilingual kids

Tips to help children enjoy reading

Reaching milestones

Get involved - how kids are helping clean up our shores

15 Catching the reading bug 16 Baby and toddler 17 Kiwi coastlines 18 Game on

Christmas gift guide for tech-crazy kids

Comment 10 Kids’ view

We ask kids about their dad’s role around the house

Special features 4 Spirit of Christmas

Resource information

6 Stay-at-home dads

A growing trend?

Sustainable physical activity

8 Fit families

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

12 14 18 19

Calendar of events Entertainment School Term Dates Marketplace

From the editor T

here’s a lot of trending about stay-athome dads these days. From reading media reports, you’d almost imagine that every second home has one.

That’s not quite the case, although Statistics New Zealand doesn’t have information available about exactly how many dads are fulltime caregivers in their families.

What we can gather though, from statistics overseas, is that there are more households in Western countries who have the father as a fulltime caregiver than there were 20 or 30 years ago. So we at Family Times thought we’d better investigate and find out about stay-at-home dads in New Zealand.

Regardless of the reasons why men become full-time care-givers to their children, which you can read more about in our main feature on page 8, the overwhelming comment from stay-at-home dads that Family Times talked with was something that women have been saying for generations – being a stay-at-home parent is by far the hardest job you can take on.

The biggest challenge, said the dads, was the isolation and lack of adult interaction – again, something that stay-at-home mums know all about. But for dads that’s often compounded by lack of support groups or parenting networks for dads. And they feel a bit weird about joining women’s groups.

Experts that Family Times spoke with also said that there are a lot more expectations on all dads these days, not just those who are full-time care-givers of their children. More and more dads are becoming involved in day-to-day engagement with their children; simple things like making school lunches, transporting their kids to and from school, and being a more active participator in their

children’s hobbies and sports. At one school I know of, there is a “dad’s club” that hangs around for the 3pm bell to collect their children, indicating that either their jobs are super flexible or parents today are sharing both work and home responsibilities to a greater degree.

Whatever the situation, with the holiday season just around the corner it’s a great time of year for parents to consider how they share the parenting load and ensure that they are both making the most of the precious growing up years with their kids.

And while you are thinking about all the fun of the silly season ahead, check out all the fantastic events that are coming up in your area in this edition of Family Times, and be in to win our exciting competitions.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of the Family Times team.

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Media Executives Shona Robb, Nicky Barnett, Jane Hunter, Tina Barriball, Katrina Wright, Naomh Cusin, Penny Leary , Linda Radovancich Office Manager Raelyn hay Office Assistant Jackie Pithie

Contributing Writers Tracey-Ann Abery, Maureen Crisp, Diane Levy Jackie Cowan, Nick Draper, Cathy Robson Wayne Webb, Karen Theobald Reach us at: Family Publishers (NZ), P.O. Box 36-004, Christchurch 8146, NZ Ph. 03-355-9186 0800285 510 Fax: 03 3559 183 Mobile. 0274-359-414 admin@familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz Distribution Printed and distributed quarterly approximately two weeks before each major school holiday.

38,121 distributed through early childhood centres, primary and intermediate schools, public libraries and selected medical and midwifery premises. 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, so please support them. www.familytimes.co.nz

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Spirit of Christmas Wellington and Kapiti SPCA There are many is always a busy time for the SPCA. opportunities to experience Christmas If you are looking for a pet then try them first.

Make a donation or spend some family time the joy of Christmas in Visit www.wellingtonspca.org.

Wellington. You could attend volunteering. nz for more information. a Christmas concert, watch 7 December a Santa parade or volunteer Christmas in The Hutt – On-stage time at your favourite charity. performances, a wide range of food and lots of kids’ rides and entertainment.

Enjoy the celebrations and Starts at 6pm and finishes with a fireworks display at 9.30pm. Hutt Recreation Ground, Merry Christmas!

Kmart Wishing Tree

Give the gift of generosity this Christmas.

Place a present under a Kmart Wishing Tree from 13 November. Gifts do not have to be purchased at Kmart. Details at www. wishingtree.kmart.co.nz.

Kirkcaldie & Stains

Kirkcaldie & Stains’ famous Christmas windows are a must-see, delighting children and adults alike, as is a visit to Santa and the beautiful decorations in the Christmas shop.

Lambton Quay.

The 12 Storytimes of Christmas Wellington Libraries - Twelve festive family story times to celebrate Christmas. Perfect for children aged 4-8 and their families. Free, no bookings required - just turn up. Visit www.wcl.govt.nz/kids to find out when Storytimes is on at your library.

Christmas Lights

There is something special about seeing houses all decked out in Christmas lights. For some great viewing, keep an eye on your local papers for details.

Woburn Road, Lower Hutt. Visit www. christmasinthehutt.org.nz.

7 December

Carols by the beach at Plimmerton School - A family-friendly celebration with bands and carols. Bring a blanket or deck chairs. The event is free with bouncy castles, merry-go-round, miniature train, face painting and food stalls available. From 3:30pm onwards.

8 December

Capital Christmas – Join in the fun at Capital Christmas, a family day of festivities that includes the Santa parade, Santa’s party and carols by candlelight.

Wellington Santa Parade - 2pm, City centre. The Santa Parade starts at the corner of Lambton Quay and Balance Street and ends at Manners Street. It’s best to get there early to secure a good spot.

Santa’s Party - 3pm, Frank Kitts Park.

Straight after the parade, head to Frank Kitts Park for Santa’s party. There will be live entertainment, carols and a chance to meet Santa, Angelina Ballerina, Bob the Builder and the Smurfs.

THIS SUMMER FLY TO THE MOON

Carter Observatory’s planetarium and interactive exhibition is inspirational and fun for kids of all ages.

OPEN FROM 10AM DAILY carterobservatory.org

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A visit to the Kirks’ Christmas Shop is a great way to start the Christmas season.

Carols by Candlelight - 7.30pm, Frank Kitts Park.

8 December

Twilight Christmas Market - Cakes, condiments, handmade goodies, crafts and more. Good coffee and ethnic food available.

Cardinal McKeefry School, corner Wilton Road and Albemarle Road, Wilton, 4pm-7pm.

10 December

14 December Christmas Gift Market – A Christmas Gift Market at the Hill Street Farmers’ Market.

Lots of art and craft stalls as well as the usual market food stalls. Springfree Trampolines will be there to provide free jumping for the children. From 8:30am-12:30pm.

Until 23 December

Christmas Carol Service – A traditional family carol service at Old St Paul’s. Doors open 6pm. Free admission. Visit www. oldstpauls.co.nz.

Santa’s Grotto – Santa will be in Jackson Street this year! Kids can have a photo taken with Santa for a small fee. Leave unwrapped presents for those less fortunate. The Old Jail, 274B Jackson Street, Petone.

13-15 December

24 December

Christmas in Bethlehem – A recreation of Bethlehem village as it was the very first Christmas. A free community event. Friday and Saturday, 7pm - 9.30pm. Sunday, 10am 12pm. At 38 Buick Street, Petone.

Churches and cathedrals around Wellington hold Christmas Eve candlelit services on.

Contact your local church for further details on this special Christmas tradition.

Compiled by Tracey-Ann Abery

voted of the one w o top fi rld’s muse fty ums Museum of Wellington City & Sea Queens Wharf open every day 10am to 5pm www.museumswellington.org.nz www.facebook.com/MuseumsWellington

Family Times 1-0 05june2013.indd 1

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Blended families and Christmas

Blended families are a challenge at the best of times, but Christmas and the summer holidays can accentuate small issues and blow them up into big ones.

Making an agreement

Child psychologist Rose Blackett recommends that ex-partners sit down and come to an agreement about Christmas arrangements, but says that it’s a best case scenario, and many parents simply can’t do that without the help of mediation or the court system.

Sue Wilson* from Christchurch says that her husband’s ex-wife has had her husband’s two boys, aged 10 and 12, for Christmas night every year since the separation seven years ago, and it breaks her heart.

“It’s based on precedent – the days that we have the boys every week - and it never changes. "She tends to get her own way because she is the mother. But we always tried to keep difficult parenting conversations away from the kids, no matter how young they were.”

