Child Magazine | Cape Town February 2011

C a p e

To w n ’ s

b e s t

g u i d e

17 www.childmag.co.za

February 2011

free

gymnastics

school

health

education

pa r e n t s

mental

ways to put the FUN back into fundraising

back to

f o r

10 games to boost your child’s memory

eat up! healthy lunch box inspiration

entertainment

Hunter House

Welcome back and welcome to our very first issue for 2011.

PUB L IS H ING

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

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Elaine Eksteen • elaine@childmag.co.za Resource Editor Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za Copy Editor Debbie Hathway

Art Designers Mariette Barkhuizen • mariette@childmag.co.za Nikki-leigh Piper • nikki@childmag.co.za

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

Client Relations PUBLISHER’S PHOTOGRAPH: Brooke Fasani

Client Relations Manager Michele Jones • michele@childmag.co.za

A new year brings with it new beginnings and lots of possibilities. Granted the first few months can be stressful and even scary for our children, no matter what their age, but these months are also filled with miracle moments.

This might be the year you get to witness the wonder of your child taking his first step, making his first friend or playing his first note. Perhaps you’ll get to see him form his first letter or swim his first proper length. There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching our children grow into their own, make their own paths, overcome obstacles and acquire new skills.

Each of these big moments, however, requires us to let go a little, to allow them to live a little – and letting go is not so easy.

As my youngest makes the progression from her nurturing prepschool into a new, much bigger primary school and my oldest prepares for a three-month exchange to Australia, I have had to learn a bit about letting go.

In doing so I’ve marvelled at how time flies, and it’s forced me to take stock. So, my New Year’s resolution is to rush a little less and savour my children’s miracle moments a little more. I’m determined to be a more present parent this year. Join me in making this year mean more.

And let us know how it goes; keep your letters coming and be part of the conversations on our new and exciting website.

Have a fabulous Feb.

PS It’s our birthday this month, so join us in celebrating seven years of Child magazine!

Client Relations Consultant Lisa Waterloo • capetown@childmag.co.za Taryn Copeman • taryn@childmag.co.za

Cape Town’s Child magazineTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 7, Canterbury Studios, cnr Wesley and Canterbury Streets, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 021 465 6093, fax:

To Subscribe Helen Xavier • subs@childmag.co.za

021 462 2680, email: capetown@childmag.co.za. Annual subscriptions (for 11 issues) cost R165, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by Paarl Web. Copyright subsists in all work published in Cape Town’s Child magazineTM. We

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copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine,

Helen Xavier • helen@childmag.co.za

or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written

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

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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.

Free requested Oct 10 – Dec 10

All our magazines are printed on recycled paper.

February 2011

contents february 2011

upfront 3

a note from lisa

6

ver to you o readers respond

22 health

features

17 l evel with me Catherine Rice unpacks diabetes

18 r aising a trier unleashing the go-getter in your child. By Glynis Horning

regulars

22 m emory10 enjoyable exercises for boosting your child’s memory. By Tracy Ellis

10 wins

26 o ld wives’ tales Lucille Kemp unravels some modern health myths

13 u pfront with paul what to do when the children hijack your grown-up time. By Paul Kerton

29 t he “instant family” man Rodney Weidemann’s blind date led to much more than he bargained for 30 g ood food for little people inspirational lunch box ideas from Justine Drake’s book Simply Good Food 34 s ocially speaking negotiating play dates. By Tracy Ellis 38 l earning to read the methods used to teach your child to read. By Tamlyn Vincent

38 14 d ealing with difference dyslexia can be overcome, says Elaine Eksteen 42 r esource – fun(d)raising your guide to topping up the school kitty the fun way. By Chareen Boake 46 a good read new books for the whole family 50 what’s on in february 66 l ast laugh when it comes to resolutions, do as men do, says Sam Wilson

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classified ads 60 family marketplace 63 it’s party time

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

February 2011

Cape Town

Johannesburg

Durban

shutterstock.com

shutterstock.com

shutterstock.com

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February 2011

letters

over to you buds. My son, now 18 months, loves bananas. I, on the other hand, used to have to leave a room when someone ate the fruit. I can’t stand the smell or taste – and can even smell a banana loaf from metres away.

Boy, was I in for a surprise! I now have to deal with mushy banana fingers, squishy banana tabletops and having to wipe the sweet fruit from a banana-smeared face. I am slowly, but surely, becoming banana resistant. I

going bananas I really enjoyed Samantha Summerfield’s blog in the December/January issue of Child magazine. I have to admit that extracting bits of moth from your baby’s mouth can’t be pleasant, but for me bananas are just as bad as moths’ wings or any other animal appendages.

Unfortunately, you cannot control your baby’s taste

February 2011

will still not eat one – baked, raw or “smoothied” – but when I look at my son’s happy face, even when decorated with banana mush, my squeamishness dissolves in love.

Thanks for a great magazine.

Jenny

the taming of the tantrum Thanks for such a wonderful magazine. I must say I really look forward to sitting down and relaxing with my copy when my son brings it home from playschool

each month. My son is nearly two, and I have been dreading the onset of the terrible twos since he was born. The sulks and screams have already started, and his stubborn nature (inherited from my husband and me) is starting to show.

So I was extremely happy – yes, relieved – to see the article on taming tantrums. It is comforting to hear that we are not alone; and even though we know what we should be doing to stop the tantrums, it is so useful to have a list of steps to fall back on. I doubt my son will get any less stubborn with age, but at least I now feel (a bit more) empowered.

So thank you for all of your articles, and I look forward to another year of relaxing moments and useful tips from Child magazine.

Candice Walters

a great parenting tool The articles in Child magazine have given me great tools for being a confident parent. I enjoy reading each and every feature. Continue doing what you are doing – you are making a difference in my life as well as my children’s.

Carmelita Wegewarth

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choosing your battles I’m not a doctor or a psychologist. I’m just a mom. I have two children; one with ADHD and the other with ADD. My son is seven and my daughter is five. I recently learnt something I would like to share with other moms… Why spend your whole life fighting with your children? I now have a limit of three battles a day.

Mornings used to be the worst. I would fight with the children to wake up. Then fight with them to brush their teeth, followed by a fight to get them dressed. Not to mention getting them to eat breakfast! We used to get to school late every morning.

But then one day my son’s teacher asked me what my shoe size was. First I thought she liked my shoes, but then she explained to me that I needed to put my little foot down. I had heard the limiting-your-battles theory before, and decided to try it out.

The first battle I chose was meal times. I would not let my children leave the table until they’d eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner. After a very rough two weeks, they’d begun to eat properly.

My next battles were getting them to brush their teeth and wash their hair. After another two weeks they were eating, brushing their teeth and washing hair.

The battle plan was working and I felt great. At this stage, at least, my husband left a calm home in the morning and returned from work to a home where there was no screaming.

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By the fifth week I’d decided that homework, getting them to school on time and taking their medicine in the mornings would be my next battles. In so doing, I’d used up my daily allowance of three battles, and had made no provision for extra fights – which was exactly when the children decided to paint my passage walls! I took one deep breath, suggested they clean it up, then disappeared into the kitchen to get a well-deserved cup of coffee. I sat there quietly contemplating all manner of evils, but after half an hour they reappeared and told me how sorry they were and how much they loved me.

I followed them into the passage and was impressed to see that they’d tried to clean the walls. Next they directed me to their bedrooms and, to my surprise, their rooms were clean. For now, the three-battles-a-day idea is working!

Stacy Heilbronn

listen up I’m writing this before the official figures on fatalities on our roads over the festive season have been announced, but these are estimated to be in the region of 1 400 deaths. This is a shocking figure! Our family holidayed on the Cape south coast over Christmas and New Year, and I was appalled at just how many drivers ignored traffic rules. And a lot of these were parents! It seems to me that people believe the festive season gives them licence to be irresponsible. On countless occasions I

saw children as young as four or five piled on to the back of bakkies for trips to the beach or shops. Then there were the tipsy youngsters in charge of driving these vehicles back from the beach. One accident I witnessed was caused by a woman (children in the back) whose cellphone was clutched between her shoulder and ear.

The crash wasn’t fatal, but it could have been. It also seems that neither the wearing of safety belts nor the use of car seats by children are a priority during the holidays. I am not shocked by the high fatality rate – in fact I’m surprised it’s not higher. Please, fellow parents, stop and think. By disregarding traffic rules, you are not only a danger to yourself and your family, but also to other people on the roads.

Camilla French

write to us We would like to know what’s on your mind.

Send your letters to: marina@childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. 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. You can also post a comment online at childmag.co.za

February 2011

wins

giveaways

in february playtime perfected Ideal Toy is a wholesale family-run business that supplies educational toys to various retail stores countrywide. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options on offer when choosing an educational toy, but with Ideal Toy you are guaranteed topquality toys and games focusing on multilevel challenges, logical thinking, and visual and spatial perception. A few of Ideal Toy’s brands include Orda, Foxmind, Zoob, Smart Games and University Games. For more info email idealtoy@iafrica.com or visit idealtoy.co.za One reader of Cape Town’s Child stands a chance to win an Ideal Toy hamper valued at R2 339. Toys include “Zoologic”, “Memo Spell”, “Go Getter Cat & Mouse” and “Zoob Cube”. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Ideal Toy CT Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Ideal Toy CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 28 February 2011. Only one entry per reader.

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saving monkeys one breakfast at a time Kellogg’s and wildlife charity Born Free have teamed up – simply by eating their favourite breakfast cereal, Coco Pops fans help illtreated monkeys in Malawi. Participate in the “Adopt a Monkey” promotion (running until April 2011) by buying any two promotional packs from the Kellogg’s Coco Pops range: Chocorillas, Crunchers, Jumbos or the original oven-toasted rice grains. SMS (R1/SMS) the two monkey codes found inside any two of these promotional packs to receive your unique code, which your child will use to adopt a monkey on adoptamonkey.co.za. Children will be able to read each monkey’s own incredible survival story and will be able to rehabilitate their own virtual monkey by playing an online game. To find out more about how Kellogg’s is helping Born Free, visit adoptamonkey.co.za or cocopops.co.za Seven readers of Cape Town’s Child stand a chance to win a hamper valued at R300, including a soft toy monkey and Coco Pops munchies. To enter, email your details to win@ childmag.co.za with “Kellogg’s CT Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Kellogg’s CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 28 February 2011. Only one entry per reader.

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do sweat it Fitness First, along with the former Spice Girl Scary Spice, is set to launch Get Fit with Mel B, designed for maximum fat burning, toning and weight loss. It is suitable for all fitness levels and combines high-intensity aerobic and boxing moves with conditioning exercises. Get Fit with Mel B will bring you real-time advice and feedback on several disciplines such as dance fit, cardio, step, pump, tone and kickboxing. The game also delivers a personal nutritional programme aligned to your fitness workout. Get Fit with Mel B is available at CNA, BT Games and Look & Listen.

For more info visit getfitwithmelb.com Three readers of Cape Town’s Child stand a chance to win a copy of Get Fit with Mel B valued at R399 in a platform of their choice (Wii, XBox or PS3). To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Get Fit CT Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Get Fit CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 28 February 2011. Only one entry per reader.

February 2011

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wins

adventures in learning Leapster Explorer is a new learning experience that encourages children to discover something new every day. It offers endless ways to play and learn through games, e-books, videos and online play. Skills are covered in the area of school (reading and maths), special interest (nature and science) and life skills (sharing). Parents can view the games their child plays most and see how they are doing with different skills. The Leapster Explorer is available at most major toy retailers. For more info, visit leapfrog.com/explorer/ One reader of Cape Town’s Child stands a chance to win a Leapster Explorer Console (R799) and a game (R249) of your choice valued at R1 048. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Leapster CT Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Leapster CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 28 February 2011. Only one entry per reader.

posh garb Miki Kids Fashion Boutique caters for children from birth to 10 years old. It stocks well-known, high-quality fashion labels such as Phoebe & Floyd, Hush Clothing, Sam & Seb and Baby Trendsetter, as well as toys and accessories by Melissa and Doug, Wow Toys, Tolo Toys and Shoo Shoos. They also offer gift options for baby showers, christenings and other special occasions. Visit Miki Kids Fashion Boutique at De Ville Centre, Wellington Road, Durbanville (021 975 5755) or email miki@mikikidsclothing.com One reader of Cape Town’s Child stands a chance to win R2 000 to spend on clothes and accessories at the store. To enter, either fill in an entry form in-store or send an sms to 083 773 8087 with your details and the answer to the following question: Where is Miki Kids Fashion Boutique situated? Entries close 28 February 2011. Only one entry per reader.

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February 2011

congratulations to our November winners Tasneem Esau, Isolde Meyer, Yvette Oliphant, Neroshni Munian and Cecilia de Agrela who each win a Kidz Get Wild holiday camp; Sumayah Salie who wins a Treehouse gift voucher; Carmen Mundell, Venesha Shunmugam, Leda Webb, Bernard van der Westhuizen and Willie Lategan who each win a Green Cross voucher.

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upfront with paul

show time Sometimes, being a parent means you just

PHOTOGRAPH: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

need to smile and clap, says PAUL KERTON.

e arrive for a dinner party with friends. The children immediately disappear into some secret corner of the house. You don’t hear a whimper. You know they are up to something, but are reassured that nothing dodgy is going down. Nothing has before.

They appear briefly when you shout for them (many times) to come and get some food, which is on the table and going to get cold. The pack arrives; the food disappears fast; and they also disappear, a slight smirk on their faces – that conspiratorial, we-know-you-don’t cockiness. No matter, they are enjoying themselves. There are no “Mommy, I hurt my arm” or “Daddy, Brian pushed me and called me a nerd” complaints from the children. Their silence is uncanny.

The grown-ups don’t really notice because they are relishing their temporary opportunity to be adults again, discussing

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really important stuff like property, sport and fashion, and that beautiful Lalique vase that Sue bought in Venice. They are having such a good time that they have literally forgotten the children exist.

Then, disaster strikes.

With a loud fanfare from one of the more exuberant children, the troupe arranges every seat into an impromptu theatre, around a suitable household space and it is “Show Time”. Suddenly the audio-system is mercilessly hijacked and that smooth, funky, Argentinian tango-jazz is replaced with a nonsense of Abba and Justin Bieber, and worse, rap, with its ugly gangstabitching and parental-advisory lexicon.

The parents cringe; Maureen instinctively reaches to cover her little son’s ears, but bravely stops herself. This is life.

The laughter of the parents dies. Faces and shoulders drop (like Man United players after throwing away a two-goal

lead), but they manage to raise heroic halfsmiles in the face of adversity, stop their conversations and obediently sit down and pay attention.

Irritating though the timing is, the children (bless ’em) do make a supreme effort. They have rehearsed their lines to perfection and their stage management is second only to that of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. They pirouette through their dance moves with ease and the older children (who always claim star billing) have included the very youngest, even if she is just banging a pot lid out of time.

The parents applaud enthusiastically, eager to get back to the sparkling wine and equally sparkling conversations. But wait, there is more. That was just the First Act. Oh no! The parents cannot disguise a collective sigh as they slump back down in their seats to endure Act Two. This is slightly more difficult since the children are

Saskia, Paul and Sabina

now on borrowed time. The problem with children is that they just don’t know when to stop.

Luckily the hostess has seen this movie before and with a cheerful burst of enthusiasm directed at the cast, she first applauds them for their ingenuity and unbelievable talent and then invites the children to have some “special” late night chocolates. A masterstroke. The curtain falls. Conversations resume…

Paul Kerton is the author of Fab Dad: A Man’s Guide to Fathering.

February 2011

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dealing with difference

sound sense Dyslexia – and its associated reading and writing difficulties – doesn’t need to leave your child locked out of learning. Its challenges can be overcome, says ELAINE EKSTEEN.

moving forward Dyslexia can be a debilitating condition, if not overcome.

However, a dyslexic child can almost certainly learn to be a successful reader and, with things such as spell check and voice recognition software, it’s possible for those with dyslexia to succeed in tertiary study and to go on to operate very effectively, and even excel, in the workplace.

As with most learning differences, the earlier it’s picked up the better. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, and if you have a history of reading difficulties in your family, speak to your child’s school about having her assessed by a specialist educator or educational psychologist.

Once she has been properly diagnosed you can set

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February 2011

about getting her the appropriate help – this may include seeing an educational psychologist, speech and language therapy, tuition from a remedial educator and, in some cases, occupational therapy.

The most powerful tool in helping a child with dyslexia, says Nadler-Nir, is “demystifying” their difficulties. “This helps the child understand why they find reading and writing so difficult,” she continues. Following this, dyslexic children generally need assistance in the areas of phonics and fluency. They “need to understand how words are put together and at the same time they need to become smoother readers,” says Worrall. One of the challenges for dyslexic children who have learnt to read is then developing the ability to express themselves in writing.

My inability to perform the most natural tasks of reading and writing made me ashamed of who I was.

Depending on “a child’s ability to compensate with other cognitive strengths and the type of support there is for them,” says Nadler-Nir, “many are able to cope adequately at a mainstream school.” One such success story is a Grade 5 child Nadler-Nir worked with for five years, who recently received the most prestigious award at her school. “It was for determination and perseverance,” explains Nadler-Nir. “She also got 78% for English and has read the Twilight Series. She is a dyslexic learner who shows that academic success is possible.”

Other dyslexic children make better progress at a special needs school. In fact, says Worrall, whose school was set up specifically for children with learning differences, “many children whose dyslexia is picked up early attend specialised education like ours for just one to three years before being ready to switch to mainstream education”.

sons can both now read and write and they no longer consider themselves stupid. They know that they are bright and that their brain just works a little differently. I would love to say their lives are easy, but that’s not true. But they now have tools to face being in school,” explains Sharon.

homework Whatever your journey is with your child, there are a few very important things parents can do to assist the child thought to have dyslexia. These are: • Take action. Don’t delay having your child assessed if you are concerned.

• “Read to them. This is most important,” says Worrall. Read to your child every night and ask them questions, discuss what’s happening. “Once your child is into the pleasure of reading you are halfway there,” she encourages.

• Keep new teachers informed about your child’s learning barriers.

• “For some children the image they have of themselves as a dyslexic can interfere with their progress,” says Worrall. Make sure you are feeding into your child’s strengths. This will help their motivation levels and is key to their moving forward.

