Montessori Mag-Nificence Mag Ed 51 Feb 2019

*FREE DIGITAL MAG *ISSUE 51 FEBRUARY 2019

Montessori parent education

Bonding with Your Sons & Raising Responsible Girls

WELLNESS CHILD WARRIORS

Desiderata You are a Child of the Universe, No less than the trees and the stars; You have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, No doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.

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What About Kindergarten?

A Montessori Perspective

By Maren Schmidt – Kids Talk

The Question: I really don’t know what to do! This August our daughter is eligible for kindergarten in our public school and in our church school. Of course, there is the kindergarten year at her Montessori school.

There is no elementary program to follow after next year and I feel that this year should be the year to move her to a new school where she will be with a group of friends from the beginning.

Something inside keeps me from committing to any program. Then again, I’m having a hard time saying “yes” to this third year in her Montessori school.

What can you tell me to help sort this all out?

Tamara

When I first read this question I started laughing! I thought, Tamara, I can tell you more than you want to know!

But I know this feeling of indecision myself.

My daughter, Dana, has a late September birthday. I tried to get an exception from the school district for her to enter public school as she turned five in September, but they made no exceptions.

Our Montessori school became our best option, when I considered what Dana would need at age five, and older.

As a parent, I’m so glad that I was forced to make that decision early. It made our lives easier because we had a clear plan through elementary with our Montessori school.

What Is “Kindergarten”?

Friedrich Froebel: The father of kindergarten or the “children’s garden” coined the term in Germany in 1840.

• Froebel’s kindergarten was for children from ages 2 to 7 years old.

• This age mix helped children grow and learn as they taught each other and helped each other.

• Froebel saw that children of this age have unique learning needs and that those needs change some time in a child’s sixth year.

• Usually by a child’s 7th birthday, Froebel saw that the child had different learning needs and was eager to go to school and leave the environment of the “children’s garden”.

• Froebel also designed a series of free-choice activities he called “gifts”; wooden geometric materials, cutting and sewing activities (and more), as well as gardening and housekeeping activities.

For more about Froebel, see Inventing Kindergarten by Norman Brosterman.

Today’s Definition of Kindergarten: When we think of kindergarten today, the word normally refers to programs for children five-years of age designed to get a child “ready” for school. There are exact cut-off dates for entry.

The Third Year In Montessori Primary (3 to 6 years) Children move through different stages of development, each stage having specific characteristics. Each stage or plane of development is approximately 6 years in length and is made of two 3-year sub stages, with normal statistical variations.

Please note: For some children that means they are in the first plane of development until they are seven-years-old. They may need four years total in the Montessori primary environment.

The older child, in this second plane of development, desires to get out and see the larger world by walking to friends’ houses, taking the bus to school, riding bicycles around the neighborhood, going to museums, spending the night with other family members and friends, and more.

But until this observable change, which usually follows the loss of the first baby tooth and the emergence of the first adult teeth, younger children’s learning needs are based on time-sensitive or critical periods of development.

What we see in our 3 to 6-year-olds is what I learned from a botanist friend of mine many years ago; • First year sleep.

• Second year creep.

• Third year leap.

With the five-year-old, we see a year of consolidation and completion.

• The child usually bursts into writing and reading (again with statistical variations).

• Academic skills blossom as the child works with numbers and quantities using the decimal system materials, the golden bead material, the stamp game, and more, along with materials to solidify addition, subtraction, multiplication and division math facts.

• Most importantly what we see LEAP in this third year is…leadership.

The five-year-old assumes leadership.

• Acts as big brother/big sister to the younger children.

• Explains the rules of the classroom.

• Learns patience.

• Takes over jobs previously done by the last year’s five-year-olds.

• “The changing of the guard”.

These leadership opportunities that a five- to six-year-old experiences in this third year in a Montessori primary classroom are precious and perhaps priceless.

There may not be another time until high school or college that these leadership skills can be developed in such a profound way.

Academically, socially, emotionally and physically, the third of fourth year in a Montessori primary classroom is not kindergarten. It is not “getting ready for school”.

It is, as Montessori environments strive to be, a “help to life”.

The Montessori experience is much broader and deeper than today’s kindergarten.

Developmentally this last year of being in the first plane of development is rich in learning experiences at so many levels for the five to six-year-old in a Montessori primary classroom.

At the end of this third year, as the child shifts to a new developmental plane of the older child from 6 to 12 years, the child leaves the primary classroom developmentally ready to make new friends and to go to a new school or classroom.

As a parent, when we give our child this third or fourth year in a Montessori environment, in order for our child to fully enter the second plane of development… we can feel confident that our child’s consolidation of learning has been given the time to sleep, creep, leap and burst into bloom.

Please visit MarenSchmidt.com to sign up for your free Kids Talk newsletters and workshops

Journey of a Montessori Parent

by Sveta Pais

The very first article I read that sold me on Montessori did not have the word “Montessori” anywhere in it. Seven years ago, when our first child was at the cusp of transitioning from baby to toddler, my husband and I walked into a Prospective Parent class at a local Montessori school. Until that evening we had understood Montessori to be an alternative method of education worth investigating. We walked out with several handouts, one of which was written by the founder of the school, Donna Bryant Goertz, and titled “Owner’s Manual for a Child.” It is written from the point of view of a child in the first plane of development and begins with these words, “Dear Parent, I want to be like you. I want to be just like you, but I want to become like you in my own way, in my own time, and by my own efforts. I want to watch you and imitate you”. I still possess my copy from that evening: creased, tear-stained, and printed on green paper.

At the time of my initial reading of “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” I had just (barely) survived my first year of motherhood. After having overcome the challenges of a baby turning up a month before the due date engraved in our minds, nursing difficulties and postpartum depression, our family of three had slowly and painstakingly started to find its rhythm. Yet, there was a deep chasm. It was a void of not knowing exactly what we were supposed to “do” with our child. Nothing I saw or heard in the way parents around me were raising their children seemed to resonate. Their enthusiastic “Good job!” sounded hollow; their homes overstimulated me even at 30 years of age; their children meandered from toy to battery-operated toy without any sense of purpose or satisfaction.

As I read “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” I felt every muscle in my body slowly start to relax; I could hear the words in the voice of my own child; I could sense the clutter of all the parenting jargon I’d encountered melt away. Through the green sheets of paper was a child so simply informing her parents of what she needed for her own self-development. The void was now filled with a vision.

A few months ago I asked a fellow Montessori parent and photographer to take pictures of our home to accompany an interview for a Montessori blog. As Emmet photographed, he commented, “I can’t believe you were ever anything other than a Montessori mom.” The words struck me with great poignancy. What if we had not found Montessori? Would we have eventually found our way as a family, or would we have carried on with a sense of being adrift in a world rife with parenting how to’s? Certainly there were many families who had started off their Montessori journey at the same time as we did, but sooner or later acclimatized to a more mainstream family culture. Conversely, as we reap its benefits, our commitment to Montessori keeps growing.

As I pondered the reasons our family has thrived at being quintessentially “Montessori,” I realized I could sum them up with six main tenets.

•

My husband and I have been aligned in our desire to understand and adapt to a Montessori way of being. Our date nights have been attending a parent education class at school followed by dinner, where we discuss what we have just learned. In seven years I can honestly say we’ve been to the movies twice. Life is (hopefully) long but the child-rearing phase of life goes by in a flash. There will be a catching-up-on-fine-films phase, some day.

“We are both so fortunate that within me I have a secret plan for my own way of being like you.”

•

We attended classes and practice using non-violent communication with each other and with our children. The models we use are Faber and Mazlish’s “How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids will Talk”, and Sandy Blackard’s “Say What You See”. Using this style of communication has been the biggest challenge in our parenting journey because it is so antithetical to our culture of origin. “Slow down when you speak. Let your words be few and wise.”

•

We discovered a style of parenting described as “authoritative.” I like to explain it as having firm boundaries, but with huge amounts of warmth. “Just get down to my level within a foot of my face, get my attention, and look into my eyes before you speak. Then let your words be few, firm, and respectful.”

•

We slowed life down. Way down. We have made the necessary adjustments to live on one income while our children are young. Young children move very slowly and we match their pace whether we are building legos, helping them get dressed, or involving them in getting dinner on the table. “I don’t want you to do it for me or rush me or feel sorry for me or praise me. Just be quiet and show me how to do it slowly, very slowly.”

•

We observe our children, and then adapt our home to match their needs. Our home is prepared in such a way that both our toddler and our eight-year-old can independently be fully contributing members of our family. Inside the house all the materials available to them are intentional and purposeful. The same holds true for the outdoors, to which our children have easy access. “Please take the pressure off both of us by creating my home environment so I can do my work of creating a human being and you can stick to your work of bringing one up.”

•

Our children’s access and exposure to screens is close to zero. “Owner’s Manual for a Child” was written before the advent of smartphones and tablet computers, but the same principles the author addresses hold true today. From our own experience of trying different things to see what works, we’ve found that screens take away from the richness of the real-life experiences we desire for our children. As I go about my daily life I see children in strollers on a beautiful day mesmerized by a phone but oblivious to the birds; at a concert staring at an iPad, eyes glossing over the instruments; enthralled by digital entertainment while foregoing the learning that will come from observing an older sibling’s gymnastics class. Such sightings, as well as other research, strengthens our resolve to protect our children from the desensitizing effects of technology. “TV makes me distracted, irritable, and uncooperative. The more I watch, the more I want to watch, so it creates issues between us. If you can’t say no to a daily TV viewing habit for me now, where is my example for developing the strength to say no to other bad habits later. Besides, the more I watch TV, the less I want to be like you.”

One may argue that these are just examples of a family culture that works for some, and has nothing to do with Montessori. But if you visit my children’s Montessori school you will see elements of every one of my six points in action. Consider, as an example, the greeting the children are received with at school. Each morning, every child is met with eye-contact, a firm handshake, and an authentic “Good morning.” Sometimes it takes a pause, and the adult gently saying, “May I see your eyes?” before the connection is made. It is in these interactions that I see all of our parenting at home being melded into school and creating a true partnership. How enriching and comforting for a child to experience consistency between school and home. How much more peace for the parent who glances at her child in the rear view mirror, walking into the environment where she spends most of her waking hours.

