Child magazine | CPT November 2014

C a p e

To w n ’ s

b e s t

g u i d e

f o r

pa r e n t s

holiday care made easy

toddlers &

teenagers

fun activities to bond with teenagers

also in this issue www.childmag.co.za

November 2014

free

using pinterest as a teaching tool motivating your child to practise music are we raising spoilt brats? making praise meaningful

health

education

entertainment

Hunter House PUB L IS H ING

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

They say that families who play together, stay together.

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Marc de Chazal • features@childmag.co.za Resource Editor Lucille Kemp • capetown@childmag.co.za Copy Editor Debbie Hathway

Art Designers Nikki-leigh Piper • studio@childmag.co.za Mark Vincer • studio3@childmag.co.za Louise Topping • studio@childmag.co.za

a

Lisa and Robyn in Elgin

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

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

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

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

Child magazine Online

childmag.co.za Online Content Manager Marc de Chazal • online@childmag.co.za

s my children have grown from high-energy toddlers to high-maintenance teenagers, finding the fun can be tricky.

My husband and I often have “brand building” meetings to brainstorm ways to make our brand as parents more attractive to our maturing children. In our most recent quest for coolness, we took my youngest, Robyn, and her friend, Jack, both soon-to-be teenagers, zip lining. We were staying in Elgin, a mere 45-minute

Cape Town’s Child magazineTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 7, Canterbury Studios, 35 Wesley Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 021 465 6093, fax: 021 462 2680, email: info@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 welcome submissions

drive from Cape Town. While the adults were content with bike rides and swimming with the dogs, the children yearned for more adventure. So we headed for the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, with scarves and beanies, but no real idea as to what we were getting ourselves into. Five hours later, we had conquered (or in my case, survived) 12 slides, some 320 metres long, a swing bridge over a double waterfall, and platforms as high as Table Mountain. If my brand value increased along with my adrenalin levels, I should be set for life.

Connecting with your teenager has a lot to do with letting go as a parent, but still keeping them close and making sure that family time is fun time. With this in mind, we have rounded up some enriching ways to bond with your teenager (or soon to be) – see page 28. If you have half the fun we had, I guarantee a surge in your brand value too.

Have fun this November.

Lisa Mc Namara Publisher

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November 2014

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contents november 2014

28 upfront

health

3 a note from lisa

7 quicksilver mercury is poisonous.

6 over to you readers respond

features

Marina Zietsman finds out how hazardous it is in our everyday lives

regulars

12 spoilt brat syndrome Christina Castle warns about raising children with a false sense of entitlement

14 music to my ears the biggest challenge when teaching children to play a musical instrument is getting them to practise, says Donna Cobban

16 back to basics Catherine Janse van Rensburg and her family take a break from city life in the Klein Karoo

20 praiseworthy a child’s self-worth stems from meaningful praise.

By Gary Koen

22 pin it Tamlyn Vincent discovers that Pinterest is a great educational tool for projects and research

24 club together Tamlyn Vincent compiles some ideas for parents to share the load of holiday care

26 something familiar, something new in her book, Make Five, Heleen Meyer gives inspiration on how to turn one simple ingredient into five mouth-watering dishes

8 pregnancy news – the vitamin A issue it’s essential to our diet, but pregnant women should take care not to overdose on Vitamin A, says Lucille Kemp

9 best for baby – public displays of affection Tamlyn Vincent looks at the contentious issue of breast-feeding in public spaces

10 dealing with difference – are you serious? Lauren Kirk-Cohen has Asperger’s, and here she gives advice about handling bullying

28 resource – reconnect with your teenager Lucille Kemp compiles a few ideas to inspire a new adventure with your teenager

32 what’s on in november 42 finishing touch it’s true, says Cassandra Shaw, children do say “the darndest things”

43 a good read for the whole family

classified ads 39 family marketplace 40 let’s party

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

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November 2014

Joburg

Cape Town

Durban

Pretoria

Accessorize accessorize.co.za

Eco-Punk Kids Clothing eco-punk.co.za

Ackermans ackermans.co.za

CJ Photography cjphotogroup.webs.com

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November 2014

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letters

your voice on childmag.co.za “guidance for parents of intellectually gifted children” My 7-year-old son struggles to concentrate. He does well when he puts his mind to something, but it would need to be a task that he really enjoys or he will get bored.

His teacher says that he is very intelligent, but seriously lacks focus/concentration. Most days are a struggle and she is trying to find ways to “tap into his concentration”.

She went on to say that there’s always something on his mind that pulls him away from what needs to be done in class; he’s always asking questions and wanting more information. She’s asked me to assist in helping him focus more, but I don’t even know where to start.

Nuraan “jacked up” I would like to add this to your article on hijacking – have a tracker fitted so that in the horrible event that they get away with your child in the car, the car can be tracked and hopefully your child found before any harm comes to them.

Cindy “why do people cheat?”

My husband asked me to read this article. I had an affair more than eight years ago. I was 30, married for four years and we just had our first baby. My husband was a

good husband and did not deserve what I did. The pain, hurt and betrayal I have caused him is indescribable. He is trying to forgive me and we, only through this process, have discovered how we lived passed each other for so many years. I have tried to explain my actions based on my needs not being met, but I made the wrong decision. If there is anyone considering an affair, I plead with you not to do it. Speak to your partner.

Anonymous “rethink recycling” Thank you for the article “rethink recycling” (September 2014). We are raising Generation Recycle and the best way we can change our recycling habits is to teach our children how to separate at the source. Take note of how much domestic refuse you put out before you start recycling. It could be as many as five bags. Some homes put out half a bag of refuse a week if they recycle paper, plastic, tins and cans and glass, as well as composting kitchen scraps. Imagine the difference we would make to landfills if we all put out less waste. Well done on a great article.

Samantha

dearest grandpa and grandma After reading “golden oldies” in the October 2014 issue, I thought I’d share my story. Our only child

over to you pay it forward To pay it forward is when someone does a good deed for you; instead of paying them back, pay it forward by doing a good deed for someone else. This simple phrase has often made me wonder: could it actually work? We always dig so deep and search so far and wide to try and make a difference in the world, that the simplest things go unnoticed. I saw your October 2014 issue’s theme is “dealing with difference” and I believe we should all try and make a difference.

And it does not have to be profound. We don’t have to break the bank, or sacrifice precious family time or me-time. Just pay it forward. For every good thing that happens in your life, make a difference to three other people or causes and see that as pay back – or pay forward, in this case.

You can call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Give someone a book that has made a huge impact on your life. You can educate yourself on a concept or a disorder that has up to now been Greek to you, and in doing so learn patience, compassion and teach yourself to understand – then spread the word next time you are in a situation where a level head and a bit of knowledge can

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November 2014

started Grade 1 this year, and it’s with dread that we save up for holiday care, because we have to work. Reluctant to split our small family for the first time, we never considered sending Tyler to stay with family over the school holidays. But come the October holidays we realised we had to “let go” and drove the 90km from Cape Town to Betty’s Bay to let him spend the week with Pinke, a name he has given his granddad since he was a toddler (no one knows why), and Grandma Sandy.

We anxiously waited for a call to go and fetch him because “he’s not eating”, “he’s driving Pinke up the wall”, or “we didn’t know seven year olds could be sooooo busy”, or any other (legit) reason. But exactly the opposite has happened. Tyler and Pinke went fishing together and penguin watching, spotted whales, flew his kite and played pool with their own set of rules. He helped Gran Sandy in the kitchen and, to my surprise, he’s learnt to eat mushrooms, gem squash and prawns – things he’s always refused to touch. I think what sealed the deal for me was when I phoned him the first time, expecting to talk to a tearful little boy missing his parents. Not so! He sounded content. He even sounded more mature and “knowledgeable” about the world. Now we’re dreading that next time he won’t want to come back. Thanks to grandparents all over.

Nicole

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

diffuse a possibly volatile situation. Or pay it forward where someone has their whole life consumed by a debilitating disease or “difference”, and they just need someone to show them support and a bit of understanding. I’m also a working parent trying to keep up with this ever-changing world, but I’m going to try and remember those three words the next time I’m rushing from point A to B: pay it forward. It won’t always be easy, but I’ll try.

Annie

living with loss I recently became a statistic of miscarriage, one of the many women in the world that has lost a baby in utero at some point. Even though I was just over six weeks pregnant, it shook my world. After my son was born, I tried for years to conceive again. I felt cheated, deprived and angry, constantly questioning why I fell pregnant in the first instance if it was willed to be so short-lived. It was a little girl, and that knowledge made it virtually impossible to get over the loss. Until I read the letter from “anonymous” in your October 2014 issue entitled “the other side of miscarriage”. Only then did I realise how selfish I had been in mourning

my loss, giving no thought to what the child might have had to endure had it survived the harsh side effects of the drugs prescribed to “save” her. And in “saving” her we were ironically also “killing” her. After reading this letter I realised that nature does indeed know what’s best for us sometimes. I no longer feel cheated or deprived.

Ash

mom’s little girl Thank you for the article “raising an introvert” (October 2014). I am the mother of an introvert and it really worried me. I thought of taking her to modelling or drama lessons to drag her out of this shell, but your article has helped me realise she is just like me. I don’t interact easily and I don’t talk to kill time. She is her mother’s daughter. I urge all teachers to read this article.

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health

quicksilver Mercury is toxic, but what are the chances of being poisoned?

t

MARINA ZIETSMAN does some digging.

he element mercury, aptly named quicksilver, is impressive in that it only starts boiling at 356,7C, however all of its compounds are toxic. Although mercury poisoning can cause various symptoms, the most severe damage is to the brain and nervous system, and in some cases, results in death.

to clean up a mercury spill, visit epa.gov/ hg/spills/#whatnever.

Dental fillings (or amalgams) also contain elemental mercury. Wium says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapour associated with dental fillings were a cause for concern.

“They concluded that it is safe for use in adults and children older than six,” says Wium. “The amount of mercury measured in people with dental amalgam fillings was well below the levels associated with adverse health effects.” Again, removing dental amalgam fillings may be problematic as you will be exposed to mercury vapours from the heat of the drilling process.

it’s elementary, my dear Elemental mercury is mainly found in thermometers, barometers and fluorescent light bulbs because of its high density and high rate of thermal expansion that is fairly constant over a wide temperature range.

The danger occurs when one of these gadgets break, causing a mercury spill.

Cherylynn Wium, a medical scientist at the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre says, “[Reports of] severe toxicity is unusual.”

However, problems arise when mercury comes into contact with heat, especially in an enclosed space. “Never use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the mercury. The heat from the vacuum cleaner will cause mercury vapours and increase inhalation exposure,” says Wium. For a guide on how

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mercurochrome contains inorganic mercury and is still available in South Africa. It has been banned in several countries due to fears of potential mercury poisoning.

mercury and vaccines Thiomersal is a mercury-containing organic compound used for decades as a preservative in numerous drugs, including vaccines. It prevents the growth of dangerous microbes. Extensive research has now made it possible for manufacturers to create safe vaccines without thiomersal. “None of the flu vaccines currently available in South Africa have thiomersal in them,” says Lee Baker, a medicine information pharmacist. “That said, thiomersal contains ethylmercury and not methylmercury, which is the mercury that can accumulate in the body.”

a fishy tale The most common source of methylmercury, a type of organic mercury, is fish. “Lowlevel dietary exposure to organic mercury does occur, but toxicity is rare,” says Wium. She says a lot of research has been done on methylmercury concentration in fish, especially in Alaska and Japan where fish is an essential part of the diet. “Trace amounts of methylmercury found in fish, even in large consumption, have not been associated with cognitive delays or other neurologic toxicity,” says Wium. According to the FDA, fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. They do warn, however, that some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or a young child’s developing nervous system. Women who want to fall pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children should avoid certain fish and only eat seafood that is low in mercury, such as anchovies, hake, sardines and whitefish. Mercury levels in tuna differ depending on where the tuna was caught.

November 2014

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pregnancy news

the vitamin A issue Vitamin A is an essential nutrient, but should be treated with caution by women of child-bearing age. LUCILLE KEMP

where to find it Vitamin A comes from animal sources as retinol, such as in eggs, dairy, liver, and kidney and fish liver oils. It also comes from plant sources such as orange and yellow vegetables and fruit, and dark-green leafy vegetables, mainly as betacarotene. As it is extremely difficult to overdose on betacarotene from natural sources, these fruit and vegetables are recommended for pregnant women.

v

itamin A is essential for vision, cell reproduction, immunity and the formation of some hormones.

It also helps promote bone growth, tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair and mucous membranes. It has shown to be an effective defence against measles, and is essential for the healthy development of the foetus. “However, as vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin it can easily cross the placenta, so it is essential that pregnant women get the right amount of the vitamin as large doses may be toxic for the baby and can cause abnormalities,” says Cape Town gynaecologist Dr Joy Robinson.

