J O B U R G ’ s
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gu i d e
f o r
p a r e n t s
august/ september 2018
the education issue 5 simple ways to grow your child’s brain
health
education
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contents
august & september 2018 - the education issue upfront
publisher
regulars
4 pub’s note When it comes to your children’s schooling, it helps to have a checklist
8 health The value of shared family meals
6 over to you Our readers have their say and share their news and views
features
12 pregnancy Exposure to music plays an important role in your child’s development 14 best for baby The joys and frustrations of raising three children under the age of three
18 toddler time How play time builds your child’s soft skills
30 recipes Delicious smart-carb, sugar-free dishes to make and eat without guilt
20 water therapy A new programme using water-based play is proving beneficial
34 what’s on in August & September Family events, open days and holiday programmes
22 grow their brain How to choose the right school to stimulate brain development 26 bullying is not OK Help your child to deal with bullying and develop confidence 28 power-packed lunchboxes Yummy, healthy lunches for the fussy eaters
50 finishing touch Simple outdoor activities can provide the best experiences 51 a good read Recommended reads for younger children and adults 41 in the next issue of child magazine It’s all about technology and toys, plus a parent’s guide to gaming and tips to help children study
30 free up time Tips to get organised and enjoy leisure time
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32 time out Regain your balance at these beautiful retreats
49 let’s party Joburg’s best party resource
40 family holidays Mozambique offers an allround fun family getaway
49 family marketplace Family and communityrelated resource
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Joburg’s Child Magazine is published alternate monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 6, Canterbury Studios, 35 Wesley Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 0861 867 885, email: info@childmag.co.za. Annual subscriptions (for six issues) cost R150, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by CTP. Copyright subsists in all work published in Joburg’s Child Magazine. We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.
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pub’s note They say that hindsight is 20/20 ... but I would settle for merely being far-sighted when it comes to my children’s education. Your family and friends will no doubt have advised you to put your child’s name down at your chosen school before he or she was even born. It may have been sound advice, but was it sage? How do you know what school will suit your child best? And, how do you know, for sure that the school you choose will truly prepare your child for a future, THE future, when even you don’t know what this will be? In Samantha Page’s piece ‘Ways to grow your child’s brain’ (page 22) she explores how “The educational journey needs to have a vision that extends beyond formalised schooling and a standardised test-based school system into a realm where school presents a microcosm of real life, aims for progress, not perfection, and prioritises the development of the whole child – whatever that means for your uniquely beautiful being. So, parents have to push past convention to find a school that offers learning opportunities that will help the child fully develop into who they were truly meant to be.” The upside is, that with all the pressure, the technological and scientific breakthroughs, your and society’s expectations, there are still just five, relatively simple boxes you can tick when choosing the right school for your child. I may not have 20/20 vision when it comes to my children’s future, but I know that if I had read this article when they were tottering around on wobbly legs, I may have been better placed to choose the school most likely to suit their individual natures, interests and sensitivities. It’s a journey this parenting thing …
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over to you Have your say – we value your thoughts, suggestions and feedback. editor@childmag.co.za
children can burn out too! Gone are the days when children went to school, came home, made a peanut butter sandwich and went to play with the neighbourhood kids. Children are naturally high-energy beings, and very little thought is given to the extreme pressures and overload of activities our children face. In fact, burn out in children is common. If left unchecked, it can lead to depression, complete apathy and health issues. Academic expectations, sports, cultural and religious studies, extra lessons, music, art, drama, dance … when packed back-to-back into the daily schedule of children can lead to them becoming exhausted and this could lead to burn out. Parents should look out for: • a loss of motivation or desire for activities children once enjoyed • anxiety, fearfulness and panic attacks • fatigue, tearfulness, being withdrawn and uncharacteristic tantrums • feelings of dejection, making excuses or refusing activities, physical illnesses, loss of appetite, nail-biting • falling behind in academics or other activities Parents need to be present, watch, communicate, listen with understanding and acknowledge that something needs to change. Act to help and support your child. Work with your child to reduce or stop the activities that cause the greatest stress. Allow time for your children to just BE. Teach your children the importance of listening to their bodies and making healthy choices for themselves – choices that are uplifting, enjoyable and less pressured. Choose to create balance in your and your children’s lives. There is no advantage or positive learning that can take place from overloading a child. Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres
educating Generation Alpha The traditional approach to education must be revolutionised to educate Generation Alpha, whose world differs materially from the world in which their millennial parents grew up. Generation Alpha represents those children who were born after 2010, who are now at the beginning stages of their school careers. These children are the most connected, educated and sophisticated generation ever, so when educating, a school should provide an environment that enhances learning for these digital integrators. These children live in an openbook environment – just a few clicks away from any information, they connect in a borderless world – across countries and cultures – and they communicate in a post-literate community where texts and tweets are brief, and where visuals and videos have the greatest impact. Schools need to place special emphasis on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills so that students are equipped to 6
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see problems from different angles and formulate their own solutions. The ability to think, be creative and act quickly is an indispensable tool for the future, particularly in view of increasing automation and the expectation of the workplace of the future, as identified by the World Economic Forum. Technology must be embraced, but what is of crucial importance is that it is effectively used to enhance pedagogy and improve learning. To achieve this, schools must be equipped with highspeed internet and embrace the value of social platforms. Students must be exposed to new technologies, such as 3D printing, drones and robotics and the possibilities these new technologies create. Entrepreneurial thinking and leadership are also imperative and must form part of the curriculum. Schools must nurture a global outlook so that students can benefit from strong networks. Jenny Coetzee, career educator, Crawford School La Lucia
children learn by example There is an increase in the demand for blood transfusions around this time of year and blood donation needs to form part of our culture. Less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors. Blood donation is vital as the blood is actually split into red blood cells, plasma and platelets, and every unit of it can save a minimum of three lives. As far as leading by example and showing our children what it means to be contributing members of society, it doesn’t get more real than that. With this in mind, it makes sense to become a blood donor and speak to our children about just how important blood donation is. We all know how important habits are – they form our behavioural patterns for life and once they stick, they’re hard to break! Donating blood and talking to your children about donating when they turn 16 [children under 16 are not eligible to donate blood] will create a culture of helping others as their donated blood could be used to treat cancer patients, women during childbirth, children, surgical patients and accident and trauma victims. Silungile Mlambo, Chief Marketing Officer, South African National Blood Service
Let us know what’s on your mind. Send your letters or comments to editor@childmag.co.za
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health
table talk Eating and sharing together around the dinner table helps children develop vital life skills. NICOLE LEVIN
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y friend announced: “Everything I know about business, I learnt at the family dinner table.” I was impressed since she hasn’t any formal education in this area. Her answer made me think that perhaps as parents we may focus too much on what is learnt in formal education and overlook just how much is actually learnt through the simple tradition of eating together as a family. Eating regular family meals together is where so much learning and family relationship building happens. However, in many households, this seemingly simple family ritual is forsaken due to busy schedules and electronic distractions: Cellphones, iPads and TV. Sitting together while everyone is engaging with devices does not constitute a shared family meal! Dr Anne Fishel, a professor at Harvard Medical School and cofounder of The Family Dinner Project, writes: “As a family therapist, I often have the impulse to tell families to go home and eat dinner together rather than spending an hour with me. And 20 years of research in North America, Europe and Australia backs up my enthusiasm for family dinners.”
developing young minds
acquiring social graces The family dinner table is where children learn family and cultural values. It’s also an important place to learn vital social skills such as the correct way to sit and behave at a table, appropriate body language, the art of conversation, taking turns, making eye contact, polite manners and how to interact appropriately in a social setting. When eating outside the family home, or in any other social situation, children then know how to conduct themselves properly. All these 8
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PHOTOGRAPH: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Harvard University research shows that preschool, primary and high school children from families who eat meals together do better intellectually, regardless of social economic class or family structure. The research also showed that for school-age children, regular family meals are an even more consistent predictor of high academic achievement than hours spent at school, doing homework, playing sports, or doing art. Through conversation around the dinner table, children develop their intellectual skills. They are exposed to more vocabulary, storytelling and complex language through listening and speaking with their parents. They can also be exposed to a range of topics that develop their minds such as current affairs, ethics and subjects that may be of interest to them or other family members.