It would be remiss of me to leave the impression that our family life is smooth sailing a hundred percent of the time, because that is simply not true. On the days things are going awry I am tempted more than anyone to take the easy way out, and occasionally, I do. In many of those moments I recall the voices of my teachers, the ones who have worked tirelessly for decades so my children can have this Montessori life. I can hear Donna Bryant Goertz say, “There is pleasure, as well as pain, in the arduous path of worthy parenting.” I re-read “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” and these words are my greatest inspiration to pursue the arduous path: “I know my needs are great and many. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but you are all I’ve really got. I love you and I know you love me beyond reason or measure. If I can’t count on you, who can I count on?”

When it is all said and done, if we can’t give our own children our very best effort, who will?

SAMA MEMBER SCHOOLS & TRAINING CENTRES IN SOUTH AFRICA Eastern & Southern Cape KwaZulu Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Namibia North Gauteng (PTA) South Gauteng (JHB) Western Cape Swaziland Seychelles SAMA TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

How to Ease Your Child's Kindergarten Jitters

By Dr. Michele Borba

An expert offers advice for reducing anxiety and making those difficult goodbyes easier.

I’ll never forget leaving my eldest child with his kindergarten teacher on the first day of school. He did just fine, while I went home and cried. Despite my child’s reaction, starting school can be challenging and even traumatic for many children. Whether your child has been home with a parent or babysitter or has had years of preschool, here are some strategies to soothe their jitters—and your own—and make this important milestone easier for everyone.

Practice Saying Goodbye One way to ease kindergarten fears is to gradually stretch your separation periods several months before school begins. The goal is to slowly increase the number of caregivers children interact with so they feel comfortable with adults other than immediate family and realize that they can survive without their parents present.

Here are other ideas that might help: 1.

2.

3.

Create a special goodbye. Practice a special, private goodbye just between the two of you—like a secret handshake or special kiss—to help your child start to pull away. Then tell them you’ll be using that same goodbye at every drop-off.

Teach a coping skill. Research shows that when kids feel they have some control over their situation and can talk back to the fear, their anxiety decreases. Help your child feel in charge of the worry by teaching a self-reassurance phrase. For instance, have your child practice saying, “Go away, worry, leave me alone. Mommy will come back,” when they’re feeling anxious.

Use a magic pebble. Give your child a special memento like a pebble or a keychain with your photo to keep, and explain that whenever it’s touched, it means you’re thinking about them. You can also tuck a small square of their security blanket into their backpack or jacket to offer reassurance.

Learn the Lay of the Land Boosting your child’s comfort with school helps reduce jitters, but don’t overhype the new situation with comments like “What a gorgeous class!” or “You’re going to be soooooo happy here!” These types of comments do not ease jitters—in fact, they can cause more anxiety by building up false expectations that don’t pan out.

Here are other ways to help your child feel more secure about starting school: 1.

2.

3.

Visit the school. A few days before the big sendoff, take your child for a school tour to help find key places like the classroom, playground, school office, and water fountain. Many schools also now have websites that give online tours that show the school layout.

Help your child make just one pal. Knowing a classmate can minimize first day jitters, so if possible, help your child meet a peer before school starts. Ask parents or coaches in the area if they know a kindergarten-aged child who will be attending the school.

Practice social skills. Role-play common social scenarios your child will encounter at school, like how to meet someone, start up a conversation, ask if they can play in a game, or ask a teacher for help. Children learn social skills best if you show and don’t tell them what to do, so practice one new skill at a time until your child can perform the skill without you.

Address Your Child’s Concerns Directly Make sure you set aside time to chat with your child about the transition of starting school. Explain that worries like “Will I find friends?” and “What if I get lost?” are normal and usually go away in a few days. Keep in mind that though the worries may seem unrealistic, they are real to your child. Thank them for sharing the worries and then brainstorm solutions together. Here are some examples: • • •

Worry: “I won’t remember the bus number.” Solution: Write the bus number on an index card and pin it to the inside of their backpack. Find out if the school has practice bus rides.

Worry: “I’ll have an accident.” Solution: Promise to show your child the kindergarten bathroom and pack a change of clothes in their backpack.

Worry: “I’ll get lost.” Solution: Practice walking to the room before school starts.

You might also read a book to help your child share their feelings and learn that others have similar fears. Here are a few good transition books that may help: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, The Night Before Kindergarten and The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing, and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate.

Establish a Goodbye Ritual A child’s anxiety increases if you make too big of a deal about leaving or draw out the goodbye.

The key is to establish a consistent pattern of saying goodbye so your child knows what ritual to expect and that they will make it through the time apart, and understands that you really will return. Here are a few things to help make goodbyes less stressful: 1.

2.

3.

Point to a “first thing.” Not knowing what to do or where to go upon arriving at a new scene increases anxiety. So, offer your child “first thing” suggestions. You might point toward an activity your child enjoys—like a puzzle or blocks—or suggest that they go to the sandbox or meet up with an acquaintance near the water fountain.

Say goodbye and don’t linger. Don’t draw out the goodbye—doing so increases anxiety.

Offering a simple and matter-of-fact “See you soon!” and then leaving is a better approach than a long-drawn out farewell. On the flip side, don’t sneak away, either.

Put on a happy face. Your child takes cues from you, so stay calm and show confidence in them. Hold back those tears till you’re out of sight.

Events & school activities Sign up your school today so that Grow Group can motivate kids to grow indigenous tree seeds.

Each child will receive a grow kit to take home, which encourages your kids to grow trees for years to come. The lesson begins with growing a tree seed, soon after 9 months of patience, persistence and participation; the child plants their baby tree in the ground. To top it off, we ask you to send us the trees co-ordinates. This is how you can become part of the million-tree campaign! Its Grow Groups plan to save Earth.

OUR VISION Grow Group wood like a million people to grow a tree seed, eventually planting the tree in the ground. We started recording all the Co-ordinates of planted trees in 2010 and soon we’ll launch the tree map. This tool will help you view your tree on Google Earth and hopefully you’ll be able to view the time lapse over the years as too how the tree grew.

We are also striving to include the good practice of growing a tree seed in the school education system. Imagine if every Grade 1 learner would grow a tree seed, plant it in grade 2 and by the end of their school career have a decent size tree to call their own.

Consciousness of Pre-Natal and New-Born Babies

By Linda Clarke

Most of us, at the moment of conception, come into being with the potential for relaxed joyfulness and aliveness.

We come with certain genetic predispositions towards developing in certain ways, given activation of those predispositions from outside. If the pregnancy was smooth, we are born with that wholeness still relatively intact. For many of us, however, that potential has already been considerably diminished before we are even born. This is due to parents and caregivers not acknowledging the consciousness of pre-natal and newborn babies.

Until just a few decades ago doctors and psychologists did not understand the prenatal or the new-born and their focus was only on physical survival which created a society of people who do not trust, are scared and violent with increasing suicide rates and addictions in children and young people.

The things that the mother is doing, feeling, thinking Yoga is part of the baby's environment. Technology can show us that a baby will move after the Mother has laughed. We can ask ourselves then what affect it has on the baby when the parents are fighting, when there is grief, separation, fear or death. Babies are in tune with their environment. Joseph Chilton-Pearce, Author, says that the Mother's emotions determine the shape, nature and character of the brain structure of the infant. All mammals follow the same pattern. If the Mother experiences continued high stress the infant has a different brain structure - the reptilian brain is larger whilst the intellectual creative logical brain is much reduced. Nature is saying 'can we go for more intelligence or do we have to defend ourselves'?

Our experiences in the womb and birth can affect relationships in adult life.

Unconsciously we remember our birth and time in the womb. If there was an emergency which separates baby and mother the baby will act out that fear of death and disconnection into adulthood.

The medical world does not always validate the spiritual and emotional life of Mother and child and until quite recently focused only on the physical and they ignored the emotional and spiritual.

It starts with what is happening in the womb and how we are birthing our children. We need to pay attention to pregnancy, birth and the first 7 years of a child's life. The more women are supported and given unconditional love by a society the more her infant can be born fully human.

The baby, both before and after birth is far more sophisticated than we gave it credit for before. We didn't think it could have an experience or think it could sense anything.

We didn't think it had a brain to sense what it is feeling. What scientists now know is that babies have a working mind which is part of their human consciousness. It is not something that develops in stages like the brain develops in stages, the mind is a part of who they are; this is a whole new idea.

What the pre-natal and new-born needs in order to develop is love, acceptance, respect and acknowledgement as a human being right from the start.

In some cultures such as Tibetan there are rituals and traditions to prepare a woman for conceiving to sort out their own mess so that it isn't transferred onto the baby. A West African lady called Sobonfu Some (meaning Keeper of the Rituals) left West Africa two decades ago to teach parents how to embrace and support the new life coming. These babies 'know' that they are coming to an ok place. The baby feels safe knowing that there are arms waiting to hold them when they come into the world.

Studies have shown that we recall what happened pre-natally and what is recalled goes way beyond what the brain supports us to remember. Experiments have shown that babies can interact and have consciousness before birth.

New advances in neuro-psychology have shown that imprints of our first experiences set up our belief systems and behaviour patterns into our adult life. We track our experiences right from conception. We remember not with our mind such as I remember when but rather the memory is felt in the body young children are observed demonstrating movement patterns reminiscent of the imprinting that occurred at birth we remember with our body. When we understand that the baby is conscious then every way we are with our baby changes both pre-natally and in the first weeks and months after birth.

The time in the womb is a time to bond with the baby, it gives the couple time to evolve as a family and for the physical, emotional development of the baby.

Birth is an intense experience not only for the Mother but also for the baby. The womb is dimly lit, the sounds are muffled therefore when the baby emerges into the world the transition needs to be as gentle as possible.

Immediately after birth and for the first few weeks of life the baby is hyper-sensitive and needs time to adjust to the outside world.

The baby can be helped to adjust and to feel safe if parents and caregivers are mindful of this.

Newborns have a much slower rate of integrating what is happening to them than adults do; It takes them about 6 times longer. There are some cultures that have a tradition of staying around the house in dim light for 30 days bringing the child slowly and willingly into the outside world. This gives them a sense of safety and security.

It is imperative that couples educate themselves by reading books such as The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer, and HypnoBirthing by Marie Mongan or attending classes to learn hypnosis techniques to ensure that they are doing everything they can to create a safe environment for their child before, during and after birth. Please click on this link to my website for further information about hypnosis for pregnancy and birth. http://www.lindaclarke.co.za/naturallyborn-natural-childbirth-preparation-classes/

Linda Clarke Master Hypnotist, Life Coach and NLP Practitioner.

