Families Magazine Brisbane Oct/Nov 2016 Toddlers & Childcare

Issue 18: October/November 2016 www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Brisbane

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TODDLERS & CHILDCARE How to find good childcare Why toddlers should learn to drive Why good playgrounds matter Clubs & Classes & much more…

The Clever Resource for Thinking Parents

October/November 2016

Contents Welcome to our Toddlers & Childcare Issue Don’t even get me STARTED on toddlers and childcare/ daycare!! Ten years ago if someone told me I’d be responsible for my kids 24/7 I’d have scoffed in their face-- what a ridiculous proposition. Finding convenient, affordable, reliable, inspiring childcare is almost as difficult as dealing with Centrelink, where the operators all sound like they need a cuddle and a nap. Even when I do find convenient, affordable, reliable, inspiring daycare my child immediately contracts a dramatic cough/cold keeping them home. As soon as I suspect them of malingering I drop them at their care to discover, nope - it’s quite infectious - and reap the ire of the other parents.

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Families News Find out what is happening locally for Families

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Families Health & Parenting Why Climate Change matters to your children Early chapter books for every child

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Education The benefits of encouraging Performance Arts

I think the best solution is for me to find occasional care outside the home for myself to give my kids a break. A couple of nights at a retreat in a hinterland somewhere should do it. Or a week in Bali. Once my car broke down on the side of the road and I had to wait hours to get it towed. While I played on my phone and read the book in my bag I’d been carting around for months but never touched my partner picked up the kids, fed them and put them all to bed. That was one of my most relaxing afternoons - I’m tempted to ‘run out of petrol’ from time to time. In Byron.

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This issue is a practical guide to parsing the language of childcare into something that works for your child. Active play! Structured learning! Long day care! Kindy program! It all sounds great but in this issue you hear from some industry experts about what the differences are. I personally try to run my life to the kindy program with regular snack breaks, a little bit of active play and a dedicated rest period from 1230. I’ve never felt so young!

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Toddlers & Childcare 5 Things to look for in a good daycare Playground How to prepare your toddler for driving Imaginative Play: wrapping paper & cardboard boxes

Families Fun Circle all the family events you plan to do over October & November

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Families Freebies Win cool products & services for your family

Wishing you happy drop-offs and pick-ups with empty lunchboxes and full hearts,

Simone Eclair

Simone Eclair insists she is a Brisbane comedian (but you can decide for yourself ).

Follow her on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram (simone. eclair) if you are inclined or enjoy her blog and videos at simoneeclair.com.

Next issue December/January 2017 – Deadline Friday 28 Oct 2016 Focus on Summer Days Out & Clubs & Classes & Activities.

CONTACT US: Families Magazine, PO Box 1018, Brighton 4017

☎ 07 3265 5738

Cover Image: Natalie Houlding Photography www.nataliehouldingphotographer.com

Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Readership over 100,00 every issue. Published 6 times a year.

For families in Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands, Logan and the Moreton Region. © Families Magazine 2016

www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Families News

LOCAL FAMILIES NEWS

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CORE CURRICULUM TO TAKE

WORKLOAD PRESSURES OFF TEACHERS Queensland state school teachers will have more control on how they teach the Australian Curriculum from Term 1, 2017.

Education Minister Kate Jones said the Department of Education’s Curriculum into the Classroom (C2C) resources would be updated to give teachers more clarity about what to teach.

Ms Jones said the changes would be made in response to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority report, Core P – 10 Australian Curriculum. Teachers of students with disability will also have access to more targeted professional development to help

DAISY HILL ACTION PLAN:

implement the curriculum. Subjects such as History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship will be combined into one Humanities and Social Science subject for Prep to Year 6 in line with the recommendations of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Science will have less duplication and schools will have greater flexibility in how they choose to deliver the Arts.

Ms Jones said updated curriculum resources for mathematics and English would be made available to teachers from term 4, 2016.

Find out more about the C2C here: http:// education.qld.gov.au/c2c/

FIRST UPGRADES UNDERWAY FOR HIKERS, MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND HORSE RIDERS

Just 25 kilometres south of Brisbane, the Daisy Hill Conservation Park, in Logan City offers a range of recreational opportunities, as well as protecting important koala habitat network. National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said a range of visitors would benefit from the $150, 000 upgrade.

The park provides visitors the opportunity to bushwalk, cycle or horse ride through 571 hectares of open eucalypt forest. Now those visitors can look forward to improved shared trails. In addition, the Government will install new track signage and provide improved fire protection for the park.

Find out about things to do with your kids in Logan: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/things-to-do-in-logan-with-kids

LIFE HACKS BOOK FOR TEENS MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE We are thrilled to announce the launch of Tamsyn Rosenberg’s first book #LLF - The Movement – 12 life hacks for teenagers to Live Life Fully. This is not just a book, but a movement for real and lasting change. #LLF delivers 12 life hacks for teenagers to build a strong foundation to help navigate their way into adulthood. #LLF is presented as a stepby-step guide designed to help teen’s turn their lives around, foster self-confidence, motivation and focus by giving them the tools to get them back on track! This is the most inspiring work happening with young people and families right now.

For further details on upcoming events, specials offers and how you can pre-order your book please call 07 3388 1207, email: info@getrealinternational.com or visit getrealinternational.com

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

NEW, UNIQUE, SENSORY

PLAYGROUND AT

PINE RIVERS PARK

Inclusive and accessible modular net obstacles, gyroscopic structures and hexagonal links are just some of the specially-designed pieces to be installed in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new sensory play space at Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine.

Construction of the bespoke play space has begun with the aim of adding a new, universally accessible element to the park’s already popular facilities.

Pine Rivers Park has long been a popular attraction with its nine-hole disc golf course, children’s maze, pedal-powered train and wheelchair-accessible liberty swing. The new sensory play space adds another element that I’m sure will make the park even more of a hit with families and visitors to the park.

The Moreton Bay Region already has a number of accessible play equipment, such as an inclusive parkour space at Woody Point and wheelchair accessibly carousel at Scarborough.

For more information: www.moretonbay.qld. gov.au/projects

Families News

ST JOHN FISHER COLLEGE

CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW FACILITIES

On Friday 26th August, St John Fisher College at Bracken Ridge celebrated the blessing and official opening of their new facilities including the addition of an indoor sport centre, an Arts/Technology centre, two new drama spaces, a new Science laboratory, a new Home Economics kitchen, Student Services Centre and major refurbishment and landscaping work.

The total cost of this project was almost $7.7 million of which Queensland State Government provided almost $2m as part of the ‘Year 7 to Secondary’ funding and the College community contributed the remaining $5.7m. This is a significant investment in the future of the college and its students.

Principal Maree Messer said St John Fisher College prides itself on a strong Catholic ethos where students are encouraged to improve themselves socially, culturally and morally as well as to strive to achieve their academic goals and the values of respect and integrity are of upmost importance.

The completion of this building and refurbishment project see the College able to provide a twenty-first century learning environment and space to take it well into the future.

Find out more about St John Fisher College: www.sjfc.qld.edu.au

SHELDON COLLEGE WINS

MULTIPLE AUSTRALIAN PERCUSSION TITLES

Twelve months after being crowned Australian Champions at the Australian Percussion Eisteddfod in Sydney, Sheldon College Percussion students have returned from the same competition with another swag of trophies and awards. This time, the Eisteddfod was held in Melbourne, where nineteen of the College’s talented students headed off to compete against the nation’s best. In 2016, it was their Percussion Ensemble II that came away with the “National Champion” title, taking out first place in the “Junior High Percussion Ensemble” section. The famous Sheldon College Drumline once again proved that they are one of Australia’s leading ensembles of this type, winning 1st Place in the “Own Choice” and 2nd Place in the Set Piece, all within hours of landing in Melbourne.

Find out more about Sheldon College’s arts program here www.sheldoncollege.com/co-curricular/performance-visual-arts

PREP YEAR NOW COMPULSORY IN QUEENSLAND State Parliament on the 1st September 2016, passed legislation ensuring all Queensland children benefit from a full-time Prep year before starting Year 1.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Kate Jones said compulsory prep was among a range of education reforms passed in the Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

It is now compulsory to do the Prep year before entering Year 1. The government wants to build on their provision of 15 hours each week of kindergarten for all our four-year-olds.

Importantly, this does not lower the compulsory school age. Parents will continue to have flexibility in terms of the age at which they may enrol their child in Prep, provided the child is enrolled and attending school from the age of compulsory schooling of 6 years and 6 months.

Find out about delaying entry to prep here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/delay-starting-prep Find out what your child will learn in Prep here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/prep-curriculumqueensland

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Families Finance

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When your budget is tight and you need to 1 here are 2 eight3easy ways 4 watch the pennies, to save on your groceries!

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Use your mobile to help you save on groceries

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You already know that you should be writing a list to save on your groceries bill and most of tend to do this, but what about taking a photo of the contents of your cupboard and fridge before you leave?

It will help you check what you already have and where the groceries gaps are that need filling. You’ll also ensure you don’t waste money buying duplicates that will end up in the bin because they’ll go out of date before you get to use them.

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Popped out for milk and bread but spent $50?

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Leave your purse or wallet and credit cards at home and just take the amount of cash with you that you’re prepared to spend. If you’re popping out for a loaf of bread or a couple of litres of milk just take the amount of money in your budget that you’re happy to spend – whether that’s $5 or $10. Going cash-only is a guaranteed way to not be sucked in by all the buy one get one free deals that can wait for another day and you will save on your groceries bill.

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Buyer beware

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Are you a sucker for a ‘special’ ticket? Is that special you’ve just grabbed really a bargain? Look at the small print of an offer you fancy to see what the saving actually is. Two for a $3 sounds fabulous but when you look at the shelf ticket and see that actually you’re only saving 10 cents maybe it’s not such a bargain after all. Be wise about ‘buy one get one frees’, how long is the date? Do you really need two and will you use them before they expire? Specials are not always the bargain they seem to be and don’t always help you save on your groceries.

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Shop on a full stomach

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Supermarkets are sneaky and have special ways of targeting hungry shoppers by offering free tasters and wafting delicious smells around the store. Don’t be that person they are targeting! Save on groceries by shopping on a full stomach or buying a quick snack on your way in to the store to keep your hunger at bay. You’ll find it much easier not to be sucked in to all the offers tempted to make you spend, spend, spend.

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Ways to Save On Groceries Eye height is usually where the pricey products are

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Sometimes brands pay to be at ‘eye height’ on the shelves.

Supermarkets can be sneaky and place the most expensive items or those that earn them the most profit, at eye level – counting on the fact that those in a rush will just grab what they need quickly and head for the registers. If you are looking to save on your groceries, make sure you look up at the top shelf and down to the lower shelves to ensure you are getting the best price and deal for what you need.

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Avoid the ends

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If you don’t want to be distracted from your list, avoid the end of aisle displays – this is the premium place for supermarkets to get you to spend more and buy items you never knew you needed!

Kids and supermarket shopping

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This is the trickiest one of the list. Another tip about ‘eye height’.

There’s a really good reason that supermarkets place snacks, cereals and comics at a child’s eye level and sweets at the checkout. It’s all part of a careful plan designed to harness pester power. Save on groceries and make your shop faster by going when your kids are at school or daycare or if you can, leave younger children with your other half or a friend.

If your children are shopping with you – agree in advance one treat that you’d planned to buy anyway. Get your child to put it on the list and then stick to that.

If they are reading get them to tick off the items as you add them to the trolley.

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Let someone else do your weekly shop

Some shoppers say they save on groceries by shopping online. In theory it is easier to keep track of your shopping as you go along when you shop online, plus you are less tempted to make impulse purchases. Perhaps you like to purchase those ‘bulk/heavy items’ online and have them delivered.

Booking off-peak online shopping delivery slots brings the cost down and some are free when you spend over a certain amount too. Consider what you’d spend on petrol, time and how susceptible you are to deals and offers and often even a few dollars’ delivery charge can be cheaper in the long run.

Find more budget busting ideas on the ‘Families Finance’ section of our website: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/brisbane/finance/all

Families Health

Sleeping LIKE A

baby?

Ask any new parent and the majority will tell you about the demands of parenting on their sleep deprived bodies. Whilst lack of sleep to attend to a baby, is a reality, does it have to be that hard?

How long should the night-waking last? We talk to The Possums Clinic, experts in baby sleep, who help us understand more about this demanding time in our lives.

When it comes to babies and sleep it seems like there aren’t a lot of options.

You are probably familiar with the advice to teach your baby to self-settle, which is done in a structured way. If that doesn’t seem like the answer to you, or if you’ve tried it and it only seems to make life even harder, the only option left seems to be to accept your baby’s current sleep patterns and your own exhaustion. While a realistic view of baby’s sleep is absolutely beneficial (babies do wake during the night), parents may be happy to learn that there is an effective new, research-based program for healthy parent-baby sleep.

One of the premises of this new approach is that parent-baby sleep often becomes unnecessarily disrupted. Unnecessary disruptions can be minimised by understanding some little-known and yet scientifically supported facts about sleep.

Each baby has a different sleep need. There is remarkable variation in sleep needs and sleeping patterns from baby to baby. So much so, in fact, that comparing your baby to others or aiming for a specific number of hours of sleep is likely to be unhelpful. When the obstacles to healthy sleep have been removed, your baby can be trusted to take the amount of sleep that your baby needs.

