Child magazine | JHB June/July 2018

J O B U R G ’ s

b e s t

gu i d e

f or

magaz ne

p a r e n t s

June / July 2018

winter holiday special let’s party themes, planners, food, fun & games

free health

education

entertainment

contents

june & july 2018 - the bumper holiday issue upfront

4 pub’s note Making happy holiday memories, fabulous food recipes from around the world and planning the best birthday party, this issue is filled with inspiration and helpful tips

publisher

regulars 8 health The truth about the flu vaccine

Lisa Mc Namara lisa@childmag.co.za

10 pregnancy Don’t suffer heartburn in

editorial

silence, try these tips to stop it

6 over to you Our readers have their say and share their news and views

12 best for baby Your baby can thrive on a

features

30 recipes Taste the world with these super

14 highly sensitive children How to recognise them, understand them and help them cope in the world 16 tutoring One-on-one or group? We discuss the benefits that will help you make the right choice 19 road trip Take it slow and explore our country’s off-road hidden gems, you never know what discoveries you’ll make 22 party planning Don’t stress, just follow our guidelines for planning and hosting the perfect party 24 birthday party essentials Give your child a memorable birthday party using one of our novel themes and find everything you need – from accessories to venues – in our handy resource guide

magaz ne

vegan diet – we discuss the pros and cons

party food recipes 32 a good read Recommended reads for the whole family – from fun to suspense 34 what’s on in June & July Family events and winter holiday programmes 41 in the next issue of child magazine Education in the spotlight, tips to get organised and super spring recipes 42 finishing touch Are birthday theme

Editor editor@childmag.co.za Resource Editor joburg@childmag.co.za Freelance Copy Editor Brenda Bryden Online Content Manager online@childmag.co.za

art

Designers Candice Acheson studio1@childmag.co.za Mark Vincer studio@childmag.co.za

client relations

Yvette Dreyer-Ferreira jhbsales@childmag.co.za Renee Bruning renee@childmag.co.za

print & digital advertising

parties overrated?

classified ads

Lisa Mc Namara lisa@childmag.co.za

42 family marketplace Family and community-

subscriptions & circulation

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Nicolene Baldy admin@childmag.co.za 0861 867 885

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Joburg’s Child magazine 55 350 Cape Town’s Child magazine 47 817 Durban’s Child magazine 40 026 Pretoria’s Child magazine 40 173 Free requested Jul 17 – Dec 17

Joburg’s Child Magazine is published alternate monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 6, Canterbury Studios, 35 Wesley Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 0861 867 885, email: info@childmag.co.za.

Annual subscriptions (for six issues) cost R150, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by CTP. Copyright subsists in all work published in Joburg’s Child Magazine.

We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.

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pub’s note

Making holiday memories

JULIAn & LISA

My heart soars at the thought of holidaying with my family. Every so often we (all) save up, plan way in advance and journey somewhere brand new. The mere thought of meeting up after at least a year of not seeing my extended family in Australia keeps me dreaming and, sometimes just going, especially when school and work life gets a little, well … shall we say taxing? The brief is simple, pick somewhere we haven’t been before and make sure it’s affordable, especially for those of us travelling on South African Rands. Other than that, all we need are vegan and vegetarian food options and decent wine (a nice South African sauvignon blanc would be first prize, but I’ll settle for something dry and white from New Zealand too). Exploring with my family is never boring and our most recent holiday was no exception. In fact, I think it may well have been my family’s best holiday ever.

Destination: Bali. I can honestly say this holiday was life-changing. Bali is not a place, it’s a state of mind, calm, relaxed, rejuvenating. What could possibly be better than starting the day with yoga and ending with a swim or a surf?

My youngest daughter Robyn celebrated her birthday there, simply and beautifully. My oldest, Julian … well she was so taken with the island and its people, that she stayed on for two weeks, travelling around on a scooter, alone, with no plan and very little money. Content with the sun on her back, salt in her hair and a smile on her face!

Here’s wishing you a warm and happy holiday with your family this winter, and if an overseas destination is beyond your family budget, consider taking a road trip around our beautiful country.

Turn to page 19 to read one family’s account of their Cape Town to Joburg journey of exploration. If you can’t travel, but still want to taste adventure, try some of our party food from around the world recipes on page 30.

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5

letters

over to you have your say – we value your thoughts, suggestions and feedback. editor@childmag.co.za rest days On the subject of reasons to miss school, as seen in your Feb/Mar issue (childmag. co.za/content/10reasons-stayhome-school), I would advise that students be given a rest day. Senior year learners, in particular, are overwhelmed with an incredibly heavy workload, and they can’t study for tests and complete their homework while attending school for seven hours, not to mention any extracurricular activities. Of course time management is important, but it gets too much.

Anonymous

is this a problem?

My eight year old is very charming, kind and makes good grades. All round she’s a good child. However, she likes to talk like a robot or in a deep raspy voice during class. It makes the other students laugh and is disruptive.

She says that it makes her comfortable. Am I making her out to be weird? Is this a problem?

We have moved twice in the past four years, could this be a factor?

Concerned mom

Child Magazine responds: We suggest you consult her teacher and discuss your daughter’s behaviour to ascertain if the

teacher thinks it’s a problem and then decide on the way forward. Changing environments and school can be difficult for children, so keep in mind that your daughter may still be trying to find her place in her new school.

initials can cause embarrassment I picked up a copy of your Feb/Mar issue at the casualty section of Sandton Clinic where I was having a couple of stitches inserted.

I especially enjoyed the article on names and thought I should tell you about another precaution to heed when deciding on a name for the new little person in your life: Beware of initials! In my class at school there was a boy named Robert Sole. You can imagine the anticipation and delight in the class when a new teacher called out the register for the first time: “A Smith? D Sneath? R Sole?” At which point the entire class burst into loud laughter.

Richard

sport versus exercise I am working hard to change teachers’, parents’ and children’s perceptions around sport.

Exercise is not sport. Exercise is something our bodies need and crave, and something that we should all be given the opportunity to take ownership of – to develop according to our own natural abilities – and feel great about.

Sport is just one form of exercise, and we need to stop teaching our children that playing a sport is the only way to be strong, able and confident in your body!

Anonymous

Let us know what’s on your mind. Send your letters or comments to

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Stay up to date with all our news and enter our weekly competitions by signing up to our newsletter. Subscribe at childmag.co.za 6

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.

magazine | joburg June/July 2018

we need to stop teaching our children that playing a sport is the only way to be strong, able and confident in your body! delighted prizewinners Thank you so much for the wonderful hamper of books, so swiftly delivered. With small children in the family and visitors from elsewhere in SA and around the world, the books are going to be so useful. I have looked through them and they are a mine of information! It sure is my lucky day, many thanks, such a surprise for us all.

Margaret Davison, a winner of our Map Studio book hamper giveaway Thank you so much, I’ve never won anything before! I’m so excited!! Thank you.

Jashmeen Pillay, a winner of our FarmFresh fruit and veg box giveaway I would like to take this opportunity to thank Child Magazine for picking my name as a winner of the Spur voucher giveaway. My voucher was delivered to my door and I am looking forward to enjoying a meal out with my family.

Patronella Moremi

editor@childmag.co.za

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7

health

fight the flu this winter With the dreaded flu season already upon us, here are five misconceptions about the virus you probably didn’t know.

CHILD MAGAZINE

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inter is coming, and with it, the inevitable and dreaded bouts of flu. For parents, this means doing everything possible to keep our children healthy and influenza-free at school and at home.

With predictions that this year’s flu season could be especially bad, it’s more important to start implementing strategies that will help boost your and your children’s immune systems.

myth: The flu vaccine is only for the elderly and high-risk patients. fact: Flu affects people of ALL ages and anyone who does not want to contract flu should be vaccinated.

fact versus fiction

myth: I was vaccinated last year so I am good to go. fact: Different flu viruses circulate each flu season because the viruses regularly change due to various factors including mutation. Therefore, a new vaccine is manufactured each year in response to that year’s prevalent flu strains.

Many misconceptions surround influenza and the vaccine. myth: It is natural and almost expected to get the flu every year as it does its rounds. fact: Incorrect – flu can be avoided by having the flu vaccine.

myth: Flu is not that serious. fact: Flu is actually a severe and possibly life-threatening illness. It kills more than 500 000 people worldwide every year.

myth: The flu shot causes flu. fact: Impossible – the viruses contained in flu shots are dead, which means they can’t cause infection. Getting a flu shot stimulates the immune system, which may cause mild flu-like symptoms.

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magazine | joburg June/July 2018

when to get vaccinated “The sooner the better, and certainly before the winter flu season hits us,” says Jackie Maimin, CEO of the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA).

“We urge members of the public to go to their nearest local independent community pharmacy clinic and be vaccinated to protect their health and to curb the spread of influenza.”

Most medical aid schemes now cover the costs of the flu shot, so if you are on a medical aid scheme, check with your pharmacy whether your scheme covers flu shots.

Those considered high-risk are pregnant women; children between the ages of six months and five years; people older than 65; those with HIV/AIDS; chronic disease sufferers; and those who work and live in densely populated areas and high traffic sites (teachers, students and cashiers in busy retail outlets).

