Canterbury Kids issue 2

YOUR FREE COPY

February March 2016

Canterbury Kids summer pictures ARTS / MUSIC / FOOD / MUMMARAZZI / WHAT’S ON / GIVEAWAYS facebook.com/CanterburyKids 1

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Botanic Gardens Jan 3 – Feb 21* (except Feb 21st in St Albans Park*)

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FREE N U F Y L I FAM is Summer in the Park

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Bring the picnic, a blanket, the kids and make Sunday your fun family day!

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Editor’s Letter

What a stunning summer we’ve had. Sure, there’s been more rain than you’d ideally like in the school holidays but if you look on the bright side – the lawns are looking luscious! Along with the sunny days came happiness and water play outside, and this was quite obvious with the great response we had to our summer holiday photo competition. You can see the ones we managed to squeeze into this issue from page 16. Congratulations to Ella and Chloe Robinson for sharing your first summer swim with us!

You have won a family pass to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Enjoy!

Once again we have some excellent articles which I’m sure will grab your interest. Those of you with younger children may relate to the sleep article by Judy Arnold. It’s been one of the biggest topics in my house for the last 18 months, since we brought Austen home from the hospital. “When on earth will he sleep through the night?!” Apparently if they do sleep through you’re thought of as a more “successful” parent… Seems pretty rough when you’re doing all you can, especially through your own broken sleep, and hearing people around you unwittingly gloat about their ‘great little sleeper’ is truly unhelpful. Just know, that when you’re up during the night with your little one – know you’re not alone. There’s plenty of us out there doing the same thing. I find solace in the phrase, “This too shall pass,” and I hope you do too.

Also in this issue, the very talented Jade Temepara encourages us to get into the garden with our little ones. Jade, who is a mum of five, is just starting up her latest venture in Christchurch, Kakano Cafe and Cooking School. She is so passionate about growing your own food, and makes it look so easy, she makes you believe you can do it yourself.

Until next time, r son Austen Kineta with he zel&Cass it: Photo cred Ha

Kineta

You can write to any of our expert contributors asking for guidance, or contact me with feedback or story ideas at editor@alliedmagazines.co.nz

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C ontents 6

Calendar of events

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Giveaways

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Arts

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Book review

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Parenting – Live the life you want!

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Health and Fitness

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Tiddlers Multisport

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Dr Rodney Ford – Why is my tummy sore?

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Sleeping through the night

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Be The Change

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Daddy Diaries

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Mummarazzi

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Hair tips

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Mummy fashion ideas

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Nourish Nutrition

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Itty Bitty Beats

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Pitter Patter Dance

Contacts

General Manager Andrew Keeley andrew@alliedmagzines.co.nz 021 997 497

Art Room graphics@odtprint.co.nz 03 440 0084

Editor Kineta Booker editor@alliedmagazines.co.nz

Street Address Allied Magazines 540 Wairakei Road,Christchurch

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Postal Address PO Box 517 Dunedin 9054 Sales Andrew Keeley andrew@alliedmagzines.co.nz 021 997 497

Contributors

Dr Andrew Paul Wood

Emily Taylor

Dr Wood is an arts and cultural historian, critic and writer. He is also an authority on the pavlova. He has written for The Press, the Listener, Art New Zealand and many other publications. His books include two translations of the poet Karl Wolfskehl, Quietus (a psychogeography of post-quake Christchurch with photographer Doc Ross).

Emily is the owner/operator of Pitter Patter Dance Ltd, a dance school that specialises in classes for preschoolers. She’s been teaching dance in the Christchurch area for over 20 years and is experienced in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre. Emily offers classes that allow children to go at their own pace. www.pitterpatterdance.co.nz

Karyn Riley

Nicola Fraher

Karyn helps women rediscover their identity, have time for what’s important, be more productive and confident, and find balance in their life. She is a parent educator, time management and life balance specialist, author of How to Keep the YOU in Mum, speaker, writer and mother of two. www.rileylife.co.nz

Christchurch dietitian Nicola Fraher believes in the enjoyment of food and occasions that involve food. She’s been involved in promoting health through nutrition for many years, but more recently saw the gap between telling people the science behind good health and nutrition, and them actually making healthy changes in their own lives. www.nourish.org.nz

Dr Rodney Ford

Cassandra Daly

Dr Ford is a paediatrician, gastroenterologist and allergist specialist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. He’s director of the Children’s Clinic and the Allergy Centre in Christchurch; former Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine; Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians; and Past President, National Speakers Association of New Zealand. www.thechildrensclinic.co.nz

Cassandra is a photographer of tiny humans. She started running her business Hazel&Cass not long after her own “tiny human”, Hazel, was born. She has a knack of capturing perfect moments and her passion is for her tiny subjects. This shows in every image. www.hazelandcass.co.nz

Judy Arnold

Jenny Payne and Lucy Hiku

Judy is an infant and child consultant and registered nurse with a background specialising in Well Child Health. She has a fresh approach to parenting which is more than just about sleep. If you want help with your baby or child, not something generic that involves the clock, Judy can help. Her approach is childcentred, evidence based. www.judyarnold.co.nz

Christchurch mums and musicians, Jenny and Lucy, formed Itty Bitty Beats in 2014 to make original Kiwi music for children of the world. Their debut album ‘Bath Time’ was nominated for a Tui for Best Children’s Album of the Year in the 2015 Vodafone NZ Music Awards. Later they released: ‘Lay Your Head Down’, ‘The Last Lullaby’ and ‘Christmas in the Ngahere’.

Check them out on Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp, iTunes and www.ittybittybeats.com

James Wilson James is the sales manager at South Canterbury Hyundai by day and father to 9-­ year-­ old Ben and 4­-year-­old Mya by night. During the weekends he can be found chasing after his chickens, pigs and sheep at his property south of Timaru, picking berries and planting veges.

