Child Magazine | Pretoria Dec/Jan 2013

P r e t o r i a’ s

b e s t

g u i d e

f o r

pa r e n t s

slow it down

choosing a life in the country

safety tips for the pool, home and beyond

the TV debate

happyholidays

on or off?

bumper dec/jan ‘what’s on’

www.childmag.co.za

Dec 2012 / Jan 2013

free

health

44

ways to give from the heart

education

entertainment

Hunter House P UB L IS H ING

On my way home from work recently, I watched as a Big Issue vendor helped an elderly woman cross the road. The wind was howling, and the old lady, stiff with arthritis, was making dangerously slow progress amid rush-hour traffic. Seeing this, the vendor abandoned at least 20 potential customers to perform a simple act of kindness. They exchanged no words when they eventually reached the other side of the road. She reached out her hand to steady herself on a building and catching her breath, she lifted her head, and smiled up at the vendor.

With just a simple nod of acknowledgment, he returned to his post, seemingly unaware of how much easier he had made her day, and at the same time, enriched mine.

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

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Anél Lewis • features@childmag.co.za Resource Editor Simone Jeffery • joburg@childmag.co.za Editorial Assistant Lucille Kemp • capetown@childmag.co.za Copy Editor Debbie Hathway

Art Designers Nikki-leigh Piper • nikki@childmag.co.za Alys Suter • studio2@childmag.co.za Mariette Barkhuizen • studio@childmag.co.za Mark Vincer • studio3@childmag.co.za

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

Client Relations PUBLISHER’S PHOTOGRAPH: Brooke Fasani

Renee Bruning • renee@childmag.co.za

Subscriptions and Circulation

And so, as I head into the often frantic festive season, there is only one item on my wish list: it is the gift of kindness that I am most hoping to give and receive this year. This lasting, but often underrated gesture has the power to change not only the quality of our lives, but the actual lives of others.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful, family-filled end of year and a rejuvenated 2013.

If you love the magazine you’ll love our website. Visit us at childmag.co.za

Helen Xavier • subs@childmag.co.za

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

Pretoria’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: info@childmag.co.za.

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We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.

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December 2012 / January 2013

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contents december and january 2013

22

upfront 3

a note from lisa

5 over to you readers respond

features

health

12 raising a vegetarian

9

fever blisters are contagious and unsightly, but they can be treated, says Marina Zietsman

lynis Horning finds out that even G babies and pregnant women can thrive with a meat-free lifestyle

14 cookout

ake the most of the warmer weather m with these outdoor recipes from Christine Phillips

16 stop to smell the roses

s wapping the city for a slower, simpler life has its ups and downs, says Lucille Kemp

18 the sun always shines on tv Cath Jenkin and Christina Castle consider the pros and cons of letting your child watch the box 20 safety first

Child magazine offers 10 smart tips for home and away

that tingle you have

regulars 6 wins 8 upfront with paul

ave you heard the one about the h child who couldn’t laugh? Paul Kerton says humour is an important part of family life

10 best for baby – the crying game

most parents fear colic, but there are things you can do to make your baby more comfortable, says Anél Lewis

22 resource – presents from the heart

Child magazine suggests creative gift ideas for children of all ages

24 a good read

new books for the whole family

26 what’s on in december/january 34 finishing touch

12

nél Lewis finds that not even the A cat is safe when there are children in the house

classified ads 33 let’s party 34 family marketplace

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

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December 2012 / January 2013

Joburg

Cape Town

Durban

Pretoria

shutterstock.com

kinder.co.za Photograph: Romi Stern supernovacm.co.za

Siri Stafford Getty Images Gallo Images

shutterstock.com

magazine pretoria

letters

over to you back to basics I want to say thank you so much for this magazine. I am a young mom and have found that your publication has helped me a lot. In response to the article “bottoms up” (November 2012 issue): I have a daughter who is now two years old. When she was about eight months old, she developed a rash from an allergic reaction to antibiotics. Her poor bottom was so damaged that it barely had any skin on it. It bled and she cried whenever she sat down or got into the bath. This lasted for three months. I spent thousands on recommended creams and lotions. Eventually a doctor told me to paint raw egg white on the affected area, as it is high in protein. Desperate, I followed his instruction, and one week later the rash had cleared. Now, whenever I see a rash starting, I get out the paintbrush and an egg.

This has saved me a lot of money and my daughter’s bottom.

Avalon Klein

technology not available to everyone Regarding your article “swipe type learn” (November 2012 issue), on the use of technology in the classroom, the schools mentioned are attended by a privileged few children whose parents can afford the astronomical school fees and the purchasing of these expensive gadgets. While this is indeed the way the world is going, it is only a very limited number of children who are able to be educated in this manner. For the average child in South

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

Africa, this is far beyond their reach. Surely it should be the democratic right of each child to be given the chance to use technology, not just the wealthy, overindulged and spoilt rich children?

Makes you think: the gap between rich and poor will continue to grow, giving people who have never had to work for anything yet another added advantage over the rest.

Josie Child magazine asked Michelle Lissoos, managing director of Think Ahead, a company specialising in the integration of technology into teaching and learning, to respond: Thank you for your feedback. Our experience has in fact been the opposite. We have seen the iPad being used as an educational tool to increase the access to technology and improve the digital literacy of a broader range of schools across South Africa.

With its mobility, lack of need for additional infrastructure, such as a computer laboratory, and comparatively lower cost in terms of access to content and usability, we have seen the iPad (and other types of computer devices) being adopted by schools and teachers that previously had no access to technology or resources such as science labs or libraries. Our programme, iSchoolAfrica, focuses on increasing this accessibility. Through our public and private partnerships, we can see how technology has worked as a catalyst for narrowing the divide.

We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters. The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.

Post a comment online at childmag.co.za

December 2012 / January 2013

5

wins

giveaways

in december and january sitting safe The GoBooster is a high-backed inflatable booster chair that combines the safety of a booster seat with convenient, travelfriendly features. It is lightweight and durable, and only takes seconds to inflate and deflate. The automatic air pressure regulator ensures it won’t burst or pop.

Contact: luc@gobooster.co.za or visit gobooster.co.za Three readers stand a chance to each win a GoBooster, valued at R895. Simply enter via childmag.co.za/wins-pta and use the code “GoBooster PTA”. Your details will be made available to GoBooster.

back to school goodies Cartoon Network brings children a comedy-packed line-up, including The Amazing World of Gumball about a 12-year-old cat with a flair for misadventure. Find video clips, wallpapers and games online. Watch the series on DStv channel 301 or visit cartoonnetworkafrica.com/gumball Three readers stand a chance to each win a Cartoon Network hamper of goodies for school, including a USB flash drive, backpack, T-shirt, Star Wars watch, Rubik cube key ring, notepad and sets of badges, stickers, coloured pens and crayons, all valued at R844. Simply enter via childmag.co.za/wins-pta and use the code “Cartoon Network PTA”.

to enter simply visit childmag.co.za

congratulations to our October winners Nazrene Khan who wins a Think Toys hamper, including Dantoy sets, SES clay sets, Plan car and street toys, Quercetti magnetic board and a Trundle wheel; Marlene Barnard and Juanita Swanepoel who each win a Calpol hamper, including a voucher from

or post your entry to PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Entries close 31 January 2013. Only one entry per reader.

For full terms and conditions of giveaways please see “Competition Rules” on our website childmag.co.za

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December 2012 / January 2013

Baby City; and Anke Badenhorst who wins four audio books from The Listeners’ Libary.

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December 2012 / January 2013

7

upfront with paul

laugh out loud Laughter really is the best medicine when it comes to your child’s health and

Saskia, Paul and Sabina

i

t makes me die laughing; okay, it raises a wry smile, when I see young children going through the inevitable toilet humour stage we all do. Anything to do with bottoms or farts, or an extended lexicon of embarrassing but normal bodily functions – mostly those in the nether regions – causes them to double up in wild hysterics. I reluctantly bought Sabina a whoopee cushion about two years ago and instantly regretted it. How can something so ridiculous and irritating bring so much pleasure? Luckily she grew out of it. Toilet humour gets slightly tedious when they are still doing it at 21, but hey, each to their own.

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December 2012 / January 2013

A great sense of humour, or GSOH as the personals prefer it, is an essential tool that helps to get us through the rigours of life, whether as a parent or a child.

Think of the gallows humour of the soldier dodging bullets on the front line, “always look on the bright side”, “laughter is the best medicine” and all that. Some of us have a GSOH, some don’t; some think they do but don’t and some people’s wit is so dry that it flies over everybody’s heads.

Others have a sense of humour deemed so weird or dark, that an audience sits there aghast, asking, “Do you really think that’s funny?” As a test, try this, one of the top five funniest jokes of all time: “I said to the

gym instructor, ‘Can you teach me to do the splits?’ He said, ‘How flexible are you?’

I said, ‘I can’t make Tuesdays.’”

No matter what type of humour you have, people will adapt given time. The fact that you and your child have one is critical, and the sound of genuine laughter is music to a parent’s ears as it’s a sure sign that your child is happy, relaxed, well-balanced and socially connected. Basically, if you can’t laugh, there’s something slightly wrong. While psychologists used to poohpooh the idea that there was any scientific correlation between laughter and an individual’s health and development, they changed their tune radically 20 years ago and have been having a laugh ever since.

In adults, a deficient sense of humour can signal a variety of disorders such as schizophrenia, autism and Asperger’s syndrome, and humour offers new insights

into the nature of those conditions.

“Humour sets you up to understand that people can do things wrong and intend them to be wrong,” says UK psychologist Merideth Gattis. “That’s an easy entry into duality, the idea that an action can mean more than one thing – a very difficult concept for young children to grasp.”

Children generally go through various stages starting with peekaboo baby stuff, through to toilet humour and slapstick, which is why children love clowns and those home video shows where people fall off trampolines. Then comes the joke telling – “knock, knock...” – that, apart from anything else, is more important for the social interaction than the humour given that you can’t tell a joke to yourself. If you do, please stop reading this column now and seek help.

Follow Paul on Twitter: @fabdad1

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PHOTOGRAPH: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

development, says PAUL KERTON.

health

that tingle you have Fever blisters are common, but most people don’t realise how contagious they are. By Marina Zietsman

t

hey are unsightly, sore and highly contagious – cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. They are filled with liquid and can be very painful. After a few days they scab over, and will then take up to two weeks to heal. More than one cold sore may appear on the face at any time. They can also be found in the mouth, although this is less common.

asymptomatic (have no symptoms at all) or a child may show signs of a fever and fatigue with multiple painful ulcers on the lips and tongue. Symptomatic first infections usually spontaneously subside after about 10 days, though it may take up to six weeks to heal completely.”

Recurrent attacks of the virus give rise to what we call fever blisters, says Rabinowitz. These infections usually “crust” within four days and heal completely within 10 days.

how you get them

gone, but not for good

It is the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that causes cold sores, and the most common cause of these sores around the mouth is the herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1. It’s a cousin of herpes simplex type 2, which causes the sexuallytransmitted disease, genital herpes. Most people are first infected with HSV-1 before they are 10 years old. Dr Debbie Rabinowitz, a general practitioner at The Wellness Station in Cape Town, explains: “It is passed from person to person, either directly through kissing and skin contact or indirectly by drinking from the same cup or using the same utensils.”