And so, this regular mealtime connection is a life jacket for sailing the rough and rocky seas of childhood and adolescence. social skills aren’t innate; they require practise. The family meal is the perfect place to practise and hone the art of conversation and social graces.
creating emotional wellbeing Family members who eat meals together feel emotionally more connected to one another. These children have a stronger sense of identity, greater stability, a sense of belonging to the family, higher self-esteem, better emotional resilience, experience less stress and are less likely to get depressed or have behavioural problems. Children who eat dinner with their families, and can be encouraged to talk about their day with their parents, will benefit from emotional support from their parents, gain input on problemsolving, and experience improved and stronger parent-child relationships. Teenagers who eat regular family meals together are less likely to drink, take drugs or engage in early sex. They are more likely to be emotionally content and stable, work hard and have positive interpersonal relationships. Studies undertaken in New Zealand show that teenagers who enjoyed regular family meals exhibited more positive moods and had a greater positive view of the future than those who didn’t. “And so, this regular mealtime connection is a life jacket for sailing the rough and rocky seas of childhood and adolescence.”
laying the foundation for healthy eating habits Families who eat together develop better eating habits. Instead of each family member snacking as and when they please, the family sits down to eat a wholesome meal. Children are exposed to a wider range of foods and a more varied diet. Parents have the opportunity to be good role models for healthy eating through the meal choices, this can positively influence children’s own eating behaviours and food choices. Children who eat regular family meals have less chance of developing obesity or eating disorders.
happy atmosphere None of the above benefits can occur if there is a cold stony atmosphere at the table, if parents shout at each other or the children, and if family members fight with one another. The real magic of beneficial family dinners lies in the interpersonal relationships and the atmosphere created at the table: A positive experience gained through a home-cooked meal and a warm atmosphere conducive to sharing stories, chatting and laughing together. These are the daily experiences that build lasting connections. 9
health
make family meals a priority
Making family meals happen is not so easy when people’s lives are busy and their priorities differ, so it is important that the family meal becomes something to look forward to, something that will enhance the day and not add more stress. Tips to make family mealtimes, bonding time: • plan: Schedule family meals as you would other appointments in your week. Family meals don’t have to happen every day, but include them in your family’s schedule whenever you can. Add them to everyone’s calendar in advance. • be flexible: If both parents can’t be there for the whole meal due to work schedules, then organise it so the main course can be eaten with the one parent and dessert with the other. If dinner isn’t possible, try having another meal, like breakfast, together. • turn off all technology: No cellphones, iPads, iPods, TV while eating, this must become a family rule that applies to everyone! • shop in advance: Plan your family meals and shop in advance, so you have all the ingredients you need for your daily meals. • prepare readymade meals: Take the stress out of weekday cooking, make casseroles, soups or sauces over the weekend and freeze. This way no one will become stressed and rushed trying to cook a meal at the end of a busy, tiring day.
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• c hoose quick simple meals: Cook meals that are healthy, quick and easy. The family meal does not have to be a fancy affair! • get the children involved: Let everyone help, whether its chopping or stirring or laying the table and clearing up. Delegate age-appropriate tasks to everyone in the family. Getting everyone involved makes the meal preparation fun and faster and also provides valuable life skill lessons. • have fun: Make the meal fun by playing table games, telling stories, or having an indoor picnic. For ideas for conversation games see The Family Dinner Project: pz.harvard.edu/projects/ the-family-dinner-project or get yourself a pack of Table Talk Conversation Cards from Exclusive Books or Takelot.
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pregnancy
music and your baby’s brain Research shows that early childhood exposure to classical music has a beneficial effect on mental development, enhancing intelligence, learning and creativity. And it starts in the womb. CHILD MAGAZINE
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born at 30 weeks, would respond well, early on, to having music in their environment. Be it on the radio or simply their parents singing silly songs to them. “Often, those silly songs were the only things that stopped the crying.” Around the time the twins were turning eight months old, the Greens were interested to hear that a music programme for babies was launching in the city. Being premature, the girls’ sensory processing development needed addressing, and having read about the benefits of music classes introduced from an early age, they felt it would be a wonderful activity for the girls to be involved in. They were soon enrolled in the music programme and the impact from the first class was nothing short of profound. “Julia, a typical cry baby, sat alone unassisted for the first time, during the entire class. She was riveted.” Music class became the highlight of their week, not only for the obvious enjoyment, but for
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the noticeable developmental improvements in the girls, which included sitting still and paying attention, participation in the group, remembering songs and storylines in advance of the class and understanding and correctly interacting with the different instruments. “And the girls learnt counting and colours quickly because the information was put to song,” says Lauren.
I was teaching piano while pregnant with him and he would jump around like crazy in my belly during the lessons.
PHOTOGRAPHs: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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o you remember that fascinating video that first did its rounds a few years ago of a baby that, astonishingly, appeared moved and became teary as his mom sang a Rod Stewart ballad to him? Laurel Trainor, a professor of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour and director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind (MIMM) in Canada, was asked to explain this in an interview with National Geographic. She stated, interestingly, that research has shown that the ear is very mature at birth and that an infant can actually distinguish between major and minor chords. As many people understand minor chords to sound sadder than major chords, was the “emotional baby” able to comprehend the sad content of the song? I imagine this question was the reason the video went viral. Cape Town-based parents Lauren and Jeff Green found that their twin girls, who were
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pregnancy
making music is a catalyst for learning The role that music plays in a child’s development is a topic that has received major airtime. In the early 90s, The Mozart Effect was brought into public light. The concept suggests that early childhood exposure to classical music has a beneficial effect on mental development, enhancing intelligence, learning and creativity. But, with time, the theory that simply playing classical music to your child will make them smarter had to make way for further research. “There is no evidence that listening to classical music has any more benefit than listening to any other type of music,� says Trainor. Rather, she emphasises the fact that whatever sensory experience infants have affects their brain development, and music is no exception.
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The MIMM, which Trainor heads up, is an interdisciplinary group of researchers including psychologists, neuroscientists, music theorists, musicians, dancers, media artists, mathematicians, kinesiologists, health scientists and engineers. Part of their function is to study how the musical experience affects brain development, how musical training and exposure affects language, and cognitive and social abilities. In 2012, the institute released results from a study that was the first of its kind. In the study, groups of babies and their parents spent six months participating in one of two types of weekly music instruction. One class involved interactive music-making and learning a small set of lullabies, nursery rhymes and songs with actions, and parents
and infants worked together to learn to play percussion instruments, take turns and sing specific songs. In the other music class, infants and parents played at various toy stations while recordings from the Baby Einstein series played in the background. Babies from the interactive classes showed better early communication skills, such as pointing at objects that were out of reach, and waving goodbye. Socially, these babies also smiled more, were easier to soothe, and showed less distress when things were unfamiliar or didn’t go their way. While both class types included listening to music and all the infants heard a similar amount of music at home, a big difference between the classes was the interactive exposure to music.
got the music in you Cape Town-based mom Kirsty Savides is musical, so this naturally flowed into her parenting but, reassuringly, the way she integrated music into her child’s live is simple enough for any parent to consider. Kirsty exposed her son to music in utero and was already getting positive cues. “I was teaching piano while pregnant with him,” she says, “and he would jump around like crazy in my belly during the lessons.” Short of moms-to-be being able to play the piano, many moms like to play baroque or classical music in the house when it’s time to wind down. Quite remarkably, there are studies indicating that infants remember sounds experienced in the last couple of months before birth. So go on, turn the radio up, it’s good for both of you.
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best for baby
three under three Parenting three children under the age of three may not be particularly special, but it certainly requires special skills. MICHELLE LEWIS
Three under three, say ‘cheese’
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es, there are people with four children under the age of three, and even with five under three, so I can’t pretend to be special. However, I’ve come to learn that if you have more than two children under the age of three, you’ll face very different challenges to those families who have better paced their contribution to the world’s population. This article is about what I’ve learned so far and what any other moms on this journey have to look forward to.
car choices are limited This is the biggie – it might shock you and it will certainly cost you. We all know that children under the age of three need to travel in a car seat. But, try and find a sedan or SUV with three isofixes, I dare you. You’ll soon realise that you have no choice but to upsize your car. All attempts to avoid the mom-mobile must be thrown out the window. Embrace your creche on wheels, toss aside your hot mamma aspirations, and look for a microbus. Trust me when I tell you this – my husband has done his research. SUVs are mostly out, apart from the Mercedes-Benz GL500. Your microbus options are the Hyundai H1, the VW Caravelle or the VW New Generation Kombi. Done deal! Don’t think about it too much, move on because your hands are full.
to survive. Baby book authors be gone! The best advice, which I keep on repeat in my mind, is that your children won’t always want to climb into your bed. They eventually will sleep in their own, and you’ll miss those demanding cuddles, or, in the case of my middle child, those armswinging sledgehammer moves that wake you up as she rolls over.
an altering state of mind Empathy. Problem-solve. Consistency. (Repeat cycle). I’ve realised that to survive I have had to evolve mentally. I’ve never developed such a quick and deep sense of empathy as I have now because of this experience. I have to constantly remind myself when my eldest demands (on repeat!) that she wants tea at 4am in the morning, that she’s just two and a half years old. That’s tiny. Not yet three years walking on this earth. I have to remind myself that the super-size tantrums my middle baby throws is because she can’t talk, not because she’s being naughty, and so I hand over the newborn, and try problem solve until my one-and-a-half-year-old child settles. And when all else fails, bring out the consistency card. My girls have also had to learn, and quickly, that Mom is not a pushover. I pick my battles of course, but when I do, I’m in it to win it and not because of some power trip. Oh no. I’ve come to realise that giving in to your two- or one-year-old child’s demands will make life hell. So they’ve come to learn the deep well of consistent (and persistent) will that their mother possesses. When I’m having a tough day, I cast my mind to single moms in this position, or to carers in baby homes – I bow in admiration and start my Google search to uncover their advice and inspiration. Nothing beats mom-to-mom advice. I hope you’ve enjoyed mine. Michelle Lewis is a 36-year-old mom of three girls, Hunter, Harper and little Harvie. She’s also a businesswoman who runs a food and music festival and a public relations business.
