Essential Child Issue 6 by Essential Child

PREGNANCY, INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD

WINTER 2010

GETTING READY FOR WRITING BUYING PRE-LOVED KIDS STUFF! BABY WALKERS & JOLLY JUMPERS BABY SIGN LANGUAGE IS SOMETHING WORRYING YOU ABOUT YOUR CHILD? IMMUNISATION DOES NOT INCREASE AUTISM RISK

LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES LISTENING AUTHENTICALLY TO CHILDREN

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Essential Child offers full page and fractional ads within the magazine and on the back page. We can design an ad for you if needed. We can also help you write copy. For more information you can download our Media Kit from our website: www.essentialchild.com.au. To contact us directly: Email: info@essentialchild.com.au Call Sarah on: 0410 338 201

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PREGNANCY, INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD

WINTER 2010

GETTING READY FOR WRITING BUYING PRE-LOVED KIDS STUFF! BABY WALKERS & JOLLY JUMPERS BABY SIGN LANGUAGE IS SOMETHING WORRYING YOU ABOUT YOUR CHILD? IMMUNISATION DOES NOT INCREASE AUTISM RISK

LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES LISTENING AUTHENTICALLY TO CHILDREN

www.essentialchild.com.au

Essential Child Winter Issue 2010 Editor Sarah Rogers Early Childhood Consultant Pauline Pryor Layout & Design Sam Pryor Contributing Writers Sue Martyn Jodie Smith Siobhan Jacobs

Inside this issue:

Editor’s letter.

2 Letters to the Editor Out of the mouths of babes

ommunication is a buzz word in today’s society but how often have you stopped to think what it really means? It has so many connotations. We know communication is essential in our personal and professional relationships. We use communication every day, when we answer the phone or send an email. And we are communicated to constantly by the media and advertising that we’re exposed to every single day. It can sometimes feel like an overload.

3 We Love... Pre-loved children’s items! 4 Baby Walkers & Jolly Jumpers To Buy or Not to Buy? 6 Baby Sign Language A functional tool for early communication. 7 Safe Food Storage Did you know?

Advertising enquiries: Sarah Rogers, phone 0410 338 201 ads@essentialchild.com.au Contact: phone 02 6656 2109 fax 02 6656 2131 info@essentialchild.com.au PO Box 1587, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450 ABN: 47 491 617 953 Essential Child is published four times a year by Essential Child. No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. Content within this magazine is information only and not necessarily the views of the editor. It does not purport to be a substitute for professional health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.

What’s for dinner? A delicious winter warmer.

8 Listen with your eyes Listening authentically to children 9 Getting Ready for Writing

Handy Hints

10 Is something worrying you about your child? 11 Immunisation does not increase Autism risk

Book review

12 Soap Box Parental Ad-visory! 13 Cots Fact Sheet Child safety is no accident.

This issue of Essential Child examines some of the different forms of communication that impact us as parents and our families. Baby signing, for example, is an interesting new trend that encourages early communication in babies, with astonishing results. Jodie Smith shares with us her experience in using sign language with her daughter. And Siobhan Jacobs gets on the Soap Box to describe how advertising makes her feel as a parent and how everyone needs to learn to read between the lines. Pauline, our early childhood consultant, was fortunate recently to be invited to the ‘Unpacking Listening’ conference at Macquarie University in Sydney. She came away with some really fascinating insights into communicating with children, particularly how adults can enhance their relationships with children through listening. She shares her learnings with us in this, the Winter 2010 issue of Essential Child. Finally on the communication theme, be sure to read this edition’s book review on ‘The Black Book of Colour’. It’s a stunning book that shows you how to ‘see’ without your eyes. A must read! This issue is of course jam-packed with our regular columns and competitions, so grab your uggies and a cup of tea. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. And finally, as always, please remember to support our advertisers. Without them, we wouldn’t be here! Sarah x

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Letters to the editor letters@essentialchild.com.au Featured letter Facing Challenges Like Mandy Hughes (The Most Curious Child) I have faced the challenges of having a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the early years I stopped going to playgroup, stopped visiting friends, and left my son with his grandmother when I went shopping. Dealing with his behaviour in public was just too stressful. With lots of help from support services things have improved for my son and for me, although we still face some challenges. I now attend a support group that I find very helpful, and it helps to read about other parent’s experiences in publications such as yours. I’m finding that as people become more aware of autism they are more accommodating of my son’s behaviours, and less judgemental about my parenting. Name supplied Thank you for sharing your experience. The Crayola prize pack is on its way.

