Family Times Autumn 2021

We’ve Got Parenting Covered

Aut u m n I s sue 2 021

FREE! =take me home

Talking careers with teens with Nathan Wallis

Out and about

Make the most of the GREAT OUTDOORS

HOW TO RAISE KIDS THAT ARE

great eaters

h c t a W me

w o r g p. u Get unlimited entry with Club Willowbank.

See our website for details www.willowbank.co.nz

QUAIL ISLAND’S BIG BEAUTIFUL BIRD TRAIL Six native New Zealand birds are hiding around Quail Island. Painted by a local Lyttleton artist our big beautiful birds will be hard to miss. Come and explore the island to find them all, whilst learning about each bird. Complete our fun fact sheet and we’ll reward you with surprise treats!

Only during the school holidays April 17th – May 2nd

ADULTS CRUISE AT KIDS PRICES

JUST $15

BOOK NOW 0800 436 574

www.blackcat.co.nz 2

Autumn / 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome

W

hen the kids are little, a lot of parental worry stems from food and eating.

Are they getting enough of the right things? How do I get them to try new foods? Why won’t he sit up nicely at the dinner table and stop banging his knife and fork? Or maybe that one is just me!

By the time they're teenagers, how to hide the good stuff so it’s still there when you sit down to watch Netflix is a more likely food scenario. At this stage of their lives, schoolwork and their future career path are high on the agenda.

In this issue of Family Times, we have tackled both of these sticky subjects. For those caring for young children, Kate Barber spoke with nutritionist Helen Potter about littlies and food. Her article ‘Raising great eaters’ (pg 17) offers solid, practical strategies for getting to grips with the mealtime madness.

For those sharing their home with teens, neuroscience educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis shares his knowledge of the teenage brain and offers advice for choosing the right moment to talk about the future in ‘Career talks with teens – setting the scene’ (Pg 18).

In the last few weeks, the crisp breezeless mornings and darkening evenings have lifted my spirits, knowing autumn is here bringing with it the settled days that bless Christchurch at this time of the year. See our Out & About pages for outdoor play inspiration, and let’s hope the sunshine lasts through the holidays.

Mā te wā

Anna Scaife / Editor anna@27publishers.co.nz @familytimesnewzealand

Autumn / 2021

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12

Contents

28

FEATURES 10

Trick of the light

11

Spectacular science

REGULARS

12​ Putting play first

4

13

3

Welcome Note

Easy on you, easy on the planet

32

Holiday at home

5​

14

Breathe easy

33

Food: Tomato pilaf

Help is at hand

6

15

Show us your pearly whites

34

Get crafty: Pin-up dinos

Books and Beats

8

17

Raising great eaters

38

In the spotlight: Super teen

We love...

18

20​

Career talks with teens

What’s On Christchurch

24

25

‘Working’ from home

Kiwi kids

35

26

Little explorers

Giveaways

36

28

Be with a tree

Funzone

37

30

Happy days in Hanmer

Christchurch Marketplace

31

Why YHA?

Autumn / 2021

30

PLUS, make sure you LIKE our social pages to stay up-to-date with happenings and advice, and for plenty of chances to WIN! familytimesnewzealand

CONTENTS

familytimes.co.nz is delighted to be a long-term sponsor of The Canterbury Special Children’s Christmas Party, an event that has been giving underprivileged and special needs children the opportunity to celebrate Christmas.

PUBLISHER Twenty Seven Publishers Ltd Lisa Phelan lisa@27publishers.co.nz 021 782 228

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Rachel Brodrick designer@27publishers.co.nz

EDITOR Anna Scaife anna@27publishers.co.nz

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Lam Sam Craig Fortune Crissi Blair Dr Kirsten Wooff Elliott Collins Grahame Dutton Kate Barber Nathan Wallis

SUBEDITOR Kathy Catton kathy@27publishers.co.nz ADVERTISING Caroline Martin caroline@27publishers.co.nz 029 121 1115

GENERAL ENQUIRIES hello@27publishers.co.nz

PRINT Blueprint, Christchurch

Family Times is published quarterly and is a registered trademark. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained herein. The reader of this publication assumes all responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional. Family Times asserts copyright on all material published within Family Times and none of it shall be reproduced, wholly or in part, without the prior written consent of this publisher. Family Times reserves the right to edit or abridge all letters or other material, whether solicited or otherwise, prior to publication.

familytimesnewzealand

@familytimesnewzealand

Help is at hand Sometimes you need some information or an answer to a curly question – all you need to do is pick up the phone and ask for help.

After Hours Counselling Services Providing counselling and relationship services.

027 694 5275 afterhours-counselling services.co.nz

Canterbury Speakeasy A stuttering support group who meets at the University Speech Disorders Unit every first and third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

We are a charitable trust supporting grandparents and whānau carers who have children in their full-time care.

0800 GRANDS (0800 472 637) grg.org.nz

Christchurch Resettlement Services Free social services for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Interpreters are provided.

03 349 7171

03 335 0311 | crs.org.nz

SIDS and Kids

Parent Helpline

Dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children; and supporting bereaved families.

0800 164 455 sidsandkids.org.nz

For all parenting issues, from those everyday situations to the most serious issue of child abuse.

0800 568 856 parenthelp.org.nz

ISSN NO. 2324-450X

Autumn / 2021

5

BOOKS AND BEATS

Books

Books, books, wonderful books!

CRISSI BLAIR picks out the best pages for all ages.

Tiger Heart

TOP PICK

By Penny Chrimes

Hachette $20

North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres

By Sandra Morris

Walker Books $30 A beautiful non-fiction picture book that moves through the months and seasons, contrasting creatures from the northern and southern hemispheres and different habitats.

Both familiar and unusual animals make this a fascinating read. You'll want to share all the facts you didn’t know about these extraordinary animals – their food, behaviour, breeding, and environmental status, with maps, glossary, and beautiful watercolour illustrations and stellar design.

Fly lives a tough life as a chimney sweep, and when she has the chance to escape, she takes it.

She finds herself in a cage with a massive tiger and discovers that they can understand each other – and he thinks she is royalty. With a loyal troupe of tumblers as friends and a special talent for making people see what she wants, Fly embarks on an adventure to find her destiny and save the tiger.

Suitable for ages 9-12 The Pōrangi Boy

By Shilo Kino

Suitable for ages 7+

Huia $25

Kupu Tauaro – Opposites

By Kitty Brown & Kirsten Parkinson

Allen & Unwin $18 One of a series of beautiful bilingual board books full of kupu/words in te reo Māori and English, with gentle coloured-pencil illustrations to depict the concepts. From the enormous friendly eye of the nui/big whale, contrasted with the iti/small shrimp on the cover, to the bird roto/inside the egg, then waho/outside. A handy tool for learning reo, and rich with potential for talking, building closeness and vocabulary.

People call Niko (12) and his koro/grandfather ‘pōrangi’ – crazy. Niko is bullied at school by students and a racist teacher. His whānau fight over a prison to be built on their iwi’s land, while his grandfather insists they must protect the local taniwha, Taukere. Niko steps up to continue the job after his koro dies, supported by his friend Wai, and faces serious challenges.

With realistic dialogue, including te reo, and unflinching honesty, this isn’t an easy read, but a very worthwhile one.

Suitable for ages 11+ Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem

Suitable for ages 0-5 Where is the Dragon?

6

Album musicwithmichal.com Music with Michal’s debut album is the perfect blend of silly, meaningful, fun and heartful. It’s music the whole family will love!

Follow your heart Kath Bee, featuring Sian Kerr

Single smarturl.it/fyhsian Kath Bee’s songs cross a boundary. They’re for children, but adults love them too! Kath’s beautiful daughter, Siân, sings this one.

Waste Free Wanda Album wastefreewanda.com Aotearoa’s newest superhero, Waste Free Wanda, shares a collection of 80s inspired tracks from her environmental rock opera.

Sing through the year - A little wild childhood Claudia Robin Gunn littlewildmusic.com

Suitable for ages 8+

Autumn / 2021

Music with Michal

Auckland University Press $25

Suitable for ages 3-8

Win!

Can You Make Music?

Album

The king is scared of a nightmare dragon and sends three oddball knights out into the night on a slapstick mission to save the realm. None of them has seen a dragon before but have heard about their sharp teeth, spikes and ‘flaming frying boiling scalding sizzling smelly breath'. The reader is a step ahead of the dim-witted trio and will love knowing what is really going on.