Sleep is a natural biological rhythm. Our sleep patterns, and our baby’s sleep patterns, are biologically regulated. You don’t actually need to teach your baby to sleep. In fact, there are two aspects to this force: your homeostatic sleep pressure and your circadian clock. Baby (and parent) sleep can become very disrupted when these powerful biological forces become out of sync with each other or out of sync with real time.

Stress and anxiety interfere with sleep. Healthy sleep can be promoted with relaxation and the down-regulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Babies often fall asleep after feeds, and this is completely natural: the hormones of satiety and relaxation allow the baby’s natural biological rhythms to take over and baby drifts off to sleep. Babies also hunger for sensory stimulation and satisfying this drive brings relaxation, too. The best way to meet your baby’s hunger for stimulation is to live a rich and enjoyable life yourself, with baby in tow: social activities, time outside in the fresh air, regular exercise and activities that you enjoy. Note that if your baby feeds very frequently day and night, your baby may be experiencing a feeding rather than a sleeping difficulty and it is important to seek professional support.

Remember, every baby is unique, so experiment with how you can best put these facts into practice in your family.

Written by: Assoc Prof (Adj) Pam Douglas, Medical Director, The Possums Clinic Dr Koa Whittingham, Psychologist and Researcher, The University of Queensland The Possums Clinic is a team of experienced professionals, offering a wide range of general practice, medical specialist and allied health services. We are also dedicated to the specialised care of families from pregnancy, through the post-birth period, and throughout infancy and childhood if learning, development and behaviour issues arise. We work collaboratively with you to find the best way forward for your unique family. Find out more about our professionals and the programs we run at www.possumsonline.com

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Families Health

W H Y C L I M AT E C H A N G E M AT T E R S

to your children

For the last 15 years or so, terms such as climate change, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprints and sustainability have entered everyday news stories and conversations. While we may not be totally sure of their meaning, we do know that they bring often vexed opinions and serious commentary.

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Climate change is not simply a serious issue on its own; it also contributes to a range of other social, environmental and economic problems that include: environmentally-forced human migrations; restricted flows of rivers and creeks that maintain ecosystems, agriculture, and satisfying human domestic and industrial needs; increasing cost from repairs and higher insurance premiums in storm-prone or drought-afflicted regions; and loss of biodiversity in a wide range of habitats from the oceans, coast and inland.

Over the past 650 000 years the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO²) in the atmosphere has varied naturally between about 180 and 280 parts per million (ppm) (Lowe, 2007). It is now being recorded as exceeding 400 ppms and increasing steadily (IPCC, 2013). This accumulation in the atmosphere is creating a blanket of gas above the Earth’s surface that locks in heat – similar to how a greenhouse works - raising both sea and land

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temperatures. For Australia, this means more frequent and severe weather events – Australian summers are becoming hotter, and it is drier where most of us live causing problems such as water shortages, prolonged droughts, and more intense bushfires.

Average temperatures are now about 1 degree higher than a century ago and the most optimistic projections for change this century is about double the rate of change of the previous 100 years. Because of long lag times in the atmosphere and the climate system, we face the inevitability of further change even if we are able to develop a concerted global response that, to date, has not been forthcoming. If emissions continue to rise unabated at the current rate, children born today are likely to face a world at least 2.5 degrees (and possibly as much as 6 degrees) warmer by the end of their lives (UNICEF, 2014). This means that we need to urgently reduce our rate of release of CO² into the atmosphere.

Families Health If emissions continue to rise unabated at the current rate, children born today are likely to face a world at least 2.5 degrees (and possibly as much as 6 degrees) warmer by the end of their lives

• Doctors for the Environment (2015) ‘No time for games: Children’s health and climate change’ • The Lancet Commission (2015) ‘Health and Climate Change: Policy responses to protect public health’ All these scientific reports recognise that children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change because: • their behaviour exposes them to increased risks, their bodies respond with greater vulnerability to harms, and they are dependent on others; • research shows a link between excessive heat and childhood emergency department attendances for conditions such as diarrhoea, asthma, gastro and electrolyte imbalances • Evidence that extreme exposure to heat during pregnancy is related to premature birth • Climate change impacts children’s mental health…

• Diseases carried by mossies • Flooding and severe storms can have comprehensive health effects on children • Malnutrition related to food insecurity • Impacts on health infrastructure in times of need

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE • Be informed: Don’t be swayed by the loud sceptics and deniers. Look at the evidence from scientists rather than commentators

CLIMATE CHANGE: AN ISSUE OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS Even though it is a clichéd comment, children ARE our future, and it is the children currently in kindergartens and preschools - our children and grandchildren - who are the ones who will bear the worst impacts of climate change. The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people a comprehensive set of rights has key principles that can be related specifically to climate change. These include that children and young people (up to 18 years): • have the right to life, survival and development; • should have their views respected and consideration be given to their best interests; and • primary consideration be given to the child’s best interests in all matters affecting them.

The potential for climate change to impact these rights is clearly demonstrated in a growing number of scientific national and international reports, Australian and international. These evidence-based reports include: • Save the Children (2009) ‘Feeling the heat: Child survival in a changing climate’ • UNICEF (2014) ‘The challenges of climate change: Children on the front line’

• Be active in your home and family: support renewable energy initiatives; reduce your carbon footprint; be thoughtful about your consumption.

Remember, everything you purchase comes from some natural resource.

• Be active in your community: join groups etc • Be active in your Early Childhood Education centre: Support or introduce sustainability and environmental programs into early childhood education. Our ECE curriculum endorses and supports sustainability learning – help teachers to engage with this • Like the Cosby, Still song from the 1970’s says “Teach your children well”.

This means teaching our children and ourselves about getting back in balance with the earth’s natural systems and preparing them to be thinkers and actors for the changes we have imposed on their climate.

In the end, it is our responsibility as parents, grandparents, citizens and educators of the future generation of Australian end global citizens that we do our best to leave the world a better place – or at least, no worse a place, for the future.

About the writer: Julie Davis is Associate Professor, School of Early Childhood, at the Queensland University of Technology who specializes in education for sustainability and health promotion education in the early years. She is editor of the international early childhood textbook Young Children and the Environment: Early Education for Sustainability, published

by Cambridge University Press, now in its 2nd edition.

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Parenting

EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS FOR EVERY CHILD! It’s such a joy when our children learn to read independently. Picture books never lose their appeal, but from around 5 years old many kids are keen to try books with short chapters, fewer images and more complex subjects. Open their minds to the world of early chapter books with some of these suggestions!

BOOKS ABOUT PEERS AND PLAYGROUNDS This is a key age for learning to negotiate social boundaries and playground politics. The Stuff Happens series is written by various popular authors, including Andrew Daddo and Phillip Gwynne. Each book follows a different main character through common school yard scenarios, like following rules that don’t always make sense or friendships that go awry.

In a similar vein, N J Gemmell’s bold and boisterous Coco Banjo endures peer pressure, head lice and school camp craziness in a series of comical adventures. Plenty of illustrations make this a great series for transitioning readers who can come for the funny, but stay for the poignant view of the world from a kid’s perspective.

BOOKS ABOUT BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Many novels for this age group are created as series, inviting readers to get to know the characters as they interact across different situations. Kids also love to collect things and books are no exception! Get your girls started on Ella & Olivia for a charming take on sibling love and rivalry. There are plenty of titles, including seasonal special editions, to add to their book collection. Try the terrible twins of the Double Trouble series for boys.

BOOKS ABOUT SUPER SLEUTHS AND ACTION HEROES

Many young readers love books about solving mysteries. Perhaps because reading itself is a puzzle they’re still working out? Books with independent heroes (who don’t need Mum’s permission to have an adventure) help them play out different imaginary identities. Emma Jacks, spy-in-training, is a favourite for beginner readers. Children can progress from EJ Spy School to the more advanced EJ12 series as their reading improves.

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The Wheelnuts series is Wacky Races meets I’m A Celebrity, with quirky competitors going head to head on an epic obstacle course. Young readers will enjoy barracking for their favourites and following the race maps, which traverse every terrain from beach to bush, underwater and outerspace!

BOOKS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

Animal loving kids have a special relationships with their pets – and they want to read about kids who feel the same way! Juliet (Nearly A Vet) is a vet’s daughter, who studiously observes the habits of animals in her care.

This series is perfect for extending animal-related vocabulary as each book includes snap shots of Juliet’s field notes and real world tips and tricks for pet care.

Try Pine Valley Ponies for another charming series that blends friendship stories with animal antics. Maddy and her pony Snowy begin riding lessons at the Pine Valley Ranch. There, they meet new friends and curious enemies, with dangerous trail rides and brave rescues along the way.

BOOKS FOR SPORTS NUTS

Sporty kids are not forgotten in the latest crop of engaging early reader titles. Socceroos legend Tim Cahill brings us Tiny Timmy, a young boy short in stature but big on ambition when it comes to the footy field!

Plenty of illustrations and clear text make this ideal for active kids who find it hard to sit down with a wordy text.

Matty’s Comeback by Anita Heiss also puts the football field in focus, showcasing the way sport helps kids learn about strengths, trust and teamwork. A respected author and academic, Heiss’ books for young readers put Indigenous Australian kids in the lead roles, responding to increasing demand for better representation of diversity in early readers.

Parenting

BOOKS FOR JOKERS

BOOKS FOR HISTORY BUFFS

If there’s one guaranteed way to get a child interested in reading, it’s to fill a book with jokes – even better if they’re in bad taste! Aaron Blabey’s Bad Guys series is laugh-out-loud funny for adults and kids alike. Take some of the scariest figures in a child’s imagination – the big, bad wolf, a hairy tarantula, a man-eating shark – and imagine that they’re actually just misunderstood. They long to be the GOOD guys in a story for a change.

Will they pull it off?

For children who take life a little more seriously, historical novels offer depth and plenty of food for thought. Two prominent series Our Australian Girl and Do you Dare? bring history to life via accessible stories. Your child may discover that they share many of the same fears and passions as a convict girl in colonial times or a cricket-loving boy in 1930s Australia.

This is a series for more confident readers ready for a challenge or ideal to read with your child as their language skills develop.

Comedian Anh Do taps into his own childhood memories for his comic series Weir Do. Cheeky kids will love the outrageous school shenanigans, embarrassing relatives and bodily expulsions that lend humour to challenging situations in this series.

Lara Cain Gray is a freelance writer and mum-of-three. She reviews books for all ages at her blog This Charming Mum www.thischarmingmum.com

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Education

All the World’s a Stage: THE BENEFITS OF ENCOURAGING PERFORMANCE ARTS F R O M A N E A R LY A G E It is widely acknowledged that the arts are an inherent part of the human condition and there is evidence that for centuries, music, dance and visual art, have been used to tell stories by both indigenous and non-indigenous cultures.

choices) and the confines of adolescence. They are ‘free’ to learn and experience the arts through doing, subsequently learning to think for themselves, work collaboratively, take risks in their learning and find solutions.

As teachers and parents, we acknowledge that time should be devoted to a curriculum that has breadth as well as depth, as schools offer students multiple ways to learn and succeed at school. Sound educational policy encourages a curriculum in the primary years that offers every child multifarious ways of learning, what it is they like to learn about and what new ideas they can develop from this process.

Research suggests that there is a clear argument for the inclusion of the arts in the school curriculum from the very first years of school. The arts have unique qualities, but also qualities that transfer across disciplines, as well as cultures and individuals. Most importantly, these skills need to be embedded from the earliest of ages.

Toddlers Love the Arts From the earliest of ages, children have an innate capacity for the Arts.

They draw. They sing. They dance. They pretend. And without ever being taught to do it. A kindergarten and school curriculum that offers students the opportunity to learn through authentic arts experiences encourages and nurtures creativity. Creativity solves problems. It will be the one skill that as the 21st century becomes more complicated; the world will need.

Primary Kids Love the Arts One of the most important times to encourage involvement in arts education is in the primary years when children are unfettered by the boundaries of curriculum choices (tertiary entrance and employment

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Elliot Eisner, who said of the arts ‘They…help us create the kind of schools our children deserve and our culture needs’, argued tirelessly that the arts are essential, they need to share a place in the school curriculum if we are to provide a holistic education for our children.

A colleague once said to me, every child is good at something and by offering a broad ranging curriculum, the chances are greater of finding a child’s individual spark. As educators we have a responsibility to offer and encourage that spark until, who knows, it may grow into something much bigger and brighter. Wouldn’t it be a shame if schools missed such talent, simply because the opportunities were not there?

Dr Rowena Riek Cannon Hill Anglican College

Toddlers Feature

5 things

to look for in a good long day care setting Letting go of your child’s hand on their first day of childcare can be a stressful and emotional situation all round. But, having done your research and knowing that your daycare meets (and hopefully exceeds) childcare standards, means you can leave your little one knowing they’re in safe hands.

So, what are the important elements to look for when first enrolling a child into childcare? Of course service cleanliness, a quality program, a well-maintained environment, a welcoming team and security should all be high on the list of essential standards. But what about finding a long day care setting that ensures your child is not just cared for but is a Happy Healthy Learner?

A childcare service needs to provide an environment that inspires learning early through inspiring hearts, developing minds and nurturing needs. Consider these five standards when researching a childcare for your child:

1. A UNITED TEAM A workplace is only as effective as the people who work within it. The length of service of staff, not only in that business but also within the industry, will provide you with an idea of the level of experience your childcare has to offer. Positive and caring interaction with children is of the utmost importance and a united team of qualified and experienced educators creates an environment that ensures stability for both the child and the family. Happy healthy educators equal happy healthy learners!

2. CHILDREN’S MEALS If your childcare includes children’s meals, ensure that you understand the process of how the menus plans are developed and how meals are prepared.

