Family Times - Spring 2018

We’ve Got Parenting Covered

THE

10 Questions Spotlight on blogger Emily Writes

S pr i n g I s s u e 2 018

RYMAN

H E A LT H C A R E s E A s o N

Gardening kids

Creating a garden for butterflies

of

Introducing

the art and value of ‘sparenting’

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! w o n N U F e h t n i Jo

www.willowbank.co.nz

Telephone 359 6226 Email info@willowbank.co.nz

editor’s note

Welcome The very thought of spring excites me. It means longer days of sunshine, a feeling of clearing out the clutter and cleaning up the mess left by winter.

For me, it’s bringing about a real change of mindset for my parenting. Maybe I spend too much time on social media (my husband would agree with that), but I thought I was doing myself good – by reading ‘inspiring’ articles and quotes about parenting. But, actually, what it was doing was making me feel bad.

You may have read the online article ‘18 Summers: It’s all we get.’

“For soon you'll be gone. You'll be all on your own, and we'll have used up all 18 of our summers. We'll have nothing left but the memories...”

This article made me fret for weeks. Have I wasted four summers already – with the only child we’ll ever have? Did I not live in the moment enough?

And then, offline, in everyday life, people will say to me – make the most of every second with your child, because soon they’ll be grown up and won’t want anything to do with you.

People actually think like this?

Although I’ve been a mum for just a few years, it’s been enough time for me to realise something prevalent in our society –

a perverse culture of parent shaming. About a month into being a new parent I had a mum say to me: “You don’t still let your son go to sleep on you, do you?” Well, here’s an update – sometimes I still do. And, recently another parent said to me: “You’ve gotta stop treating him like a baby.” She took issue that I have fun, friendly conversations with him – rather than bossing him around.

But, it was the pop-psychology ‘18 Summers’ that really got to me.

I spoke to a mumma friend about this and she, too, had read it.

We agreed – shouldn't we just live for this very moment, rather than spend the whole time worrying about how little time we have together?

So, why has it become okay to make others feel bad? Why can’t we just stop judging and start building each other up?

Parenting is hard enough as it is without the faux parenting psychobabble on Facebook. This spring, join with me: declutter your social media and evaluate the people who make you feel great and support you as a parent – because you are doing a very good job.

And I’m taking Rachel McFedries’ advice (page 28) – I’m off on a ‘Joy Spotting’ mission with my son. What better way to enjoy this life we have with our little ones.

Kineta

Kineta Booker / Editor kineta@27publishers.co.nz

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3

Contents

23

Active Kids

FEATURES The art of sparenting

34

Active adventures

11

Festive ballet

35

Life skills through movement

12

'Optimal cord clamping'

35

Outdoor family events

3

Welcome Note

13

Peanut caution

36

Water safety

8

Books and Music

14

Getting ready for daylight saving

36

Surf kids

10

We Love...

15

Two simple communication tools

37

A whole lot of floating fun

22

Giveaways

16

Farming in action

24

What’s On

17

What happens after school

38

40

Fun Zone

18

Establishing a routine

Creating a butterfly garden

39

43

Food

20

Booze on the teenage brain

Sparkly Resene planters

39

23

Raising a child-friendly dog

Gardening for kids

28

Increasing your daily joy

31

30

How teeth affect face shape

Giving it a go at St Margaret's

32

42

Five myths about a vegan diet

Practice makes progress

32

46

Emily Writes - 10 Questions

National Trade Academy

33

Mature students thrive at UC

6

REGULARS

Gardening Kids

Education

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

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PUBLISHER Twenty Seven Publishers Ltd Lisa Phelan lisa@27publishers.co.nz 021 782 228 EDITOR Kineta Booker kineta@27publishers.co.nz SUB-EDITOR Josie Stanford josie@27publishers.co.nz DESIGN & Production Rachel Brodrick designer@27publishers.co.nz ADVERTISING Shelley Eccleton shelley@27publishers.co.nz 027 631 3288

General Enquiries hello@27publishers.co.nz CONTRIBUTORS Crissi Blair, Emily Writes, Flip Grater, Grahame Dutton, Jamie Hart, Josh van Berkel, Kate Barber, Leanne Baker, Malena Penney, Maria Romero, Michelle Rice, Nathan Wallis, Nicola Fraher, Peter Gallagher, Rachel McFedries, Rosemary Joyce, Ruth Agnew, Suzy Cato, Tom Hart 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.

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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.

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027 910 4020 facebook.com/ autismassociatesnz

Parent Helpline

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

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POSITIVE PARENTING

Sparenting

Parenting is a huge job and RUTH AGNEW discusses the value of calling in a few extra adults to help.

I

t’s one of those nights: lying in bed, absolutely exhausted, but every time sleep comes close, I am shaken awake by the thought of an unsigned permission slip, or that lost school jacket, or by a four-year-old who has had a bad dream or wants a drink of water. Finally I fall asleep, grabbing a couple of hours before I have to get the children up for the morning routine, making breakfast, finding the elusive soccer socks and doing the school run. Then I will call their parents. Because these are not my children; I am a sparent.

A sparent is a person who plays a significant role in raising a child, in addition to the parents or primary caregivers. I’ve been an aunty, nanny, and whanau carer, but never a mother. I’ve held baby during vaccinations, attended countless parent teacher interviews, debated boundaries with a teenager, and witnessed countless milestones.

Inter-generational households have always been the norm in many cultures with a grandparent taking on responsibilities of childcare, giving the parents freedom to focus on paid employment outside of the home. Economics has made shared households more common in varying forms, such as single parent families house sharing to ease financial pressures and assist with childcare.

This isn’t a new phenomenon of course.

‘Sparenting’ enabled my awe-inspiring motherin-law to go back to school as a single mother of two extremely demanding sons, and earn her nursing qualifications. She and her sister (also a

6

Spring / 2018

single mother of two) united their families under one roof, in effect co-parenting the four cousins.

By the time I married into this family, the ‘sparenting’ household was a distant memory. The repercussions are evident to this day, however: the cousins are as close as siblings, and Aunty’s advice carries the weight of their mother’s.

Professional babysitting services can cost more than a low income wage earner will bring home. And, even if money isn’t an issue, parents working shifts such as those in hospitality and healthcare, are often unable to access affordable childcare as their work hours fall outside of conventional office hours. Independent providers may not offer proof of satisfying the rigorous industry standards that preschools and daycare centres adhere to. In these situations, many parents lean on the assistance of close trusted friends and whanau, aka sparents.

The increase in blended families has also meant more adults without conventional titles playing significant roles in a child’s upbringing. When Manakau writer Shirley separated from her husband, she maintained the close relationship she had with his five daughters. One lived with her until recently, they play an important role in her son’s life, and as she puts it, “we are all whanau and it’s lovely”.

Christchurch teacher Louise enjoys a special relationship with her niece: “She views me as somewhere between a big kid and an adult. She can play with me and test out new behaviours

and games, but she also relies on me to take care of her and set rules”.

Sparents are definitely here to stay, in the form of flatmates, ex-step-parents, honorary aunties and uncles, and countless others. I reached out to a number of people who fall under the sparent umbrella. Some were grateful to finally have a title, while others already considered themselves “alloparents” or “bonus-parents”.

I’m in two minds about the term sparenting.

When I am responsible for a child, whether it’s inloco-parentis as a teacher, full time as a whanau carer, in a paid nanny position or taking my niblings on a day out with Aunty, I will protect them with my life. Call me an ‘extra-parent’, because hell yeah, I am extra. Or an honorary Aunty, because when I am caring for your child, they are my family. When I started looking after my niece full time, Whāngai parent and whanau carer made me feel like my role had historical and cultural legitimacy. My issue with ‘sparent’ is the implication that I am ‘spare’. Any role I play in a child’s upbringing isn’t insignificant. I may be a sparent, but I am not spare, I am essential.

Ruth Agnew is a freelance writer, theatre reviewer and qualified sparent.

L E S N HA L E T E GR

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IC K E T S

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Spring / 2018

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Books and beats

Books

Book lovers unite! CRISSI BLAIR shares her top picks for different ages and interests.

I Am Jellyfish

The Mapmakers’ Race

By Ruth Paul

By Eirlys Hunter & Kirsten Slade

Puffin $20 Luminous Jellyfish heads into the perilous depths of the ocean, pursued by scary Swordfish. When a giant pink squid nabs Swordfish, daring Jelly comes to the rescue! Discover glow in the dark highlights, rhyming text, drama and fun between the covers of this NZ Book Awards winner.

Suitable for ages 2-8

Gecko Press $25 Four children lose their mother on their way to compete in the Mapmakers’ Race – a competition to plot a route for the railway from Grand Prospect to New Coalhaven. Feel the thrill of high adventure as these marvellous characters embark on their journey.

Suitable for ages 8-12

TOP PICK Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas

Who Stole the Rainbow

By Ant Sang & Michael Bennett

By Vasanti Unka

Puffin $20

Penguin $30

Enjoy science and mystery in this vibrantly coloured picture book about where rainbows come from. The detective interviews all the suspects – Sun, Wind and Rain, to find out where the rainbow has gone. Was it stolen?

A bonus video adds to the learning.

Suitable for ages 3-8.

Helen's brother is a scientist working on a revolutionary invention, but, when abducted by time-travelling ninjas from 2355, Helen discovers its dangers. To save the future world, they need to find answers in the past, and Helen is the key.

A graphic novel suitable for ages 10+ Showtym Adventures: Cameo the Street Pony

A First Book of the Sea

By Kelly Wilson

By Nicola Davies & Emily Sutton

Puffin $15

Walker Books $33

Kelly’s mum buys her an untrained horse and with help from her sisters, and a show-jumping family friend, Cameo is trained in no time. Learn alongside the three sisters as they train and groom their horses to compete in major competitions.

A beautifully illustrated collection of sea-themed poetry divided into: Down by the Shore; Journeys; Under the Sea; and Wonders. More than just pretty words, the poems are packed with plenty of ocean facts, too. A treasure for any child.

Suitable for ages 7-10

Suitable for ages 5+

Win!

We have one copy each of The Mapmakers’ Race, Helen and the Go-go Ninjas, Who Stole the Rainbow, I am Jellyfish, Chickeria, Queen of the Chickens, My Old Man, He Loves Rugby and Amazing Affirmations for Kids to give away! To enter, visit familytimes.co.nz.

8

Spring / 2018

Music for little ears By

Suzy Cato

Kiwi Kids Music With over 80 members kiwikidsmusic.co.nz is the place to go to find fabulous music made especially for every Kiwi kids’ ears.

Chris Sanders – These Memories Make You and Me This beautiful book and CD set, with eight songs and six lullabies, takes families on the journey of their lives together. Features beautiful illustrations by Natalie Conaty. angelstarbook.com

Craig Smith – Not Just for Kids 2 Mr Wonky Donkey has done it again with a wonderful selection of new songs mixed with much loved songs from the back catalogue including Toothless, Square Eyes and My Daddy Ate an Apple. craigsmith.co.nz

Tanya Batt – Chickira Queen of the Chickens and Other Feisty Femme Tales From singing chickens to adventure-seeking princesses, this collection of stories celebrates the qualities of heroines – such as determination, bravery and the ability to ride a unicycle. imagined-worlds.net

Judi Cranston – Amazing Affirmations for Kids We love this latest addition to Kiwi Judi Cranston’s kindyRock collection. Music and affirmations are the perfect tool for helping your kids to have better thoughts about who they are and what they can do. judicranston.com

Mr Roberelli – Midnight Feast The eighth album from Kiwi trio, Mr Roberelli, this musical feast will extend the listener in so many ways; for example, listen out for some of Mozart’s famous riffs on Mozart Never Had a Moustache. mrroberelli.co.nz

Jay Laga’aia and Peter Millett – My Old Man, He Played Rugby Author Peter Millett has joined forces with much loved children’s performer, Jay Laga’aia, to transform a well-known nursery rhyme into a gutsy singalong about Dad’s passion for rugby.