Soap box hits home Congratulations on a great magazine! I read the Autumn edition from cover to cover in one sitting. It was so good to read such touching stories about people’s personal experiences. The ‘soap box’ about children and respect really hit home for me when I overheard a Dad in a supermarket being very cross with a toddler who was starting to whinge when her parents took a long time reading labels. I know that these days you really do need to read labels, but we also have to be realistic about what we expect of our little ones. Kylie, Nambucca Heads

Angel Babies In October 2009, I had a stillborn daughter named Addyson Poppie. I found it difficult to find support groups, as most people find the subject of baby deaths taboo. Then through Facebook I met a wonderful lady called Dana who created a wonderful chat room for those who have lost their babies during pregnancy or after. Now Dana and the

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angel baby community want to bring awareness to other angel baby families who may be needing support and not knowing where to find it. Pregnancy and neonatal loss is more common than people realise and there is a huge community out there that needs support. Lets break the silence! The chat room link is http://www.ourangelbaby.org/ . Julie Tipper, Boambee East

Twice as nice! I am a twin mum. When I found out I was pregnant again, but with twins, I was a little shocked to say the least. Since having my boy/girl twins I have met other beautiful twin mums and we are trying to find other multiple parents, mums and dads, and people expecting a multiple birth to meet with informally just for support - to get to know someone close by who is in the same situation as ourselves, to talk about being pregnant, about birth stories, how one is coping with twins (or more), how dads are coping, and to know that it’s OK if your hair isn’t combed! We have a wide range of situations from single twin mums, mums with toddlers, first time multiple mums or mums like myself with five children altogether. We are unique, we are special and we are pretty cool. We are passionate about our twins and the “double- trouble” sign doesn’t stick with any of us. It’s “twice as nice” having twins! Cheryl Hennessy, Emerald Beach Other ‘multiple birth’ parents or expectant parents who would like to contact Cheryl can contact Essential Child and we’ll put you in touch. SJR We love to hear from our readers, so please write in and tell us what you think about the magazine and any topics you would be interested to read about. Next issue’s featured letter will win a beautiful Super Bunny from Orange Twigle supplied by Gecoz, Bellingen. See their delightful product range at www.gecoz.net.au

Out of the mouths of babes s” mouths of babe ild’s “out of the ayola Send in your ch Cr of t se a n wi chance to stories for your child.com.au ! letters@essential ers ark M e bl ha as W

hanks to everyone who wrote in for the ‘Out of the Mouths of Babes’ competition. Here are our favourites! When my daughter & son received their swimming certificates, I mentioned to them that when we got home I would use our new laminator to laminate them. My son eagerly sat at the table while I set up the laminator. He watched patiently as I laminated the first certificate then asked, “But where is the lemonade?” Suzie, Moonee Suzie wins a set of 12 Lyra Firby Pencils, from Love & Kisses I was taking our 4 month old for immunisation. “Why does she have to get needles?” questioned our 3 yr old. “It’s medicine to help her grow up big and strong,” I replied. “The needle is a big mistake mum”, replied 3 yr old, “she’ll pop!” Leah, Coffs Harbour Leah wins a set of 6 Lyra Firby Pencils, from Love & Kisses After telling my 3 year old that the postie had bought a new car, she asked “How did he buy it?” I replied that he bought it with money. She continued with, “ Yes but how did he get the car on the bench to pay for it!!!” Fiona Vallance

During the Autumn school holidays I was looking after my gorgeous niece. We were looking at a maths problem where two teddy bears needed so ‘share’ twelve cupcakes evenly between themselves. When my niece circled two groups of five, I asked her “Well what will you do with the two that are left over?” she confidently replied, “We can put them in the freezer and save them for later!” Holly Corfe, Coffs Harbour When we were having dinner one night and my 8 year old asked his dad to pass the worchestershire sauce, my 5 year old said, “Yuk, that sauce is made out of Daddy’s whiskers!” Sarsi Webber We often take our two children to the reserve across the road to play as there is plenty of room to run. One day on the way back from playing on this large open space our son (4) excitedly said, “Mum we should get Bob the Builder to make our yard bigger!!” Kerry, Coffs Harbour

We love...

Pre-loved children’s items! Recycled Kids Clothes all with a thrifty, not hefty, price tag.

he idea of ‘hand-me-downs’ has always copped bad press, mostly from those people from large families who were forced to wear faded t-shirts and worn-out jeans previously worn by one or more siblings. But these days there are many reasons for parents to consider buying second-hand clothes and furniture for their baby or child. Affordability is perhaps the biggest reason. We all know children’s clothing can be shockingly expensive. I might spend $50 on a cardigan for myself, but I know I will wear it for at least a couple of years. To spend that amount on a cardigan for a child who has a tendency to outgrow clothes in a few months, if not weeks, just seems crazy. My local Lifeline sells amazing quality, often ‘designer’ label kids’ clothing for under $10 per item. People regularly ask where I got my daughter’s cute top or dress and I am always proud to say “Lifeline, six dollars!” Many new parents simply can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars buying all the things babies need, so seeking out second-hand items can be a life-saver. I bought my daughter’s cot for $50 on eBay and I love it so much, I will keep it for the next baby. We bought nearly everything second-hand – cot, change table ($100), pram (Bugaboo, $590), Baby Bjorn ($60) etc – and total “baby set-up” costs were around $1100. It was a stark comparison to friends who spent more than $3000 on nursery furniture alone. Buying second-hand is also kind to the environment. It feels good to know you are recycling items instead of contributing to the merry-go-round of consumerism; to know that your money is going into another family’s pocket, instead of paying for transport costs from China, and you are reducing the tonnes of waste that go into landfill every day. Children grow out of, or get bored of, things so easily, it seems sensible to buy pre-loved things. Of course, it’s nice to have new things too sometimes and some items must be bought new for safety or health reasons, such as car seats and mattresses. But by balancing out the new with the “old”, you’ll do your wallet, environment and community a big favour.