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November 2014

when to be cautious As a woman trying to conceive, your intake of vitamin A should be limited in a few ways. “The recommendation for vitamin A in pre-pregnancy and the first eight to 10 weeks of pregnancy should not exceed 6000IUs of vitamin A from supplements, fortified foods and animal sources. After this time 6000–10000IUs are considered optimal,” says Robinson. Supplements containing up to 5000IUs of betacarotene are fine but it is advisable to avoid pre-pregnancy and pregnancy vitamin supplements that contain the retinol form of the vitamin. Foods to be avoided, or eaten not more than once a week, include liver, fish liver oil and pâté.

As it is generally unethical to run clinical trials on pregnant women, qualified skincare therapist Lusinda Burch says there is a certain grey area around the safety of using skincare

products containing vitamin A, even if the concentrations are low. If there is a product you want to use that you’re not sure about, talk to your doctor. Products to vet include stretch mark prevention formulas and immune boosters, which may contain vitamin A, as well as some cold and flu formulas, hair, skin and nail formulas, and eye-health preparations.

Robinson points out that these are often termed “natural” or “homeopathic”, but it’s important to remember that medicine available without a prescription doesn’t necessarily mean it is without harmful side effects. Many health professionals will tell you to avoid over-the-counter medication during pregnancy and to consult your doctor for your health needs.

The acne medication Roaccutane and its generics should be avoided for three months before conception, because the likelihood of birth defects is extremely high.

While there are dangers in getting too much vitamin A, it’s important to guard against vitamin A deficiency. Aside from dry skin, poor bone growth and weak tooth enamel, vitamin A deficiency can affect eyesight. While deficiency is unlikely in a healthy population, it is not impossible.

“Some women have faddish or inadequate diets and may develop significant deficiencies of vitamin A and other essential nutrients. Robinson therefore recommends a dietary middle-ground.

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PHOTOGRAPH: shutterstock.com

learns more from a gynaecologist.

best for baby

public displays of affection Wide acceptance of breast-feeding in public is essential if we want what is best for moms and their babies.

By TAMLYN VINCENT

y

ou may have seen the sign on social media, the one outside a UK café that reads: “Breast-feeding Mums: Pop in and have a free cup of tea if you need a pit stop.” Imagine if all public venues were this accommodating of women trying to do the best for their babies. Sadly, they’re not.

The reality is that many people barely tolerate or openly disdain women for breast-feeding in public places.

Anelle Greyling, a lactation consultant from the Panorama Breastfeeding Clinic in Cape Town thinks that people from western cultures see breasts as sexual objects and because of that view public breast-feeding as inappropriate. Others see breast-feeding as a private affair that should be done at home, says Ana Frawley, a lactation consultant in Joburg.

Esmé Nel, from La Leche League and a lactation consultant, says much of this negativity stems from what people think about breast-feeding, rather than what they know.

breast is best

PHOTOGRAPH: shutterstock.com

Breast-feeding has health benefits for both moms and babies, from fewer infections during infancy to decreasing the risk of breast cancer for moms. Nel says that babies who are breast-fed continue to receive immunities, vitamins and enzymes as long as they’re breast-feeding. There are also benefits for moms who breast-feed in public, most of which relates to convenience. They can feed their babies as soon as they’re hungry, and breast-feeding can help to soothe a tired or fussy child.

A hungry baby needs to eat and breast-feeding is a natural, normal way to feed. Frawley points out that as adults, we are quite comfortable eating in public, and she sees breast-feeding in public as no different. She adds that when women breast-feed, they usually do so

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inconspicuously, with their breasts concealed. So there is no reason for breast-feeding moms to be confined to their homes or working moms to stop breast-feeding. Rather, what needs to change is public opinion. Frawley suggests that breast-feeding should be seen more in public, whether through posters or moms breast-feeding, so people become more comfortable with it. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act says breast-feeding employees should be given two 30-minute breaks a day to breast-feed or express milk. They should also be able to do this in a designated room, not the toilet. In public, designated rooms may help lead to awareness and acceptance, but experts agree that women should be able to breast-feed anywhere. After all, it’s a baby’s constitutional right.

discrete feeding • P ractise in front of the mirror at home first so you know how to do it easily without exposing yourself.

• Baby slings are easily adjustable and work well.

Alternatively, use a breast-feeding apron, your scarf or a blanket to cover yourself. But if you’re using a blanket, it may get hot for the baby.

• Wear the right clothes. Choose nursing bras that can be unfastened with one hand. Buy or make your own shirts with hidden slits or panels. Wear a loose shirt that you can lift up easily, or that unbuttons from the bottom.

• Sit near a wall or corner or, if possible, choose a booth at a restaurant.

• Look out for your baby’s cues and feed him before he starts to cry and fuss.

November 2014

9

dealing with difference

are you

serious?

Children on the autism spectrum are often bullied at school.

LAUREN KIRK-COHEN, who has Asperger’s, says the answer lies in building the self-confidence of these children.

i

pull up to the boom and wind down my window. “I’m going to tutor a student in the library; is it okay if I park here?”

I ask the security guard.

“It costs fifty rand.”

Uncertain pause. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, it’s fifty rand.”

“Oh… ok, I’d rather park outside then.”

“No, I was joking,” he says angrily,

honestly whether they are or not. It usually comes with a lot of good-natured laughing and joking.

I was only diagnosed when I was 16, but of course, I’d had Asperger’s my whole life, even though no one identified it for what it was until then. I’d developed my own ways of coping with it. Other children aren’t as fortunate.

If you bring up your children to have confidence in themselves, to know their own worth, mean words will just slide off them.

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social strugglers Most people on the autism spectrum struggle socially. As Asperger’s is on the spectrum, many people with the disorder struggle with the same issues as people with autism. According to Simon BaronCohen, professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, there are two main differences between people with Asperger’s and those with autism. People with autism often have a lower than average IQ, while people with Asperger’s have an average to abovemagazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPH: shutterstock.com

glaring at me and stalking away. I negotiate my way into the parking bay, confused. I thought he was joking, but how could I be sure? I didn’t want to park and end up with my wheel clamped for not paying. I asked if he was serious, and he said yes. Why would he lie? Why would he get angry at me for believing his lie?

As someone with Asperger’s syndrome, this is the kind of thing I frequently struggle with. My family and friends all know me well. When I’m not sure if they’re joking, I’ll ask if they’re serious, and they will tell me

average IQ. The second difference is that people with autism often experience a delay in learning how to speak, while people with Asperger’s don’t.

Things like not understanding when someone is joking, picking up social cues and knowing how to behave appropriately in certain situations often alienate them from other children. People with Asperger’s and autism often lack theory of mind, which is defined as the ability to accept that other people have opinions different to them. This makes interacting with others much more difficult than it is for neurotypical people. Many of them are bullied in school due to ignorance from others about their condition.

I guess I’m lucky; I just don’t care what people think of me, and I’m generally oblivious to their criticisms. I think people did try to bully me at school, but while I would notice being punched, the sidelong looks and sneers went right past me. I had a few close friends in high school, and I coped fine.

If they learn how to deal with it in school, it will be an invaluable skill for later life, as well as make their school experience more pleasant. For many people on the spectrum, the workplace can feel like school all over again, as the bullying often continues there.

So how can parents help children deal with bullying?

I know I am good at maths; I always have been. If someone tells me I’m terrible at maths, I’ll just laugh at them and move on. However, I am rather insecure about my body. If someone tells me I’m fat and ugly, I will be terribly upset. The difference is in my self-confidence. If you bring up your children to have confidence in themselves, to know their own worth, mean words will just slide off them.

Give them positive affirmations when they have done well; and when they do badly at something, give them constructive criticism. Be encouraging; rather than focusing on what they’ve done wrong, show them how to get it right in future. Tell

The trick is to help your child change their mind-set. Fighting back isn’t going to help anything; we just need to change the way we think about bullying. If they learn how to deal with it in school, it will be an invaluable skill for later life.

Children can be mean, and while teachers may attempt to control bullying, I don’t think they can completely eradicate it. As far as I know, there is only one defence, which comes naturally to me: ignore them. What does it really matter what people think of you? Who cares if they think you’re strange? I focused on finding a few people I liked and trusted, people who understood me. I’ve been out of school for over five years, but some of my friends from high school are still my closest friends.

in pursuit of happiness Instead of focusing on what makes us miserable, it makes more sense to focus on what makes us happy. For example: my English teacher loves my writing and always gives me great marks for it. I’m really improving at maths. I’ve reached out to a girl or boy in my class, they’re really nice and I think I could be friends with them. Our netball team won the game last week. I’m working on an exciting new project.

The trick is to help your child change their mind-set. Fighting back isn’t going to help anything; we just need to change the way we think about it. Bullying is a really hard thing to deal with, but it is something many people – and not just people on the spectrum – have to deal with all their lives. magazine cape town

them that you love them and you know they can do it.

Many of the things that neurotypical people take for granted can completely rattle people on the spectrum. Most children learn to read facial expressions and pick up social cues as they develop.

Often, children with autism or Asperger’s do not. Spend time teaching them things like that, showing them methods of working out a world they do not understand. When they feel like they can cope better in normal society, they will naturally feel more confident in themselves.

While it is generally harder for people on the spectrum to cope with everyday life – particularly in school – it is possible. There are many professionals who specialise in helping people on the spectrum, as well as online resources giving tips on how best to help your child.

The most important thing is to make sure that no matter how much external circumstances change, they are confident enough in themselves to know they can deal with it.

resource National Autism Resources – visit nationalautismresources.com

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parenting

spoilt brat syndrome CHRISTINA CASTLE wonders if we’re raising children with a sense of false entitlement and admits she may have one or two brats on her hands.

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November 2014

performances that my mother delivered every time I asked for an increase in pocket money and would be left standing there feeling guilty and oh so spoilt. I am sure she rehearsed it daily just for moments like

flying machine, or vehicle for that matter, he’ll be receiving on his eighteenth birthday will be made of Lego (if he’s lucky).

“Children should be brought up to be deserving but not entitled,” says Victoria

Unfortunately, many families have lost touch with reality and are breeding children who believe the world owes them a living. these. But my soliloquy did not have the same effect on my son. Instead, he rolled his eyes, popped his earphones in and turned up the volume of his iPod. Brat, I thought. He’s going to pay for that. The only

Mayer, a clinical psychologist based in Cape Town. “Unfortunately, many families have lost touch with reality and are breeding children who believe the world owes them a living. It’s a bit of a wake-up

call and sometimes a little too late when they realise it doesn’t.”

shower with love, not gifts We live in a world of high consumption. We shop, spend and “have to have”. We reward ourselves with gifts and gadgets “because we can”. And the same goes for our children.

With the pace of our daily lives, we are not often available to our children. We satisfy our own guilt of absence by showering them with things. It’s all too easy to compensate by throwing a bit of money at the problem.

“Find the time to spend with your child.

Schedule it in. The value of knowing that your child comes first in your life is the greatest gift you can give him,” says Mayer.

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PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

m

y mother would be horrified by the conversation I recently had with my 17-year-old son. It went something like this: “Mom, instead of buying me a car when I turn 18, can you rather buy me a plane?” he asked. Actually, it was more like an announcement.

“What makes you think you are even getting a car when you turn 18?”

I responded.

“Just a small plane,” he added, detecting the lambasting he was about to receive. I think he thought he was compromising by asking for a small one.

And so I let rip with one of those Oscar-winning “when I was your age”

pocket money should be earned

encourage the entrepreneur

Far too often we hand over pocket money to our children and expect nothing in return.

This breeds a sense of expectation. It becomes a hand-out. Children need to know they have certain responsibilities in a family and a household, regardless of financial reward. That said, by being rewarded with pocket money our children will be exposed to the concept of working for money. It is often the only place our children have the opportunity to learn this. However, many South African households enjoy the luxury of domestic help, which often means there is little left for our children to do around the house. But there are loads of simple chores they can be taking on from an early age.

Here are a few (there are millions more): • Make their beds • Clean their rooms • Unload the dishwasher • Take out the rubbish • Feed the pets • Pick up the dog poo • Fold the socks • Polish shoes • Weeding • Clean the pool

My brother used to steal avocados from our neighbour’s garden and then sell them to the corner shop. He made a killing, until our neighbour caught him halfway up their tree and called the police. Not long after that he spent his afternoons after school retrieving lost golf balls at the local golf course and then selling them back to the golfers who had lost them in the first place.

Let’s just say he was industrious. And I think it’s a good trait.

“Being paid for work outside of the family environment teaches our children responsibility in a real life situation,” says Mayer. “They will value that experience enormously, not to mention build confidence, independence, pride and selfworth, which is priceless.”

There are many legal ways our children can earn a buck around the neighbourhood from an early age, such as: • Car washing • Dog walking • Babysitting • Lawn mowing • Cooking and baking • Growing and selling vegetables

magazine cape town

While many children aspire to being “rich”, wealth requires hard work. This can be introduced from an early age. Goalsetting is an important part of the process.