Book and CD.

Exclusive

TO BALLANTYNES

Spring / 2018

9

we love...

Things we’re

buzzing about A raily good day out!

Take a trip on Dunedin’s spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway. Enjoy amazing scenery, fascinating history and lots of exciting tunnels and bridges. Trains depart daily. dunedinrailways.co.nz

Wardrobe refresh

Style up this spring with new season items from family favourites Minti and Nature Baby. In store and online now at Ballantynes. ballantynes.co.nz/children

Wow your tastebuds Sister Kong’s Hong Kong Bao Burger combines a Taiwanese steamed bao bun with a burger – a tasty reinvention!

And now the whole menu is available with UberEats! sisterkong.co.nz Fruity versatility Enjoy Annies Fruit Bites as a snack, added to yoghurt and muesli or in baking. Two great flavours with no preservatives, concentrates, gluten, dairy, nuts or added sugar. annies.co.nz

Viva la familia!

With seasonal dishes inspired by traditional street-food, Mexico offers a dining experience the whole family can enjoy – especially on Sundays when kids under 12 eat free. mexico.net.nz

Get snapping

Camera-handy kids should enter their best animal photos in Canterbury Museum’s Amazing Animals! competition. The best entries will be displayed at the museum and win Prezzie cards. canterburymuseum.com

Science is fun!

Unleash your young scientist at Northlands Science Spot these school holidays. Kids will love the hands-on exhibits, crystal scavenger hunt and live educational shows. northlands.co.nz

Back to school

The fastest, easiest way to label clothes! At the flick of a wrist, school uniform and accessories are sorted with the new Name Stamp Pack. stuckonyou.nz

Melanie Poppins birthday parties!

Magic show, face painting, balloon animals, pass the parcel, Harry Potter the rabbit, and games. melaniepoppins.co.nz

Step into spring!

Get out and explore with The Breeze Walking Festival from 29 September to 14 October.

Great walks for little legs include the Gruffalo Explorers and Pukeko Stomp. ccc.govt.nz/walkingfestival

10 Spring / 2018

we love...

Festive ballet Families are in for a treat this Christmas as the ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET prepares for a magical season of The Nutcracker.

C

hristmas comes but once a year, and for the hundreds of young dancers from around New Zealand who will join the Royal New Zealand Ballet on stage for The Nutcracker, Christmas 2018 will be truly unforgettable.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet will be presenting The Ryman Healthcare Season of The Nutcracker throughout New Zealand, opening in Wellington on 31 October, playing in Dunedin on 17 and 18 November, Christchurch on 23 and 24 November and concluding in Auckland on 15 December.

Excitement spread throughout the country when the call went out for children to join the show. Nearly 700 dancers from 95 schools auditioned for this year’s production, which is the national ballet’s first tour of the timeless Christmas story since 2010. Auditions were held throughout New Zealand in June and July. Making the cut to appear on stage with the performers are 90 children from 14 dance schools across Christchurch and Dunedin – varying in age from nine to 17.

“Seeing a performance of The Nutcracker creates special memories and family traditions. It’s an enchanting ballet that the entire family can enjoy year after year. The Nutcracker shares the joy of the holidays and reminds us, whether we are young or old, that to dream is the most magical gift of all,” says RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker.

World-renowned American choreographer Val Caniparoli’s production, unique to the Royal New Zealand Ballet, opens with a mid-1800s Christmas Eve scene. Tchaikovsky’s fairytale music fills the air and Clara is given a nutcracker doll by her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. Falling asleep on the sofa, she dreams a Christmas dream of magic and romance…

As the clock strikes midnight, the drawing room is transformed into a battleground. Skirmishes break out between toy soldiers, led by the brave Nutcracker, and the motley crew of mice who emerge from the shadows of the skirting boards. All seems lost, but clever Clara saves the day, and the handsome Nutcracker Prince sweeps her away on a snowy journey to the enchanted Marzipan Castle.

Welcomed to the magical kingdom by the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and her Prince are captivated by dances representing tea, coffee, chocolate, marzipan and flowers. The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy brings the entertainment to a climax in one of the ballet’s most beloved showpieces.

As the night ends, Clara awakes on Christmas morning, knowing that the sweetest memories are made with those whom we love.

THE

RYMAN

H E A LT H C A R E S E A S O

31 OCT – 15 DEC

Touring nationally SEASON SPONSOR

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Tchaikovsky’s magical and much-loved score will be performed live in, Christchurch (by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) and Dunedin (by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra).

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The much-loved, magical tale offers festive enchantment for all ages.

Spring / 2018

11

Bump to Bundle

Optimal

cord clamping' Childbirth educator ROSEMARY JOYCE shares why cord clamping and when to cut the umbilical cord needs careful, informed consideration when making your birthing plans.

B

irth is a momentous occasion in a baby’s life, as their circulatory system changes from one that is completely dependent on Mum, to one that is fully independent. And yet many families and health-care providers are unaware that a simple decision made in this moment has a significant (and sometimes life altering) impact on the health and wellbeing of their little one.

Numerous studies now show that choosing to leave the umbilical cord intact for a period of time (as opposed to immediate cord cutting at birth) offers huge benefit to a newborn, both at birth and long term. For example, research published in 2014 showed a baby whose cord is clamped and cut in less than 60 seconds after birth is over twice as likely to be iron deficient at 3-6 months versus a baby whose cord was clamped and cut later.

Ironically, this ‘optimal cord clamping’, as it’s now called, was the norm until the middle of last

century, when early clamping became popular with the introduction of active management of the third stage (the birth of the placenta) to lower the rate of hemorrhage after birth.

However, English physician Erasmus Darwin said, back in 1801, that the cord should be left intact until it stops pulsing, as clamping the cord too soon is “very injurious” to the infant and will leave them weakened.

If you are expecting a baby, you are able to make an informed decision about if or when you would like your baby’s umbilical cord clamped and cut. Optimal cord clamping is an option in most circumstances – including caesarean birth, premature birth and with babies who require some resuscitation. In fact, it is even more crucial for infants whose births have deviated from normal because of the support the placenta offers them while they get breathing established.

Yet, somehow, immediate cord clamping and cutting became the gold standard in healthcare during the 20th century, and is still common practice in many hospitals worldwide. This practice can leave behind as much as 50 per cent of a newborn’s total blood volume in the placenta.

It also severs baby’s connection to their natural ‘life pack’ (the placenta), which is designed to perfuse baby’s tiny organs with blood while their circulatory system changes over.

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12 Spring / 2018

Rosemary Joyce is a childbirth educator and doula, and has worked as a registered nurse for over 15 years. She created The Birthing Room in 2013. thebirthingroom.co.nz

Ten Tiny Toes

Peanut caution As a mother of three children with allergies, Malena Penney considers the latest advice to offer babies peanuts.

Y

ou may have seen a commotion around social media lately over the changed advice to start giving young babies peanuts. This has come from the LEAP study (Learning Early About Peanut), which found, quite conclusively, that avoiding peanut in high-risk children results in higher incidences of peanut allergy at age five.

As a researcher into food allergy-related psychology, I am pro-science, but this is one piece of advice I think we should be careful about, and let parents choose what is right for their family.

If you have no family history of allergy, your baby has not shown any signs of allergy, and there is no eczema present, then by all means go ahead if it feels right for you. However, for families with these risk factors, you may want to consider this first: + Most parents do not have immediate access to a life-saving EpiPen + Children with severe food reactions often show these as very young babies. I personally recommend getting babies showing signs of allergy tested by an allergist before trialling peanut.

+ Research into the amount and frequency of peanut necessary for the benefits suggested are still ongoing, and personally I would rather see some more science into the safety of doing this with young babies.

I’m not a doctor so this is just my opinion and doesn’t replace medical advice. But, if you do decide to give your baby peanuts, please make sure it’s in a form which is not a choking hazard, and you are close to a hospital or doctor. Even better, do it in the carpark of the hospital!

Nutritious baby meals

I

ntroducing your baby to solid foods is an exciting phase. Together you’ll explore new flavours and recipes as your child learns how to use completely different mouth muscles.

One piece of kit that can help you make hasslefree wholesome meals is the Philips Avent 4-in-1 healthy baby food maker. It gently steams fruit, vegetables, meat and fish and can then blend the cooked ingredients – including the juices released during steaming – to the desired consistency.

In addition it has a handy defrost and reheat

Malena Penney is a Food Allergy researcher and provides support, guidance and allergyfriendly recipes at Allergy Kids NZ. See allergykids.co.nz and funwithallergykids on Facebook and Instagram.

made easy

Win!

function and even has its own app, filled with tips, tricks and tasty recipes.

Start with puréed fruit or vegetables. Purées should be very smooth and quite runny, using very mild (even bland) flavours at first. It’s a good idea to offer one food at a time so you can see how they react to each individual food. Start by offering a few teaspoons, once a day, either during or after your baby’s usual milk feed. philips.co.nz/avent

We have ONE Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Babyfood Maker worth $330 to giveaway! To enter, visit familytimes.co.nz.

Spring / 2018

13

little wonders

30

S eptember

clocks ‘spring’ forward one hour

But

I don’t wanna go to bed

Daylight saving is near, so KINETA BOOKER looks at ways to reduce the impact of lighter evenings to encourage her child to go to sleep on time.

It’s coming… Not winter — daylight saving, when the days are longer and the nights are shorter. In many cases this means that your little ones will stay up until it’s dark (around 9pm) — because when it’s dark — it’s bedtime, right? That’s what I’ve been saying to my little one all winter, anyway, and it’s worked.

Well, it worked for winter — but now it’s spring I’m in trouble. Who’s in trouble with me?

The big question is — how do we get into the 7pm to 7am healthy sleep routine when it’s light outside? Here are some ideas to take back your evenings! + Be prepared! By organising yourself now, you’ll be ready for when the clocks go forward. + Start at least a week before — slowly dropping their bedtime back by 10 minutes each night. It might mean they wake up earlier in the morning but by the time daylight saving rolls around on 30 September, they’ll be back on track. + Consider getting a sleep training clock — which teaches children their bedtime and what time to wake up. It’s a good idea to introduce this before daylight saving hits, so you’re not doing all these new things at once. + Installing blinds throughout the house is a great way to minimise light streaming in. I’ve also been known to use black rubbish bags over windows with excellent results. + Use blackout curtains or blackout blinds in your child’s bedroom, or hang towels on top of curtain rails to block out light.

14 Spring / 2018

Once daylight saving arrives — have a new nightly routine set to go: + Call them inside earlier — because both active play and daylight stimulate your child’s senses. + Close all the curtains in the house — blocking out the sunlight. It’s a nice idea to have your child help you — ‘Goodnight daytime’. + Read books in their bedroom before bed — as it’ll hopefully be the darkest room in the house once you’ve got the blackout blinds up. + Remember, it always takes a while for anyone to get used to a new routine, and going to bed when it’s still light outside isn’t easy for most people.

Win!