Linda has been practicing for many years and is committed to helping people overcome their challenges with a wide variety of tools at her disposal. Her case studies and testimonials illustrate how successful she has been in helping her clients.

Going Home With Your New Baby: How To Not Freak Out

By The Unexpected Dad

Baby has been born, mom is well, all is good. Now it’s time to take our newborn home. What?!?! We have to go home? I would rather just stay at the hospital where healthcare professionals can monitor my baby 24 hours a day. I will eat hospital cafeteria food and sleep in a chair indefinitely if you will just take care of my baby a little longer. Please nice nurse…

Not really. But I would be lying if some of those thoughts didn’t cross my mind as we were leaving the hospital after my daughter’s birth.

I remember driving home with my daughter in the car seat, both hands on the wheel, leaning forward, white knuckled, eyes popping out of the sockets, going 20 miles per hour. I was FREAKING OUT! Do not drive within 50 feet of my car or I will FREAK OUT EVEN MORE! Also: I will stop at a green light if I want to! It just doesn’t look safe enough to proceed. Stop honking at me, you are making me FREAK OUT! Well, we made it through the drive home. We walked in the front door, with newborn in baby carrier (whew, got that part right at least). Shut the door. My wife and I looked at each other and the first words out of my mouth were: “Now what?”

I know, not exactly the model of fatherhood I wanted to achieve. So how do you avoid this “deer in the headlights” type of action?

Have a Plan I’m a planning type of guy; I normally don’t like to shoot from the hip. Have a general plan in place 3-4 weeks before the due date, it doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but just a guideline of how things will be handled those first few weeks.

Your plan can include things like: • • • • • •

Name and phone number of pediatrician.

Have your car seat installed and understand how it works.

Sleeping arrangements and schedule.

Physical layout of the nursery.

Contact information of people in your support structure.

First things you need to do when you get home with your newborn (this could be an article in itself).

If you are anything like I was, bringing your baby home will be pretty emotional. Your plan should help give you some guidance when you first walk in the door so you can try to minimize feeling overwhelmed.

Have a Support Structure Several weeks before the due date, set up a support structure with family and friends. When we arrived home from the hospital, my in-laws came over and helped us take care of our daughter. My mother also came to town and stayed for a week to help out. Having people you can lean on for support helps tremendously.

If nothing else it is helpful to have someone to vent to or bounce ideas off of. There will be plenty of times that you have no idea what to do and it’s great if someone is available from which to solicit advice (especially if you are on your first child).

The first several weeks after you bring your baby home can be chaotic. Remember to eat, sleep and take care of yourself. Your support structure can also help with this. Line people up to bring meals over to you on certain days. Have grandparents come over and spend the night so you can get some sleep.

Have Fun This may seem obvious, but I can almost guarantee you that the first time you walk through the front door with your baby, fun won’t be on your mind. You will have a deep sense of responsibility and your fatherly drive to “take care of things” will kick in. Try to relax and enjoy the first few days with your new family member.

The time will fly by and you will wonder what happened to your little newborn baby. Stop to have some fun and enjoy this moment in your life. I also suggest that within 2 weeks of bringing your baby home, schedule a baby sitter and have a little date night with your wife. A few hours away to talk and share each other’s company will lower stress levels.

Also, take a look at the article Top 10 New Dad Essentials for some other ideas on being prepared for the big day.

Most of all don’t freak out!

The Basics: Quality Time Spending some quality time with your child doesn’t have to be complicated, especially for younger children. If you have kids that are toddler age, check out the post on 6 Cool and Inexpensive Outings For Toddlers. For school age children (or any child), I always think it’s best to get out of the house (weather permitting), even if it is just going for a walk in the neighborhood.

Go out for breakfast, dinner or ice cream; 1 on 1.

Hiking, biking or even an over night camping trip.

Go for a swim at a public pool.

Out of the way or out of the ordinary places. Colorado Springs has a “Bug Museum” that older kids would find interesting.

If you are stuck in the house: Play with Lego’s together.

Work in your shop on a simple project.

Make a tasty treat in the kitchen.

Take your child’s lead. Play with whatever toy they want to play with. Take part in whatever imaginary game they create.

Understand what you’re child likes to do and do those things with him or her. Whatever it is that you do together, make sure that you are positive and encouraging. Guide and teach while playing, but not in a critical or controlling manner.

Most of all: Have fun!

Distance-education & tutor centre DawnCroft Ed is an alternative schooling solution which aims to support parents whose children prefer to study from their own homes in the comfort of their own personal space as distance learners Students are aided in the flexible group tutor sessions through the process of completing the NSC (National Senior Certificate) .

Our students are nurtured in a constructive affirming environment by tutors and facilitators that have a passion for education.

• • • • • • •

Competitive prices Personal attention 1:5 tutor-student ratio Flexible schedule No uniforms Learn Study Skills Registered with SACAI

Tel: 079-520-0547 Fax: 0866-238-103 algabil@tiscali.co.za www.dawncrofted.com

How to make sense of dyslexia What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the ability to learn to read and spell. It often runs in families and stems from a difficulty in processing the sounds in words.

A formal definition of dyslexia was recommended by Sir Jim Rose in an independent report: Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties which was agreed by the Department for Education in 2009.

It found that dyslexia: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

affects the ability to learn to read and spell involves difficulties in dealing with the sounds of words, which makes it especially hard to learn to use phonics to read words can affect short-term memory and speed of recalling names can sometimes co-occur with other kinds of difficulties, for example with maths or with coordination (but not always)

Does everyone experience dyslexia in the same way?

Dyslexia is not the same for everyone. It can be mild or severe, can vary depending on other strengths, or difficulties, and on the kind of support and encouragement that is given at school, at home and at work.

People with dyslexia often have strengths in reasoning, in visual and creative fields; dyslexia is not related to general intelligence; and is not the result of visual difficulties.

Many people learn strategies to manage the effects of dyslexia, but it does not go away and its effects may be felt in new situations or in times of stress.

People with dyslexia often, but do not always, show characteristics of other specific learning difficulties such as dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder or dyscalculia.

What causes dyslexia?

There is strong evidence that dyslexia runs in families: if someone in a family is dyslexic, then it is very likely that other members of the family are dyslexic to some degree.

However, genetics is only part of the story: many other factors make a difference to the overall picture. There are genes that will increase or decrease the risk for dyslexia, but that risk will be affected by many other things, including the effects of teaching and the effects of other genes.

What is the best approach to dyslexia?

Understanding and access to the right sources of support are key for anyone who may have dyslexia. With the right support, strategies to overcome the difficulties associated with dyslexia can be learnt and dyslexia need not be a barrier to achievement.

Is dyslexia recognised by schools?

We have come a long way since the days when people living with dyslexia were often wrongly labelled as ‘slow’, ‘thick’ or ‘lazy’, with school reports warning parents not to expect much from their child. Today, schools have a duty to provide SEN Support where a child or young person’s learning difficulty, including dyslexia, causes them to learn at a slower pace than their peers.

Some 10% of the UK population are affected by dyslexia. But many people don’t actually understand what it is and how people can be affected by it. This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week in the UK and the theme is ‘Making Sense of Dyslexia’, so today we would like to help you to understand what dyslexia is.

What are the signs of dyslexia?

Children can display signs of dyslexia from an early age - as young as 3 or 4 years old - but it is usually not formally identified until the age of 6 or 7. Here are some of the signs for different age groups:

Signs of dyslexia in children from 7-11 ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

▪

Seems bright in some ways but unexpectedly struggles in others Other members of the family have similar difficulties Has problems carrying out three instructions in sequence Struggles to learn sequences such as days of the week or the alphabet Is a slow reader or makes unexpected errors when reading aloud Often reads a word, then fails to recognise it further down the page Struggles to remember what has been read Puts letters and numbers the wrong way: for example, 15 for 51, b for d or “was” for “saw” Has poor handwriting and/or struggles to hold the pen/pencil correctly and/or learn cursive writing Spells a word several different ways Appears to have poor concentration Struggles with mental arithmetic or learning times tables Seems to struggle with maths and/or understanding the terminology in maths: for example, knowing when to add, subtract or multiply Has difficulties understanding time and tense Confuses left and right Can answer questions orally but has difficulties writing the answer down Has trouble learning nursery rhymes or songs Struggles with phonics and learning the letter-to-sound rules Seems to get frustrated or suffers unduly with stress and/or low self-esteem Struggles to copy information down when reading from the board Needs an unexpected amount of support with homework and struggles to get it done on time Is excessively tired after a day at school

Signs of dyslexia in ages 12 to adult ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Difficulties taking notes, planning and writing essays, letters or reports Struggles with reading and understanding new terminology Quality of work is erratic Difficulties revising for examinations Struggles to communicate knowledge and understanding in exams Feels that the effort put in does not reflect performance or results Forgets names and factual information, even when familiar Struggles to remember things such as a personal PIN or telephone number Struggles to meet deadlines Struggles with personal organisation (finances/household, arrives at lessons with the wrong books, forgets appointments) Difficulties filling in forms or writing cheques Only reads when necessary and never for pleasure Develops work avoidance tactics to disguise difficulties and/or worries about being promoted/taking professional qualifications Difficulties become exacerbated when under pressure of time.

What next?

Dyslexia is complex and affects people differently and in different ways but hopefully the above has given a brief insight into some of the ways that dyslexia can affect you. If you want to find out more about it or get involved then join our online community on Twitter, on Facebook or call your local Dyslexia Action Learning Centre.

Contact: 083 327 7062 info@hannaford.co.za www.hannaford.co.za

By Amy McCreedy: Positive Parenting

You’ve purchased a new gym membership or meal planning service for the next month. You’ve decided THIS is going to be the year you finally get out of debt or you resolved to finish the degree you started several years ago.

And while I’m cheering you on for those resolutions and I want you to look back on 2019 as the year you finally followed through on your important intentions, might I suggest you add something different to your list this year?

A resolution that will impact your family for years to come. A resolution that will bring peace and joy into your home in ways you’ve never experienced. A resolution that will reconnect you with your children in a meaningful way.

This, sweet friends, is a resolution you can keep: Become the parent you’ve always wanted to be in 2019.

