Child Magazine | Joburg Nov 2010

J O H A N N E S B U R G ’ S b e s t gu i d e f o r p a r e n t s

rands &

sense

raising young entrepreneurs

out & about ✢ s ummer camps for your preteen and teen

tongue twister

✢ toddler-friendly restaurants

top tips for bilingual families

www.childmag.co.za

November 2010

free

toddlers +

health

teenagers

education

entertainment

I love November.

Yes, there are only about 25 school days left in the year, and it’s by far the busiest and most stressful term – but it’s the last term. And that means awe-inspiring year-end concerts, carols by candlelight, awards ceremonies (short, I hope), last-minute fundraisers and, finally, graduations.

Although I am staring rather wide-eyed at the coming month and the work that’ll need to be done, I am also looking forward to it. I consider the opportunity to work with my children’s schools a privilege. Sure, there’s the odd occasion it feels more like an obligation but, mostly, it’s fun. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving drinks and chatting to people at the welcome evening for new parents or standing behind a trestle table spooning tomato relish into boerewors rolls at the school fête.

However, enduring a couple of hours of braai smoke in your eyes is a breeze compared to what goes into getting a six-year-old ready for an end-of-year ballet concert – especially if, like me, you hate sewing. I remember only too well the year my youngest needed to be transformed into a shimmery red starfish: luckily the woman at the fabric shop steered me towards a material made for moms like me. Sure I had to painstakingly sew the two halves together by hand (I don’t have a sewing machine), but the non-fray material meant all I needed to do to “hem” the costume was hold the edge of the fabric over a candle’s flame and voilà, the sea creature’s extremities were sealed!

I think the ballet teacher got a little stage fright of her own on seeing my handiwork… but luckily the sequined outfit looked suitably dazzling from the audience.

Enjoy your November.

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

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

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Elaine Eksteen • elaine@childmag.co.za Resource Editor Chareen Boake • joburg@childmag.co.za

monthly circulation Cape Town’s Child magazineTM 45 153 Joburg’s Child magazineTM 52 666 Durban’s Child magazineTM 40 792

to advertise Tel: 011 807 6449 • Fax: 011 234 4971 Email: jhbsales@childmag.co.za Website: childmag.co.za

Editorial Assistant Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za Copy Editor Debbie Hathway

Art Senior Designer Samantha Summerfield • sam@childmag.co.za Designers Mariette Barkhuizen • mariette@childmag.co.za Nikki-leigh Piper • nikki@childmag.co.za

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

Client Relations

All our magazines are printed on recycled paper.

Free requested Jul 10 – Sep 10

PUBLISHER’S PHOTOGRAPH: Brooke Fasani

Client Relations Manager Michele Jones • michele@childmag.co.za Client Relations Consultants Renee Bruning • renee@childmag.co.za Natasia Cook • natasia@childmag.co.za

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

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

magazine joburg

Joburg’s Child magazineTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010.

Office address: Unit 5, First Floor, Bentley Office Park, cnr. Rivonia and Wessel Rd, Rivonia. Tel: 011 807 6449, fax: 011 234 4971, email: joburg@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 Joburg’s Child magazineTM. We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.

November 2010

contents

november 2010

upfront 3

a note from lisa

6

ver to you o readers respond

38

11 straight up

E laine Eksteen discovers her toddler’s penchant for art galleries 12 reader’s blog

Martina Dahlmanns on adoption

as her first choice 35 reader’s blog

some surprises pregnancy dealt an

unsuspecting Tracey Michel

making sense of curriculum changes Donna Cobban looks into Schooling 2025 and what it means for your child

41 so not funny

nearly teens tell Leonora Found about

parent-habits that embarrass them 42 anorexia – a parent’s guide

Karen Robertson investigates how this

eating disorder can be prevented 46 surviving namibia

Christina Castle and her family earn

their stripes as campers

health 14 burning up

Marina Zietsman looks at fevers in babies 16 c an you hear me now your child’s MP3 player may be affecting his hearing, says Lucille Kemp

regulars 8

16 features 20 on the money

Jeanne Maclay-Mayers gives tips on how to raise little entrepreneurs 24 fight or fantasy

are electronic games making children

aggressive? Glynis Horning investigates 28 talk, khuluma, praat...

Tracy Ellis on raising a bilingual or multilingual child 32 handmade with love

Tamlyn Vincent shares great ideas

for home-made teacher’s gifts 36 parent or tall friend

t he downside to being your child’s best buddy. By Donna Cobban

wins

13 upfront with paul

a nervous Paul Kerton reflects on his

little girl becoming a teen 18

dealing with difference one child has a learning difference, the other doesn’t. Nina Mensing looks at how to cope as a family

50 resource

toddler-friendly restaurants and

summer camps for teens

56 a good read

new books for the whole family 62 what’s on in november 82 l ast laugh Sam Wilson gives the okay on parents under-parenting occasionally

classified ads 74 family marketplace 78 it’s party time

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

Jacadi (Hyde Park, Joburg) Contact: 011 325 6077

November 2010

thinkstockphotos.com

thinkstockphotos.com

magazine joburg

magazine joburg

November 2010

letters parenting

over to you what not to ask

the cross-racially are often Families who adopt BAN d scrutiny. DONNA COB subjects of unwante e parents about the speaks to a few of thes cause. stress this probing can

meet the families:

ers aged two and two adopted daught mother and father to due to arrive Laurie* and Craig*, d baby number three kitted out for adopte three, with a room being year. the of before the end aged three, with an adopted daughter, ine*, both mothers to Heather* and Cather girl expected soon. a second adopted baby

family ties

w

matter far more than myself. Our children their sake, he is best this man does and, for his head because ignored. He didn’t shake or out of hand, no, our children were loud because Laurie’s girls head his shook he entally, the rest of us, are black and coincid white.

Laurie included, are and the children Later when he has left share the experience are out of earshot I no stranger to the with Laurie, who is and negative, that interest, both positive . Laurie is of the her diverse family attracts n choose us, and belief that “our childre parent a specific to to an end. that we will be called and am bristle I this. see t of how that little soul Laurie doesn’ little soul, regardless over to him and g could be truer when on the verge of walking comes to us”. Nothin of him, when I stop telling him what I think town magazine cape

ant of e are in the local restaur town a small Western Cape my friend – there’s my son, We are on holiday Laurie and her two girls. selected this spot for a few days and have e there is a small play to have lunch becaus all of whom are under area for our children, I notice a couple four. As we sit down, mutters something staring at us, the man in our direction and under his breath, looks at us, as if the world shakes his sad head is now finally coming as he once knew it

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTO

aged five d son and daughter, and father to an adopte Julia* and David*, mother . cal son, aged 18 months and two, and a biologi and two. d girl and boy, aged four and father to an adopte Erica* and Tony*, mother

EN TIONS: MARIETTE BARKHUIZ CKPHOTOS.COM, ILLUSTRA

When I read the article “what not to ask” in the October issue of Child magazine, I felt compelled to share my perspective. I have three amazing children: two biological sons aged 12 and 4 and an adopted little girl, who’s two and a half. I, too, have faced the intrusions and comments the women expressed in the article. I have, however, chosen to respond in a different way.

My daughter is from a different ethnic group to us. We have come across a lot of prejudice but it has been incredible to watch this little girl challenge people’s paradigms and melt hearts. While the constant stares and questions at first bothered me, I quickly realised I had a choice. I can either put up a wall or I can engage. In a country that has thousands 9/13/10 4:13:06 PM

November 2010

of orphans, I feel a responsibility to encourage the decision to adopt. I honour my daughter’s birth mother and, as tough as it is to answer the question about my daughters “real” mother, I have chosen to engage in the conversations. Only by opening up to others can we make society see multi-ethnic families as normal. It has been our privilege to enjoy the presence of this wonderful angel and has forever changed our family into what I deem to be perfect.

Anonymous

dealing with difference Thank you for raising awareness through the many articles printed in Child magazine about spectrum disorders. My son, now seven years, was diagnosed with PDD (NOS) [pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified]. It has been an incredibly challenging but rewarding journey with many difficult times but also plenty of happy moments. I would like to thank the different people who I have met

on this journey and who have assisted me in coping with all the challenges. Many of these have been colleagues at work who have offered their advice and support and, in so doing, have given me the strength to continue.

At the beginning of this year I moved my son from a special-needs school to a mainstream school and, at first, the wheels came off. The school, relatives, friends and colleagues assisted and supported us without hesitation. The result is a confident little boy – and so I do agree [with the author of the October blog] that it takes a village to raise a spectrum child.

Melanie Lewis This year, our 10-year-old son, Matthew, was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as dyspraxia. It has been quite a journey to this point. He is a high-functioning child, who is very bright, and has a wonderful sense of humour. He has been in a mainstream school since the start, but he has always danced to the beat

of a different drum. The lesson our family has learnt this year is to celebrate our specific talents and the gifts that make us unique. Matthew has discovered a passion and an extraordinary talent for drawing. He may never be a sporty child, may never be able to play a musical instrument or be a star on stage, but his gift sets him apart and brings us all immense joy.

For years we have focused on his weaknesses. We have tried to no avail to encourage him to be “normal” – to sit still, look at someone in the eyes when he talks to them, say “hello” when someone greets him – these are things that don’t come naturally to him. He is slowly learning social rules and though he looks rather awkward and is easy to poke fun at, he has a gentle, fragile little soul inside.

My prayer is that we learn to see each other’s abilities, rather than disabilities. I think this is a valuable lesson for everyone, and I’m eternally grateful that my beautiful son gets to teach me that every day.

Nikki Loans

magazine joburg

being a gifted child

a psychological evaluation, or more

I am 13 years old and go to a school

simply, an IQ test.

for gifted learners. I read your article on

Two weeks later, my life changed.

gifted children (in the August 2010 issue)

The results proved I was a gifted or high

and thought your readers might want to

potential learner. I had four options:

know what it’s like to be gifted…

Option 1: skip a grade

“Grace! Focus, please! Now class,

Option 2: just carry on doing what I

does anyone have any other topic-

was doing

related questions?”

Option 3: get extension lessons

“I’m sorry, sir, but I read it somewhere and was wondering if it was true.”

Option 4: go to a special school.

Option 2 was ruled out immediately. If

“Well, you can learn about that next

there was a way out of my personal hell, I

year. We are trying to accommodate

was going for it. We next ruled out option

the needs of the whole class, and the

1. I was in Grade 7 in a primary school;

majority doesn’t understand yet, so

which high school would allow me to

stop trying to get ahead.”

skip a grade and accept me with my bad

This was the norm during a school

grades? So, we settled for option 4.

lesson. School used to be hell – from the

I fitted in immediately. Everyone

boring lessons to making friends. I didn’t

understood me. I couldn’t believe school

fit into any of the crowds, and my marks

could be like this – the rude students

were average. It didn’t make any sense.

were missing, as well as the unreasonable

Other learners would achieve averages

teachers and the boring work! I will be

of 90 percent, yet I could spell more

going in to Grade 8 in 2011, where we’ll

difficult words and solve more complex

follow the Cambridge school system.

maths problems than they could.

This means that we don’t have to finish

My parents always used to tell me

a grade at a certain time. My goal is to

I was clever, and up until Grade 5

finish grade 8 and 9 in 2011, and then

I believed them. It wasn’t only my

grades 10, 11 and 12 in 2012 and 2013,

parents that were disappointed. I was

therefore finishing school at 16. I have

too. At the end of one particularly bad

found my second home!

year (Grade 6), my mom took me for

Grace

magazine joburg

spring clean and donate I was driving home with my children the other day, thinking about cleaning out their cupboards and donating their toys to charity. I want to teach my little girl about giving, and that there are poor and needy people out there. During the drive I was wondering where I could take her to teach her about the gift of giving. Later that evening I started reading your September issue and found all the information I needed on charities and where to donate unwanted items – what a great coincidence! Thanks for the help.

Traci

understanding today’s youth I consider myself fortunate to have been on a recent Positive Parenting Skills workshop. How I wish that all parents could attend – in today’s challenging times we need all the help we can get!

It was a journey of self-discovery for

the group, and definitely an eye-opener.

It taught us how important it is to lead by example.

So often we forget that in order to be respected by our children, we first need to treat them with respect and we need to acknowledge their feelings. The practical exercises made us relate to how our children need us as pillars to fall back on, but sometimes we have to give way so that they can grow independently. The way that we speak to our children can either make or break them. If spoken to lovingly, the results can only be good.

We all need our space, and firstly need to take a step back to be in a positive state of mind (especially when we are tired or angered) so we don’t cause permanent unnecessary harm. Words are powerful.

Sure, everybody makes mistakes, but our children are depending on us to learn from these and to never give up on them.

Shereen Hendricks

write to us We would like to know what’s on your mind. Send your letters to: marina@ childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters. The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.

November 2010

wins

giveawaysin november helping hand PolkaShoppe wants to spoil a mom-to-be this month with its new service: the baby planner. Acting much like a wedding planner, the team directs you to which books are best, helps you stock your kitchen with exactly what you’ll need, assists you in creating your dream nursery and prepping the baby’s wardrobe, packs your bag for your hospital visit, helps you find the right midwife and night nurse if you want one, and sources relevant local resources for your reference. Polkashoppe has also created the Toy Box Stork Party, which includes decorations, a cake, cupcakes, sandwich platters, a bottle of champagne, a toy box, letters and toys for the toy box.

Toy box themes include Farmyard, Cowboy, Tea Party and Fairies.

For more information contact 011 447 9892, info@polkadotartstudio. co.za or visit polkadotartstudio.co.za One reader of Joburg’s Child stands a chance to win a Polkashoppe baby planner valued at R20 000 and a toy box stork party in one of the themes valued at R10 000. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Polkashoppe Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Polkashoppe Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 30 November 2010. Only one entry per reader.

November 2010

magazine joburg

wooden wonderland Woodcreations is a supplier of wooden jungle gyms, slides, swings and accessories.

They build high-quality affordable wooden jungle gyms that are designed to adapt to your garden, taking into consideration slopes, banks, trees and the like. All jungle gym poles are treated to SABS standards and secured to the ground. Woodcreations jungle gyms come with a one-year workmanship guarantee. Payment is required only on completion of the job and once you are satisfied. They also have a wide range of addons available at competitive prices. For more information contact 086 111 5537, admin@ sloughtrading.co.za or visit sloughtrading.co.za One reader of Joburg’s Child stands a chance to win a Woodcreations jungle gym with slide, monkey bars, rope ladder and combination wood and tyre swing set valued at R4 999. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Woodcreations Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Woodcreations Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 30 November 2010. Only one entry per reader.

magazine joburg

get ahead FasTracKids is a proven innovator in international early childhood education.

Using

programmes

designed

for

children six months to eight years old, FasTracKids encourages children to discover a love for learning, in a fun and interactive setting. Preschool- and prep school-aged children learn to use creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills through fun, interactive activities. For more information contact 011 467 0230, reception-fourways@fastrackids.com or visit fastrackids.com Three

readers

of

Joburg’s

Child stand a chance to win a constructive week-long holiday camp with FasTracKids during these December/January holidays valued at R855 each. To enter, email your details to reception-fourways@ fastrackids.com with ‘FasTracKids Win’ in the subject line before 30 November 2010. Only one entry per reader.

November 2010

wins

these shoes are made for walking Children spend hours each week in their school shoes. Add to this the fact that our bones continue

chic rooms Treehouse Children’s Décor Company has everything you need for children’s rooms, including bedding, curtaining, furniture, soft furnishings and accessories. The fabric used is 100 percent cotton percale and the furniture and accessories are lead free. They also offer a customising service for bedding and curtains not available in their ranges. Visit the stores at Clearwater Mall, Honeydew (011 475 3030); Cresta Centre, Randburg (011 476 3843); Fourways Crossing, Fourways (011 467 0966); or Parkmeadows Centre, Eastgate (011 615 1587); Woodmead Retail Park, Woodmead (011 656 9604/5) or go to treehouse.co.za to shop online. For more information contact 021 591 1900 or info@treehouse.co.za One reader of Joburg’s Child stands a chance to win a R2 000 gift voucher from Treehouse. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Treehouse JHB Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Treehouse JHB Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 30 November 2010. Only one entry per reader.

By entering this competition you agree to Hunter House Publishing supplying your contact details to the company providing the win and/or their agents and you may receive marketing communication from them, as a result.

10

November 2010

to grow until we reach the age of 25, and it becomes vital that children wear quality shoes. For more than 30 years Green Cross has collaborated with orthopaedic experts to develop the perfect anatomical school shoe, which helps support and conform to the shape of the foot, ensuring growing bones and joints are not damaged or distorted and are instead allowed the freedom to develop naturally. The shoes are designed to be comfortable, flexible and long lasting. For more information visit green-cross.com Five readers of Joburg’s Child stand a chance to win a Green Cross voucher for a pair of school shoes valued between R180 and R335. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Green Cross JHB Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Green Cross JHB Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 30 November 2010. Only one entry per reader.

congratulations to our september winners Lynda Coulentianos who wins a FatSak; Cindy Jonker who wins in the Toddler Sense giveaway; Michelle Vine who wins Lovebug teething amber beads; Tracy Symes, Astrid Corubolo, Luthfia Akbar and Carmelita Wegewarth who each win a Mexican Bola and Nadine Dodo who wins a getaway to Tuningi Lodge.

magazine joburg

straight up

got child, will travel…

ELAINE EKSTEEN discovers that toddlers like art museums too.

PHOTOGRAPH: DANIE EKSTEEN

w

hat happens when two people who love to travel to foreign lands – so they can explore medieval villages, spend hours in art museums and listen to live classical music – have a baby…

Well, if they’re us, then they put indulging these passions on hold. One bloodcurdling local flight on the way back from visiting grandparents up north was nearly enough to put us off flying with our son for life!

But, before too long, the earache (ours and his) had faded and our wanderlust had got the better of us. So, we gingerly booked plane tickets to Europe, took a deep breath, and off we went.

Much to our surprise our 21-monthold seemed to enjoy art exhibitions nearly as much as his parents! Who would have guessed there’d be so many dogs, horses,

magazine joburg

birds and “babas” in the paintings in the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay – our son was delighted. As if poring over the pages of a giant storybook, he’d look and point and add appropriate sound effects to accompany the works of Monet, Rodin, Delacroix and Degas. Sometimes spotting things we’d not yet noticed. While standing in front of a large canvas by Rubens at a once in a lifetime exhibition in a church in Antwerp, our son let out a rather loud roar!

I was about to admonish him for being inappropriately noisy, when I followed his eyes – these were glued to the sculpture of a large lion behind us.

Although it’s unlikely he’ll remember seeing any of the masterpieces he was privileged to experience we hope that something of our love for art will have been passed on to him.

Sure there were tricky moments – like when he wanted to blow out the candles so carefully lit by others in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges. Or when he seemed intent on leopard crawling underneath the rope boundary around the pendulum clock swinging from the ceiling in the Pantheon in Paris. And there were most certainly tantrums that demanded fast exits from “quiet” places. But overall he was a star.

One of the plusses of travelling with a toddler is that you are ushered to the front of some very long queues. Such as the must have been 2000-person-strong snaking line at immigration at Charles de Gaulle airport – sadly we were then delayed for hours due to a lost wheel on our baby buggy (but that’s another story!). Plus you get to experience and

learn things you might never have, had you taken Ouma up on her offer to take care of her grandson for the time you were away. We’d probably never have found out how much fun it is to ride on the carousel in Paris’s Jardin des Plantes, or how cool a public park really can be – think zip line, spinning flying saucerstyle merry-go-rounds, and climbing frames that look like forests complete with treetop canopies.

And we’ve gathered priceless memories. We’ll always smile when we think of how, while being pushed in his pram between an extremely impressive toyshop window and a window box brimming with flowers, our son – seemingly oblivious to the train sets and tricycles – pointed to the purple petals and said “mooi”.

Beautiful indeed!

November 2010

11

blog

first choice MARTINA DAHLMANNS challenges parents to choose adoption straight off.

12

November 2010

child – whichever way he or she comes to you.

I chose to adopt my children because it made sense to me from an early age (I was 12 when I first decided I was going to adopt). I wanted to be a mother to children who needed mothering, rather than bringing more children into the world. At the time this seemed like a teenager’s make-the-world-a-betterplace idealism, something I would grow out of. I did abandon the idea in my twenties and thirties, but then I moved to South Africa, and suddenly many signs were again pointing me towards adopting.

Getting my children was such a wonderful and natural process and I am forever grateful to this country, to

all the people who helped us bring our family together and most of all to my daughters’ beautiful birth mothers, who loved their children enough to make this choice for them. In my opinion it is vital, especially when you consider how children are abandoned to beg on street corners while rich people are spending a fortune on in-vitro procedures or other means in order to conceive.

Now, more than ever, we need to wake up to the fact that there is a need for a new way of life, for a new understanding of family. To adopt children should be as natural as giving birth to them and I hope that my children will grow up understanding this. They must always know that having them the way we did was not a solution to a problem but a

choice we made (as did they – I believe they also chose us).

There are many more things that I could go on about, as this has been a subject close to my heart for as long as I have had the privilege of being a mother.

For example, if every couple that had a biological child would adopt a child in need of a family, the world would be a better place for children.

Readers, this is your column – it’s a space to air your views, share a valuable parenting lesson, vent your frustrations or celebrate your joys. Send your writing to elaine@childmag.co.za

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

here is one thing that bothers me whenever I read anything about adoption, and that is that people don’t seem to consider the possibility that adopting a child can be a deliberate choice and not the result of many years of failed attempts to conceive “your own” biological child. There seems to be a common perception that adoption is only a second choice, reserved for when all else fails, and that loving a biological child is more natural and comes more easily than loving an adopted child.

This is absolutely not the case. The feelings we have for our children are only determined by our capacity to love and not by their genetic backgrounds. If you have the ability to love, you will love your

upfront with paul

yikes, it’s happening PAUL KERTON on the white-knuckle ride of parenting the pubescent.

PHOTOGRAPH: JILL BADER

i

remember rubbing sun cream on my daughter’s body last year, as I have done for the previous 10 summers, thinking to myself: this might be the last time I will be doing this.

Sure enough, as the clock struck midnight on her eleventh birthday her body exploded into a pre-pubescent tsunami of hormones with stark evidence of pending womanhood. To be honest, I know the onset of puberty is getting earlier and earlier, but I thought it might have had the decency to wait another year. No such luck.

No more carefree wandering about the house naked; privacy is suddenly the biggest issue of the moment. (Notice: hers, not mine. She still idly rattles on about Justin Bieber while I’m in the bath).

Her bedroom door now spends most of its time tightly shut, with her performing a lightning tuck into the foetal position should I unwittingly enter at a “bad” time.

magazine joburg

I now knock first before opening with a polite: “are you decent?”

Mom and daughter huddle for semisecretive whispery chats about “girl’s stuff” and “cycles”, and not the kind you ride in the Argus. I have to remind them that I did produce a cool teenage magazine called wicked, and have enormous insight into this particular stage of the female growth cycle; based largely on the personal and often extremely graphic letters to the editor from a nation of girls-to-women. These ranged from quaint, innocent crushes on unsuitable boys and an inability to master the art of eye-shadow, through to eyewateringly disturbing tales of 13-year-olds doing all manner of experimental things that are best left to the imagination.

I also remember, during my unsuccessful attempt at teaching in a tough high school in Liverpool, trying to impart sex education to a class of 30 14-year-olds, where the pupils were light years apart in terms

of development. Two wallflowers at the front of the class had never been kissed and the two punkettes at the back were already pregnant.