Save Time, Op Shop Online!

www.optots.com

Launching Early June!

Specialising in designer brands and a select range of much-loved brands. Stocking sizes 000-12 in excellent condition and at affordable prices.

Where to find Pre-loved items: Locally: • Charity shops • Garage Sales & Local Markets • Newspaper classifieds • Swings & Roundabouts, Palm Centre, Coffs Harbour Online: • eBay, Gumtree • Pre-Loved Kids Wear – www.prelovedkidswear.com.au • Optots – www.optots.com Baby & Kids Markets – held in major cities, including Gold Coast and Newcastle. For your nearest market visit www.babykidsmarket.com.au. [SJR]

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Baby Walkers & Jolly Jumpers To Buy or Not to Buy? P

arents are presented with a quite awesome array of special equipment, toys, treadmills and play centres for their precious new baby – a walk through any baby warehouse store is guaranteed to tempt the natural urge to give baby the best of everything! Some items are even presented as “must haves” to help with development, fitness and muscle tone!

Babies need ample time to practice crawling. The truth is that many of these are unnecessary, do nothing to aid development, and their use can actually endanger your baby. Baby walkers and jolly jumpers come into this category. Grandparents, relatives or friends may well tell you that their children never suffered from using these items. They might even offer to buy your infant one of these higher - priced items. Many organizations have expressed their concerns regarding the use of baby walkers. Parents may believe that walkers and jolly jumpers help develop their child’s strength, control and ability to walk, however it is reported that this equipment has a high risk of injury and can in fact be detrimental and delay a child’s learning to walk.

Below are some thoughts to consider when making your decision - to Buy or Not to Buy? • Baby walkers are dangerous as they can allow a child to move quickly around the house. This increases the potential for injury as children can move out of their parents sight and fall down a flight of stairs, touch the fireplace or pull hot drinks etc on themselves before the parents realize or have chance to react.

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• As Jolly Jumpers age or are passed on, issues with their condition arise. The clamps or straps to the seat may break, causing a baby to fall. Care must also be taken that other, stronger children do not push the jumper too enthusiastically as they “play” with your baby, and risk pushing him/her against the doorway. • There is also evidence to suggest that baby walkers can have an adverse effect on the developmental activities necessary for an infant to later learn to walk. The walker reduces the time children spend on the floor practicing their motor development skills and co-ordination, via activities such as rolling, crawling, sitting, standing and pulling to standing. These are important activities that need to be established before walking can occur. Babies need ample time to practice crawling, which allows weight bearing through the pelvis and shoulder girdle simultaneously and the co-ordination patterns and rhythm to walk. By using the baby walker children will not experience as much variety in their movement and activities. Less time is thus spent practising and consolidating the pre-walking skills necessary to walk.

Home Based childcare! • A safe, secure and stimulating home environment with small groups of up to five children. • Flexible hours matched to individual family needs. • Your child benefits by having the same carer, every day. • Mixed ages create a unique learning environment

• Baby walkers allow an incorrect “stepping action” to be practiced, without the infant needing to learn the other essential components of walking, ie. balance, weight-shift and co-ordination of trunk, pelvic and leg muscles.

• Parents can unknowingly put their children in jolly jumpers before they have adequate head and trunk strength to cope with this position. One major retail chain recently advertised a Jolly

Jumper in their catalogue as suitable for babies from 3 months of age!! When infants bounce their feet on the floor, the movement can cause injury to the baby’s neck if they don’t have sufficient ability to control the position and movement of their head against gravity. • Toe-walking can be another unwanted consequence of early use of a baby walker or jolly jumper, as the infant takes weight through the ball of the foot, scooting around or bouncing off it. The normal alignment and weight bearing needed for standing and walking are not present when using these items. Incorrect posture, weightbearing and weight shift is being practiced here. So when planning to buy that extra special item for your infant, you might like to think of these items below, as alternatives: An infant swing (with 5 point harness) provides movement stimulation and enjoyment

Sturdy push trolleys assist with forward stepping and standing balance, once your infant is standing strongly and getting ready to walk. Dinky bikes (from around 15 mths) help build co-ordination and spatial awareness Shop and enjoy, but remember …… The Children’s Hospital at Westmead recommends that you do not use a jolly jumper with your child. The Australian Physiotherapy Association and Kidsafe recommend that an Australian standards approved play pen is a better and safer alternative to baby walkers or jolly jumpers to allow freedom of movement when the parent is unable to provide constant supervision.

