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Helping Kids through Big Changes Issue 36 | Johannesburg - East Rand | September 2020
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From the Editor’s Desk...
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 wakeup 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-athome- teacher-mom 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
CONTENTS
EVERYDAY LIFE
17 Early Detection Vital in Child & Teen Cancer Beating the Bounce: Why you Need a Good Sports Bra! Where There is Will There Is A Way EDUCATED LIFE/KIDS’ LIFE The Right Decision Today can 18 Helping Kids through Big Provide a Future Income Tomorrow Changes 20 Effective Note-taking from an Early Age HEALTHY LIFE 21 The Importance of 10 Spring Cleaning Tips Summarising from an Early Age 11 How to Tell if Non-Invasive AntiSensory What? Ageing Treatments are Right for You 22 23 Conquesta 2020 12 Dr Laura @ Home: 24 Returning to the Not so Normal Heart Awareness Month 26-27 Organising an Inclusive 14 National Month of Deaf People Birthday Party 16 Cervical Cancer 28-29 Rock the Kitchen Awareness Month 4-5 6 8-9
THE MUM’S MAIL TEAM
Editor: Sarah Mackintosh • sarah@mumsmail.com • Enquiries: 031 - 714 4700 Advertising Sales: Bev Delew • bev@mumsmail.com | Anisha Singh • anisha@mumsmail.com Adrian Manthey • adrian.manthey@mumsmail.com Accounts: meghan@mumsmail.com • Designer: Wendy Offer • Cover Star: Kashti Sular Cover Photographer: Oh Shoot Photography, (Viraksha Singh) ohshootprops@gmail.com 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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Beating the Bounce: Why you Need a Good Sports Bra! A SPORTS BRA’S MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO REDUCE MOVEMENT OF BREAST TISSUE.
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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
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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-
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Spring Cleaning Tips A
SPRING HAS ARRIVED – WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR HOME IN TIP-TOP SHAPE.
good, deep spring cleanup is a tradition that not only promotes wellness by keeping your environment clean and organized, it also helps carry the fresh-start feeling brought on by a new year well into the summer. We’ve compiled some of the best DIY spring cleaning tips so you can declutter and deep clean your house to make it sparkle all year round. Spring cleaning tips Remove water stains with lemon: This spring, make taps clean and sparkly by rubbing a lemon half on the water stains. The citric acid helps remove hard water marks. Then, use the other half of the lemon for our next tip. Organise your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables: Don’t limit rotating turntables and Lazy Susans to your table tops. After discarding old condiments and 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 into halves, squeeze the juice into 1/2 cup of water and drop the rinds into the mixture. Microwave
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for three minutes and let it stand for five minutes without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen the grime, so you can wipe the microwave clean with less elbow grease. Use white vinegar to beat shower head build-up: Looking for more natural ways to clean your bathroom? Vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits that accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight to get rid of build-up. Just be sure to run the shower before you hop in, or you risk smelling like vinegar all day. Clean stainless steel sinks with baking soda: Simply wet your sink and tap, sprinkle baking soda,
and scrub with a sponge. If you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power, add salt to the baking soda. Use newspaper to clean dirty windows and mirrors: Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the glass and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free window or mirror. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and allows you to make use of old newspapers. Let coffee filters do more than put a spring in your step: Does your TV screen or computer monitor show fingerprints, smudges and dust? The fiber in coffee filters is be gentle enough to rub them away, even on delicate TV screens. Just don’t press too hard! Source: blog.nationwide.com.
Are Non-Invasive Anti-Ageing Treatments Right for You? H
NOT BEING HAPPY WITH YOUR FACE CAN LEAD TO A PROFOUND LACK OF CONFIDENCE, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY YOU WHO NOTICES THE IMPERFECTIONS.
ow 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: 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 sur-
rounding your eyes should frame and accentuate their beauty and by aesthetically managing crow’s feet and dark circles, you will ensure you look as bright-eyed and energetic as you feel. All of the above conditions are easily treatable with non-surgical measures like Botox, Fillers, Threads and Chemical Peels. You might be an ideal candidate for anti-ageing treatments without breaking the bank or going under the knife.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS COMMEMORATED ANNUALLY IN SEPTEMBER TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO DO SCREENING AND PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER.
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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 contracep-
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tives 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-cancerous 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.
Early Detection Vital in Child and Teen Cancer INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR. GOLD RIBBONS ARE WORN TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS WORLDWIDE.
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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 of 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 of Childhood Cancer: • S – Seek medical help early for symptoms that are ongoing. • 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 and 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 and and enlarged head. If you have any concerns about your child showing symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Contact your local CANSA Care Centre, we’d love to offer you and your loved ones care & support as you fight cancer visit www.cansa.org.za. WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM HEALTHY LIFE
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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
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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
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 child’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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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.
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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 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 think-
ing 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 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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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.
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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
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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)
M e t h o d: D ust ox tail with f lour and brown in a small lidde d p ot in oil. D e glaze the p ot with sto ck , lo ose n ing any bits stu ck on the b ot to m . Add f inely chopp e d c ar rot , onion and c ele r y, sau té until sof t . Add gar lic , he r bs , seasoning , to mato es , sugar, b e e r/wine, sto ck and c ove r with a lid . Simme r c ove re d in ove n on a low heat for 2-3 hours . Add the large dice d c ar rots , onion and c ele r y, simme r
c ove re d for anothe r 1-2 hours until meat b e gins to fall of f the b one. 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 crazygood 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
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