The ICPA advises that being vaccinated not only protects you from the flu, but also protects those who come into contact with you and your community.

how do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the viruses that are contained in the vaccine. The vaccine increases your defence against the influenza virus. It works by introducing very small amounts of viral components into the body. It’s important to make sure you receive your flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available at your

local pharmacy, as it takes about two weeks following vaccination for the antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu strains. Influenza seasons are unpredictable and can begin early, so don’t be caught unprotected.

To get the most out of your vaccination, make sure you are feeling well when you have your shot – this will ensure you have the best immune response to the dead viruses in the vaccine.

other ways to avoid the flu You can also employ basic hygiene practices to help protect you and your family from coming down with the flu. Take the necessary precautions by washing your hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue; and staying at home when you are ill to avoid spreading spreading the germs.

prevention is better than cure • • • • •

eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and nuts consider taking probiotics avoid tobacco smoke and alcohol get enough sun and sleep to maintain a strong immune system at the first sign of a tickle in the throat, gargle with salt water or an iodine solution for thirty seconds to kill the bacteria.

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resisting reflux More than half of all women will experience the burning discomfort of acid reflux during their pregnancy. But, there are effective ways to beat the heartburn.

CHILD MAGAZINE

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eartburn, or acid reflux – acidic digestive juices backing up into the oesophagus – is a common condition that plagues most moms-to-be at some point during their pregnancy. Progesterone, the hormone that relaxes muscles in pregnancy, also relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the oesophagus.

Diane Julies, an independent clinical services consultant based in Pietermaritzburg, says that: “In addition, the growing uterus crowds the stomach, forcing acid up into the oesophagus and causing that unpleasant burning sensation.”

Julies, who has been studying the effects of prenatal exposure on maternal and foetal health for more than 14 years, says that there are effective ways to stop heartburn among pregnant women. She offers the following advice:

smaller meals, slower bites Pregnant moms suffering from morning sickness usually have no problem eating little bits at a time. “But, if you have a healthy appetite during your pregnancy, make sure you avoid eating too much and feeling over-full.”

According to her, an overly-stuffed stomach can contribute to heartburn.

“Instead of three square meals a day, try five or six smaller ones.” Julies adds that eating too fast can also lead to heartburn and indigestion. “Relax and enjoy your meal. This will help you avoid overeating,” she says.

water, water everywhere Avoid drinking large quantities of milk during meal times, rather drink plain old water. “Drink lots of water, but not all at once,” says Julies. “Gulping a lot of water in one sitting actually increases the risk of heartburn,

PHOTOGRAPH: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

pregnancy

particularly when baby’s larger size is pushing your stomach upwards.” And, she advises to try and get most of your fluid intake by drinking beverages (preferably water) between, rather than during, meals.

fast a little Having a hearty meal and then heading to bed is a recipe for heartburn. Julies recommends trying not to eat for at least three hours before you go to sleep. “You should also try to avoid liquids starting a few hours before bedtime,” she adds.

keep moving After every meal, take a leisurely walk or do a little housework, then sit down and read a book. “Don’t just lie down shortly after eating, and don’t do anything that requires you to bend over,” Julies warns. She says that both lying down and bending over can contribute to acid juices washing back up into your oesophagus.

let it flow “Wearing tight clothing is only going to put more pressure on your already crammed abdomen, and could possibly worsen acid reflux,” says Julies. She advises pregnant women to opt for loose-fitting maternity wear, “especially if you’re trying to stamp out heartburn.”

Rather opt for fresh fruit and raw veggies. spice is not nice Keep your food choices simple, avoid fatty, spicy, acidic foods. “This type of food will only worsen incidences of heartburn. Rather opt for fresh fruit and raw veggies,” Julie advises.

ginga’ ninja The exception to the guideline above advising pregnant women to avoid spicy foods, is ginger. Some women find that ginger – in the

form of ginger ale, ginger sweets or ginger biscuits – helps ease heartburn and can combat nausea and vomiting. Although there is not much scientific evidence for ginger as a remedy for pregnancy woes, Julies says: “It is safe to consume when you are pregnant.”

when all else fails …

When these natural methods fail to ease your heartburn, Julies recommends the following medication: • antacids containing calcium or magnesium are safe to take during pregnancy.

• H2 blockers like Tagamet or Zantac suppress the production of stomach acid. Consult your doctor before taking them.

• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prevacid have a powerful acid-suppressing effect. These are available over the counter and are safe to use during pregnancy.

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best for baby

raising healthy children

the natural way

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ood is a very personal choice and many people are changing from meat- and dairy-based diets to purely plant-based (vegan) diets for a number of reasons including personal ethical beliefs, concern for the environment, allergies to certain meat and dairy products, or concern about contaminated or sub-standard food. For those parents already committed to a vegan lifestyle, it is natural to choose the same diet for their children until such time as the child is old enough to make their own choice.

But, how do they ensure that their babies and toddlers get the necessary nutrients to thrive and be happy. “It’s really not that difficult,” claims Tammy Fry, Marketing Director of Fry Family Food (a vegan and vegetarian food company), a South African Karate champion and the mother of two boys.

“A well-planned, well-balanced vegan diet can provide all the fibre, iron, protein, vitamins and minerals a baby or toddler child needs to develop.”

As parents, we have every right to choose and influence what our children eat as long as they are thriving and content. For many parents, a vegan diet ticks all the boxes.

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Apart from providing your child with a moral compass from an early age by creating a connection between animals, the environment and what is on their plates, Fry says that there are significant health benefits to a vegan diet.

“Children raised on plant-based diets could go on to benefit from reduced risk of heart disease, some types of cancer and type two diabetes as adults. By avoiding dairy, you lower the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis and

PHOTOGRAPH: Sonja Wrethman

health benefits

breastfeeding is in fact vegan. some cancers. Your child may also experience fewer allergies, colds and flu. And, they develop and maintain strong bones and health, have improved attention at school, better balanced hormones, stable moods, and better digestion,” she explains.

starting off Before introducing baby to a vegan diet, parents should educate themselves on the various dietary requirements. “Anyone wanting to bring up their child on a plant-based diet should seek the advice of a qualified doctor, nutritionist or dietician to ensure they are well-prepared to provide their child with the healthiest food options possible with competence and confidence,” advises Fry. “Remember, not all vegan diets are created equal. Just as you can have a healthy or an unhealthy omnivorous diet, you can also have a healthy or unhealthy vegan diet.”

When it comes to meals for a baby’s vegan diet, breast is best (breastfeeding is in fact vegan), so try to breastfeed for as long as possible. Baby’s first foods are typically fruits, veggies, and rice cereal – all of which are naturally vegan, making weaning to solids relatively simple. Fry suggests that babies should be weaned to soy milk fortified with vitamins B12 and D to ensure they have enough of those key nutrients. “Soy is one of

the most protein-rich and versatile foods. It is recommended to avoid other forms of plantbased milk in the early years of development as they lack sufficient protein,” she says.

“Once baby is ready to start eating small pieces of food, introduce plant proteins such as tofu, tempeh, and plant-based meat alternatives. To ensure your child receives adequate amounts of Omega 3, treat them to walnuts, flax seeds, and kale and chia seeds. Fortified orange juice or soy milk will boost vitamin D intake. Fortified cereals or supplements are the best vegan sources of vitamin B12, while kale and leafy greens, fortified non-dairy milk, and chickpeas and kidney beans are an excellent source of calcium,” she concludes.

be prepared Health benefits and simplicity of meals aside, there are some potential pitfalls ahead when you choose a vegan diet for baby. Some toddlers may prove to be fussy eaters and not easily embrace the foods suggested above. In that event, parents would be advised to seek

help from a registered dietician and nutritionist who can develop special menus and vitamin and supplement plans to suit both the child’s tastes and needs.

Many people are misinformed about the health benefits of a vegan diet and may be critical of your choice. It would be helpful to arm yourself with knowledge to successfully fend off criticism and competently answer any questions about your dietary choice.

Lastly, remember that your baby will develop into an intelligent, observant child and may question why they eat differently to their friends. In time, they may wish to make their own different food choices, so keep an open mind and consider the possibility that you may, at some point, have to make peace with them following a different path. As Fry wisely says: “I believe it’s important when educating your child to not make food options such as meat and dairy taboo, or to have strict rules around food. I have educated my boys on where food comes from, and ultimately it is up to them to decide. For now, simply trust that you are doing the best job of parenting possible.”

tips for lunch box and party food • m ini wraps filled with fresh salad or stir-fry style vegetables • avocado • hummus • falafel • fruit kebabs

• vegetarian chickenstyle strips and nuggets • vegetarian sausage rolls • sliders (mini burgers using plant-based patties or mushrooms) • pumpkin fritters

• z ucchini fritters • mini burrito bowls • cheese straws using plant-based cheese (available from most supermarkets) • plant-based ice-cream

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dealing with difference

handle with care

understanding highly sensitive children Is your child constantly on the brink of tears? Is their reaction a little over-emotional sometimes? If you’ve answered yes, then your child could be highly sensitive, and needs to be dealt with delicately.

o

CHILD MAGAZINE

ne of the more common questions asked in family therapy practice relates to parents dealing with highly sensitive children (HSC) who seem to feel things a lot more intensely, proving to be much different than their peers and quite confusing to parents.