A quality service will go through many steps before finalising a meal plan for their children, including analysing a meal’s nutritional value, child’s age and their dietary requirements. Ensuring little tummies are filled with the right foods means their minds are best-prepared to explore the world!

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

3. INCLUSION PROGRAMS From languages and sport to music and drama, there are so many opportunities available to children to extend their learning. It is important to introduce them to new programs at an early age, developing their minds through different experiences.

We know and appreciate the value of a quality program in a child’s first five years and the positive impact of a second language for their future learning. Does your childcare offer these opportunities? And if they do, are they included in the daily fee or is this an extra expense?

4. DIGITAL COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS The majority of families seeking childcare consist of working parents who are time poor. Through digital communication platforms, families are able to become a part of their child’s day, even though they were not there in person. This allows for transparency on what is happening during the day, and provides a sense of inclusion and security for the parent(s).

5. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE What is embedded into the service to educate your child on the importance of sustainability? This should not only be reflected through the service philosophy, but in the environment as you walk through. Our children are our next generation so it is important that we are teaching them how they can look after our earth.

With these five considerations in mind, you are well on the way to choosing a great daycare setting that will make that first good-bye a tiny bit easier, safe in the knowledge that your most precious child is in an environment that will help them thrive as they learn and grow.

Childcare and Kindergarten is the start of preparing children for a future of learning. Sesame Lane, located in the Moreton Region with 14 long daycare settings encourages children to reach their full potential. Their goal is to inspire learning early by supporting children at every stage of their developmental journey. Marnie Testa - General Manager, Operations Sesame Lane www.sesamelane.com.au

Toddlers Feature

WHEN YOU’RE A TODDLER,

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Luckily when it’s ALL about toddlers, we’re here to help with a bunch of useful resources on our website for parents with ‘on the go’ toddlers. If you’re looking for ideas to keep your toddler entertained and learning, we’ve got a tonne of informative articles on our website just for you (I mean your toddler!)

TODDLER FRIENDLY POOLS

We’ve left no stone unturned to find you all the local public swimming pools that are suitable for toddlers. Get your toddler out in the sunshine and enjoy a great public swimming pool that caters for their needs.

Go to: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/toddler-friendly-pools-inbrisbane

KINDERGYM FOR BRISBANE TODDLERS

Physical play is what being a toddler is ALL about! There’s nothing like rolling, tumbling, jumping and faceplanting to fulfill sensory needs and teach little people a host of skills. If you’ve got a Brisbane toddler, Kindergym or Toddler Gymnastics classes can help your little one develop in so many ways!

Go to: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/kindergym-brisbane

FREE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR ‘ON THE GO’ TODDLER

Life with a toddler is a whole new ball game. They have limitless energy, endless hunger (for triangle sandwiches, not yucky square ones) and are guaranteed to keep you on your toes. If you need free things to do in

Brisbane with toddlers when you’ve done EVERY SINGLE PARK a thousand times… check out this great list of ideas to get you out and about.

Go to: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/free-toddler-activities-brisbane

10 CLASSIC BOOKS FOR TODDLERS

It’s never too soon to encourage a love of books and reading in your little ones. Sharing a book with your toddler is a great way to spend quality time together, settle them at bedtime and develop early literacy. Your toddler’s favourite storybooks will hold a special place in their memory for life. How many of our favourite 10 have you and your little one read?

Go to: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/classic-books-toddlers

7 TODDLER FRIENDLY SPORTS TO START THIS SUMMER

Toddlers are the kings and queens of movin’ and shakin’ so there is no better a time to get them involved in the great world of toddler friendly sports. We’ve listed 7 totally toddler friendly sports in & around Brisbane for you and your blossoming family to start this summer. Playing sports gives toddlers the perfect opportunity to learn the rules of communication; build those gross motor skills and have fun. They will also benefit from working as a team, honing their listening skills, building concentration and using their determination to reach goals.

Go to: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ toddler-friendly-sports

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Toddlers Feature

PLAY WITH PURPOSE: How good playground design can up the benefits of your child's play time We are constantly learning so much about the positive effects of play in our early developmental years. Unstructured and free play allows children to do what comes naturally to them – make up their own games, develop their own rules, explore the world with gusto. Developing physical skills, learning cooperative play and growing their creativity - PLAY IS VITAL in a child’s development.

Skills developed in physical education in the early years are just as important for success later in life as intellectual development, although the value of a well-designed playspace is so often put second.

The VALUE OF PLAY – Getting the balance right “Imaginative play needs to be protected from the threat of tight schedules, the early take up of TV, DVD’s and computer games… an intense focus on early achievement and a lack of opportunity to take chances and learn limits” Dr Caunt – Child and Adolescent Health Service Children are spending an increased amount of time in childcare settings with little other exposure to play time outdoors. Children and Nature Network’s Robyn Bjorrnson backs these truths and believes children need to engage in outdoor play to hone in on creativity and their individuality.

“Children who regularly experience nature play are healthier, happier, and test better in school. Studies indicate that direct exposure to nature can relieve the symptoms of attention-deficit disorders, improve resistance to stress and depression, increase self-esteem, stimulate cognitive development and creativity, as well as reduce myopia and lower child obesity.”

Whether on an innovative play structure or in the garden, children playing outside are more apt to stretch their imaginations, along with their muscles, playing more freely as they leap from one adventure to another. Interactive and sensory experiences in the playground need to be designed specifically to cater for the varying developmental stages of the junior years, offering a platform for children to grow, learn and have fun in a healthy environment.

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

Play becomes an integrating mechanism that allows children to apply their learning into body management, cause and effect, risk taking and learning to do things for themselves, exploring and challenging their boundaries along the way.

In a well-considered playspace, curious minds are invited through PLAY to develop their skills in six key areas: physical, cognitive, sensory/motor, emotional/social and language. Equipment incorporated into early learning childcare environments should provide a stimulating diversity to nurture development and exploration in these key areas.

Well-designed playgrounds encourage young children to become independent, inquisitive learners, gain confidence in their physical skills and form positive relationships with their peers. Imaginative playscape designs offer age-appropriate challenges that help children build physical strength, flexibility, balance and dexterity – achieved alongside a sense of wonderment.

Successful design involves consideration of a number of critically linked elements:

Integration – Maximising the integration of play opportunities for children of all abilities – each child learns and develops at their own rate with their own needs. Consideration given to a play environment’s suitability within “ability demographics” provides greater usability, especially tailoring to particular special needs.

Toddlers Feature

Children who regularly experience nature play are healthier, happier, and test better in school.

PLAY IS VITAL in a child's development Social – When children play together, they encourage each other to develop in ways that they couldn’t do alone. Social play lets children – of the same or varying abilities – integrate previous sensory knowledge with new experiences to expand their understanding of the world.

Tactile – Children touch everything because it’s the most dependable sensory system. It’s also the first to develop and the longest to stay in our lives. Tactile input received from play experiences helps the brain organise information for developing visual and auditory systems and helps the nervous system organise all the sensory information from the environment.

Proprioceptive – Body Position/Muscle – Sense Proprioceptive receptors are found in muscles, tendons and joints. When a child moves, these receptors tell their brain about body position and how much force is needed for an activity. The playground should have a wide variety of experiences that allow children to use their muscles in different combinations.

Vestibular – Balance/Movement - Vestibular receptors are in the inner ear and tell the child how their body moves through space and against gravity. This input is important for developing proper balance, posture and protecting the body against gravity. The playground should provide opportunities for children to move through space, allowing them to experience gravity in a variety of positions and speeds.

Visual – We depend on sight the most. Colours, visual patterns and light reflection need to be considered within the playground design to provide a variety of visual experiences for children of all abilities.

Auditory – Children often hear a broad range of sounds that can

Motor Planning – Motor Planning involves the thinking of the steps it takes to complete an activity, then implementing the plan. For instance, children have to plan where their feet and hands go while climbing and then do it to move higher.

Imaginative – Imaginative Play is the ability to create new worlds through playful interaction, as children turn make-believe ideas into real world experiences. A playground that supports sensory exploration allows all children to have this powerful make-believe play experience.

Cognitive – Learning by doing – Cause and effect challenges, educational topics, names, shapes, measurements and colours are all part of the cognitive influence on the playground.

Specialising in the design and construction of holistic play environments, Playscape Creations puts smiles on children’s faces by building better playgrounds that meet and exceed all SAFETY STANDARDS and engage all seven senses through our unique sensory design methodology.

Providing stimulating, well designed playspaces that keep young minds and bodies active, safe and healthy - it’s just what we do!

Written by Amanda Sutherland, Playscape Creations All images courtesy of Playscape Creations

See page 31 to find out how your childcare setting can WIN a brand new piece of playground equipment from Playscape Creations.

enhance or hinder their play experiences. The design of a playground should provide for a variety of sound opportunities for children.

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Toddlers Feature

How to prepare your toddler for driving Isn’t it too soon?

can detect hazards, understand these hazards, and project how these hazards might change and might result in a crash.

Some parents or carers with a toddler may think that preparing them for driving is quite ridiculous – it will be at least 14 years before they get behind the wheel, so why start now?!?! As a mother of teenagers (one of whom has a Learner licence) it didn’t occur to me that I should start teaching ‘driving’ to my children when they were toddlers. I wish it had! Rather, it is only through my own studies, and then through my own research, that I realised the importance of starting early, and teaching often.

Unfortunately, it can take many years to build situation awareness skills, and young drivers are most vulnerable to being hurt or killed in a car crash when they start driving independently with a red P plate (the first provisional licence). Therefore, much of my efforts focus on trying to reduce risks for young drivers by building situation awareness skills before they no longer can draw on parents and carers driving experience sitting in the seat right next to them.

Why is road safety important for my child?

Despite what many parents believe, learning to drive is actually the safest time for a young driver. I know, it can be scary and I too have screamed as I thought my Learner was going to kill us in a crash! Why is it so safe? The main reason is that an experienced driver like parents and carers usually sit in the passenger seat. Experienced drivers play a really important role in teaching safe road use such as learning how to use complex infrastructure like roundabouts and traffic lights. parents and carers also play a vital role in detecting, and then appropriately responding, to hazards. This helps the young driver to build situation awareness skills, in which they themselves

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

There are two realities you need to know to help keep your child safe as a young driver: 1. You are already teaching your toddler to drive, even if you don’t know it.

2. It is never too soon to start teaching road safety.

You are already teaching your toddler to drive, even if you don’t know it Think about what your child notices about your behaviour and your speech. I am sure we can all recall at least one toddler (maybe our own?) who has uttered a swear word at a completely inopportune time. Their

Toddlers Feature parents or carers often freak out because they didn’t realise that their child had heard them swearing– let alone remembered and repeated the swear word, quite perfectly I might add – and of course they didn’t intentionally teach the child to drop an F-bomb. Think about trying to hide a chocolate bar in your shopping trolley with an ever-observant toddler lurking. Even today, living with two teens, it is near-impossible to hide a chocolate bar in our house, let alone in a shopping trolley.

From the moment you turn the baby seat around so that your child faces the forward roadway, they are watching everything you do on the road, and they are listening to everything you say about the road. I have heard toddlers repeat that ‘police always try to book people because the government wants more money’ and that parents have been ‘picked on by speed cameras’.

Monkey see, Monkey do, is never more valid than in road safety: We know that young drivers are likely to have the same attitudes towards the road that their parents have, so it is vital that you show that you have safe attitudes towards the road throughout your child’s lifetime, and that you want them to be safe on the road. We know that young drivers are likely to drive the same way that their parents drive, so it is vital that you show your child that you drive safely and that you want them to be safe drivers when they grow up. We know that if young drivers don’t think their parents will care about how they drive, and that they will not punish risky driving behaviour like speeding or drink-driving, young drivers will be more risky on the roads. Therefore, it is important that you directly encourage safe driving by modelling safe driving yourself, by punishing unsafe road use, and by rewarding safe road use by your child.

It is never too soon to start teaching road safety Learning how to drive actually starts long before they get behind the wheel. As I noted above, the first time your toddler will learn to use the road safely will be when you turn the baby seat around. The next time is when you push them in a pram and they are sitting upright, observing everything around them as you traverse car parks, footpaths, and congested areas like shopping centre and doctor’s office entrances.

Be sure to cross the road only where it is safe to do so, using pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. Encourage your child to make eye contact with the driver to be sure that the driver sees you waiting and stops the car, therefore it is safe to cross the road. Continue this safe road use especially when your toddler is walking beside you, and hold their hand to show that you care about their safety and that they should try and be safe whenever they are near a roadway. This includes safe road use crossing, and safe footpath use. You are well on the way to building situation awareness skills upon which they can draw when they are a young driver.

The next important road safety stage is when your toddler starts riding a bicycle. To be safe on a bicycle, they need to wear a helmet to protect their delicate brain. Most importantly, as parents or carers you need to know that they cannot understand all of the risks with riding a bicycle, and that they should use bicycle paths only.

When they are bigger and more experienced with riding, you may decide that your child can use dedicated bicycle lanes on roads, or that they can ride their bicycle to school. An important part of this step will be helping your child to understand how their bicycle can safely share the road with other road

users, including cars, trucks, and buses. This is another opportunity to build situation awareness skills that are going to help keep them safe as a young driver.

Learning to drive, and being safe on the road, starts long before your child gets their Learner licence Your child is learning to drive, and learning to be safe on the road, for many years even before they get their Learner licence. This period is the perfect opportunity to turn safe road use into a habit. This period is also the perfect opportunity to help them build situation awareness skills which will not improve their safety outside the vehicle, but also when they are a young driver who is vulnerable to distractions like a mobile phone or a friend travelling as passenger.

