Kids in the City Magazine - Brisbane - Issue 18. July/August 2016 by Shore Media

ISSUE 18 July/August 2016 BRISBANE

www.kidsinthecity.com.au

FREE TO TAKE HOME

The importance

of STEM in schools

The

SCIENCE ISSUE

Release your mini EINSTEIN

MOTIVATING KIDS: Embracing the near win

When my teen discovers PORN

Discover

a Catholic school for your child

[WELCOME]

[CONTENTS]

Isla, 4 years Make a space helmet!

Hi! I hope you are all staying warm through these winter months!

> Instructions on pg 34

I am super excited to join Kids on the Coast/Kids in the City as the new editor! It’s a magazine that really helped me find my feet when I relocated with my family last year, so I’m thrilled to now be a part of the team. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all as we travel this crazy road of parenting together.

Jacket from Teepea Kids Collective, Peregian Beach www.teepeakids.com.au

With National Science Week just around the corner (August 13–21), this issue we’ve gone science mad! Our cover feature looks at the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in schools, and what we can do to ensure our children are properly equipped for the future. We put do-it-yourself science to the test when we bravely let a team of mini Einsteins loose in the kitchen (I’ve still not quite recovered from that experience!). We take a trip around Australia to uncover some of the best science destinations for families, and our Babies article brings you the latest gadgets and gizmos designed to make life a little easier for new parents. Keeping it science-tastic, our Check This Out page this issue is loaded with toys, games and local treasures to spark the inner child in everyone. As well as science-themed stories, we have a fascinating feature on motivating kids and how the challenge of the ‘near-win’ can give kids the tenacity to try and try again. And with recent reports from Childwise finding the site Pornhub was amongst the top five preferred sites for boys aged 11–15, we also look at the challenge of accessible pornography and what to do if your child stumbles into this alarming world. Plus, with all the regular news, events, columns and reviews, I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as I’ve enjoyed compiling it for you! If you feel anything is missing from the magazine or want to share your story, just drop me a line at publications@ mothergoosemedia.com.au. I’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget you can get all the weekly news and events direct to your inbox by subscribing to our weekly newsletter at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or www.kidsinthecity.com.au

Shoes from Evolve, Peregian Beach www.evolvembh.com.au

3 FROM THE EDITOR

24 PARENTVILLE: The Experiment

4 WHAT’S ON: Find out what’s happening throughout July and August

26 EDUCATION: Release your mini Einstein

6 SOCIAL: What's trending on our social pages 8 WHAT’S NEWS: The latest news in your area 10 FEATURE: STEM and its importance in schools 17 CHECK THIS OUT: Seriously cool products to educate and inspire 18 PARENTING FILES: Motivating kids and embracing the 'near win'

30 TEENS: When my teen discovers porn 32 WELLBEING: The benefits of pet ownership 34 FAMILY HEALTH: Febrile convulsions: know the facts 36 WEB WRAP UP: The latest from online 38 DESTINATIONS: Take a scien-terrific holiday in Australia 40 LOCAL LIFE: Jane Moran: chasing dreams 42 REVIEWS: Movies, books and apps

22 BABIES: The latest baby tech

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Chris Smith, Kim Lahey, Luke Denham, James McManis, Dr Alex Hynes, Dr Julian Paxton, COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Verve Portraits

Angela Sutherland, Editor

Printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems. WE ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

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JUL/AUG 2016

WHAT'S ON Visit ou r website to see more events!

DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY EVENTS! Sign up at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au or www.kidsonthecity.com.au for our weekly What’s On guide.

FEATURED MARKET 2ND AND 4TH SATURDAY EACH MONTH ISLE OF CAPRI MARKETS

MOST DAYS WILLOWBANK RACEWAY

Fresh from the farm spray-free produce, A-grade seafood, organic coffee, stunning locally designed and/or produced fashion and accessories, homewares, plants, free yoga, holistic and health, pony rides and more. www.isleofcaprimarkets.com.au

TOP 5

SUNDAY

JULY 8 TO 17 VIVA SURFERS PARADISE

DAY

ULY

s for the day ifference to children in care.

Thousands of fans of the golden age of rock and roll will dust off their blue suede shoes as Viva Surfers Paradise returns with 10 days of free live entertainment and shows by some of the world’s best tribute artists in celebration of the legacy of the greatest legends of music including Elvis Presley. www.surfersparadise.com

JULY 16 TO 31 PEAKS TO POINTS FESTIVAL 2016 Local environment and community groups host guided walks, tree planting and weeding activities, community forums, bus tours and workshops. www.peakstopoints.com.au

ROASTS La Rotisserie - Newstead Pig ‘n’ Whistle - Riverside Hop & Pickle - Southbank Statler & Waldorf - Paddington Il Locale - Rosalie

JULY 16 AND 17 REGIONAL FLAVOURS With a fresh food market, live cooking demonstrations, music stages and lots of opportunities to taste test the best ingredients Queensland has to offer, Regional Flavours is a fun day out for the whole family. www.regionalflavours.com.au

your free kit today!

ndation.com

JULY 22 NATIONAL PYJAMA DAY Helping The Pyjama Foundation raise awareness and funds for children in foster care www.thepyjamafoundation.com

AUGUST 7 GOLD COAST MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Experience the whole world in one day with international acts from up to 35 nations on three festival stages, 65 stalls of international food, art, craft and information, children’s rides and activities. www.goldcoastculturalfestival.org

JUL/AUG 2016

DAILY ACTION INDOOR SPORTS STADIUM Whether it’s social or serious high-grade competitors, a variety of indoor sports, activities and competitions suitable for people of all ages and abilities are available. Including soccer, netball and dodgeball! wynnum.actionindoorsportsqld.com.au

AUGUST 13 AND 14 ROMANCE OF RAIL The exhibition will explore the rail line from 1903 to 1961, which was used by locals and holiday makers alike. The exhibition depicts the many uses of the train which travelled from South Brisbane to Southport and Tweed Heads. www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

JULY 29 SCHOOLS TREE DAY Get your school involved and learn how to plant and care for seedlings. www.treeday.planetark.org/schools

AUGUST 21 TO 27 NATIONAL OP SHOP WEEK Surprise yourself by finding a bargain, donate to your local charity op shop and help those in need. The money raised goes back into the community. www.opshopweek.com.au

JULY 30 SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY Help raise money for those with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and enjoy a buffet lunch, raffles, gifts and lucky door prizes plus lots of other surprises. Wear a hat or pay a fine! www.trybooking.com/193929

AUGUST 28 BRIDGE TO BRISBANE DAY A fantastic 5km course which includes some of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks. www.bridgetobrisbaneday.com.au

kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

* We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers

A year-round program of drag racing entertainment for the whole family. www.willowbankraceway.com.au

presents

Don’t Elmo miss friend and his tour A s as they us this a tralia in l stage l-new show!