“With anxiety in children, there’s often a heightened sensitivity through which that child experiences the world.” This is according to Cape Town-based family therapist and social worker Talya Ressel. She adds that in some cases, the sensitivity in children occurs without signs of anxiety, but rather “other challenging behaviours.”

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“Highly sensitive children are confusing to their parents – often acting in a way that seems so much more mature than they actually are, and then at other times, they experience emotional meltdowns,” Ressel says.

what is HSC? HSC is a very real term to describe children who tend to notice the world in a lot more detail; children who often feel things more intensely and need to feel 100% comfortable before taking action.

Research has shown that there are fundamental differences in temperaments among highly sensitive children and, according to Ressel, it can be useful to understand children in terms of dandelions, orchids and tulips.

“Most children are like dandelions, they can grow anywhere and under any conditions and can often thrive regardless of their experiences. Orchid children are very sensitive to their environment and present more of a challenge to deal with. However, they’re likely to thrive under the right conditions.”

She says that tulip children tend to fall somewhere in the middle, being both delicate like an orchid and robust as a dandelion.

“This idea of the tulip having the potential to wilt and thrive is so important for understanding HSC and the role parents play in the child’s development.”

Ressel encourages parents to put aside the labels and negative connotations that society equates with sensitivity, especially in boys.

A highly sensitive adolescent once asked her if, when faced with the choice, she’d ever change her sensitivity? “I told him I would not.

Sensitivity, if managed correctly, can be a real blessing and strength,” Ressel says. She refers to the book by a leading researcher in the field of HSC, Elaine Aron, entitled The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping our children thrive when the world overwhelms them. In the book, Aron shares a valuable quote with the reader: “If you want to have an exceptional child, you must be willing to have an exceptional child.”

According to Ressel, parenting a HSC has its challenges and responsibilities, “but it also provides an opportunity to be moved and amazed by the insight, kindness and compassion a HSC can exert.”

helpful strategies for dealing with a HSC

Ressel’s own experience as a HSC and HSC-parent has given her valuable insight and understanding to help support young people and adults dealing with HSC. She highlights five helpful strategies for parents to help these personalities thrive: acknowledge it: By acknowledging and accepting the child’s temperament, you help them to understand what they’re going

through and gain self-acceptance. “Do not apologise to others for your child’s sensitivity. It’s not something your child should feel ashamed about,” she says. consider practicalities: Manage basic needs such as making sure your child gets enough rest, adequate nutrition and that heat and noise levels are comfortable. “These elements are felt more intensely by a HSC and so it becomes quicker to feel overwhelmed.” at their own pace: Understand that a HSC may want to participate in activities, but at their own pace and level of comfort. Labelling this behaviour as shy or fearful creates negative associations, when in fact it can be a positive attribute. fill/empty the emotional jar: It’s important to acknowledge how much each child is capable of managing themselves – think of it as their emotional jar filling up. When it’s full, we often see behaviours such as meltdowns, tantrums or outbursts. “Parents can help them find ways to empty their jar by encouraging soothing activities such as walking, reading, quiet play or even going for a drink of water,” explains Ressel. avoid harsh discipline: When reprimanded, punished or embarrassed, a HSC is likely to become so overwhelmed by the emotion that they tend to disregard the information you want them to learn. “But that doesn’t mean anything goes. It is okay and necessary to set limits in a gentle, caring but firm manner,” she concludes.

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education

help, my child needs a tutor!

Is private one-on-one or group tuition the way to go? Why not both? We look at the benefits …

CHILD MAGAZINE

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results, but coupling it with some group tuition could be the perfect solution,” Cheney says.

benefits of one-on-one tuition Cheney says that this style of tuition is essentially when a child has the full attention of a tutor in that the lesson involves only the child and the tutor.

These lessons are normally conducted in a home – either the child’s or the tutor’s – and can take place as often as once or twice a week.

“The benefits of one-on-one tuition are endless,” says Cheney. “But the fact that your child will have the full attention of their private tutor is probably the most significant.” He says that this also leads to a stronger relationship with the tutor, allowing your child to build up trust and feel more comfortable when attending his private classes.

other benefits include

• more focused attention for your child • personalised teaching for your child’s needs • reinforces knowledge learned in school

PHOTOGRAPHs: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

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he trend of private tuition is growing fast. In the United Kingdom, the proportion of tutored pupils has risen by more than a third over the past decade – from 18% in 2005 to 44% last year – with a sharp increase in the number of tuition agencies.

The argument these days revolves around whether one-on-one or group tuition is best. But why not both? A new growing trend is for children to have one-on-one private lessons, combined with less frequent group lessons. This way, your child can have the cake and eat it with the benefits offered by both types of tuition.

Mike Cheney, sales manager at Teach Me 2 tutoring company in Cape Town, says that private tuition is something parents consider for many reasons such as for extra help with understanding school topics, exam preparation, to learn something new (musical instrument, language, sport), to boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence or catch up on school work.

“When thinking about whether to opt for a one-on-one tutor or group tuition for your child, there are plenty of pros and cons that can be argued for each, but the answer is simple. One-on-one tuition gets better

other benefits include • • • • • • a child can study at their own pace • little or no travelling. Often, the tutor will come to your home so travelling is eliminated, saving time for other activities • flexible lesson scheduling • more emotional support • customised lesson and exam preparation

benefits of group tuition Cheney says group tuition has many benefits that are often overlooked.

“Your child will have the opportunity to interact with other students and meet new people, which means they will be able to hear other people’s opinions and listen to questions they may not have thought of themselves.” According to him, the lesson will not focus solely on the child, so they may have more time to digest certain pieces of information.

• • • •

sually more affordable than one-on-one tuition u tuition centres provide well-researched materials for the lesson tutors are often full-time workers, committed to teaching group tuition is usually at a centre with better equipment children are able to share their knowledge or problems with each other encourages interaction and enhances social skills children can make new friends promotes friendly competition offers a livelier environment for more enjoyable learning

combining one-on-one and group tuition The general rule is the smaller the group the better, so one-on-one tuition has a higher impact than a group lesson would. “Saying that, small group tuition does offer some advantages that cannot be gained in a one-on-one lesson,” explains Cheney.

According to him, having weekly or twice-weekly one-to-one lessons, and adding a once or twice-monthly group lesson, you will ensure that your child is one step ahead; gaining the advantages of both types of tuition. “In this way, it breaks up a certain monotony to the child’s style of learning, and increases their chances of future success.”

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education

finding the right tutor for your child

... understanding your child’s individual needs will be the most important factor when choosing a tutor.

As seen from the benefits above, one-on-one and group tuition are both effective, so understanding your child’s individual needs will be the most important factor when choosing a tutor. Some questions to ask when thinking about the right tutor for your child are: • what recommendations do they come with?

• are they qualified enough?

• do they have the time?

• are they able to travel?

• can they work around your schedule?

• are the tutor and child compatible?

• do they prepare their own lessons?

• do they have the right material or follow a curriculum?

Cheney agrees that it is up to the parent to decide which structure better suits their child. “A positive conclusion would, therefore, be for children to continue with their one-on-one lessons and integrate a group tuition lesson once or twice-monthly so they can have the best of both worlds.”

Your child will then have the opportunity to build a good relationship with their tutor, with the added benefit of experiencing other student’s opinions from a group lesson.

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road-trippin’ RSA

travel

During a road trip across South Africa, a family discovers that it’s far more about the journey than the destination.

a

full tank of fuel? – check.

The latest Now CD compilation? – check. A stack of Roald Dahl audio books?

– check. This inventory of items is usually all it takes to keep my 10-year-old son, Noah, and 14-yearold daughter, Khaiya, happy on a road trip. But even I knew that no amount of imaginary exploding sweets was going to take the sting out of some 1 500-odd kilometres from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

I had to get more creative.

To soak up as many ocean views as possible, we took the

LISA-ANNE JULIEN

scenic, coastal route (R44) from Muizenberg. Double-storey houses with sea-facing balconies were littered along the road from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond, where we stopped at a country-style café for sandwiches made from freshly baked farm bread.

While munching on our plaasbroodjies, we wondered if there was anything more beautiful than the relentless waves sculpting the huge rocks at Kleinmond beach. But after venturing to the top of the rocks and getting showered by sea water, we decided there was.

ostrich encounters After a brief stop in Hermanus, we made our way to the Old Mill Lodge in Oudtshoorn where we spent the night. The next morning, we visited the Cango Ostrich Show Farm in Schoemanshoek where we learned about the various uses of ostrich feathers and skins over the decades.

pouring over the contents of an actual general store ... proved nostalgic.

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travel

shoulder, chomping greedily. It was meant to resemble a massage, but judging by Khaiya’s squealing and giggling, I’m not sure how relaxing it really was.

As for me, had I been more aware of the controversy around ostrich rides, I probably would have reconsidered. After a terrifying, thirty-second bout where I held onto stiff feathers for dear life, I’m now completely convinced that I won’t be doing that again any time soon.

