Mum's Mail Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands - September 2020 by famouspublishing

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How to get your financial freedom back after Lockdown Issue 182 | Durban | September 2020 | FREE

EVERYDAY LIFE 3 4 6 9

10 11

CONTENTS

12-13 14-15 16

From The Editor’s Desk... Meet the Cover Star Spring Cleaning Tips The Right Decision Today can Provide a Future Income Tomorrow Where There is a Will There Is A Way Find Adventure with Amon Ra Travel and Tours Cradle to Career Catwalk Couture How to Tell if Non-Invasive Anti-Ageing Treatments are Right for You

DELICIOUS LIFE/HOME LIFE 18 19

Chicken Chow Mein Fluffy Flapjacks

Dear Rockstar Mama

HEALTHY LIFE 22 23 24 26 28 29 30

Dr Laura @ Home: Heart Awareness Month It’s Not too Late to Vaccinate National Oral Health Month National Month of Deaf People Helping Kids through Big Changes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Torga Optical Cornubia Mall offers You Blue Light Protection Early Detection Vital in Child & Teen Cancer

EDUCATED LIFE 32

33 34

Effective Note-taking from an Early Age The Importance of Summarising from an Early Age Sensory What?

35 36-37 38

Conquesta 2020 Accelerating Learners on their Path to Digital Literacy Tech is the Future of Education

40-41

Save During Tough Financial Times

PARTY LIFE 42-43

Organising an Inclusive Birthday Party

PIETERMARITZBURG AND MIDLANDS 45

46-47 48-49 50 52-53 54-55 56-57 58-59

First Annual Great Sunflower Bake Off a Resounding Success How to Get Your Financial Freedom Back After Lockdown Returning to the Not so Normal Africa’s Wild Dogs - A Survival Story Beating the Bounce: Why you Need a Good Sports Bra! For the Love of Elephants Child Passenger Safety Week Rock the Kitchen: One Pot Wonders

THE MUM’S MAIL TEAM

Editor: Sarah Mackintosh • sarah@mumsmail.com • Enquiries: 031 - 714 4700 Accounts: meghan@mumsmail.com • Designer: Wendy Offer Advertising Sales: Bev Delew • bev@mumsmail.com | Anisha Singh • anisha@mumsmail.com Cover Photographer: Bronwyn Mckeown, 083 500 2405, smile@bronwynmckeown.co.za Printed sponsored by

, a division of Novus Holdings

DISCLAIMER: Neither the Publisher, Printer or Editor can be held responsible for damages or consequences of any omissions or errors, as every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in Mum’s Mail. We do not guarantee the performance or quality of service of any of the advertisers in this magazine. No part of Mum’s Mail magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor.

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From the Editor’s Desk... M

y son and I have been sick this past week - him with an eye infection and me with a head cold. When the doctor told me she had to test me for COVID, it was quite a wake-up call. I suddenly was in a frenzy, trying to think who I had been in contact with, as you need to fill in a form with all this info! Luckily, we had only seen one friend who we do a school lift club with, and I hadn’t seen my parents for a few weeks. My parents are my main concern, as they are elderly, and I was hugely relieved we had been social distancing from them. I turned out to be negative, but it got me thinking – until COVID-19 touches your life or that of someone you know, it seems like a distant threat that will never hurt you – until it does. Anyway my point is, we all need to take this virus seriously, even if you think you will never get it, or even if you think it’s a big fuss about nothing! Just wear the mask, keep your distance, and do it to keep others safe, if not yourself. On a happier note, I’m very pleased schools have reopened. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly not cut out to be a stay-at-home-work-at-home- teachermom hybrid. I’m much happier being a regular mom who goes to work and sends my kid to school! I hope you enjoy some well-deserved peace while your kids are back at school (long may it last)! Have a fantastic September, Sarah xxx

PETS FOR ADOPTION

SOPHIE female, 1 year

BENTLEY male, 7 months

JACKIE female, 20 months

MOOSE female, 1 year

BIANCA female, 16 months

SCAR female, 1 year

SIMBA female, 1 year

ALICE female, 1 year

For adoptions: Contact Jenny adoptions@aacldurban.co.za

(031) 736 9093

Address: Artesia Farm, 53 Artesia Avenue (D657), Leckhampton Valley, Hammarsdale. GPS Co-ordinates: S 29° 46’6 E 30° 38’9

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Meet the Cover Star MEET GORGEOUS LUPHAWU SIGCAWU (TWO YEARS OLD). LUPHAWU LIVES WITH HER PARENTS, APHELELE AND LAZOLA AND HER BROTHER IMINATHI (5) IN AMANZIMTOTI.

phelele and Lazola run their own company transporting vehicles for dealerships and car rentals and the like. “Iminathi is a very smart caring boy, very inquisitive and he is soft at heart towards his sister and everyone around him. He does not like to see anyone sad or to even hear a person raise their voice at someone,” says his mom. “He is interested in all kinds of sports, is very energetic and is very quick to learn. He loves animals so much and likes to watch National Geographic. Iminathi is not afraid to speak his mind - that is one thing I am super proud of.” Aphelele says that Luphawu is the type of person that commands her space, lights up the room wherever she is. “She is such an entertainer and loves to sing and dance. She is a caring and a loving soul, and a very playful person – it’s easy to tell when she is not okay. She is quick to learn and loves watching cartoons, her favourite cartoon is Fancy Nancy. She likes exploring outside and loves taking pictures. She is not afraid to say no to something she does not like,” says her proud mom. On being parents: “What we have learnt is that God has blessed us with such amazing, smart children and every moment spent with them is beautiful and a blessing. Every day we learn new things about ourselves. Being true to you and what you stand for is very important and as young as they are, our kids are true and honest about who they are and what they feel. Being a parent is teaching us to be honest and to have direction in order to raise kids with direction. It gives us something to look forward to and to work hard for - not only for ourselves but for them. We have found a new purpose. Being parents has taught us to be patient.

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It has taught us to unlearn bad habits, as we are the mirror to our children and what we do is what they will do.” Advice to new parents: Raising kids is taking one thing at a time. Patience is very important and believing that you are doing your best. We believe that kids are not yours but belong to God. You just have to trust God to give you wisdom to raise them. There is a saying that says it takes a village to raise a child, but we say it takes wisdom to raise a child. We love a scripture that is in Proverbs 22 verse 6: train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn away from it,” concludes Aphelele.

Written by Sarah Mackintosh

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Spring Cleaning Tips A

SPRING HAS ARRIVED – WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR HOME IN TIP-TOP SHAPE.

tap, sprinkle baking soda, good, deep spring clean- of water and drop the rinds and scrub with a sponge. If into the mixture. Microwave up is a tradition that not you need more heavy-duty for three minutes and let it only promotes wellness by scrubbing power, add salt to stand for five minutes withkeeping your environment the baking soda. out opening the door. The clean and organized, it also Use newspaper to clean trapped steam will loosen helps carry the fresh-start dirty windows and mirrors the grime, so you can wipe feeling brought on by a new Mix ¼ cup of white vinthe microwave clean with year well into the summer. egar, 2 cups of water and less elbow grease. We’ve compiled some of Use white vinegar to beat 2 teaspoons of liquid soap the best DIY spring cleaninto a spray bottle. Spray shower head build-up ing tips so you can declutter the mixture onto the glass Looking for more natural and deep clean your house and scrub with newspaper ways to clean your bathto make it sparkle all year for a streak-free window room? Vinegar can dissolve round. or mirror. The ink acts as the mineral deposits that Spring cleaning tips a mild abrasive and allows accumulate in showerheads Remove water stains you to make use of old over time, causing reduced with lemon This spring, newspapers. make taps clean and sparkly pressure and water flow. Let coffee filters do more Fill a plastic bag with white by rubbing a lemon half on than put a spring in your vinegar, secure it over the the water stains. The citric step Does your TV screen showerhead with a rubber acid helps remove hard or computer monitor show band and leave it overnight water marks. Then, use the fingerprints, smudges and to get rid of build-up. Just other half of the lemon for dust? The fiber in coffee be sure to run the shower our next tip. filters is be gentle enough before you hop in, or you risk Organise your fridge to rub them away, even on smelling like vinegar all day. and cabinets with rotatdelicate TV screens. Just Clean stainless steel ing turntables Don’t limit don’t press too hard! rotating turntables and Lazy sinks with baking soda Simply wet your sink and Susans to your table tops. Source: blog.nationwide.com. After discarding old condiments and TREAT YOUR H ME TO A spices, organise your pantries and refrigerator with this useful storage hack. Clean your microwave by heating lemon juice and rinds in water Cut a lemon WE CLEAN CARPETS, RUGS & FURNITURE into halves, squeeze 200 High Ridge Rd, Dbn North • hello@drifoam.co.za the juice into 1/2 cup

031 563 0026

Spring

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Clean

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The Right Decision Today can Provide a Future Income Tomorrow BEING A PARENT COMES WITH A LOT OF JOY AND PRIDE, BUT ALSO A LOT OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE.

s parents, we plough time, money and energy into our kids because we love them and want the very best for them. If you were no longer around to provide financial support for your family, how will your kids continue to have what they need, follow their passions and stay on track with their goals? How will they continue with their singing lessons or get to visit the Louvre on a school arts tour? How will they pursue their dream of becoming a pilot or afford their first set of wheels? If you are no longer around, where’s the money going to come from? The cheapest and easiest way to guarantee an income for your family is with a simple life insurance policy - unless you already have millions stashed away in a bank account for a rainy day. The right decision today can secure a future income tomorrow. Life insurance is often taken out to settle debts like a home loan or vehicle finance, but few realize that it can also provide an income for family members who are left behind. How exactly does that work? When the proceeds of the life insurance policy pay out, the money can be invested or parked in a bank account to generate returns. These gains can be withdrawn on

a month-to-month basis and used to provide a muchneeded income. The first step is determining what percentage of your income needs to be substituted if you died. Is it 50% of your salary? Or is it 100%? Once you have an idea of what that amount is, you’ll need to determine how many years you’ll need the lump sum pay out to generate an income. If you have very young children, then that income might need to be drawn on for 20 plus years. If your kids are about to head to university then that time frame would be significantly shorter. Your financial adviser can help you to figure out exactly how to plan for your unique circumstances and how to nominate the appropriate beneficiaries. Your family relies on the fact that you come home every month with a pay cheque and get up every morning to head off to work. A small financial commitment towards a life insurance policy can help to secure an income for your family in the future. The time is now to get personal cover built around your family’s unique needs. Find out more at www.oldmutual.co.za/ personal-cover or speak to an Old Mutual financial adviser today. Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited is a Licensed Financial Services Provide

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Where There is a Will There Is A Way COVID-19 HAS SEEN MANY OF US LOSE PRECIOUS MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TO THIS INVISIBLE ENEMY.

hile we can’t control the loss of life, we can ensure that the people we leave behind are cared for financially. Covid-19 has forced us to revisit a very unpleasant place in our lives - who will inherit from our estates when we pass on? Now is the time to amend your will through a codicil or draft a will setting out your wishes and division of your assets. The Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA) has made an urgent submission to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to consider having the drafting and execution of a will declared an essential service under the lockdown regulations. We are still to see a movement on this as yet. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to execute a valid will: 1. All wills must be in writing. 2. The signature of the testator/testatrix must be at the end of the will. Signing includes the making of a ‘mark’ (by a person who cannot sign his or her name) duly certified as such by a commissioner of oaths.