We have two Gro Clock Sleep Trainers to give away – thanks to The Sleep Store! To enter, visit familytimes.co.nz.

Change your clocks, check your smoke alarms Checking your smoke alarms each time you change the clocks is a great habit to get into, writes PETER GALLAGHER , the National Advisor for Fire Risk Management — Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Smoke alarms save lives by giving an early warning if a fire starts in your home. Every year Fire and Emergency New Zealand attends more than 3000 house fires. In more than 80 per cent of fatal house fires attended, smoke alarms were either not working or not present at all. Smoke alarms are especially important at night because your sense of smell switches off when you’re sleeping, so you won’t smell the smoke.

Alarms should be tested every month and vacuumed every six months.

So when you put your clocks forward on 30 September, test and vacuum your alarms. Daylight saving is also a good time to change the batteries on older-style alarms and to check the expiry dates on long-life photoelectric alarms.

All smoke alarms have a limited life and should be replaced at least every 10 years. If you can’t find a date anywhere on the alarm, chances are it’s over 10 years old and should be replaced.

We recommend photo-electric alarms, but having any smoke alarm is better than not having an alarm at all.

Daylight saving is also a good time to make an escape plan and practice it. You can visit escapeplanner.nz to make your own.

Remember, if you see or smell smoke — get everyone out, call 111 from a safe place and never go back inside.

For more information, visit: fireandemergency.nz/at-home/ smoke-alarms

little wonders

Now you’re

talking

Using two simple communication tools when talking with your child can make a big impact on their learning, emotional intelligence and behaviour, writes Clair Edgeler of BestStart Early Learning Centres.

A

s teachers, the team at BestStart is trained to understand how children learn and the ways to best support them learn and develop. We thought it might be helpful to share two valuable tools that you can use to encourage your child to become a confident, life-long learner:

Curiosity and open-ended questions

Asking questions that require a longer reply than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ can reap incredible results. These are often referred to as open-ended questions. Open-ended questions — such as “What happened to the rain?” — stimulate your child’s thinking by requiring them to engage with the world, rather than simply observing. They challenge your child to think deeply about the subject and explore their own thoughts and feelings about it. Your child’s language, communication, imagination and curiosity will be enhanced as they describe and share their thinking with you.

Practical questions — like “What do you think we need to do with the dirty washing on the floor?” — can engage your child in problem-solving and decision-making experiences that are empowering and encourage their independence and contribution to the wider family. Your child’s replies can lead to further discussion, often in directions you might never have predicted, creating more moments to laugh, explore, create and engage together.

Here are some simple starters for open-ended questions: + I wonder what will happen if...? + What do you think you will choose next... Why? + What does that cloud remind you of? + What happened after I left today? + Can you tell me about your day? + Can you tell me about how you’re feeling?

Descriptive feedback

Descriptive feedback is another brilliant learning tool.

When you notice your child doing something that makes you smile, offering some descriptive feedback has a much greater impact than the standard “good girl” or “great stuff ”.

Descriptive feedback tells your child you noticed exactly what they did. When you reflect back to them what you saw, it helps them to better understand situations and their feelings. Taking the time to closely observe your child’s behaviour also tells them they are important.

Describing situations back to your child can help them understand how their behaviour may affect others. For example: “I saw you notice that Coco hadn’t had a turn yet so you took the bucket and offered it to her. Coco’s eyes lit up and she looked really happy! She gave you such a lovely smile and you smiled back! It looked like she was really pleased that you shared with her.” This is a great example of how to build your child’s knowledge and understanding of their feelings and behaviour, and their effect on others.

When we talk about behaviour and feelings in this way with our children, we are helping to build emotional intelligence and effective communication skills that will last a lifetime.

Passionate about the untold possibilities of play, BestStart Educare has produced Bright Ideas for Young Minds, a vibrant book that’s bursting with experiences and play ideas to pursue with your children. best-start.org

Descriptive feedback can also encourage positive behaviours. “I noticed you carefully dipped your brush into the yellow paint and put it on the paper to make that gorgeous big, bright circle,” and other simple observations like this, give your child clear, positive feedback about their ideas and actions and introduce many concepts (dipped, carefully, big, bright, etc.). It also exposes them to more wonderful, useful words that will build their vocabularies and confidence to understand the world around them. And, finally, it provides them with an opportunity to add more information to what you have just said, e.g., “Yes, Mummy, I drew the sun.”

Spring / 2018

15

class of their own

Farming W in action

See, touch and feed farm animals in a working farm environment at Arion Farm Education Park.

ith a focus on animals farmed in New Zealand, there is a range of cuteness to be found – including lambs, calves, donkeys and ponies. And, there’s even a cafe and riding school on site, too.

As part of the National Trade Academy, and just 10 minutes from the city, Arion Farm is a landbased training provider in animal care which runs agricultural, horticultural and equestrian courses – which is great for young animal lovers as they can watch the training in action.

New Arion Farm Manager Rosie Pinder is bringing a fresh vision to the park. “We look forward to adding to the charm and character of the farm while caring for everyone’s favourite farm animals,” she says. “We’re looking to incorporate some fun new enrichment activities for the animals and begin some training sessions to aid us with our general management along with developing and redesigning some current enclosures to add to the atmosphere for our guests.” arionfarmpark.co.nz

Moments and milestones make memories And since 1972, we’ve cherished moments and celebrated the milestones of each baby, toddler and preschooler entrusted to us.

That’s because we provide more than full and part time care and education – we provide a Kindercare family.

Fostering creativity r and wonde

www.kindercare.co.nz 16 Spring / 2018

Inspiring joy and love

Nurturing curiosity and enquiry Growing grit

Pop in and experie nce the Kin dercare differen ce.

class of their own

That after-school slot – from 3pm till whenever the workday finishes – needn’t be characterised by lax supervision, chaos and noise.

What happens

Care after school should be safe, structured, stimulating and socially enriching. And fun too! Driven by this conviction, CRAIG FORTUNE founded My After School Headquarters.

A

t MASH, we understand children’s needs and developmental stages; we understand that children need routines and boundaries; and the importance of establishing trusting, respectful relationships.

Our professional, dedicated staff members are there for the children at all times, backed by our customer support staff.

Today, parents work long hours, and they don’t often have the time to do arts and crafts or baking in the afternoons, or the energy and composure to deal with the inevitable mess! But we do.

after school

Embedded in the philosophy behind MASH is the idea of adding value. We achieve this by offering a structured programme, where each of our Programme Managers plans different activities and new experiences. As part of this, we regularly engage with community groups.

We have had, for example, the Deaf Association show our children some of the basics of sign language, and visits from the local Fire and Police Departments.

Most of our sessions run from 3-6pm. Children arrive just after 3pm, and then have afternoon tea – a time for coming together and eating and interacting politely and respectfully. Then we offer homework assistance. For those kids who don’t have homework, there is actively supervised ‘free play’ time. Around 4pm, we gather together and staff introduce the planned activity, which usually runs for about 45 minutes, until around 5pm when most children are picked up.

There is incredible social value in out-of-school programmes, especially where there is a mixedaged dynamic: the younger children learn by observing their older peers, and the older children assume leadership roles and practise their communication skills. The friendships our children establish transfer to the playground and into the community.

Enjoyable and enriching, the programme is not expensive. In fact, many families are eligible for funding, and some pay as little as $2 per day, per child. Often parents do not know what subsidies they are eligible for, and our customer support staff are there to guide them.

We started our first centre in 2012 because we wanted to offer an after-school alternative that would add value to children’s lives. With this same motivation, we are now looking to franchise. We are seeking likeminded people who wish to help us bring MASH into their communities, and bring in some income for their families.

Spring / 2018

17

class of their own

Simplifying life

with

routine

Be kind to yourself!

We’re all in this together.

As a full-time working mum, LEANNE BAKER knew she needed a system to help her keep her household running smoothly. Now she helps other parents establish routines that work for them.

A

s a mum of two boys (aged five and eight) there are many times I’ve felt completely overwhelmed by the tasks I needed to get done each day, as well as caring for the boys.

I remember when we had our eldest son; financially I had to return to full time work shortly after he was born, and I was juggling work as a teacher, being a new mum and also adjusting to married life — we had been married for only a year before our son was born.

It was an incredibly daunting time, and there were many days where life seemed so very hard.

Slowly, I began to put systems into place and as I did I felt I gained back some control.

If you, too, are feeling like life is running away without an established routine, here are some ideas to help you feel less overwhelmed:

Self Care

Take care of you first. Often as parents, we put ourselves at the bottom of the list – but if we look after ourselves first our family receives a better version of us. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – it could be enjoying a hot cup of tea, reading your favourite book or relaxing in a bubble bath once the kids are in bed. Perhaps you could even find a hobby that you love.

List of Three

Make a list of your top three tasks for the day. Prioritise and focus your day to ensure these are ticked off. An example of my list of three might be – to bake muffins for school lunches, spend 30 minutes sorting photos for our yearly album and meal plan for the following week. I commit to those tasks first and anything else that I achieve during the day is a bonus.

Zone Cleaning

Rather than cleaning your whole house in one day, break your home into areas (zones) and do one zone per day. I spend 15 minutes in each zone every day. For example –

18 Spring / 2018

Thursday is the Master Bedroom zone. I wipe down the side tables, remove any clutter, dust the blinds and wipe down the fan. Floors are done on a different day. Once you have this routine established it is a quick and easy way to stay on top of the house moving forward.

15 Minute Tidy

Set your timer for 15 minutes and concentrate your efforts and energy on that task until the alarm sounds. You will be amazed how much you can achieve in a short time.

For example, each evening following dinner I set my timer for 15 minutes to clean the kitchen and dining area. I put away dishes, wipe the benches, tidy up any mess from the day and basically reset our areas for the following day.

Remember not to compare your life to others; everyone has their own challenges, and you’re not alone in your struggles.

Since sharing my story online, I have had countless people reach out and tell me they were afraid to share their challenges for fear of being judged. Be kind to yourself!

We’re all in this together.

Leanne Baker is the person behind LBD (Leanne Baker Daily) planners, the blog – Organising the Four of Us, and the active social media community – facebook.com/ Organising TheThreeOfUs

PAGE HEADER

Year 7-13, Day and Boarding School Spring / 2018

19

Tweens & Teens

Booze on the brain talks with neuroscience educator NATHAN WALLIS about the long-term damage that alcohol does to the teenage brain.

KATE BARBER

F

rom fighting in the streets and burning couches, to domestic violence and drink driving, the disturbing images of New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture are all too familiar. For parents of adolescents they present a frightening spectre.

Beyond the wreckage caused by ‘a big night’, Nathan is concerned with helping parents understand the damage that alcohol abuse is doing to teenager’s brains.

Despite their sense of invincibility, the teenage brain is under construction, he says, rendering certain parts of it particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.

20 Spring / 2018

As Nathan explains, for 80 per cent of the population, drinking alcohol before the age of 18 causes lasting damage to the hippocampus (one’s memory) and the frontal cortex (responsible for higher intelligence). For various reasons, like having experienced physical trauma, there are some young people for whom that age can be as high as 21.

“I don’t mean having one sip of Dad’s beer,” he says. But, the threshold is a lot lower than you might expect. Damage is done when a young person drinks one unit within an hour — an average that is based on body weight. By way of contrast, Nathan says, an adult male can drink on average eight units over an hour before causing damage.

