Child magazine | DBN September 2016

D U R B A N ’ S

b e s t

g u i d e

f o r

p a r e n t s

get out &

get active heritage

bake-off

super, simple cookies

plus

www.childmag.co.za

September 2016

free

sun safety

101

protect your family this summer

it’s the

weekend get on your bike and off the beaten track

diagnosing ADHD – a family thing or have we forgotten how to focus?

health

water babies – the ABCs of teaching your child to swim a spring calendar for adventure and activities in your city

education

entertainment

Hunter House P U B L I S H I N G

Summer is on its way, so it’s time to get out there and have some fun.

Publisher Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Resource Editor Tamlyn Vincent • durban@childmag.co.za Copy Editor Lucille Kemp

Art Designers Mark Vincer • studio@childmag.co.za Candice Acheson • studio1@childmag.co.za Julian Mc Namara • studio1@childmag.co.za

Advertising Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

Client Relations Lisa Waterloo • dbnsales@childmag.co.za

Subscriptions and Circulation Nicolene Baldy • subs@childmag.co.za

PUBLISHER’S PHOTOGRAPH: Brooke Fasani

Accounts Nicolene Baldy • admin@childmag.co.za Tel: 021 465 6093 • Fax: 021 462 2680

It’s my firm belief that there’s a child in all of us and watching my husband and friends on mountain bikes is all the proof I need.

While I may not be into single-tracking, I did grow up riding my big black bike in the road with the neighbourhood boys – ah, the fun we had. Our antics ranged from “Look Ma, no hands!” to sitting on the handlebars and having wheelie races. If we were still in the road when my dad came home from work, his face would light up and one of us would have to give him a turn. Some weekends he would round us all up and we would cycle to a park in Groenkloof, quite a long way from our little neighbourhood of Hazelwood. We’d have Marie biscuits and Oros on the prickly, brown grass and having checked our tyres were puncture-free, cycle home, tired and happy.

Exercise is so important, but it has to be fun for us as parents, and especially for our children, if we want to reap the lifelong benefits. To inspire you, this month we have filled the pages of

Child magazine Online

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the magazine with plenty of adventurous and safe ways to have fun in the sun.

Now all you have to do is get out and get active.

Lisa Mc Namara Publisher

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September 2016

3

contents

12

get moving

3 a note from lisa

8 best for baby – water babies

5 over to you readers respond 15 reader’s blog Bernd Steinhage launched The Young Bafana Soccer Academy to create opportunities for underprivileged youth

the warmer months are here, when the pool nets come off. Nick Dall gives tips for swimming pool safety

16 dealing with difference – when it’s really adhd diagnosing ADHD correctly is crucial to be able to deal with it accordingly. By Lucille Kemp

features 10 stay safe in the sun we should practice sun safety all year round.

Marina Zietsman gives tips

18 have a cookie we bring you Heritage Day baking inspiration from Lisa Clark’s new book The Cookie Jar

20 resource – let’s get out of town plan a family MTB getaway inspired by ideas from the book More Top MTB Trails by Jacques Marais

22 what’s on in september 25 in the next issue

health

26 finishing touch Anél Lewis never saw

at the importance of outdoor play and activities

regulars 6 pregnancy news – boost mom’s and baby’s immune system Simone Jeffery looks at how expectant moms can fight off bugs as the new season starts

the tooth fairy coming... nor the years whooshing past

27 a good read for the whole family

classified ads 25 it’s party time 26 family marketplace

this month’s cover images are supplied by: Cape Town

Durban

Joburg

Pretoria

Durban, Joburg and Pretoria – Sarah-Jane Photography sarahjanephotography.co.za Cape Town – Antoinette Photography antoinettephotography.co.za

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September 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH: Highbury Preparatory School www.hps.co.za

12 get moving Jessica Baxter looks

letters

joy in teaching

minimal homework

I loved your “pub’s note” in the August issue of Child magazine, on the approach of “joyfully” teaching our children. Such truth. I also loved your reference to the joy of the journey that we experience from the moment we find out we are pregnant. It has been just that for us as parents. Picking up Child magazine at our little boy’s school every month is such a welcoming surprise. There are 16 moms in the class and we all feel the same. You have a huge following at Somerset College, Cape Town.

Aoife

The Vine School (Cape Town) is always glad to distribute Child magazine to our families, as your articles are so good and relevant. Your article “should we scrap homework?” (August 2016) caught our attention and I’d like to share our experience.

We adopted a “minimal homework” policy about four years ago. The only homework given is reading and maths practise. We don’t have assignments and we don’t expect students to complete classwork at home or to swot for exams. We do have exams, but students don’t know when they are writing, so they can’t study.

We want to know what they really know, not what they crammed the night before. The result is that our learners love school, enjoy exams, read a lot and voluntarily engage in self-directed study. Our parents appreciate the time they now have to do “normal” things together as a family – chatting about the day, doing chores and reading for pleasure.

We have seen similar outcomes as Gavin Keller has seen at Sun Valley Primary School. Our students are doing better than ever academically. We believe this is because they are happier, better rested and have enough time to process what they’ve learnt at school each day. People always ask us, “What about high school? How will they cope if they’re not used to homework?” Yes, there is an adjustment to make, but we’ve found that within a few weeks or months, all our students adjusted to frenetic homework expectations in their new schools, with the added benefit of entering Grade 8 with a

Your words and approach in your “pub’s note” (August 2016) really resonated with me; the need for our children to feel the joy of learning, especially in an increasingly pressurised environment, and also to inspire those who cross paths with previously disadvantaged schools, as this is where the future of our country lies. Thank you for the open heart and mind with which you approach the topic of children and education, as truly those are the best gifts we can give them.

Zahida

our favourite newsletter Thanks for keeping the Child magazine newsletter simple, relevant and easy to consume when, in this day and age, poor consumers are being flooded with content marketing. Three cheers to the person who made this decision.

Cindy

over to you kudos for child magazine I really enjoy Child magazine and look forward to the new issue each month. I have two boys aged three and five-and-a-half, and I find your articles easily accessible and highly informative.

Jane Crewe

pro-vaccines In response to the letter “the point of vaccines” (August 2016), I want to reiterate the benefits and function (action and pharmacodynamics) of vaccines.

Firstly, I would like to disabuse the notion that vaccines “guarantee that you will never get sick.”

Wearing a bullet-proof vest does not mean you will never get shot, it will, however, drastically reduce the chances of dying if you do get shot. In brief, this is how the human immunological system works; with regards to vaccines, we refer to the adaptive immune system. The body produces special cells that identify a pathogen (germs and disease-causing organisms).

These cells then make special “memory” cells, so that, should the pathogen again enter the body, the immune subscribe to our newsletter and win Our wins have moved online. Please subscribe to our newsletter and enter our weekly competitions.

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positive attitude towards school and a love for reading and learning.

Susan Keegan, director of The Vine School I completely agree with the “less homework” policy.

Today we overslept after my Grade 3 daughter and I were up late, completing homework. She gets two textbook pages of English and two pages of maths homework, plus four extra maths sums to do every day.

On top of that, there are parent-child activities that also have to be done daily, as well as time tables, bonds, spelling, reading and extramurals as well. By the time they get home, we have supper and after supper we start homework. By then she is already so tired that she completes the homework at a slower pace, taking us much longer to finish. Many nights there isn’t even time for a bath, because she’s already half-asleep.