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Events

Calendar of Events

March, 6, 13, 20

March, 5

LYFE (Linwood Youth Festival Experience) 11am - 4pm Linwood Park, Linwood Ave opposite Eastgate

The Sumner Market 11:00am – 3:00pm Sumner

March, 4

Music on the Green 9pm-6pm Darfield Domain North Terrace, Darfield

March, 6

Children’s Day 11:00am – 3:00pm Spencer Park, Heyders Ave, Spencerville, Christchurch

Giveaways r ion Flowee, t c e l l o C t WIN a Fenl, baby/toddler saizirties Crow t of Button H and a se RRP $30. to be Four setosn w Go in th

Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon 9am - 1pm Jellie Park

Wo uld you lik e the se tw o alb um s fro m Itt y Bit ty Bea ts?

“Tell us one of Itty Bit ty Be and you’ll go in the dra ats’ songs, w to Your Head Down and Bath win Lay time.”

Email: giveaways@

g: e draw by emailin

.co.nz

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giveaways@al

March, 13

alliedmagazines.co.nz

Subject: Itty Bitty Be Closing date: 24 Maats rch

, 2016

Subject:

bbles Buttons and Bo March, 2016 Entries close 24

WIN a Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Family Pass!

Head to their website, willowbank.co.nz, and tell us something interesting you can see or do there.

Email: giveaways@alliedmagazines.co.nz Closing date: 24 March, 2016

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n d ’s o n l y Vi s it N e w Z e a l aa n a Pa r k g o ri l l a s a t Or to be won passes We have: Two family ailing: Go in the draw by em nz. dmagazines.co. giveaways@allie rk Subject: Orana Pa arch, 2016 Entries close 24 M

Arts

Engaging senses

By Dr Andrew Paul Wood

R

esearch has shown for some time how important art is in early childhood development.

In 2002 the US Secretary of Education published “The Value Added Benefits of the Arts,” a report that states, “Studies have shown that arts teaching and learning can increase student’s cognitive and social development. The arts can be a critical link for students in developing the crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels”. Other studies have shown how art engages little ones’ senses, curiosity and problemsolving in an open-ended way that develops their social skills, thinking and sensory-motor coordination.

For a young child art is more than just fun.

Art-making in a structured environment brings together many kinds of learning.

It encourages cooperation, provides

challenges, and builds confidence – all important things in early childhood, especially in children prone to anxiety or slow to find independence.

Since the earthquake the opportunities to explore art-making, particularly during the holidays, have been dramatically reduced. Fortunately, there are a lot of art programmes run by community organisations. You can find out about them on the Community Information Christchurch website cinch.org.nz or ask at your local library.

It’s good news that after five years of closure to the public, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu has once more opened its doors.

They regularly run holiday programmes and events for kids, and you can find out what they offer by looking at their website christchurchartgallery.org.nz .

There are kitchen table operations run privately by trained art teachers which are hard to find out about except by word of mouth. There are quite a few of these listed on the website of the Christchurch Community Arts Council artschristchurch. org.nz/artists/category/painting-&-drawing . They also have a lot of options for the grown-ups too, and given the way 24/7 parenting can exhaust a brain to pudding, a bit of art activity for adults may be just what the doctor ordered – especially the sort of painting class that encourages you to BYO wine.

Kindergarten with a Difference At MOZARTS our children experience learning through free play, storytelling, drama and music.

Come and see for yourself...

Call 355 5099 to arrange a FREE ‘Stay and Play’ session.

69 Bristol Street, St Albans, Christchurch www.facebook.com/MozartsKindergarten

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Book Review

Book review Two books playing with language

By Mary Sangster All books introduce children to language, extending their vocabulary and introducing the basics of grammar.

I yam a donkey! written and illustrated

by Cece Bell is a delightful picture book that children and parents alike will chuckle at. Its humorous look at pronunciation and the verb to be – I am, you are, he is – will resonant with many. The text and illustrations work well together conveying to the reader the frustration of the Yam who is trying to correct Donkey and explain the errors he is making.

Children will enjoy the change of mood when the penny finally drops for Donkey and he understands part of what Yam is saying and how that alters their relationship. An excellent book to read aloud which will delight children aged three and up.

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Take away the A written

by Michael Escoffier and illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo is a more sophisticated picture book aimed at children aged six plus. It is an alphabet book with a twist, it links words via their spelling. Did you know that “Without the K the monkey makes money”? The illustrations are superb and whilst appearing quite simple, they add to the text and provide the reader with a seemingly endless number of quirky features to find – each time I have opened the book I spot something that I missed during the last viewing. A book to be shared or poured over alone, Take away the A will delight readers while enriching their vocabulary and understanding of words.

Parenting

Live the life YOU want

By Karyn Riley

A

re you living the life you want right now? Have you ever spent time considering what your ideal life actually looks like? Do you feel like you’re simply existing, with no real direction or plan for the future?

Living the life you want is about turning your hopes, dreams and aspirations into everyday reality. Starting with a clear picture on where you want to go and what you want to achieve in life – your vision – provides focus and clarity on where to begin, enabling you to plan and take action towards setting and achieving goals.

Yet how do you live the life you want if you don’t know what your ‘ideal life’ looks like… you’re so busy with the demands of life and raising a family that you’ve lost touch with who you are and what’s truly important to you. Perhaps the daily grind of juggling responsibilities and seeking ‘work/life balance’ has left you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, disorganised or unmotivated, with no time or energy to think about the future.