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3. The signature must be made in the presence of two competent witnesses. The law stipulates that a person is not allowed to inherit from someone if they wrote any part of the will in their own handwriting or if they sign as a witness. That means that if your family members act as witnesses, they cannot be your beneficiaries. So, you’ll need to find two other witnesses. 4. The witnesses must attest and sign the will in the presence of the testator/ testatrix and of each other. 5. If the will consists of more than one page, each page other than the page on which it ends must be signed anywhere on the page by the testator/testatrix. While the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), 25 of 2002, gives electronic signatures some legal force, it doesn’t have any power over the Wills Act. The law in South Africa is governed by the Wills Act, 7 of 1953. This is outdated legislation which has worked to some extent but with the global pandemic we desire a digital approach. The execution of wills has not kept up

with technological advances and it is evident that the time has come for South Africa to take the lead in amending our law to deal with the digitised modern era. By encompassing the use of technology and legally recognising e-signatures as a way to validate Last Wills and Testaments, this could make it easier for more South Africans to provide financial security to their families, protect their legacies and plan for their futures in a very uncertain time. In countries like Australia, the demand for wills has soared and in March alone a 300% spike in demand was recorded as a result of Covid-19. Covid-19 has made the world do business differently and has opened the doors for the primary use of digitisation globally. South Africa can be a disruptor in this unprecedented time and move towards E-wills where clients can respond positively to the process. This would certainly be more effective for clients if they were able to update their wills using an electronic signature and witnesses could add their signatures to the document digitally, using secure digital signing… The world is shifting, shaking and shaping into a new digital era and its time South Africa caught up. By Ugeeta Pala, Attorney and Mediator at Ugeeta Pala & Associates, 071 096 5966, ugeeta@pala.co.za.

Find Adventure with Amon Ra Travel and Tours BASED IN AMANZIMTOTI, AMON RA TRAVEL AND TOURS IS AN ESTABLISHED COMPANY, FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2014, THAT IS FOCUSED CORPORATE AND LEISURE TRAVEL - LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL.

mon Ra Travel and Tours also has a new area of focus - teaching English in Thailand. This programme helps South Africans to travel to Thailand to work as teachers. There are different training options, from VIP training to online training. The college is based in Prachuap Khiri Khan - training is provided by their Thai provider who has been training teachers since 2003. Work is around 20 to 22 hours per week of actual work. The agency also assists with teaching English in Vietnam. Vietnam is near Thailand and the programme includes a four-week Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course and a guaranteed teaching job. The two training colleges are in Hanoi (North Vietnam) and Ho Chi Minh City (South Vietnam). Services Provided: • Travel packages (flights, transfers and accommodation) • Car Hire • Accommodation (mainly South Africa) • Escorted Tours (overseas like Contiki) • Ocean Cruises • River Cruises (Europe, India and Asia) • Travel Insurance • Honeymoon type holidays

• Adventure holidays (hiking, kayaking and cycling) • Visa assistance (depending on country) • Teach English in Thailand and Vietnam Amon Ra Travel and Tours will provide you with the excellent customer service needed for all your travel needs. SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR MUM’S MAIL READERS!!! Get 10% off any travel package booked with Amon Ra Travel and Tours when you use the promo code “Keeping Mum”!

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ut there are sadly thousands of South African women who don’t dream these possibilities into being… the future just too farfetched for their babies. The Domino Foundation has a legacy strategy of investing in vulnerable children from “Cradle to Career” and this encapsulates the heart of its nine community centric interventions which impact the lives of over thirteen and a half thousand people each month, most of them children, creating what they call the #Domino Effect - changing individuals and so changing communities and then the nation. Among Domino’s first beneficiaries in 2004 were orphaned and abandoned babies. Sixteen years on and the Fairhaven Babies’ Home (also referred to as a Transition Home, not an orphanage) has nurtured over 160 little people and to date 154 babies and children have been reunited into the security of their biological or extended families, or have matched into the comforting arms of their new “forever families” through adoption. The home is currently full of the joyful noise of babies and toddlers being loved and nurtured through their various stages of development and child protection. As we all know, babies grow into busy little toddles and should also be afforded the opportunity to learn and

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Cradle to Career AS THEY GAZE AT THEIR NEWBORNS, MANY NEW MUMS DREAM OF ‘MY SON, THE DOCTOR’ OR ‘MY DAUGHTER, THE BUSINESS WOMAN’ develop their age appropriate milestones through PreSchool or Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres. Domino plays their second pivotal role into this education space by embarking on a three-year partnership with six local ECD centres, in the community of Amaoti - mentoring crèche owners through enterprise development tools in order to help them strengthen the business of foundation phase learning to enable children to thrive and prepare for school readiness. As children move into primary school and then onto secondary/high school, Domino’s Literacy and Life Skills programmes are designed to keep building their hunger and capacity for learning. On the academic side, the building blocks of phonics is to enable each child to read, write and communicate effectively in English. And as they progress to pre-adolescent youth and teenagers they are mentored into develop-

ing healthy relationships and making wise lifestyle choices, especially in regards the ever prevalent and constant reality of HIV/AIDS. Many of the beneficiaries in the interventions listed above are not adequately fed or nourished at home and depend on Domino’s Nutrition Programme for “food for thought” – over 7 000 meals in the form of sandwiches, porridge or soup are supplied through Domino’s three kitchens in the Ethekwini area (North and South Durban). The mission is that no child should be too hungry to concentrate and learn. After leaving high school, many capable and ambitious young people are faced with the challenges of unemployment, lack of finances for tertiary education or an overwhelming sense confusion as to which path to take to realise their dreams to earn a living. Domino’s Skills Development Programme provides opportunities for selected learners to apply for the Bursary Process which includes tertiary education and access to funding for living and travel allowances, educational resources and fees. Tragically, some young people react out of desperation and fall into the clutches of prowling sextraffickers. Domino’s Red Light Initiative reaches out

by developing a holistic rehabilitation process to restore individuals to health and wholeness. This achieved, the survivors are released into a reintegration programme to give them the confidence, knowledge, skills and tools required to seek alternate employment or building their own businesses. And as we all know, the current Covid-19 pandemic has left millions of children and families across the world in more abject poverty and vulnerability. The Domino Disaster Relief Unit, was a first responder to this biological disaster and by working as a part of KZN Disaster Response Team, have been able to pack and distribute over 20 000 Hope Hampers (each filled with

non-perishable food and hygiene items to help a family of four for 21 days), sent 4 000 digital Hope Vouchers and this equated to over 1 600 000 meals over the past four months. The ninth programme, The Swap Shop (an environmental and food security community partnership), is currently on hold due to the coronavirus. People often ask how they can play their part in this life changing #DominoEffect. One easy answer is that you can become a legacy builder and join the tribe of direct-debit donors by signing up to give R250 per month. Please contact Lisa Doyle at admin@domino. org.za and she will be help you to make your gift of giving a reality.

About The Domino Foundation The Domino Foundation is a registered NPO and PBO with a desire to see individuals and communities within South Africa living in dignity, justice, hope and purpose. Through their 9 focused community transformation initiatives, Domino directly impacts the lives of over 13,366 individuals daily, across KZN. The Foundation is 100% compliant in terms of the B-BBEE codes, and is able to offer companies and individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; maximum benefit based on their donations and seeks to collaborate with new partners to continue the #DominoEffect of changed lives, changing lives. Visit www.dominofoundation.org.za for more information.

Come take your special place in the #DominoEffect as demonstrated by some of our team members Happiness Zulu, Cathy Whittle, Zanele Nziwakwe, Gugu Mazwele and Zikhona Diya. WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM EVERYDAY LIFE

“

I was in the corporate world for almost a decade, but always dreamt of being involved in fashion and using my creative side more,” says Upper Highway’s Hayley van der Linde – who bravely bought an online clothing boutique in February this year. “Catwalk Couture was created in March 2018 by a friend, and when she decided to sell her business I jumped at the chance.” Catwalk Couture stock exclusive clothing that will help you stand out from the crowd. “We rarely restock the same item twice, and we offer a huge range of clothing, from beachwear to formal

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Catwalk Couture MEET YOUR NEW VERSATILE, EXCLUSIVE AND LOCAL BEST FRIEND WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE CLOTHING SHOPPING. wear,” says Hayley – adding that everything is of top quality. Priding themselves in offering the best service, they feature classy and modern fashion for the economical fashionista – with inspiration directly from the latest catwalk trends. “We only bring in a couple

of units for each style, the idea is that we sell out fast and replace it with something brand new. This means that you will have the peace of mind that what you are wearing will be uniquely you,” says Hayley. “Our recent collection is 100% local, including our bags and shoes. It’s so important to me to promote local and help empower other women in business.” Although admitting it has all been a bit of a rollercoaster due to COVID-19, Hayley is positive. “With the way the world is going, online shopping has really grown and can only continue to do so,” she smiles. Stocking items from size

SS to XXL, the nationwide courier fee is only R99. “We also have a showroom in Kloof, where clients can come and try on garments – ensuring the utmost exclusive shopping experience,” adds Hayley. “In addition to following all the sanitising procedures, we steam clean all garments after they have been tried on. “There is nothing more satisfactory than helping someone find that perfect outfit for a special occasion,” says Hayley. “I know how difficult it can be, there are not a lot of options out there.” Catwalk Couture also employ a seamstress who

can tailor make a dress for you – anything from Matric dance to bridesmaid dresses. “We can also do alterations on items that need a little nip or tuck,” laughs Hayley. “Fashion is a way of self-expression. I love helping my customers finding something that enhances their unique body shape and skin tone,” says Hayley.

For more information: www.catwalkcouture.co.za, FB: @catwalkcoutureZA Hayley 082 301 0550 Story by Katrine Anker-Nilssen Pictures by Sandra Keddie www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.za

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How to Tell if Non-Invasive Anti-Ageing Treatments are Right for You ANYONE WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH FLAWED FACIAL SKIN CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT NOT BEING HAPPY WITH YOUR FACE CAN LEAD TO A PROFOUND LACK OF CONFIDENCE, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY YOU WHO NOTICES THE IMPERFECTIONS.

on-invasive anti-ageing techniques have gained a deservingly good reputation for allowing those who miss their youthful glow or simply wish to add a little more grace to the ageing process a gentler, quicker and more natural alternative to traditional cosmetic surgery. So, how do you know that non-invasive anti-ageing procedures are the way forward for you? Dr Sheryl Smithies, an avid provider of non-invasive facial treatments, explains that there are solutions for many common challenges that make us look older:

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Your forehead: As we age, the horizontal lines running across our foreheads become more engrained, our forehead loses muscle structure becoming bonier and our temples may become sunken. This all contributes to an unnecessarily aged appearance and an overly stern expression. Eyebrows: As our skin loses elasticity our eyebrows may lose the definition in their arch, become flattened and begin to close off our eyes. The ideal brow line should frame and accentuate your eye shape as too straight of a line will obscure the form of your eyes. Frown: Many mature people have phenomenally successful but stressful careers that have left them with a propensity to frown and deep folds between their brows that leaves them with an unwarranted irritated expression. Eyes: Much like your brows, the tissue surrounding your eyes should frame and accentuate their beauty and by aesthetically managing crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet and dark circles you will ensure you look as bright-eyed and energetic as you feel. Depending on factors such as your age, genetics, and your lifestyle, you may notice that you have varying degrees of the above challenges. The good news is that all of them are easily treatable with non-surgical measures such as Botox, Fillers, Threads and Chemical Peels to name a few. You might be an ideal candidate for anti-ageing treatments without breaking the bank or going under the knife.

WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM DELICIOUS LIFE

Chicken Chow Mein CHICKEN CHOW MEIN IS PROBABLY ALREADY ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHINESE TAKEOUT DISHES.

his one-pan dinner is so satisfying with chicken, vegetables, classic Chow Mein noodles, and the best homemade Chow Mein sauce. Also, it’s way healthier than take out! Ingredients For the sauce: • Thumb-size piece fresh root ginger • 2 garlic cloves • 3 tbsp. tomato ketchup • 2 tbsp. oyster sauce • 2 tbsp. reduced-salt soy sauce

For the noodles: • 1 large red pepper • • 5 spring onions Half a 400g bag beansprouts • 1 large or 2 small chicken breasts • 3 nests medium egg noodles • 1 tbsp. sunflower oil Method Use a potato peeler to remove the skin from the ginger. Discard skin, then carefully grate 1 tablespoon from the root. Put in a bowl,

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crush in the garlic, and add the ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce and 3 tablespoons of water and stir. Use a sharp knife to cut the pepper into quarters on a board. Remove the seeds and stalk, then slice diagonally into strips. Cut the ends from the spring onions, and cut the green and white of the onion lengthways. Open the bag of beansprouts. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Boil a large pan of water on the hob. When the water is boiling, drop in the noodles, turn off the heat and set the timer to 4 minutes. When the time is up, drain in a colander or a large sieve in the sink. With everything prepared, you can now start cooking. Heat the wok – it’s hot enough when it starts to smoke. Add the oil and chicken. Use a wooden spoon to keep moving the chicken around the wok until it is half white, half pink. Add the pepper and stir-fry for a further 1 minute. Pour the sauce into the wok and stir well until bubbling. Add the noodles, beansprouts and spring onions a handful at a time, then toss into the sauce until it is well-coated, stirring constantly until the beansprouts wilt. Serve in bowls - an easy way is to use tongs. Recipe by Shikaar Yadh, Shikaaryadh@ gmail.com, 081 326 4419.

Fluffy Flapjacks THE MOST CLASSIC, FAIL-SAFE, DELICIOUS FLAPJACKS RECIPE.

‘ve tried many flapjack recipes to find the best, fluffiest one – and this one is a winner! You’ll make this one again and again! Ingredients • 500ml flour • 2 eggs • 5 tbsp sugar • 1½ tbsp butter, melted • 4 tsp baking powder • 1/3 tsp salt • 250ml milk Instructions Beat the eggs and gradually add the sugar. Add half of the milk and the melted butter to the egg mixture. Stir well. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt and add to the egg mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining milk to form a smooth mixture. If all ingredients are well mixed then don’t stir anymore.

Drop spoonfuls of dough into a greased heavy bottom frying pan or into a griddle. Turn once the top is full of air bubbles (bottom should be golden brown) and bake on the other side. Serve with butter and syrup, honey or jam. Source: www.justeasyrecipes.co.za.

JD’s Suncoast 031 332 5087

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ne of my most favourite books in the whole world is The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. He describes four agreements that one should make with oneself in order to be happy and fulfilled. The one that I feel has been most applicable to me personally of late, is; Always do your Best. It’s important to remember that your “best” varies from day to day. While today, your best may have been baking choc chip cookies, washing everyone’s hair, tidying the house, spring cleaning the kids’ rooms and cooking a three-course meal… Tomorrow, your best may merely be getting up for a shower, making tea, and going back to bed.

Dear Rockstar Mama I AM EMMA, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, PARENTING MENTOR AND MUM TO TWO BAREFOOT BOYS. Your “best” depends on your head space, your health, your energy levels, your diet, your relationships, the space your kids are in, and many other factors. What good are we doing to our emotional well-being by beating ourselves up for not achieving today, the same as what we achieved yes-

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terday…? Or worse still, by comparing ourselves to others, or gauging our “best” by other people’s standards? Don’t set yourselves up for failure by expecting the world from yourself (or anyone else) every single day. Be kind to yourself. Be understanding with yourself. Chances are, you are with your kids - why not with yourself? Just do your best. Each day. Whatever your best may be. With love, Em.

Emma Wijnberg is an Occupational Therapist and Parenting Mentor at Little Lives Occupational Therapy. You can contact her on emma@littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com or visit www. littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com.

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Dr Laura @ Home: Heart Awareness Month SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO RAISING HEART DISEASE AWARENESS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THERE COULDN’T BE A BETTER TIME TO CHAT ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES WITH THE EASING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS.

ardiovascular disease (CVD - which includes stroke and heart disease) is the second leading cause of death in South Africans. On average 120 people suffer from a heart attack daily. Symptoms of a heart attack include pressure or aching centralised chest pain with possible radiation down the left arm, jaw and neck, nausea, shortness of breath, light headedness and cold sweat to name a few. If you experience any of the above symptoms then please visit an emergency department as soon as possible to minimise the potential damage. This article is not about heart attacks though, but more on what we can do in our daily lives to decrease our risk of ever having one. The unfortunate fact is that we are seeing younger

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adults presenting with CVD and this is due to poor lifestyle choices as well as high stress environments. It is therefore imperative now more than ever that we all make a healthy change to ensure our future self is not at risk. Risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. Additional factors such as obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and family history also play their part in the disease progression. Some of these risk factors are out of our control and others are a direct result of our lifestyles. I am therefore going to focus on what we can change. Don’t smoke. The recent tobacco ban has forced many people to stop smoking and this has been a positive outcome, even if very unwelcome. If, however, you are still smoking but would like to stop ask your doctor about Champix and how it can help you stop for good. Manage all your chronic conditions responsibly. This means you should attend your primary practitioner at least twice a year to

ensure blood pressure and cholesterol are where they should be. If you are a high risk patient with multiple risk factors your doctor could recommend a stress ECG and other investigations. Make heart-healthy eating changes. Aim for low sugar and sodium options and avoid adding additional salt to your food. Also ensure that at least half your plate is filled with fresh fruit and vegetables prepared in a healthy way. Proteins should include lean meats such as chicken, ostrich and fish. Red meat intake should be limited. Your diet should include healthy fats such as avocado, olive and coconut oil. Avoid food high in trans and saturated fats. Stay active. Keep your body moving and aim to partake in moderate exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Make sure to get that heart rate up and improve your cardiovascular fitness. So let’s keep our hearts happy and healthy ensuring us a long and fulfilling life!

By Dr Laura Troskie www.umhlangagp.net.

It’s Not too Late to Vaccinate THE FLU SEASON MIGHT HAVE BEEN DELAYED THIS YEAR, BUT IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO VACCINATE.

nfluenza can manifest as uncomplicated symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, coryza (inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose), headache and malaise. Alternatively, it can manifest as a complicated influenza - requiring hospital admission if signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract are exacerbated and persistent. It is recommended that a flu vaccine is administered, especially as co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is very likely. The following risk groups have been identified: • Pregnant women • HIV infected individuals • Persons who are very overweight (BMI≥40) • Persons over 65yrs of age • Young children (from as little as 6 months) • Persons of any age who have chronic conditions e.g. pulmonary, cardiac, renal, hepatic, neurological issues. It has become mandatory for healthcare workers to be vaccinated. Please contact your local Pharmacy at SPAR Brownsdrift to vaccinate! Information supplied by www.nicd.ac.za. Contact Pharmacy at SPAR Brownsdrift on 031 563 0345/7 or brownsdriftpharmacy@ ion.co.za or WhatsApp: 067 076 6671. Shop 9A Park Centre Boulevard, 11 Brownsdrift Road, Umngeni Park.

We are open for your convenience from 7:30am – 7pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am – 2pm Saturdays, 9am – 2pm Sundays/Public Holidays. Shop 9A Park Boulevard Centre, 11 Brownsdrift Road, Umgeni Park Tel 031 563 0345/7 | Fax 031 563 9622 WhatsApp 067 076 6671 brownsdriftpharmacy@ion.co.za Pr: 0715298 WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM HEALTHY LIFE

National Oral Health Month SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL ORAL HEALTH MONTH.

ime to pay extra attention to your dental routine, particularly as two of the world’s most common health problems affect the mouth – cavities (dental caries) and gum disease. Gum disease ranks second only to the common cold in terms of prevalence, with an estimated 90% of South Africans experiencing the problem at some point. It really is in your best interest to practice good oral hygiene. Not only does it ensure a beautiful smile, but it is good for your health - gum disease has been linked to coronary heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes. And new research also shows that women with gum disease find it harder to conceive. Colgate offers some tips on oral health: The key to keeping a bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practice proper

oral hygiene. Adults can get cavities, as well as gum disease that can lead to serious problems. Throughout your adult life, it’s important to continue to: • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove dental plaque – the sticky film on your teeth that’s the main cause of tooth decay and inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. • Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gum line, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a dental hygienist during a professional cleaning. • Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks. • Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups.

For more information visit www.colgate.com.

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National Month of Deaf People SEPTEMBER IS THE INTERNATIONAL MONTH FOR DEAF PEOPLE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF WHICH TOOK PLACE IN SEPTEMBER 1951.

he Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) and the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA) both promote awareness of the rights of Deaf persons in South Africa. According to DeafSA, the theme of the 2020 National Month of the Deaf will be Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights. This year, they want all stakeholders and affiliates to unite in endorsement of the need to secure and promote the human rights of Deaf people! Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights

- recognising the right of Deaf people to use SASL (South African Sign Language) to ensure the fulfilment of human rights, which are civil (right to life), political (right to participate in society), economic (right to work), social (right to be educated), cultural (right to belong to a cultural minority and to use sign languages) and collective (right to development and self-determination) with the leading principles of equality and non-discrimination. As an advocacy organisation, SANDA is at the forefront in promoting and

advancing the rights of Deaf people at all levels of society. SANDA’s mission is to serve as an innovative, responsive and dynamic developmental Deaf organisation that consistently ensures the protection and promotion of the rights, needs and concerns of Deaf people in South Africa. SANDA is dedicated to providing quality services, ensuring public accessibility and increasing awareness of issues affecting Deaf people at all levels in South Africa. SANDA was founded at an important moment in the history of South Africa, namely, the coming into being of a decade of a democratic dispensation ten years of post-apartheid government. SANDA is known for and steadfast in: • Placing Deaf empowerment and self-representation at the heart of inclusive development. • Developing, advancing and promoting the status of South African Sign Language. • Cherishing the nurturing of talent and potential of Deaf people to succeed. • Developing Deaf community assets

For more information visit www.sanda. org.za or follow @DeafSA on Facebook.

According to SANDA, it is advisable that children should have their hearing tested several times throughout their schooling: • When they enter school • At ages 6, 8, and 10, • At least once during middle school • At least once during high school.

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At Lake, Smit & Partners, we understand that most people are not comfortable visiting hospitals during this time. We have taken strict precautionary measures at our venues and are dedicated to creating innovative ways to reduce exposure to COVID-19 for our patients and staff alike.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN AT OUR VENUES

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OUR RECENT INNOVATIONS TO REDUCE COVID19 EXPOSURE Patients who are considered to be under investigation (PUI’s), are required to undergo specific screening at a dedicated tent facility at some of our venues. Some of these patients require basic X-Ray examinations. Lake, Smit & Partners have created a ground-breaking innovative method of examining patients that ensures zero contact between the patient and staff.

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This headbox aims to cocoon the patient’s head/face while being transported from the hospital ward to our Radiology department. The headbox will remain in place during the patient’s scan and only removed once they return to their ward.