Once contamination has occurred, the virus hides in nerve cells, where it remains dormant until something causes it to flare up. When the virus is activated, it travels back to the skin and there may be a tingling or burning sensation before there are any other visible signs. “Rabinowitz says, “During the first (primary) infection a child may be

There is no cure for fever blisters, and Rabinowitz points out the following which can precipitate them: colds, fever, stress (mental and emotional), sun exposure and low immunity, but they can flare up for no known reason. “They tend to be a lifelong condition,” says Rabinowitz. Most sores will go away without treatment, but medicines may reduce the duration of the blisters. Topical antiviral creams can ease the pain and itching of recurrent fever blisters and speed up the healing time, if applied early enough. She adds that these medicines have little effect if started once the blisters are already present. Oral antiviral agents are available by prescription and are used in specific cases only.

Dr Kerri Sacks, a homeopathic practitioner in Joburg, suggests the following supplements, “Vitamin C boosts the immune system and helps the body to fight the virus.

L-lysine has anti-viral properties and helps fight the herpes

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virus.” A vitamin B complex supplement is important for sufferers who lead stressful lifestyles. Sacks says there are homeopathic remedies, which can also be very effective, but should symptoms persist, it’s best to consult your homeopathic practitioner for a specific remedy. Rabinowitz suggests you consult your doctor if the fever blisters make it difficult to eat or speak or if they take longer than a week to heal.

keep them at bay • I f your child has open or weeping fever blisters, many crèches would prefer you to keep her at home until the blisters have healed and they are no longer contagious. The weeping stage is the most contagious.

• Encourage frequent handwashing.

• Do not share utensils or cups with a person who has a fever blister.

• Do not kiss someone with a fever blister.

• It is a good idea to clean children’s toys regularly with disinfectant.

• A good sunscreen may prevent the recurrence of fever blisters precipitated by sun exposure. *Courtesy of Dr Debbie Rabinowitz

December 2012 / January 2013

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best for baby

the

crying game

We all know that babies cry, but could that incessant wailing be a sign of colic?

ANÉL LEWIS finds out.

t

he term “colic” is enough to strike fear into the hearts of most new parents. But, does the condition really exist, or is it just a convenient way of referring to prolonged bouts of crying? Cape Town-based paediatrician Dr Claudia Gray says the term is used “rather broadly” by doctors to refer to excessive crying for no apparent reason, in an otherwise healthy infant. She suggests the “rule of three” to define colic: does the crying last more than three hours, occur for more than three days a week and persist for more than three weeks?

and paediatric medicine. Gray says there are “many theories” about the causes of colic, but common factors may include one or more of the following: immaturity of the baby’s gut, abnormal bowel movements, trapped wind, a disturbance in the bacteria of the gut, reflux of stomach contents into the baby’s oesophagus, feeding difficulties, which may include over- or underfeeding and swallowed air, exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth, or an allergy to cow’s milk protein. Lactose intolerance may also play a minor role.

Gray adds that a baby’s hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli and any family

Some may say it does not exist, and this could be due to the fact that colic is a collection of symptoms, rather than a condition.

Gray says colic presents in as many as 40 percent of babies. Caesarean babies are no more at risk than those born naturally and there isn’t any difference between breast-fed and formula-fed babies, or those born prematurely. It may run in the family though, and it seems to be more common in Caucasian babies.

possible causes While some may argue that there is no such thing as colic, the parent of an infant who cries nonstop will beg to differ. “Some may say it does not exist, and this could be due to the fact that colic is a collection of symptoms, rather than a condition,” explains Dr Lauren Forbes, a Pretoriabased chiropractor specialising in family

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December 2012 / January 2013

stress or emotional tension experienced during pregnancy may contribute to the symptoms.

identify that cry Gray says parental expectations or perceptions “certainly” play a role in the definition of a child as suffering from colic.

“It is important for parents to understand a ‘normal’ pattern of crying. All children cry more during the first three months.” Colic, however, is behaviour that goes beyond what is considered normal: persistent and excessive crying that is distressing for the baby and the parents. “The crying is more intense and high-pitched than normal with a ‘piercing’ or ‘grating’ quality.”

Forbes says a colicky baby may present with legs flexed against the abdomen, magazine pretoria

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

no discrimination

tensed abdominal muscles and clenched fists. Some babies arch themselves backwards. The unexplained crying will usually start from about three weeks, will peak at two months and should subside between three and six months. Gray says the crying episodes usually begin abruptly, often clustering in the evening.

colic survival kit Your baby needs to be examined to rule out any other causes of pain and irritability, such as an infection or a fracture. The symptoms then need to be managed, and Gray says children will respond differently, depending on the factors causing their colic. She suggests the following: • Make use of friends and family who offer to help. Incessant crying can try a parent’s patience. Take a quick break, rather than running the risk of harming your baby should you reach the end of your tether.

• Bottle-fed babies may need an anti-colic bottle, or will benefit from drinking in a more upright position.

In cases of severe colic, your doctor may suggest changing your baby’s formula to rule out a possible reaction to cow’s milk protein, especially if there are other signs, such as eczema or growth failure.

• Empty one breast completely when breast-feeding to reduce the intake of lactose from the foremilk, or milk released at the start of the feed. Limit your dairy and caffeine intake for a week, after discussion with your health practitioner, to see if your baby’s symptoms subside. There is not much evidence for avoidance of other magazine pretoria

allergenic foods, such as wheat or nuts, so it is not advisable to go on a highly restrictive diet.

• Carry your baby during crying spells.

Regular motion, in a car or a safe baby swing, may also help.

• Try a warm bath or a soothing baby massage. White noise, such as the sound of a washing machine, may help your baby settle.

• If there are signs of possible reflux, such as excessive vomiting, a refusal to feed or arching of the back, your doctor may consider a trial of antacid medication.

• Use antispasmodics, popular colic mixtures and homeopathic medications sparingly, as they may have side effects.

• Forbes says chiropractic care has shown to be a “highly successful” treatment option and, according to some studies, has shown significantly better results than other treatments.

Chiropractic care is a “conservative, gentle and natural” option for treating colic. Specific and gentle pressure, much like that used to check the ripeness of an avocado pear, is applied to the baby’s back and neck. There are also baby massage techniques that facilitate digestion and aid relaxation. This strengthens the bond between mother and baby, as the stress of trying to soothe an unsettled baby often interferes with mother-baby bonding and can increase the risk of postpartum depression.

Gray adds that parents need to be reassured that the colic is not a result of their parenting abilities. It will eventually be outgrown and your child will not experience any long-term harm.

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nutrition

raising a vegetarian With many parents opting for meat-free diets, for themselves and their children, there are concerns about possible nutritional

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December 2012 / January 2013

from the start It was only when we chose to have children that I had doubts. Like many vegetarian parents-to-be, we were confronted by questions from the future grandparents and other concerned omnivores in our circle. Could we really be sure our precious progeny would have all the protein, iron and other nutrients usually associated with meat, which they needed to be healthy and smart? Today, if we didn’t have two robust teenage sons as reassurance, we’d have a slew of health studies and recommended nutritional guidelines to back up our decision. A study at Loma Linda University in California showed that vegetarians live some seven years longer than meateaters, and vegans, 15 years longer. The findings were confirmed by the China-Cornell-Oxford Project, the most extensive 20-year study on diet and health to date, which found that Chinese people, who eat the least fat

and animal produce, run the lowest risk of cancer, heart attack and other chronic degenerative diseases. If this is not convincing enough, a UK study that tracked 6 000 vegetarians and 5 000 meat-eaters for 12 years found the vegetarians were 40 percent less likely to die from cancer in that time, and 20 percent less likely to die from other diseases. A study by the University of California has even found that children on a vegetarian diet grew taller than meat-eating children, which is no surprise, because my eldest stands 1,8m tall in his socks.

nutritional benefits South African dieticians are equally positive about the benefits of vegetarianism. Berna Harmse, president of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa), says the advantages include “a lower intake of cholesterol and saturated fats, and a higher intake of fruit, vegetables

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PHOTOGRAPH: shutterstock.com

a

vegetarian diet is the considered choice for many parents and their children these days. Independent research firm Harris Interactive reports that the number of vegetarian youth in the United States has increased by 70 percent in the past few years, and there are similar trends in South Africa too. This is attributed to growing environmental and animal welfare awareness and evidence of the health benefits. It was more of a knee jerk emotional reaction that prompted me to drop meat. As a fledgling reporter I covered a news story about a truck full of sheep that had overturned on a freeway. “They’re headed for the abattoir anyway,” quipped the photographer, as he snapped the bleating survivors. But face to woolly face with what I, too, would normally have considered lunch, I balked. My partner, a longtime vegetarian, said nothing when I suddenly embraced his regimen of dense veggie and legume soups, and salads with nuts, seeds and cheese.

deficiencies. GLYNIS HORNING seeks advice.

and fibre, which in turn results in eating fewer sweet and salty snacks and fast foods”. She adds, “Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer.” The only possible disadvantage to being a vegetarian or raising one, Harmse says, could be the planning, purchasing and preparing of the food needed to maintain an adequate diet. “Although there is much more variety available in the shops and markets these days, it can still be a bit more time-consuming.” In response to fears of deficiencies during vulnerable periods such as pregnancy, infancy and adolescence, she says, “Current nutritional thinking is that following a properly planned vegetarian diet can be beneficial for all stages of life, including these.

There is no cause for concern if a variety of foods

children grow. “This might include iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and omega-3 or flax oil,” says Ivison. “It would need to be assessed individually, as many foods are already supplemented with these vitamins and minerals.”

Parents of vegan children, who eat no animal produce, need to plan their diets particularly carefully, preferably in consultation with a dietician.

personally speaking Except for vitamin B12 and a folic acid supplement, which is recommended for most pregnant moms, I ate our usual lactoovo-vegetarian fare through a picture-perfect pregnancy, and produced a beautiful son who I breast-fed for 18 months, introducing him to rice cereal and our foods from six months.

Three years later I repeated the routine with his brother. Both

Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer. are consumed to ensure adequate intake.” Healthy, full-term babies can meet all their iron requirements with breast milk or iron-fortified soy formula until they are four to six months old, though vegan mothers may require iron supplements. After that, babies will need some extra dietary iron, which is readily supplied by iron-fortified rice cereal. For a nutritional guide, visit nutripaeds.co.za/vegetarian-diets/ To play it safe, Harmse and fellow Adsa dietician Dianne Ivison suggest possible supplementation as vegetarian

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are now healthy, high-achieving teenagers and, though we have left the choice entirely with them, avid vegetarians. As the younger wrote recently in a school project, “I’m meat-free for my health and for the planet.” Tammy Fry, 31, of Durban, shares those concerns and will be passing them on to her sons Josh, four, and Kai, who is just six months. “I stopped eating meat when I was three,” says the marketing director for Fry Group Foods, and driver of South Africa’s Meatless Monday campaign. “My mom was vegetarian, but didn’t set out to influence us. She just answered our questions

honestly, which I think lots of adults don’t do, perhaps because they don’t want to think through the answers themselves,” says Tammy.

Her two younger sisters joined her and when their father, in construction at the time, was contracted to build a piggery, “seeing it in operation was the final push to join us”. But Wally Fry missed the taste and texture of meat.

He started experimenting in the kitchen, and ended up launching a family business developing vegan food that tasted like meat and was packed with protein.

Today all the Frys are vegetarian “and fighting fit”.

Tammy, who is now largely vegan, represented the national karate team for more than 10 years. She and her father are fifth dans, and her mom and sisters are third dans.