• Accept that overcoming their difficulties will take time and be patient, says Nadler-Nir.

useful reading • Dyslexia-friendly Practice in the Secondary Classroom by Tilly Mortimore and Jane Dupree (Exeter: Learning Matters) • Dyslexia: A Parents’ Guide To Dyslexia, Dyspraxia And Other Learning Difficulties by Dr Helen Likierman and Dr Valerie Muter (Ebury Publishing) • The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald D Davis (Davis Dyslexia Association) • International Dyslexia Association (USA): interdys.org • British Dyslexia Association: bdadyslexia.org.uk

different strokes For Durban-based mom Sharon Gerken, herself dyslexic, the schooling of her sons, both dyslexic, was an enormous frustration. “My eldest son could not read and write by nine and my youngest could not read. If I had not stumbled on the Davis method my boys would not have been accepted into any school – their IQ was too high for remedial school,” says Sharon.

The Davis programme, developed by American Ron Davis, focuses on eliminating the perceptual distortions many dyslexics experience. The dyslexic, says Davis, thinks in pictures, not words; making them creative and imaginative, big-picture thinkers. Although some mainstream practitioners are dismissive of the programme, there are many parents who swear by it, claiming Davis’s book The Gift of Dyslexia has transformed their children’s lives. “My

don’t believe it These statements about dyslexic learners are myths, say Tilly Mortimore and Jane Dupree in their book Dyslexia-friendly Practice in the Secondary Classroom (Exeter: Learning Matters): • The majority of dyslexic learners are male.

• Dyslexic learners will never learn to read.

• Most dyslexic learners suffer from some form of attention disorder.

• It is impossible to identify dyslexia before the age of seven.

• Dyslexic learners cannot cope at university.

• All dyslexic learners are of average or above average intelligence.

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PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

b

ehind this smiling face, I’m not like the others.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had difficulty absorbing information, I’ve struggled to read and write. All the simplest, most natural things the children around me learnt to do without questioning, I just couldn’t seem to do. By age 10, the creeping tentacles of shame already had a grip on me. My inability to perform the most natural tasks of reading and writing made me ashamed of who I was,” says local 20-year-old Erin Levitas in her book Through a Dyslexic Looking Glass, which she co-authored with Mariëlle Renssen.

“The most difficult part was that throughout my early teenage years, no-one would give my condition – clearly a form of learning disability – a name. I always believed that if only we could label it, it’d be much easier for me to deal with,” says Erin.

“I was 16 when the big black mushroom of a cloud that hovered over my head was torn open,” she continues. The “cloud” was given a name; Erin was found to be dyslexic.

“Dyslexia can be summed up as the inability to make sense of the sound system of language,” says Dr Anita Worrall, psychologist and director of Pro Ed Assessment & Therapy Centre/Pro Ed House School in Cape Town.

Dyslexia runs in families and has been linked to problems with information processing, particularly in the language centres of the brain.

Its signs and symptoms are varied, “depending on the child’s patterns of strengths, barriers, attention, personality and so on. Generally a dyslexic child is slow to ‘break the code’ to reading and spelling, and gets frustrated at school because it is so difficult. Their self-esteem is often affected,” says speech-language therapist Elizabeth Nadler-Nir of The Reading Language Gym in Cape Town.

The child with dyslexia will have difficulty understanding rhyme and manipulating sounds, may jumble up words and mix up directionals (up and down, for example).

They often have trouble breaking things up into logical steps, and have difficulty with lists and sequences. These children also struggle to access their “working memory, finding it difficult to retain and recall information when they want it,” says Worrall.

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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February 2011

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health

level with me CATHERINE RICE helps parents understand the ups and downs of diabetes in children.

d

iabetes is the world’s fastest growing chronic disease, affecting people of all ages, including infants. Currently 220 million people are diabetic. The World Health Organisation predicts that deaths due to diabetes will increase by 50 percent in the next 10 years. In South Africa, reliable statistics are not available, but Johannesburg paediatric endocrinologist, Dr David Segal, estimates that about 6 000 children under the age of 14 are currently diagnosed every year.

There are many different types of diabetes, with type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most common. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes, and used to be known as juvenile diabetes because it most commonly is diagnosed in the young. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas no longer produces the insulin

treatment, it can be life threatening.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, excessive drinking, excessive urination, extreme hunger, lethargy, sudden weight loss, infections that don’t heal plus stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

treatment and management Once diagnosed, the disease is treated with insulin injections, which are given in appropriate doses. To do this effectively, sugar levels need to be monitored frequently.

A finger pricker (a technologically advanced device that pricks the skin painlessly) is used to draw a tiny amount of blood. This is then fed into a small device called a glucometer.

It is not uncommon to have to check sugar levels 10 times in 24 hours. Most important is checking between midnight and 2am, leading to sleep deprivation for parents of diabetic children.

People think that children with diabetes cannot be given sweet things. But this is not true. the body needs. Type 1 diabetes develops before the age of 35 years old. In type 2 diabetes, the most common form, there is often a genetic susceptibility, combined with lifestyle choices that lead to obesity which, in turn, leads to insulin resistance. It usually affects older people with sedentary lifetstyles, and is easier to manage.

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

could type 1 diabetes affect your child?

According to Segal, there is not necessarily a genetic predisposition for type 1 diabetes.

“An environmental or viral trigger can set off the autoimmune process.” What exactly that trigger is, doctors do not know.

Once the autoimmune process kicks in, there is no turning back. The body mounts an attack against its own pancreas, and the cells that make insulin are destroyed.

Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas manufactures, that “tells” cells how to extract sugar from the blood, turning it into the energy necessary for survival. Without insulin, the unusable glucose remains in the blood. The body then breaks down fat and protein to use as an alternative energy source and weight loss is, therefore, one of the common symptoms of the disease.

Cape Town paediatric endocrinologist Dr Michelle Carrihill lists the symptoms to look out for. If you suspect that your child has diabetes, she urges parents to seek medical help immediately – without magazine cape town

Parents need to be continually aware of the possibility of a hypoglycaemic attack. A hypoglycaemic attack happens when the sugar levels in the blood drop to unacceptably low levels, due, ironically, to an over supply of insulin. When blood sugar levels fall below a minimum threshold the child feels unwell, eventually lapsing into unconsciousness. To raise blood sugar levels, sugar or glucose, usually in food or liquid form, must be given immediately. This can be problematic if the diabetic is a young child who is asleep, and not interested in eating or drinking anything at that moment.

In recent years, there have been significant technological advances in the treatment of diabetes. One major innovation has been the introduction of insulin pumps.

The insulin pump is connected to the body by tubing which feeds into a canula

or indwelling catheter placed under the skin, usually on the buttocks. It obviates the need for injections, delivering insulin on a continual basis. However, every time the child eats or drinks, blood sugar levels must be checked, carbohydrate intake estimated, and the insulin pump adjusted accordingly. The pump is usually clipped to a piece of the child’s clothing. The catheter site needs to be moved every three days. The insulin pump makes life for a diabetic more flexible and manageable, but is only affordable for people with a decent medical-aid scheme.

looking ahead The harsh truth is that, currently there is no cure for diabetes on the horizon. Although stem cell research shows promise, it will be many years before meaningful results will be seen. The current focus is on more efficient therapeutic technology, such as the insulin pump, and continuous glucose monitoring devices. Segal says the cases

of very young children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is increasing by about one percent every year. Doctors are not sure why this is, but there is the hypothesis that our continually changing environmental factors affect this.

I have learnt a lot about diabetes in children in the last few years. Three years ago my younger daughter was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 23 months.

It has been a stressful journey, but, as a family we have tried to acquire as much knowledge as possible, in our attempts to give Maya a normal life. Life is more complicated. We can no longer just decide on a whim to go somewhere. Everything must be meticulously planned. Today, we celebrated her fifth birthday and as she ran around the garden, giggling with pure joy.

She looked like any other child revelling in the delights of a birthday.

common misconceptions Type 1 diabetes is not caused by a child’s dietary patterns. People

where to turn

commonly confuse type 1 and

• Red Cross Children’s Hospital Diabetes Clinic, Cape Town, 021 658 5035

type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is

• Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Johannesburg 011 712 6000

found in older people, and is easier

• Diabetes South Africa (non profit organisation to promote awareness and

to manage.

provide support): 011 886 3721/3765, diabetessa.co.za. Contact the Durban office: 031 764 3953

People think that children with

• childrenwithdiabetes.com is a valuable forum that provides support

diabetes cannot be given sweet

by allowing parents to communicate with thousands of other parents in the

things. This is not true. If insulin

same position.

levels are effectively controlled, a

• Probably the most authoritative book on the subject is Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults by Dr Ragnar Hanas (Da Capo Press).

diabetic child can enjoy a normal and healthy diet.

February 2011

17

parenting

raising a trier Children who are open to new experiences can grow and go further. But how

w

e all want our children to be successful in life, but this takes more than talent and hard work – it takes the courage to keep pushing to new heights, which means risking failure. “To grow, you need to learn to deal with the discomfort of leaving your comfort zone, and take risks,” says Elise Fourie, a Pretoria counselling psychologist and executive coach. “And some find it more difficult than others.”

Part of this is genetic and to do with personality, and part is shaped by life experiences and the way you are raised. Negative childhood events can erode self-esteem, making you insecure and reluctant to expose yourself by taking risks or being judged by others. The challenge for parents is to help children to be positive risk-takers – to raise them to be confident, curious and courageous enough to try things that stretch and strengthen them.

This can be particularly hard for parents today, when we’re blitzed by media coverage of dangers from unsafe toys to drugs, school violence, bullying, teen sex, teen stress

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and suicide, cyber predation and crime in general. Small wonder we’ve been labelled a generation of “helicopter parents”, hovering over our children, supervising their every move and robbing them of opportunities to test and hone

We do our children no favours when we bubble-wrap them, keeping them from difficult choices when they are still young enough to be guided by us. their abilities – and to feel the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles and achieving things for themselves.

I remind myself of it whenever my 16-year-old limps in from teaching himself a new trick on the unicycle he

saved for, or my 13-year-old signs up for some tough music competition.

“We do our children no favours when we bubble-wrap them, keeping them from difficult choices when they are still young enough to be guided by us,” says Michael Ungar, family therapist and author of Too Safe for Their Own Good: How Risk and Responsibility Help Teens Thrive (McClelland & Stewart). “We seem these days to have a magical notion that children can learn common sense by just watching and listening to others talk about it. That isn’t the way our brains develop.” We are experiential beings, he explains. “We need to be pushed, not too far, but just enough to learn something new.”

“Recent research indicates that cognitive development and growth is linked to overcoming obstacles and mastering age-appropriate learning tasks and milestones,” says Fourie. “This includes learning to ride a bicycle, sleeping alone at night, even simple things such as bathing and dressing.”

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

can we encourage them – and still keep them safe? GLYNIS HORNING reports

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

build confidence Help your child spot talents and develop passions that make them feel special, because the greater their self-esteem, the more open they will be to new experiences.

“Children with positive self-esteem have good selfawareness, and their knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses gives them the confidence to continually seek ways of growing,” says Durban-based child and educational psychologist Dr Caron Bustin. “This enables them to use opportunities to advance, and apply their judgment to resist those that go against their radar.”

lighten up

Strange as it may seem, there’s a connection between the security we offer children, and their violent behaviour, experimentation with drugs, and risk-taking with their bodies, minds and emotions, says Ungar. “According to the children, the real problem is that they must search hard these days to experience danger or risk or responsibility that makes them feel more adult.”

Children who are good risk-takers are better able to cope with the social and emotional dangers that come with peer pressure, say Susan Davis and Nancy Eppler-Wolff, authors of Raising Children Who Soar: A Guide to Healthy

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Risk-Taking in an Uncertain World (Teachers College Press). “They have the courage and the confidence to risk their own position in the social hierarchy, and they are prepared to express their own convictions and feelings – even if they go against the group’s norm.”

Children not exposed to risks arrive at adulthood unprepared for its challenges, and confronted by these they resort to fight (aggression and rebellion) or flight (retreat and withdrawal). Encouraging them to take appropriate risks from an early age makes them feel trustworthy, responsible and capable. Here’s how.

Be vigilant where real risks exist, but lighten up when your fear gets the better of you, says Unger. “Well-founded worry conveys to children they are loved; senseless ungrounded worry debilitates children in ways far worse than the few bumps and bruises they may experience without us.” Letting children explore at the cost of those bumps builds self-confidence, resilience and self-reliance, says Wendy Mogel, author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee (Penguin). Girls may need more encouragement than boys, so look for chances for your daughter to ride the high slide and swings.

As Tony Hawk, the legendary American skateboard champion and father of three athletic, daring sons put it in a recent interview: “Let their passion trump your fear. My oldest has learned an important lesson through his injuries: don’t make the same mistake twice. I trust his sense of judgment and commitment, and my job is to support him however I can.”

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parenting

give guidance Barbara Coloroso, author of Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline (Harper), talks of “jellyfish” parents, who don’t give children boundaries, and “brick-wall” parents, who enforce rigid rules that allow no room to learn to think independently. Aim to be what she calls “backbone” parents, by providing children with structure and flexibility to negotiate for what they need as they develop, and to take more responsibility for their own decisions. So, yes, your child can skateboard – but only if they wear a helmet at all times. And, yes, they can go to a party, but only if you drop them off, meet the other parents, and collect them at 11pm. Agree on consequences and enforce them.

hurt of some kind. “By nurturing risk and recognising challenge and failure as a normal part of life, we can help our children,” say Davis and Eppler-Wolff. Teach them that failure gives us the feedback we need to get good at the things we choose to do. Teens can be particularly afraid of denting their image, so share this gem from local rocker Arno Carstens: “Success is buried in the garden of failure – if you’re prepared to go dig there, you’ll eventually find it.” And remind them that it took Thomas Edison around 10 000 attempts to invent the electric light bulb. “I often tell parents it’s their task to prepare their child for life, not to protect them from life, so children should be encouraged to dare,” says Fourie.

go gently give safe alternatives Provide safe substitutes for inappropriate risk-taking or “responsibility-seeking” behaviour, says Ungar. Find challenges that help your child feel adult in ways acceptable to you both. “Any child who has not learnt to take good risks will take poor ones instead,” reason Davis and Eppler-Wolff. “Children of all ages need to challenge themselves by taking everyday risks that promote accomplishment and a greater capacity for tolerance and compassion.”

listen up!

When children ignore sound advice or rules, and take a risk that is clearly dangerous or for which they are not prepared, ask why they’ve chosen to take on more responsibility than they’re ready for. Listen closely – chances are they are trying to tell you something. They may need reassurance, guidance or simply attention. “Often dangerous behaviour is an expression of anger towards a parent for lack of attention,” says Fourie. “But it can sometimes be revenge for being reprimanded or punished, or exposed to what they perceive as rejection.”

Children with ADD or ADHD can engage in risky behaviour from impulsivity and a decreased sense of danger. “In this case, education is important, rather than merely attempting to inhibit risktaking behaviour.”

teach them it’s okay to fail You can’t learn to skateboard, speak a new language, make a new friend, or be a class leader, without risking

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February 2011

If children are hesitant to try new things, challenge them, but gently and supportively.

Ask for their reasons, and acknowledge the feelings behind them, but point out alternative ways of seeing them. “Also suggest coping strategies, as a child often cannot generate these if they feel under threat or fear failure,” says Fourie. So yes, trying out for the school play is scary, but think what fun rehearsals will be, and how good they will feel entertaining everyone.

Remind them of times they’ve tried other new things and found they enjoyed them.

Share your own experiences, without being coercive or patronising. Motivate but don’t push, especially if their resistance is strong, which it can be in matters far out of their comfort zone. Forcing a very shy child to try out for a play or debating team can make them more risk-averse. “Parents often incorrectly believe that public performance is good for a shy child,” says Fourie. “It’s only good if they are really interested in it and have some talent for it. If not, it creates even more opportunity for failure, and already negative self-esteem can become more resistant to change.” Talk through the challenge and break it into achievable steps, which will give a sense of mastery to carry them forward, advises Bustin. “Work with them and be patient.

Suggest how to deal with setbacks, and celebrate small successes along the way.

Remember to praise not only the result but the effort and intention – after all, it’s the effort, not the goal, that’s required forever.”

The moment something is no longer fun, let them stop – they also need to know how to say “no” to things that are genuinely not for them.

“If the resistance appears to be due magazine cape town

It’s a parent’s task to prepare their child for life, not to protect them from life, so children should be encouraged to dare.

more to lack of interest than fear of risk or failure, the child should be encouraged to choose another activity,” says Fourie.

“Parents shouldn’t remain stuck on the idea that public performance is the only activity from which a shy child can benefit. Have them consider team sports, art, singing in a choir, even starting a new sport.”

don’t label them Calling a child “shy” or a “picky eater” pegs them in other’s perceptions and their own, removing the incentive to change and grow, and giving them an excuse not to. “Children can be remarkably intuitive about how others perceive them, and take on labels readily,” says Bustin. “In the end they never realise their true potential, and it results in learnt helplessness.”

“A label almost becomes a safe haven – if it fits, there’s no need to change,” adds Fourie. “Everything is predictable and there is no chance of being caught by surprise, therefore no chance of failing.” Yet many labels are untrue, including “picky eater”.

According to one study, if children have repeated opportunities to try new foods, they’ll accept at least some of them. This may mean you need to offer a spoonful of beans 10 to 15 times before they’ll give it a go, but they will.

it’s added to your life. Be truthful: “That wasn’t much fun, but I’m pleased I tried it, at least I know what to do next time.”

Never berate yourself for failing when you tried something that didn’t turn out as planned, or let them hear you criticise or mock people for not succeeding at things. Model tolerance and respect for others and for yourself, whatever their or your shortcomings. Praise their and your efforts and good points, and you will teach children they don’t need to be perfect.

“Parents who model healthy risk-taking behaviour and dealing with failure teach their children one of the most important coping mechanisms in life,” says Fourie.

Concludes Bustin: “We can’t do better than to show our children that we cannot be anything we want to be, but we can be more of who we already are.”

model an open attitude Children learn most from your attitude and example, says Bustin. “Parents need to examine their own issues, motivations and attitudes before setting expectations.”