Nothing beats mom-to-mom advice.
bye-bye routine Routines are now a distant memory as you embark on night wakings and not necessarily because of your newborn. Oh no … your toddlers whose green-with-envy eyes glow in the dark and whose needs break your heart just don’t understand that Mom is feeding [enter new baby name], or mom is putting to sleep [new baby], or Mom is bathing [new baby]. And so, you scramble into their beds at night, ignoring the doctor’s orders to rest, and you cuddle your teething babe to get her back to sleep, breaking every rule in the routine book. And you know what? That’s OK. A-n-y-thing 16
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time for toddlers
let the children play Google recently conducted research to define the top eight criteria needed to succeed at the company. It turns out that soft skills, often derived from just playing, are the ones most likely to guarantee success. Meg Faure
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eing able to look into a crystal ball and see the jobs of the future would be great And what would these jobs be? The only real clues we have is that those jobs are unlikely to be ones that can be automated – if a computer, robot or artificial intelligence can do it, your child won’t be needed to do it. The other sure thing is that a flexible mind and adaptability will be strengths that will come in handy! Google recently conducted recruitment research called Project Oxygen to define the top eight criteria needed to succeed at Google. This research gives us a clue as to what we need to foster in our children. And guess what? It’s not hard skills – in fact, the lowest of the eight criteria that Google look for is a skill – stem skills; the other seven criteria are soft skills. Soft skills are those intangible strengths that we need to foster in toddlers to set them up for success, happiness and lifelong learning. Here are five soft skills that play sense prioritises and that overlap with Google’s findings:
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Collaboration: The ability to understand one’s own mind, the mind of another and make connections with other human beings is critical in the work world. For the two year old, this is best fostered in small group settings. When leaving home for the first time, your child should experience socialisation in a protected and nurturing environment. This beds down the foundation for a collaborative mindset.
In the young child, play is the secret to igniting this fire ... Creativity: The ability to create something out of nothing, to envisage an end product and plan the steps to get there are critical to a creative mindset. Simple toys, free play and imaginary play lay the foundations for lifelong creativity.
Self-regulation: The ability to manage strong emotions, create a balanced response to changes in the world and to moderate one’s own behaviour is a vital part of learning and success. The only way a young child learns selfregulation of strong feelings and overwhelming behaviours is in the context of loving, empathic relationships. As parents and teachers, we need to be coregulators – facilitating the development of self-regulation. Executive function: The CEO of the brain – executive function – plans the way to achieve something, weighing up all resources at one’s disposal. Executive function activates the plan, reassesses as one goes along and changes direction should the need arise. This mental flexibility and ability to see the bigger picture as well as the finer details is a critical soft skill. It is wonderfully developed as little ones embark on free play and imaginary games. Super senses: The motivation, will and drive to learn, be challenged and the spark to engage are what we call the super senses – intangible soft skills that drive a child to master his world and develop a lifelong love for learning. Every educational opportunity should nurture this magic quality. In the young child, play is the secret to igniting this fire and it is the best way to develop these important soft skills. Meg Faure is the founder of Play Sense.
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dealing with difference
a new way to learn, play, explore and grow Aqua Sensory is a different approach to teaching children how to swim and is proving valuable in enhancing early childhood development and strengthening parent-child bonds.
qua Sensory – a relatively new programme developed in the UK – is a unique way of teaching young children to swim; it combines sensory exploration and play in the pool. This approach also fosters parent-child interaction – free playing and relaxing in water (itself a multisensory environment) together with the parent releases oxytocin (the happy hormone) and creates a sense of calm. The programme adapts common land therapies such as singing, movement and massage to water-based play, thereby enhancing the development of emotions and brain functions as well as gross motor skills.
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According to Leanne Harrison, Aqua Sensory teacher and swim coach and centre manager at Swimmable – one of the first Aqua Sensory-accredited swim schools in the country – the programme has many benefits for young children. “Aqua Sensory is a nonjudgmental and non-pressurised programme for introducing little ones to water and learning to swim. It is an experiential and child-led programme; while there is a lot of structure and thought that goes into each class, there are no set goals or outcomes. Play becomes very much guided by the parent and child – not simply free play – but purposeful play. Play is so important; it increases confidence, selfesteem and creates emotionally balanced and
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strong children. Let’s not underestimate the value of play, it is not just singing, splashing and free play. Play is the very foundation of what a child needs to learn and develop into a strong and happy child,” she explains. “Swimming teachers have a valuable sensory medium to work with. The value of the pool and the natural properties of water should not be underestimated. Water can provide a safe and supportive environment, the freedom to move more than on dry land and the opportunity to tune into our deep emotional centres. To calm and regulate our senses and relieve any stress. It can be so much fun and full of play! In terms of cognitive development, the first few years of life, in which there is
PHOTOGRAPH: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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CHILD MAGAZINE
incredible brain growth, are so important. The brain loves repetition and needs it to learn. Children naturally say ‘again, again, again’, signalling their eagerness to learn, and through repeated sensory play activity, a child’s skills become automatic. And, when this fun, play and exploration is undertaken in water, with its calming and supportive effects, the process of wiring and mapping the senses in the brain is completed,” says Harrison.
red flags Harrison says that apart from the obvious benefits of the Aqua Sensory programme, it can be useful in flagging sensory processing disorders and motor delays. “While it is not our role to diagnose, we, as instructors, are able to carefully select suitable activities and include them in our normal classes as well as doing a specific aqua sensory class – depending on the child and their individual needs,” she concludes.
how Aqua Sensory began
In 2012, Jo Wilson, founder of Aqua Sensory, became interested in finding out why developmental delays and sensory processing disorders among young children were increasing. And so began her sensory journey. At a workshop for parents, she was shown a series of movements to help calm children, to aid balance and increase brain connections. This was her lightbulb moment! She realised just how sensory
activities can positively impact a child’s development and set about creating a programme where these activities could be adapted and used in the swimming pool with the focus on fun and freedom. Aqua Sensory is the result of Jo’s passion and collaboration with experts such as occupational therapists, psychologists and early childhood development practitioners. For more information, visit: aquasensory. com/about-aqua-sensory
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education
5 simple ways to grow your child’s brain Recent research suggests brain development and stimulation should be an important consideration when choosing a school. SAMANTHA PAGE
how do you choose? “What is important,” says educational consultant Gary Gruber, “is to find a school and a programme that fits the child and their needs. Instead of fitting the child to the school, think about fitting the school to the child. Too much of the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach has resulted in learners losing interest in learning, and becoming bored, frustrated and disappointed with their school experiences.” But that’s a big ask when you’re weighing up the options for a seven year old whose talents, interests and personality are just starting to emerge and very often, despite your desire to apply a more contemporary set of criteria to your choices, parents approach education and schooling as they experienced it. “We are prisoners of the pictures and experiences of education that we had,” says Tony Wagner, expert-in-residence at Harvard’s educational innovation centre and author of The Global Achievement 22
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Camilla Blomfield Freshshoots Photography | www.freshshoots.co.za
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t is said that a good school delivers excellent academic results, has a rich and diverse extramural programme, demonstrates a keen interest in integrating technology into the classroom and has teachers who are well-educated and committed. While these criteria seem reasonable, more and more parents are realising that a good school that ticks all the boxes is not necessarily the best school for their child.
Gap. “We want schools for our kids that mirror our own experience, or what we thought we wanted. That severely limits our ability to think creatively of a different kind of education. But, there’s no way that tweaking that assembly line will meet the 21st-century world. We need a major overhaul.” And that overhaul, that unthinking, begins by applying a different set of criteria to your choices with new research pointing towards a school’s ability to stimulate the growth of your child’s brain as a major building block to a rich, inspiring and motivating schooling experience and a primary consideration for parents canvassing schools for their kid.
building a brain At birth, a baby’s brain contains 100 billion neurons (as many as there are stars in the Milky Way!) and during their formative years, children will continue to grow trillions of brain-cell connections, called neural synapses. However, scientists agree that the general rule for brain wiring is ‘use it or you’ll lose it’. Synapses that are not wired together through stimulation are pruned and lost and they can never be regenerated or replaced. According to Dr Stuart Shanker, co-author of Early Years Study 2 and York University professor of psychology and philosophy, children are born with a genetic blueprint, which provides a basis for everything from hair colour to the tendency to develop certain abilities or health problems, but this combination of genes does not fully determine the child’s life path. He explains that genes need ‘instructions’, so while genetics create the potential for a child to be very tall, poor nutrition can inhibit their growth so that they never reach that potential. “The same applies to a child’s ability to count or relate to other people.” So while you can’t change your child’s genetic blueprint, the care and interaction you provide, first at home, and then in a more formalised setting, can influence how it plays out.