Remember also that we are all sharing the road, whether we are pedestrians, cyclists, or travelling in a vehicle. Therefore, there will be times when it is safer, and sometimes it is simply polite, to let others use the road before us. Encourage your toddler to think about how to stay safe themselves, and how to share the road safely and politely, throughout their lifetime.

Dr Bridie Scott-Parker is a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow with more than a decade of expertise in young and novice driver road safety. She is the leader of the Adolescent Risk Research Unit (ARRU) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a research unit focusing on improving the health and wellbeing of all adolescents.

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Toddlers Feature

IMA

N I G

T A

V I

E

P

Y A L

Cardboard Boxes and Wrapping Paper Most parents have watched in amazement as a small child spends more time playing with the wrapping paper, ribbon and box than they do playing with the toy the paper and box enclosed. Children love creative, imaginative play with normal household items. This experience is wonderful for stimulating a child’s cognitive development; however Professor Howard Chudacoff, from Brown University, has stated: "the resourcefulness of children's culture has eroded, as children have become less skilled at transforming everyday objects into playthings."

The genius of play Apocryphal stories of creative, innovative, individuals describe the interaction between relaxation and play as catalysts for extraordinary creations, insights and discoveries. Leonardo da Vinci, widely regarded as being one of the most extraordinary creators of all time, was creative across numerous fields. Da Vinci is renowned for his doodling, mind-maps and divergent thought processes that connected disparate concepts, as evidenced in his remaining notebooks. Whether in artistic or engineering fields, his creations came from his vivid imagination. “The great Leonardo continued to play as a child throughout his adult life” is how Sigmund Freud later described him.

Michael Gelb, in his book “Discover Your Genius”, explores the lives of geniuses and identifies ways in which we can all learn from them. He writes that Albert Einstein “…is the perfect guide to some of the least sophisticated powers we all have, the childlike sense of play, possibility,

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

and humor that is the essence of his genius.” As a child, Einstein loved to construct, making huge houses out of playing cards and building objects with wheels. Howard Gardner called Einstein “the Perennial Child”. On one occasion, Einstein imagined he was riding on a sunbeam out into the universe. He was surprised when, in his imagination, he returned to the same place from where he left. This experience prompted him to think about the universe and Einstein’s famous Theory of Relativity emerged.

Our marvelous imaginations Einstein described this creative process as “combinatory play” and identified how he used imagination and associative play as a stimulus for a second, more verbal stage of the creative process. You may be familiar with Einstein’s quote about imagination, but within the context of considering the importance of imaginary play, it is worth considering the whole quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.

For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

Archimedes conceived the concept of water displacement (later known as Archimedes’ Principle) while relaxing in his bath. It was reported that he ran naked down the street, excitedly shouting “Eureka! Eureka!” following his discovery. When an individual is in a state of deep relaxation, Theta brainwaves generate insight and high levels of creativity by enabling access of the subconscious mind.

Toddlers Feature

...the resourcefulness of children's culture has eroded, as children have become less skilled at transforming everyday objects into playthings...

F R O M O U R E A R LY E D U C AT I O N E X P E R T A N D C O LU M N I S T

LOUISE CARLILE

As parents and carers we learn very quickly that you can’t hide anything from a toddler’s attention. They don’t miss a thing! It proves that they are constantly switched on…ready to go…they are always learning.

That leaves us adults needing to be very aware of how powerful our behaviour is; specifically: • our own language • our own actions and • our own reactions.

And there would not be one of us who has not been caught out once/many times before.

See, sense and stretch – with household items Laura Seargeant Richardson, principal designer at global innovation firm, frog design, and author, refers to play as “our greatest natural resource.” She highlights the need for children to be able to “manipulate, morph and move”; maintaining they should be provided with opportunities to deconstruct, think flexibly, be tolerant of change, play productively and think ‘with their hands’. She emphasises the importance of children’s abilities to “see, sense and stretch” through thinking abstractly, systematically; observing and imagining; experiencing empathy and intrinsic motivation. By experiencing what Richardson describes as the four foundational pillars of play: open environments, flexible tools, modifiable rules, and ‘superpowers’, children are able to explore creative opportunities while developing the physical and mental skills that will enable them to thrive, now and in the future.

Parents who encourage unstructured, imaginative play and provide opportunities for free play without time constraints facilitate the development of important thought processes that will have benefits for children in school and throughout life. Access to normal household items, such as: a cardboard box, sheet, broom, and chair, will provide children with opportunities to create special, imaginative constructions, e.g. sailing ship, castle, spacecraft, tent, house or alternatives. Critical cognitive processes, in particular executive functions, such as planning, focus and problem-solving, required for academic success, are developed through such unstructured play. Children who have opportunities to play grow up to be imaginative adults who are effective problem solvers, creators, innovators and inventors.

We all lead busy lives and children gain many skills from participation in extracurricular activities, but it is important to ensure there is sufficient time available for free, unstructured, imaginative play alone and in conjunction with other children. Growing minds need time to read, to play, to imagine and to dream. © Michele Juratowitch. Michele Juratowitch is Director of Clearing Skies She was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate the needs of gifted students and their families. Michele is co-author of Make a Twist: Curriculum differentiation for gifted students and the research report, Releasing the brakes for high-ability students. A Seminar for Parents of gifted children will be held in Brisbane on Sunday, 30th October. To register for the seminar: https://www.trybooking.com/MQGU

To not be overwhelmed by this however, is just to rationalise our approach to parenting.

Choose behaviours, responses and make decisions within a context of values you have agreed upon as the parent/s or carer/s. And the fundamental thing… to model these behaviours with consistency and fairness, with open communication and respect. A child will learn foremost from us the parents and then their environment. We are very keen these days to claim a child responsible for their own behaviour but let’s not forget that many behaviours are not innate they are learned and nurtured for the significant people around them.

It may be a very difficult task at times and w all know there a many and varied challenges but stick to the path and the rewards will grow with your child.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Louise Carlile is the founder and director of Wee Make Music, Early Childhood Music Program in Brisbane. She is a passionate ambassador for the extensive benefits of music education in early childhood development.

Wee Make Music offer reputable programs for babies through to pre-prep children in Wilston, New Farm and Bulimba. www.weemakemusic.com.au info@weemakemusic.com.au Wait lists may apply

e Make M e W u si c

E: michele@clearingskies.com.au W: www.clearingskies.com.au P: 3378 0888 M: 0438 744 994

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Local Clubs & Classes Directory

Clubs, Classes & Activities

around Greater Brisbane for adults and children aged 0 - 17.

If you would like a listing for your club, class or activity in our next issue’s inclusive directory, contact us now!

Email: Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Compiled by Regina Gleeson NS = Northside SS = Southside

CLASSES FOR ADULTS

well-being and health of their male members.  1300 550 009  www.mensshed.org

Hands On Brisbane (NS) Their arts and crafts workshops are conducted by some of Brisbane’s finest artisans to give you a hands on approach to learning your new skill. With many classes also providing the materials you need to start straight away, all you need to do is turn up and start creating!

Workshops are held in Brisbane City at The Gardens Club, in the heart of the Brisbane City Botanic Garden.  3012 9606  www.handsonbrisbane.com

Ministry of Handmade (NS) They are passionate about handmade and teach traditional made-byhand skills with a modern twist! In a busy world, slow the pace with us for a bit… learn some new skills (or revisit an old one), refresh your spirit, make some new friends.  0414 467 405  www.ministryofhandmade.com.au

Brisbane Sings (NS & SS) This site is a free community service which is building to be a comprehensive list of all singing groups in Brisbane and surrounding areas. It lists all types of singing groups including choirs, toning groups, barbershop, a cappella, sacred music, musical society, singing workshops and other singing groups - basically anywhere in this region where you can go to have a sing!  www.spectrumfireworks.com.au/brissings

CareerSmart Mums

(NS) Struggling to find your way back to work?

CareerSmart Mums is a proven program which gives you the skills, confidence and support to revitalise your career.

Engage in a flexible online course, or in-person workshop over 4 sessions at Everton Park.

Participants receive a comprehensive career guide, ongoing support, monthly newsletter and Facebook network to accelerate your successful return to work. The program is delivered by qualified career coach and mum, Donna Thistlethwaite. Next in-person workshop starts 31 October.

Call Donna to learn more on 0419 120 601 or visit CareerSmart Mums on Facebook and www.careervitality.com.au.

Flipside Circus (NS) Leave your dramas, inhibitions and spandex at the door and avoid crowded gym rooms and repetitive workouts. Achieve fitness goals in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Learn circus tricks that will amaze your friends (and yourself!) All circus activities are scalable to suit your individual goals.  3352 7233  www.flipsidecircus.org.au Forum Communicators (NS & SS) Be a better speaker. Toss your speaking fears out the window and come along to Forum. You will improve your public speaking skills in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, and even enjoy yourself. The WILL to become a confident speaker is all you need, the time to join is now.  3266 3521  www.forumcommunicators.asn.au Mad Dance House (NS & SS) Offering over 120 classes a week in a stack of different styles: Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Popping, Locking, Tap, Hip Hop in Heels, Lyrical Hip Hop, Girly Style Street Jazz, Urban Contemporary, Commercial Jazz and fitness classes. No need to book- just rock up 10-15 mins before the start of your chosen class.  3210 6724  www.maddance.com.au Men’s Shed (NS & SS) An organisation that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time in the company of other men. A major objective is to advance the

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Stork, Baby and You (SS) Experienced midwife of 34 years offers private, personalised education sessions on birth & parenting in the convenience of your home. Sue will travel from Byron Bay to Redcliffe. For 3+ hours she is able to discuss topics relating to your needs & wishes. She will also lend you a couple of dvd’s to look at after she leaves. Contact Sue Butler.  0411 854 443  www.antenatalclasses.com.au The Actors Workshop (SS) Supplying nationally recognised training pathways to school leavers and mature age students seeking dedicated vocational training as a Film, Television and Theatre Actor.  3891 1411  www.theactorsworkshop.com.au

Paediatric First Aid Courses Injury prevention and first aid instruction (NS & SS) Recommended for pregnant couples, parents, grandparents, babysitters and other carers of children, this 4.5hr programme includes an in depth injury prevention talk followed by practical paediatric first aid including CPR for babies and toddlers. Kidsafe QLD  3854 1829  www.kidsafeqld.com.au Kids First Aid (NS & SS) The only first aid courses delivered exclusively by experienced paramedics, designed to teach parents and caregivers how to respond calmly and confidently to 10 of the most common first aid emergencies situations.  1300 138 133  www.kidsfirstaid.com.au St John Ambulance Queensland (NS) This course is designed to meet the first aid needs of parents, guardians and members of the public who may be entrusted with the care of babies and children up to 12 years of age. This course provides the knowledge and skills to manage everyday emergency situations.  1300 360 455  www.stjohn.org.au

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN Arts & Craft Fox Blocks (NS) Fox Blocks is an innovative creative construction programme that uses a variety of materials such as Lego, Duplo, K’nex, and Fischertechnik, as well as everyday objects. There are 4 different age levels for children from 3.5 years to Grade 7. Each term has a different theme, and each class builds new proficiencies.  3855 1528  www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au Mum & Me (NS) Art classes Pullenvale art studio, classes for children (Ages 5 to 12) and adults. School holiday programs, evening adult classes and art parties available. Delivered by an experienced art teacher, with unique programs that ignite your creativity within. All materials supplied  www.artsubject.biz or call Teresa  0410 652 450 Tania’s Arthouse (SS) Professional studio on the bayside that provides weekly art classes for all ages, from Prep up to yr 12. Fun & creative activities in a purpose built environment.  0422 497 627  www.taniasarthouse.com ZoomArt for Kids (NS) Art classes for children in a fun and friendly environment. 6 different age levels

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

from 2 yrs to Grade 12. Designed for the intentional development of the child’s skills, observations, thinking, and experiences in the visual arts.  3855 1528  www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au

Cooking Classes Come & Cook (NS) Based in The Gap, Come and Cook teach core cooking skills to small groups in a commercial-class kitchen. Led by a highly experienced teacher who owned a cooking business in London for 7 years. Benefits; fussy eaters, creative chefs, skills-based learning, building confidence, following recipe methods, cookbook and dishes to take away. After-school and school holiday workshops available for 8-12 years and 13+ years  0488 249 595  www.comeandcook.com.au In My Own Kitchen (NS) With 15 years of professional cooking under her belt, Chef Luisa brings her talent, joy and passion for cooking to the young and young at heart. In My Own Kitchen Jnr is designed to teach kitchen confidence and fun to children from 6-15. Taught by a professional chef, the classes are designed to be easy and safe, one-on-one or in groups. Classes can be held in your own kitchen or in a professional classroom kitchen in Brisbane North. Each lesson aims to bring food from the garden to the table, educating kids about how their food grows, how to make delicious recipes from fresh ingredients.  0423 450 363  www.inmyownkitchen.com Cutie Pies Baking School (SS) Does your little one love to be creative in the kitchen? Cutie Pies Baking School is where your child can mix, knead, roll, ice and decorate his or her own yummy creations! Have all the fun and leave the mess!  0426 967 055  www.cutiepiesbakingschool.com