How often do your children see you try something outside your comfort zone – eating something exotic in a restaurant, taking a course, or agreeing to speak in public? Share your hesitation, fear or distaste, the persistence or courage it took, and how good you felt afterwards – or how magazine cape town

February 2011

21

education

memory

10

TRACY ELLIS looks at some fun exercises and tactics we can teach our children

oncentration and memorisation go hand in hand with learning. Our brains store new information by forming a specific neural pathway to where that information is stored. In order to recall that data correctly, we need to trigger our brain to follow the same pathway back to it.

Sound complicated? According to experts, it really isn’t! Daren Denholm, four times Southern Hemisphere and African Continent Memory Champion, says we are all born with the same mental equipment

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February 2011

but it’s how we use our brain that makes all the difference. Memory is much like muscle: the more you exercise it, the better it gets and helping our children to exercise their memories can have a huge impact on their ability to retain and retrieve information and improve their success at school. Stress and anxiety can severely impair memory retention so it is important to keep learning relaxed and exciting. Here are some fun memory games, tactics and tips, which are useful for developing concentration and boosting memory power.

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ILLUSTRATIONS: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

c

to boost their memory power.

ILLUSTRATIONS: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

1

letter logic

memory tool An acronym is a word that is formed using the first letters of other words and can be used effectively to remember a group of words that might otherwise be difficult to memorise on their own. brain training Underline the first letter of each word you need to remember.

Arrange the underlined letters to form your acronym. For example, if you need

2

acrostically speaking

memory tool An acrostic works in a similar way to an acronym by using the first letter of each word in a group of words you need to remember. Instead of making a new word, though, the letters are used to make a new sentence or poem, which often relates back to the original word. Humorous acrostics are easier for children to remember. brain training Write down the first letter of each word you need to remember, then create a sentence using words beginning with the same letters as the

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to remember the points on a compass, you might use the acronym NEWS (North, East, West and South). Acronyms can be a real or made up word, but acronyms that are easily pronounced are more effective. For example NEWS is a better acronym than NSEW. Acronyms can be used in reverse to remember the spelling of difficult words. Take a word, such as “because”, and create a fun sentence using the corresponding

ones on your list. A common acrostic used to remember the nine planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto is My Very Eager Monkey Jumps Swiftly Under Nine Planets. practice drill Children can have fun practising acrostics by using the letters of their name and the names of their friends. The resulting sentence or group of words should describe the person concerned. For example: GAIL might be Generous And Incredibly Loving or Gifted, Arty, Interesting, Lady.

letters: Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants. practice drill Children use acronyms everyday without even realising it. Test your child on the meaning of common ones such as ASAP, PTO and ATM. Ask your cellphone savvy child to teach you some common chat acronyms such as ROFL (Rolling On Floor Laughing), LOL (Laughing Out Loud) and BFF (Best Friends Forever).

3

sing-song

memory tool Rhyme, rhythm, melody, repetition and alliteration can all assist us in remembering facts by committing them to our auditory memory.

Adding rhyme or melody to an acronym or acrostic makes it even more powerful than just speaking it, as it activates both sides of the brain. brain training Singing the ABCs to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or chanting “Thirty days has September, April, June and November” are examples of learning through rhyme and rhythm. Take a list of words and ask your child to put a melody to them. practice drill Try putting new words to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to teach your child something. For example: “We live in South Africa; 11 languages spoken here; Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans…”

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education

4

let’s make a list

5

word chains

memory tool Play a game by building a growing list with your child to practise your collective memory power. brain training Each player takes a turn to remember one thing he saw or bought on an outing to the shops, park or beach. The next player repeats and adds to the list. For example: we went to the park and saw a ladybird; we went to the park and saw a ladybird

memory tool Making inks and chains are effective tactics for remembering short- to medium-length lists of words that don’t necessarily have to be remembered in order, such as shopping lists. brain training Start with your list of words and visualise each word. Link the first image with the second, then the second with the third, and so on. For example, if you need to remember to buy cat food, lettuce, soap and orange juice, you might imagine a cat with a lettuce balancing on its head, then a lettuce taking a bath and finally a bathtub filled with orange juice. The more crazy the images, the more you are likely to remember them. practice drill Have fun with your children by writing lists of words and getting them to imagine and describe the crazy images. When you are done, see how many items they can remember from the list.

7

the case of the missing object

memory tool Use any household objects to create a fun memory game for children. This game tests their ability to concentrate and recall information. brain training Place five to 15 different household objects on a tray or table in random order. For younger children, choose a few bigger objects; for older children choose many smaller objects.

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February 2011

and a tree; we went to the park and saw a ladybird, a tree and a dog…

Keep taking turns and adding items to see how long the list can get and who remembers the most things on it. practice drill This game can be played after any outing and the list can include anything you bought, saw or did.

Change the intro and verb accordingly.

For example: we went to the shop and bought apples, or we went to the beach and swam in the sea.

6

mental gymnastics

memory tool Word and number puzzles such as crosswords, Sudoku, riddles and maths trivia can help us think laterally, improve our concentration and train our brains to create new neural pathways, all important for boosting memory power. brain training Killing time in the doctor’s waiting room? Keep a handbag-sized puzzle or trivia book (available at most bookshops and stationers) close by and take five minutes a day to do some brain gym with your child. Children as young as seven can begin solving simple Sudoku puzzles. practice drill If all you have is a pen and paper, simple games like hangman, noughts and crosses, and incomplete sequences and patterns can work just as well.

Tip: for our brains to get the most benefit, the puzzles need to be sufficiently challenging.

Give them a minute to study the objects, then ask them to turn around while you remove an object. They must now identify the missing object. practice drill Make the game easier by touching each object and naming it out loud before they turn around. If they are still battling, give them a clue by telling them the first letter of the missing object. Make the game more difficult by shuffling the remaining objects before you reveal them.

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8

making sense of learning

memory tool Involving multiple senses and combining left and right brain activity while learning gives you the most reward from your memory. Try combining colours, textures, music, smells and tastes when learning. brain training Ask your children to close their eyes and visualise their work. Then ask them to describe it to you in vivid detail. What does it look like? What colour is it? Does it make any sounds? What does it say? What does it smell like?

If it had a taste, what would that be? Get them to add humour and emotion to engage all the senses.

Rewriting and reading text out loud is a more effective way of studying than just reading it silently as it involves multiple senses. Adding in coloured pens, diagrams and classical background music is even better. practice drill Make your own Stroop test (a psychological measure of mental flexibility): write the names of colours in alternatecoloured inks, then ask your child to say only the colour and not read the word. For example, write “red” using blue ink, then have her say the word as “blue”. By combining colour and language, this exercise resolves conflict between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

10

do the loci-motion

memory tool The Method of Loci is an ancient memory technique in which facts, words or numbers are assigned to places along a familiar path or route. It works on the assumption that you can best remember places or routes that you are familiar with, so linking things you need to remember with these locations will trigger your memory. brain training Make a list of 10 words for your child to remember in order.

Write them on pieces of paper and then walk with him on the path he would normally take in your house to get from the front door to his

9

cups of fun

memory tool This game is a version of the classic memory card game Concentration or Pairs, but is a little more fun. brain training Take an even number of plastic or polystyrene party cups.

You should have at least eight cups per player. Gather enough matching pairs of household objects such as buttons, small toys or dried beans. Place one object under each paper cup.

Players take turns to lift two cups.

If the objects match, they remove them. The winner is the one with the most objects at the end of the game. practice drill Raise the stakes by mixing coins and small treats in among the household objects.

Each player gets to keep the treats he matches from memory.

bedroom, placing a word at various locations along the way, such as on the couch, kitchen counter and piano.

Say the words aloud together as you place them. When you are done, ask her to visualise the walk you just took and to say the words as she remembers them. practice drill For older children this exercise can be done mentally without actually walking through the house. By visualising the journey and mentally linking words with objects along the way, she should be able to remember the words. Adding another memory tactic such as alliteration or sensory stimulation will improve the results.

healthy bodies, healthy brains Keeping our children healthy through diet and exercise and reducing their bad stress can help to improve their concentration and memories. Make sure your child gets enough sleep and has limited TV time, and encourage him to get active every day. Ensure he eats a balanced diet including memory-boosting foods such as blueberries, broccoli, spinach, onions and grapes. If he is a picky eater and you are concerned he is not getting sufficient vitamins and minerals in his diet, consider giving him a daily vitamin supplement that includes B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

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February 2011

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health

old wives’ tales LUCILLE KEMP looks into the latest generation of myths surrounding mothering.

“I need to go on an allergen-free diet so my baby isn’t born with food allergies.”

Canadian food allergist and author Dr Janice Joneja, discussing her research at the 23rd Biennial Congress of the Nutrition Society of South Africa held in Durban in September 2010, said the number of children under five years old who have a peanut allergy doubled between 2002 and 2007.

She suggests that moms, who are not themselves allergic to anything, should “educate the infant’s immune system to recognise that foreign proteins (allergens) are not a threat.

By eating a wide range of foods and exposing an infant before and after birth to small quantities of foreign proteins,

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February 2011

the child’s immune system is stimulated to produce its own antibodies.” (She encourages exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first four months of a child’s life.) Need more proof?

A study of 8 600 children in Israel and England published in November 2009 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found Israel’s incidence of peanut allergies to be 10 times less than that of England. Interestingly, Israeli families use peanuts as a weaning food while English families tend to avoid peanuts until the child is older.

“I must cut out coffee during my pregnancy.”

The fear is in caffeine and the solution is in moderation.

Researchers have found no harm in drinking coffee if you limit your consumption. “Too much caffeine is not healthy for anyone, pregnant or not, but one or two cups a day will not do any harm,” says Johannesburg-based gynaecologist Dr Johan van der Wat. There are alternatives: tea generally contains less caffeine than coffee, and there

are decaffeinated options such as Rooibos, the poster child of hot drinks for pregnant women.

“I can’t eat sushi while I’m pregnant.”

The usual fear is that raw fish may carry harmful bacteria – but that’s only the case if the fish is not fresh. The other concern is about the mercury content but salmon is classified by the FDA as low in mercury. The same goes for eel, crab and shrimp, each of which is perfectly fine for a pregnant and nursing women to eat. Tuna is a different story, with some species having high quantities of mercury. But, according to Van der Wat: “Eat as much as you like, Japan has one of the biggest populations in the world.” Plus fish is an important part of a healthy, balanced diet, “containing high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of saturated fat,” says the FDA. For peace of mind, contact the Food Advisory Consumer Service (FACS): 012 428 7122 or visit foodfacts.org.za.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

hile blowing the whistle on these modern folklores, the experts suggest that you keep your head. One day these titbits currently convincing you up the garden path will sound as silly as “feed a cold, starve a fever”.

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

“I shouldn’t carry or lift anything during my pregnancy because it will hurt my baby.”

Okay, let’s let the doctor rephrase: “You should not lift or carry excessively heavy things during pregnancy,” says Van der Wat, but there’s no need to wrap yourself in cotton wool. Ignore the fear-mongering advice not to carry your toddler, unless your gynae has specifically told you otherwise. Pregnancy changes your centre of gravity, making you vulnerable to strain but it doesn’t make you fragile. Simply listen to your body and you’ll know your limits – carrying two light grocery bags will not hurt your baby, while moving a heavy pot plant can cause problems.

Practise safe lifting habits. Don’t be a hero.

“I can determine the sex of my baby by the way I am carrying.”

Although it’s a sweet, harmless old wives’ tale, it’s interesting just how many people want to believe it. All Van

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der Wat can say is a bewildered: “No, the sex of a baby can only be determined by ultrasound.” It is actually the baby’s position, size of your torso, your body’s shape before you became pregnant, and the amount of fat deposited around your abdomen that will determine the way you carry.

“My daughter has white spots on her fingernails; she must have a calcium deficiency.

Johannesburg-based paediatrician Dr Alison Baxter says, “White spots or white lines on the nails are due to a mild trauma or bump to the nail and can also occur following periods of illness. Some other systemic diseases can be associated with nail abnormalities, so white spots on nails are not one and the same as calcium deficiency”.

Johannesburg-based paediatrician Dr Jennifer Geel says, “Generally you don’t notice the trauma at the time it occurs and the spots grow out weeks later.” So, they’re like bruises on the skin: they are harmless, and will grow out.

“My son has had his tonsils out so he should get fewer throat infections.”

Baxter says that if a child has his tonsils removed “they won’t get tonsillitis but it won’t stop them from getting an infection of a different area of the throat,” such as pharyngitis or laryngitis. Geel says that only if a child has tonsillitis six or more times a year, should she have a tonsillectomy.

“My child should wait an hour after eating before swimming.”

“As a child I used to love to eat sandwiches under water,” recalls Geel. She goes on to say, “I seem to remember that the reason our parents told us not to eat then swim was to prevent drowning and I have never understood the logic of this one. Certainly, if you eat or drink something and then swim quite vigorously, you may taste the food or drink at the back of your throat but this cannot

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health

cause drowning.” The real issues when it comes to swimming safety are that your child is a competent swimmer and it’s worth it to invest in some lessons. It is also important that your pool is properly secured with a fence or net or both.

“My child has diarrhoea, it must be because she is teething.”

As Baxter puts it: “Teething causes teeth.” She says that some children do get a low-grade fever with teething, but if the fever is over 38 degrees (normal is 37) then you should look for another cause for the fever. With teething some children do also produce a stool that is looser than normal, but this does not equate to gastroenteritis, when the child will go three or four times a day.”

“If my daughter has a cold I should not give her dairy products.”

“Dairy products won’t increase mucous production, but if your child has a cold and is producing a lot of mucous, the milk will coat the mucous so it sounds worse,” says Baxter.

But there’s no need to stop giving them milk altogether.

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Dr Geel says moms should increase their child’s intake of clear fluids, especially those containing Vitamin C.

“If my son reads in dim light it’ll weaken his eyes.”

“Not at all, in my opinion,” says Geel, “Being short- or long-sighted is genetic. This may worsen with time, so a child may seem fine at age five and only later will you notice their poor vision, which some parents may then associate with reading.” Baxter goes on to say that though reading in dim light puts strain on the eyes at that time, and may make them tired, the eyes will recover after a period of rest.” Research shows that there really is very little you can do that will permanently damage your eyes.

“If my daughter goes outside with wet hair she will get a cold.”

“A cold is caused by a virus, so you won’t get a cold just because your hair is wet or because of the weather,” says Baxter. So there you have it: wet hair or cold weather can only aggravate the symptoms of an alreadypresent cold.

fact, in fact Just when you thought you could spot a myth a mile away: it turns out that these have more than a dash of truth in them…

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away Apple phenols help protect the DNA from colon cancer cells. Research has shown that apple consumption may be an effective strategy for cancer protection.

• Long hot baths reduce sperm count Men’s testes are outside the body for a reason. They need to be in a cooler environment to produce healthy sperm. Heat from a hot bath can be temporarily damaging to the sperm, which is why it can affect male fertility. If you’re trying to conceive, men should steer clear of the hot tub and Jacuzzi.

• Eating carrots is good for eyesight It doesn’t make you see any better in the dark, nor does it sharpen your vision but it does reduce the risk of getting macular degeneration, a condition common in seniors and one which causes blindness.

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straight up

the “instant family” man Going from single man to instant parent in the space of a few days changed my life in a multitude of unexpected ways, says RODNEY WEIDEMANN.

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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verything about my life turned on a solitary phone call. My bachelor lifestyle, my “man” habits (yes, I always left the toilet seat up!), my living space and my bank balance – they all changed instantly, the moment I decided to follow up on a blind date arranged by one of my best friends.

I went from being the guy who would, at a moment’s notice, head off to the pub on a Friday night for a few rounds of pool, to the one who asks: “I wonder if there’s anything good on TV tonight?” From Mr “Of course I’m available, let’s party” to the one who repeatedly asks: “Is the venue child-friendly?”

My wife Lorna, with whom I fell in love the night we met, has two beautiful girls – Nicole and Mikyla – who came as part of the deal. This is not something

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that worried me, though. One of my older brothers married a woman who also had two children of around the same age. Both now consider him their second dad.

So, entering into a relationship with someone who already had children held no fear for me. At any rate, I had on more than one other occasion dated women who were mothers. I was, or so I thought, a dab hand at dealing with youngsters.

I also have plenty of nephews (though only two nieces), so I was used to being around little ones. What was there to worry about?

Perhaps we rushed things a little at the outset. We went from dating to buying a house together in the space of about four weeks. We were living together within three months. And that is where the real experience began…

No sane man, who has grown up in a family dominated by males, is ready to instantly share his life with not one, but three members of the opposite sex.

Particularly if he’s a guy who has spent most of his adult life as part of the singles’ scene. Cooking for people with the fussiest of eating habits, playing with Barbie dolls and getting laughed at every time they happen to see your boxers sticking out can play havoc with a guy’s self-esteem.

And, if you think women are bad when they’re with their friends, you should see how they can gang up on a solitary male when they’re all related by blood.

There have certainly been ups and downs. While I have always been happy to defer to Mom when it comes to decisions like “how much TV is appropriate”, our

initially differing views on discipline were cause for much dispute early on. My lack of understanding around the occasional tantrum has also been a problem at times.

And I still haven’t worked out how to do their hair in the pretty styles Mommy always manages.

But has it been worth it? Heck yeah!

I have a gorgeous wife, two beautiful daughters and I’m no longer a spare part at a family gathering. I’m a parent – just the same as the others. I get more cuddles, kisses and “I love yous” than any single man could ever dream of, and I have the pleasure of watching my girls grow and learn, day by day.

Of course, it does also mean that every time they play Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses” on the radio, I burst into tears...

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book extract

good food

for little people

Healthy lunch box inspiration from Justine Drake’s Simply Good Food. turkey and avocado wrap (serves 1) 1 wholewheat tortilla ¼ cup (60ml) shredded lettuce ¼ cup (60ml) shredded rocket 4 cucumber ribbons

4 slices shaved cooked turkey, halved ¼ avocado, thinly sliced 4 tsp (20ml) fat-free plain yoghurt mixed with 2 tsp (10ml) wholegrain mustard or sweet chilli sauce

delicious things to add • Create your own flavour combinations by using 1 Tbsp (15ml) reduced sugar chutney or hot English mustard.

• Wraps are great for combining small portions of leftovers – the last spoonful of cottage cheese or hummus, a few lingering roast vegetables, salad leaves or cold chicken slithers.

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magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPHS: Dawie Verwey

Place the lettuce and rocket on the first third of the tortilla that is closest to you. Be sure to keep clear a 4cm border around the circumference of the tortilla.