The Arts Centre, Gold Coast

QUT Gardens Theatre, Brisbane

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SUN 13 NOVEMBER Box Office (07) 5588 4000

TUE 15 & WED 16 NOVEMBER Qtix 136 246

SesameStreetPresents.com.au kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

JUL/AUG 2016

SOCIAL

facebook.com/kidsonthecoast facebook.com/kidsinthecitymagazinebrisbane kidsonthecoastmagazine kidsinthecitymagazine plus.google.com/+KidstodoAu pinterest.com/kidsonthecoast issuu.com/kidsonthecoastmagazine

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Mocka Australia Contemporary furniture and toys for children through to adults: “Someone very hard at work building their new balance bike. From one of our favourite kids product designers and LOCAL to us in QLD @mockaaustralia #balancebike #boystoys #kidsinthecity

Elza’s Interactive Gallery Nambour: “Stumbled across this amazing little place this morning in Nambour. We played and played with their recycled pallet creations. Love finding local business with fantastic ideas @elzasinteractivegallery #palletfurniture #kidsplay #outdoorplay

Winter Campfire and Marshmallow toasting: ‘We decided to have a backyard marshmallow toasting session this afternoon #nothingbeatsmeltedmarshmallow #backyardcamping #campfire #winterkids

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PARENTING: The five love languages of children - do you know which one is your child's love language?

These posts really resonated with our followers and sparked some great conversations - it’s clear we love destination escapes and informative reads about parenting! Join our thriving Facebook community.

TRAVEL: Thinking of a farmstay this winter? (We are already dreaming about the piglets!) Check out our pick of the best.

NEWS: Get your telescopes out TONIGHT as experts are touting it to be the best time to see red Mars!

DESTINATION: Fully fenced and secured, Little Splendour is designed exclusively for parents, carers and children to relax and play.

8 6 FAMILY FOOD: Helpful tips and research insights into after school snacks.

JUL/AUG 2016

FAMILY TRAVEL: OMG, look if you dare! These are amaze!!

WINTER HOLIDAY GUIDE: Finding treasure at City markets is great to keep the kids (and adults) entertained over the break.

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FAMILY HEALTH: How do you know what's safe to clean your precious child's skin with, it's not as simple as you may have thought.

C OM E C ATC H M E , I ’M T H E G I N G E R B R E A D M A N ! The Ginger Factory promises a great family day out with something for everyone. Set sail on the Overboard boat ride or climb aboard Moreton, the 115 year old ginger train. Enjoy hours of fun in the Ginger Factory gardens or sit back and relax whilst the children play in the undercover playground.

E FRE RY ENT YS A 7D

Rides and tours incur costs.

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Free entry and a café boasting a wide range of delicious meals and cakes makes this an ideal spot for the whole family. Come and see for yourself.

 F R E E C A L L 1 8 0 0 0 6 7 6 8 6  t h e gi n g e r fac tor y 5 0 P I O N E E R R D, YA N D I N A , S U N S H I N E C OA S T, Q U E E N S L A N D

 gin g e r fac to r y. co m . a u

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JUL/AUG 2016

Stay up to date with your local community news. If you have any unique news that you’d like to share, please contact our editor at publications@mothergoosemedia.com.au

Whats news » Visit our website for more news

HAND IN HAND CAMPAIGN

HAVE A (SNOW) BALL AT AUSTRALIA ZOO!

Australia Zoo is set to become a snowy winter wonderland over the school holidays. To celebrate the release of Ice Age: Collision Course, the zoo will be transformed into a snow-lover’s paradise, with real snow, toboggan rides and snowball fun! Plus, you’ll get to meet some of the Ice Age characters and see Bindi and the Jungle Girls perform in the Crocoseum. For more details, visit www.australiazoo.com.au

STUDENTS ARE THE CHANGE AT CLAYFIELD COLLEGE

St Rita’s College in Clayfield is celebrating its 90th birthday by asking its students to reach out and lend a hand to local charities. In an effort to break the selfish stereotype their generation has been given, students are being asked to donate to worthy causes or do volunteer work. More than 1000 ‘good deed’ cards have been given to students, which they will leave with their chosen charity or local organisation in an effort to spread goodwill throughout the community. The college is hoping it will reach 90 organisations and that its students will ‘be the change’ it its community.

HELPING KIDS TALK ABOUT CANCER

Cancer Council has launched a new guide to help talk to kids about cancer. Whether the person diagnosed is a parent, adult, a child’s sibling or friend, the guide ‘Talking to Kids About Cancer’ can help with issues from breaking the news of a diagnosis to coping with life after treatment. “The guide offers suggestions on the language that should be used when talking to different age groups, creative ways to explain cancer and how to talk sensitively about a diagnosis of advanced cancer,” explains Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift. “Cancer affects the entire family. Our advice will help Queenslanders deal with changes in family routine, and answer hard questions that children may ask.” The guide can be downloaded for free from cancercouncil.com.au/talkingtokids or call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for a free printed booklet. 8

JUL/AUG 2016

Hand in hand. Let’s go places.

DID

Kids often do the unexpected. So hold their hands, even before you hit the street and keep hold until you’re somewhere safe.

YOU

An initiative of:

Supported by:

carrsq.qut.edu.au

KNOW DURING YOUR LIFETIME, YOU WILL PRODUCE ENOUGH SALIVA TO FILL TWO SWIMMING POOLS

CHEROPHOBIA IS THE FEAR OF FUN It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky

THERE IS A CITY CALLED ROME ON EVERY CONTINENT

THE Q1 BUILDING

IN SURFERS PARADISE IS TALLER THAN THE CHRYSLER BUILDING IN NEW YORK kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

Parents and kids are being encouraged to go places hand in hand as part of a new child pedestrian safety campaign. ‘Hand in Hand. Let’s go places’ is a campaign created by QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) following an Australia-wide survey of parents focused on keeping kids safe around roads and cars.

“The campaign is all about children aged three to nine years old who are at risk of becoming involved in pedestrian or vehicle crashes,” said CARRS-Q researcher Dr Alexia Lennon. “Research has shown that until the age of about nine, children’s perceptual and cognitive abilities are not sufficiently developed to allow them to make sound judgements when they are crossing roads.” Working with Australian parents over a three-month period, CARRS-Q researchers developed a range of advertising materials designed to remind parents of the importance of keeping in contact with their children around roads and carparks. These include a series of posters and flyers, as well as a children's activity sheet and videos. For further details or to download the resources, visit www.carrsq.qut.edu.au/handinhand

RBWH NEEDS MILK DONORS Staff at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) are seeking donors for its Milk Bank. The Milk Bank was established to provide babies in the neonatal unit with donor breast milk when their mothers are unable to produce their own.