Zeida Solomons

homeschooling is tops I am a stay-at-home mom who is homeschooling my children and I’m a great fan of Child magazine.

Homeschooling is a fast growing phenomenon in education in South Africa and worldwide. I have an amazing three year old who reads and I believe he is gifted, a genius and extraordinary. I also have also a seven-year-old son who is now doing Grade 3. I know a lot of homeschooling parents whose children are doing amazingly well. For example, there is a 14 year old who is starting at the University of Pretoria this term.

Namandla Pemhiwa

Let us know what’s on your mind. Send your letters or comments to marina@childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010.

system can mount a swift, large-scale response to locate, inactivate and eliminate these potentially lifethreatening invaders.

If an unvaccinated child should ever be exposed to, for example, the polio virus, that child’s body will not be able to mount a sufficient response before extensive and significant damage is done, resulting in suffering for the child under the best of circumstances, and death at worst.

An unvaccinated child is a danger to all other children with whom they come into contact. These children may be unintentional reservoirs or vectors of illness that can pose a constant risk of infection to every other child they meet. Many diseases can be completely wiped out through strict vaccination programmes, resulting in nobody ever having to experience the nightmare of watching their children suffer from an entirely preventable illness.

I have to ask: If there is fear that somebody might shoot a child, would you not rather have your child walk around with a bullet-proof vest?

Children with compromised immune systems cannot be vaccinated, and so the parents of these children must live every day knowing that their vulnerable child might contract a life-threatening illness. And unvaccinated children pose the greatest threat to immune-compromised children in a setting such as a school.

Bronwyn Reijnders

your voice online in response to “rethinking ritalin” My son is a friendly, well-mannered and happy seven year old, and has been referred to a paediatrician by his teacher, because he has focus and concentration problems. He is not hyperactive or presenting any behavioural problems. It was only the first six months of the school year, and my son has not been given the time to adjust. The paediatrician that I was referred to has prescribed Ritalin, which I am very nervous about.

I sometimes wonder whose agenda the teachers push. The teacher now wants to know when are we going to start giving him Ritalin as he is not focusing.

Whether I should or should not give him the medication stresses me as I want to do the right thing for my son and I am worried that I could be failing him.

Anonymous in response to “instant gratification” Thank you for this priceless gem and the message on instant gratification. I enjoyed it and will definitely pass the article down to all the young ones in our family.

Tracey Cotton in response to “positively single” This is encouraging to my positive thoughts that I have embraced through my divorce. I will not be a victim.

Anonymous

We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters.

The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.

Post a comment online at childmag.co.za

September 2016

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pregnancy news

boost mom’s and baby’s

immune system

During pregnancy the body’s immune system is more susceptible to bugs, viruses and allergies. SIMONE JEFFERY finds out how expecting moms can stay

pesky allergies Most doctors recommend that expecting mothers should eat a balanced, healthy diet that provides all the nutrition necessary for a pregnant mother and a growing infant. In the past, there was a belief that avoiding highly allergenic food during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and withholding these food items from a child during their early years, could reduce the risk of developing food allergies. However, as allergy specialist Dr Marinda McDonald from the Sandton Allergy Clinic points out, in 2008 the recommendation of avoiding allergenic foods was retracted by the American Pediatric Association and the current advice is that pregnant women should not avoid any allergenic foods, unless they are allergic. You should eat

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September 2016

a balanced, unrestricted diet as proper nutrition is of the utmost importance.

McDonald tells us that there is no magic bullet to avoid food allergies as the development of allergies is multifactorial.

They develop in a genetically-susceptible individual (if one parent is allergic, there is around a 30% chance that the child could become allergic; if both parents are allergic the child’s chance of developing an allergy could be as high as 80%), but there are also environmental factors that influence the development of allergies, such as exposure to bacteria from an early age, and even before birth.

McDonald says that the change of seasons can be very challenging for allergy sufferers. If you suffer from allergies while you are pregnant you could try

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.com

healthy during change-of-season.

If one parent is allergic, there is around a 30% chance that the child could become allergic. allergy-proof your home or rely on saline nasal sprays before resorting to other medication. McDonald says to steer clear of decongestants and old generation antihistamines. Second generation antihistamines lead to fewer side effects, are affordable and can assist hay fever sufferers. However, antihistamines do not work for the blockage. You will need to use an intranasal cortisone for that. If you suffer from allergic asthma you should continue to take your medication as prescribed. The most important thing is to get an accurate diagnosis and to formulate a plan that will anticipate and improve your health, possibly with correct medication. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the medicines you are able to take, including those that don’t require a prescription.

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Coconut is a rich source of electrolytes and potassium. boost against bugs As most of your immune system resides in your gut, and a mom’s

kimchee and olives. Food high in vitamin C can help boost

healthy gut can influence a baby’s immune system, it makes

your immune system naturally: papaya, bell peppers,

sense to pay attention to what you are eating. There are certain

strawberries, pineapple, Brussel sprouts, kiwifruit, oranges

food items that will help boost your immune system. ✻✻ Whole foods – do your best to stay away from refined sugars and processed, packaged foods. ✻✻ Coconut (the fruit, oil and water) is a rich source of

and kale. ✻✻ Iron-rich food will help you build resistance to stress and disease: lean meat, fish, pulses, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, and fortified bread.

electrolytes and potassium. It is also rich in lauric

✻✻ Food rich in folic acid is essential for the production

acid, which serves as an antiviral, antibacterial and

and maintenance of our cells: spinach, asparagus, rice,

antifungal agent.

almonds, green peas and broccoli.

✻✻ Garlic treats certain health concerns that typically occur

✻✻ Food rich in vitamin D is essential for good health and

during pregnancy, like poor blood circulation, high blood

helps ward off colds and flu by boosting the immune

pressure and cholesterol levels.

system: fish, meat, mushrooms and eggs.

✻✻ Fermented food rich in vitamin K2 promotes a healthy digestive track: pickles, sauerkraut, Greek yoghurt,

Before changing your diet, consult your doctor to discuss the right dosage and potential dangers.

September 2016

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water babies i

best for baby

started taking each of my daughters to swimming lessons when they were about six months old.

The older one is now nearly four and she can swim one length of our pool and dive to the bottom to fetch a plastic squid. The younger one turned one a couple of months ago and she can float on her back without me holding her. They both love the water.

Swimming pools are one of the best things about summer with children, but they can also be a source of heart-wrenching tragedy.

NICK DALL is on a mission to make sure they remain shiny happy places for you and your little ones.

Swimming school has been a great way for me to bond with my girls (although stripping off on a cold July morning isn’t much fun) and it has made us, as a family, feel a lot more comfortable at home and on holiday. The lessons are fun, and are as much about teaching parents as they are about born to swim? teaching babies. After a few years of “school” I There’s a common misconception that know how to hold a baby in the water, and I’m babies are born with the ability to swim. It well aware of what they should and shouldn’t is true that babies hold their breath under be able to do. What’s more, I’m really good at water and that “the heart slows down and singing “Horsey, horsey don’t you stop”. blood is shifted away from the periphery My daughter’s teacher, Jane Millar, has been muscles to conserve oxygen for the brain teaching swimming to infants and toddlers for and heart” (the so-called bradycardic over 20 years, and is a pioneer in the field. response), but it is rather ambitious to “Babies spend nine months in water during expect someone that can’t even sit to be pregnancy and should be reintroduced to it as able to swim. That said, the diving reflex soon, after birth, as possible,” explains Millar. does mean that babies love going under “They can learn to float before they can crawl, water, but it’s up to you to bring them back and those that have been to lessons will be to the surface. cautious, self-reliant and confident. But they will never be drown-proof.”