Tweens & Teens

Neuroscience presenter and director of X-Factor Education, Nathan Wallis encourages parents to think about their own attitudes and habits around drinking, and to talk to their kids about the damage that drinking does to their young brains. facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation

Unlike other parts of the brain, the size of the hippocampus correlates directly with how well it functions: the larger it is, the better one’s memory, explains Nathan. “The earlier you take in alcohol, the more shrivelled up the hippocampus. We can line up the hippocampi of people who’ve donated their organs to science, smallest to largest, and the size correlates with the age at which they started drinking alcohol,” he says.

Societal issues born directly from alcohol abuse, like addiction and domestic violence, would disappear if we could stop the drinking when people are teens. Nathan expands on this idea, saying that the 35-year-old man who gets drunk — and effectively “wipes out his frontal cortex” (and along with it his capacity for empathy and self restraint) — then beats his wife, wouldn’t have wiped out his frontal cortex had he not abused alcohol and “severely compromised his cortex” in his teens.

position as they process information about the damage alcohol causes to young people’s brains.

“It is not realistic to tell your kids to abstain [from drinking] until they are 21,” says Nathan. “And, while they can stay under the [one-unit-per-hour] threshold, it is unlikely that your 16-year-old son is going to nurse a stubby from 7pm till after 8.”

So what can parents do? Nathan encourages parents to talk with their kids about the issue, but qualifies this It’s worth considering by saying that teens how cultural attitudes aren’t necessarily going and norms colour our to be receptive to the information. “Sure, show own personal values them the brain scans,” and habits when it he says, “but be aware comes to drinking, and that teens operate in their limbic system (their influence the messages emotional, non-rational we convey to our kids. brain). They’re not going “The number one risk to say, ‘Oh, I had better pull my socks up!’” factor for developing

an alcohol problem is seeing your parent drunk,” says Nathan.

In New Zealand it is illegal for a person under the age of 18 to purchase alcohol. It is also illegal to supply alcohol to someone under the age of 18 unless you are, or have “the express consent of, a parent or guardian of the minor, and ( . . . ) the alcohol (is supplied) in a responsible manner” (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012). However, in New Zealand, there is no age at which it is illegal to drink alcohol (alcohol.org.nz).

When it comes to helping young people make good choices — around relationships, studying, and drinking (including whether or not to drink) – Nathan talks about the importance of giving them opportunities to rehearse scenarios. What would you do if you won a million dollars? What would you do if you were offered a drink at the party? What would you do if your intoxicated friend offered you a lift home? “Let teens think of solutions when they’re calm, when they have time to rehearse and practice — like when you’re in the car together,” says Nathan.

The cultural assumption that it’s okay for our 16-year-olds to have a few drinks, along with the absence of any law prohibiting drinking under a particular age, certainly puts parents in a difficult

In such moments “when their cortex is online,” he says, you can offer information about what alcohol does to the young brain — and they might just imbibe that message.

need some

toughlove?

Toughlove is a unique national organisation which focuses on parents of teenagers and adolescents and provides ongoing support for as long as required.

Our Parent Support Groups meet weekly, and you’re welcome to just come along and give one a go.

As parents, we have all done our best, yet sometimes we feel lonely and helpless when our child is in trouble and we realise it can be hard to reach out for support. There are many families in our communities who are having similar concerns and who are also feeling isolated, guilty and ashamed.

Coming to a Parent Support Group will give you options and help you make plans. We give support to follow through with your own decisions, set boundaries and learn about behaviour change.

Toughlove also presents Parenting Adolescent Seminars in communities and runs six-week courses.

Parenting Adolescent Seminars involve two-hour interactive presentations, ideal for schools to host for their parents. toughlove.org.nz

Spring / 2018

21

giveaways

6

Kids’ Scavenger Hunt Games Everyone has a rip-roaring good time as each player searches for the objects pictured on their cards!

6

2

The Cat Pack Games

Children will enjoy learning maths with these beautifully designed cat cards.

Play-Doh Disney Princess Sparkle Kingdoms

Creative hands-on play with this three-part castle featuring Disney Princess Cinderella, Disney Princess Belle, and Disney Princess Jasmine.

Family Pass to The Nutcracker Family pass plus a programme and four refreshment vouchers to see this extra special, new production of The Nutcracker by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Name label sets Label that mountain of school clothes and accessories in no time at all with the new Stuck On You Name Stamp Pack!

Win!

4

Build an awesome K’nex dinosaur.

Engineering and construction fun.

4

Simply head to our website: familytimes.co.nz

2

Family passes to Orana Park

Visit New Zealand’s only open-range zoo.

3

K’nexosaurus Rex

Spirograph Deluxe Sets A 45+ piece set with precision parts and pens.

Unicorn Gardens

An enchanting garden sure to attract unicorns and fairies to your home!

3

Rainbocorns

What surprise is hiding under every Rainbocorn Sequin Surprise Heart? The hottest girl’s toy for Christmas!

22 Spring / 2018

2

My Little Pony Friends Playsets With the 2-in-1 My Little Pony Pinkie Pie Beats and Treats Magical Classroom, pretend Pinkie Pie has fun lessons to share.

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

5

Be in to

pets

Raising a

child-friendly

dog

It’s so important to raise dogs to be great with kids – particularly if you have children, or plan to one day! Here’s my list of the top things you can do to help your dog get along with – and love – kids. By Mark Vette

Puppy love

If possible start with a puppy. They are ripe for learning new experiences at two to four months old. Everything your puppy absorbs at this time forms the basis for its future behaviour as an adult dog.

Socialising

Take your pup out to meet children of all ages. Use a clicker to click and reward positive interactions, and ask kids to give treats to your dog (safely on the palm of a flat hand).

Desensitisation

At home, expose and desensitise your pup to possible situations – its tail being pulled or

Pets on

T

accidentally stepped on; kids crying or screaming; being hugged or patted all over; scooters and bikes; its food bowl being interfered with; kids being in its bed or taking toys away.

Be very careful – if your dog has a traumatic experience it can be hard to fix. Start slowly and build up to more difficult situations, using a clicker to click and reward.

Be kind

Teach children to respect animals. Dogs should be left alone when eating, chewing a toy, sleeping or showing signs of distress. Most don’t like shouting, being hugged, climbed on or being pulled by the collar, so even if we train our dog to accept these things, we should try to avoid doing them.

Develop the bond

Dogs need food, water, exercise and lots of love every day. Plus occasional bathing or a brush.

Kids can help and this will strengthen the relationship and teach important lessons about caring for others.

Mark Vette, the star of TV show Purina Pound Pups to Dog Stars, is one of the world's leading animal psychologists and behaviourists. He has studied and trained dogs for more than 40 years, solving every behavioural issue imaginable. dogzen.com

holiday

here are over 400 pet-friendly holiday homes in the Bachcare collection, and with new homes added daily to their website, there’s more choice than ever to find the perfect holiday home for you and the pooch.

As the pet-friendly experts, Bachcare’s new search filters now show which of their homes allow pets to stay inside, and which have a setup for outside living for your favourite member of the family.

And it’s the economical choice as well – with just a $20 charge for up to two pets for the whole stay, you can imagine the savings compared to your local boarding kennel.

Starting in 2003, Bachcare now has nearly 2,000 holiday homes across all your favourite NZ destinations. And along with a huge range of pet- and family-friendly homes, the unique aspect of Bachcare is that you’ll have a local holiday manager on call throughout your stay. They know the house inside out and can help with any questions or issues during the stay, even where the best walks are for the dog.

Booking your accommodation direct with Bachcare means you are supporting a 100 per cent Kiwi-owned company. Time to explore new areas with the whole family.

When Bachcare says “bring the whole family” – they mean your furry kids too!

Pet friendly Paradise in Port Levy, Banks Peninsula - ID: 5311

bachcare.co.nz

Spring / 2018

23

A fun interactive play based on the classic Hare and Tortoise story. Runs for about 45 minutes and you can meet the cast after the show which has been a

The Amazing Race, The Malthouse

29 September - 14 October

courttheatre.org.nz

See the story you know so well told in a way never seen before in this silent comedy adaptation of the fairytale classic.

Hansel and Gretel, The Court Theatre

29 September - 13 October

loudshirtday.org.nz

A day to raise awareness about, and money for, deaf children with cochlear implants and hearing aids. This year’s theme is superheroes!

Loud Shirt Day, Your place

28 September

extravaganza.co.nz

The Ashton Family Circus brings grassroots entertainment for everyone to enjoy, free, at The Extravaganza Fair.

Ashton Family Circus & Dylan Daisy’s Magic Show, Latimer Square

22 & 23 September, 9am-5pm

CHRISTCHURCH

northlands.co.nz

Play with cool hands-on exhibits or see a live show at the Science Spot and solve the Crystal Scavenger Hunt! Get your map from the customer service desk.

Be a young scientist at Northlands, Northlands, Centre Court

1-12 October, 10am-4pm

ccc.govt.nz/walkingfestival

Begin with a guided, scenic walk and then explore Ferrymead Heritage Park with tram rides, free microchipping for Christchurch registered dogs and lots of treats for dog lovers of all ages!

Cancelled if wet.

Dogs Day Out, Ferrymead Heritage Park

30 September, 10.30am-2.30pm

September

October

Whether you want to sing, dance, play an instrument, or all of the above, you

Kids Open Mic - Calling All Talented Child Singers, Dancers, Christchurch Folk Music Club, 29 Domain Terrace

14 October

ticketek.co.nz

Two bored kids. One rainy day. And one crazy cat wearing a red-striped hat. Spoiler alert: things run amuck, and quickly.

Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, Isaac Theatre Royal

9 October

07

ccc.govt.nz/walkingfestival

Until November

18

canterburymuseum.com/whats-on

See almost 100 of the world’s best animal photos at this exciting exhibition on tour from London.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Canterbury Museum

Until November 18, 10am-4pm

thetoycollector.co.nz

A labour of love, this personally curated toy collection will take you back in time.

Open daily during the school holidays to browse and buy.

The Toy Collector, 90 Falsgrave Street

Throughout the school holidays

ferrymead.org.nz

It’s Ferrymead’s annual Extravaganza at Labour Weekend with steam train, double decker bus and tram rides, rides, plus bouncy castle and face painting included in the admission price.

Ferrymead Extravaganza, Ferrymead Heritage Park

AllRight? Amble, Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Part treasure hunt, part orienteering, this is a fun family walk with a difference. Grab a map and scout out hidden delights in the gardens. Postponed to 14 October if wet.

21 October

Your one-stop Christmas present shopping and fun-time spot. Come and enjoy entertainment and great food while

Christmas Night Market, Ferrymead Heritage Park

1 December, 2pm-9pm

ticketek.co.nz

For lovers of festive tales and seasonal charm, Christmas 2018 will be extra special, with a new production of The Nutcracker by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

The Nutcracker, Isaac Theatre Royal

22-24 November

TOP PICK

If you have an event you’d like to add to our next calendar for summer, email kineta@27publishers.co.nz.

7 October, 10.30am-2.30pm

this spring

30

What’s on

With some beautiful days on the horizon, it’s time to lock in some adventures inside and out. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family!

Pull me out and pin me up

CHRISTCHURCH EVENT CALENDAR

Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

15 & 16 December

October

ticketek.co.nz

ferrymead.org.nz

Celebrate the New Year at Ferrymead Heritage Park. Enjoy a family day out with entertainment, great food and stalls.

Something for everyone.

New Year’s Day Market, Ferrymead Heritage Park

1 January 2-9pm

blackcat.co.nz

Join the magical Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise. Spot a Hector’s dolphin or cruise again for free.