Wilson's husband and ex-wife had a reasonably amicable split, says Wilson, and made their own childcare agreement rather than go through mediation and the court system. They have the boys one night a week, every second weekend, and for extra time during the Christmas holidays. “What we’ve said to the boys is “you get two Christmas’s – it’s pretty cool. You’ve two bikes, because you’ve bikes at both houses. You’ve got two beds, so you’ve got more than some kids. And yeah, it is a hassle having to move between your mum’s and your dad’s, but you get two Christmases, which is good.”

Gift giving

It’s common for ex partners to try to “out give” their ex, or to have different standards about what kind of gifts are appropriate.

Wilson says that she is likely to spend more on the children than her husband’s ex wife, but buy more practical, boring gifts. Her husband’s ex tended to spend less but on more fun and frivolous things. Also, the kids often told both parents what they wanted and

it ended up with double-ups.

“We have challenges about buying gifts and we’ve got to the stage where I’ve said to my husband, “you must check what she is buying because we don’t want double ups”,” said Wilson. Blackett said it was also common

It’s important for blended families not to focus not on gift-giving or big Christmas dinners, but to relax and get used to each other’s company and their new situation; particularly for kids spending their first Christmas together in new blended family situation, says Blackett. for one partner to feel anxious about how much they could spend on their children, particularly if they were not in the same financial position as their ex partner.

“If you can’t influence how much your partner is spending on the children, you just have to let that go, otherwise you just spend years and it’s very bitter and people carry around a lot of anger. Only look at things that you can have an influence on.”

Getting the kids involved

It’s important for blended families not to focus not on gift-giving or big Christmas dinners, but to relax and get used to each other’s company and their new situation; particularly for kids spending their first Christmas together in new blended family situation, says Blackett.

“For children, if it’s a new relationship, or

you have just moved in together, things like team building are quite fun; things like a treasure hunt so you get into teams and you have to work together to find the treasure. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It beats the boredom and helps build bridges in the relationships.

“A child that is not getting on with a new partner, who is like, “you took away my mum’s place or my dad’s place,” they have to work together to find the treasure. The focus becomes the treasure, and it takes the emotion out of it.”

Empower your children

It’s also vital for kids to be a part of the decision making about Christmas and summer holiday events says Blackett, especially if it is the first holiday season as a blended family.

“They need to be involved with what happens on a day-to-day basis; like a breakfast table at Christmas time – let them choose a favourite food. Having Tim Tams on the table for breakfast one day a year is not going to kill you.

“If children have ownership of it, they enjoy

it. Otherwise, kids can feel quite powerless in the situation. Letting them be a part of the planning is going to be huge.”

Wilson agrees. She and her husband give the two boys plenty of notice about what is planned, and for when, so that they feel secure and in control and know what to expect over Christmas and the summer holidays. * Real name withheld to protect children's privacy

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feature story

Stay-at-home dads Are more guys giving up the daily grind to stay at home and nurture their little ones?

Vanessa O’Brien investigates.

B

rian Sorell was a computer programmer in California, in a former life.

Nowadays, you are more likely to see him pushing a pram through the Auckland suburb of Devonport with his three-year-old son Charlie.

It’s a choice that he and his wife Tanya made for practical reasons, Sorell said.

“We did talk a lot about it and we decided that financially it was better off that she work.

I was pretty burned out in the computer programming world and I didn’t really want to do that anymore, and I wanted to make this transition to New Zealand, so we felt it was the ideal time - while everything was up in the air.”

Sorell took over the full-time care of Charlie when Charlie was four-months-old. He finished his philosophy degree and taught part time at university for a while, but he’s been strictly a full-time dad since immigrating to New Zealand 18 months ago - with a little parenting blogging and marketing writing on the side.

New routines The hardest thing was adjusting to a new routine – one that revolved solely around Charlie, said Sorell.

“It was strange to not get up and go to work every day when you’ve been in a routine for a long time and suddenly it’s completely

changed. That was a bit awkward and disorientating, but I got used to that very quickly. As a parent you find routines. I love it now.”

That’s something that stay-at-home dad Andrew Snell, former manager of Burger King in Hamilton, can relate to.

“The most difficult thing I think would be adjusting to different routines, because I had been doing shift work. So some mornings I would be up at five o’clock to start at seven, and other times I would be working until two in the mornings on the weekends. Then everything changed.”

Snell’s wife, Marie, was diagnosed with single level degenerative disc disease in the spine when she was pregnant with the couple’s second child, Amber, eight years ago. Since then, Snell has been the full-time care giver of their three children; Bethany, 10, Amber, 7, and Thane, 4.

Snell says that he still misses work at times.

“Working for Burger King is quite interesting and you get to meet a lot of people. That’s something that I’m looking forward to getting into it again in a few months once Thane’s off to school.”

Sorell agreed that isolation was the toughest battle he faced.

“It can be very, very isolating and super lonely. And I really felt that when we emigrated I didn’t know anybody and my whole network was gone.

“It was hard; I’ll freely admit the first few months were very hard. Day to day, it was just tough because there wasn’t anyone to chat with. I think absolutely it gave me a tremendous appreciation for stay-at-home

Brian and Tanya Sorell with their son Charlie. mums. It’s much harder to stay home than to work. It’s really hard.”

Stay-at-home dads – trend or hype?

Being a stay-at-home dad is still nontraditional, said Sorell. He and his wife Tanya didn’t know any other stay-at-home dads when they decided to structure their child care that way, and because it was non-

conventional it was hard to meet other stayat-home parents.

“You go to the local playground and all of the mums are sitting around chit chatting, and you try to get involved but it’s always kind of awkward and it’s hard to even put your finger on why.”

To his surprise though, once he became more integrated in the community – something he says he had to make a concerted effort at – he

Growing pains! What can be done?

Many of Dr Tim Halpine’s young patients suffer pain in the legs that disturbs sleep (and often the parents as well). In his experience, many of the children suffering have a condition that is also known as shin splints. When children who have flat arches play and run around all day they can develop a strain to the muscles in the leg responsible for supporting the arch.

Then at night they experience a sharp pain that wakes them. Dr Tim and his associate

including Farm Day, Creepy Crawly Critters, Buggy Walks and much, much more...

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Cathy Wright can examine your child and their footwear and make recommendations that can help all have a peaceful night’s rest.

Orthotic supports can provide just the comfort that makes these children happy and will put a smile on parents and kids alike! Dr Tim is available at his clinic on the Terrace Monday to Thursday, and Cathy is available Friday for any foot problems with a range of treatments.

feature story

discovered that there were quite a few other stay-at-home dads in the Devonport area.

“We see each other at the parks all the time and we’ve all kind of struck up a good relationship I think.”

Statistics New Zealand does not have readily available data on whether more fathers are taking the role as primary care giver of their children or not. However, data from the United States’ 2011 census suggests that the number of stay-at-home dads there has more than doubled over the last decade and a half from about 76,000 in 1994 to 189,000 in 2011.

Yet among all U.S. married couples with children under 15, only 0.8 percent include a stay-at-home dad— up from about 0.3% in 1994—compared to 23% that include a stayat-home mum. Analysts conclude that for the most part, this is a result of single-parent families, and shared-care arrangements of children.

Senior lecturer in sociology at University of Auckland Vivienne Elizabeth says that in heterosexual families, the definition of fathering is broadening to include emotional ties with children in addition to bread-winning, and stay-at-home fathering is becoming more socially acceptable.

However, it is not a typical practice, and she says that in most cases it’s because fathers wish to reconsider their careers, retrain for a different careers, or have lost their jobs, and most view it as temporary.

“The role of fathers is changing and they are expected and expecting to becoming more involved in their children’s everyday lives, and undertaking more of the care work. But the extent of that change shouldn’t be exaggerated. Very few men withdraw from the labour market either partially or in totality following the birth of a child, even though this remains a common practice amongst mothers.”

Mothers, she said, continue to spend twice as much time looking after their children than fathers. Most of the time fathers are involved in caring work when mothers are also present, a pattern that suggests that fathers remain secondary carers in many heterosexual households.

Dads building closer relationships with their kids Sorell says he believes that dads should be

Tips for stay-at-home dads Whatever your reasons for deciding to be a stay-at-home dad, there are some things you can do to ease into it and make your new a role a success from the beginning.