... for no other reason than a promising charm in the name and a white church steeple in the distance.

Travelling along the N9 towards Aliwal North, we stopped off in Willowmore for no other reason than a promising charm in the name and a white church steeple in the distance. At Sophie’s Choice, we manoeuvred through antiques and half-body mannequins in ghostly dresses towards the dining area.

Here, we discovered how filling a roosterkoek could be when 20

magazine | joburg June/July 2018

stuffed with grilled vegetables and transformed into a gourmet sandwich. Pouring over the contents of an actual general store in Willowmore proved nostalgic. I remembered the days when small, sticky fingers loved to reach into tilted, sweet-filled containers.

a wee taste of Scotland Our midnight arrival in Aliwal North in the Eastern Cape was something out of BFG (Big Friendly Giant) country. After driving among tall trees that looked like giant, knuckled fingers ready to reach down and pluck us off the road, we eventually reached Conville Farm Bed and Breakfast.

For anyone who has ever wondered about life during the time of Downtown Abbey (let’s face it, who hasn’t?) Conville gave us a modest glimpse. With bedroom fireplaces, Victorian baths and bookshelves filled with dusty books, it was all I could do to stop myself from ringing for the butler.

Over breakfast, with a pony making the odd appearance outside and, yep, you guessed it, corgis scurrying beneath the table, our host gave us a fascinating history lesson of the house. After moving to South Africa from Scotland, Conville’s original owner yearned for a similar retreat to the Scottish castle he’d left behind, and built

Conville, a scaled-down look-alike.

Not long after, we arrived in the quaint town of Parys. It was as though my kids could taste the wanton commercialisation in the nearby Gauteng air. They showed little interest in the antique shops that the town is known for and claimed not to care if they never saw another herd of grazing cattle again.

I had to admit: I could relate. I practically welcomed the mayhem on the streets of Johannesburg and had to stop myself from kissing the security guards at the boom gate. Home was in sight.

things the Juliens missed • T he Kogelberg Nature Reserve just outside Kleinmond • T he Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, near Kleinmond • M eerkat Magic in Oudtshoorn • C ango Caves in Oudsthoorn • T he Pierre Ferreira hiking trail in Willowmore • T he Stables Tea garden, a converted horse stable in Aliwal North • T he Vredefort Dome in Parys created by a 300km wide meteorite

PHOTOGRAPHs: LISA-ANNE JULIEN

Noah was fascinated by the fact that a scrambled ostrich egg is the equivalent of 22 ordinary sized chicken eggs. “Just like in George’s Marvellous Medicine,” he whispered to me.

Outside, I found my daughter face-to-face with an ostrich.

When the tour guide placed a handful of seeds at Khaiya’s back, the ostrich reached over and placed its long neck over her

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plan your party like a pro From themes to party favours, plus all the dos and don’ts, we tell you how to take the hassle out of party planning.

CHILD MAGAZINE

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lanning a party for your child can be daunting, but it needn’t be.

If you plan and work well in advance, and have a clear idea of what you want, you can alleviate much of the party stress. Here are some tips for planning and hosting the perfect party. draw up a budget: Before you start, work out how much you are prepared to spend and what you can do based on your budget. set up a time schedule: Keep track of every aspect of the event and set dates for the completion of tasks. Send the invites at least a month in advance (with RSVP date about two weeks before the party). check Pinterest and Instagram: Social media is a great source for collecting ideas and party inspiration, from party themes and entertainment to food and décor.

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decide on your theme: This will guide your decision about invites, venue, décor, food and entertainment. Involve your child in the preparation as much as possible. consider the season: This is crucial when you’re choosing a venue for the party. Will you be able to host it outdoors, or could rain or cold weather put a damper on things? date and time: Select a suitable time of day, date and duration for the party. Make sure there are no other big events happening around that time. inviting parents: Decide if you are going to invite the parents of the children, bear in mind that this could impact on your budget. From about the age of five, most children will not need their parents to stay. numbers: Choose the number of guests to invite. The rule of thumb is usually the age of your child, plus one. So, for a four year old, you would invite five guests. cake: This is often the centrepiece of the event, so it’s best to decide upfront what type of cake you will have and the size. invites: Bear in mind that if your child is at school, there may be a policy regarding the handing out of invites. Check with the school on the correct etiquette when it comes to invites. You can also consider posting invites or email/SMS parents directly. The invitation sets the tone for the party. Make sure you include all the relevant information, including times (don’t forget to indicate the time the party ends), venue and

PHOTOGRAPH: Kat Grudko Photography | Erin Smylie

let’s party

whether parents need to pack additional gear for their children, such as a swimming costume or closed shoes. plan the entertainment: Younger children will be happy to play games, while older children may want a bit more to keep them busy. safety: If you’re hosting at home, make sure the party space is safe and secure. If it’s a pool party, restrict access for younger guests who can’t swim and make sure there are plenty of adults to supervise pool time.

Lock away any valuables that could be broken or cause damage before young guests arrive. food: Your choice of food may be determined by the theme, the age of your child, and even the time of day. Younger children will enjoy simple, finger foods while older children can eat just about anything. If you have a mix of ages at the party, ensure that younger children can’t ingest anything that may be a choking hazard. Always ask parents to advise on any dietary requirements and allergies. after the party: Manners are always important and a party is a good opportunity to teach children about showing appreciation. Think about simple thank-you gifts, such as a plant with an organic pot that can be planted or a brightly-coloured ball of homemade playdough or glitter slime. These double as party favours, so no need to fill goodie bags!

If you are planning to have goodie bags or party favours, keep it simple and healthy – fill with small bags of popcorn, snack-sized peanuts and raisins, fruit bars and fruit rolls.

... teach children about showing appreciation.

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best birthday bash ever Want to be a superhero in your child’s eyes? We tell you how to host the birthday party that rocks!

CHILD MAGAZINE

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magazine | joburg June/July 2018

PHOTOGRAPH LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM | RIGHT: The Rocket Karaoke Microphone from Prima Toys

let’s party

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arents, it’s time to think out the box, push the boundaries, and organise a birthday party that will delight your little one and raise your status to party boss. Forget the old ‘done-to-death’ balloons that pollute the ocean, the themed disposable paper plates and juice cups that end up in landfills, and the stock standard jumping castle.

It’s time to do things differently, so draw inspiration from these exciting themes and give your child a unique, memorable and eco-friendly birthday bash.

keep it behind closed doors little Picassos Hosting a painting party for your child and their friends is a great opportunity for them to get a little messy and to let their creative juices flow freely. Plus, it’ll keep them busy when the cold weather forces us indoors (not to say it wouldn’t be a great outdoor party theme for a warm summer afternoon). This is a no-waste, small-spend, low-effort affair. Simply, set up the washable acrylic paint, brushes, canvasses and easels and let the children’s imaginations run wild. Remember to provide a cleaning and snack station. And, no party packs are required as each child gets to take home their painted masterpiece.

pop idol party Rent a PA system and microphone (check, check), download some popular karaoke songs and get the children to partake in this very cool ‘Pop Idol’ party theme.

Create the right vibe with colourful disco lights and bubble, snow or smoke machines for added cool factor. What’s more, record each child’s performance and have a pop idol paparazzi photo session. Then cut each child’s song onto a CD. Use their photos on the front and inside sleeve of the CD cover and give them their recorded CD to take home. Make your child and their party guests feel like a star! You can do this easily and inexpensively, or you can go the whole hog and rent a photo booth with props and a sound system.

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glamping is the new camping When the weather turns nasty and it’s too cold to ‘rough-it-outside’, turn camping into ‘glamping’! This is an ideal theme for pre-teen and early teenaged girls and will ensure lots of giggling! A decked out camping sleepover setup with ruffled tents, pillows and blankets will get you

started. Tents can double up as mini-spas with manicures and pedicure and facials on offer, or provide a safe spot for a good old-fashioned pillow fight. Fill goodie bags or ‘Glam Aid’ kits with manicure sets, face masks, glow sticks, torches, compasses, solar lights and glow in the dark games.

Supply marshmallows and Marie biscuits for late night toasting around the fire and don’t forget the Milo or sugar-free hot chocolate. Ask each child to bring their own sleeping bag, pillow and travel mug, that way there will be less mess to clean up and no cups to wash. budding little scientists and engineers Is your child a bit of a science geek? Then, spoil them with a mad scientist-themed birthday party. Mix the birthday cake with (safely) exploding experiments and add oozing goo to your dessert table. Throw in some white lab coats, safety goggles and drinking beakers and you’ve invented a fun, exciting and educational party theme. Fun, engineering activities will get children’s brains and bodies moving! Whether they’re building a catapult, constructing PVC pipe creations, designing a fort or hosting a Lego party, you’ll thoroughly test each child’s engineering skills. Equip them with a junior engineers kit, a hard hat and the necessary tools to build, and watch them being entertained for hours on end.