5 important criteria So what should you be looking for in a school environment that relates specifically to the growth and development of your child’s brain? Here are five important new research-based criteria:
#1
mess it up
Young children rely on sensory input to learn about their environment, which is why learning centres should incorporate opportunities for rich textural experiences such as playing with shaving foam, mud, slime, safely altered temperatures, smells, shapes and sizes. Research suggests that sensory play helps build neural connections that support thought, learning and creativity, and also activates the following critical neural pathways: • language development • cognitive growth • fine and gross motor skills • problem-solving • reasoning and social interaction Find out more: http://messitup.co.nz/why-bother/ 23
education
#2
growing and learning outside the classroom
#3
barefoot builds brains
Rae Pica, an early childhood education consultant and the author of 19 books, makes a compelling case for discarding Outdoor play is an essential component of brain development. Studies shoes and socks and allowing your child to be guided by the richly show that active, outdoor, free play can lead to improved academic evocative experience of going barefoot. performance. Research by Anthony Pellegrini “There’s scientific evidence that barefooted and Robyn Holmes demonstrates that providing is better. Among other things, it’s important children with outdoor play breaks during for the development of the nervous system the school day maximises their attention to and to optimal brain development as well. cognitive tasks. Other benefits are: Turns out the feet are the most nerve-rich • children are less fidgety and more on-task parts of the human body, which means they when they have regular playtime contribute to the building of neurological • recall is improved when learning is spaced pathways in the brain. Covering them in shoes, out rather than concentrated therefore, means we’re eliminating all kinds of • children exercise leadership, teach games, opportunities for children’s brains to grow new take turns and resolve conflict neural connections.” • they learn negotiation and conflict – Kahlil Gibran Find out more: http://www.raepica.com/ resolution in order to keep the game going Find out more: https://education.umkc.edu/download/berkley/Theread all about it Importance-of-Outdoor-Play-and-Its-Impact-on-Brain-Develpoment-inAs if we needed it, the journal Pediatrics recently offered Children.pdf hard evidence that reading feeds young brain development. Study leader
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
#4
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Dr John S Hutton at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital used functional MRI scans to assess real-time changes in the brains of 19 preschool children as they listened to stories being read to them. The results showed the following: • reading stimulates the side of the brain that helps with mental imagery, understanding and language processing • brain activity while hearing stories was higher in children who were also read to at home • reading is a natural method for easing tension and anxiety • instilling a love for reading can increase their life expectancy Find out more: https://www.mother.ly/parenting/how-reading-impactsyour-kids-brain
#5
practicing mindfulness
Jon Kabat-Zinn, the biologist who first coined the term ‘mindfulness’ in the 70s, defines it as a state of mind: The act of “paying attention on purpose” to the present moment, with a “non-judgmental” attitude. Fast-forward almost four decades and the idea of using this cognitive tool in the classroom starts catching fire with a few schools in the UK experimenting with the idea in 2007 with a series of fixed lesson plans. Since then, more schools have started to see the value
of improving kids’ attention and emotional regulation by introducing a means of children taking their emotional temperature throughout the day and integrating emotions and feelings into the curriculum. Other advantages are: • improved attention and reduced stress • better emotional regulation • improved capacity for compassion and empathy • long-term mindfulness training can help thicken the cortical regions of the brain related to attention and sensory processing Find out more: https://mindfulnessinschools.org/wp-content/ uploads/2013/02/MiSP-Research-Summary-2012.pdf
where to from here? The educational journey needs to have a vision that extends beyond formalised schooling, and a standardised test-based school system, into a realm where school presents a microcosm of real life, aims for progress not perfection, and prioritises the development of the whole child – whatever that means for your uniquely beautiful being. So parents have to push past convention to find a school that offers learning opportunities that will help the child fully develop into who they were truly meant to be.
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education
stamp out bullying Being bullied has long-term negative effects on a child. If your child is being bullied, here are some tips on how to help them. CHILD MAGAZINE
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feel about ourselves. Bullies, who have low self-esteem, tend to target children who have low self-esteem. Both parties deal with a lack of self-esteem or self-worth in their own way and both need assistance to change this. And, herein, lies the first and most important key to stamping out bullying – improving confidence and self-value.”
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8 top tips for dealing with bullying Help your child by becoming their safe place. Ensure that you always listen in a non-judgmental way and provide a supportive shoulder for your child to lean on. Help your child to reclaim their power. Within each of us is the power to make positive choices. We can choose to internalise the words or actions of a bully, or we can choose to stay detached and not allow these negative behaviours to determine who we are or to affect our behaviour.
PHOTOGRAPH: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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ullying is never OK. This type of destructive behaviour should not be ignored, but dealt with firmly. Unfortunately, there is no one-stop-shop solution to the problem, but parents can help their children to develop skills to counteract bullying behaviour. Building selfworth is the key to long-term success. Navigating a world of people can be more challenging than climbing the most treacherous of mountains! Cindy Glass, Director of Step Up Education Centres, says: “We are governed by emotions, and, unless kept in check, negative emotions can lead to negative behaviours that are detrimental to others as well as to ourselves. Bullying is a national epidemic and the harmful effects on a bullied child can last a lifetime. If you can remember that we can only give to others what and how we feel about ourselves, we will understand that someone who has a need to hurt another is hurting himself! We are also like magnets; we unconsciously attract into our lives, people who reinforce how we
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Teach your child that it is not OK to be treated badly by others. Do not ignore incidents of bullying in the hope that it will go away. The lower your child’s sense of self becomes, the more intensely they are likely to be bullied. Instil in your child that it is not their fault or something that they brought upon themselves. Help them to understand that being picked on is not because they are weak. Consider enrolling your child in activities that build confidence. A confident child is less likely to be preyed upon by a bully. Extramurals such as drama, team sports, scouting and guiding, dancing, art and debating are a good place to start. If your child shows signs of being physically hurt by bullies, you will need to ask the teacher, head of department, or even the principal for help. Give them the details and avoid becoming over-emotional. Do not confront the bully yourself. This will most likely prompt the bully into expanding their attack on your child. Confronting the parents of the bully can also lead to negative outcomes because of the intense emotion that both parties are likely to feel. Schools need to focus on teaching children emotional intelligence skills. Remember, it is the bullied child as well as the bully who need support in developing positive self-worth.
A confident child is less likely to be preyed upon by a bully.
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healthy eating
packed with health and taste These power-packed lunchboxes – selected from the recently released My Fussy Eater cookbook – are quick to prepare, making a busy mom’s life easier. Each lunchbox is filled with yummy, healthy food that will appeal to even the fussiest of children.
ham and cheese wrap lunchbox
cheesy chicken fritters lunchbox
turkey salad wrap lunchbox
sausage skewers lunchbox
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h am, cheese and apple wrap a few tortilla chips hummus or any other dip chopped veggies and fruit handful of popcorn
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c heesy chicken fritters mini deli peppers stuffed with cream cheese chopped veggies and fruit cranberry and coconut cookie
about the book
• • •
t urkey or chicken slices, lettuce, tomato and avocado mayo wrap piece of cheese chopped veggies and fruit slice of strawberry banana bread
• • • •
ini sausages and tomatoes m on skewers garlic and herb breadsticks hummus or any other dip chopped veggies and fruit raspberry chia crumble squares
My Fussy Eater is authored by Ciara Atwell, a UK-based blogger, food writer and mom. It is packed with 100 healthy, delicious, family-friendly recipes, meal plans and the author’s tips on dealing with fussy eaters. Each recipe uses simple everyday ingredients and takes no longer than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. My Fussy Eater provides practical solutions for fussy eaters that can be enjoyed by the entire family, negating the need to make separate meals. Published by Bonnier Publishing, the book is available from Takealot for R286.
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get organised
free up your time for the good things Modern day living is generally characterised by rushing and trying to do everything at speed. This means that we often miss out on doing those small things that bring us great joy. PENNY NTULI
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ave you ever sat down at the end of the week and realised you just couldn’t find the time to do all the things you set out to do? Juggling work, household chores, childcare, reading and exercise all in one day can sometimes seem impossible. But, by carefully organising your days, you will have some time to ‘smell the roses’ and sit back and enjoy some downtime. Here are five tips to help free up your time for what’s good in life:
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1. take a step back The first and most crucial action is to take a step back and look at what’s good in your life and what could be better. Ask yourself what you want to do more of, or what you want to change. Stepping back helps you prioritise what’s important and what’s not, so you can find the time to do the things you want. 2. set a daily routine Now it’s time to organise. Organising a list of
3. do a little bit every day
Being organised allows you more time to be present
tasks helps you achieve balance by ensuring things get done when they need to without consuming too much of your time. Daily chores can leave you exhausted and with little time to enjoy the weekend. Organising your time at the start of each week with a to-do list helps you plan to save time. There are plenty of mobile apps that can help you and many of them are free.
Benjamin Franklin once said: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” But don’t cram too much into one day, you’ll end up exhausted and frustrated. Instead, do a little every day, particularly those small chores you tend to save up to tackle over the weekend. Start preparing a few days in advance if you’re planning a dinner party and divide your to-do list over a few days. It will also help you to create a routine and give you some valuable time to kick back over the weekend.
4. smart shopping Creating the right lists and planning ahead saves money and time. Most people only make one shopping list, but having weekly and monthly lists helps to save you time in the long run. Put the rapidly expiring items such as vegetables and fruits on the weekly list, and the big quantity items such as long-life
milk, cheese, cereals and cleaning liquids on the monthly list. Include a good variety of packaged goods. Companies are making great strides in using recyclable materials, so always look on the back of packaging for the magic recycling logo. Not only will they help keep your food safe for much longer, they also make life so much easier. Packaged tomato puree and peeled and crushed garlic for dinners and milk and juice boxes for lunchboxes are simple and convenient.