Black Cat Cruises, Akaroa Harbour Wharf

ferrymead.org.nz

you get your Christmas list filled.

108 Carlyle St, Christchurch www.southernballet.co.nz

P U R P O S E - B U I LT D A N C E S T U D I O S

FULL TIME COURSE - BBO AND RAD BALLET - NZAMD JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY

C L A S S E S F R O M 3 Y E A R S T O A D U LT - O P E N A N D E X A M I N AT I O N C L A S S E S

R E G I S T R AT I O N I S O P E N F O R 2 0 1 9 C L A S S E S

willowbank.co.nz

Open Monday to Friday, this interactive educational programme offers hands-on activities inspired by New Zealand scientist Lord Ernest Rutherford. artscentre.org.nz

Introduce your little one to a world of interactive experiences with animals – from donkey rides to encounters with kiwis and tuataras.

Rutherford’s Den, The Arts Centre

facebook.com/NBSeasideMarket

Head to the seaside and enjoy live entertainment, great food, fresh produce, arts, crafts, jewellery and more. There’s also a bouncy castle and free face painting for the littlies.

New Brighton Seaside Market, New Brighton Pedestrian Mall, Brighton Mall

Saturday mornings, 10am-2pm

ferrymead.org.nz

A family-friendly Halloween Night which includes treats and fun activities. A portion of ticket sales will go to Plunket. Tickets on sale now at Eventfinda.

Trick or Treat Village, Ferrymead Heritage Park

31 October, 4.30pm-9pm

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, 60 Hussey Road

christchurchadventurepark.com

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.

Christchurch Adventure Park

folkmusic.org.nz

can do it in a stress-free, non-judgmental environment. Come be the star of the show!

F o r m e r s t u d e n t E s t e l l e T h o m s o n b y Ta y l o r F e r n e - M o r r i s .

Now studying at the Australian Ballet School.

02

ccc.govt.nz/walkingfestival

We’re going on a Bear Hunt! We’re not scared! Bring the kids down for a splashy, sploshy, muddy experience. Gumboots essential. Cancelled if wet.

Going on a Bear Hunt, Walter Park Playground

BOOK NOW

2018 Christmas Gala performance of

01-12

2 October, 1pm-2pm & 2pm-3pm

October

T h e S o u T h e r n B a l l e T T h e aT r e

oranawildlifepark.co.nz

Have a wild time at New Zealand’s only open-range zoo. During these school holidays up to four children can go half price with each paying adult. Ensure you take Orana’s Family Times voucher with you.

See page 7.

Orana Wildlife Park, 793 Mcleans Island Road

29 September 14 October

ballantynes.co.nz/events

Bally’s own Our Generation Dolls Tea Party.

The classic in-store holiday hunt, and colouring-in competitions for budding artists. Fun for all ages.

Ballantynes School Holiday Programme, Ballantynes

29 September - 14 October

FAGLE

malthouse.co.nz

Canterbury Children’s Theatre tradition for over 65 years.

DUNEDIN CALENDAR

What’s on

this spring

DUNEDIN

Dunedin Street Art Trail

5 October 11am-12pm

20-22 October, 9am-5pm

Go for an adventure and hunt for works of art that have replaced bare walls throughout the city.

Mr Science Magical Science Tour, Kings and Queens Performing Arts Centre

Ashton Family Circus & Dylan Daisy's Magic Show, The Oval

facebook.com/dunedinstreetart

Sensational science demonstrations on stage with all the excitement of flying, floating and gliding. Fun for all ages.

Rialto, 11 Moray Place Take the kids to Rialto Cinemas over the spring school holidays and take advantage of their family passes to see Smallfoot.

Brimming with springtime energy, the season delivers a range of activities to keep the kids entertained through the school holidays, and beyond.

If you have an event you’d like to add to our next calendar for summer, email kineta@27publishers.co.nz.

The Ashton Family Circus bring grassroots entertainment for everyone to enjoy, free, at The Extravaganza Fair. extravaganza.co.nz

mrscience.co.nz

rialto.co.nz

5 & 6 October

22 September

National Shakespeare Schools Production, University of Otago College of Education

Port To Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours - Launch Weekend, 837 Portobello Rd, Dunedin Jump on the Harbour Ferry and arrive in style at various harbour locations. Free family activities around the harbour! porttoport.co.nz

September

22

30 September The Land of The Moa By George, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum As part of the New Zealand Theatre Month, a rehearsed reading of a new play by Arthur Meek – called The Land of the Moa By George.

Toituosm.com

1, 2 & 3 October Rainbow Rosalind, Meridian Mall Discover the magical world of classical music with award-winning children’s entertainer Rainbow Rosalind the Fairy and players from the Dunedin Youth Orchestra. facebook.com/MeridianMallDunedin

23 September Chinese Moon Festival, Dunedin Chinese Garden All day rabbit hunt, Moon Festival poetry competition, festival menu with moon cakes, buns and tea, puzzles, crafts, traditional games. dunedinchinesegarden.com

28 September, 10am Toddler Time, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum Join us for stories, songs and activities at Toitū OSM – venue varies depending on what stories are being told. Gold coin, limited spaces, bookings required. toituosm.com

29 & 30 September Relax Kids Training, Dunedin Wains Hotel

4, 8, 10 & 12 October Magic Max, Meridian Mall Magic Max is returning with a funfilled show which will bring surprise and laughter to all. facebook.com/MeridianMallDunedin

Hare Hill Horse Treks, 207 Aramoana Road Suitable for beginners right through to advanced riders, meander across farmland and through the bush, on short jaunts or overnight adventures. horseriding-dunedin.co.nz

Scenes from Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Taming of the Shrew and Antony & Cleopatra will be directed by Jonathon Hendry, Kim Morgan and Colin Spicer respectively. sgcnz.org.nz

8-12 October 2pm & 4pm Pioneers, Meridian Mall Teachers from Pioneers, early years education, will have some fun hands-on play activities using natural materials. facebook.com/MeridianMallDunedin

9 & 11 October Pirate Pax, Meridian Mall Pirate Pax is the new magic man in town! A pirate with a magical touch, entertaining children with his awesome tricks and hilarious humour. facebook.com/ MeridianMallDunedin

13 October Dr Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, Regent Theatre Two bored kids. One rainy day. And one crazy cat wearing a red-striped hat.

Spoiler alert: things run amuck, and quickly. ticketdirect.co.nz

Sir Edmund Hillary Stairwell Collection, Otago Museum

Sessions support children’s mental and emotional wellbeing providing tools to manage stress and be more resilient, calm and confident.

Experience the exhilarating story of Hillary and Norgay’s expedition as you climb our Atrium stairs, and see Hillary’s passport, camera, mug and other personal items that went with them.

relaxkids.com

otagomuseum.nz

26 Spring / 2018

TOP PICK 17-18 November The Nutcracker, Regent Theatre For lovers of festive tales and seasonal charm, Christmas 2018 will be extra special, with a new production of The Nutcracker by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. ticketdirect.co.nz

Escape Dunedin Challenge your codecracking skills in this totally unique, immersive experience where two to six people are locked in a room with 60 minutes to find a way out. escapedunedin.com

Train Rides at the Botanic Garden, Dunedin Botanic Garden, departing near café Running seven days a week, hop aboard and enjoy a 10-minute train ride around the lower Botanic Garden. crestrides.org.nz

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OTAGO MUSEUM Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre All-day Family Combo pass from $55, includes live butterfly experience.

Get tickets and info at www.otagomuseum.nz Open daily, 10am–5pm 419 Great King Street Dunedin PH 03 474 7474

mhc.co.nz/Services/Paediatrician Spring / 2018

27

Health & Wellbeing

Increasing

Stay-at-home mum of three and occupational therapist Rachel McFedries has been on a ‘Joy Spotting’ mission lately – intentionally seeking out and taking notice of small pockets of joy.

The very same day I watched her TED talk I was drawn to a brightly coloured pair of pants while op-shopping. I bought them on a whim, even though they were way out of my comfort zone. Wearing them and taking some time to paint my nails, giving myself a fun manicure, I felt a burst of positivity – I had created my own moment of joy.

few months ago I watched a TED talk that was doing the rounds. In a brightly coloured dress, the speaker, Ingrid Fetell Lee, seemed to radiate joy. She was talking about “where joy hides, and how to find it”, and it really impacted me.

Fetell Lee is a designer who has studied joy and how it is found in our surroundings. She researched the neuroscience behind the emotion of joy – what areas of the brain are activated when viewing more ‘joyful’ objects, and also asked people what they found joy in.

She discovered a theme; joy can be found in objects like balloons, bubbles, blossoms, confetti, sprinkles, rainbows and swimming pools; round colourful objects and things that create a feeling of airy lightness. She has named this theme ‘The Aesthetics of Joy’.

Other ways I have been noticing and creating joy have been placing my flowering daffodils at my front door, embracing the childlike joy of being goofy with my kids (who just seem to be naturally joyful), dancing in the car to 90s high school hits, slowing down and being mindful of noticing blossoms and the blue Canterbury skies, and being authentically me. I can say that I’ve felt happier.

I’ve embraced the crazy times with the kids and I’m sure they’re glad that I’m joining in on some of the fart jokes!

I was struck by this concept, because finding joy in the everyday moments as a mother has been something I’ve been seeking. I find that some days of being a stay-at-home Mum can get monotonous, and I sometimes find that I lose a bit of my spark during winter. I needed more joy in my life! Ingrid Fetell Lee encourages people to start intentionally ‘joy spotting’; joining in on social media if you like. In the middle of a grey Canterbury winter, it seemed like a brilliant idea to me!

So what do you think? How can you bring more joy into your life? thestayathomeot.wordpress.com

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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.

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18

Issue 139, May

ConneCt your family with nature

As Fetell Lee states: “each moment of joy is small, but over time they add up to more than the sum of their parts”; meaning that over time, the more you mindfully notice each small moment of joy, the happier you’ll be overall.

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Health & Wellbeing

No more nasties!

from GM Hair Gallery has created hair products that are safe for your whole family to use.

Mike Hamel

T

he Mike Haircare range has been formulated to make hair stronger with increased protection, while caring for your hair and the planet. As well as being 100 per cent sulphate and paraben free, you can reduce waste by using the instore refilling station.

Mike developed the products in conjunction with a local biotech company, and uses hydrolysed keratin from sheep’s wool which shares a very similar DNA to the keratin that makes up human hair, skin and nails. Mike Haircare also helps to protect hair from New Zealand’s high levels of ultraviolet rays, pollution, colour, blowdrying and styling tools. gmhair.nz

Win!

We have three Mike Haircare packs to giveaway! Includes Mike Haircare shampoo, conditioner and a styling product. To enter, visit familytimes.co.nz.

Mike Haircare gmhair.nz

0800 46-42-27 300 Cashel Street, Christchurch

Spring / 2018

29

Health & Wellbeing

How teeth affect

face shape

A common question GRAHAME DUTTON of Duxton Dental gets asked is about the shape of children’s faces – and how teeth influence the jawline.

Treatment focuses on advancing the lower jaw and teeth.

This is important as it not only restores the chin but also helps with lip seal and bite correction. It also decreases the risk of traumatic damage to the front teeth by allowing the lips to better shield the teeth.

enerally, at primary school our kids have a convex profile with the forehead and chin sitting behind the nose or mid face. As they grow, their faces get straighter as the lower jaw comes forward.

Advancing the lower jaw can be achieved by using either twin block plates followed by braces, or now, Invisalign which can align the teeth and step the lower jaw forward.