1 Discuss your duties together with your partner

Before you officially become “stay-athome dad,” you and your partner should sit down to discuss exactly what that title entails. Obviously, you will be taking care of the kids. But does it include cooking dinner every night, doing the laundry and running all the errands? Create a list beforehand so they’ll be no arguments later on.

2 Figure out what works for you

Working out a new routine will be a challenge. Establish a daily routine that works for you and the kids - and don’t worry if mum lets you know that isn’t the way she would do it. Include her in the process, but don’t be afraid to do things at home your way.

3 Build a support system

Isolation is the number one complaint for many stay-at-home mums, and it’s no more closely involved in the day-to-day care of their children – not necessarily fulltime, but certainly more engaged.

“The good point about being a stay-at-home dad is absolutely my relationship with my little boy.

“The mum always has this super-tight relationship I think traditionally, and biologically, and I think it’s a lot of work for

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different for stay-at-home dads. There’s only so much kids’ television a person can stand. So seek out other stay-at-homedads through support networks, or create your own group.

4 Make time for yourself

It’s easy to think your whole world needs to revolve around the kids, but that can lead to some serious burnout. Make time for “guy stuff” and make sure your prioritise it. Work out at the gym, play golf, go fishing – do childcare swaps if you need to, and return the favour later.

5 Don’t be Superman

Stay-at-home-dads need help sometimes, just like stay-at-home-mums. Don’t be afraid to ask for it, otherwise the stress of doing it all on your own will get to you.

Your sanity should be a top priority!

6 Take advantage of your status

Being a dad with a baby in a stroller is a ticket to VIP status. Accept offers to cut into lines, get faster to the cashier at a grocery store, and if you are flying alone with the baby, you will be treated like royalty. Take advantage of it. the dad to establish that same thing. But it’s given me the opportunity to do so and it’s really, really awesome.”

“Sometimes it is really rewarding,” added Snell.

“The good thing is definitely being able to go on field trips with the kindergarten, or going to awards ceremonies for end-of-year, and school things that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to. But I am looking forward to working again.” co.nz for readers to go online and vote for the photo they like the best. The photo with the most votes will win a Fujifilm photo print voucher, worth $200. So get snapping & be into win!

Plus each voter has an opportunity to win as they will go in to the draw to win 1 of 5 $20 print vouchers.

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Fit Families

The FUNdamentals of sustainable family physical activity I

n a special series of articles for Family Times, Jackie Cowan and Nick Draper primary school and physical activity specialists from the University of Canterbury - will highlight some activities, games and resources that can help families add more fun physical activity into their lives.

First come the FUNdamentals –activities that can easily be added into your lifestyle to increase both yourselves and your children’s physical activity levels in a way that’s sustainable.

Recent physical activity research tells us two important things that identify that change is not as difficult as you first might think. Firstly, little bursts of physical activity throughout the day are better than one big bout of exercise at the start or end of the day. Secondly, short, sharp physical activity bursts can be just as good for you as jogging on a treadmill for an hour.

To this research evidence we can add two more anecdotal facts; firstly it is much easier to exercise when you don’t realise you are doing it. For example, going for a 40 minute run is often more daunting than going out to play a game of touch, yet both increase our physical activity levels. Then secondly, recently published data from surveys suggests that we spend as little as seven minutes a day of quality time with our children. Combining the two – fun physical activities and family time – genius! Here are a few ways to get you going: Joining in children’s games –Children have loads of energy and always seem to be on the go. When we watch them play, their

games are full of short bursts of activity – a burst to catch someone in a game of tag or a run down the wing to score a try or goal.

This is really close to the type of short burst activity that the research suggests – short bursts that leave you slightly breathless as you chase your son or daughter in a game of tag, a short recovery and then go again, or chasing them as they dribble to score a goal.

When playing a game, if you are fully engaged with your son or daughter, you forget about the exercise and just play. We can learn loads from children about that – exercising without thinking about it.

Walking/scootering to and from school – Walking is an oldie but a goodie and similarly combines family time with exercise.

Research tells us that fewer children walk to and from school for a number of reasons. It is, however, a great activity where you have time to talk to your children about their day with no television or computers as a distraction.

It’s a time where you can model being physically active and can be active together.

Alternatively, nowadays it is not uncommon to see parent’s scootering home on their children’s scooters after dropping them at school. Why not purchase a family collection of scooters and travel together? It’s a fast mode of transport and a little novel.

If we do walk or scooter to drop off and pick up children from school, not only are we increasing quality time spent together, but we are also spreading our physical activity throughout the day, which is valuable for

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general health and overall wellbeing.

Cycling to and from work – If we chose to cycle to and from work, while this might not seem like a whole family activity, it can have a whole family pay-off by giving us more energy and helping us to be fitter for family cycling activities during the weekends.

If you live too far from work to cycle the whole way, or don’t feel fit enough yet to cycle the whole way, you could put the bike in the back of the car, drive part of the way, park up and cycle to and from work from there.

If you set a goal of increasing this a bit each

month, you could add greatly to your level of physical activity. Being active throughout the day is particularly important for those of us who work in a sedentary job sitting at a desk or in meetings most of the time. This form of activity also fulfils the physical activity guidelines for adults, outlined by Sport New Zealand (in consultation with the Ministry of Health Manatu Hauroa), of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.

By Jackie Cowan and Nick Draper Primary school and physical activity specialists from the University of Canterbury.

How to exercise when you’ve got kids If you keep up with the news, you may recall a recent media storm over a Facebook post

by Maria Kang.

baby jogger

baby jogger

Summit X3

City Elite

single stroller

single stroller

Newly designed for 2013, the award-winning Summit X3 provides exceptional performance and maneuverability on any terrain.

Equipped with one of a kind all wheel suspension and remote front wheel swivel lock, this stroller is the perfect running companion.

The City Elite offers modern luxury and comfort over any terrain with features such as plush seating, raised kicker, vented seat recline and front wheel suspesion with swivel lock.

It is the perfect choice for those long walks.

The tight and toned young mother-of-three posted a photo of herself in barely-there sports attire, along with her three small children, with the caption – “What’s your excuse?”

Most mothers have taken offense at the campaign, calling it fat-shaming rather than motivational. But it does raise a valid point, even if it’s not the point that Kang intended: most mums prior to motherhood aren’t aware of exactly how much their exercise regimes will change with little people in their lives, and it is a challenge to maintain prior fitness levels.

That challenge is all-the-greater if you want to start a fitness routine for the first time to burn off those extra post-baby calories.

We’ve got a few tips that may help: 1 2

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Train when the kids are asleep. Put on a fitness DVD, use a home exercycle or treadmill.

Prepare your exercise clothes the night before. That way, you’ve got a motivating factor involved, even after those tiring, sleepless nights.

Does your local gym have a crèche?

Make the most of it, or make a regular arrangement with friends and family to mind the kids.

If that’s not an option, check out the mini core workouts or five minute CrossFit

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workouts on Pinterest and do them from home.

Invest in a good outdoors pram for jogging, and take the kids with you on your workout.

Power walk/run to the local park, maybe 15 minutes from home – kids in tow.

Play with your kids on the playground – up, over and down obstacles. Your heart rate will quickly climb.

Source a “mum-friendly” personal training group. Doesn’t exist? Start your own!

Participate in family fun run events.

There are plenty to get you going over the summer. Remember though to set realistic goals, and that you are really only racing yourself.