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children who drown are under some sort of supervision at the time.

Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children aged one to four years old than any other cause (except congenital anomalies).

31%

of total drownings in South Africa are children under nine years old.

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PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATION: SHUTTERSTOCK.com

no such thing as “drown-proof”

It is rather ambitious to expect someone that can’t even sit to be able to swim, but the diving reflex does mean that babies love going under water, though it’s up to you to bring them back to the surface.

wardrobe check ✻✻ A one-piece cozzie that zips up at the back ✻✻ Disposable nappies (rinse and reuse) ✻✻ Waterproof suncream ✻✻ Most babies don’t need earplugs, goggles or a

safety first

swimming cap, but those with grommets should use

If my youngest fell into our pool, I don’t think she would panic. Hopefully she’d float on her back and call for help; she may even find the side and “monkey walk” to the step. But my daughters wouldn’t ever get near enough to the pool to fall in… Our pool is fenced and the gate has two latches, one of which is secured with a combination lock. And anyone who ever opens it knows that it must be closed immediately.

Make sure your pool is hard to get to. Put up a fence. Ensure the gate closes automatically or fit a buzzer that lets you know when it’s open. Use a safety net for good measure.

Ensure that everyone who’s regularly at your house is well aware of the consequences of leaving the gate open or the safety net off.

Never let your children out of your sight. Chasing after a toddler is exhausting, but the alternative is unbearable. Children can drown in a few centimetres of water, so your pool is by no means the only danger.

Have a plan in place in case the unthinkable happens, and discuss it with everyone who may need to implement it: Who to call, how to do CPR, where to go…

Teaching babies to love the water is a wonderful thing, but it’s up to the adults in your household to make sure it stays this way. Many drownings happen at parties when there are supposedly find a teacher plenty of adults keeping an eye on things. Never assume that “someone else will see”, and be Find a teacher who is registered with aware that drowning isn’t a noisy, spluttery affair.

Swimming South Africa and has the “Learn The drowning victim – whatever their age – to Swim” qualification: swimsa.org usually slips under the water without flailing their arms or screaming for help.

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21%

of total drownings in SA happen at home.

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For every child that dies from drowning, five are left with permanent brain damage.

earplugs (good luck keeping them in). ✻✻ Fancy flotation devices put babies in unnatural positions and foster a false sense of security. Your baby can hold on to you or the side of the pool or play on the step. If you must accessorise, opt for old-fashioned armbands or a pool noodle.

National Ambulance Emergency: 10 177 (112 from a cellphone) | ER24 Ambulance: 084 124 Netcare 911 Ambulance: 082 911 For first-aid courses contact St John: 021 461 8420

September 2016

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health

stay safe in the sun Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in South Africa. MARINA ZIETSMAN gives tips

i

n 2013 the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducted a study that showed that more than two thirds of South African learners never use sunscreen when they’re out in the sun. The study further showed that many schools do not have a sun safety policy in place. This is alarming as substantial sun-induced skin damage occurs before the age of 18, which makes sun protection crucial for children.

sun safe at school is easy as 1, 2, 3 Children need to take special precaution when spending time in the sun – two blistering burns before the age of 18 can dramatically increase the risk of getting skin cancer later in life. schools should: Implement skin cancer prevention education The more children learn about the dangers of too much sun exposure, the more they’ll be able to prevent sun damage. Children need to learn that the sun is dangerous all year round, that just one case of sunburn can cause cancer, that sunscreen is not enough to protect them and that people with darker skin can also get skin cancer.

Adopt a sun protection policy Working with parents, this can include increasing or improving shaded areas on the playground, not planning outdoor extramurals or activities at the hottest time of the day and adopting a no-hat-no-play policy.

Have sun lotion available at school Cansa’s seal of recognition (CSOR) appears on approved sunscreen products. This is a guarantee that the product complies with Cansa’s strict criteria. Schools also need to regularly check their supplies. Sunscreen that has been opened cannot be reused after a year.

Adopt the Cansa Sun Smart school manual The manual has grade- and age-specific activities, as well as practical points on how schools can be more sun safe. To download the complete school guide, go to: cansa.org.za/ files/2013/10/Be-SunSmart-A-Guide-for-Schools-Oct-2013.pdf

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September 2016

sun safe at home Cansa gives the following age-appropriate advice: babies 0–6 months old Keep babies in the shade at all times, if possible, but if you do feel like a stroll, always consult your paediatrician before using sunscreen on a baby. Babies must also always wear protective clothing and a hat that covers the whole face, ears and neck at all times. babies 6–12 months old Start using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30, which you must apply 20–30 minutes before braving the sun, and that you must reapply every two hours, especially if your baby has been in water. It’s best to keep babies out of the sun between 10am and 3pm, and to dress them in protective clothing, with sunglasses and a hat that has a wide rim. toddlers and preschoolers The same rules apply as above, but by now children are more active. Dress children in clothing that covers as much as possible, and choose cool, loose-fitting clothes and wraps made from densely woven fabrics. Choose fabrics that are at least UPF15, but preferably UPF50. Sunglasses should be labelled at least UV400. Toy and fashion-labelled sunglasses do not meet these requirements. schoolchildren and adolescents Children should be well-educated about sun safety, and it should be part of their day-to-day life to stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, to always wear sunscreen and protective clothing, as well as appropriate sunglasses. If parents are good role models, children will mimic their behaviour from a young age, and at this stage they should tick all the boxes for being sun safe. magazine durban

PHOTOGRAPHs: SHUTTERSTOCK.com | PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHILDREN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHELLE WITHERS | facebook.com/Melissamitchellphotos | moomookids.co.za

to keep your family safe all year round – at home and at school.

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September 2016

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health

get

moving

Gone are the days of children running around outside entertaining themselves for hours with Today, outdoor play has been replaced by indoor activities, but what affect is this aspect of modern living having on our children’s health?

w

By JESSICA BAXTER

e live in a digital age dominated by smartphones and laptops. But, as we know, it’s not just adults who are leading more sedentary lives. Children are also less active than they used to be, which impacts not only their physical development, but also their emotional development.

This decline in physical activity among children and adolescents has resulted in an increase in obesity over the years. Research by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa claims that one in four girls and one in five boys between the ages of two and 14 years old are overweight or obese, putting them at greater risk of suffering from type

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September 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH: Hugatree Photography | hugatreephotography.co.za

games of backyard cricket and hide-and-seek.

2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity improves cardiovascular health, develops healthy musculoskeletal tissues – strong bones, joints and muscles – and helps with maintaining a healthy weight. Concerned by these statistics, the Department of Health is putting plans in place to increase physical activity among South Africans by 10%, by 2020. Perhaps it’s time parents set similar goals within their own families.