Yes, the minefield of teenage youth beckons. How to get your child to complete the journey from 12 to 19 without them getting arrested, addicted to drugs, becoming an alcoholic, getting pregnant, transmitting some hideous disease, suffering from depression and low self-esteem or harming themselves irreparably. The traditional jokes about shotguns and daughters fall flat, as reality sets in.

It is going to be a white-knuckle ride for all of us. We cannot ring-fence them with rules and regulations – they really do have to make their own mistakes.

The best we can do is try and limit those mistakes to manageable ones. Send them off armed with common sense, a set of proper values, strong family support and

Paul, Sabina and Saskia

the knowledge that we will always love them and be there for them. And should anything dodgy happen along the way, we will be there to talk to and listen.

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

November 2010

13

health

burning up MARINA ZIETSMAN helps parents understand fevers in babies.

what’s hot?

home care

What is considered a fever depends on the part of the body from which the temperature is measured, says Dr Martin Baigel, a paediatrician at the Life Glynnwood Hospital in Benoni. “From the mouth, 37,8 degrees Celsius is classified as a fever, and from the ear or rectally, 38 degrees Celsius. If you take the temperature under the armpit, higher than 37,5 degrees Celsius should be considered a fever,” says Baigel. But, “an infant under the age of three months with a fever, or who looks ill, should always be assessed by a doctor or an experienced nursing

Home treatment of a fever requires an informed parent who can differentiate between an ill child requiring professional help, and one whose condition can simply be monitored.

“When a child is ‘happy and hot’, one can withhold medication and observe,” says Baigel. But a child who is unwell with a fever is a different matter. “If the child is miserable, refuses fluids, vomits and is not sleeping, she should get immediate medical treatment.” This also applies to a child who is listless or lethargic, constantly crying, not reacting to parent stimulation, or exhibiting a change in

14

November 2010

skin colour, various states of consciousness, skin rashes and not responding to attempts to bring down the fever.

Walele suggests that the fever can be home-treated with paracetamol, Ibuprofen or mefenamic acid (a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug, found in Ponstel, for example).

“Various generics are available, but look for alcohol-, preservative- and sugar-free remedies, and also administer the recommended dose. Aspirin in any form should never be given to a child.” He also advises sponging off the little one with lukewarm water, administering sufficient fluids, fanning the child and dressing them in light clothing.

from fever to seizure Some children have a genetic predisposition to febrile convulsions, seizures caused by high temperatures that can last from less than a minute to up to five minutes. The age group most affected is children between six months and five years. Febrile convulsions, although frightening, are not serious, and do not cause brain damage or increased incidences of epilepsy later in life, says Baigel. However, “all first-time seizures should be considered serious, until proven otherwise,” says Walele. Baigel continues, “parents must never assume that all future seizures are not serious.

There could be other more critical causes of seizures that warrant urgent attention.”

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

i

t is important to remember that while fevers can be serious, particularly in newborn babies, an increased temperature is the body’s way of showing that the immune system is reinforcing its efforts to fight an illness or infection.

sister,” says Dr Azeem Walele, chief paediatrician at 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg, Cape Town.

The most common cause of fevers in babies is a viral infection such as the common cold, flu, viral gastroenteritis, chicken pox and measles. Small babies can also develop a slight fever when teething, after immunisation or when dressed too warmly. Baigel says the “best method for measuring your baby’s temperature is with an ear thermometer”, though these devices are costly.

Other reliable methods include using a digital thermometer to measure temperature under the arms, orally or rectally (care needs to be taken with this procedure); glass thermometers with mercury are less widely used.

magazine joburg

November 2010

15

health

can you hear me now LUCILLE KEMP looks at how your child’s MP3

y

our teen is gliding through the house, “receiver” off the hook. She’s plugged into music cranked loud enough for you to hear. Should you be concerned?

According to Cape Town-based audiologist, Natalie Buttress, “Children up to the age of 14 have much smaller ear canals than adults, meaning the sound pressure level of MP3 players is higher for children than the same loudness would be for adults.” To make matters worse, children seem to tolerate sound easily and for long periods of time, and are able to listen to music at a higher level than adults would often find acceptable.

Your child’s overexposure to noise from their earphones “can cause temporary changes in hearing

16

November 2010

sensitivity, leading to permanent hearing damage and can later result in tinnitus,” says Dominique Bassil, an audiologist based in Johannesburg. Hearing damage can be devastating, particularly in a child, because the issue will impact development in other areas such as language and learning.

There are ways to lessen your child’s chances of hearing damage, without your needing to confiscate their MP3 player.

Make sure the volume of their sound device is properly monitored, or that it has some kind of limiter. Buttress and Bassil say a child must always be able to hear normal conversation while listening to their MP3 player. This means that if you stand behind your child and talk at a normal level, he should be able to hear and understand you.

volume control To give you an idea of how serious earphone noise can be, here are a few of the numbers: 80 decibels is an acceptable level for background noise, anything higher is potentially hazardous. Bassil explains that “80 decibels (alarm clock level) of background noise for eight hours is equivalent to 95 decibels (this is just louder than the sound of a lawnmower) for 15 minutes using an MP3 player. So,

if a child listens to music at louder than 95 decibels for longer than 15 minutes, there may be long-term damage to hearing.” Rather than putting up the volume in order to compensate for the noise around us, Buttress suggests using, “high quality, noise-cancellation earphones – while not fully preventative, they do help.”

Buttress goes on to say that research has shown “an increase in identified hearing loss in the teen population as a result of excessive sound exposure”. Bassil has seen an influx of teens showing the beginnings of a noise-induced hearing loss. Since, as Buttress says, “nerve damage to ears is irreversible”, it’s time to sit up and take notice.

Other things that make us city-dwellers more vulnerable to hearing damage are construction sites, blaring car radios, gym classes and nightclubs.

Most people only head to an ear specialist when the damage is done, but audiologists recommend a once-off hearing test for those at risk and if damage is detected then this will be monitored annually. Audiologists will be able to catch the slightest change in hearing, “and put protection in place, or treat the loss earlier, which means that less damage can take place over time”, says Buttress.

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

player may be affecting her hearing.

magazine joburg

November 2010

17

dealing with difference

the “other” child NINA MENSING on some of the stressors for siblings of children with learning differences.

he’ll always be my brother Emma*, an 11-year-old from Bryanston, is very close to her older brother Jonathan*, who is 13. They enjoy playing golf together, and have many of the same friends.

Jonathan has Asperger’s Syndrome, and this year is his first year in a mainstream school. Their parents do not allow Jonathan to use Asperger’s as an excuse for bad behaviour. They are intent on treating their children the same and allowing them to work out their infrequent spats by themselves. They openly talk through things

18

November 2010

within the family, as well as with outsiders in order for others to understand some of Jonathan’s behaviour. Their handling of the situation goes a long way towards a more tranquil home environment. Emma says that she feels there is no difference in the time and attention that she and her brother get, and she does not find his behaviour too different. “After all,” she says, “he is my brother and he has always been that way.”

making it work or making work of it?

KwaZulu-Natal-based ADHD coach Dave Pughe-Parry, founder of LADD (Living ADDventure), says that siblings can get involved in the care of the child with a learning difference, although this would depend on the ages of the children. This gives the sibling a job, creating self-esteem, and the child with special needs gets positive sibling attention.

moods that if I did not make the effort we would have no relationship.” Although Fiona never lacked for attention and time with her parents, she was aware that her younger sister got more than she did. Subconsciously she understood, but that did not stop her frustration towards the diagnosis. Her anger at the situation also made her mentally block out any understanding that she might have gained from listening to her parents. No child likes be told what to do and feel, especially when it comes to emotional family relationships. It took reading a book and attending a support workshop before she could fully accept and comprehend what was going on. More than the knowledge that she gained, it was the feeling of not being so isolated and alone that made her open her mind to understand more, and open her heart to connect empathetically with her sister.

More difficult, though, was the fact that she was expected to be understanding and empathetic. Instead she felt irritated, and then guilty for feeling this way.

One school of thought is that these siblings mature faster than their age group. They are often left on their own to sort things out, like their homework for example, while the parents are concentrating on the needs of the child with a learning difference. Having a child with special needs can become all consuming – what with speech therapy, occupational therapy, homework, extra lessons, extramurals and, often, different schools – leaving the sibling to their own devices. However, Dave warns that getting too emotionally caught up in the challenges will usually make the problem bigger.

Sixteen year old Fiona* finds the expectations the most difficult to cope with. Her younger sister Angie* (now 11) was diagnosed with early onset Bipolar Mood Disorder at the age of nine. Not being a naturally emotional child, Fiona found it difficult to comprehend the range of emotions that Angie was suffering from. More difficult, though, was the fact that she was expected to be understanding and empathetic. Instead she felt irritated, and then guilty for feeling this way.

No one can feel the same empathy towards a child as their parents do, yet often parents are so caught up in things, they expect everyone else in the family to feel the same way towards the child as they do.

“I often felt sad that I did not connect more with Angie. There was so much stress in the family, and I constantly felt like I had to put the effort in to create a bond with her. She was always so wrapped up in her

Knowledge is key in any area of special needs and mental health, and sometimes it takes someone other than one’s parents for the knowledge to be accepted. That is why family interventions can be so positive. PugheParry suggests that families have a meeting once a week, preferably around a dinner table. This can include planning the menu, shopping and cooking together. During the meal each member of the family should have their say, with no interruptions. It’s the opportunity for everyone to discuss family problems and solutions. The trick is to listen rather than offer advice. Not only does this meeting give each one a turn to express their feelings, it also brings the family together over a regular planned activity, with a certain amount of responsibility involved in preparing the meal. In fact, this meeting idea is excellent for any family.

the big picture In essence every child should be treated holistically. For the sibling of a child with a learning difference, support in the way of a psychologist or a support group or mentor can go a long way to easing some of the pressure – but one should not overlook the role that fun activities, creativity, exercise and nutrition can have in your child’s life. Fischer’s survey so far indicates that, for families with special needs children, an inclusive plan that involves everybody, can go a long way to a happy family environment. *Names have been changed magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

ibling relationships are usually the longest and closest relationships that one will have, yet they can be intense, painful and extremely complex. I doubt there’s a family that can say that they have not dealt with some form of sibling rivalry. “You love her more than me!”

“You always take his side!” Sound familiar?

Yet the issue of sibling rivalry becomes that much more complex when one of the siblings has a learning difference. As a parent we naturally need to spend more time on the child with autism, Asperger’s and Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD or the like. Or stand up for them in a sibling argument when they cannot stand up for themselves. This is bound to create extreme emotions of jealousy, rivalry, resentment as well as guilt.

Mareli Fischer, who’s currently doing her masters in clinical psychology, is doing a survey on the effects and stresses, if any, that a child with a learning difference has on a family. Her conclusions so far? Much depends on how parents handle the situation.

magazine joburg

November 2010

19

parenting

on the money

Entrepreneurship encompasses constant curiosity, a desire to solve problems, to see life differently, to find and follow your passion, and to wonder about how you can make positive changes in society.

ntrepreneurship is a buzzword of our time.

Economists are hoping that entrepreneurs will pull South Africa’s economy up by its bootstraps and help unemployment vanish. Schools encourage market days to nurture business talent, and parents are pleased when their offspring display entrepreneurial tendencies – even when those parents themselves hold safe and secure jobs. It seems we all recognise that being able to make money is a talent that will serve children well when they grow up. But what turns a child into an entrepreneur?

Common sense would lead one to suppose that it is a mixture of natural aptitude and environmental exposure.

This seems to be the recipe in the case of 13-year-old Daniël Steyn. Daniël, who runs Skadulaan Theatre from his family home in Stellenbosch, was inspired by his uncle, Barrie Terblanche, an entrepreneur and co-author of the book Starting Your Own Business in South Africa. Daniël’s ambitions are also assisted by the fact that his mother, Ronel, is involved in consulting for small businesses.

However, Ronel feels that Daniël, rather than being inspired to become an entrepreneur in particular, is inspired by his passions for cooking and entertainment, and “takes an entrepreneurial approach to these passions”.

Daniël’s first venture was a clown-and-stilt performance at a car park, where he enjoyed receiving the donations of passers-by. This was followed by a neighbourhood talent show in his garage. Daniël then sold cleverly packaged condensed-milk treats at the weekly market days at his school, Laerskool Eikestad. He made a 50 percent profit on his popular product line. Skadulaan Theatre, Daniël’s latest enterprise, holds talent shows and music-quiz evenings, as well as forwarding itself as a recording studio and a production house (see skadulaantheatre.synthasite.com).

Unfortunately – whether his skills come from nature or nurture, or the lucky coincidence of both – Daniël is not typical of young South Africans.

encouraging entrepreneurship Linda McClure, MD of Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA), observes that, “At the moment, most

20

November 2010

young people will go into business because they think they can’t do anything else. They aren’t seeing it as a choice; that it’s a career option.” She says that when learners are asked whether they would prefer to get a job or start their own business, the majority still say, “I’d rather just get a job.” Many believe being an employee is more secure.

JASA is an organisation that is rolling out entrepreneurship programmes in many schools that leave learners feeling, “I can start a business and I can make money”. This is particularly relevant in the present economy when the stable life of the employee seems more and more a thing of the past.

SA Teen Entrepreneur is another organisation that is focusing on stimulating entrepreneurship. It recently held a Teen Biz Building Boot Camp in Cape Town, where Peter Greenwall, through his highly engaging interactive musical comedy presentation, encouraged teens to come up with their own business ideas based on their experiences, talents, passions, fears and frustrations (see teenentrepreneur. co.za). The ideas produced ranged from an innovative use of a shopping trolley to teen dating scenarios.

Greenwall is confident that the ideas can be turned into thriving businesses. He says SA Teen Entrepreneur is teaming up with various organisations and experts to “mentor, coach and get start-up capital”. In 2011 it will establish a Teen Entrepreneur Centre that will coordinate these activities. However, JASA and SA Teen Entrepreneur don’t have the funds to reach all the young people in our country, and in most cases it is the Economics and Management Sciences (EMS) teachers who must support children’s blossoming business talents.

The Grade 7 EMS curriculum, for example, requires learners to participate in a joint venture that produces goods or a service; run a business event based on a questionnaire they have designed; and advertise their business venture. It is no surprise then that market days are commonly held at South African primary schools so that learners can achieve these goals.

When Grove Primary in Claremont, Cape Town, held a market day the teachers wanted to make sure that magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM, Arthur Buitendag of Studio8photography.co.za

Tips for cultivating entrepreneurial skills in our children. By JEANNE MACLAY-MAYERS

magazine joburg

November 2010

21

parenting

Making children into entrepreneurs does not involve creating materialistic profit-seekers but creative individuals who solve problems both for themselves and those around them.

22

November 2010

the learners got fully involved in the design process and focused on a particular target market, so they asked learners in the higher grades to make products to sell to the Grade 1s. Each learner then made a product that used their specific talents. For example, Tamia Morgan made colouring-in books by drawing pictures designed to appeal to the Grade 1s, and thoroughly enjoyed unleashing her creativity.

However, according to education consultant Alexandra Pinnock, although the school curriculum in theory provides for entrepreneurship, the true essence of it is not addressed in most South African schools. For Pinnock, entrepreneurship needs to be encouraged as a culture and a way of thinking, but many teachers are so focused on end-of-year marks that there’s little time for nurturing creative thinkers. This suggests that parents have a big role to play if they want their children to acquire an entrepreneurial mindset.

Home-schooling mom Lisa-Marie Young was caught by surprise when her daughter, Jessica (10 years old), received an order for a cake from her hobby website (kidzcakes. co.za). But she has supported her daughter wholeheartedly as Jessica has embraced such opportunities and extended her business to include make-your-own-cupcake activities at the neighbourhood market. Now Jessica even makes

icing embellishments for resale at a local baking shop.

Through all these activities Jessica has earned enough money to buy herself a laptop, which she now uses to maintain her website – and she has inspired her younger brother Nicholas to think of business ideas of his own.

Parents wanting their own children to become entrepreneurial should encourage them to use their natural talents, start small and then grow their business, adapt to what their market wants and persevere in the face of setbacks.

Parents may also need to consider offering funding for start-up capital, and be prepared for returns to not necessarily follow after the first venture.

While children often think of business ventures in terms of making goods to sell, they can offer services instead. Rosalind Resnick, CEO of Axxess Business Consulting, a New York consulting firm that advises startups and small businesses, notes in an article she wrote for blog.entrepreneur.com that service businesses require less capital and often earn more of a profit. She suggests children might engage in dog-walking, lawn-mowing and poop-scooping around the neighbourhood, or could teach members of the older generation about new technology such as Facebook, “social-media consulting” as she calls it.

magazine joburg

the age issue When my stepson Chris was eight I encouraged him to make and sell origami mobiles, as he clearly had a talent he could use. Chris sold one for R50 and I was delighted, but then he got bored – to my dismay at the time. Chris loved the challenge of making a new paper creature, but he didn’t want to churn out Japanese swans like a one-child production line – and he shouldn’t have to.

This made me wonder what age was suitable to start encouraging children to engage in business activities, and when it was too soon to intrude upon a person’s childhood in such a way.

Cape Town play therapist and child counsellor Tessa Eadie is all for supporting children’s entrepreneurial ventures when they are self-driven, but thinks that the process is just as important as the product. For Eadie, entrepreneurial activities provide an opportunity for children to think about their passions, as well as enhancing their emotional development and building self-esteem. Moreover, she believes that entrepreneurial activities “make the link between effort and reward tangible” and “provide one more level on which children can engage with their environment and tune in to the feedback they receive”.

Lydia Zingoni, director of SA Teen Entrepreneur, thinks that children should be encouraged to convert

magazine joburg

their talents and passions into businesses as soon as possible, as long as they are protected by appropriate support structures. While the traditional definition of entrepreneurship is the combining of natural and human resources to create a profit, for Zingoni entrepreneurship “is more of a mindset than merely a desire to make and sell goods and services”. She says that entrepreneurship encompasses constant curiosity, a desire to solve problems, to see life differently, to find and follow your passion, and to wonder about how you can make positive changes in society.

Zingoni believes that both children and teenagers should “be encouraged to have a sense of social responsibility for their communities” and she sees social entrepreneurship as key in most parts of South Africa.

Clearly, for her, making children into entrepreneurs does not involve creating materialistic profit-seekers but creative individuals who solve problems both for themselves and those around them, which is why developing entrepreneurial skills is appropriate from a young age. Peter Greenwall adds, “The entrepreneurial mindset... is a positive mindset that makes you never give up on finding solutions to daily and universal problems...

Luckily the world is full of problems, so we are never without inspiration!”

Jessica Young runs an online cupcake business called Kidz Cakes.

how can you improve your children’s money-management skills?

Lydia Zingoni of SA Teen Entrepreneur: “Don’t over-spoil your children – let them see the value of money, how they can make it and how they can keep it.”

Elena Meyer of JASA: “Help your children control a budget. This could mean helping them plan how they will use their monthly pocket money or letting them become involved in choosing what makes it onto the household shopping list.”

November 2010

23

parenting

fight or fantasy Are electronic games making your child aggressive? GLYNIS HORNING reports

24

November 2010

On the other hand, for many months now my own two boys have spent several hours a week slaying monsters with an array of vicious weapons in World of Warcraft.

The 16-year-old has also begun “lanning” – embarking on occasional all-night sniper fests with friends, when they camp out together in a room with their computers, and gleefully destroy each other’s avatars in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

I haven’t seen a negative change in either lad, or I’d have stopped it. They’re sensible, sensitive chaps who achieve academically, socialise comfortably, and exercise daily. The sniper also teaches maths to underprivileged children two afternoons a week, while the young monster-slayer is an enthusiastic classical musician. So what should parents do?

stealing childhood?

Pearl Ramotsamai, counsellor at the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA), has concerns about electronic games, but less for their violence than for their potential to rob children of non-electronic play.

“Old-fashioned play is an essential part of childhood,” she says emphatically.

Running around outdoors develops muscles and coordination and lowers the risk of childhood obesity and the many health problems this brings later. Being creative with crayons, clay and other simple art materials or musical ones (tins for drums, and so on) boosts children’s imaginations and problem-solving abilities, and teaches basic scientific and mathematical principles. And social play – from dressing

up to board games – teaches vital social skills such as taking turns and sharing.

Computer games can keep children from these, Ramotsamai fears, especially as their time today is often limited by long school hours and extramurals.

conditioning to kill?

But it’s the content of electronic games that worries many parents, and fuels the most debate. “They need careful monitoring because they can be explicitly violent and sexual and embody values very different from your own,” says Ramotsamai. “Children copy what they see, and there have been cases of them accidentally killing other children by doing things they saw on TV. What if they find a gun at home, and try to copy what they’ve seen in violent games?”

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

t’s a bloody debate, with both sides firing off emotional accusations, and many confused parents caught in the middle: Do computer games make our children aggressive?

A Midlands mother I’ll call Martha, who home-schools her children, remarked recently that the oldest had become grumpy, irritable and rude to his younger siblings. Around the same time the computer games he’d grown addicted to had changed from fairly innocuous fun to “skop-skiet-en-donder extravaganzas”.

She banned him from playing for several months as punishment for his behaviour – and swears that within days the change was remarkable. He was kind to his siblings, played patiently with them, and even volunteered to help around the house.

American psychology professor Dave Grossman believes some are doing this already. In On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society (Back Bay Books), he calls violent electronic games “murder simulators”, and contends they teach children to kill – creating dangerous role models, glorifying violence, and desensitising them to the feelings of others.

Grossman likens violence in electronic games to the army’s conditioning of soldiers. “We are reaching the stage of desensitisation at which the infliction of pain and suffering has become a source of entertainment; vicarious pleasure rather than revulsion,” he says. “We are learning to kill, and we are learning to like it.”

And he cites a case in Kentucky where

magazine joburg

a school killer “fired eight shots, getting eight hits, on eight different milling, scrambling, screaming children. Five of them were head shots… Where did he get this phenomenal skill?”

Other researchers cite the Columbine killing, where two of the young shooters who took out 12 fellow students and a teacher had played long hours of violent video games.

danger points Video games (a term used broadly to include computer and home-console games like PlayStation and Xbox) can be more harmful than violent movies or TV programmes because they are interactive, says Joan van Niekerk, national manager for advocacy and training for Childline

Violent video games are like peanut butter – harmless for the vast majority of children, but harmful to a small minority with pre-existing problems.

– Christopher Ferguson, US psychologist and researcher

November 2010

25

parenting

South Africa. Children engage directly with them, role-playing their favourite characters and repeatedly practising the violent moves, experiencing the adrenaline rush of fear or excitement, and being rewarded for “skilful play” (often successful kills). “It can be mesmerising and addictive,” she says.

Psychologist Douglas Gentile, author of Media Violence and Children: A Complete Guide for Parents and Professionals (Praeger), reviewed studies and found five “major effects” of playing violent games (defined as “games where the player can intentionally harm other characters”).

These were “increased physiological arousal, increased aggressive thoughts, increased aggressive feelings, increased aggressive behaviours, and decreased pro-social helping.” Teens who played violent games for extended periods, he said, were more prone to confrontation with teachers, fights with peers, and drops in school performance.

In a more recent American university study, brain-scan technology showed children who played violent video games had an increase in emotional arousal, and corresponding decrease of activity in areas of the brain involved in selfcontrol, inhibition and attention. These effects were detected in the brains of teens who played Medal of Honour: Frontline (a violent first-person shooter), but not of those who played the non-violent racing game, Need for Speed: Underground. The only difference was the violent content.

professor Dmitri Williams, lead author of a study that concluded that it’s looking increasingly likely that computer games don’t cause violence.