“We’ve all got masses of energy,” she grins. “I breast-fed both my boys, and started Josh on rice cereal, organic fruit and veggies, soya milk and smoothies, with snacks of soya yoghurt, nuts, beans and cottage cheese.” Other sources of protein now include raw nuts, seeds, legumes, and meat substitutes. “Today meat substitutes range from burger patties and sausages to schnitzels, pies and nuggets, and are great for lunchboxes, braais and visiting friends.”

useful contacts Association for Dietetics SA 011 061 5000, info@adsa.org.za or visit adsa.org.za SA Vegan Society 082 828 5275, info@ vegansociety.co.za or visit vegansociety.org.za Vegetarian Society of SA vegsocsa@mweb.co.za

December 2012 / January 2013

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book extract

cookout When the days get longer and the nights get warmer, there’s nothing better than eating outside around a fire. CHRISTINE PHILLIPS offers some much-loved recipes that always go down a treat.

This is a great recipe to make with children as they love to get their hands dirty while helping to form the vegetable patties.

• ½ cup oats • plain flour for dusting

1 Cook and drain the lentils.

2 Fry the onions with the vegetable seasoning and garlic until golden brown.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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December 2012 / January 2013

1 410g tin lentils, rinsed and cooked 2 onions 5ml vegetable seasoning 2 teaspoons crushed garlic 1 410g tin chickpeas, rinsed and cooked olive oil 1 egg 3 tablespoons chopped coriander 2 grated carrots 2 grated baby marrows 1 freshly squeezed lemon 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup stale breadcrumbs

3 Combine the chickpeas, half the lentils,

egg, coriander, carrots, baby marrow, fresh lemon juice and cooked onions in a big bowl.

4 Blend the mixture with a food processor until the chickpeas are broken down.

5 A dd the remainder of the lentils, breadcrumbs and oats. If your mixture is too runny, add more oats.

6 Mix all the ingredients together well, adding salt and pepper to taste.

7 Divide the mixture into small portions and flatten them gently into patties.

Chickpeas are a rich source of iron, calcium, magnesium, fibre and protein.

Lentils are low in cholesterol and sodium. Use lentils to make hummus, a healthy dip for veggies.

8 Toss the patties in flour and place them on a tray.

9 Fry each patty in a little oil for four minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Serve in a roll or in mini pitas with tomato 10 sauce, or plain yoghurt and mint.

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PHOTOGRAPHs / Illustrations: colette baillie / shutterSTOCK.COM

mini veggie burgers

all bran & sunflower seed rusks Bake these rusks before you go camping and enjoy them with a cup of tea early in the morning.

toasted sarmies 1 Spread both sides of each slice of bread with butter.

2 Place your choice of filling between two

• • • • • • • •

500g melted butter 500ml maas or soured milk 15ml vanilla essence 6 cups flour 50ml baking powder 5ml salt 1½ cups sugar 3 cups bran flakes lightly crushed

• 1 cup sunflower seeds • ½ cup linseeds

1 Mix the melted butter, maas or soured milk and vanilla essence together.

2 S ift the flour, baking powder and salt together.

3 Mix all the ingredients together well.

4 Place in two greased baking trays and squash down.

5 Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes.

6 Take out and cut into finger biscuits; put back onto the baking tray.

7 Leave in a slightly opened oven to dry out for three hours at 120°C.

slices of bread.

3 Wrap the sandwich in foil and place it on the braai for three minutes a side.

Filling ideas • Cheese and ham • Goat’s cheese and tomato jam • Camembert cheese and caramelised onions • Tuna and mayonnaise • Chicken and mayonnaise • Meatballs and chutney

tip:

Don’t use fresh tomatoes when you make the sandwiches in advance, as the bread will become soggy.

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Sunflower seeds can be eaten as they are or toasted. They are used in different kinds of dishes, such as salads or baked goods. They can also replace nuts in most recipes.

about the book Qualified chef, founder of the Little Cooks Club and mom of three, Christine Phillips, created and published the Timeless Family Food Journal to capture some of the precious moments her family has shared in the kitchen. The beautiful book, packed with useful family recipes, also has space for you to make notes, rate your favourite dishes and paste photographs of your family’s special cooking memories. Christine includes information about the importance of good nutrition and the effect of diet on childhood ailments, homemade baby foods and nutritious snack foods for toddlers, tips for packing healthy, but exciting, lunchboxes and easy meals to cook during the week. To order, contact headoffice@littlecooksclub.co.za or visit tffj.co.za

December 2012 / January 2013

15

our stories

stop to smell the roses Four families went looking for a life beyond the suburban standard and found a richer sense of family and self-fulfillment. By LUCILLE KEMP

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merican author Charles Bukowski was certainly onto something when he asked how a man could enjoy being awakened by an alarm and fighting traffic to get to a place where “essentially you make lots of money for somebody else and are asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so”. If you feel as if life has become an endless cycle and you’ve forgotten why you’re doing what you’re doing, you might need to be reminded that we’re living in a time of options. You can find a job with flexible hours or negotiate to work remotely more often; you can innovate, freelance or consult. Earning a living certainly no longer takes place only between the hours of nine and five.

Susie Leblond’s husband needed to be in Mauritius to set up an office there for his IT business. They had been there before, and loved it. “We decided that living on the island for six months while the children are still young would be an exciting adventure, plus my work as a photographer is flexible and seasonal so it was easy to pack up and go.”

Six years ago, a life removed from the rat race beckoned Cape Town-based Catriona Ross. She had a demanding job in

magazine publishing, but she enjoyed it, her friends were close by and she had her book club and belly dancing, but she realized she didn’t handle stress well, and that she actually wanted to be self-employed and

With so many people working online I can imagine more people choosing this lifestyle. change is needed Johanita and Don Whitaker, and their son Aaron, moved from the Bluff in Durban to Underberg in the Drakensberg. Don was unhappy in his job and Johanita sought a close community. “We had been on holiday to Underberg a few times and I fell in love with the peaceful village, so my husband applied for a job and here we are,” she says.

Cape Town-based Heike Allerton and her family lived happily in Hout Bay until the end of last year, but life was busy. “We realized that our children were growing up fast and we were not spending the kind of time with them that we really wanted to. Also, I could not get my daughter into any of the popular southern suburbs schools, even though she had been on a waiting list for four years, and the politics and pressure of many of the mainstream schools did not appeal.” Once they started exploring other options they realized that the town of Greyton ticked all the boxes; from safety and proximity to the city to beautiful and idyllic surrounds.

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December 2012 / January 2013

for life to slow down and mean more. After freelancing for a few years, Catriona was ready to make the move. Just months into looking at places she met David de Villiers, the farmer who would become her husband.

They’ve been married for three years and live on a working fruit farm in Simondium, close to Stellenbosch, with their one-yearold daughter, Nina.

number one consideration Schooling was probably the major factor in determining where the Allertons would stay.

“We discovered Greyton House Village School, which offers an excellent primary school education in a non-pressured environment, and a fully equipped high school is being built.” Heike says that many families send their children to boarding school as weekly boarders in the southern suburbs, Somerset West or Stellenbosch and there are also a number of families who home-school their children.

Johanita says Aaron goes to Underberg Primary where the classes are small and a magazine pretoria

Samuel and Tyler Allerton in Greyton

respect and love for nature is instilled. “The impact on Aaron has been phenomenal; he has become almost ‘Zen-like’,” muses Johanita. Though Nina is still young, schools are front of mind and Catriona has her eye on Bridge House School in Franschhoek. She has also found good government schools in Paarl with some bilingual options too.

the teething period Life in the slow lane is, of course, not perfect, but it is clear that these families’ gripes are minor and transient. Susie says, “Saying goodbye to much-loved grannies and aunties is really hard for little people who have no concept of time, and they both missed their special Cape Town friends, but were easily distracted by all the new experiences on offer.”

Catriona finds that although different, there are still stresses, but the level is far less. “During harvest season, which can last up to six months, I see very little of David.” Johanita’s biggest complaints are Underberg’s frequent power outages and that you have to drive 111km to get to the nearest dentist.

For Heike it’s the grocery shopping, which requires a 20-minute drive to Hermanus or Caledon.

real change is felt Catriona says her happiness is now defined by experiences, not things and Susie feels the same about her six months on the island. “It was the first time in a long while that I wasn’t distracted by work, unanswered emails, clients, friends or family, and got to be just Mom, who spent hours with her children in the pool or on the beach building sandcastles.”

Village living is life as Johanita has never known it before. “About a month ago, on the day I had to get a few things for Aaron’s birthday the following day, none of the bank ATMs and card machines were working. The store manager came to me and said, ‘Don’t worry Ma’am, magazine pretoria

take your shopping and come pay for it when we are back online or at your earliest convenience.’ I nearly fell over backwards.”

Susie tells of a standout moment when she took her children to a birthday party on the beach and watched them stare in a mixture of horror and delight as the host’s neighbour made an impromptu show of gutting a 1,2 metre-long dorado right there on the rocks. “My daughter Katie, who before Mauritius didn’t like to get her feet dirty, proudly held the fish’s eyeball and squealed.”

The Allertons’s quality of life is amplified by the distinct seasons. “In spring we see lambs and foals being born and an unbelievable display of flowers. In winter snow is visible on the mountains and fireplaces sizzle and warm the home.” Clean country living clearly has all entranced, as is evident in Johantia’s remarks, “I love that we are all much healthier, that I can walk my dogs at the dam down the road, that my boy can play outside and ride his bike safely because everyone knows everyone, and that people ask how you are because they really are interested.”

Heike shares the sentiment, saying that in Greyton there is an invisible and protective circle of some kind as people watch out for each other. Heike notes there are fewer distractions and less time spent in traffic, which gives children more time to catch tadpoles, ride bikes and build forts. “There are quite a few families who have also made the move out here for similar reasons, showing a collective consciousness and desire to do things in a better, different and simpler way.

With so many people working online I can imagine more people choosing this lifestyle.” Although the Allertons have left the life they once knew, they say they are actually closer now to their loved ones. “We probably spend more quality time with friends and family than we did before as whole weekends are spent with each other.”

December 2012 / January 2013

17

debate

the sun always shines on tv It can be a convenient babysitter, an antidote to a busy day or an entertaining source of news.

CHILD MAGAZINE asks two mothers why they turn the telly on, or off, in their homes.

Turn on by CATH JENKIN

Turn off by CHRISTINA CASTLE

Television time in our house is a family experience. We’re true fans of technology and if my seven-year-old daughter has a question I can’t answer, her first response is always, “Mom, ask Google”. She has been able to learn so much through the use of technology and I am a proud enabler of her digital obsession. We’re the family that plays on computers, tablets and phones.

It is the same with TV. We read a story every night before bedtime, but once the school day is over and her homework is done, we’re quite happy for her to feast her eyes on some televised entertainment. It is through television that she’s learnt about the animal kingdom, watched fascinating documentaries about the pyramids in Giza and enjoyed a little downtime with The Little Mermaid.

I was recently making small talk with a doctor. You know, the sort of conversation you have when you have an hour to kill with someone you don’t know from a hole in the ground. We’d done the standard “how many children have you got?”, “how old are they?” and “where are you from?” kind of stuff. Thinking I’d hit the jackpot of small talk, I said, “Hey, did you watch the Olympics?” “We don’t have a TV,” said the sanctimonious little surgeon. Next.

Actually, he wasn’t sanctimonious at all. I was just feeling guilty knowing my boys had just completed a marathon of TV watching on the weekend. So I consulted another medical professional, my walking mate Victoria Mayer, who also happens to be a psychologist, and off-loaded my guilt about the boys’ screen habits. While she made me feel much better by reminding me that they also spend many hours each week on sports fields; she suggested a few cons to their watching television.