RBWH Milk Bank acting clinical nurse Julie Gray told The Courier Mail: “Supply does get low — it’s like blood donations. Donating milk saves lives and doesn’t cost donors anything but their time. It’s about paying it forward.” The neonatal unit cares for more than 1500 premature and seriously ill babies every year. To find out more about donating breast milk, email milk_bank_rbwh@health.qld.gov.au

PLAY WINTER IN PARADISE Come play in our giant snow dome! Snap a pic of the kids and you enjoying the snow, use the hashtags #paradisecentre and #winterinparadise for the chance to win one of four $100 Paradise Centre gift cards*. Dates: Monday June 27 until Sunday July 17 Cost:

$5 per person (no pre-booking required)

Visit www.paradisecentre.net.au for opening times. *Terms and conditions apply. The snow dome is suitable for children aged 3+. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.

paradisecentre.net.au Timezone â&#x20AC;˘ Woolworths â&#x20AC;˘ 120 Specialty Shops Cnr Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise

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JUL/AUG 2016

[FEATURE]

STEM AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN SCHOOLS by CHRIS SMITH

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS— OR STEM FOR SHORT—ARE AREAS OF EDUCATION THAT ARE VITAL TO OUR DAILY LIFE, AND THEY CANNOT BE IGNORED. Until recently the term STEM was relatively unheard of outside the educational industry. But following the Australian Government’s additional $12 million commitment to restore the focus and increase student uptake of STEM subjects in primary and secondary schools across the country, the topic is getting a lot of attention. This investment builds on the $5 million that was allocated in the 2014/15 budget for the ‘Primary Connections’ and ‘Science by Doing’ programmes. Restoring the focus on STEM subjects in schools is about ensuring Australia’s young adults are equipped with the necessary skills for the economy of the future. This initiative will provide funding for four key elements: • Providing innovative mathematics curriculum resources for primary and secondary school students, focusing on inquiry-led teaching. • Supporting the introduction of computer coding across different year levels in Australian schools leading to greater exposure to computational thinking and, ultimately, expanding the pool of ICT-skilled workers. • An innovative approach to education based on the United States ‘Pathways in Technology Early College High School’ (P-TECH) model. • Summer schools for STEM students, to increase the number of girls and disadvantaged students attending, including Indigenous students and those from regional and remote areas.

JUL/AUG 2016

Encouraging school students to study STEM subjects and showing them some of the great careers built on science, engineering, maths and technology will help secure the nation’s future. Starting this interest at primary and secondary school level helps increase the number of students taking up STEM subjects in higher education and in their careers, which will inevitably keep Australia competitive internationally in these important fields. It is the way for Australia to future proof itself. We are all on this journey in our everyday life when we take up a new phone, install the latest social media application, embrace the changes our business relationships require us to take—from PayWave and tap-and-go banking to ordering dinner via apps like MenuLog, Dominio’s or Coles online. However, STEM faces several major issues within our current educational systems around outcomes, staffing, availability and curriculum. Are schools preparing young Australians for jobs or are they preparing them to be lifelong learners where they embrace education and the potential to change to cater for their passion and future needs?

CREATING LIFELONG LEARNERS The two sides of the outcomes issue are somewhat intertwined but STEM aims to further push the debate to the idea of lifelong learner. This is a logical reaction to the idea we hear in media that many, if not the vast majority, of future careers are not in existence yet; let alone when our students finish their compulsory educational phase.

kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

[FEATURE]

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are schools preparing young Australians for jobs or are they preparing them to be lifelong learners?â&#x20AC;?

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JUL/AUG 2016

[FEATURE]

For example, the career of social media consultant is only now becoming mainstream as companies from multinationals to local home-based businesses realise that they need to tap into the social media juggernaut and that they are not conversant or able to do this without specialist help. Many businesses are scrambling to rebrand themselves as innovative by seeking help from app developers to provide new communication and advertising streams to potential customers, even schools and childcare centres are developing apps for parents to download, removing the need and ‘tradition’ of paper newsletters or mail. Businesses and even individuals are trying to reach out to others by investing in the services of consultants and start-up companies that aim to optimise their marketplace and share by improving their digital online presence, or more succinctly making sure they show up at the top of any web-based search engine that runs on computer, tablet or smartphone. Many school-aged young adults are making pocket money by repairing phone screens after learning the skills themselves by watching online videos or having to fix their own phones. Universities are installing Deans of ‘Disruptive Technologies’, which is really a position that embraces the emerging fields that have displaced and disrupted the accepted norm of the previous generation. These disruptive technologies include social media such as Twitter where news (to the minute) is tweeted to a multitude of followers and disseminated to other social platforms. The existing role of the nightly news report, and the associated careers of journalists has becomes less valued. Other disruptive technologies include many administration jobs in terms of reservations and banking where it is the industry standard to use online reservation and mobile platforms. So, how can schools best prepare children for their future when it is changing so rapidly and unpredictably? This returns to the need to encourage a love for learning and an acceptance of the idea of resilience in the face of change.

“This returns to the need to encourage a love for learning and an acceptance of the idea of resilience in the face of change.”

JUL/AUG 2016

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR STEM One physical restraint placed on the school systems is that of the human resources, the people that staff the school. These are people passionate about education and well experienced in dealing with students and change. However, the average age of teachers is representative of the wider population and aging. This brings with it the reality that many experienced teachers are from a previous generation and thus not immersed in the next generation. This brings a massive demand in terms of providing teachers and all the ancillary staff—from teacher aides through to executives—with the skills to use the technology that engages the current generation of students. A maths teacher does not just use chalk at the board and set homework, this role has morphed into a management of technologies that help the teacher deliver the ideas, record progress and report this back to the student and the parents. This is augmented by programs, like Mathletics, that students can access anywhere on their devices and give instantaneous feedback. It is this feedback given immediately and regularly that embodies the ideas of experts like John Hattie in leveraging the greatest effect on student learning—quality teaching. The broader picture for schools in terms of the staffing resource issues is the breadth of a student’s journey, from prep through to graduation. Many primary teachers have never found technology any use with their students who are still mastering literacy and numeracy. How does a prep student, who does not read fluently, understand what is on the screen? In the last decade the apps and programs that are targeting education of young children have leveraged on the aspect of play and restricted the complexity. The challenge is not getting children to use the device but teaching them to select the appropriate tools and using them to enhance the learning experience. Today we are seeing the emergence of external educational providers and specialists in schools to cater for STEM in the introduction of various technology applications to enable every student to learn the fundamentals behind the technology that is shaping their future. These courses are tightly integrated with the Australian curriculum providing lessons on learning to code, building websites, creating apps, 3D printing and design, Arduino, robotics, online research and digital citizenship, which includes online behaviour and safety. In terms of STEM it is the Science and Maths teachers who have been required to adapt the most and more consistently. Many utilise apps that simulate the ideas they are covering and allow students ways to ‘play’ with and explore the idea without the need for physical lab equipment. In Science, especially Senior Secondary (Years 10–12), the use of digital sensors (wireless as well as phone based) that integrate with programs to collect data and develop graphs to investigate interrelationships are effectively industry standard and models the development of STEM.