Gecko Press $20

By Kiwi Kids Music

By Selina Tusitala Marsh

Stylish, entertaining and informative. Selina Tusitala Marsh, aka Mophead, was invited to be the Commonwealth Poet, writing and performing a poem for the Queen at Westminster Abbey in London. Read ‘Unity’ in the front of the book and learn about the writing process, the Commonwealth, colonialism and Selina’s experiences along the way. Awesome drawings with royal purple highlights and rich, dynamic text.

By Leo Timmers

Music for little ears

We have ONE copy each of Where is the Dragon?, Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem and North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres to give away.

Follow us for your chance to win @familytimesnewzealand

Claudia Robin Gunn shares 25 songs of the seasons, weather and the rhythms of nature for year-round musical fun.

Clear Water Levity Beet

Album levitybeet.com Levity Beet’s new EP release features five new humorous and heartfelt songs performed using five new musical inventions created from recycled, repurposed and reimagined materials.

kiwikidsmusic.co.nz

Autumn / 2021

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WE LOVE…

Things we’re

buzzing about Butterfly beauty The biggest science centre in New Zealand is at the Otago Museum.

An indoor Tropical Forest with over a thousand rainforest butterflies, a threestorey slide, and 43 other interactives!

Come and visit on your next trip to Dunedin.

Showbiz Christchurch Presents Musical Theatre Workshops

July School Holidays. Aged 8 to 13 years only.

Work on singing, dancing and acting with production team members of an upcoming Showbiz show. Contact Showbiz Christchurch for your application form.

otagomuseum.nz/ whats-on/do/tuhura

admin@showbiz.org.nz

Mahindra Now at Avon City

The seven-seat XUV500 has only been on sale for a couple of years, but it has garnered fans in isolated locations such as Gisborne and Tuatapere. These are places where durability, dependability and value matters a lot... but the latest Mahindra SUV still gets plenty of extra sophistication to go with its existing ready-for-duty nature. avoncity.co.nz

SCIFEST DUNEDIN

A celebration of all things science for all ages, from the mysterious outer limits of the universe to the marvellous inner workings of robots. Dunedin comes alive this July! scifest.org.nz

Northlands Mini Golf!

Free and open all school holidays, 10am-4pm. With new holes to conquer, bring along the family and have a go. northlands.co.nz

FERRYMEAD NIGHT MARKET AT FERRYMEAD HERITAGE PARK – 1 MAY An evening for the whole family at the Ferrymead Night Market, at Ferrymead Heritage Park. Stalls, food vendors, entertainment and much more. ferrymead.org.nz

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Autumn / 2021

Facial Beauty and A Smile to share – “The Non-Surgical, Non-Extraction way” Before

INVISALIGN

“We want to bring balance and facial symmetry to your child’s smile and face —helping them look and feel their best.”- Says Dr. Sachdev of Smilesville Dental

After

Early intervention Dentofacial Orthopaedics is based on treatment at a younger age. It works by guiding and developing the growth of the muscles, teeth and bone into the ideal shape and their relationship with each other in a “non-surgical, non-extraction” way, creating stable bites using postural changes. This treatment focuses on creating room to accommodate all the adult teeth, alleviate crowding and produce a more balanced facial profile.

Guiding the growth of the jaws helps address and prevent overcrowded teeth and poor biting relationships between the upper and lower jaws.

Normally this treatment can be done without the need for jaw surgery and without the need for tooth extractions. Dentifacial Orthopedic treatment not only creates a full profile and a wide natural smile, a more open airway (addressing breathing problems such as asthma, mouth breathing, snoring and sleep apnoea) but also promotes the healthy positioning of the jaw joints (TMJs).

Face & smile improvement of a Smilesville patient

Before

After

Early intervention allows to focus on the growth, development and wellbeing of our younger patients along with straightening teeth before permanent teeth are set thereby bringing balance and facial symmetry. By using early orthodontics our goal is to maintain or provide space for permanent teeth so they grow in straight. This minimises the need for more extensive and painful intervention later. “We believe 6-8 years of age is the best time

to assess if your child would benefit from this treatment.”

Face & smile improvement of a Smilesville patient

Before

If a child missed this age then get our free assessment immediately as earlier is still better than later in general.

After

Smilesville offers the revolutionary Invisalign teeth straightening option of realigning teeth without the use of metal is a major advancement in the field of Orthodontics due to its Invisible nature. An option now available for kids, pre-teens, teens and adults. “We believe in minimally invasive

dentistry and Invisalign is the least invasive procedure to straightening teeth and getting an amazing Smile.” says Dr. Sachdev of Smilesville Dental

It’s major advantage is no wires to trap food, no manipulating toothbrushes around fixed wires, it helps the wearer to maintain a high level of dental hygiene.

Smilesville Dental was the first Invisalign platinum provider from Christchurch (and the whole of the South Island) having more than 13 years Invisalign experience.

Face & smile improvement of a Smilesville patient

What Smilesville patients are saying

Smilesville Dental exclusively offers expert advise and treatments in advanced cosmetic dentistry, Smile design and full mouth reconstruction, Implants, Invisalign and Orthodontics to give you an amazing Smile not only to Smile … but to Smile with Confidence.

Grant: “Competent , professional care with a laugh and a smile. Ruchika

looks after myself and two of my children. She is great with the kids, especially my youngest who can be a testing patient.”

Ruth: “Very happy with the good care taken of my children during their

Talk to the friendly staff at Smilesville Dental to transform your child’s face, jaws, teeth and life!

Call 0800 INVISIBLE (0800 468 474)

orthodontics. Some nervous moments as the treatment involved an ‘ugly duckling’ phase but as a result they have fabulous smiles and we are all very pleased. Rusheka is very patient with people and accommodating and I recommend coming when your children are as young as 8 to be able to take advantage of the most options for their treatment.”

GET A FREE CONSULTATION NOW and see how Smilesville Dental can transform your child’s face, jaws, teeth and potentially lifestyle going forward!

Rachele:

“I have been with Smilesville Dental for the last 10 years. We are now up to child number 4 for orthodontic treatment. Ruchika and Sam have been amazing over this time. My husband and I also attend the clinic. Dentists are not my favourite place but this is the best pain free, friendly and quick service. I highly recommend Ruchika and her team.”

Call 0800 INVISIBLE (0800 468 474)

Leaders in Appearance dentistry • Orthodontics for adults, youth and children • Invisalign – The Invisible way to straighten teeth - First Ever Platinum Provider of the South Island treating with Invisalign for 13 years + • Free dental treatment for 13-18yr olds (OHSA conditions apply)

• Extreme Dental makeovers • Whitening • General Dental and complete Hygiene services • Implants • A specialist referral might be required in some cases • Best price Guaranteed

Shop 201, Westfield Riccarton Mall 131 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch

Located above ASB bank (best access via Lift in Farmers store)

0800 INVISIBLE (0800 468 474)

smilesville.co.nz Autumn / 2021

9

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Trick of the light A favourite interactive display at Otago Museum’s Science Centre is Light Island, where you can play with colours and light to reflect it and refract it.

This very cool experiment with light looks like an amazing magic trick! We are going to use light refraction in a simple experiment with a big ‘wow’ factor.

WHAT YOU NEED + Paper + Glass or glass jar + Pens + Water

WHAT TO DO 1. Fill the glass with water, almost to the top.

2. Draw an arrow on the paper.

3. Place the paper behind the glass and watch.

10 Autumn / 2021

The arrow changes direction!

THE SCIENCE In this experiment, we are using the scientific concept of refraction, which is the bending of light. Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another, like from air to water or water to air.

During the experiment, the light travels from the image through the air, then through the glass into the water, and finally out of the glass and into the air once more before it reaches our eyes. Light refracts as it passes from one medium to the next because it travels at different speeds through those mediums. In this experiment, light bends once when it goes through the glass into the water and then again when it comes out of the glass into the air.

As a result, the light paths cross, and the image appears to be flipped. Amazing!

For more amazing science, come and visit the Otago Museum. We are more than a museum and are home to the biggest science centre in New Zealand. otagomuseum.nz

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SPECTACULAR SCIENCE

that blows you away Nanogirl brings the magic and wonder of science to children's birthday parties with new Bubbles and Slime Parties.

S

ince 2016, Dr Michelle Dickinson and the Nanogirl team have toured the country four times, performing the hugely popular ‘Nanogirl Live’ science theatre shows.

Now, as well as performing in theatres and schools to screams of delight at the spectacular experiments, Nanogirl's signature style of high impact science entertainment is lighting up children's birthday parties.