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DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY CENTRE Tel: 087 310 4990 Fax: 087 236 0690

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PARKLANDS HOSPITAL Tel: 087 310 4986 Fax: 087 236 0686

WESTVILLE HOSPITAL Tel: 087 310 4982 Fax: 087 236 0682

ST AUGUSTINES HOSPITAL Tel: 087 310 4984 Fax: 087 236 0684

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Helping Kids through Big Changes WE’VE ALL HAD TO DEAL WITH SO MUCH CHANGE THIS YEAR, AND CHILDREN CAN BE ESPECIALLY AFFECTED BY ALL THE CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

ecause they are still developing, they are more vulnerable to big changes. It’s not only all the Covid-19 pandemic ‘talk’ and changes that ‘lockdown’ and its stages have brought about. A separation, divorce or remarriage, moving homes or cities, the birth of a brother or sister, changing schools and even starting a new grade, all mark a major change for a child. All of these can affect them a lot, sometimes even damaging their developing selfesteem. By understanding this, and preparing them in advance for the changes that lie ahead, you can help them manage the stress of the change - and everyone ends up coping better! How kids cope depends on: • Their age and personality How much change they’ve already experienced • How well prepared they were for the change • Your reaction, responsiveness and support before, during and after the change You will know if they’re not coping well with the change when their be-

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haviour starts to change a lot (e.g. more attentionseeking, demanding, poor grades, changes in sleep and concentration etc.) Big changes can be both exciting and stressful for our kids, so preparing them in advance really does wonders for them to cope with, and even enjoy the change when it happens. Top tips • Constantly put yourself in their shoes (ask yourself “how would I feel if I was him or her?”). • Talk about it - by discussing the upcoming change, it offers kids a healthy way to let out their feelings (older children may prefer to write about how they are feeling in a journal). • Keep them involved and/ or informed in the preparations - this helps them feel safer and builds the bond between you and them. • Give them extra reassurance, love and affection - in times of change our kids need us to be there for them even more than usual. • Answer all of their questions honestly - it hurts kids more when we

avoid answering or come up with ‘white lies’ to hide the real truth. • Acknowledge their fears - change can be very scary; instead of ignoring their fears, allow them to think about and even make a list of what they are most afraid of (this way you can tackle each fear one by one). • Encourage them to find the positives (once fears have been named) - all changes can be both exciting and frightening, depending on what you focus on. • Expect them to have a range of feelings - mixed feelings are very common when faced with big changes - for example; excited and anxious). • Be patient - give them time to adjust (some children need a lot more time to settle after a big change than others). • Take care of your own emotions - our kids cope best when we are coping well with a situation. By preparing our kids for life-changing events, we are helping them to cope far better with the change, and teaching them that there are healthy ways to adjust to whatever life throws at them.

Follow psychologist Carol Surya on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @ RaisingKidsPositively where she offers calm, creative and conscious positive parenting solutions. Visit www.raisingkidspositively.com.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS COMMEMORATED ANNUALLY IN SEPTEMBER TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO DO SCREENING AND PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER.

ervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among South African women. Women have a 1 in 35 lifetime risk of cervical cancer. It can be successfully treated if detected in the early stages, so it is important that women are aware of symptoms and what is normal for their bodies. Symptoms include: abnormal bleeding between periods, heavier and longer menstrual period, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding or pain during intercourse/ after menopause, increased urinary frequency. Risk factors: Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common virus spread through skin to skin contact, body fluids and sexual intercourse. Failure to use protection during sexual intercourse,

sexually transmitted infections (STIs), multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut, and use of oral contraceptives increases risk. Women with HIV infection also have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Furthermore, being overweight, inactive, consuming alcohol, poor dietary habits, smoking and exposure to chemicals increases risk. Reduce Risk Through Pap smears Having regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cells in the cervix (lower part or mouth of the womb), that could develop into cervical cancer. Screening involves taking a swab of the cervical cells. It is uncomfortable, but painless. When abnormal cells are identified and removed, in many cases it is prior to cancer cells actually developing. Early diagnosis and treatment of pre-can-

cerous lesions prevents up to 80% of cervical cancers, in high resource countries, where cervical cancer screening is routine. Who should have a Pap smear? • all women who have been sexually active, should start having Pap smears between ages 18 to 20 years • every eligible woman should preferably have a Pap smear at least every 3 years Note: • It is better to have a Pap smear at a less optimal time, than not at all • Routine cervical screening is not required for women under the age of 18 years, even if they are sexually active • If a woman is 70 years old and, within the last 5 years, had two normal Pap Smears, she need not continue with Pap smears Visit www.cansa.org.za for more information.

Dr Kathryn Carr MBChB (UCT) DCH (SA)

GENERAL PRACTITIONER Special interest in Child Health

031 573 1185

drkathcarr@gmail.com

33 Beachway, Durban North

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Torga Optical Cornubia Mall offers You Blue Light Protection SEPTEMBER IS EYECARE AWARENESS MONTH, AND TORGA SHARES SOME VALUABLE INFORMATION ON YOUR EYE HEALTH AND BLUE LIGHT.

s we face this uncertain time during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Torga Optical is open to take care of your visual needs. Your eye care is important to us! Regular eye examinations are extremely important to your overall health and your vision. Everyone wants clear, healthy, and comfortable vision for their entire life. In these uncertain times, our digital usage has increased as many of us are working from home and are exposed to a varying degree of glare, reflections and blue light, which are emitted from our digital devices. Short-wavelength, high energy blue light scatters

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more easily than other light, which means that one cannot easily focus on it. If you’re looking at a computer screen, smartphone or other digital devices that emit blue light, this unfocused visual light reduces contrast. This can result in the user straining their eyes. Blue light is not all bad - in fact the human body needs it to regulate mood and aid in memory. However, the regularity of use and proximity of digital devices to the eye can result in too much exposure. Exposure to blue light at night, especially via digital devices, can result in disturbed sleeping patterns. There are various ways to protect your eyes from too much exposure to blue light. Milder exposure to blue light can be treated with normal tinted lenses. For more prolonged exposure, special blue light blocking lenses and UV420 protective lenses are often recommended when it comes shielding your eye from the harmful effects of blue light that is emitted by digital devices. Torga Optical offers easy

solutions to reduce blue light exposure and digital eye strain. Torga Optical’s Blue Blocker Anti-Reflection coating can be applied to any pair of glasses. Their latest technology UV420 lens material offers not only blue light blocking, but protection from UV radiation as well. You can upgrade any pair of glasses in Torga Optical to UV420 protection from just R300. Increasingly, more optometrists and other eye care practitioners are advocating blue-blocker lenses – especially to patients who spend long hours staring at a computer screen or other digital screens. Torga Optical has the lens technology to provide the ideal solutions when it comes to blocking blue light.

Torga Optical Cornubia Mall: cornubia@torgaoptical.co.za or 031 502 1658. Torga Optical Ballito Junction: ballito@torgaoptical.co.za or 032 946 1417. Torga Optical Kwadukuza: kwadukuza@torgaoptical.co.za or 010 023 2549.

Early Detection Vital in Child & Teen Cancer INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR. GOLD RIBBONS ARE WORN TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS WORLDWIDE.

n South Africa it is estimated that at least half of all children/adolescents with cancer are never diagnosed due to misdiagnosis or ignorance of the symptoms of childhood cancer. Warning Signs Childhood Cancer CANSA’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Programme is aimed at educating the public on the early warning signs and in South Africa, the St Siluan Warning Signs for Childhood Cancer are used. St Siluan Warning Signs Childhood Cancer: • S – Seek medical help early for ongoing symptoms • I – White spot in the eye, new squint,

sudden blindness or bulging eyeball • L – Lump on the stomach, pelvis, head, arms, legs, testicle or glands • U – Unexplained fever present for over two weeks, weight loss, fatigue, pale appearance, easy bruising & bleeding • A – Aching bones, joints, back and easy fractures • N – Neurological signs, a change in walk, balance or speech, regression, continuous headaches with / without vomiting & enlarged head If you have any concerns about your child showing symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Visit www.cansa.org.za for more information. It’s TORGA’s REAL Spectacle Spectacle Savings

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Effective Note-taking from an Early Age FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST MONTH’S ARTICLES – EFFECTIVE READING FROM AN EARLY AGE AND TEACHING KEYWORD IDENTIFICATION FROM AN EARLY AGE, KATH DENHOLM DISCUSSES EFFECTIVE NOTE-TAKING AND EFFECTIVE SUMMARISING

he word note-taking is daunting for a young child, so I often use the more colourful word doodle. According to dictionary. com, doodle is to draw or scribble idly. If one can learn to scribble the critical information, present-mindedly from a young age, he will soon present as genius! Note-taking is complex and will take years to master. The Victorians developed two great shorthand systems to help one keep up with the rate of the speaker. Robert Jay Watson speaks on these systems in his article This Writing System Was Invented To Make Note-Taking an Easier Task. After reading this, I want to send my own children on a shorthand system course! A Warning: Teachers yell

their heads off if they see a child drawing while they are teaching, if of course the scribble was done with an absent mind. The teacher will be thrilled and astounded if the child explains that while she teaches, he is going to jot down notes of all the critical information said. Effective Note-taking Requires the Use of your Left and Right Brain Most humans have a left brain (order and structure) and a right brain (creative and analytical). If these two brains can work together, memory magic happens. Both brains must be used when scribbling notes present-mindedly. It is important for your child’s left brain to use a format, when doodling. There are various formats

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that we teach: • The bubble format • The brick format • The tree format • The key image format A format creates order and structure on a page. In their special DOODLE booklet, they can choose the format that their left brain desires that day. E.g. If they are learning about the sun, the key image is a fun format to use. Some Final Words on Effective Note-taking Note-taking effectively is an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT skill to learn and will take years of practice. Initially, a child will only be able to extract one or two pieces of critical information. This is amazing! They have begun their journey of note-taking. After the lesson, they need to revise their doodle and add colour to it. Their right brain would love this! As a child practices and begins to master the art of ‘scribbling present-mindedly’, he will no longer stare at you blankly, with an open mouth. He will be able to tell you a few things that he has learnt! This is rewarding for all involved!

The Importance of Summarising from an Early Age IF A CHILD BEGINS TO LEARN AND PRACTICE THE SKILL OF SUMMARISING AT A YOUNG AGE, IT WILL HELP HIM IMMENSELY LATER ON IN HIS SCHOOLING CAREER, WHEN THE WORKLOAD INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY.

f a child can DELAY GRATIFICATION and get into the habit of summarising his work on a WEEKLY BASIS, exams and tests will be stress free. Summarising is Like Building a House It is essential to use a STOPWATCH when summarising. This will teach a child to work QUICKLY. His brain will also love the challenge of working to a time! The quicker he completes his work, the quicker he can go and play and have fun. When summarising a text, a young child could tackle it in the following way: Power Scan (building the foundation) 1. Set stopwatch for one minute. 2. Scan the page or chapter for the following: title/ subtitles, pictures, paragraphs, sections.

3. Jot this information down after 1 minute is up. 4. Revise the above identified information Scan #2 (first layer of bricks) 1. Set stopwatch for 10 seconds per paragraph. 2. Identify two or three KEYWORDS that provide the MAIN IDEA of that paragraph. These words are usually found in the first few sentences. The following question words will help a child figure out this information: what, who, how, where, when, which and why. 3. Jot these words down. 4. Revise these words. Scan #3 (adding the next few layers of bricks) 1. One needs to decide on a format on which to place the information that is being extracted. 2. Set stopwatch for 10 seconds.

3. Find two or three KEYWORDS that can add to the information he has already extracted. 4. Place the words onto a format. 5. Add a bit of colour and illustration. 6. Revise the format. The Big Picture Using our ‘house analogy’ in just one minute, 20 seconds (plus a few more minutes for writing and revising), a child has a ‘BIG PICTURE’ of what his brain needs to summarise. He has also laid the first few layers of the foundation. A more in-depth explanation on how to summarise a text in English can be viewed on this link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Z2OGUQ5A44Q

Kath Denholm is a speech therapist who has worked in London, private practices in Cape Town and KZN and taught at Livingstone Remedial School for three years. She is the owner and founder of Little Genius Puppets, an online educational programme teaching young children to identify key information and take it to long-term memory. Visit www.geniusseries.com/memory-training-3 for more information.