Baby walkers consist of a wheeled base supporting a rigid frame that holds a fabric seat with leg openings and a plastic tray. The devices are designed to support a pre-walking infant.

by Sue Martyn, Children’s Physiotherapist Sources: www.kidsafensw.org, www.health. nsw.gov.au, www.chw.ed.au

A Bumbo seat (from around 6 mths ) helps baby practice sitting, and leaves the hands free to explore toys without losing balance

Jolly Jumpers are a type of play equipment. They are designed to support a baby, who is unable to stand, in a semi-standing position. Jumpers consist of a sling-like seat which is hung from the top of a door frame using a clamp or suspended within a tripod frame. The baby’s feet touch the floor allowing them to bounce up and down by pushing their feet against the floor.

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Baby Sign Language

A functional tool for early communication. B

efore I became a parent I worked with young babies and observed that their parents could tell the difference between an ‘I am hungry’ or an ‘I need a cuddle’ cry and I couldn’t wait to develop this communication bond with my own child. I was interested in the use of sign language with babies because I knew from experience that babies and toddlers could understand more than they could verbalise. I had completed workshops on using sign language with babies and had taught eighteen month old toddlers in my room at childcare to sign ‘more’ and ‘thank you’ at meal times so I knew that it was a fun and easy way to communicate. When my daughter Josephine was five months old I started further researching sign language with babies and found Australian Baby Hands, a great book to use as a guide. The book contains tips on starting, which signs to choose first and a comprehensive picture dictionary of someone actually doing each sign. The book filled me with confidence and my husband and I chose the signs ‘eat’ and ‘drink’ and began doing these at around six months before giving our daughter food and water. We persisted with these

Josie signing ‘more’ (11 months)

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Using signs to communicate has enabled her to develop an expansive vocabulary. signs for three months and nothing happened. Was she taking it all in? At around nine months of age Josephine began to clap and wave goodbye and this is when we knew that she had started to link spoken words with hand actions and had begun to develop sign language. We thought it quite funny that her first sign was goodbye even though we had not taught it to her, she had learnt this sign by observing everyday social interactions. When Josephine was ten months old she began to squeal when we stopped singing between nursery rhymes, so we decided to teach her the sign for ‘more’, (with your hand in a claw-like position touching your chest, move your hand outwards). It only took a couple of days and she started using the sign, but she did the sign on our chest, so we used her hand to show her how to do it on her own chest. After a few more days practise she began to use the sign and even adapted it to mean more of anything and everything. We could finally understand each other, and all agreed that it was much better than squealing. Slowly we added more signs which we felt would help Josephine communicate and minimise her frustration. Our family were really interested in what we were doing and we taught them the signs Josie could use, so they could also understand and communicate with her. Josie’s eighteen month old cousin Milly began to use the sign for ‘more’ after observing Josie sign ‘more drink’ during our family gathering over the Christmas period. It was incredible how quickly Milly picked up the sign purely from observing and

Josie signing ‘help’ (17 months) she continued using it until she was able to say the word ‘more’. Josephine’s first spoken word was ‘Dad’ at 12 months and although her verbal language is continuing to blossom she is now 17 months and we are continuing to sign with her daily and add new signs to follow her needs and interests. Her repertoire has expanded to include fifteen different signs. Josie can pinch her nose to communicate that she has done a poo and can wave her fingers like she is a conductor to ask for music to be played. Teaching Josephine sign language has been lots of fun and with persistence has been a great way to foster communication. Using signs to communicate has enabled her to develop an expansive vocabulary at an early age and has alleviated a lot of the frustration during the early years of language development. A great way to get started is to download the free poster from the Australian Baby Hands website: www.australianbabyhands.com by Jodie Smith

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Safe Food Storage Did you know? There are around 5 million cases of food poisoning in Australia every year, and about 1 in 5 of these are caused by incorrect food handling in the home. You cannot tell by look, smell or taste whether a food contains dangerous levels of the microorganisms that cause illness. Safe food storage is one way that you can help to avoid food poisoning.

Here are some simple tips: Store food at less than 5°C (refrigerator cold) or at more than 60°C (steaming hot). Temperatures between this are a ‘danger zone’ at which bacteria can grow.

What’s for dinner? A delicious winter warmer.

Lamb sausages with roasted pumpkin and lentil salad

Ingredients 8 lamb sausages, peferably organic

Cool hot food quickly. Cool food on the bench only until steam stops rising. Then place the hot food directly into the fridge or freezer.

1 kg Jap pumpkin, cut into wedges

Store raw meat, fish and poultry near the bottom of the fridge and ensure that juices do not drip onto other foods. Cover cooked and ready-to-eat food, and always place these on shelves above raw foods.