LANGUAGE & BABY DEVELOPMENT Calm Bubs Infant Massage (SS) delivers the 'First Touch Program' to parents of babies from birth to 12 months. The Program consists of 5 sessions each lasting 1 - 1 1/2 hours a week. Classes are limited to 8 families so parents and carers receive In depth one-on-one attention from a fully qualified instructor.  0407 031 746  www.calmbubsinfantmassage.com.au Flipside Circus (NS) Flipside circus offers classes for people aged 1 and up! Their Wriggles and Giggles classes introduce toddlers and parents to the world of circus through fun, interactive workshops designed to improve gross and fine motor skills, social development and physical abilities.  3352 7233  www.flipsidecircus.org.au LCF Fun Languages (SS) Designed over 25 years, their methodology teaches French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, English and German with a fun and active approach that will get your child using the language quickly and naturally.  1300 707 288  www.lcfclubs.com.au TumbleTastics (NS & SS) offers fun, educational fitness and development classes for babies from birth to children aged 7 years. Running for 50 minutes, TumbleTastics include age appropriate activities to assist all aspects of a child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development, in preparation for school readiness. Now open at Hawthorne and Everton Hills.  www.tumbletastics.com.au  Mention Families Magazine for your FREE Trial Class by calling Hawthorne 3399 2004 & Everton Hills 3355 1550

Local Clubs & Classes Directory Sign Language Baby Sensory Hawthorne (SS) They use a combination of original and traditional songs and rhymes to develop early communication skills and you will always remember the moment your baby first uses the signs of their Say Hello song which is played at the beginning of each Baby Sensory class.  3399 2004  www.babysensory.com.au Deaf Services Queensland (SS) Baby Sign is designed for parents to learn basic Auslan key word signs for babies and children who are hearing or deaf, between 2 mths and 5 yrs. Infants naturally use smiling, cooing, crying and movement to communicate their needs/feelings so it is common for babies to use their hands to communicate long before they can speak.  3892 8500  www.deafservicesqld.org.au

ACTIVITY CENTRES Bounce Inc (SS) They believe everyone wants to fly though the air and bounce off the walls. So they have created Bounce Inc – a massive indoor trampoline universe packed with lots of high octane, extreme, fun things to do.  1300 000 540  www.bounceinc.com.au Bay Play (SS) Bay Play Cleveland is an Australiana themed, indoor play centre, with a difference. No other play centre will offer you the opportunity to interact and play with your children the way Bay Play Cleveland does. Catering for ages 6 months - 16 yrs (and beyond!) their array of activities, events and attractions is fun for the whole family.  3821 7772  www.bayplaycleveland.com.au Chipmunks Playland & Café (NS & SS) Visit Chipmunks for unlimited play for kids aged 0 – 11 years old and relax over a coffee or lunch with friends and family at their café in one of their 3 Brisbane locations. They feature state of the art equipment and are fully air-conditioned, clean and comfortable.

They also have party facilities.  www.chipmunks.com.au Crank Indoor Climbing - Macgregor (SS) The largest indoor kids climbing area in Brisbane. Great for your next kid’s party (5yrs+). Filled with colourful creative fun climbs, a cargo net, a slackline and a mini caving tunnel. At $20 for 2 hours (min.10 kids) it is great value (no climbing experience is necessary as one of their friendly staff will show you the ropes).

For the older kids they also have after school classes in both rock climbing and Parkour. With the best instructors in Brisbane they will be trained safely to overcome any obstacle.  brisbaneclimbing@gmail.com

Rainbow City Children’s Playcentre & Cafe (SS) Rainbow City offers unique services especially for children under 8 years old. Not only do they offer soft play and big play structures, but they also offer young children a place to have fun – they have their imaginative and innovative play in mind. Air conditioned and free Wi-Fi.  3290 0434  www.rainbowcplaycentre.com.au Skyzone Indoor Trampoline Park (SS) Sky Zone Macgregor isn’t just any indoor trampoline park. It is hundreds of trampolines, connected to form a single massive trampoline that literally allows you to jump off the walls. And if that’s not enough excitement for you Sky Zone Macgregor has Skyland - a 3 storey laser tag arena that holds up to 40 players battling it out in a cloud-filled wonderland. That’s right, you read correctly. A trampoline park with laser tag! So what are you waiting for?  13 75 99  www.skyzone.com.au Tiddlywinks Dance & Play Café (NS) Tiddlywinks Dance and Play Cafe is a family owned and operated entertainment venue, providing a unique dance and play experience for children up to 11 years old. They also have dance programmes and party facilities.  3266 8484  www.tiddlywinks.com.au We Play (SS) are the best family fun centres in Australia, offering entertainment, games and activities for children of all ages, facilities for corporate events and parties for children and adults alike. Our locations offer a huge soft play structure, exciting ball and laser games, mini-golf, ride-on cars and a gourmet cafe, all in a fully air-conditioned, clean and safe environment.  www.weplay4fun.com.au Xtreme Indoor Trampoline Centre (SS) The ceiling really is the limit at Xtreme and with dedicated adventure zones throughout the trampoline arena.

Practice your flips and tricks on their longest tramp and land in a cushion of air. Shoot to new heights on three massive Olympic trampolines. Try out their newest radical sport called ‘Jump and Bump’; use your bubble suit to bump your opponents out of the way and make it to the other side. Be quick on your feet and jump into a Dodge Ball game. Even though their trampoline arena is seriously Xtreme they also cater for Mini Jumpers who are aged 3-5.  1300 586 787  www.xtremetrampoline.com.au

YMM: Yoga, Massage and Music - A lovely bonding 45 minute sensory class for mums with newborns to 8 month old babies. (currently a National award nominee) Bubs music and movement classes for toddlers under 2: Dance, parachutes, bubbles puppets & fun. Tots Music: - Fun and educational music classes for 2-4 year old children. Keyboard Kids/Recorder Rock Stars: Small group classes of either Keyboard or Recorders for children aged 4-6 years. A fun after school activity. Crèche Casual Child Care: Need a break or have things to do? drop your child off to the super fun and educational Crèche on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s for occasional care when you need it. CCB approved.  0423 032 591 www.neighbourhoodcreche.com.au Info@neighbourhoodcreche.com.au Queensland Show Choir (NS & SS) With programs for babies up to adults, QSC provides quality music education and choral experiences for the whole family. The benefits of early childhood music can be seen in many areas from language development to social skills, not to mention it’s great fun!  3257 4905  www.queenslandshowchoir.com.au Wee Make Music (NS & SS) Classes are essential early development sessions where age appropriate activities using beat, rhythm, language and movement empower a love of music and learning in babies through pre-prep age children. So much fun and so beneficial for general cognitive, musical and social development. Free visit class for all. Bulimba, New Farm, Wilston.  0434 357 764  www. weemakemusic.com.au Young Conservatorium (NS & SS) Operating under Open Conservatorium Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, this is the program of choice for families seeking a pedagogically sound music education. Positions are available in Early Childhood Music, Young Beginner, Developing Musician and Senior Tuition in classical /contemporary; Wind, String, Chamber, Vocal, Jazz and Symphonic Ensembles; and composition.  www.griffith.edu. au/music/young-conservatorium

SPORTS & EXERCISE Australian Parkour Association (NS & SS) A philosophy and method of movement through any environment with speed and efficiency. The concept is to overcome all physical and mental obstacles in your path by using your body and mind to run, climb, jump and vault. 1800 759 015  www.brisbaneparkour.com.au

Flip Out (NS) It’s a flipping fun activity that is taking the world by storm. And now it has come to Strathpine. This trampoline arena includes a main arena, mini arena (under 10s), slam time (basketball), wall runners, foam pit & Olympic trampolines, mini foam pit, inflatable (under 5s), party rooms and a café.  3205 999  www.flipout.net.au/flip-out-indoortrampoline-arena-strathpine Flipside Circus (NS) Go to Flipside Circus on Sundays to play, train and amaze! Sunday Circus is Flipside’s open space to explore the different circus apparatus they have, play with your friends, learn new tricks and amaze yourself and others with the fabulous things you can do. 9am to 12pm for Beginners and those very new to circus.  3352 7233  www.flipsidecircus.org.au

Neighbourhood Crèche (NS) A creative community business offering affordable early childhood classes and care for children aged 0-6.

Baseball Queensland (NS & SS) For boys and girls of all ages. Club competitions fall into the following age groups: Under 8 MighTee ball, U10 Rookie Ball, Little League (U12), Baseball - U14, U16 and U18  3876 2222  www.qld.baseball.com.au Brisbane Basketball (NS & SS) Basketball is a noncontact sport and provides a safe and enjoyable opportunity for players of all age groups.  3371 020  www.brisbane.basketball.net.au

MUSIC

Inflatable World (NS) It’s all about having fun, so bring the whole family and bounce on in to Inflatable World. It’s not just for the kids.  3266 5699  www.inflatableworldoz.com/qld

Gymboree (NS & SS) Award winning children’s Play & Learn Gym, Music & Art classes for 0-5yrs.

Designed by experts, the age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical & social skills of children as they play. Programs are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement which encourages participation in and understanding of each child’s development. Free trial available.  3878 2468  www.gymboree.com.au

Lollipop’s Playland & Café (NS &SS) Are great kids party venues or giving kids a treat while parents relax over a cup of coffee and a treat from their quality cafe. Their indoor play centres are safe and secure where kids can have hours of fun climbing, sliding, jumping and spinning. 4 Brisbane locations.  www.lollipopsplayland.com.au

Kindermusik at Flying Fox Studios (NS) Music and movement classes from newborn to 7 yrs.

Kindermusik classes encourage babies & children to develop language, social, emotional, & physical skills as well—all in the context of joyful, musically rich play!  3855 1528  www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au

Brisbane Martial Arts (NS & SS) Whether Taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is your preferred martial art, if you’re looking to start martial arts training, or take your training to the next level, there’s only one place to go, the home of martial arts in Brisbane.  1300 303 583  www.brisbanemartialarts.com.au Dipadees (NS) From their beautiful Baby Bubble Classes through to squads their professional teachers make learning fun while developing correct stroke technique and developing a lifelong love of water.

Concentrating is easier in the comfort of their heated, indoor pool and 25 meter lanes develop skills over distance as children progress. What better way to help fitness and coordination needed for swimming than by joining their other fitness activities. Kids LOVE their TumbleTastics Kind Gym program, embracing all aspects of development and with

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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Local Clubs & Classes Directory Horseriding

new and exciting themes kids are always engaged while they learn. Dipadees Dance – learn to dance without the fuss of rehearsals and concerts. Just plain and simple learn to dance well.  3355 1550  www.dipadees.com First Swing Golf (NS & SS) is grassroots golf for all ages (starting at 3 years) and all abilities. Their programs are the perfect mix of fun, physical activity, and instruction all in an inclusive environment teaching the basic golf FUNdamentals Sessions are 45 minutes in blocks of 6-10 week terms. MacGregor, Windaroo & Loganholme with new locations added regularly.  0432 740 073  www.firstswing.com.au Flipside Circus (NS) offer a wide range of classes from beginners to experienced from ages 0 - 100. There is something fun and suitable for every age and every ability. The classes are fast moving and full of action – never a moment to spare. Go and learn all the skills of the circus including tissu, static trapeze, lyra, juggling, hoops, acro balance and tumbling.  3352 7233  www.flipsidecircus.org.au Gymnastics Queensland (NS & SS) Gymnastics is one of the most fundamental and exciting of all physical activities. Basic gymnastic skills develop attributes that are perfect stepping stones for other sports, activities and life in general.  3036 5600  www.gymqld.org.au Hockey Queensland (NS & SS) Hockey is a team sport, children learn the value of working with others. They figure out how to rely on teammates and understand that cooperation is key to success.  3399 6577  www.hockeyqld.com.au Junior Golf Queensland (NS & SS) Golf is a great game for juniors/students/children as it is a healthy game that one can play for their whole life. Golf has special qualities that can have powerful and lasting impacts on young people’s self-image, personal development and confidence. 3252 8155  www.juniorgolfqueensland.org.au Life Stream (NS & SS) Facilitates a wide range of opportunities specifically in South East Queensland for people with an intellectual disability to participate, develop skills and be active members of their communities. Life Stream believes that through participation in community activities, recreation, leisure & sport and having friendships and responsibilities, people develop skills and lead healthy, active and meaningful lives.  3394 4399  www.lifestream.org.au Little Athletics Queensland (NS & SS) A uniquely Australian sport for children 5-16 years. Based upon the sport of athletics (track & field) the events are specially modified to suit the ages and abilities of children. A wide range of running, jumping, throwing and walking events is conducted.  3255 9436  www.qlaa.asn.au Netball Queensland (NS & SS) For young children interested in playing netball for the first time, there is NetSetGo! This program is for children (girls and boys) aged 5-10 and is designed for teaching the basics of netball while fostering fun and friendship in a team environment.  3848 6330  www.netballq.org.au

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Ready Steady Go Kids is Australia’s most reputable multi-sport and exercise program for pre-schoolers (aged 2.5-6 years). They have been operating since 2004 and currently run classes at Oxley, Tennyson, Bray Park and North Lakes with new classes added regularly. It is a physiodesigned program teaching children the fundamentals of 10 different sports in a fun, non-competitive, team-based environment.