Like when you go on holiday, take a break from work and normal routines, or even attend a training course or motivational seminar, you need to take time out to stop, think, breathe and just BE. One of my favourite saying is: “We are human beings, not human doings”.

At times, we need to step back before we can begin to move forward.

Here are my top tips for living the life you want:

Time to visualise Take time out to think about, visualise and write down what you want out of life, both long and short-term.

stimulates the left or logical side of your brain, and helps provide a visual picture towards ‘problem solving’ how to achieve what you want.

Set aside 15-30 minutes, without distractions (make this non-negotiable time in your diary), and write down your thoughts on the following:

Set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals Set yourself up for success by setting realistic goals and take simple, practical action steps each day/week/month to move you towards how you want your life to be, both now and in the future. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, have a set timeframe, enjoyable, and reward yourself at milestones along the way and on achievement of a goal. Prioritise your goals, and focus on completing one thing at a time.

1. Imagine there are no limits in life, financial or otherwise… what are you doing? Who are you being? It can be helpful to break this down into different areas of your life: Work; Family/Friends/Fun; Relationships; Finances; Health and Well-being; Physical Environment; and Community.

2. Are you doing what you love, or are you being the person/parent/woman you want to be right now? If not, what do you need to stop or start doing towards living the life you want?

3. What three things do you want (or need) to change or achieve in your life?

4. What is your greatest challenge or obstacle in making these changes?

5. How would you feel looking back on your life knowing that you had not achieved what you wanted out of life?

6. What one thing can you do today towards making these changes and achieving what you want?

Believe to achieve Believe in yourself and what you want to achieve. Speak positively and tell people about your goals, holding you to accountability; be confident and motivated – stop procrastinating… Just Do It! – and look at visual reminders each day to support your success.

Living the life you want is not about reaching a single destination. As with any journey, there will be distractions, detours and crossroads along the way. Your life plan is designed to be reviewed, with updated visions and new goals put in place along the way.

Add in some daily gratitude and you will be well on the way to living the life YOU want!

Write it down It’s important to write everything down, as this

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Sport

Five tips for a healthy you

By Cate Grace

S

o here’s the thing, school’s back.

Life is hectic out there at the moment and the last thing you need is another fitness expert telling you looking after yourself is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Especially if you’re one of the many parents who’s been waging war in your own head since Christmas lunch saying I really will start that regime this year. I agree it’s not easy to start a healthy routine, however, the fact remains your health is the one thing you need to make time for.

Here’s my five tips to get you started: 1. It’s OK to be a little bit selfish. We seem to have made selfish into a negative word full of guilt. The truth is if you take some time to refill your cup you will have plenty more energy to give to others.

2. Make yourself your own toy box. While you are getting uniforms, lunch boxes and stationery ready, put aside 15 mins to get yourself a specially designated drawer or box for workout gear and nourishing shelf or cupboard. Keep all your exercise gear in a special drawer or box so you can find them quickly. Throw in your favourite water bottle, hat, sunglasses and a spare house key! Do the same in the kitchen. Make a space that’s yours for your favourite lunch container, snack food and spare water bottle.

3. Keep Hydrated. Constantly busy and feeling a little irritable? Or are you that stressed-out back to school parent? Then make more stops to the water tap. Habitual high-volume H2O consumption can lead to a better mood and a significant decrease in fatigue and sleepiness!

4. Exercise snack. Small bits often is a great way to build exercise into your busy day.

Turn up the music loud while you’re house cleaning and get a sweat on. Make picking up toys into lunges and squats.

5. Have fun! Don’t beat yourself up. If you feel your mind chatter treating you like the enemy then make sure you treat yourself like you would treat your best friend. Fight back with words of “YOU ARE AMAZING”!

6. Your time is NOW! Start today on one of my five tips for surviving the New School Year Rush and I’m sure you will be on your way to a fitter, healthier, stronger and happy 2016.

P.S. You’re totally worth it! And your kids will love you for it too!

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Try a triathlon!

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UN, BIKE, BOUNCY CASTLE, GLOOP SLIDE is what we know as a Tiddlers Multisport triathlon! This multi-award winning Christchurch event is hot in demand as youngsters make their way through this action-packed sprint event. Specifically designed for children two years through to eight years of age, Tiddlers Multisport provides the opportunity for young families to participate in mini multisport events that are engaging, challenging and a heap of fun!

Their events are designed to engage young children by making the event attractive and fun, yet designed with different levels of discipline and difficulty by incorporating running, biking, obstacles, inflatables and wet gloop slide as the race layout. Such events teach the fundamentals of sport and activity, giving the children skills, confidence and installing the value of sport and sporting participation.

Competitors receive certificates, heat winners get ribbons and overall age winners a medal.

Tiddlers Multisport was founded in April 2009 by Vivien McCaskey, a triathlete herself, due to a lack of race events for young children. The organisation’s growth has been phenomenal with up to 1,000 children competing in events. Families travel from all over

Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oxford, Waimakariri and Selwyn areas, including Governors Bay, Lyttelton and Akaroa. Vivien believes their success has been as a direct result of them filling this community need.

“Our mission is to motivate and increase the number of young children actively participating in physical activity by creating fun, short, multisport events specifically designed to develop self-confidence, build motor skills and increase general fitness and future well-being.”

Their latest event was held at Spencer Beach Holiday Park, early in January. A great holiday attraction, now in its fourth year, this race has become extremely popular with the holiday campers and day visitors. Although not their traditional high-spec, bells and whistles event, this race is still a great family outing not to be missed and affordable with a gold coin donation entry fee on the day.

Keep an eye on their website for Tiddlers next event.

Further information about Tiddlers Multisport Charitable Trust go to their website www.tiddlersmultisport.co.nz or like their Facebook page.

Dr Rodney Ford

Why is my tummy sore?