8 Eschallots (also known as French Shallots, small brown onions, available at supermarkets), finely sliced.

Thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave. Avoid leaving food to thaw on the kitchen bench where it can reach ‘danger zone’ temperatures.

3 tbsn olive oil or macadamia oil 1 whole head of garlic, halved Salt and pepper

6 sprigs of thyme 400g can lentils, rinsed and drained ¼ cup of verjuice or apple cider vinegar 1 tbsn caster sugar 180g feta, crumbled

Directions Preheat oven to 200oC (400oF). Toss pumpkin, garlic and salt and pepper with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Roast for 30 minutes or until golden and tender. Set aside and keep warm. In a frying pan, cook sausages until just cooked through. Set aside and keep warm. Add remaining oil, shallots and thyme to the pan, reduce heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the lentils, verjuice and sugar and cook for 1-2 minutes, until warmed through. Stir in feta, then serve lentil mixture with sausages and pumpkin. [SJR]

We’d love to hear your favourite healthy recipies!

Send them to us at letters@essentialchild.com.au essential child

Listen with your eyes Listening authentically to children Remember the line listen with your eyes in the children’s song “I can sing a rainbow” by Arthur Hamilton? Many children ask how they can listen with their eyes. Surely it’s ears that we use for listening! But listening is more than just hearing. When we look at someone while we are listening to them we notice their expression and body language, and this adds enormously to the meaning we get from what they have said. And the way we listen lets others know if we are truly listening, and if we even care about what they are saying. When our eyes wander, when we turn away and when we interrupt we give a strong message about the value we place on what someone is saying. And the result of this? They are less likely to see us as someone they can talk to.

Through listening you can discover more about what your child knows and doesn’t know, and what they would like to know more about. This is very important to remember when we are listening to children. They are just as sensitive to our listening behaviours as adults are (or maybe even more so). When we give children our full attention, and wait with interest to hear what they have to say, we are not only showing them respect but we are more likely to really hear what they are trying to tell us. It is necessary to give children plenty of time to say what’s on their mind. It can take them considerable time to get their thoughts together, and to put the thoughts into words. If we interrupt them, even with a prompting question, we run the risk of interrupting this process and they may need to start thinking all over again. Once they have managed to ‘get it

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out’, children will know that we have truly listened if we make comments and ask for more information. A simple restatement of what a child has said, along the lines of “Oh, you went to the shops with grandma?”, or “The cat jumped on your bed?” can encourage him or her to add more to the story. Avoid asking ‘testing’ questions such as “What colour is it?” and “How many are there?” that are probably completely unrelated to what your child wants to talk about. Besides, you will know through everyday situations whether your children can name colours and count – there’s no need to test them all the time. In fact avoid all ‘closed’ questions, the ones that require just a one-word or yes/ no answer. Practice asking questions that encourage children to talk more, such as “What did you do?”, How did you feel?”, “What happened next?” and “What do you think will happen now?”. There are enormous benefits that follow from authentic listening. The relationship you have with your children will be deepened, they will be more likely to listen to you and confide in you, and they will feel more confident in expressing themselves. Also, talking is an essential stage in early literacy, and the more practice children have at genuine conversation the easier they will find the progression to reading and writing. Through listening you can discover more about what your child knows and doesn’t know, and what they would like to know more about. Children often

interpret things quite differently from the way we do as they have limited life experiences to help them to make sense of what they see and hear. Jane Torr from Macquarie University recently conducted a fascinating study that showed how differently from adults children can interpret the stories in picture books when the ‘clues’ they get from the pictures are different from the text. They are still learning to ‘read’ visual images, and usually make quite literal interpretations, whereas we understand that pictures can represent ideas rather loosely. When, for instance, we see a picture of a train in a bedroom with smoke billowing from it, we know that there is an element of imagination going on, but a child may be absolutely convinced that the train is real. It is worthwhile therefore, when you are reading to your children, to ask some “what do you think” questions and to allow them time to comment on the story. It is not necessary to correct every misinterpretation, because fantasy is a wonderful thing, but you may gain some delightful insights into your children’s view of the world and discover some opportunities to broaden their understandings. So listen with your eyes, your body, your heart , your mind and your time (as well as your ears)! With thanks to Children Services Central for the opportunity, through their scholarship, to attend the ‘Unpacking Listening’ Conference at Macquarie University in March 2010. [PJP]

Hints Getting Ready for Writing Handy Send in your Helping a child to get ready for writing is child’s play. F

irst of all, to get ready for writing, children need to be well coordinated and have good upperbody strength so they can hold themselves in a stable position at a table and chair. So make sure they get lots of outdoor play, climbing, throwing, catching, swinging, balancing, etc. A lovely reason for lots of visits to playgrounds!