So, when my son is busy eyeing out a new skateboard and I feel tempted to just buy it for him, I need to think again. While he may be deserving of the skateboard, he is not entitled to it. If he wants it, he works for it.

And let him learn the reality of, and reward for, hard work. He will value it more and ultimately, himself more.

value systems My children are growing up in an elite, privileged community. Holiday houses, expensive cars and overseas trips are the norm more than the exception. So when my 17 year old asks for a plane for his eighteenth birthday, chances are, one of his mates is actually getting a plane for his birthday (and a car, of course). While we are certainly in no income bracket to be buying our children planes or cars when they turn 18, the pressure is on to keep up with the Joneses.

“Unfortunately, children identify their own self-worth by what they do or don’t

have. And as much as this is a tough lesson to learn, buying into this branded charade of entitlement merely perpetuates this false sense of worth,” says Mayer. “Spoil them with reality. Don’t spoil them with stuff. Talk freely as a family about what you can and can’t afford. Establish ‘provisioning’ within the value system of your family. And don’t be dictated to by the entitled peers your children may be at school with. They need to be aware of what is real beyond the school gate, in the greater community. Only then will they be able to shift that sense of entitlement to a sense of gratitude.”

walk the talk Ultimately, our children will do as we do.

If we are replacing iPads at every upgrade opportunity, chances are our children will end up doing the same. We are breeding a culture of consumers. Value what you have.

Our children will end up doing the same.

And so I will walk the talk. From today, the boys will be earning every cent of their pocket money. I will be sending them over the neighbour’s fence to steal lemons (I’ll keep a lookout) and both can start saving for whatever mode of transport they desire.

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your child’s life

music

to my ears It’s one thing to get your child excited about learning to play an instrument, but the challenge is motivating them to practise. DONNA COBBAN

a

shares some lessons learnt the hard way.

round the age of 13, I came to the conclusion that deftly plucking away at the strings of a classical guitar would bolster my teenage self and add an element of intrigue. I imagined sitting around campfires, one side of my face strategically lit up by the glowing embers as I channelled Joni Mitchell through the dying light. With this very personal and ego-driven agenda in mind, I went forth and banged loudly on the parental wall of resistance... many months of perpetual banging met with eventual success and a brand-new six-string was mine.

My relationship with that guitar lasted for a pain-filled six months. I refused to practise, I refused to cut my elegantly long nails, my teacher was fed up and my parents were fed up. The instrument gathered dust and was eventually sold. I lived with a twinge of regret... until many

thinking some internal motivation would spring forth. I was wrong. We survived four months of lessons and returned the hired instrument. While my intentions may have been admirable, my modus operandi could certainly have done with some fine-tuning.

choosing an instrument Dr Victoria Williamson, a UK-based music psychologist and author, suggests you ask yourself what sounds your child enjoys hearing – what type of music gets them dancing? Find out what colour, shape and feel of an instrument they get excited about. She says that while these may seem like trivial choices, giving a child a choice can have a big impact.

This idea is reiterated by Alta van As, head of the arts division at the Wits School of Education who shares my belief in the power of YouTube, except her agenda

years later when my own child arrived, giving me the opportunity to right those wrongs. Or so I thought. YouTube was our inspiration, with pint-sized prodigies aplenty to motivate the uninitiated five year old. I decided that he should learn to play the violin, so I hired a wee wooden one along with a retired Austrian teacher. The combination simply could not fail.

Just one lesson in and I’d learnt that in order for a five year old to learn to play the violin, the mother must too, so I dutifully filmed the end of each lesson and returned home to repeat it every evening.

Each week started in high spirits with the two of us chanting: “Dr Suzuki says do not be lazy, practise and practise until you go crazy!” It was the practise part that tripped me up. I hoped my son would seize the moment, swing bow towards string and maintain a daily routine. He resisted and I was a fool not to have a basket of bribes at hand. It was our downfall, me

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is far more sensible and pragmatic. She suggests you show your child a variety of instruments being played (especially by young children) and use this to help them with the decision-making process.

“Many teachers prefer that learners start with the recorder,” says Van As. “Learning to read and play on this uncomplicated little instrument helps with the understanding of pitch, note values and phrasing.”

This knowledge can easily be carried across a range of instruments. Niki Sampson, a retired music teacher, is a fan of the ukulele for beginners. “The instrument is excellent for learning basic chords, theory of harmony and rhythm,” she says. In addition, “...it is a very suitable communal instrument, to accompany singing, or to play along with a guitar.” For exactly these reasons, the ukulele has been used as a classroom instrument in countries where quality school music is a priority (Canada is one example). magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPHS: shutterstock.com

I hoped my son would seize the moment, swing bow towards string and maintain a daily routine. He resisted and I was a fool not to have a basket of bribes at hand.

motivation and practise While researching, it soon became evident that it is a rare child who willingly moves towards their instrument for the required period of practise time every day. I was intrigued every morning when I heard the tinkering of scales from our neighbour’s house. How did they do it? I soon learnt that there was a highly efficient Minecraft/ piano exchange programme in place... the more time spent at the piano meant more time on Minecraft. Another parent I spoke to became so fed up with trying to coerce her child towards practising that she ended up simply leaving a few coins on top of the piano. “Practise for the required time and you are free to remove the coins” was the message. However, not all children need this external motivation. Another mother I spoke to has a daughter who continues on the path towards piano playing perfection based on a sense of internal motivation – she sees herself progressing and puts in the required effort.

Niki Sampson’s ideas on motivation and practise are perhaps the hardest to hear: “Ideally,” she says, “parents should play their own instruments at home to

motivate their children to practise.” A twinge of regret returns. However, failing this she suggests playing recordings of classical music at certain times of the day, and engaging with them as a family.

“Another motivating factor,” she says, “is to take young musicians to live performances.” I swiftly heeded her advice and we headed off to listen to a talented youth orchestra. Dvorak’s Carnival Overture was up first and my six year old sat riveted to his seat. Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129 followed and disaster struck.

Gone was the brass, no clashing drums, no ever-ready triangle. There was no suspense and action. My son couldn’t wait to leave.

choosing a teacher Van As suggests that you look for a teacher “who makes her children fall in love with music”. In addition, she advises that you look for learner progress stories.

“A record of success with other young children speaks volumes about a teacher.”

Niki believes that a personal teacher is vital, especially for beginners. “This helps to establish the correct physical habits and principles of sound musicianship.”

piano tips

resources

• I f your child is learning the piano, get it tuned regularly – never let a child practise on a piano that is out of tune or has a poor sound quality.

• If you can’t afford a good piano, let your child learn to play a touch-sensitive electronic or digital keyboard or piano.

This has the advantage of a headphone facility for silent practise. Electronic keyboards with a variety of sounds are also favoured by those children who like to feel technologically up to date.

Courtesy of Niki Sampson

books • The Right Instrument for Your Child by Atarah Ben Tovim and Douglas Boyd (Orion Publishing) • You Are the Music by Victoria Williamson (Icon Books)

YouTube • Full length – Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra • How to Play Ukulele by Jake Shimabukuro (Hawaiian-born, world-class ukulele player) • Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo (for anyone who does not believe in the power of music)

iPad apps • Karajan • Guitar Lab • PianoMan Courtesy of Niki Sampson

magazine cape town

November 2014

15

getaway

back to basics Sometimes less is best. CATHERINE JANSE VAN RENSBURG tells how her family

PHOTOGRAPHS: CATHERINE JANSE VAN RENSBURG / shutterstock.com

enjoyed the simpler things in life during their relaxing break in Vanwyksdorp.

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here’s something magical that happens as you leave Cape Town, drive through the mountains and on towards Route 62 – Klein Karoo country. The air becomes cleaner and the landscape brighter. The mountains are bold, the sky wild, the road ongoing, the landscape rugged, the fruit trees promising and the wide open spaces freeing. For my husband and me and our two children, Arden (4) and Nina (2), this five-hour drive, partly on dirt roads, to the middle of nowhere, was to visit my parents on their self-sufficient, off-the-grid, organic-everything smallholding just outside Vanwyksdorp.

Vanwyksdorp was a once thriving Karoo town in the days of the ostrich boom. Today, it has only a big old church and school, revealing its days of former glory. It is home to a small community of people eager to get away from the city and back to country living. Everyone has their own vegetable patch, a few apricot trees and small-town idiosyncrasies.

My parents live on a smallholding affectionately named Kleinplasie, just outside this quaint town. They grow enough food to feed a small army, with every type of fruit and nut tree you can think of and a beautiful, big, well-tended vegetable garden. There’s also a reservoir for irrigation water (and swimming), and a solar geyser and solar panels on the roof, which power everything from lights to laptops. On an overcast day, they heat bath water over the woodstove. And don’t let me forget to mention, there’s a long drop a little walk from the house – a room with a most beautiful view of the veld.

It was with great excitement that Arden counted down the sleeps until we left for Granny’s house. We stopped halfway at a fruit and nut shop to stock up on treats, which along with music and I-spy helped us survive the long drive.

Vanwyksdorp is full of characters, each fulfilling a role in the community. There’s Sharon who runs the only restaurant, which is only open on Friday night and you can only order pizza. There’s Gary the potter and Pandora the animal activist. Then there’s Charles, who has two cows and is the only supplier of cheese and yoghurt in town. I took Arden and Nina to meet his cows, noble beasts that spend their days eating grass in an apricot orchard. We also went to visit another neighbour’s batch of chicks and baby goats. It was around these animals that I noticed just how citified my children are, watching their country counterparts fearlessly pick up bleating baby goats, while they initially looked on in terror.

Not keen to miss the fun, they soon adapted and it was difficult to tear them away from the animals when we left.

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Picking raspberries is just one of the many activities Nina and Arden enjoyed on the smallholding

Nina explores a courgette flower

At Kleinplasie, every fruit and nut you can think of is grown

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getaway

Arden got to pick his own apricots

Nina helps pick fruit to be bottled, dried and juiced on the smallholding

One of my favourite things about the weekend was the self-sufficiency that so much space gave my children. They would disappear into the garden for hours, happily collecting, digging, making and exploring. Arden loves digging in sand, something that I try to restrict to his sandpit at home, to preserve my flower beds. On the farm, however, where manicured beds are not an issue, the children could be left to do their thing.

My mom found a tortoise the day before we arrived, and kept it in her vegetable garden for the children to see. The tortoise got fed and doted on (much to his displeasure) and then very quickly made his escape when we left the gate open. The children found an abandoned bird’s nest, porcupine quills, loads of animal tracks, an ants’ nest and an empty baby tortoise shell. These were all great teaching moments and helped open my children’s eyes to the simple intricacy of the outdoor world around them.

With an imagination and some creativity, there are always things to play with, even if it means using kitchen containers to set up a restaurant, and serving leaf soup and chocolate mud pies under the trees.

Arden carried the baby tortoise shell around most of the morning and then brought it up to the house. We were just getting ready to sit down to a lunch of home-made pasta and salad from the garden, when he screamed and dropped the shell. A rain spider the size of my hand had decided the empty tortoise shell was no longer a safe home and made his great escape. The spider jumped into Nina’s lunch, and in the chaos that followed, my brave mother, armed with an empty yoghurt container and spoon, caught and released the frightened arachnid. Arden delighted in telling his oblivious little sister that she was in fact eating spider food. This didn’t seem to worry her in the slightest and she finished her pasta. Wildlife is all around in the countryside and keeping mice out of the pantry, bats out of the attic and snakes out of the garage is a very real, full-time job.

I don’t pack many toys when we go away on holiday, which makes packing easier, but also gives my children space to explore and enjoy the new things that aren’t at home. With an imagination and some creativity, there are always things to play with, even if it means using kitchen utensils and containers to set up a restaurant, and serving leaf soup and chocolate mud pies under the trees.

Floating on my back in the dam, watching high clouds sail across the clear blue sky and feeling the warm Karoo sun, I could feel myself unwind and adjust to the different pace of life. The silence interrupted only by the sound of my children’s chattering voices and the distant bleating of goats was surprisingly relaxing. With all the swimming, walking, exploring, sun, fresh air and healthy food, the children were usually exhausted well before bedtime.

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In the evening, with the children tucked into their bed and a few lamps burning, we sat on the stoep sipping soetwyn (a Klein Karoo speciality), listening to the crickets, watching the stars come out and the Karoo night sky reveal its splendour.

Arden was always up at the crack of dawn with the birds… and my parents, who by the time I woke at 8am, had already been working in the garden for hours. Arden was so eager to get to the garden that he left us to sleep in peace and joined my mom to pick apricots and youngberries. I’m usually very aware of my children’s whereabouts at home, even in my own garden. I found that being in the country and away from lots of people, I was able to relax and let go of my children more than usual.