Watch, but with limits. I set guidelines and time limits though, and believe that this principle can and should be applied to any element of parenting. Just as you shouldn’t feed your child too much sugar, you shouldn’t let them watch too much television. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child’s “total media time, with entertainment media”, should be limited to no more than one to two hours of quality programming per day, and not at all for children younger than two. Even as a pro-television parent, I agree with this, and that entertainment time should be mostly devoted to interactive and educational content.

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TV stifles creativity. Children often battle to come up with something completely new in the playground. TV can certainly influence a child’s play. Instead of just creating make-believe characters, stories or settings, they tend to re-enact what they see on the box. Is this why my 12 year old still refers to himself as the wrestling superstar, John Cena, and me as The Undertaker?

It limits language development. Because TV is a visual medium it naturally relies on visuals at the expense of language. This means children may battle to process information without the visual aid they have become so used to on TV. Not good when we expect them to engage and learn in a school environment where there are no cartoon characters to entertain and distract.

TV is addictive. It’s just too easy to turn it on and sit in front of it for hours, as was the case with the boys’ marathon

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PHOTOGRAPHS: shutterstock.com

TV can teach. Educational programming has filled in many of the gaps we haven’t been able to. When my daughter has wanted to learn more about something, we’ve often been able to find television material that presents information to her in an easily understandable format. This allows her to enjoy the learning experience, rather than having it forced upon her. Her school life is busy with homework, extramurals and projects. Even at Grade 1 level, there are various mental demands. She deserves and needs downtime and a cuddle on the couch while we enjoy a family movie.

The occasional babysitter. Yes, the television is an easy babysitter and I know I am guilty of that practice too sometimes. Any parent who claims they haven’t at some point used the television to grab a five-minute break is probably lying. With good guidelines, restricted access to unsuitable content and by making television something we enjoy together, we believe it can have some merits.

Judith Graham, a human development specialist at the University of Maine, says children younger than two should not be watching any television, as most of their learning should be done while playing and interacting with others.

Some screen time may be beneficial for school-going children if it has some educational content. To make TV time more beneficial, she suggests the following: ask your child questions about what is about to happen; turn down the volume when the adverts come on; use the characters from popular TV shows to create stories or draw pictures and question what the characters are doing to encourage your child to form their own opinions or solve problems raised on the show.

Disney Junior has been rated the most popular dedicated preschool channel for the past year. The channel says its programming invites parents to join their children in the experience, while incorporating learning and development themes for children between the ages of two and seven.

South Africa is a co-signee of the Africa Charter on Children’s Broadcasting, which was endorsed in 1997. It states: 1 Children should have programmes of high

Olympics viewing session: swimming turned into cycling, which turned into archery, and then into gymnastics. Six hours later the rugby was on and they had not moved, except to walk to the fridge.

It eats into the precious time you could use to be doing something else. Don’t let the box detract from time that could be spent playing with friends, training for the Olympics, painting a masterpiece or building a Monopoly empire together.

Violent programmes can affect your child’s behaviour.

The American Psychiatric Association indicates that children’s programmes can be 50 to 60 times more violent than prime-time shows for adults, and some cartoons average more than 80 violent acts per hour. Former minister of home affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, speaking at the Film and Publications Board’s national forum earlier this year, said studies show that “without doubt”, exposure to television contributes to aggressive behaviour in children.

TV can lead to obesity. A study of teenagers in the Western Cape by UCT’s Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports found that of the children surveyed, those who watched more than three or four hours of TV a day, had a greater body mass index. Television encourages a more sedentary lifestyle, putting children at risk of obesity and related diseases.

If your children do watch TV, adopt the “everything in moderation” approach.

• Choose educational and age-appropriate programmes.

• Pre-record a variety of appropriate programmes and have them at the ready.

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• Watch TV with them, interact and discuss what it is you are watching. Cartoon Network celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, an achievement made possible partly because it encourages “mutual viewing”, where parents and children enjoy the network’s classic cartoons and more contemporary animation together, says Alan Musa, vice president and general manager of the Middle East and Africa Pan Region for Turner Broadcasting System. Their shows, while entertaining, also contain a simple message for children of all ages.

• Find alternative activities, such as building blocks or a jigsaw puzzle, that allow your child quiet time and enable you to get on with dinner.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says there should not be a TV in your child’s room and viewing time should be limited.

• Help children to consider advertisements critically. Explain that they are often there to sell us things we don’t really need. Of the three branded Disney TV channels available in this country, only Disney XD is fully commercial. But, as part of its commitment to improving the health of young viewers, all food advertisements must comply with The Walt Disney Company’s nutritional guidelines.

This means children will not be exposed to marketing from companies selling junk food.

• Adhere to the age restrictions on shows and enforce your own if necessary. You can control which channels your child can access, as well as the language settings.

• Be a role model and limit your viewing time.

To download TV game shows to play at home, visit childmag.co.za/content/game-shows

quality, made specifically for them and which do not exploit them at any stage of the production process. These programmes, in addition to entertaining, should allow children to develop physically, mentally and socially to their fullest potential.

2 While recognising that children’s broadcasting will be funded through various mechanisms including advertising, sponsorship and merchandising, children should be protected from commercial exploitation.

3 While endorsing the child’s right to freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion, and protection against economic exploitation, children must have equitable access to programmes and, whenever possible, to the production of programmes.

4 Children should hear, see and express themselves, their culture, their language and their life experiences, through the electronic media that affirms their sense of self, community and place.

5 Children’s programmes should create opportunities for learning and empowerment to promote and support the child’s right to education and development. Children’s programmes should promote an awareness and appreciation of other cultures in parallel with the child’s own cultural background. To facilitate this there should be ongoing research into the child audience, including the child’s needs and wants.

6 Children’s programmes should be wide-ranging in genre and content, but should not include gratuitous scenes and sounds of violence and sex through any audio or visual medium.

7 Children’s programmes should be aired in regular time slots when children are available to listen and view, and/or be distributed via other widely accessible media or technologies.

8 Sufficient resources, technical, financial and other, must be made available to make these programmes to the highest possible standards.

December 2012 / January 2013

19

fyi

safety first CHILD MAGAZINE suggests 10 smart things you can do to keep your family safe this summer.

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1

Keep children away from braais and fires and keep spray cans away from any sources of heat. The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa says about 230 children die annually of burns because an adult wasn’t watching them.

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Invest in a good medical kit that includes a hydrogel-based dressing in case of any burns.

Attend a paediatric course and put emergency numbers in your phone and on your fridge.

A child can be dead in half an hour if left in a car, especially on a hot day, says Gary Ronald of the Automobile Association. Childsafe South Africa reports that on days when the temperature is around 32°C, it can reach 43°C in a parked car within just 90 seconds and 54,4°C within 10 minutes. Babies especially lose moisture rapidly, and in large quantities, and will become severely dehydrated. Don’t think that leaving a window open or parking in the shade will help. Rather don’t leave your child in the car.

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Run cold water over affected areas if the burn is minor. Never put butter, petroleum jelly or any other creams onto a burn. For deep white burns, cover the area with a sheet and seek immediate medical attention. Wash chemical burns under flowing water and get medical help.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

No single barrier is foolproof when it comes to preventing drowning accidents, so it is best to rely on a number of layers of safety, says Daan den Hollander, consultant trauma surgeon and regional director of Childsafe KZN. Combine various safety measures such as adult supervision, a cover for when the pool is not in use and a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.

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Make sure your pool’s drain is protected with a dome-shaped cap, a safety vacuum release system or by marking the off switch on the pool pump. Entrapment occurs when a child’s hair or part of their body gets caught in the drain.

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As a passer-by, you have the right to get involved if you see a child locked in a blazing hot car. Gary says call for help from the police and medics, as you have no idea of how long the child has been in the vehicle. Break a window away from the child and place them outside the car in a shady or cool place.

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Riding an escalator barefoot is a no-no, but clunky, rubber-soled footwear can also be risky. Avoid using an escalator if you are carrying a child and don’t attempt to push a pram onto one; rather take the elevator. If you do use one with a small child, make sure to hold their hand and don’t allow them to sit or play on the escalator.

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Escalators can be dangerous if not used properly. Avoid potential escalator hazards by standing in the centre of the stair, away from the sides. Stay clear of the pinch areas and be extra careful to step over the comb plate when getting on or off.

Do not allow children who can’t swim near a pool unless they are supervised. Touch supervision means that the child should be within arm’s reach of their caregiver, whose only focus should be on the child.

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Experienced swimming teacher Lee-Anne McQueen has published a Swim Savvy I can swim! (swimsavvy.co.za) progress journal for children and parents. The handy journal includes water safety rules, such as to never swim without an adult watching, to never push others in or around the water and to avoid running around the slippery edges of the pool.

There’s also advice for getting in and out of the pool safely. The water safety checklist for parents says: know where your children are at all times when they’re near water; make sure the pool is covered if not in use and that the gate is closed properly; take turns watching the children, keep children within your reach at all times in the water, don’t take your eyes off children at all if there is water, and this includes a pond or even the bath and triple check the water area when you leave to make sure that no children have been left behind or have slipped into the water.

Handy safety tip for your child: if you feel as if you are getting into trouble and can’t reach the side of the pool, don’t be afraid, just be a star. Float like a starfish and shout for help.

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21

resource

presents from the

heart

As Mother Teresa said, “It’s not about how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Child magazine offers a selection of gift concepts that will delight children of all ages.

Cool cars Cars of all shapes and speeds will be appreciated, but the most popular are those that your child will “rev” and release for hours.

I want to ride my bicycle A tricycle is likely to be the first mode of real wheels for your toddler as they master the art of peddling.

Then they will move onto a bicycle, balance bike, scooter or electric ride-on.

Wagons These can be used to load toys, wooden blocks and other educational items.

Push and pull toys Items that respond to a child’s movement will be engaging and will form part of your toddler’s first physical play.

Remote-controlled cars or an electric racetrack These gifts will quickly take over your living area and probably have you wondering when they are going to be packed away, but they will provide hours of fun.

Steering wheels Brightly-coloured steering wheels that imitate the sound of car horns, engines and car radios let your little one make believe they can drive a car, just like you.

Crawl, baby Toys that move, roll or slide away from your baby will encourage them to crawl.

Not just for acrobatic acts A unicycle is a fun alternative to the bicycle, and will improve your child’s core strength and balance.

Boards of all shapes Skateboards, carver boards and snakeboards will be a hit with your older child.

Water wheels Bath toys with wheels, gear wheels and cogs will keep budding engineers entertained.

gifts with words Alphabet lettering with a twist Younger children will enjoy playing with letters that can be stuck onto the wet bathroom wall.

Wooden alphabet blocks can also be used to make up words, as a décor item.

First edition books or collectors’ sets If your child is an avid reader and has a favourite author, he will love this present.

Journal Get your child a special book or diary where they can record their thoughts, dreams and memories.

Board games Have some old-fashioned fun with traditional board games that involve making words or guessing the names of things.

Poster perfect A selection of passages from the classics can be designed to form an artistic poster for your child’s bedroom wall.

Fridge poetry Play with magnetic words or letters to create phrases and sentences. Magnets are only suitable for older children.

gifts that make a noise Musical instruments Toddlers love tinkering on anything that makes music and noise. Babies can make their first foray into the world of music with rattles, wooden musical instruments (flutes) and even a tambourine. As children get older, they will try their hand at a keyboard, “electric” guitar and drums.

Music player What preteen doesn’t want an MP3 player? This is great for long road trips.

