12 minute read
CHECK THIS OUT: Our fav kid-sized products #addtocart
CHECK THIS OUT
THE LATEST KID-SIZED GEAR TOPPING OUR #WANT LIST THIS WINTER
EMBE STARTER SWADDLE
The one swaddle that every parent needs for their newborn baby, this gorgeous starter swaddle features a patented legs in/legs out design that allows baby to be cooled down, warmed up, or nappy changed without unswaddling. The no break-out zipper design promotes longer, healthier sleep by recreating a womb-like comfort. Parents will sleep better too, knowing the swaddle has a no-rise neckline for SIDS safety, and has been designated ‘hip healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Made from 100% all natural cotton, it is available online now at Style Bub. $52 // stylebub.com.au
COLOMBO PLAYMAT
This 100% quilted cotton canvas playmat from Kip & Co is big on colour and big on fun. One metre in diameter, it provides the perfect safe space for your bebe to explore and play. Designed in Melbourne and available in seven on-trend original prints, baby playtime just got a world more stylish! $139 // kipandco.com.au
IMAGINE KIDS COSTUMES
Let yourself imagine you are a mermaid, unicorn, dinosaur or fairy with this beautiful range of wings, tails and capes. With something for every boy and girl, these kids costumes are fun, easy to put on and take o! and will add a sprinkle of magic to every day. From $49 // imagineforkids.com.au
SUEDE LACE-UP FRINGE MOCCASINS
These suede lace-up fringe moccasin pre walkers are ready for adventures! The outer sole is made from suede leather, making it soft under your little ones feet. They also feature super cute fringing and front hand stitching detail as well as laces with the cutest tassels on the ends. $44.95 // miannandco.com.au
TWO HANDLE WET BAGS
Little Strawberries two handle wet bags are made from soft PUL material, making them water resistant and easy to store in your work bag, suitcase, nappy bag or beach bag. The large size makes them perfect for laundry when travelling, sheets for daycare, towels and swimmers and storage for all your gym gear. The two handle feature enables extra strength for hanging heavier items. $19.99 // littlestrawberries.com.au
GENDER NEUTRAL BABY WEAR COLLECTION
Hate the pink and blue aisles? Yup, us too! Best&Less has unveiled a new gender neutral baby wear collection. The a!ordable range was made with comfort and individuality in mind, and includes quality cotton wa"e pieces in a selection of trendy gender neutral colours. $6-$10 // bestandless.com.au
MAGIC PAINTING WORLD
Become a magical artist with Tiger Tribe’s Magic Painting World. Simply fill your magic paintbrush with water and reveal the gorgeous illustrations that are brought to life with every brush-stroke! Let the painting dry and it will return to white, ready for next time. $11.99 // rainbowfun.com.au
BUNNY SNACKIE
Turn grazing on the go into a fun toddler feast with the food-grade silicone Snackie. Design to handle any situation you throw at it, the Bunny Snackie is durable, non-stick and BPA free, as well as microwave, oven, dishwasher and freezer safe. It comes in a range of fun colours and designs. Grip cups and suction plates also available. $35
wemightbetiny.com.au
New Way Lawyers is a law firm with a difference. As Australia’s First Non Profit Law Firm we are committed to providing the best quality legal advice at an affordable price with a strong focus on client care. We practice exclusively in the emotional areas of estate law and family law with 4 offices across South East Queensland. As a non profit law firm we are not motivated by profit or financial gain because there are no shareholders or partners in our organisation. This means that our fees for services are more affordable because, unlike other law firms, the purpose of our fees is to cover costs, not to generate profit.
✓ Separation and Divorce ✓ Domestic Violence ✓ Child Support ✓ Parenting & Custody Arrangements ✓ Financial & Property Settlement ✓ Wills and Powers of Attorney ✓ Probate and Letters of Administration ✓ Contesting a Will
(07) 3548 5868 CALL US FOR A FREE 20 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION www.newwaylawyers.com.au Brisbane | Burleigh | Capalaba | Indooroopilly
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REAL LIFE STORY From New Way Lawyers
Recently we helped a woman who was facing a very stressful and worrying situation. She and her husband had separated after their children had finished school. There was no ill will or animosity between them and they wanted to remain friends for the sake of their family.
They were able to reach agreement about their property and finances and didn’t see the need for a divorce so they didn’t involve lawyers. She remained in the house and took over payment of the mortgage, although the house remained in joint names. He kept some shares and savings from bank accounts, which he spent soon after separation.
After parting, things seemed to go along smoothly. She went back to work, focusing on paying down the mortgage on the house, aiming to set herself up for retirement. He also worked hard, setting up a small business to generate income to support himself, but ultimately the business failed leaving him with a large amount of debt. He was left with
no option but to declare bankruptcy. She was shocked, confused and upset when she received a letter in the post informing that the house was to be sold so her husband’s debts could be paid out.
It was at that point that she came to see us for help. Thanks to the expertise and experience of our team of family lawyers we achieved an outcome where the sale of the house was avoided and she was registered as the sole owner of the house. She was relieved and grateful for the outcome, but what she was most pleased about was that we had approached her matter in a dignified and respectful manner that allowed the amicable relationship between her and her ex to continue.
We pride ourselves on achieving excellent outcomes, but more importantly, we pride ourselves on how we achieve these outcomes. In our view, the process is just as important as the outcome.
!e wonderful world of PLAY CHILD-LED
Struggling for play ideas amidst the COVID-19 outbreak? It’s time to ditch the structure because child-led play is essential for a child’s development, and it’s fun and easy too!
WHY IS CHILD-LED PLAY IMPORTANT?