5. ask for help
It may seem like an easy way out, but don’t be shy to ask for help. The online explosion means there are all kinds of services that can help you plan events, fetch or deliver packages, or get the weekly shop delivered right to your door or have it waiting when you arrive at the retailer. It’s smart and it saves tension and hours of research.
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just breathe There comes a time when even adults need time out. These local and international retreats are guaranteed to restore balance and harmony. ANÉL LEWIS
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et’s face it, our lives are demanding and there are times when it seems impossible to attain any semblance of a work-play balance. Healthy eating falls by the wayside as we struggle to keep up with the endless to-do list of tasks, school activities and social obligations. Some of us battle to sleep at night, compounding the fog of exhaustion through which we already view the world. Imagine being able to just get away from it all to spend a few days in a beautiful location where you are able to find your emotional, physical and spiritual equilibrium? In the hit film Eat Pray Love, based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s awarding-winning memoir, Julia Roberts’ character sets off on her journey of spiritual renewal after a divorce.
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She finds her zest for life by indulging in the culinary delights of Italy, refocuses her mind by meditating at an ashram in India and restores her faith in love on the beaches of Bali. Retreats have certainly come a long way from the days when they were ostensibly an escape from secular life and were usually held in silence to encourage contemplation and meditation. While retreats still do offer the same opportunities for quiet introspection (and I am sure there are those of us who would relish some silence without hearing “Mom, where are my school shoes?” on repeat), many of today’s escapes are better described as “wellness vacations”. These hiatuses, usually offered in breathtaking destinations, fulfil the
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same needs as the traditional retreat: Spiritual enlightenment, mental invigoration or physical renewal. But, nowadays you also have the option of a themed retreat with the focus on a particular interest or activity. In addition to reflection and self-exploration, you are able to channel your inner yogi, find the perfect barrel to surf, or push that little bit harder to set a CrossFit PB. Child Magazine has compiled a list of three local and three international retreats that will set you on the path of enlightenment for your own Eat, Pray, Love experience.
PHOTOGRAPH LEFT: Cape Town Retreats, Tulbagh | RIGHT: Surf Yoga Retreat, Cape St Francis
time out
local is lekker Body-Mind-Soul Weekend Retreat, Magaliesberg fairygodmotherinc.com/ body-mind-soul-weekend-retreat-gauteng The website copy introduction to this holistic retreat really resonated. “Are you so busy being busy that it feels like you’ve lost touch with what’s truly important? Are you so involved with taking care of others – your children, spouse, business, clients, life – that you have lost connection with yourself?” This weekend breakaway at the Melody Hill Retreat on the banks of the Magalies River will allow you to connect to your dreams and destiny. Activities have been chosen to alter the mind – with meditation; the body – with yoga, nature walks and nutritional food; and the soul – with a deep exploration of dreams and intuition. It promises to leave you feeling nourished and reconnected with your “soul dreams, desire and destiny”.
Cape St Francis Retreat, Eastern Cape capestfrancis.co.za The actor Paul Walker once said: “Surfing soothes me, it’s always been a kind of Zen experience for me. The ocean is so magnificent, peaceful, and awesome. The rest of the world disappears for me when I’m on a wave.” The
Cape St Francis Resort offers customised fourday packages that can include surf lessons, daily yoga and life coaching. There are daily classes and activities, and the whole experience is fully catered with nutritious and light meals. The retreat programme has been designed to “refresh and store” by helping to manage your emotions, reduce depression and alleviate anxiety. The added bonus, if you opt for the surfing lessons, is also the opportunity to “find your stoke” in the waves. Cape Town Retreats, Tulbagh, Western Cape capetownretreats.co.za If you yearn for the tranquillity of being in nature, the Wild Woman’s Nature Retreat is the ideal escape to recalibrate your mind and soul. The seven-day retreat allows you to reconnect with yourself and other women. It includes daily mindful yoga, nature walks and evening meditation. A plant-based eating
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plan provides physical benefits that include weight loss, clearer skin and renewed energy. The experience aims to create a gentle and safe space for women of all ages and backgrounds to come together and share their experiences. Cape Town Retreats founder Annie Wyatt explains: “By getting back to basics we allow ourselves to turn within, releasing negative patterns that do not serve our authentic selves.” This package is just one of the retreats offered by Cape Town Retreats on the Guinevere Guest Farm.
vibration of centuries of yoga and meditation. This package includes daily meditation and yoga, five days of juice fasting, vitamin-rich veggie broths, a colon cleanse with psyllium husks, three days of Ayurvedic meals and a cooking lesson, two full body massages, and access to the pool and nature walks. There are
across the oceans Namaste Retreats, India namasteretreatsindia.com Overlooking the foothills of the great Himalayas, situated on the banks of the holy Ganges River, is a deep-cleansing retreat that promises to transform your body and mind. Its sacred location means that Rishikesh holds the
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also excursions to temples and other sites. The retreat is hosted by Annie Wyatt, founder of Cape Town Retreats. She is a detoxification specialist and yoga teacher with more than two decades’ experience running yoga retreats in South Africa. Wide Open Writing Retreat, Tuscany, Italy wideopenwriting.com/tuscany2018 It’s said that there’s a book inside each one of us and if your inner author is yearning to reveal itself, a writing retreat in the Tuscan hills may be just the change of scenery you need to get to those creative juices flowing. Spend six days writing and nurturing your creativity while living on a working farm in the Chianti region of central Italy. The farm produces its own olive oil and wine, there are hiking trails through the vineyard and two pools that provide the ideal settings for quiet reflection. Daily activities include optional morning
PHOTOGRAPH LEFT: Namaste Retreats, India | RIGHT: Bliss Sanctuary for Women, Bali
time out
yoga, two group sessions and plenty of free time to explore this magnificent region. San Gimignano, the nearest town, is known as the Medieval Manhattan because of its remaining 14 towers. Mornings on the farm are dedicated to generating creative work, while the evenings are for sharing and feedback. There are also al fresco meals on the veranda to look forward to. Participants are able to have one-on-one sessions with the facilitators to chat about writing, or even just life in general as they are also trained therapists. “The retreat is for anyone who wants to explore their creative side in a fun, nurturing atmosphere,” says Regina Tingle, co-founder of the Wide Open Writing transformative retreats. Bliss Sanctuary for Women, Bali blissanctuaryforwomen.com I can think of no better a destination to heal the body, mind and soul than idyllic Bali.
The Bliss Sanctuary offers a personalised experience that caters to your individual needs. The aim is to make you feel reinvigorated and energised. The premise of Bliss Sanctuary, the only women’s sanctuary in Bali, is that a small community of like-minded women is able to enjoy a safe and rejuvenating spa vacation. One of the many retreats on offer is a CrossFit Bliss Package that combines strength fitness training, based on your fitness level, with unlimited massage and spa treatments. Other activities include yoga classes onsite and at other leading yoga studios around Bali, unlimited spa treatment, freshly prepared Balinese food – especially welcome after an intense training session – and personal drivers to take you around the island to see the temples, rice paddies and beaches that make up some of the sights and experiences of this extraordinary Indonesian escape. There are a number of packages available including
a Self-Empowerment Package (also the most popular), a Water Lover Package, a Thrill Seeker Package and even an Eat, Pray, Love Package, which recreates experiences from the movie.
At some point, you’ve got to let go and sit still, and allow contentment to come to you. – Elizabeth Gilbert
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recipes
healing & healthy recipes Good nutrition plays a vital role in not only keeping body and mind healthy, but also in fighting and preventing disease. With spring on its way, why not feast on these delicious smart-carb, sugar-free dishes from Eat Lekker For Goodness Sake by the same author of LowCarb is Lekker.