Top the lettuce with cucumber ribbons, turkey and avo.

Stir the yoghurt and mustard or sweet chilli sauce together and, if eating immediately, drizzle on top otherwise, to prevent the wrap going soggy, store and serve as a dipping sauce.

Fold the side flaps in to enclose the outer edges of the filling and roll up tightly.

Wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Dawie Verwey

asian chicken balls great cocktail food for grown-ups too! (makes 12 balls, which serves 6) 400g chicken mince ½ medium onion, finely chopped 1 tsp (5ml) freshly grated ginger 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 cup (250ml) grated baby marrows (about 4 large marrows) 1 Tbsp (15ml) fish sauce

Tbsp (15ml) finely chopped fresh 1 mint leaves 1 Tbsp (15ml) finely chopped fresh coriander milled pepper 1 Tbsp (15ml) olive oil or sesame oil

Mix all ingredients together, except the oil.

Shape into small balls.

Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and fry the chicken balls for 8 to 10 minutes over medium heat until firm and cooked through.

Drain on paper towel.

Serve with tomato or sweet chilli sauce for dipping. Or serve for dinner as part of a balanced meal with brown basmati rice and steamed vegetables.

delicious things to add • Roll the raw chicken balls in sesame seeds before frying.

• Omit the Oriental flavours (ginger, chilli, fish sauce, coriander, mint) and add some finely chopped fresh parsley. Pop the chicken balls into a homemade tomato sauce and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C. Serve with wholewheat pasta or rice for an Italian take.

• Flatten the chicken balls into burger patty shapes and serve on a wholewheat seed roll with shredded cucumber, mashed avocado, pickled ginger and a little smear of reduced fat mayo.

things you should know • Don’t crowd the pan or the chicken will boil rather than fry. Rather cook the balls in batches.

• Reduce the fat content by baking the chicken balls in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 minutes or until cooked through.

• To reduce the salt content leave the fish sauce out of this recipe.

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book extract

bean dip a great source of soluble fibre and health-boosting B vitamins (makes 1 cup) 1 x 400g can butter beans, rinsed and drained 1 small clove garlic, crushed 2 tsp (10ml) lemon juice 1 tsp (5ml) grated lemon zest

1 Tbsp (15ml) roughly chopped fresh parsley ¼ cup (60ml) fat-free plain yoghurt milled pepper

Whizz all the ingredients together in a food processor or use a hand blender. Alternatively mash the beans and stir through the remaining ingredients.

Season and stir through a little water to achieve the desired consistency.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3 to 4 days.

how to use it • Serve with raw vegetables as a snack.

• Spread onto wholewheat bread or high-fibre crackers instead of margarine or butter.

delicious things to add • Use a variety of pulses such as chickpeas, cannellini, borlotti, red kidney beans or even lentils instead of butter beans.

root vegetable chips use any root vegetables that take your fancy (serves 4) 2 large parsnips 2 large beetroot 2 large carrots olive oil cooking spray Preheat the oven to 120°C. Scrub the vegetables and top and tail them.

Shave into long ribbon-like strips using a potato peeler – there will be lots of them! Or use a mandoline if you have one.

Coat the strips with a little olive oil spray.

Scatter the vegetables in one haphazard layer onto a couple of baking trays. Don’t pile on top of one another or they won’t get crispy.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden and crispy.

Season and serve or cool and store in an airtight container for up to two days.

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delicious things to add • Season with your favourite spice or rub mix.

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egg fried rice deliciously simple and the perfect solution for leftover rice (serves 4 generously) 1 1 2 4 2 1 3 1

Tbsp (15ml) olive oil onion, finely chopped carrots, peeled and finely chopped baby marrows, finely diced cloves garlic, crushed tsp (5ml) freshly grated ginger jumbo eggs, lightly beaten Tbsp (15ml) low-sodium soy sauce

2 cups (500ml) cooked brown basmati rice, chilled ½ cup (125ml) frozen peas ½ cup (125ml) frozen or fresh corn ½ cup (125ml) fresh coriander, roughly chopped 3–4 spring onions, chopped

Heat a wok or a large non-stick pan and add oil when the pan is hot.

Add the onion, carrots, baby marrows, garlic and ginger.

Stir-fry for 5 minutes.

Mix the eggs and soy sauce together.

Shift the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour in the egg mixture.

Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring continuously to break up the egg as it sets.

Add the rice, peas and corn and toss all ingredients together. Stir-fry for a further 5 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the coriander and spring onion.

Serve as is or as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish.

things to know • Use brown rice instead of white. Brown varieties are higher in fibre and so they help you sustain energy and keep hunger at bay far longer than their refined counterparts.

• Use frozen vegetables – they are just as good for you as fresh ones and much quicker to prepare.

• Use a low-sodium soy sauce in this recipe or omit it completely to reduce the salt content of the dish.

delicious things to add • Add skinless chicken strips or chopped white sustainable fish for an Asianstyle kedgeree.

• Use brown rice instead of brown basmati rice.

• Add red, yellow or green peppers for crunch.

• Stir-fry in sesame oil for an especially nutty flavour.

about the book Simply Good Food by Justine Drake is filled with “food that tastes as fabulous as it looks and is good for you too…”. The recipes will inspire the healthy eater in you. All dishes are low in salt, sugar and monosaturated fat, but don’t skimp on taste-appeal. Think Roast Salmon with Atchar, Chickpea and Ricotta Salad, and Not-So-Naughty Creamy Rice Pudding. Commissioned by Discovery Vitality and published by Lannice Snyman Publishers, Simply Good Food is available from good booksellers nationwide.

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parenting

socially speaking Your house or theirs? Stay for tea, or drop and go?

y seven-year-old son recently decided to take charge of his social life. It started with rescheduling his weekly swimming lesson so he could go home earlier with one of his mates from aftercare. Next he brought home a scrap of paper with another mom’s cellphone number scrawled on it and stuck it to the door of the fridge, instructing me to call her before dinner to arrange a play date for the next day. “Don’t leave it ’til the morning Mom because then it’s too late,” he said.

At first I was a little put out, but then I realised just how important his social life was becoming. It was time to haul out the class list and get cracking.

garnering social skills Play dates are a relatively modern idea, and seem to have developed as a result of parents’ and children’s increasingly busy and structured schedules, as well as a heightened sense of security within society. Gone are the

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days when children roamed the neighbourhood freely, with parents having little or no involvement in their social lives.

Sheelagh Bargate, a mother and qualified teacher, works as a registered counsellor at a leading junior primary school in Durban. She says, “Play dates are very important because they teach children how to socialise with others.

Not everyone is easy to get along with and relationships are not always perfect. Children will learn a certain set of socialising skills at school but this is almost always in a group setting. There is a different set of skills to be learnt through having someone on your own stamping ground.

They learn to share, to negotiate and to resolve conflict – all important life skills.”

While some moms and children may get together to socialise in the baby years, children don’t really start playing together until the ages of four or five, when they switch from associative play to cooperative play (see our box on the ages and stages of play).

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

TRACY ELLIS helps parents negotiate the play date.

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Two moms chatting and drinking tea the entire time their children play side by side is not really a play date, it’s a tea date.

Nicola Grace, a Durban-based counselling psychologist and mother of two says there are no clear rules regarding play dates and ages. “A play date at each age and stage will look very different so there is no way of saying which age group will benefit most from play dates, or when is the best time to start having them. Play is important at every age, but the decision to let your child go to another child’s home is quite a personal and individual one and really depends on the relationship and trust between parents.

Some parents will start arranging play dates when their children are as young as six months, while others

magazine cape town

won’t start until much later. Most parents chaperone play dates until age seven unless it is a play date with a family member or very close family friend.

It gets even more personal when it comes to sleepovers.” Nicola suggests that parents understand the different stages of play so they can know what to expect from their children at a play date. “Two-year-olds can’t be expected to play together. They will play side by side and parents should be prepared to play side by side along with them, teaching them how to interact with one another,” says Grace. “Two moms chatting and drinking tea the

entire time their children play side by side is not really a play date, it’s a tea date.”

playing to learn Play dates are particularly beneficial to children who struggle to make friends. They are also a way for parents to encourage new friendships outside of the regular ones.

Bargate says she has noticed a tangible buzz at school between children, some time ahead of a scheduled play date. “For days before the time, those two children are very excited and will play together more. It’s a great

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way to encourage new friendships.” She also comments that a lot of the children she deals with who are lagging behind in social skills have parents who are very busy and rarely schedule play dates. “It is very easy for shy children to fade into the background in the school setting and for confident children to dominate play. Children are naturally more confident and even bossy in their own environment, so a play date is really beneficial for a shy child who will cope better one-on-one.” Equally important to having a friend around on home turf is for children to experience other values and environments at a friend’s house, but this can be much like a blind date, something a parent may find quite nerve-racking.

Experts agree that it’s best to let your child lead on who to have a play date with, but that it’s healthy to suggest new playmates outside of their regular circle.

for their child to be left in Girlie’s care. I trust her one hundred percent but I can’t impose that trust on another parent. I always make sure the other mother is aware of when I will be in and out and that she is comfortable with me leaving the children in Girlie’s care.” Angela says she is concerned about her children riding in someone else’s car if they go to a play date directly from school.

“I have no problem asking the other parent to pop in an extra car seat for my child and I’ll even leave one at school if need be. I get mixed reactions as not all parents are as serious about this issue as I am, but you can’t be afraid to speak up about your preferences on a play date.”

Bargate warns parents not to judge each other too quickly. “When my children were young I made mistakes. There was one little boy whose friendship I banned because he was extremely rude to his

Children are naturally more confident in their own environment, so a play date is really beneficial for a shy child who will cope better one-on-one.

This can be daunting for parents when the other family is unknown, especially when the children are too young to attend a play date on their own and the parents are forced to socialise as well. Bargate has a good solution: “If you are not comfortable having a new family around for a play date or going to their house, suggest a play date at a local child-friendly venue. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while the children play in the play area. If you decide your families are a good match, the next play date can then be at one of your homes.” If you don’t hit it off, you can easily excuse yourself after 45 minutes.

The decision on when to chaperone a play date is a personal one. As parents, we like to ensure that the friends we entrust our children to have similar value systems to ours, and that their homes are safe according to our standards. Bargate says, “Unfortunately there is a lot of abuse today and parents need to investigate where their children are going.” Grace adds, “Besides the obvious things like swimming pool safety and who will be minding the children on the play date, parents may have personal preferences and rules about food and television and may want to make sure that the other family has similar values to theirs or, if not, will respect their values while their child is visiting.”

Angela McCall, a Durban-based mother of two, often has other children around for play dates, but although she works from home, she is in and out to meetings, so sometimes the children are left in the care of her nanny, Girlie. “I never assume another parent will be comfortable

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mother in front of me. I was so wrong! He has grown up to be the most wonderful adult. I think the lesson is to trust your instincts but also to give it a couple of play dates before you write off the friendship.”

Za Hallé, a Cape Town mom of three, suggests doing your homework on a new family by chatting discreetly to other parents you trust who have had play dates there before. “My children have on average one play date each per week and they are mostly with the same five or six friends, so we are comfortable with each other. I do like to encourage them to play with different children so, every now and then, we will have a play date with a family we don’t know well. I almost always prefer to stay for a cup of tea to check my child is happy there and subconsciously evaluate the environment. I pay particular attention to older siblings and whether or not they will have friends around at the same time. I also need to know that my children are not going to be allowed to swim unless a parent is watching.”

Experts suggest that both one on one and small group play dates are valuable.

Bargate cautions, “Two children sitting around watching TV is not a play date, so encourage free play and suggest some fun activities. If there seems to be conflict between the children, try not to step in unless they are not handling it on their own. Once the play date is over you can chat with your child about the conflict and suggest better coping skills for next time.”

juggling act How do families juggle the social calendars of two or more children? “With difficulty,” magazine cape town

laughs Za. “I try and be methodical about organising play dates, but it doesn’t always work out. One thing I can’t stand is last minute play dates. I insist on arranging them the day before. My youngest doesn’t get nearly as many play dates as the others did, simply because we are so busy with extramurals now.” Angela adds, “I try and teach them that not everything in life is even stevens, so one of them may have more play dates than the other in a given

week, and it just depends on how much homework they have or if I feel like I need extra time alone with one of them.”

As valuable as play dates are, they should not be stressful and chaotic for parents. Set boundaries that make you feel comfortable, and use the opportunity to network with other parents. Most importantly just enjoy watching your children learn and grow through friendships and good old-fashioned play.

ages and stages of play Barbie Daniel, principal of St Martin’s Pre-Primary School in Durban North helps us identify the four main stages of social play. The stages may overlap according to individual maturity and are not necessarily progressive. solitary play (0 to three years) Children play alone with limited interaction and are not aware of each other. They are egocentric and not yet ready to share and cooperate.

Example: Katie plays with blocks while Joey plays with cups on the opposite side of the room. parallel play (two to three years) Children play alongside one another but not together. They may remark on each other’s play but then continue with their own activity. Despite awareness there is no real contact.

Example: Katie and Joey play with Lego alongside one another. They each build their own structure. They are aware of what the other is building and occasionally fight over a piece but are not working on a joint project. cooperative play (three to four years) Children support each other during play and their games rely on dual participation.

They move from mixed sex to same sex groups or friendships. They are able to share and cooperate with others. Each child is able to set aside his own desires and interests so that he can follow the desires and interests of the team while they are playing.

Example: Katie and Annie work together to build a large puzzle. The common goal of finishing the puzzle is more important than who puts each piece in place.

organised group play (four to five years and up) A group of children play together in a game that has a purpose or goal. It is usually active and physical with a strong element of fantasy play. There are definitive followers and leaders and the boss of the game may change often. The leader may decide the function and activities of the game while in charge.

Example: Joey is the leader. He decides that the climbing frame is a jungle and assigns an animal character to each of his friends. He is a lion and is king of the jungle. His friends play along until a new leader emerges, at which point the game may change.

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education

TAMLYN VINCENT takes a look at the different methods schools are using to teach our

o the big day has come and gone. Your little one – now making you teary eyed at how grown up she looks in her uniform – has had her first week or so at big school. She’ll soon be discovering the wonders of reading as the written word comes alive to her. But how is reading taught? What methods are being used in classrooms? And how can you support her and her teacher on this exciting journey?

the sound of things There are two main approaches taken by schools and teachers when teaching children to read. These are phonics and whole language.

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Phonics is described as a “part-whole” approach. In other words, children learn the parts of the words, and then learn to build whole words. These parts are the sounds (phonemes) and letters (graphemes) that make up words. This approach is frequently referred to as skills based because children are taught the skills of language – such as decoding words, or recognising sounds – and then they use these skills to build comprehension and to develop their ability to read. This system usually involves practising reading using class readers that they work through, and children practising reading aloud. Phonics works well for more systematic learners, and for those who need to develop language skills such as spelling.

Letterland and THRASS are two of the systems that are widely used when teaching phonics. Letterland and Alphaland, the South African version of the UK-developed Letterland, take the 26 letters of the alphabet and transform them into child-friendly animated characters that each have their own story. Joelline Spiers, a Grade R teacher at Chelsea Preparatory in Durban North, says that this helps children identify with the characters and provides reasons for letters and sounds behaving the way they do. Sammy Snake, for instance, makes a loud hissing noise, but behaves differently when joined with Harry Hat Man, who is quiet. This system assists children in decoding words, and works to entrench phonic information in the mind of

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

s

children to read – and gives some ideas for what sort of support parents can offer at home.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

the child using the characters and narration. For more info visit letterland.co.za THRASS stands for Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills. It uses charts, pictures, sing-alongs and rhymes to teach children the 26 letters, 44 phonemes and 120 main graphemes (letters and letter combinations) that are used in the English language. Julie Skevington, a Bachelor of Education lecturer at Varsity College, notes that this system demonstrates how different sounds (the phonemes) can be represented by different letters or letter combinations. For example, the sound produced by “f” can also be represented by “ph” as in the word “dolphin”, or “gh” as in the word “enough”. THRASS also teaches “hot words”, which are high frequency words or words that appear often in English, such as “the” or “and”. This system then helps with spelling and says Skevington, “learning to identify unfamiliar words using sound”. For more info visit thrass.co.uk

parts of the whole The Whole Language approach can be called a whole-part approach, as children learn to read whole words and then learn the skills and functions of language. As such, children start with comprehension of a concept, and develop their reading skills around this. The approach is often based on language experience. For example, a child may go on a trip and then draw a picture of him or herself in a car. Their teacher would then write: “I am driving in a car” underneath

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Sammy Snake, for instance, makes a loud hissing noise, but behaves differently when joined with Harry Hat Man, who is quiet. an important part of the whole-language approach. Here the child would be encouraged to sit and read by himor herself in order to work through the book by reading, predicting and experiencing the story. the picture. As Skevington suggests, the child understands the concept, so is able to learn words that link to it.

This approach to reading focuses on learning whole words rather than the parts that make up the words.

This global approach to reading means children learn about the different elements of language simultaneously.

Skevington explains that the focus is on comprehension of meaning and enjoyment. Consequently, a variety of books are arranged into categories determined by their level of difficulty and children choose to read books based on their own taste and ability.

This approach advocates that children develop at their own pace, making self-examination and reflection key elements of reading. Silent reading is also therefore

get the balance right Balanced Reading Instruction uses elements of both approaches, teaching phonics to the child using a system such as THRASS or Letterland, while also using language experience or whole language. The latter could take the form of reflective reading time or use elements such as sight words. Sight words, says Spiers, are whole words that children learn to recognise. These contribute to a child’s word bank (a collection of words that children have learnt and can use), which Spiers says helps “to build understanding while children are learning to read”.

Fluency in reading, and reading with understanding are both important for the development of reading

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education

skills, which include adding appropriate emotional content and emphasis on words. As such, balanced reading would mean children should read aloud, so as to be corrected, and read silently to themselves. According to Skevington, the advantage of integrated reading instruction is that children will learn a skills set, while also developing a positive attitude to and maintaining an interest in reading.

over to us So these are the different approaches taken by schools, but are there things parents could be doing at home to help their child along the way?

Reading and writing is a topic close to my heart. As an English lecturer,

success lies in home literacy, that is, reading and building a love of reading at home. But how do we do this?