To truly learn to develop their sense of self, children need time with no adult directed activities. By allowing children to lead the play, we not only support their curiosity and creativity, but also empower them and give them a sense of ownership over their play. !is sense of ownership means they learn to figure things out for themselves, develop innovative ways of solving problems, overcome obstacles and take healthy risks. Children will also have the added satisfaction of pursuing their own creative ideas and owning their achievement. By following their interests, we remove any unnecessary frustration or pressure for children to learn because they will naturally be engaged in something that they enjoy. And because it interests them, they will ask lots of questions, making the learning a much deeper and more enriching experience. !is engaged and active way of learning is also wonderful for those early literacy skills, opening up opportunities for new vocabulary, conversation and enquiry. Giving children this space and time to act out situations also provides them with an opportunity to work through emotions in a safe environment, transforming their feelings into actions. When they play collaboratively, children learn to negotiate, share thoughts and communicate GREAT feelings, and cooperate and problem solve together. CHILD-LED PLAY TOYS With time to explore, investigate and experiment, children learn on multiple levels and gain a deeper understanding of the topic. And because they are • Building blocks enjoying themselves, this process fosters a love of • Dress-ups learning and nurtures their curiosity. When a child is • A collection of motivated to learn, nothing can stop them! boxes with lids, or W ith their curious little brains and infinite imaginations, children are play experts. !ey can turn a cardboard box into a rocket, a bottles and tops • Toy animals • Sticks, stones and leaves A PARENT’S ROLE IS EASY! Here comes the best bit! Child-led play can be done anywhere and without any expensive toys or equipment. Other than providing a couple of simple dining table into a castle, a walk on the beach into a • A tub of water and items to help spark an idea, the bulk of the activity is quest for mermaids. di!erent sized cups, up to the child. !ough this all might seem like childhood silliness to funnels and spoons Rather than being the driver, a parent’s biggest us blinkered grown-ups, encouraging child-led play is • Play-doh role is to be a play ‘wingman’. You are there to answer critical for our children’s development. • Puppets questions, support them and experience the play
When children are in charge of their play, the ideas • Mud kitchen alongside them. they come up with are usually far better than anything • Pretend play items - If they are struggling to climb a tree, encourage them we could ever imagine. And, because a child learns best doctors kit, picnic set, to persevere. If they can’t remember a word, give them when they are engaged and focused, this is when the kitchenette, play food time to find another word rather than jumping in and serious learning truly happens. answering for them. Try not to focus on the ‘correct’ way to do things and curb your desire to step in and WHAT IS CHILD-LED PLAY? help (though this is often the hardest bit!). Instead, simply follow Child-led play is where the child is in charge and they play freely their lead and watch as they discover things for themselves. You are without intervention or direction. Rather than a parent or teacher their safe place; with you alongside they will feel secure enough to providing a toy and telling them how it should be played with, the explore and learn. child chooses what they’ll play with, how they play with it, and at As well as giving your frazzled parent brain a break for a what pace. moment, by taking a backseat in the day’s activities, you will get the
Coloured blocks are a perfect example of child-led play. One child opportunity to watch and observe your child at play. !is will give you might stack them into a tower then knock them down, another child wonderful insight into how they see the world, their interests, their might sort them into colours, and another might use them as racing thought processes, and what really sparks their imagination. cars. Cardboard boxes are fantastic too. No two children play with the Most importantly, a parent’s role is simply to laugh, have fun and same box in the same way! !ere’s no right or wrong; each child will enjoy the lack of structure for a moment, knowing that what you are explore the toy or activity differently and find their own way to play. doing (and not doing) is critical to your child’s growth.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE RESOURCES
Now that you’ve managed to let go of the structure, you can also tap into a wealth of free resources that make child-led play even easier. !e library website (library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au) has a huge array of resources to aid in early literacy and play fun. With online Rhymetime and Storytime sessions to foster your little one’s imagination, links to parenting and education resources, videos, games and more, there is a wealth of information available.
If you are stuck for ideas, the library bookshelves are a fabulous place for inspiration. Head to the non-fiction section for books on craft, sport, vehicles, the solar system and more. Your child can explore the topics and borrow several books, allowing you to spark their interest and you can explore the subject together at home. One simple idea can start multiple learning and play opportunities; who knows where it will lead them!
IF IN DOUBT, THERE’S ALWAYS BLUEY
No, this isn’t just about chillaxing in front of the TV together! !ere is a lot to be learnt from that little blue heeler. Next time it’s TV time for your child, pop on an episode of Bluey and see whether the daily activities of this play-focused family spark some inspiration for your own fun and games.
By Karen Gawen, Young People’s Services Supervisor from Sunshine Coast Council
CHILD-LED PLAY ACTIVITIES
• Grab a bucket and spade and head to the beach. Build sandcastles, collect shells and interesting stones, explore the rock pools, and draw giant pictures in the sand. • Go on an expedition at the park. Listen to the birds, explore the trees and plants, and let them create their own game around the play equipment. • Get creative without any purpose. Give your child blank paper (rather than a predesigned colouring sheet), craft items and coloured pencils, and see what they can create with no plans or rules. • Get sensory. Put dry oats or rice in a big tub and hide toy animals in there for your child to dig out. Use cotton wool, fabrics or ribbons for di!erent textures and sensory play. • Role play. Kids can learn so much from role playing and pretend play. Let them choose the characters, the settings, and explore a topic together. Set up a cake shop, an auto repair shop, a castle or a pirate ship. Try putting on a few di!erent hats throughout the play to expose your child to di!erent points of view. Always follow their lead! • Positive feedback. Let them know they are on the right track and you are enjoying playing with them by giving lots of praise and encouragement.
Who doesn’t love a teddy bear’s picnic?!