In order to make that resolution a reality, I want to share 6 practical things you can start doing today. This isn’t a resolution about doing MORE, but rather a resolution about doing BETTER – both better for you and better for your children.

You CAN become the parent you’ve always dreamed of being. Don’t let the gym memberships or new workout routines or financial goals be the only resolutions you make this year.

Resolve to be the best you can for the most important people in your life. Resolve to make these 6 changes today and I guarantee you’ll enter 2020 with undeniable confidence as a parent.

1. Rethink the Way You Spend Time With Your Kids “Wait, what?” you might be asking. “I spend 10 HOURS with my kids every day! What is there to rethink?!

I hear you, friend, but consider your day-in-day-out time with the kids. How often are you multitasking with dinner or laundry or the bazillion other things on your list?

While we’re physically WITH our kids, we’re not always fully present in mind, body and soul.

(Myself included.)

Because of that, we pay a price. If kids don’t get some “fully present and engaged” time with us during the day, they will have their attention baskets filled one way or another – whining, clinging, interrupting, fighting with siblings. Do any of those sound familiar?

All of these behaviors get your attention – albeit negative attention. I know that may seem silly to think a child would seek out negative attention if they didn’t get positive attention. But the truth is, kids simply want their baskets filled.

However, you can turn those behaviors around by making a small tweak to the time you already spend with your kids. I’m talking kid-centered, intentional, and directly labeled time.

I’m suggesting you spend 10 INTENTIONAL minutes each day one-on-one with each of your kids.

Here at Positive Parenting Solutions, we call this Mind, Body and Soul time because it has incredible effects on the health of your child’s mind, body, and soul.

By kid-centered, I mean your child is in control of the 10 minutes—they call the shots. A tea party? Lego building? Dressing up daddy? A tickle fight? Listening to their favorite music with your teen? Whatever the kid chooses, you oblige. (As long as it’s an activity that can reasonably be accomplished in 10-15 minutes.) By giving your child the power during this time, you help fill their power buckets in incredible ways.

By intentional, I mean no distractions—put down your phone, don’t answer that email, turn off the show you’re watching. Your child is the center of your universe for these 10 minutes and it’s critical you are fully-present for your time with her.

Lastly, be sure to label Mind, Body and Soul Time at the outset (you can call it whatever you want) and when it’s finished, say, “I sure enjoyed our special time today! I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow!” Your child will benefit from knowing you’re committed to your time, plus you’ll get credit in his mind for time well spent.

Note: For Positive Parenting Solutions Members, revisit Session 1 to learn more about Mind, Body and Soul Time and check out the advanced module “The Busy Parents Guide to Mind, Body & Soul Time” for extra help.

2. Ensure Your Child Gets Enough Sleep Sleep matters…a lot. Kids would never admit it, but they need regular bedtimes and plenty of sleep to be at their best. These key components to a healthy, calm lifestyle, however, are sometimes the first things we abandon as we celebrate the holiday season—and they’re the most daunting piece to restore in January.

So how do we back up bedtime from the late hours we’ve grown used to keeping?

The most effective way to get your kids more sleep is to keep bedtimes early and consistent throughout the week, without much more than a 15-minute difference on the weekends.

3. Retool Routines Once you’ve reset bedtimes, refresh your evening routine so that the notso-fun stuff (brushing teeth, picking out an outfit for the next day) comes before the good stuff (reading with Mom or Dad until lights out at 8:30).

We call this a When-Then Routine, and it can revolutionize all the tricky times of the day. For example, WHEN your child is done studying his French verbs, THEN he can have 30 minutes of technology time. Or WHEN your daughter gets dressed, packs her backpack, and makes her bed, THEN she can eat breakfast.

Be sure the very last item in the routine—enjoying media time, perhaps, or playing with friends—can only happen after the yucky stuff is done.

Start small by revamping one routine at a time. Once you have bedtimes streamlined, for instance, move on to mornings. Stick to the routine and soon your kids will take control of their own schedules with less pushback from them and no nagging from you.

4. Demonstrate the Behavior You Want to See Most parents don’t know it—or don’t like to admit it—but we do a lot of things that contribute to our kids’ poor behavior.

Have you ever heard a parent say, “Do as I say, not as I do?”

Was your next thought, “Hey, that’s not fair!?”

You’re not alone.

Kids see the world in black and white, and if our actions are not consistent with our words, they will push back and you’ll have a whopping power struggle on your hands!

Do you harp on your kids for leaving toys all over the floor, while your kitchen desk is covered in a mound of unopened mail and papers?

Do you yell at your kids to reprimand them for yelling at each other?

Are you munching on chips on the couch when you tell your kids to take their snack out of the living room?

Like it or not, kids pay much more attention to what we DO rather than what we say.

5. Task Every Kid With a Job (or Two) Remember last year when your kids never wanted to help out around the house? That doesn’t mean your kids need to be exempt from taking on responsibilities at home in 2019.

In fact, kiddos of all ages thrive when they feel useful and needed, even if they simply empty trash cans and fold towels. What’s more, when you divvy up the work, you’ll feel less harried and better able to enjoy your family.

Studies show that the earlier you enlist your child’s help, the less pushback you’ll receive.

To get started, use this contributions by age list and pick a few jobs for each of your kids.

Then—and this part is critical—train each child thoroughly in any new skills. (Keep in mind they might prefer to scrub the shower in their swimsuit, or Swiffer floors instead of dusting baseboards.)

Once they’re able to handle the job on their own, make it official and required by adding it to a When-Then Routine, or setting up in advance a reasonable consequence if the task doesn’t get finished.

By remaining consistent in your expectations, your kids will see you’re not going to let them wiggle out of their new responsibility, and will complete their jobs without pitching a fit as well.

6. Prioritize Weekly Family Meetings A new year often means a new hockey schedule, new gymnastics classes or a changed-up carpool—all these arrangements could take a team of professionals to manage. Even those of us facing the same old routines would probably appreciate a little assistance to ensure everyone is where they need to be at the right time.

That’s where a family meeting comes in.

Set aside a few minutes each week at a regular time, such as Sunday evenings, to meet as a family and get on the same page. Not only is this a time to tackle the logistics of scheduling, but this is a time to problem solve family issues as well. Whether the dog keeps getting into the trash can or your children are having trouble keeping their shared space clean, you can discuss all of these issues and more in a calm and thoughtful way at a family meeting.

To get buy-in from everyone, assign rotating jobs to each member of the family (Meeting Leader, Note Taker, Snack Server, etc.), provide refreshments and make it fun. Not only will you connect as a family, but your kids will start stepping up and take on more responsibility—and no one will be left behind at swimming practice again!

Final Thoughts There has never been a better time to make a change in your parenting habits. Your family is too important to NOT be the center of your New Year’s resolutions.

But don’t worry, even if the New Year has left you feeling frazzled, there’s no need to hit the panic button. Restart 2019 with these tips and tools, and get ready for the most peaceful, and most enjoyable year yet.

If you’d like to learn more strategies to bring out the best in your kids, I’d love for you to JOIN ME FOR A FREE ONLINE PARENTING CLASS! I’ll teach you how to get your kids to listen without nagging, reminding or yelling. It’s a great way to jump-start your new parenting resolutions!

About the Author Nationally recognized in the USA, parenting expert Amy McCready is the Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and the best selling author of The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic - A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World and If I Have to Tell You One More Time…The Revolutionary Program That Gets Your Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling.

As a “recovering yeller” and a Certified Positive Discipline Instructor, Amy is a champion of positive parenting techniques for happier families and well-behaved kids.

Amy is a TODAY Show contributor and has been featured on CBS This Morning, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, Rachael Ray, Steve Harvey & others. In her most important role, she is the proud mom of two amazing young men.

10 Ways to Bond With Your Son

By Kara: The Joys of Boys It has been over 14 years since I became a mom of boys. When I only had one or maybe two boys, spending time bonding with them individually wasn’t that difficult. But now that we have added two more to the family, I really have to make a conscious effort to nurture my relationship with each of my boys in a way that is individualized to them because they are each so different. Here are 10 ways to bond with your son as well as ways that moms in my Moms of Boys community are finding to bond with their sons.

1. Be in the Moment Thanks to modern technology, the world is literally at our fingertips. Computers and other electronics have become such a large part of our lives and the lives of our kids, that we can’t imagine getting by without them. But, the constant stream of information into our minds often leaves us in a state of perpetual distraction. Make a plan as a family to unplug at a certain time each night. Spend that time discussing the day, playing games, going outside, etc. Live in the moment, without the commotion of the online world.

2. Get Lost in a Book Together Books take you on adventures to far-off places. Why not experience those adventures with your son. Find an exciting book that he enjoys and read it together out loud. Take the time to stop and ask questions as you read. You might be surprised to hear your sons’ interpretation of the story.

3. Go Fishing Spend time at the lake in nature fishing. It’s amazing what your children will tell you and it is a great time to get to know them on a deeper level. Plus, it is cheap entertainment.

4. Cook Up Some Fun in the Kitchen From the time my boys could stand up on a stool, they have been helping me in the kitchen.

Some of my favorite bonding moments have happened over pancake flipping and cookie decorating. I learned a long time ago that the memories are well worth the mess and my boys are learning life-skills that they will need when they leave the house and are on their own.

5. Let Him Talk/Give Him the Chance to Open Up to You Boys are often introverted creatures when it comes to sharing the details of their day. I try to provide alone time with each of my boys where they can talk and I can genuinely listen without distraction. This might be before bed as we say goodnight, on a walk around the block or just driving to and from school, sports or music lessons. To really bond with your son, turn off the radio, shut down the 1,000 to-dos running through your head, and just listen to what he has to say.

If your son isn’t big on conversation, a Mother and Son journal just might be the perfect thing for him. I love that this journal encourages boys to open up and creates a fun keepsake that you will love looking back on years down the road.

6. Share Positive Words of Affirmation The words we say to our sons really do stick and sometimes we forget that our son’s self-esteem might be fragile. We expect them to be tough, which often causes them to hold back their emotions. Build your relationship with your son by telling him positive things about himself on a daily basis. Make a big deal out of his accomplishments and let him know how proud you are of him. A favorite quote of mine says:

“Parents need to fill a child’s bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can’t poke enough holes to drain it dry.” – Alvin Price

7. Become the Student Instead of the Teacher From the moment our children are born, we begin to teach them new things. Flip-flop roles for a bit and let your son teach you about his interests. Does your son love sports but you don’t have an athletic bone in your body? Have him teach you the basics of his favorite sport. Is the language of Minecraft completely foreign to you? Spend some time building an online amusement park and learning all about Creepers and Enderman. Your son will love that you took the time to learn about his interests and it let him know that if something is important to him, it is important to you.