Preserving native languages

that her whanau actively try to maintain a bichildren to learn to speak Mandarin, reflecting Create opportunities to lingual household as they feel it is important the future importance of New Zealand’s learn, and prepare your for her eight-year-old son Te Rangiahuta to business relationship with China. kids for the future Heyrick says they consider it a blessing get a good foundation in his learning of and that Jacob can speak two languages, and When Heyrick’s family moved to identification with Te Reo Maori. feel it helps him grow as a person who has Christchurch, they missed the bigger Chinese Te Rangiahuta attended Kohanga Reo, then respect, understanding and an awareness community and the culture that went with kindergarten, and now attends a mainstream of how different people live within different school. Dunn says he still understands some reo it. That’s why Heyrick started up Mandarin cultures in the world. “We openly discuss but “we still need to work hard as a collective to Stars, a Mandarin language programme for both his New Zealand and his Chinese children. She wanted to help Jacob preserve korero Maori, not just in the home.” culture. In doing so, I hope we can help his native language and immerse him in a fun, Her key tips are to make Te Reo fun and instil in him a curiosity for his two cultures, high quality environment where he could engaging by learning new words together, and an acceptance of cultural and linguistic naturally move between his two cultures pointing out things in Te Reo, practicing differences amongst his peers and the and languages, and feel proud of his identity. in New Zealand.” a small karakia (prayer) at eating times, Christchurch mother Melissa Heyrick was his is a proof for your advertisement inwatching the next issue of Tots toHaka Teens Jacob’s magazine – please respond to itcommunities Byby Rachel Taniwha parents also feel they are preparing Maori TV, engaging in Kapa born and raised in New Zealand, and moved mail immediately advising approved print OR advising of anyEarlier changes. for a predicted “Asian Century.” andadvertisement continuing to go to theismarae, and for forhim back home from Australia in JulyEITHER of last year.your kids in the family to carry around a notebook this year Prime Minister John Key urged more She is learning to speak Mandarin, as her and write down any Maori words they hear son Jacob Yang (age seven) is half Chinese/ and use them in a sentence. She considers half Kiwi, and bilingual in both English and Sometimes you need some Te Reo “a living language,” that needs to be Mandarin. His father Jeremy Yang was born information or an answer to in China and then raised in Australia from the spoken and heard daily. age of five-years-old, and speaks English as his Language learning starts a curly question. Why not main language. at home pick up the phone and call Jacob was immersed in Mandarin naturally since birth – with Chinese classical music and Dame Iritana Te Rangi Tawhiwhirangi, an the relative support agency? advocate of Maori language education and children’s music Colours playing in themay background, vary from those shown for all ads printed on newsprint. the Kohanga Reo movement, says the Maori and tape recordings of his grandmother is the queries life blood of please Maori culture and Thankreading you for your assistance, have any phone your Tots to Teens consultant or children’s stories in Mandarin. if you language “I always try to ensure he is learning Mandarin therefore the native/fluent speakers are critiour Auckland cetransmission on 09 412 5123. cally importantoffi in the of it (and in a fun, engaging and creative way,” says Alcohol and Drug Helpline tikanga) to the mokopuna (young people) and Heyrick. Jacob goes to China every two their whanau (family) in order to ensure its Concerned about your own or someone years for a minimum of one month to give preservation. else’s problems with alcohol or other him the opportunity to be fully immersed in She says that Te Reo must begin in the home drugs? Call the Alcohol Drug Helpline his culture, to learn more about his heritage if it is to be valued and appreciated by mokotoday for free, confidential, friendly and to speak Mandarin naturally. Heyrick puna from the very early stages of their lives. professional advice. 0800 787 797 www. says that preserving a language is more than alcoholdrughelp.org.nz just speaking and understanding the language. “This early embedding of it will fortify them for their educational journey and their place “You need to learn the culture and you need in both their cultural space and ultimately the to feel comfortable in the culture.” wider world.”

Wellington mother Kaye-Maree Dunn says

As the population of New Zealand grows, so too does the abundance of cultures.

Immersing children in their native tongue is one way the GUBBS KIDS diversity of these cultures can be preserved.

Being bi-cultural in New Zealand

SHOES: BUSINESS CARD SIZE

PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS PROOF BY EMAIL Email: lesley@totstoteens.co.nz

Our final deadline for approval is Friday 6 September 2013.

No changes may be made after this date.

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OF RECEIVING IT WITH YOUR APPROVAL OR CHANGES

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9

Maureen Crisp talked with students in Lower Hutt about how their dads participate in their day-to-day care.

Nicole Madigan, age 11

Dad mows the lawn so I can get a good golf strip to practice on. Dad takes me to golf practice and helps me with practice.

He always does my dishes in the morning. My dad cooks barbecues in the summer. My dad makes the lunches in the weekends. He shares the cooking with Mum. He loves doing the garden so he spends lots of time out there. He’s planting strawberries today.

Eva Murray, age 11

My dad wakes me up in the morning so I can get ready for school. I take ages to get dressed. He takes me to dancing practice in the weekends. He picks me up from school once a week and gets me to practices. My dad cooks kebabs on the barbecue and chicken bits. He loves cooking those. Dad makes lunches sometimes for school.

Sometimes he makes lunches in the weekends.

Molly Janes, age 10

BABY POPS LOWER HUTT SAT FEB 15 3PM PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, SACRED HEART COLLEGE

For February’s Fringe Festival, the Orchestra takes its littlest listeners on a tour of the farm – so they can gallop with William Tell, dance to WELLINGTON Mussorgsky’s Ballet of SUN FEB 16 3PM the Little Chicks in SCOTS COLLEGE their Shells, crack the HALL, STRATHMORE whip with Rawhide and sing along with classics like Baa Baa Black Sheep and Old MacDonald.

Meet the musicians up close and help conduct Tickets available from the Orchestra! www.fringe.co.nz

My dad makes scones every Saturday or Sunday for the whole family, with cream and jam. They taste really nice. He takes me and my sister on fishing trips and we have our own rods. Every time Mum has to go to Wellington to work he makes our lunches and puts little treats in them, which Mum doesn’t do. When he travels for work he always brings us back something cool that he knows we will like.

Rhia de Jong, age 12

He helps me with my homework, spelling and paragraphs.

He takes me on trips with him to Matiu/Somes Island; he is a ranger there sometimes. He took me and my friends on an overnight camp there. My dad takes me on bike rides.

My dad loves scones and bread and sometimes he will make them for breakfast. Dad makes pancakes every Sunday.

Dad listens to me if I want to try something new and always encourages me.

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!

Karori Recreation Centre Preschool programmes School-age programmes Adult classes Facility hire Sports league 251 Karori Road, Karori, Phone 476 8090 Wellington.govt.nz 10

www.familytimes.co.nz

Win: A Perfect Chirpy Christmas A beautiful, gentle Christmas story, with the message that family and friends are most important.

A Perfect Chirpy Christmas is the adorable story of Flit, who desperately wants a white Christmas so flies all the way overseas until he finds a snowy city. Here he begins to realise that he misses his family terribly and begins to understand that what is even more exciting than building snowbirds is being at home with his friends and family. We have 10 to give away.

Win Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 – in cinemas 5 December - prize packs Inventor Flint Lockwood thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention - a machine that turned water into food causing cheeseburger rain and spaghetti tornadoes. But Flint soon learns that his invention survived and is now creating food-animals – “foodimals!”

5 prize packs, each consisting of: A Scratch n Sniff sticker set A T-shirt A notebook A double pass to the movie Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2 In cinemas December 5 Cloudy2-movie.

Net Rating: tbc ©2013 Columbia pictures industries inc. All rights reserved Competition closes 9 December, 2013.

What is your favourite activity to do with your family in summer? Send us your picture and a brief description about the activity 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 5 February 2014.

Congratulations to our drink bottle competition winners from our last issue. They are:

Take your family to the MOVIES and save BIG!

60

$

for a 2D movie

plus 4 small drinks and 2 medium popcorns. Normally $73.60.

Valid for 2 adults & 2 Children or 1 Adult & 3 Children or 4 Children only at Downtown Cinema’s Coastlands.Expires 31/01/2014. Voucher is not redeemable via the internet, the original voucher must be surrendered at the candy bar. Items in the family pack offer are not exchangeable. Not valid for 3D or Special Events. Only valid to the same film and session time.

70

$ 1-4 -James Yang – 4-years-old

2 adults and 2 kids

2 adults and 2 kids for a 3D movie

plus 4 small drinks and 2 medium popcorns. Normally $82.60.

5-8 - John Yang – 8-years-old

Valid for 2 adults & 2 Children or 1 Adult & 3 Children or 4 Children only at Downtown Cinema’s Coastlands. Expires 31/01/2014. Voucher is not redeemable via the internet, the original voucher must be surrendered at the candy bar.

Items in the family pack offer are not exchangeable. Not valid for Special Events. Only valid to the same film and session time.