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ach child processes sensory information in different ways, and a knowledge of the way your child processes sensory information can be so empowering in our parenting journey. But, what exactly do we mean when we talk about sensory processing? Sensory Input refers to the sensory experiences that take place in our environment. So sound is sensory input that we receive through our sensory receptors in our ears. Taste is the sensory input we receive through our sensory receptors called taste buds etc. Sensory processing, often referred to as sensory integration, is the unconscious processing of our senses for use. It’s how our central nervous system, the different parts of our brains, receive and process the sensory input. The way in which we process sensory information is dependent on the way we modulate it.

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Sensory What? SENSORY PROCESSING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WAY OUR CHILDREN DEVELOP. Some children are more sensitive, and experience sensory information at higher volumes. This is the way they modulate sensory input. Children that are more sensitive, and experience sensory input at higher volumes, need LESS input to register what they are experiencing. Children who are less sensitive, need MORE input to register, and may, in fact, seek out more input in order to put themselves in a good space. Modulation of sensory input directly influences mood, emotional regulation, alertness and attention. So if a child experiences significantly “low or high” volumes of sensory

input, this would have a huge implication for their mood, regulation, alertness (or sleep) and attention. Children quite often have different volume control for different senses, and understanding the way your child processes each one of their different senses, can help us to be intentional about using sensory input to help our children regulate, and develop. Take some time to notice what types of sensory input affect your children, and how. If you feel like sensory processing is affecting your child significantly, an Occupational Therapist can help with strategies to manage specific sensory processing difficulties. In the next few articles, we will look at different sensory profiles, and what they look like. Emma Wijnberg is an Occupational Therapist and Parenting Mentor at Little Lives Occupational Therapy. You can contact her on emma@littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com or visit www. littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com.

SCHOOLS CAN STILL ENTER THE 2020 OLYMPIADS AND WRITE ON YOUR PREFERRED DATES UNTIL THE END OF 2020.

onquesta is a long-time favourite with PAST PAPERS many schools due to their annual olymConquesta has a vast collection of past piads and awesome past papers. Their papers for use as revision in the classpapers are based on what the learners have room and/or at home. Their past papers been taught during the first two terms of the can be ordered directly online at www. year. They cater for grades 1 to 9 learners conquestapastpapers.com or you can and have new papers written every year to email africa@conquestapastpapers.com keep up-to-date. They cover all the subjects or call 031 764 1972. in the curriculum. Purpose and Vision ANNUAL OLYMPIADS Conquesta’s purpose is to encourage EDUCATORS: Their and inspire learners “WE BELIEVE THAT THE GROWTH WE’VE to become aware of annual Olympiad is still being run this year SEEN OVER THE YEARS IS DUE TO THE their self-worth and and due to the lockHIGH STANDARDS WE MAINTAIN. WE potential, building down, schools can get HAVE KEPT OUR PRICING STRUCTURES up their self-esteem their learners to write and confidence and AS LOW AS POSSIBLE SO THAT on any dates to suit acknowledging their STUDENTS FROM ALL INCOME GROUPS efforts, regardless of their agenda. CAN PARTICIPATE.” PARENTS: If your results. To illuminate children are not attending school, get toto parents and teachers alike each child’s gether with other parents and form a ‘home strengths and weaknesses, so they can school’ so that they have one central point be nurtured accordingly, and to provide to send papers to - enter your children so a benchmarking tool where each school that they can at least participate in a great can measure their achievements against form of testing. the national averages of participating Everything is provided and couriered to your schools. Their vision is to enable a sense doorstep and all papers are personalised for of achievement within the hearts of all each learner. Remember, they do all the mark- students, including those who are not ing and send the results back to you, together academically inclined, encouraging them with a certificate for each participant. to aspire to their full potential.

Contact Melanie Mengel on conquest@iafrica.com or 031 764 1972 for more information.

Contact 031 764 1972, conquest@iafrica.com, www.conquestaolympiads.com.

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Accelerating Learners on their Path to Digital Literacy WHILE THE PERCEPTION MIGHT BE THAT CHILDREN HAVE AN INTUITIVE GRASP ON TECHNOLOGY, THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

ccording to Magdeleen de Kock, ICT Coordinator and CAT Teacher at Curro Krugersdorp, a school in the Curro Holdings stable, learners are reliant on their parents to not only guide them through the basics, but to put them on the right track towards full digital literacy. “The first exposure learners receive to technology is through their parents. While children certainly do watch and absorb their parents’ digital behaviours, it is also the responsibility of parents to help their little ones become tech savvy through teaching. This is much like teaching your children basic skills such as dressing themselves or brushing their teeth,” De Kock states. Getting them started young While the sooner parents can teach their children

about technology the better, De Kock believes the process can be formally started from the age of four. She recommends parents begin with the following steps: • Show children the basics of the device they are using, be it a tablet or smartphone. Do they know, for example, how to switch the device on and off? What is the functionality of the buttons on the side? How to adjust the settings for the device? Or what is the meaning of the basic icons? • If you are going to use apps to help teach them, choose them carefully as some apps might serve advertising that is not child-friendly. • Use the technology alongside your child and guide them along. Do not just set up the device and

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Kirsten - 079 496 1513 kirsten@swimfundi.co.za • www.swimfundi.co.za 24 Longwoods Drive, Durban North (Pool - Salt Chlorinated, Heated & Enclosed )

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leave them to it. • Remember that anything connected to the internet can become a scary or inappropriate place very quickly, so make sure you can maintain their digital safety by keeping a watchful eye. Moving on to PC As learners progress, it will become necessary to move towards the computer or laptop. In fact, the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions forced many learners to adapt to the computer much quicker due to the move to online learning. When it comes to the basics of the PC, De Kock suggests the following: • Ensure children know how to work with the screen, keyboard and mouse. For example, how do you adjust the screen’s

brightness? What are the basics of a keyboard and how do you perform shortcuts such as copy, paste and undo? What is the difference between the left and right button on a mouse? • Make sure your child has a good pair of headphones as well as a comfortable, ergonomic chair to sit in. • Create situational awareness around a computer. This entails emphasising the correct posture in front of the PC to ensure they are comfortable for an extended period. Parents need to ensure the area around the computer is clean and without distraction, and not allow children to work with dirty hands or bring food or drink around the computer. Online resources to kick-start the basics of coding While parents can help kick-start their children’s computer literacy journey, not many are equipped to guide them further along a more serious path with regards to the introduction and experimentation of coding from a young age. De Kock recommends parents and learners investigate the many free online resources available. “To start, CodeMonkey and ScratchJR are two great sites for younger learners embarking on a basic coding journey, working through game-based or storytelling play. Another game I highly recommended is, of course, Minecraft Education Edition, offering learners the freedom to build and learn in a safe environment,” she states. “When moving on to more serious lessons, Learning. com and Code.org provide structured curriculum built around digital literacy and computer science, and can help learners even in the high school phase.” Communication is key Even though schools will teach learners about computers from scratch starting in Grade 1, De Kock remains adamant parents must be involved in their child’s digital literacy journey throughout. And much like one must check up on children’s homework and ask them about their day at school, she believes parents

also need to find the time to do so when it comes to tech. “Go and sit next to them and simply ‘check in’ behind the computer or tablet. Ask them what they are doing, how did they manage to do what they did, and if they are struggling with anything. Doing so will often help your child to understand the process better, and give parents peace of mind that their children are becoming better equipped to ultimately operate in the fourth industrial revolution. It should also provide parents the opportunity to make sure their children are working within a safe environment. Accelerating your child on their path to digital literacy will reap invaluable rewards, especially given that online schooling can very well become the norm going forward - considering how the education sector has had to adapt to COVID-19. Lastly, don’t be afraid to learn from and with your child to explore new technology,” De Kock concludes.

For more information: www.curro.co.za.

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Tech is the Future of Education THE PANDEMIC HAS NOT ONLY HAD A CATASTROPHIC EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY, BUT IT HAS DESTROYED THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

owever, there have been some positive changes that will improve the lives of many going forward. This is according to Karri CEO Doug Hoernle. The educational landscape has changed dramatically over the past few months with increased connectivity and tech that promotes new innovative ideas. Classrooms have evolved to accommodate virtual lessons and smart technologies allow online access to students and parents. Schools are embracing the symbiotic relationship between education and tech and teachers are already realising the enormous value of using digital learning tools in the classroom. Digital learning tools are certainly more effective for personalising instruction and are more effective for engaging students. Pupils want to finish the school year and are using apps to keep up to date with changes and to collaborate with teachers and fellow pupils. Parents and teachers have turned to tech to help them cope, especially with all the uncertainty around

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the closing of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schools. Schools across the country are trying to assist parents and pupils and are offering guidelines to make for a smoother transition with the use of technology. There are countless innovative apps that have been specifically developed to simplify our daily lives and there are no limits to what your smartphone can achieve. Apps are transforming the way we live, they are helping us manage our time better and ensuring that we are always connected. With little effort, we can now order takeaways, check the weather, book a hotel room or call a taxi. Karri is at the forefront of technology, providing more than 1000 schools across the country with a mobile payment app that is fast, secure and powered by Nedbank. It allows parents to make safe, quick and convenient payments to their school. The app has helped move millions in cash through secure, trackable online transfers. Studies show that cash is one of the highest carriers of germs and parents

should therefore consider alternative payment methods to reduce the risk. Cash and debit or credit cards can carry germs and nasty microbes for up to 48 hours. So why do we insist on sending dirty money to school with our kids? This critically shows that the money we are handling on a daily basis, be it cash, debit or credit cards, are filthy and just as likely to be passing on diseases and germs as physical contact with another person. With Karri, there is no need for a parent to come onto the school premises to use a card terminal; or for children to be moving around dirty money. To help schools prevent the spread of Covid-19, Karri has also introduced a new feature to screen children and staff in the comfort of their homes before they arrive on the school premises.

Visit www.karri.co.za for more information.

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Save During Tough Financial Times TRAIN YOUR BRAIN TO IMPLEMENT MONEY-SAVING TACTICS, EVEN DURING DIFFICULT FINANCIAL TIMES!

hat a difficult and emotional time it has been these past few months. Not to even mention the FINANCIAL challenges you’ve had to endure (and most likely still are dealing with). On a positive note: with 2020’s ‘financial lemons’ you might not be able to make lemonade yet, but in the meantime, you can at least try your best to put some tangy zest to good use (metaphorically speaking of course). It may be a challenging time for your financials but there are ways to still try and save money even when it feels

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impossible. If you have not been able to get your head around saving money during financially tough times, now is the time to ‘train your brain’, test this concept and set forth money-saving habits for years to come. “The key to saving money is in ‘small’ actions. Perhaps insignificant for some, but with every action or reaction it is important to think before you ‘do’,” says Carla Oberholzer (debt adviser at DebtSafe). The possibility to save money during tough times comes in when you think about the outcome of your

action before you implement it. Yes, train that brain of yours. “What does this mean exactly,” you may ask. Well, before you do anything (even the ‘smallest act’ possible) think of the financial implication(s) of your action and see if you can save some money with your action (or, in many cases, NON-action) instead. Take the following example into account: Before you start that washing machine or dishwasher for the third or fourth time this week – think of how you can save on the electricity bill this month. Remind yourself that you should limit an energy-hungry appliance to once a week. So, before pressing the ‘start cycle’, start planning your ‘wash schedule’ a bit better and implement a frugal, moneysaving habit instead. Here are another few ideas to help you gather certain thrifty thoughts and implement savvy-saving actions even while being in or facing a financial pinch: • Try PENNY-PINCHING HABITS while shopping and avoid unnecessary buys during your outings. Groceries and personal care items are indeed expensive. You, therefore, have to train your brain to look out for good prices and be unwilling to spend any extra money on things you do not need. Take your list with you when going

shopping, and before you can even think of adding an ‘extra item’ to your cart, calculate the few rands that you can save and rather give that item’s aisle a skip. • ‘Less bla bla bla & MORE MOOLAH LA LA’. Everyone has an opinion, right? But that does not mean you have to get overwhelmed with all the advice given to you. Take a look at YOUR situation, consider YOUR financial saving goals, and think logically about what can work for YOU. You know yourself better than anybody else. So, think about ways to boost your money-saving methods and try to put them to action. Tip for thought: Get your own creative ideas going and think out of the box when it comes to saving habits (for example, when it comes to fuel costs and everyday tasks that cost money) as it can play a crucial role when it comes to enduring those tough financial times. • Don’t overwhelm your thoughts with your current