“The biggest problem with mediaeffects research is that it attempts to decontextualise violence,” says his colleague Karen Sternheimer in Context, a journal of the American Sociological Association. “Poverty, neighbourhood instability, unemployment, and even family violence fall by the wayside… Ironically, even mental illness tends to be overlooked in this psychologically oriented research.”

Computer games can be mesmerising and addictive.

– Joan van Niekerk, Childline SA positive spin Yet there are researchers who say such effects are fleeting, and video games are harmless. And many who argue they can even have positive effects on children – increasing their manual dexterity, reaction times, visual-spatial cognition (used in careers such as engineering, architecture and surgery), and computer literacy. They also develop their ability to strategise and make decisions, help them try out social and life situations in a low-risk environment, and build their confidence.

Some contend too that exposure to violent games provides a healthy release for the frightening emotions young people can experience, reducing their urge to act out aggression in violent behaviour, though Van Niekerk strongly disagrees. “Parents must be careful not to teach children dangerous means of catharsis,” she says. Writing stories or playing outside is much healthier.

These researchers point out that the link with aggression and violence has never been conclusively proven. “I’m not saying some games don’t lead to aggression, but the data is not there yet,” says University of Southern California communications

26

November 2010

As to the “Columbine connection”, psychologist and video violence researcher Christopher J Ferguson, author of Violent Crime (Sage), says a Secret Service report on school shooters found “few school shooters had unusual interest in violent video games, and they may have consumed fewer violent games than normal teen males.” Sternheimer adds that when boys from “good” neighbourhoods are violent, “they seem to be created by video games rather than by their social circumstances. Middle-class killers retain their status as children easily influenced by a game, victims of an allegedly dangerous product. The same can’t be said for those in ‘bad’ neighbourhoods.”

Other researchers note that teen violence in the US is down 77 percent since 1993, the year Doom was released and was followed by a flood of other increasingly violent electronic games. In a special issue of the journal Review of General Psychology this June, Ferguson says: “Recent research has shown that as video games have become more popular, children in the US and Europe are having fewer behaviour problems, are less violent and score better magazine joburg

on standardised tests. Violent video games have not created the generation of problem youth so often feared.”

It’s been estimated that the average student has a less than 10 in a million chance of being gunned down at school, and the reason is much less likely to be access to violent video games than access to guns. “If your child is violent, this is most likely because of genetics, the child’s personality, family violence and neglect, or poverty and the economy, in roughly that order,” says Ferguson.

He concludes that the only children at risk of being adversely affected by violent video games are those given to anger, depression, indifference to the feelings of others, being easily upset,

“acting without thinking”, and “typically breaking rules”. “Violent video games are like peanut butter,” he says. “They are harmless for the vast majority of children, but are harmful to a small minority with pre-existing personality or mental health problems.”

In an overview of 130 earlier research reports published this year in the American Psychological Association’s Psychological Bulletin, psychology professor Craig Anderson says video gaming may be just one risk factor for aggression and violence, but “it’s a risk factor that is easy for an individual parent to deal with – at least, easier than changing most other known risk factors, such as poverty or one’s genetic structure.”

so what should we do?

Electronic games are now so widely accepted that even if you are concerned, it can be hard to stop children playing them. The advice of most researchers and psychologists is not to ban children from playing them, but to get actively involved – to supervise and monitor them and their game choices, and above all, to ensure they lead balanced, healthy lives, and have good values.

• “Be a role model and teach non-violent problem-solving skills,” says Van Niekerk.

• Don’t use electronic games as babysitters, says Yolanda Burgell, founder of the Social Skills Academy of South Africa. “Engage your children every day, asking their opinions about violence and other issues, and sharing yours.”

• Learn about electronic games – research shows most parents know almost nothing about them. Google those your children want to play, read the boxes, and watch them play from time to time. “Ask yourself if this is something you want your child exposed to on a daily basis,” says Van Niekerk.

• Play non-violent games with them, like electronic chess. “It can be bonding,” she says. If you allow violent games, Ferguson suggests playing these with them too. “You can discuss that the behaviours are unacceptable in real life, a message made more credible by your familiarity with youth culture. The best influence you can have on your children is through time spent with them.”

• Be guided by ratings according to the emotional development of your children rather than their actual age. Systems vary, but generally M indicates Mature player (16 plus), and A for Adults (over 18).

• Don’t put computers or other electronic gaming equipment in children’s bedrooms; use a communal space.

• Set limits on how often they can play and for how long, says Van Niekerk, and see that they spend time outdoors. “Research shows sunlight deprivation impacts mood and can cause depression, especially in winter.”

• Above all, she says, monitor your child. “Some can cope with things that others can’t.”

magazine joburg

November 2010

27

parenting

talk

praat

a m u l u kh thetha sprechen

parler

charla

TRACY ELLIS draws inspiration from families

eter Piper and his peck of pickled peppers are proof that it’s easy enough to get your tongue twisted around one language, let alone two or more. Yet despite the challenges, many parents are successfully raising bilingual, and even multilingual, children.

Nik Fairclough, a business owner and father of three girls, was raised bilingual. His mom speaks only Swedish to him while his dad speaks English. He now uses the one-parent-one-language method in his own family with much success. Nik speaks only Swedish to his daughters, while his wife Lynne speaks only English.

“We’ve just spent five weeks in Sweden and the girls had no problem conversing, although when spoken to in Swedish they will almost always reply in English.”

This is known as passive bilingualism. Nik says the girls can speak Swedish when required to but English is their dominant language, since they live in an Englishspeaking community and attend English schools. His wife Lynne can even understand basic Swedish now after hearing it spoken daily to her children for the last 17 years.

method or muddle The definitions and degrees of bilingualism vary – some parents feel that raising a child who can make himself understood in a second language is sufficient, while others feel the child should learn to read and write the language in addition to speaking and understanding it. Some children may only be able to speak one dominant language but can listen in two languages, while others may achieve equal fluency in two or more languages.

The methods for raising bilinguals are just as diverse but most parents and experts prefer the one-parentone-language method, where each parent speaks only one language to the child from birth, thereby introducing two languages simultaneously. This method especially suits naturally bilingual parents or parents with different native languages. Parents who both speak a single native language may rely on the community or school to teach the secondary language, or if both parents can speak a

28

November 2010

second language fairly well, they may speak it at home, relying on the community to teach the dominant or majority language. Some parents communicate with their children and each other in mixed languages, switching between them with no clearly defined rules. Others prefer to introduce a second language only after the first language is well established. Monolingual parents may employ an au pair or nanny of another mother tongue to give their children the gift of bilingualism.

Children learning to communicate in naturally bilingual households should ideally learn both languages simultaneously.

Cape Town mother Nicole Wieners can speak and understand six different languages. She and her three siblings were raised in a multilingual home. “Our parents are fluent in English, Afrikaans, Dutch and German,” says Nicole. “We spoke German at home, English at school and we had a language roster next to our beds assigning different languages to different days of the week. Besides the four languages our parents were teaching us, we were also learning Zulu and French at school.” Although Nicole feels that six languages was confusing at times, she can now speak and understand all six languages and is literate in four of them.

Nicole and her husband Seigi have successfully raised their five-year-old daughter Arwen to be fluent in English, Afrikaans and German. Nicole feels the one-parent-one-language method is the best and she now speaks only German to Arwen, while her husband speaks mostly Afrikaans to her. They have chosen to communicate with one another in English. Arwen goes to a German school and watches English television.

“Her grammar at five is not always spot on but she can converse in all three languages and switch between

them when necessary. Her strongest language is German because she attends school in this language plus she’s hearing it at home.”

Although it is not impossible to achieve fluency later in life, experts agree that the optimal time to learn a language is during the baby and toddler years. “Children under the age of six years are more able to learn different languages with ease due to neural plasticity,” says speech and language therapist Kate More, whose special interest lies in bilingual families. “This is when the brain’s neural pathways are not yet fixed and they still have the capacity to develop new pathways with ease. It’s not that learning stops at age six, but rather that learning is much faster during the formative years.”

More believes that children are capable of learning as many as five languages before the age of six, but age and aptitude should be taken into consideration when deciding on the best method to use and how many languages to introduce. “One also needs to gauge the efficacy of communication in these languages as well as the reasons the children are learning this many languages simultaneously.” Accents, pronunciation and intonation will vary from child to child depending on the source from which they are learning the predominant portion of the language.

“Children who learn English predominantly from listening to the television, for example, will speak with an American accent using American vocabulary. They may say ketchup rather than tomato sauce,” says More. The more engaged a child is in the language he is learning and the more exposed he is to the language in its natural environment, be it through school, friends, the community or parents, the more natural his pronunciation and intonation will be. Some research suggests that the more languages a child is introduced to, the less fluent he will be in each language. At some point you have to weigh up quantity versus quality. Educational psychologist Sharon Doubell Robins comments, “Although bilingualism is a priceless gift to give to your children, if bought at the cost of a well-developed mother tongue – which appears increasingly to be happening in South Africa – it can be a very mixed blessing.” magazine joburg

ILLUSTRATIONS: SAMANTHA SUMMERFIELD

raising bilingual and multilingual children.

magazine joburg

November 2010

29

parenting

tongue twisters While the benefits of raising bilingual children may be clear, it may not always be plain sailing. Some of the biggest concerns when raising bilinguals are language confusion, language delay and speech problems. Experts agree that a bilingual home environment may cause a temporary delay in the development of both languages and that bilingual children may appear to confuse the two languages, but feel this is not cause for concern. Research suggests that monolingual and bilingual children reach major developmental milestones at similar times.

Factors such as gender, aptitude, timing, motivation, consistency and siblings may affect the desired outcome and More feels that if the child is already struggling

with one language, introducing a second language could be detrimental. “Children learning to communicate in naturally bilingual households should ideally learn both languages simultaneously. For any other child, I recommend that the first language be well established before introducing a second language.” As a guideline More suggests that most children will have grasped their first language by the age of three but she believes that some children are just better at languages than others so this guideline will vary depending on the child’s ability. Parents who are concerned with any progress in language development should seek the help of a speech therapist. “Early intervention is key in remediating language problems,” says More, who has seen children with severe behavioural problems bounce back

Children are capable of learning as many as five languages before the age of six. learning the lingo Some of the terms used on the topic of bilingualism Simultaneous bilingualism: learning two languages together from birth Receptive bilingualism: being able to understand two languages but speak only one Sequential or successive bilingualism: learning a second language after already establishing a first language Natural bilingualism: a child raised in a naturally occurring bilingual environment, by bilingual parents or in a foreign community Artificial bilingualism: a child raised in an intentionally bilingual environment i.e. placed in a foreign school by monolingual parents or tutored in a second language from a young age Passive bilingualism: children understand two languages but choose to speak only in the dominant language

30

November 2010

magazine joburg

with simple language correction therapy.

“Teaching a child two languages should not cause speech disorders, but some children may develop a problem with stuttering, due to the pressure of learning two languages.”

We spoke German at home, English at school and we had a language roster next to our beds assigning different languages to different days of the week.

South Africans Paul and Julie Bellingan moved to Spain seven years ago. They have raised their four daughters Mikaelah (7), Abigael (5), Olivia (4) and Isabella (20 months) to be bilingual more out of necessity than choice. “We can only speak very basic Spanish so at home we speak English, but Mikaelah started at a Spanish school at five years old. Abigael followed at four and Olivia at three and a half. They have jumped right in and I’m amazed at what they are capable of. I do feel Mikaelah struggles the most because she started later than the others. I think their biggest struggle in developing the language is that we don’t speak it at home but they do have Spanish friends who play with them outside of school, and they speak Spanish to them. Our challenge is with homework as Jules and I often find ourselves having to learn Spanish as we go in order to help them,” says Paul.

Becoming literate in two languages that share the same alphabet, such as French and Spanish, is more straightforward than two that don’t. “I often find that children who speak mostly Xhosa at home struggle magazine joburg

when they get to an English-medium school and have to discriminate between these sounds when spelling,” says More.

“Indigenous languages in South Africa have fewer vowel sounds than English, so smaller differences such as jam, germ and gem, will be pronounced as gem, gem and gem.” Even so, many South African children are being raised in bilingual homes with an indigenous South African language.

Twenty-three-year-old Mbali Ndlovu, was raised in a German household by her Zulu mother. “My mother nannied for a family of six children and spoke English to all of us so I had learnt to speak English and German by the age of two,” says Mbali. “As a toddler my family realised I couldn’t understand or speak a word of Zulu, which was supposed to be my native language. My mom corrected this by speaking only Zulu to me while I continued learning English through the community.

Eventually my German fell away and my Zulu caught up with my English, but I really struggled in high school when I had to learn Zulu grammar and spelling. I would say English is my dominant language but I am proficient in both. I still triple check my Zulu spelling when translating.”

According to Christina Bosemark, founder of the US-based Multilingual Children’s Association, the process of raising bilinguals is a flexible and highly personal one, and can be adapted to suit your family, lifestyle and support systems.

She believes as long as it provides enough interaction in the second language and is maintained with consistency it will produce successful results.

bilingual support on the web multilingualchildren.org multilingualliving.com

November 2010

31

how to

handmade with love year’s class teacher? TAMLYN VINCENT rounds up a number of practical ideas for you and your child to tackle together.

s

aying thank you to your child’s teacher doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can show your appreciation by helping your little one create something simple and practical. It’ll show a little effort and time was spent in its making – and give you an excuse to do something fun and creative with your child.

Here are a number of ideas to get you started, and perhaps inspired enough to tackle handmade Christmas or birthday gifts for the family too…

32

November 2010

class acts If you like coordinating, and find children and parents are keen to participate, then you could try something with the whole class.

Create a finger-painted plant pot. Get all the children in the class to add a fingerprint (in paint) to a flower pot and turn these into butterflies and bugs. You can also paint the names of the children onto the pot or write a message around the rim. Then plant with flowers or herbs.

Make a classroom recipe book. Invite the children to write their favourite recipe on decorative card, perhaps with a short thank-you message. Collect these and make them into a book or place them in a basket.

Create a quilt or picnic blanket. Get children to decorate a square of material (with paint or appliquè or whatever takes their fancy). Then sew them together (or find somebody who can do this for you), place a material border around them, add some backing and you have a wonderful quilt. You could back with waterproof fabric if you’re making a picnic blanket.

A lovely idea is to cut out the children’s handprints and turn these into tree leaves on a quilt.

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: TAMLYN VINCENT, THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Wondering what gift to give this

green fingers S pruce up a watering can with paint, or get younger children to decorate one with stickers. Then attach some gardening gloves and packets of flower seeds.

Create a mini herb or flower garden. Decorate or paint a flower pot and plant with herb or flower seedlings.

Design pot plant stakes. These are a nice addition to the mini garden above. Children can add a personal touch by adding their picture or a special message. Buy some plain stakes or use wooden sticks. Children can write out a message on some cardboard using a glitter pen. If you’re stuck for ideas you could try: “Thank you for helping me blossom.” Use glue or strong tape to attach the message to the stake, then plant this in the pot.

magazine joburg

for food-lovers and foodies Give ready-to-bake biscuits in a jar. You’ll need a glass jar – such as a Consol jar, or a large coffee bottle. Clean and dry it properly.

Children can then layer these ingredients in the jar in this order (pack down after every additional layer):

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar Fill the jar with your choice of Smarties, Astros or chopped up chocolate – try Crunchie or Top Deck. Close the lid, cover this with a square of fabric and secure in place with an elastic band. Cut out the instructions alongside or let your child write them out on decorative paper.

Attach a piece of ribbon and tie the instructions around the neck of the jar.

Bake some cookies, place them in a jar or tin when they are cool, then get your child to write out the recipe on some pretty paper and attach it.

Try making flavoured salts. Take some coarse salt and add dried rosemary or some chilli flakes. Use your imagination and raid your veggie and herb garden. Place in a decorated tin or container.

November 2010

33

how to

picture perfect Make a caterpillar picture frame. Cut out rings from kitchen-roll or other cardboard tubes of assorted sizes.

Get your children to glue pictures on top or on the bottom of these rings using wood glue. You can make several different pictures and then stick these together to make shapes. Try making a flower or caterpillar.

Create a frame for a special memory. Source pre-cut masonite frames (ask at your local craft shop) or try cutting out frames from stiff corrugated cardboard. Stick scrapbooking paper onto the frame and cut to match the frame. Add decorations, charms, words, ribbon or anything you want. This is a gift on its own, or you can include a picture or poem.

Make a personalised plate or platter. You’ll need a clear glass plate. Children can decorate the underside with stickers, glitter, a poem or pictures – attach facing upwards so that they can be read through from the top. Paint over the bottom of the plate with acrylic or PVC paint. Your children can choose whichever colours they want and mix these in any way. Things might get messy but just cover the floor with newspaper and let your little artist be creative. Make sure that the whole underside of the plate is covered with paint and leave to dry.

bath time Make different-shaped soaps. Chop bars of glycerine soap into small pieces and melt in a polystyrene cup in the microwave. Place on high for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Be careful – this gets hot. Pour into cookie-cutter shapes placed on wax paper. Try filling the shape halfway, leave to dry and add a charm. Then fill the rest of the way. When the soaps are dry, remove and package in a decorated box.

Create personalised bath salts. Add perfume or essential oils to Epsom salts.

Add food colouring, but only a few drops at a time. Mix well and place into a bottle decorated with ribbon.

Design non-slip slipper socks. You’ll need a pair of comfy socks and some puff paint (ask at your local craft shop). Decorate the bottom of the socks with patterns, shapes or even a message. Leave to dry. Then heat until puffed.

34

November 2010

craft online For more creative ideas and fun crafts have a look at these websites: childmag.co.za (launching soon) about.com (look at familycrafts.about.com, baking.about.com, americanfood.about.com) activityvillage.co.uk betterbudgeting.com (look for frugal crafts and homemade gifts) crafts.kaboose.com creativekidsathome.com familyfun.go.com marthastewart.com

magazine joburg

blog

someone forgot to mention...

TRACEY MICHEL discovers that pregnancy is full of surprises.

ILLUSTRATION: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

m

y doctor had said it would probably take a year to fall pregnant. What he forgot to mention was that there’s also the possibility that even if you’ve been on the pill for over a decade, you can actually fall pregnant the first month. Now I’m not complaining. I know I am lucky.

I’ve had many friends who have tried for a year, hoping and praying every month for a baby to be conceived, only to be disappointed many times.

But this was just the first in a string of things others have forgotten to mention about pregnancy. Sure, it is different for everyone, and I do have friends who had been kind enough to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

magazine joburg

Perhaps it’s more that you just don’t get it until it happens to you.

I was preparing myself for nausea and possible vomiting, perhaps mood swings and an ever expanding belly, but nothing prepared me for the additional surprises.

Mood swings makes them sound like a fun ride at a community carnival.

What I experienced was more akin to emotional deep-sea diving in unchartered territories... in another universe. Even a dull episode of 7de Laan made me cry!

Hormones can have a strange effect on a normally sane, rational woman (for part of the month, at least). Aside from the unexplained crying, I was on the receiving end of some amazing side effects… I got a red rash on my neck, my hair took on a coppery tinge and my calf muscles seemed to double in size. I suffered with bouts of indigestion, sciatica, insomnia, extreme exhaustion and drowsiness, heart palpitations and, towards the end, excessive drooling (apparently common)

and carpal tunnel syndrome (dead hands in the middle of the night). All in all, I made quite a pretty picture – I began to believe that the “pregnancy glow” was a myth invented by nappy companies to keep the population reproducing.

I’ve never been a worrier; I’m more the optimistic sort. But all of a sudden I was lying awake tossing and turning about what I was going to do about childcare when I went back to work; what school we should apply for (some accept applications from birth!); how I was going to keep her safe – and she hadn’t even technically entered this world yet. Would I be “a good enough mother”? Would I be able to breastfeed? Would I know what to do when she cries?

But there were other things that people had forgotten to mention: like how I love it every time the baby moves inside me – even when she seems intent on kicking out my ribs. How seeing her on the ultrasound screen fills me with

happiness and pride. I hadn’t realised I’d love the person inside me before she was even born.

And as I watch the clock waiting for her arrival (my due date now passed), I can’t help but look forward to what else I’m going to experience about being a mom that someone forgot to mention. Or, that if they had mentioned it, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Like what it’s going to feel like to hold her in my arms for the first time.

Tracey Michel waited another four days after penning her blog before her daughter Maya was born.

Readers, this is your column – it’s a space to air your views, share a valuable parenting lesson, vent your frustrations or celebrate your joys. Send your writing to elaine@childmag.co.za

November 2010

35

parenting

parent or

tall friend?

DONNA COBBAN details a bit of the

i

t’s a winter’s evening in Cape Town, we’re outside the local Spar, having procured a few essentials, rain is whipping the back of our necks and my two-year-old decides he is not going to get into the car or be strapped into his seat. I swoop him up despite his blood curdling protests and tell him: “I am not asking you, I am telling you.”

(A line I learnt from my mother. As a child I hated hearing it, but concede now that it is indeed very useful at times such as these). He continues to roar in protest; I buckle him in and scuttle to the driver’s seat – not without noticing some alarmed faces peering at us through the rain.

While I am temporarily unpopular with my son, I also seem to be unpopular with the world at large, where the rigidity of past parenting has given way to a more easygoing approach to discipline. So why has this often

36

November 2010

unsubtle shift towards an absence of parental authority occurred with this generation?

power play Natalee Holmes, director of Johannesburg-based company Redirecting Children’s Behaviour, puts it down to a combination of three possible factors. These include today’s parents not wanting to follow the autocratic style of parenting under which they may have been raised.

Also a shift from single-income families to double-income families with a lot of guilt involved because both parents have to work full-time. Parents want to be the “nice guys” to their children, and tend to give in more readily to avoid confrontation and negativity during the precious few hours that they do get to spend with their children. Holmes cites

a third factor – the pace at which people live nowadays. “In an effort to get things done quickly, parents tend to give in to their children and bribe/bargain with them because its easier than standing their ground and making unpopular decisions,” says Holmes.

Venecia Barries at the Parent Centre in Cape Town adds the following reasons for permissive parenting. “Our instant gratification, easy credit and individualistic culture has made it harder for parents and children alike to tolerate frustration of their wants and desires,” she says, and refers me to Mary Pipher, author of The Shelter of Each Other. Here Pipher says, that with regards to parenting, the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of personal happiness, with too little attention being paid to character development and values. While Pipher’s message is clear, it is the words

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

downside to being your child’s best buddy.

of Aric Sigman, author of The Spoilt Generation: Why Restoring Authority Will Make Our Children and Society Happier that make me sit up and listen.

Sigman was interviewed by Blake Morrison for the Guardian in September last year. Morrison quotes Sigman as saying: “We need to do away with obfuscating jargon – ‘empowerment’, ‘self-esteem’, ‘blended families’ etc – and call things what they are: ‘quality time’ is just a euphemism for not spending enough time with your children.” He goes on to tell Morrison that “children are programmed to be demanding but they have to learn they can’t have everything. It’s about saying no and being prepared to face the unpleasantness that goes with it. Many parents these days are afraid their children won’t like them unless they acquiesce to them.”