This is an excerpt from Dr Rodney Ford’s latest eBook: Gluten Related Disorder. Sick? Tired? Grumpy? We are all at risk from gluten: any person, any symptom, any time.

Why is my tummy sore?

“I’ve got a sore tummy!”

So many children say they have tummy pain. I see them every day in my clinic.

Is this attention seeking or actual pain?

They often say: “I’ve got a sore tummy”, or “My tummy’s sore”, or “Tummy hurt”, or “I’ve an ache in my tummy”.

This is such a common complaint that mostly these symptoms are ignored or explained away as attention seeking. However, I have found that the majority of these children with so-called ‘chronic abdominal pain’ are affected by gluten sensitivity.

Attention seeking or actual pain?

In my experience, these children are in real pain. They need investigation and treatment.

They need help for their tummy pains to go away. Yes, sometimes children do mix up the urge to do a poop with a pain (they feel uncomfortable before they do a poop), and it is gone when they poop. Some children mistake hunger as a pain. But most children with recurring “sore tummies” have a different pain. They are sore, in pain and really hurting.

Can you imagine how they must feel when their pain is just ignored by their parents?

Should children be expected to put up with tummy pains?

Unfortunately, many health professional and pediatricians are still influenced by the teachings from the past. They refer to the writings of the 1960’s, as 50 years ago it was believed that a child complaining about a tummy pain was being “bad” or “naughty”.

Their discomfort and pain was dismissed as “nothing serious” and they were told “you’ll grow out of it” (the authors of these books were John Apsley “Child Development” and Professor Ronald Illingworth “The Development of the Infant and Young Child: Normal and Abnormal”).

I totally disagree with them. Long ago when they wrote their books, they did not have any blood tests available to diagnose glutenrelated disorders; nor did they have any knowledge about gluten or celiac disease; nor was the role of food allergy understood.

Consequently, most common symptoms, including chronic tummy pains, were simply attributed to “the state of being a child”!

Before anyone will take your illness seriously, how many symptoms do you need to have?

How severe do your symptoms have to be?

How sick do you need to be? Why should we ignore a distressed child? Why should

they be simply told “you will grow out of it”?

These children do have real pains. These children warrant caring attention. These children need help and understanding for their symptoms. Some of these children have unrecognised gastric reflux symptoms; some have celiac disease; some have Helicobacter pylori infection; some have chronic constipation; some have food intolerances; and many have gluten sensitivity/intolerance (now called gluten-related disorders).

So what do I do in my Clinic? Well I request gluten and celiac blood tests for all of these children who come and see me with tummy upset. To my surprise (I started this type of testing over 20 years ago), most of these sore-tummy-children have high levels of AntiGliadin-Antibody (AGA). When they strictly avoid gluten and go onto a gluten-zero diet – most get completely better. Their tummy pains go away, and often their parents report better mood and energy. Also with better appetite and better eating.

For instance a mum says: “Thanks for the blood results. A month ago, as soon as I got the first lot of bloods results back, I took Mark off gluten all together (as you recommended). There has been a big improvement in him sleeping and he seems a lot happier. I haven’t been giving him the reflux medication (Losec) for a good few weeks now: I had upped his dose to two pills a day but there was no improvement until I took him off gluten. So it must have been gluten upsetting his tummy. So at this stage we won’t need a follow up appointment as with my family history we a pretty clued up with it all. Thanks for your help sorting Mark, it’s greatly appreciated.”

Mum :-) From my Clinic experience, my opinion is that we should not just ignore these children – please test and treat them! Please do not ignore what your child is saying to you. They might have a gluten-related disorder.

An excerpt from Dr Rodney Ford’s latest eBook: “Gluten Related Disorder. Sick?

Tired? Grumpy? We are all at risk from gluten: any person, any symptom, any time” Available from http://www.

GlutenRelatedDisorder.com facebook.com/CanterburyKids 11

Sleep

Sleeping through the night

By Judy Arnold

I

didn’t realise until I had a baby that wouldn’t sleep through the night until she was 15 months, how important it was to my “success” as a parent that she should have been.

When the “Is she sleeping through yet?” question was asked and I replied honestly “No, I’m up 2-3 times a night” there would come “That Look”, then the question “Have you tried (insert pet theory here)?, I did that and my baby slept through”. Does this sound familiar?

You go from managing and feeling confident to feeling as if you are hopeless at this parenting thing and that all the babies in the world are sleeping through except yours. The age of your baby is never asked, the only constant is the concerned look and then the (un)helpful advice.

What is normal?

It is normal for all babies/children to need some help at times to get back to sleep.

The help will range from a reassuring rocking or patting in their bed to a pick up cuddle to a breast or bottle feed. Sometimes older children even two to four year olds need a snack before they can get back to sleep.

It is normal for a child to take up to five years before they are developmentally able to sleep through the night without help.

So if all this is ‘Normal’ why do some babies sleep through from a young age and others don’t?

Over time I have discovered babies fit into three groups: 12 alliedpress.co.nz

Babies that just sleep Within weeks these babies are sleeping four or five hours without any trouble, they wake, feed and return to bed with ease. This particular group are often sleeping up to eight hours at night by three months. They are just sleepers.

Quick adaptors This group adapt very quickly to change.

This is where all the free advice seems to come from.

With this group a dream feed at 10pm means the first wake is at 3am not 1am.

Resettling back to sleep or not feeding seems to stretch out the first sleep and quickly the baby stops waking and sleeps longer.

Ignoring wake ups at night quickly stops night waking.

These two groups are only 50 per cent of all babies but they are what all the books are written about and most sleep change advice is centred around.

The rest This is the majority, the “normal” babies for want of a better term.