DEBT REALITY but step aside from any negative emotion and FIX YOUR DEBT practically instead. As soon as you get your debt out of the way you can indeed start tucking more than a few pennies away again. If you are in the unfortunate position to deal with debt, especially when you are finding yourself in financial hardship or tough situation, there are ways to clear your thoughts and implement practical actions to FIX your debt and to save money again: • Snowball your debt – start to tackle your lowest debt amount (for example, a clothing account) and then move to clear the next debt. This method can be of good use to you during very difficult financial times. • If you are a bit more diligent or competitive towards your saving goals and clearing your debt, use the avalanche method and start with your highest interest rated debt first (say your credit card) and move on to

your other debts. As soon as your debt bills are out of the way you can add those savings amounts into a savings account or emergency fund. • If you need to take more drastic measures to clear your debt and want to save some money on your credit installments, you can take a look and see if Debt Review will be a viable option for you. Debt Review is not a payment holiday but rather a rehabilitation process where you, with the help of a Debt Counsellor, can fix your debt pile in a sustainable and safe way. When debt-free, you can activate various saving methods/initiatives again. Saving a penny here or there is not easy, especially while facing financial draining times. But, if you put your mind to it and action those thought-wise habits while doing even the ‘smallest of tasks’, you can save some money in the process.

For more information visit www.debtsafe. co.za.

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Organising an Inclusive Birthday Party BIRTHDAY PARTIES CAN CREATE FEAR IN MANY PARENTS. ALL THE EXCITEMENT, NOISE AND SUGAR AT THE START, FOLLOWED BY TEARS AND TANTRUMS AT THE END.

ot to mention all the expensive, catering and planning that’s involved. But one aspect of the planning that parents shouldn’t worry over is the invite list. Should you invite the child in the class with special needs? The simple answer is, yes. Having children with special needs at the party may require a bit of extra preparation, but it shouldn’t mean they miss out on an invite. Not invited For parents of children with special needs, knowing there’s a party on the horizon can cause dread

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for them too. But for very different reasons. Social media has been buzzing with examples of disabled and special needs children not being invited to birthday parties. And in some cases, they are the only child in the class without an invite. In response, blog posts have popped up across the internet from special needs parents urging people to include their children. One mother wrote an open letter on Facebook to the parents of her son’s classmate. They didn’t invite him to their party, because, she believes, he has Down syndrome.

Social exclusion: the new bullying? According to the Institute of Social Exclusion, bullying has changed from playground teasing to being excluded from activities. Both types of bullying can have the same emotional impact on the individual. But not all exclusion is about party invitations or games in the playground. Many parents say their special needs children are being excluded from relatives’ homes because of behaviours associated with their child’s disability. Some children are excluded

all the children. All children will enjoy this, not just special needs children. • Many children have dietary needs, so make sure you know what the children can and cannot eat ahead of time. All it takes is a little extra organisation and thought, and your child’s next birthday party can be a wonderful occasion that all their friends can enjoy.

By Leigh Marcos on www.specialneeds.com.

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because they’re simply ignored by relatives or family members won’t make necessary accessibility changes to their property. Social inclusion improves health In a report by the UK’s University of Birmingham, engaging in play and leisure activities outside the home can help improve psychological wellbeing and physical health. It can also contribute towards positive social interactions and relationships. The report’s message highlights that whilst disabled children and their families face some barriers to social inclusion, disabled children have just the same needs as other children. Plan ahead for a fun, inclusive party To make your child’s next birthday party inclusive, it just needs a bit of extra planning. By thinking carefully about a few details, it’s possible for everyone to enjoy themselves. Here are some tips to help you create a birthday party that includes everyone. Don’t be afraid to speak to parents of children with special needs if you are uncertain about what their child may require. • Think about how accessible your house is or the venue that you will be having the party at. Could a wheelchair get through easily if required? • Think about what activities will suit your guests. From simple craft activities, singing and dancing and organised sports, to board games and Lego. Parties can be quite chaotic and confusing. • The more you can explain to the children about what is going to happen and when the better. That way they will know what to expect. • Some children can find the moment when everyone sings the happy birthday song incredibly overwhelming. A brief activity in another room could be a good distraction and ensure there’s minimal distress. • Organise different zones that each have a variety of sensory activities available for

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First Annual Great Sunflower Bake Off a Resounding Success THE FIRST ANNUAL GREAT SUNFLOWER BAKE OFF IN CELEBRATION OF THE SUNFLOWER FUND’S 20TH BIRTHDAY WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS, WITH 100 ENTRIES COMING IN FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

nthusiastic bakers submitted their most creative sunflower cakes for judging by celeb judges Justine Drake and Lameez Abrahams. Entries included some professionally baked creations as well as some interesting novice and kids’ creations - but all were equally well-received by organisations who were surprised with a confectionary gift as part of the pay it forward entry mechanic that formed part of the campaign. With a coveted Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer amongst the R50 000 worth of prizes up for grabs, 10 finalists were selected in each category, who participated in a hotly contested public voting period. The winning cake, with 165 public votes won it all for Olivia Barrett from La Lucia. Winners in the various categories are: Kids 1st: Olivia Barrett (La Lucia, KZN) 2nd: Ava Monteiro (Somerset West, WC) 3rd: Faraaz Meer (Vryheid, KZN) Novice 1st: Vaishali Rajoo (Benoni, Gauteng) 2nd: Amy Lawrence (Pinelands, WC) 3rd: Jolieta Kruger (Somerset West, WC) Intermediate 1st: Kayla Joubert (Vereeniging, Gauteng) 2nd: Amy Lawrence (Pinelands, WC) 3rd: Chantel Theunissen (Edgemead, WC) Advanced 1st: Kayla Joubert (Vereeniging, Gauteng) 2nd: Ashleigh Freeks (Mitchells Plein, WC) 3rd: Chantel Theunissen (Edgemead, WC) The judges’ choice winner was Raushan

Davids and she wins a signed copy of Siba Mtongana’s cookbook Welcome To My Table. The Sunflower Fund, partnered by DKMS, would like to congratulate all the lucky winners and extend a huge thanks to all entrants and their supporters for helping us celebrate 20 years of impact, as well as to raise funds to continue their life-saving work through this great initiative. Funds raised from the event will enable The Sunflower Fund to create awareness and education about blood stem cell donation, recruit more blood stem cell donors, grow the patient support fund and maintain a registry of committed donors. This, in turn, means greater hope of cure for patients who are diagnosed with lifethreatening blood diseases and who are in need of a blood stem cell transplant from a matching unrelated donor.

For more information on The Sunflower Fund partnered by DKMS or how to register as a blood stem cell donor, please visit www. sunflowerfund.org or call 0800 12 10 82.

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How to Get Your Financial Freedom Back After Lockdown DO YOU HAVE A NEW PICTURE IN MIND REGARDING YOUR FINANCIAL FREEDOM OR INDEPENDENCE, ESPECIALLY AFTER VARIOUS LOCKDOWN LEVELS YOU HAVE HAD TO ENDURE?

verything is certainly not back to normal yet but, now is a good time to slowly but surely pick up the pace when it comes to your financials. Is your financial picture of independence, perhaps, the delight of pure happiness – to do what you want and when you want to again? Financial freedom can mean various things to different people. You, the youngster, possibly have new specific financial goals (like starting an emergency fund ASAP) compared to the senior, that wants (now more than ever) a level of some peace of mind during retirement. “Financial freedom is indeed personal

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and others’ circumstances can differ from your situation. You never know how ‘good’ your situation actually is, when compared to those around you. And, you may have realised how blessed or lucky you are,” says Carla Oberholzer (debt expert at DebtSafe). But, no matter how much financial goals or circumstances can differ, MONEY plays an important role in others’ and YOUR life. What is that famous saying again? Money makes the world go round. Perhaps a bit of a shallow concept for some, but indeed true. So, how do you make sure you gain your financial freedom back after lockdown? By now you might have pondered a bit

about what YOUR ideal financial freedom picture looks/can look like… Here are, therefore, FIVE FUNDAMENTAL ideas to help you continue the journey to reach proper financial independence and freedom: 1. Know the depth of your money situation & start to manage your money properly from there Have you revised your budget at all? Ask yourself where you are at, financially speaking. Are you and your loved ones on the same page about the household’s finances and what does your overall money situation look like now? Where do you need to be and how are you going to get there? What will your unique starting point be (for example, cutting a few costs, implementing a plan for everyone to contribute to the household’s savings fund, etc.)? Taking the effect of the recent Covid-19 chaos and crisis into account of course. 2. Fix where/when you need some ‘financial fixing’ Usually, when you need to fix your financial situation, debt has taken over your financial picture. Get rid of your unnecessary worries and tackle your debt one by one. Expect results when you start to pay off the lowest debt amount (perhaps a store card) off first. And, go on from there – continue to keep the snowball moving until all your debt is paid or until your debt is more than manageable. 3. When you pay yourself first you can save bit by bit Before those debit orders go off, it can help you to put an amount away first. If it is only R20 that you start off with – it’s okay. Times sure have been tough lately. Just start saving already. You never know when you’ll need that stash during another, upcoming emergency. And, you don’t want to make extra debt again, do you? 4. Your financial goals are extremely important, so commit - You need a clear picture of your new outlook on life (your short-term and long-term goals). And, be proactive to continually ‘chase’ those

goals. Plan accordingly and know where you are going with your ideals. Short-term goals usually involve a savings fund (for events during the year like a Birthday or holiday) and an emergency fund (when, as you’ve realised, an unexpected crisis arises). Longterm goals will entail investment type of goals such as your well-deserved retirement, education (for yourself or dependents) and property investment related options (house/ flat), for example. 5. It’s so good to give when you can/the time is right Financial freedom is not only in receiving but being able to give in YOUR WAY through time via advice, resources, and/ or if you are lucky, donations/money. You might not see giving opportunities right now after various lockdown levels, but perhaps when you have stabilised your unique minieconomy you can surely give a helping hand to someone in urgent need. It does not only tinkle the heart, but it also sets forth a legacy principle of paying it forward. Don’t find yourself being held captive by your current financial situation but strive for financial independence - AKA freedom. It is possible if you plan well, look out for various opportunities or options AND be happy in the process. Remember, your financial freedom = most of all happiness, and it is a huge achievement. It IS possible and you can reach it. You just have to try hard enough and search for it around every corner.

By Carla Oberholzer, www.debtsafe.co.za.