It is indeed a tough path to tread – we all want to be liked, but according to Barries, when it comes to parenting, the assertive approach is ideal – with the parent demonstrating care, respect, love, acceptance and affirmation for the child and also being able to assertively implement appropriate limits. One scenario she gives might sound something like this: “I know you would like to watch this movie but it has an age restriction of 12 and since you are only eight, I cannot allow you to watch it.” And another popular route many parents are now taking is the limitation of choice, “Would you like to wear this red top or this green one?” Through avoiding open-ended questions parents prevent the child from feeling overwhelmed by options and reduce the room for their own frustration with the child’s inability to make a quick choice.

magazine joburg

It’s a parent’s job “to ensure a child has a strong sense of self, and this job is one that needs to be done by a mature, caring adult, not a friend who is afraid to say no once in a while.”

when no is the right answer Holmes points out that taking the easy route, and being a “buddy” to your child, will result in a loss of respect for the parents. “The feeling that they can ‘do what they want’ ultimately leads to feelings of insecurity in the children, and a feeling of being unloved. I can do what I want, equals nobody cares, equals I am unloved.” She then adds that it is a parent’s job “…to ensure a child has a strong sense of self, and this job is one that needs to be done by a mature, caring adult, not a friend who is afraid to say no once in a while.”

And in order to be that mature, caring adult, Cape Town psychologist Ingrid Owens suggests that as a parent you need to have your needs for intimacy and friendship met, and guard against the possibilities for doing this getting lost in the demands parenting places on you.

Susanna*, a single mother to one son warns of the “lonely mother syndrome”, where the mother befriends the child for

lack of other friends to trust. (This can, I imagine, happen equally to a single father.) Owens cautions strongly against this. “Using your child as your confidante can be a great burden to him or her. They may not be able to verbalise it at the time, but it is often later that they realise the discomfort or sense of responsibility they have carried about the things that you are worrying about.” She advises that, “If you find yourself turning to your child as the one who understands, as the one with whom you feel most connected, as the one who listens, it is important to look at the adult relationships in your life and ask why they are not providing you with that interaction.”

Addressing parents in general, Owens says: “You will be helping both yourself and your child if you can make the time to develop and nurture friendships for yourself – a place just for you where you can have fun, moan, natter, confide, support and be supported.” * Name has been changed

further reading • Saying No: Why It’s Important for You and Your Child by Asha Phillips • The Spoilt Generation: Why Restoring Authority Will Make Our Children and Society Happier by Aric Sigman • No: Why Kids – Of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by David Walsh

November 2010

37

education

making sense of

curriculum changes DONNA COBBAN brings you a breakdown on what’s what when it comes to Schooling 2025.

i

was trained as a secondary-school teacher many moons ago – long before outcomes-based education became the official path and so did not pay it much attention until I one day spied a teacher friend’s assessment sheets. In spidery thin writing crammed into tiny boxes across pages and pages were her mandatory assessment notes for each and every student, or rather, learner. I reeled in horror. Teaching takes a tremendous amount of energy, energy that needs to be ongoing and

OBE “… reinforced a tendency to top-down edicts, saw poor training and development for teachers, and a host of form-filling and compliance rituals. Instead of support and capacity building, we (so often) put in place impossible outcomes and standards within an architecture that frustrates good teaching and innovation.”

So why did OBE ever get a look in in the first place? Bloch explains in the same article that “OBE acknowledged the need to prepare the 21st-century child to be technologically literate, open

consistent (there can be no down days or slacking off to surf the web days), but with forms like these to fill in daily, that energy can become easily lost in an administrative nightmare.

So when the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, announced the changes and the introduction of Schooling 2025 on 6 July this year, many applauded the move.

These included one of the architects of the OBE system, renowned educationist and author Graeme Bloch. Late last year, Timesonline reported that Bloch said that

38

November 2010

to rapid change, organised and able to plan, manage and implement innovative solutions in a world racked by war and global warming, economic meltdown and social despair.” It is important to note these factors when looking back, as it is evident that the right intentions were always present – to lift the country’s standard of education for all learners to a competitive global level. Yet, sadly, that outcome has not transpired and the curriculum now needs reworking not reinventing. magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Teachers will now have time to plan and support learners, instead of having to spend hours on administrative paperwork.

on the ground I ask a few teachers to give me their take on the past and what they think the future of Schooling 2025 holds. Julie Fleming has been a teacher at John Graham Primary in Cape Town for over 20 years and concedes that OBE does indeed have its merits. “It gives children the opportunity with each assessment to focus on exactly what is required of them and they can look back afterwards and establish where they have not met the criteria and which areas to work on. In truth though,” she says, “I don’t think many of the children I teach have the maturity to do this and some jump into an activity without much concern for what is required. They also often lack the determination to actually work towards improving in a particular area, so it still falls on teachers – and parents – to make this happen. But the opportunity is there and, as they get older, they probably become better at this.”

As to the new changes, Fleming is grateful for the reduced number of

subjects, but is of the belief that whatever programme you implement, teachers still have to deal with the learners who are in their class. And one size doesn’t always fit all, making it crucial to successful teaching that an educator’s versatile teaching style is capable of adapting to suit the ebb and flow of a particular class with its many varying needs. Schools everywhere seem braced and ready for change.

looking ahead Although the nitty gritty of Schooling 2025 still needs to be finalised, the feeling in schools definitely seems to be one of optimism. Les Lambert, head of Rosebank Primary School in Johannesburg, tells me that the new curriculum aims to improve the nation’s literacy and numeracy levels.

“If implemented properly,” he says, “these changes can be beneficial to the education of our children.” Lambert is positive regarding the move away from large amounts of administrative work.

“Teachers will now have time to plan

what was a brief breakdown of the old curriculum (OBE and the RNCS) Outcomes Based Education was introduced around 1996 as the best educational solution for South Africa.

• The system then, was very difficult to comprehend, mainly due to the abstract terminology and the poor and inadequate training supplied by the Education Department.

• Many schools struggled to implement C2005, which had 67 Specific Outcomes, across eight Learning Areas, all of which were meant to be incorporated in Learning Programmes.

The system was then simplified and the result was the 2002 Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS).

• Much of the terminology was changed e.g. Specific Outcomes became Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Criteria became Assessment Standards.

• The RNCS was a lot easier to implement and did give a

magazine joburg

lot more structure regarding what was to be taught. This included details of the phonics, for example, and thus gave educators a better idea as to what was to be included in lessons. If educators had followed this policy, children would have been able to read and write by the end of the Foundation Phase.

For OBE to succeed, however, it required well-trained educators, well-equipped classrooms and relatively small classes (maximum 25).

• This is why the system worked relatively well in the former model C schools.

• There was, however, too much emphasis on assessment and educators did not have enough time to actually teach.

Courtesy of Ruth Pressler, former teacher, now writer and materials developer.

November 2010

39

education

and support learners, instead of having to spend hours on administrative paperwork.”

With regards to language and the right to learn in your mother tongue, Rosebank Primary has taken a proactive approach and Lambert tells me that a survey will soon be sent to parents for them to provide input on what the first additional language should be. The school governing body is hoping to offer both Afrikaans and Zulu, where parents and learners have the option of choosing either one depending on what language their future high school offers.

Sylvia Buschberger, head of Montrose Primary School in Johannesburg feels that there is a lot of good in the new curriculum, but she adds that “to get good results, a lot depends on the attitude of those who execute it.”

So where to now? The Minister’s statement has been digested, areas of change have been outlined and the department is now hard at work on a comprehensive turnaround plan. This plan is branded Action Plan 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025 and they are currently calling for comment from the public sector and interested parties.

The draft document can be viewed at education.gov.za. They appear to have a formidable task ahead of them and can only be commended for the vision that entails bringing about “a fundamental change in schooling outcomes”.

40

November 2010

what will be a breakdown of curriculum changes pertaining to the primary years:

from January 2010: • less recording and reporting for educators • fewer projects for learners to complete • no more portfolio files of learner assessments needed from January 2011: • the current name “learning areas and programmes” will change to “subjects”.

• the language chosen by the learner as a Language of Learning and Teaching will also be taught as a subject at least as a First Additional Language, from Grade One.

from January 2012 Following educator orientation and the development of materials, which will take place in 2011, the following changes will be introduced: • the number of subjects in Grades 4 to 6 will be reduced from eight to six. Technology will be combined with science, arts and culture will be combined with life orientation, and economic and management sciences will be taught only from Grade 7.

• there will be clearly delineated topics for each subject and a recommended number and type of assessments per term.

• workbooks will be provided for all learners in Grades 1 to 6. The books will be piloted in schools in 2010 and they will be available for use in all schools in 2011. The project will provide resource support to 6,5 million learners and approximately 180 000 teachers in nearly 20 000 schools.

• a national catalogue of learningand teaching-support materials from which schools can select textbooks will be available.

• the importance of textbooks in the achievement of quality learning and teaching has been re-emphasised.

• the National Curriculum Statement is being repackaged so that it is more accessible to educators.

• every subject in each grade will have a single, comprehensive and concise Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) that will provide details on what content educators ought to teach and assess on a grade-by-grade and subject-bysubject basis.

• outcomes will be absorbed into more accessible aims, and content and assessment requirements will be spelled out more clearly. Topics and assessments to be covered per term are being aligned to available time allocations per subject.

• from 2010, there will be externallyset annual national assessments for Grade 3 and 6 learners.

• The weighting of continuous assessment and end-of-year exams will be as follows: Grades R to 3 100% continuous assessment; Grades 4 to 6 75% continuous assessment; 25% end-of-year exam.

magazine joburg

straight up

so not funny LEONORA FOUND canvassed a number of nearly teens for the things parents do that embarrass them. Here’s what they said…

the e, with just five minutes until I cringe when at the school gat hugs and kisses. bell, my mom corners me for

I don’t like it when, in public, my mom refers to my friends by their nicknames.

g for school outings! And she doesn’t She sings, like really sings, when liftin even know the words. e for most embarrassing situation (Note to all parents: the Golden Glob Madonna not a parent?) went to parents singing in public. Is

It only sounds right Sometimes, my dad drives down the road and hoots at a

when we say them.

random person and waves, pretending to know them. It used to

Even

be funny, but not anymore. It’s so embarrassing, I duck.

when she calls me

drops me at school wearing her

Pops or Wiggles

pjs. I don’t think anyone can see

like she did when I

that she is wearing them, but I still

was five.

find it extremely embarrassing.

My parents are okay… (pause) … ish. It’s kind of embarrassing when

ILLUSTRATION: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

we are out and they loudly say hello to anyone they see from my school, when I am trying to make sure anyone I do see, doesn’t see me – especially with my folks.

My dad thinks it’s cool when he calls my friends by their surnames as if he is one of the guys. It’s so totally not cool.

It’s lame when they greet my friends loudly and affectionately and try and be cool. Oh my gosh, my mom is the same. She says ‘hey girlies’ when she sees us together. I want to run and hide.

magazine joburg

worse,

is

My heart races when my mom

The other day my mom offered one of the Grade 5 boys a lift to hockey and then chatted to him all the way as if he was one of my BFFs [Best Friend Forever]. Can you imagine if any of my friends had see n me? How embarrassing!

Big time cringe factor is when my folks hold hands or kiss when we’re out. (It is sort of sweet and makes me happy when they do, but nobody else should be allowed to see.)

The worst is when my mom fetches me from school and hoots and waves from the car to get my attention. It’s not like I don’t know what she looks like – or that I won’t recognise the car.

I get embarrassed when they tell personal stories about me.

When they start, I don’t know exactly what they are going to say and am nervous they are going to say something I don’t want them to say.

(Fair enough!)

November 2010

41

health

anorexia a parent’s guide

Anorexia is on the rise amongst young girls – and some boys – in South Africa. The good news is that the eating disorder can be prevented. A parent’s first

42

November 2010

has ruled her life ever since. She’s woken up at 2am to exercise (compulsively doing everything from weight training and running on the treadmill to kickboxing). She’s also stayed home rather than go out with friends for dinner in case someone should suggest she eat something fried, battered, doughy or, even worse, have dessert. “Food has been my biggest enemy all my life. Not only have I robbed myself of 20 years but also robbed my children of having a fully functional, energetic mother.”

While there are currently no statistics on the prevalence of anorexia in teens and pre-teens in South Africa, according to Dr Rita Thom, principal psychiatrist at the Adolescent and Eating Disorder Unit at TARA Psychiatric Hospital in Johannesburg, “eating disorders are being seen more in all racial and socio-economic groups,” with probably between three and five percent of the population affected by eating disorders as a whole (that includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and

eating disorders not otherwise specified [which is actually the largest category of eating disorders], she says.

who is most likely to develop anorexia?

Professor Christopher Szabo, head of clinical psychiatry at Wits University, when interviewed on a recent episode of Carte Blanche, suggested that the common view that the disease affects middle class Western girls and women is being questioned. “Our

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

r

ina de Beer, 36, a technical assistant from Cape Town, and mother to two young girls says, “at first people will tell you how good you look. That causes you to eat less even though you are constantly hungry, cold and lethargic. Then people start commenting on the fact that you never eat.

This causes distress because you’re not sure which is better: not eating and being thin or eating and being fat.”

Rina first developed anorexia aged 16 and her constant obsession with being thin

step? Educate yourself. By KAREN ROBERTSON

understanding about who might be at risk is being turned upside down as far as we see males with the problem, younger and older sufferers, as well as individuals from different kinds of cultural and racial backgrounds.”

But, says Cape-based clinical psychologist Kate Rogers, “Anorexia most frequently occurs during adolescence, a period of identity confusion and adjustment.”

UK researchers and authors of Childhoodonset eating problems Claudine Fox and Carol Joughin agree, “There are fewer patients with eating disorders aged between eight and 13 years than there are aged between 14 and 19 years.” And Thom, who in her six years at TARA has seen just one pre-teen girl of 11 years of age confirms, “Pre-teens with anorexia are rare.”

However, while eating disorders are more common in teenage girls, younger children are prone to what Fox and Joughin term, “eating problems”. This refers to the likes of “faddy eating” in which children are unwilling to try new foods, “poor appetite” and a “refusal to eat solid foods”.

While these problems are “relatively rare” according to experts and do not necessarily lead to eating disorders, it is important to

magazine joburg

If a young girl does not have a healthy self-esteem, then she is much more likely in a particular social context to develop an eating disorder.

note that some, such as childhood-onset anorexia nervosa, are more serious and can have an effect on your child’s physical and psychological development.

While experts agree that eating disorders occur more commonly in girls, boys are susceptible too. Szabo noted that according to international literature, male anorexic sufferers tend to have a homosexual orientation.

why do children become anorexic?

“I would say that the media is partly to blame for eating disorders in young children,” says Rina. “I see it in my own two daughters – my eldest (17) is bigger than her younger sister (12) and she is constantly comparing her body. Also, it is extremely difficult to find hip clothes for bigger teenagers.”

Rina points a finger at the dietaid industry and the advertising that accompanies it. “Individuals who diet are probably eight times more likely to develop an eating disorder,” confirmed Szabo. But, while Thom agrees that our ideas of female beauty in the western world are “distorted, unrealistic and can be dangerous”, she stresses that anorexia is a complex

disorder and it takes a lot more than media messages about beauty to develop.

When children feel stressed and out of control (perhaps they’ve changed school, lost a family member, their parents are getting divorced, they’ve been sexually abused), they may develop anorexia as a way to exert control over their emotions.

For Rina, whose father was abusive towards her mother and was also verbally abusive to her about any weight she gained,

control was critical. “When I controlled what I ate, I could lose weight and by losing weight I pleased the people around me,” she says. “Obsessing about weight, where the obsession becomes all-consuming, becomes the perfect distraction from underlying problems,” confirms Rogers.

A desire to be “perfect” is a common thread running through many anorexia sufferers. According to Althea Sherry, a Johannesburg-based counselling

November 2010

43

health

Children with anorexia often appear to be ‘model’ children – well-behaved high-achievers in sports and/or studies.

psychologist and founder of recoveryspace. org, a local website promoting recovery from eating disorders, perfectionism can be seen in a tendency to set extremely high goals and frustration or tearfulness if these goals aren’t met. As a result, children with anorexia often appear to be “model” children – well-behaved high-achievers in sports and/or studies.

And some parents can also play a role. Says Johannesburg-based clinical psychologist Lauren Gower, “I don’t think it’s helpful to say parents are to blame, but sometimes they might be trying to get their children to remedy something that they didn’t manage in their own development.” This was certainly true in Rina’s case.

“My father was extremely ambitious, overcompensating for what he missed during his school years. My siblings and I had to excel in both the sport and academic fields.” But when her teenage hormones kicked in and she started to gain puppy fat, he would make hurtful comments. “He made me feel like a broken toy. Not good enough to be his daughter.”

While Rina’s father’s attitude is thankfully the exception, there does appear to be one rule among anorexia sufferers. “One of the core features underlying all eating disorders is a disordered sense of self – self-esteem and self-worth,” says Thom.

“If a young girl does not have a healthy self-esteem, then she is much more likely in a particular social context to develop an eating disorder.” (See box on page 45 for tips on developing a healthy self-esteem in your child.)

on the lookout What are the warning signs that your child could be developing an eating disorder?

She… • eats alone.

• says she has already eaten.

• plays with her food.

• cooks gourmet meals but doesn’t eat any of the food herself.

• exercises excessively, possibly in secret.

• constantly talks about her weight and that of others.

• compares herself to others.

• wears oversized clothing to hide weight loss.

44

November 2010

if you suspect your child has anorexia…

Seek professional help as soon as possible. A UK study found that it took on average 7,4 months between parents initially requesting professional help and referral to specialist services. According to Fox and Joughin, this delay could be the result of doctors not understanding and recognising the eating problems that children suffer from. “Some empirical research investigating older patients with eating disorders has found that a shorter history of illness is a predictor of good outcome.”

According to Thom, a usual treatment plan would include the following: assistance with weight restoration (usually with input from a dietician), psychological treatment and, on occasion, medication (this is to treat co-morbid depression or anxiety disorders, which are common – there is no medication that treats anorexia nervosa).

You and your family are part of the solution. “A child’s mental health issue could indicate that there is something out of balance in the family,” says Sherry. “In addition to individual therapy, family therapy is important to help the family to change behaviours that may be contributing to, or maintaining, the eating problems.”

Don’t blame yourself, but do check in with yourself. How much do you obsess about your own weight? “If putting on weight becomes a life-or-death drama for a parent then this will impact on a child,” says Gower. This is of particular importance for adolescents whose hormone changes may lead to weight gain, which might seem unacceptable to a child if her mother is extremely weight-conscious.

Sherry suggests the following rule of thumb: “Avoid commenting on your own weight or the weight of others, decrease a family focus on appearance, weight and food, mention positive role models who are successful for reasons other than appearance and encourage a focus on other positive attributes such as creativity.”

Educate yourself and don’t underestimate the disease. In the early stages, an anorexic is comfortable with her illness – it is her means of coping and she is unlikely to want to change. “Trying to take this ‘safety raft’ away causes extreme anxiety and is likely to lead to deceit in order to protect the symptom,” says Sherry. Rina agrees: “Unfortunately this disease makes you magazine joburg

a very cunning liar. Do not believe your child when she says she has already eaten.”

It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with the disorder. Understand that forcing your child to eat is not a solution, neither is showing your child pictures of other anorexic sufferers – “they are immune to that,” says Rina. She also suggests monitoring Internet use. “Do not allow your child to go into chat rooms where they can pick up hints on losing weight.”

Connect with others. Online resources are a great way to connect with other parents and gain support. Try something-fishy. org, a US-based website that allows you to participate in bulletin boards and

chat with other members. It also provides links to other useful websites. In addition, log on to the locally run website, recoveryspace.org.

Finally, do not let the illness rule your life too. According to experts at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the UK, as well as supporting your child through this difficult time, it is important to concentrate on your own needs too.

You’ll need all your resources to cope with the demands on your child, yourself and the rest of your family, so continue to involve yourself in activities that keep you strong and inspired and your family connected.

eating disorders can be prevented Dr Rita Thom, principal psychiatrist at the Adolescent and Eating Disorder Unit at TARA Psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg, suggests how: • Develop a healthy self-esteem in your child, through providing “good-enough” parenting (loving your child and showing them that you love them, but also setting limits on what they can and cannot do).

• Establish good communication with your child.

• Be realistic about your expectations.

Become self-aware, in particular of when you are expecting your child to achieve, to meet your own needs rather than theirs.

• Model good eating behaviour – eat meals together as a family, enjoy a variety of foods and eat a balanced diet yourself and as a family.

• Don’t make food a battleground, but see it as part of human life;

necessary and to be enjoyed in moderation.

• Be aware of areas and times of high risk – the onset of puberty in girls is often accompanied by an increase in “puppy fat” and changing body shape – educate your child on this and how this will change as she grows and develops.

• Encourage team sports and discourage over-achievement in individual sports.

• Schools are a breeding ground for eating disorders – be aware of your child’s friends and their attitudes to eating – discuss these with your child and your concerns if you have any (see suggested script below), as you would if your child’s friends abused substances.

“my child’s friend has anorexia. what should i do?”

Althea Sherry, Johannesburg-based counselling psychologist has these tips to help you chat to your child about her friend’s anorexia: “Parents should tackle eating disorders sensitively and let their child know that they can’t fix their friend. Be supportive and encourage the person to talk more about themselves.”

Suggested script: I’ve noticed that Sally has lost a lot of weight recently, and I’ve been wondering if she’s going through a tough time. Has she spoken to you about anything? How do you think she’s doing? I know you need your space, but I’m always around to chat to you or Sally if either of you need me.

magazine joburg

November 2010

45

getaway

surviving

CHRISTINA CASTLE explores Namibia with her family and discovers the most beautiful country in the world and a secret talent for erecting tents.

46

November 2010

t

his, I said to the boys, is not going to be a fancy holiday. Not that we really do fancy holidays. But I felt I had to justify the dicey spot I’d booked us into last minute just the other side of the Namibian border.

“It’s going to be more of an adventure holiday,” I added. “You know, camping, no electricity, 4x4ing, scorpions and punctured tyres…”

“It’s a survivor holiday, Mom,” said Alex putting it in perspective. “And that’s why I’ve brought along The Boys’ Book of Survival.” At which time he produced the little yellow book out of his backpack like they do in really bad direct-marketing

TV commercials and proceeded to tell me how to survive an avalanche.

“Interesting, sweetheart. You don’t suppose they mention surviving ablution blocks in there as well?” I enquired. And, just for the record, they don’t.

on the road Well at least we were there. There being Noordoewer, Namibia, six hours north of Cape Town, and day one into a journey we’d been planning for almost a year.

With the Prado bursting at the seams, bikes on the back, GPS desperate to shout its directions and four excited travellers, no, adventurers, we hit the

gravel road the next morning and headed for the desert.

Space. Sand. Silence. Three words you need to wrap around your head when it comes to the Namib Desert. And very much in that order. Once you’ve done that you can add words like stars, gemsbok, very dry skin, fantastic hikes, bat-eared fox, dune boarding, freezing nights, mild days, stars (I know I have mentioned them already but there really were so many), springbok, filthy children, stars, ostriches, solar power, and my favourite: quiver trees.

Home for our first few days in the desert was a humble little farmhouse in the NamibRand Nature Reserve – no

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRISTINA CASTLE, THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Novice camper

namibia

The solitude of the dunes was what we had really come for. And our quiet little spot on that beautiful fine red sand was awesome. electricity, encroaching sand dunes, no cellphone reception, uninterrupted views across pale yellow plains, impressive mountains. Book in one hand and camera in the other, we could walk when we wanted to, play barefoot soccer in the sand every spare second – we could have spent weeks here.

But we didn’t, instead we ventured north to the famous Sossusvlei to conquer some of the largest dunes in Namibia.

We only managed to get half way up the biggy but the solitude of the dunes was what we had really come for. And our quiet little spot on that beautiful fine red sand at seven in the morning was awesome.

magazine joburg

camping for beginners Swakopmund was a fix of luxury before the camping began.

Now I have to confess two things.

One, I don’t understand why Angelina and Brad had to rush to the sleepy town of Swakopmund to have their child. Two, we are not natural born campers. We do not even own a tent. For this trip we’d cleverly hired a trailer packed full of all the things you need to go camping, which we collected in Swakopmund.