So where does one start? Make it fun, says kinderkineticist Carmyn Barnes who runs a children’s movement programme at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.

“With younger children (six to nine years old), who don’t quite yet grasp the concept of competitive exercise or the health benefits of exercise, it is important to find something that they enjoy in order to ensure adherence and cooperation,” she says. This is the premise of our movement programme, which aims to improve the gross motor skills of children – balance, object manipulation, coordination, strength and cardiovascular fitness exercises.

And getting active doesn’t mean hours of excessive exercise. A guideline set by the NHS in the UK advises parents that children who are able to walk confidently on their own should be engaged in physical activity for at least three hours a day, while children from five years old and up should be participating in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous activity daily – simply put, exercise that works up a bit of a sweat. Letting children be children will help these targets to be met, says Kyle Baxter, head of sport at Reddam House in Somerset West and the owner of a clinic that offers coaching and kinetics classes for children. “Children can get a healthy amount of exercise by simply exploring the world around them – climbing trees, playing in the mud, kicking balls in the garden.

Physical activity isn’t limited to gyms and sports fields,” he says.

mind games Equally important is the benefit physical activity has on a child’s mental and social development. “Higher levels of physical activity have been associated with better cognitive development in early childhood (the preschool years) as well as academic achievement in older children and adolescents,” says Carmyn. “Physical activity creates

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an environment for children to make friends and helps to improve self-image and self-esteem.” Occupational therapist in Ballito, Rachel Carey agrees, “The development of motor skills is a complex process and the motor learning that takes place when involved in repeated physical activity is far more than the mastery of an individual task or motor skill.

We not only develop motor coordination (the ability to control body movement in a smooth manner), but we also develop motor planning – the ability to conceptualise, plan and carry out unfamiliar motor tasks, which allows us to learn new skills that involve movement of the body and to apply these skills to new situations and contexts.” Rachel goes on to explain that children with poor motor planning tend to repeat the same unsuccessful movements without being able to create strategies for a different outcome, which can result in them being disorganised in their use of time and materials, and experience difficulties with displaying independence with simple routines involving household or school responsibilities.

The nature of the physical activity also makes a difference in a child’s development.

“Strengthening activities will help with postural control and core stability, an underlying skill imperative to table-top, fine motor tasks like handwriting, drawing and scissor skills, while physical games played in groups will help with the development of social communication skills and building of friendships,” says Rachel.

get children on board Healthy habits start at home. Carmyn advises creating a home environment that encourages activity. This means less screen time and more playtime. “Parents have a very important role to play in putting boundaries into place to limit the amount of time children spend on screens. The recommendation for children under two years old is no screen time and no more than two hours per day from two years up,” she says. One way to get children excited about physical activity is to make it fun for them. “The key thing here is that all play, physical activity included, should be an enjoyable experience and not something your child feels he or she has to do,” says Rachel. “Having an active lifestyle and engaging with your child in child-directed play will allow you to grow and develop your child’s play repertoire while keeping it fun and meaningful for them.”

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health

Children can get a healthy amount of exercise by simply exploring the world around them – climbing trees, playing in the mud, kicking balls in the garden. Physical activity isn’t limited to gyms and sports fields.

Schools also have a responsibility to encourage physical activity among their students, says Kyle, who believes that active children are not only healthier children, but happier ones too. “In my experience children who participate in school sport, regardless of the level, tend to have more self-confidence and cope better socially.” The challenge is getting learners interested – not an easy task when school sport is often optional and many children choose to opt out. “At Reddam House we believe in the importance of team sports and do encourage all learners to participate in at least one team sport per term,” says Kyle. “That said, we offer a diverse sports programme so as to encourage children with different interests to participate in a sport that they’re passionate about.” Kyle suggests parents do the same and expose their children to a variety of sports without the pressure of achieving on a competitive level. “Getting active doesn’t have to mean winning events and races, but rather finding something you enjoy doing; whether it’s hitting hockey balls or surfing the waves.”

resources

nhs.uk | gov.za | who.int | ssisa.com | kidshealth.org | heartfoundation.co.za | livestrong.com

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September 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH: Highbury Preparatory School www.hps.co.za

school sport

reader’s blog

empowering our youth Since 2010 The Young Bafana Soccer Academy has been providing underprivileged youngsters with the opportunity to hone their soccer skills, while benefiting from other life skills programmes.

f

ounder Bernd Steinhage, an avid soccer player himself, never planned to open an NGO, but after returning to South Africa from abroad, he is now proud to be a part of empowering the country’s youth in the Helderberg Basin and beyond into Gugulethu, Kayelitsha and Athlone.

He says: “I moved back to South Africa in 2009 and went to the primary school that I had attended to ask them about being a soccer coach. Initially the principal said ‘no’, but a few months later, with the excitement of the 2010 Soccer World Cup on the rise, more and more learners wanted to play the beautiful game. I began holding training sessions after school, initially for eight pupils, but this soon grew to 40.

The children of the school workers also began to approach me, wanting to play, but unfortunately, their parents couldn’t

magazine durban

afford to pay. I decided that for every 10 children that signed up, I would allow one disadvantaged child to play free of charge.

Soon we had 60 players.”

Steinhage was using his own money to enable the less fortunate players to participate and he eventually decided to register as an NGO to assist more children from the township. It was also at that time that he began to notice that the boys’ English and maths proficiency was poor and decided to add the educational element to the academy.

Today the academy has 10 staff members, which includes six coaches, one administrator and three German interns.

One of the coaches was Steinhage’s first soccer coach and another also acts as the NGO’s outreach manager. To ensure that he has a competent team,

all of Steinhage’s coaches undergo the necessary training and are even sent overseas to gain experience with the Bundesliga, a professional association football league in Germany.

Establishing the academy has had its share of challenges, particularly as the buses currently being used to transport the beneficiaries to and from training and matches are old, in poor condition and lack space for all of the boys. There are also no seatbelts and airbags to ensure their safety.

Steinhage says that despite any setbacks the NGO may face, these are outweighed by its achievements, which include the Young Bafana team beating Ajax Cape Town, one of the most developed teams in the Mother City. He also notes the individuals who have excelled and were

afforded opportunities as a result of their involvement with the academy, with one boy being sent to play in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), another to Germany and a third from Khayelitsha being selected to trial for the Bundesliga.

Most importantly, the children’s school reports have improved.

“We aim to develop the children holistically – both on and off the field – and believe that this will have a positive impact on their families and communities.

Ultimately, we want each of our beneficiaries to obtain a Matric certificate in order to help them to get into tertiary education and gain employment,” concludes Steinhage.

One day, Steinhage hopes that the academy will have its own facilities complete with soccer fields, lodging and a fleet of buses.

September 2016

15

dealing with difference

when it’s really

adhd

LUCILLE KEMP explains what to expect if you are to effectively detect and manage the complex condition, ADHD. Anything less should call for a second opinion.

l

ara* struggled with a fussy baby, who became an impossible toddler and then frustrated preschooler that would throw outrageous tantrums. “Everyone around me would say that I should just leave him to develop at his own pace, but having constant battles with your child is soul destroying.”