9-12 - Tilly Sheers, Age 9 - “I was sitting on the edge of my

seat, cheering and booing the tele, watching the Americas Cup and I thought, MAN! Those guys must get so thirsty!

I also thought how desperate they want the trophy, so I combined the two together.”

WIN, WIN,

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WIN!

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Win a delicious healthy treat the whole family will enjoy The yonanas machine quickly turns frozen bananas and other frozen fruits into a variety of guilt-free treats that look and taste like soft-serve ice cream.

You choose the flavour by adding your favourite ingredients – why not try strawberry, pineapple or mango? yonanas offers great value for money, especially because you can use fruit that you might otherwise throw away. Kids will love the bright colours and parents will love the healthy desserts that are dairy-free, fat-free and with no added sugar. Visit www.yonanas.co.nz for colour availability and stockists. RRP: $129.99.

We have 4 to give away.

Bag yourself a Madpax!

Life is too short to wear a bland backpack so MadPax New Zealand has six Full Packs valued at $89.95 to give away.

MadPax are 3D-inspired backpacks and power pack-cessories that are the perfect fusion of fashion and funk-tionality.

These unique packs allow kids of all ages to express themselves and their inner creature. You will definitely stand out with a MadPax back pack. What is your style?

Choose from the original Spiketus Rex, primal skinned Later Gator, Bubble or the most recent addition to the range, Blok.

See the range at www.madpax.co.nz.

Info Hotline: 298 6175 Coastlands, Paraparaumu Check out

www.dtcoastlands.co.nz

for information on current and upcoming movies

A new Hellers CoCktAil sAusAge rAnge for tHe wHole fAmily.

Hellers new Gluten free Cocktail Sausages are perfect for any fun occasion, as a treat or even as a handy and simple meal idea for kids that they’ll be sure to love. They come in 3 great varieties - Skinless, Cheese and Original. These tasty original kiwi classics recapture the fun of yesteryear, and with the great new flavours there’s a Cocktail Sausage to suit everyone. They’re also gluten free and with Hellers renowned quality, they will as sure as Hellers be a huge hit with the whole family. Available in all good stores now!

Just tick the things you want to win Spring 2013

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City Phone

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 February 5th 2014, unless stated otherwise. Only one entry per household. www.familytimes.co.nz

11

cool activities

Calendar of Events With summer upon us and Christmas just around the corner, the kids will be feeling the excitement and looking for things to do.

There are a lot of events happening in and around Wellington this summer.

Happy holidays!

1 December

The Paekakariki Family Express. Bring the family to experience the nostalgia of travelling on a real heritage train between Wellington and Paekakariki. The excursions will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train to run in New Zealand. Visit www.steaminc.org.nz.

7 December

show featuring some of New Zealand’s leading magicians and award winning performers.

Come along for an action-packed 90 minutes of shock, awe and wonder at Newtown Cultural Community Centre. Visit www.wellingtonmagic.org.nz.

8 December

7 December

8 December

Hataitai Community Market. Lots of hot food, drinks and freshly made bakery goods, preserves, toys, babywear, cosmetics, antiques, books, clothing, honey, bric-a-brac, plants, live music and the chance to play bowls with your kids. Hataitai Bowling and Petanque Club, 157 Hataitai Road.

8 December

Family Fun Day at Te Papa: Te Papa’s all about family activities and everything Aztec.

Make toys, play games, and learn all about what life was like for Aztec kids. Free activities run throughout the day. Visit www.tepapa.govt.nz to learn more.

Wellington Magic Club: end-of-year magic

Race along for family fun A day at the races is a quintessential Kiwi summertime tradition and Interislander Summer Festival events provide the perfect day out for the whole family.

From Boxing Day through to mid-February, 40 Interislander Summer Festival events will take place at some of New Zealand’s most picturesque racecourses and hottest holiday spots.

All kids’ entertainment is free and includes the popular horse-themed More FM Kids Go Racing events and a range of under-12 activities such as pin-the-tail-on-the-horse

and the horseshoe toss. Kids also get to meet much-loved horse mascots, Hopples or Stirrup.

From Ruakaka to Gore - and everywhere in between - Interislander Summer Festival brings a celebration of summer to town, providing the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family in a fun and relaxed environment. Family picnics, deck chairs, shorts and jandals – it’s a classic Kiwi summer’s day out!

For more information about an event near you, visit www.theraces.co.nz.

40 Events Nationwide

Boxing Day - 8 Feb

For more information or to book a base camp visit theraces.co.nz

Children’s clay workshop at Fig Tree Studio. Make clay fairies, elves or mermaids.

Price ($22) includes all clay, decoration and firing costs. Age 5-years upwards, 31 Foster Crescent, Belmont. Visit www.catepates.net.

Wellington Young Voices and Porirua Brass Band. Wellington Young Voices and The Porirua Youth Brass Band will perform works from classical composers through to Elton John and Michael Jackson. Old St Pauls, Thorndon, 4pm. Visit www.oldstpauls.co.nz.

12 December

Twinklepink Girls’ Night Out. An evening of festive decorating fun for your face and nails.

Temporary eyeliner tattoos, temporary lip tattoos, rhinestone nail transfers. Tickets are $10 and bookings are required. Wadestown Library. Visit www.twinklepink.co.nz.

14 December

Wellington Phoenix v Roar. The Wellington Phoenix welcome Brisbane Roar in round 10 of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season at Westpac Stadium. Kick-off is 5.30pm. Visit www.wellingtonphoenix.com.

18 December

Minecraft Inventions and Challenges holiday course. Students will learn to work within the 3D world of Minecraft and take part in a range of architectural and engineering challenges. Samuel Marsden School, Karori. Visit www.bubbledome.com to learn more.

18-23 December

Treasure Hunt on Jackson Street. The

Join Kev the Kiwi as he visits local parks with fun-filled activities this January. hunt will start from the Jackson Street programme office in the old police station, where the first clue will be given. Visit 274B Jackson Street, Petone, 4pm – 7pm. Free activity.

20 December

Barefoot Boogie - where you can dance however you want in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Move and groove to music from all over the world in an attitude and alcohol free environment. Cost $10-$20 sliding scale, kids under 10 get in free. St Mark’s Church School, 13 Dufferin Street, 6:30pm – 10pm.

THE PANTOMIME

By Michele Amas Songs by Paul Jenden & Gareth Farr Directed by Susan Wilson

Great fun for everyone!

16 nov to 22 dec & 2—11 jan

Tues/Wed/Thu 6.30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm

BOOK NOW! (04) 801 7992 www.circa.co.nz

12

www.familytimes.co.nz

cool activities 28 December and 25 January

down the Hutt River Trail and then have some fun with the push play gear. Bring a picnic, bikes and buggies. Afterwards enjoy free coffee courtesy of Caffe L’affare and be in to win spot prizes. From 10.30am-12pm, Harcourt Park, Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt. Free activity. Visit www.buggywalk.co.nz.

Wellington Ocean Sports run open days on the last Saturday of each month. For a gold coin donation you can have a go at sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, stand up paddleboard or waka ama. Everything you need is provided 18 January and no experience is necessary. From 10am Wellington Beach Football Tournament and 1pm. Bookings can be made at www. is back in 2014. Oriental Bay will once again rpnyc.org.nz/ocean-sports/discover. play host. For more information or to enter 5 January a team in the competition, visit www.beachfootballnz.co.nz. Free for spectators.

Small Dog Social. A social group for small dogs and their owners. All are welcome to 25 January the first walk for 2014, which will be at McEwan Park, Petone Beach. Fun for the family Great Scavenger Hunt. Download a clue and the family pet. Free activity. Visit www. sheet from www.capitale.org.nz or pick one facebook.com/smalldogsocials. up from Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf on the day. Start searching from 10am, entry is by 9 January gold coin donation.

Kev the Wandering Kiwi and Sport Wellington Buggy Walk. Join Kev for a stroll

26 January

State OceanKids a swim for children aged between 6 to 10-years old, consisting of a fun 30 minute safety activity session followed by a 200m shallow water swim from Oriental Bay Beach to Freyberg Beach, lined with Surf Life Saving NZ guards. Visit www. oceanswim.co.nz.