Many children pretend to write before they can form letters – this is a good sign! Provide lined paper and envelopes for ‘writing’ during play. Point out words everywhere – on signs and shops, in newspapers, recipes and books. Make sure your child sees his name in print. Write it on his pictures, lunchbox, clothes, bedroom door. When you are reading together, one idea is to point out the letter that starts the child’s name and see how many you can find together. When your child shows interest in writing her name, write it for her to copy and talk about it as you write e.g. “it goes around, and down”. Let her copy rather than tracing dots – she’s more likely to ‘feel the rhythm’ of the letter. It’s a good idea to check with your preschool or school for the correct script to use. Most schools prefer children to use a capital letter for the first letter only. Be positive in your comments. If they write from right to left, just gently show children that we start from the left side. Accept their early efforts – they need lots of practice before they will get it right. Above all, be guided by their interest and ability. Keep it fun and playful, and allow them time to develop at their own pace. There is no rush.

Secondly, children need many opportunities to develop the small muscles of the hand through things like construction sets, pegs, threading, modelling with clay, beeswax or dough, painting, using cutlery and doing puzzles. They need easy access to a wide variety of thick pencils, crayons, chalk and felt pens, as well as scissors and paste, with plenty of paper and odds and ends like ribbon, catalogues and cards. The use of upright surfaces some of the time, such as easels, chalkboards, white boards, clip boards and the fridge door, helps to promote a good pencil grip. And don’t forget the simple pleasures of drawing in sand or on fogged-up windows. Children are more likely to be interested in writing if they see you writing for important purposes such as shopping lists, filling in forms, writing cards and letters, and addressing envelopes. Consider, for instance, asking your child to dictate a card to grandma.

[PJP]

handy hints for a chance to win! After having two children with sensitive skin I found that not using wet wipes helped my bubs not get a nappy rash. I would use a chux wipe instead! It helped them not get a rash ever, and saves on the pocket as you can wash and use a couple of times! Ryan, Sawtell Thanks Ryan, the Gaia Skincare Kit is on its way to you! I use non-slip cooking mats to hold puzzles and lego mats in place on my childrens play table. Only $4 for a packet of 4 from the supermarket. They are inexpensive and can be used in a variety of ways. Jane, Boambee At about 5 months of age I started using a baby sleeping bag for my son. As a new parent I was very conscious of safe sleeping prectices to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He wasn’t able to kick it off during cold nights and I felt reassured that his face could not be covered with a blanket during sleep time. I also found that it was a great cue for him to go to sleep and he could wear it in the car and be easily transferred into bed. Carol, Moonee To save money on nappies we use an inexpensive supermarket brand at home during the day and a more expensive, absorbant brand overnight and for going out. Amanda & Steve, Toormina My pram didn’t come with a sun shade, so I made one out of two muslin squares, just by hand sewing them together and using bull clips to attach them to the pram. Leah, Bellingen We give our two children weekly pocket money according to their age. Our 7 year old earns $7 a week and our 10 year old, $10 a week. If the children ask for a raise they can negotiate a higher weekly rate. Jillian & Matt, Coffs Harbour

Next issue our favourite hint will win a set of Crayola Junior Triangular Pencils.

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Is something worrying you about your child? “We had taken our daughter to a paediatrician who noted that she had learning difficulties and who had referred her for further assessment. We were quite overwhelmed and at a loss to know what we should be doing for our daughter. Thankfully we were introduced to Bronwyn from the Northcott Early Start Diagnosis Support Service through the Early Childhood teacher at our daughter’s day care centre. Bronwyn gave us the information and support we needed as well as lots of practical ideas we could implement to help get the ball rolling on our daughter’s developmental progression. Bronwyn helped us through a difficult time.” Quote from Client

hen a parent senses something different about their child’s development, or when a child is diagnosed with a specific condition, it can be an overwhelming and daunting time. Families often are confused about where to start for information and support.

Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis has been a wonderful benefit to our family. Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Service (NEDS) is an innovative program funded by Ageing, Disability & Home Care (ADHC) which provides free short-term support to eligible families who have a concern about their child’s development. NEDS uses a family-centred approach which takes into account the needs of the whole family along with the special needs of the child. We have a Family Support Worker based in the Coffs Harbour office who can provide information and assistance to families enabling them to access mainstream and disability specific services within their local area.

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If: • you have a concern about your child’s development • your child recently been diagnosed with a disability • you want help in seeking out and accessing local mainstream and disability specific services and support for your child and family • your child is aged 0-5 years of age • your child has just started school (up to 8 years of age) and the teacher has expressed concern about their development

... then NEDS can help! We offer: • Information and referral services in your local area. • Group work services to help you connect with and get support from other people in similar situations as yourself. • Individual family support services if you require ongoing assistance from someone who can help you and your family adjust to your child’s special needs. To find out more about this program or your eligibility to access this service please contact Bronwyn Monaghan, your local Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis Family Support Worker on 02 6651 2366 or visit www. northcott.com.au

“Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis has been a wonderful benefit to our family. We had some concerns about our child and were not sure if or how to approach them. When we were told about NEDS we were relieved to discover that we did not need a referral. We simply called the service and explained our scenario regarding our child to see if we were eligible to access this free program; we haven’t looked back! Bronwyn comes out to our home and works through the strengths in our family – allowing US to make informed decisions about what is best for OUR child and OUR family!” Quote from Client

Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Service Coffs Harbour Office 31 Bonville Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2196 Phone (02) 6651 2366

Book Review

Immunisation does not increase Autism risk

The Black Book of Colours By Menena Cottin Illustrated by Rosana Faria (Walker Books) Ages 4+

possible link between MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccine and autism was researched by a group lead by Dr Wakefield in the United Kingdom in 1998. The research generated a lot of media attention and has lead to decline in MMR vaccinations especially in the UK. The research itself was controversial, the study was only conducted on highly selected patients and there were

to be false. It was found that Wakefield had received £50,000 to carry out the research on behalf of solicitors acting for parents who believed that their children had been harmed by MMR, but could not account for how at least half this money had been spent. For the first time in history the Lancet made a full retraction of the paper. Internationally renowned epidemiologist, Dr Eric Fombonne from Canada’s McGill University and Montreal Children’s Hospital, was in Australia recently to speak at the regional summit on Autism. Dr Fombonne reports that the causes of Autism are still unknown, even though links with genetic factors have emerged. He maintains that vaccinating children will not increase their risk of autism (a fact that has been substantiated by a great many studies). MMR has received bad publicity in the past about containing mercury (ethyl mercury) in the form of thiomersal. In Australia, thiomersal has been removed from all routine childhood vaccines since 2000. Parents put their children and the rest of the community at unnecessary risk if they refuse to immunize their children. Epidemics can, and still do occur, when immunisation rates fall.

too few patients and no control patients. Further studies in Sweden, USA, Finland, France and UK have shown no evidence of an association between MMR and Autism. In 2004, 10 of the original 12 original authors of Dr Wakefield’s 1998 study published a statement retracting the paper’s interpretation, stating ‘We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient.’ In 2010 a lengthy investigation by UK General Medical Council found that several elements of the Wakefield study were incorrect. In particular, the claims in the original paper that children were “consecutively referred” and that investigations were “approved” by the local ethics committee have been proven

Measles is often a severe disease, frequently complicated by ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhoea. More concerning is the possibility that a measles infection may lead to acute encephalitis, which can leave permanent damage or lead to death. Mumps infection in the first trimester of pregnancy may result in spontaneous abortion, and Rubella infection during pregnancy, especially in early pregnancy, can have devastating effects on the baby’s development. [PJP] Sources: www.vaccination.org.au/vaccine_ myths.php Medical Search Australia & New Zealand August 2009 in Sharp and to the Point, SA Health, Issue 30 – Feb 2010

Our eyes tell us about colour. But what if you are blind? Can you still know colours? Using simple language and beautiful textured art, this stunning book shows us how to ‘see’ without our eyes. Readers are invited to imagine living without sight. Not only is the text presented in both English print and braille, the illustrations are created with raised black lines on black pages. The descriptions of colour on each page emphasise senses other than sight touch, taste, sound and smell - to bring meaning to what a colour represents. For example, “yellow tastes like mustard” and “brown crunches under his feet like fall leaves.” From out of the blackness, a beautiful rainbow of colours emerges! Thomas likes all the colours because he can hear them and smell them and touch them and taste them. But black is the king of all the colours. It is as soft as silk when his mother hugs him and her hair falls in his face. The Black Book of Colours succeeds on many levels. The unusual blackon-black format is sure to stimulate discussion in a cuddle-up reading session with an adult. The text stimulates the imagination (and the vocabulary) to find ways to describe colour through senses other than sight. While the book is accessible to children who are blind, sighted readers have an opportunity to imagine what it is like to be blind, and to experience and imagine what it is like to read by touch. These opportunities can provide a better understanding and appreciation for differences and contribute to a more inclusive environment for all. As well as being a lovely read, this extraordinary title gives young readers the ability to experience the world in a new way. [PJP]

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Soap Box

Parental Ad-visory! S

ince my daughter was born, I’ve joined a new club. It’s a special club, made up of a particular demographic defined by those very wise people who work in marketing and advertising. According to them, I am now easily defined as A Parent. As A Parent, I’m very emotional, I’m worried sick about my child’s health and happiness, and I’m perhaps just a little bit stupid!