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FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN! VISIT WESTFIELD HELENSVALE FOR A SAFARI ADVENTURE! 27 JUNE - 8 JULY Visit westfield.com.au/helensvale for more information.

HELENSVALE

ARTS FESTIVAL KSHOPS

FREE AFTER SCHOOL WOR

2016

Gold Coast students in Years 1 to 6 are invited to register for FREE visual arts workshops conducted by leading arts practitioners at St Hilda’s Junior School campus in Southport. Monday 8 August 3.30pm-5.30pm Years 3 and 4 – Sculptural Creatures with Therese Flynn-Clarke Years 5 and 6 – Soft Pastel Drawing with Susy Boyer Tuesday 9 August 3.30pm-5.30pm Years 1 and 2 – Lantern Making with Casselle Mountford Wednesday 10 August 3.30pm-5.30pm Years 5 and 6 – Lino Cut Printmaking with Fiona Watson CREATE 2016 workshops are open to all Gold Coast students. Bookings are essential. For information and compulsory registrations contact Kathy Jackson.

SHGS1701

07-5577 7231 sthildas.qld.edu.au kjackson@sthildas.qld.edu.au

LOVE COMPASSION FORGIVENESS HOPE GRACE kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

JUL/AUG 2016

[FEATURE]

“Restoring the focus on STEM subjects in schools is about ensuring Australia’s young adults are equipped with the necessary skills for the economy of the future.” SELECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION STEM is multifaceted and generally covers three strands namely coding, digital citizenship/responsibility and problem solving. It is commonly seen that the use of robotics can cover the coding and problem solving aspects. Many schools implement STEM in terms of solving a problem that amalgamates the use of mathematical and science ideas through the vehicle of robotics or programming. Robotics programs in schools are fairly well established and supported through various peak bodies and competitions. There are even robotics groups aimed squarely at addressing the gender gap. Robogals is a student-run non-profit group that wants to see a global culture of diversity and inclusion in engineering. They inspire, engage and empower young women into engineering and related fields. Some schools have taken the approach that younger students, and stereotypically girls, will be better engaged if there is an artistic side to the creation project. The MakerSpace movement is aimed at providing young students the chance to make things that have STEM ideals embedded, almost as if the kids are doing STEM without knowing it. The last piece of implementing the STEM idea is that of selection. Many schools target their identified gifted and talented students, sometimes by a selection based on their grades in Maths and Science, and run an afterschool arrangement. Other schools may offer this as an ‘elective’, mainly with prerequisites in terms of grades or behaviour for a semester in one year level. Both approaches, it could be argued, do not really address the ideal of STEM for all; these sorts of students are generically headed for university anyway but many in traditional areas like medicine, law or business.

Selection in this first manner reduces the real translation of STEM into the future workforce. By offering limited choices schools are effectively, or stereotypically, targeting the ‘nerdy’ boys and not including girls or those students who may be engaged in the educational process by leveraging what they are good at and have developed some skills. As well, by offering limited opportunity there is the chance that these classes may not run every year or semester and thus the human and physical resources are underutilised. Many universities are tapping into the STEM movement by offering students in Year 7 and up the opportunity to participate in STEM activities both after school and during holidays. This gives some indication that universities are preparing to tap into these career pathways and looking to attract students to their courses. An ideal implementation for the STEM ideal spouted by schools should be providing a school-wide program of consistent embedding of digital literacy in areas of responsible use such as coding and problem solving. This would involve all students, regardless of gender or ethnicity or economic situation, to develop these skills over nearly a decade of their formative educational experiences. In reality, schools will be constrained by their human, physical and financial resources in what they can do. Also this initiative is in its early days and still being formed by government and further supported by local communities. However, we are seeing positive changes occurring at a local level with a number of businesses partnering with local schools. This involvement may be through work experience, sponsorship, traineeships, competitions or school visits promoting STEM ideas and careers.

Chris Smith, (B. Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.) is a Physics teacher, husband and father of two. Chris has been a Maths and Computing Co-ordinator in a Catholic High School and is currently Head of Science at Sunshine Coast Grammar School and Panel Chair for Physics on the Sunshine Coast. Chris also has a Science Degree in Experimental Physics and Microelectronics and a Degree in Education.

JUL/AUG 2016

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Is YOUR CHILD a… FUSSY eater? OVER eater? DISINTERESTED eater? or an EASY eater?

we need YOU!

Griffith University is conducting a study to identify the struggles parents face around mealtimes, as well as the ways in which parents manage their children’s eating habits

Participating families will receive a $50 Coles/Myer Gift Card Type of volunteers needed Parents with children aged 7-8 years (all children can participate, regardless of their eating habits) What will you be asked to do? Complete 2 assessment sessions, 6 months apart • Session 1: Attend Griffith University to complete a survey and a series of engaging tasks to assess aspects of children’s eating & self-control • Session 2: Complete a survey at home

Please contact us to find out more! Phone 07 5678 8688 | Email h.webb@griffith.edu.au

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LOCAL GUIDE

THINGS TO DO PLACES TO GO

[CHECK THIS OUT]

BEAT THE CLOCK ACTIVITY SET, TIGER TRIBES

RRP: $19.95 Whether inside or outside, the Tiger Tribes Beat the Clock Activity Set is jampacked with fun and constructive activities to get little tigers interested in exploring the concept of time. Great for solo play, or testing reflexes against friends, this activity set is ideal for kids over 5 years old.