Welcome in the Chinese New Year: 1-2 February 2014.

1 February

Chinese New Year 2014. Welcome in the Year of the Horse: New Clothes for the New Year. On Sunday, 2 February, it’s Festival Day with an Asian market, street parade, and cultural entertainment.

Interislander Summer Festival

Greyhounds, Hatrick Raceway 2 January: Tauherenikau Races 4 January: Woodville Races Free entry and family on course activities at the Summer Festival 5 January: Otaki Races Races, venues around Wellington. 19 January: Otaki Trots 20 January: Trentham Races Search www.the races.co.nz/ 6 February: Tauherenikau Races summerfestival for details.

8 February: Awapuni Races 30 December: Wanganui

Capital E launches new space for the 2014 Great Scavenger Hunt Get ready for adventure this Wellington Anniversary Weekend as Capital E launches its new home and begins the countdown to the 2014 Great Scavenger Hunt.

Capital E is opening its doors to the public once again and you can be part of the action. Beginning on Anniversary Weekend there will be family fun and plenty of activities to celebrate Capital E’s new interim home.

There’s the chance to check out Capital E’s new Digital Studios and public space, find out about the National Theatre for Children’s brand new productions Mr McGee & the Biting Flea and An Awfully Big Adventure, and prepare for mystery and excitement with the Great Scavenger Hunt.

The Great Scavenger Hunt will return to Wellington’s waterfront on Saturday 25 January complete with clues, riddles and plenty of fascinating characters along the way. Scavengers taking part are invited to solve the clues to find each location, and at each new destination a fun challenge awaits them.

Start your hunt from 10am on the day.

“The Great Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to welcome the public back to Capital E,” says Capital E events producer Derek Simpson.

To take part, download a clue sheet from www.capitale.org.nz or pick one up from Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf on the day.

Entry is by gold coin donation.

From 1 February

Tuatara February at Zealandia. Come and see these fascinating dinosaurs as they enjoy the warmer weather. Walks, talks and more.

Details at www.visitzealandia.com.

Compiled by Tracey-Ann Moase and Karen Theobald

Time to take a fresh look at Zealandia Zealandia’s conservation successes are widely recognised, and now the great news is that Zealandia’s entry price has been cut, making it easier for families to enjoy all the wonders that Zealandia offers.

Adult entry, previously $28.50 for entry to the valley and exhibition, is now $17.50 and family admission has dropped from $71.50 to $44 (two adults and up to three children). A new “come back tomorrow” system includes a complimentary next day return, allowing visitors a greater opportunity to explore.

Now Zealandia’s members have more advocacy power, bringing up to five friends for half price on any day visit, as well as enjoying their existing discounts and privileges.

Also, the number and variety of guided tours and talks has been increased, with new December tours available to book now: Breakfast, Bubbles and Birdsong, and Walk the Wild Side.

Visit www.visitzealandia.com/freshlook.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Girls Brigade groups right across New Zealand provide friendship and fun that builds healthy girls with strong life skills Contact Us today to find out where your nearest group is. Join for fun, friends and leadership.

Phone (09) 442 5055 Email info@girlsbrigade.org.nz

www.girlsbrigade.org.nz

the imperial russian ballet company presents...

Step into a vanished world, once again rich in the birds and plants that covered Aotearoa a thousand years ago.

Here the animals are free to roam and fly – yet they remain because local people have re-established an entire natural sanctuary, where the human beings, who once challenged the very existence of such a place, are now vital to its future. See for yourself.

DON QUIXOTE “A flamboyant and festive ballet”

Feel what it was like to be the first person to step through the new Zealand bush.

ST JAMES

Fri 21, SAT 22 & SUN 23 MArch

BOOK NOW www.TicKETEK.cO.NZ Ph (04) 384 3840 SEE THE SancTuary vallEy and ExHibiTion For onE pricE ADULTs $17.50 • ChiLDren $9 • fAmiLies $44

www.visitzealandia.com

www.russianballet.com.au www.familytimes.co.nz

13

cool activities

Entertainment Wellington Zoo The lazy, hazy days of Wellington Zoo is a great place for summer are upon us, and a family day out. See amazing animals up there are plenty of fun, family close, enjoy lunch or snacks from our cafes, and buy unique mementos from activities to keep everyone the Zoo shop. You can even have your entertained over the longer next birthday party there. Visit www. days and Christmas holidays. wellingtonzoo.com.

Downtown Cinemas Coastlands Here are a few ideas to get Treat your family to the cinema this you started: summer. Clip the discount vouchers in this Staglands Wildlife Reserve

Staglands Wildlife Reserve offers visitors the unique opportunity to feed and freely interact with wildlife in a natural environment. Open daily, visit www.staglands.co.nz.

Zealandia The ultimate eco-sanctuary experience. See and hear rare, native wildlife in their natural environment, and much more. Visit www. visitzealandia.com for full details.

Mother Goose Theatre An abundance of fun, comedy, costume and songs. Mother Goose is a must-see, cracking eggs-trava-gander. Shows from November to January. Visit www.circa.co.nz to book.

magazine and save. Check out session times at www.dtcoastlands.co.nz.

Round Harbour Explorer See Wellington on board a Round Harbour Explorer tour these holidays, or make up your own trip with up to 16 return harbour crossings daily. View the timetable and details at wwweastbywest.co.nz.

Museum of Wellington City and Sea Welcome to Wellington is the latest short film at Museum of Wellington City and Sea. It follows a day in the life of our city, drawn from 100 years of archive footage. Search www.museumwellington.org.nz.

Great outdoors summer events Take part in the Wellington Regional Council’s summer events programme. Events include Creepy Crawly Critters, Paws in the Park and Farm Day. Visit www.gw.govt.nz or phone 04-830-4041 for details.

Children can feed and freely interact with wildlife in a natural environment at Staglands Wildlife Reserve.

2014 primary and intermediate school term dates Term 1, 2014

Term 2, 2014

Term 4, 2014

Between Monday 27 January (at the earliest); and Friday 7 February (at the latest) to Thursday 20 April

Term 3, 2014

Monday 13 October to no later than Friday 19 December

2014 secondary and composite school term dates Term 1, 2014

Get busy with a range of summer events and activities in Hutt City. A quick 20 minutes from Wellington, visit www. summerinthehutt.co.nz for details.

Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

SCHOOL TERM DATES

Monday 13 October to Tuesday 16 December

Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Term 4, 2014

Summer in the Hutt

Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Term 3, 2014

Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Tell our advertiser you saw it in...

Term 2, 2014

Between Monday 27 January (at the earliest); and Friday 7 February (at the latest) to Thursday 20 April

Public holidays 2014 1 January 2 January 6 February 18 April 21 April 25 April 2 June 27 October 25 December 26 December

New Year’s Day Day after New Year’s Day Waitangi Day Good Friday Easter Monday Anzac Day Queen’s Birthday Labour Day Christmas Day Boxing Day

Boys without dads Does your boy need a good man in his life? Could he do with a mate – someone to do ‘boy stuff’ with? Maybe Big Buddy can help.

We are a free, secular service that recruits good men from the community, vets them with the most advanced screening process in New Zealand and matches them as volunteer mentors to fatherless boys in friendships that can last a lifetime.

If your boy is aged 7 to 14, has lost his father or has no contact with his father, then maybe we can help.

Hundreds of fatherless Kiwi boys have Big Buddies.

It’s life-changing for boys, mums and mentors. Its all good.