This group of babies/toddlers struggle to sleep independently. They need a parent, often mum but not always, to reassure and resettle during the night.

Breast feeds may be needed because the baby’s tummy is small or mums breast capacity is small.

Some babies in this group are hypervigilant and struggle to get into a deep sleep and need a lot of parental input.

Sometimes returning baby to the breast if you are breast feeding calms your baby and helps them to relax so they can get back to sleep. If you are doing this, please don’t feel like you are doing something wrong or creating bad habits, your baby is not that clever yet, around 20 months – 2 years is when true habits are formed.

The breast for some babies is their safe place. Suckling is not just about milk transfer.

If your baby is struggling with sleep, suckling releases endorphins in their brains, these calm them and help them to relax. Breast milk is full of calming properties that help with both your baby’s sleep and your sleep.

For the same reasons; if you are bottle feeding, an extra 50mls may be helpful or, dare we say it, a pacifier may help.

Finally, it takes time for most babies to learn how to sleep through the night. It is a developmental milestone that each baby reaches in their own time. Being patient and learning to work with your baby instead of trying to make them sleep will remove the stress of night waking on both of you.

Remember, it is only for a season; for some it is a long hard winter, for others it is a brief cold snap.

I can promise you if you have a baby who struggles to sleep in the early weeks and months; once they work it out, they will always know how to sleep, plus you will know how to help your toddler in the middle of the night if they have had a bad dream. Sometimes when a baby has been a good sleeper their parents have not had the opportunity to learn how to help their child get back to sleep. You know your child.

Touch – what a game!

T

ouch, what a game! This catchcry heard at most national tournaments encompasses so much of what is great about New Zealand’s favourite oval ball summer sport.

For touch, or “touch rugby” as a great deal of New Zealanders call our game, can be played by anyone, anywhere, anytime. Males and females play together; it’s played by families and friends alike, with an age range of 5 – 60 all participating, often together. All you need is a ball, a few markers and a willingness to run with and pass a ball. Some northern hemisphere commentators have even suggested our nation’s love affair with touch is one of the reasons our winter code players have such a wide skill set from the forwards through to the backs. What a game, indeed.

Most people consider touch a ‘social’ sport, which it predominantly is – as is most sport. The social nature of touch should be celebrated as it means more people get outside and play, which given our society’s well documented issues surrounding obesity and general wellbeing, can only be a good thing. However, touch, like most well established sports, has a pathway that leads to provincial representation at national tournaments and for the lucky few ultimately representing New Zealand. Many well-known sports stars have trodden this pathway and two that immediately spring to mind are Nehe Milner-Skudder and Shaun Johnson.

It is fantastic then that one of New Zealand’s most popular sports national tournaments are coming to Christchurch in February and

March. The Junior Nationals (U15s & U17s) are in Christchurch for the first time ever in February (12th – 14th) and the Youth, Opens and Masters are back in March (4th – 6th) for the first time since 2005… well we were scheduled to have them here in 2011 until a certain seismic event put paid to that. Both are at the newly renovated fields at North Hagley Park, thanks to the Christchurch City Council.

So why not take the time out, come and see some fast, exciting touch whilst supporting the 17 Canterbury teams playing at both tournaments. Bring a ball and have a throw around with family and friends and get into the spirit of touch…. what a game!

Touch is one of the largest participation sports in Canterbury.

With 15,000 members Touch Canterbury prides itself on being a community driven, results orientated, not for profit organisation.

Touch can be enjoyed by anyone at any level and is a great way to meet new friends and stay active.

Contact: Bruce Morton Chief Executive Officer Email: admin@touchcanterbury.co.nz Phone: (03) 3236102

Location: 18 March Place, Belfast Christchurch City Canterbury, 8051

Postal: P.O.Box 76213, Belfast Christchurch City Canterbury, 8546

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Be The Change

Be the change

By Vicki Edwards-Brown

M

ummy, Noah is being a bully to me!” – one comment that’s heard far too often among our precious little ones. But is he really being a bully? The word ‘bully’ is used a lot these days so let’s clear the definition up: bullying is an unwanted, intentional behaviour that is repeated. It involves an imbalance of power and is hurtful. There are four different types of bullying: 1. Physical ie. hitting and other kinds of force. 2. Verbal, such as name-calling, threatening to cause harm. 3 Social bullying ie. excluding or spreading rumours about someone. 4. Cyberharassment (embarrassing, targeting) of another person via internet, cell or other technology.

Results from a Be The Change NZ workshop showed that 91 per cent of students said there is bullying occurring at their school and 52 per cent said that this behaviour started between pre-school and Year 4. Children as young as three can and do participate in bullying, and these statistics are concerning. Bullying is not “just a normal part of growing up” and it can cause serious harm to children and adults – whether you’re the bully (ie. increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse and antisocial disorders) or if you’re being bullied (ie. low self-esteem, depression).

So, as parents what can you do to help stop this cycle? First of all we need to start creating a culture in which bullying is as unacceptable as child abuse. Children are less likely to bully and be bullied when they develop ‘social and emotional skills’ such as conflict management, the ability to feel and show empathy and the skills to stand up for themselves and others effectively. Research indicates that young people are more likely to be successful academically, and in life in general, when they have these skills (and we all would like one of those, please!)

Here’s a few ideas to ponder upon while you do your third load of washing and pay that overdue bill whilst stopping the work laptop from being used as a digger… Role model respectful, caring behaviour – teach values that emphasise appreciation of differences, such as race, religion, sex. Acknowledge your child’s issues – it may not be that big a deal that your daughter’s Van Gogh was ruined again by her fellow classmate, but don’t just poo-poo it and say, “I was bullied and I’m ok”, or “just get over it” because she will eventually stop talking to you about it – and communication is kind of (ok, very) important as a parent. And likewise, don’t ignore (“Oh no, little Noah would never do such a thing”) – or encourage bullying behaviour in your child by laughing. Explain that it is (to quote Super Nanny in a very posh accent) “unacceptable”. Talk openly about bullying from as early as they can talk, so if it does happen, your child won’t be embarrassed to ask for help.