Singing teddy Toddlers love stuffed toys because they’re soft and warm and are used to cuddle up to at bedtime. Those that are interactive and sing a lullaby as well will be a great comfort.

Toy phone Your children are probably fascinated with your cellphone, so they will enjoy making their own “calls” to imaginary friends on their own device. You can get big, colourful phones for younger

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December 2012 / January 2013

children or play-play cellphones for the more discerning child.

Walkie-talkies These provide a nifty way for siblings to communicate, and are definitely a step up from the old tin can variety today’s parents used to make.

Get musical There are various CDs you can get for children of all ages, from lullabies for babies to nursery rhymes and popular songs for older children. Look out for instrumental rock songs that have been turned into lullabies.

Baby toys that rattle, sing and chime These “musical” companions will have pride of place in the cot, car seat or the pram.

Work toys A pounding bench or noisy hammer set will keep young handymen, and women, occupied for hours.

gifts that keep on giving Quality time Book some bonding time with your child. It could mean a mom-anddaughter pamper session or a dad-andson trip away together.

Start a savings account for your child It will teach them the value of money and how to manage their savings.

Monthly reads Take out a magazine subscription for a title that interests your child.

Pets, fluffy or scaled A pet teaches your child responsibility and one of the four-legged variety can become a loyal companion. Just remember that this gift needs constant care and attention.

Start a time capsule Treasure your child’s achievements, art projects, school assignments and other creations.

Work on building a collection with your child It could be stamps, glass bottles, miniature cars, stickers or figurines of popular cartoon characters.

Give back Get your child to help you collect items you can donate to a charity or an organisation, or spend time volunteering.

Hobby presents We’re thinking a fishing rod and hat; a knit pack of cashmere wool and thick wooden knitting needles; a green finger set or an art set comprising a canvas, easel, paints, jars and an apron.

Library card Take your child to get a library card and spend some time in the children’s section with them poring over different books, choosing the ones you’re going to take home.

Tickets Theatre and concert tickets to your child’s favourite band or show will leave a lasting impression.

All access A membership card or access card to a theme park or activity centre.

Open doors A solid education will put your children in good stead to pursue their career goals. Invest in your child’s future by opening an educational policy or fund.

In a galaxy far, far away A telescope will open your child’s mind to the possibility of worlds beyond ours and allow them to track shooting stars and planets.

Young entrepreneur If your child has an idea for a small business, encourage them to make it happen by offering some startup capital. Also help them to set it up and get them literature on the subject.

gifts that inspire creativity Costume treasure chest This is another of those gifts that is likely to change hands for a few generations. Fill it with a few basic items, so that when they lift the lid they are able to don wings, princess dresses, superhero costumes, cowboy hats, masks and more. Over time, add props such as face paints, wands and crowns, costume jewellery and feather boas.

Finger puppets These can be bought ready-to-use from a toy shop, but it’s more fun to make your own.

Kits Sets or kits for making cupcakes, sushi, magic or mosaics may spark a new hobby, or a possible career path.

Puzzles From five-piece wooden sets to intricate designs of thousands of pieces, puzzles are a wonderful way of keeping your child busy. It also teaches important skills that will help with reading, maths and problem-solving.

Room refurbishment pack Wall murals are a fun way to brighten up a room. Get one that charts their growth, or has the alphabet or numbers to add an educational twist.

Green fingers Show them how to weed and plant seed that will eventually grow into beautiful flowers and plants. A garden set, packets of seeds and a few hours a week will instil a lifelong love of nature. magazine pretoria

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

gifts with wheels

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December 2012 / January 2013

23

books

a good read for toddlers ial a spec nship relatio

My Grandpa

By Marta Altés

(Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, R170) This is a stunning picture book debut by exciting new writing and illustrating talent, Marta Altés, for children from the age of two. It deals with the very special relationship between an elderly grandfather and his adoring grandson, offering a unique look at old age through the poignant and beautifully observed experiences of a young bear. “My grandpa is getting old… sometimes he feels alone. But then I come along! When he is with me he smiles. When I am with him, I can fly!” As the pair goes on adventures together, their love for each other grows. This is an excellent gift for a granddad to give to a beloved grandchild.

for early graders

for preschoolers Nursery Rhymes & Verse from Africa Reworked and illustrated by Liz Mills (Published by Struik Lifestyle, R90) This delightful book follows on the continuing popularity of African Nursery Rhymes, which has been reprinted almost every year since it appeared in 2006.

Nursery rhymes form an essential part of children’s development, teaching them rhythm and rhyme, and word skills, while improving their memory. Liz’s colourful and often humorous illustrations and word imagery will capture the imagination and make reading an activity that children, and their parents or carers, look forward to at bedtime or any other time of the day.

The Big Fat South African Kiddies’ Joke Book (Published by Zebra Press, R120) This is a truly home-grown book for children of all ages, with jokes they can relate to. There are knock-knock jokes, one-liners and old-time classics, short jokes, longer jokes, stupid questions and silly answers. There are animals that can talk, children who outfox grown-ups, jokes about teachers and pupils, sport and computers, the precious (and hilarious) things children say, and much more that will make you laugh out loud, whether you are seven or 70. Some examples of one-line jokes: “How do you greet a frog? Wart’s up.” “What does an elephant do when he stubs his toes? He calls the toe truck.”

for preteens and teens I Capture the Castle and The Wind in the Willows

By Dodie Smith and Kenneth Grahame

boost your general knowledge

Top 10 of Everything 2013

By Caroline Ash (Published by Hamlyn, R230) There are a lot of books on the market that can tell you who is number one, but what about how big the margin is between first and second place or where does fifth come in? Was number 10 really that far off the mark? Top 10 of Everything 2013 answers these questions and many, many more, with brand-new and updated lists and over 7 000 of the most intriguing facts about history, science, sports, music, movies, nature, people and places. And as if that wasn’t enough to quench your thirst for knowledge, this fascinating full-colour book also includes feature spreads that are packed with insightful information and additional lists.

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December 2012 / January 2013

(Published by Random House Struik, R125 and R90) Random House Struik has released a series of vintage classics, with new covers for the next generation. Included are these two well-known titles. I Capture the Castle is a must-read for children from the age of 12. It’s the diary of Cassandra Mortmain, which tells of her extraordinary family and their crumbling castle home. The Wind in the Willows is recommended for children from the age of eight and they can follow Mole, Badger and Rat on their adventures in the Wild Wood and on the road. Other books in the series include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Secret Garden and Treasure Island.

Yes Kids Bible Stories about Prayer, The Yes Kids Bible Activity & Prayer Book and The Yes Kids Bible Colouring Book

By Ewald van Rensburg and Lilani Brits (Published by Christian Media Publishing Kids, R15, R12,50 and R12,50) This colourful, illustrated Bible story series has been created especially for children between the ages of three and seven. A prayer and a lesson with a Christian value accompany each story. It has also been compiled with your child’s developmental phases in mind, so it helps with faith building, vocabulary, as well as reading skills and emotional development. Get all the books in the series, and build an entire illustrated Bible. The two craft books are full of creative fun with Bible-related themes and stories.

for us Free Wheeling – Southern Africa’s best multi-day MTB trails

By Fiona McIntosh (Published by Sunbird Publishing, R166) From short, easy, one-night escapes suitable for the whole family, to hard-core mountain adventures that will test even the most experienced, competitive racers, the 34 trails of southern Africa’s best multiday trails and wilderness journeys featured in this book cover the full spectrum of mountain bike tours on offer locally and in neighbouring countries. A guide and support vehicle accompanies most of the tours, meaning that someone else takes care of the logistics, leaving you free to enjoy the best that mountain biking offers. Whether you want to ride with big game, along empty beaches, through verdant forest or across barren deserts, you’ll find a trail that suits you, and there are also some specialist trails aimed at birders, gourmands and culture vultures.

Scrumptious – Food for Family and Friends

By Jane-Anne Hobbs (Published by Struik Lifestyle, R260) Creating memorable dishes for family and friends is one of life’s great pleasures: how better to celebrate life and love than to gather at a happy table laden with scrumptious home-cooked food? You don’t need to inspiration be an expert cook to produce heart-warming dishes in the full of flavour. All that’s required is passion, patience kitchen and smart preparation well in advance. Jane-Anne Hobbs has created over 90 original, triple-tested recipes designed to take the fuss out of home entertaining and bring smiles to the faces of the people you love. Whether you’re planning a relaxed get-together over a homely dish of soup, stew or salad, or a lavish spread with all the bells and whistles, you’ll find plenty of inspiring new ideas here, plus top tips for planning and preparing a meal to remember.

magazine pretoria

magazine pretoria

December 2012 / January 2013

25

calendar

what’s on in december and january

You can also access the calendar online at

childmag.co.za

Find out what’s happening in and around your city.

Compiled by SIMONE JEFFERY.

1 sat

special events

27

FUN for children

27

only for parents

30

bump, baby & tot in tow

31

how to help

32

SPECIAL EVENTS

FUN FOR CHILDREN

ONLY FOR PARENTS

bump, baby & tot in tow

how to help

A Fairy Festive Season Fairies have descended on Woodlands Boulevard, spreading cheer and fairy dust in their wake.

Adventure Bootcamp Get inspired to push yourself to your personal best.

Pienkvoet-Pret You and your baby can play, learn and socialise in a safe, friendly environment.

Rhinose Day Show your support for the plight of the rhino by buying a plastic “Rhinose”.

26

December 2012 / January 2013

magazine pretoria

PHOTOGRAPHS: shutterstock.com/

Christmas Lights Festival The Jakaranda Children’s Homes are lit up to welcome the festive season.

SPECIAL EVENTS

december 2012 1 saturday CD Launch with Bester Renoster Pienkvoet-Pret, in collaboration with “Bester die Renoster”, is launching a CD filled with songs that get children moving. For children 0–12 years old. Time: 10am–11am. Venue: The Grove Mall, cnr Simon Vermooten Rd and Lynnwood Rd, Equestria. Cost: free. Contact Anelia: 082 214 1987 or visit pienkvoetpret.co.za Christmas Lights Festival Twenty-two houses at the Jakaranda Children’s Home have been decorated with twinkling lights to celebrate Christmas. At tonight’s opening ceremony you can enjoy a performance by the SA Army Marching Band, gospel singer Angela Reed, and the Con Grazia Entertainment Group. Street musicians perform throughout the festival. Ends 31 December. Time: 7pm–10pm. Venue: Jakaranda Children’s Home, Talitha Kumi St, East Lynne. Cost: R10. Contact: 012 800 4700 or visit jacarandachildren.co.za Dancing Tots: Jingle Bells A special time for parents, and even grandparents, to bond with their little ones while learning an easy dance routine and creating a craft to take home. For children 3–9 years old.

Time: 10am–11am. Venue: Upper Level 5, Atterbury Boulevard, cnr Manitoba Rd and Atterbury Rd, Faerie Glen. Cost: R80

per adult and child. Contact Tina: 082 460 7915 or visit dancingdivas.co.za Dash around the Zoo Wave hello to the furry, scaled and feathered animals as you enjoy a fun and relaxing 5km walk inside the zoo. Time: 6am. Venue: National Zoological Gardens, 232 Boom St, Pretoria CBD. Cost: adults R40, children R25. Contact Lettie: 012 323 0294, info@ friendsofthezoo.co.za or visit nzg.ac.za Festive carols Visit the mall for an evening of carols with the Buchanan and Co. Orchestra. Proceeds go to the Reach for a Dream Foundation. Time: 5pm. Venue: The Grove Mall, cnr Simon Vermooten Rd and Lynnwood Rd, Equestria. Cost: free.