REAL FX AI RACING SYSTEM

RRP: $329.95 The latest in living room gadgets, with no slots and no limits the Artificial Intelligence built into every car assists you to stay on the fully customisable track. Race against a friend, or switch it to Pace mode and race against the second car – its artificial intelligence means it will drive around the track and compete against you! Find online at www.coolthings.com.au

TOP TRUMPS

RRP: $9.99 Want to know the tallest skyscraper, the freakiest creature of the deep, or the most explosive volcano? Top Trumps is a hugely addictive yet very simple game for players from age 3 to adult. Each portable pack is full of facts and stats where players try to outwit their opponents in a range of topics. You can find them at www.winningmoves.com.au

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OSMO

$39–$199 Osmo is an awardwinning game system that changes how your child interacts with the iPad, opening it up to handson play. Using blocks to control characters, Osmo introduces coding, word games, shapes and basic physics concepts to children age 5 and up. Find out more at www.playosmo.com

encourage kids

to create, imagine,

SCIENCE KITS, RED CAT

draw and play!

RRP: $24.99 Each Red Cat science kit is packed with 4–6 experiments, scientific equipment and information cards, and a STEM challenge. Designed by an experienced science teacher, the experiments are hand tested at the Red Cat Science Club workshops for their fun value. Kits come as single kits, or quarterly or yearly subscriptions, delivering science straight to your door. Find out more at www.redcatscience.com

SARGENT JACKET, BELLA AND LACE

RRP: $94.95 This beautiful hand-sewn sequined jacket is a gorgeous addition to any kids’ wardrobe. Perfect paired with jeans, leggings or any dress-up opportunity. Find online at www.teepeakids.com.au

ROOMINATE STUDIO

RRP: $49.95 A 70-piece set where you are the architect, engineer and designer, building a studio for Alice and her puppy. Design rooms, wire the motor to make an elevator or carousel, and when you are done, take it apart and build something new! Teaching basic circuitry, problem solving and creativity, you can find this and other roominate packs at www.entropy.com.au kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

MOON & STAR HAIRCLIP

RRP: $12.95 This Moon & Star hairclip by Milk "N" Soda will beautifully accessorise your aspiring astronaut. Find online at www.teepeakids.com.au

JUL/AUG 2016

[PARENTING FILES]

MOTIVATING

KIDS EMBRACING THE 'NEAR WIN'

by KIM LAHEY

THINK BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD TO RECOUNT A WORD OF WISDOM FROM YOUR PARENTS: “IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY AND TRY AGAIN.” IT RINGS TRUE DOESN’T IT? COUNTLESS TIMES IN YOUR LIFE YOU HAVE SEEN HOW SUCCESSES—LARGE OR SMALL— COME AS A RESULT OF PERSISTENCE. THE SETBACKS SPUR YOU FORWARD. Each and every one of us will have had a setback or near-win with something important we’ve practised. We’ve had to pick ourselves up and work on what we need to fix. Those stumbles are such a core part of who we are and our skills now, maybe we should look upon them as gifts. But it all depends on how we handle them. And this revolves around what drives or motivates us—our way of thinking. Enter intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

DROPPING THE CARROT AND STICK If we are driven by extrinsic motivation we make choices because we are seeking a reward or we fear punishment. For kids the carrot or the stick might be treats, lollies, promises of things to come, bribes or threats. On the other hand if we are driven by intrinsic motivation we are sparked by internal rewards, by having a go, doing our personal best and feeling a sense of purpose in what we are doing. Our parenting style determines whether our children develop more intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated behaviour. Then, as they grow up, the choices they make are shaped by that way of thinking. Early Life Foundations managing director Shona Bass says there are profound differences in how children view themselves and deal with setbacks, based on how they are motivated at home and at school. “It’s been proven over and again that extrinsic motivation results in very short-term behaviour change,” explains Dr Bass, who has a 30-year background in education. Not only do the carrot and stick need to grow as the child does, the fundamental point is that extrinsic motivation does not help children make the right choices from within themselves or take

JUL/AUG 2016

responsibility for their actions, she explains. Alternatively, Dr Bass says, “Intrinsic motivation is all about helping our children to make a decision because it’s right.” A 10-year-old who’s been intrinsically parented and educated is more likely to engage in a task because they either know that’s just what you do, or know it’s beneficial for them to do so, she explains. But a child who has been extrinsically parented will do so because they’re motivated by an external reward, like treats or TV. “All the evidence proves we need to use intrinsic motivation,” Dr Bass explains, as when it’s embedded and consistently used it makes a fundamental change to behaviour. This is where encouragement makes an entrance; it taps into intrinsic motivation. Encouragement helps build resilience and selfesteem. It models for children that it’s productive and constructive to have a go even if you don’t always achieve the intended outcome, Dr Bass says. “Encouragement boosts kids to keep trying even when things aren’t great.” Some encouraging comments are: “I like it when we read together and you have a go at the words,” or, “We might have to try and problem-solve this so we can work it out.” (Early Life Foundations provides plenty of examples for parents looking for guidance.) Encouragement affirms for our child that they have had a go, that they have worked through something and found out more about themselves, Dr Bass says. “If kids are intrinsically motivated they have that resilience built in to come back and try again."

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[PARENTING FILES]

BANKING RESILIENCE How a child tackles a situation ties in with three key aspects of their character: their self-concept, their intrinsic motivation, and their level of resilience, Dr Bass explains. Resilience is something that‘s built up over time and it all begins by dealing with little disappointments, having a go at something and not getting it quite right. “If parents are proactive and positive about the experience the child will not be measured on success or failure as a benchmark,” she explains. The more near-win experiences children have when they are little—handling little set backs—the bigger the resilience will be, Dr Bass notes. “I help parents think about little disappointments as the little deposits into the resilience bank balance.” Then as teenagers they will have a bank of resilience that’s needed when challenges come along later within their peer groups.

Shortly after her recovery from a broken foot-bone, 11-year-old Emma tried out for the primary school cup. She missed out, which was tough, as all her teammates who’d tried out, as well as her sister, got into the team. But Emma kept on playing right into the next year without complaint and eventually made it back into the top team. “I was very proud of her, I think she's extremely resilient and I hope it will help her negotiate life,” Mel says.

We really can turn a loss into something to inspire our kids rather than knock them down, University of Queensland Parenting and Family Support Centre psychologist Karyn Healy says. It is a matter of learning to address disappointment and turn it into motivation.

Educational research reveals that perseverance is at least as crucial as intelligence for high achievement. Deliberate practice set apart expert performers in chess, sports, music and the visual arts. Their achievement was a product of talent and effort. The research says effort depends on how fully engaged and committed the learner is as well as the hours they commit to the task.

“It is all about teaching kids to focus on the road to the target rather than the target itself,” Dr Healy says.

Dad, James, says his eldest son, 11-year old Finn, is starting to see the value in going ‘the extra mile’ with school projects.

So, rather than encouraging kids to kick a goal or try or win something, it is about building their skills and learning to be a team player. That way the emphasis is on the process and skills rather the end target, she explains.

“He does tend to want to just finish something, instead of really, really, checking it,” he says. “But he’s finally realising that putting in more effort does pay off.”

