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KIDS PERTH in
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By Nicole Ohm, mum and manager at Brownes Dairy ow does your family celebrate Christmas Eve?
We posed this question to our friends and colleagues and their answers were as unique and diverse as the people we asked. From having fish and chips at the beach to sharing a pizza and kicking a footy in the park to going to midnight mass before a round of hot chocolates – or simply cuddling up at home to watch a Christmas movie in festive PJs. Every family seems to have their own way of making Christmas Eve a memorable and special time.
every
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Play therapy makes the tough times easier
The first gift
H
,
DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
Each year we lovingly leave out homebaked or store-bought cookies, by the fireplace or under the tree, with or without a sweet letter, note or gift – again, each family to its own. But one thing is for sure – Santa will have a belly full of delicious, fresh WA milk on Christmas Eve (just make sure you choose his favourite milk). As we reflected on this yearly ritual, we realised that for many small children, leaving milk for Santa is the very first gift they give to others. And that small act of giving takes us right to the very heart of what Christmas is all about.
From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas.
One thing most families with young kids do have in common is the ritual of leaving out milk and cookies for Santa – and carrots for his reindeer, of course.
I
n the process of growing up, most children experience periods of difficulty – and some children may need more help than others.
Children have a hard time sitting in a big chair and talking about their feelings. Developmentally, they lack the language skills to express what they’re feeling or thinking. Often they don’t understand why they feel ‘sick’ or ‘mad.’ They just do. Play therapy is a well-researched specialised counselling technique for children aged between two and 10. This type of therapy is used all over the world to address a wide range of childhood concerns – including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, anger, fear, sadness, shyness, social issues, chronic illness, trauma, and adjusting to family change. Play therapy is not like regular play. In play therapy, carefully selected toys, arts, and crafts are presented in a playroom. Here, with the help of a trusted therapist, children can express their inner world without words. The toys (chosen for their therapeutic value) become their ‘words’ and the play becomes their ‘language.’ In this way, play is to a child is what talking is to an adult. If a child is able to ‘play out’ their experiences and feelings, they are able to make sense of what is troubling them and work towards a place of
healing and resolution. The therapeutic relationship between the child and the ‘play therapist’ is very important in this kind of therapy. The child must feel comfortable, safe, trusting, accepted and understood by their therapist. Nina Fitch from Finding Balance Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy has plenty of experience building this all-important trust. Finding Balance Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy is based in Nedlands and offers a unique and well-respected service to children and their families or carers. They work with children with developmental and learning difficulties as well with children experiencing mental, emotional, social and behavioural issues. For more information, visit findingbalancetherapy.com.au or email hello@findingbalancetherapy.com.au
NEW L O SCHO
Stagecoach Perth Perth South South
fun engaging weekly classes Our fu n and e ngaging w eekly cl asses are are for 4 - 18 Children are structure and year olds. Ch ildren a re given given both both stru cture a nd ass they learn how to sing, dance and act. ffreedom reedom a Age: 4 - 6 year olds Time: Satur days 2.00pm - 3.30pm Saturdays Age: 6 - 18 year olds Time: Satur days 2.30pm - 5.30pm Saturdays V enue: Lifestr Venue: Lifestreams eams Christian Chur Church, ch, 2 McNabb Loop, Como 6152
stagecoachschools. com.au/perthsouth
(08) 9405 8941
LET THE MUSIC BEGIN!
Music lessons that are the BEST way for your child to get a head-start in their education! Applecross Canning Vale Joondalup Success
9364 9788 9256 3170 9468 3240 9499 1990
www.fortemusic.com.au
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are are e independent independently ly owned by their their Principals. Stagecoach Performing Arts Schools ar e operated under franchise and ar Theatre Stagecoach is a rregistered egistered trademark of Stagecoach Theatr e Arts Ltd.
is delighted to be opening a new school near you