By the age of four, in order to be school-ready, he was recommended speech therapy to address some of the problems. However, through Grade R and Grade 1, his situation worsened. He was getting into physical fights, falling behind in class, refusing to listen to his teacher and, as a result, the school was calling Lara and her husband daily. Eventually, assessments by the school psychologist confirmed ADHD.

The Journal of Child Neurology made a compelling statement not too long ago: “Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are symptoms of many underlying treatable medical, emotional and psychosocial conditions affecting children”. Due to this, and the fact that there are no diagnostic tests for ADHD, Wendy Vogel, head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, says a good clinical history and examination are essential when trying to figure out whether your concerns are in fact ADHD-related.

Cape Town-based psychiatrist Dr Merryn Young says this means that parents should basically expect a long and multifaceted interview with themselves and their child.

A thorough assessment will include the doctor taking a detailed history of information around inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, in all spheres of a child’s life, which includes getting information from the school, states Young, who adds “a screening should also be done to exclude other conditions that better explain the presenting symptoms”.

These could include vision or hearing problems, anxiety or depression, an inappropriate schooling environment or bullying.

A full developmental history should be taken, which includes early childhood development, as well as the child’s medical history. “As ADHD tends to run in families,”

16

September 2016

magazine durban

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.com

reliable assessment

says Vogel, “it will be useful for the practitioner to explore your, and your partner’s, mental health.” A history of cardiac disease should also be explicitly explored in your family, as well as a misuse of substances.

Standardised rating scales may be personally useful, though not as a diagnostic tool.

Vogel points out that the SNAP-IV rating scale is free and can be downloaded online.

A physical examination should include weight, height, blood pressure and pulse.

Once the diagnosis of ADHD has been made, the practitioner will need to look for co-morbid conditions as these can affect the doctor’s approach to managing the ADHD. “Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, tic disorders and learning difficulties, often occur with ADHD, as well as anxiety and mood disorders,” says Vogel.

If your child needs to start medication, a physical examination should be done, says Young, and prior, specifically, to starting treatment with stimulant medication such as Ritalin, Vogel says you should expect a further detailed cardiac examination.

ADHD medication should be just a single part of the whole treatment. treatment to be multimodal Thankfully, Lara has found the relief of ADHD treatment to be as real as the struggle with its symptoms. Lara’s son started treatment in Grade 2, which incorporated play therapy, speech therapy, OT, remedial classes and Ritalin. Throughout his Grade 2 year the family had monthly meetings with the principal, teacher, HOD, psychologists and speech therapist, to monitor his progress. “My child is in Grade 3 this year, and he is happy, focused and learning.”

Quite evident is the fact that treatment of ADHD is effective and supported, Vogel reassures, and ADHD medication should be just a single part of the whole treatment, says Young. In the same way as it was for Lara and her family, treatments, combining psychological and pharmacological approaches, should be recommended to you, says Young.

Parenting programmes, working in groups with children, incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy and social skills training, and individual work with the parent/carer and child focussing on improving memory, concentration and relationship-enhancing strategies, are helpful says Vogel. “Play therapy was amazing, and my son loved it,” says Lara, “we worked through issues of cooperation and effective discipline. It helped me to understand and not get frustrated with him all the time, and it helped him to understand and describe his feelings.”

“Keep a food diary for a limited period if you believe that certain foods or additives, such as colourants, affect your child’s behaviour. Some children may benefit from allergy checks,” says Vogel.

Working with teachers to help them understand ADHD and provide support, is helpful.

Something as simple as paying attention to where the child sits in class, or using visual aids, and nonverbal reminders can improve symptoms, says Vogel.

Many medications have been shown to be safe and effective in children, in the short and medium term, but part of the reason why your child must be so thoroughly assessed is because, if medication is prescribed, there may be limitations and potential adverse or unwanted effects. “Any medication that has the potential to do good also has the potential to have negative effects in some people. That’s not to say that your child necessarily will have a bad effect, but the possibility is there. Even something as commonly used as paracetamol can have side effects,” says Young.

Expect side effects to be discussed in detail before your child is prescribed a medication, says Young. “Regular follow up is necessary. A worrying trend is that children seem to go years before having their dosage and side effects reviewed. A minimum of a six-monthly follow up is recommended.” * Name has been changed

the issue with ritalin The main controversies relating to the safety of stimulants in children with ADHD are their effect on the heart and growth. There have been adverse events specifically in individuals with structural cardiac abnormalities, which is why thorough initial assessment is important. Stimulants may also reduce growth slightly, therefore growth should be monitored regularly on treatment. Switching to a different medication may be indicated if the growth restriction is problematic, says psychiatrist, Dr Merryn Young.

magazine durban

September 2016

17

book extract

have a cookie In her new recipe book, The Cookie Jar, LISA CLARK gives Heritage Day baking ideas with recipes inspired by home-grown goodness.

banana whole-wheat rusks Yield: 15 drying time

Preparation time: 5 minutes

ingredients ✻✻ 500ml whole-wheat flour ✻✻ 30ml ground flaxseeds ✻✻ 5ml ground cinnamon ✻✻ 1ml salt ✻✻ 2,5ml bicarbonate of soda ✻✻ 5ml baking powder

Baking time: 50 minutes, plus 3–6 hours

✻✻ ✻✻ ✻✻ ✻✻ ✻✻

80ml brown sugar 2 eggs 125ml buttermilk 10ml vanilla essence 3 bananas, mashed

method

1

2 3 4 5

6 jammy heart biscuits Yield: 25 Preparation time: 5 minutes, plus 2 hours chilling time Baking time: 16 minutes ingredients ✻✻ 200g butter ✻✻ 100g icing sugar ✻✻ a pinch of salt ✻✻ 2 egg yolks

✻✻ ✻✻ ✻✻ ✻✻

Preheat the oven to 180ºC and grease a large loaf tin.

Combine all the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients, including the mashed bananas, and mix until a smooth batter forms.

Pour the batter into the greased tin and bake for about 50 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean and the top and edges are a dark brown.

Let it cool slightly in the tin before turning out and slicing the rusk slab into individual rusks with a serrated knife.

Turn down the oven to 100ºC. Place the rusks on a baking tray and dry them in the oven. It helps to keep the oven door propped open a bit to let the moisture escape. The drying should take 3–6 hours, depending on how hot your oven is and how thinly sliced the rusks are.

Bring a bit of nostalgia into your home with these classic South African teatime treats.

5ml vanilla essence 250g cake flour icing sugar, for dusting 100ml jam of choice

12

45 3

6

7

18

PHOTOGRAPHS: © Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd 2016 / Nigel Deary

method

Cream the butter and icing sugar, then beat in the salt, egg yolks and vanilla essence. Sift in the flour and beat until the mixture forms a dough. Be careful not to overmix the dough at any stage. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Roll out the dough between two sheets of lightly floured baking paper and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up the rolled dough once again.

Line two baking trays with baking paper.

With a lightly floured 5cm round cookie cutter, cut out circles of dough and place them on the lined baking trays. Roll out the dough offcuts (refrigerating again if necessary) and cut out more biscuits, repeating until all the dough has been used.

Cut a heart shape out of the centre of half of the biscuits. You can reroll the heart cut-outs to make more rounds. Chill the shaped biscuits for about 30 minutes to firm up once more.