1. “Keep the child loving books,” says Skevington. Reading at home is a critical component of developing reading skills, as it entrenches a culture of reading and helps children maintain an interest in books and stories. Try some of the following ideas: • Read a range of texts, from songs to poetry to non-fiction, says Saayman, who works with reading schemes at Heinemann Publishers. “Parents must mix the diet.”

• Books read at home should be those that children will find fun; “something that they are interested in, something that they can relate to,” says Spiers.

Books read at home should be those that children will find fun; “something that they are interested in, something that they can relate to.”

I have seen the challenges faced by tertiary students when it comes to reading and writing. They are often not motivated to read and struggle to spell and construct sentences. English is a difficult language.

Now a new mother, I find myself questioning what I can do at home to ensure my son grows into a proficient reader. How can I ensure he develops a love for books and reading? And how can I make sure he has all of the tools he needs to succeed in and after school? As parents, we try to give our children everything they need to be successful in life. I believe that part of this

2. Ask questions. This also promotes an enjoyment of reading. Saayman suggests doing prediction exercises. Ask children what they think will happen next, or to look at the pictures and say what they think the story will be about. Discussing the order of events is also a useful technique in developing a child’s understanding of stories. Improving a child’s ability to predict what will happen next in a story will make him a more fluid reader – he will enjoy stories more as he will understand them better. This aim for fluidity also means that it is not as important for children to read every word

reading exercises Some children may need supplementary reading exercises if they struggle with the reading done in school. This should, however, only be done for a short time period to ensure that children don’t lose interest in reading. Ron Saayman, from Heinemann Publishers, also suggests that parents “leave structure and specific skills to the teacher” and that parents work closely with the school and teacher so that this work complements what the child does in class. Some useful techniques include: 1. Paired reading Read with your child by starting to read for her. Read a page with her and when she is ready she can tap your hand to take over the reading, pointing to every word as she reads. If she struggles, then she can tap your hand so that you can take over reading again. When she again feels confident, then she can tap you again, and take over the reading. If she struggles with a word, give it to her, ask her to repeat it and then let her continue reading. The important point is maintaining fluidity, so that the story isn’t broken and your child stays interested.

2. Timed reading This can be used to improve reading speed. If anyone reads too slowly they lose interest in a story or forget what they have read and have to start again. Time your child’s reading by giving them a minute to read. Count the number of words they get through. Start to increase this number by extending the length of the passage and getting your child to read this again within a minute.

3. Finger reading Your child points to the words as you read through the story.

This is done to increase the ability of the eye to move across a page, and helps your child remain focused and interested.

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magazine cape town

or page; rather their purpose should be to understand and enjoy the story or book.

3. Expose children to many and a variety of books.

4. Saayman explains that parents need to be “supportive and generous with their praise”. This works as “positive reinforcement”, says Spiers.

5. Work to enrich the vocabulary of your child, and avoid the use of baby talk, slang, or corruptions of English, says Saayman.

6. Play games that improve their reading and language ability. Here are a few ideas:

• Spiers suggests trying games like word bingo or making sentences with words from a child’s word bank.

• I-spy and Hangman are useful games for developing spelling skills.

• Ask your child to collect things from around the house or garden that start with a certain letter.

• Develop the imagination and a child’s sequencing ability by starting a story for them: “One day I went for a walk in the garden, and spotted a pathway I had never seen before. What do you think happened next?”

the early years My son had his own little library before he was born, and I try to build on this as often as I can. But what else can parents do at home with the not-yet-school-going child to lay the foundational pre-reading skills?

As parents it is our job to let them start reading when they are ready and not force them to read before then. Children don’t have to know how to read when they start school. In fact, some argue that it’s better if they don’t. What parents can do, though, is develop pre-reading skills in a fun, varied and interesting way.

1. Listening This is an important skill that is often neglected, says Ron Saayman, who works with reading schemes at Heinemann Publishers. Caregivers and teachers may work to develop listening skills, but parents can also do this at home.

He and Julie Skevington, a Bachelor of Education lecturer at Varsity College, give some tips to improve listening: • Ensure that children follow instructions. They can even be asked to repeat commands given to them.

• Make certain that children listen for information by asking them questions about what they have read. Questions can be simple, requiring one word answers, or more complex, requiring more open and developed answers.

• Children should also be able to listen for enjoyment, and listening to poems, songs or a variety of texts will improve this ability.

• Listening to stories is just as valuable as reading them.

2. Using the senses Joelline Spiers, a Grade R teacher at Chelsea Preparatory in Durban North, suggests that parents use auditory, visual and sensopathic methods (use of the five senses) to introduce reading. Letters or words are introduced through hearing stories, seeing books and words, or touching and feeling letters or words. Skevington explains that these techniques will help to consolidate what children are learning. Try these methods at home: • cut out letters or words from sandpaper; • write letters onto a child’s back; • use noodle letters or foam letters; • shape words out of play dough; • create a feeling bag – put items into a bag and ask children to say what letter each starts with, or to describe what they are feeling.

3. Noticing patterns Instead of worrying about teaching children to write, parents can get children to practise the shapes and patterns of letters. Ask them to make zigzag patterns, or any patterns that echo those seen in letters. Children can also match shapes or letters or try to identify them in everyday things they see – a road sign for example, or the M over a McDonald’s. If children are aware of their surroundings, they will start to recognise letters and words in that environment.

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resource

fun(d)raising Chareen Boake suggests 17 ways to put the fun back into fundraising for your child’s school.

a night with the stars Children arrive at school just before sunset. There’s lots of excitement and chatter and the smell of popcorn and hot dogs fills the air. Just like at a movie theatre, the pre-purchased tickets are handed in at the door and moviegoers make their way to their seats. The school hall is darkened and the big screen flickers into action. You can make this a themed night by showing some children’s favourites like High School Musical or a Disney classic. Children are encouraged to dress-up as their favourite character and the hall is decorated according to the theme. An all-night movie marathon on the school field is also a great option for hot summer nights. You’ll need to get permission from the movie’s distributor before your big showing. fund facts: just like a real movie theatre, children buy tickets for the show. Additional money is raised through the sale of refreshments.

Have you ever put your T-shirt on back to front or inside out and only realised something was amiss when strangers started looking at you a little oddly? Well, this idea gives you licence to sport an entire wrong-way-round outfit – it’s a really easy way to raise funds and will cause lots of laughs, too. fund facts: you’ll have to charge a fee for the privilege of wearing clothes back to front or inside out.

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bag a book Ask parents and teachers to donate their used books. Advertise your book sale in local shops, through community forums and by making large posters to hang outside the school. You’ll be amazed at the number of people keen to snap up an armful of second-hand books. fund facts: charge a fee for the books and rent tables to people selling crafts.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

back to front day

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

the weakest link This is a take on the golden oldie quiz night, and it’s a really challenging but fun way to raise money. You can consider approaching event organisers, who will be able to assist you with technical quiz night setups, or you can compile your own questions and answers – there are lots of websites that’ll give you ideas.

Consider approaching a local restaurant or pub that hosts pub nights and ask whether you could use their facilities for your quiz night. fund facts: charge a cover fee at the door.

bring and buy Advertise the event well in advance and approach local crafts people to sell their goods. In addition, ask families to donate good quality used goods and sell these on a jumble-sale basis – after all, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

fund facts: charge a table-rental fee; since used goods are donated, all the profit will go towards your fundraising.

cupid’s corner If they don’t receive a gift from a secret admirer, children can feel very left out on Valentine’s Day. But you can make this a happy occasion for everybody.

Sell different coloured ribbons – white for friendship, red for love, blue for the funniest person in class and whatever else you can think of. Attach a card to each ribbon so children can write their own messages. fund facts: sell each ribbon for a set price.

how does your garden grow?

Ask parents to donate egg cartons and empty tins as well as packets of seeds or bulbs. Alternatively, they can donate a cash amount and you can purchase the seeds or bulbs. Plant the seeds in the holders and watch them grow. This fundraiser will need some forward planning so that your plants have time to grow to a decent size before you sell them. fund facts: hold a plant sale at the school or ask your local shopping centre if you can set up a table and sell the plants there on a Saturday morning.

This would work well around themed days like Arbour Day or Mother’s Day.

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ready, steady cook All the children have to submit their favourite recipes. The younger children might have to dictate theirs, but the older children can write their responses down as follows: the recipe’s name; ingredients; how to prepare the dish and the cooking instructions. Take the responses down exactly as they tell you. Then get the children to draw a picture of the meal.

Compile the recipe book using the children’s own writing and pictures where possible. It’ll make for some hilarious reading and is a great keepsake. You can also adapt this to make a more “serious” recipe book by asking parents to submit their recipes. A parent I know admits that she still uses the recipe book compiled when her children were at preschool, more than 20 years ago. fund facts: the recipe books are sold for a set price.

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resource

mom, dad, you’re embarrassing me!

For a fun take on karaoke, pit learners against parents, choosing the music of popular preteen favourites such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Locnville. Make the event really challenging by getting the youngsters to sing music from our teenage years – bet they’ve never heard of Rick Astley, Wham! and Vanilla Ice. Step aside Justin Bieber! fund facts: like all good karaoke spots, a cover charge is payable.

The school can earn extra money by selling refreshments.

restaurant takeover calling all triathle-tots A toddler triathlon is a great idea for a preschool fundraiser, plus it’s really cute and makes for a fantastic family fun day. First of all, get your “triathletots” to stand at the starting line.

When the whistle blows, they’ll set off on the gruelling 20-metre run. The great thing about this triathlon is that everyone sets off from each transition point together.

When they’ve all completed their run, line them up again for the 100-metre cycling leg. Bicycles, tricycles and plastic scooters are all legal for this event and no “triathle-tot” will be disqualified for sporting fairy wheels. The third leg of the event is a treasure hunt. The athletes each search for a token and, once they’ve found it, dash for the finish line. Of course their eager seconds have been advised where the tokens are hidden so help is on hand. The token is then exchanged for their medal or certificate and everybody is an “Iron-tot”. fund facts: children collect sponsorship for each leg they complete. We’re sure Granny and Grandpa will be keen to cheer them on, literally and financially speaking that is. Selling food and drinks is always a money-spinner.

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Approach some of the familyfriendly restaurants in your area and ask whether they’d consider allowing a “takeover” during which the older children play waitron. The children assist the waiters serving dinner and the tips they receive are then donated to the school kitty. Send invitations to the parents and ask them to forward these to their friends. A school in Johannesburg holds a “takeover” four times a year and managed to raise almost R10 000 during a year. Hint: don’t request their busiest nights like a Friday or Saturday because they’ll probably turn you down. Rather suggest a quieter night like a Monday or Tuesday. fund facts: the school collects the tips that the children receive. Some restaurants may even offer to contribute a percentage of the night’s takings.

sun, suds and fun A wash-a-car-athon is a really festive occasion. Music plays through the school’s speaker system; wors for the boerewors rolls sizzles on the braai; there’s a stand selling cold drinks – and the teacher’s parking area is transformed into the coolest car wash in the suburb. Classes can split into groups of five car washers. You can even have a competition to see who washes the most cars. fund facts: charge a car-wash fee of about R25 per car. If five groups wash five cars at R25 per car, that’s a grand total of R625 per group.

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teacher torture The headmaster selects five teachers to be tortured. Each teacher is assigned a “torturous” activity, such as tinting their hair purple, dressing up like a clown or coming to school in their pyjamas. The teachers are each assigned a money jar and children, parents and other teachers can vote them into the torture “chamber” by placing R5 into that teacher’s jar. The votes are counted and the three teachers with the most money in their jars have to complete their activity. Select a day and hold a special assembly where the “winning” teachers have to make their appearance in front of the school. Just a warning though: laughter may reach seriously thunderous levels. fund facts: votes are cast at R5 each. You’ll need jars or money boxes in which to collect this.

so you think you can dance?

A dance marathon is lots of fun, especially if you dedicate different musical themes – think “Night Fever”, “Bollywood” or modern day hits – to allotted times. Each grade can be allocated a theme and dress accordingly. Watching your children shimmying to the golden oldies can be entertaining. fund facts: the dancers receive sponsorship for every 20 minutes of dancing.

race to riches This is a one-year challenge for all athletic parents and children who participate in racing or endurance events. Each competitor gets a sponsorship form from the school stating that they are raising funds for the school for that particular year. You could even have T-shirts or caps made with your logo on them, so competitors stand out at races. Incentivise the challenge by offering a grand prize at the end of the year to the person who raises the most money. You could even approach local businesses about donating a prize. Mike, a marathon runner, ran every race with a pet rock. When people asked why he was doing it, he explained it was to raise funds for animal welfare. At the end of a year he and his rock had raised almost R4 000. fund facts: challengers are sponsored for each of the events in which they participate. At the end of the year they collect sponsorship money for the number of events completed.

techno savvy This one might take a bit of extra planning as you’d need to design a suitable site and have a pay-to-download facility. Design screensavers and wallpapers, load them onto your school website and have a download facility. You could even include this as an assignment in a computer science class. Who knows? You could have a future Bill Gates in your very own school. fund facts: you’ll need to install a pay-to-download facility on your website.

the amazing race You can take over the neighbourhood, arrange this event at your school campus (if it’s large enough) or at a big park. The other option is to find an event planner that hosts Amazing Race and Survivor parties. You’ll have checkpoints where competitors have to complete a task or answer a question.

Before leaving a checkpoint they will be given a clue that’ll get them to the next checkpoint. The first team home wins. fund facts: the competitors approach sponsors and raise funds for every checkpoint they complete.

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books

a good read for toddlers A Slide and Surprise Numbers Book

By Natalie Boyd and Barbi Sido

Postman Bear

By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

(Priddy Books, R59) This is an interactive early-learning book for children aged two and older. It’s a fun and innovative way for little ones to learn their numbers and the sliding pages help with hand-eye coordination as well as problem solving. The boardbook is easy to wipe clean and the colourful drawings and photos will keep a toddler captivated.

(Kingfisher Books, R110) Animals literally jump off the pages in this illustrated pop-up book featuring 26 wild animals. Young children can discover facts about these creatures with the help of the pop-ups and moving parts. With each animal on its own spread, there is enough space to inform children where each creature lives and what they eat. Some of the animals might be unknown to South Africans, but it’s still a fun way to learn the A–Z.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R70 each) Each book is a funny re-telling of a classic fairy tale with liftthe-flap surprises on every page. Children from as young as three will enjoy the rhyming text and colourful illustrations.

In this version there are no threats from the Giant “to grind his bones to make my bread”, and both Red Riding Hood and Grandma survive the ordeal – so it shouldn’t frighten little children. Older children will love the humorous take: “When they found Gran in the wardrobe she said: ‘Don’t you agree, Red Riding Hood needs glasses if she thought that wolf was me!’” Each book comes with a CD so that little ones can also listen to the story in the car.

Noisy Cars and Noisy Trains

By Roger Priddy (Priddy Books, R60) With busy, colourful pages and a sound button to press, these are fun and noisy books about cars or trains. The books are developed for children one year and older and will help stimulate your baby’s senses and assist with hand-eye coordination. The sound buttons can be used on each page with the colourful illustrations and the board pages are easy to clean and sturdy enough for small hands to page through the book.

February 2011

Wild Alphabet – An A to Zoo Pop-Up Book

By Mike Haines and Julia Frölich

Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood – Lift-the-flap Fairy Tales

By Nick Sharratt and Stephen Tucker

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R70) This is another delight from the Tales from Acorn Wood series brought to you by award-winning writer/illustrator duo Donaldson and Scheffler. Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, Bear is writing letters to his friends. Your child can visit Frog, Squirrel and Mole by lifting the flaps that are the doors to their homes. Scheffler beautifully illustrates this sturdy boardbook. Also look out for Fox’s Socks, Rabbit’s Nap and Hide-and-Seek Pig in the series.

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for preschoolers

What the Ladybird Heard

By Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks (Macmillan Children’s Books, R85) Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow.

Among all the noisy farm animals lives a tiny silent ladybird. This beautiful glittery creature (little fingers will love to feel her sparkly shape) is so quiet that she hears the two crafty robbers plotting to raid the farmyard.

The ladybird has a plan of her own and urges the animals to put their mooing, quacking, neighing and baaing to cunning use. The crooks get so confused that they end up getting caught. The book comes with a CD, read

by Alexander Armstrong.

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for early graders The Most Brilliant Boldly Going Book of Exploration Ever by the Brainwaves Illustrated by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar (Dorling Kindersley Publishers, R160) The Brainwaves have certainly made learning fun. In this edition the whacky characters give your child the answers to some weird questions: did ancient explorers really see sea monsters? How did Vikings find new land to pillage? What’s the best way to explore the coldest place on earth? Children (aged nine to 11) can travel through time and experience history’s most exciting journeys of discovery. Exploring mountain peaks to ocean floors, across continents and into space, this is the ultimate guide for the intrepid traveller.

Nature Got There First

By Phil Gates (Macmillan Children’s Books, R105) This book is perfect for children eight and older who are inquisitive. Nature came up with ideas behind many of the great inventions of the modern world.

Solar cells, sonar and jet power are just a few of the technologies that nature was using long before humans set them to work. Inside your child can see a highrise built entirely by insects and learn how the construction industry got tips from beavers for building dams. With plenty of photographs and illustrations, this book will be a hit with your child.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R105 each) Bursting with colour and drama, lively artwork draws children into their favourite subjects and provides a wealth of information. Written in a clear, friendly style and full of fascinating facts, Explorers is a fresh and fun first reference series for enquiring young minds.

Children can use coloured buttons that link the scenes and allow them to choose their own journey through the book. Also invest in Amazing Animals and Weather. These books are perfect for children aged six to eight years old.

Smart-Kids – Literacy Grade 2

By Gill Maree and Gené Peters (Pearson Education South Africa, R57) The Smart-Kids workbooks have been created for South African children. They are written according to the National Curriculum Statement and the Foundations for Learning milestones so they’re the right level for your child’s grade.

There are notes for parents as well as the answers, to help you understand what skill or concept is being practised.

Activities in the book cover thinking and development concepts, reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling and phonics as well as grammar and language structure.