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Returning to the Not so Normal PIETERMARITZBURG-BASED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST, SAM HART, TALKS TO MUM’S MAIL READERS ABOUT THE RECENT RETURN TO SCHOOL AND THE EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO SEE IN YOUR CHILDREN OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

he past few months have been turbulent for teachers, parents and children. We have had the introduction of COVID-19 into our everyday lives, the inevitable lockdown that followed, the first attempt at a return to school, the closing of schools once again and now the reopening of schools for all grades. It is not surprising that many parents and children may feel a wide mix of emotions such as confusion, apprehension, frustration, or even pure excitement at the thought of returning to school. Each child and parent will have a unique perspective and range of feelings, based on their own experiences of the virus, and it is important to remember that each of those feelings are valid and real for the person experiencing them. As parents, the decision falls on you as to whether to send your child back to school or to opt for continued home-schooling. It

is also your responsibility, as parents, to do what you feel is in the best interests of your own child, but remember, your child likely has their own thoughts and opinions. Talk to your child about how they feel about going back to school and keep those communication lines open as this will help you make your decision. For those parents who decide to send their children back to school, you may come across a few of the following experiences: Younger Children Most children have been safely sheltered in their homes, with their parents or guardians, for the past few months. Now the prospect of leaving that bubble of safety is becoming a reality. You may notice that your once independent child begins to experience some anxiety when having to separate from you, particularly on their first day back at school. This is a normal reaction to a very abnormal situation. Children are now

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entering a location (school) that was once deemed a safe place to be, but now they find themselves surrounded by people with masks and they have to have their temperature taken to enter the school. Their desks have been moved away and now they have to sit further apart from their friends, both in the classroom and at break. You may also notice some changes in your child’s behaviour, where your usually loud and confident child quietens down and becomes a little more anxious and unsure. It may also be the case that your usually well-behaved child now begins to display some negative behaviours during the school day. Once again, these reactions are your child’s way of coping with an abnormal experience, and it will take them time to adjust to the new rules and expectations placed on them. Keep those communication lines open with your children, let them know that you are their safe place to fall when they get home from school. Reinforce their resilience, self-esteem and their courage so that they feel ready to face the next day and the day after that. Older Children and Teenagers Older children and teenagers may have a better understanding of the reasons behind the changes they will

see in their school environment when they return. This does not necessarily indicate that they feel any more confident or safe about returning to school. They may be frustrated by the limits placed on their social interactions and freedoms and they may feel a sense of anxiety at having a limited time to catch up on the curriculum. The removal of their extramural and sports activities may also negatively influence their state of mind as these activities would have provided a safe place to let off some of the steam from the day. Parents may notice a change in their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour, either in the build-up to returning to school or once they are back at school. A once confident and self-assured older child or teenager may start to rely more on their parents as confidants and

there may be a renewed seeking of reassurance from your child that may not have been seen for years. Like with younger children, it is important for your child to know that they can come and talk to you about their fears and anxieties. It may also help your older child or teenager to work out a new daily or weekly routine, based on when they will be attending school, and what projects or assignments they will receive for the days that they are not required at school. This will provide increased structure and certainty while they are finding their feet again. Whether you are the parent to a young child or a teenager, your children will adjust at their own pace, to the new normal that is the school year of 2020. As parents, believe in the knowledge that you have done your best to raise a resilient

young person and that your children are doing their best to cope with their new environment and expectations. Do not be surprised if your child loves being back at school, they too are handling the new situation in the best way that can and their positivity for school should be reinforced and encouraged. For those children who may find the return to school a little more challenging, and who may show signs of heightened anxiety, or a sense of not coping, keep those communication lines open and build up their support system at home. If necessary, seek the help of a professional to assist your child to cope with those challenges they face. Keep well, keep safe and keep moving forward together. You can contact Sam Hart for an appointment on 033 346 1650.

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Africa’s Wild Dogs - A Survival Story AFRICA’S WILD DOGS – A SURVIVAL STORY IS A LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHIC CELEBRATION OF ONE OF THE CONTINENT’S MOST CHARISMATIC AND ENDANGERED PREDATORS.

ith only about 6 600 wild dogs left in Africa today, wildlife photographer Jocelin Kagan has made it her mission to bring the extraordinary lives of these often misunderstood and maligned animals into the spotlight. Her remarkable images of rarely seen interactions between the animals and her

personal observations are supported the insights of an array of scientific experts their contributions discuss the fascinating behaviour and pack dynamics of these efficient hunters. Nomadic predators whose territories range thousands of kilometres, wild dogs hunt co-operatively, preying on small herbivores. They are nonconfrontational, smart and sociable, and form complex and close family bonds, as this fascinating book reveals. Now restricted to small populations and threatened by human persecution, diseases, habitat fragmentation, climate

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change and natural predation, the conservation of these dogs will be supported by the royalties earned from the sale of this book. Wildlife photographer Jocelin Kagan holds a Henley Management College MBA, is an educator and public speaker, and the author of four books. She is a passionate advocate for wild dogs and has been tracking and photographing them since 2010. She has also been involved in international campaigns to raise funds for their conservation. All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Africa’s Wild Dog Survival Fund.

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Beating the Bounce: Why you Need a Good Sports Bra! A SPORTS BRA’S MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO REDUCE MOVEMENT OF BREAST TISSUE.

y doing this, you reduce the impact on your breasts and thereby protect the tissues and ligaments from permanently stretching due to the impact of exercise and sport. In theory its simple - reducing the movement leads to less strain on your breast tissue and you avoid pain and discomfort when exercising. But finding the right sports bra is a real struggle for so many women, especially

larger breasted ladies. At Sarah Elizabeth we believe ? find not that women should only the right support, but also the right style of sports bra so that they can go out and live an active life. Being a long-distance runner myself, I really understand the importance of wearing a sports bra that allows you to feel supported so that you can go out and feel confident while exercising. The day I discovered a great fitting supportive sports bra my life literally changed. No more doubling up or feeling self-conscious, and thankfully sore breasts were a thing of the past. Why do you need a good sports bra? Every woman’s breasts are supported by Cooper’s Ligaments and if this tissue is permanently stretch it can become dam-

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aged and this can lead to sagging. Good support is therefore an essential part of your exercise kit. Not wearing a good sports bra can lead to damage of the cooper’s ligament and your breast’s skin. A good sports bra should protect your breasts, allowing you to exercise pain free, reduce strain on breast tissue, minimised breast movement and reduce the chance of breast sag and long-term breast damage. Top three tips when buying a sports bra: 1. Consider what sport or exercise am I doing? Match the level of support you need to the bra options. If it is a high impact sports, like running, horse riding, CrossFit, then you need to choose a sports bra that offers you high impact support. A

more structured option is going to be best choice. If you are doing a less impact activity, like Pilates, then choose a sports bra that offers moderate dynamic support. 2. The snugger the band the better, it helps to stabilise and anchor the bra to your body and thereby reducing movement. HOWEVER, you still need to breathe and move, especially if you are participating in a cardiovascular activity. It’s about finding the balance between a snug band and being comfortable. 3. Here is my top tip when you try on a sports bra move around. Do not just stand in front of the mirror, actually jump up and down, jog on the spot. Move around in the fitting room, you will soon discover whether that style works for you. My favourite sports bras: I love my Panache Sports bra and for ladies doing high impact sports this is definitely one of my go to

options. The moulded cups offer outstanding support and a defined shape. Most importantly, this bra SIGNIFICANTLY reduces bounce and movement – research shows 83% less bounce. For larger breasted ladies the non-padded Panache Sports Bra is a fantastic option. The Epic Sports Bra by Freya offers high performance support with full coverage for ladies looking for comfort while exercising. High-tech COOLMAX fabric pulls the moisture away from the skin with a fast-drying action. It offers great shape, lift and supports by encapsulating the breast rather ?than traditional compression. For larger breasted ladies the new Extreme Control Plus from Anita is an outstanding choice. It has a double strap combination that offers stability and support. The Energise from Elomi is another good option that offers good support as each breast is

supported and movement is reduced. I have fitted and helped hundreds of women find the right sports bra for them. If there is one bra that I think women should invest in it is a good sports bra. Living an active, healthy life is so important and I believe no woman should feel inhibited from doing this because of breast movement. A good sports bra allows you to go out and not have to worry about the bounce but rather focus on being healthy and active. If you need help, advice or to book a fitting please get in contact. We can’t wait to help you get active and beat the bounce. By Sarah Swainson. Contact Sarah Elizabeth on sarah@sarahelizabeth.co.za or visit www.sarahelizabeth.co.za. WIN! WIN! WIN! Mum’s Mail has a sports bra from Sarah Elizabeth to give away, valued at approximately R1500. Visit www.mumsmail. com to enter.

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For the Love of Elephants MEET FRANCOISE MALBY-ANTHONY, THE PASSIONATE WOMAN WHO KEEPS THE LATE ELEPHANT WHISPERER’S LEGACY ALIVE – AND MORE, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN

rancoise left France for South Africa 33 years ago. And yes, it was for love. “I met Lawrence in 1987, while waiting for a taxi in London,” she smiles. “And that’s how it all started.” In 1998 Francoise and renowned conservationist Lawrence Anthony bought a rundown 1 500ha hunting game reserve in Zululand. “Lawrence had the vision of a large conservation area, and Thula Thula was going to be the first step,” says Francoise. “We welcomed our famous herd of seven elephants in 1999… and today we have 29!” Hunting has not been permitted for the past 22 years,

and the Thula Thula wildlife population has grown beautifully – as well as the land. “We have increased the size to 4 500 ha and are planning to expand further soon,” says Francoise – adding there are plenty of other beautiful creatures at Thula Thula, including rhino, hippo, buffalo and giraffe. Francoise was thrown into the deep end when Lawrence passed away in 2012. “I was totally unprepared for my new responsibilities in conservation. A woman, a blonde and a foreigner… nobody believed I was going to make it,” she laughs. “I realised how much I had to learn.

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Although I had been in the bush for 14 years, I had been dealing mainly with the admin, marketing and the running of both our lodges.” But Francoise grabbed the challenge headfirst, and was also inspired to create the Volunteers Academy – a centre aiming to educate on the subject of nature and wildlife conservation. The NPO opened in July 2018 and is a huge success. “Education is key to conservation, and we need to inspire future generations to raise awareness on environmental issues and the necessity to protect endangered species,” says Francoise. With the elephants visiting Francoise at the main house after Lawrence passed away, she sensed the importance of the need to carry on. “It was as if they were trying to tell me something. And it was a powerful message: I was not alone, I had a family to look after, I had a responsibility that I could not give up,” says Francoise. “The legacy was now in my hands, and this gave me direction and purpose.” The elephants’ presence and returning visits encouraged Francoise to lead the Thula Thula team to where they are now, despite all storms, conflicts and numerous challenges. “There is never a dull moment, always something unexpected happening,” says Francoise. “But I am blessed

to be working with a wonderful team who have been with me for many years and share my passion and vision for Thula Thula and its conservation projects.” The expansion of Thula Thula, with some private and some community land for elephant habitat, is one of the most exciting projects currently on the go. “We have almost reached our maximum capacity in terms of habitat for our special elephant family, and had to implement a reversible male elephant contraception program a few years ago to allow controlled breeding,” explains Francoise. “With this expansion, our special herd will be able to enjoy much-needed bigger space and renewed happy family life with new births.” The development will also improve employment and education in the local communities involved – with more land to protect and manage. “20 km of new fencing, essential access roads, extra security, guards training and equipment, land management, removing non-indigenous plants and trees… the list is endless,” says Francoise. The introduction of a new endangered species is also on the cards – still confidential at this stage, but to be revealed soon. “We are also planning to introduce more rhinos to increase our rhino population,” says

Francoise. After the reserve’s last rhino, Heidi, was slaughtered for her horn in 2009, Thula Thula adopted two baby orphans called Thabo and Ntombi – and handreared them until they were 18 months old. “They were then released into the reserve under 24/7 surveillance by armed guards. In 2013 their horns were infused with a special dye to further protect them, and in 2016 we were forced to take the drastic measure of removing their horns,” says Francoise. In 2017 satellite and GPS tracking collars were also fitted on the rhinos. “Despite the tragedy of our rhino orphanage in February 2017, where two of our orphan rhinos, Impi and Gugu, were slaughtered by poachers for their horns, we decided not to give up on our actions to save more rhinos,” says Francoise. “In May last year we acquired two female rhinos, mother and daughter Mona and Lisa, with the vision of creating a growing rhino family at Thula Thula. Sadly, Lisa passed away in January of a viral infection. But in March we had the most amazing surprise when Mona gave birth to a baby girl,” beams Francoise. “We named her Sissi, short for Busisiwe in Zulu, which means blessing.” With a woman like

Francoise at the helm, the fighting spirit of Lawrence and Thula Thula will never cease. “I have learnt that adversity and tragedy has a way of opening doors to new roads of hope and opportunities, and that the most important thing when faced with difficulty is the way we respond to it,” says Francoise. *

Thula Thula has created a fun and extremely popular adoption programme to assist with fundraising for their conservation projects. Email info@ thulathula.com or visit www.thulathula. com for more information.

THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER

Lawrence Anthony took in a herd of wild elephants and communicated with the matriarch through the tone of his voice and body language. In time he came to be known as the elephant whisperer, and his wonderfully written book The Elephant Whisperer (2009) is a true reflection of his ability to be one of the pachyderms. Francoise’s recent book An Elephant In My Kitchen (2018) is equally inspiring.

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Child Passenger Safety Week DESPITE CONSTANT PROGRESS IN TERMS OF VEHICLE SAFETY, ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS STILL REPRESENT THE NUMBER ONE CAUSES OF FATALITIES AMONGST CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10.

egardless of it being law that every child under the age of 3 be securely strapped into a car seat, a shocking 93% of motorists, taxi and bus services flaunt this law, which is not effectively enforced by local and national police. The majority of injuries, through car accidents, are due to a complete lack of any kind of child safety restraint. An adult holding a child in their arms provides absolutely no protection in the event of an accident. In a crash at a speed of 50 km/h, body weight is increased by around 30 times. For example, a child weighing approximately 30 kg turns into a projectile weighing a ton. At the point of impact, no-one is capable of restraining them. The strength of the impact is equal to falling three stories. “Child Passenger Safety week runs internationally from the 7th to the 11th of September, and we at Maxi-Cosi really want to get people talking about the importance of our children’s safety in motor vehicles in South Africa.,” says Debbie Billson, Operations Director for Maxi-Cosi. “We want to

educate and inform South African road users of the dangers of travelling on our roads with children who are not securely strapped into a car seat, as well as ensuring the car seat they use has undergone the minimum crash testing required. Strapping our children into a well secured car seat needs to become something every single one of us do, no matter how short a car trip we are doing!” While children under the age of three are legally required to be securely restrained in a car seat, standard seat belts in

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most cars are designed for adult passengers 150cm and taller, leaving children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old requiring additional support in the form of a booster seat. “Children under 150cm are not safe just being secured by a seat belt, they are physically not developed enough to be secure,” says Bilson. “The lower belt doesn’t sit on their hips, as it is intended to do with adults, and rather ends up around their abdomen, which can result in fatal internal injuries in the case of a crash. The upper

section of the belt rests dangerously across their neck, as opposed to being on their shoulder, and can easily break a child’s neck in the case of an accident! A simple booster seat can prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths.” South African consumers are fortunate to have a large selection of well-tested, reasonably priced car seat options, there is no excuse not to be using one! “The average car seat costs a measly 1% of the value of most cars in SA,” exclaims Billson. “For the average lifespan of a car seat it works out to less than R2 per day to ensure your child is safe – there honestly is NO EXCUSE to not be securing your child into a car seat every time they get into a vehicle!” Here are a list of safety tips to ensure you are using your car seat as effectively and safely as possible: Always use a car seat, even on short trips It’s obvious, and it’s the law, but we still sometimes see children travelling without a car seat. Accidents can happen, even on the shortest trips. Many children are taken on trips of less than 3km without being strapped in, therefore, if unrestrained, an impact can prove fatal from speeds of 20km/h. In the event of an accident when a child is not restrained by a safety

device, the risk of being ejected from the car is 6 or 7 time greater. Avoid second-hand car seats You can never be sure a second-hand car seat is a safe car seat. You don’t know if it’s been damaged in an accident, or has pieces missing or has been misused in any way. Use the correct size car seat It’s best to buy a car seat for your child based on their current height and weight. Investigate and consider all your options when purchasing a seat that claims to cover multiple age groups. Your child must travel in a car seat that is the appropriate size for them. This will ensure adequate safety for your child if you are ever involved in a collision Make sure the safety harness is at the right height and not twisted The harness should always be adjusted to the correct height setting which is at shoulder height. Check there are no twists in the straps. Incorrect height placement of the harness often results in children unbuckling themselves, escaping from the seat, head flops and potentially the harness could slip off during a collision. Use a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible It’s safest for babies and toddlers to stay in a rear-

facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old. It doesn’t matter if their legs stick out, but if their heads are higher than the seat shell, they need the next size. The neck of a child matures with age, and not when it reaches a certain stature or mass. Up until 15 months, the baby’s neck is not yet developed enough to withstand the impulsive force of an average frontal collision because of its relatively heavy head. The excessive pressure on the neck of the baby might lead to serious neck injuries. When travelling rearward facing, the forces of a frontal collision are better spread over a greater area of the body of the baby, which leads to less pressure on the head and neck. Beware of activated frontal airbags The safest place for a rear-facing car seat is on the back seat. This avoids the danger of front airbags inflating against the seat. Deactivate the front airbag if you use your car seat on the front passenger seat and place this seat in the further most position. Keep loose items off the rear parcel shelf In an accident, even small loose items can turn into dangerous projectiles. Tuck them away safely. For more information about Child Passenger Safety Week: www.facebook. com/childpassengersafetyweek/.

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Rock the Kitchen: One Pot Wonders OFTEN SLOW-COOKED, WITH ONLY A FEW SIMPLE AROMATICS, INEXPENSIVE CUTS OF MEAT OR BOLD WINTER VEGETABLES, THESE FAVOURITES CAN DELIVER THE DEEPEST, RICHEST AND MOST SATISFYING BOWLS OF GOODNESS ON EARTH, WRITES ANT ELLIS.

hen I think of curries, stews, braises, tagines, tray bakes or pot roasts from around the world, I envisage hearty family meals that, for my squad at least, require only some fresh bread and a couple of gallons of good wine. But beyond the end result, let’s talk about the benefits of this style of cooking. Firstly, they’re DUH easy: One-pot dishes really require one thing to be successful – patience. Some simple preparation and you’re halfway there – just remember to keep your protein moist, and don’t burn it like a klutz – just let ’em go, low and slow, for as long as possible and you’re the heavyweight cooking champion of the world with no training whatsoever. Secondly, they’re so versatile you don’t need a recipe. Aim for balance, season correctly and keep it relatively simple, you can’t mess it up (don’t quote me). Classic combinations are classics for a

reason: lamb, red wine and thyme; beef, vegetables and stout; chicken, garlic and lemon; butternut, yoghurt and coriander. Hungry yet? Just add creamy mashed potatoes, dumplings, steaming savoury rice, spicy lentils or even pasta and some greens. Mouth-watering! Thirdly, if you’ve ever wondered what to do with those vegetables or leftovers other than relegate them to the bin, salvation is here! Minimise your waste and crank up the flavour, plus, hide the healthy vegetables that kids think they hate by stealth-cooking them into ridiculously delicious meals. I had a kick-ass chat with my amigo, Durban food legend Shaun Smith. Among other things, Shaun is a celebrity chef, international judge, culinary educationist, chef school principal, restaurateur, food scientist and molecular gastronomist, which frankly over-qualifies him for a conversation about what

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may ostensibly be “stew” – but a couple of hours with Shaun guarantees you lessons in history, geography, science, chemistry, and of course, killing it in the kitchen. Plus, we played the same grungy music scene in different bands in the early 90s, so let’s say Rock the Kitchen sums Shaun up pretty well. Shaun spoke, I listened carefully as a hailstorm raged outside. If I didn’t feel like getting into the kitchen before, I sure as hell did after we spoke! Here’s some of what he had to say. One-pot dishes aren’t relics of the stuffy domain of snotty French chefs. There are vibrant, seasonal and seriously delicious versions in every cuisine around the world. There are a couple of golden rules to stick to, for example, meat cooked on the bone is the way to go. Cook it long enough and you’ll not only get soft, tender and moist meat that falls apart, but the flavour is multiplied tenfold. On temperature, pressure cookers can achieve the heat needed to tenderise and develop flavour in far less time, but why rush? Good things take time, and it’s worth every minute. Also, it shouldn’t end in a sloppy bowl of gruel. By using a combination of finely and roughly chopped aromatics, you’ll get a layered,

textured result that’s as good to eat as anything else. Finally, consider the balance between base flavours (browned meat, caramelised vegetables), mid-notes (carrots, peppers, celery, garlic, ginger) and top notes to lift the dish (bright herbs, vinegars, and citrus). So, oxtail. It ain’t everyone’s bag, but I’m going try and convert a few of you out there. Slow cooked, rich and unctuous, it’s a wholeday deal that’ll make you cry happy tears. I swear.

SHAUN’S OUTRAGEOUS OXTAIL (SERVES 4)

Method: Dust oxtail with flour and brown in a small lidded pot in oil. Deglaze the pot with stock, loosening any bits stuck on the bottom. Add finely chopped carrot, onion and celery, sauté until soft. Add garlic, herbs, seasoning, tomatoes, sugar, beer/ wine, stock and cover with a lid. Simmer covered in oven on a low heat for 2-3 hours. Add the large diced carrots, onion and celery, simmer covered for another 1-2 hours until meat begins to fall off the bone.

Finally, season to taste and serve with buttery mash, green beans and eat in front of a movie you can fall asleep to. Until next time, convenient and low-stress cooking doesn’t mean junky food, packet sauces or endless beans on toast. Think ahead, cut yourself a break and get stuck into some crazy-good comfort food. Rock on!

For more info ant@rockthekitchen.co.za

Ingredients • 1kg oxtail • flour, for dusting • 1 tbsp sunflower oil • 2 onions, 1 roughly chopped,1 finely chopped • 3 carrots, 2 roughly chopped, 1 finely chopped • 2 celery stalks, 1 roughly chopped,1 finely chopped • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 3 teaspoons dried oregano • ½ bunch thyme • 2 rosemary stalks • 2 bay-leaves • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons of black pepper • 2 tomatoes, chopped • 1 teaspoon brown sugar • 330ml beer/white wine • 100ml beef stock

Mum's Mail Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands - September 2020

Articles inside

Rock the Kitchen: One Pot Wonders

Beating the Bounce: Why you

Child Passenger Safety Week

Returning to the Not so Normal

Need a Good Sports Bra! For the Love of Elephants

How to Get Your Financial

Africa’s Wild Dogs - A Survival Story

First Annual Great Sunflower Bake Off a Resounding Success

Organising an Inclusive Birthday Party

Accelerating Learners on

Save During Tough Financial Times

Sensory What?

Age The Importance of Summarising from an Early Age

their Path to Digital Literacy Tech is the Future of Education

Conquesta 2020

Effective Note-taking from an Early

Torga Optical Cornubia

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

National Month of Deaf People

Helping Kids through Big Changes

It’s Not too Late to Vaccinate

Dr Laura @ Home: Heart Awareness Month

National Oral Health Month

Dear Rockstar Mama

Fluffy Flapjacks

Chicken Chow Mein

The Right Decision Today can

Catwalk Couture

Find Adventure with Amon Ra Travel

Where There is a Will There Is A Way

Spring Cleaning Tips

Cradle to Career

How to Tell if Non-Invasive Anti-Ageing Treatments are

Meet the Cover Star