Classes are 45 minutes covering 5 sports per term. The program has a structure that is repeated each week so children become familiar with the routine. Ready Steady Go Kids seeks to develop lifelong passion for physical activity and sport.  www.readysteadygokids.com.au  1300 766 892 Rugbytots (NS & SS) is a specifically designed play program for children aged 2 to 7 using the multiple skills of both rugby codes to create a fun and enjoyable environment whilst also developing social and psychological skills Divided into three age groups, Rugbytots combines the key aspects of team sports with a fun first interactive approach.  0404 343 02  www.rugbytots.com.au Tennis Queensland (NS & SS) Tennis Queensland Registration is automatically included when you join your local affiliated club as a member. This will also give you access to all the exclusive benefits that the club chooses to offer. Find a club near you.  3120 7900  www.tennis.com.au YMCA Bowen Hills caters for all ages and abilities.

From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential  3851 8800  www.ymcabrisbane.org YMCA Acacia Ridge is a specialist gymnastic centre focussed on giving your child the best possible gymnastic experience. From 10 months to teens we cater for beginners and up to Level 7. Our friendly and experienced coaches ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.  3276 7793  www.ymcabrisbane.org YMCA Enoggera is a specialist gymnastic centre focussed on giving your child the best possible gymnastic experience. From 3 years to teens their friendly and experienced coaches ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.  3355 7176  www.ymcabrisbane.org

PCYC (NS & SS) Gym fun, kids dance, tiny tots, cheerleading, boxercise, teen yoga karate, tumble and stunt, glee club, circuit and gymnastics is just some of the activities at PCYCs. Please contact your local club to see what is on offer for you and your children.  3909 9555  www.pcyc.org.au

YMCA Jamboree Heights caters for all ages and abilities. From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.  3376 4266  www.ymcabrisbane.org

Queensland Cricket (NS & SS) These days, cricket offers some new and exciting formats for kids that won’t take up your whole weekend. Kids can take part in the Milo in2Cricket program, a fun way to get a taste of the sport. As their skills develop, they can transition into Milo T20 Blast and on to club cricket to continue a lifelong connection with the game.  3292 3100  www.qldcricket.com.au

YMCA Victoria Point caters for all ages and abilities. From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.  3820 5300  www.ymcabrisbane.org

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

Cherbon Waters (SS) Cherbon Waters’ facilities include a new fully lit 60m x 20 indoor arena (with an undercover viewing area), riding trails, round yards, stabling area, wash bays, safe fully-electrified paddocks.  0417 704 671  www.cherbonwaters.com.au Dalson Park Indoor Equestrian Centre (SS) Horse riding lessons are well priced and cover the use of Dalson Park ponies, tacked up by capable stable hands; the use of arenas, tack, saddles, helmet and boots and expert and encouraging instruction.  0448 034 514  www.dalsonpark.com.au Gumnuts (SS) Gumnuts is a 140 acre horse farm located in the Biddaddaba Valley. They offer a farm stay experience as well as horseriding, which is their primary focus. They have expanded to include day & ½ day riding tours operating from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane.  5543 0191  www.gumnutsfarm.com.au Heritage Riding (SS) It does not matter if you are a “first timer” or you are a current Junior Rider wanting to gain more competitive skills in Dressage or Jumping. They have a Horse/Pony and Qualified Instructor that will suit your needs, and give you a safe, fun, and enjoyable experience  3206 3951  www.heritageriding.com.au Indarra Equestrian Centre (SS) provides a safe riding environment with qualified, professional staff so you can enjoy your love of horses. You can choose either group (max 4 riders) or private lessons. Indarra also hold fun filled day and overnight camps during each school holidays  0409 475 040  www.indarraequestrian.com.au Kiah Park (SS) Offers 7 day horse riding farm stays for children ages 6yrs - teens every school holidays.

Includes full accommodation and each child is given their own pony/horse to love, care for and ride twice a day. Includes full accommodation, arena lessons, horse care – grooming & tacking up, trail rides and gymkhana. Fun night activities include night walk, talent show, camp fire with stories and marshmallow roasting, bingo and movie night.  5486 6166  www.kiahpark.com.au Nag Nanny (SS) Nag Nanny & Equine Resolutions is passionate about teaching all aspects of looking after horses. Children will not turn up to a horse that is saddled and ready to go, do their lesson and leave. They will teach them all about getting to know a horse.  www.nagnanny.vpweb.com.au Riverside Equestrian Centre (SS) Riverside Equestrian Centre is located at Moggill in a park-like setting on the banks of the Brisbane River. It is a short drive from Brisbane City. They offer lessons for groups and single riders from junior to senior riders. Each lesson runs for 2 hours instead of the normal 45mins.  3202 6526  www.riversideequestriancentre.com.au Slickers Horse Riding (NS) Their lessons are conducted in either an enclosed yard or out on one of their trails depending on which the rider requires.  3285 1444  www.slickershorseriding.com Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides (SS) A 300 acre farm, Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides has ponies available for parties, as well as trail rides from a half hour through to whole day trips, and they offer lessons, too.  0434 011 826  www.horseridingqld.com Trevena Glen Farm (SS)Trevena Glen Farm is only a 45 minute drive from Brisbane. They provide a variety of farm experiences for your Brisbane Family.They also provide riding lessons that cover everything from learning to ride to all aspects of looking after a horse. So you can book in to have a very real horse experience, before you commit to buying a horse!  3289 4257  www.grookea.odoo.com

Local Clubs & Classes Directory Wattle Creek Riding School (NS) At Wattle Creek, they specialise in one on one lessons. This gives 100% of the Coach’s attention to the rider. This allows the experienced and inexperienced to work at their optimum pace. No riding experience is needed to start as they teach from the first riding lesson to the highly experienced rider.  3300 6422  www.wattlecreekridingschool.com.au Windsong Equestrian Park (SS) Their coaches conduct private lessons by appointment, in an all-weather surface ProRide arena. Their coaches are qualified level one instructors and are happy to cater for beginners or higher skill levels of all ages.  www.windsongpark.com

Swimming Aquatic Achievers Swim Schools (NS & SS) specialize in teaching babies through to stroke correction and squads. Their innovative SOLO-1 teaching program advances skills in easy, achievable progressions. The pinnacle of their SOLO-1 program is for children to swim One Kilometre unassisted.  www.aquaticachievers.com.au Dipadees (NS) The have four programs for babies from 4 months to children aged 18 years.  3355 1550  www.dipadees.com Grace Swimming (NS) a swimming environment that is friendly and family-oriented. Situated at Grace Lutheran College, this state-of-the-art swimming facility boasts experienced and renowned swimming instructors that cater for all swimming levels.  3204 2725  www.graceswim.org.au North Lakes Aquatic Centre (NS) Concentrates in infant water familiarization, safety and personal development. Their swim program in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society caters for children from 6 mths through to Junior Squads. Their instructors pride themselves on their wealth of experience, understanding and enthusiasm.  3886 2022  www.northlakesac.com.au  northlakes@belgravialeisure.com.au

Sam Riley Swim Schools (NS & SS) Dedicated, qualified and experienced instructors know the importance of balancing the professionalism required to teach your child to swim, whilst maintaining an element of enjoyment, so your child has fun while learning.  3050 7341  www. samrileyswimschools.com Shapland Swim Schools (NS & SS) Learn to swim in small classes of three that give children more one-on-one attention. With free make-up lessons and easy online bookings, Shapland Swim Schools makes learning to swim easy and fun! Baby classes available from 3 months of age.  www.shapland.com.au

Yoga Brisbane Yoga Space (NS & SS) An invaluable tool of fun, learning, health and growth for kids and teens. Through yoga, young people can have fun while developing health, fitness and self-confidence.  0430 158 826  www.brisbaneyogaspace.com.au Calm For Kids Relaxation Classes (NS & SS) Calm for Kids hold yoga based relaxation classes for children throughout Australia. The Calm for Kids classes consist of balance, concentration and co-ordination exercises, breathing exercises and games, peer

massage, children’s relaxation and visualisations and positive affirmations.  3343 3285  www.calmforkids.com.au Inna Bliss Yoga Studios (SS) Bliss kids yoga classes are a fantastic way for your child to enjoy the many benefits of yoga in fun and friendly environment. The instructor guides the children through an interactive & themed practice of song, movement, yoga poses, creativity, story-telling and relaxation.  3162 2188  www.innablissyoga.com.au

FILM & TV, THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS Activate Entertainment (NS) Offers a variety of educational and fun programs in filmmaking and media arts. Learn how to produce, direct and edit ‘out of this world’ projects using iPads, GoPro’s, Green Screen and Drones. Activate Entertainment gets young people being both active and creative with new technologies. Encourages social engagement and creative problem solving whilst developing essential skills for tomorrow’s world. Programs designed for 8 - 17yrs (Primary & Secondary).  0423 762 096 Brisbane Arts Theatre (NS) Their training enhances children’s performance skills and stagecraft knowledge with acting techniques, improvisation, voice (including singing – solo, chorus and harmonies) and movement training (theatre, dance and mime).  3369 2344  www.collegetheatrepractice.com.au

We have classes for ages 3 and above on a registered or casual basis.  0427 999 909  www.elitedancers.com.au Kick Dance (SS) Structured programs in dance run by professional teachers with excellent qualifications and extensive industry experience. Classes which facilitate enjoyment, confidence, develop students at a very high technical level and allow a ‘kick’ start into the performing arts. Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Irish Dancing, Creative Movement for tiny tots.  0414 308 248  www.kickdance.com.au Kinderballet (NS & SS) An Imaginative and creative introduction to Classical Ballet for toddler and preschoolers. They offer ‘Mummy & Me’ classes for 2 - 3 1/2 year old, ‘Tots’ classes for 3 1/2 - 5 year olds and ‘Kiddies’ classes for 4 - 5 year olds.  1300 606 949  www.kinderballet.com.au

Flipside Circus (NS) Performance Program Flipside Circus Trainers support students in every step of the way ensuring each student is ready as they take the steps from performing in small in-house shows to roaming performances at fetes and festivals to touring large scale performing works in major festivals!  3352 7233  www.flipsidecircus.org.au

Movements Academy of Dance (NS) A wellestablished, friendly, family based studio that believes in teaching students to be all that they can be. They handpick their teachers who are qualified, encouraging & inspiring so that every student can have the very best dance education possible.  3886 4098  www.movementsdance.com.au

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy (NS & SS) They help children develop essential life skills and explore their creative side through developmental drama programs while providing them with the necessary life skills to prepare them for life after school.

Helen O’Grady is the world’s foremost provider of developmental drama programs for children aged between 3 and 17 years of age in over 25 countries worldwide. 1300 647 239  www.helenogrady.com.au

Seriously Dance (SS) They truly believe their philosophy of respecting each student for their individuality & challenging each student to obtain personal excellence.  0416 477 703  www.seriouslydance.com

Stagecraft Acting School (NS & SS) Focus is on helping kids become happy, confident and successful people not just successful actors. They pride themselves in teaching kids the skills they need to become professional actors in the real world by making learning fun.  0417 118 006  www.actingacademy.com.au The TV Training Academy (NS) has designed a unique One Day Kids TV Presenter Workshop for ages 10 to 15yrs. Filmed in a studio and on camera with some of the industries finest trainers, TV presenters and directors, this is a one-day workshop kids love.

Places are limited. Book today!  wwww.tvtraining.com.au/kidstv

DANCE Attitude Dance Academy (NS) Attitude Dance Academy offers a safe, fun, learning environment where your child can study a variety of dance styles from highly experienced, professionally trained instructor  3349 0391  www.attitudedanceacademy.com.au Brisbane Academy of Dance (NS) A wide range of qualified teachers in all areas of dance. An energetic approach to teaching encourages students to achieve their personal best.  3356 5880  www.brisbaneacademyofdance.com.au Elite Dancers (NS) Their many different classes are structured to suit the needs of every dancer, whether you want to dance for a career or for fun and fitness.

HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SCHOOL SUPPORT ABC Reading Eggs (For ages 3-13) Join over 3.4 million users worldwide to teach your child to read with ABC Reading Eggs, the multi-award winning online reading program that makes learning to read fun.  www.readingeggs.com.au/fam Get Real International (SS) Get Real has been working with young people, carers and industry professionals for 10 years. Using pioneering process work and techniques they’ve changed the way young people live, engage and lead in their communities.  3388 1207  0402 556 711  www.getrealinternational.com Kip McGrath Education Centre (NS & SS) See your child really improve in maths and English. Qualified teachers create individual tutoring programs for your child, using proven Kip McGrath methods of tuition.

Maths, English, Reading, Spelling & Comprehension.  www.kipmcgrath.com.au Kumon (NS & SS) The Kumon Method is an individualised learning method. The starting point for each Kumon student is determined individually.

Students start with the level where they can attain a perfect score by studying on their own  1800 458 666  www.au.kumonglobal.com Unlocking Your Life (NS) What STOPS YOU from living your life to the fullest? Your Emotions do…

Their workshops unlock what holds you back from living fully, letting go of the blocks that restrain you and building stronger ones where you want/need them.  0421 047 34  www.unlockingyourlife.com.au

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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#FamiliesMagFun

FAMILIES FUN

Listings for everyone in every family!

To promote your local family friendly event including school fetes and fairs, community groups, get-togethers and local festivals in the next ‘Families Fun’ listings (Dec/Jan 2016) send your entry by 5pm on Friday 28 October 2016. Email Regina – Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check the details of the events listed before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

OCTOBER Throughout Oct/Nov Fun at Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane Yogababy – Mums/Dads & Bubs Yoga

12th, 19th, 26th October & 2nd, 9th, 16th November.

10 – 10.45am @ The Amphitheatre $2 per person

Brisbane Mexican Festival

22nd October @ Celebration Precinct, ticketed.