The Happy Handwriter’s Printing Book 1, The Happy Handwriter’s Printing Book 2 and The Happy Handwriter’s Number Book

By Bunty McDougall (The Happy Handwriter TM, R60 each) Bunty McDougall is a South African occupational therapist who has worked in the field of learning difficulties for over 20 years. Her special interest in handwriting has led to this series. One of her passions is to find ways to reduce the need for specialist intervention and the Happy Handwriter’s workbooks set out to help children to learn correctly the first time. These three books were developed to assist Grade 0 to Grade 1 children with laying down the motor maps required to form letters and numbers independently, thereby reducing difficulties with letter and number formations and reversals. For orders and more info, visit thehappyhandwriter.co.za

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Explorers – Dinosaurs and Explorers – Oceans and Seas

Uncover Tarantula

By David George Gordon (Silver Dolphin, R147) This book, which includes a multilayered model tarantula, will fascinate children from the age of eight. On turning each page a new layer of one of the world’s largest spiders can be explored while your child learns interesting facts about this hairy, scary creature. Learn how these predators capture and kill other insects and animals, use their bodies to protect and camouflage themselves, and why their blood is green. This is a three-dimensional learning experience that turns learning about spiders into an adventure.

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books

for preteens and teens The Big Ideas That Changed the World

What Goes On in My Head?

By Robert Winston

Multilingual Illustrated Dictionary

By John Bennett and Nthuseng Tsoeu (Pharos, R399,95) The new software version of this dictionary makes learning vocabulary fun for children between the ages of 11 and 15. Each of the more than 3 300 words and phrases is accompanied by an audio file, which teaches proper pronunciation in each of the seven languages – English, IsiZulu, Sesotho, IsiXhosa, Setswana, Afrikaans and Sepedi.

Five interactive games are included to test language retention. These aid in the development of reading and writing skills and facilitate improved spelling. You’ll need an operational PC with Windows XP/Vista as an operating system.

Wow! Human Body

By Richard Walker (Dorling Kindersley Publishers, R175) This is a book on the human body unlike any you’ve seen before. Aimed at children aged nine to 11, it is crammed full of facts and pictures. It covers cells, organs, pregnancy, muscles, the brain, hearing, hormones, blood, breathing, spare parts… everything your child needs to know about this walking “machine” we live in. Photography is cleverly used to explain intricate systems. This book will be a welcome companion for biology projects and when studying for exams.

Dawsan’s Maths Dictionary, Dawsan’s Maths Dictionary Orientation Exercises and Dawsan’s Challenge Exercises Level One, Level Two and Level Three

By S. Edwards and D. Williams (Penguin Tutoring, R100 and R50) This helpful maths dictionary is an essential supplementary reference book covering all the terminology required for Grade 5 to Grade 7, continuing into Grade 8. The maths dictionary is a handy cross-reference tool when doing the challenges in the exercise books. Sandy Edwards and Dawn Williams were both maths teachers for more than 30 years and their aim with these books is to eradicate a fear of maths, make it more understandable and to make it fun.

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(Dorling Kindersley Publishing, R220) This book will fascinate children (from the age of 12) and adults. For many centuries most inventions started as the big idea of a single person. Just look around you – how many of the things you can see didn’t have to be invented by someone? In fact, without inventions, some of us wouldn’t even be alive (think about those used in a medical environment). This book pays tribute to all those geniuses who have made our lives easier. Find out how things took shape: from the light bulb, the flushing toilet and clean energy to the laser, Walkman, cars and even the humble stapler. This gem of a book will entertain the family for hours.

(Dorling Kindersley Publishing, R135) Children between the ages of nine and 11 can join Robert Winston, scientist and TV presenter, on a mission around the mind to explore the most miraculous and complex organ in the human body.

Learn about the brain’s intricate anatomy and how it creates your emotions, behaviour, memory and personality. Ever wondered what makes you laugh? Or, how your parents know when you are telling a lie? From taste to telepathy, the book gives fascinating insight into how your brain controls everything you do and who you are.

The Mystery of the SS Waratah and the Avocado Tree

By MJ Honikman (Tafelberg Publishers, R99) This is a slice of our South African maritime history examined and made palatable for young readers.

Four friends, Bobby, Ted, John and Zanele look for the answers to the mystery surrounding the steamship Waratah’s voyage from Sydney to London 100 years ago. The mystery is connected to a massive avocado tree in the garden of Bobby and Ted’s house on the Durban Berea. Why has this mystery, a true story, never been solved? Join the children as they hunt for clues. Youngsters will love this fascinating story: it’s a real mystery, a page-turner and a gripping tale (which, you may be happy to hear, does not include a vampire…), and it’s a local story by a local author.

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for us Top 100 Pasta Dishes – 100 Easy, everyday recipes for the whole family

By Annabel Karmel

Hangman

By Faye Kellerman (HarperCollins Publishers, R144) Murder, a missing woman, and a sociopath from the past sweep Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus into a labyrinth of mystery and danger in this electrifying new tale of suspense from this New York Times bestselling author. When LAPD Lieutenant Decker reluctantly agrees to do an old friend a favour, he knows that his involvement will bring the friend’s sociopath husband back into his life. But then both his friend and her killer husband disappear, leaving behind their 14-year-old son. Having to work two cases, and with so many lives hanging in the balance, the 60-year-old Decker wants to get answers quickly. This is another fastpaced novel by Kellerman.

(Random House, R165) Tasty and nutritious, easy, quick and economical, pasta is a firm family favourite.

This is a collection of Annabel Karmel’s top pasta dishes with sections for baby recipes, toddlers and older children. With colour photos, simple instructions, clear cooking and preparation times, this book will be a very handy addition to your kitchen. Symbols throughout indicate clearly for which age group a recipe is suitable and give portion sizes. Karmel has written 19 bestselling books, including New Complete Baby, and she appears frequently on radio and TV as one of the UK’s experts on children’s nutrition.

Indescribable: It’s easy to keep a bad secret

By Candice Derman (Tafelberg Publishers, R140) From the age of eight, well-known South African actress, Candice Derman locked away her secret and lived two lives. Her stepfather abused her and as the darkness spread, she learned how to live with it. She grew up never knowing if she would ever be able to love all of herself. Candice became a normal-not normal child and her secret lay hidden inside her for many years. One day it escaped and she became hungry to find happiness. In 2007 she took a break from acting and started writing her story. In the words of Melinda Ferguson, author of Smacked: “I could not put it down. Sometimes I forgot to breathe. Disturbing, exposing, beautifully written. A book that was aching to be written.”

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parenting books Getting Ready to Start School

By Hilary Pereira and Hollie Smith (Headline Publishing Group, R148) Getting Ready to Start School offers comprehensive advice on everything you need to know about this allimportant step, whether it is adjusting to a whole new daily routine, or just helping your little one hold a pencil.

There are lots of suggestions for making the transition a smooth one, including guidance on what to expect from school life and how to get the best out of it. Experts and other mothers share advice and experience. This book is aimed at British parents, but there are enough pointers and sufficient advice relevant for parents all over, helping them and their little ones start this exciting journey.

Feeding Sense

By Megan Faure, Katherine Megaw and Dr Simon Strachan (Metz Press, R116) Are you uncertain of what to eat during pregnancy or while breastfeeding or just looking for practical guidance on introducing solids? Feeding Sense guides you through your baby’s feeding milestones. Meg Faure, bestselling co-author of the books in the Sense series looks at your baby’s sensory and emotional relationship with food and the developmental journey you embark on when feeding your baby. Bringing 15 years of experience as a dietician specialising in paediatrics, Kath Megaw covers every curve ball from allergies to weight concerns as well as getting picky eaters to enjoy their food. Paediatrician Simon Strachan reassures you with simple guidelines on your baby’s health and common baby illnesses plus tips on why your baby won’t eat when sick.

How to be a Happy Stepmum

By Dr Lisa Doodson (Vermilion, R147) It can be difficult for stepmoms to adjust to their new role: how will you care for your new stepchildren?

Why do you feel excited one minute and guilty and resentful the next? What is the best way to handle your partner’s ex? This book provides essential advice and guidance for adapting to life in your new family. Issues tackled are: strengthening your relationship with your partner; coping with commonly felt emotions such as guilt, frustration and suspicion; establishing a workable relationship with the ex; dealing with practical issues such as family holidays and ensuring your children and stepchildren get along.

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calendar

what’s on in february

You can also access the calendar online at

childmag.co.za

Things to do, places to go, ways to give back, talks and exhibitions plus loads of fun for the whole family. compiled by LUCILLE KEMP

24 thurs

special events

52

FUN for children

53

only for parents

58

bump, baby & tot in tow

61

how to help

62

SPECIAL EVENTS

50

FUN FOR CHILDREN

ONLY FOR PARENTS

bump, baby & tot in tow

how to help

Reptile World View the exciting world of reptiles from exotic snakes to lizards.

Taming of the Shrew Two of Shakespeare’s most celebrated lovers encounter a rugged path to true love.

Catch the show at the Maynardville open-air theatre this month.

Musisize classes for babies and toddlers Music and movement through action songs, singing, playing instruments and nursery rhymes to name a few of the activities.

Incubator Campaign Simply pop into any Pick n Pay store and purchase a R10 donation voucher to raise funds for incubators for New Somerset Hospital.

February 2011

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Riverdance This is the original Irish dancing troupe’s first visit to SA.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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calendar

SPECIAL EVENTS 1 tuesday Marc Lottering – Not in 3D The show features Lottering’s latest stand-up material as well as appearances by his much-loved alter-ego Auntie Merle from Belgravia Road in Athlone and Smiley the taxi gaatjie.

Suitable for 16 years and older. Ends 26 February. Time: Tuesday–Saturday 8pm.

Venue: Baxter Theatre. Cost: R70–R80.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.co.za

The Ogreling (Izim’elincinci) The six-yearold son of an ogre (or izim) discovers his true nature and decides to escape his destiny. The Ogreling explores the neverending struggle between good and bad that lives within each of us. In English with some isiXhosa. Not suitable for children under six years. 1–12 February. Time: 10am, 10:30am, 6:30pm, 8:15pm. Venue: Golden Arrow Studio, Baxter Theatre.

Cost: Monday R70, Tuesday–Saturday R80, schools’ performances R38. For charity bookings, schools’ workshops and postperformance talks, contact assitejsa@acyta. co.za or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.co.za

4 friday

1–26 February – Marc Lottering – Not in 3D

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February 2011

Imogen Heap live This Grammy awardwinning, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist tours South Africa for the first time. Also 5 February. Time: 4 February 8pm, 5 February 7pm. Venue: Paul Cluver Amphitheatre, Elgin. Cost: R395 for ticket only or R510 for ticket plus picnic basket.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.co.za Up the Creek music festival Children are welcome at the designated children’s area, which offers a face painter, balloon modeller, jumping castle, art-and-crafts activities, colouring-in competitions, a treasure hunt and games. Ends 6 February.

Time: Friday 4pm–Sunday 4pm. Children’s area open daily until 4pm. Venue: Breede

these soccer cards and try to become the South African champion. The winner will get an all expenses paid trip to take part in the World Finals. Also Sunday 20 February. The Cape Town winner will compete against the Durban winner on 27 February in Durban. Time: registration 7:30am, heats start at 10am. Venue: Canal Walk. Cost: free. For more info: 011 248 3537 or collectables@rnad.co.za 4–5 February – Imogen Heap live

River, Swellendam. Cost: Thursday (preview day)–Sunday R540 (pre-booked) or R590 (at the gate), Friday–Sunday R440 or R490, Saturday and Sunday R375 or R425, Sunday day pass R150 or R180. Children 13 years and younger enter free. For more info: visit upthecreek.co.za

13 sunday The Tussie Mussie Valentine trail This self-drive, educational walk showcases romantic spots and their history in Newlands, Pinelands and Muizenberg. Bring along cash for refreshments. Time: 8:30am–12:30pm.

Venue: starts at the The Vineyard Hotel, Newlands and ends at Surfer’s Corner, Muizenberg. Cost: R45; children 3–12 years half price. Contact: 079 391 2105 or info@ awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za

21 monday Infecting the City festival The Africa Centre is set to energise, shake up and fascinate Cape Town with an implosion of high quality, innovative public art, showcasing South Africa’s trove of cultures, traditions and heritage. Ends 26 February.

Time: varies. Venue: Cape Town Station Square but festival sites are all around the Cape Town CBD. Cost: free. For more info: visit infectingthecity.com

19 saturday Match Attax World Championship 2011 Players can test their strategies with

25 February – Canal Walk Bridal Fair

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25 fri

Hands-on Harvest Experience a harvest for a day, without quitting your day job.

Ends 27 February. Time: all day, depending on the various activities.

25 friday Canal Walk Bridal Fair The bridal fair comprises displays throughout the centre. One visitor stands a chance to win magnificent diamond jewellery. Ends 27 February. Time: 9am–9pm. Venue: throughout Canal Walk. Cost: free. Contact: 021 914 2852 or cheryl@cwe.co.za Design Indaba Expo Cape Town shows and shares its creativity with leading and upcoming creative designers from all over the world. Ends 27 February. Time: Friday and Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 10am– 6pm. Venue: CTICC. Cost: adults R60, children under 10 years free. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 The Lion of Judah premieres A laughfilled, heart-warming story seen through

Venue: participating wine farms of Robertson Wine Valley. Cost: varies according to activities. Contact Elizma: 023 626 3167, manager@ robertsonwinevalley.com or visit handsonharvest.com

24 thursday Riverdance This is the original Irish dancing troupe’s first visit to South Africa.

Ends 27 February. Time: Thursday and Friday 8pm, Saturday 3pm and 8pm, Sunday 2pm and 6pm. Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest. Cost: R194–R399. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

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21–26 February – Infecting the City festival

the eyes of a zany cast of stable animals.

Showing at all major cinemas.

26 saturday Kidz Discovery open market day Take in the travelling bookshop and a range of gift ideas. Time: 10am–2pm. Venue: The Drive, Camps Bay. Cost: free entry. Contact Kathy: 083 654 2494, info@kidzdiscovery. co.za or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za

FUN FOR CHILDREN art, culture and science Clay Café Take your children to this paint-your-own-pottery studio. Time: Monday–Sunday 9am–4pm. Venue: Old

Dairy, Oakhurst Farm, Main Rd, Hout Bay. Cost: pay per item. Contact: 021 790 3318 or visit chasms.co.za Fabric-painting workshop Introductory teaching for adults and children. 26 February. Time: 8:45am–10:45am. Venue: Pinelands. Cost: R25 per kit. Contact: 021 531 8076, 082 391 4954 or wendyadriaan@ telkomsa.net. Enquire about weekday classes at Frank Joubert Art Centre.

Iziko Summer School Learn about indigenous games, such as Iintonga (stick fighting) and games that were played by the Voortrekkers. They tell a rich story of where we come from as a nation. 19 February.

Time: 10am–3pm. Venue: amphitheatre, green and yellow rooms at Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Rd, Cape Town CBD. Cost: free. Contact Wandile: 021 481 3804/13, publicprogs@ iziko.org.za or visit iziko.org.za Mosaic workshops On the first Saturday of every month, Elke runs parent-and-child workshops. The cost includes all materials.

5 February. Time: 2pm–5pm. Venue: Hout Bay. Cost: adults R200, children R150.

Contact: 072 372 1047, info@elke-losskarn. com or visit elke-losskarn.com Pottery classes Lissa teaches techniques such as wheel work, handwork, sculpting and glazing. Time: Monday–Thursday 3:30pm–5pm. Venue: 26 Skaife St, Scott Estate, Hout Bay. Cost: R75. Contact: 021 790 7643, 082 781 8139 or lissapottery@ gmail.com

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classes, talks and workshops

Little Cooks Club

Two Oceans Aquarium Take the children to see the various displays including the predator exhibit, kelp forest exhibit, the river meander and frogs beyond the pond.

Time: Monday–Sunday 9am–6pm. Venue: Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront. Cost: adults R94, children under 4 years free, 4–13 years R45 and 14–17 years R73. Contact: 021 418 3823, aquarium@aquarium.co.za or visit aquarium.co.za

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Children’s scrapbooking class The class includes all scrapbooking materials, snacks and juice. 7 years and older. 5 February. Time: 10am–12pm. Venue: The Scrapbook, Shop 6 Belvedere Square, Belvedere Rd, Claremont. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: 021 674 6425 or scrapbookct@webafrica.org.za Headstart Swim School open day Try out their heated indoor pool and chat to the swimming coaches. Parents and children are welcome to have a swim.

20 February. Time: 1:30pm–5pm. Venue: Claremont. Cost: free. Contact Rochelle: 021 674 7681 or visit headstartswim.co.za Italian workshop: The Carnival 5 and 12 February “make your favourite mask”, 19 February “the mask puppet show”.

26 February “make Italian Frittelle”. Time: 11am–12pm. Venue: The Italian School of Cape Town, 14 The Grimley, Tuin Plein St, Gardens. Cost: R60 per child per day or R200 per month. Contact: 021 465 8261 or info@scuolaitalianadelcapo.co.za Little Cooks Club Time: call to enquire.

Venue: 3 Vlei St, Aurora, Durbanville. Cost: call to enquire. Contact Lisa: 073 227 3404 or lisab@littlecooksclub.co.za Nice Touch Children’s cooking classes start 4 February. Time: every Friday 3pm– 4:30pm. Venue: St James Church Hall, St James Rd, Sea Point. Cost: R600 per term.

Contact: 021 434 1721, cookwithjanis@ gmail.com or visit nicetouch.co.za

Short Chefs Cooking classes every Saturday. 5, 12, 26 February. Time and cost: 9am–10am (Wiggly Whisks class 2–3 years) R90; 11am–12:30pm (Swirly Spoons class 4–7 years) R120. Venue: 179 Circle Rd, Tableview. Contact: 072 430 8813, 083 378 6470 or shortchefs@gmail.com Tots n Pots Fun-filled, hands-on cooking and baking workshops for children to encourage healthy eating habits. Time: call to enquire. Venue: Daisies Coffee Shop, The Garden Shop, Doordrift Rd, Constantia.

Cost: call to enquire. Contact Chene: 083 649 7405, chene@totsnpots.com or visit totsnpots.com

family outings City Sightseeing Cape Town Night Tour Enjoy the warm summer’s night

and sundowners as the stars light the way through the Mother City with Table Mountain as the backdrop. 1–27 February.

Time: 6pm–8:30pm. Venue: starts at the V&A Waterfront and takes you past all the best night attractions. Cost: R80. Contact: 021 511 6000 or visit citysightseeing.co.za Farmhouse Rocks Live music every Saturday. 5 February Rudimentals, 19 February Jack Mantis and Mapumba, 26 February Bed on Bricks. Time: 3:30pm– 6:30pm. Venue: Cape Farmhouse Restaurant, junction of the M66 and M65 at the bottom of Redhill Rd. Cost: adults R50 and under 12 years free. Contact: 021 780 1246 or visit capefarmhouse.co.za Hands-on Harvest 25–27 February.