Preheat the oven to 160ºC and bake the biscuits for 14–16 minutes until they are a light golden brown. If they spread slightly and lose their shape, just recut them as they come out of the oven, while they are still warm. Allow to cool on a wire rack and then dust the rounds with icing sugar, using the heart cut-out.

Heat the jam on the stove or in the microwave so that it becomes spreadable.

To assemble, sandwich together a whole round and a heart cut-out round with jam. Repeat with the remaining biscuits.

September 2016

magazine durban

This buttery, tender cookie has the distinct and unique flavour of rooibos tea.

rooibos tea biscuits Yield: 20 Preparation time: 20 minutes, plus 50 minutes chilling time Baking time: 12 minutes ingredients ✻✻ 30ml rooibos tea leaves (from about 3 tea bags) ✻✻ 250ml butter ✻✻ 160ml icing sugar, sifted

✻✻ 5ml vanilla essence ✻✻ scraped seeds of 1 vanilla pod ✻✻ 440ml cake flour

method Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line two baking trays with baking paper.

Pulse the rooibos tea leaves in a food processor to a fine powder. In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and icing sugar. Add the vanilla essence, vanilla seeds and ground rooibos tea.

Sift in the flour and mix until the dough comes together. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough to about 6mm thick between two sheets of baking paper.

Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters and place on the lined baking trays.

Cover the trays with cling film and chill the cut cookies for at least 20 minutes before baking.

Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes or until the edges are just barely brown.

Cool on wire racks.

1

2 3

45

method Sift together the flour, salt, curry powder, coriander and cayenne pepper. Work in the water with a palette knife, and then bring the dough together by hand.

Lightly knead the dough on a floured surface, then cover it with the upturned mixing bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line two baking trays with baking paper.

Roll the dough into a long log and cut it into about 24 pieces. Roll the pieces into little balls and then roll out the balls thinly on a floured surface.

Place the crackers on the lined baking trays and bake for about 15 minutes until crisp. Leave to cool on the trays before serving with a yoghurt and herb dip.

1 2

3

4

5

about the book

curried crackers Yield: 24 15 minutes

Preparation time: 20 minutes

ingredients ✻✻ 120g cake flour ✻✻ 1ml salt ✻✻ 10ml curry powder ✻✻ 1ml cayenne pepper

magazine durban

Baking time:

✻✻ 10ml ground coriander seeds ✻✻ 60ml water

This is a collection of 100 recipes for biscuits, cookies and rusks, written by professional food stylist Lisa Clark specifically for the home baker. From old favourites to healthy gluten-free and vegan options, The Cookie Jar will take you back to the days when baking was therapeutic and an important part of life. Best of all, these recipes are easy to follow and use everyday ingredients. The book is published by Penguin Random House South Africa and is available at a recommended retail price of R200.

September 2016

19

resource

let’s get out of town Whether your family loves gravel roads or farm routes, More Top MTB Trails by JACQUES MARAIS from MAP STUDIO inspires you to pack the mountain bikes for a family getaway. And for those who crave a different adventure, we’ve included other exciting options. Compiled by TAMLYN VINCENT

Rocky Bay Province KwaZulu-Natal • Region South Coast • Closest town Scottburgh • Trail destination Rocky Bay Resort and Ellingham Estate

trail info Grading Easy to difficult Duration 1–3 hours Configuration Four loops of 11km, 19km, 29km and 36km Start point Rocky Bay Resort Coordinates S30°20’08.2”; E30°43’57.9” Terrain From hard gravel farm roads to smooth singletrack Map Maps available on mtbroutes.co.za Cell reception Good More info 039 976 0336 or rockybay.co.za

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September 2016

Situated on the scenic South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal less than an hour away from Durban, Rocky Bay Resort is the perfect getaway. Surrounded by golden beaches, indigenous forests and rolling hills, this resort now also offers a network of mountain-bike trails meandering in and out of sugar-cane fields, indigenous bush and coastal forest, allowing you to explore this beautiful region on your iron steed.

Starting at Rocky Bay Resort’s main gate, the trails head off into Ellingham Estate, a private sugar-cane estate. For the first 3km all the trails use the same farm road, before the 11km trail splits away from the three other trails. All the trails make use of farm roads, jeep tracks and great compacted smooth singletrack. The elevation gain on the trails varies, from a total climb of 400m on the 19km trail to 620m on the 29km and 780m on the 36km trail.

After the initial 3km on the farm road, the 11km trail follows a mix of singletrack, jeep tracks and farm roads, meandering in and out of coastal forest and sugar cane before heading back downhill to Rocky Bay and the

magazine durban

PHOTOGRAPH: JACQUES MARAIS

route description

beach. The 19km, 29km and 36km trails follow singletrack and then run along the N2 highway across the river.

They then drop down the “snake” onto farm roads, before climbing to the 19km split from the 29km and 36km trails. The 19km that forms part of the world-famous Joburg2C and Sani2C trails now drops down the hill and runs along the river bank, crossing over the river and following it to the climb up the “3 Bitches”. It eventually enters beautiful singletrack in the coastal forest; keep your eyes peeled for the small and rare red duikers. Once out of the forest singletrack, it is downhill home to the beach at Rocky Bay. The 29km and 36km trails climb along a jeep track up to “The Devil” and then you hit the fast downhill singletrack all the way to the bottom of the valley and back onto a farm road. Here the trails follow and then cross the river, onto another jeep track and singletrack section, still following the river. At 14km, the 29km and 36km trails split up. The 29km trail continues on farm road and singletrack along the river, before another climb lets you join up with the original 19km trail at the 18km mark.

The Sugar Baron Diners can enjoy delicious meals with amazing views.

Address Rocky Bay, Old Main Rd, Park Rynie Contact 039 976 0336 or thesugarbaron@rockybay.co.za Crocworld Conservation Centre See crocodiles and a host of other animals at this conservation centre. A restaurant is also available.

Address Scottburgh Contact 039 976 1103 or crocworld.co.za ScubaXcursion There are daily scuba diving trips to the world renowned Aliwal Shoal. It’s a child-friendly dive centre.

Address Scottburgh Contact 039 976 0843 or scubaxcursion.co.za Shark Cage Diving They are specialists in shark cage diving at the Aliwal Shoal, and offer a talk on sharks and conservation, along with surface viewing of sharks from the boat. The dive gear is new and the cage is attached to the boat. Anyone from the age of eight years old can do it.

Address Rocky Bay Beach, Park Rynie Contact 082 373 5950 or sharkcagedivingkzn.com

magazine durban

How to get there Travelling from Durban, south on the N2, take the Park Rynie/uMzinto (R612) off-ramp, turning left towards the sea. At the robot, turn right onto Old South Coast Road and travel for approximately 2km. Rocky Bay Resort will be on your left-hand side.

Best time of the year This is a year-round holiday destination, with glorious summers and temperate winters.

Off the bike The resort has a host of activities available on site or nearby, like swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, shark-cage diving, deepsee fishing, rock-surf fishing, trail running, golf and birding.

trail basics Entry requirements Entry fee per bike Facilities Shop, secure parking, restaurant,

explore the surroundings Happy Wanderers A holiday resort on the beach, with plenty to keep the family busy.

Address 1 Abrams Dr, Kelso Contact 039 975 1104 or happywanderers.co.za Rocky Bay Has caravan sites and lodges.