TV advertising knows how to tug at my heart and purse strings. Even the smartest parent, however, could be forgiven for falling victim to marketing tactics. TV advertising in particular knows how to tug at my heart and purse strings. Taglines such as “like a comforting hug from Mum” make you feel like a bad parent if you dare to not buy their product. One ad recently got my attention and if I hadn’t spent more than a few minutes thinking about it, I could have easily have fallen for its ploy. It’s a two part ad, which only adds to its cleverness. The

first part is presented by a doctor – yes, a REAL doctor – who tells us, cleverly, that butter has cholesterol and cholesterol is bad for children. He demonstrates how much cholesterol goes through your child’s arteries in a year, if they eat butter, with dozens of pats of butter on a tray. ‘Whoa, that’s a lot of cholesterol!’ I thought with alarm. The doctor then suggests, cleverly, that a “plant seed spread” is lower in saturated fats and a healthier choice, and a big red tick appears, making the whole ad look like a message from the Heart Foundation. Over the next few minutes, my Parent brain started ticking: “I give my child butter on her toast... oh my god, I’m killing her! Quick, I need a plant seed spread, stat!” Cue next ad. It begins with cartoon children in a meadow and a soft, motherly voiceover: “They’re only small but they make a big difference in your life. And here’s a small thing that can make a big difference to

theirs. Plant seeds. You see, there’s a spread made from plant seeds that contains 65% less saturated fats than butter. So it’s no wonder that many experts agree it’s the healthier alternative. Who makes this plant seed spread? (enter product name here*)” Thank goodness – we’re all saved! Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that either butter or ‘plant seed spread’ is better for children. I don’t know. But I don’t want to be tricked into buying a particular product because someone has appealed to my parental guilt. There’s enough information out there for me to make an informed decision on my own. And I choose to take advice on my child’s health from my doctor and health authorities and not from marketing executives! Siobhan Jacobs * Well, I’m not going to do their advertising for them! Feel passionately about something? Write to Soap Box in less than 500 words.

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Cots Fact Sheet

Child safety is no accident. B

abies probably spend more time in cots than anywhere else, so it’s important their cots are safe. Many cot-related injuries involve children falling while trying to climb out of the cot. Children are also injured when components of the cot fail e.g. the side falls down, the base falls out, or the screws come loose.

Buying Guide

Safe Practices

Make sure the cot has an Australian Standards sticker stating that it complies with the mandatory product safety standard.

Here are some simple guidelines to make part of your daily routine to ensure your child’s safety:

When choosing a cot it is important to make sure that it will be a safe haven for your child.

Ensure that the basic design has safe gaps not less than 50mm and not more than 85mm.

Fingers get caught in holes or opening between 5-12mm; limbs in gaps between 30-50mm and heads in gaps over 85mm. Serious injury or death can occur when the child’s head and upper body are caught in gaps. There is a higher chance of this occurring in older cots or cots which have been modified.

Check the dropside mechanisms are secure and easy for an adult to use, but not a child.

Household cots must legally comply with the safety requirements of Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2172:2003 Cots for household use—Safety requirements.

Check there are no protrusions which clothing can be caught on.

Cots must be safely designed and constructed so as to not have climbout or fall-out hazards, strangulation hazards, head, arm or leg entrapment hazards, or cause injury to fingers and toes. These requirements do not permit gaps where a child could become trapped or protrusions that could cause a child’s clothing to snag. For further information refer to the ACCC safety alert brochure titled Cots available at accc.gov.au or contact the ACCC Infocentre 1300 302 502

ad her he caught t d l d o n he onth e cot a Four m he bars of th nt betwee Suffocated ss. e r t t cot a m ld in a nth-o rby o a e -m n e a Twelv ntangled in d. le g ee ran becam rawstring. St d curtain

Always make sure the mattress fits snugly to within 25mm at the sides and the ends - a gap no more than your index finger. Ensure a minimum height of 500mm from the top of the mattress to the top of the cot’s sides.

Select fixed based cots Make sure there are no horizontal bars or decorations which could be used to climb out of the cot.

Always follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions and keep them somewhere safe to refer to.

A simple test is to place a soft drink can between the vertical bars. If the can is just touching the bars, it should comply.

• Cots and beds must be placed well away from exposed blind and curtain cords. Suppliers of new window coverings are required to ensure that all cords do not contain hazardous loops. Existing cords should be kept out of the child’s reach. This can be done by securing to a cleat, hook, or other safety device. • Position the cot away from windows, heaters and power points to reduce risk of injury from falls, burns and electrocution. • Give your cot regular safety checks for wear and tear. Repair any hazards immediately or do not use the cot until the potential hazard is fixed. Pealing paint could cause choking. • Remove any items that your child could use as a climbing aid, including large toys, cot bumpers and cushions. These can also cause suffocation. • Refrain from placing small items into your child’s cot or in reach or your child, as these could cause choking. • Items such as pictures and mirrors can fall and should not be hung over cots. Refrain from using toys or mobiles with stretch elastic cords. • Ensure any adjustable base on the cot is moved to the lowest setting as soon as the child can sit unaided. • Do not use V or U shaped pillows for children under 2 years of age. Children can become wedged in a pillow and suffocate. It is safer not to use a pillow for children under 2 years. • Never use electric blankets or hot water bottles for babies or young children. • When children start to climb, it is a sure sign they have outgrown their cots. When this happens, move your child to a single bed.

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