And as they grow older they can become powerful upstanders (someone who stands up in defence of others) or ‘superheroes’, so empower your children by creating opportunities for them to be kind to others by giving or helping people – take them with you when you collect for a charity, ask them to help bring handpicked flowers to a friend, get them to draw a picture on a get-well card.

For more helpful tools and tips, or to support our charity with a donation, visit our website: www.bethechange.co.nz

14 alliedpress.co.nz

Daddy Diaries

Daddy diaries

Y

ou’re not ready. From the moment you discover you are to be a parent, either for the first time or once more, you begin preparing all manner of things.

There are of course the obvious requirements.

The baby will need a bed to sleep in, a room for the bed and an almost endless number of devices for feeding and cleaning your new baby.

Not too long after all this preparation has been completed and sometimes even before you’re ready, along comes this little wonder and you begin utilising all these things you have prepared. All the while patting yourself on the back as you go. Well done, very organised.

Then there is the mental preparation. Sure you’re not getting as much sleep as you previously were and you haven’t seen any of your friends for weeks but you knew that would happen and once again you were prepared. Good job!

But here is where I find that all the preparation in the world falls apart. Everyone gets

themselves sorted in readiness for a baby.

There is not a parent on this earth who is ready for a toddler. No amount of equipment, books or instructional DVDs can prepare you for the things a toddler will say and do.

There is not a single thing in this world that can prepare you for the moment you are waiting in a crowded store and your little darling points out a lady and says in her sweet but loud voice “that man’s belly is big big!”. There is no correct response to have at the ready, nothing. All you have is a red face, a cold clammy chill and the eternal hope that you will wake up soon. But you can’t wake

up because you already did that at 6:15 this morning when the same little darling broke your slumber to demand to know how big a dolphin poo is.

At this point I would love to provide you with some answers or at least some solace.

However, I need to go and google things about dolphins that even the National Geographic channel is unable to help me with. Then I need to apologise to one of my clients about a possible gender misidentification incident involving her and my daughter a couple of weeks back. Time heals all wounds... doesn’t it?!

Help us to provide a bed Help us to provide Helpaus to provide for him when bed for him when Help us to provide he needs one. a bedhe for him when needs one.

a bed for him when he needs one. he needs one.

MAKE Our rebuild is now complete. More than Since we were founded 90 years ago, just a structure, our new centre reflects Cholmondeley Children’s Centre has YOUR the rights and needs of children today, helped over 25,000 children and their MAKE MAKE Ourorrebuild complete. than Since we were founded 90during years ago, we’llMore be here to support children families times of stress crisis. is nowensuring DONATION Our rebuild is now complete.

Since were founded years for generations to come. More than Likewe a lot of Canterbury justago, awe structure, our new centre reflects Cholmondeley Children’s Centre has 90families, YOUR YOUR just a structure, our new centre reflects Children’s Centre has NOW helped over 25,000Cholmondeley also lost our home the rights and needs of children today, children and theirin the earthquake. the rights and needs of children today, helped over 25,000 children and their ensuring we’ll be here to support children families during times of stress or crisis.

DONATION we’ll be here to support children families during times of stress or crisis.

DONATION To help a child crisisforplease visitensuring www.cholmondeley.org.nz/donate generations come. to come.

Like a lot of Canterbury families, we in families, fortogenerations Like a lot of Canterbury we NOW NOW also lost our homealsoin thelostearthquake. our home in the earthquake.

To help a childTo inhelp crisis please visit please www.cholmondeley.org.nz/donate a child in crisis visit www.cholmondeley.org.nz/donate

facebook.com/CanterburyKids 15

Mummarazzi

Mummarazzi

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Dexter Stonehouse (16mths) riding a donkey at Willowbank.

Ian Jackson (17mths) at the Margaret Mahy Playground.

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Josiah McFedries (3) being a mud monster at Opuha Dam.

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Hair

Summery hairstyle ideas • Braided Bun • Bun • Braids • Headbands • Flowers/ribbons/bows

More tips!

Hair tips

By Stewart Corkin

H

ere are some tips and ideas of things to do with children’s hair.

Detangling

• Put the hair in pigtails - keeping the hair secured back during the day can minimise tangles.

• Using a detangle brush - with three layers of bristles, it gently detangles hair. (We sell them in salon)

• Keeping the hair regularly trimmed can also minimise tangles.

• Using a detangling spray before combing. We have SP After Sun Spray.

This also has UV filters in and is great for children that swim or are often outside.

Or we have Keratin Boost Essence.

• Use spring hair ties instead of normal hair ties. They are easier on the hair, no pulling and less damaging. You can get these from most pharmacies.

SipSnap, the multi award winning, universal lid that can be stretched over any cup making them into spill proof, splash proof lid.

Available in TOT (sippy) and KID each set contains 3 different colours and a carry case so you are never without a spill proof cup for your little one no matter where you are.

Other product ranges include; Wean Meister, Milk Bands and KidsColdPacks. Sales stock now available.

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- Try not to tie up the hair when it’s wet or tie it too tight as this can be quite damaging on the hair.

- A great head lice preventative is, tea tree oil and lavender drops mixed with water in a spray bottle.

Just spray through the hair daily and comb through.

Stewart Corkin is the owner and head stylist at Corkin + Friends, 830 Colombo Street, Christchurch - www. facebook.com/corkinandfriends

Fashion

does nothing for a sleep deprived mum.