Time: all day, depending on the various activities. Venue: wine farms of Robertson

Paul Cluver summer concert season

magazine cape town

Wine Valley. Cost: varies, according to activities. Contact Elizma: 023 626 3167, manager@robertsonwinevalley.com or visit handsonharvest.com Jazzy Sunday brunch at Mount Nelson Hotel Ease into your Sunday with a scrumptious Sunday brunch at the Oasis Restaurant. The Oasis Jazz Trio, with Buddy Wells on saxophone/percussion, Wayne

Hanepoot picking Pick deliciously sweet Hanepoot grapes. 16 February–12 March.

Time:

Monday–Saturday

8am–

4pm. Venue: De Krans Wine Cellar, Calitzdorp. Cost: call to enquire.

Contact: 044 213 3314 or dekrans@ mweb.co.za

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Bosch on guitar and Emily Bruce, Monique Hellenberg or Haydn Gardner, provide the voices. Time: 11:30am. Venue: Mount Nelson Hotel, Orange St. Cost: R225, which includes a glass of Boschendal Grand Cuvée and The Sunday Times newspaper. Children under 12 years R105. To book: 021 483 1000, restaurantreservations@mountnelson. co.za or visit mountnelson.co.za Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts 6 February Isochronus and Kidofdoom, 13 February Zebra & Giraffe, 20 February Jesse Clegg, 27 February Loyiso with Chad Saaiman. Time: gates open 5:30pm.

Venue: Rhodes Dr, Newlands. Cost: adults R75–R90, children 6–21 years R50–R70. To book: call 021 761 2866, 021 799 8782 or visit oldmutual.co.za Noordhoek Farm Village Activities are held every Saturday. Time: 10:30am–12:30pm.

Venue: The Bandstand, Noordhoek Farm Village. Cost: free. Contact: 021 789 2812 or visit noordhoekvillage.co.za Paul Cluver summer concert season The concert venue is a unique open-air forest amphitheatre beneath ghost gum trees. 4 and 5 February Imogen Heap, 12 February Watershed, 26 February Stef Bos. Cost: R175–R395. For more info: visit cluver. com or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com.

Up the Creek music festival 4–6 February. Time: Friday 4pm–Sunday 4pm.

Children’s area open daily until 4pm. Venue: Breede River, Swellendam. Cost: Thursday

Up the Creek music festival

(preview day)–Sunday R540 (pre-booked) or R590 (at the gate), Friday–Sunday R440 or R490, Saturday and Sunday R375 or R425, Sunday day pass R150 or R180. For more info: visit upthecreek.co.za

finding nature and outdoor play Arumdale Outdoor Experiences The wine farm is running “pick your own” tours.

Children and adults can pick their own apples, pears and plums. Time: Monday– Sunday 9am–6pm. Venue: Arumdale Farm, Elgin. Cost: adults R20, children R15 entry.

R25 per 4kg bag, second bag R15. Contact Lizile: 021 848 9683 or royalwine@ arumdale.co.za Butterfly World Time: Monday–Sunday 9am–5pm. Venue: near Klapmuts. Cost: adults R43, children over 3 years R25, families (two adults, two children) R111.

Contact: 021 875 5628, esther@yebo.co.za or visit butterflyworld.co.za Intaka Island Nature Reserve A 16hectare wetland and bird sanctuary in the middle of Century City. Take a leisurely ferry ride on the Grand Canal. Time: Monday– Sunday 7:30am–5pm. Ferry-ride time: 10am–4pm. Venue: cnr Summer Greens Rd and Century Boulevard, Century City. Cost: adults R8, children 3–12 years R4, family ticket (two adults, three children) R20.

Ferry-ride cost: adults R20, children (3–12 years) R10. Contact: 021 552 6889 Reptile World View the exciting world of reptiles from snakes to lizards. The exhibition gives both young and old the opportunity to discover these wonderful creatures. Ends 1–28 February. Time: 9:30am–6pm. Venue: V&A Craft Market & Wellness Centre. Cost: R15. For more info: 021 408 7621 or mbiddulph@waterfront.co.za

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New! The Bay Food and Wine Market A family-friendly food and wine market with a child-friendly outside area and children’s zone including sand art, face painting and many other funfilled activities. Time: every Saturday 9:30am–2:30pm. Venue: Victoria Mall, cnr Victoria Rd and Empire Rd (next to La Cuccina). Cost: free entry.

Contact Claire: 082 385 0915, info@ thebayfoodandwinemarket.co.za or visit thebayfoodandwinemarket.co.za

Table Mountain Cableway launches a frequent user card in February, the Cable Card, allowing you to ride the Cableway every day for a year, weather permitting, at the cost of only two-and-a half round trips. The card gives unlimited access and is valid for 12 months from date of activation.

Cost: adults R490, children R245, adult/child combo R580 per card. For more info: 021 424 8181 or visit tablemountain.net. The sunset special ends 28 February where you pay half the price of a regular return ticket.

The Tussie Mussie Valentine trail 13 February. Time: 8:30am–12:30pm. Venue: starts at the foyer of The Vineyard Hotel, Newlands and ends at Surfer’s Corner, Muizenberg. Cost: R45. Children 3–12 years half price. Contact: 079 391 2105 or info@awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za

markets Cobblewalk lifestyle market An indoor market that runs every first and last Saturday of the month. Time: 9am–3pm.

Venue: cnr Verdi Boulevard and De Villiers Rd, Sonstraal Heights, Durbanville. Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 557 8716, 079 983 7830 or visit goodhopemarkets.co.za

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Earth Fair Market Time: every Saturday 9am–2pm and every Wednesday 3pm– 8pm. Venue: South Palms, Tokai Main Rd. Cost: free entry. Contact Jacqui: 084 220 3856 or info@earthfairmarket.co.za Elkanah House Schoolyard Market 5 February. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue: Elkanah House, 85 Sunningdale Dr, Sunningdale.

Cost: free entry. Contact Michelle: 021 554 8586 Hout Bay Lions Craft Market Every Sunday, weather permitting, for locally made souvenirs, food, clothing and collectables. Time: 9:30am–4pm. Venue: Village Green, Hout Bay. Cost: free entry.

Contact Miranda: 082 850 9752 Nitida farmers market Time: Friday 25 February 5pm–9:30pm, Saturday 26 February 8am–12:30pm. Venue: Nitida Cellars, M13, Durbanville Hills. Cost: free entry. Contact Getha: 083 651 0699, getha@nitida.co.za or visit nitida.co.za Solole Village Market every Sunday.

Time: 11am–4pm. Venue: 6 Wood Rd, Sunnydale, Noordhoek. Cost: free entry.

For more info: 021 785 5123, info@rioja. co.za or visit rioja.co.za The Bluebird Garage Market The market has a big supervised children’s play area.

Community food and goods market Friday 3pm–9pm. Antique and vintage market Sunday 10am–4pm. Venue: 39 Albertyn Rd (behind Kitch Kombuis), Muizenberg.

Cost: free entry. In the children’s area: R10 per activity. Contact Dylan: 082 493 9055 or Kim: 082 331 2471 or dylanspeer@ gmail.com

on stage and screen The Lion of Judah premieres 25 February.

Showing at all major cinemas.

The Ogreling (Izim’elincinci) 1–12 February.

Time: 10am, 10:30am, 6:30pm, 8:15pm.

Venue: Golden Arrow Studio, Baxter Theatre.

Cost: Monday R70, Tuesday–Saturday R80, schools’ performances R38. For charities’ bookings, schools’ workshops and postperformance talks, contact assitejsa@ acyta.co.za or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.co.za

playtime and story time Bugz Time: Monday–Sunday 9am–5pm.

Venue: Bugz Playpark, Kraaifontein.

Cost: R20; babies that can’t yet walk and pensioners enter free. Contact: 021 988 8836 or bugzparty@mwebbiz.co.za Bizzy Bodies February special Two for the price of one, third sibling enters free. Pay for one hour and get the next hour free.

0–12 years. Time: 10am–5pm.

Venue: Bizzy Bodies, 23 Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, Tokai. Cost: R40 for first sibling, R35 for second sibling, third sibling free, second hour also free.

Contact: 021 702 0505, info@bizzybodies.co.za or visit bizzybodies.co.za Bloubergstrand Library story time Certain Mondays and Wednesdays for 10–15 minutes. Call to enquire. Ideal for 8- and 9-year-olds but the library does accommodate older children. magazine cape town

Bugz

Time: from 3pm. Venue: Andrew Foster Rd, Bloubergstrand. Cost: free. Contact: 021 554 1641 Book Lounge story time 5, 12, 19, 26 February. Time: 11am. Venue: 71 Roeland St, Cape Town, CBD. Cost: free. Contact: 021 462 2425 or visit booklounge.co.za Brackenfell Library story time Every Wednesday, excluding school holidays.

Activities included. For children 3 years and older but can accept younger children.

Time: 10:30am–11:30am. Venue: Paradys St. Cost: free. Contact: 021 980 1261 Durbanville Library story time First Thursday of the month. Time: 10:30am– 11am. Venue: Oxford Rd. Cost: free.

Contact: 021 970 3094 Eikendal Library story time Every Tuesday and Thursday. Time: 10:30am–11:30am.

Venue: Van Riebeeck Way, Kraaifontein. Cost: free. Contact: 021 980 6160 Folio Books story time Suitable for ages 3–9 years. 5 February. Time: 10:30am. Venue: Folio Books, 207 Main Rd, Newlands, opposite Westerford High.

Cost: free. Contact: 021 685 7190 or foliobooks@storm.co.za Hout Bay Library story time Every Friday for children 2–5 years. They normally show a movie after the story. Time: 10am– 11am. Venue: Melkhout Crescent. Cost: free. Contact: 021 790 2150 Jimmy Jungles Indoor Adventure Playground Time: Monday–Sunday 9am.

Venue: Bellville and Claremont. Cost: from R35. Contact: 021 914 1705 or info@ jimmyjungles.co.za Kidz Discovery Club Age-appropriate, professional baby-and-toddler and motherand-child groups. Art and tactile exploration, language, fine and gross motor development, visual motor play and funky experiments.

3 months to 4,5 years. Time and cost: call to enquire. Venue: The Drive, Camps Bay. Contact: 083 654 2494, info@kidzdiscovery. co.za or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za Kloof Street Library story hour Monday 3pm–3:30pm (ages 2 and older) with a little Afrikaans thrown in. Contact: 021 424 3308 Kraaifontein Library Afrikaans and English story time for children from 2–10 years. Call Nelia to enquire beforehand.

Time: Wednesday 10am. Venue: Brighton Rd. Contact: 021 980 6209 Little Birdy Bookshop story time Every Saturday and Sunday. Time: 12:30pm.

Venue: Greyton. Cost: free. Contact: 079 350 9658 magazine cape town

Rondebosch Library story time Every Wednesday and Friday for preschoolers from 3–5 years. Time: 10am. Venue: St Andrews Rd. Contact: 021 689 1100 Somerset West Library For more info

11am. Venue: 53 Castle St, off Long St. Cost: R300 per month. Contact Sofia: 071 107 0973, cdo.co.za@gmail.com or visit capoeiracdo.co.za City Rock Time: Monday–Thursday

Collingwood and Anson Rd, Observatory.

Cost: adults from R80, children from R55.

Contact: 021 447 1326 Ice Station For ice skating fun. Time: varies, see website. Venue: GrandWest

contact children’s librarian Paige: 021 850 4458 or 021 850 4526/7

9am–9pm, Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am–6pm. Venue: cnr

Casino. Cost: R25–R38. Spectators R10.

For more info: visit icerink.co.za

sport and physical activities Action paintball Take family and friends down to Imhoff Farm for a fun-filled morning or after 12pm. Time: Monday–Sunday 9:15am–12:45pm or 1:15pm–4:45pm.

Venue: Tokai Forest. Cost: call to enquire.

Contact: 021 790 7603, info@actionpursuit. co.za or visit actionpaintball.co.za Children’s Capoeira An Afro-Brazilian martial art for children, combining dance, music, acrobatics and culture. 5 years and older. Time: every Saturday 10am–

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SARDA practice show jumping day

Giraffe House Spy on vervet monkey, gemsbok, giraffe, springbok, zebra, leopard tortoise, Nile crocodile, ostrich and Egyptian goose. Time: Monday–Sunday 9am–5pm. Venue: The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre, cnr R304 and R101 en route to Stellenbosch. Cost: adults R45, children 2–15 years R25. Contact: 021 884 4506, info@giraffehouse.co.za or visit giraffehouse.co.za Full moon hike Enjoy the sunset over Table Mountain with stunning views of the Winelands from the top of Klapmutskoppie.

Walk the trail through the Renosterveld Conservancy. Bring a torch, warm clothing and hiking shoes. Snacks and drinks available at Trail Centre, but welcome to bring your own. 18 February. Time: arrive 5:45pm–6:30pm; sunset 7:36pm; moon rise 7:29pm. Venue: Dirtopia Trail Centre, Delvera Farm, R44 between Stellenbosch, Klapmuts. Cost: R50 including permit, optional shuttle to halfway mark and map.

R20 for children under 10 years. Contact: 021 884 4752, info@dirtopia.co.za or visit dirtopia.co.za SARDA practice show-jumping day This is for young riders and horses to prepare for show jumping in front of an audience. The course is run according to professional rules but allows for the practice element to be included. 5 February. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue: SA Riding For Disabled, Brommersvlei Rd, Constantia. Cost: R60 per event. Contact SARDA: 021 794 4393

Shark cage diving Not for the fainthearted, this is an educational experience of the majestic Great White shark and other sea life at close range. Children 5–8 years can enjoy the boat trip and sightings from the viewing decks. Going in the cage is not recommended for children under 8 years, although some have enjoyed this with parents. Time: bookings Monday–Sunday 7am–9pm. Meeting time Monday–Sunday 7am–8am, depending on the tides and the locations of the Great Whites. Venue: 9 Kusweg, Kleinbaai Harbour, Gansbaai.

Cost: adults R1 300, children 12 years and younger R900. Viewing deck price: adults R200 and children R150. Contact: 021 671 4777, info@sharkcagediving.co.za or visit sharkcagediving.co.za

only for parents classes, talks and workshops Brainline open day Information on homeschooling for Grade 0–12. 5, 12, 19, 26 February. Time: 10am–2pm. Venue: Cinnamon Coffee Shop, Liesbeek Parkway, River Park, Mowbray. Cost: free. Contact Daleen: 021 680 5344, 082 713 4855 or cape@brainline.com CPR for family and friends Constantiaberg CPR for non-medical folks, parents and caregivers. From 12 years and older. 5 February. Time: 9am– 1pm. Venue: Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic, Burnham Rd, Plumstead. Cost: R250.

Contact: 021 797 2342 CPR for family and friends Milnerton CPR training for anyone 12 years and older.

19 February. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue:

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Milnerton Medi-Clinic, Racecourse Rd, Milnerton.

Cost: R250. Contact: 021 797 2342 Kundalini yoga Kundalini yoga is a dynamic discipline, which includes yoga postures and meditation.

Great for relaxation and workouts. 16 years and older. Time: every Saturday, 12pm–1:30pm.

Venue: St. Joseph’s Marist College, 21 Belmont Rd, Rondebosch. Cost: R350 for 8 weeks. Contact Jai: 021 685 1257 or visit stjosephsaep.co.za Learn CPR and save a life Paediatric nursing sister Lee-Ann White runs a CPR course for parents, childminders and au pairs. Discovery Health members earn vitality points for attending. Time: 10am–12pm. Venue: Pinelands. Cost: R220. Contact Lee-Ann: 021 531 4182 or 072 283 7132 Nice Touch cooking and baking classes 2 February Basic Housekeepers’ Cooking Lessons (R1 250 for four weeks), 9 and 24 February Housekeeper’s Baking Course (R180), 22 February Advanced Housekeeper’s Cooking and Baking Course (cost tbc), 17 February Housekeeper’s Vegetarian Cooking course (cost tbc).

Time 9am–12:30pm. Venue: Mouille Point. Contact Janis: 082 319 9215 or visit nicetouch.co.za Phonics, reading, letterland workshop A workshop for parents and teachers of 3- to 8-year olds. Learn to use what you have at home to support what happens at school.

25 February. Time: 10am–11:30am. Venue: 11 Middleton Rd, Claremont. Cost: R80.

Pottery classes

Contact: 082 714 4356, rlighton@mweb. co.za or visit reneelighton.co.za Pottery classes Lissa teaches techniques such as wheel work, handwork, sculpting and glazing. Time: Tuesday–Thursday 9:30am–12pm. Venue: 26 Skaife St, Scott Estate, Hout Bay. Cost: R150. Contact: 021 790 7643, 082 781 8139 or lissapottery@ gmail.com School enrichment forum for gifted children Professor Shirley Kokot, president of the National Association for Gifted and Talented Children in South Africa, supported by experienced enrichment teachers, facilitates a forum for principals and education support for teachers around this topic. 2 February. Time: 1pm–3pm. Venue: St Georges Grammar School, Richmond Rd, Mowbray. Cost: R50. Contact: 021 689 9354 or helen@cstek.co.za The Scrapbook classes Beginner to advanced classes plus card-making classes.

Time: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am– 12:30pm/1pm. Monday and Thursday 6pm– 9pm. Venue: Shop 6, Belvedere Square, Belvedere Rd, Claremont. Cost: R90–R195.

Contact: 021 674 6425 or scrapbookct@ webafrica.org.za Thinking schools conference Developing a school-wide approach to motivating and supporting a culture of thinking. 16–19 February. Time: Wednesday 2:30pm– Saturday 1pm. Venue: International Conference Centre, President’s Hotel, Bantry Bay. Cost: R900–R2 900. Contact: iacesa@polka.co.za or visit iacesa.co.za

on stage and screen

First aid for parents and au pairs Save a baby, toddler or older child by learning how to deal with choking, breathing difficulties, bleeding, falls, sprains and breakages, fits and fevers, drowning, burns, severe allergic reactions as well as head and spinal injuries. Time: 9am–12:30pm. Venue: Kingsbury Hospital, Wilderness Rd, Claremont.