EYES ON THE ROAD

An example: Mel’s 11 and 13-year-old daughters embrace a wide array of activities in and out of school. Both girls love their netball but don’t make it into the top team each time. “We encourage them to just carry on playing and try again next term or semester, which they are pretty good at after the initial disappointment,” Mel says. Kids need to learn to be able to handle disappointment, because it’s part of life and overcoming it is about sticking at it and doing their best, Dr Healy explains.

“IT’S ALL ABOUT ENCOURAGING KIDS TO PERSIST, TO STICK AT IT AND DO THEIR BEST.” ~ DR HEALY

JUL/AUG 2016

Academically, looking at the effort grades on report cards is a good guide. If kids are putting in the practice and a really great effort then everything else will eventually come, Dr Healy explains. “Focus on the process and skills, not on the prize.” The schools that are on the cutting edge are preparing kids for a very broad education and kids can do so well in all kinds of areas, Dr Healy says. “Finding a school that will help your child excel in the fields they love is the key.”

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[PARENTING FILES]

REJECTION AND IMPERFECTION Think of the young cartoonist who—after countless rejections of his work and being told he had ‘no natural talent’—was offered a shed where he could work. It was here he spotted a mouse one day. Mickey Mouse was born.

“THE MORE NEAR-WIN EXPERIENCES CHILDREN HAVE WHEN THEY ARE LITTLE… THE BIGGER THE RESILIENCE WILL BE.” ~ DR BASS

Even Bill Gates was not magically ‘lucky’. His first company, Traf-O-Data, was unsuccessful, but it obviously taught him plenty for his next venture. “There is a lot pressure these days to do well, but kids need to know that those people who have been successful have had to work hard for that success,” Dr Healy says. And kids need to learn to be able to handle rejection. “It’s quite common to be rejected before you do well at something, it’s part of many jobs, part of life.” “It’s all about encouraging kids to persist, to stick at it and do their best.” A successful role model plays a core part of growing this way of thinking, Dr Healy says. “There are plenty of role models who have stuck with it before they’ve made it.” One that springs to mind is Olympian Shane Rose. His 3-year old, 2-year old and newborn twins have a truly dogged role model in their horse-riding dad. Despite countless broken bones, a shocking accident and thyroid cancer at 28, he is keener than ever to fulfil his Olympic gold medal dream. Shane had already won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics and went on to prepare for the London Olympics, before watching his horse go hopelessly lame on the eve of his event. But he says his first thought after this searing disappointment was Rio. And he’s almost there. What about imperfection? In her TED talk Embrace the near win, art historian Sarah Lewis tells of the moment that became the catalyst for her to think about how bare losses motivate us. Years ago, in her first museum job, she came to the realisation some paintings in an exhibition fell short of being masterpieces. The artist acknowledged that many of the first artworks on display had missed their mark, even to the point where she’d thrown one into the bin before a neighbour intercepted her. That experience led Professor Lewis to examine the value of socalled ‘failure’. She says came to the realisation that true fulfilment can only be achieved when we pursue mastery. And that meant embracing everything deemed a success and failure along the way, rather than dwelling on fleeting moments of victory. She describes mastery as a ‘constant pursuit’. And she says what moves us along the road to mastery and pushes forward, is ‘to value the near win’.

THE FINISHING POST These near-win experiences help us thrive; they push us forward. And hand-in-hand with intrinsic motivation, the near-win can create a snowball effect. As Dr Healy pointed out, parents can teach kids that it’s about the skills they learn and the road they target that’s more important than the end goal. Parental encouragement can build the intrinsically motivated mindset so then the child’s mind propels itself along on that road—without the thirst for shallow reward.

If we use encouragement that promotes having a go and building resilience, we won’t need to egg kids along with bribes and treats. Having to really strive to master something prompts them to get to know their value-system. It’s almost like a test of how keen and responsible they are to conquer that skill. Dr Bass’s words sum up mastery well: “It is not black and white, you win or you lose, you are successful or not. It’s on a continuum of where each individual is.” Enormous benefits can come from inching closer to the prize. They can serve to spur us on more so than any fleeting moments of victory can. We just have to be willing to search them out! Maybe your parents also told you as a child, “Perfection is like chasing the horizon—just keep on going.”

PRACTICAL RESOURCES Early Life Foundations www.earlylife.com.au Useful factsheets include: Building resilience and self concept, Encouragement - not just praise, Consequences: A Positive and Effective Way of Disciplining Your Children. University of Queensland Parenting and Family Support Centre www.pfsc.uq.edu.au The Triple P program gives parents tools to evaluate themselves in terms of helping kids address disappointments and near-wins. TED talk: Embrace the near win, by Sarah Lewis

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JUL/AUG 2016

[BABIES]

BABY TECH MAKING THE EARLY YEARS EASIER by ANGELA SUTHERLAND

TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPING AT A PHENOMENAL PACE. JUST WHEN YOU FEEL YOU’VE CAUGHT UP THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM. AND THIS SEEMS PARTICULARLY TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO THE LATEST IN BABY TECH. THE LIST OF GADGETS AND GIZMOS AVAILABLE TO ALREADY OVERWHELMED PARENTS IS… WELL… HUGELY OVERWHELMING. So what really works? What will make life easier, and what is a gimmick swiftly cast into the ‘I must eBay that someday’ pile? To help navigate through the huge array of products out there, we’ve sifted through some of the latest baby tech available to help new parents through those precious early years.

PLAYTIME Playtime has come a long way since the days of a solitary rattle and blankie. From toy iPads to Mozart music apps, there is an abundance of tech available for your little one. If baby is always reaching for your phone, the VTech Touch and Swipe Baby phone is a great replacement. A toy that looks and feels like a phone, she can happily feel tech-connected without accidentally updating your Facebook status. For those wanting the best-of-the-best in rockers (and those who are tired of driving their little one around the block to get some shut-eye), the MamaRoo® swing is designed to impersonate the comfort and rocking they get from their mums. With four built-in sounds as well as connectivity for any MP3 device, the MamaRoo® comes with five unique motions including car ride, tree swing and rock-a-bye. Weighing in at a hefty RRP of $599, it is definitely the Porsche of the baby rocker world. Fisher-Price toys are always popular and their latest offering, the Bright Beat Smart Touch Play Space, is no exception. Featuring smart touch technology that responds to baby’s touch with music, lights and colours, it introduces your baby to numbers, colours and music, as well as developing motor skills and teaching cause and effect.

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Recommendations currently state babies under two years should avoid screen time. But, if you can’t tempt your iPad away from toddler fingers, the Tiggly Shapes game is the perfect antidote. Using four magnetic shapes, the player places the shapes on a screen to solve a number of problems, taking interactive learning to a whole new level.