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PHOTOGRAPH LEFT: LYNNE O’CONNOR | right: Giant Snakes and Ladders from Prima Toys–

let’s party

blast from the past drive-in movie night While most children today are unfamiliar with the concept, a drivein movie night birthday bash – complete with cute custom cars, a refreshment stand and drive-in moviescape – is a really fun and novel party idea. Add some ‘wow’ factor with customised movie ticket invitations, cardboard 1950s-style cars (with personalised licence plates), and cardboard food trays for all those traditional drive-in snacks.

If this all sounds a little too much, just opt for a good old-fashioned movie night and rig up a white screen or sheet in your living room, rent a movie or choose something from Netflix. Don’t forget the “popcorn, chewing gum, peanuts an’ bubble gum”. Ok, just the popcorn then.

let the games begin

Try out some of these indoor games for cold wintry days and nights: mummy roll Divide children into two teams and give each team two rolls of toilet paper. Each team chooses a ‘mummy’ and they race to see who can wrap their mummy the fastest from head to toe. If toilet paper rips, teams have to start over, making the game all the more

challenging. Remember to collect it all up and use for cleaning up any spills or put it into recycling. human twister Let the children form a circle, facing one another. All the players then extend their hands inwards, grabbing someone else’s hands.

The goal is for the group to ‘untangle’ itself without ever letting go of one another’s hands. The players may turn, twist and step over one another as necessary. other indoor games to consider • board games (7 Wonders, Jenga, Hoot Owl Hoot, Telestrations, Splendor, Robot Turtle Game) • foosball • cards • table tennis

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let’s party

take it outside

obstacle course Use your imagination and existing outdoor furniture to turn your backyard into an obstacle course. Set up chairs that children have to crawl through. Lay out old tyres and inner tubes for them to step in, and have them ride tricycles or bicycles through the sandbox. For an added challenge, let the children attempt to complete the course while holding a potato on a spoon. chariots of fire Is your child an aspirant athlete or a fan of the Olympics? Celebrate in gold-medal style by firstly, serving a variety of round, ring-style foods (doughnuts, mini pizzas, bagels). Make Olympic-style torches out of paper towel tubes and use international flags as part of the party décor.

Print some programmes and make some faux gold, silver and bronze

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medals for the closing ceremony. Let the children participate in games such as relay races, tug-o-war, hockey, football, trampoline, gymnastics, and swimming. Other accessories include glow bracelets, headbands, sports bottles filled with water (children can take these home once the party is over), Olympic-torch cupcakes and treats. slip into the slime pit Fill a big bucket with slime (or jelly) and hide items inside. Blindfold the birthday boy or girl (and guests) and let them plunge their hands into the slime to find a prize. outside action If the weather is good and there is sufficient space, consider getting the children involved in some of these outdoor games: • tennis • volley ball • juggling • bubble soccer • dodgeball • croquet • skittles • bowling

PHOTOGRAPH: SO Slime DIY FROM PRIMA TOYS

treasure hunt Awaken the intrepid explorer in all of us. Draw a map of your yard or a nearby park and bury some treasure (X marks the spot on the map). Hide goodies in the spot and create some decoys to send the children on a bit of a wild goose chase on their quest to find the real treasure. Depending on the children’s age you can make the clues (and decoys) as testing as necessary.

one-stop birthday basics guide accessories Crazy Plastics – Joburg 011 817 5357 / crazyplastics.co.za Kids Fancy Dress – Pretoria East 012 993 1370 / kidsfancydress.co.za Money Box Party Packs – National 083 659 4055 / jorsam.co.za Parties4Africa – National 072 083 4844 / parties4africa.co.za Sunninghill Arts & Crafts – Sandton 011 234 0023 / @SunninghillArtsAndCrafts (Facebook) Sunrise Sweets – Roodepoort 011 475 8366 / sunrisesweets.co.za Toy Adventures – Joburg 010 007 3078 / Toyadventures.co.za The Crazy Store – nationwide 0861 111 281 / info@crazystore.co.za

catering Belle’s Patisserie – Birnam 063 685 0896 / quotes@bellespatisserie.co.za Taryn’s Cakes & Patisserie – Bryanston 083 309 8024 / info@tarynscakes.co.za The Baker’s Warehouse – Sandton 011 706 5010 / thebakerswarehouse.com / info@thebakerswarehouse.com The Cake Lady – North Riding 083 700 8938 / thecakelady.co.za / thecakelady@wbs.co.za

entertainers Beat Parties – Joburg 084 471 2565 / kidsthemedparties.co.za Beauty Galore Top Nail Studio – Joburg 011 432 4958 / nailstudiosalon.co.za Blobs & Bath Bombs – Joburg 082 301 7776 Imagine You Party – Chartwell 082 928 7474 / imagineyourparty.co.za Clamber Club – Joburg 011 325 2031 / clamberclub.com Disco Baby – Joburg 084 804 6550 / discobaby.co.za Featherbrooke Children – Joburg 083 704 8600 / springett@mweb.co.za Leo’s Puppet Theatre – Joburg 083 378 2272 / leos.co.za

Little Professors – Joburg 072 477 2945 / michelle@littleprofessors.co.za Nutty Scientists – Joburg 083 675 8076 / nuttyscientists.com Spellbound Puppets – Joburg 011 615 2768 / spellboundpuppets.com Smilemakers – Joburg 011 640 6096 / smilemakers.co.za Uncle Dum Dum – Joburg 086 111 2876 / jkproductions.co.za Wild & Earthly – Joburg 084 550 0120 /wildandearthly.co.za

Get your comprehensive party planning checklist from childmag.co.za/ downloads

Bumpy Jumpy Castles – Joburg 082 227 8537 / bumpyjumpycastles.co.za Giant Garden Games (Big Foot Promotions) – Joburg 086 111 2876 / giantgardengames.co.za Crazy Inflatables – Midrand 082 449 4197 / crazyinflatables.co.za JK Productions (Uncle Dum Dum) – Joburg 086 111 2876 / jkproductions.co.za VK Marketing – Joburg 082 443 3213 / carolynnweedon61@gmail.com / @vkmarketingcw (Facebook) Wizard’s Jumping Castles – Joburg 010 597 0947 / wizardscastles.co.za

011 484 1584 / nationalchildrenstheatre.org.za Pottery Junxion – Edenvale 011 453 2721 / potteryjunxion.co.za People’s Theatre – Joburg 011 403 2340 / peoplestheatre.co.za Planetarium – Joburg 011 717 1390 / planetarium.co.za Roll Egoli Roller Rink – Bryanston 083 232 9861 / rollegoli.co.za Sci-Bono – Joburg 011 639 8400 / sci-bono.co.za Sandton Action Sports – Sandton 011 444 6176 / sandtonactionsports.co.za Silent Events – Joburg 072 777 0717 / silentevents.co.za Spur Steak Ranch – Joburg 0860 007 787 / spur.co.za The Ice Rink Northgate – 011 794 8706 Festival – 011 394 6702 / heicerink.co.za Wired Sound Studios (Pop Idol Parties) – Blairgowrie 082 339 4733 / info@wiredsoundstudio.co.za / wiredsoundstudios.co.za

indoor parties

outdoor parties

21 Jump Street – Joburg 011 682 1657 / 21jumpstreet.co.za Bounce Inc. – Joburg 011 517 2500 / bounceinc.co.za Blue Ocean VR (Virtual Reality) – Bedfordview 072 733 5346 / blueoceanvr.co.za Build-A-Bear @ Toy Kingdom – Joburg 0861 862 343 / toykingdom.co.za Color Café – Joburg 011 341 0734 / colorcafe.co.za Cooking up a Storm – Joburg 083 408 8802 / cookingupastorm.co.za i-Jump – Joburg 011 086 6720 / ijump-trampoline.co.za Life Day Spa Kids 011 465 7777 / lifedayspakids.co.za National Children’s Theatre – Joburg

Acrobranch – Joburg 086 999 0369 / acrobranch.co.za Happily Ever Laughter – Germiston 011 450 0711 / happilyeverlaughter.co.za Honeydew Mazes – Honeydew 073 795 2174 / honeydewmazes.co.za Imagine the Venue – Chartwell 082 928 7474 / imaginethevenue.co.za Jozi X – Bryanston 082 456 2358 / jozix.co.za Sun Valley Stables – Kyalami/Midrand 082 571 0309 / sunvalleystables.co.za

equipment hire

indoor & outdoor parties Elf’s Hill – Chartwell/Farmall 082 337 5646 / elfshill.co.za The Ski-Deck – Randburg 011 781 6528 / ski.co.za 29

recipes

explore and taste the world A world-themed party is a novel way of making your child’s next birthday party memorable and educational, especially with this smorgasbord of tasty international food recipes. Incorporate a theme by encouraging party guests to don an outfit or accessory that pays homage to the heritage of each country.

minted halloumi and watermelon salad

• 2 00g halloumi cheese, cubed • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for frying and drizzling • ground black pepper • 3 spring onions with green tops, sliced • 1 small red onion, sliced • 1 cup pitted black olives • 500g watermelon, cut into bite-sized pieces • 20 fresh mint leaves, chopped • ½ tsp dried oregano • ½ ripe lemon to squeeze over salad.