My mom makes bread every day, by grinding wheat in her stone mill and then baking a loaf in the solar oven. For breakfast the children had a change from their normal porridge and ate what we had – fruit salad and drop scones – while we sat around the table cracking almond and pecan nuts from the garden, something that appealed to the children’s foraging instincts. Between lunch and supper, we had more fruit than I usually eat in a week at home. I offered the children everything we ate and encouraged them to at least try new things. They coped well with the different food and when they were not keen, there was always home-made bread to fall back on. My parents bottle, dry and juice a lot of the fruit and have a pantry brimming with supplies for the year.

We specially chose to go to Kleinplasie over a long weekend that coincided with the Vanwyksdorp Festival. Now, when I say “festival”, bear in mind there were only about 100 people there. This included a Saturday morning market and an evening braai and dance.

At the market a group of local children danced a reel in the traditional Karoo Khoikhoi style, which my brood found fascinating. We found a stall selling home-made teddy bears for next to nothing and my husband tucked into the vetkoek and mince, something he needed after all that fruit and veg. The Saturday evening braai and langarm sokkie was in a shed and something out of a movie. We took our children along with us to the dance and after a failed attempt to get them to sleep (what were we thinking?), ended up dancing with them.

It was a special evening and something that we wouldn’t do at home, with our network of babysitters and bedtimes. It’s great changing the rules when you are on holiday and letting children experience things out of their norm.

Bath time was another different experience. With the water being solar heated, we all had to shower one after another, before the tank refilled with cold water. It also had to be in the evening, which for someone who’s day doesn’t begin until she’s washed her hair, took some getting used to. “Showering” at Kleinplasie means washing from a big bucket with a jug. It’s amazing how effective (and what a huge water saving) this can be. For the children, bathing was in the big laundry sinks, which they thought was fabulous. I want to bring them up with a sense of adventure, an appreciation for different ways of doing things and the ability to adapt and cope in changing situations.

Our weekend away in the country was a special family memory-making time; a window into another world and an opportunity to do things differently.

Arden shows off the “champion” onion he picked

Arden and Nina explore the big vegetable garden at Kleinplasie

magazine cape town

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19

parenting

praiseworthy GARY KOEN explains how parents can make their praise meaningful.

ne of the most important things a child needs is a relationship with someone who cares about them, who they trust and who will tell them the truth. A relationship like this does not drop out of the sky. It takes years to build.

In the early stage of your child’s life, your main role is to manage, soothe, comfort and reassure this bundle with its gasping, gurgling, agitated, ever-present needs. As they grow older, your focus will gradually change. Each time they reach a developmental milestone or display a sense of independence, you’ll naturally respond with applause and compliments. Every incident of self expression, every creative moment, and every act of kindness, self-respect and assertiveness, will be welcomed and praised, which serves to deepen and strengthen the bond between parent and child.

But perhaps the real purpose of our praise is to encourage our children to get to know themselves and to like who they are so that one day they will be able to look after themselves properly.

The essence of our praise, therefore, should be directed at our children’s efforts at self-improvement. After all, we want them to continue exploring their world, to enjoy newfound abilities and sensations because ultimately we want them to gain the satisfaction that comes from being self-sufficient. But it’s vitally important that our children understand that while we may praise their achievements, what we are really trying to instil in them is the understanding that growing and learning is a process, which will continue throughout their lives. Briefly put, the purpose of praise is to help our children grow, but it does need to be authentic.

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feet on the ground Unfortunately, in our highly competitive world children are often taught that being proud of who they are means they need to be better than others. Instead of encouraging growth, this can have the opposite effect. Being the best little cricketer or ballet dancer or artist in the class may be commendable, but it doesn’t make them better people than everyone else. Children who are constantly trying to be better than everyone else inevitably lose sight of who they really are. Rather than getting to know themselves better, they end up moving further and further away from their true selves.

Children who are constantly trying to be better than everyone else inevitably lose sight of who they really are.

Praising your child does not mean worshiping them. As previously mentioned, children need a relationship with someone they trust, so it’s the parents’ responsibility to constantly restore balance and humility in the lives of their little over-achievers. While high standards and goal-setting are admirable qualities, it’s vital that they don’t become crippling, otherwise the only time a child will feel good about themselves is when they are the best at something.

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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We’re not doing our children any favours by dishing out empty praise.

meaningful praise We need to be constantly aware that there is a subtle distinction between praising our children for what they do as opposed to praising them for who they are. Talents alone are not enough. The real value of being good at something is only felt if these achievements are integrated and used to enhance the entirety of a person’s life. So, while achieving goals are admirable and important, the real praise should be aimed at the way in which our children achieve their goals. Not only will this ensure that your praise of them remains truly meaningful, it will also ensure that the level of trust that exists in your relationship will strengthen and grow. Honest, consistent praise will help your child trust that you genuinely want the best for them; one-sided, over-inflated praise may end up causing them to doubt not only themselves, but also the trust they have in you.

Children thrive on praise, just like adults do. False praise, however, will merely confuse and distort a child’s sense of who they are. For this reason, praise should not be dispensed like flyers at traffic lights. Simply praising everything our children do, without discriminating between a good effort and a poor one, will inevitably erode the true value of our praise.

Effusive, undiluted praise is of little value to a child if they cannot connect what is being said to how they actually feel. When it becomes obvious to children that their parents don’t really notice what they are doing nor appear to care, they may regard their efforts as futile and meaningless.

in praise of teachers Parents may hold the key to building (or breaking) a child’s self-esteem, but there are other people who may also significantly influence a child’s life. It could be older siblings, cousins, aunts and friends. Their teachers, however, will arguably have the greatest influence on them apart from their parents. They occupy a powerful place in the expanding world of a growing child and have the opportunity to make a unique contribution to that child’s life. Children tend to adore their teachers and will often go out of their way to please them, to earn their respect and to make them proud. Praise from a teacher can take a very special place in the self-esteem of a child because they automatically feel that they have genuinely earned it.

Teachers can complement the role of the parent in a child’s life, but they can also compensate for any gaps left by a parent. The child who feels they have been heard and properly understood by their teacher will immediately feel more whole. Praise from their teacher that is balanced, honest and encouraging can have a lasting effect on a child’s self-worth.

magazine cape town

November 2014

21

education

pin it Pinterest is fast becoming the go-to site for ideas and inspiration. TAMLYN VINCENT looks at how it can also be used as an educational tool.

d

id you know that sea pigs are real? Or that there are creatures called water bears, which apparently are virtually indestructible? Neither did I until my son, Hayden, asked if we could search for them on Pinterest.

Pinterest is one of the fastest growing content sharing sites, with over 70 million users in July 2013. The site allows users, or pinners, to pin visuals onto boards in their profile.

You can also follow other pinners, search for pins and boards, and like or comment on pins. Pinterest was built as a place to find the things that inspire people, so the number and variety of pins and subjects are seemingly endless. When I first heard of the site, I laughed it off as a waste of time. But when I eventually signed up, I began to understand its value. I could pin ideas for the home or kitchen, for parties, lunchbox inspiration and, perhaps my favourite, for craft ideas and activities to do with my son.

for parents One day I opened Pinterest on my phone and asked Hayden if he’d like to make a paper penguin. He was hooked. We made the penguin, then we searched for ways to make cardboard robots, and went on to pin destinations to visit. The only problem is that Hayden now expects us to visit all these places – a volcanic island, sure, but I’m not as keen on the Inca rope bridge in Peru. When Hayden asked if we could search for sea pigs, I chuckled, but typed it in anyway. And there they were – little pink blobs that live on the ocean floor, which resemble real pigs but with feelers and more feet. Then we learnt about water bears, leaf dragons, leapons (a leopard-lion hybrid) and vampire squid. We’ve “visited” countries, learnt how to grow beans and found fresh ways to paint and new games to play, all on Pinterest.

Pinterest is a quick and easy way of obtaining new ideas for activities and teaching.

Given its many uses and benefits, Pinterest is gaining momentum as an educational tool.

The teachers at Highbury Preparatory School in Durban agree. “It’s a quick and easy way of obtaining new ideas for activities and teaching,” says Grade 00 teacher Cecily Fraser.

There are countless ideas for art and craft activities on almost any theme, and some pins give step-by-step guidelines. You can find new ways to use everyday items or ideas for creating play equipment. Or you can search for ideas on class displays; maths or language posters; fundraising activities; class parties, and the list goes on.

Lea Lyle, a Grade 1 teacher, follows other teachers from around the world, so the ideas she finds are varied, as well as tried and tested. Lyle also looks for games and lessons that can be used to help students grasp concepts, such as phonics, more easily. Spelling, reading and maths games or multisensory activities are all available.

Kerri Peatt, a Grade 2 teacher, says it helps her find fresh, dynamic ideas, which she can use to get her children actively involved in learning.

The organisation of Pinterest lends itself to lesson planning, allowing pinners to create boards around topics, and pinning ideas and links onto them. Grade 3 teacher Tarryn Misic uses Pinterest for lesson planning when she’s covering a new topic. She recently taught her class how to summarise: “I found amazing diagrams, instructions and practical tips that helped me plan the entire thing.” This ease of access to your boards and pins, and through these to relevant websites, means it’s easy to organise ideas and keep them in one place.

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PHOTOGRAPHs: shutterstock.com

for teachers

Ideas for classroom management can also be found on Pinterest. This may include ideas for reward and consequence or ways to support children with attention difficulties, says Peatt. Teachers can also find ways to help children with their homework. In fact, they could pin these ideas and share them with the parents of the children in their class.

for students Given its nature as a content sharing site, Pinterest can also be used to keep up to date with news from around the world, or to research any number of subjects. Misic cautions that many images are not child-friendly and may be inappropriate for younger age groups.

But older children, or children who are supervised by parents, can be taught how to avoid questionable material and learn from the site. Pinterest allows you to invite others to pin on boards, so you could create project boards for groups of children, or even the whole class. If you’re learning about volcanoes, students can find pins on active volcanoes, ash clouds or how to build a volcano. Groups can then keep everyone’s contributions in one place, maybe even sharing this board with the class at the end of the project. This improves research skills, and helps children learn about organisation as they create boards and populate them with relevant pins.

With so many users, and so many pins, concern about inappropriate content is understandable. Pinterest does have a policy restricting pins from being sexually explicit, pornographic, hateful or promoting harm. Some pins may slip through, and while Pinterest does remove pins that they think contravene this policy, it is not a site created for children.

Content may not always be appropriate and can be offensive. If you are giving children access, ensure that they are supervised and monitor who they choose to follow.

Pinterest is an ideal tool for education, for teachers in and out of the classroom, for parents and for students. The main concern, as my son and I have discovered, is that it’s addictive.

tips for pinners • S et up your boards carefully, so you can pin and find pins easily.

• Be specific in your search, for example: “helping children with homework” or “lunchbox ideas for toddlers”.

• Pin ideas from websites you visit.

• Be selective in who you follow. You can search for pinners or boards, and select the ones you want to follow.

eduClipper Similar to Pinterest, eduClipper is geared specifically towards teachers, students and schools. It allows users to: • f ind lessons, resources and other educational content; • add clips to boards, and • share boards with the class.

The aim of the website is for students and teachers to work together collecting and organising resources, to improve both the teaching and learning of material.

Visit educlipper.net

magazine cape town

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how to

club together Join up with other parents these holidays to ensure your children have more fun and

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art and craft days

Come up with a few age-appropriate craft projects, such as building cardboard robots for younger boys or making beaded wristbands for older girls. Then gather enough of all the necessary supplies, from paint and paper to glue, string and scissors. Set up your art space, possibly outside or in the garage, somewhere you don’t mind a bit of mess, and let the children get creative.

Other ideas include painting a giant mural on an old sheet, making Christmas decorations, getting blank mounted canvasses to create handprint pictures, and making cardboard box birdfeeders.

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kite flying

Children can make their own kites, using materials from around the house or bought from a hardware store. You’ll need a few straight sticks, some newspaper, wood glue, string and colourful material for the tail. Once children have built and decorated their kites, fly them in the garden or in a nearby park. For easy steps to make a kite, visit childmag.co.za/content/make-kite.

you get some down time.

t takes a village to raise a child, as the saying goes, and while this may not always be the case, it’s a useful ethos when long school holidays come around. For parents who have to work, fit in Christmas shopping or run errands, holidays can be tricky. But if you join forces with like-minded moms or dads, holiday care becomes so much easier.

The basic idea: • A group of parents decide to share holiday care.

• Each day, or once every few days, one or two of the parents take care of all the children.

• Each parent organises activities, outings or games for their allocated day.

We’ve compiled a few practical and fun ideas to get you started.

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2

baker’s day

You’ll first need to decide whether or not each child is making their own dish, in which case they’ll need their own ingredients and equipment, or if they’re all helping you. Then find some easy recipes for children, such as butter biscuits or easy pizza dough. Find a work space that’s big enough for everyone and where children can stand or sit, then get cooking.

Another option is to make cookie dough beforehand for children to roll and cut out their own biscuits. Children can decorate pre-made cupcakes or design ready-made pizza bases.