Busy mums styling tips

By Stephanie Rumble

C

hances are if you have had children that you have experienced some significant changes in your bodyshape.

Whether your child is a newborn or teenager your life will have changed in so many ways. As a Fashion Stylist and Mum of four (two teenage boys and two ‘tweenage’ girls) I totally understand the ups and downs that go with giving birth and putting yourself last on the priority list.

One of the things that I’ve found that lifts a mum’s confidence is to have some clothes that fit your new shape and flatter you. Getting up in the morning and slopping on yesterday’s dirty trackies and the first tshirt that comes to hand

Being a mum is one of the most awesome parts of my life but equally I love my job. I help people to feel good about who they are by teaching them some basic tips on how to dress their bodies in a practical, affordable and on-trend way. Here are my top tips on how to dress a post pregnancy body: 1.

Sort out your bra – if you are breastfeeding a newborn your choices are a little more limited.

But if you are heading out for an evening without baby put on a decent underwire bra for a few hours and lift those breasts up off your stomach to give you shape, or if you are flat chested buy a padded bra to give you shape. I have controversial views on bras and believe that most women can wear a normal underwire bra once their baby reaches six months old as they tend to feed less. Maternity bras are generally less supportive if you are heavy busted. A moulded cup, bra without lines or seams, gives you great shape and your clothes immediately look better and is a great investment.

2. Buy ‘post baby jeans’ – try Glassons or KMart for a cheap and cheerful pair that fit you! Don’t try and squeeze into the jeans

you wore before you got pregnant as this can make you feel low if you still have baby weight to lose.

3. Breastfeeding mums – invest in four thin-strapped singlets that you wear over your bra and under everything.

These will give you modesty so you can whip your top up and pull your singlet down at the neckline to allow you to feed your baby.

4. Wear colour – it is very easy to slip into the trap of wearing black to hide and cover up. If you prefer dark colours try navy, plum, charcoal, bottle green or dark olive. Pair with a coloured top or scarf to give you a lift.

5. Get up each day and take pride in your appearance – no matter how tired you are, how little sleep you’ve had or how antisocial you may feel – make the effort to put on something that makes you feel good and flatters your shape. Remember you are now a role model for your child. If you don’t like your body they will learn that is normal.

If you want to learn more please follow me on Facebook – BrightRed and feel free to ask me questions about things you want to know more about!

Happy summer dressing brightred.co.nz

Stylish clothing and accessories from bump to breastfeeding.

Shop online for gorgeous maternity wear from top labels like Esprit, Seraphine, Ripe Maternity and many more.

Pregoli offers a range of fabulous dresses, tops, bottoms, work and special occasion wear, luxurious lingerie and swimwear.

For great service, friendly advice, fast, free delivery for orders over $100 and easy returns, visit us at today at

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Nourish

MINI NACHO GLASSES SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 20-30 mins Kids love a portable meal! Try these easy nacho glasses for a fun way to get vegetables into your children. The ‘nacho’ chips are made from pita or tortilla so we are avoiding the higher sodium and fat levels that are found in many commercial varieties. Start children off with their own little glass but be sure to have a bowl of chopped vegetables and ‘nacho’ chips nearby for when the top-ups are needed. So delicious… adults have been known to sneak a glass too!

INGREDIENTS 1 420g can Watties Salsa Chilli Beans GUACAMOLE 1 soft avocado 1/2 finely chopped green onion 1T lemon juice Depending on your child’s taste you can add a combination of: ¼ t finely chopped garlic ¼ t finely chopped chili or a shake of Tabasco sauce

NACHO CHIPS 1 Lebanese pita bread or tortilla A little spray oil A light shake of Masterfoods Moroccan seasoning 2 carrots, chopped into sticks 2 celery stalks cut into sticks Other vegetables as preferred

COOKING DIRECTIONS 1. Split can of Salsa Chilli Beans into each of 4 glasses.

2. Combine all guacamole ingredients in a bowl and mash together until smooth. Place a spoonful into each glass.

3. Heat oven to 180°C. Make nacho chips by spraying pita bread or tortilla with a light spray of oil and shaking over a little seasoning.

Bake in oven around 5 minutes, checking until it’s lightly browned. Leave to cool and cut into small wedges.

4. Steam vegetable sticks until soft if you are concerned about chewing ability or choking.

5. Decorate top part of glass with nacho chips and vege sticks.

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Nourish

PARENT QUESTION “My child loves to eat carrots but is just not interested in other vegetables. If I give him plenty of carrots each day will that meet his vegetable needs?"

While some of us may just be pleased to get any kind of vegetable into our child it is really important to include a variety in their diets. Young children need vegetables each day. All children require a range of nutrients for their bodies to grow and function normally. Vegetables not only contribute to this but, when intake is sufficient, can also help protect us from illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and many cancers, as we get older. We have identified some of the nutrients responsible for these benefits but there are still others that are unknown. What we do know is that vegetables of different colours contribute different combinations of these important nutrients. For this reason it is key to offer our children vegetables of different colours each day.

To make getting their colours fun try making a vegetable face on your child’s plate (carrot nose, red capsicum lips, cucumber eyes etc) or vege sticks with hummus or salsa. Remember to cook vegetables and remove skins if you are concerned about choking or chewing ability. We are naturally attracted to beautiful food – as the saying goes, “We eat with our eyes.” This is nature working to ensure we get our nutrients!

For more detail on what is appropriate for young children see ‘Eating for Healthy Children’ and ‘Eating for Healthy Babies and Toddlers’ Ministry of Health (Can be ordered online from www.cph.co.nz)

TOP TIPS FOR...