Address Old Main Rd, Park Rynie Contact 039 976 0336 or rockybay.co.za

rocky bay basics

ablutions,

swimming

pool

and

various

More Top MTB Trails

accommodation options

is available online at

Beware of Vehicles on the farm roads; there is no

mapstudio.co.za or at book stores nationwide.

water on the trails More information Follow the Rocky Bay Resort Facebook page for updates on events and specials

September 2016

21

what’s on in

september

calendar

Access an extended calendar online at

childmag.co.za

Compiled by TAMLYN VINCENT

Santa Shoebox Project pledging opens The project collects decorated shoeboxes, filled with essentials and treats, for children who otherwise may not

or submit an event for October before 26 August to durban@childmag. co.za

Amadeus Rocks!

From the opening chords of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, until the closing bars of Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock And Roll, this show takes the audience on a journey through four decades of rock and soul, with a few classical hits to spice things up. Shows run from 30 August–9 October at 8pm, Tuesday–Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway. Tickets cost R155 Wednesday–Saturday, R120 on Tuesday and R110 on Sunday. For more info: barnyardtheatres.co.za

1

get anything for Christmas. The public can get involved by registering as a donor and selecting the name and age of a child to fill a shoebox for. Pledging opens today online. For more info: santashoebox.org.za

Casual Day

2

3

The Browns’ school fête

A fun family event, with fabulous food, games and entertainment, plus great bargains. It takes place from 8:30am–2pm at The Browns School, 28 Mariannridge Dr, Pinetown. You’ll pay R10 entry per car. Contact Jane on 031 700 6065 or idc@brownsschool.co.za

Art for Sale Artworks from local Durban artists are on sale until 9 September. The

5 22

BMW International Polo Series 2016 – Shongweni

The Sound Of His Music Anthony Stonier takes a meander down memory

The BMW International Polo Series, which features

lane, with the marvellous melodies of composer,

the South African National polo team against a touring

Richard Rodgers. Rodger and Hammerstein

international team, is played each year and this year, South Africa will face off against Uruguay. The Durban Shongweni Club is open from 10am–5pm. West Bank tickets cost R85, East Bank R55 and children under 12 years old are free. Contact Bridget on 031 303 3903 or sapolo.co.za

7

4 9

musicals include titles like Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound Of Music. Show times are 2pm and 6:30pm

at Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo. Tickets

cost R140. Book through computicket.com

Defending the Caveman

This production is an hilarious, affectionate

Shall We Dance This annual dance showcase runs until 17 September. Show

times are 7:30pm Tuesday–Saturday and

public can see the art from 8am–2pm

and insightful comedy that explains why men

at Montpelier Pre Primary

and women see the world so differently. It runs

School, 210 Montpelier Rd.

until 17 September at 7:30pm, Wednesday–

Playhouse

Contact Gail on 031 312

Saturday, and 3pm, Sunday, at the Elizabeth

Tickets

Sneddon Theatre. Tickets are R170 through

R150. Book through

6670 for more details.

September 2016

computicket.com

3pm Saturday and Sunday, at the Opera cost

Theatre.

R90–

computicket.com magazine durban

PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: SHUTTERSTOCK.com

Help raise funds for people with disabilities by dressing in outfits from the fun to the fantastical.

Casual Day stickers are R10 and are available from Edcon Group stores, Shoprite Checkers and participating beneficiary organisations. For more info: casualday.co.za

magazine durban

September 2016

23

calendar

The Power of Poison exhibition This exhibition explores poison’s paradoxical roles and features real poisonous animals and plants. It’s

9 10

Assimilation by Corné Eksteen

This art exhibition uses portraiture to explore how people’s sense of personal and cultural identity is being subjected to the expectations, values and norms of the group. It opens today at 11am and runs until 29 September at ArtSpace Durban, 3 Millar Rd. For more info: artspacedurban.com

open at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga from 9 September to January 2017, from 10am–7pm.

Tickets cost R140 for adults, R85 for children or R350 for a family of four (two adults and two children). Book through webtickets.co.za

The Learn Project’s 2016 fundraising golf day Enjoy a fun-filled day of golf, followed by dinner and a prize giving. All proceeds go to The Learn Project’s initiatives. The day starts at 10:30am at the Royal Durban Golf Club. It costs R1 800 per fourball. Contact Lucy on 082 458 5171 or lucy@thelearnproject.co.za

16

Sunflower Day

The Hilton Arts Festival

Little Maestros

Celebrate today, with its new focus on “Hope begins

This drama, music, art and craft festival is now

with you”, by getting your Tope – Tube of Hope.

in its 24th year and runs until 18 September.

Classical music is a brilliant developmental tool for children from birth to 6 years old, boosting brain development and concentration. With this concert series, aimed specifically at younger listeners, Little Maestros offers a relaxed environment where little ears learn through Mozart, Bach and well-known nursery rhymes. In this class children can meet the flute.

It takes place from 3pm–4pm at L’Aperitivo Venue in Umhlanga Ridge. Adults pay R100, children R20 and a family package is R200 for two adults and two children.

For more info: littlemaestros.org

The Tope is an affordable, multipurpose article of clothing that can be worn as a headband, mask, scarf, cap or arm-band. It’s available in a children’s size for R20 and an adults’ size for R25 at Pick n Pay stores nationwide. For more info: sunflowerfund.org.za

It offers something for everyone, including

16

the bumper, one-day Jongosi schools programme on the Friday, for high schools and primary schools. Online booking is available. The festival takes place at Hilton College in Pietermaritzburg.

For more info: hiltonfestival.co.za

Umgeni Steam Railway heritage trains weekend

23 The Witness Garden Show

Pinotage on Tap

Whether you are looking for that special plant to add to your collection or just want to step into spring for a while and take home an orchid for the table, this show is for you. There is also fun rides and gourmet food. Plus gardening celebrity Tanya Visser and The Gardener magazine are adding their own funky twists to this year’s show.

The show is open from 9am, until 25 September, at The Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.

Tickets are R60 and children under 6 years old enter free. Book at computicket.com

Diemersfontein hosts a spectacular

White Mountain Festival 2016 This year’s festival takes place from 29 September– 2 October and features a line-up of some of the best

Celebrate Heritage Day with a train ride.

acoustic acts in the country. Known for its intimate,

On Saturday morning there is the Classic

relaxed atmosphere and idyllic setting, the festival is

Cars Pace the Train, and a Heritage Train ride in the afternoon. Costs for these are

held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle.