Older children may like to try a cook-off, where they each get the same ingredients and have to make something with them. If children are using sharp knives or the stove, make sure they’re supervised.

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out and about

Keep children interested to learn new things by planning an outing to a science centre, aquarium or natural history museum.

Turn the outing into a competition by creating a scavenger hunt of things they need to see, such as a poisonous frog or a dinosaur fossil, or create a fun quiz they need to answer. You can also visit a water park, nature reserve or playground, where children can work off a bit of steam. Older children may be keen to do their own thing, so agree on a meeting point and time before they disappear. Keep younger children in sight.

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

i

By TAMLYN VINCENT

5

princess (or pirate) for a day

Girls will love spending the day getting dressed up, and Mom can do their hair and make-up. Set up a high tea for lunch, with finger snacks, cakes and mini tarts.

If you’re looking after boys, let them dress up as pirates.

Add scars or tattoos to liven things up, then send them out on a treasure hunt to look for their hidden lunch.

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set a record

Use the Guinness World Records, or get the playing cards, to show children some records that have been set, and then get them to attempt to make and break their own. Find out who can do the most jumping jacks or the longest handstand, or who can blow the biggest bubble or build the tallest marshmallow tower. Award the children prizes or certificates for their records.

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sports days

If you belong to a sports club that has a range of facilities, book some time.

Children can play tennis or squash, swim or try their hand at lawn bowls. Set up a friendly game or mini soccer tournament. The club may also have a braai or entertainment area you can use for lunch.

Other activities could include going to a local bike park, or visiting a playground where younger children can ride on push bikes. If you’d prefer to stay home, set up an obstacle course or bike track in your garden.

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water play

Perfect for hot summer days, playing with water can be tailored to suit most ages. Just be mindful of using water sparingly.

Playing in the pool is fun for older children or in a paddle pool for younger ones. You could also set up a slip-and-slide with a long sheet of plastic and a hose pipe. Get some water balloons, split children into teams and see who can get the wettest. Or hoist up plastic piping with holes cut into it and a hose pipe at one end, to create a walk-through sprinkler.

If children are playing in or around water, make sure they are supervised. If you’re throwing a pool party, ensure all the children know how to swim and be clear about pool rules, such as no running or diving.

making it work • C onsider the children’s ages and capabilities when choosing activities.

Also consider whether or not you’ll need to cater for different age groups.

• Think about the number of children you’re looking after. If you’re staying at home you may be able to cater for more children. But if you’re travelling somewhere, especially to a public place such as a water park, fewer children will be easier to manage.

• If you’re driving, find out if you need car seats. And inform the other parents before you drive their children anywhere.

• Decide upfront how much money each parent should spend on their day, or if everyone will pay for each day’s activity.

• Discuss what form of discipline is acceptable and what set of rules children should follow. Ensure your children understand that each parent is in charge for that day.

• Find out about food allergies and stock up on food, especially if children will be busy outside.

• It helps if the children like spending time together and can play well together for long periods of time, especially if they’re of different ages.

• Have a back-up plan. Children won’t always want to do the planned activity or it might rain on the day you want to go to the park.

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book extract

something familiar, something new In Make Five HELEEN MEYER shows us how to turn one common ingredient into five exciting dishes. Be inspired by these simple yet delicious recipes.

oven-roasted mushrooms with crème fraîche

steak with basil butter serves 4 | 30 minutes

serves 4 | 30 minutes

One of the best ways to enjoy steak is with a simple, yet flavourful accompaniment or side dish. Use the butter in small quantities, as it has lots of flavour.

A very simple dish, but the subtle flavours will not be easily forgotten. I have served these mushrooms as a starter and as a luxurious salad. They’re also delicious on toasted Italian bread as a canapé with drinks. Use a variety of mushrooms for an interesting taste. ingredients • 400g mixed mushrooms of your choice, such as shiitake, portabellini, shimeji or oyster • 30ml (2 tbsp) olive or avocado oil • 12–15 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped from the stalks • salt and pepper • 80ml ( cup) crème fraîche or sour cream (optional) • 45ml (3 tbsp) fresh thyme leaves • 2 handfuls small lettuce or fresh Italian parsley leaves method 1 Preheat the oven to 220ºC. Line a baking tray with baking paper so that it overlaps the edges slightly. If the mushrooms are quite big, tear or cut them in half or in quarters.

2 Mix mushrooms and oil in a large

ingredients butter • 125ml (½ cup) soft butter, cubed • 75ml (5 tbsp) olive or avocado oil • 60ml (¼ cup) chopped fresh basil • 1 clove garlic, crushed • 50ml grated pecorino cheese • 15ml (1 tbsp) finely grated lemon rind • pepper

mixing bowl until they are coated in oil. Pack in a single layer on the baking paper and sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper.

3 Roast for 8–10 minutes or until the mushrooms are just cooked, but still juicy. Allow to cool and serve with spoonfuls of crème fraîche, extra herbs and lettuce leaves.

steak • 4 x 200g–300g steaks of your choice

method 1 butter Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend well together. Season with a good grind of black pepper. Or whisk everything together in a bowl and season.

2 Spoon butter onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a sausage.

Cover with more plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze until needed.

3 steak Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Rub steak with oil and fry for 4–5 minutes on one side until golden brown. Season lightly with salt. Turn with tongs and fry for another 4–5 minutes.

4 Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing it. Serve with a baked potato, a salad or green veggies of your choice. Serve teaspoonfuls or thin sIices of butter with the steak and veggies.

tip If exotic mushrooms are not available, use brown or button mushrooms.

The flavours will be different, but still delicious.

a panful of green veggies with an egg serves 4 | 25 minutes

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• 60ml (¼ cup) coarsely torn fresh mint • 4–6 eggs, soft fried, boiled or poached

ingredients • 30ml (2 tbsp) olive or avocado oil • 10ml (2 tsp) wholegrain mustard • 10ml (2 tsp) apple cider vinegar or lemon juice • salt and pepper • 5–6 large baby marrows, cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler • 100g fine green beans, halved diagonally • 125ml (½ cup) frozen peas, rinsed

method 1 Mix 20ml (4 tsp) of the oil with the mustard and vinegar and season to taste. Set aside.

2 Heat the rest of the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and sauté baby marrows until just soft. Add beans and fry for a few more minutes.

3 Stir in peas and the oil mixture and season to taste. Stir in the mint and serve immediately with the eggs.

about the book Make Five by Heleen Meyer (Human & Rousseau) is perfect for those days when you’re feeling uninspired, yet want to try something new with what you have available – it could be butternut or potatoes or even tinned tomatoes, pasta or dried beans. Meyer demonstrates how to take one common, easily available ingredient and turn it into five exciting new dishes. You can pick from main courses that can be prepared in just a few minutes, light meals, interesting side dishes or salads. Make Five is available in all good bookstores for R265.

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPHS: NEVILLE LOCKHART

Lightly cooked green veggies with fresh mint is a wonderful combination. Serve as a light meal or omit the egg and serve as a side dish.

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resource

reconnect with your teenager If your teenager seems like a stranger living in your house, eating your food and spending all your money, then it’s time for some old-fashioned bonding. Here are a few activity suggestions to get you started. Compiled by LUCILLE KEMP

As dwellers along the magical Cape coastline, we are perfectly placed to indulge in all manner of water-based activity, and in the summer months you won’t want to be anywhere else. With consistent winds, Cape Town is a kitesurfing capital, and guided kayaking tours are offered all over the city, giving you ample opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, seals, jellyfish, penguins and other seabirds, and even shipwrecks. Stand Up Paddle-surfing (SUPing) is trendy and offered in the protected waterfront canals all year round and surfing is, as we all know, a well-established sport in Cape Town, with Muizenberg Beach having the reputation as one of the best beaches to learn how. where to go High Five They will teach kite-surfing wherever the wind is blowing best and they run a Reconnect Programme, which

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focuses specifically on giving families an opportunity to bond. Bloubergstrand, Big Bay and Langebaan.

Contact: 084 554 3262, info@high-five.co.za or visit high-five.co.za Kaskazi Kayaking with your teenager in the double kayaks available makes for extra-fun family time.

Three Anchor Bay. Contact: 011 439 1134, 083 346 1146 or visit kayak.co.za Ocean Riders Once you know the basics you can take your board into the ocean, lakes, rivers and bays.

Gardens. Contact: 021 469 4716, 082 454 0398, info@ oceanriders.co.za or visit oceanriders.co.za Surf Emporium They offer a special for families learning together. Those who purchase three lessons, get a fourth free of charge. Muizenberg. Contact: 021 788 8687, info@surfemporium.co.za or visit surfemporium.co.za

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / oceanriders.co.za

in the water

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extend yourself Learning to speak a new language or how to play an instrument is incredibly enjoyable and will give you an enormous sense of accomplishment. Going through the motions of learning together makes for great bonding time as it places you and your child on a level playing field. There are many language schools that are designed to keep things interesting for all ages and act as cultural centres, offering not only language courses but also a schedule of cultural events. They’ll teach you to cook that country’s cuisine in that country’s language and even run courses that will prepare you for a trip to that country, covering how to order at a restaurant, ask for directions and what to say in emergencies.

Music lessons have proven to be popular among families, with a fair amount of Cape Town parents enrolling in lessons with their children or even booking a studio for a week during the holidays. Most music schools will offer lessons in a wide range of instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, vocals or keyboard (a great starting point for beginners). Even if you are both absolute beginners learning to play the same instrument, not particularly musically inclined or you want to combine your different musical interests such as singing and playing piano, there are many music schools with a varied offering designed to assist most.

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where to go music Jamrock Music Performance Academy Students and tutors usually showcase concerts. Currently, tutors are working on a music production to be presented at Jamrock Theatre. Brackenfell. Contact: 021 981 1313 or jamrock.office@telkomsa.net Woodstock Academy of Music You can see some of the teachers on stage – the piano teacher works with Cape Town Opera and the saxophone teacher is a regular performer at jazz venues. Woodstock. Contact: 021 828 2753, music@wamcapetown.co.za or visit woodstockacademyofmusic.co.za language Alliance Française Cape Town They offer a wellrounded French experience, which includes a schedule of concerts and movies, and a multimedia library along with their various language courses. Loop Street. Contact: alliance.org.za La Dante You can opt to learn how to make pasta from scratch or attend their movie nights where classic Italian films with English subtitles are screened once a month.

Gardens. Contact: 021 465 8261, info@ladante.co.za or visit ladante.co.za Xhosa Fundis Along with the courses offered, you can follow Xhosa Fundis on Twitter and Facebook and learn

Xhosa phrases daily – a link will allow you to listen to the phrase and read a breakdown of the “word parts”.

Woodstock. Contact: 021 447 9868, info@xhosafundis. co.za or visit xhosafundis.co.za

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something hobbyish Cape Town, with its creative vigour, offers scope for those wanting to take up an engaging, interesting hobby. How about not only learning photography but also learning how to operate a darkroom? You can try your hand at quilting; the techniques taught are used these days to make not only bed covers but also cushion covers, bags, rucksacks, smartphone covers, table runners and decorations. There’s the option of introducing your child to the world of model boat constructing and sailing. For further inspiration, check out the Meetups website, which is a collection of groups formed around special interests that get together regularly; on this site you’ll find a special “moms and dads” category.

Instagramers Cape Town, a group formed on Instagram, allows you to meet with others around Cape Town and take your mobile photography to the next level. Whatever the pursuit, if it catches on it is likely to last a lifetime and something you will always share with your child. where to go Inga Ford She offers an affordable intensive introductory course in digital photography as well as the photogram workshop, which is an old-school, camera-less darkroom photography workshop that requires no expensive equipment. Newlands.

Contact: ingamaree@mweb.co.za The Quilting Bug Their quilting courses, including a beginner’s course, are perfectly done in pairs and they run a popular, collaborative Block of the Month Club. Bergvliet.

Contact: 021 712 0540, 083 212 0602, mandy@thequiltingbug.co.za or visit thequiltingbug.co.za Western Cape Model Boat Club Experienced members share their knowledge and assist newcomers.

Durbanville and Green Point. For more info: visit wcmbc.co.za

in the kitchen If creating tasty things to eat is a theme in your family, there are many cooking courses out there that will engage you both, with little effort. Most cookery schools consider all ages and so extend their course offerings to include quirky, interesting creations; they may even make their studio available to families for reunions. Others understand the time factor and offer well-packaged courses that will teach you a wide range of skills in the minimum amount of time – think four cuisines over four evenings. There is plenty on offer if you and your teenager are keen to get the oven gloves on. Following the theme of food appreciation, you could even treat yourselves and book a table at a restaurant that offers a tasting menu. where to go Julie’s Cake Studio They offer a wide range of courses, including funky classes teaching you how to make a giant cupcake or how to make your own sweets. Newlands Quarter.