The Nanogirl team now has science communicators in Christchurch and around the country delivering exciting sciencefilled party entertainment for children aged three and older. Every party is presented by a real scientist, from chemists to zoologists, trained in science communication and

children’s entertainment by Dr Michelle Dickinson and the expert Nanogirl team.

For children aged 3+ there are bubble parties featuring cloud-filled bubbles and even a giant bubble the kids can stand inside. For ages 6+, Nanogirl's Slime Parties are already proving hugely popular, with children making five different types of slime, including one that moves on its own, while learning some of the science behind their favourite gloopy goop.

Nanogirl is a socially conscious business on a mission to make science fun and accessible for all. For every ten parties booked, Nanogirl donates a party to a less fortunate family in the local community. nanogirl.co/science-parties

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ECO PARENTING

SLEEP SAFE,

my baby

SIDS and Kids New Zealand is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and supporting bereaved families. The organisation delivers on its vision through world-class research, evidence-based education and bereavement support, and advocacy.

Remind everyone who cares for your child:

Putting play first

+

Sleep baby on their back

+

Keep head and face uncovered

+

Keep baby smoke-free before and after birth

+

Safe sleeping environment night and day

+

Sleep baby in a safe cot in parents' room.

SIDS and Kids provides a range of safe sleeping education and support services as well as a national 24-hour sudden infant death helpline.

0800 164 455 / sidsandkids.org.nz

Playcentre is a parent cooperative that offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to be involved with their child’s learning.

A

t Playcentre, adults play alongside their children. A childcentred programme based on your child’s fascinations, strengths, and interests allows you to encourage children as they interact with others. You will meet other parents and educators and become part of a fun, vibrant village where community and a sense of belonging are at the heart of everything we do.

AND GOOD FOR YOU…

Mums, dads, and all whānau, including grandparents, aunties and uncles, and other caregivers, are welcome to attend Playcentre with the children.

+ A free accredited NZQA education programme to develop parenting skills and understand how children learn and develop

GOOD FOR YOUR CHILD…

+ A child-centred programme based on the individual child’s fascinations, strengths and interests + A high adult-child ratio + A rich variety of quality play and learning resources and experiences + Caters for age ranges from zero to six so that the whole family can come to Playcentre together

+ Support as a parent

+ Involvement in your child’s early childhood education + Confidence in yourself and your parenting + Friendship with other parents and caregivers

+ Whānau social occasions + Opportunities to take on new responsibilities and learn new skills + A sense of community and belonging.

As one mother said, “I played and learnt alongside my kids till they went to school. The friendships we made as a family are priceless.

Playcentre was our village. I didn’t just watch them grow; I grew with them”.

+ A safe and secure environment

Every Playcentre offers three free visits, and you’re welcome to go along for a visit and see what they’re all about! There are over 420 centres throughout New Zealand, so there is sure to be one near you.

+ Positive and sustained interactions with other adults.

playcentre.org.nz

Grandparents raising grandchildren Are you raising your grandchild or someone else’s child full-time? Do you need help getting access to financial support for their needs? Are you stressed and struggling with challenging behaviour? Do you need someone in your corner who understands what you are going through?

12 Autumn / 2021

I

f yes, you are not alone. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG) supports over 5,500 member families nationwide to raise resilient and healthy children. GRG provides information, support, advocacy services and trauma-informed caregiver education workshops designed to help empower you and reduce stress in your lives. Call 0800 GRANDS (0800 472637) and join GRG today.

grg.org.nz

ECO PARENTING

Easy on you, Brolly sheets is here to take the hassle out of those night-time bedding changes.

easy on the planet

N

eed to get you and your child back to sleep faster? With a soft, comfy 100% cotton top and a breathable, waterproof back, it only takes seconds to replace when wet. Just place on top of your bottom sheet, tuck in the wings and sleep directly on top. They are great for children who are ready to start night-time toilet training, as they wake up feeling wet, which helps them learn to go to the toilet at night.

Our innovative technology for the middle layer is both quiet and breathable while still maintaining its super absorbent qualities, holding up to two litres! They are simply fabulous, saving you time, money, loads of laundry, the environment

and above all, your sanity! Brolly Sheets come in all sizes.

Not only are they easy to change in the middle of the night, but they’re also environmentally friendly. Our Brolly Sheets have been third-party tested and certified by Green Leaf to ensure they are environmentally sustainable and non-toxic.

They are long-lasting and reusable, minimising waste to our environment.

Brolly Sheets have a range of different products to suit each child’s need during the toilet training process. From day and night training pants to waterproof bedding, we have it all! brollysheets.co.nz

Day training

The Toilet Training Experts

DISCOUNT CODE

brollysheets.co.nz

Code: FAMILY 15% off full price Ends 30th June

Night training

Coupon code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. While stocks last.

Autumn / 2021

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ECO PARENTING

Breathe easy S

howcasing the benefits of high indoor air quality standards for better respiratory health, the Health Based Building show home is a fully functional, educational space that demonstrates what can be done to support sustainable development and human health.

Each material selection in the Foreverbreathe Specification was made from the Health Based Building Foreverbreathe range.

Products were carefully chosen to ensure reduced chemicals, sustainable materials and high performance.

The Foreverbreathe wall system is a hygroscopic system that diffuses indoor moisture through the wall layers and into wool The unique Foreverbreathe specification brings a combination of insulation which has a unique ability to evaporate moisture high-performance vapour permeable building materials together via warm air entrapment in the fibres. to ensure the built environment is designed to migrate moisture away from Components of the system are Magnum This new family home from the indoor space, with minimum energy Board for a rigid air barrier, laminated use and minimal energy loss. Sticking veneer lumber (LVL) wall framing, Terra HEALTH BASED BUILDING puts the to the aims of sustainable development Lana’s wool insulation, Magnum Board importance of creating a ensures these materials don’t contain interior wall lining, and a Foreverbreathe healthy living environment harmful chemicals or release harmful plaster and paint finish. These materials chemicals. Both of which can impact work together to naturally manage indoor in the spotlight. indoor air quality and the environment. humidity for health and comfort, and filter toxins for health while tightening up on air Health Based Building co-founder, Robin Curtis, says, “Built leakage. This saves on energy bills for heating and cooling. What’s environments are major contributors to human health impacts and more, the building materials used are more sustainable than options our environment. The Foreverbreathe specification is proving New currently widely used within the building industry.

Zealand is leading the world in the perfection of air quality within built environments.”

The goal of the newly opened demonstration home is for people to experience a fully monitored toxin-free environment The modest footprint contains a multi-purpose space that allows first-hand. To experience the clean air for yourself, visit the the occupants to adjust to life and change over time. The addition of newly opened demonstration home at 1062 Colombo Street, a mezzanine level, which would otherwise be an under-utilised roof Edgeware, Christchurch. void, provides the space for an office, playroom, or guest bedroom, healthbasedbuilding.com as and when required.

14 Autumn / 2021

POSITIVE PARENTING

SHOW US YOUR

pearly whites

Hints from DUXTON DENTAL on what parents should look out for with their children’s teeth.

C

hildren should be seeing a dentist or school dental nurse regularly for dental care, but sometimes it’s you, the parents, who first notice something is not quite right with your child’s teeth.

Here are some things that you could look out for that can indicate a bite problem is possibly developing.

Do the upper and lower midlines match up?

This can result from the upper jaw being too narrow, making the child move their jaw to the side to chew. If this is left untreated, the lower jaw can grow into an asymmetry, so the chin is off to one side.

Is there a tooth sitting on the wrong side?

Usually, all the upper teeth sit on the outside (cheek-side) of the lower teeth. If a tooth is on the wrong side, this is called a crossbite.

Do the teeth poke out?

Or does your child sit their lower lip under the top teeth at rest? This is sometimes called “buck teeth” or an overbite.

If buck teeth or a crossbite is left untreated, it can affect the teeth and the bite and can also increase

the risk of accidental traumatic dental injury.

Do they have lots of teeth and not enough room?

Termed ‘crowding’, this can lead to teeth being pushed out of place or stopping others from coming through properly.

lower front teeth), we call that an anterior open bite, and if they overlap too much (you can’t see the lower front teeth), we call that a deep bite.

An open bite can be hereditary or can develop from a digit habit like thumb sucking.

Does the lower jaw sit back and seem too small to fit the upper jaw?

Are there large gaps between the teeth?

This can be due to a jaw or tooth problem. Left untreated, the teeth can grow past each other, and the teeth start biting on the gums behind the upper teeth.