Sounds in the Park – Halloween Concert

30th October 2pm @ The Amphitheatre FREE

Brisbane Thai Festival

13th November @ Celebration Precinct FREE

Sunday Morning Jazz

6th November 10.30am @ Celebration Precinct FREE

Brazillian Music Festival

20th November @ Amphitheatre, ticketed www.romastreetparkland.com

Throughout Oct/Nov Measure Island, South Brisbane This is not your usual island: on Measure Island every step takes you to a new puzzle or exhibit waiting to be explored. Sciencentre 9.30am – 5pm daily. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/events/ measure-island-south-brisbane

Throughout Oct/Nov Reel Bubs@Dendy, Portside REEL BUBS a program exclusively for parents and carers with children. These screenings are tailored to meet their needs and includes the availability of night lights (on request) and sound levels that suit the parent/carer and child. www.familiesmagazine.com. au/events/reel-bubs-dendy-portside

Until Sun 9 Oct Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous, South Brisbane Featuring more than 20 animated, life-size dinosaur models, including the fearsome T-Rex, and Queensland’s very own Muttaburrasaurus, Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous will transport you back millions of years to when dinosaurs ruled the earth. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/events/dinosaurdiscovery-lost-creatures-cretaceous-south-brisbane

Until Sun 16 Oct Singin’ in the Rain, South Bank Making a splash from the moment it premiered, this sensational production of Singin' in the Rain is set to delight Brisbane. As well as glorious songs including Good Morning, Make 'em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the classic Singin' in the Rain, the movie's choreography is brought to life, and with the help of 12,000 litres of water, the audience can enjoy one of the most iconic dance routines live on stage. QPAC. Bookings Essential. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ events/singin-in-the-rain-south-bank

Until Sat 5 Nov Peter Pan, Petrie Terrace From J.M. Barrie's classic comes this new musical production of Peter Pan. This trip to Neverland will be one to remember as you join John, Michael and Wendy on this fantastic journey! Brisbane Arts Theatre. Bookings Essential. www.familiesmagazine. com.au/event/peter-pan-petrie-terrace/

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Until Sun 13 Nov Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinemas, South Bank Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinemas are

a quintessential outdoor event, with feature films lighting up the huge movie screen in Riverside Green from dusk. Cinemagoers can chill out before their movie with some tasty food and frosty beverages from the licensed bar, while relaxing to sounds from the best of the Australian and New Zealand music scene and sets from the most exciting emerging local musicians. To top it off, every Sunday screening is a ‘Sundae Session’, a dedicated live music event with FREE Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for all! www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ben-jerrysopenair-cinemas-south-bank/

Sat 1 Oct Fun Palace, South Bank Everyone’s a

scientist, everyone’s an artist! Roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a one-day-only celebration of arts and sciences, learning, play, and adventure. Spend the whole day making art with a twist. Take part in the experiments and games; draw, write, dance and explore the scientific mysteries of our weird and wonderful world. Even interpret your own family history through art. The possibilities are endless. And if you stick around until the end of the day, be blown away by simple science experiments transformed into exciting performance with special guests Street Science. State Library of Queensland. 10.30am – 3.30pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ fun-palace/

Sat 1 Oct Monster Jam, Nathan This October, Monster Jam returns to Australia for a 5-city anything goes national tour and this time – expect the unexpected. All the access and fun begins at 2:00pm with the world famous Monster Jam Party in the Pits where fans can meet the stars of the show, get autographs and take pictures with the Monster Jam trucks & drivers! QSAC. www.familiesmagazine.com. au/event/monster-jam-nathan/ Sat 1 – Mon 3 Oct Brisbane BrisBricks LEGO Fan Show, Chandler All aboard for a trip to see your favourite themes and characters come alive through

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

LEGO Bricks!! At the Expo there will be: amazing LEGO creations and displays, Australia's Largest Great Ball Contraption, interactive stands inc. remote controlled LEGO cars, 501st Redback Garrison – Star Wars characters, LEGO play area for the kids to be creative, LEGO raffle, specialist LEGO retailers - sets, minifigs, parts, LEGO jewellery and face painting. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/brisbanebrisbricks-lego-fan-show-chandler/

Wed 5 – Sun 9 Oct Craft and Quilt Fair Brisbane, South Bank Craft & Quilt Fair invites you to Shop, Learn, Make and Be Inspired at Brisbane Exhibition Centre. This much-anticipated event offers a stunning range of exhibitions, displays, hands-on activities, guest artists, free demonstrations, workshops and more for you to get crafty! Heralded as THE Home of Craft, the fair is a fixture in the diary of crafting enthusiasts and has everything under the one roof to be inspired and get creative. www.familiesmagazine. com.au/event/craft-and-quilt-fair-brisbane/

Fri 7 – Sun 9 & Fri 14 – Sun 16 Oct Oktoberfest Brisbane, Bowen Hills There’s no need to trip up and down the coast for family fun. For two weekends in October, the only theme park you need is themed German! Oktoberfest Brisbane is the place for all your bell-ringing, yodelling and dancing to the band, and this year’s Kinder-Zone is going to be bigger and better than ever- full of fun even if you’re not a kid!

Brisbane Showgrounds. www.familiesmagazine.com. au/event/oktoberfest-brisbane-bowen-hills/

Sat 8 Oct Ferny Grove Festival, Ferny Grove Support the local community and bring the whole family along to the Ferny Grove Festival at Ferny Grove State School. The Festival will be showcasing the best local entertainment, fabulous food and great community groups. It will feature rides and activities for all ages along with Market Stalls and much more.

3 – 9pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ ferny-grove-festival-ferny-grove/

#FamiliesMagFun Sat 22 Oct Brisbane Mexican Festival, Brisbane They are back Amigos! And they’ll be turning Brisbane into Mexico for one entire day! Join them for a full day to delight your senses with a day of live entertainment, food and folklore! There will be authentic Mexican food and drinks, activities for kids: Piñata breaking and Handicrafts, traditional Mariachi band, live performances of the famous Mexican Wrestlers (Lucha Libre), Mexican Folkloric performances (dancers), live salsa bands and dancing classes.~ VIVA MEXICO!! ~ 10am – 9pm. Roma Street Parklands. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ brisbane-mexican-festival-brisbane/

Sat 22 Oct Mitchie Festival, Mitchelton Centenaries are something special and Mitchelton State School want you to help them celebrate theirs!

Past and present students and their families are welcome to enjoy a morning of reminiscing with centenary exhibits, an old classroom & “Where’s Wally?” photo-wall. Join in on festivities from lunch til dusk with your extended Mitchie-family to Big Band beats, artists, silent auction, craft, fete stalls, games and cool rides. Eat all day from a variety of food & drink stalls – then cozy-up to watch the fireworks at 7pm. 12 – 7pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/mitchie-fest/

Sat 22 Oct Redeemer College Fair, Rochedale Redeemer Fair has become a major event for the local community attracting an estimated 8,000 people each year. This year’s Fair will start at 1.00pm concluding with Fireworks at 7.00pm. Heaps of food, live entertainment, rides, coffee Shop, fireworks, Student Expo. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/redeemer-college-fair-rochedale/

Sat 8 Oct Grovely State School ‘Big Spring Thing’, Grovely Grovely State School P&C

Association will be hosting a large scale, family event to celebrate the school’s 60th Anniversary. ‘Big Spring Thing’ will feature live music, food trucks, rides, stalls and fireworks. This occasion will be a free entry event aimed at families with children of all ages. Within the event you will find a grand music stage featuring local musicians, a busker’s corner to showcase emerging talent, trendy food served up by members of the famous Brisbane Food Truck Alliance, barista coffee, traditional fete stalls, carnival rides for all ages

by Jubilee Entertainment, a historical display and ending the night with a spectacular fireworks show.

2 – 9pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ grovely-state-school-big-spring-thing-grovely/

Sat 8 & Sun 9 Oct Brisbane Open House, Brisbane Brisbane locals will have the rare opportunity to visit about 100 of the city’s most significant and intriguing buildings when they open their doors for the seventh annual Brisbane Open House. Pick up the FREE Brisbane Open House Children's Program at most of the participating buildings or the King George Square information hub over the Brisbane Open House weekend. It's full of amazing activities by some of Brisbane's best architects, landscape architects, designers and organisations. There are also a range of free activities and things for children to see and do at various Brisbane Open House buildings on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October. www.familiesmagazine.com. au/event/brisbane-open-house/

Fri 14 Oct Darra Street Festival, Darra Head out to Darra for a free, low cost event for all the family at the annual Darra Street Festival. Enjoy stage entertainment with local bands, international food, children's entertainment, market stalls, face painting and street entertainers. 5 – 9pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/darra-streetfestival-darra/ Sat 15 Oct Craigslea Community Carnival, Craigslea Join Craigslea State School for a great day

of family fun including - Junior Fun Zone - games with prizes, rides galore, craft stall, cake & sweets stall, plants, pre-loved books, hot food and home cooked delights, performances, entertainment, stalls and much more! Fireworks at 6.00pm to celebrate a wonderful community day! 11.30am – 6.30pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/craigsleacommunity-carnival-craigslea/

Sat 15 Oct Milton State School Fair on the Green, Milton Milton State School partners with all levels of community and major sponsors to ensure it is an exciting and fun day for the whole family!

This year the Fair will feature live entertainment, amusement rides, silent auctions, and major raffle draws, the famous pre-loved goods stall; second hand books stall; and delicious gourmet stall full of delicious treats. This year will also feature a wide selection of market stalls and much more...including their inaugural fireworks display. 11am – 6pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/milton-stateschool-fair-green-milton/

Sat 22 Oct The Oyster Festival, Sandstone Point The Oyster Festival is a family friendly event that encourages the next generation of OysterAppreciators, with kid’s entertainment, rides, touch and feel rock pools, sand sculpture displays and much more. For the bigger kids there will be live music, oyster cooking demonstration, oyster appreciation classes and shucking demonstration so you can learn how to shuck your own oysters like a pro. Sandstone Point Hotel. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ oyster-festival-sandstone-point/

Sun 16 Oct North Lakes State College Multicultural Carnival, North Lakes There's fabulous bargains to be found at the Market Stalls, mouth-watering Multicultural food, delicious Cakes and Sweets, a full program of on-stage Entertainment, Games, Performances, Displays FREE entertainment and much more. Stay for the spectacular Fireworks display at 7.30pm! www.familiesmagazine.com. au/event/north-lakes-state-college-multiculturalcarnival-north-lakes/

Sun 16 Oct Summertime Riverfest, West End It’s the 10th anniversary of the festival and it will be held on Saturday 15 October at Riverside Drive, West End where thousands are expected to flock to the river’s edge to be a part of the fun and festivities the day has to offer along with the iconic race that quacks the nation – Australia’s Biggest Duck Race! 10am – 5pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/summertimeriverfest-west-end/

Sun 23 Oct Peter and the Wolf, South Bank Hear QSO perform Prokofiev’s enchanting tale – Peter and the Wolf. The perfect introduction to classical music, this light-hearted symphony tells the story of courageous Peter and his animal friends outwitting a fierce Wolf. The true heroes of this tale however are the instruments, with the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion each representing different characters in the story. Eighty years on, this iconic tale still lives on in the hearts of children young and old. Narrated live by actor Jason Klarwein, join QSO and share the joy of this classic tale with family and friends. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/peter-wolfsouth-bank

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#FamiliesMagFun NOVEMBER Sat 5 Nov Brisbane Convoy for Kids, Redcliffe The Annual Brisbane Convoy for Kids winds its way along the Logan Motorway, Gateway and Deagon Deviation before crossing in to Redcliffe where it will travel along the waterfront and finally end at the Redcliffe Showgrounds. After a hectic day everyone can chill out and spend a relaxing evening at the concert. There's carnival rides, food, drinks, a Ute and Truck Show plus much more. So, go along and enjoy a fun filled day and evening to support Redcliffe and Beenleigh Special Schools and Brisbane Convoy for Kids. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ brisbane-convoy-kids-redcliffe/

Sat 5 Nov Woolloongabba End Of The Line Festival, Woolloongabba The End of the Line Festival is a free street festival which aims to showcase and celebrate the unique Brisbane precinct of Woolloongabba. Restaurants extend their licenses into the cul-de-sac on Logan Rd to give a unique urban dining setting. Live music stages, market stalls, food trucks, projection art and children's activities provide entertainment throughout the day. 10am – 10pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ woolloongabba-end-line-festival-woolloongabba/

Fri 11 Nov Sherwood Community Festival, Sherwood The Sherwood Community Festival - a time to have some good family fun - a time to say Thank You to our community. Free entry along with loads of free entertainment. 5.30 – 9.30pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/sherwoodcommunity-festival-sherwood/

Sat 12 Nov – Sat 17 Dec Charlotte’s Web, Petrie Terrace Join Charlotte the spider in E.B. White's beloved childhood classic, as this gentle but

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extraordinary creature weaves an enchanting tale of love, friendship, and the cycle of life. Brisbane Arts Theatre. Bookings Essential. www.familiesmagazine. com.au/event/charlottes-web-petrie-terrace/

Tue 15 & Wed 16 Nov Sesame Street Presents Elmo's Super Fun Hero Show, Brisbane Jam-

packed with Sesame Street coolest hits, including Belly Breathe, Elmo's Ducks, Don't Give Up, Grover Can Do It and the Everyday Hero Club Song, this is a show for little people and their grown-ups to sing, dance and join in with while experiencing the heart and touching on the life-lessons that Sesame Street has brought to three generations over more than forty years. Be inspired to be the best you can be with Sesame Street presents Elmo’s Super Fun Hero Show!