8. PLAY! Our children first learn about the world through play. Just because you are an adult does not mean that you can’t be silly, get messy and a little bit crazy. If you are a parent to boys then you know that they love to be loud and a bit rambunctious. They would be thrilled if you join in the fun with them. Get out the LEGO pieces, build a blanket fort, have a dance party in the kitchen, or finger-paint a masterpiece. These are the moments your kids will remember and cherish the most.

9. Pass Notes Start a fun tradition of leaving little notes on your son’s pillow or in his lunch box. You might even want to have a journal that you share and write little notes back and forth to each other.

Your children might not tell you everything that is on their mind, but you will be surprised at how much they will write down. Plus, not all boys enjoy writing. This gives them a reason to write and express themselves.

10. One-On-One Time with Mom and Dad If you have more than one child, chances are it is hard to spend quality time with each child alone. Set aside some time each week to spend with your children individually. Take them out on a Mother and Son date night. See what interests them and go out and do it together. I am always amazed at the things my boys tell me when they are alone without their other brothers.

By Katie Hurley Guest writer for Positive Parenting Solutions A thirteen-year-old girl comes to me week after week with a litany of complaints about social media. She doesn’t like the way her friends act on Instagram. She doesn’t like it when people unfollow her because they’re mad about something, only to follow her again a few hours later. She’s hurt when she isn’t called out as part of the group, and she hates it when she sees the group photos from weekend plans she wasn’t invited to.

Mean comments maker her uncomfortable.

The truth is, she doesn’t like who she is or how she acts on social media. She wishes it didn’t exist.

“How can you be a change maker?”

It’s a simple question, and yet she’s silent.

She hasn’t thought about possible solutions to the problem because the problem is so overwhelming.

“You have two choices: You can be a quiet observer or you can be a change agent.

Make your choice.”

What follows is a lengthy discussion on what she can do to improve the way she, and perhaps some of her friends, use and interact with one another on social media.

She starts a “sprinkle kindness” campaign with a few close friends. They agree to leave at least five comments per day, especially on posts where they see unkind comments. .

Kids are often conditioned to believe that they need adult help with complicated social issues, but it’s essential to empower our girls to act as change agents. Does sprinkling kindness in one small school community solve the larger issues of cyberbullying and relational aggression? No. But it’s a start.

And kindness has a way of spreading.

It’s up to us to empower our girls to act as change makers. When we ask them how to solve a problem instead of telling them what to do, they internalize the message that they have the power to make positive changes

Create a social media checklist.

Even if your daughter doesn’t use social media yet, it’s a good idea to talk about it.

The fact is that many young girls are faced with all kinds of social dilemmas through social media, and it’s difficult to know what to do. We don’t have to fear social media use among girls. If we talk to them about responsible social media use, they learn to use social media for good.

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Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Ask before you post. It’s always a good idea to check with your friend before you post a picture.

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Let them choose projects.

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Never use photos, captions, or comments to embarrass or hurt others.

If you notice other girls doing this, speak up, ask for help, and leave kind comments for girls who might be hurting.

Think about how others might feel or react before you post (I teach girls to use the 3-minute rule: Craft the post, wait three minutes, then do a gut check before hitting post.)

Use social media to promote positivity and kindness.

Girls often tell me that when they do volunteer for something, it’s planned by their parents. When I asked one group of girls where they would donate the money from a lemonade stand, twenty girls gave me twenty different answers.

To raise socially conscious girls who not only think about others but who also answer the call to help others, it’s important to ask them about the causes they want to support. When we listen more than we talk, we inspire our girls to take the lead.

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Many girls struggle to talk about complicated topics, like social media negativity, with their parents. Make sure to factor in plenty of 1:1 time when you and your daughter have uninterrupted time to connect.

Empower socially responsible thinking.

Girls encounter any number of moral dilemmas and complicated issues at school, in the community, and online. While encouraging community service helps broaden their worldview and increases empathy and compassion, it’s also important to talk to girls about socially responsible thinking on a micro level.

Use role plays at home to practice standing up to relational aggression, asking for help when something is too overwhelming, figuring out what to do when other kids make unethical decisions, and assertiveness skills.

As a parent of a young girl, I know the pull to want to protect her from the hard stuff, but I also know that when I empower her and guide her to work through these difficult situations, she gains confidence and learns that she can make a difference.

Good Parent Sportsmanship The line between being a supportive, engaged, sports-loving parent and applying too much pressure on kids is easily crossed.

To avoid embarrassing your child and making him/her feel more pressure than he/she already feels about playing the game – we recommend these strategies:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Katie Hurley, LCSW is the author of The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World (Tarcher/Penguin) and the highly anticipated No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls (Penguin Random House, January 2018).

Hurley is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, writer and speaker in Los Angeles, CA. Katie earned her BA in psychology and women’s studies from Boston College and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience treating children and adolescents with learning differences, anxiety and low self-esteem. She is also trained in Play Therapy. Katie’s work can be found in several online publications, including The Washington Post, PBS Parents, US News and World Report, and The Huffington Post. Katie is the author of “ The Happy Kid Handbook

Conscious Life Magazine

"Indoor Movement" Yoga

Every month, Primary Plus subscribers enjoy a new Activity Series which features 7days of themed activities to do at home. They are timely, educational, and fun!

Here’s an activity from the newest series called “Indoor Movement.” We hope you consider joining us as a Plus Subscriber, just head to your Profile Settings to upgrade! Click on the logo above to Subscribe.

To do: Pick a few beginner poses and stretch as a family.

Time: 15 minutes Materials: Yoga mat or carpet Whether as a wake-up exercise or at the end of a long day, try a few yoga stretches to get the family moving indoors.

Stretching and breathing exercises are easy to implement and a great relaxing activity to do as a family! Try these: Downward Facing Dog Start on your hands and knees, with hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Tuck your toes and lift your knees off the floor, drawing your sit bones up and back, bringing you body into the shape of an A or tent. Keep your knees soft!

Child’s Pose There a few ways to do this, but try starting on your hands and knees. Drop your sit bones back, widening your knees but keeping your big toes touching, and relax back onto your heels. Stretch your arms out in front of you or at your sides with your head on the mat.

Tree Pose A fun balancing pose! Start with feet a shoulder’s width apart and your hands together near your sternum. As you can, bring one foot to rest on your inner calf, or up above your knee and balance on the other foot. If necessary, use a ‘kickstand’ by keeping your toe on the ground, but mainly balancing on one foot. Spread your arms (branches!) wide to the sky!

Cat/Cow Pose A dual purpose pose, start on your hands and knees. Drop your belly and lower back and look up for Cow’s Pose. Hold for a few seconds, then arch your spine and look towards the floor for Cat’s Pose. Hold, then switch back to Cow. Keep going as long as you’d like, remember to breathe in and out!

Spin Class: A Checklist for Beginners + Benefits of Indoor Cycling Article by Leah Zerbe, MS, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES of Dr Axe Spin class is in a class of its own when it comes to cardio workouts.

Crushing the pedals to the beat of the (usually really loud) music, infectious instructor energy and maybe a touch of competitive spirit with the person riding beside you makes this form a cardio almost addictive.

But is spinning, also known as indoor cycling, the best use of your time, depending on your wellness goals? And what are the potential risks people rarely hear about? Let’s take a look at spin class benefits, set the record straight on some of the bad press and learn how to dive into a sensible indoor cycling routine to maximize the benefits of spinning.

What Is Spin Class?

Indoor cycling, also known as spinning or spin class, involves pedaling on a stationary bike, also known as a flywheel, using various levels of speed and resistance. Different positions on the bike are also used to target different muscles. Spinning is actually the trademarked name associated with one particular type of indoor bike, but it’s synonymous with “spin class” and “indoor cycling.”

Conscious Life Magazine

The spin class definition? It’s a form of exercise using a stationary bike with that focuses on (1): • • • • •

Endurance Strength Intervals High intensity Recovery

The concept of riding an indoor stationary bike has been around for some time. In fact, there’s a photo of a woman indoor cycling in the Gymnastics Room of the Titanic in 1912.

And long before that, Francis Lowndes patented his “Gymnasticon” in 1796. Other early indoor cycling models resemble a bike set up on rollers. (2) Things are much different today. Modern-day spin classes generally include charismatic instructors, music and lighting effects. A small study even found that an indoor rider’s sense of pleasure was significantly higher when riding to music during class. Music and dimmed lighting during spinning class actually led to riders feeling less tired after a ride. And interestingly, the music and lighting didn’t cause participants to work harder, but they enjoyed the class more. (3) Technology also brings even more spinning class opportunities. The Peloton bike, for instance, allows home riders from all over the country to take live and on-demand indoor cycling classes with instructors and riders in New York City.

Top 6 Benefits of Spinning 1. Weight Loss/Calorie Burn/Better BMI Is spinning a good way to lose weight? Many studies suggest it is, but even if you’re taking indoor cycling classes and don’t see the scale budge, don’t panic. In a small study of female adolescents, researchers found a 16-week spinning program didn’t result in weight loss but did improve BMI chartreadings and reduced body fat percentages. It also triggered healthier blood glucose levels. (4) In another small, but promising, spinning weight-loss study in Italy, researchers found that women leading a sedentary lifestyle experienced the following results without making any changes to their diets.

After 24 spin classes: (5) • 2.6 percent decrease in body weight • 4.3 percent reduction in fat mass • 2.3 percent increase in lean mass • 6.5 percent lower resting heart rate After 36 spin class sessions: • 3.2 percent decrease in body weight • 5 percent reduction in fat mass • 2.6 increase in lean mass • 9 percent lower resting heart rate • Increase in cardio-respiratory fitness How many calories do you burn in a 45minute spin class? That’s a question I get a lot, and of course, the answer varies depending on a number of factors, including your weight and intensity of your workout.

But a general calorie-burn range is 400 to 600 calories per hour.

Calorie burn isn’t the only benefit, though.