Our patients have found Invisalign to be much more comfortable to wear and because we can align the teeth at the same time treatment time can be reduced.

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However, the lower jaw may remain too far back. This creates what orthodontists call a ‘class II’ appearance, where it looks as though the chin has gone on holiday. This can be seen in the teeth as the lower teeth sitting further back than the upper teeth by more than a couple of millimetres. It can be seen in the soft tissues as a deep fold under the lower lip, and it can also show up as a difficulty in keeping the upper and lower lips together without muscle tension.

The ideal time for treatment is while the patient is still growing. For this reason, we like to take a look as early as 9-10 years old, so don't wait – get an assessment now if you think that there could be any degree of missing chin.

03 348 5488 / duxtondental.co.nz

FREE “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.”

30 Spring / 2018

Grahame Dutton and wife Christine Duxbury established Duxton Dental in 1996.

Their team of dental surgeons have an avowed commitment to researching and implementing new technologies and techniques in order to provide optimal dental care that is minimally invasive and that will stand the test of time.

ORTHODONTIC AND INVISALIGN SCREENING

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

EDUCATION

Giving it a go Head of the Centre for Innovation at St Margaret’s College, LINDA CHONG speaks fervently about inspiring girls to ‘give it a go’ when it comes to technology and innovation.

By

KATE BARBER

T

he astounding pace of technological change means that many of the jobs that young people will do in the future have not yet been created. However, when it comes to preparing girls for the world beyond school, one thing we do know, says Linda, is that they need to be creative, flexible and collaborative, and to take risks.

The Centre for Innovation at St Margaret’s College is a space dedicated to exploring the possibilities of digital technology within, across and beyond the curriculum. It is the realisation of the school’s determination to inspire and empower girls from Year 1 to Year 13 to ‘give it a go’.

The Maori principle of ako – where teacher and learner discover and problem-solve together – underpins the school-wide approach to integrating technology. “It’s about teachers and students learning alongside each other.”

Linda is passionate about tackling the lack of confidence some girls feel about taking risks. “We see girls struggling with perfectionism and avoiding taking emotional risks in case their work isn’t good enough. They need extra support to adopt an ‘I can’ mindset.”

Teaching Product Design and 3D Printing, she introduces girls to the concept of ‘failing fast early’, which involves seeking feedback early in the process, acknowledging failings and then moving forward. Doing this in a safe, non-threatening space, girls are able to embrace new possibilities, while growing confidence and resilience. The ‘process and progress made’ is far more important than the actual end product, says Linda.

Emerging applications of technology present opportunities for embedding and extending subject-specific learning, and Linda’s role involves working alongside teachers to help integrate technology and innovative thinking into existing teaching and learning programmes.

At St Margaret’s College ‘more and more people are catching the bug’, role-modelling to others how exhilarating and rewarding it can be to try new things and share your passion. Co-curricular clubs in Coding, 3D Printing, Internet of Things, Robotics and Makerspace are starting up, some facilitated by students. “At TechFest some of our Year 9 and 10 girls ran workshops on Robotics”, says Linda.

The STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – are a natural fit; however the applications are limitless, she says. Art students in Years 5 and 7 have been experimenting with laser-cut wood patterns to create layered prints inspired by nature, for example.

The Centre also runs programmes for the community, ranging from teaching grandparents how to use devices so they can relate to their grandchildren's activities to funded programmes for students from low decile schools to come and tinker, create and learn.

The youngest members of the school community have been engaging with ‘computational thinking’ through an ‘unplugged’ module – making fairy gardens following pictorial sequences. “Through this we have introduced our Year 1 girls to concepts like ‘debugging’”, says Linda.

The school’s approach to integrating and exploring technology is as much about growing an “I can” mindset as it is about developing a specific skill set when it comes to applications, and together students and teachers are exploring the untold possibilities.

We love it, you will too

Linda Chong received an Honours Award at the 2018 Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Awards held in June for her outstanding contribution to Technology and Innovation at St Margaret’s College.

BOOK YOUR PERSONAL TOUR TODAY Please contact: Lizzie Dyer, Registrar (03) 353 2563 enrol@stmargarets.school.nz

www.stmargarets.school.nz

Spring / 2018

31

Adult Education

'Practice makes progress' considers the true power of practice.

Josh van Berkel

A

ccording to popular opinion – the number one fear in the world is public speaking – death, is number two. Which means, (as comedian Jerry Seinfeld once pointed out) if we were given the choice at a funeral, most of us would prefer to be the one in the coffin than the one doing the eulogy!

I work with people from all of walks of life that want to improve their ability to not just speak in public, but also communicate effectively – or even just connect well with others.

These are all fantastic skills to have (in fact I believe they’re absolutely essential to leading a successful life) but just like any other skill – practice is the key.

“Practice makes perfect.” I bet you heard that growing up! Probably from your parents, teachers, sports coaches and others – and if you're anything like me I bet you've even heard yourself saying it to your kids!

But I’m trying to stop.

Josh with his family.

I don’t want perfection to be the goal. I no longer aim for perfect and I don’t want my children (or clients) aiming for it either. The problem with perfection is that it’s very rarely attainable, and even when it is – it isn’t sustainable – it just isn’t.

If we make perfection the goal then more often than not it’ll destroy us, because life isn’t perfect – and neither are we (what a relief!)

Progress, however, is achievable. Regardless of where we are, who we are, what we’ve done or where we start from – we can all make progress.

We can do better. We can grow. We can improve.

We can learn.

Perhaps the best way to sum it up is this: perfection is a destination – but progress is a

journey, and life is a journey – not a destination!

If we’re prepared to let go of the perfect, and embrace progress – we’ll achieve more, and be more than we ever thought possible.

So, I no longer say: “Practice makes perfect.”

Instead – I say, “Practice makes progress.” And believe it or not, I’m getting a lot more done, and I’m a lot happier doing it (and so are my kids!)

Josh worked in media for 10 years and now trains and equips others with the skills they need to communicate powerfully and effectively joshvanberkel.com

Learn practical skills and get qualified Whether you’re interested in agriculture, horticulture, horses or rural animal technology, the National Trade Academy offers school leavers and mature students the opportunity to earn qualifications in a hands-on learning environment.

B

ased just 10 minutes from Christchurch city, NTA provides training and education that leads to nationally-recognised qualifications in a range of land-based industries.

The training centre, based on 70 hectares at McLeans Island, offers specialist purpose-built facilities to ensure students receive quality, professional hands-on training.

“All students are involved in the day-to-day running and development of the farm and riding school. On-site we have classrooms, horticulture nursery, glasshouse, shadehouse, irrigated pastures, student common room, café, farm animals, 'all-weather' riding arenas, stables and yards. Everything you expect from a top quality, training facility is conveniently all on site,” says National Trade Academy Marketing Manager Belinda McAnally.

Courses are delivered on site and most can be completed either full time or part time, and enrolments are open all year. Inquire now for our full time and part time rural animal technician level 5 certificate. nta.co.nz

32 Spring / 2018

Adult Education

Mature students Thrive at UC

At the UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, mature students are finding the flexibility and support they need to succeed, even while juggling busy family life.

C

hanging careers can be daunting, particularly when change requires university study. Starting, or returning, to university as a mature student can be overwhelming for some people.

It may be surprising to know that approximately half of the students at the College of Education, Health and Human Development are over the age of 25 years. This is particularly evident in teaching programmes. Teaching is a profession that attracts a lot of mature students, as it provides an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families and the community. Teaching is also a profession to get passionate about.

Strong support from the lecturers was a major benefit to studying the GradDip(Secondary) for Fariya Naseem. Not only was Fariya a mature student, but she was also an international student who moved to Christchurch to become a teacher.

Become a teacher.

“It was a big decision for me to come here, and the staff and other students were very welcoming,” Fariya says. “I love the connectedness I share with my teachers. The support and guidance provided by them has really helped me make the right choices as a student teacher.”

The deciding factor for many mature students choosing university study is flexibility. The opportunity to study part-time, by distance, or both, can mean mature students can juggle study with their many other obligations. For primary degree graduate, Dayne Gardner, flexibility gave him the chance to change career and become a teacher.

“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without the option to study via distance,” Dayne says. “I chose to study at UC because it offered the FLO distance learning option which was important if I was to complete a degree. I have a young family and I was still working full time when I first started studying,” he says.

Similarly, early childhood degree graduate Rachael Houde identifies strong support and flexibility as key to her success, in particular the helpful librarians and the ability to watch videos of lectures online when she was ready.

“I loved flexible learning. Knowing I could be a mum when I needed to be, and watch the lectures when it was convenient for me, allowed me to structure my days so that I could achieve all that I needed to,” Rachael says.

It’s not only teaching students who are enjoying the flexibility and support. Fiona McKay is a final year Bachelor of Sport Coaching student who is also in her mid-30s. She notes that the support from library staff with things like essay checking has been particularly useful. She also notes the benefits of “having fantastic lecturers, like Jenny Clarke, who are very good at their job and go out of their way to help you out, along with all the rest of the Sport Coaching staff.” canterbury.ac.nz/education

Gain a globally recognised qualification from the University of Canterbury Are you searching for a rewarding career; something you can get passionate about? Do you want to make a difference in young people’s lives?

Teaching could be the profession for you. Better yet, you can study towards becoming a primary or early childhood teacher via distance study through the University of Canterbury. www.canterbury.ac.nz/education or 0800 VARSITY (827 748)

Applications are open now

EDUCATION CEDU7486-Fam

Spring / 2018

33

Active Kids

Active

Adventures Springtime in Christchurch is green, sunny and warm, so TOM AND JAMIE HART look at ways to head outside and add incidental exercise into any child’s day.

S

tatistically, over 30 per cent of Kiwi kids are now overweight or obese. As we know, exercise through play can significantly reduce the risk of childhood obesity and is a fun way to keep our kids healthy.

Unfortunately, we sometimes experience resistance from children when we try to turn off the screens and get active. So here are some springtime tips and tricks to introduce them to exercise — minus the fuss. + Head out for a family bike ride! There are heaps of cool tracks that are close to Christchurch with dedicated bike tracks for all members of the family, including: Hagley Park, Bottle Lake Forest, and the

34 Spring / 2018

recently reopened Christchurch Adventure Park. The Cycling Christchurch website (cyclingchristchurch.co.nz) also has a cool suburban guide if you are looking for somewhere closer to home. + Playgrounds in Christchurch have never been better. Visit the Margaret Mahy Family Playground — it’s the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere and is full of cool equipment and gadgets. Let the kids enjoy the amenities, or bring a soccer ball or frisbee for a game in the park — good for their health, and yours! + Wander around an animal park and pat the farmyard animals at Willowbank, Orana Park or Arion Farm. The whole family can rack up the kilometres around the park while enjoying the sights. Do you have an animal lover at home interested in becoming a zookeeper?

Willowbank has a school holiday programme — become a Junior Keeper! Children aged 11-14 can work with a keeper to look after the animals: getting their hands dirty by feeding the animals, and cleaning out their enclosures.

Details are on their website, with lunch and a t-shirt included. Costs $70 per child. + Get creative at home with chalk — draw up a hopscotch, four-square or even a maze on your driveway for a fun afternoon. Find your child’s inner artist. Google cool chalk art ideas or try a creative experiment with easy 3D illusions. + Forage in the Red Zone – hunt and gather with the family and bring home edible treasures! Check out the Ōtautahi Urban Foraging group on Facebook for their online map of over 1800 fruit and nut trees. Take care with the littlies as the land is not always level! + Some gyms have indoor active play programmes designed to help with mobility, strength and confidence. Best for kids that have excess energy to burn!