Contact Leanne: 012 807 0963 or visit thegrovemall.co.za

6 thursday Jacaranda Carols by Candlelight Celebrate the warmth and magic of the festive season with your loved ones, together with Kurt Darren, Elvis Blue, Lira, Lloyd Cele, Loyiso Bala and the Mzansi Youth Choir. Time: gates open 4pm; concert starts 6pm. Venue: Supersport Park, Centurion. Cost: a toy donation gets you in; song books R10; candles R25. For more info: visit jacarandafm.com

8 saturday Stargazing our summer sky Get introduced to astronomy by astronomer Vincent Nettmann and discover a few facts about the life cycles of the stars. Bring a pair of binoculars to participate in the laser-guided sky tour. Time: 5pm. Venue: Maropeng, The Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein. Cost: adults R190, children R90. Contact: 014 577 9000, childmag@ maropeng.co.za or visit maropeng.co.za

31 monday

1 December – Festive carols

magazine pretoria

New Year’s Eve sky lantern offering The Buddhist temple conducts a ceremony in the main temple to welcome the New Year with a fireworks show and the release of lanterns. Accommodation is not available at the temple. Time: lanterns 10pm; fireworks show midnight. Venue: Nan Hua Temple, 27 Nan Hua Rd, Cultura Park, Bronkhorstspruit. Cost: free entry, lanterns vary. Contact: 013 931 0009, info@nanhua.co.za or nanhuatemple.org

2 sun

Run of the Roses An 8km or 3km petal-power eco-run among the rose fields of the farm. Proceeds from the event go to the Susan Strijdom Huis. 2 December. Time: 8am. Venue: Ludwig’s Roses, Wallmansthall. Cost: 8km R60, 3km adults R40, children R35, which includes a meal voucher. Contact Anna-Marie: 082 954 9628, babas@wol. co.za or visit enteronline.co.za

january 2013 19 saturday Wag a Walk Come for a walk with or without your dogs to support the Tshwane SPCA. There is an easy 1,4km route and a more challenging 4km route. You can walk in your own time, but cut-off for the lucky draw is at 9:30am. Time: 7am–9:30am.

Venue: Smuts House, 23rd St, Irene. Cost: R20 per person, R10 per dog. Contact Korky: 012 803 5219 or visit spcapta.org.za

26 saturday Art in the Park An open-air art gallery is set up in the park on the last Saturday of each month. Meet the artists who have produced the paintings and sculptures in various mediums. Time: varies. Venue: Magnolia Dell, cnr Charles St and University Rd, Bailey’s Muckleneuk. Cost: free entry. Contact Hannes: 071 676 3600, info@art-in-the-park.co.za or visit art-inthe-park.co.za

example of a Victorian home. Time: 10am–5pm, every Tuesday–Sunday. Venue: 275 Jacob Maré St, across from Burger’s Park.

Cost: adults R9, learners R5. Contact: 012 322 2805/0420 or visit melrosehouse.co.za Sammy Marks Museum Enjoy a day trip to one of South Africa’s national monuments. Order a delicious picnic basket from the on-site restaurant to enjoy on the lawns. Time: 9am–4pm, Tuesday–Friday; 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday. Venue: Sammy Marks, Zwartkoppies Hall; from the N4 take the Centurion off-ramp, turn left and follow the signposts. Cost: adults R35, children R10; picnic basket costs vary.

Contact: 012 755 9541

FUN FOR CHILDREN art, culture and science Melrose House Built in 1886 by George Jesse Heys, Melrose House is an elegant

19 January – Wag a Walk

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calendar

classes, talks and workshops Anger Management This workshop teaches children an acceptable manner to deal with anger through various activities.

Booking essential. 12 January. Time: 9:30am–12:30pm. Venue: 422 Trevor Gething St, Faerie Glen. Cost: R300 per child, R150 per joining sibling or parent.

Contact Caryn: 082 602 7689 or info@ gowiththeflow.co.za Emotionally and naturally intelligent Children are taken out of the city to reconnect with nature and improve on their self-esteem. For children 5 years and older. 10 December. Time: 9am–3:30pm.

Venue: Centurion Life Studio. Cost: R800.

Contact: 083 304 0303 or christa@ equalzeal.com Healthy ways of living A life-skills workshop to teach children the importance of healthy eating and exercise, releasing toxic thinking, being emotionally stable and healthy, and balancing work and play.

Booking essential. 8 and 9 December.

Time: 9:30am–12:30pm. Venue: 422 Trevor Gething St, Faerie Glen. Cost: R300 per child, R150 per joining sibling or parent. Contact Caryn: 082 602 7689 or info@gowiththeflow.co.za Zeal for the New Year This workshop can help your children achieve success by setting realistic goals. For children 5 years and older. 12 December (register by 10 December); 8 January (register by 15 December). Time: 9am–3:30pm. Venue: Centurion Life Studio. Cost: R800. Contact: 083 304 0303 or christa@equalzeal.com

family outings A fairy festive season Visit the children’s play area that offers fairy and fantasy characters, a fairy garden, face painting, storytelling, magic shows, nanny service and photos with Santa. For children 2–12 years old. 7–24 December. Time: 10am–4pm. Venue: Woodlands Boulevard, cnr Garsfontein Rd and De Villebois Mareuil Dr, Pretoria East. Cost: free. Contact: 012 997 9460, info@woodlandsboulevard. co.za or visit woodlandsboulevard.co.za Naughty or nice? Pop in and have your photo taken with Father Christmas.

12 and 21 December – Introduction to bird identification

28

December 2012 / January 2013

9–24 December. Time: 9am–6pm. Venue: Irene Village Mall, cnr Nellmapius Dr and Van Ryneveld Dr, Irene. Cost: tbc. Contact: 012 662 4446 or visit irenevillagemall.co.za Onboard with Santa Father Christmas pays a special visit to the children as the train makes its way to Cullinan. He walks through the coaches, handing out sweets and gifts that have been provided by the parents. 2, 9 and 16 December.

Time: 8:30am. Venue: Hermanstad Railway Station, 152 Michaelson St, Daspoort.

Cost: adults R175, teenagers R125, children R100, children under 7 years R75. Contact: 012 767 7913, sales@friendsoftherail.com or visit friendsoftherail.com

Club-V holiday camp Activities include art and crafts, colouring-in competitions, games and obstacle courses, and group exercise classes. For 3–13 year olds. 10–14 December. Time: morning and afternoon slots available, Monday–Friday; enquire with your club.

Venue: Virgin Active Club V and Club V Max, check the website for a club near you.

Cost: free for Virgin Active Club V members. For more info: visit virginactive.co.za

10 mon

finding nature and outdoor play Amazing Reptiles Learners are introduced to the various species of reptiles while being taught about their characteristics, adaptations and external features. Grades R–3: 12 December; Grades 4–7: 7 and 14 December. Time: 8am–4pm. Venue: National Zoological Gardens of SA, 232 Boom St, Pretoria. Cost: R70. Contact: 012 339 2773, karabo@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Introduction to bird identification Discover more about the habitats, adaptations and role of birds in the environment through practical activities and multimedia programmes. Bring your own binoculars if you have. Grades R–3: 12 and 21 December; Grades 4–7: 13 and 18 December. Time: 8am–4pm. Venue: National Zoological Gardens of SA, 232 Boom St, Pretoria. Cost: R70. Contact Karabo: 012 339 2773, karabo@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Meet the Mammals A practical course in which learners find out more about the different types of mammals housed at the zoo, as well as their feeding habits and the features that make them unique. For children from Grades R–3. 10 December.

Time: 8am–4pm. Venue: National Zoological Gardens of SA, 232 Boom St, Pretoria. Cost: R70. Contact Karabo: 012 339 2773, karabo@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Monkey tricks Children are taught how to identify primates, their communication methods, adaptation to feeding and the enrichment programmes that the zoo conducts to stimulate them. For children from Grades R–3. 20 December and 7 January. Time: 8am–4pm. Venue: National Zoological Gardens of SA, 232 Boom St, Pretoria. Cost: R70. Contact Karabo: 012 339 2773, karabo@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Scavenger Hunt The learners explore, investigate and collect data from the different species of animals in the zoo, learning about their location, feeding habits and general behaviour. For children from Grades 4–7. 14 and 21 December. Time: 8am–4pm. Venue: National Zoological Gardens of SA, 232 Boom St, Pretoria.

Cost: R70. Contact Karabo: 012 339 2773, karabo@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Sleepover pony camp Children of different riding abilities can enjoy a week of outrides and vaulting (gymnastics on the horse). They’ll clean out stables and

groom horses, as well as play fun games and activities. Children younger than five can attend the camp during the day. Booking essential. For children 5 years and older.

10–14 December. Time: 7:30am–5pm.

Venue: Mazz Vaulting and Riding Club, 150 Tulip Rd, Mnandi Agricultural Holdings. Cost: R2 000, all inclusive. Contact Fernanda: 083 602 2713, info@centurionhorseriding.co.za or visit centurionhorseriding.co.za

holiday programmes Amuse – An arts and music programme Children get involved in various fun and age-appropriate activities such as playing guitar and keyboard, learning drumming skills, musical baking, music appreciation and more. For children 4–10 years old.

10–14 December. Time: 8am–12pm; aftercare from 12pm–4pm. Venue: Hatfield Christian School’s aftercare facility, 551 January Masilela Dr, Waterkloof Glen. Cost: R600. Contact Tanya: 082 556 7692 or amuse@tanyabrown.co.za Children’s craft club Keep your children busy this holiday with a fun-filled week of games, cooking and crafts. Each day follows a different theme. Aftercare is available. For children 4–10 years old.

10–14 December. Time: 9am–12:30pm.

Venue: Stopford Rd, Irene. Cost: R495 per week, R120 per morning. Contact Kathy: 082 778 0754; Colette: 083 452 1602 or colette@gracecov.co.za Decadent creations Children get fancy this December as they learn how to bake a two-tiered cake and use fondant to make models. For children 13–18 years old. 10–13 December: 2 tiered cake; 17–19 December: fondant creations. Time: 8am–2pm.

Venue: Shop D DG Rynders Building, 1146 Tibouchina St, Montana Park. Cost: R1 000, all inclusive. Contact Angelique: 012 548 6873, angelique@funkycakes-goodies. co.za or visit funkycakes-goodies.co.za Drama workshop A five-day workshop that serves as an introduction to improvisation in drama and gives a crash course in theatre stagecraft. For children

15 years and older. 10–14 December.

Time: 8am–2pm. Venue: Cornwall Hill College, Centurion. Cost: R850 for five days. Contact Cheryl: 084 492 8785 or wingitstageproductions@gmail.com Holiday art club Sessions of painting on canvas and fabric, mosaic, decoupage and more. 7–14 December. Time: 9:30am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday. Venue: Soul Space, 78 Murray St, Brooklyn. Cost: R160–R220. Contact: 074 118 9184, 083 400 5545 or myspace@sobinn.co.za Theatre Bugs Participants are taught various stage skills, including voice production, voice projection, mime and skills necessary for acting in shows. For children 6 years and older. 19 and 26 January. Time: Grades 0–3: 2pm–2:45pm; Grades 4–6: 2:15pm–3:10pm, Grade 7 and upwards: 3:15pm–4:15pm. Venue: The Moonbox at the Guide Facility hut, cnr Bruce Rd and Krige Lane, Irene, Centurion.