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orange cocoa muesli with yoghurt and naartjie curd swirl yields 12 x ½ cup portions
for the sauce • 100g butter • zest of 1 orange • juice of ½ an orange • 3 tbsp cocoa powder • 4 tbsp xylitol • 2 tbsp vanilla • Pinch of salt
in, one by one, the remaining sauce ingredients. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for 2–3 minutes. Place the desiccated coconut and almond flakes in a mixing bowl. In a food processor, swiftly pulse the sunflower seeds and pecans together and add to for the seed mix the almond and coconut mix. • 1 cup desiccated coconut Pour the sauce over the nut • 1 cup almond flakes mix and gently mix with your • 2 cups sunflower seeds hands until the sauce is fully • 2 cups pecans or walnuts incorporated into the nuts. Spread out the nut clusters Preheat the oven to 175°C. In a evenly on a sheet pan lined saucepan on medium heat, melt with baking paper. Bake for the butter. Remove the saucepan 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway from the heat and quickly whisk through. Turn off the oven and
In a mixing bowl, whisk all the ingredients, except the butter, well with a hand whisk. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and continuously stir over mediumlow heat. After a few minutes to serve the sauce will suddenly start to Add 3–4 tbsp double cream thicken into curd. The curd is yoghurt and 1 tbsp naartjie curd per serving. Swirl the curd ready when it is thick enough to coat the spoon. Remove the onto the yoghurt. saucepan from the heat, add the butter and whisk for about naartjie curd 30 seconds. Pour the curd into yields about 1 cup of curd a glass jar with a lid. Screw on • 3 eggs the lid, allow the curd to cool • 2 tbsp xylitol and then refrigerate. Sealed, the • 1 tsp naartjie rind curd will last about 2 months • ½ cup freshly squeezed but once opened consume naartjie juice within a week. • 3 tbsp butter allow the muesli to dry some more while also cooling. Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
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recipes
spring fling frittata yields 4–8 servings • • • • •
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2 tbsp avocado or coconut oil 2–3 baby leeks, sliced 1 cup chopped asparagus 1 clove garlic, chopped 300g roughly chopped mixed greens such as chard, spinach, beet greens, broccoli leaves Salt and black pepper to taste 10 eggs ½ cup cream or coconut cream 200g feta chunks, grated mozzarella or crumbled or grated goat’s cheese (replace with steamed pumpkin chunks for dairy-free option) 2 tbsp chopped chives or garlic chives 2 tbsp chopped fresh herb mix 1 cup frozen peas, soaked in water and drained
Preheat the oven to 190°C. In an ovenproof skillet, on medium heat, warm the oil and sauté the leeks, asparagus and garlic until fairly tender (3–4 minutes). Add the chopped greens and sauté for another 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. In a large mixing bowl, whisk all the eggs together before adding all the remaining ingredients. Pour the egg, cheese and herb batter over the sautéed veggies and bake for 20–25 minutes or until fully set and slightly browned. Cut into four, six or eight wedges and serve with simple lemon and black pepper yoghurt dip* or labneh**, some salmon ribbons or drained and smashed sardines in brine, and watercress as toppings and a slice of victory toast on the side (optional).
* This recipe can be found on page 68 of Eat Lekker For Goodness Sake ** This recipe can be found on page 66 of Eat Lekker For Goodness Sake
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spring cleaning detox salad • •
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2 tbsp butter ½ purple or regular cauliflower, cut into florets and steamed till fork-tender ½ Romanesco or regular broccoli florets, steamed till fork-tender 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp chopped coriander 1 cup baby spinach ¼ Chinese cabbage, shredded 6–8 cavolo kale leaves, stems removed and torn
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2 celery ribs and tops, chopped ½ cup lacto-fermented sauerkraut (optional) ½ red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup black olives 1 medium beetroot, spiralised 1 green apple, spiralised (prepare and add just before serving) 1 salmon fillet, skin removed, sliced into thin sashimi-like slices (optional) – omit this ingredient during pregnancy Salt and pepper to taste
In a frying pan on medium-high heat, melt the butter and sauté the steamed florets, garlic, parsley and coriander for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a large serving dish, layer the spinach, cabbage, kale and celery. Toss gently to mix. Sprinkle the sauerkraut, onion and olives onto the leafy layer. Chop the apple and beet spirals once or twice and add the manageable spirals onto the salad. Arrange the pretty, buttery florets on the spirals and lay the salmon slices in a line. Dress with coriander, lime and ginger vinaigrette or a splash of tamari sauce, wasabi and lacto-fermented mayo.
about the book
Iné Reynierse’s latest cookbook, Eat Lekker For Goodness Sake is filled with nutritionally-rich recipes to suit all seasons and occasions and focuses on sustainable eating for a healthy, grain-free, sugar-free, smart-carb lifestyle. Published by Quivertree, the book costs R330 and is available from most bookstores. Visit quivertreepublications.com
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getaways
a perfect family holiday destination Venture across the border to Mozambique for an unforgettable, fun family holiday that ticks all the boxes. MELANIE ROSETTENSTEIN
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love Mozambique and I’ve spent a lot of time there: Fishing, diving, swimming, eating, speaking Portuguese with the locals and eating peri-peri chicken, prawns and pao (bread baked daily by the locals). But when my kids arrived on the scene, visits to one of my favourite countries stopped and fabulous holidays in the former Portuguese colony became a fond but distant memory. Taken with my burgeoning and beautiful family, I barely noticed until I got a call recently from my aunt to say: “Would you like to come and spend a week with us at the house in Ponta Malongane?” The memories flooded back and I answered with an emphatic … “YES PLEASE!” Just five hours north of Durban (if you leave at 5am you’ll be unpacked and on the beach by 11am), we arrived at the Kosi Bay/Ponta Do Ouro border post. Travelling out of season, the border post was quiet and we were in and out in just 15 minutes. Passports stamped,
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we disappeared down a sandy track in a puff of Peaceful Sleep, radiating sunblock and heading northeast towards Ponta Malongane. One bay up from big brother Ponta Do Ouro with its busy resorts, shops and restaurants, Ponta Malongane is quieter territory featuring miles of pristine beach, indigenous coastal bush, a dive camp, a campsite and a smattering of private houses. Just behind the dunes are several rustic shops and restaurants serving Mozambican delights such as prawn rissoles and peri-peri chicken. The sea water is warm, just the way I like it and because it was out of season, the bay was almost all ours to enjoy. Ponta Malongange and Mozambique are ideal for family beach holidays and there are numerous activities to keep the younger family members occupied and enthralled. Here are three magical things to do with your children in Ponta Malongane, Mozambique.
snorkelling Bags unpacked and cozzies on, we were ready for the beach holiday to begin. I emerged from our room with the children’s new masks and snorkels – ready to reveal to them the delights of the underwater world. I’d bought a brand that has flexible masks that mould to the shape of the children’s faces and has smaller diameter snorkels so the little ones can breathe more naturally. We popped them onto our children and set them loose in the pool. Oh, the joy! Because the gear is specifically designed for smaller faces, it didn’t take long for them to get the hang of it. They were now ready to try snorkelling in the ocean. The bay at Ponta Malongane consists of a small reef that juts out from the beach creating a safe space for kids to swim and snorkel. The following day we ventured to
the water’s edge, fitted our gear and launched into the silky, warm water. Shrieking with excitement, the children spotted various silver, striped and other fish of unknown varieties. As their confidence grew, they moved a little distance away from me and were soon exploring all the nooks and crannies in that tiny corner of paradise by themselves. That night, my aunt put her dive photos on her iPad for my little scuba-diversin-the-making to look at fish, eels, turtles, nudibranchs and coral as part of their nightly ritual.
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getaways
beachcombing One activity that my daughter loves is beachcombing. She loves collecting shells and storing them in the cupboard next to her bed. Her collection is quite substantial, considering we are incurable beach bums so, to reduce the amount of shells brought home after the holiday, I set her the task of specifically finding cowries – a group of small to large sea snails whose shells are referred to as cowries. Some say if you are attracted to cowrie shells you have a very powerful connection with the strength of the ocean. Some say they are like a wink from God. Finding one is always special to us and my daughter was up to the task, triumphantly finding several in the rock pools and on the beach. She also picked up a number of other ‘beauties’ with holes in them. These were made into necklaces or bracelets and gifted to her grannies and great-aunts.
stargazing Explaining Mozambique and its many magical attractions to my children, I told my daughter about the millions and millions of stars that can be seen on a clear night. In reply, she said: “But you can also see stars in Durban, mommy!” Yes, she is right. Durban is not such a big city that you can’t see the stars at night, but trying to explain the glittering expanse of the Milky Way to a five-year-old child is not easy, so I told her to wait and see. On our last night, we lay on the sun loungers under
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the night sky and waited for the show to begin. As evening ended, more and more stars were revealed and soon we were beneath an enormous scintillating dome of millions upon millions of stars. The show was spectacular enough to take your breath away and keep the children quiet. I resisted the temptation to ask them to count the stars. In awe, we waited to see if we could spot a shooting star. After a few false starts with some satellites, we were not disappointed and finally saw a shooting star fall and fade into the inky black sky. Their first shooting star! What a way to end another holiday of discovery.
beware malaria
Malaria is a big concern in Mozambique, so we took no chances. We took a prophylactic to guard against the disease, which is spread by the Anopheles mosquito. Our doctor prescribed Malanil paediatric tablets – these can be given to children weighing 9kg or more. Our children experienced no side-effects although some people do complain of a sore stomach or nausea. The anti-malarial medication is taken one day before entering a Malaria area and for the duration of the time spent there and one week thereafter. To add extra protection against mosquitoes, we added mosquito spray to our sunblock three or four times a day and sprayed the children down thoroughly at dusk. Our bedrooms had gauze on the windows and the bedroom doors were kept shut at all times.