SLEEPING For growth, health and happiness (as well as your own sanity) you want your little one to sleep soundly and safely, and there are hundreds of products available promising to help you through. The Fly Babee is a pop up canopy that fits onto any pram or flight bassinet. The latest travel and sleep accessory, this innovative canopy is the brainchild of Australian mum, Emma Lovell, who was frustrated with makeshift bassinet covers made of pegs and thin cotton covers. 100 per cent breathable, the Fly Babee blocks out 97 per cent of the light and provides UPF 50+ sun protection.

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MAMAROO

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[BABIES]

SPROUTLING

High-tech baby monitors also lead the way, with a number of new market entries to choose from. The Sproutling is a tiny sensor in a band that goes around a baby’s ankle that monitors their heart rate, temperature, movements and position, and feeds the information back to your smartphone. The Owlet Vitals Monitor also goes around baby’s ankle in a small sock, transmitting information on sleep quality, skin temperature and sleep position to your device. And the world’s first ‘smart onesie’ comes in the Mimo Kimono, which when worn monitors baby’s respiration, body position, activity level and temperature.

BOON SQUIRT SPOON

FEEDING AND CARE The early months seem to be an endless whirl of feeding and changing. Is it possible for technology to make that easier? The selfwarming bottle from iiamo certainly ticks many boxes. Simply pour in milk or formula, activate the cartridge and within approximately four minutes you have milk heated to 37°C, wherever you are. If you struggle to take your baby’s temperature when she is sick, The Cherub Baby Digital Dummy Thermometer might solve your problems. With an orthodontic teat it is a conventional dummy with an LCD that shows baby’s temperature. For first and second stage feeding on the go, the Boon Squirt spoon is so much more than just a baby spoon. A simple, yet genius invention, it is great for those parents who make their own puree. Simply fill the Squirt with puree and when it’s time for lunch the spoon dispenses baby food one bite at a time. Recommended for 4+ months, it is BPA free and dishwasher safe and comes with a cap for storage in your bag. The Blooming Bath is not exactly tech, but it’s brilliant and will certainly make those early days of baby baths easier. A handmade plush bath insert, the Blooming Bath cradles your baby inside the bath or sink, making bath time cozy and fun. Perfect for those babies who don’t like the hard plastic feel of the bathtub, it is also a refreshing relief for new parents, as it removes the very common slippery baby worries. Designed for newborns to 6 months, the Blooming Bath can be put in the dryer or hung out to dry after use each time.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? For those little ones who already love screens, not yet on the market but destined to be popular is the Yibu app from frogDesign. Using five wooden toys embedded with sensing technology which are connected to a character on a screen, children learn about the world around them as they positively influence change by moving the toys and placing them in different situations. Turning the home into an adventure playground, the challenges become more complex as the player progresses through the game. Not yet available to Australia, but soon to be released in the US, the Starling is a smart device that tracks the number of words your baby hears and says each day. Why? I hear you say! Well, research shows that the number of words your child is exposed to before the age of four is the greatest predictor of their future success, and small talk can make a big difference; their brains are busy processing language far before they are able to verbalise their thoughts. The Starling gives you the ability to nourish your child’s brain, tracking words and getting feedback on how to improve the quality of your interactions.

YIBU STARLING kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

JUL/AUG 2016

[PARENTVILLE]

The Experiment by LUKE DENHAM

“I am a father, not a scientist!!” I’ve internally screamed this line many times throughout my children’s school years. Why is it that teachers feel obligated to torture parents with take-home science experiments? Some sadistic urge that overwhelms them once a year? I can see them in the staff lunchroom chuckling with each other. I can see them guffawing at their end-of-year staff party, speechless as they buckle at the knees, crippled by their hilarity. They are an evil bunch. The children are the patsies here. They are unknowingly mesmerised by the possibility of ‘science magic’—magic they can perform themselves. The teachers have bedazzled them with the promises of explosions, alchemy, thwarting nature and creating new life. They actually come home excited and full of wonder at the prospect of performing a miracle and we… yes, we… are the suckers that have no choice but to encourage and support this madness. When we first hear those dreaded words, “We were given a science experiment to do at home!” Your heart sinks, your blood runs cold, a sweat breaks out over your body, and then, realising that your child is actually excited, you turn and smile, with pain in your heart. That pain is real because you know you’re going to have to do it all. You know it is going to be expensive. You know that it is going to be messy. And you know that it isn’t going to work. Then you ask the dreaded question, “What did you have in mind darling?” At this stage you’ve stopped listening because you are frantically working through all the science experiments that are easiest, cleanest, fool-proof and hopefully, exciting. Once you get home, you’re straight onto YouTube searching for the most spectacular yet simple experiment known to humanity. Voila! The 'egg in the bottle' experiment! Fool proof. Check. Inexpensive. Check. Relatively clean. Check. Magical. Check. Involves fire. Check. Six dozen eggs later, all that remains is a silently weeping child, an apoplectic parent and a disaster zone on the kitchen table. When the dust settles and you’ve convinced your child that the experiment was a raging success, you say through clenched teeth, “That was so much fun darling.” The child will give a deadpan look and quietly turn to their own private hell of ‘the science report’. This is where shame kicks in. This is when you shake your fists at the heavens. This is when you pray you’ll never have to do that again.

Brisbane dad Luke Denham is a single parent of two teenagers. Luke shares his parenting trials and triumphs at ‘The Collective Parent’, a blog he writes not just for single parents or fathers, but for all parents. Luke follows simple rules for bringing out the best in children so they can be peaceful, loving productive members of our society. Read more from Luke at www.thecollectiveparent.com and www.facebook.com/thecollectiveparent

JUL/AUG 2016

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JUL/AUG 2016

[EDUCATION]

RELEASE YOUR MINI

einstein

There’s no better way to experience science than by getting hands on and messy. To put that theory to the test we bravely set a team of mini Einsteins loose in the kitchen to test out a range of science experiments that can be done in your own home… all in the name of science!

MESS FACTOR:

Magic Balloon

Rainbow Volcano

Ages: 4+

YOU NEED:

Balloon ¼ cup vinegar Baking soda Clean, empty plastic bottle

Baking soda Vinegar Food colouring Glitter Dishwashing liquid Clear plastic cup or glass jar Large dish or tray

1. Stretch the balloon so it is easy to inflate. 2. Pour the vinegar into the bottle. 3. Use a funnel to fill the balloon with baking soda. 4. Stretch the balloon over the top of the bottle. 5. Quickly tip all of the baking soda into the bottle.