Contact: 021 686 2372 or hello@juliescakestudio.co.za Top Nosh Their entertainment cooking course, offered over four evenings, covers French cuisine on the first evening, seafood on the second followed by homemade pasta and on the last evening, sushi. Bergvliet. Contact: 082 782 3622, nadin@top-nosh.co.za or visit top-nosh.net

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novel sport If you’ve ever found yourself saying “I’ve always wanted to learn…” these ideas might fill in any blanks. How about taking kung fu or t’ai chi classes? This is very popular, with several groups of parents training with their children. If you prefer a no-impact form of martial artstype physical training, how about the Brazilian form of capoeira? For something different, you can even take an electric bicycle tour, which is offered from Mount Nelson Hotel; it may spur you on to buy one. There’s also the physically and mentally challenging (but completely safe) sport of fencing, which is one of three Olympic sports to be in the programme from the very first games. Why not try Crossfit together, which is an intensive and rewarding form of group exercise training. The list, with a little research and imagination, is endless. where to go Black River Crossfit They offer Crossfit for adults and there is a programme specifically for children called Little Panthers. Observatory. Contact: blackrivercrossfit.co.za or visit Facebook: Crossfit Kids Little Panthers Chinese Martial Arts and Health Centre The centre offers parents and children a free week of training in any or all three of their martial arts. Observatory. For more info: visit kung-fu.co.za Cycology They offer daily electric bicycle tours and on Saturday they offer special tours to the popular markets at The Old Biscuit Mill and Oranjezicht City Farm.

Based in the Mount Nelson Hotel. Contact: 076 062 7797, mtnelson@cycology.biz, tours@cycology.biz or visit cycology.biz En Garde School of the Sword Visit the website for the year’s training schedule.

There are clubs in the southern suburbs and Fish Hoek with a club in the northern suburbs coming soon. Contact: 072 194 1926, info@engardefencing.co.za or visit engardefencing.co.za Wild Clover Archery Club Classes are offered on Saturday mornings.

Stellenbosch. Contact: wildclover.co.za

for the thrill of it If you and your teenager are looking for a once-off adventure, try these activities: • Zip-lining • Helicopter flips • Getting your skipper’s • Scuba diving

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calendar

what’s on in november

You can also access the calendar online at

childmag.co.za

Your guide for what to do, where to go and who to see.

Compiled by Lucille Kemp

22 sat

special events

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FUN for children

35

only for parents

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bump, baby & tot in tow

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how to help

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SPECIAL EVENTS

FUN FOR CHILDREN

ONLY FOR PARENTS

bump, baby & tot in tow

how to help

New – The Village Summer Market Fun family market in the heart of the southern suburbs with loads of entertainment for the children, a whiskey tour and bar, crafts and fantastic food stalls.

Hope@PaulCluver The woodland amphitheatre at Paul Cluver Wines in Elgin kicks off its summer season with Matthew Mole, Heinz Winckler and Tailor performing live.

Moms Club with babies and toddlers Taking place in Plumstead, this free moms’ club features a speaker on a baby-related topic at least once a month.

World Prematurity Day initiative Support the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital by buying your R10 stickers for World Prematurity Day on 17 November.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: shutterstock.com

The Cape Canopy Tour is now open This new canopy tour consists of 13 elevated platforms, a suspension bridge and 12 long slides across the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site.

SPECIAL EVENTS 1 saturday Annual Duck Race and Craft Market Fundraiser for La Gratitude Pre-Primary School in Pinelands offering crafts, food, drinks and activities for families. Get to the Elsieskraal Canal at 1:30pm to watch your duck float across the finish line. There are three races and prizes. The winning duck gets R2 000. Time: 10am–2pm. Venue: Pinehurst Primary School field. Cost: free entry; R10 per duck, R50 for a 6-quack and R100 for a 12-quack. Contact: 021 531 4961 or lagratitude@polka.co.za German Bazaar The children can enjoy a trampoline, water balls, go-karting, a foefie slide, field games and more, while the

1 sat

Cape Town International Kite Festival Features on-stage entertainment, kiting displays and competitions, kite-making workshops, food stalls and a market. Also 2 November.

Time: 10am–6pm. Venue: Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg.

Cost: R30, R10 for children under 12 years old. Contact: 021 447 9040, info@cmh.org.za or visit capementalhealth.co.za

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adults can browse through the Christmas shop, boutique, nursery, bookstore and flea market. There are traditional German dishes. There is also a beer tent with live music. Time: 11am–9pm. Venue: German International School Cape Town, 28 Bay View Ave, Tamboerskloof. Cost: adults R30, children free. Contact: bazaar@dsk.co.za or visit dsk.co.za Run Wild Amazing Race with Camps Bay Preparatory School Individuals dressed in endangered animal costumes hide in the Glen. Children, accompanied by family and friends, follow riddles to find the animals and collect a footprint of each. Once all animals have been found the children run onto the Camps Bay High School field to win a prize. There is breakfast and children’s entertainment. Time: 9am.

Venue: Camps Bay High School sports field.

Cost: R15 entry. Contact: 021 438 8075 Spooktacular Sunset Tour for Solemate members Dress up in your favourite costume and enjoy a sunset tour on the City Sightseeing Red Bus. Enjoy a welcome drink and collect your goody bag.

Take a picnic supper, and watch out for the Sea Hag, as she has many tricks to play.

Time: 5:30pm–8:30pm. Venue: Two Oceans Aquarium. Cost: R120 per adult and R80 per child. Contact: members@aquarium.co.za Stellenberg Gardens open day The internationally acclaimed garden pays tribute to the old, and embraces contemporary design and planting. It is divided into different gardens, each with their own unique characteristics. The gardens are open to the public to raise funds for Cape Mental Health. Also 2 November.

Time: 9:30am–5:30pm. Venue: Stellenberg Gardens, Eversdal. Cost: R50 entry, R25 for the garden tea. Contact: 021 761 2948 or stellenberggardens@ovenstones.co.za Volvo Ocean Race Stopover Loads of activities for the whole family. 1–19 November. Venue: V&A Waterfront. For more info: visit waterfront.co.za

2 sunday Learning Unlocked Dr Lindsay Peer, an international expert on learning difficulties, will focus on dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, and unlock the potential for successful teaching and learning through insight into the latest research, practical

8 saturday SPCA Bag-a-Bargain book sale Browse through the huge selection of books and receive free coffee or tea. Time: 8am–2pm.

Venue: Timour Hall Villa, Plumstead. Cost: free entry, R60 for a reusable cloth bag, which can hold 15 big books and R200 for a limited edition jumbo bag. Contact: 021 700 4155, awareness@spca-ct.co.za or visit spca-ct.co.za

14 friday 1 November – German Bazaar

tips and strategies. For all paediatric professionals, parents, teachers and social workers. Time: 8am–5pm. Venue: CTICC. Cost: R1 300 per person. Contact: 083 700 3644, 084 581 7557 or bookings@ professionalminds.co.za

5 wednesday The Constantia Gift Fair An inspiring and creative space to enjoy scrumptious food and wine and a play area for children.

There are garden and home accessories, fashion and gift items. The deli section is an extravaganza of exotic food gifts. The fair is supporting SARDA (South African Riding for the Disabled Association). Ends 9 November. Time: 9am–5pm Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; 9am–8pm Friday. Venue: SARDA, Brommersvlei Rd, Constantia Valley, Constantia. Cost: R20.

Contact: 083 679 4495, 079 556 9474 or info@thegiftfair.co.za

6 thursday Agri-Expo Learn about red meat cuts, how to debone and gain valuable cooking skills from red meat experts. Also learn about dairy through demonstrations. See some of the country’s most prized animals, as they are preened for the show arena. Children can enjoy the dog jumping performances and the ice-cream eating competitions. School groups can apply for free entrance on the Friday. Ends 8 November. Time: 9am–5pm, Thursday–Saturday. Venue: Sandringham near Stellenbosch. Cost: adults R30 and 7–18 year olds R10, under 7 year olds free.

Contact: 021 975 4440, porchia@agriexpo. co.za or visit livestock.org.za

Blue Breakfast Campaign Make your favourite breakfast, make it blue and post a photo with the amount of carbs in the dish on the Youth with Diabetes Twitter or Facebook page. For more info visit Facebook: Youth With Diabetes or Twitter: Youth With Diabetes

15 saturday Food & Wine Affair at Lourensford This inaugural festival offers entertainment for children with jumping castles, face painting, inflatable hop-on animals, trampolines, an obstacle course, tractor rides, a water slide and more. Parents can enjoy local wines, microbrewery beer, cocktails and bubbly. There is also food available from local fresh produce exhibitors, and there are trendy food trucks.

Live music from Mean Green Mamba and Newton and Co entertain. Also 16 November. Time: 10am–6pm Saturday, 11am–5pm Sunday. Venue: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West. Cost: R80 per person, children under 18 free. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or for more info: visit dnaevents.co.za

5–9 November – The Constantia Gift Fair

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22 saturday

16 November – Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards

16 sunday Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards South Africa’s most prestigious restaurant awards features a venue and new title sponsor that promises to deliver a ramped-up event, with additional exclusive festivities this year. Guests will rub shoulders with food stars, industry players and celebrities as they enjoy a dinner showcase prepared by award-winning chefs and paired with South Africa’s best wines. Venue: Thunder City, Cape Town International Airport. Cost: R1 850 per person. Book through webtickets.co.za or contact: julie@newmediaevents.co.za or visit eatout.co.za

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Annual family fair with Explore and Discover Montessori Preschool Children are kept entertained with a magic show, bird show, snake and reptile show, book readings, face-painting and art and crafts. Adults can look forward to great food and drinks on offer and other product stalls. There is also a jumble sale of preloved children’s books, toys and clothes.

Time: 10am–2pm. Venue: JVR Conradie Sportfield, Varsity St, Tamboerskloof. Cost: adults and children over 12 years old R20, children under 12 years old free. Contact: debbie@montessori.za.org The Cape Canopy Tour The canopy tour, open since August, consists of 13 elevated platforms, a suspension bridge and 12 long slides across the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site. Time: 8am–2pm; each 4-hour tour departs on every hour. Venue: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Elgin. Cost: R595 per person; Wild Card discounts available. Contact: 021 300 0501 or visit capecanopytour.co.za

23 sunday Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert series The line-up for the series has been announced. 23 November–5 April. Time: 4pm–7pm, every Sunday.

Venue: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Cost: R100–R160, 6–21 year olds R75–R140. Book through webtickets.co.za

Bikers4Bandanas The day consists of a mass ride and fun day. All proceeds are donated to the Sunflower Fund.

Time: 8am. Venue: Killarney International Raceway. Cost: R50. Contact: 0800 12 10 82 or shelley@sunflowerfund.org.za

28 friday Cape Town Festival of Beer Local and international beers are on show, with food, children’s play areas, live entertainment, food and beer pairings, home-brewing demonstrations, beer tours and beer samples. There is a sports broadcast and a beer judging competition. Tables can be reserved. Ends 30 November.

29 sat

Time: 12pm–11pm Friday, 12pm–12am Saturday, 10am–8pm Sunday. Venue: Hamilton’s Rugby Club, Green Point. Cost: from R150. Book through webtickets.co.za or for table reservations, contact: info@ capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za Vrygrond Family Festival High-quality performances, workshops, storytelling, discussions, film screenings and more for families. Ends 30 November. Time: 10am–7pm. Venue: Capricorn Primary School and surrounds, Vrygrond Ave, Vrygrond. Cost: adults R40, children R20, some events free. Contact: 021 447 3683, artsadmin@mweb.co.za; for full programme and online bookings: visit theatrearts.co.za

Hope Music Festival This family-friendly festival at the woodland amphitheatre features Jesse Clegg, AKing, Michael Lowman, Mr Cat & the Jackal, The Nomadic Orchestra and Emma van Heyningen.

There is face painting, a treasure hunt, games and competitions for the children. All proceeds go to support the Thembalitsha Foundation. Time: 2:30pm. Venue: Paul Cluver Wines, De Rust Estate, Elgin. Cost: adults R200, children R100, family ticket R500, children 4 years old and younger free.

Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or for more info: visit hope.org.za

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Cap Classiques (MCC) and France’s best champagnes. Mouth-watering delights are offered by the local restaurants and a prize is awarded to the best-dressed couple on each day. Also 30 November. Time: 12pm–5pm. Venue: lawns surrounding Franschhoek’s Huguenot Monument. Cost: adults R200, children under 18 years old free. Book through webtickets.co.za

FUN FOR CHILDREN 28 November – Cape Town Festival of Beer

29 saturday Global Diabetes run/walk Cape Town Distances offered are a 3km Moms & Tots, 5km or 10Km run/walk as well as a health expo. Time: 8:30am. Venue: grassy area opposite the SABC building, Beach Rd, Sea Point. Cost: adults R50, children R30, moms and tots pairs and wheelchairs R40. To enter, contact: entries@topevents. co.za or visit topevents.co.za or for more info, contact: 021 425 4440, eventswc@ diabetessa.org.za or visit diabetessa.co.za St. Martini Church annual Christmas bazaar For art and crafts, breads, jams bratwurst, christstollen, herring salad, goulash, beer on tap, bubbly and games for the children. Time: 10am. Venue: 240 Long St. Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 423 5947 The Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival Winemakers present some of South Africa’s finest Méthode

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art, culture and science Connecting through art Process art group where children can connect with themselves and their peers through art.