QUT Gardens Theatre. Bookings Essential. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/sesamestreet-presents-elmos-super-fun-hero-showbrisbane/

From Sat 19 Nov Mirror Mirror, South Bank To

coincide with 'Sugar Spin: You, me, art, everything' and to celebrate the tenth anniversary of GOMA, the Children's Art Centre will present an interactive exhibition by New York-based, Icelandic artist

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir (aka Shoppy). Shoppy creates spectacular artworks using synthetic hair. She believes that hair can inspire great personal creativity and is a way for people to express who they are to the world. In this immersive installation children can engage with the artist's ideas and working methods through hands-on activities. Young visitors will be invited to create their own extraordinary paper hairstyle using specially designed templates and be encouraged to help style a wall of artificial hair-like material. FREE! www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/mirror-mirror-south-bank/

Thu 24 Nov – Jan 2017 Cirque du Soleil – KOOZA, Skygate Cirque du Soleil rediscovers its origins with the company’s eighth Big Top show to tour Australia. A return to the intimate and fundamental human elements of circus, KOOZA combines thrilling acrobatic performance with the art of clowning. We follow The Innocent as he takes a journey of self-discovery through a comic kingdom of eccentric characters, electrifying thrills and out-ofthe-box surprises. Bookings Essential. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/cirque-dusoleil-kooza-skygate/

#FamiliesMagFun

HALLOWEEN 2016 FAMILIES FUN

Friday and Saturday Nights throughout October Fright Nights, Movieworld You are going to be up against a whole new level of fear as you take on the biggest horror event ever produced!

Halloween Week Virtual Halloween Hunt, Retail First Centres You can download the shopping centre app, and go on a magical ‘Pokemon Go’ inspired Halloween Hunt. Shopping Centres involved are – Brookside, Capalaba Park, Sunnybank Plaza, Redbank plaza, Logan Central Plaza and Australia Fair (Southport).

Ghost Tours, Various Locations in Brisbane This Halloween, Ghost Tours are undertaking new family-friendly tours suitable for ages 5 and over, across certain historic haunted sites and cemeteries.

Sunday 23 October

Halloween Fun – Mt Ommaney Library

Brisbane Zombie Walk, Roma Street Parklands

Go dressed up in the Halloween theme – a favourite scary or mysterious book character. FREE! Bookings required. 5 - 5.30pm

An annual event helping to raise funding and awareness for The Brain Foundation whilst offering the public a unique and entertaining experience. 10am - 7pm

Tuesday 25th October Batty Halloween, Logan West Library Celebrate all things batty, including a special furry visitor from Bat Conservation & Rescue Qld Inc. 5.45 - 7.45pm

Wednesday 26th October

Halloween, Toowong Library Spooky stories, craft and games. Bookings essential. 6 - 7pm Trick or Treat Night, Calamvale Central Shopping Centre There will be a guided tour through the creepy corridors of the shopping centre.

Bookings essential. 4pm

Halloween Tricks and Tales - Sunnybank Hills Library

FREE Halloween Spook-tacular, Aspley Hypermarket

Prepare for Halloween by making creepy optical illusions and decorations to take home. Bookings essential. 3.30 - 4.30pm

Free Trick or Treat Tours - includes goody bags, treats from retailers, specials for parents & more. 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, & 7pm trails

Halloween Storytime – Holland Park Library

Halloween Friday 28th – Saturday 29th Oct

Join them for spooky stories and craft. Bookings required. 6 – 7.30pm

Halloween FestEVIL, Aussie World

Halloween Thursday 27th October

Over TWO HUGE NIGHTS in October, Aussie World will be transformed for this special after-dark event for Halloween FestEvil – Year of the Clown.

Teen Meet Halloween, Jimboomba Library It will be a frightfully fun time of crafts and more. No bookings required. 3.30 - 5pm Halloween Fun – Garden City Library Join them for spooky stories, games and movie to celebrate Halloween at the library. Bookings required. FREE! 4 - 6pm

Halloween Friday 28th October Halloween Fun – Zillmere Library There will be spooky stories and craft that will get you in the mood for Halloween.

Bookings required. 3.30 – 4.00pm Nundah Nightmares Halloween Party – Nundah Library An afternoon of spooky stories, treat bag craft and ghoulish games. Bookings required. FREE 3.30 – 4.30pm Family Disco Night, Tiddly Winks Head to Tiddly Winks Play & Dance Café for a Halloween Theme Family Disco Night.

5 – 8pm Library After Dark: Halloween, Marsden Library Scary and spooky things go bump in the library! Dress up in costume. Bookings essential. 5.30 - 7.30pm Halloween Scary Skate, Albany Creek Head to Skateway at Albany Creek for some scary fun. There will be prizes for best and worst dressed. 7 – 9.30pm

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#FamiliesMagFun Screamworld Family Halloween, Coomera Dreamworld will be transformed with pumpkins and trickery for families and little ones to roam under the night sky. 6.30 – 10pm

Halloween Saturday 29th October Halloween Workshops, Various Locations Bunnings are running Halloween Workshops for your little ones to get spooky with!

Check for times at your local Bunnings.

Halloween Hijinks, Logan North Library Monsters and ghouls, princes and princesses and fairytale creatures! 11am - 12pm Aspley Hypermarket’s Halloween Spooktacular Quality face painting of your choice! Free professional digital photographs available via Facebook. 11am - 2pm Halloween Street Party 2016, Manly A celebration of all things creepy and crawly, and cute, including: fireworks, rides, food stalls, movie, street parade, dragon boats. 11am – 9pm.

Black Cat Market, Annerley Lucky Cat Cafe will be open serving hot & cold drinks, as well as late night cat pats!

Animal friendly market 5 - 8pm Halloween at Game On, North Lakes Game On Family Fun Centre will have discos, laser tag and best costume competitions. 5 – 9pm Halloween Express – Roma Street Station, Brisbane Board vintage carriages for a special night-time steam train journey through the river city. Bookings are essential.

5:10pm & 6:45pm We Play’s 3rd Annual Halloween Disco Party, Carindale Go dressed in your Halloween costume for the chance to WIN prizes!

Trick Or Treating throughout the night! 5.30 – 9pm Magic and Mayhem – Manly Harbour Village, Manly Ghouls, ghosts, ballerinas and fairies dominate the landscape, bent on thrilling and chilling in the most fun way possible! 11 - 9pm Bats at the Black Swamp, Cleveland Join Bat Conservation and Rescue and their batty friends for an evening of fun and fascination to celebrate 4.30 - 7.30pm A Night at the Museum Creepy Creatures, South Bank Explore the entire Museum and brave the gruesome creepy crawlies, see gross spooky science and wriggly, long legged specimens that will come out of hiding for one only. Queensland Museum.

Halloween Skate, Stafford Halloween skate 7.30pm till 10.30pm come dressed as your favorite scary monster.

Stafford Skate Centre 7.30 – 10.30pm

Sunday 30th October Sounds in the Park, Roma Street Parkland Halloween Concert - 2pm @ The Amphitheatre FREE Spooktacular Market Day, Bald Hills Halloween and Harry Potter themed stalls in the car park and in the mini "Diagon Alley" inside the Hotel. Bonnie View Hotel. 10 - 3pm Along Came a Spider, New Farm Hear creep stories, play some awesome games and make your very own dangly spider to take home. Bookings Essential. New Farm Park. 2 - 4pm Blackwood Street Halloween Festival, Mitchelton Focus on children, Trick or Treating with local business’ and community organisations participating in the event. 4 - 8pm Batty in the Park, Beenleigh Find out things you never knew about bats! There will be free kids activities and a free BBQ. 4.30 - 6.30pm

Halloween Monday 31st October Halloween Fun, Indooroopilly Library Go dressed as your favourite scary or mysterious book character.

Bookings essential.3.30 - 4.30pm Spooky Storytime, Kenmore Library A special spooky storytime and craft.

Bookings essential. 3.30 - 4pm Hocus Pocus Halloween, Bulimba Dress up and meet down at Bulimba Memorial Park for a Halloween treat with fun activities, a disco and fancy dress competition.

3 – 6pm The Haunted Ranch, Tingalpa The premier authentic American Halloween home haunt experience.

4 – 9pm

For more information on these events, please head to www.familiesmagazine.com.au/brisbane-halloween-events/

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Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

Families Freebies

Fantastic Prizes

Families

Freebies for the whole family!

Enter Online!

Enter at www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au/competitions

WIN a Cool Air 360 Carrier The Ergobaby Cool Air 360 Carrier is specially designed to keep you and your baby cool and comfortable in warm weather, with 3D-AirMesh panels and moisture-wicking mesh lining. Like the Original 360 Carrier, the Ergobaby Cool Air 360 Carrier maintains the highest ergonomic design standards for both baby and parent. Offering four carry positions, this Carrier is perfect from birth (with infant insert) through to toddler. The innovative deep seat provides idea hip positioning as your baby grows and aligns with health professional recommendations for safe hip and spine development. The seat width adjusts easily to comfortably transition baby from inward to outward facing and back again.

It also features a height-adjustable structure that provides additional head and neck support for your baby. Families Magazine and Babes In Arms want to offer one of you the chance for you and your baby to experience cool comfort and the best baby wearing ergonomics in all four carry positions, with the Ergobaby Cool Air 360 Carrier.

Visit Babes In Arms to buy online or find a local stockist at www.babesinarms.com.au

WIN a 3 Night Family Holiday at Yamba’s Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort Just two hours drive south of the Gold Coast, this waterfront resort is set on the sandy shores of the Clarence River and is surrounded by lush landscaped gardens. Featuring: Accommodation and camp sites, private jetty and boat ramp, heated swim-up pool bar, children’s water park, snooker hall and cafe. This prize package includes: 3 nights in a 2 bedroom villa for 2 adults and 2 children, 4 x half-day bike hire vouchers, 4 x go Kart hire vouchers, 1 x day motor boat hire vouchers, 2 x cocktail vouchers and a whole bunch of fun!

Visit www.bluedolphin.com.au to see more about the resort. May not be redeemed during school holidays. Offer valid Sundays through Thursdays, excludes Fridays and Saturdays. Availability is based on allotment.

1 x Family Holiday Valued at $929 to win

WIN a piece of playground equipment for your childcare

1 x Cool Air 360 Carrier valued at $279 to win

WIN Ecoriginals locally made, high performing eco nappies and wipes!

Ecoriginals are the only company in Australia to offer an easy subscription service for the most ecofriendly nappy and wipes products in Australia. Their nappy packaging is also 100% compostable, which is a world first! Here is a chance to win five packets of nappies + 2 wipes and try them for yourself.

Choose your size here: www.ecoriginals. com.au/nappy-sizes/ and enter now

(on the Families Magazine website) to be in with a chance to experience the guilt-free performance of these amazing nappies.

Protecting our children from synthetic chemicals doesn’t have to be expensive or ineffective. These unisex nappies are rigorously tested to perform and biodegrade.

If you need a ‘holiday’ nappy while using cloth or want a low impact alternative to mass produced disposable landfill, enter to win these locally made wipes and nappies.

Families Magazine has teamed up with Playscape Creations to offer you a chance to win, for a childcare setting of your choice, this cool piece of playground equipment. “Ollie” has landed on our beaches and needs you to nominate a childcare setting that he can call home. Please let us know in 50 words or less why your nominated childcare would make a good home for Ollie, and how he can help to bring greater play value to your centre.

Developing physical skills, learning cooperative play and growing their creativity - PLAY is vital in a child’s development and Ollie would like to help!

Prize Includes “Ollie the Octopus” Crawl Tunnel, delivered to your nominated centre within SEQ. Fully Compliant with AS4685:2014, all installation instruction and documentation will be provided.

Playscape Creations puts smiles on children’s faces by building better playgrounds that meet and exceed all safety standards. Through our unique sensory design methodology we engage all seven senses, creating stimulating and challenging playspaces for all to enjoy. www.playscapecreations.com.au

1 x Ollie the Octopus Crawl Tunnel to win

1 x Ecoriginals prize pack to win

For full competition terms and conditions and to enter, log on to: www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au and click on ‘Competitions’

Families Magazine is made with love by Janine Mergler - Editor Regina Gleeson – Listings Editor Suzie Porter – Designer Jesse Stanger – IT Systems & Support Dana Flannery-Hayes – Talk About Creative – SEO @ www. talkaboutcreative.com.au

The information contained in this publication and on our website and social media forums is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Families Magazine and its contributors as detailed on individual articles. While we endeavour to publish information that is up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related images contained in print, on our website or in our social media forums for any purpose. Information received via our publication or online should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal or financial decisions. You should consult an appropriate professional for specic advice tailored to your need and situation.

Remember to join our Facebook page to enter our Facebook ONLY competitions

UPCOMING ISSUES December 2016/January 2017

SUMMER DAYS OUT & CLUBS, CLASSES & ACTIVITIES Advertising deadline: Friday 28 October 2016 February/March 2017

BACK TO SCHOOL & EDUCATION Advertising deadline: Monday 9 January 2017 We do not endorse contents or advertisers in our publication or on our web pages and will not responsible for any content of any linked site or any link contained in the link site. In no event shall we be liable for direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential damages or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the use of or performance of information, products, services or reliance on the contents of the advertisements.

All material including, but not limited to adverts, editorial, images and part thereof sent to Families Magazine remain the property of Families Magazine. All materials and personal details will be handled appropriately with respect to data protection laws. No material published by Families Magazine in print or online may be reproduce whatsoever without prior written consent.

Your Local Families Magazine October/November 2016

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