Saturday 1 Feb New Clothes for the New Year

Michael Fowler Centre 7:00pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 2 Feb Asian Market Michael Fowler Centre 10.30am-4.30pm

Street Parade

New route for 2014 2:00pm-3:00pm

Cultural Entertainment Michael Fowler Centre 11:00am-4:00pm

www.chinesenewyear.co.nz

To find out more phone our coordinator

Andrew Morrison Ph (04) 384 4888

www.bigbuddy.org.nz 14

www.familytimes.co.nz

www.facebook.com/bigbuddynz

1-2 February Year of the Horse

2014

Catching the reading bug In the words of Dr Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

keeps the excitement of reading alive at home. Let toddlers select books themselves, and spend time at the local library reading books together. Many libraries run story time sessions that are free to attend; these involve group stories, songs, rhymes and plays suitable for a range of ages. This also provides a great chance to meet up with other parents ooks have the power to inform, educate who live in the local area. and entertain, and reading should be an Many toddlers develop an interest in certain enjoyable experience shared with family and subject areas such as trains, dinosaurs, fairies, friends. policemen or dogs. Encourage and motivate For kids, a fun, supportive environment your child to read by selecting books related for learning to read is essential, and can be to their interests. accomplished by providing ample opportunities When children reach school age, make sure to read, practice and experience the written positive experiences continue and homework word in a relaxed setting. reading does not become a chore. Choose a Teaching children early reading skills through time when your child is not too tired, hungry sharing books, storytelling, singing songs or distracted by their favourite television and playing games helps to develop basic programme. Give your child lots of positive knowledge and preparation for formal school behaviour-specific praise – this helps them to instruction. recognise what they are doing well, which in It is never too early to read to children. There turn boosts their self-confidence and fosters is a huge range of books available for babies in enjoyment in reading. varying sizes and materials (fabric, cardboard, Encourage your child to talk about what they plastics) with bright colourful pictures, and have read. Asking them questions about how babies love to hear the voice of their mother the characters might be feeling or what they and father. It’s easy to develop a habit of would they do in that situation helps the child regularly reading stories to your child; any to relate the story to themselves and gain a time is a good time for books. Remember deeper understanding. At school, children are too, reading yourself provides a positive role required to be able to comprehend what they model for children to encourage them to read, so practising these skills will support read, so even if it is just the daily newspaper their learning and achievement. Reading does or a magazine, make an effort to read around not have to be just for homework; there are your child. lots of ways in which literacy practice can be Going to the local library is like a wonderland fun and squeezed into everyday life. for children, with its rows and boxes of

By Cathy Robson, Massey University books. Make an effort to go to the library educational psychology student. on a regular basis, as borrowing new books

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Nuztri helps schools buy iPads Best Health Products, the maker of Nuztri branded formula milk and fortified milk powder, has announced a new initiative to support schools, kindergartens and early childhood centres.

For every can of Nuztri formula milk or vitamin A+D/iron-enriched full cream or skim milk powder, Nuztri will donate $2 or $1 to buy iPads or laptops, respectively.

Participating schools, centres or PTAs simply collect supermarket dockets and redeem iPads or laptops.

For years, imported formula or formula

made from imported milk have dominated the New Zealand market, even though we are the number one dairy exporting country in the world. Nuztri formula and milk products are guaranteed made from New Zealand pasture-fed, GE-free, free-range cows’ milk.

Nuztri products are available in more than 40 supermarkets around the country. All Pak’nSave and New World stores are able to order directly from their system. Parents are encouraged to ask local supermarkets if Nuztri is not available there yet.

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Win Win

Win Competitions, giveaways nt and fro vouche rs sfu lly t ho me

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

Worried about your child’s reading and spelling?

If homework time is met with tantrums or tears of frustration and you are desperate to see the joy of learning back in your child’s eyes, help is at hand.

Try Easyread’s simple, 15 minute daily computer lessons and see massive improvement in their abilities and confidence.

Easyread provides you with full support so you know how to reinforce their learning.

Results are guaranteed or your money back.

Get started now to ensure your child begins the New Year with confidence.

Call 0800-777-225 or email hello@ easyread.co.nz for more information. www.easyread.co.nz.

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15

baby & toddler

Milestone manic or go with the flow?

From the moment a baby is born, parents consult books and are given advice about which milestones are important for their child.

“Milestones are really important. Evidence for them is given by paediatricians and international as well as national organisations – The World Health Organisation and the Paediatrics Society - so that while they’re not set in concrete in as much as they don’t have to happen at the same time for every child, you do want them to happen, because hey’re things like when their baby if there’s a delay in them happening, maybe should first smile, clap their hands, roll there’s something else that the child is not over, sleep through the night, crawl developing to their potential that we need to and start speaking, right through to toilet look at and assess.” training, writing their name, counting and There are, however, some milestones that learning their ABCs. both Jamieson and Metcalf agree need to be For many parents, these milestones are a joy – more flexible for parents – things such as from the first smile, every little development is a sleep training and toilet training. treasure. But as Dr Victoria Metcalf, a biologist Metcalf says that there is a lot of “real or and lecturer in genetics at Lincoln University perceived” pressure on parents to have their says, it can also become a competition. children sleep through the night and toilet train “I think that milestones in themselves feed from an early age – pressure from friends, back into this pressure that mothers feel to their own parents, and even grandparents, do certain things by a certain stage. It adds to who create expectations by talking about their stress levels that we feel in a busy world. If own experiences of parenting. “It’s not fair your child is not walking by two years, maybe to the mother or the child. What we have to worry then… it’s not a “mumpetition”.” remember is that every child is different and Plunket clinical advisor Allison Jamieson says they work to their own rhythm. When you there needs to be a safe middle ground. work into “what is my child ready for,” the better the relationship will be between you and your child. Jamieson agreed. “We don’t expect babies to sleep through the night at a young age, because if they are it means that they’re not getting enough food,” she said.

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, contact your primary health care giver.

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Getting your kids to bed When it comes to sleep, there’s an undeniable fact — sleep is much needed by parents, and most resisted by kids. Here are some tips from ASG Education Programmes New Zealand (ASG) on how to get your child to bed.

Timing is crucial:

When kids aren’t tired or if they’re overtired, getting them to sleep can be a problem. If you can see that your child is tired, but it’s not bedtime yet, suggest some quiet play time away from the stimulation of television or electronic games. Suggesting they put their PJs on and get into bed anyway can also help, with the promise of an additional bedtime story or calming music.

Encourage independence:

For both two parent and single parent families, try not to overdo the bedtime Try not to rush the winding cues or time spent with the child once down routine: they’re in bed. Encourage their confidence Most of us have a million things to do once and independence to know it’s time for sleeping, and this is something they are very our kids are in bed. But a little kid’s radar is quick to pick up on the fact that we’re clever at doing on their own. trying to fob them off and their natural Sticking to a predictable, response can be to go slow. They figure consistent bedtime routine: this is their time — and they’re right; it If kids know that having a shower and brushing their teeth is followed by one-on- is — so unless there is a valid excuse for cutting short a bedtime story, try to be as one time with a parent or carer — reading consistent as possible. a story or quietly chatting — they can Visit www.asg.co.nz/bedtime-routine to gradually begin the mental and physical read some more bedtime tips. slow down of the day’s activities.

Childhood Concepts Childhood Concepts is family owned and operated. To support families returning to work or study it offers the first week fee free, and a discount for those with childcare subsidies.

Its teachers are selected on their ability and commitment to providing a service that reflects love, respect and understanding of children. It provides an enriching educational programme in which children are cherished and individual learning needs are met.

Childhood Concepts welcomes parents visiting its centres or alternately, they are happy to come to you. www.childhoodconcepts.co.nz.

Breastfeeding help by mothers for mothers LA LECHE LEAGUE OFFERS: • Mother-to-mother support • Telephone help • Trained breastfeeding counsellors • Regular meetings • Books and leaflets for sale • Lending libraries

CONTACT US: (04) 471 0690 EMAIL: help@lalecheleague.org.nz www.facebook.com/LLLNZ www.lalecheleague.org.nz 16

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Kids keeping Kiwi

coastlines clean A volunteer trip to the Galapagos Islands national park in 2009 inspired Sam Judd to help clean up New Zealand’s coastlines.

“We saw all these dead animals wrapped up in rubbish in the Galapagos, and we ran a big cleanup out there. It was really satisfying so we brought the concept back here.”

The result was the establishment of the Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust in 2009. Four years later, the Sustainable Coastlines team has motivated more than 26,000 people across New Zealand to keep New Zealand beautiful by cleaning up the beach, resulting in the removal of a whopping

123 tonnes of rubbish – mostly plastics.

Sustainable Coastlines ran extensive data analysis on the rubbish that they collected, and what they discovered surprised them; about 85% of the rubbish removed came from the stormwater system. In other words, people littering on the beach wasn’t a huge problem.

People littering on their own streets was.

“There is a real disconnect in our community between litter on our streets, the stormwater drains and their route to the waterways and ocean,” says Judd.