Spinning two to three times a week for three months has the power to greatly increase your exercise capacity, along with lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels, too. (6, 7)

Photo by Valkovav on Pixabay

Conscious Life Magazine

2. Time-Crunch Friendly If you’ve only got 20 or 30 minutes for a workout, indoor cycling interval training is a great option because it also pumps up your post-workout calorie burn. Post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), also known as the “afterburn effect,” means your metabolism is revving even though you’re not exercising anymore. It’s one of the top benefits of high-intensity interval training. That’s why so many spin instructors work intervals into spinning classes. (8, 9) 3. Better State of Mind In psychology, “affect” means how someone experiences feelings or emotions after interacting with some sort of stimuli. A study published in 2015 in the Journal of Mental Health found that taking an indoor cycling ride at home or in an instructor-led class improves your post-exercise mood while diminishing negative emotions. However, participants reported enjoying the instructorled indoor cycling session more than the solo spin workout. (10a, 10b) A 2015 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Complications found a 12-week spinning class also lowered anxiety and depression symptoms in participants. The spinning workouts increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which helps alleviate central nervous system dysfunction.

(11) 4. Leg and Bum Toning Is spin class good for toning your bum? I consider it a solid butt workout, but recommend using it as a supplement to gluteus medius and gluteus maximus resistance training, not a substitute.

(In other words, you’re not off the hook when it comes to clamshells and squats!)

What muscles are used in spinning class?

Here are some of the main ones: • Lateral head of the gastrocnemius (12)

• • •

Hamstrings Quadriceps Gluteus maximus (13)

Indoor cycling is most commonly known for its cardio benefits, but we now know it can build lower body muscle, too. In 2015, a team of researchers from Japan and the U.S. published a study showing that indoor cycling takes longer than traditional resistance training to build muscle due to a slower hypertrophy rate. Still, spinning does build muscle, particularly in older riders. The researchers concluded that “higher-intensity intermittent cycling may be required to achieve strength gains.” (14) 5. Better for Joints Than Most Other Cardio Exercise If your joints are begging you to give up on high-impact, long runs, spinning could help fill your cardio void while salvaging your joints.

As always, check in with your doctor before beginning a spinning routine. They’ll want to clear you if you have any heart issues, injuries or, recent surgeries or other pre-existing conditions. (15) 6. Community Whether you’re taking online spinning classes on a Peloton bike or heading to your local gym for a class, one thing is for sure: spinning builds community. And in the exercise world, that also brings accountability and consistency. Who knows, someone in your new spinning class could end up being the inspiration you need to really get back on track.

What You Need to Know About Spin Class (Before Going!)

This is really important if you’re about to hop on a home spin bike or head to a spin studio: Know your limits, monitor your heart rate and resist the urge to overtrain. There are some legit spin class horror stories out there. (Yes,

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lawsuits about pedal lacerations and getting stuck in pedals are a thing). (16, 17) But if you use your head, prep properly and understand your limits, hitting the saddle for a ride could be the start of a truly positive, life-changing experience. Before we jump into a spin class Q&A for beginners with one of my favorite indoor cycling instructors, let’s first clear the air regarding some recent bad spinning press.

It’s true that rhabdomyolysis is a risk when you go too hard too soon with most forms of exercise, including indoor cycling. Also known as “rhabdo,” the complex condition involves skeletal muscle quickly breaking down. This leads to the leakage of muscle proteins and other muscle breakdown products from the cell and into the blood. Myoglobin, creatine kinase, aldolase, lactate dehydrogenase and electrolytes are all things that can start leaking out of cells and into the bloodstream when rhabdo sets in.

Symptoms range from none to life-threatening acute kidney failure. And spinning is sometimes the culprit, along with other forms of exercise like CrossFit, weightlifting, long runs and exercising in hot, humid weather.

A new term coined “white-collar rhabdomyolysis” developed as more and more sedentary and untrained working professionals started coming down with the condition due to training too hard too soon. Related to that, a 2016 study published in Internal Medicine Journal found that cases of spinning-induced rhabdomyolysis are on the rise.

Korean researchers found that spinning could be a significant cause of rhabdo in young, unfit women.

And symptoms can be severe, requiring hospitalization. The study authors recommendation?

Take it easy during your first spinning sessions. Don’t push too hard. (You’ll still get a great workout.) (18) Article Courtesy of www.draxe.com

Conscious Life Magazine

By Down To Earth

The summer holiday season is around the corner in the southern hemisphere and certainly most of us are looking forward to spending more time outside. Since our summer coincides with the festive season, it is important not to let the excitement of the season prevent us from caring for our skin properly to avoid sun damage. While prevention is key and sun safety is very important, the sun is not only responsible for sunburn; it can cause a variety of damage to the skin not usually considered.

Broken capillaries Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can lead to broken blood vessels, especially on the face. Further sunlight can aggravate this problem, so be diligent with applying your natural sunscreen before going out in the sun and regularly while spending limited time in the sun and water. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect the sensitive skin on the face.

Reduce the appearance of broken capillaries with Revive Moisturiser for the face and African Potato Cream for the body. Both products contain a high content of Aloe Vera to soothe the skin and help fight redness, and African Potato which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and prevents blood vessels from rising to the surface of the skin.

Heat rash Hot, humid weather can cause heat rashes to develop in children and adults that tend to be itchy and irritating, and sometimes unsightly. It can be caused by blocked pores when sweat can’t escape or by friction to the surface of the skin.

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Avoid heat rashes by making sure your skin is exfoliated to minimise blocked pores and make sure your swimsuit does not continuously rub parts of your skin. If you do develop a heat rash, use aloe gel to cool and soothe the skin. The Clear Skin Gel contains 83% organic Aloe Vera and is the perfect remedy, so make sure to include it in your travel bag.

Chaffing Sweaty skin that rubs together can cause chaffing, where the skin becomes sensitive, red and swollen. It is often the result of outdoor exercising, so if you are planning a game of volleyball on the beach, pat your skin dry as often as needed and if chaffing occurs, reach for your aloe gel to calm the skin. Again the Clear Skin Gel is the perfect remedy.

Pimples Pimples and acne can be triggered by excessive sweating which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Combine that with outdoor activities where you are in contact with dirt and these conditions make it even more likely.

Prevent pimples by keeping the skin clean and avoiding excessive sweating where possible. Use a natural sunscreen that is free of nasty chemicals and does not clog pores. Treat pimples and acne with the Clear Skin Gel which stops acne-causing bacteria in its tracks through its antimicrobial Tea Tree oil content.

Sunburn Too much sun time can lead to swollen, red skin that burns and itches and finally peels off to leave you with sun damaged skin. Ongoing sunburn causes permanent dark marks and freckles.

However, the most serious effect of sunburn is skin cancer, simply avoided by preventing the skin from suffering excessive sun damage. Wear a hat and protective clothing while in the sun – don’t forget that your scalp can get burnt too.

Skin cancer is easier to treat when caught early, so get to know your skin and watch for changes.

If you do get sun burnt, use the African Potato Cream to accelerate healing of the skin, reduce swelling and inflammation, and to nourish the skin through vitamin and mineral rich plant ingredients that replenishes dry and tired skin.

Protect your skin by eating foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Not only will it strengthen your skin to help fight against environmental factors, it will help heal the skin from sunburn and prevent ageing. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Quick tips for responsible sun safety • Limit your sun time between 10:00am and 4:00pm • Use a natural sunscreen without harmful or pore clogging ingredients • Apply sunscreen ahead of sun time and regularly during sun time, especially after swimming • Wear a hat and protective clothing as often as you can • Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes and sensitive skin around the eyes • Keep your skin clean, exfoliated and dry • Promote skin barrier strength through nutritious food and lots of water

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Conscious Life Magazine

The Importance of Imagination Do children today use their imaginations as much as we did when we were kids? Do you see your children spinning incredible tales and stories in their fantasy play like we used to when we played “cops and robbers” or “house”? Or does your child’s fantasy play seem to consist only of repetitive movements like karate chops or ballerina spins that have no story to them?

Why do you suppose this is, and is it something we should be concerned about if someone grabs your toy away from you when you are four, you need to be able to imagine different ways to handle the situation, like sharing or using your words. If you can’t imagine these possibilities, you will probably just clobber the other kid to get what you want or retreat into a crying jag. If you need to figure out the answer to a high school geometry test question, you need to have the ability to imagine the possible solutions. If you can’t, you will undoubtedly fail, cheat or decide not to care. Has it ever been more important than it is today that we adults are able to imagine new ways of creating a peaceful world?”

In the world of child development you may hear us use phrases like “critical thinking skills” and “creative problem-solving abilities” when referring to our goals for your child’s cognitive development. What we are really talking about is… imagination. The way to create human beings with imagination is to provide them with opportunities to develop it for themselves when they are very young. These opportunities are found in one place and one place only… play. Playing with paints, playing with play dough, with costumes, with glue and with crayons.

Making a mess. Exploring the woods. Splashing in a puddle. Wondering at a caterpillar you notice inching by you. Pretending to be a bird, gliding through the sky.

Are you providing your children enough opportunities for this type of play? If they are spending hours sitting at a computer, watching television or playing video games, they are passive participants being fed someone else’s stories instead of having the time and space to dream up their own. If they are enrolled in soccer, ballet, T-ball, karate and gymnastics all in the same week, they are receiving wonderful opportunities to develop their skills. But they have little to no opportunity to use their creativity and imagination to decide how to use their free time, what fantasy to explore or what part of their world they’d like to discover more about at their own pace, in their own way.

Often parents today think that if they give their children too much free time they are wasting opportunities for learning and preparing children for their futures. But these types of parental choices, though done with love and the best of intentions, are not a gift to children, according to current child development theory and research. Children today desperately need time and space to develop their creative imaginations free from adult agendas. Even if your children complain, “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” please, please, please trust that if you force them to figure out for themselves how to fill their time, their innate creativity will kick in and their imaginations will soar!

Kids on Camera TV and Print Media Casting Agency

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Kids on Camera offer training for youngsters on how to be professional on camera and help build their selfconfidence. That's what they'll need in the industry to seal the deal and get that commercial they have always wanted.

Our Confidence Training classes are from the ages of three years old and up. We train kids to look into the camera and speak with confidence, and the older kids learn how to present. We sing and dance and have prizes and loads of fun.

R200 for two hours of training, including a certificate.