Toss halloumi in the tablespoon of olive oil and season with black pepper. Heat a little olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan and cook halloumi until golden on all sides. Toss all the salad ingredients together with the halloumi and pile onto a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and give it a splash of lemon juice.

Make it festive with individual servings of the salad in plastic wine glasses, glass jars, ceramic tasting spoons and even cupcake holders in the colour or theme of your party (double these up to prevent the holders from becoming too soggy).

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falafel

• 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in warm water • 1 small onion, finely diced • 1 small green chilli, chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped • 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • ½ tsp salt • tsp chilli flakes • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 3 tbsp flour • Oil for deep frying.

• 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped Place chickpeas with all the ingredients, except for the bicarbonate of soda, flour and oil, into food processor and pulse until almost smooth. Don’t overwork it. Stir in bicarbonate of soda and flour and leave mixture to marinate for 30 minutes. Roll the mixture into balls to the size you desire. Heat oil and fry falafel balls in batches until crisp and golden brown. Serve with pita bread, pickled vegetables, tzatziki, hummus and tahini, and a large bowl of crunchy greens and sun-ripened tomatoes.

magazine | joburg June/July 2018

nutmeg ice-cream • • • • • •

1 ½ cups full-cream milk 1 ½ cups cream ¾ cup castor sugar 1 tsp finely grated fresh nutmeg 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 large fresh eggs, at room temperature

Heat together milk, cream, castor sugar and nutmeg. As the mixture comes to the boil, remove it from the heat.

Whisk eggs and vanilla together in a bowl, then whisk half a cup of the milk mixture into the eggs. Finally, whisk this egg combination into the saucepan containing the remaining milk mixture, return to the heat and simmer, stirring until just thickened. Remove from the heat and cool down, then chill until ice cold. (You now have the option to churn the mixture in an ice-cream machine until frozen, or do it by hand.)

Serve in individual sugar ice-cream cones with multi-coloured sprinkles as a topping or cinnamon pastry baskets.

[Watch youtube’s “cinnamon baskets: a fun way to serve ice-cream!” video for step-by-step instruction on how to make the baskets.]

maple pecan pie

for the pastry • 1 cups flour, sifted • 2 tsp orange zest (optional) • 114g chilled, cubed butter • 1 small egg • 1 tbsp iced water • 2 tsp sugar Place flour, sugar, orange zest and butter into the bowl of food processor and pulse a few times until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk together egg and iced water and add this to the flour mixture with the motor running, pulsing until mixture comes together in a ball. Add a bit more iced water if needed, but don’t make dough too wet, flour shouldn’t stick to your hands. Turn pastry out onto a clean, flat surface and shape it into a disc. Enclose in plastic wrap and chill for one hour.

Remove pastry from fridge. On a clean, flat, lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to fit your pie tin. Make sure the pastry overhangs the sides, but don’t stretch it as it will shrink during baking.

If you want a decorative feel, you can flute the edge of the pastry with your thumb and forefinger. Prick the base all over with a fork, then chill until needed. for the filling • 3 eggs • 1 cup brown sugar • pinch of salt • 1 tbsp flour • ½ cup maple syrup • ½ cup cream • 1 tbsp butter, melted

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 ½ cups pecan nuts, very lightly toasted Preheat oven to 1800C. Beat eggs and sugar together, then stir in salt, flour, maple syrup, butter, cream and vanilla extract. Roughly chop 1 cup of nuts and stir into mixture. Spoon into pie crust and bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes. Remove from oven and let pie cool and set. Serve with lashings of thickly whipped cream, mascarpone cheese or vanilla ice-cream.

lamingtons

for the icing • 50ml boiling water • 25g soft butter • 90ml milk • 30g cocoa powder, sifted • 375g icing sugar, sifted • 270g fine desiccated coconut Place water and butter in a bowl and stir to melt it. Add milk and cocoa, stirring to dissolve, then stir chocolate mixture into icing sugar. Set aside. for the lamingtons • 150g self-raising flour • 35g cornflour • Pinch of salt • 25g butter • 80ml boiling water • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 4 eggs • 150g castor sugar

Preheat oven to 1800C. Grease a 20 x 30cm baking tin and line it with baking paper or a silicone sheet. Sift together self-raising flour, cornflour and salt.

Place butter, boiling water and vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl and mix to melt the butter. Place eggs into food processor and mix together to break up yolks. Then add castor sugar and beat until mixture is light and fluffy, has doubled in volume and leaves a trail when the beaters are removed. Gently fold flour mixture into egg mixture, then stir butter mixture into this. Do not overmix – it must be kept light and airy. Spoon into prepared baking tin and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean and dry. Only test cake once it has been in the oven for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cake rest for 5 minutes, turn it out onto a clean board and allow to cool slightly before cutting into even squares. Dip each lamington into icing mixture, then roll in coconut and set aside to dry. Decorate with miniature Australian flags or pictures of koalas.

about the book

The Giggling Gourmet Jenny Morris’ World Atlas of Food, is a compilation of 100 recipes, one for each of the 100 countries featured. It encapsulates the essence of traditions, food styles and flavours comprising of elements that serve to make a country unique.

World Atlas of Food is a journey of the senses, offering armchair travel into the kitchen of six continents. Published

by MapStudio, the book is available at leading bookstores for R220. Visit mapstudio.co.za.

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books

fun reads for little folk

a good read primary reads

The Detective Dog

By Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie (Pan MacMillan Children’s Books R139) When a crime needs solving, there’s only one dog for the job! From the pen of the outrageously talented Julia Donaldson comes the story of Detective Dog Nell – a dog with a keen sense of smell. Whether it’s finding a lost shoe or discovering who made a poo on the new gravel path, Nell’s ever-sniffing nose is always hard at work. When Nell and her owner (Peter) arrive one morning and discover that the schoolbooks have all disappeared, Nell sets off on a quest to solve the mystery and sniff out the culprit.

Maisy Goes to the Bookshop

By Lucy Cousins (Walker Books R215) From multi-award-winning author Lucy Cousins, comes the story of Maisy, the mouse who goes to the bookstore looking for new reading material, and also, to buy a present for her friend Tallulah. Maisy has fun choosing from a variety of amazing books, and after running into her friends, Charley, Cyril and Eddie, they imagine all sorts of wild and wonderful things together. They share in story time and even get to eat a tasty snack at the café. A great read for children 3+ years.

Ricky of the River Pride

By Lindsay Sherratt (Penguin Random House R80) One night, Ricky’s animal friends, Cheetah, Zebra and Elephant, ask him to save a lion cub that has fallen into the river. Encouraged by the animals, Ricky overcomes his fear, jumps into the water and brings the cub safely to the riverbank.

Recognising Ricky’s bravery, the cub’s parents declare him a member of the pride. Ricky returns home with newfound faith in himself, and the secret knowledge that he will be part of the River Pride forever.

What’s Your Favourite Color?

By Eric Carle and Friends (Pan MacMillan Children’s Books R185) Everybody has a favourite colour. Some like blue balloons, brown buildings, or mint green ice-cream cones. Others prefer sunshine yellow, morning gray, or Mexican pink. In What’s Your Favourite Color? 15 beloved children’s book artists draw their favourite colours and explain why they love them.

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magazine | joburg June/July 2018

Timmy Failure – The Cat Stole My Pants

By Stephan Pastis (Walker Books R142) In the sixth book in Stephan Pastis’ hilarious series, Timmy is stuck among a hotbed of criminals while visiting Key West, Florida, ostensibly for the honeymoon of his mother and new husband, Doorman Dave. Timmy must rely on his new partner (Doorman Dave’s nephew Emilio) to solve the mystery – and possibly save his life too! To make matters worse, Timmy’s pants are stolen by a six-toed cat.

Peter Rabbit Based on the major new movie (Puffin Books R100) Relive all the best moments of the new movie of the classic tale of Peter Rabbit in this actionpacked chapter book. Peter Rabbit is always breaking into Old Mr McGregor’s garden and stealing his vegetables. And it’s always getting him into trouble. But everything is about to change. Will Peter finally be able to take control of the vegetable patch, or will someone stand in his way?

The Adventures of Swashbuckle Lil – A Pirate’s Life

By Elli Woollard (Walker Books R95) Swashbuckle Lil is no ordinary girl. She is, in fact, a pirate. While other children are at home after school eating fish fingers or watching television, Lil is sailing the high seas, looking for adventure.

Join Lil and her trusty parrot, Carrot, in four delightful rhyming stories as they stage a daring rescue, save sports day, uncover stolen treasure and go to a party, while keeping an eye out for the evil Stinkbeard along the way.

The Wild Magic Trilogy: Begone the Raggedy Witches

By Celine Kiernan (Walker Books R129) Described as “Ireland’s answer to JK Rowling” by the Sunday Independent, multi-award-winning Irish author Celine Kiernan’s latest book, The Wild Magic Trilogy: Begone the Raggedy Witches, is a fantasy adventure about witches and forbidden magic. When witches kidnap Mup’s dad, she must journey to their home to save him. So begins a fantastical adventure of rhyming crows, talking cats and outlawed magic. For Witches Borough is a dangerous place ruled by a tyrannical queen and her band of witches.

for us The Pool House

By Tasmina Perry (Headline Review, R135) Described by Good Housekeeping as “vividly told with plenty of surprises,” The Pool House tells the story of Jem Chapman and her invitation to join an exclusive Hamptons’ houseshare. After a young woman is found drowned in the house’s pool, Jem quickly realises that her glamorous housemates all have a hidden agenda – a secret worth killing for. What really happened last summer? And who would go to any length to keep a person quiet?