Cost: R300. Contact Super Nannies: 021 461 6508, 072 972 2038, karin@supernannies.co.za or visit supernannies.co.za

magazine cape town

Alma Café live music Time: Wednesday and Sunday 6:30pm. Venue: Alma Rd (off Liesbeek Parkway), Rosebank. Contact: 021 685 7377 Barleycorn Music Club Monday nights Barleycorn has met almost every week for 34 years to provide a platform for local and visiting musicians to showcase their talents. As a not-for-profit organisation, all funds gathered are used to promote local music and musicians. Time: every Monday 7:30pm–10pm. Venue: Villager Rugby Club, 11 Lansdowne Rd, Claremont.

Cost: R10 for members, R20 for nonmembers. Contact: 021 683 6704 or info@ barleycorn.org.za Hitched The latest play by Paul Tosio and Barbara Whitfield, two of the founding members of the Oxford University Playwriting Society. Nikolai, a budding television naturalist, and Iris, a celebrity wedding-dress designer, had the most perfect of weddings.

Or so they thought. Twelve months later February 2011

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calendar The Taming of the Shrew Christopher Sly, a congenial drunk flung out of a bar by the pub’s hostess, falls into a deep sleep and dreams about the taming of Katherina, the shrew, by Petruchio. This play-within-a-dream, with its wild and giddy uses of disguises, mistaken identities, and confusions provides comedy for all.

Circus owner Petruchio drags Katherina into a topsy-turvy world of clowns, jugglers, tumblers, a lion and Petruchio’s spaniel, Troilus. Through this comic chaos, two of Shakespeare’s most celebrated lovers encounter a rugged path to true love. 1, 2, 7, 8, 14 February. Time: 7:45pm. Venue: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Cost: R50, R100, R130, R150. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695. Also book at the Maynardville box office an hour prior to the performance.

Constantia Fresh 2011

Nick’s rapidly rising star and accompanying jet-set lifestyle has poor Iris feeling distinctly sidelined. Then Iris receives a strange letter informing her that their marriage ceremony had actually been performed by a madman posing as the vicar!. Ends 26 February.

Time: Wednesday–Saturday 8:30pm. Venue: Kalk Bay Theatre. Cost: R120. Contact: 021 788 3234 Marc Lottering – Not in 3D Suitable for 16 years and older. 1–26 February. Time: Tuesday–Saturday 8pm. Venue: Baxter Theatre. Cost: R70–R80. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000

out and about

Cost: R400–R1 500. Contact: 082 598 9192, info@finewineevents.co.za or visit constantiafresh.com Feel Fabulous workshop Lifestyle and image consultant Liane Ponton and skincare consultant Carol Rasmussen present an exciting lifestyle workshop that covers pH balancing, stress reduction, energy boosters, skin analysis, hand massage techniques and other me-time strategies.

3 February. Time: 7pm–9pm. Venue: 17 Mayfair Ave, Newlands. Cost: R100, which includes snacks and refreshments. To book contact Liane: 076 896 6516 or Carol: 084 990 0244 Takashi Murakami exhibition The artist’s series of tondo flower works on exhibition was started in 2008 and the original paintings were shown for the first time in September/October 2009 at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris. This body of work also includes the latest chrysanthemum works. The magnificence

Constantia Fresh 2011 is one of the first South African fine wine festivals to feature Sauvignon Blanc and other white blends of the Constantia Valley alongside regional and international producers. 25 February International White Blend Tasting and Fine Dining Event Evening and 26 February White Blend and Food Pairing Exhibition. Time: 2pm till late. Venues: Constantia Uitsig, Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Steenberg, Eagle’s Nest, Buitenverwachting and Constantia Glen.

of the prints lies not only in the printing techniques used but also in the rich combination of materials. 1 February– 12 March. Time: tbc. Venue: 34FineArt, Buchanan Square, Woodstock. Cost: free. Contact: 021 461 1863 or visit 34fineart.com

support groups Autism Action Cape Town Contact: 078 578 7958, info@autismaction.co.za or visit autismaction.co.za Autism South Africa Support, resources, and information for adults and children with autism. For more info: 021 557 3573, info@autismsouthfrica.org or visit autismsouthafrica.org CANSA Support and information for people suffering from cancer as well as their family members and friends. Contact: 0800 22 66 22 (toll-free) or 021 689 5381 (8am–4:30pm weekdays), info@cansa. org.za or visit cansa.org.za

Music Under the Stars Bring a picnic basket (no alcohol) or buy snacks and drinks at the venue. 5 and 26 February.

Time: 8pm–10pm. Venue: Library Square, Wilderness Rd, Claremont. Cost: R30.

Book through Webtickets: visit webtickets.co.za

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ideas and experiences. Contact the Triangle Project: 021 448 3812, Healht2@triangle.org.za or visit triangle.org.za Little People of South AfricaCape Town Supports those with dwarfism as well as their families.

Time: 2pm every third Saturday of the month. Venue: Bethany Fellowship, 225 Lansdowne Rd, Claremont. Cost: free. Contact Rachelle: 082 366 8074, rachellekvanstaden@gmail.com or littlepeopleofsouthafrica@ gmail.com SpiritedKidZ LearnsPace ©2009 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Committed to those with learning differences and physical Takashi Murakami exhibition challenges. Contact: 082 854 Childhood Cancer Foundation of 1300, info@spiritedkidz.za.org or visit South Africa (CHOC) Helps parents to spiritedkidz.za.org meet other parents and survivors. For more The Compassionate Friends of Cape info: visit choc.org.za Town Offers friendship and understanding Depression and Anxiety Support to bereaved parents. Contact: 0861 227 Group Call a counsellor Monday to Sunday 464 or upport@tcfcape.co.za between 8am–8pm. Contact: 011 262 6396 or for a suicidal emergency contact: 0800 bump, baby & Tot in tow 567 567. For more info: visit sadag.co.za Down Syndrome SA For support contact: 0861 369 672, dssaoffice@icon.co.za or classes, talks and workshops visit downsyndrome.org.za Baby Hands SA A once-off baby-signing LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, workshop for parents with babies 5–30 transgender) parents support group months. 10 and 23 February. Time: 9:30am– For gay and lesbian parents and parents-to11:30am. Venue: Protea Valley, Bellville. be there are regular meetings to exchange Cost: R560 including DVD with 160 SA

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signs, workshop manual, Baby Hands bag, pen and certificate of completion. Contact Clea: 021 913 8662, 084 207 6900, clea@ babyhands.co.za or visit babyhands.co.za Me-a-Mama antenatal classes start first Saturday of each month and run for four weeks. Fun, interactive and sociable antenatal classes with midwife Emma Numanoglu prepare you for whatever labour option you choose as well as for the early days at home with your baby. Time: Saturday 10am–12pm. Venue: Rondebosch.

Cost: R1 200. Contact: antenatal @ meamama.co.za or visit meamama.co.za Mommy and Me Developmental workshops for mothers with babies or toddlers (5 months–3 years). Each session focuses on fine and gross motor development, music and movement,

language enrichment, and sensory integration through age-appropriate and creative activity. Leila has 22 years experience (10 as a primary school teacher and 12 running workshops). Time: varies.

Venue: 36 Avenue Normandie, Fresnaye.

Cost: R950–R1 000 for eight classes.

Contact Leila: 083 969 2625 MotherBaby International Film Festival In celebration of Pregnancy Awareness Week, this small film festival offers a film related to a particular birthing option/topic and a speaker each evening.

The themes are midwifery, doulas, home birth and breastfeeding. 14–17 February.

Time: 6:15pm. Venue: Labia on Orange St, CBD. Cost: R35. Contact Ruth: 021 780 9510, ruth@homebirth.org.za or visit homebirth.org.za

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calendar

The Mama Bamba Way weekend workshop

Musisize toddlers

classes

for

babies

and

Music and movement for children 6 months–3 years through action songs, singing, movement, nursery rhymes, playing instruments, hand puppets and bubbles. The classes develop a sense of rhythm and timing, aid movement and coordination, help with social skills and build vocabulary. Time: every Monday 2:30pm–3:10pm. Venue: 1 Mount Nelson Rd, Sea Point. Cost: R350 per month.

Contact: 084 409 1683, debbyjam@gmail. com or visit debbydoo.co.za Parent Centre moms-to-be and momsand-babies group Time: 10am–12pm.

Venue: Kingsbury Life Hospital, 2nd Floor, Wilderness Rd, Claremont. Cost: R40 including refreshments. For more info: 021 762 0116 or zaiboe@theparentcentre.org.za The Mama Bamba Way weekend workshop Birth preparation classes for creating an empowering, transformative birth experience for women, their partners and their babies. The course consists of 15 hours’ group instruction. Maximum six couples per class. 12–13 February.

Time: 10am–5pm each day. Venue: Mama Bamba, 101 St James Place, 39 St James St, Vredehoek. Cost: R1 800 per couple.

Contact Robyn: 021 461 8257, info@ mamabamba.com or visit mamabamba. co.za. Enquire about The Mama Bamba Way six-week evening course.

playtime and story time Bizzy Bodies Children under 15 months enter free if parents use the coffee shop.

Time: 10am–5pm. Venue: Bizzy Bodies, 23 Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, Tokai.

Contact: 021 702 0505, info@bizzybodies. co.za or visit bizzybodies.co.za Clamber Club These groups are divided into three age groups for children between

9 months and 3 years. For more info: visit clamberclub.com Jimmy Jungles Secure facilities for toddlers and children from 6 months of

Africa who are affected by the HIV/Aids pandemic. Their Dinner Club Campaign is aimed at mobilising individuals to use their monthly or quarterly Dinner Club to

age. Contact head office: 021 914 1705 or info@jimmyjungles.co.za Kloof Street Library toddler story time Tuesday 9:30am–10am (0–2 years) with a little Afrikaans thrown in. Contact: 021 424 3308 Observatory Library story time Every Wednesday for children 1–4 years. Time: 11am–11:30am. Venue: Station Rd. Cost: free. Contact: 021 447 9017 Planet Kids An ecofriendly, indoor play and activity centre that welcomes children with disabilities. Time: Monday– Sunday 10am–6pm. Venue: 3 Wherry Rd, Muizenberg. Cost: from R30. Contact: 021 788 3070 or visit planetkids.co.za Plinka Plonka Play Indoor play area.

Time: summer weekdays 9am–5:30pm, weekends 9am–1pm. Venue: 171 Buitenkant St, Gardens. Cost: children under one year enter free, one year and older pay R40 for the first hour. Contact: 021 465 0503, playatplinkaplonka@gmail. com or visit plinkaplonkaplay.com Sea Point Library story time Every Wednesday 10am–11am for preschoolers and younger. Contact: 021 439 7440/1 The Playshed Features a baby coupé, a special place for children under 3. Contact: 021 801 0141/2 or playshed@gmail.com

raise funds for SOS. SportSupports uses sports sponsorships for running, cycling, mountain biking, wakeboarding, skydiving and scuba diving to give back to orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa in a fun, easy way. Through donations, Haiti SOS provides emergency care for unaccompanied children and takes all necessary steps to reunite children with their family. For more info: visit sosvillages.org.za Home from Home cares for more than 120 children in 19 foster homes across 10 disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. A foster mother or parents take in a maximum of six children from the community and they are supported and monitored by Home from Home’s full-time social workers, assistants, volunteers and community partners. This means the children in their care are not “children’s home” children that have been alienated from their communities and culture – they are part of a real family and community. There are eight homes in Khayelitsha (two of which are for profoundly disabled children), one each in Goodwood, Vrygrond, Ruyterwacht, Oceanview, Zonnebloem, Masiphumelele and Hawston near Hermanus, two in Kayamandi and one in Cloetesville in Stellenbosch. The organisation also runs a crèche in Khayelitsha. You can help Home from Home by volunteering, donating goods, participating in child sponsorship programmes as well as in their fundraising events. For more info: visit homefromhome.org.za Princess Project The project takes donations in the form of evening outfits, wedding dresses, ball gowns and matric farewell outfits when their owners no longer have a use for them. These dresses clothe underprivileged matriculants and brides on their special occasion. The outfits are returned to the Princess Project after each function, so they can be used again. For more info: visit princessproject.co.za

support groups Adoption Support Group Contact Jean: 084 685 4839 or ct.adoption.support@ gmail.com Hi Hopes Support for parents with deaf or children who are hard of hearing. Contact Renee: 021 938 6066, 076 891 8188 or devilliers.renee@gmail.com La Leche League’s breastfeeding support groups Panorama: Monday 7 February. Contact Carol: 021 558 5319 or Irma: 084 258 8203. Durbanville: Tuesday 14 February. Contact Trudy: 021 913 2816 or Tiffany: 021 913 3586. Parow: Wednesday 15 February. Contact Dilshaad: 021 930 2475. Time: 10am. Cost: free entry. Pregnant and nursing mothers are welcome to attend.

Post-natal Depression South Africa Contact: pndsa.co.za SA Preemies A national support group for parents of premature babies.

Contact: 080 773 3643, 012 333 5359, support@preemiesforafrica.org or visit sapreemies.co.za

Home from Home – Children receiving their Santa Shoeboxes

each monkey’s own incredible survival story and be able to rehabilitate their own virtual monkey by playing an online game. To find out more about how Kellogg’s is helping Born Free: visit adoptamonkey.co.za or cocopops.co.za Incubator Campaign – R10 at the tills Last year R1,7 million was raised to supply the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital with 24 incubators. This year, the neonatal unit at New Somerset Hospital is the beneficiary for the initiative. Annually, New Somerset Hospital delivers 7 500 babies, and at least 20% of those born prematurely need to be cared for in an incubator. Pop into any Pick n Pay Supermarket, Hypermarket, Express Store or Daily Store and purchase a R10 donation voucher, or visit any Nedbank branch and make a donation to the Newborns Trust. The branch code is 10 46 09 and the account number 104 652 5999. Donors stand a chance to win one of 12 R2 000 Pick n Pay gift cards in the lucky draw at the end of the campaign, which ends on 28 February. For more info: visit 1049.fm or newborns.org.za WOW – World Orphan Week 14– 20 February Children’s charity, SOS Children’s Villages South Africa, encourages South Africans to get involved by doing something to raise awareness for orphaned and abandoned children. You can donate directly via their virtual SOS G.O.L.F. (Give an Orphan a Little but Frequently) Club, which was developed to support children in South

how to help

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February 2011

Kellogg’s and wildlife charity Born Free By eating their favourite breakfast cereal, Coco Pops fans can now help ill-treated monkeys in Malawi. Participate in the Adopt a Monkey promotion, which runs until April, by buying any two packs from the Kellogg’s Coco Pops range: Chocorillas, Crunchers, Jumbos or the original oven-toasted rice grains. Then SMS the monkey codes found inside these two packs to receive a unique code, which will be used to adopt a monkey via adoptamonkey.co.za. Children can read

Kellogg’s and wildlife charity Born Free

don’t miss out!

For a free listing, email your event to lucille@childmag.co.za or fax it to 021 462 2680. Information must be received by 2 February 2011 for the March issue, and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published. To post an event online or browse events, visit childmag.co.za

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it’s

party time

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February 2011

63

it’s party time continued...

64

February 2011

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magazine cape town

February 2011

65

last laugh

men don’t make resolutions

Joe, Sam and Benj

ith the start of the New Year and the fresh bliss of new pencils (is there anything as happy-making as a brand new, pointy pencil?), comes the time-honoured urge to make broad sweeping promises to oneself about the year ahead.

“This is the year I lose 10 kilograms!”

I’ll say to myself, with ferocious conviction.

(I am way too smart to say this out loud to anyone else.) The weight one always sparks off a whole series of others, which I do say out loud.

“This is the year I figure out e-filing!” I told the family over New Year’s breakfast.

“And take all that bitter rocket out of the herb garden! And actually call someone in to fix the chest freezer’s slow leak

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February 2011

instead of just squishing old newspapers under it once a week! And clean out my wardrobe! And...”

I tapered off there, as everyone just quietly spooned cereal into themselves while staring at me in slightly distracted bemusement. (That look, where your family is trying as hard as possible to pretend they are listening without having to sacrifice their much more entertaining daydreams.)

“Seriously,” I said to my family, in bewilderment. “Not one of you wants to make New Year’s resolutions?”

The boys stared pointedly at their father, which is well-known boy code for: “You tell her.”

Andreas cleared his throat.

“Well, no, but don’t let us stop you; you love making resolutions,” he said, supportively. “Um, how about exercise?

You usually make a resolution about exercise. Doesn’t she, boys?”

The boys nodded their heads vigorously in unison, before ducking back down to their cereal.

And that’s when it struck me. Boys don’t make New Year’s resolutions. It’s an almost exclusively chick pursuit. Think about it: when last did you hear a man proclaim: “This is the year I sort out the shed!” or “In 2011, I am conquering my DIY phobia!”?

Exactly. Never.

I took this little light bulb with me to my Monday Mommy date with my friend Rosie.

“This year,” she began, while spooning Pad Thai onto her plate and signalling the waiter for more spring rolls, “I am going to get fit, and...”

“Ha! Stop right there!” I interrupted. “See what you are doing? You’re in automatic New Year’s resolution mode, right?”

“Well, duh,” she replied, through a mouthful of noodles. “It’s New Year.”

“But men don’t do this!” I exclaimed, spearing our third spring roll before she noticed. “Only women make New Year’s resolutions! And I think I know why. Women are so bad at accepting themselves for who they are that we feel the need to choose a whole lot of sticks to beat ourselves with

at the beginning of each year. It’s a terrible indictment of society as a whole and the way women never feel good enough!”

Rosie’s eyes opened wide. (But that may just have been her noticing my sneaky spring-roll move.)

“You’re right,” she said, re-signalling the waiter. “Now that I think about it, I have never heard a man make a New Year’s resolution. And it’s not because they are without flaw as an entire gender.”

At this point, we cackled so loudly the waiter decided to deposit our additional spring rolls on another table entirely.

So this year, dear readers, I am making not a single resolution. (Even that silent weight one.) This year, I am going to take a leaf out of Andreas’s book, and just get on with being myself and as happy as possible. And instantly, 2011 is looking a whole lot less stressful.

Sam Wilson is the Editor-in-chief of Women24, Parent24 and Food24. She likes Chinese dumplings almost as much as spring rolls.

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth

SAM WILSON begins 2011 with a light-bulb moment. And lots of spring rolls.