Cost: registration fee R150, R680 for halfyear (January–June). Contact Clive: 084 804 0490, tshwaneyouththeatre@gmail. com or visit pytheatre.co.za

markets Christmas in the Gallery Search the market stalls for interesting finds and attend a daily workshop in mixed media, pewter, Filani clay and more. 5–15 December.

Time: 10am–5pm, Monday–Saturday; 10am–2pm, Sunday. Venue: Centurion Art Gallery, cnr Cantonment Rd and Unie Rd, Lyttleton. Cost: free entry. Contact Daphne: 082 465 0494 or artbydaphne@ymail.com Christmas Night Fare Choose from a variety of art and crafts on sale alongside tasty eats, treats and fun entertainment.

7 December. Time: 4pm–9pm. Venue: Irene Village Mall, cnr Nellmapius Dr and Van Ryneveld Dr, Irene. Cost: free. Contact: 012 662 4446 or visit irenevillagemall.co.za Hazel Food Christmas Market The festive cheer is enhanced at the Hazel Food Market, which is lit by thousands of fairy lights. The market has a host of stalls filled with food gifts, handmade decorations, magazine pretoria

14 and 21 December – Scavenger hunt

other gifts and décor items. There is an activity corner for children and wine tasting for adults. 8 and 22 December. Time: 8am–9pm, 8 December; 8am–2pm, 22 December. Venue: Greenlyn Village Centre, cnr Thomas Edison St and Mackenzie St, Menlo Park. Cost: free entry. Contact Retha: 083 554 5636, info@hazelfoodmarket. co.za or visit hazelfoodmarket.co.za Irene Village Christmas Market The market operates every Saturday leading

magazine pretoria

up to Christmas. There is a large selection of knickknacks, antiques and collectables, and scrumptious deli food stalls available.

Children can bounce away the morning on the jumping castle and ride around the market on a pony or camel. 1, 8, 15 and 17 December. Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Irene Market, Smuts House Museum, Jan Smuts Ave, Irene. Cost: free entry. Contact Josene or Corlia: 012 667 1659 or visit irenemarket.co.za Klip Klap Market Stall owners have a passion for art and antiques. The market is set in a tranquil setting on the edge of Pretoria East. Visitors can also find interesting books, lovely jewellery and much more. 20 January. Time: 9am–3pm.

Venue: 78A Leander St, Olympus, Pretoria East. Cost: free entry. Contact: 082 755 0586 or visit klipklap.co.za Market at Cedar Junction Pick up a few special gifts at their special Christmas market and then use up all your energy by paddling around the lake and enjoying a train trip around the park. 16–17 December. Time: 8am–5pm. Venue: Cedar Junction, off the M6 Tierpoort (towards Bronkhorstspruit). Cost: R20 entry. Contact: 012 811 1183 or visit cedarjunction.co.za Welwitschia Country Market Meander among the wooden shops that surround the imaginative aviary, under the old trees, in search of Christmas goodies, toys, art and crafts, second-hand books and more. There

is a playground for the children, a scratch patch and a host of restaurants serving light meals. 16 and 17 December; 23 December: special visit by Father Christmas.

Time: 9am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday (closed 25 December). Venue: at the Damdoryn Crossroads off the R104, Hartbeespoort.

Cost: free entry. Contact Jenny: 083 302 8085 or visit countrymarket.co.za

on stage and screen A Christmas Concert BTE Vo1ss presents its annual Christmas concert with the

Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

The performance includes much-loved traditional carols and sacred songs.

4 December. Time: 3pm. Venue: ZK Matthews Great Hall, Unisa, Pretoria. Cost: R80–R180. Contact Madeleen: 012 322 7944 or info@vo1ss.co.za Adventures in Zambezia This animated film follows Kai, a high-spirited falcon, travels to the bird city of “Zambezia”, set on the edge of the majestic Victoria Falls.

There he discovers the truth about his origins and learns how to be part of a

10 December – Meet the mammals

December 2012 / January 2013

29

calendar the world under your feet. No previous experience is needed. Booking essential.

For children 6 years and older. Time: caving 10am–11:30am and 2pm–3:30pm, daily; abseiling 11am–2pm, every Sunday.

Venue: meet at EnGedi Lodge, plot 22, Protea Ridge Rd, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp.

Cost: adults R200, children R150. Contact Sandy: 011 956 6197, 082 486 2464, info@ wildcaves.co.za or visit wildcaves.co.za

only for parents classes, talks and workshops

26 December – Adventures in Zambezia

community. This is a proudly South African film created by TriggerFish Animation.

26 December. Time: varies. Venue: cinemas nationwide. Cost: varies per cinema. Contact: 0861 246 362 or visit numetro.co.za Fantasy A fast-paced, feel-good production incorporating stunning costumes, stateof-the-art lighting, energetic singers, dazzling dancers and a speciality act. All ages. 14 November–12 January. Time: 8pm, Monday–Saturday. Venue: Sun City Resort, North West. Cost: R100. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com Sleeping Beauty Good triumphs over evil in this charming rendition. Filled with colourful costumes and vibrant music, the play sees an evil fairy cast a spell on a baby princess and all the good fairies of Milkwood Forest end up taking matters into their own hands. 30 November– 15 December. Time: 10am and 3pm.

Venue: Irene Village Theatre, 1 Pioneer Rd, Irene. Cost: R65–R85. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com The Amazing World of Gumball The Wattersons and their fearless blue cat are back for a new second series, jam-packed with energetic adventures. Time: 5:45pm,

every Wednesday; with repeats every Saturday at 11:40am and 6:45pm, and the following Tuesday at 5:25pm; on Cartoon Network, channel 301 on DStv. For more info: visit dstv.com Toy Shop Trouble A stunning puppet show that takes you on an adventure through a magical toyshop, complete with beautiful puppets and magical sets. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 December. Time: 1pm. Venue: Irene Village Theatre, 1 Pioneer Rd, Irene.

Cost: R65. Contact: 084 249 9292 or tshwaneyouththeatre@gmail.com

playtime and story time Monkeying around There are plenty of activities to keep your children entertained for hours. They can enjoy a pony ride, safari train ride on the weekends, and can monkey around on the large jungle gym where they can also view the marmoset monkeys, potbellied pigs, dwarf mountain goats, rabbits and other animals. Time: 9am–4pm, daily. Venue: Safari Garden Centre, cnr Lynnwood Rd and Rubida St, The Willows. Cost: free entry. Contact: 012 807 0009 or visit safarigardencentre.com Purple Cow Restaurant They offer an indoor and outdoor play area for the children as well as a make-your-own-pizza experience while you sit back and relax with some cake and a coffee. Time: 9am–10pm, daily. Venue: Purple Cow Restaurant, ground floor, Midfield Clubhouse, Midway Boulevard, Midstream. Cost: varies. Contact: 072 128 9374, info@thepurplecow.co.za or visit thepurplecow.co.za

sport and physical activities

3–14 December – Holiday swimming course

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December 2012 / January 2013

Holiday swimming course Perfect your stroke, improve your fitness levels and have fun splashing about during this two-week swimming programme. For children 3 years and older. 3–14 December.

Time: 9am–6pm, Monday–Friday. Venue: Centurion Swimming and Aqua Centre, cnr Lanchen and Migmatite, Zwartkop Ext 8, Centurion. Cost: R800. Contact: 012 663 6035, 082 463 6525, centurionswim@ vodamail.co.za or visit centurionswim.co.za Walk on the Wild Side Dress up in overalls, a helmet and take a torch and see

Adventure Bootcamp A fourweek outdoor fitness programme that encourages women to push to their personal best. Bring an exercise mat, small hand weights, a water bottle and running shoes. Space is limited. 7 January– 1 February. Time: varies. Venue: camps across Gauteng. Cost: varies by region.

Contact head office: 021 447 2746 or visit adventurebootcamp.co.za Sonic meditation group The meditation is enriched with live sounds and musical performances created with singing bowls, drums, bells and chimes. Booking essential. 2 December. Time: 9am–11am. Venue: South African Centre for Sound Therapy, Meerhof, Hartbeespoort Dam. Cost: R150. Contact Wilna: 071 682 2548, wilna@soundtherapy. co.za or visit soundtherapy.co.za The basics of sign language Today’s training covers workshop one and two in which you learn about food, animals, clothing, family and more. Booking essential.

26 January. Time: 8:30am–3:30pm. Venue: Centurion. Cost: R370–R740, excludes refreshments. Contact Monita: 082 218 7339, contact@tinyhandz.co.za or visit tinyhandz.co.za Wicked treats Be prepared for your child’s next birthday party and learn to create delicate flowers out of sugar paste, and the latest trend, push-up cakes.

8 December: sugar-paste flowers; 11 December: push-up cakes; 22 December: basic fondant. Time: 10am–1pm. Venue: shop D, DG Rynders Building, 1146 Tibouchina St, Montana Park. Cost: R450, all inclusive. Contact Angelique: 012 548

6873, angelique@funkycakes-goodies. co.za or visit funkycakes-goodies.co.za Zumba Fitness Burn some calories, get in shape and have fun while taking part in a Latin-inspired dance party. Classes are for men and women. 4–18 December.

Time: 6pm–8pm, Tuesday and Thursday; 6:30pm–7:30pm, Monday and Wednesday.

Venue: Meyerspark (Tuesday and Thursday), Lyttelton (Monday and Wedneday). Cost: R300 per month. Contact Annarie: 078 569 3028 or annarie.fitness@gmail.com

on stage and screen Midnight in Paris Ring in the new year with Emile Minnie and Godfrey Johnson as they present an evening of sophisticated cabaret. They perform songs by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Noël Coward, Bonnie Tyler as well as some original material. 31 December. Time: 8pm. Venue: Brooklyn Theatre, Greenlyn Village Centre, cnr Thomas Edison Rd and 13th St, Menlo Park.

Cost: R600. Contact: 012 460 6033 or visit brooklyntheatre.co.za Mzansi Fela Festival: Sibongile Khumalo Catch this diva on stage as she performs a soulful and dynamic jazz set. 7 December. Time: 8:30pm. Venue: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria CBD. Cost: R150–R250. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com Shepherd on the Rock The music of Schubert, Spohr and Mozart comes to life through the vocals of Ilze Coetzee, with Morné van Heerden on clarinet and Ingrid Bredell on piano. 14 and 16 December.

Time: 8pm, Friday; 3pm, Sunday. Venue: Brooklyn Theatre, Greenlyn Village Centre, cnr Thomas Edison Rd and 13th St, Menlo Park. Cost: R75–R110. Contact: 012 460 6033 or visit brooklyntheatre.co.za Sunday Morning This comedy follows a successful photographer whose life gets turned upside down the day he finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant. 11–13 December.

Time: 8pm. Venue: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria Central.

Cost: R50. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com The Rain Queen Tshwane Dance Theatre presents Pula, the story of South Africa’s

2 sun

Rough and Ready Leave a trail of dust as you

lap

your

friends

in a friendly quad bike race

around

the

dirt

track. No experience is necessary. Bring food for a picnic or a braai. For children 4–15 years old.

7–17 December. Time: 10am–5pm, daily. Venue: Zwartkops Quad Centre, north corner Zwartkops Raceway,

Route

R55,

Centurion. Cost: R10 per lap. Contact Linky: 082 688 6046, bookings@ quadrides.co.za or visit quadrides.co.za

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Time: 9:30am. Venue: Ludwig’s Rose Farm, plot 62, Haakdoornlaagte; take the Wallmannsthal flyover on the N1 north.

Cost: free. Contact: 012 544 0144 or visit ludwigsroses.co.za

support Groups

7 January–1 February – Adventure Bootcamp

rainmakers and rain queens told through a blend of contemporary and African dance.