Rockadoon Shore

By Rory Gleeson (John Murray, R259) Cath is worried about her friends. DanDan is struggling with the death of his ex, Lucy is drinking way too much and Steph has become closed off. A weekend away is just what this group of friends need, so they travel out to Rockadoon Lodge in the wilds of western Ireland. But the weekend doesn’t go according to plan. Honest, moving and human, Rockadoon Shore is a novel about friendship and youth, about missed opportunities and lost love.

The Binding Song

By Elodie Harper (Mulholland Books, R259) Dr Janet Palmer, the new lead psychologist at HMP Halvergate in a remote, bleak area of Norfolk, uncovers a string of hidden secrets when a spurt of inmates start committing suicide, leaving no reason why. What’s more, Palmer’s predecessor has disappeared along with his notes. The staff are hostile, the threat of violence is ever-present and there are rumours of an eyeless woman stalking the corridors. This sinister, creepy read will leave you questioning everyone and trusting no one.

something for dad this Father’s Day

in

w

Like us on Facebook (@ChildMag) and motivate why you think YOUR dad is the best! The top motivation receives a copy of London Rules, by Mick Herron – a nifty gift for dad this Father’s Day. London Rules

By Mick Herron (John Murray, R265) Mick Herron’s first Jackson Lamb novel, Slow Horses, was described as the “most enjoyable British spy novel in years” by the Mail on Sunday. This time, Regent Park’s first desk, Claude Whelan, is tasked with protecting a beleaguered prime minister while facing attack from all directions – the showboating MP who orchestrated the Brexit vote to the showboater’s wife, a tabloid columnist, and his own deputy, Lady Di Taverner, who is alert for Claude’s every stumble. This is a recommended read for dad this Father’s Day.

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what’s on in

june & july For more events go to childmag.co.za/whats-on or submit an event for our August & September issue before 6 July to joburg@childmag.co.za 1 June

My Children! My Africa!

National Children’s Theatre presents Athol Fugard’s play My Children! My Africa! a grade

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12 government schools’ English set work. This production will be travelling to schools in Gauteng.

Set in 1985 South Africa, the play explores the interaction and relationships between Thami, a gifted 17-year-old black boy, his teacher and mentor of many years, Mr M, and Isabel, a confident and enthusiastic white pupil who befriends the other two during an inter-school debate in the Location, a black ghetto at the edge of a small provincial town.

magazine | joburg June/July 2018

2 June

Parenting Festival and Fun Day Sacred Heart College, 15 Eckstein Street, Observatory, hosts this fun-filled event from 9am–12pm. The focus is on the family spending enjoyable

quality time together in a childfriendly atmosphere. Talks by an educational psychologist, a primary school principal and a nutritionist. Entrance is free.

Contact Lynn Walker 011 487 9008, or email marketing@ sacredheart.co.za

3 June

World Clubfoot Day Globally, more than 100 000 babies are born annually with clubfoot worldwide, about 5 000 in South Africa, mainly in rural areas where the parents have little to no access to information or help. The positive side of clubfoot is that the condition is treatable using the Ponseti Method. This day is aimed at raising awareness and various events organised by healthcare organisations take place throughout the world. STEPS is a South African NPO supporting babies born with clubfoot and their parents. It has helped treat over 10 000 children with the Ponseti method, distributed

5 000 clubfoot braces, has 26 partner clinics across the country, and has trained more than 500 healthcare professionals. For more information, visit steps.org.za 4 June

Annie JR Featuring everyone’s favourite little redhead in her very first adventure. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City.

Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils

Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations and finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

On at the People’s Theatre, Braamfontein until 5 August.

Show times vary and tickets range from R115–R130. Contact Sean McGrath on 011 403 2340, or visit peoplestheatre.co.za

Children’s cooking classes Cooking and baking provides lots of fun, encourages creativity and develops skills. It’s a great way to teach children about the food they eat. Join Tots n Pots Randburg today and every Saturday afternoon from 3:30 pm for cooking/baking classes. Suitable for children aged 4–11 years of

age, it costs R140 per class with a 10% discount for bulk bookings of four or more classes. Find them at 25 Buffels Road, Randpark.

Contact Janine 079 366 3105 or email janine@totsnpots.com to make a booking.

9 June

A-maze-ing fun in the dark Bring the family to explore a maze at Honeydew Mazes by torch/moon light! Arrive at 5:15pm,

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watch the sunset, enjoy a picnic (bring your own) and play on the smaller mazes. Everyone forms into teams of four and the teams are briefed, given a quiz sheet and enter the giant maze at 6pm.

Find your way out as quickly as possible (usually by 7:30pm).

It costs R150 for adults, R120 for children (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.) For more information, visit honeydewmazes.co.za

10 June

12 June

Join Like2bike at Riversands Farm VillageKnopjeslaagte from 8am for the Beaulieu Prep fundraiser. Great MTB and trail run routes, delicious food, craft beer and gin, live music and a market are all on offer. An event for the whole family fun!

Tickets cost R100 and late entries will attract a R50 surcharge.

Contact Kirsty Searle 083 326 6721 / kirsty@like2bike.co.za

An original musical adaptation of the well-known and loved classic Robert Browning poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin performed by the National Children’s Theatre.

This production gives children the chance to connect with participative theatre. Suitable for the whole family, tickets range from R100 (pensioners) to R120. Phone for prices for school and block bookings, 011 484 1584 (Claudy or Rene), or email bookings@nctt.org.za

Beaulieu Challenge

17 June

Father’s Day Sunday Lunch Enjoy a Father’s Day Sunday lunch (starting at 12:30pm) at the Balata Restaurant at the Fairway Hotel & Golf Resort. Although the day is all about your hero, there will be some fun for the children including a jumping castle, face painter and babysitters.

The Sunday lunch costs R395 per person. A special Father’s Spa Package is also available for the entire month of June – Golfers Foot grooming, a 90min deep tissue massage and a Castle Light at R980 per person. For bookings, contact: 011 478 8000/ 0861 148 866 or anushav@thefairway.co.za

Treat Your No 1 Man Spoil Dad with a lunch out at Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa. It costs R350 for adults and there are special children’s rates. Bookings are essential. Contact 011 317 0600 / 0861 148 866 / pro@ kloofzicht.co.za or visit kloofzicht.co.za

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magazine | joburg June/July 2018

Pied Piper – The Musical

at theTicketpro Dome. Book at online.computicket.com 23 June

Dinos Alive Fun Find this live augmented reality park at The Cradlestone Mall, Ruimsig. With 20 animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digging, dinosaur rides and a jumping castle, there will be fun for children of all ages. Time 10am–4pm daily until 15 July. Free entry. Contact: Najla Swiegers, marketing@ cradlestone.co.za 25 June

16 June

Woza Fitness Youth Day In the spirit of commemorating Youth Day, WOZA fitness club presents an aerobics/fun walk/ boot camp at the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary. It starts at 7am and ends at 10am and costs just R50.

For more info, call 082 485 4546 22 June

Dream BIG as Disney On Ice sprinkles pixie dust Enter a world where adventure is awaiting and courage leads the way as Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. Join Tinker Bell as she takes you on a journey of beloved Disney tales live on ice.

Make a splash with the fearless dreamer Ariel and watch Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, Tiana and Belle remind you to always be strong, kind and fearless. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love is the greatest magic of all.

Be there to discover a whole new world with the daring Jasmine.

Believing is just the beginning when Disney On Ice Dream Big skates into South Africa

Express!ons Centre The Express!ons Centre will be hosting a fun-filled, activitybased holiday programme for children from age four years and up. A variety of creative and crafty activities as well as fun physical games including art, craft projects, yoga, baking and cooking, dance, drama, music, gardening, minute-to-win-it challenges and a science fair are on offer at The Express!ons Centre, Carlswald, Midrand until 16 July. The full-day option (7:30am–5:30pm, 5:00pm on Fridays) costs R290, morning half-day costs R220 and afternoon half-day costs R180.

Contact: Carla 082 402 8169 / carla@expressionsinfocus.co.za / www.expressionsinfocus.co.za 28 June

National Arts Festival The National Arts Festival takes place in Grahamston and provides 11 days of amazing entertainment for all, providing a heady mix of uniquely South African and international arts, culture and creativity from a range of emerging and established

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and Friends of Kloofendal for a guided informative walk where you can spot quartzite rock and weathered shale among other interesting bits of geological importance. Suitable for all ages,it starts from the Kloofendal Ecological Centre at 9am and ends at 11am. It costs R70 for adults (pensioners R60) and R50 for children. For more information, contact Karin 079 693 5608 / 011-674-2980, or visit kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com

artists. The Festival runs until 8 July. Visit standardbank.com/naf

The Children’s Art Festival The Children’s Arts Festival – a 10-day creative arts experience for primary school children – runs concurrently with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and is held in association with St Andrew’s Preparatory School.