Namibia is an overlander’s paradise, which means you’ll share the road with experienced overlanders in their serious 4x4s with equally serious 4x4 trailers.

These trailers are state-ofthe-art, designed for any off-road experience and packed neatly with all the camping gadgets, plugs, drawers, kitchenware, gas bottles, satellite dishes, clothes lines, microwaves, solar panels, you name it, to make life in the bush as hassle-free and comfortable as possible. Press a button and these trailers will probably erect the tent for you and start braaing your dinner as well.

Our trailer was not one of these.

Think Venter trailer and Os du Randt, and that’s pretty much it: not pretty, but practical. And equipped only

with the stuff you need for an honest camping experience.

“Armand,” said Greg, my husband, as we took temporary ownership of the “tank”.

“Does the tent have instructions?”

“No,” said Armand, the wonderful Namibian from whom we had hired our trailer. “But go to Green Sports in town.

They have a tent exactly like it in the shop window. That will show you how to put it up.”

November 2010

47

getaway

But camping is more than just putting up a tent and sharing ablution blocks. It is about being together. Cooking together, chilling together, cleaning together.

And that’s exactly what we did. While my 12-year-old son, Dylan, lay in the tent to examine the internal construction, Greg studied the exterior. They had it taped – we hoped.

Over the next nine days, as we camped our way across the north of Namibia, through Brandberg, Palmwag and Etosha, our novice camping status was promoted to “almost experienced”. By the end of it we could set up camp in under half an hour and pack up in about forty-five minutes. As for the ablution blocks in the campsites, or “pollution blocks” as my camping friend calls them, well, I survived them. And I am very proud of myself. It helps, however, that they were always incredibly clean, pretty

48

November 2010

much empty and came equipped with two-ply toilet paper.

But camping is more than just putting up a tent and sharing ablution blocks. It is about being together. Cooking together, chilling together, cleaning together. And it’s fantastic to do this with other families.

Sharing stories, tea bags, Peaceful Sleep, red wine and food around a fire.

the wild side The northern area of Namibia is wild in every sense of the word. When there’s a triangleshaped sign on the side of the road with an elephant in it, it really means that there are elephant in the area – we can vouch for that.

The gravel roads are unforgiving – we can

magazine joburg

vouch for that too. We lost our rear window when a stone ricocheted off the nose of the trailer. But the landscape is spectacular, vast and mesmerising.

Everything you see has a story to tell. From the 2 000-year-old rock art at Spitzkoppe and Brandberg, and the crystals and welwitschias that just lie in your path at Palmwag, to the 250 millionyear-old Petrified Forest on the C39 and the equally petrified owner of a campsite in Uis. You might have to hike a bit and swat a few flies along the way, but the journey is worth it and the tales even better. The locals are sussed, helpful and proudly share their Namibia with those fortunate enough to travel there.

People tell you about the raw beauty of Etosha. And although most of us have seen wildlife documentaries filmed there, there is nothing quite like seeing it for yourself. No photographs or words quite do it justice. Suffice to say the camps are really well equipped, the pools are a winner and the Ola merchandiser is doing a terrific job up there – every shop in Etosha had a full freezer of Magnum ice creams. Brilliant for a hot afternoon in the bush. Not so brilliant for the backside.

battleground during the war between the Hereros and German forces in the early 1900s. Today it is a wildlife sanctuary that boasts awesome hiking opportunities.

Several hundred kilometres down the track is the Fish River Canyon. Considered the second largest canyon in the world, it’s a breathtaking experience and the most fitting way to finish our journey. We spent an entire day meandering along a 4x4 route that hugged the canyon’s edge and picnicked in absolute solitude. At night we feasted on springbok, gemsbok and ostrich at a surreal little spot littered with derelict classic cars.

Next stop, Cape Town. We’d travelled more than 5 000 kilometres in three short weeks. We’d experienced the wild, survived ablution blocks, had a peek at the past and can’t wait to get back there soon – trailers and all.

so long, but not goodbye Homeward bound via the Waterberg Plateau Park, Windhoek (to return the trailer) and the Fish River Canyon.

Virtually tar road the entire way except for a few hundred kilometres.

The Waterberg Plateau Park is a fantastically lush area that was a

top 10 moments (plus one) 1. Standing on the edge of the Etosha Pan. 2. Sand-boarding in the dunes at Namibrand.

3. Hiking to the White Lady paintings in the Brandberg.

4. Spotting desert elephant just minutes after we’d seen the elephant sign on the road between Palmwag and Outjo.

5. Playing soccer every afternoon with all the boys in the camp at Palmwag.

6. Witnessing three shooting stars in as many minutes in the Waterberg.

7. Picnicking on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, not another soul in site.

8. Standing in a supermarket queue in Outjo with a bare-breasted Himba woman in front of me.

9. Putting up our tent for the first time.

10. Watching black rhino and elephant drink at the Halali Camp waterhole in Etosha.

11. Devouring the most spectacular springbok fillet at the Fish River Canyon.

magazine joburg

trip planner Inspired to get going on your own Namibian adventure? Here are some of the must-have websites and books we used. books • Namibia – The Bradt Travel Guide by Chris McIntyre • Getaway Guide to Namibia by Mike Copeland • The Boys’ Book of Survival by Guy Campbell accommodation • NamibRand Family Hideout, hideout.iway.na (self-catering house in NamibRand) • Namibia Wildlife Resorts, nwr.com.na (camping and self catering chalets in Etosha) • Nel’s Estates, nels-estates.com.na (self-catering apartments in Swakopmund) • Palmwag Campsite, palmwag.com.na (camping, cottages and luxury accommodation in Palmwag) • Cañon Road House, gonwana-collection.com (camping and bed and breakfast accommodation at the Fish River Canyon) transport • I Dream Africa Adventures, email butterfly@mweb.com.na (trailer hire) • Desert Car Hire, desert-carhire.com (4x4 hire)

November 2010

49

resource

toddler-friendly restaurants

Eating out with your toddler doesn’t have to be a survival challenge. CHAREEN BOAKE rounds up some places that are geared for families like yours.

A country restaurant with an emphasis on traditional Italian cooking. The gnocchi with three-cheese sauce is rich and delicious.

Top toddler feature: large sandpit and pony rides on weekends Address: Plot 41, Boland St, corner Beyers Naudé Drive, Honeydew For more info: 011 794 5475 or visit alfresco.org.za

Angelo’s Kitchen This Italian restaurant serves excellent thin-crust pizzas and tasty pastas, and

50

November 2010

offers a supervised pizza-making area for children as well as a jumping castle in a secure area.

Top toddler feature: mini pizza baking area geared for children Address: Coachman’s Crossing Centre, Peter Place, Bryanston For more info: 011 463 5800

Bambanani This Mediterranean restaurant offers an excellent choice of Middle Eastern and tapas treats.

Top toddler feature: huge play area with

climbing frame and full-time childminders Address: 85 Fourth Ave, Melville For more info: 011 482 2900

Bunny Hop Tea garden Situated in the popular Rietvlei Farm and Lifestyle Centre, you can enjoy a light meal or a slice of their yummy cakes.

Top toddler feature: rambling gardens, farmyard and aviary Address: Swartkoppies Rd, between Mulbarton and Alberton For more info: 011 024 1512 or visit rietvleilifestylecentre.co.za

Café Flamingo Pop into this eatery overlooking the flamingo pool for a light meal or coffee while visiting the Montecasino Bird Gardens.

Top toddler feature: lots of space to run and play, surrounded by exotic birds Address: Montecasino, cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Rd, Fourways For more info: 011 511 1203 or visit montecasino.co.za

Calisto’s This Portuguese restaurant offers some of the best prawns this side of Maputo.

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Al Fresco

Bambanani

Top toddler feature: safe, enclosed play area with mini climbing wall Address: 20 Gill St, Gillview For more info: 011 680 0368 or visit calistos.co.za

Chameleon Village You’ll be spoilt for choice at this villagetype venue, which boasts Italian, Chinese and halal restaurants as well as a coffee shop, bar and grill.

Top toddler feature: huge well-treed play area and a reptile park Address: off the R560, Hartbeespoort For more info: 012 253 1451 or visit chameleonvillage.co.za

Top toddler feature: large jumping castle close to the seating area Address: Centre Court, Cedar Square, Cedar Rd, Fourways For more info: 011 465 8835

Top toddler feature: the huge garden area is great for exercising little legs Address: 1 Forrest Rd, Inanda, Sandton For more info: 011 783 2000 or visit davincialfresco.co.za

Top toddler feature: the fantasy-play area, which boasts a small aeroplane with slide Address: 1 Hudson St, Eastleigh, Edenvale For more info: 011 452 9704 or visit fgrill.co.za

Col’Cacchio Pizzeria

Egoli Café

Frog Terrace Bistro

This popular restaurant chain also offers excellent wheat and gluten-free pizza and pasta options.

Top toddler feature: the fresh fruit sorbets. The play area at the Benmore store is safe and has a lovely sandpit.

Address: Benmore Shopping Centre, cnr Benmore Rd and Grayston Dr, Benmore For more info: 011 783 7650 or visit colcacchio.co.za

This “Afro-chic” conference venue transforms into a weekend café offering a host of activities for children, allowing mom and dad some time to relax and unwind.

Top toddler feature: the jumping castle and jungle gyms are a firm favourite Address: 17A Terrace Rd, Eastleigh, Edenvale For more info: 082 467 2345 or visit egolilodge.co.za

One can enjoy delicious, well-presented meals at this pretty venue, which also offers prepared baby food such as puréed pumpkin, puréed apples and lots more.

Top toddler feature: private, enclosed play area and sandpit Address: Leaping Frog Shopping Centre, cnr William Nicol Dr and Mulbarton Rd, Fourways For more info: visit frogterrace.co.za

Country Café

Fahrenheit Seafood and Grill

Garden Café

Set within the scenic, treed Irene Dairy, the weekend buffet breakfast tastes like real farm-style cooking.

Top toddler feature: the dairy cows that watch you as you eat breakfast, and the real tractor that’s so much fun to climb on and “drive” Address: 100 Nellmapius Dr, Irene For more info: 012 667 4012 or visit countrycafe.co.za

Typical steakhouse smells and aesthetic food presentation make your choice a rather difficult one at this relaxing establishment.

Set within the tranquil surrounds of a nursery, this open-air venue boasts a huge play area adjacent to a carnival-type funfair with children’s rides, which include a ferris wheel and a train.

Top toddler feature: the train and mini ferris wheel Address: The Garden Shop, 278 Main Rd, Bryanston For more info: 011 706 2861 or visit gardenshop.co.za

Chocolat Café

Da Vinci Alfresco Restaurant and Terrace

Gingko Good Food

This light and airy restaurant offers you a break from your shopping with an excellent Mediterranean breakfast.

Relax within the sprawling grounds of the Inanda Club grounds and enjoy tasty, traditional wood-fired pizzas.

Tranquil suburban gardens and a homely atmosphere epitomise this venue, which offers only organic produce. The

magazine joburg

Egoli Café

November 2010

51

resource cucumber, ginger and chilli smoothie is an absolute must.

Top toddler feature: shaded play area and healthy yet tempting children’s menu Address: Cnr Roscommon Rd and Dundalk Ave, Parkview For more info: 011 486 3361

Top toddler feature: the weekend pony rides and the scooter track Address: Wekker St, Plot 54, Kimiad Estate, Moreleta Park, Pretoria For more info: 012 997 0134 or visit jinglejangle.co.za

two huge sandpits, which makes it easy to relax and watch your children play.

Top toddler feature: being able to concoct their own pizza treats Address: Plot 185, Beyers Naudé Dr, Honeydew, Roodepoort For more info: 082 456 6975

La Cantina Goblin’s Cove This fantasy restaurant is set within a “magical fairy forest” with nooks, crannies, goblins and fairies.

Top toddler feature: little bodies love exploring the sculptures and the jungle gym Address: R24, Magaliesburg/Hekpoort area, 70km from Johannesburg For more info: 014 576 2143 or visit goblins.co.za

This well-established trattoria overlooks the Rietondale Park. Traditional Italian cooking and rambling gardens make it a great weekend lunch venue.

Top toddler feature: lovely play area within the gardens Address: 259 Soutpansberg Rd, Rietondale, Pretoria For more info: 012 329 6934 or visit lacantina.co.za

Set unobtrusively within a quiet suburb, this venue offers delicious cappuccinos, muffins and lunch-time treats.

Top toddler feature: with a dress-up room, climbing wall and mini road, children won’t know where to begin Address: 138 Barkston Dr, Blairgowrie For more info: 011 326 4265 or visit granniesgarden.co.za

Situated within a farm-style environment, this venue boasts rambling gardens and a small petting zoo. The cakes are decadently delicious.

Top toddler feature: huge play area with lots of space to run and explore as well as farm animals Address: 118 CR Swart Dr, Bush Hill Estate, Sundowner For more info: 011 794 2731 or visit lemonrosefarm.co.za

Jingle Jangle Tea Garden Overlooking a golf course, with many buck species wandering past, they offer a relaxing venue with delicious meals.

52

November 2010

Enjoy a traditional Sunday buffet lunch at this fun-park with its fairy gardens, a petting zoo, aviary and over 30 different rides.

Top toddler feature: the many toddlerfriendly fun-park rides Address: Viewpoint Rd East, Boksburg For more info: 011 918 0854 or visit lolapark.com

Papachinos Continental Café

For more info: 011 465 0155 or visit themugg.com

Moyo at Zoo Lake Lemon Rose Farm

Grannies Garden

Lola Park Restaurant

Lemon Thyme Café Charming country restaurant with delicious thin crust pizzas. The seating area is around

From having your hands washed to sampling traditional African cuisine, this experience is more than just about good food.

Top toddler feature: feeding the ducks and geese is so much fun for tiny tots Address: 1 Prince of Wales Dr, Parkview For more info: 011 646 0058 or visit moyo.com

Mugg and Bean at Broadacres Offers a large menu of decadent treats; the high-rise lemon meringue is a winner.

Top toddler feature: a petting zoo, freeroaming chicks, an aviary and play facilities Address: Broadacres Lifestyle Centre, Cedar Ave, Fourways

Mugg and Bean at Jungle Rumble Playground This indoor venue is a treat for parents and toddlers alike.

Top toddler feature: the soft-play equipment is suitable for tiny tots as well as their older siblings Address: Panorama Shopping Centre, cnr Kliprivier and Jordi Rd, Mulbarton For more info: 011 432 0403 or visit junglerumble.co.za

Nino’s at Flora Farm This restaurant offers halal options as well as the classic Nino’s menu, including cakes and desserts.

magazine joburg

Top toddler feature: the recently refurbished play area with a climbing frame for small children Address: cnr Trichardt St and North Rand Rd, Boksburg For more info: 011 894 1490/7 or visit ninos.co.za or florafarm.co.za

Outer Limits This cosmopolitan tapas restaurant, cocktail bar and outdoor beach bar also offers a play area with childminders, so you can relax and enjoy your meal while the little ones are entertained.

Top toddler feature: outdoor play area with jungle gyms, sandpit and jumping castle Address: Shop 4, Broadacres Lifestyle Centre, Cedar Ave, Fourways For more info: 011 467 7938/9 or visit outerlimitsrestaurant.co.za

Papachinos Continental Café This is a haven for parents and tots alike.

Moms and dads can relax in this countrylike Tuscan setting while the little ones are entertained with a host of children’s activities. The diverse menu offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Top toddler feature: childminders to look after little ones while they’re riding scooters, making pizzas or having fun in the play area Address: 40 Whisken Ave, Crowthorne For more info: 011 702 1234 or visit papachinos.co.za

magazine joburg

Picolinos Pizzeria This outdoor rustic Italian restaurant offers fantastic pizzas as well as meat dishes and even sushi.

Top toddler feature: the climbing wall and expansive lawn is great for burning off extra energy Address: Rustic Timber, 42 Witkoppen Rd, Fourways For more info: 011 467 0618

Primi Piatti This popular restaurant chain offers a Pods area where children can have fun while mom and dad enjoy a meal or coffee.

Top toddler feature: the Pods area offers educational and fun activities such as pizza and biscuit making, colouring-in and puzzles Address: Cresta Centre, Eastgate, Irene, Randpark Ridge, Soweto and Stoneridge Mall have Pods areas. Other franchises offer Pods activities even though they don’t have the Pods area.

For more info: visit primi-world.com

River Café Sandton Situated within the beautiful grounds of the Sandton field and study centre, this eatery allows you to enjoy breakfast and lunch while surrounded by nature and birdlife.

Top toddler feature: the outdoor play area with sandpit and large trees for climbing

is wonderful. Moms love the changing facilities and organic baby food menu Address: Sandton Field & Study Centre, cnr Louise Ave and 14th St, Parkmore For more info: 011 783 2442 or visit rivercafesandton.co.za

Safari Restaurant The bushveld surrounds, natural waterfalls, petting zoo and play area make this a wonderful family outing.

Top toddler feature: petting zoo with rabbits and piglets Address: Safari Garden Centre, cnr Lynwood Rd and Rubida St, The Willows, Pretoria For more info: 0860 723 274 or visit safarirestaurant.co.za

Serendipity The leafy garden makes this a wonderful breakfast and lunch venue, where the children can run free within safe surrounds.

The French toast stack with bacon and maple syrup is a breakfast treat.

Top toddler feature: large selection of soft-play toys Address: 48 Keyes Ave, Rosebank For more info: 011 447 7386 or visit serendipityplay.co.za

Spiced Coffee Restaurant This exciting venue within a beautiful rose farm offers treats such as rose-flavoured milkshakes and smoothies or huge roseshaped scones with rose petal jam.

November 2010

53

resource Address: 156 Melk St, New Muckleneuk, Pretoria central For more info: 012 460 7615/7 or visit bluecranerestaurant.co.za

The Secret Garden

River Café Sandton

Top toddler feature: besides the children’s play area, with a doll house and swings, the butterfly garden amazes little ones and their parents Address: Off the N1, the main farm stall at Wallmannstahl, Pretoria For more info: 012 544 0144 or visit ludwigsroses.co.za

Spur Offering new and healthy salad options in addition to the popular flame-grilled burgers and ribs, this is a place where toddlers are always welcome. Spur features well-equipped play areas, a birthday club and children’s menus with a wide range of choices.

Top toddler feature: waiters who are accustomed to little ones running around and often being prepared to join in the fun of entertaining them Address: there is a Spur in most suburbs For more info: visit spur.co.za

Stonehaven on Vaal Situated on the banks of the Vaal River, the huge garden features several children’s activities as well as a swimming pool for hot summer days. The Sunday buffet lunch is diverse and well-priced and can be enjoyed on shore or on a river cruise.

Top toddler feature: there are always lots of children; your little one will make plenty of new friends Address: next to Baddrift Bridge, Sylviavale AH, Vaal River, Vanderbijlpark For more info: 016 982 2951 or visit stonehaven.co.za

Set within the rolling gardens of Norscot Manor, the venue offers delicious breakfasts and lunches, and their special occasion high tea is a treat.

Top toddler feature: the spacious play area and park-like surrounds that allow children lots of space to run Address: 16A Penguin Dr, Norscot Manor, Fourways For more info: 011 467 1191

The Silver Birch Situated within a nursery, you can enjoy a lovely lunch and tea treats as well as wood-fired pizzas, a tearoom and freshly made sushi.

Top toddler feature the play area, mini train and petting zoo keep tots entertained for hours Address: Lifestyle Home Garden, cnr Beyers Naudé Dr and Ysterhout Ave, Randpark Ridge For more info: 011 792 5714 or visit thesilverbirch.co.za

The Wild Rocket Café You can even take your dogs along to this family-friendly venue with a distinct countryside feeling. The butternut and blue cheese quiche is amazing.

Top toddler feature: relaxed environment for toddlers to explore and make new fourlegged furry friends Address: 19 Fountain Rd, Beverley (Lonehill) For more info: 082 737 0916 or visit wildrocket.co.za

Tres Jolie This restaurant is situated within a country estate with large gardens. The menu features traditional and Mediterranean offerings.

Top toddler feature: the farmyard where children can touch and feed the animals and enjoy a pony ride Address: 22 Peter Rd, Ruimsig For more info: 011 794 2473 or visit tresjolie.co.za

Teak Place Situated in the Cradle of Humankind and close to several tourist attractions, this restaurant features mountain-bike tracks, a swimming pool and volleyball court. The nougat parfait is one of the best postriding treats.

Top toddler feature: delightful free-roaming animals, and feeding and petting zoo Address: Portion 10, 522 JQ Kromdraai Road, Rietfontein (near Lanseria) For more info: 011 461 6486/7 or visit teakplace.co.za

Van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm Situated at the foot of the Magaliesberg, this is a working cheese farm and the menu is filled with delicious cheese-based and Dutch treats.

Top toddler feature: the farm animals and play area that keeps little ones busy Address: off the R512, Skeerpoort (close to Hartbeespoort) For more info: 012 207 1289 or visit vangaalen.co.za

Zest Garden Bistro The Blue Crane Restaurant Situated alongside a lake in a bird sanctuary this restaurant is a great find. The mezze platter is best enjoyed on a blanket within the gardens for a distinctly picnic-type atmosphere.

Top toddler feature: the outdoor environment that allows your little one to run and explore nature

54

November 2010

Set within the popular Ngwenya Glass Village, this Mediterranean-style venue offers wonderful light meals and pizzas.

Top toddler feature: the children’s play area with pony rides Address: Plot 233, Shady Lane, off Beyers Naudé Dr, Muldersdrift For more info: 011 796 3012 or visit shadesofngwenya.co.za magazine joburg

resource

summer camps Camps that’ll keep your teen or preteen entertained this school holiday. By CHAREEN BOAKE

Adventure ’n Beyond

In the Forest

Offers camps for outdoor-loving and adventurous teens.

Your teenager will love: the adventure activities like abseiling, rock climbing and night hikes Area: Muldersdrift For more info: 083 449 9819 or visit anb.co.za

Set within a natural forest, this venue is run by a young and dynamic team, Kyle and Erin, who offer personal attention and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty when it comes to team activities.

Your teenager will love: the crazy obstacle courses, nature walks and survival training Area: Eikenhof For more info: 076 035 4038 or info@ intheforest.co.za

BBK Trails Adventure pony camps where children learn how to work with horses, and about nature and life on a farm.

Your teenager will love: the various horse activities as well as forest hikes and swimming Area: Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga For more info: 082 853 3993 or visit bbktrails.co.za

Bushtrail Environmental Centre Based on the American camp concept, this well-established camp offers school trips as well as eight-day holiday retreats with a focus on nature conservation, team interaction and outdoor survival skills such as orienteering and map-reading.

Your teenager will love: the adventure obstacle course, tennis court and the private bungalows Area: Magaliesburg For more info: 014 577 1566 or visit bushtrails.co.za

Kidscape Adventure Camps These camps offer children an outdoor adventure experience (think abseiling and white-water rafting) under the guidance of qualified camp counsellors.

Your teenager will love: the outdoor adventure activities and making friends Area: Magaliesburg For more info: 083 457 7848 or visit kidscapeadventures.com

Shepherd’s Fold Stables This three-day camp allows teens to sleep over or attend on a per-day basis. The focus is on horses and involves riding, grooming, outrides and lots of fun activities.

Your teenager will love: the traditional camp-fire games, such as stalk the lantern, as well as campfire songs Area: Muldersdrift For more info: 084 220 2657

Sugar Bay

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Happy Acres This campsite was established in 1945 and plays host to numerous school trips as well as holiday camps. Each camp has a new programme of events that involve either the whole camp or individual groups. A counsellor is allocated to each group.