Vege Munchers

Let your children be involved in choosing vegetables at the supermarket and preparing them at home – they are more likely to eat them this way. Vegetables eaten during dinner preparation all ‘count’ – don’t panic if they aren’t all eaten when the family sits down for dinner.

If vegetables served on the plate are not acceptable try grating them into a dish such as bolognaise, or mash vegetables and add to mashed potato (always a favourite!) Frozen vegetables are usually picked at their prime and ‘snap frozen’ so they should retain many of their nutrients and are a great option to ensure you always have vegetables on hand that will maintain their good quality.

Tinned vegetables are also processed at their prime but keep an eye on added sugar and salt.

For more information go to www.vegetables.co.nz

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facebook.com/CanterburyKids 21

Performing

Music and sensory play

I

t’s fun to get creative with our children.

It helps them retain all of the new information around them! Combining music with sensory experiences can reinforce children’s learning, whilst creating colourful, new memories. Here are some easy ideas to try!

A bug hunt of champions Sing ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ while you’re hunting through the garden for bugs and spider webs…

Or wrapped up in wet weather gear watching the rain shoot down the spouting! Reinforce the words in the songs, with the world around you!

Picasso vs. Miles Davis Try painting or colouring to music! Make a vibrant playlist and get inspired! Try new genres of music like jazz or baroque and see what you can create.

Sleepy starlight Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star under the heavens if your little one wakes on a clear night.

Apron Divas Cook to music! Bake up a storm while grooving around the kitchen together covered in cookie dough!

Break dance. Don’t break a hip: Put on a CD and try some new dance moves!

We recommend: “Putumayo Kids Presents - World Playground” “Sugar Ant” by Caspar Babypants …and some awesome Kiwi artists: “Voodoo Onesie Dance-Party Lullaby”, by Levity Beet “Do the Woopsie”, by fleaBITE “Underwater Song” and “The Pirate Song” by Itty Bitty Beats “Tamariki Korikori” by Whaia & the Mahitian “Pukekos in the Park” by Bun & Beard Enjoy finding new ways to make musical memories with the ones you love!

Lucy and Jenny 22 alliedpress.co.nz

Benefits to childhood dancing I

n the words of the great philosopher Plato, “Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.” When children dance, these places aren’t so secret and it’s just so thrilling to watch them come alive.

Having danced throughout my life from a young age, I can look back and see it’s helped me in so many ways and in areas of my life I never would have thought of.

Confidence building If I’m being honest, I’ve never been a shy girl, but I’ve seen so many shy and anxious young children come out of their shells and gain confidence during their dance lessons and when they actually perform for the first time after being too shy, it’s a huge accomplishment.

Cooperation There’s nothing like a rushed costume change or tricky pattern changes to bring a bunch of dancers together. The backstage area on concert day is a madhouse of hairspray, glitter, eye liner and dancing shoes, but it’s also the most incredibly bonding experience and creates friends for life. You simply have to help each other out and work together, because the show must go on.

Positive self image Many people have the wrong idea about dance culture, believing that eating disorders and obsession about the way you look are prevalent. There are certainly

cases of this and I don’t mean to infer that it doesn’t happen. However, in my experience, it’s had the opposite effect. It’s taught me there will always be someone that’s more talented, skinnier, prettier or more flexible, so I learned quickly to accept who I am as both a dancer and a person and it’s led to a happier and healthier outlook when I see myself in the mirror.

Dedication It’s impossible to turn up at the end of year recital without having attended classes to learn the choreography. Likewise, you can’t pass exams or participate in competitions without first putting in the hours of rehearsal.

Look at the feet of any dancer and you will see the dedication and commitment right there.

Dancers are athletes, plain and simple, and they put in as much work as any marathon runner.

Passion From the moment I walked into my first dance lesson, I knew I was meant to be there. My passion for dance was borne that day and I’ve never looked back. It grew with every lesson, every performance, every new costume and mastering each new step.

I see that same moment in the eyes of my students now and it’s simply magical.

Dance has been my teacher my entire life and it’s helped shape the person I am today and it may be a teacher for your child too.

Explore. Create. Inspire. Dance.

Emily

SummerTimes is back and packed full of fun events over the summer months. Pick up a summer events guide from your local Council service centre or library, visit summertimes.co.nz or SummerTimes on facebook for more information and events.

INGHAM LAZY SUNDAYS

GOOD NIGHT FILM FESTIVAL

Every Sunday 3 January – 21 February 3pm – 4.30pm Botanic Gardens (Except 21 February, St Albans Park)

Weekends 23 & 24, 30 & 31 January Pre-show 6pm, Movie 7pm Various locations

KITE DAY

ANTHONY HARPER SUMMER THEATRE: WIZARD OF OZ

Bring a rug and enjoy a movie for the whole family.

Saturday 30 January 1.30pm – 4.30pm New Brighton Beach, South of the Pier

GOLD COIN

3 – 21 February Wednesday to Friday 7pm Weekends 2pm & 7pm

Bring your kite and join in the fun with world wide kite makers.

Riccarton House Grounds

TANGLE

SPARKS

5 – 8 February Daily 10am – 12noon or 2pm – 4pm Christchurch Art Gallery Forecourt

VALENTINE’S SPECIAL

No performance Mon/Tues

Saturday 13 February 7.30pm – 10pm North Hagley Park (Postponed to Sunday 14 February if wet)

Bookings recommended

CHRISTCHURCH LANTERN FESTIVAL

CHILDREN’S DAY Sunday 6 March 11am – 3pm Spencer Park

27 & 28 February 5pm – 10.30pm North Hagley Park

A family fun day with games, crafts, pony rides and plenty of entertainment.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with lanterns, music and fireworks.

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