Tom and Jamie Hart are passionate about getting families active! huddlegroupfitness.com

Active Kids

Active family events Hellers Pegasus Fun Run 28 October

As we come into spring, more family-friendly events are popping up all around the South Island.

Plan a big day out with family and friends, pack a picnic and enjoy New Zealand's favourite springtime event.

Sri Chinmoy Cherry Blossom Marathon 23 September

runningcalendar.co.nz

The Pink Star Walk 10 November

Enjoy the Kids Fun Run at Hagley Park South, Christchurch.

The Pink Star Walk is an annual Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Fundraiser, with courses in North Hagley Park for five and unders, and 6-16 year-olds.

nz.srichinmoyraces.org

JD Duathlon Series for all ages 30 September

pinkstarwalk.co.nz

Held at Corsair Bay, there’s a special kids’ course with no cars to worry about. jdevents.co.nz

Muddy Good Run 30 September

L ife skills

With a new venue at Mandeville Sports Centre, Rangiora, this fun run features mud pits, slippery slides and hay bales.

Heaps of FUN for the family!

through movement

Learning a martial art offers more than getting a great work out, as children learn valuable life skills at the same time.

P

Colour Zone Run 25 November

Since February 2011 we’ve heard about the Red Zone, and now it’s being changed to The Colour Zone with – The Colour Zone Run. Prepare to be blasted with paint of all colours from all angles! colourzonerun.co.nz

muddygoodrun.co.nz

Children's Cross Country 1 October

The Children's Cross Country is a weekly hill circuit time trial at Halswell Quarry, Christchurch, for Primary School aged children. runningcalendar.co.nz

Don’t forget!

- Water bottle - Running shoes - Comfortable exercise clothes - Something warm to wear afterwards - Some snacks!

roactive Martial Arts hosts a range of kids’ classes designed to encourage strong values, confidence, coordination and fitness.

“All our classes have been created to help each child grow and equip them with skills that will help them in school, around the house, with friends and in situations where they may need to stand up for themselves,” says Proactive Martial Arts senior instructor Anna Stupples.

The school, which has five facilities around Christchurch, offers separate karate classes for different ages, as well as kickboxing lessons.

The life skills learned in these classes include taking turns, managing anger, following directions, teamwork, self-esteem, attention span and a positive attitude.

BIRTHDAY IES N! PART E IN TOW

U BEST VAL

“We cater to each child’s individual abilities using skill-based games, listening techniques and incentive rewards. Every child can excel in this programme, which is important as it develops confidence and selfesteem through an earned sense of accomplishment,” says Anna.

“And the first class is free!”

Every third visit gets a

selfdefence.co.nz

FREE inflatable toy Valid while stocks last

While learning very important skills children are having

Fun

Book now

CENTRAL CITY - HORNBY - REDWOOD We are open Saturday, Sunday & School holidays

megaair.co.nz

03 344 2446

106A Carmen Road Christchurch

Spring / 2018

35

Water fun

Surfing with

confidence

A

s one of New Zealand’s most experienced surfing instructors and owner of Learn to Surf, Aaron Lock’s passion is to encourage others to love and embrace the ocean without fear.

"It’s easy to get started with surfing, a series of lessons will give your child all the basic skills. All equipment is provided and we try to keep the cost to a minimum. We have one instructor for every six students so each child is safe and getting plenty of individual attention. Our instructors are great at encouraging everyone to progress at their own rate and enjoy their time in the water,” says Aaron.

Parenting &

water safety

Part of our role as parents is to ensure our children have the tools they need to succeed in life. BEN CHRISTIE looks at how we can teach our kids to be safe in and around water.

P

arents must take the lead when it comes to their children’s aquatic education – from the first bath onwards. It is crucial we give our children early positive and fun experiences in water, and as soon as they can take instruction, deliver water safety messages such as “never go near the water unless you’re with a grown up”.

To keep our little ones safe there is no replacement for active adult supervision at all times. Never leave a toddler unsupervised in a bath – it takes less than a minute for a child to drown. Avoid distractions like mobile phones when at the beach, river, lake or pool.

Always swim between the flags – life guards are not babysitters and your child’s safety is your responsibility.

To help Kiwi kids understand the dangers presented by our waterways, how to assess risk and enjoy themselves safely, Water Safety New Zealand is rolling out Water Skills for Life to be taught in every primary school. This is a national aquatic education initiative for five to 13 year olds which gives them the knowledge and tools to stay safe in, on and around water.

It is easier to teach than technical swimming and fun to learn. Encourage your child’s school to get involved today!

For more information about the course and advice about water safety go to watersafety.org.nz

Kids have fun and learn water safety For children in years 1-8 at school Ask about it

watersafety.org.nz/forlife

36 Spring / 2018

Aaron and his large team of coaches dedicate their skills and time to share their ocean knowledge and educate families – both in and out of the water. Group lessons are split into adults, kids (age 8-14) and teenagers (13-18).

“The ocean can be a scary place but with a few basic skills it can be the world’s best playground. Every lesson begins with a bit of land time, checking the surf, looking for any hazards and talking about how to deal with rips and currents and also how to wipeout safely [when the nose of the surfboard digs into the sea often causing the rider to tip off the front]. We then do a few drills and skills on the beach before we hit the water for the rest of the session. Students are gaining confidence in every lesson, developing new skills, while at the same time having a heap of fun,” he says. surfcoach.co.nz

Water fun

A whole lot of

floating fun

I

As an island nation, we love the water, and there’s so much fun to be had on our oceans and lakes. Adding a boat to the family can make for some long-lasting memories writes KINETA BOOKER .

t’s a memory etched in my mind from the mid-1980s – out in a two-man row boat and catching the largest fish of the season at Lake Alexandrina with my Aunty Dalma. The photo is long gone, but how I felt as a smiling six-year-old – struggling to hold that trophy fish up, is a moment I will never forget. And, that blue boat helped create that memory – and it’s still in the family, at the bach, to this very day.

That’s the thing about boats – they last for many years, and being out on the water is a great way to spend a family holiday. When the weather is sunny and the days are long, there is nothing better than the sound of laughter as the kids jump off the boat into the water, or enjoy a quiet fish off the side.

Whether you’re looking for a great-quality second-hand family boat or a brand new 24ft fishing machine, we can help find the boat to suit your needs.” says Mr Boats’ General Manager Andrew de Lautour.

When a new customer visits one of Mr Boats’ sales yards, they usually have an idea of where they want to take their boat.

Whether it’s to Marlborough Sounds, Lake Brunner, or out onto the ocean, Mr Boats has a vessel to suit any environment and every budget.

“We’ve all heard the saying ‘A family who plays together, stays together.’ And it’s true,” Andrew says.

Mr Boats, the South Island’s leading marine retailer, has helped thousands of families create those special memories, and adding a boat to your family is more affordable than you might think.

“Our customers are the most fun-loving – because they’re out on the water, one of the happiest places on earth! We are always delighted to help people achieve their dream of owning their own boat, and creating new memories with their families and friends.”

“We proudly promote ourselves as your one-stop boat shop.

mrboats.co.nz

One Stop Boat Shop!

We stock a comprehensive range of exciting models from New Zealand’s premier boat manufacturers. Everything from inflatables to luxury family cruiser, new and second hand.

247-251 Dyers Road, Bromley, Christchurch 03 384 2726

mrboats.co.nz Spring / 2018

37

Gardening

Creating a

butterfly garden

It’s the year of the butterfly, and MARIA ROMERO is on a mission to raise awareness of the beautiful monarch through school talks, and teaching people how to create welcoming spaces for butterflies.

S

o much can be learnt from the transformation of the caterpillar into the monarch butterfly by studying and caring for them, and also for children to become conscious of the environment around them.

Creating a butterfly garden is the perfect place to start, as it provides nectar and shelter for butterflies and other pollinating insects, and is a place monarchs can lay their eggs. Gardens like these are important for the growth of the monarch butterfly population and are a lovely space to enjoy as well.

Monarch butterflies are in decline in New Zealand, so we need to cater to the butterflies as well as the caterpillars, there are two parts to the garden: butterfly attracting and caterpillar nourishment.

How to attract butterflies

Butterflies love bright colours. Think red, yellow, orange, pink and purple nectar flowers. To attract monarchs, you will need lots of wild flowers to provide enough nectar for the butterflies to feed off. Plant your swan plants close to your flowers, mixing them up, so the butterflies can be near nectar plants and your caterpillars have shelter.

You can buy punnets of flowers at school fairs

Photography / Koru

38 Spring / 2018

and garden centres. Once you have a nectar-rich garden, the monarchs will be sure to stop by, feed, and lay eggs on your swan plants.

Caring for caterpillars and swan plants Swan plants are vital for the monarch population to breed. Plant them in a few areas in your garden, as this will prevent disease spreading and keep the aphids at bay. Plan ahead and make sure you have heaps of swan plants, so you never run out. You can grow them from seed indoors from September. If you buy small swan plants in spring, put them to one side and cover them up with netting as these are far too small to go outside. Resist the temptation of exposing small plants to the monarchs and letting them lay eggs.

Wait until peak summer, allowing your plants to grow bushy and tall before you use them — you will be truly thankful you did when garden centres have sold out.

Once your swan plants have been stripped by the caterpillars, keep on watering and feeding them.

Sheep pellets are also good to sprinkle around the base of the plant as this adds nitrogen to the soil and helps boost the leaves, making them grow back quicker — ready for the next generation of monarchs to lay eggs on.

Maria Romero is The Butterfly Musketeer — she visits schools and other community organisations around the South Island, teaching them about the monarch butterfly and how to attract them to your garden. thebutterflymusketeers.com

TOP TIPS: - Don’t handle caterpillars.

- Choose swan plants that are sturdy with plenty of leaves.

- Allow a maximum of four or five eggs on an average sized swan plant to start with (remove the rest), then replace your swan plant with another one just before the plant gets totally eaten.

- Avoid insecticides and pesticides in your garden because they kill insects. Go organic.

- Dedicate an area or patch of your lawn where you let the grass grow, and sprinkle wildflower seeds. This will turn into a meadow and is great for the birds too. A pollinator paradise for sure!

- January is peak monarch season — this is when the garden centres run out of swan plants every year. So, it’s very important to have your own supply of plants ready for the influx of eggs and caterpillars. Plan ahead and grow from seed in September - Watering is best in the morning or evening, as during the day the water will just evaporate and burn the flowering leaves. Also, that way you are helping to conserve water.

Win!

We have three copies of Maria’s book An Educational Guide on Monarch Butterflies to giveaway. To enter, visit

familytimes.co.nz.

Gardening

Growing fun

Spending time growing things together in the garden is a great way to connect with your child, writes KINETA BOOKER.

T

he day I gave my son his first pair of gardening gloves will stay with me always. His little pair of blue ones were sitting together with my new pair of red ones on the table, and when he realised the blue ones were his — a look of pure excitement and overwhelming emotion spread over his face. He had just turned two, and he knew he was ready.

Growing plants and helping in the garden is something Austen is naturally drawn to. His grandparents, on both sides, have large sections with well-maintained gardens where he loves to play and spend time, and — although ours is smaller — we have a few raised beds and do a lot of container planting, which still makes a great gardening experience. Austen’s been heading out to the strawberry patch by himself since he learnt to walk, and has been picking peas for just as long.