Festival-goers can expect a variety of food and drink outlets, arts and crafts, along with fun outdoor

R220 for adults and R150 for children

activities for the whole family. Advance tickets are R585,

2–12 years old. Or hop on board the train

children 4–11 years old pay R125. Tickets available

on Sunday 25 September, where adults

through computicket.com

depart at 8:30am and 12:30pm from Stoker’s Arms, Kloof Station. Book online through umgenisteamrailway.co.za or

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September 2016

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wine festival, along with great food and music. The festival pass includes Pinotage served on tap, a goodie bag,

24

local paired dishes for lunch, dessert and live bands. It opens at 12:30pm at The Litchi Orchard, Salt Rock. The festival pass is R370 while the festival pass and a case of wine is R910. Book at computicket.com

markets

Durban Lifestyle Market

This outdoor market has a variety of stalls, food, fashion, crafts and more, along with a children’s play area and the special braai and beer garden. It’s on 4 September from 9am–3pm at 29 Cobham Grove, Berea. For more info: lifestylemarket.weebly.com

I heart market

A gathering space under the iconic arches of Moses Mabhida Stadium, it showcases innovative, handmade, homemade and locally designed crafts, art, fashion, jewellery, home-ware and more. Open on 3 September from 9am–2pm. Contact info@iheartmkt.com

pay R200 and children pay R140. Trains

contact 082 353 6003

20

The Bellevue Market

29

A family-friendly artisan market focusing on local talent on the last Friday of every month, and offering food, wine, craft beer, fashion and decor. It’s on 30 September at 4pm–8pm at the Bellevue Campus, 5 Bellevue Rd, Kloof. Contact Cathy on 083 703 9767 or bellevuecampus@elp.co.za magazine durban

in the next issue we’re “dealing with difference” top reasons why children need therapy

baby’s first 100 days

Megan Hancock Photography meganhancockphotography.co.za

schools catering for 3D needs what skills our youth really need your pre-birth checklist how to deal with exam preparation and stress

on street 15 September To advertise call: (031) 209 2200 or email: dbnsales@childmag.co.za Booking deadline: 31 August | Material deadline: 1 September

it’s

party

time

magazine durban

For more help planning your child’s party visit

childmag.co.za/ resources/birthday-parties

September 2016

25

finishing touch

the day the tooth fairy came ANÉL LEWIS was confidently celebrating her children’s milestones, until one caught her

ilestones are super important when your children are babies, but once they can negotiate a few circuits around the lounge coffee table, as they master the art of walking, you start losing track of the developmental markers. I was so eager to record Erin’s firsts that I bought at least three different baby journals. It all started off well enough. I studiously recorded her height and weight at birth, her first smile and even the first time she rolled over. But somewhere between the sleepless nights and the unwashed laundry, I lost track of what was happening when, and now I have three baby books with two entries about Erin’s weight at six weeks and a piece of blonde hair stuck in with cellotape.

With Conor, who arrived just 16 months later, I did not even attempt to keep a record. Who would I be kidding?

It was a good day if I could wash enough bottles for both of them, never mind using my colour-coded glitter pens – bought so naively during the first trimester of my pregnancy with Erin – to record who had touched the black and white shapes on the playmat first.

You know that the months are flying by, and your children are growing up, but without the luxury of oodles of free time to fixate on the growth charts, it’s easy to overlook the maturation that is actually taking place. You find yourself in crisismanagement mode more often than not.

Developmental milestones get overtaken by the daily triumphs – “Oh look, Conor ate his pasta today”, or “Erin put her school takkies on the correct feet without any help”.

So, it was somewhat of a surprise when Erin approached me recently with a look of mild panic in her eyes and a small

Erin, Anél and Conor

white object in her hand. “Mom, I was eating a biscuit and then I saw this.” Craig looked over, and said: “It’s just a piece of coconut, throw it away.” Thank goodness I wanted to be an archaeologist in my past life. I scratched through the biscuit crumbs with an urgency that would have made Indiana Jones proud and realised the coconut chip had roots.

It was a tiny tooth.

And suddenly, it was as if I was standing in a wind tunnel and I could feel the years whooshing past me. We are in fact hurtling towards a whole new set of milestones. And I don’t know if I am quite ready yet to mark these. Erin seemed a bit shell-shocked as I explained that her tooth had fallen out. “I’m not even six yet, Mom,” she exclaimed proudly. Outwardly I smiled, but inside I was screaming: “I know, what’s happening?” I found myself in tears as I realised that we are about

to embark on a whole new set of firsts as Erin moves into the next phase of her life. Conor just wanted to know why there wasn’t more blood and would we need to call the fire department.

As we carefully tucked her first baby tooth under her pillow that night, I looked with pride at my girl with her gappy smile.

She’s growing up, and even though there probably won’t ever be time to update those baby books, my heart is full just knowing that I am able to be part of this journey with her. And, of course, that time has not dimmed my detection skills and that I can spot a baby tooth, even when it’s camouflaged as coconut.

Anél unfortunately lost Erin’s first tooth somewhere on the carpet, while “assisting” the tooth fairy. She’s since downloaded an online journal so that she can store photos of fallen teeth, and discreetly dispose of the real ones – coconut and all.

family marketplace

26

September 2016

magazine durban

PHOTOGRAPH: Susie Leblond Photography

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completely unaware.

a good read

books

for toddlers Help! The Wolf is Coming!

By Cedric Ramadier and Vincent Bourgeau (Published by Gecko Press, R139) In this book, young children need to follow the instructions to make sure the wolf won’t get them. He’s a bit scary, but here’s an idea: If we hold the book on a lean, maybe the wolf will slip and fall... and if he holds onto a branch, maybe we can shake the book so he drops off... or maybe it’s enough to turn the page to make him disappear...

for preschoolers The Rabbit who wants to Fall Asleep

By Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin

for preschoolers Jafta’s Mother, Jafta and Jafta’s Father

By Hugh Lewin and Lisa Kopper

(Published by Ladybird Books, R147) The groundbreaking bestseller is sure to turn nightly bedtime battles into a loving and special end-of-day ritual.

This child-tested, parent-approved story uses an innovative technique that brings a calm end to any child’s day.

(Published by Jacana Media, from R82) Meet Jafta, a little boy living in an African village. Jafta was born after author, Hugh Lewin, was released from prison for his opposition to apartheid. With poignancy he describes the life of separation Jafta experiences growing up without his father. Later in the series, we learn of Jafta’s love for his mother and we share the celebration of Jafta’s father’s homecoming.

for early graders Timothy’s Tomatoes

By Cath Alexander and Colleen Brice

for pre-teens and teens The Creature Department

By Robert Paul Weston (Published by Penguin Random House SA, R121) Elliot and Leslie think nothing ever happens in Bickleburgh, except inside the gleaming headquarters of DENKi-3000 —the world’s eighth-largest electronics factory. And only Uncle Archie knows what’s behind a mysterious door. Until Elliot and Leslie are invited to take a glimpse inside.

(Published by Porcupine Press, R120) Upon entering his home-grown tomatoes into the school’s vegetable competition, Timothy’s feeling of excitement quickly changes to one of disappointment when he lays his eyes on the larger, more superior looking vegetables. But Timothy discovers that appearances can be deceiving. Also order the book from cath@tower-bridge.co.za

parenting The Journey of the Heroic Parent

By Brad M. Reedy

for us Beat the Bloat

By Claire Young

(Published by Regan Arts, R235) Every day parents face heartbreaking situations.

Raising a child struggling with mental health issues, addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders or just the normal angst associated with growing up can be frightening and confusing. With compassion and perspective, Dr Brad Reedy offers hope and wisdom for children who struggle and the parents who love them.

(Published by Orion, R174) Drawing on the latest scientific research, this book contains 100 wheat-free and low-sugar recipes that will balance your digestive system for permanent weight loss. These recipes contain healthy fats, lean proteins and live cultures that restore the bacteria in your gut. Because with a healthy digestive system you will store less fat, banish cravings and absorb fewer calories from food.