Time: 3:30pm–5pm every Thursday. Venue: Frank Joubert Art Centre, Newlands. Cost: R130 per weekly session. Contact: 076 581 1794 or rebecca.solveig@gmail.com Free introductory fabric painting workshop For adults and children. 22 November. Time: 8:45am–10:45am.

Venue: Pinelands. Cost: R35 per kit.

Contact: 021 531 8076, 082 391 4954 or wendyadriaan@telkomsa.net Sue Nepgen’s children’s art classes For 4–13 year olds. Time: weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Venues: Michael Oak Waldorf School, Kenilworth or 28 Klaasenbosch Dr, Constantia. Cost: R640 per term, pro rata fees apply. Contact: 021 794 6609/4723, 083 237 7242 or snepgen@xsinet.co.za

classes, talks and workshops Children’s cupcake decorating Bake and decorate cupcakes in a masquerade theme.

8 November. Time: 9:30am–12:30pm.

Venue: Julie’s Cake Sudio, Newlands. Cost: R175 per child. Contact: 021 686 2372 or hello@juliescakestudio.co.za Cooking with Hannah term 4 Cooking classes, singing, and planting veggies and herbs. Children can join any time in the term.

For 2–10 year olds. 13 October–3 December.

Time: 3pm–4pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Venue: Meadowridge. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: 082 569 8666 or cookingwithhannah1@gmail.com The Kids Cooking Club & Party Club Book weekly cooking classes or host cooking

or baking parties with them. Outdoor play area and café available for summer. For 3–15 year olds. Time and cost: call to enquire.

Venue: Stodels, Constantia. Contact: 083 309 8024, thekidscookingclub@gmail.com or visit thekidscookingclub.co.za

family outings Carol service with the Church of the Holy Spirit Take your own picnic basket or buy a boerewors roll there. 30 November.

Time: 5:30pm. Venue: Kirstenhof Primary School, Lente Rd, Kirstenhof. Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 701 3201 Laborie carols showcase Five Paarl school choirs are performing and food stalls are offering delicious food from Harvest

28 November – Laborie carols showcase

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calendar

30 sun

Groote Post country market Get a selection of Darling gourmet produce. Children can enjoy a playground, tractor trips and guided horse rides on the farm. Time: 10am–3pm. Venue: Groote Post Winery, Darling. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit grootepostcountrymarket.co.za

Restaurant. Children’s activities include face painting, clowns and an appearance

by Father Christmas. 28 November. Time: 5pm. Venue: Laborie Wine Farm. Cost: adults R75, children under 18 free. Book through webtickets.co.za or contact: 072 689 7202

finding nature and outdoor play Matai Youth Camp Offers skill building activities in a harmonious environment.

3–5 November for 8–10 year olds, 7–9 November for 10–12 year olds, 10–12 November for 12–14 year olds, 17–19 November for 15–16 year olds and 21–23 November for 17–18 year olds. Time: departure 12pm and returning 2pm.

Venues: Stellenbosch, Grabouw, Betty’s Bay or Hermanus. Cost R450 per person for three days. Contact: 021 638 5709, info@ mataiyouth.co.za or visit mataiyouth.co.za

The Village Summer Market A new, family market offering entertainment for the children, a whiskey tour and bar, crafts and food stalls. Time: 10am–4pm, every Sunday. Venue: 11 Lansdowne Rd, Claremont. Cost: free entry. Contact: info@ thevillagesummermarket.co.za Tokai Forest Market With a jumping castle, jungle gym, sand pit, laser tag, face painting, balloon animals and pony rides. Time: 9:30am–3pm every Saturday.

Venue: Orpen Rd, Tokai. For more info: visit tokaiforestmarket.co.za

markets Bishops Prep Country Fair Music, entertainment, food trucks, beverages, games, market, cakes and sweets. 14 November. Time: 4pm–8pm. Venue: Bishops Prep School, Fir Rd, Rondebosch.

Cost: tbc. For more info: visit bishops.org.za Festive ideas market The country lodge is hosting exhibitors offering items ranging from decor to linen, jewellery and clothing as well as art and craft items. The deli offers homemade goodies. Children are catered for with entertainment under supervision.

Sneak preview on 28 October (2pm–6pm).

29 October–2 November. Time: 9am–6pm daily; closes 3pm on Sunday. Venue: Simondium Country Lodge, along the R45 between Paarl and Franschhoek. Cost: adults R30, under 13 year olds free. Contact: 021 874 1046 or visit festiveideas.co.za Kids Market Day Children can take their handmade and homemade wares to sell for anything under R10. 22 November.

Time: 11am–1pm. Venue: Oranjezicht City Farm Market, cnr Sidmouth Ave and Upper Orange St, Oranjezicht. Cost: free entry.

Contact: sam@kidsdecor.co.za New – Lat Wai Sunday farm market This outdoor market offers bungee jumping, pony rides, tractor rides, mini train rides, pedal go-karting, as well as a food and craft village. Time: 10am, every Sunday. Venue: Joostenbergvlakte. Cost: R10 per person. Contact: 081 402 7483

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Precious gems, the circus and musical instruments

on stage and screen Precious gems, the circus and musical instruments Dance Crew in association with the Amy Gould Ballet School presents three originally choreographed works. 31 October–2 November and 28–30 November. Time: 8pm Friday and Saturday, 3pm Sunday. Venue: TheatreOn-Main, Church Rd, Tokai-on-Main. Cost: R80. Contact: 021 715 9510 or info@ theatreonmain.co.za Stardust ALAS Academy students perform their pieces worked on throughout the year.

Expect a variety show of guitar, singing, drama and piano. For 4 years old upward.

30 November. Time: 2pm–4:30pm. Venue: Kommetjie Primary School, Teubes Rd, Kommetjie. Cost: R50. Contact: 021 782 6552, 084 244 5476, alasacademy@gmail. com or visit alasacademy.co.za Thumbelina A brand-new children’s ballet presented by the Cape Town City Ballet, based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. 24 October–1 November. Time: 7:30pm. Venue: Artscape Theatre. Cost: R70–R120. Contact Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695 magazine cape town

only for parents classes, talks and workshops

Super Nannies first aid course for parents and au pairs

playtime and story time Coccinelle Au Pairs free open days Join in play sessions, songs, storytelling and walks to the park with your 0–14 year old along with babysitters and au pairs.

15 November. Time: 2:30pm–5:30pm.

Venue: 1 Lens Lane, Observatory. Cost: free. Contact: 072 024 8022 or info@ coccinelleaupairs.com Santa’s Workshop at CTICC This year, the Santa Shoebox Project is running a central drop-off in Cape Town with dancers, singers, face painters, magicians and balloon artists. There is story time and children can have their photo taken with Santa and meet recipient children. StorAge will accept your box at Drop-n-Go points. 1 and 2 November.

Time: varies, visit the website. Venue: CTICC. Cost: free. For more info: visit santashoebox.co.za

sport and physical activities Halloween trail run Designed for children 6 years and older. 1 November.

Time: 7:30am. Venue: Delvera, R44, Stellenbosch. Cost: from R75. Contact: 021 884 4752, info@dirtopia.co.za or visit dirtopia.co.za Little Kickers Boland Classes run for boys and girls aged 18 months– 7 years old. Time: midweek or on Saturdays; call to enquire specifics. Venues: Paarl, Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Cost: call to enquire, free trial is available.

Contact: 076 265 0196 or boland@ littlekickers.co.za Steenberg Vineyards trail and fun day A 5km or 10km route that includes prizes for best dressed, refreshments stations, live music, wine tasting, open lawns for BYO picnics, oyster and bubbly bar, food stalls, entertainment and boules competition. 8 November.

Time: 9am. Venue: Steenberg Vineyards, Tokai. Cost: R150 per runner, R50 per glass, children free. Book through quicket.co.za or for more info: visit steenbergfarm.com Teddy Tennis at The Glen Country Club Tennis development programme for children 2,5–8 years old accompanied by music. The first lesson is free. Time: Monday–Friday afternoons. Venue: The Glen Country Club, Clifton. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: 083 679 0731 mark@teddytennis.com or visit teddytennis.com magazine cape town

Auburn House Montessori School info session 1 November. 10:30am–12pm.

Venue: 3 Auburn Rd, Kenilworth. Cost: free.

Contact: capetown@montessorisa.co.za Educational Wellness and Optimal Learning parents workshop Aurélie Lemière is qualified to teach Brain Gym exercises and relaxation techniques that assist parents and children to reach optimal learning and greater well-being.

Parents workshop: 15 November. Time: 10am–12pm. Venue: tbc. Cost: R190 per participant. Contact: 079 800 2749, visit aureliebraingym.wordpress.com or braingymsa.co.za Family and Friends CPR Time: 9am.

Venue: Constantiaberg Mediclinic, Burnham Rd, Plumstead. Cost: three-hour course R270 and four-hour course R320.

Contact: 021 705 6459, training@pec. co.za or visit pec.co.za Mojo4Moms A series of eight workshops that show moms how to manage stress, organise their home, build self-confidence, regain their sex life and more. 4–27 November. Time: 9am–11:30am, every Tuesday and Thursday. Venues: SACAP, Claremont or The Ambassador, Bantry Bay. Cost: R3 500 (early bird R3 000). Contact: 071 825 0923, sachajack@mojo4moms. co.za or visit mojo4moms.co.za Nanny advanced Banting course Lowcarb high-fat advanced cooking course.

Minimum of seven recipes a lesson over four weeks. 6–27 November. Time: 9am–1pm, every Thursday. Venue: Montana Rd, Camps Bay. Cost: email for details. Contact: 021 437 1150, 082 319 9215, janis@nicetouch. co.za or visit nicetouch.co.za. Enquire about the basic cooking and baking course with Nice Touch starting 4 November and the advanced course 5 November.

15 November and 22 November – Physiball and Physifit workshops

Physiball and Physifit workshops These workshops are for registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Physifun is a six-hour workshop in Pilates, yoga and core strengthening for children 4–7 years old. Physifit is a six-hour workshop in injury prevention exercises for sporty children 8–13 years old. 15 November (Physiball) and 22 November (Physifit). Time: tbc.

Venue: tbc. Cost R600, R750 or R900.

Contact: 082 307 2337, natalie@physifun. co.za or visit physifun.co.za November 2014

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calendar Super Nannies first aid course for parents and au pairs Time: 9am–12:30pm. Venue: Deer Park House, 2 Deer Park Rd, Vredehoek. Cost: R450 for CPR, choking and first aid. Contact: 021 4616508 or info@supernannies.co.za.

Enquire about the nanny training courses in Cape Town, Plumstead and Panorama.

V&A Waterfront’s free outdoor active programme Boot Camp with SSISA: 7 October–24 March. Time: 5:30pm–6:15pm, every Tuesday. Venue: Croquet Lawn.

Contact: 021 659 5700 or fit@ssisa.com.

Yoga with Gururamdas Yoga Studio: 8 October–25 March. Time: 7am–8am, every Wednesday. Venue: Pierhead Deck. Contact: info@gururamdas.co.za or visit gururamdas. co.za. Nike+ Run Club: 1 October–March/ April. Time: 5:30pm–7pm, every Wednesday.

Venue: V&A Running Route. Contact: 011 256 0700 or visit nike.com Why Montessori? Info on Montessori education and teacher’s training. 15 November. Time: 9:30am–10:30am. Venue: Elf Montessori, 28 Main Rd, Mowbray. Cost: free. Contact: 021 685 8119, elfsecretary@ gmail.com or visit elfmontessori.co.za

on stage and screen Hope@PaulCluver Matthew Mole, Heinz Winckler and Tailor perform. Proceeds go to Thembalitsha Foundation. 8 November.

Time: 6pm. Venue: De Rust Estate, Elgin. Cost: R200. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or for more info: visit hope.org.za

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November 2014

The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale of romance during the Jazz Age is brought to life. 26 November–6 December.

Time: 8pm–10:30pm. Venue: The Masque Theatre, Muizenberg. Cost: R50–R70. Contact: 021 788 1898, masquetheatre@mweb.co.za or visit masquetheatre.co.za

26 wed

This is Captain Lottering Speaking 11–29 November. Time: 8:15pm. Venue: Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay. Cost: R95–R165. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000

out and about Culinaria food and wine pairing Fridays Join a knowledgeable wine tasting ambassador on Fridays for a tasting of six wines in the Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Collection paired with an ideal food partner.

Time: 12pm, every Friday. Venue: Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, Franschhoek.