Ideas to get your kids in the garden

It’s the thrill of watching the seeds he’s planted burst up through the soil, or sitting in the trolley at the garden centre declaring “I’d like to grow blueberries this season” that has made our shared love of growing things thrilling and a great laugh at the same time.

+ Children like to do what other people are doing — so if you’re gardening, they’ll help, too!

Teaching your children how to grow fruit and vegetables is valuable knowledge to pass on, and it’s easy to do.

As a general rule — any seedlings that are in store can be planted at that time of year.

+ Grow things they want to eat (strawberries and peas are a great start!) + Show them how to plant seeds. + Teach them how to water plants. + Give them an area in the garden to care for.

What to plant

Sparkly planters Materials

MAKE IT

Terracotta pots

1. Coat the terracotta pots inside and out with Resene Terracotta Sealer.

Resene Terracotta Sealer

2. Once dry, apply Resene Quick Dry as a fast-drying undercoat.

Resene Quick Dry - undercoat (small pot) Testpots - undercoat: Resene Dusty Road; Resene Coriander Testpots - Resene FX Metallics: Resene Goldmine; Resene Stun Resene paintbrushes (I used PAL Detail Brush Number 6 for undercoats; PAL Detail Brush Number 2 for Resene FX Metallic coats) Wooden stick to stir Resene FX Metallic pots

Bring some bling and greenery to any occasion. Made by KINETA BOOKER .

3. Then, paint each pot with the assigned undercoat for each Resene FX Metallic paint. Allow to dry.

4. Take time to stir each Resene FX Metallic paint pot so the sparkle is mixed through the paint. Paint two to three layers, allowing drying time after each layer. Use a criss-cross technique when painting. This ensures maximum sparkle and great results.

Potting mix

5. Pop your gardening gloves on, and half-fill each painted pot with soil.

Put a small plant in and fill to near the top with more soil.

TIP: A great idea for Christmas presents because

Plants

6. Enjoy!

they’re pretty and made from the heart!

Gardening gloves

TIP: A basecoat is recommended for all Resene

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

FX Metallics – with the specific colour shown in brackets on the colour chart.

Spring / 2018

39

Fun Zone

KIDS’ time

ACTIVITIES AND colouring-in FOR ALL AGES

The Nutcracker 31 Oct - 15 Dec Check out our event calendars for more details.

Green thumbs A national search is on for the Yates Budding Young Gardener.

The lucky winner will become a brand ambassador for one year and win a family trip to Australia.

Children aged five to 15 can enter by filming a short video talking about themselves and their garden and why they deserve to take out the title. Enter here – yates.co.nz

40 Spring / 2018

Win!

We have ONE Yates Budding Young Gardener kit to giveaway to an aspiring young gardener.

To enter, visit familytimes.co.nz.

Spring / 2018

41

Po F AG o Ed H E A D E R

5 vegan diet

myths about a

1

It’s expensive

If you stick to mostly whole foods, a plant-based diet can be far cheaper than an omnivorous diet. Beans, lentils, rice, pasta, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds are for the most part cheaper than animal-based products, and you can find increasingly inexpensive and delicious meat and dairy alternatives in the supermarket.

Flip Grater is a musician, author and business owner who lives in Christchurch with her husband Youssef and two-year-old daughter Anaïs. She runs Yumbo, a healthy lunchbox delivery service and Grater Goods, NZ's first plant-based deli, and has an EP of lullabies coming out later this year. yumbo.nz

2

It’s a lot of work

3

It’s boring

4

It’s unhealthy for kids

5

It’s strict

It can be a bit of work to transition to a plant-based diet, particularly if you’ve had a meat-heavy diet previously. It’s very easy these days to simply make the same meals you’ve always made and replace the meat and dairy with alternatives, but I would recommend making a little more effort at the start, upping your vegetable-only dishes and learning a bit about nutrition – something everyone should do no matter what their diet. Once you can easily spot vegan products in a supermarket and have a few new recipes in your repertoire it’s exactly as easy or difficult to feed your family a plant-based diet as it is to feed them a meat-based diet.

Some days you’ll still eat ramen for dinner and some days you’ll eat a beautiful feast.

A whole world of pleasure in cooking and eating exists in the plantbased movement. There are amazing ways of using nuts and beans to create creamy sauces, there are dishes from all over the globe that are accidentally vegan and modern vegan cuisine is super exciting, delicious and believe it or not – easy! It’s not at all about deprivation or lettuce-eating - honest!

While kids do need extra nutrition, there is no reason that they can’t get everything they need from plants. But what about B12!?

B12 actually exists in soil so if you’re eating organic veggies and not washing them you’re fine. These days most people buy their vegetables pre-washed and soil health isn’t what it should be worldwide so it can be necessary to supplement – which is easy and cheap to do. We all know that eating more fruits, vegetables and grains is recommended for kids and adults alike so it’s surprising that many people feel concern for kids who are literally living on fruits, vegetables and grains.

Food can be a powerful way to change the world, a daily decision to lessen our impact on the planet and our harm to animals. Food is also about pleasure and community and enjoyment. Some people can switch overnight to plant-eating and encourage their extended communities to do the same, others simply want to eat plantbased one night per week or gradually reduce their meat and dairy intake. Some families will eat vegan at home but share non-vegan celebration foods at family events. And all of that’s okay! There doesn’t have to be strict rules around eating a plant-based diet, it can be an exciting venture into new foods, interesting discussions and healthier living for your family.

42 Spring / 2018

P A G E H EFOOD ADER

Roll into spring!

Who can resist fresh spring ingredients wrapped in a delicious roll? Enjoy them with a salad or as perfectly parcelled snacks on their own!

FRESH PRAWN SPRING ROLLS Serves 4 Prep time: 40 mins INGREDIENTS 8 x 22cm round rice paper sheets 100-150g of rice vermicelli noodles 24 cooked prawns (or 400g of cooked chicken breast) 1 large carrot, grated 1 red pepper, cut into thin slices Generous bunch of mint Generous bunch of coriander Âź cup salted peanuts, chopped INSTRUCTIONS 1. Place noodles in a bowl of boiling water until tender (about 5 mins).

2. Prepare a clean, dry space for assembling the rice paper rolls with a bowl of warm water that is wide enough to fit the rice paper in.

3. Soak one piece of rice paper until it is just softened and shake off excess water as you lift it out of the bowl. Lay on prepared space.

4. Place three prawns (or chicken) slightly to one side of the centre and top with a small amount of noodles, grated carrot, red pepper and some mint and coriander leaves. Sprinkle over a few chopped peanuts.

5. Fold the edge over the ingredients, then fold in the ends and roll up. Repeat until all eight are made.

6. Place on serving plate with prawns facing up. Serve two per person with sweet chilli sauce in a small dish.

Nicola Fraher is a nutritionist and chef whose passion is cooking and sharing nourishing food.

She has her own business, Nourish, and is excited to be launching Nourish Cooking Demos in the next few months.

Watch this space for more info or email nicola.fraher@nourish.kiwi.

You can also follow her on social media: facebook.com/nourishnutritionltd or insta@nourish_nz Photography / Nourish Nutrition Limited

Spring / 2018

43

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CanterBury

Speakeasy

is a stuttering support group We meet at the University Speech Disorders Unit every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm We wish Yr 13 leavers well at the end of 2018 and look forward to our expected new Year 1 and Yr 9 students in 2019.

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Applications for 2020 onwards are welcome.

For More InForMatIon

admin@rnls.school.nz

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Stephen Walters, Principal

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Spring / 2018

45

In the spotlight

10 with

questions

Emily Writes

Traditions are great for families, so we’re starting one here at Family Times – asking a parent 10 questions. We get dozens of questions each day from our mini-me’s, so what’s 10 more?

This issue, popular author Emily Writes is in the spotlight.

What do you play loud and proud?

My kids are going through a Queen stage so lately we have had Queen playing very loud. When I’m alone I prefer some Tori Amos, Natalie Merchant, Nick Cave or Portishead.

Your top parenting tip?

Reject perfection and just embrace the joy.

Worst parenting advice you’ve ever heard?

Almost all sleep advice is terrible. We need to change the narrative – most babies don’t sleep through the night for a long time. I wish it wasn’t considered such a milestone. We would get rid of most of the godawful sleep advice overnight if that was the case.

Most surprising thing about parenting?

I was surprised by how much it has changed me.

I expected I’d be the exact same person just with a baby. But I’m profoundly changed, the whole experience so far has been very transformative and by far the best thing I’ve done in my life.

Favourite quote?

“There are parents who have waited their whole lives to love their children” – [NZ poet and writer] Chris Tse.

Who would play you in your biopic?

I would love it to be Kate McKinnon. I adore her.

day and we have a water fight and a nap in the afternoon. I have learnt that all children want is your time and I find I can’t give that easily if I’m travelling all over the place and stressed out about presents and driving the country. I love our tradition of just doing the easiest thing at the end of the year, it resets us and reminds us that all we need is each other.

What are you reading at the moment?

Omar Musa’s second collection of poetry Parang.

Omar is a Malaysian-Australian poet from Queanbeyan, Australia. He’s so enchanting, just mesmerising. I am also reading Plum by Hollie McNish which is beautiful and funny and silly. I am about to dive into Headlands: New Stories of Anxiety collated and edited by Naomi Arnold. I can’t wait to read that – it’s so important that we share our experiences of mental health.

Practical parenting/social media advice?

Take naps. Be kind to yourself and your children because nobody knows how to do this – not us the parents, not our children either. We are all muddling through and doing our best, bumping into each other and saying sorry is important.

Online: Assume positive intention, even if people are horrible. Remember you’re loved.

Favourite family tradition?

We don’t travel at Christmas anymore and it’s wonderful. We stay in our PJs most of the

46 Spring / 2018

Emily is the mother of two lively small boys.

Her first blog post in March 2015 went viral, reaching more than one million people in a few days, and her blogs remain popular with a broad group of readers. Her first book Rants in the Dark: From One Tired Mother to Another was published by Penguin Random House NZ in March 2017.

BOOK REVIEW Reviewed by

Ruth Agnew

Is It Bedtime Yet, the brilliant follow-up to Rants in the Dark, is another collection of essays about the “hilarious, hair-raising and heart-breaking” experiences of parenting, but this time Emily’s unguarded writing style is complemented brilliantly by essays from “friends”. The diversity of contributors provides a glimpse into the lives of blended families, rainbow families, full-time fathers, solo parents, older parents, parents with demanding jobs and more. We learn that, deep down, we are all bonded by our indefatigable love for our children. That, and our desire for a good night’s sleep.

I have never cried this much reading a book, and from such a range of emotions. Emily’s opening essay, ‘Welcome to the World, Mama’, had me sniffling at the heartfelt message, while Jessie

A hindsight tweak you'd make to 2018?

Not taking time out when I was clearly about to have a burn-out, I should have asked for help sooner. It’s a regret but it taught me a lot about looking after myself.

Photography / Chris Tse

Moss’s searingly honest account of navigating

Is It Bedtime Yet?

by Emily Writes and Friends, published by Penguin $35

her six-year-old’s diagnosis with a genetic

emilywrites.co.nz

Emily Writes is, in my opinion, a national treasure,

disorder almost broke me. The order of essays is extremely well thought out and a few pages later I was literally crying with laughter at ‘Translating the Crap We Say At Coffee Group About Our Kids’.

a taonga for Aotearoa’s mamas and papas.

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Spring / 2018

47