If you can see any of the conditions described, it might be worth consulting a dental professional.

This is termed an increased overjet or an undershot jaw.

Has a tooth not come through?

When the baby teeth come out, usually the replacement adult tooth comes through almost immediately. If a tooth hasn’t come through after six months, then it may be stuck or missing.

What if your child can’t get their front teeth to bite together?

When the back teeth are together, is there a space between the front teeth? They should overlap so you can see about three-quarters of the lower front teeth. If there is a gap (you can see all of the

This can be caused by an extra tooth being up in the gum or a thick band of fibrous tissue. It can also be if the teeth are small or missing.

Even if you haven’t noticed any of the issues above, we still suggest your child has an orthodontic assessment at around nine years of age. A jaw scan at this age may also pick up missing adult teeth.

03 348 5488 / duxtondental.co.nz

At Duxton Dental, we are experienced in treating children and teens using the Invisalign system and traditional braces. To determine if any treatment is required now or in the future, call for a free orthodontic consultation.

FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULT COME SEE US SO WE CAN START DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD'S BEAUTIFUL SMILE

“The aligners are wonderful and have helped me so much.

I wonder what I would have looked like in the future if I hadn’t had them.

Everyone at Duxton Dental is so friendly and it’s a fun place to visit.”

Orthodontic treatment is performed by Grahame Dutton who is a General Dentist with a special interest in Orthodontics.

Autumn / 2021

15

POSITIVE PARENTING

Mum-guilt:

10 TIPS TO TEAR DOWN ITS HOLD ON YOU

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Sometimes you just want to run a mile. And that’s okay. But for many parents, these thoughts are quickly followed by guilt.

DR KIRSTEN WOOFF from Resilience Psychology explores how we can overcome the remorse.

S

ure, some guilt can be informative and constructive – the guilt that motivates us to change our behaviours for the better.

But guilt can quickly become excessive and unwarranted. This guilt is not helpful. It stems from the belief that we’re not living up to the (often unrealistic) expectations that we place on ourselves. We perceive that we have failed in carrying out our duties as a parent, and blame ourselves for ‘not being good enough’. Ironically, the fact that we feel guilt shows that we are loving and caring parents, but too often the guilt gets in the way of seeing how well we are really doing.

Mum-guilt pops up in a myriad of contexts: “Why am I so keen to return to work?”, “I should have breastfed instead of using formula”, “Am I lazy for hiring a nanny?”, “I feel bad about losing my patience”, “I want some time to myself ”. The list goes on.

To make things worse, we often engage in unhelpful thinking styles, such as: + black and white thinking – “If I didn’t respond well to my child, then I am a terrible mother.” + mental filtering – focusing only on what you didn’t do well. + catastrophising – “I will negatively impact her development because she watched more than 30 minutes of TV today.”

These thinking styles create a distorted perspective of what it means to be a “good parent”.

Here are ten tips that can help you break the cycle of mum/ dad guilt: 1. Share your responsibilities and take time for yourself: Take time for self-care and practise some deep breathing.

2. Acknowledge the guilt: It is natural to feel guilty; it means you want the best for your child(ren). But is it warranted?

If not, let it go.

16 Autumn / 2021

3. Relax your expectations: Notice when you are having “should/must” thoughts and challenge those with something more helpful such as, “It’s healthy for me to have time to myself to get to the gym”.

4. Social media posts/comparisons: Stop comparing yourself to others, especially the filtered versions of parenting on social media.

5. Change your focus: Pay attention to what you did well. Make sure to take the time to praise yourself.

6. Challenge that unhelpful thinking: Instead of having an extreme view of what success and failure are, create an acceptable middle ground. Research shows that a parent who meets their child’s needs most of the time is a “good enough” parent.

7. Make ‘Special Time’ for your children: Spend at least ten minutes a day playing with your child(ren) with undivided attention.

8. Sit down and write down your responsibilities and priorities. List them in order of importance for you.

Deciding on what you value the most and realising the relative importance of other tasks can help you see that you are good enough.

9. Remember: What children need more than anything is safety, love, consistency (the majority of the time), and security. Was your child fed today, were they hugged and kissed, did they smile? If so, then you are nailing it.

10. Seek professional help: If you notice that guilt is becoming excessive, hard for you to shake, or leads to behaviours such as excessive checking, over-intrusiveness, and/or lifestyle imbalance, then it may be beneficial to speak to a professional to help you get unstuck. resiliencepsychology.co.nz

POSITIVE PARENTING

Raising great eaters Registered nutritionist HELEN POTTER urges parents to rethink their approach to feeding their “picky” eaters. By KATE BARBER.

I

n a world where decisions are largely made for them, children exercise agency through food, says Helen. “The more coercion we use, the more they are likely to react against it. There is a danger, too, that when we force our kids to finish their plates, we override their internal messages about being full.”

Helen urges parents to think about their aspirations for their children. “We want our children to listen to their own bodies and to develop positive attitudes towards food”.

Helen’s primary focus is on re-conceiving mealtimes: from a power struggle over getting food into the kids, to an opportunity for the family to spend time together, with all family members having some say over the food they put in their mouths.

She refers to Ellyn Satter’s, “Division of Responsibility” (DoR) in feeding as offering guiding principles for parents aspiring to raise competent eaters.

The basic principles of Satter’s DoR, regardless of the age of your child/ren, are: - the parent is responsible for what, when and where - the child is responsible for how much and whether.

“We determine what food to bring into the house, when our kids eat, and where they eat – the dining table for dinner, for instance. However, our children choose whether to eat a certain food and how much to eat.”

Helen stresses that, “Within this model, it is fundamentally important that we trust and respect our children.” She reminds parents that, “Children learn through making choices, along with mistakes, which may mean going to bed hungry if they choose not to eat.”

Mealtime tips Helen offers advice for parents when it comes to creating more positive experiences around mealtimes.

+

Make your expectations clear: “At dinner time, we sit together as a family. You can choose to eat dinner, or we can just sit and talk. There won’t be any other food after dinner.”

+

Don’t make multiple dinners and don’t have multiple dinner times.

+

Start by thanking whoever made the food.

+

Be a positive role-model in your own eating choices and behaviour around the table.

+

Give children options but not free rein.

+

Don’t put large portions on their plates: it can be overwhelming.

+

If you can, involve children in food preparation or setting the table.

+

If they say it’s “yucky”, tell them they do not have to eat it, but they do need to stay at the dinner table during dinnertime.

+

Ask kids about their preferences, but don’t use words like “healthy”/”unhealthy”, “yummy”/”yucky”.

Helen reminds parents that making this change might be hard at first. But, she insists that being a positive role-model yourself and taking the pressure off your kids will pay off in the end – in terms of both family relationships and in terms of your kids’ attitudes towards food.

+

For more reading: ellynsatterinstitute.org

+

Never refer to your child as a “picky”/”fussy” eater.

Be careful not to show your kids your agenda.

Helen’s primary focus is on re-conceiving mealtimes: from a power struggle over getting food into the kids, to an opportunity for the family to spend time together, with all family members having some say over the food they put in their mouths.

+

Don’t say, “If you eat this, you can have dessert.”

+

Focus on enjoying each other’s company!

Autumn / 2021

17

TWEENS AND TEENS

CAREER TALKS WITH TEENS

– setting the scene

Many parents will be familiar with the challenges of communicating effectively with teenagers.

Here NATHAN WALLIS sheds light on how to set the scene for a constructive chat about the future.

W

hen your children reach their teens, you’ll need to help them start to make decisions about careers and a plan for the future. To communicate well with teenagers, it helps to understand what’s happening in the adolescent brain.

Brain number four

Humans essentially have four brains. The fourth one is the frontal cortex, and that’s the part responsible for planning for the future, understanding consequences, goal setting and life decisions.

The fourth brain is the bit we need for career planning, BUT for approximately three years the teenager’s frontal cortex largely shuts down to grow and make the changes needed to mature into an adult. Teenagers actually only have access to this fourth brain around ten per cent of the time. For the rest, teenagers operate in the limbic brain, the bit in charge of emotions, so they are focused on the way things feel. This is why it’s so important to choose the right time to talk.

Pick your moment

If you observe your teenager’s behaviours and emotional responses, you may notice that there are certain times when the frontal cortex is up and running and your child can better control

18 Autumn / 2021

emotions. This may be after they’ve eaten, or on the way home from school in the car.

and emotions, they are much more likely to be receptive to what you have to say.