Plastics are perhaps the biggest problem, as they entangle and are consumed by wildlife – around the world, and locally - often causing death.

One of Judd’s colleagues, Camden Howitt, ran a presentation at Colville School in the Coromandel where he showed them pictures

Citizen scientists wanted!

S ummer is the perfect time to head down to your local beach and start discovering the plethora of plant and animal species that dwell there.

Sound intriguing but a bit overwhelming?

Well… how about mapping out just 1 metre at a time?

The Marine Metre Squared (MM2) project is an easy way for anyone to survey the plants and animals living on their local seashore.

The NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, is encouraging everyone to participate in long term monitoring of their marine environment – the Marine Metre Squared.

Anyone can take part – individuals, families, schools and community groups.

The Marine Metre Squared website (www. mm2.net.nz) is where you can find everything you need to get involved in this new

and exciting nationwide, citizen science project, get the tools to start surveying your local seashore, and find out where plants and animals that live between the tides are found around New Zealand.

When you join the Marine Meter Squared project (it’s free), you can share your stories about your local seashore, suggest an idea for a mini project, describe the beauties and the beasts that dwell in your m2, and get and give help identifying animal and plant species. As a registered member, you can get full access to the online MM2 database where you can add your own survey data to show others what’s living between the tides on your local shore, and compare your shore with rest of New Zealand to find out which species live where using simple mapping and analysis tools.

of dead birds with guts full of plastic in the North Pacific, then when the kids went out cleaning up they found a Pied Oyster Catcher – native to New Zealand – dead with plastic in its stomach.

Judd also says that there is a growing amount of evidence to show that plastic rubbish – which can contain poisonous chemicals and essentially act like a sponge for pollutants in the ocean – is being eaten by fish.

What can we do?

Visit loveyourcoast.org and check out different community events in your area to support cleaning up New Zealand’s coastline.

No events in your area? Why not plan your own community event?

“Kids can do it themselves using the eventplanning tool on loveyourcoast.org; we’ve had several groups of kids that have done it themselves like that. You can then upload the data online,” says Judd.

For a small donation (to cover administration and cleaning costs) Sustainable Coastlines can also provide reusable rubbish sacks and gloves.

Alternatively, schools can plan mufti days and sausage sizzles to help raise money to clean up New Zealand’s coastline, book a school or community visit with the Sustainable Coastlines team, or anyone can make a donation online by visiting www. sustainablecoastlines.org.

12 days to a greener summer Day 1 Day 2

Recycling collection times may be different so make a note of the new time.

You can recycle: • Paper, glass, metals (food tins, drink cans, jar lids, wine bottle screw tops) • Plastics 1 and 2 (and in some places 1-7)

Day 3

Look for the Love NZ recycling bins in your area

Day 4

Recycle more packaging more often.

Day 5

Reuse. Use a reusable shopping bag when you go out shopping.

Day 6

Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Day 7

Be clean and conserve space. Rinse out bottles and cans.

Day 8

Reuse or recycle your Christmas cards. Around 60 million Christmas cards will be sent to New Zealanders this year.

Day 9

Be a recycling champion at events Many sports stadia, concert venues and festivals now have Love NZ recycling bins.

Day 10

It’s not just packaging that can be recycled – there are collection points for TVs, print cartridges and old mobiles.

Day 11

Separate your glass by colour in a glass bottle bank.

Day 12

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to reduce, reuse and recycle even more in 2014. If we all do our bit New Zealand WILL remain clean and green. www.familytimes.co.nz

17

Christmas gift guide for tech-crazy kids It’s that time of year when you need to start thinking - if you have not already - about what technology or gaming gifts are on the market for this year’s Christmas season.

As always, gaming is an expensive and difficult market for the uninitiated, so here’s a preview of the big and new things that will be out this year for your potential gift dollars.

Consoles

There are a few consoles to choose from this year, but you may not be able to choose the one you want in time for Christmas.

PS4

The PS4 is undoubtedly the console that most people want to have (currently). It has the best hardware and is winning the PR war against rival consoles. Available about a week after the Xbox One, it is accompanied by mostly the same titles as the Microsoft console but has a few exclusives only available on this machine. However, it is also the one that will be the hardest to find as a number of suppliers have already sold out their allotment and the next shipment will be out in early 2014. Cost $650 (approximately).

Xbox One

The Xbox One is the closest contender to the PS4, and arguably only a hair’s breadth behind the Sony product. This is available from November onwards, is accompanied by mostly the same titles as the PS4, and has a few exclusives only available on this machine.

I have played on both machines, and find very little between them. Simply put, don’t believe the hype and make your own informed choice. Cost $750 (approximately).

Nintendo 2DS

This is a surprisingly good option for some players. The 3DS has been out for a while but not everyone got one due to the price and the limited range of titles. However, if you are a Pokemon fan for example, then this may be the option you are looking for. It’s a much cheaper 2D version of the 3DS (minus the 3D

elements) that will play all 3DS games, old and new, at a much better price. A good option for Nintendo fans on a budget. Cost $170 (approximately).

Existing consoles

The PS3, the Xbox 360 and the Wii U are all on the market already and the games will be around for these platforms for a long while yet. Expect to see huge discounts in the prices of the older generation boxes and their games in the run up to Christmas. There will be some bargains and bundles to choose from for the canny consumer.

Games

This year there will be a bumper crop of not only good new games but also the bigger, better and beautiful games on the enhanced consoles.

Out Now

Grand Theft Auto V: A stunning and immersive experience, but definitely for much older kids; late teens and up.

Beyond Two Souls: The latest in interactive storytelling and game/movie hybrid, also for late teens and up.

Disney Infinity: For all ages and all platforms.

Coming before Christmas:

Warfare games: Call of Duty Ghosts (all platforms), Battlefield 5 (all platforms).

Driving games: Gran Tourismo 6 (PS3) and Forza 5 (Xbox One).

Adventures: Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag (all platforms), Batman: Arkham Origins (Xbox 360, Ps3 and Wii U), Watchdogs (PS4 and Xbox One).

And these are just the highlights; there will be so many to choose from, and if you don’t know what you are looking for it’s best not to guess. If you are buying for someone else

then the best strategy is to avoid surprise and simply ask him or her specifically what he or she wants to avoid buying the wrong thing.

If you are unsure if the content is appropriate

for your child, check the rating on the bottom left of the game’s cover, which is the same as movie ratings.

Ready to listen – The Alcohol Drug Helpline For parents with concerns about their own, their partner’s or their children’s alcohol or other drug use, the Alcohol Drug Helpline is the ideal place to start.

It is a free, confidential phone service available 10am - 10pm every day and the online counsellors are happy to listen to any concerns. The aim is to help callers to clarify their concerns and then to help them decide the best next steps to take: free information (dvd/booklets), contacting a local community service or continuing contact with the Helpline by phone or text.

Many parents ring with concerns about their children’s exploration or use of alcohol or cannabis – particularly the

newer synthetic cannabis products. The counsellors are happy to discuss ways to talk to young children, or to teens about any of these issues – from how to confront a son or daughter about suspected drug use to organising a teenage party. And of course young people themselves are welcome to call. As well as being able to call any day, callers can arrange to receive regular support calls from the Helpline.

Students can ring for information for their school project, or concerns about their friend who is getting into party pills.

Helpline staff promise to listen, and to help in any way they can.

Phone 0800-787-797 or text “adh” to 234.

Christmas @ your finger tips

Christmas made easy!

Give a taste of Central Otago delivered for Christmas Export quality cherries Handmade preserves Gift hampers www.saritaorchard.co.nz

Delivered to your door

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18

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The Father Of Invention As a dad, Dr Keith Alexander invented a safer trampoline so his kids would be safe while having fun. That was 20 years ago. He didn’t foresee that his design would become the world’s safest trampoline.

With one in every fifteen spring-based trampolines putting a child in hospital, Dr Alexander’s design has now kept thousands of children out of emergency wards all over the world.

To find out how this kiwi inventor made bouncing safer for his kids, and yours, visit www.springfree.co.nz or call 0800 586 772.

The World’s Safest Trampoline

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Tired drivers leave one tell-tale sign. No skid marks. Drive Fresh.

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