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what’s on in august & september For more events go to childmag.co.za/whats-on or submit an event for our October/November issue before 31 August to joburg@childmag.co.za 4 August Get Container Gardening Learn how to plant an edible box full of scrumptious veggies. The workshop starts at 9:30am and costs R250 including container, plants and refreshments. Plus, there are fabulous prizes to be won. Contact: 011 957 2545 / 011 956 3003 / 083 997 6142 or visit gardenworld.co.za
Kairos Winter Kaleidoscope The Kairos School of Inquiry welcomes you to The Kairos Winter Kaleidoscope at 10 Sabie
Road, Emmarentia from 10am to 3pm. Come and see the school’s collective creative energy celebrated through food, art, performance, the students very own market place, curiosities, wonderful raffle prizes and much more. Entry is R50 per person, u/5s free).
to 2 September. It speaks to issues that women and men are addressing all over the world and especially in South Africa. Book through 0861 670 670 or visit joburgtheatre.com
7 August The Color Purple
Get your girfriends together for a beautiful day out in nature and spoil yourselves with an awesome meal at the Eagle’s Fare restaurant in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort. The gardens are open from 9am to
Directed by Janice Honeyman and performed on the Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre this relevant musical celebrates Women’s Month from 7 August
4:30pm, you will need to pay an entry fee to the gardens. To book, contact Amiel or Fran on 082 671 8382, email eat@eaglesfare.co.za or visit eaglesfare.co.za
National Women’s Day 9 August Eat in nature
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Makeover experience Experience Glam Guru Hannon Bothma’s magic as he performs a live makeover on stage and gives easy to follow beauty advice. Rediscover your beauty potential and look at yourself with a fresh perspective at this demonstration at Garden World, Muldersdrift. It starts at 10:30am and costs R200 (no u/18s) including refreshments and fabulous giveaways. For more info, contact: 011 957 2545 / 011 956 3003 / 083 997 6142 or visit gardenworld.co.za
11 August Mother and Child Flower Arranging Course Join Interflora at Garden World, Muldersdrift at 10am for a funfilled morning where you can create your own beautiful flower arrangement. R140 per child including refreshments and prizes. Contact 011 957 2545 / 011 956 3003 / 083 997 6142, or visit gardenworld.co.za
17 August The King and I In a radiant telling of East meets West, set in the early 1860s, a young Welsh widow Anna travels with her son to the kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to become the governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of King Mongkut of Siam. Watch the relationship of Anna and the King unfold. Suitable for all ages, it is on at the Roodepoort Theatre until 24 August and costs R80–R100 For more information, contact 083 738 0979, email dramabuzzsa@gmail.com, or visit roodepoorttheatre.com/ the-king-and-i/
Road Race Lace up your takkies, don your sweatbands and get running. You 44
can participate in either the 10km or the 5km race, which starts from the Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort at 7am (10km) and 7:15am (5km) Online entries at entrytime.co.za and collect your entries at the Clearwater Mall Food Court on 4 and 11 August (11am–1pm) and 17 August (3pm–6pm). Note: The minimum age for participating in the 5km is 9 years and 15 years for the 10km race.
25 August Spring Beer Festival A day and night of prime entertainment – live music, various activities, races and water fun – including children’s entertainment, this festival at Stonehaven on Vaal, Vanderbijlpark is perfect for the whole family. It runs from midday until midnight and costs R90, u/12 R30 and u/5s enter free. Contact Magda on 016 982 2951/2, email info@stonehaven.co.za or visit springbeerfestival.co.za and stonehaven.co.za.
1 September In Tune with Nature Join MayFord Seeds for a delightful spring afternoon laced with gardening advice from Garden World’s gardening guru JJ van Rensburg and music and song by SA’s well-known conductor, Richard Cock. It starts at 1pm and costs R100 including a goodie bag, refreshments and prizes. Contact 011 957 2545 / 083 997 6142 or visit gardenworld.co.za
Classic Car Show A vehicle event featuring vintage cars, classic cars, muscle cars and more. It’s the motor-heads go-to. Find the show at Garden World in Muldersdrift from 9am to 4pm, free entrance. Contact 011 957 2545 / 083 997 6142, or visit gardenworld.co.za
Left-hand Learning Workshop Moms, dads and teachers, step into the shoes of a lefty, discover their daily challenges and find solutions. Get help for fine motor skills. The workshop runs from 9am to 12pm in Constantia Kloof and costs R250. For more information, contact Tracy on 083 417 3316, email tracy@ lefthandlearning.co.za or visit lefthandlearning.co.za
Lego Expo
2 September Like2Bike FUNdamentals MTB skills course
On for just two days (ends on 26 August), the Clearwater LEGO exhibition in the Clearwater Mall Piazza features over 50 tables of brick-filled goodness showcasing a fascinating variety of Lego models built by members of the South African Lego User Group (zaLUG). There will also be competitions and interactive activities. More details at zalug.co.za
Give your child the gift of skill, confidence and a grounding in cycling safety. This clinic is aimed at entrenching safety, bicycle control as well as respect and appreciation for the bike. Suitable for children aged 4–12 years, it costs R300 (pre-entries only) and runs from 8am to 10am at Riversands Farm Village, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte. Contact
magazine | joburg August/September 2018
Kirsty Searle on 083 326 6721, email kirsty@like2bike.co.za or visit like2bike.co.za
4 September High School Exhibition An exhibition perfect for students and parents interested in exploring various high school options. It takes place from 1:30pm to 5pm at Montrose Primary School. Entry is free, for more information, contact expo@ thelearningpoint.co.za
7 September South African Book Fair This fair, which takes place from 7 to 9 September at the Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg, is the culmination of National Book Week. On Friday, there will be a variety of activities for children in grades 5–11, including animated discussions among published child authors, engaging storytelling events, a demo library and two children’s theatre productions. Saturday and Sunday will be dedicated to debates on current issues with high-profile speakers such as Mongane Wally Serote and Antjie Krog. For tickets and more information, visit southafricanbookfair.co.za or Facebook: SouthAfricanBookFair
8 September Spring Garden Day Wholesome entertainment for the entire family celebrating Parkview Junior School’s Spring Garden Day. The event starts at 9am until 4pm and costs R40 (adult) and R20 (child). Contact 011 486 1690 or email pvjs@mweb.co.za for more information.
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St Teresa’s Art Festival An art festival featuring fine art prints, free talks, workshops, affordable art, ceramics, food trucks and more at 18 Keys Ave, Rosebank. Purchase your tickets from quicket.co.za
9 September Centrum Like2Bike fun cycling series event #5 Children having fun on their bikes is what it’s all about! Suitable for children 2–14 years, the distances include: 2km (recommended age 2–4), 5km (5–7 years), 10km (8+ years), 15/20km (9+ years). There is also a duathlon option – a 2km run, followed by a 10km ride, or a 1km run, followed by a 5km ride. It starts at 8am at Riversands Farm Village, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte and costs R150
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(online pre-entry) or R170 late entry on the day. Contact Kirsty Searle on 083 326 6721, email kirsty@like2bike.co.za or visit like2bike.co.za
15 September SHINE! A thrilling display of song and dance featuring a spectrum of musical and choreographic styles from pop to hip-hop, ballet to rock ‘n roll, and opera to a classic Latin American Idols winner Paxton, The Voice winner Craig Lucas and The Voice finalist Thembeka Mnguni will all be on stage at the Lyric at Gold Reef City on 15 September at 7:30pm and 16 September at 11am and 2:30pm. Tickets from R180 to R275 and can be booked from online.computicket.com or the Lyric Theatre Box Office on 011 248 5000.