Nathan says, “Don’t dictate to your kids when it’s the right time to talk. Wait to find out when your teenager’s frontal cortex is online. Look for that right moment. Get to know your kid’s pattern and adjust your schedule to talk about outcomes and career planning at the right time.”

Nathan says, “Children will do what you do, not what you say. The best way to get your teenager to listen to you is to model that. If you want your teen to listen for one minute, I’d expect you to listen and validate their emotions for two minutes.”

It’s a long haul

For a brain to fully mature, research now shows it takes a lot longer than we have traditionally thought. While adults are operating in the frontal cortex 90 per cent of the time, our teen’s brains are still maturing, and they are operating at an emotional level the majority of the time.

“The average age that someone completes adolescence and matures into adulthood is mid to late twenties. Girls mature faster than boys, and so do first-born children. However, the overall average is around 27 years of age,” says Nathan Wallis.

Model listening

Research shows that teenagers will model their listening behaviours on what they see at home.

If you can demonstrate that you are listening to your children and validating their views

Check your style

Parenting educator and author Barbara Coloroso identifies three styles of parenting: + Brick wall – Rigid and controlling, rules are absolute. + Jellyfish – Anything goes, no structure or guidelines. + Backbone – Parent sets guidelines but allows for creative, constructive, and responsible activity. Responsive and flexible.

Research shows that children of parents with a back-bone style are most likely to have good outcomes.

“The number one way to change a child’s behaviour long term is to use cognitive training. That’s where you listen first and validate their emotions before you educate.

Validate then educate.”

Your child may see well – we assess HOW they see ®

®

Autumn / 2021

19

Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania is

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Until March 2022

elementsnature.co.nz

Elements nature-based play programmes for children between 5 to 13 years old.

Plenty of time to play and explore!

Elements nature-based play Various Canterbury locations

Throughout the school holidays

CHRISTCHURCH

oranawildlifepark.co.nz

Meet Orana Wildlife Park’s stunning new tigers! An Annual Pass, enabling you to visit every day for 12 months, is the best value way to regularly visit the zoo.

Orana Wildlife Park 793 McLeans Island Road

Daily 10am - 5pm

christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Explore the cultural heart of Ōtautahi with this kids’ holiday trail.

Go Wild Ōtautahi! Kids’ school holiday trail, Christchurch Art Gallery

2 April - 2 May 12pm

The Bottle Lake Forest Fairy Village is a beautiful section of Bottle Lake Forest, filled with fairy houses and fairy doors.

Pram and dog-friendly walk.

Bottle Lake Forest Fairy Door Walk Waitikiri Drive

Anytime

ccc.govt.nz

Rush, jump, slip, slide, biff and bash your way through our inflatable obstacle course.

Our big inflatable course will be at Graham Condon Recreation and Sports Centre for the kids on the last Sunday of every month.

Inflatable Fun, Graham Condon Pool, 3 Sisson Drive, Papanui

Session times: 10am, 11am, 12pm Open to kids between 5 to 12 years old, booking essential.

Make your own Wrist Pet Dress Smart Outlet Shopping

19 - 23 April

walkingfestival.co.nz

The Walking Festival is back for 2021!

Join us for more than 50 walks all over Christchurch.

The Walking Festival

17 April - 2 May

bachcare.co.nz

Running from 4 - 5.15pm

ferrymead.org.nz

Bring the family to our Night Market at Ferrymead Heritage Park. New stalls, activities and of course trams and trains! $2 entry.

Ferrymead Night Market Ferrymead Heritage Park, 50 Ferrymead Park Drive

1 May 4 - 8pm

christchurchattractions.nz

Enjoy a journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre onboard these beautifully restored heritage trams, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. Great for the family to enjoy!

Christchurch Trams

Daily

Weka Pass Railway Waipara Glenmark Station,

1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

selwyn.govt.nz

This is an easy track to a bird hide, where you can view abundant birdlife. A great walk for children and families.

Harts Creek Sneak

Anytime

scifest.org.nz

A celebration of all things science for all ages. Dunedin comes alive this July.

New Zealand International Science Festival, Dunedin, NZ

8 - 18 July

TOP PICK

If you have an event you’d like to add to our winter calendar, email anna@27publishers.co.nz.

Don’t forget to book your family snow escape!

Winter holiday adventures

Snow escape!

this autumn

Last Sunday of every month 12.30 - 2pm

What’s on

Autumn is one of the best times of the year in Ōtautahi-Christchurch.

Make the most of the cool, calm days and get out and about. We’ve got you sorted with this calendar full of events.

Pull me out and pin me up

CHRISTCHURCH EVENT CALENDAR

blackcat.co.nz

astro.nz

bachcare.co.nz

Find your holiday home these holidays with Bachcare

17 April - 2 May

christchurchlibraries.com

Quail Island’s Big Beautiful Bird Trail Adults cruise at kids prices and yummy treats on Quail Island’s Big Beautiful Bird Trail this school holiday.

Christchurch Libraries school holiday programmes and activities Bookable programmes and a range of drop-in holiday activities at libraries around Christchurch.

17 April - 2 May

malthouse.co.nz

Pirate Dave Meets the Unexpectedly Odd Malthouse, 71 Colombo Street Pirate Dave is a unique pirate – not nasty, but nice – reformed, one might say. His long sea journeys have allowed him to discover amazing things like the Strawberry Milk Cow, Baby Comets, and the Transformatron. But these are precisely the treasures that the Unexpectedly Odd and the Greater Evil want for themselves, and Dave must discover how to defeat those nasties.

17 April - 2 May

Christchurch Astro Tours 11 Leeston Rd, Springston Christchurch Astro Tours are proud to introduce you to the southern night sky.

Operating from Springston Community Centre, they start the night with a short talk, before showcasing the highlights of the evening with a sky tour.

Fridays - Sundays

Pet-friendly holidays

bachcare.co.nz

Looking for a holiday where you can take your pooch?

Discover over 270 pet-friendly homes...

Pet friendly holidays

christchurchartgallery.org.nz

free to the public and runs for two years, with multiple change-outs adding new works and perspectives. It is accompanied by a catalogue (available from the Gallery’s Design Store) and an exciting programme of talks, a children’s activity trail, making workshops, artist interventions. A family fun day!

Kim Free @ OWP

christchurchadventurepark.com

walkingfestival.co.nz

Christchurch Adventure Park 225 Worsleys Road

Daily - Wednesday to Monday

otautahirollers.co.nz

School of Skate: Learn to skate Fridays 5 - 6pm for kids aged between 4 and 17.

Looking for something different over the school holidays? CAP has activities that will suit all adventure levels and budgets!

Walk the uphill trail (for free!), take the chairlift, book in for a zipline tour or mountain bike lesson, or just hit the trails or visit the café for tasty treats.

Find your happy place

bachcare.co.nz

Plan a family adventure somewhere warmer...

Escape to the winterless North!

Ōtautahi Junior Skating Programme, Celebration Centre, 81 Bickerton St, Christchurch

Every Friday

Gardening and nature-themed activities for preschoolers every Monday during term time. Meet at the Botanic Gardens kiosk.

Bot tots

10 - 11.30am Mondays

wekapassrailway.co.nz

courttheatre.org.nz

The Early Early Late Show Comedy for kids. Once a month, the kids get to take over The Court Theatre in The Early Early Late Show.

113 Glenmark Drive Take a train ride on one of the public operating days, on the first and third Sunday of each month, and most public holidays. Perfect for a break on a trip to Hanmer Springs, Kaikōura or while visiting the Waipara wine region.

monthly on Sundays throughout 2021

Bring the children down to the park for a swishy swashy, splashy sploshy, squelchy, muddy experience. A great outing for younger walkers and their families.

Gumboots essential as the walk goes through water and mud.

Going on a Bear Hunt

28 April 1 - 3.15pm

27-30

April

livingsprings.co.nz/camp/kids-camp/

Travel through time and space to wonderful worlds. From disco to futuristic innovations, each day offers exciting themes and activities. Make friends and enjoy being a kid!

Living Springs Kids Camp Time Machine, Living Springs, Allandale

27 - 30 April

themakecompany.co.nz

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE

’WORKING’ from home?

Struggling to get through your work and spend quality time with your family?

MASH after school care or holiday programmes could be the answer.

O

ver the last 12 months, the workplace landscape has dramatically shifted, and a large number of employees now find themselves working from home at the kitchen table.