Cost: R120 per person. Contact: 021 876 8002, reservations@leopardsleap.co.za or visit leopardsleap.co.za

Neethlinghof Wine Garden live music Wednesdays Popular acoustic guitarist, Francois Haasbroek, entertains with his sounds of folk and rock. Enjoy the wine and tapas, cheese and charcuterie platters.

Note that shows are weather-dependent.

Time: 5pm–8pm. Venue: Neethlinghof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Cost R65–R140 for a platter. Contact: 021 883 8988 or visit neethlingshof.co.za

support groups Akeso Clinic psychiatric intervention response unit People who are in the grip of a psychological emergency can access immediate telephonic support. Contact: 0861 HELP US (4357 87)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Intersexed parents support group Time: tbc. Venue: Triangle Project, 2nd floor Elta House, 3 Caledonian Rd, Mowbray. Cost: free. Contact: 021 686 1475, info@triangle. org.za or visit triangle.org.za

bump, baby & Tot in tow

classes, talks and workshops GAP 14 November: talk “How sensory play impact academic success”. For expectant moms and moms with newborns to toddlers.

Time: 10:30am. Venue: Storks Nest Clinic, Blaauwberg Netcare, Table View. Cost: free.

Contact: 083 617 6180 or gapsunningdale@ gmail.com. 21 November: GAP Mini Durbanville play for birth to 4 month olds.

Time: 10am. Cost: free. 28 November: GAP Durbanville once-off play day for 5–24 month olds. Time: 10am. Cost: free. Contact: 083 306 2527 or gapdurbanville@playwizz.co.za Kidz Discovery baby and toddler groups Classes for 3 months–5 year olds that address all aspects of development.

Also, enquire about the BrightStart Preschool Preparedness programme and the Bridging BrightStart school extension (2,5–5,5 year olds), the educational craft classes (3–5 year olds) and the multi-medium art classes (6–12 year olds). Time and cost: varies.

Venue: The Drive, Camps Bay. Contact: 083 654 2494, info@kidzdiscovery.co.za or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za

magazine cape town

8 and 9 November – Mama Bamba Way weekend antenatal workshop

Mama Bamba Way weekend antenatal workshop Birth preparation antenatal classes can create empowering and transformative birth experiences for women, their partners and their babies. 8 and 9 November. Time: 10am–5pm, Saturday and Sunday, plus one evening. Venue: Mama Bamba, Rustenberg Farm, Stellenbosch.

Cost: R1 650 per couple. Contact: 021 786 1291, susan@mamabamba.com or visit mamabamba.com Prenatal yoga classes Gentle postures, breath work, sound and meditation are taught to cultivate flexibility, calm and confidence. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm, every Thursday. Venue: Lila Health and Wellbeing, Kloof St. Cost: R85 per class. Contact: 083 377 9248, info@lila-healthandwellbeing. com or visit lila-healthandwellbeing.com.

Enquire about the Winding Down weekend away in Tulbagh.

Toptots Claremont The programme includes creative messy play, perceptual development, age-appropriate massage, sensory motor activities, fine motor activities and a music programme for children 8 weeks–4 years old. You can join a class midterm at a pro rata rate. Term four ends 5 December. Time: varies. Venue: 74 Ranelagh Rd, Claremont. Cost: R1 000 per term, first lesson is a free trial. Contact: 079 248 8083 or lisam@toptots.co.za Wriggle and Rhyme A relaxed but structured musical programme for you and your baby/toddler. For 6–18 months and 18 months–3 year olds.

13 October–5 December. Time: varies.

Venue: Claremont, Constantiaberg, Fish Hoek and Kenilworth. Cost: R500 per term, pro rata fee charged for latecomers.

Contact: info@wriggleandrhyme.co.za or visit wriggleandrhyme.co.za

playtime and story time Moms Club with babies and toddlers Once a month there is a speaker on a related topic. Time: 10am–12pm, every Tuesday (during term). Venue: Medway Community Church, cnr Medway Rd and Milford Rd, Plumstead. Cost: free. Contact: 084 428 4128 or eachus.rosemary@gmail.com

support groups The Parent Centre moms-to-be and moms and babies group Groups are suitable for moms with babies up to

1 year old. Time and venue: Mediclinic Cape Town: 10:30am–12:30pm, every Tuesday. Mediclinic Constantiaberg: 10am–12pm, every Thursday. Cost: R50 including refreshments. Contact: 021 762 0116, reception@theparentcentre.org.za or visit theparentcentre.org.za

how to help Sisanda FunDaytion This NGO enriches the lives of underprivileged children through recreational, educational and inspiring experiences. They are taking a group of children to the Cape Town Fire Station to educate them on how to prevent and react to fires on 8 November. Help by volunteering your time or donating to the fun day programme. For more info: visit sisanda.org.za

don’t miss out!

For a free listing, email your event to capetown@childmag. co.za or fax it to 021 462 2680.

Information must be received by 31 October for the December/ January issue, and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published.

To post an event online, visit childmag.co.za

World Prematurity Day initiative The neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital looks after 3 200 babies born in the region annually. Close to 600 of these babies have a birth weight of less than 1 500g. The Groote Schuur refurbishment project has been formed to directly contribute to the reduction of infection rates, provide the space required for mothers to be actively involved in the daily care of their babies, improve the overall efficiency, functioning and workflow of the unit, provide improved working conditions for staff and maintain their position as a well-recognised training hospital in Africa. Get your R10 stickers and support the annual Wear Purple for Preemies day in celebration of World Prematurity Day on 17 November and contribute to this vital hospital organisation. Contact: 021 404 6023, enquiries@newborns.org.za or visit newborns.org.za

17 mon

family marketplace

magazine cape town

November 2014

39

it’s party time For more help planning your child’s party visit

childmag.co.za/resources/birthday-parties

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November 2014

magazine cape town

magazine cape town

November 2014

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finishing touch

what will they say next? hildren tend to say the funniest things. My son and I were chatting and happened to be agreeing on something funny. He piped up and said, “Mom, you totally slipped my mind.” Similarly, the other day he was roughhousing with his dad, who had him in some sort of playful hold, when he said, “You’ve got me, Dad. I’ll be stuck here for several weeks now, hey?!”

It’s funny when children make these little mix-ups, but just because they come out of the mouths of babes, don’t think for a second that it gets any better with age.

As parents we’re also guilty of this from time to time. I, for instance, am notorious for mixing up song lyrics – especially the occasional Creedence Clearwater Revival song. When I sing “There’s a bad moon on the rise”, it’s “The bathroom’s on the right”.

And “…Have you ever seen the rain?” suddenly becomes “have you ever seen Lorraine?” But somehow I’m guessing

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she and her son have made over the years.

Cassandra and her son

(or hoping) I’m not alone. Unfortunately, when you’re older you don’t have an adult around to correct you, and the ones that are would rather have a quick chuckle at your expense just before they decide to rip you off.

I think the worst slip-up I ever had as a child was thinking that “circumcised”

meant that someone was very small or short. So I was in for a shock when I told my aunt that I was small enough to play on something because I was circumcised.

How embarrassing! I was little, but I still remember how bad I felt from her reaction.

I knew straight away that I had said something wrong.

When my son says something funny we try not to laugh because we want to encourage the growth of his vocabulary as best we can, and sometimes it works.

The other day he scolded his dad saying, “Daddy, you must not antagonise me anymore!” That’s my boy. But, despite this, there’s nothing wrong with keeping a sneaky journal of all the funny things they say and do over the years to share with them when they’re older.

I started one, after realising that I was beginning to forget all of the hilarious things we heard coming out of his mouth.

Now I’ve got lots of ammo for his 21st birthday, his future girlfriends, his wedding, to tell his children as they grow up, or any other opportune moment a parent gets to embarrass their child. I just hope he doesn’t disown me if I ever go through with it.

With a pen in hand and an evil villain grin on her face, Cassandra eagerly awaits what her son will say next.

magazine cape town

PHOTOGRAPH: MENKE BONNEMA

c

CASSANDRA SHAW shares some of the verbal blunders

books

a good read for toddlers

for early graders

for preschoolers

Hooray for Hoppy!

By Tim Hopgood (Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, R93) This is an engaging first-book about springtime and the senses for toddlers from the age of two years old. When Hoppy wakes up on the first day of spring, he discovers a world full of wonderful things, but after he’s sniffed the fresh air, listened to the singing birds and tasted the fresh green grass, he starts to feel a little lonely.

And so he wakes up his friends so they can enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of spring together. This bold and beautiful introduction to the senses includes an activity spread to help children learn to use their senses to interact with the world around them.

Have You Slurped Strawberry Soup?

By Nicole Levin and Vian Oelofsen

let the n atio imagin go

(Published by Shuter and Shooter, R66) Have you slid down a rainbow, swung on a star or floated on a cloud in the sky? With every slurp of strawberry soup your child’s imagination will fly high. At the end of the book Levin shares a simple recipe for strawberry soup. The author is an educational materials developer, drama teacher and storyteller who delights in taking children on magical and whimsical journeys into their imaginations.

for preteens and teens

Timmy Failure: Now Look What You’ve Done

By Stephan Pastis

a is f aqua or rium

My Cape Town ABC

By Sandy Lightley (Published by Random House Struik, R108) This book will help teach beginners their ABC the fun way, and also serves as an illustrated guide to Cape Town for children. From A for aquarium and P for protea, the bright illustrations bring the city to life, while fostering an awareness of sounds and letters. There are fun questions about the elements and the book features a helpful parents’ guide of key activities and places of interest. These will be very helpful when visiting the Mother City. So, whether for young residents of Cape Town or those just visiting the city, this beautiful book will serve as a much-loved keepsake.

(Published by Walker Books, R118) He doesn’t like to pull rank: Timmy Failure, the founder, president and CEO of the greatest detective agency in town, probably the country, and perhaps the world. But he is, and he’s about to crack the biggest case of his generation: a school competition to find a stolen globe, and win the prize money.

But someone is clearly trying to cheat, so it’s up to Timmy, with the dubious help of Total, his lazy polar bear partner, and his unlikely new ally, eccentric Great Aunt Colander, to find a way to avenge these shenanigans, and obliterate Timmy’s arch-nemesis, the Wedgie. This is a hilarious read for children from the age of eight years old.

for us Black Widow White Widow

By De Wet Potgieter

Dead Ends

By Erin Lange

rful a powe f-o g in com ry age sto

(Published by Faber and Faber, R130) Dane Washington and Billy D. couldn’t be more different. Dane is clever and popular, but he’s also a violent rebel, who is one suspension away from expulsion. Billy D. has Down’s syndrome, plays by the rules and hangs out with teachers in his lunch break. But Dane and Billy have more in common than they think: both their fathers are missing. They’re going to have to suck up their differences and get on with helping each other. There are answers to be found. This is a powerful, funny, moving book for children from the age of 12 years old – the ultimate coming-of-age novel.

It’s the perfect book for anyone who loves a road trip, anyone that has ever been bullied and anyone who has ever felt different.

Oxford School Dictionary – Learn isiXhosa Editors-in-Chief Gilles-Maurice de Schryver and Mary Reynolds (Published by Oxford University Press, R129,95) Oxford University Press Southern Africa recently launched the first bilingual isiXhosa and English dictionary in almost 30 years. This dictionary helps learners develop effective reading, writing and speaking skills in English and isiXhosa, helping them to succeed at school. It also gives vital support to learners using English to study other subjects. Modern and easy to use, it gives support in four key areas: it helps learners to choose the right translation; it shows how words are really used; it includes useful words from across the curriculum; and it gives frequently used translations only. There are also diagrams, activities, model letters, maps, verb tables, pronunciation help and more. Illustrations boost the learner’s understanding and authentic phrases help learners to sound natural and feel confident in their additional language.

realit y check

(Published by Penguin SA, R202) When he first published a report in 2013 on the active presence of Al-Qaeda in South Africa, all hell broke loose for investigative reporter De Wet Potgieter. He was forced to retract before two more articles could be published. Then the massacre at Westgate Mall hit Nairobi, which made the involvement of the so-called White Widow – operating on an illegally acquired South African passport – front-page news.

Suddenly the world’s media was beating a path to Potgieter’s door. Now, for the first time, he tells the full unsettling story of Al-Qaeda’s presence in this country. The book shows how, taking advantage of corrupt state machinery, Al-Qaeda factions launch attacks in other African countries. Black Widow White Widow paints a frightening picture of the possibility of future attacks from, or on, South African soil.

parenting book Teenagers Translated

By Janey Downshire and Naella Grew (Published by Random House, R235) Counsellors Janey Downshire and Naella Grew have developed a programme to help parents get the best out of the teenage years. Their approach is positive and straightforward, providing simple strategies for nurturing better behaviour and providing a happy, supportive home environment. The book shows how to help teenagers feel supported and secure and gives strategies for improving communication. It deals with digital technology and media influences and shows ways to encourage self-confidence and independence. It also helps parents cope with challenging behaviour, attitudes and pastimes, plus discusses drinking, drugs, sex, bullying, peer pressure, eating disorders and more.