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15 September Night Fever presents Sketchy Bongo A laser show, family picnic, entertainment for all ages,
artisanal food trucks, gin bar, craft beer and much more will be on offer at St. David’s Marist Inanda School. The fun starts at 3pm at 36 Rivonia Road, Inanda,
Sandton and costs R200 for adults and R100 for students. Contact 011 215 7600 or stdavids.co.za fb.me/StDavidsMaristInandaJHB
Heritage Day 24 September Heritage Day Celebration Celebrate our heritage in indigenous nature with a meal at the Eagle’s Fare restaurant in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort. The gardens are open from 9am–4:30pm, you will need to pay an entry fee to the gardens. To book, contact Amiel or Fran on 082 671 8382, email eat@eaglesfare.co.za or visit eaglesfare.co.za
10K CITYRUN Runners of all fitness levels are invited to participate in a road-running experience
celebrating the city’s heritage. The route incorporates important landmarks, magnificent views and exciting en route entertainment. It starts at FNB Bank City Johannesburg and ends at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newton. The standard entry fee is R170 (licensed) and R190 (unlicensed) and the gold package entry costs R850 (licensed) and R870 (unlicensed). Further information is available at joburg10k.com or Facebook: Joburg-10K
28 September The Baby Show Parents-to-be and parents of children aged 0–4 years, look no further. The UK’s number one parenting event The Baby Show makes its local debut. Hosted by Meg Faure, the show will have 150 pregnancy and baby-related
exhibitors, workshops featuring expert talks on feeding, sleep training and family finance planning. At the Baby Show & #MeetUp you can learn, prepare, try and buy, everything you need for bump, baby and you. It’s on from 28 to 30 September
(9:30am– 5:30pm) at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and Convention Centre. Tickets cost R80–R250, u/11s free when accompanied by an adult. Contact Kelly Fenning on 081 033 0386, email kelly. fenning@clarionevents.com or visit thebabyshow.co.za
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holiday camps and workshops 25 June–1 September Holiday camp in Morningside
Children aged 2–16 can partake in this holiday camp that offers activities such as games, language classes, drama, IT/coding, arts and crafts, sports and school revisions. It takes place from 7am to 5pm at Extralingual and costs R350 daily. Group and family discounts are available. Contact Anna or Thecla on 073 168 2348 / 078 947 6685, email info@extralingual.com or visit extralingual.com
13–17 August and 27–31 August Art Workshops The SeedPod Studio, inside Broadacres Garden Shop, is offering five-day art workshops from 9am to 12pm: Day 1 – Art: Paint your own beautiful artwork. Day 2 – Decoupage: Learn how to work in this medium. Day 3 – Pottery: Work with clay to create your own original ceramic masterpieces. Day 4 – Mosaic: Come and play with tiles and glass, ceramics and more and create your own mosaic. Day 5 – Dry brushing: Paint your own ceramic shapes! The workshops are suitable for children aged 6+ and cost R290 48
per child daily or book for all five days at R1 250 (R250 per day), contact 011 465 0375, or visit seedpodstudio.com/ holiday-workshops
25 August Spring Holiday Camp At this week-long holiday camp, suitable for children aged 7–14, all meals are provided (healthy options) and various physical activities are held throughout the day (no tablets, mobile phones or TV allowed). Children are accommodated in bunk bed dormitories (boys and girls separate) and split into age groups. Each age group is allocated a counsellor for the duration of their stay. The camp is at Happy Acres, Old Rustenburg Road (R24), Magaliesburg and costs R 2 200, including accommodation, meals and tuck. Optional extras: Return transport (R320 and a T-shirt (R50). For bookings, contact Jannis Rodrigues on 083 449 5123, email admin@happyacres. co.za or visit.happyacres.co.za
6 August Winter Holiday Programme The Express!ons Centre in Carlswald, Midrand is hosting a fun-filled, activity-based holiday programme from 6 August until 3 September. The programme is suitable for children aged 4+. Children will enjoy a variety of creative and crafty activities as well as fun physical games including art, craft projects, yoga, baking and cooking, dance, drama, music, gardening, minute-towin-it challenges and a science fair. The full-day programme runs from 7:30am to 5:30pm (5.00pm on Fridays) and costs R290; the half-day morning programme runs
magazine | joburg August/September 2018
from 7:30am to 1:30pm and costs R220; and the half-day afternoon programme runs from 1:30pm to 5:30pm (5pm on Fridays) and costs R180. For further details, contact Carla on 082 402 8169, email carla@expressionsinfocus.co.za or visit expressionsinfocus.co.za
this facility’s skills-based learning environment for preprimary to high school students. Find the college on Ernie Els Boulevard, Mnandi, Centurion. For more information, contact 012 003 3090 or visit copperleafcollege.co.za
29 September Spring Holiday Camp
Come and explore the school at 39 Pinelands Road, Modderfontein. The school offers IEB, aftercare and holiday programmes and upholds traditional Christian values. The open day takes place on 18 August 9am–12pm. Contact 060 872 4580, or visit foundershillcollege.co.za
At this week-long holiday camp, suitable for children 7–14, all meals are provided and various physical activities are held throughout the day (no tablets, mobile phones or TV allowed). The camp is at Happy Acres, Old Rustenburg Road (R24), Magaliesburg and costs R 2 200, including accommodation, meals and tuck. For more information, contact Jannis Rodrigues on 083 449 5123, email admin@ happyacres.co.za or visit happyacres.co.za
open days
Abbotts College Attend an open day in your area on 4 August (8am–1:50pm) and book free subject assessments for all grades. Bookings are essential, contact details can be found on abbotts.co.za
Copperleaf College The college is holding an open day on 4 August 9am–12pm. Come along and find out more about
Founders Hill Open Day
Kairos School Info Talk The school will hold an info talk from 9:15am on 18 August. The school caters for children grades 0–7. For more info, contact Lorna van der Lith on 011 646 6221 or visit kairosschool.co.za
Michael Mount Waldorf Michael Mount caters for children from four months old to matric. Meet the wonderful Waldorf teachers, find out more about Waldorf education and take a tour of the school with a Waldorf pupil on 4 August (9am–12pm) at Michael Mount Waldorf School, 40 Culross Road, Bryanston. Everyone is welcome and there is no cost. For more information, contact Nolene on 011 706 6125 or visit michaelmount.co.za
Trinity House Schools Visit the various schools – Randpark Ridge (grade 000 to 12), Northriding (grade 0000 to 4) and Little Falls (grade 0000 to 2) – during their open days on 15 September from 9am to 12pm to learn more about what is on offer. Visit trinityhouse.co.za
let’s party For more help planning your child’s party visit
childmag.co.za/ resources/birthdayparties
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final touch
fresh air and freedom Sometimes the simplest of activities give the greatest pleasures. ANÉL LEWIS
i
expected a recent school camping trip with 40 exuberant boys under the age of eight to teach me about patience, and the art of getting by with an ice-cold shower and instant coffee. But, I ended up learning so much more. I observed the sheer joy these children experienced as they played outdoors without any electronic devices or scheduled activities as distraction. I watched as they formed friendships and concocted games. Our busy lives tend to be an endless cycle of extramurals, class parties and activities, so it was a welcome relief to have a weekend where the only task on the agenda was to light the fire. By the time the adults had set up camp, the boys were happily careening around the ‘race track’ between the tents on their bicycles. They also worked out which families had the best snacks and were soon seen
foraging from one campsite to the next. It was initially unsettling to lose sight of our boys, but they relished their newfound freedom. They entertained themselves with bike races and countless rides on the water slide. They braaied ginormous marshmallows and adorned themselves with glow sticks so that they could continue playing well into the night. At about 5pm on the Saturday, Conor zigzagged his way through the tents to our site. His eyes were glazed over and his cheeks were flushed from the exertion of play. “Daddy, I want to sit.” Before I could even point out that I was, in fact, Mom, the other parent, he fell fast asleep. It wasn’t even dark yet. Amazing what some fresh air and play can do. I have to admit that two days without my coffee machine and soft mattress were about all the fresh air I could handle and I was quite
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Erin, Craig, Conor, and Anél
happy to head back to the comforts of home. It was only on the Monday morning when the full impact of a weekend away, roughing it with friends, hit home. With a smear of marshmallow still evident on his cheek, Conor said to me: “Mom, when are we going again? I want to go back to camp because I felt so free.” Those two nights spent sleeping in my puffer jacket to avoid hypothermia were a small price to pay for what appeared to have been the best experience of my son’s life so far. Anél Lewis is shopping for thermal underwear so that next year’s camp will be a warmer, albeit less fashionable, experience. She is also stocking up on extra glow sticks to make the nocturnal ablution block visits a bit easier to negotiate.
a good read
Libraries: let’s find books! By Mary Novak Walsh (Juta, R150) Join Des and Sam as they learn how useful a library can be. This simply written, beautifully illustrated book will help children and young scholars understand the layout of a library and classification so that they feel right at home. Available from Exclusive Books.
learning for little ones The Amazing African Animal Alphabet By Kristina Jones (Struik, R140) This beautifully illustrated alphabet book showcases African animals and other objects that South African children will recognise. To enhance basic letter recognition, the letters are in upper and lower case, both large enough for small fingers to trace around to practise each letter shape. Each illustration includes a single sentence introducing an animal; the repetition encourages reading and makes it so much fun.
books
primary reads
The Amazing Coelacanth By Mike Bruton (Struik, R130) This colourful book is aimed at ages 9–14. It recounts the discovery of the first coelacanth – a fish thought to be extinct for many millions of years.
for us: interested in gardening Small Gardens By David Squire and Allan Haschick (Penguin Random House, R175) An easy-to-use guide offering ideas for space-saving designs plus suitable plant combinations for patios, terraces, courtyards and other small areas. Transform almost any small space into a garden of delight.
if you read two books this month
What on Earth is That? By Sarah Savory (Struik, R100) A story in rhyming text about a pangolin – the world’s least-known, yet most-trafficked mammal. The author’s son Luke invites children on a journey asking various animals what they think the oddlooking creature is that he and a friend have found. In the process, it’s revealed just what extraordinary and endearing animals pangolins are and how deserving they are of our protection as an endangered species. A great read for 3–6 year olds.
13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do By Amy Morin (Harper Collins USA, R250) Do you parent from guilt, allow your child to have power over you, expect perfection? Let Amy Morin, a clinical social worker, take you through these and 10 other things you shouldn’t do. Become morally strong and help your children build the mental muscle and grit they need to grow stronger and be prepared for a better, brighter future. #raisingkids to thrive in a constantly changing world By Paul Bushell (Buy online: bushell.co.za/product/raisingkids-journal, R380) The world is characterised by unprecedented change and disruption. Rapid innovation in technology makes it hard to imagine the future. Change will define and challenge our responsibility in raising thriving young people. This book offers over 100 fun and practical tools to work through with your children – building their ability to deal with change and understand ‘people’ as a constant in this world.
toys that teach for all ages and stages + gaming – a parent’s guide to the good, the bad & the ugly
magaz ne october & november is our
top tips to help your child study for exams
with a spotlight on Dealing with difference How technology helps children learn differently
on s
tech & toy issue
et tre
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Sept
baby bonus: we talk toys, nappies & potty training Let’s Play: fly with us to Walt Disney’s World + fun snacky recipes
To advertise call: 0861 867 885 or email: jhbsales@childmag.co.za | Booking deadline: 4 September | Material deadline: 5 September