To register a profile on our database is R350 once off fee.

All ages are welcome.

WhatsApp Natasha on 083 714 3241 See our website for details. www.kidsoncamera.co.za

6 GREAT REASONS WHY SCHOOLS SHOULD CHOOSE CHAMELEON VILLAGE REPTILE & CONSERVATION PARK – THE INTERACTIVE REPTILE EXPERIENCE! • •

•

• • •

We are the zoo that comes to you, first hand encounters without the stress or hassle of organising expensive field trips.

Close and personal encounters without the glass separating you from these vibrant exotic animals.

Interactive learning where you don’t just watch a snake move, you feel a snake move, great for kinesthetic learning.

The opportunity to speak face to face with experienced animal handlers. When visiting a zoo little time is often spent with the keepers, during our visit we are present to answer questions.

Tailor made and customised experiences that best suit your learners in an environment that best suits you.

An opportunity for students to learn about, the importance of wildlife conservation.

Suitable for all age groups, book us for the day and we cater from Pre-primary, Primary and High Schools.

OR

WHY not bring your picnic basket and visit our Parks for the day!

• • •

Hartbeespoort Aquarium Chameleon Village Reptile & Conservation Park Bird Park

For additional information contact us on 012 253 5119 / 082 469 2979 or email us on chameleonvillagereptilepark@gmail.com

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What it Means to Play Safe in the Sun… It’s so important to know the dangers of exposure to the sun and also how to reduce the risk of skin cancer which is the result of skin cell damage that begins in the lower part of the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). At least 80% of suninduced skin damage occurs before the age of 18 and only manifests later in life.

Reducing the Risk The good news is that the risk of skin cancer can be reduced by respecting the sun and following these tips: • Avoid direct sunlight between 10 am and 3 pm.

Stay in the shade or under an umbrella as much as possible • Wear protective clothing; wide brimmed hats and UV protective clothes / swimsuits • Wear sunglasses with a UV protection rating of minimum UV400 • Always apply sunscreen regularly (SPF of 20 – 50) according to skin type. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race, age or sex. People with fair skin have a higher chance of getting skin cancer while dark-skinned people are still at risk.

• Avoid Sunbeds and Sunlamps • Spot-the-spot: Check your skin carefully every month (follow A, B, C, D, E rules) – find more info here…

Screening CANSA has five mole-mapping dermoscope devices called the FotoFinder used to examine moles and help reduce the risk. Every client with suspicious skin damage is referred for an intensive skin evaluation. Examinations are available at some CANSA Care Centres.

People with albinism are the most vulnerable for damage by ultraviolet radiation. CANSA successfully lobbied and helped to ensure that the government now supplies approved sunscreen (aligned to the CANSA Seal of Recognition standards) at adequate levels of supply at public hospitals.

Get to Know the Lingo…

Knowing your skin is important, but knowing what terms like SPF, UV, UPF and spot-the-spot means, is just as important – especially when it comes to staying safe in the sun.

• SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and is usually found on sunscreen bottles – it’s a measure of how well it protects your skin against UV rays and indicates how long you could spend in the sun before burning when protected by sunscreen, compared to when you have no sunscreen on. CANSA encourages the use of SPF 20-50 according to skin type.

• UV refers to ultraviolet light emitted by the sun.

UV rays have disruptive effects on skin cells, which cause sunburn, and can result in skin cancer.

• UPF is similar to the SPF indication on sunscreen, but UPF is usually found on clothing. It indicates the Ultraviolet Protection Factor of clothing, sunglasses and hats, to protect you against the UV rays of the sun.

• Spot-the-spot is a term to encourage you to do self-examinations on your skin. It’s important to keep a track of marks, moles and spots on your skin and to make note of any changes. Make sure to follow the ABCDE rules when doing these selfexams.

Skin Cancer Common in SA South Africa has the 2nd highest incidence of skin cancer in the world after Australia, as far as Caucasians are concerned.

Myths • • • • •

The sun is only dangerous in summer or on a hot day Sunscreen will protect me completely from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays One or two cases of sunburn won’t result in skin cancer People with darker skins are not at risk for getting skin cancer Sunbeds are a safer alternate to obtain a tan

The Truth About Tanning There is no such thing as a healthy tan – even a sunless tan…

In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the use of sunless and self-tanning products such as sprays, mousses, gels, pills, nasal sprays & injections called Melanotan 1 and 11.

Melanotan 11 has serious side effects, and may induce malignant melanoma. CANSA warns against this product.

Tips: Sunscreen & Protective Garments

Although some self-tanning products contain sunscreen, it offers minimal ultraviolet radiation protection. It does not provide protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and CANSA strongly discourages individuals to use any form of tanning product.

With credit to TED-Ed. Original video at Why do we have to wear sunscreen – Kevin P. Boyd

FOLLOW THESE TIPS 1. Use an Effective Sunscreen

ONE OF THE GREAT SUNSCREENS TO TRY:

• We have raised our Seal of Recognition standards & requirements for sunscreens. In addition to current SA standards, as of 1 April 2013, sunscreens bearing our Seal need to comply with the European Colipa Standards.

• Our new CANSA Seal of Recognition logo (CSOR) appears on approved sunscreen products and is a guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective products have complied with CANSA’s strict set of criteria – see new logo to the right.

• See list of CANSA’s SunSmart Sunscreen Partners…

• Be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of between 20 and 50 & 30 and 50 for fair to very fair skin.

• Products usually expire two years after manufacture – don’t use a product that has been opened and used after a year has passed.

2. Apply Sunscreen Correctly • It’s important to know the best SPF for your skintype • Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go outside and re-apply at least every two to three hours

3. Wear Protective Clothing • Wear sunglasses with a UV protection rating of UV400 • Wear protective clothing & swimsuits and thicklywoven fabric hats with wide brims – avoid caps where the neck & ears are exposed • Buy SunSmart garments & apparel… – look out for CANSA’s swing tags (right) & SunSmart Choice logo (top right) on clothing, hats & summer fun accessories.

Hey Gorgeous Gorgeously Natural Sunscreen R175 www.hey-gorgeous.co.za Or www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

Educate & Protect Children • Our youth should take special precaution when spending time in the sun – two blistering burns before the age of 18, can dramatically increase the risk of getting skin cancer later in life.

• Parents and schools need to play an increasingly important role in educating our youth re being SunSmart. Unfortunately a recent study shows that most schools are not SunSmart. Read more…

Article courtesy of CANSA

Tel: 0800 22 66 22

COOK BOOKS FOR BOYS Magic Kitchen Cookbook.

With Disney characters leading the way, kids will love this introduction to cooking, kitchen basics and healthy eating. Each of the more than 50 recipes are written as basic, step-by-step directions specifically developed for young cooks. The colorful cookbook features kid-friendly recipes from tacos to pizza that were formulated to be lower in fat and sugar, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while still tasting yummy. The cookbook also provides energy burning activities as well as fun food facts.

The DC SUPER HERO COOKBOOK is packed with simple, fun recipes designed to evoke kids' favorite super heroes and to enhance their super powers. DC Super Hero logo stencils and character cut-outs make for extra-fun food styling.

More than sixty easy, tasty recipes inspired by beloved DC characters (including Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Green Arrow, Aquaman, Wonder Woman--and more!)

Recommended by

Cuban Beans and Rice Cuban Beans and Rice Beans and rice can be a simple, satisfying meal for the entire family. In Cuba, beans are often cooked with a seasoning mixture called sofrito, made from garlic, onion, bell pepper, tomato, cumin, and oregano. Try combining this version of Cuban beans and rice with a crisp green salad of lettuce, cabbage, and tomatoes.

Add a little sweetness with fresh pineapple and banana. Serves 4 - 6.

Ingredients

Instructions

• • • • •

Make the beans

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cuban Beans 3tbsp vegetable oil ½ red onion cut into ¼-inch pieces 4 garlic cloves minced 1 green or red bell pepper cut into ¼inch pieces 2 tomatoes cut into ½-inch pieces ¾tsp ground cumin ¾tsp dried oregano ¾tsp salt ¼tsp black pepper 3cans (15 oz. ea.) black beans rinsed and drained 1can (15 oz.) red beans rinsed and drained 1cup water 1whole bay leaf ¼cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped lime wedges(optional) Yellow Rice 1tbsp vegetable or olive oil ½tsp turmeric 1½cups long grain white rice 3cups water ½tsp salt

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and bell pepper and continue to cook, stirring often, for several minutes more. Add the tomatoes and cook until softened. Stir in the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the beans, water, and bay leaf, stirring to combine.

Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro.

Make the rice In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the turmeric and rice and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the water, increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Remove from heat. Do not stir the rice. Let the rice sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.

To serve Spoon the beans over the yellow rice and serve with a wedge of fresh lime. Serve pineapplebanana salad and green salad on the side.

Breadsticks Breadsticks It is believed that breadsticks were first made in medieval times. The Italian word for breadsticks is grissini. These crispy breadsticks are fun and easy to make. Makes 32 breadsticks.

Course Side Dish

Ingredients

Instructions

• • • • •

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the water and yeast. Let sit for 2 minutes, until the yeast is dissolved. Add the olive oil, honey, rosemary or peppercorns, salt, and whole wheat flour, stirring well. Add the white flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring until a stiff dough forms. On a clean, lightly floured work surface knead the dough for 3 to 5 minutes, until smooth.

• • •

1¼cups warm water 2tsp baking yeast 2tbsp olive oil 1tbsp honey 1tsp dried rosemary or ½ tsp cracked black peppercorns 1cup whole wheat flour 2½ cups white flour Additional olive oil and kosher salt

Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a circle about 3 inches in diameter.

Now divide each piece into 4 equal pieces. You will have 32 pieces in all. Roll each piece of dough into a cylinder about 8 inches long and place on baking sheet.

Lightly brush the breadsticks with olive oil and sprinkle with salt as desired. Bake the breadsticks for about 15 to 18 minutes, turning once during the baking, until lightly browned and almost crisp. Let the breadsticks cool before serving.

The Best Brains Require Good Nutrition

by Maren Schmidt Are our children getting the right kinds of food for maximum brain development and health? Most parents believe their children are getting adequate nutrition, but data shows otherwise.

Peeking into a few lunch boxes gives some indications and insights into the issue. Recent research is showing that a high level of highfructose sugar contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children.