It offers supervised programmes specially designed for children aimed at releasing the artist within and developing their creativity, and artistic ability.

Visit childrensartsfestival.co.za 30 June

2018 Caravela Festival Experience the magic of the Caravela Festival 2018 where the cream of South African, Portuguese and Madeiran pop, dance and cultural talent are set to rock the stage over three days at Montecasino. Tickets range from R80–R200 (u/3s free) from online. computicket.com. Further details on Facebook: caravelafestival 1 July

Gold Mine Tour Friends of Kloofendal invite you to a gold mine tour where you

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15 July

Medicinal Plant Walk

3 July

Cartoon Network Live!

An interactive and spectacular stage production for kids aged 5+ featuring The Powerpuff Girls, and popular characters from Ben 10, The Amazing World of Gumball and Adventure Time.

Join forces with the Cartoon Network characters to hopefully help Kelvin Gizmo, a scientist extraordinaire, stop the evil robot Zarr and his evil plans. Catch them at Montecasino until 8 July.

Tickets cost R175–R395 from online.computicket.com

can learn about the history of West Rand gold mining, visit the Confidence Reef and see how the stamp mills operate. Suitable for all ages, it starts from the Kloofendal Ecological Centre at 2pm and ends at 4pm. It costs R70 adults (pensioners R60)

magazine | joburg June/July 2018

and R50 for children.

Contact: Karin 079 693 5608 / 011-674-2980, or visit www. kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com 14 July

Geology Walk Join Dr Steve Spottiswoode

Suzanne van Coller presents a guided walk and talk about the medicinal plants growing in Kloofendal Nature Reserve.

Suitable for all ages, it starts at the Ecological Centre at 9am. It costs R70 for adults (pensioners R60) and R50 for children. Contact Karin 079 693 5608 / 011-6742980, or visit kloofendalfriends. yolasite.com 18 July

Treasure Hunt at Woodrock In celebration of Mandela Day, Woodrock Animal Rescue, Plot 51, R511 between Hennops, is hosting a Treasure Hunt on 15

going through the belongings that you no longer want – from clothing and books to kitchen goods and toys – pack it up and head off to the CHOC charity shop in Orange Grove to donate it. All donations will directly benefit children with cancer.

28 July

Family Fun Day

July (10am–5pm). For just R100 (purchase before the event from quicket.co.za) you’ll gain entry to this fun event aimed at giving you an idea of what it’s like to be locked up. You will get a chain and lock attached to your arm and will then hunt for the key to unlock and free yourself with the aid of a “Treasure Hunt” script.

The lock will then be locked onto on the fence at the entrance to the shelter known as the “Bridge of Commitment to animals”. Food and refreshments will be on sale or you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the stunning surrounds.

CHOC Charity Shop Mandela Day Spend your 67 minutes today

Brescia House School, Pytchley Road, Bryanston, invites you to their family fun day from 10am–4pm. Food and market stalls, tombola, a funfair and a beer tent with big screen TV are among some of the attractions.

Contact pta@brescia.co.za / 011 706 7404 / 011-674-2980, or visit brescia.co.za

workshops

holiday programmes 25 June

9 June

Lefthandlearning

Shepherd’s Fold Pony Camp

Step into the shoes of a lefty and discover their daily challenges. Find solutions to challenges, discuss lefthanded stationery and talk about the wiring of the brain at this workshop for parents and teachers from 9am–12pm in Constantia Kloof-Roodepoort. It costs R250 and you can book your spot by phoning Tracy on 083 417 3316 or email tracy@lefthandlearning.co.za

Spend a super exciting week surrounded by horses and ponies at Shepherd’s Fold Stables. Care for the ponies every day and learn to ride with your friends. Go on trail rides and play gymkhana games, plus lots of fun activities.

For children aged 6–16 years, beginners and experienced riders welcome. There is a sleepover option for children aged 8+.

Cost: R350 per day and R100 per night. Contact Belinda on 084 220 265, email belinda. milsom@gmail.com, or visit shepherdsfoldstables.co.za 27 June

Holiday Camp in the Mountains Give your children the chance to digitally disconnect for three days and interact with a variety of animals as well as joining with the SA Climbing Academy for guided mountain walks in a safe and secure environment. The camp

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at Rocky Valley in Krugersdorp is packed with outdoor and indoor activities suitable for ages 8–14.

The three-day camp costs R2 250 with an early bird special of R1 800 if you register before 31 May).

Visit imaginationshakers.co.za for a list of planned activities or contact Ankia on 082 367 3734, email imaginations.shakers@ gmail.com

Lunches are included, and the camp concludes with a fun gymkhana show and prizegiving. Monday to Wednesday 9am–4:30pm and Thursday 9am–12pm at Inchanga Stables, 124b Runnymead Ave, Chartwell.

It costs R1 400 with a 50% deposit due by 18 June. To book, contact Leonie on 083 295 197, email inchanga@gmail.com or Facebook: inchangastables

25 June

reading competency is lagging.

For children aged 8–11 years, it runs until 9 August from 8am–1pm, Monday–Thursday for five weeks. It costs R8 900 per learner for the full clinic, including materials, recreational activities, refreshments and assessments, and there is a R390 application fee. Contact Michelle Yudelowitz on 011 788 5454, email raveo@ bellavistaschool.co.za

Attend the special prepreparatory open day from 8am where educators will introduce you to some of the exciting new features and focal points in process. To book your spot (booking is essential), go to heronbridgecollege.co.za, or contact Tarryn Payne on 011 540 4800, email tpayne@ heronbridge.co.za

workshops

Inchanga Stables Pony Camp

9 July

RAVE-O Winter School

open days

Loads of fun and pony interaction, from treasure hunts and mini lectures to learning to saddle up, with a minimum of two rides per day. Suitable for ages 5–15, beginners are welcome and ride assisted.

Winter school is an opportunity for struggling readers to receive high quality, intense intervention. Hosted by the Bellavista School, 35 Wingfield Avenue, Birdhaven, the workshop is aimed at children whose

9 June

McCain Treat Friday Food Truck

HeronBridge College is a private school offering educational excellence from grade 000 to 12 within a Christian environment.

Pop in at the Fourways Farmers Market from 10am–2pm and try the latest McCain offering for free from the Friday Food Truck.

Limited giveaways so get there early! Entry is free.

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magazine | joburg June/July 2018

HeronBridge College Pre-preparatory

6 July

august & september is

the education issue health

delicious spring recipes for breakfast, lunch(box) and supper

education

dealing with bullying + new research uncovers four simple ways to grow children’s brains and how schools can TRULY prepare them for the future

on s

PHOTOGRAPHs: DELFINA DE FARIA

entertainment

et tre

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July

what better way for children to learn about life and the world they inhabit, than travel? one mom shares her trip to Mozambique

bonus

10 quick ways to get organised retreats for body, mind and soul

To advertise call: 0861 867 885 or email: jhbsales@childmag.co.za | Booking deadline: 10 July | Material deadline: 12 July 41

final touch

a party with a difference

s

Parties are more about the children creating their own fun and games than the theme.

ANÉL LEWIS

o, after two consecutive train parties, Conor finally decided to change direction when choosing the theme for his birthday party this year. I was delighted.

There are only so many times you can convince your son that a block of chocolate atop two finger biscuits is a train carriage. The problem though was that I had no clue as to what Conor was talking about when he asked for a “ghast” and a “creeper” to make an appearance on his special day.

After some animated discussion, and a few Google searches, we worked out that he was talking about a ghost and another character from Minecraft, a popular computer game where players build block structures in a 3D virtual world. I had thought that after five years of birthdays – of which three involved some kind of locomotive – we had mastered the

art of party prep. How difficult could it be to slap together a few sheets of white paper for a ghost, we thought?

But we soon realised the error of our ways when, at 7am on the morning of the party, we were frantically glueing pictures of TNT and pickaxes from the game onto party packs.

Fortunately, the themed Creeper piñata I had ordered was on spec, and Dad managed to pull a décor trick that would have put Martha Stewart to shame. With some skilful snipping of a few black garbage bags, we soon had a ‘portal’ entrance for our guests.

For the next two hours, our home was overrun with exuberant boys high on sugar and the thrill of whacking a green, sweet-filled piñata into pieces. When we noticed a circle of black swirling out from the stairs of the pool, the children were convinced that another portal

family marketplace

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Erin, Craig, Conor, and Anél

had mysteriously appeared. Unfortunately, it was just the ink from the piñata streamers that had fallen into the water.

But the boys were undeterred and they blithely ignored the autumn chill to play in the now somewhat murky pool. No one cared about the stickers on the party packs, or whether the ghost had made an appearance (alas, we never did get around to building it). Conor was just delighted to have his friends at his home to celebrate his birthday. And this got me thinking that as long as there is cake, a few sweets and a couple of mates, we don’t need fancy portals or ghost appearances to call it a party.

Anél Lewis has already decided that next year’s theme must be easily recognisable with party props that are readily available in the shops. Maybe it’s even time to revisit that train theme?