Are you one of the ‘lucky’ ones? Do you get to work from home now? If you are, and you have children, and it’s working for you, then woohoo! But, if you are, and you have children, and it’s not, then that can be pretty challenging! There’s not only the pressure of work and meeting your targets but also your wee cherubs at you because they’re hungry, or thirsty, or want you to play with them or feel that you are ignoring them (darn work).

So what do you do? Do you turn on the TV for the day or plug them into a tablet?

What if there was a place where they could go, either after school or in the school holidays, where they were entertained and occupied in a fun, safe and affordable way?

You’d then want to know that such a place had awesome staff who interacted with your children and had a good laugh or two as well.

If that’s what you want for your children, instead of getting square eyes from the TV or overuse syndrome on their thumbs from their devices, then you need to look at MASH. At MASH, your children will get to take part in fantastic, planned on-site activities, free afternoon tea (if enrolled after 3pm) and go on fantastic excursions in the holidays. mashkids.co.nz

WITH THE FULL WINZ SUBSIDY, OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMME COULD COST YOU AS LITTLE AS $2.04 PER DAY.

AND OUR HOLIDAY PROGRAMME COULD BE ABSOLUTELY FREE! WE HAVE PROGRAMMES ACROSS THE SOUTH ISLAND, CHECK OUR WEBSITE

FOR YOUR NEAREST MASH!

22 Autumn / 2021

School Holiday Deal

3 Games for only $18 each!

Quote “LASERTIME” when booking Monday to Friday only

Perfect for all your Birthday party needs!

With the largest arena in Christchurch we can take large bookings like Sports teams, Social clubs and Youth groups.

Gift vouchers are available

www.laserstrike.co.nz 03 366 7595 Level 2 Harvey Norman Centre 250 Moorhouse Ave

Autumn / 2021

23

KIWI KIDS

Kiwi kids’ outdoor play

TEEPEE TIME

Encourage active imaginative play in your own backyard. Choose a beautiful wooden playground kitset to suit your family.

Designed and engineered for ages 3-11, this is a wonderful gift for the whole whānau.

Give the gift of play…outdoors…naturally! kiwiplay.co.nz

Kiwi

Spend hours of pretend play in the Henley Ice Cream Teepee From Mocka.

Children have room to expand their imaginations, transforming the kids’ teepee into anything from a royal castle to a lion’s den or even an alien spaceship.

This is a must-have playtime accessory for any boy or girl. mocka.co.nz

kids

SAILING AWAY

FIND YOUR WAY WITH TE REO Decorate and educate with this beautiful Aotearoa (New Zealand) A3 laminated poster in Māori and English. Designed for everyday use, in the whānau (family), kura (school) and designed by author and illustrator Kat Quinn with te reo Māori translation by Pānia Papa.

Local

playcentreshop.co.nz

24 Autumn / 2021

Most kids leap at the chance to head to the water. Translate that enthusiasm into a fun bedroom anchored with favourite Resene paint colours, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Explorer and Resene Tangaroa. For more ideas for kids’ spaces, pick up a free copy of habitat plus – kids’ spaces guide available at Resene ColorShops or view online. resene.co.nz/habitatplus

Book for four pay for two

TAKE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY BOOK AND TRAVEL

BY MAY 3RD

* Please read full terms and conditions on our website www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/deal. Offer applies to new, online bookings on www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz in Scenic Class only. Valid for bookings for Scenic from 27 January to 3 May 2021, for travel between 9 February 2021 and 3 May 2021. Normal fare conditions apply. Subject to availability. Not available in conjunction with any other offers.

Autumn / 2021

25

OUT AND ABOUT

Great outdoors Make the most of the natural environment and reap the many benefits of spending time with Mother Nature.

Destination AOTEAROA

PUNTING ON THE AVON See the Avon River and Botanic Gardens from a different perspective with Punting on the Avon! Departing from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, this guided 30-minute tour glides along the river into the heart of the Botanic Gardens. See the river’s flora and wildlife up close from the sturdy and safe handcrafted punt boats (blankets are available on cooler days), and watch the friendly ducks you’ll spot swimming by!

Your punter will give you a live commentary about the things you’ll see – just sit back, relax and take in the sights.

HANMER SPRINGS ATTRACTIONS

A true Christchurch experience not to be missed by locals or visitors no matter the season, and an excellent option for families to explore the Avon River!

Get ready for action-packed fun at Hanmer Springs Attractions!

There’s a great range of exciting and family-friendly activities to suit all ages, including jet boating, river rafting, canoeing, off-road buggy adventures and paintball (as well as quad biking, clay bird shooting and bungy jumping for adults). Our customers’ health and safety are at the centre of what we do: Hanmer Springs Attractions is the only jet boat operator in Hurunui to be awarded a Qualmark Silver award and holds an AdventureMark, both awarded by independent safety auditors.

The company’s base is situated above the picturesque Waiau River and includes a viewing platform, an onsite café, plus plenty of parking. Only 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch, it's the perfect option for your next family adventure!

christchurchattractions.nz

hanmerspringsattractions.nz

26 Autumn / 2021

OUT AND ABOUT

K

ids are naturally curious, and there’s nothing they like better than taking grown-ups along for the ride when they are exploring their environment. Not only that but getting out can help our kids live healthier and happier lives.

Great reasons to explore outdoor play:

1. HEALTH

Sunlight, fresh air and a little vitamin D from the sunshine are the healthy side effects of a day spent outside having fun.

2. CALMING

Outdoor adventures create opportunities for creativity, problem-solving and unstructured fun. Kids who play outside are noticeably more relaxed, and all that activity helps everyone sleep soundly.

3. FORMING BONDS

Adventuring means time together. Indulging in a new experience in unfamiliar surroundings means everyone is present in the moment, and parents can’t de distracted by all the things that need doing at home.

4. UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENT It’s one thing to learn about nature in school, but hands-on learning can significantly impact growing brains. Finding bugs or a bird’s nest is great fun and can also spark a lifelong interest in learning.

5. COLLECT EXPERIENCES

They say that if you have the money, you should spend it on experiences and not things, and the brilliant thing is that a lot of outdoor activities are free! If you do use the entertainment budget on a family outing, you can guarantee you are filling up the banks with precious memories.

Nature’s

PLAYGROUND

10 fun ideas for outdoor play

1.

If the wind is blowing, head for the park and fly a kite.

2.

3.

Enlist the kids’ help to wash the cars.

Hunt for as many different bugs as you can find.

4.

Have a picnic in the park or even in your garden.

5.

Go on a treasure hunt for pinecones, shells and stones.

6. Visit the Botanic Gardens and play in the autumn leaves.

7. Visit a stream and build a dam with rocks.

8. Venture into another neighbourhood and explore new playgrounds.

9.

Take your books and colouring outside and lie in the sun.

10. Build a fort with the outdoor furniture and blankets and move in.

Elements Education broadens childrens' mindsets, getting them outside with a wide array of nature-based play opportunities.

The curriculum is prepared from a child development/sensory perspective as well as for education and fun! Elements are on a mission to support active, creative children engage in the natural environment.

Think trees, ropes, huts, bug hunts, water, imaginative play and more.

Elements has a range of programmes catering to children’s varying needs and interests and the time of the year. Options include Wild Ones playgroup and Ako Elements (oneday nature school) during term time, and programmes for 5 to 13-year-olds in the Canterbury area during the school holidays. elementsnature.co.nz

L AKESIDE LIVING

What is it that makes Edgewater, Lake Wānaka so appealing for family holidays?

Unparalleled access to Lake Wānaka is definitely a big plus, as is the biking and walking track around parts of Lake Wānaka which is directly accessible from Edgewater. The hotel is the only accommodation in Wānaka situated right on the edge of the lake!

The Edgewater Resort’s spacious, comfortable and family-friendly one and two-bedroom apartments make the ideal base to relax after a busy day biking, boating, fishing or exploring the Wānaka township. Spend your family holiday lakeside at Edgewater.

0800 108 311 / edgewater.co.nz

Autumn / 2021

27

OUT AND ABOUT

Be with a Tree B

e with a Tree 2021 will be the fourth year that this annual celebration of trees has taken place, with the aim being to encourage people to take a moment to celebrate the fantastic trees of Aotearoa.

Celebrate Kiwi Conservation Club’s annual Be with a Tree week this May.

wellbeing. KCC wants people to form heartfelt connections with trees, foster a genuine passion for nature, and be more inspired to plant trees and protect them.

During the first two years of Be with a Tree, KCC noticed that many children understand the tangible benefits of trees. People understand that trees are vital because they provide food and homes for native birds, help slow climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and stabilise soils and reduce erosion.