Your teenager will love: the tranquil setting offering great activities such as crab-catching, cookouts and nature walks Area: Magaliesburg For more info: 083 449 5123 or visit happyacres.info magazine joburg

With the emphasis on fun, these camps offer beach, land and adventure activities during the day, as well as evening programmes.

Trained staff ensure that children are kept busy for the week.

Your teenager will love: choosing from any of the 90 activities on offer, from break-dancing to beach volleyball to night treasure hunts Area: Zinkwazi, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast (transport is available from Sandton as well as the airport) For more info: 032 485 3778 or visit sugarbay.co.za November 2010

55

books

a good read for toddlers

Sing a Song of Bottoms!

By Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower (Penguin, R93) Bottoms are top in this laugh-out-loud read-along story from award-winning writer Jeanne Willis. Join her in the funniest talent show ever. In a fabulous rhyming text, meet bears with baggy bottoms, pigs with perky pinky ones, rhinos with wrinkly ones and peacocks that love to put theirs on display.

Perfect for reading aloud and guaranteed to cause fits of giggles, one thing’s for sure – whoever is the winner, you and your child will enjoy this book.

Mog’s Kittens

By Judith Kerr (Harper Collins, R72) Mog doesn’t sleep on the little boy’s bed any more.

She now has two kittens to take care of. See what the naughty kittens get up to as they grow older and bolder. This title is ideal for toddlers who will delight in seeing the antics of these two kittens. It is also an excellent book for children who themselves have pets to care for. The Mog books have delighted young and old since 1970, and this hard-board edition will again delight toddlers as young as one year old.

Diary of a Baby Wombat

By Jackie French and Bruce Whatley (HarperCollins, R71) The eagerly awaited sequel to the bestselling Diary of a Wombat has finally arrived. The star wombat of the aforementioned international bestseller has a new mouth to feed!

Mothball’s new baby is even cuter, stroppier and more determined than her mother. Like any growing family, this baby wombat and her mom are finding it hard to fit into their home. When setting out to dig a new, bigger hole with room for them both, Shaggy Gully’s newest resident gets some help from a friend, causes more mayhem than Mothball ever did, and sorts things out in hilarious style.

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Who says Moo? (Priddy Books, R29) This slide-and-find book has doors to open and questions to answer, but children as young as a year old will also enjoy the visuals and help you narrate as they contribute animal sounds. The book helps with the development of hand-eye coordination and problem solving. With clear photography and simple text, the Bright Baby range of board books helps to develop and build early vocabulary through the introduction of fun pictures and single words.

56

November 2010

magazine joburg

Animals of the Rainforest – Touch & Feel Adventure (Harper Collins, R40) Your baby will love discovering the rainforest by touching realistic textures.

You can point out colours too, as you introduce your child to different furry, bumpy and fuzzy animals. Babies as young as six months are introduced to tactile elements, first words and bold, bright colours. The sturdy, hard-board cover is easy for toddlers to handle and the glossy pages can be wiped clean.

toddler treasure

Poddy and Flora

By Paula Metcalf (Macmillan Children’s Books, R90) Some things go very well together: like jelly and ice cream, buckets and spades… and Flora and her beloved dog Poddy. The two of them do everything together. But when Flora goes to visit Grandma, Poddy has to

stay at home and suddenly nothing is much fun for Poddy. But it isn’t only Flora he’s missing – his tail seems to have disappeared too! The award-winning children’s author and illustrator Paula Metcalf stunningly illustrates this endearing and amusing tale about a little girl and her much-loved dog.

Metcalf also created Norma Snows and We Love Bunk Beds!

magazine joburg

November 2010

57

books

for preschoolers and early graders Moshi Moshi Kawaii: Where is Strawberry Moshi?

(Walker Books, R84) This visual feast of a book is perfect for children aged six and up. Strawberry Moshi is a cute, bunny-like creature that is looking for Super Moshi. The two of them appear in every scene of the book, and each page is filled with hundreds of Moshis – all looking slightly or completely different. The aim is to spot Strawberry Moshi and help her find Super Moshi. Along the way there are games to play and extra Moshis to find in the Mushroom Forest, Mermaid Moshi Sea, Moonlight Mountain and other interesting places.

My First Wipe Clean Farm and My First Wipe Clean Animals (Dorling Kindersley Publishers, R101 each) Young children will have loads of fun with these books. There are lots of activities and fun things to find, which makes learning about drawing, letters and numbers easy. With a special pen and wipe-clean pages, children as young as four can trace animals and farm equipment. Older children will love learning more about the creatures, while playing draw-the-number games and wordassociation games. There are also notes and instructions for parents to help them assist their children with navigating this fun book of learning and discovery. Other titles in the series include Wipe Clean Letters and Wipe Clean Numbers.

58

November 2010

The Little Brainwaves investigate... Animals

By Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar (Dorling Kindersley Publishers, R118) This book for animal-lovers between five and seven years of age explores the furry, feathered, fascinating world of animals with the Little Brainwaves. They’re small enough to explore a mouse hole, brave enough to look up an elephant’s trunk and crazy enough to get between the teeth of a tiger. The inquisitive and fun-loving Little Brainwaves will bring your child closer to animals where they can learn, for example, how different the male orang-utan looks from the female (he grows a moustache and a beard!) and that a bird’s bones are full of holes to make them lightweight.

Nici’s Pocket Presents

By Marion Drew and Vian Oelofsen (Tafelberg, R95) This book is perfect for readers eight to 10 years old.

Nici is looking for gifts to take back to her cousins after her holiday in Cape Town. She looked on the beaches for seashells and even considered taking a rock from Table Mountain, but she knew her cousins would not be happy.

She had to get the gifts they had asked for… a seagull and an octopus. How Nici gets these presents to Johannesburg has some wildly entertaining consequences. This tonguein-cheek book might be a good launching pad to chatting about animal rights with your children.

magazine joburg

for preteens and teens

Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins

By John Ayto

words are fun

(Oxford University Press, R130) This book gives the curious twists and turns of the cool and weird words we use. Children can unravel the history of thousands of words and phrases used in the English language and take a fresh look at food words, terms for supernatural creatures, fashion lingo, invented words and much more. For example, did you know the word migraine comes from the Greek word hemikrania, which means “half-skull”? John Ayto, top word expert, entertains all ages from nine to 90 with this informative and humorous dictionary.

Kitten Smitten

By Anna Wilson (MacMillan Children’s Books, R90) With a new pet, Jaffa the kitten, in her life, Bertie Fletcher is happier than the cat that got the custard. But then the annoyingly perfect Meerley family arrives on the scene and threatens to lure Jaffa away in a dramatic tug of love. In this story about a cat with too many owners that, only one family can win. The sequel to Kitten Kaboodle, this is another funny and heart-warming story about a kitten, that young girls will love.

magazine joburg

Space, black holes and stuff

By Glenn Murphy (MacMillan Children’s Books, R75) What is a black hole? How do we know that stars and galaxies are billions of years old? What is the difference between stars and planets? Glenn Murphy, who has a masters in science communication, answers these and a lot of other questions in this funny and informative book. Packed with information about all sorts of incredible things like super-massive black holes, galaxies, telescopes, planets, solar flares, constellations, eclipses and red dwarfs, this book is devoid of boring bits. Included are puzzles, quizzes and experiments.

Grubtown Tales – The Wrong End of the Dog Philip Ardagh (Faber and Faber, R89) Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Philip Ardagh will have teens (and adults) in tears – of laughter. When famous film star Tawdry Hipbone visits Grubtown for the world premiere of her latest movie, For the Love of Ducks II, mayor Flabby Gomez couldn’t be more excited. But, as usual, nothing goes according to plan. Miss Hipbone’s dog, Snooks, is snatched by a low-flying pelican, and it’s a race against time to find him. In a rescue attempt involving Grubtown’s usual ragbag of bungling buffoons, one hilarious incident after the other makes this another hit for Ardagh.

November 2010

59

books

for preteens and teens My Worst Best Friend

By Dyan Sheldon (Walker Books, R107) Girls aged 11 and older will love this story about friendship, learning to stand up for yourself and adjusting to change. Gracie and Savanna are best friends. In fact, they both believe nothing can come between them. But they’re also an unlikely pair – Gracie cares more about the environment than boys, while Savanna is a popular girl, who sweeps most boys off their feet with her charm. During one long summer holiday, Gracie starts seeing a Savanna she didn’t know: cunning, selfish and, most of all, a person who’s willing to risk their friendship for the attention of a boy. Will Gracie make the right decision and stand up for her beliefs?

In the Trees

By Pauline Fisk (Faber Children’s Books, R102) Kid Cato has left behind his life in London to look for his father in Belize, on the Caribbean coast. But what he finds instead is a group of gap-year volunteers – just the boring, do-good types he’s always hated, but he’s stuck with them, and stuck with the jungle, too. By the time the jungle is done with him, he’ll never be the same. And neither will Kid’s new companions. Their adventure in the trees will change them all. Pauline Fisk’s writing is fresh and well researched. In the Trees is a coming-of-age story inspired by the environment and a different culture.

60

November 2010

Johnny Mackintosh – Star Blaze

By Keith Mansfield

Have you Started yet?

By Ruth Thomson and Chloë Thomson

(Quercus, R106) This is the second Johnny Mackintosh book for fans of action stories and science fiction aged 12 and older. Alien invaders have exploded a nearby star, turning it into a supernova, and only Johnny Mackintosh knows the earth’s sun is next. Time is of the essence, so Johnny leaves behind his schoolwork and football practice, and travels into space with his sister Clara to seek help. Then they run into Nicky, their long lost brother. What was Nicky doing all those years away and on whose side is he? This is an epic adventure full of devious aliens, intent on ruling the galaxy... and killing Johnny Mackintosh.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R90) Starting her period is part of a girl growing up, but the subject is often clouded by rumours and embarrassment. This book explains exactly what periods are, why they happen and how they will affect your daughter. It asks the questions and gives the answers simply and openly, with plenty of practical advice. The authors sent out hundreds of questionnaires and went to lots of schools to interview many women, girls and boys to find out what their experiences have been like and to find out what they wanted to know. They have included some of these quotes, so that your child can see how experiences and attitudes differ.

magazine joburg

parenting books

for us Speeches That Changed The World

pick of the month

(Quercus, R141) Speeches That Changed The World has already sold over 750 000 copies. This revised edition includes many additional speeches such as Nikita Krushchev’s secret 1956 denunciation of Stalinist Russia and Kevin Rudd’s historic apology to Australia’s mistreated Aboriginal people. Moving and thought-provoking, this new edition will continue to inspire and enlighten readers, offering them a fascinating perspective on historical milestones through the power of the spoken word.

Caught

By Harlan Coben (Orion Books, R165) Seventeen-year-old Haley McWald is the pride of her suburban New Jersey family – captain of the lacrosse team and headed off to college to fulfil her hopes and dreams.

Then Haley disappears. Wendy Tynes is a reporter that specialises in bringing down sexual predators by publicly naming and shaming them on the news programme, Caught in the Act. Her latest target, however, is a social worker known as a friend to troubled teenagers. In a novel that challenges as much as it thrills, Caught tells the story of a missing girl, the community stunned by her loss and the predator who may have taken her.

magazine joburg

Children of the Sun

By Max Schaefer (Penguin Books, R220) In 1970 14-year-old Tony is seduced by the skinhead movement, sucked into a world of racist violence and bizarre ritual. It’s a milieu in which he must hide his homosexuality.

In 2003, James, a young TV researcher living with his boyfriend, begins to research the far right in Britain, and its secret gay membership. He becomes particularly fascinated by Nicky Crane, the leader of the movement who came out as gay before dying of Aids in 1993. The two narrative threads of this novel follow Tony through the seventies, eighties and nineties, as the skinhead movement splinters and weakens, and James through a year in which he becomes immersed in his research. This is not a book for the faint-hearted.

Optimum Nutrition for Your Child: How To Boost Your Child’s Health, Behaviour and IQ

By Patrick Holford and Deborah Colson (Piatkus Books, R187) This guide for parents, based on the latest research, tells you which foods your child should be eating for optimum good health and development. It points out the foods that can improve your child’s mood and behaviour, and boost their intelligence as well as which vitamins and minerals are vital to their health. The book is also a guide on how to prevent and overcome childhood problems such as obesity, food allergies, sleep problems and ADHD. Co-author Patrick Holford is one of the world’s leading authorities on new approaches to health and nutrition.

November 2010

61

calendar

what’s on in november Things to do, places to go, ways to give back, talks and exhibitions plus loads of fun for the whole family. compiled by CHAREEN BOAKE

3

special events

64

FUN for children

67

only for parents

74

bump, baby & tot in tow

76

how to help

78

wed

SPECIAL EVENTS Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates The tropical island castaway as

FUN FOR CHILDREN

ONLY FOR PARENTS

Finding frogs at night Amphibian

62

bump, baby & tot in tow

how to help

The Joburg Baby Expo Lots of

Rhino conservation Play a part

spotting in the dark will entertain

FNB Whisky Live Festival Taste

useful information for expecting and

in ensuring the conservation of

the whole family.

some of the world’s top whiskies.

new parents.

this member of the Big Five.

November 2010

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

you’ve never seen him before.

magazine joburg

November 2010

63

calendar

SPECIAL EVENTS

3 wednesday Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates Janice Honeyman’s annual comedy pantomime features Marc Lottering as Robinson Crusoe’s mother! Can you imagine the hilarious antics? This production features flamboyant costumes and swashbuckling adventure. Ends 11 January. Time: varies.

Venue: The Mandela at Joburg Theatre Complex, Loveday St, Braamfontein. Cost: R140–R227. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

4 thursday

3

André the Hilarious Hypnotist

wed

Well known for hypnotizing audience members into performing hilarious antics on stage. Time: varies. Venue: Studio Theatre at Montecasino, Fourways. Cost: R95.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

64

November 2010

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) open day Join the EWT during conservation week and learn about their various conservation projects in southern Africa.

Time: 10am–4pm. Venue: The Goldfields Environmental Centre, Erlswold Way, Saxonwold. Cost: free entry but donations welcome. Contact Nicola: 011 486 1102, nicolav@ewt.org.za or visit ewt.org.za

R2 950 per person. Booking essential.

Contact Dominique: 071 604 4078 or visit preggiperfectretreat.co.za

6 saturday Cooper’s cave picnic Explore a 1,5-millionyear-old fossil site featuring several animal fossils. Spend a day fossil-hunting and learn how to make tools like our ancestors did.

Time: 9am. Venue: Cooper’s Cave, near Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng. Cost: R350, includes picnic lunch. Online booking essential. Contact: 014 577 9000, info@ maropeng.co.za or visit maropeng.co.za Medieval Fayre Witness armoured fighting and displays of medieval weaponry skills, stunt shows, a medieval village with olden day trades such as blacksmithing and armoury as well as a medieval flea market.

Knights, ladies and jesters can unwind in

the food and beer tent, enjoy live music and be entertained by firewalkers, Highland dancers and lots of other medieval fun.

Time: 9am–late. Venue: Toutrek Park, 14th Ave, Villieria, Pretoria. Cost: adults R40, children R25. Contact Carol: 082 820 1768 or carol@magicstunts.co.za

8 monday More Adventures of Noddy Join Noddy and his friends Big Ears, Mr Plod, Tessie Bear and Car for more fun adventures in Toyland. Ends 24 December. Time: varies.

Venue: People’s Theatre at Joburg Theatre Complex, cnr Loveday and Hoofd St, Braamfontein. Cost: adults R75, children R85. Discount applies to Kid’s Club members (membership fee R75 annually).

Contact the theatre to book: 011 403 1563 or visit peoplestheatre.co.za

5 friday Preggi Perfect Retreat Expecting moms can enjoy a weekend retreat getting ready for the big day and life thereafter. Listen to talks on topics such as Baby Proofing Your Relationship and Sex After Baby, and enjoy your free time with spa treatments and virgin cocktails around the pool. Ends 7 November. Time: check in from 2pm. Venue: Valley Lodge, Magaliesburg. Cost: single R3 450, sharing

5 November – Preggi Perfect Retreat

magazine joburg

force with tricycles, fairy wheels and bicycles to show Joburg what the future of South African cycling looks like. Time: tbc. Venue: Waterfall Country Estate, Sunninghill. For more info: visit cyclechallenge.co.za

14 sunday Dog and puppy day Enjoy a morning of games, eats, fun and prizes. Dress your dog up for the best dressed dog competition, view stalls filled with dog goodies and watch the pros perform amazing tricks.

All proceeds go to Animals in Distress and every R100 raised will be used to sterilise a township dog. Time: 8:30am–1pm. Venue: Walkhaven, plot 77, Zwartkop. Cost: adults R20, children R10. For more info: visit puppyschoolsundae.co.za

15 monday

Peter and the Wolf Based on the Russian folk tale about a young boy who meets up with a wolf. Suitable for children 4 and older. Time: varies. Venue: Joburg Pro Musica Theatre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Rd, Florida Park. Cost: R75–R100. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000

The Wizard of Oz Join Dorothy and Toto on a trip down the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City. Meet Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and other interesting characters in the stage production of this popular musical. Ends 23 December. Time: Monday–Saturday 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Venue: The National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown. Cost: adults R80, children R70. Book through the theatre: 011 484 1584/5 or visit jyt.co.za

13 saturday

17 wednesday

Momentum 94.7 children’s cycle challenge Budding cyclists come out in

The Making of Spud – The Movie Join John van de Ruit, author of the popular

8 November – More Adventures of Noddy

10 wednesday

magazine joburg

Spud series, as he tells amusing tales about the making of the movie. Time: 7am– 9am. Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, cnr Oxford and Biermann Rd, Rosebank. Cost: R399. Booking essential. Contact Tebogo: 011 807 4724 or events@finlay.co.za

use to educate preschool children about disabilities. Time: 7:30pm. Venue: Sandton Shul Hall, Kopje Rd, Morningside. Cost: R200, includes five free games. Booking essential. Contact Michelle: 083 407 4044, info@chazak.za.org or visit chazak.za.org

18 thursday

19 friday

Bingo night Join the Chazak Foundation for a night of games, fun and prizes. Money raised is to provide wheelchairs to selected individuals who cannot afford their own, to adapt and renovate homes for people who experience a disability and cannot afford to do it themselves, as well as to create a manual and resource pack for teachers to

30 Seconds to Mars This popular band, headed up by Jared Leto and well known for hits like “This is War” and “A Beautiful Lie” are giving a one-night performance in Joburg. Time: 9pm. Venue: Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate. Cost: R215–R365. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

19 fri

The Nutcracker Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, this classical ballet tells the tale of a young girl who receives a

magical

nutcracker

doll

for Christmas. Watch as the doll comes alive and draws you into a world of dancing fantasy. Time: varies. Venue: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria.

Cost: R40–R240. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com or saballettheatre.co.za

November 2010

65

calendar

20 saturday

24 wednesday

Jai Ho – The Journey Home World Tour Popular Indian artist AR Rahman, well known for his musical score to Slumdog Millionaire, is in South Africa to commemorate the 150year celebration of the first Indian settlers in the country. Join him for a breathtaking Bollywood extravaganza. Time: 8pm. Venue: Sun City Superbowl, Sun City. Cost: R420– R750. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

Carols by Candlelight Pack your picnic baskets and head off to the farm in support of Animals in Distress. Enjoy a leisurely evening of carols in a rustic environment and sing along with the choir to your favourite Christmas carols. Time: 6pm– 9:30pm. Venue: The Paddocks, Plot 20, Moerdyk St, Vorna Valley. Cost: adults R25, children R15. Contact Bev: 078 458 9143 or aid@animalsindistress.org.za

21 sunday

25 thursday

Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge If you aren’t riding, then get out and support the thousands of Joburgers as they take to the streets to cover 94,7 gruelling kilometres.

Remember that many roads are closed, so don’t make too many plans today.

Time: 5:30am. Venue: throughout most of Joburg’s northern suburbs. For more info: cyclechallenge.co.za

The Beatles – Beatlemania on Tour This is a live music tribute to one of the most popular British bands of all time. Ends 27 November. Time: 8pm. Venue: Mardi Gras Theatre, Carnival City Casino, Brakpan.

Cost: R220. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com The Joburg Baby Expo Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’re already a parent, this expo will provide you with lots of useful information. Everybody’s favourite dinosaur, Barney, gets parents and children going as they sing along to the ever, “I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family”, and many other tunes while learning how to unlock your child’s imagination. 25–28 November. Time: 9am–6pm. Venue: Coca Cola Dome, cnr Northumberland Rd and Olievenhout Ave, Northgate. Cost: adults R50, children under 10 free. For more info: visit thebabyexpo.co.za or mamamagic.co.za

26 friday

21 November – Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge

23 tuesday Trevor Noah – Scratch That This wellknown comedian and talk-show host performs some of his hilarious comedy. Time: varies. Venue: The Fringe, Joburg Theatre Complex, Loveday St, Braamfontein. Cost: R161. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

Festival of Enchantment This is a fairy carnival of gigantic proportions. Enjoy a day of fairy fun, yoga workshops, music, a labyrinth, food and craft stalls, performing artists, magicians and tricksters. Dress the part for this fairy fantasy day. Ends 27 November.

Time: 2pm–4pm. Venue: Riversands Farm, R511, Fourways, Cost: R60. For more info: visit festivalofenchantment.co.za

27 saturday Drakenberg Boys Choir performs with the Lipizzaners This famous youth choir performs with the beautiful dancing

27 sat

Sisters with blisters Put on those heels and join this annual 4km or 8km walk, which is aimed at raising awareness about women and child abuse in the country. Time: 7:30am–noon.

Venue: The Campus, Sloane St, Bryanston. Cost: R100. For more info: visit sisterswithblisters.co.za

66

November 2010

magazine joburg

28 November – Toy Run

horses. Ends 28 November. Time: Saturday 7pm, Sunday 10:30am. Venue: Lipizzaner Centre, Dahlia Rd, Kyalami. Cost: R150.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com Miniature and dollhouse showcase Miniature artisans and dollhouse enthusiasts showcase their talents. Time: 9am– 12:30pm. Venue: Parkhurst Recreation Centre Hall, cnr Fifth Ave and Thirteenth St, Parkhurst. Cost: free entry. Donations to Cerebral Palsy Foundation welcome.

Contact Sue: 011 787 2340

28 sunday Tree of Light Bring the family and picnic baskets and watch as thousands of lights switch on for the festive season. This event supports hospice and you are encouraged to buy a globe for R50. Time: 6pm. Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Dr, Forest Town. Cost: free entry from 5pm. Contact: 011 483 9156 or visit tree-of-light.co.za Toy Run Bikers across the country unite to collect toys for less privileged children. This event attracts more than 65 000 bikers.

If you’re a biker, consider participating. If not, support them along the way. Time: from 8:45am. Venue: various throughout Gauteng. Cost: donated toys welcome. For more info: visit toyrun.org.za

FUN FOR CHILDREN arts, culture and science A journey into space Children aged 2–8 years can spend a morning learning about stars, the moon and space. Time: 10:30am, every Saturday. Venue: Johannesburg Planetarium, Empire Rd, Parktown. Cost: R18. Contact: 011 717 1390 or visit planetarium.co.za Arabella’s Art Studio Weekly art lessons and art parties for children. Time: varies.