23 November–2 December. Time: 11am, Friday; 3pm, Saturday and Friday; 8pm, Tuesday–Thursday. Venue: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria Central. Cost: R60. Tickets available at the door or book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

out and About Call and Response A retrospective photographic exhibition by Cedric Nunn, whose central theme is social life in rural and urban South Africa. 8 November–

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27 January. Time: 10am–5pm, Tuesday– Sunday. Venue: Pretoria Art Museum, cnr Francis Baard St and Wessels St, Arcadia Park. Cost: free. Contact: 012 344 1807 or art.museum@tshwane.gov.za Soloparenting Christmas party With this single parents social club. 1 December.

Time: 2pm–4pm. Venue: tbc. Cost: free.

Contact Jean-Marie: 076 054 5510 or soloparenting@talc.co.za Walk and Talk Roses Join Ludwig for a leisurely walk among the roses and learn about the interesting facts that are not usually disclosed at other demos. No need to book in advance. 16 December.

Alcoholics Anonymous People with drinking problems and their families are able to search the database for a support group in their area. Contact: 012 993 5827 or visit aasouthafrica.org.za Compassionate Friends Support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. Contact: 012 654 1768, info@tcfp.co.za or visit tcfp.co.za Epilepsy South Africa Contact them for information on support groups, advice, and contact details for relevant healthcare professionals across Gauteng. Contact: 011 816 2040 or visit epilepsy.org.za Missing Children South Africa Contact: 072 647 7464 or visit missingchildren.org.za

Venue: 2 Ethel St, Midstream Estate, Centurion. Cost: free. Contact: 082 853 5278 or centurionhighveldbabies@ clamberclub.com Clamber Club Centurion open day Get an introduction to the motor skillsorientated Clamber Club programme, while having fun with your little one.

bump, baby & Tot in tow

classes, talks and workshops Babies at Clamber Club Have fun with your little one as they learn through movement and by spending time playing with various gross motor equipment that is set up in the garden. Bring a picnic basket.

Booking essential. For babies 2–12 months.

5 December. Time: 10:30am–12pm.

6 December and 10 January – Clamber Club Centurion open day

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calendar lunches and grills. Closed 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January. Time: 8am–5pm, daily. Venue: Jingle Jangle Tea Garden and Nursery, Wekker St, plot 54 Kimiad Estate, Moreleta Park. Cost: varies. Contact: 012 997 0134 or visit jinglejangle.co.za

support groups

Monday–Saturday, Crazi Cow

Booking essential. For toddlers 1–4 years old. 6 December and 10 January. Time: 9am–12pm and 2pm–4pm. Venue: 74 Amsterdam Rd, Clubview. Cost: free.

Contact Anzha: 082 903 7746 or clubview@ clamberclub.com Parent-child workshops Learn baby sign language through music and movement in a fun, stimulating playgroup setting and collect a full kit of signing picture cards, books and songs. For parents of children 6–18 months.

1–8 December. Classes start again 14 January. Time: 2pm–5pm, Monday–Friday; 8:30am–12pm, Saturday. Venue: Pretoria.

Cost: R850, includes all materials. Contact Loren: 012 665 2878, 072 239 8498 or info@wecantalk.co.za Pienkvoet-Pret Learn about how you and your baby can play, learn and socialise in a safe, friendly environment. For babies 3 months–3 years. Classes start 9 January.

Time: varies. Cost: R360 per month.

Venues: across Pretoria. Contact Anelia at head office: 082 214 1987 or visit pienkvoetpret.co.za

playtime and story time Crazi Cow A quiet place for children to rough and tumble in the sand as you enjoy a cup of coffee and a light meal. Time: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday; 9am–1pm, Saturday. Venue: Stimustation, 44 Alexandra St, Doringkloof. Cost: free entry, food costs vary. Contact: 012 667 5199, info@stimustation.co.za or visit stimustation.co.za Giddy-up, Amber Children can enjoy a gentle ride on Amber, the lovable pony, and zip around the track on a scooter or manoeuvre up and down the jungle gyms. The tea garden serves breakfast, light

Berg-en-Dal Pregnancy Crisis Centre Offers care and support to pregnant teenagers and women. Ages 12–40 years welcome. Contact: 012 800 4700 or visit jacarandachildren.co.za Bipolar Kids South Africa Offers support and guidance for parents with children who are bipolar. Contact Lee: 083 227 2304, bpkidssa@mweb.co.za or visit bpkidssouthafrica.co.za Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) The group offers support to individuals and couples considering adoption, as well as those who have already adopted. 6 January. Time: 1pm–3pm.

Venue: Willow Feather Farm, portion 37, Doornkloof, Irene. Cost: R10 entry.

Contact Michelle: 072 698 9991 or pretoriaasg@yahoo.com

if you’re heading to durban 12 december Mr Price Rotary Christmas Fantasy An evening of fun for children, with fantasy characters, train rides, face painting, a jumping castle and more. Ends 15 December. Time: 5:45pm–8:30pm. Venue: Durban Model Engineers, Hinton Grove, Virginia. Cost: adults R55, children R95. Contact Hilary: 082 556 0299 or visit computicket.com

13 december Dolphins by Starlight It’s Christmas with a twist, and a leap and a splash, as the uShaka dolphins ring in the festive season with Christmas songs. Ends 16 December.

Time: 7pm. Venue: Standard Bank Dolphin Stadium, uShaka Marine World. Cost: R120. Book through Computicket: 0861 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

24 december Sugar Bay holiday camp A fun holiday camp for children 7–17 years old, including over 90 different activities. This holiday, themed weeks include Avatar, Weird and Wacky and Glee. Camps run throughout the holidays. 9 December–12 January (closed 24–26 December). Time: 3pm drop-off. Venue: Zinkwazi Beach, North Coast.

Cost: varies. Contact: 032 485 3778, holidays@sugarbay.co.za or visit sugarbay.co.za

how to help Bigshoes Foundation Provides specialist paediatric services and palliative care to children 0–18 years old in children’s homes. You can help by sponsoring a child, donating clinic and office supplies, and by making them a beneficiary on your My School/My Village card.

Contact Maxine: 011 484 0793 or visit bigshoes.org.za Little Fighters Cancer Trust The trust was started to give financial relief to families of cancer babies. You can help by donating money or buying a Bag of Hope, which is given to children in paediatric oncology wards around South Africa. The bags are filled with blankets, pyjamas, books, puzzles, snacks and more. For more info: visit littlefighters.org.za Rhinose Day Show your support for the plight of the rhino by buying a plastic “Rhinose”, which can be mounted with cable ties onto the grille of your car. Ends 27 December. Venue: available at CNA stores countrywide. Cost: R30. Contact: hello@ rhinoseday.com or visit rhinoseday.com SANBS Blood drive Give the gift of life.

8 December. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: The Grove Mall, cnr Simon Vermooten Rd and Lynnwood Rd, Equestria. Cost: free.

Contact Willem: 012 391 2512 or willem. vandermerwe@sanbs.org.za

13 December – Dolphins by Starlight

if you’re heading to cape town 1 december City Sightseeing Night Tour This three-hour tour is a sunset tour to Signal Hill.

Take a picnic basket with snacks and sundowners and watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. The tour is three hours and is not a hop-on, hop-off tour. Take warm clothes just in case. Until 6 May. Time: departs 6pm. Venue: starts and ends at Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront. Cost: adults R100, children R50.

Contact: 021 511 6000 or visit citysightseeing.co.za Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life Exhibition The internationally renowned anatomical exhibition makes its African premiere in Cape Town for a three-month showing. Developed by acclaimed, albeit controversial, anatomist Dr Gunther von Hagens, the ground-breaking showcase displays real human bodies, individual organs, organ configurations and transparent body slices, flawlessly preserved thanks to a revolutionary method known as plastination. 31 October–31 January.

Time: 9am–7:30pm. Venue: Breakwater Boulevard, V&A Waterfront (next to Toy Kingdom). Cost: adults R140, 6–17 years olds R90, under 5 years old free, family ticket R400. For more info: visit bodyworlds.com

7 december Carols by Candlelight Father Christmas entertains the little ones and spoil them with sweets. CrissCross will entertain with popular traditional Christmas carols. Take a picnic basket and blanket. Time: gates open at 5pm, carols commence 6:30pm. Venue: Laborie Wine Farm, Taillefer St, Main Rd, Paarl. Cost: adults R50 and children over 12 years R20; picnics R250 for two adults sharing and R75 for children. Contact: 021 807 3390, info@laboriewines.co.za or visit laboriewines.co.za

don’t miss out!

For a free listing, email your event to pretoria@childmag.co.za or fax it to 011 234 4971. Information must be received by 4 January for the February issue, and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published. To post an event online, visit childmag.co.za 8 December – SANBS Blood drive

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

childmag.co.za/ resources/birthday-parties

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finishing touch

extreme parenting A feline’s fall from grace teaches ANÉL LEWIS a

ustrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner, also known as “Fearless Felix”, shattered the sound barrier when he jumped off a stratospheric balloon to freefall almost 39 kilometres to earth. In an unassuming garden, somewhere at the tip of Africa, Domino did the same.

But unlike Felix, Domino did so without the adulation and cheers of onlookers and millions of viewers. Domino is our cat; our long-suffering feline companion who has survived several moves, two of them between cities, and most recently, an unexpected fall from space – and grace.

You see, Domino was hijacked by some children who were at a party at our house. Unbeknown to us, as we were blithely passing around cupcakes and sausage rolls, our poor cat was being

Erin, Anél and Conor

suspended from the top of the trampoline.

Granted, Domino may not have broken any speed records with her fall, but she still plummeted a good metre or so, and she did so a couple of times more than Felix. Fortunately for our hapless jumper, I managed to rescue her before any serious harm was done. And, barring a few bald spots and a slight case of vertigo, Domino seems none the worse for wear.

The incident did raise some interesting questions though about discipline – of other people’s children. With Erin it’s easy enough. She has grasped the concept of a time-out, and just a look from her father is enough to stop her in her tracks.

My children are no angels though, and Erin can wreak just as much havoc when we are out as the next child. At a rather posh event recently, I caught her doing her

own form of graffiti tagging on the white walls of the organiser’s upmarket mansion.

I gave her a stern talking-to, confiscated the crayon and promptly excused myself from the party. But what do you do when the instigator is someone else’s child?

And, even worse, what if you don’t know the parents that well?

Well, I opted for the diplomatic approach after the trampoline incident and made a general comment to all the parents there that “the children” had been caught tormenting our family pet.

They promptly spoke to their respective progeny, explaining that the cat was not to be carried, elevated or suspended in any way. A few moments later, however, I noticed that my Pilates ball, which has seen me through my tight twenties, when I couldn’t afford furniture and it doubled as

a core-strengthening desk chair, and two pregnancies, being rolled to the bottom of the garden. I wanted to rush down there and save it, but then I thought: it’s just a ball, and children need to be allowed some room to play.

Alas, it has been a good few days since the party and Domino’s petrifying plunge, but the Pilates ball is missing in action. I just hope that the cat, perhaps still drunk on adrenaline from her brush with neardeath, is not working on a new stunt for our next gathering.

Anél Lewis is Child magazine’s features editor. She would like to confirm that no animals were harmed in the making of this blog, although a few children were threatened with their life if they didn’t listen. Follow her on Twitter:@ ChildMagParent

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PHOTOGRAPH: STEPHANIE VELDMAN

a

few things about children and discipline.