The theme of the 2021 event is Community – discovering living things in, on, under and around trees, including the human community. During the ten days of the celebration, people will be able to join in with online and in-person events, vote for Aotearoa’s favourite tree, and spend some time with the special trees within their community.

In 2021, KCC is building on 2020 efforts to think about the other ways that trees can enrich our lives. Scientific research shows trees are good for people’s health and mental

Members of KCC will receive their quarterly magazine, Wild Things, packed with tree-themed content and activities in time for the celebration.

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28 Autumn / 2021

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Head out to your back garden, local park, or other natural place with all of your equipment.

Make sure no one is around you then toss your hula hoop forward onto the ground.

Observe (look at) what you see inside your hula hoop; use your magnifying glass to see the plants in more detail. You can record your findings either by drawing, taking a picture or writing down the plant name or a description of what it looks like.

Throw the hoop as many times as you like all around the area you’re exploring.

The more results you get the more likely you are to find something different.

After observing your new comparing and sharing discoveries, begin with your friends.

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For more information about Be with a Tree 29 May to 6 June 2021, or to become a member of Kiwi Conservation Club, check out the website.

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Autumn / 2021

29

OUT AND ABOUT

Happy days in

Hanmer

Hanmer offers a fantastic holiday location for families within a stone’s throw of Christchurch. Family Times editor ANNA SCAIFE shares her thoughts on her recent stay at Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park.

R

ecently, I was lucky enough to sneak away midweek with Master four and Mr Scaife for a two-night stay at Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park. The park is situated in a quiet spot close to town and handy for all of the fabulous activities on offer in the area.

park has frozen locally made pizzas for sale to guests for an easypeasy yummy meal. Not only that, but the park staff are baristatrained, so you can grab your delicious and much-needed morning (or afternoon) coffee from the park shop.

Barbecues and pizza ovens cater for relaxed outdoor dining, and the

So, overall, I highly recommend a stay. We had a ball.

Park manager Liesl proudly showed me the communal bathroom We were fortunate enough to stay in an apartment, and let me facilities, and I could instantly see why. Recently upgraded and tell you, I was more than impressed. What struck me about the beautifully clean, the bathrooms have been designed to cater park, and the apartment, is the amount of perfectly to all scenarios. Each stall careful thought that’s gone into ensuring contains a double shower and a toilet, plus the comfort and convenience of all their plenty of room for getting changed and P.S. Weary parents can guests – simply perfect for families. brushing teeth. It seems a small thing, book one of the private but when the kids are young, it’s the little The park is set up to give kids a huge details that can make or break a holiday. outdoor hot pools and range of options to keep themselves wander across after occupied onsite when not out and about There are excellent accommodation enjoying the many attractions nearby. I options, including powered and nondinner for a relaxing soak. had barely made it to the front desk before powered camping sites, cabins and motels. my son had checked out the playground, If an apartment suits you better, you table tennis table and the trampoline and was dragging at my arm won’t regret it. Ours was stylishly decorated and completely selfasking to see the jumping pillow – which is pretty fun, by the way, contained with a full kitchen, luxurious bathroom, plus a separate even at my age. The communal area with the playground at its toilet, spacious lounge and two bedrooms. A heat pump keeps you centre reminded me of camping as a kid. By the end of day one, my comfortable in the heat or the cold, and there’s Sky TV, Bluetooth brother and I had always joined a group of other kids we met at the sound, plus USB ports in all of the power points. Genius. Oh, and there’s a coffee machine! Crucial. slide or the trampoline.

Easy family fun.

In 49 spectacular locations throughout New Zealand.

Why not show the kids a beautiful part of the world that’s incredibly easy to explore?

Whether you’re going to explore New Zealand by motorhome, motel, cabin or tent - our holiday parks are your ideal choice.

10% SAVINGS Join our Club and save on TOP 10 Accommodation, Interislander Ferry Travel, Scenic Train Journeys and much more. Join at a TOP 10 Holiday Park reception, or online

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OUT AND ABOUT

Why YHA?

1. AMAZING LOCATIONS

With over 30 destinations across the country, chances are high there’s a YHA where you’re heading! Whether it’s the heart of Queenstown, Tekapo’s lakefront, or near the beach in the Bay of Islands, they’ve got you covered.

Five reasons YHA is a great choice of accommodation for your next family holiday. 2. DON’T BREAK THE BANK

YHA is serious about putting the ‘budget’ in “quality budget accommodation”. Between affordable private rooms and membership discounts on food and activities across New Zealand, they’re about paying less, so you can do more.

3. FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACILITIES

Private rooms? Check. Ensuites? Check. Bunks for the little ones with a double bed for mum and dad? Check. Most destinations have rooms to suit you, plus fully-equipped kitchens, comfy lounges with boardgames, laundries, bed linen and free WiFi. Just bring the groceries – you’ll feel right at home!

4. PRIVATISATION

Make dorm rooms private, just for your family, with a single click online. How’s that for having your own space.

5. EXPLORE AOTEAROA WITHOUT IMPOSING ON THE RELLIES

Don’t crash on Uncle Pete’s pull-out couch for your next getaway.

Instead, sleep easy with YHA. You’ll be supporting a Kiwi not-forprofit dedicated to helping people do something new, exploring New Zealand. yha.co.nz/family

Saturday 17 April to Sunday 2 May

50+

Walks

Explore, Learn and Connect

Explore, Learn and Connect HŌpara, Ako me Hono HŌpara, Ako me Hono

Pick up your festival booklet from 27 March at libraries and service centres, or visit ccc.govt.nz/walkingfestival Autumn / 2021

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OUT AND ABOUT

Holiday at home

If you are looking to book your next couples’ getaway, family escape, girls’ weekend, or July school holiday, THC Group Hotels have some fantastic deals and special offers.

C

heck out these South Island options to ensure your holiday is one to remember as you ‘Holiday at Home’.

HEADING NORTH

Base yourself at The Portage and explore the magic of the world-renowned Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy the Queen Charlotte walking or cycling trails or venture off sea kayaking, sailing or fishing. Surrounded by native bush in this picturesque part of the world, you can relax and recharge in the most scenic of locations. Dine for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the restaurant with waterfront views. Delight your taste buds with locally sourced fresh produce and wines from the Marlborough region.

HOLIDAY AT HOME

Holiday at home with us at the Cosa Hotel. We are OPEN. The newest addition to the group, the brand new Cosa Hotel, is located here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Here you will discover urban regeneration where innovation meets heritage and culture. The Cosa Hotel is within easy

walking distance of many of the cities attractions, including the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Riverside Market, The Crossing, Hoyts EntX and many more.

HEADING SOUTH

Nugget Point is located at Arthur’s Point at the base of the access to the Coronet Peak Ski area and within easy reach of central Queenstown.

Perched high above the Shotover River, with sweeping views of the mountain ranges, this boutique hotel is a spectacular gem. Here adults will enjoy complimentary access to our Romanstyle Day Spa to soak away your aches after biking one of the local mountain bike trails, skiing at Coronet Peak or exploring the many walks or wine trails.

Park Residence is next door, featuring apartment-style accommodation with modern amenities. The apartments have everything you need for a luxurious getaway or family holiday.

There is no better place to enjoy the rugged and beautiful scenery of Queenstown.

Special Deals

The popular $1.00 It’s On The House Sale at Nugget Point and Park Residence is back.

Opening special at the Cosa Hotel from $119. Need to bring the children?

Book from $199, including Children Eat Free (breakfast).

The Portage also has a fantastic offer of $299 for families, including two children under 12 Eat Free from the children’s menu (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

CALL OR EMAIL TO BOOK NOW 0800 842 843 reservations@thcgroup.co.nz.

A THC GROUP HOTEL

theportage.co.nz

cosahotel.co.nz

thcnuggetpoint.co.nz

HOLIDAY AT HOME DEALS Phone 0800 842 843 Email reservations@thcgroup.co.nz 32 Autumn / 2021

parkresidence.co.nz

FOOD

Tomato pilaf

with black lentils + caramelised onion

This delicious and nutritious almostone-pan-meal was inspired by Turkish tomato pilaf and Mujadara, a tasty combination of rice, lentils and onions found throughout the Middle East.

YUM!