Venue: Parktown North. Cost: R1 250 per term. Contact Arabella: 082 822 1161 or arabella.artstudio@vodamail.co.za Artjamming Art studio for children and adults. Time: Monday–Friday 9am–5:30pm, Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

Venue: Artjamming, Blubird Shopping Centre, cnr Athol-Oaklands Rd and Fort St, Athol. Cost: varies. Contact Kayla: 083 379 2069, blubird@artjamming.co.za or visit artjamming.co.za Art of play Creative fun studio for children aged 2–12 years. There’s a coffee shop for parents to relax. Time: Monday–Saturday 10am–noon and 2pm–4pm. Venue: 3 magazine joburg

Forssman Close, Barbeque Downs, Kyalami.

Cost: tbc. Contact: 071 830 0918, info@ artofplay.co.za or visit artofplay.co.za Color Café is a ceramic studio where you can paint mugs, plates, teapots or bowls.

Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Shop 14, Hyde Square Shopping Centre, cnr North Rd and Jan Smuts Ave. Cost: R95 per hour, includes paint, firing and glazing. Ceramic items are charged separately. Contact: 011 341 0734 or visit colorcafe.co.za Fastrackids This early childhood education programme is for babies and children aged 6 months–8 years and is designed to help improve creativity, critical thinking and communication skills. Fun activities are offered on a daily basis. Time: 8am–5pm.

Venue: Broadacres Shopping Centre, Cedar Rd, Broadacres. Cost: varies. Contact: 011 467 0230 or visit fastrackids.co.za Polka Dot Arts and Crafts This art studio caters for all types of arts and crafts from painting and pottery to mosaic and papiermâché. Moms can relax in the tea garden or an indoor venue. Time: 9am­–5pm. Venue: 13 4th Ave, Parkhurst and the new store in Morningside Shopping Centre. Cost: free.

For more info: visit polkadotartstudio.co.za Pottery Junxion Art studio where you choose and paint your own pottery.

Also offers regular workshops on drybrushing, paint techniques, antiquing and mosaics. Time: Monday–Friday 9am–4pm, Saturday 9am–2pm. Venue: 5 Glendower Place, 99 Linksfield Rd, Dowerglen. Cost: varies. Contact: 011 453 2721 or visit potteryjunxion.co.za Scrapbook Emporium Scrapbooking lessons and craft workshops. Time: 9am– 5pm. Venue: Scrapbook Emporium, shop 109, level 1, Design Quarter, Fourways.

Cost: free entry but workshops and materials are additional. Contact: 011 465 9349 or visit scrapbookemporium.co.za Sci-Bono Visit this interactive science museum for loads of exhibits and do fun experiments. Time: Monday–Friday 9am– 4:30pm, Saturday 9am–4pm. Venue: SciBono Discovery Centre, Miriam Makeba St, Newtown. Cost: adults R20, children.

R10. Contact: 011 639 8400 or visit sci-bono.co.za Seedpod Studio This craft studio allows you to express your creativity through mosaic, decoupage, ceramics and mixed media.

They offer classes and parties for children and adults. Venue: Broadacres Lifestyle Centre, Cedar Rd, Broadacres. Contact: 011 465 0375, info@seedpodstudio.co.za or visit seedpodstudio.com November 2010

67

calendar Smudge Indoor art and craft studio suitable for children aged 3–13 years. Offers beading, painting, drawing as well as a music room, dress-up room and book lounge. Also a coffee bar. Time: Tuesday–Friday 10am– 5pm, Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 10am– 1pm. Venue: 21A, Valley Centre, 396 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park. Cost: R110 for the first hour, R55 for every hour thereafter.

Includes all art materials. Contact: 011 501 0234 or visit smudgeart.co.za

classes, talks and workshops Cooking Up a Storm offers cooking courses for domestics as well as private and group classes. Venue: Midrand. Contact: info@cookingupastorm.co.za or visit cookingupastorm.co.za Developing interactive skills for teens This four-week course is suitable for all teens. It covers self-esteem, recognising and managing your feelings, learning

Taste Bud Cooking Studio

68

November 2010

how to interact with others, and dining and general etiquette. Venue: River Club, Sandton. Contact Yolanda: 011 783 6574 or visit socialskills.co.za Integrated Learning Therapy Practitioners assist children with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learningrelated difficulties by assessing the child and implementing a programme of movement-based activities over a six- to eight-week period. Venue: several venues in the Gauteng area. For more info: visit ilt.co.za Little Cook’s Club Programme Fun and interactive cooking for moms and children aged 2–15 years. Also offers domestic cooking classes, cooking for fussy eaters and training in making baby food.

Venue: Alberton, Bedfordview, Centurion, Fairland, Fourways, Mondeor, Rivonia and Roodepoort. Contact Christine: 083 556 3434 or visit littlecooksclub.co.za Taste Bud Cooking Studio This studio runs afternoon classes and offers Mommy and Me high teas as well as individual cooking classes and parties. Venue: Paulshof.

Contact Nicola: 082 331 9987 or tastebudstudio@gmail.com Tots n Pots is a workshop, which aims to promote healthy and fun cooking and eating habits. Suitable for children 2 years and older. Venue: Bedfordview/Edenvale, Bryanston and Randburg. For more info: visit totsnpots.com

family outings

Stress-free Kids This course helps children deal with stress, anxiety, bullying and aims to promote self-esteem.

Venue: Highlands North. Contact Christa: 079 527 1008 or visit stressfreekids.co.za

Your Family Creative Crafts and Arts Expo This event showcases a wide variety of art and crafts materials for scrapbooking, beading, embroidery, beading and lots more. 12–14 November. Time: 9am– 5pm. Venue: Emperor’s Palace, 64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park. Cost: R35. For more info: 0860 eventx (383689) or visit creativecraftexpo.co.za

Angelo’s Kitchen An Italian restaurant where children can make their own pizzas.

Time: noon–9:30pm. Venue: Coachman’s Crossing, Peter Place, Bryanston. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 463 5800 or 011 463 9498 Bambanani Restaurant offers a children’s play area with childminders. There is a variety of children’s entertainment every Wednesday. Time: Tuesday–Friday 10am– 10pm, Saturday 8am–11pm, Sunday 8am–9pm. Venue: 85 4th Ave, Melville.

Contact: 011 482 2900 Flora Farm Offers a garden centre, restaurant and children’s play area. Time: 8:30am–5:30pm. Venue: cnr North Rand Rd and Trichardt St, Boksburg. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 894 2377 or visit florafarm.co.za Frog Terrace Bistro Family-friendly restaurant with outdoor play equipment as well as a range of children’s art and crafts. Time: Tuesday–Saturday 8am–5pm, Sunday 8am–3pm. Venue: Leaping Frog Shopping Centre, cnr William Nicol Drive and Mulbarton Rd, Fourways. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 465 7090 or visit frogterrace.co.za Goblin’s Cove Fantasy Restaurant is set in a forest with a lake. It has a playground with jungle gyms, sandpit, an aviary as well as the Fairywinkle fairy and goblin shop. Time: Wednesday–Saturday 8:30am– 9:30pm, Sunday 8:30am–5pm. Venue:

magazine joburg

R24 Magaliesburg/Hekpoort. Cost: free entry. Contact: 014 576 2143, goblins@ worldonline.co.za or visit goblins.co.za Gold Reef City Adventure theme park with specialty rides for young and old.

Time: Wednesday–Sunday 9:30am–5pm.

Venue: Northern Parkway, Ormonde. Cost: weekend R140, weekdays R100, toddlers R90. For more info: visit goldreefcity.co.za Irene Dairy You can see a fully functioning dairy, buy farm-fresh products or enjoy a meal at the country café. Children can play on the tractor and feed the cows. Time: 8am–5pm. Venue: 100 Nellmapius Dr, Irene. Cost: free entry. Contact: 012 667 4012, countrycafe@willoworld.com or visit willoworld.com Lifestyle Garden Centre Offers a play park and farmyard with free pony rides and a restaurant overlooking the play area.

Time: 8am–5pm, daily. Venue: cnr Beyers

Naudé Dr and Ysterhout Ave, Randpark Ridge. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit lifestyle.co.za Maropeng This centre in the Cradle of Humankind pays homage to the discovery of early man. It features two restaurants, offers stargazing dinners on certain dates and Sunday buffet lunches. Time: 9am– 5pm. Venue: R400, Magaliesburg. Cost: adults R105, children R60. Contact: 014 577 9000 or visit maropeng.co.za Mike’s Kitchen Alberton This restaurant offers a large indoor play area. Time: 11am–­10pm. Venue: Alberton Crossing Shopping Centre, cnr Ring Rd West and Helston Ave, Alberton. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit mikeskitchen.co.za Ngwenya Glass Village This village has a glass shop, several curio and craft shops, a brewery and restaurant. Puppet shows and sing-a-longs are held every

Bester birds and animals zoo park

Creepy crawly expedition

Friday afternoon. Time: 9am–5pm daily.

Venue: off Beyers Naude Dr, Muldersdrift.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 084 607 4291 or visit shadesofngwenya.co.za Stonehaven on Vaal Riverside garden restaurant with lots of children’s activities.

Time: 8:30am–5pm. Venue: next to Baddrift Bridge, Sylviavale AH, Vaal River.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 016 982 2951 or visit stonehaven.co.za

finding nature and outdoor play

Ngwenya Glass Village

magazine joburg

A Walk at The Wilds A walk through “Joburg’s secret garden”. Well-behaved pets welcome. First, second and fourth Sunday of the month. Time: 7am. Venue: St John’s College, St Patrick Rd, Houghton.

Contact: 082 554 9972

This small zoo has a wide variety of exotic animals and birds, including red pandas, the common raccoon and redbilled toucans. Time: Tuesday­–Sunday 9am–5pm. Venue: 44 Simon Vermooten Rd, Willowglen, Pretoria. Cost: adults R25, children R20. Contact: 012 807 4192, zoo@besterbirdsanimals.co.za or visit besterbirdsanimals.co.za Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary Offers guided tours through indigenous forests where you can view a variety of exotic primates. Time: 9am–4pm. Venue: R512, Hartbeespoort. Cost: adults R250, children 3–14 years R125. Contact: 012 258 9908/9 or visit monkeysanctuary.co.za Chameleon Village Reptile Park Anacondas, cobras and diamond-back rattlers are just a few of the venomous creatures you can see. Also a host of activities for children. Time: 8:30am­–5pm.

Venue: N4, Hartbeespoort. Cost: free entry. Contact: 012 253 1451 or visit chameleonvillage.co.za Creepy crawly expedition Budding entomologists can join expert Bernice Aspoas as she takes you on an expedition to search for all types of creepy crawly bugs. Take your magnifying glass, net and hat for a morning of fun. 13 November.

Time: 9am. Venue: Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Malcolm Rd, Poortview. Cost: adults R30, children R15. Booking essential.

Contact: botsoc@sisulugarden.co.za

November 2010

69

calendar

Elephant Sanctuary

Croc City Crocodile Farm View crocodiles and hatchlings at close range.

Time: 9am–4:30pm. Venue: Old Pretoria Rd, Nietgedacht. Cost: adults R45, children R25. For more info: visit croccity.co.za Cubs and scouts Children aged 7–18 years can learn practical, life skills while enjoying wholesome outdoor fun such as camping, hiking, pioneering and cooking.

Time: varies. Cost: varies per term. Venue: several venues throughout Joburg. Visit: scouting.org.za Elephant Sanctuary Guided tours giving you the opportunity to touch and feed elephants in an indigenous environment.

70

November 2010

Time: 8am–4pm.

Venue: R512, Hartbeespoort. Cost: adults R425–R525, children R215. Contact: 012 258 0423/ 0332 or visit elephantsanctuary.co.za Finding frogs at night Pack your gum boots, torches, headlamps and picnic baskets for this popular evening event. Listen to a presentation about these interesting amphibians and then get ready for the fun of catching and releasing them. 13 November. Time: 6pm. Venue: Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Galena Ave, Kloofendal.

Cost: adults R40, children R20. Booking essential. Contact Karin: 011 674 2980 Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Six hiking trails of varying difficulty offer you the opportunity to enjoy this nature reserve. Time: 7am–6pm. Venue: Silent Pool, Frandaph Ave, Mondeor. Cost: free entry. Contact Tony: 082 454 6114

Lory Park Zoo Sanctuary for a large variety of wildlife including Bengal tigers, ringtailed lemurs and several other endangered animals and birds. Time: 10am–4pm.

Venue: 80/1 Kruger Rd, President Park, Midrand. Cost: adults R50, children R30.

For more info: visit lorypark.co.za Montecasino Bird Gardens These gardens are home to not only birds but mammals and reptiles too. Also be thrilled by the Flights of Fantasy bird show. Time: 8:30am­–5pm. Venue: Montecasino, Fourways. Cost: adults and children over 10 R38, children under 10 R22,50. For more info: visit montecasino.co.za Northern Farm Nature Reserve is a favourite for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and picnics. Time: 6am–6pm.

Venue: R114, Diepsloot. Cost: R30. For more info: visit northernfarm.co.za

Lion Park This is home to several carnivores including white lions. You can play with cubs, enjoy a game ride and visit the restaurant. Time: Monday– Friday 8:30am–5pm, Saturday– Sunday 8:30am–6pm. Venue: cnr Malibongwe Dr and R114, Lanseria.

Cost: adults R115, children R80.

Contact: 011 691 9905, lionpark@ cknet.co.za or visit lion-park.com

Predator World Enjoy a 50-minute horse ride with an experienced guide. Time: subject to booking. Venue: Predator World, R556, near Sun City. Cost: adults R385, children R369. Includes entrance into Sun City, hamburger, wedges and drink.

Contact San-Mare: 076 817 6869, 014 552 6900 or visit predatorworld.co.za Rhino and Lion Park This venue boasts a variety of game and wildlife including vultures, the “cleaners of nature”. Watch them soar above the park and swoop down to eat at the “vulture restaurant”.

The venue offers picnic and braai spots, a restaurant and children’s play area. Venue: Kromdraai Rd, Cradle of Humankind. Cost: adults R100, children R70. Contact: 011 957 0347 or visit rhinolion.co.za The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre Offers a three-hour guided wildlife tour during which you can view cheetah, African wild dog and other large cats, birds and antelope. Not suitable for children under 6. Time: varies. Venue: De Wildt, Hartbeespoort area. Cost: R245–R345.

Booking essential. Contact: 012 504 9906/7/8 or visit dewildt.co.za

markets 44 Stanley fine food market This Friday night market offers Indian, Thai, African Kwanza and Hari Krishna vegetarian food.

Time: 4pm–8m. Venue: 44 Stanley St, Milpark. Cost: free entry. Contact Robyn: 083 311 4768

magazine joburg

Go gift shopping at a Christmas market

Art of Play Charity Christmas Market Parents can shop for Christmas gifts and decorations while the children are entertained. Childminding services available.

28 November. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Kyalami area. Cost: free entry. Contact Odette: 084 400 4878, odettevsw@gmail. com or visit artofplay.co.za Christmas Market on the banks of the Vaal River Stonehaven on Vaal is an alfresco garden restaurant overlooking the river and offering a variety of dining options as well as river cruises. Children can enjoy the jumping castle, swimming pool, trampoline and slip ‘n slide. Several Christmas crafts will be on sale. 28 November. Time: 9am–

magazine joburg

9pm. Venue: next to Baddrift Bridge, Sylviavale AH, Vaal River, Vanderbijlpark. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit stonehaven.co.za Bunny Park Christmas Craft Market Get a head start on your Christmas shopping with art and crafts, delicacies and more. Activities for children include pony and camel rides, a carousel and play park. 27 November. Time: 9am–2:30pm.

Venue: Southvale Rd, Boksburg East. Cost: free entry. Contact: 072 713 3332 Bryanston moonlight market An early evening family outing in a relaxed outdoor environment. Children can do fun crafts like candle dipping and jewellery making. Lots of crafts for sale, a large variety of food available and live entertainment. 16, 23 and 30 November.

Time: 5pm–9pm. Venue: Culross Rd, off Main Rd, Bryanston. Contact: 011 706 3671, jules@bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za or visit bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za Craighall River Market Enjoy a wide variety of arts, crafts and organic produce. Children’s playground and pony rides available. Time: 8:30am–1pm.

Every second Saturday. Venue: Colourful Splendour Nursery (REEA), Craighall Park.

Contact Roy: 011 465 3413 or jmsinek@ mweb.co.za

Decadence Christmas Fair to raise funds for Animals in Distress. Enjoy a leisurely browse through various stalls showcasing luxurious lingerie and swimwear, gifts and designer crafts. Time: 12 November 8:30am–6pm, 13 November 9am–5pm.

Venue: 58 Hume Rd, Dunkeld. Cost: R100.

Booking essential. Contact: 011 447 2866 Fare on the Square This market offers creative crafts and family entertainment in a village environment. Time: 9am–2pm.

Third Sunday of the month. Venue: Irene Village Mall, cnr Nellmapius Dr and Van Ryneveld Ave, Irene. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit irenevillagemall.co.za

Irene Village Christmas Market

Gourmet Market Shop at stalls selling bread, nuts, organic vegetables, cheese, pickles and olives. Time: Tuesday–Sunday 9am–5pm. Venue: Lifestyle Garden Centre, Beyers Naudé Dr and Ysterhout Ave, Randpark Ridge. Cost: free entry.

Contact: 011 792 5616 Holistic Fayre Enjoy a day of holistic fun and entertainment with lots of gifts, goodies and food. 27 November. Time: 9am–4pm. Venue: Blairgowrie Recreation Centre, Park Lane, Blairgowrie. Cost: R10.

Contact Danie or Berrie: 083 417 7236, info@fayre.co.za or visit fayre.co.za Irene Village Christmas Market Offers over 300 stalls of arts and antiques, numerous food stalls and a licensed tea garden with a safe children’s entertainment area. 6, 13, 20 and 27 November. Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Smuts House Museum, Jan Smuts Ave, Irene. Contact: 012 667 1659 or visit irenemarket.co.za Jozi Food Market Enjoy breakfast or lunch in the sun and pack your picnic basket with natural, homegrown and exotic foods ranging from cheeses to oysters.

Time: 8:30am–1:30pm. Venue: Parktown Quarter, cnr 7th and 3rd Ave, Parktown North. Cost: free entry. For more info: visit jozifoodmarket.co.za Market in the Park This market, held on the first Sunday of each month, is filled with crafts, jewellery, games, tasty treats and more. Safe play area for children; dogs are welcome

November 2010

71

calendar too. Time: 9am–2pm.Venue: River Café grounds, Field and Study Centre, Louise Ave, Parkmore. Contact Lorraine: 011 465 1281 or 083 655 8012 Melville Market This is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Time: 9am–5pm. Monday– Saturday. Venue: Campus Square Shopping Centre, cnr Kingsway and University Rds, Auckland Park. Contact: 011 482 2118 or 011 442 4488 The Teddy Bear and Doll Collectors’ Fair With the festive season just around the corner, visitors will find an array of Christmas gifts and stocking fillers. Exhibits include local and imported teddy bears, dolls, dollhouse miniatures, antique dolls and toys. 27 November. Time: 9:30am– 1pm. Venue: Edenvale Community Centre.

Cost: free admission. Contact Victoria: 011 828 7901 or info@vaharper.co.za

on stage and on screen Mamma Mia! The very popular show based on Abba hits ends 12 December. Time: varies. Venue: Teatro at Montecasino. Cost: R115–R390. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com More Adventures of Noddy Ends 24 December. Time: varies. Venue: People’s Theatre at Joburg Theatre Complex, cnr Loveday and Hoofd St, Braamfontein.

Cost: adults R75, children R85. Discounts apply to Kids’ Club members. Book through the theatre: 011 403 1563 or visit peoplestheatre.co.za Move It! Ends 7 November. Time: varies.

Venue: The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City Casino. Cost: R100–R285. For more info: visit goldreefcity.co.za Peter and the Wolf Time: varies. Venue: Joburg Pro Musica Theatre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Rd, Florida Park. Cost: R75–R100.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates Ends 11 January. Time: varies.

Venue: The Mandela at Joburg Theatre Complex, Loveday St, Braamfontein. Cost: R140–R227. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com Robots of Mars and Turtle Vision This experience allows you to watch images come to life in amazing 4D. Hydraulic seats, vapours, and a range of smells and scents add an extra dimension to the on-screen experience. Time: varies.

Venue: 4D Theatre, Gold Reef City theme park, Northern Parkway, Ormonde. Cost:

Oki Doki

weekend R140, weekdays R100, toddlers R90. For more info: visit goldreefcity.co.za The Nutcracker Time: varies. Venue: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria. Cost: R40–R240. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com or saballettheatre.co.za The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Time: Monday–Saturday 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Venue: The National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown. Cost: adults R80, children R70. Book through the theatre: 011 484 1584/5 or visit jyt.co.za

playtime and story time Build-a-Bear workshops Create your own teddy bear or stuffed animals. Daily.

Time: dependent on store. Venue: several in Joburg. For more info: visit buildabear.co.za Egoli Café and kids play area Monitored indoor and outdoor play area, climbing wall, jumping castles and jungle gym. Time: Friday noon–5pm, Saturday­–Sunday 9am– 5pm. Venue: 17A Terrace Rd, Eastleigh, Edenvale. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 609 4755 or visit egolilodge.co.za Grannies Garden Indoor and outdoor play venue with a coffee shop. Time: Monday– Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday–Sunday 8am– 6pm. Venue: 138 Barkston Dr, Blairgowrie.

Cost: R30 per hour. Contact: 011 326 4265 or visit granniesgarden.co.za Hedgehog Lane Outdoor fairground with a ferris wheel, merry-go-round and

Find somewhere for your children to stretch their legs this November.

72

November 2010

magazine joburg

Battlezone Outdoor paintball adventure park.

Time: Monday–Saturday 8:30am– 11:30am, 11:30am–2:30pm and 2:30pm–5:30pm, Sunday 11:30– 2:30pm

and

2:30pm–5pm.

Venue: cnr Sloane St and Main Rd,

Bryanston.

Cost:

R100,

includes gear. Booking essential.

Contact: 082 818 0345 or visit battlezone.co.za

miniature Hedgehog Express Train. There is also a creative studio, bakery and hair salon. Picnic baskets welcome. Time: 9am– 5pm. Venue: Garden Shop, 278 Main Rd, Bryanston. Cost: adults free, children R18.

For more info: visit hedgehoglane.co.za Lola Park Safe, fun family park with rides, aviaries, fairy garden, splash fountain and petting zoo. Time: Wednesday­–Sunday 10am–5pm. Venue: Viewpoint Rd, East Bartlett AH, Boksburg. Cost: R50. Children under 2 free. Contact: 011 918 0854 or visit lolapark.com Love Books Different storytellers tell everything from traditional African folk tales to fairy-tales, the classics and brand new stories. Suitable for children 4–8 years.

Time: 10am. Every Saturday. Venue: Love Books, The Bamboo Centre, 53 Rustenburg Rd, Melville. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 726 7408, storytelling@lovebooks.co.za Norscot Manor Library Story time for children 2–8 years. Time: 3pm–3:30pm, every Wednesday. Venue: 16B Penguin Drive, Norscot Manor. Cost: free entry.

Contact: 011 705 3323 Oki Doki This play and party venue offers a unique “town” where children can play dress-up. Also a coffee shop for parents. Time: Tuesday–Saturday 8:30am– 4:30pm. Venue: 66 6 th St, Linden.

Cost: adults free, children R20. Contact: 011 888 8940, info@oki-doki.co.za or visit oki-doki.co.za Piccino’s Indoor soft-play area suitable for tiny tots–6 years as well as a coffee shop for parents. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Norwood Mall, Hamlin Rd, Norwood. Cost: R40 per hour. Contact: 011 728 0928 Smudge Creative Play Centre Sand-art parties, balloon storytelling, puppet shows and music workshops. Time: Monday– Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 10am–1pm. Venue: Valley Centre, 396 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park. Cost: R110 per child for the first hour, R55 for every hour thereafter. Contact: 011 501 0234, sandra@smudgeart.co.za or visit smudgeart.co.za Toys R Us launch of Playstation area Gaming guys and girls can enjoy a dedicated area for gaming. Sample the new Playstation Gran Turismo 5 simulator. 1 November.

Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Toys R Us Sandton, Shop U103, Level 6, cnr Rivonia Rd and Sandton Dr, Sandton City. Cost: free entry.

For more info: visit toysrus.co.za Words Bookstore Enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book and let the children play in the play area. 10% off all children’s magazine joburg

books on a Sunday and story time can be arranged. Time: 7am–6:30pm. Venue: Health Emporium, cnr Church and Market St, Midrand. Contact: 011 315 3801 or maria@wordsbookstore.co.za Yeesh! Fun for Kids Supervised softplay indoor playgrounds with coffee bars.

Time: Tuesday–Sunday 9am–5pm. Venue: Unit G6, Woodmead Commercial Park, Waterval Cres, Woodmead and 5 Main Rd, Bryanston. Cost: R40 per hour. Contact Woodmead: 083 923 2306, Bryanston: 073 230 6531 or visit yeesh.co.za

Toys R Us launch

sports and physical activities Boogaloos Skateboard Park Skateboarding fun parks for skaters and nonskaters. Time: varies. Venue: Brightwater Commons, East Rand Mall, Montecasino, Festival Mall. Cost: R30. Contact Quintin: 011 608 1101 or visit boogaloos.com BSG Energade Triathlon Series and Kids Series Swim, cycle and run your way to good health and have fun doing it. 14 November. Time: registration time varies.

Venue: North West University, Vanderbijlpark.

For more info: visit kidsseries.co.za and bsgenergadetriseries.co.za Children’s Yoga Classes Children develop strong, flexible bodies, balance and coordination. Venue: Mmuthlwa Guest Lodge, Norfolk Rd, Carlswald, Midrand.

Contact: Carla on 082 402 8169 or carladg@vodamail.co.za Compu-Kart Raceway Indoor go-karting venue suitable for children 10 and older.

Time: 10am–9pm. Venue: Stoneridge Shopping Centre, Modderfontein and Hereford Rd, Modderfontein. Cost: R50– R250, dependent on number of laps.

Contact: 0861 465278 or visit compukart.co.za November 2010

73

calendar Daytona Adventure Park Take your own dirt bikes or hire quad bikes and spend a fun day getting dirty. Time: 9am–5pm.

Venue: William Nicol Dr, Fourways (past Dainfern). Cost: varies. Booking essential.

Contact Greg or Vic: 083 625 1537 or 0861 106 638 ITA Tennis offers group or private lessons for children and adults. Mini-tennis starts from 3 years. Time: varies. Venue: several venues in Joburg. Cost: varies. Contact Michele: 083 443 3391, michele@itatennis. co.za or visit itatennis.co.za Jozi-X Extreme fun park suitable for children 4 years and older. Time: 10am–

Daytona Adventure Park

5pm. Venue: cnr Main Rd and Sloane St, Bryanston. Cost: varies. Contact Marco: 082 456 2358 or visit jozix.co.za MTN Toyota Cycle Park Geared for moms, dads and junior cyclists on mountain bikes or BMXs with differing skill levels.

Time: 6am–6:30pm. Venue: 1A Libertas St (off Sloane St), Bryanston. Cost: from R50.

For more info: visit cyclepark.co.za Runnin Rebels Soccer Development soccer aimed at children 6–11 years. Time: varies. Venue: Bedfordview, Fairmount, Fourways, Parkmore, Zoo Lake. Cost: varies. Contact Alan: 011 646 5461 or visit runninrebels.co.za Sandboarding at Mount Mayhem Similar to snow boarding but without the cold. Time: Saturday–Sunday 10:30am– 3:30pm. Venue: Mount Mayhem, Boksburg. Cost: R250, includes equipment and instruction. Booking essential. Contact Marco: 082 605 1150 or visit jozix.co.za The Ski Deck Bumboarding snow fun down a 20m slope. Ski lessons are also available. Time: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am–2pm, Sunday 10am–1pm.

Venue: The Ski Deck, 74 Bond St, Ferndale, Randburg. Cost: R60 per child for two hours of bumboarding. Contact: 011 781 6528 or visit ski.co.za Walk for cystic fibrosis Get the family together and enjoy a 5km walk through the zoo grounds while raising funds for the South African Cystic Fibrosis Trust. 28 November. Time: registration from 6:45am.

Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Dr, Forest Town. Cost: R60. Preregistration before 23 November essential. Contact Paul: paul.dolman@eskom.co.za or visit sacftr.co.za Wild Cave Adventures Time: 11:30am, every Sunday. Venue: Wild Cave Adventures, Cradle of Humankind. Cost: adults R220, children R180. Booking essential. Contact: 011 956 6197 or visit wildcaves.co.za Yoga4kids An educational and ageappropriate yoga curriculum that combines the exploration of the body, mind and self.

Venue: Broadacres, Craighall Park, Atholl, Rivonia, Parkmore. Contact: 083 299 6555 or visit yoga4kids.co.za Zoo trot A 5km or 10km walk or jog around the zoo. Time: 7am. Second Sunday every month. Venue: meet in car park at Johannesburg Zoo, Forest Town. Cost: R30. For more info: 011 646 2000 or view jhbzoo.org.za

only for parents

Wonderwall Indoor climbing wall for beginners to advanced climbers. Time: Tuesday–Thursday 10am–10pm, Friday 10am–9pm, Saturday 9am–6pm. Venue: Unit 1, Kya Sands Industrial Village, 22 Elsecar St, Kya Sands. Cost: adults R60, children R40. Contact: 011 708 6467 or visit wonderwall.co.za

classes, talks and workshops How to make inexpensive gifts for Christmas Expert craftswoman Joan Launspach demonstrates the making of gifts for Christmas. Time: 10am. Venue: Ngwenya Glass Village, off Beyers Naudé Dr, Muldersdrift. Cost: R65, includes refreshments. Booking essential. Contact Annemarie: 084 607 4291

Mosaic a mirror Enjoy a morning with friends and coffee while having fun doing mosaic. 18 November. Time: 10am–1pm. Venue: Words Bookstore, Health Emporium, cnr Church and Market St, Midrand. Contact: 011 315 3801 or maria@wordsbookstore.co.za

family marketplace

74

November 2010

magazine joburg

Personal Growth coffee chat Join counsellor Melanie Hall as she gives a talk on personal growth, and how to accept and love all aspects of one’s self. 6 November. Time: 2pm. Venue: Ngwenya Glass Village, off Beyers Naudé Dr, Muldersdrift. Cost: R65, includes refreshments. Booking essential. Contact Annemarie: 084 607 4291 Successful parenthood and joyous child rearing This four-week course covers topics such as conscious parenting, discipline, instilling values in your child, common mistakes a parent makes as well as other pertinent topics. Every Tuesday, 2–23 November. Time: 6pm–10pm. Venue: Parktown North. Cost: R3 000 per person, R4 500 per couple. Contact: 011 447 5362, parenting@lifedynamics.co.za or visit lifedynamics.co.za

Women in Business Charity Breakfast Join local celebrity and entrepreneur guest speakers for a networking breakfast in aid of Johannesburg Child Welfare. 4 November.

Time: 7:30am–10am. Venue: The Westcliff, 6 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff. Cost: R570.

Booking essential. Contact Tracey: 011 298 8567 or pr@jhbchildwelfare.org.za

out and about FNB Whisky Live Festival Take a journey along the whisky trail at this festival, one of the largest whisky and lifestyle events of its kind. 10–12 November. Time: 6pm–10pm.

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Maude St, Sandton. Cost: varies. For more info: visit whiskylivefestival.co.za Kamersvol Geskenke Based on the success of the Cape Town show, this designer event moves to the Highveld.

2–23 November – A four-week successful parenthood course

magazine joburg

Showcasing the talents of 150 carefully selected designers and craftspeople you can view original collections of designer clothes, ceramics and jewellery as well as garden designs and gastronomical delicacies.

25–28 November. Time: from 10am. Venue: 1 Celtis Kamersvol Close, Irene. Cost: R40. Book Geskenke through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com support groups or kamersvol.com Anorexia and bulimia family support Orlando Towers Bungee jump, power group Assists those suffering from anorexia swing, base jump or rap jump your way and bulimia nervosa as well as the affected to an adrenaline-fuelled thrill. The not-sofamily members. Contact: 011 887 9966 or adventurous can view the fun from the visit edsupport.co.za platform below. Time: subject to booking.

Autism South Africa for support and Venue: Orlando Towers, Dynamo St, cnr advice contact: 011 484 9909 Old Potch Rd, Orlando, Soweto. Cost: CHOC Provides support for families affected R260–R480. Contact: 011 312 0450, by childhood cancer. Contact: 086 111 071 674 4343 or visit orlandotowers.co.za 3500 or visit choc.org.za Compassionate Friends Support on stage and on screen group for bereaved parents, siblings and André the Hilarious Hypnotist grandparents. Contact: 011 440 6322 or Time: varies. Venue: Studio Theatre at visit compassionatefriends.org.za Montecasino, Fourways. Cost: R95. Book Divorce support workshop For through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or individuals going through a divorce or visit computicket.com recently divorced. Scheduled subject to Trevor Noah – Scratch That Time: sufficient numbers. Time: 7pm–9pm. varies. Venue: The Fringe, Joburg Theatre Venue: 1 Cardigan Ave, Parkwood. Cost: Complex, Loveday St, Braamfontein. Cost: R390. Contact: 011 788 4784/5 or visit R161. Book through Computicket: 083 915 familylife.co.za 8000 or visit computicket.com

November 2010

75

calendar Diabetes South Africa 011 886 3721 Down’s Syndrome SA 0861 369 672 Epilepsy South Africa 011 816 2040 Hi Hopes Early intervention programme to empower parents of deaf or hearing impaired children aged 0–3 years. Contact: 011 717 3750 or claudine.storbeck@wits.ac.za Johannesburg Bipolar Support Association Contact Linda: 011 485 2406 or visit bipolar.co.za Parents for Children with Special Educational Needs (PACSEN) Provides counselling, support and information for parents with special-needs children. Contact: 012 333 0149 or visit pacsen.co.za Respect Me Support for children affected by bullying. Contact Kelly: info@respectme. co.za or visit respectme.co.za SA Inherited Disorders Association 011 489 9213 Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders Alliance is a support group for carers and those affected by the disease. Contact: 011 463 9901 or visit supportsabda.co.za South African Cystic Fibrosis Trust Provides practical and emotional support to patients and their families. Contact: 011 022 2464 or visit sacftr.co.za Southern African Association for Learning and Educational Differences is a group for parents, remedial educators, therapists and educators involved with children who have barriers to learning. Contact: 011 648 5779 or visit saaled.org.za The Family Life Centre Offers marriage, divorce and couple counselling, single parent and step-parent support groups, family counselling as well as play therapy, grief counselling, teen counselling, plus programmes on bullying and trauma debriefing. Venue: 1 Cardigan Rd, Parkwood. Contact: 011 788 4784/5, famlife@iafica.com or visit familylife.co.za Tough Love Self-help programme and support group for families affected by unacceptable adolescent behaviour. Contact: 0861 868 445 or visit toughlove.org.za Women and Men Against Child Abuse Medical, psychological and followup therapy and treatment for children and their non-offending family members or caregivers, who have been sexually, physically and emotionally abused. Contact: 011 789 8815, tania@wmaca.org or visit wmaca.org

The Family Life Centre

76

November 2010

Respect Me support group

bump, baby & Tot in tow

classes, talks and workshops Be Sharp Beetles Music and Movement Programme develops children through drumming, percussion play and cultural musical stories. Suitable for children aged 6 weeks–8 years. Children are exposed to English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Sotho. Venue: Northcliff. Contact: 082 922 8161 or visit besharpbeetles.co.za Little Cooks Club programme Fun and interactive cooking for moms and tots from 2 years. Also offers classes in making healthy baby food. Venue: Rivonia, Fourways, Fairland, Mondeor, Edenvale/ Bedfordview, Pretoria. Contact Christine: 083 556 3434, christine@littlecooksclub. co.za or visit littlecooksclub.co.za Moms and Babes Interactive workshops for parents with babies from 2–12 months.

Workshops include guided play with ageappropriate toys, movement to music and sensory stimulation. Venue: several venues throughout Gauteng. Contact: 011 469 1530 or visit momsandbabes.co.za Moms and Tots Interactive workshops for parents with tots from 1–3½ years.

Workshops include free play with educational toys, music, stories and crafts as well as life skills, messy play and gross motor activities. Venue: several venues throughout Gauteng. Contact: 011 469 1530 or visit momsandtots.co.za Nanny and Toddler workshops These Friday classes provide a morning of interactive play for toddlers aged 1–3 years.

Time: 9am–noon. Venue: Sandton Field and Study Recreation Centre, Parkmore.

Cost: R90. Booking essential. Contact Kerry: 083 391 4921 or kerry@toptots.co.za Preggi Bellies This one hour long cardio and weight training programme is for expectant and post natal moms and conforms to strict obstetric guidelines for exercising during pregnancy. Time: varies.

Venue: Bedfordview, Craighall, Fourways, Melrose, Parkmore, Rivonia. Cost: varies.

Contact David: 011 440 6222 or visit preggibellies.co.za magazine joburg

Seminar for parents expecting multiples Parents expecting a multiple birth can listen to a talk by experts in this field. 6 November. Time: 1:30pm–5:30pm.

Venue: Randburg and Pretoria. Cost: R140.

Booking essential. Contact Fiona: 0861 432 432, 084 620 0380, ingo@multiplebirth. co.za or visit samultiplebirth.co.za Sharonlea Childcare Centre open day If you’re looking for a childcare facility for your tot, you can view the many facilities at this centre. 13 November.

Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: 73 Ebbehout St, Sharonlea and 20 Jarra St, Sharonlea. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 704 1030 or 011 462 1810 The Joburg Baby Expo Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’re already a parent, this expo will provide you with lots of useful information. Everybody’s favourite dinosaur, Barney, gets parents and children going as they sing along to the ever popular lyrics, “I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family”, and many other tunes while learning how to unlock your child’s imagination. 25–28 November. Time: 9am–6pm. Venue: Coca Cola Dome, cnr Northumberland Rd and Olievenhout Ave, Northgate. Cost: adults R50, children under 10 free. For more info: visit mamamagic.co.za Toy Talk 2010 Parenting expert Nikki Bush presents a talk about children’s toys.

She’ll discuss the importance of play, the classic toys that children need, where electronic toys fit in, how to select a toy and more. 1, 2, 3 and 10 November.

Time: 1, 2, 3, November 6pm–9pm, 9 November 9am–noon and 6pm–9pm.

Venue: Bryanston. Cost: R185, includes notes and refreshment. Booking essential.

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

Toy Talk 2010

playtime and story time Hedgehog Lane Outdoor fairground with a ferris wheel, merry-go-round and miniature Hedgehog Express Train, a creative studio, bakery and hair salon make up this onestop entertainment venue. Picnic baskets welcome. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Garden Shop, 278 Main Rd, Bryanston. Cost: adults free, children R18. For more info: visit hedgehoglane.co.za I-Play educational play zone and coffee shop Children can have fun in the play zone, which boasts a mini plane, trampoline and sand pits. Moms can enjoy a coffee and shop for imported wooden and glass Christmas decorations. Time: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am– 1pm. Venue: Kayburne Ave, Randpark Ridge. Cost: free entry. Contact Annemarie: 083 704 2834

I-Play educational play zone

Jelly Fish Secure indoor play area with coffee shop. Activities include gardening, art and crafts, dress-up and free play. Time: 10am–4pm. Venue: Lower Level Bedford Village Shopping Centre, cnr Van Buuren Rd and Nicol Rd, Bedfordview. Cost: R100 for first hour, includes art to take home.

R50 per hour thereafter. Contact: 011 024 2379 or visit jellyfishkids.co.za Jimmy Jungles Indoor adventure playground with supervised, secure facilities for toddlers and children from 6 months up to a maximum height of 1,4m. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Shop 60, Stoneridge Centre, Modderfontein. Cost: R30 per hour. Contact: 011 452 2180 or visit jimmyjungles.co.za Jungle Rumble Indoor playground and party venue with allocated baby area for birth–3 years. Time: Tuesday–Saturday 9am– 5pm, Sunday 10am–5pm. Venue: Panorama Shop and Leisure Centre, Mulbarton. Cost: R15–R45. Babies under 10 months free. For more info: visit junglerumble.co.za

Baby Gym Moms

with

babies

aged

2

weeks–1 year can participate in courses to help you stimulate your baby, ensuring whole brain development. You can also learn valuable massage techniques to soothe problems such as colic and sleep. Venue: Bryanston. Contact Joanne: 083 303 1190, joanne. bradley@babygym.co.za or visit babygym.co.za

magazine joburg

November 2010

77

calendar Parkview Library story time Suitable for children under 3 years. Time: 10am, every Monday. Venue: Parkview Library, 51 Athlone Ave, Parkview. Cost: free entry.

Contact: 011 646 3375 Piccino’s Indoor soft-play area suitable for children aged 2–6 years. Coffee shop for moms. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Norwood Mall, Hamlin Rd, Norwood. Cost: R40 per hour. Contact: 011 728 0928 Serendipity Indoor and outdoor play and craft venue with a small restaurant. Time: Tuesday–Friday 9:30am–5pm, Saturday– Sunday 8am–4:30pm. Venue: 48 Keyes Ave, Rosebank. Cost: free entry for adults, first child R40, second child R30, additional children R20. Contact: 011 447 7386 or visit serendipityplay.co.za Yeesh! Fun for kids Supervised softplay indoor playgrounds with coffee bars.

Time: Tuesday–Sunday, 9am–5pm. Venue: Unit G6, Woodmead Commercial Park, Waterval Cres, Woodmead and 5 Main Rd, Bryanston. Cost: R40 per hour. Contact Woodmead: 083 923 2306, Bryanston: 073 230 6531 or visit yeesh.co.za

support groups Adoption South Africa Offers support groups for adopters as well as extensive services in counselling and legal social work for parents that have adopted or are looking at the adoption option. For more info: visit adoptionsa.co.za Bedwetting Support Group Contact: 083 289 6640, Monday–Friday 8am–5pm La Leche League Breastfeeding support group. For more info: visit llli.org Post-natal Depression Support Association Assists mothers as well as families affected by post-natal depression.

Contact: 011 786 8803, 082 429 2279, pndsagauteng@gmail.com or visit pndsa. co.za. You can also sms the national helpline and they will contact you: 082 882 0072 SA Preemies Support group for the parents and families of premature babies. Contact: 080 773 3643, support@sapreemies.za.org or visit sapreemiesforafrica.org South African Multiple Birth Association provides moral and practical support to parents or guardians of multiple births. Contact: 0861 432 432

SA Preemies

it’s party time

Adoption South Africa

how to help 16 Days of Activism This international campaign for no violence against women and children takes place every year from 25 November to 10 December. You can support this campaign by wearing a white ribbon, reporting abuse against women and children or donating funds or volunteering at an NGO in support of this cause. For more info: visit doc16days.gov.za Berea-Hillbrow Home of Hope is an organisation that works with children who have been subjected to human trafficking and sexual exploitation as well as orphans and other vulnerable groups who may be infected or affected by HIV/Aids. They require children’s clothes and shoes, educational material, linen, nappies, toys and toiletries. Contact: 073 250 2086 or visit hopehome.org.za Chazak Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to create an awareness and sensitivity among preschool children towards people who have physical and mental disabilities. Contact them to see how you can assist people suffering from physical disabilities to adapt their homes and make them wheelchair accessible as well as raise funds for the purchase of wheelchairs. Contact Michelle: info@ chazak.za.org or visit chazak.za.org Christmas gifts for less privileged children and adults Many homes are planning Christmas parties for their residents.

They each have unique gift lists and you can volunteer to supply a specific gift for a less privileged child or adult. Visit charitysa.co.za to choose a home and view their wish list.

Stop rhino poaching Did you know that there are fewer than 22 000 rhinos left in South Africa? Become an active participant in ensuring the survival of this beautiful species. Visit the following sites to view their projects stoprhinopoaching.com, ewt. org.za and savetherhino.org

don’t miss out!

For a free listing, email your event to joburg@childmag.co.za or fax it to 011 234 4971. Information must be received by 10 November for the December/January issue and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published.

78

November 2010

magazine joburg

magazine joburg

November 2010

79

it’s party time continued...

80

November 2010

magazine joburg

magazine joburg

November 2010

81

last laugh

under-parenting SAM WILSON perfects the art of giving yourself

icture the scene: I was lying in my bed tucked in very cosily with a nice flippity-flip book and a bowl of Nik Naks. (I know, and I have white bed linen!). Joe walked in, with a book called Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know about Alexander the Great, or something equally unnerving.

“Mom?” he asked, without lifting his eyes from his book. “Did you know that Alexander the Great conquered...”

Now, I know Joey when he’s deep in historical obsession mode. If I gave him an inch here, he was going to give me an entire invasion. I had to intervene to protect my Nik-Nakked, trashy-booked happy moment.

“Joe, you know how often I’m really interested in that stuff?” I interrupted.

“Well, right now, I am enjoying just reading by myself. In fact, right now, do you mind if I under-parent for a bit? I just want to, you know, chill.”

82

November 2010

“Totally. Got it. Enjoy,” Joe said, still without looking up, and he turned around and walked off, perfectly happily, to reimmerse himself in the dodgy doings of ancient rabble rousers.

It was an epiphany. Who knew that, once of a certain age, children totally get that you don’t always want to be Shiny Parent? That sometimes, as long as it isn’t all the time, you could claim your right to under-parent and that it would be totally cool?

Now, I am not talking about when you screw up. When you’re short-tempered and scratchy and you do something unimpressive, or you yell something unfair or you... well, use your imagination here, because there are as many ways to mess up as a parent as there are parents.

No, for that I have an entirely different device. It’s called the Therapy Jar – and it’s incredibly cool. The Therapy Jar is employed like so: Child drops toast sunny side down on floor. Stressed Mom totally

flips out at Child, who gets all cryey and sorry-for-self because his mom turned into a Harpy for no real reason.

Dad raises an eyebrow at Mom and says: “Hmm... that’s 10 bucks in the therapy jar.” Child smiles, feeling vindicated. Mom smiles, a little more ruefully. Dad smiles as he managed to tell Mom she was being a lousy parent without actually having to pull her up in front of Child. The Imaginary Therapy Jar has restored balance once more.

Don’t you just love the Therapy Jar? I suggest you all select your own immediately. Ours is made of lumpy brown pottery and is brimming with enough cash to take us to the Seychelles for a month.

No, under-parenting is a lot less nefarious. It’s when you see the Good Parent goalline, but you’re just not going to run this particular race, thanks very much.

You’re up for the next one, but right now,

Joe, Sam and Benj

you’re just going to sit out for a little bit and catch your breath.

Once you think of it like that, doesn’t the concept of under-parenting feel so much more valid than simply “needing a break?”

Maybe it’s because I play with words for a living, but somehow I find the notion very comforting. Oh, go on, try it. There’s an under-parent in you somewhere, and a child who’ll be more than willing to give you permission to unleash him or her.

Sam Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief of Women24, Parent24 and Food24. She wrote this whole column – yes, you guessed it – while lying in her bed, leg tangled with Joe, reading a book on Alexander the Great.

magazine joburg

PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth

p

permission to be a less than Shiny Parent.