High blood sugar levels affect the function of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps organize memory.

Children need a diet of complex carbohydrates versus a diet of sugar and foods that have a high glycemic index such as potatoes, white rice, white flour and white sugar. Data shows that 25 percent of children under the age of six eat French fried potatoes every day. One nutritionist recommends avoiding any food that’s white because those foods act like sugar to the brain.

Current research is showing that certain diseases and conditions have their roots in poor childhood nutrition. For example, the low intake of calcium rich foods–milk, cheese, broccoli, spinach and other green leafy vegetables–during the first 18 years of life may predispose women to osteoporosis.

Fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains take longer to digest but offer important nutrition that may not be found in the empty calories from the refined carbohydrates in soda and processed foods. For the young child under age six, certain foods should be avoided, and perhaps we all should avoid them. Two big two no-no’s seem to be sodas and foods that list sugar in the first five ingredients.

For sodas, their sugar content is too high, and the active ingredients in soda work against bone development. Soda drink consumption has risen to over 60 gallons per person annually in the United States. In a study of teenage boys, ages 13 to 18, about 60 percent reported drinking two sodas or more per day, with over 95 percent reporting that they drank soda regularly. In teenagers, over 25 percent of daily calories may be from sodas. The teenage habits begin before the age of six.

Water is the best liquid for our children to drink as effective brain growth and functioning is dependent on the brain being well hydrated, since the brain is over 90 percent water.

The second no-no: foods that list sugar as one of the first five ingredients include breakfast cereals, breakfast toaster pastries and more. High sugar consumption is linked to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Make sure that a child’s diet provides adequate protein. Too much protein can be as bad as too little, but inadequate protein affects brain development and overall health.

Children from one to three years need about 1,300 calories per day with 16 grams of protein. Four- to six-year-olds need about 1,800 calories per day with 24 grams of protein. Seven- to ten-year-olds require around 2,000 calories with 28 grams of protein.

Common protein-rich foods include milk, soy milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, tofu, lentils, grains, nuts and seeds.

Another nutritionist recommends only shopping the perimeter of your grocery store, as all the nutritious and fresh food is there, and you won’t be tempted by all the fancy packaged processed food in the center aisles.

As my Granddad used to say, pay the grocer or pay the doctor. Yes, I’d much rather spend my money on blueberries than meeting my medical insurance deductible. It tastes so much better, and my brain loves it.

"I'm scared I'll forget you..."

From the perspective of a young child, Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it is like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of the loved one, to help in the grieving process. Heartfelt and comforting, The Memory Box will help children and adults talk about this very difficult topic together. The unique point of view allows the reader to imagine the loss of any they have loved - a friend, family member, or even a pet. A parent guide in the back includes information on helping children manage the complex and difficult emotions they feel when they lose someone they love, as well as suggestions on how to create their own memory box.

The Memory Box is a 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards winner--a contest intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children's books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading.

The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity.

In the beginning, there were three colors . . .

Reds, Yellows, and Blues.

All special in their own ways, all living in harmony―until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds?

A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

Conscious Life Magazine

What Your Dog's Drooling May Be Telling You

Photo by Yohan Cho on Unsplash

by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker from www.healthypets.mercola.com For most dog owners, dog drool is an inevitable part of life. You'll likely find it covers your face or hands at some point during the day, after your dog gives you a lick hello or while you're feeding her a treat. For some breeds, especially large and giant breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards, dog drool may be so prolific that you'll find yourself wiping it off floors and walls.

While dog drooling may seem excessive compared to humans' relatively tame saliva, it's a natural and normal part of being a dog. Drooling can be beneficial for your dog and may be linked to different emotions. That being said, it can also be a sign of illness, especially if it comes on suddenly or is excessive.

Top Reasons Why Dogs Drool Dog slobber is saliva, the same type you have in your mouth. Like in humans, dog saliva serves a number of purposes, including helping to keep teeth clean and moisture in the mouth. Saliva is necessary for your dog to properly chew and swallow her food, and it contains enzymes that start the digestion process when your dog eats a meal.

Drooling, which technically refers to the trickling of saliva from the mouth, can occur for many reasons, including the following. In medical terms, excessive drooling is known as hypersalivation or ptyalism.

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Anticipation of Food — You've probably heard of Pavlov's dogs, the experiments in which dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with being fed, and therefore began to drool in anticipation of the food they would receive. Drooling in response to food is a normal, reflexive behavior for dogs.

Your Dog's Too Hot — If your dog is too hot, she can only sweat through the pads of her paws.

A more efficient method of cooling down is known as evaporative cooling, which occurs when your dog pants. Panting allows moisture on your dog's tongue to evaporate, helping to lower body temperature. When your dog is panting, it's difficult, if not impossible, to swallow saliva at the same time, so drooling may occur simultaneously.

While this can be normal, if the drooling is excessive and the temperatures are hot, it could be a sign that your dog is having trouble cooling down or even suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, as generating extra saliva helps to further dissipate heat.

Something Tastes Bad — If your dog ingests a bitter or bad-tasting medication, such as the 1 pain medication Tramadol, she might drool excessively as a result. Eating something toxic, such as poisonous plants, mushrooms or toads, may also cause drooling. If you suspect your dog is drooling due to a toxic exposure, get your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Stomach Trouble — An upset tummy, including feelings of nausea, may lead your dog to drool.

This can be caused by something as innocuous as a car ride, leading to motion sickness, to stomach distress caused by your dog eating something he shouldn't have, like a sock or cleaning chemicals.

Excitement — For some dogs, feelings of excitement act as a signal for the waterworks in their mouth to turn on. If you notice your dog gets particularly slobbery when you visit a new place, go for a walk or get a visit from a favorite friend, your dog is literally drooling with excitement.

Your Dog's Mouth Is Hurting — Excessive drooling may also be the result of an injury to your dog's mouth, an infection or a problematic tooth, in addition to trauma such as chewing an 2 electrical cord or a stick stuck across the palate.

Certain Medical Conditions — Rabies, distemper, tumors or warts in the mouth, seizures, and certain metabolic disorders are examples of medical conditions that may lead to excessive drooling. Problems involving the central nervous system or oral cavity, as well diseases that affect the pharynx, esophagus and stomach can also be involved.

Your Dog Is Large With Droopy Lips — Certain breeds have a facial structure that makes them notorious for drooling. Namely, large dogs with thick, droopy lips often have saliva that pools within the folds and drips like a faucet. This includes breeds such as Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Great Danes and Newfoundlands.

Drooling: When to Worry, When to Mop Up Any new or increased drooling in your dog is cause for a visit to your veterinarian, who can make sure that there are no underlying medical conditions to blame. In many cases, however, drooling is completely normal for dogs. If you share your home with a particularly slobbery pooch, keep a rag handy to mop up her face regularly, including after she eats and drinks and when you get home from a walk.

You can also try tying a handkerchief or bandana around your dog's neck to act as a bib for

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drool, and putting down a washable rug under her food and water bowls. While this will help to keep drool from coating your walls, clothing and floors, you shouldn't expect that the drooling will stop or decrease. Instead, embrace it — and learn to clean up drool messes quickly, as they tend to get crusty when they dry.

If one of your New Year’s resolution for 2019 is to improve your pet’s health, then you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Karen Becker shares her insights on everything you need to know in order to help your pet to live a happier and healthier life! When you subscribe to the Mercola Healthy Pets newsletter, you’ll get access to this important information that will help you on your journey toward optimizing your pet’s well-being. In Dr. Becker’s top 15 pet care tips you will learn: • • • • •

Which diet is best for your pet How to recognize when your pet is happy or not feeling well The various uses of natural remedies How to keep your pet physically fit and mentally stimulated Training tips

Photo by Sandra Tilkeridisová on Unsplash

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EVERY HOME NEEDS A LOVING PET! THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WAITING TO BE ADOPTED – PLEASE REACH OUT! WE ALSO ENCOCURAGE YOU TO REACH INTO YOUR HEARTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND REALLY NEED YOUR HELP.

At Operation Smile we believe every child suffering from cleft lip or cleft palate deserves exceptional surgical care.

For too many families around the world, safe surgery is not an option.

At Operation Smile we believe every child deserves exceptional surgical care. We believe all children deserve to be treated as if they were our own.

EVERY 3 MINUTES, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and may suffer from torments, malnourishment and difficulty with speech.

We dream of a world where no child suffers from lack of access to safe surgery. Learn why we do what we do in the video below.

That’s what drives each and every one of us: our global network of medical professionals, who donate hundreds of thousands of hours toward the care of children around the world each year, and our supporters who are moved every day to make a difference in the lives of children they’ve never met.

How you can help Operation Smile South Africa Building 17, 103/104, Waverley Office Park 5 Wyecroft Rd, Observatory 7925 (+27) 021 447 3608 infosa@operationsmile.org NPO number 083-117 NPO

A child’s cleft lip or cleft palate can be repaired for as little as R5500 and in as few as 45 minutes, but your gift is more than a surgery. All of our supporters give renewed hope to children and families around the world.

PAWS R US (SA) is looking for INVESTORS – help us BUILD THE DREAM of our “HAPPY PLACE”!

After 6 years in animal welfare/rescue, PAWS R US (SA) has moved into the LINBER KENNELS facility out in the Tarlton area, JHB. It is time to spread our wings, create a permanent home, and contribute more effectively to both the cause and effects linked to animal welfare/rescue in SA. Our dream is to build the LINBER KENNELS facility into a top-notch rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming haven for rescue dogs. We also want to establish a home-base for our EDUCATION campaigns, so that we can work with the youth in returning to the core value of COMPASSION and RESPECT for Self and All Life.

To make this dream a reality, we need to BUY the LINBER KENNELS site. And to get that done, we need to find INVESTORS and PARTNERS who want to contribute to something greater than themselves, and help make a real, immediate and practical difference in a world that has lost its way.

The PAWS R US (SA) TRUST has been created as a legal entity – and we now look to spread the net open wide and “go on the hunt” for kindred spirits who want to help build something GOOD. We need INVESTORS of the HEART and MIND – those who want to protect the vulnerable, educate the youth of tomorrow, and know that their investment has directly uplifted lives and communities.

CONTACT: For all enquiries and details related to this search for INVESTORS, and the implications for each INVESTOR within the Trust, please email us on woof@pawsrus.co.za

with much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers namaste