INGREDIENTS SERVES 4, GLUTEN-FREE | VEGAN 115g (½ cup) black (beluga) lentils, rinsed well 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 250g tomatoes (I like to use cherry), finely chopped 340g (1²⁄³ cups) white basmati rice, rinsed and drained well 750ml (3 cups) water coriander leaves, roughly chopped, to serve Caramelised onions 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 onions, finely sliced fine salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

+ Place lentils into a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until just tender. Drain and set aside. + Heat a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add oil and garlic and cook for 30 seconds, before adding chopped tomato.

Cook, stirring often, for 3–4 minutes, or until soft and juicy. Add rice and stir then add water and a good pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside with the lid on for a further 10 minutes.

Recipes extracted from Every Day by Emma Galloway published by HarperCollins NZ, RRP $60

+ To make the caramelised onions, as soon as your rice is happily cooking away, heat oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, for 20–25 minutes or until deeply golden, taking care in the final 5–10 minutes to ensure the bottom doesn’t catch and burn.

Season with salt. These can be prepared in advance and will store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. + When the rice is cooked, remove the lid, stir through lentils, adjust seasoning if needed and serve topped with caramelised onions and chopped coriander.

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GET CRAFTY

Use the jars to store drawing pins or art supplies.

Resene Blue Night

Resene Sea Nymph

YOU WILL NEED: Stencils Glue Jars with a lid Paintbrush

We used these Resene testpot colours

Pin-up Dinos

Create a themed art display area for a kids’ room using stencils, plastic toys and Resene paint colours.

Dinosaur storage jar lids

Decorative pinboard

INSTRUCTIONS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Paint a thin layer of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer over the outside of the jar lid and your plastic toy and leave it to dry.

Carefully tape your stencils in place with masking tape, so they don't move.

Step 1

Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer

Step 2

Plastic toys

Step 3

Cork pinboard Resene testpots Masking tape

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Glue the dinosaurs' feet to the lid and then set aside until the glue is set.

Paint the outside of the lid and the dinosaur with your choice of Resene paint colours. Depending on the colour, you may need to do two coats.

Step 1

Step 2

Paint over the stencil with the Resene paint of your choice.

Hint

For a crisper result, use the pencil to draw around the dinosaur stencil and then use an artist's brush to paint it in.

You can also add a few dots in a contrasting colour.

For all your DIY projects, big or small, visit your nearest Resene ColorShop. resene.co.nz/colorshops

GIVEAWAYS

Popular Rainbocorns and Smashers!

We have 1 Rainbocorn Sparkle Heart and 1 Smashers Dino Ice Age Surprise to give away.

3

2

Tom and Jerry prize packs

Prize packs from Ahhh

Tom and Jerry take their cat-andmouse-game to the big screen.

Catch Tom & Jerry: The Movie – only in cinemas April 15!

Packs contain: Double movie pass, sticker sheet, full-colour activity book.

YHA Holiday Accommodation Win a two-night stay in a private family room at either YHA Lake Tekapo, YHA Wānaka, YHA Queenstown Lakefront or YHA Queenstown Central.

Win one of two kidsʼ bath time packs from Ahhh. Locally handcrafted with both families and our beautiful planet in mind.

3

Be in to

Win!

Follow us for your chance to win: @familytimesnewzealand

3

The Awesome Superheroes – The Bank Robbery

SunRice prize pack

Win one of three SunRice Baby Rice Cereal prizes, including the Original and Mixed Vegetable flavours and a bespoke baby bib.

2

Happy Wholefoods Baking Bundle

Win one of two baking bundles of five Happy Wholefoods baking mixes, made in New Zealand with locally grown grains, organic and fair-trade ingredients.

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Terms and conditions can be found at familytimes.co.nz

Win one of three copies of Laetitia Tan’s book The Awesome Superheroes – The Bank Robbery.

Books, books, books!

Peter Rabbit 2 prize packs

In Peter Rabbit 2, the lovable rogue is back.

Catch him in cinemas from April 1.

Packs contain: Wooden spoon, mug, tea towel, family pass to the movie.

We have ONE copy each of Where is the Dragon?, Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem and North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres to give away.

Autumn / 2021

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FUN ZONE

KIDS’ time

ACTIVITIES AND COLOURING IN FOR ALL AGES

in cinemas

April 01

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CHRISTCHURCH M A RK ETPL ACE

5-15yrs

Term 2 starts 03 May Free trial class!

Canvas Bag Drama School 3 Locations: Merivale / South Brighton / Halswell info@canvasbag.nz • 021 222 7273 • canvasbag.nz

Christchurch’s Favourite Family PIZZA Restaurant

2 Waterman Place, Ferrymead

376 4900

pizzarepublic.co.nz

Living Springs Kids Camp

April 27th-30th July 19th-23rd www.livingsprings.co.nz Stimulation Challenge Early Learning Skills Language Development Co-ordination Sight & Hearing WWW.MALTHOUSE.CO.NZ

HOURS Tues & Thur 10am - 4.30pm Sat 10am - 2pm 109 Huxley Street Christchurch Tel: 03 332 0733

specialneedslibrary.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH’S PREMIER AGENCY & MODELLING SCHOOL EST. 1993

Modelling Confidence & Deportment Workshops Children’s - Tweens - Teenage EVERY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Confidence | Self Esteem | Etiquette | Skincare Hair & Makeup | Acting | Presentation | Photo Shoot Deportment Catwalk | Goody Bags + MUCH more!

TA K I N G B O O K I N G S N O W !

New Zealand

An invitation to all girls aged 5 to 18 Come join the fun and friendship at any of our nationwide locations

www.girlsbrigade.nz 03 379 9011 | info@portfoliomodels.co.nz

portfoliomodels.co.nz

E-mail: info@girlsbrigade.org.nz

Autumn / 2021

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Win 1 of 3 copies!

Super teen

is a teenager with Down Syndrome who has made her dream of becoming a published author come true with the release of her first book, The Awesome Superheroes – The Bank Robbery.

LAETITIA TAN

A

t just 18, Laetitia Tan has written and published her own superhero story for children which has already sold more than 360 copies. Mum Valentina says, “Laetitia’s speech therapist helped with the writing, but Laetitia made all the decisions about the story.”

We caught up with Laetitia to talk to her about her success with writing her first book.

What made you want to write a book?

Do you read a lot?

Yes, I love reading. I am so obsessed with the Avengers series.

Do you enjoy writing?

I love to write. I have a creative imagination, and I overcame my fear of the challenges of Down Syndrome to write this book.

How did you come up with the story for this book?

I thought about the characters, John and Kayla and Max, the German Shepherd. And I thought about the setting and how the story went in order.

What was the hardest thing about writing your book?

Probably the spelling and the grammar and punctuation.

My speech and language therapist helped me a lot with that.

The illustrations are fantastic.

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Who did the artwork for your book?

My brother’s friend Jacob Cropper helped me and did the illustrations. I love all of them.

What was the most exciting part of having the book published?

Win! We have three copies of Laetitia Tan’s

When the proof of the book arrived at my house. That was very exciting.

book The Awesome

Is your book for sale?

Keep an eye on

Yes, you can buy my book through our Facebook page 'The Awesome Superheroes -The Bank Robbery', the Chooice website and at Never Ending Books in Auckland. If we are going to be selling at any markets, we will tell you on our Facebook page.

Would you like to write another book?

I am writing another book now. I already have the storyline, and I need to get the right grammar.

What other hobbies and interests do you have?

I do swimming for the Special Olympics and Tae Kwon Do – I am a green belt with blue stripe. I also do guitar lessons, and I like to play the guitar and sing songs. I also like to make crystal art pictures.

What would you say to anyone else who would like to write a book?

A story is not a thing you write, but a story comes from inside yourself and from your imagination.

Superheroes – The Bank Robbery to give away.

Facebook and Instagram for details on how to enter.

autumn adventures in selwyn Settled warm autumn days are the perfect time to discover Selwyn. Take a romantic early morning hot air balloon ride over farmlands. Feel the thrill of speeding through mountain fed rivers on an all American Airboat (the only one in New Zealand). Or find your target learning archery amongst the trees near the Rakaia Gorge.

Alpine Airboats

Ballooning Canterbury

20 minutes from Christchurch Experience the sensation of skimming over wet stones in a genuine all American style Airboat.

45 minutes from Christchurch A magical experience offering panoramic views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. ballooningcanterbury.com

alpinejetthrills.com

Visit selwyn.nz for further information and location details.

Follow

Newzengland Clay Shooting and Archery 1 hour from Christchurch Nestled in the tranquillity of pine forest on the edge of the Rakaia Gorge, catering for all experience levels. newzengland.co.nz

Selwyn NZ Share

@selwyn.nz Autumn / 2021

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