What is happening? If all goes well, the balloon should inflate! Mixing baking soda and vinegar causes a chemical reaction that creates carbon dioxide (CO2). The gas rises and inflates the balloon.

MESS FACTOR:

JUL/AUG 2016

1. Stand the cup in the dish.

What is happening? The volcano is caused by the same reaction as in the Magic Balloon experiment. However this time the dishwashing liquid makes it foam rather than fizz and the glitter and colouring gives it a rainbow effect. Experiment inspiration from babbledabbledo.com

2. Half fill the cup with vinegar. 3. Add a few drops of one colour of food colouring and some glitter to the vinegar. Then add a good squeeze of dishwashing liquid and stir. 4. Add a heaped teaspoon of baking soda, stir again… and watch! 5. When the foam slows, add another spoon of baking soda. 6. To change colours, just add a tablespoon of vinegar mixed with a different colour of food colouring. Make sure you drop the coloured vinegar into the middle of the volcano.

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[EDUCATION]

MESS FACTOR:

Lava Lamp Ages: 3+

YOU NEED: A clean, transparent bottle or cup (an empty soda or water bottle is perfect) Water (room temperature) Oil Fizzing tablets (Alka Seltzer, or anything that fizzes in water will work!) Food colouring 1. Fill your bottle with oil until it is just below 3⁄4 full.

Wonderful Walking Water Ages: 3+

YOU WILL NEED: 2 paper towels   3 glasses or jars   Food colouring   1. Place the three glasses side by side and fill the outer two with water. Leave the centre glass empty. 2. Colour the water by adding a few drops of food colouring into the outer glasses. Choose 2 different primary colours.   3. Fold a piece of paper towel in half lengthways. Repeat so that you have a long strip of paper towel. Carefully arrange the strip so that one end is submerged in a glass of water and the other end sits in the empty glass.   4. Repeat Step 3 with the second piece of paper towel and other water glass.   5. Watch and wait! In about 30 minutes you should see the water begin to walk between the glasses. Check your experiment again after two hours, what colour is the water in the middle glass? Why?

2. Add about 10mL of coloured water into the oil and let it settle to the bottom of the bottle. 3. Drop half a fizzy tablet into the mixture and observe the reaction occurring in the bottle. The water should fizz and bubble, rise through the liquid and slowly fall back to the bottom of the container. 4. When the reaction has finished, you can add another half tablet and watch the reaction again!

What is happening? Water is denser than oil, meaning that it contains more matter. Because of this, water will sink below oil when they are placed together. The oil and water won’t mix together because water molecules are more attracted to each other than to oil molecules. This would cause oily blobs to move around your bottle if you were to turn it upside down. When you add the fizzing tablet into your lava lamp, carbon dioxide (CO2) is introduced into the water, allowing the water to float to the top of the container. When the carbon dioxide bubbles pop, the water, being the heavier substance, returns to the bottom of the container.

MESS FACTOR:

Sugar Crystals Ages: 5+

YOU NEED: 4 cups sugar 2 cups water Cotton string A small, clean glass jar A small screw, or metal weight A straw or pencil Baking paper Food colouring (optional) A small saucepan 1. Tie the screw onto one end of a piece of string. Tie the other end around the straw (it needs to be long enough to suspend the screw in the jar and it almost touch the bottom). 2. Heat the water in a saucepan until it comes to a boil (have an adult do this). 3. Add the sugar and stir continuously until all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is boiling. Add food colouring if you would like coloured crystals.

What is happening? The process used in this experiment is the same that plants use to move water from the ground, through their stems, and up into their petals or leaves. This process is called ‘capillary action’ where water is moved along a conduit—in this experiment the conduit is the paper towel.

4. Remove from heat and carefully pour the liquid into the jar (have an adult do this). 5. Dip the screw into the mixture, then remove and let dry on a piece of baking paper for a day. 6. Return the dried string to the jar of sugar solution and leave for a week. 7.

Lava Lamp and Wonderful Walking Water experiments were kindly contributed by Street Science. Street Science runs kids parties, curriculum-based science incursions and explosive fun at community events in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. You can find out more about their events, as well as more experiments to try at home at www.streetscience.com.au

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Watch the crystals gradually form.

8. Though it is tempting, try not to disturb the string within the 7 days, to give the crystals a chance to grow.

JUL/AUG 2016

[EDUCATION]

Build your own space helmet! It couldn’t be simpler to take your own spacewalk, with our make-at-home space helmet.

IF YOU’D RATHER KEEP YOUR OWN KITCHEN TIDY, THERE ARE PLENTY OF HANDS-ON SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ON YOUR DOORSTEP: QLD Museum, Sciencentre: Visit Measure Island, a fictional space filled with puzzles and exhibits to illustrate how you use measurements in the world. Test your speed and accuracy, measure your heartbeat, become a jewel thief, make a diamond disappear… there is a lot more to measurement than you might have previously thought.

YOU NEED: Square box White paint, plus other colours to add stripes or graphics Craft items: hose, pipe cleaners, buttons, sticks Hot glue gun

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium: Home to the Cosmic Skydome (a 12.5-metre-diameter projection dome), you can take a tour of the night sky, or go on an astronomical journey from present day to the Big Bang.

1. Find a square box to fit child's head. 2. Paint box white and leave to dry. 3. Source items to add to helmet: hose, buttons, sticks, pipe cleaners, whatever you can find! 4. Once the box is dry, draw a circle on one side using a compass or plate. 5. Carefully cut out circle with a Stanley knife. 6. Decide where to glue items to helmet.

Visit our NEW website for some

7. Using the hot glue gun, glue on hosepipe, buttons for dials, pipe cleaner for aerial. Use other craft items as you like. Be careful with the glue gun, it is very hot! 8. Add graphics or stripes… use your imagination! 9. Now go and fly to the moon!

EXPLOSIVE SCIENCE @ EKKA 2016

AUGUST 5th - 14th

RNA SHOWGROUNDS

Dancing Robots Explosive Science Shows

FREE Hands-on Science Activities in the Agricultural Hall 28

JUL/AUG 2016

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If your child isn’t talking as well as other children their age, we can help. Our team of male and female therapists are trained and qualified to deliver the Hanen program, the gold standard for delayed language. Our unique service is designed for you, at home. We’ll show you what to do and you’ll be watching your child shine in no time.

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Yes, we visit schools! We don’t charge to talk to teachers. Our therapists are your child’s supporter and advocate. If problems with literacy, language or social skills are affecting your child’s performance at school, our speech pathologists are ready to help.

CLINICS

PHONE

WEBSITE

Ashgrove and Nundah

07 3371 0970

chatbox.com.au

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JUL/AUG 2016

[TEENS]

WHEN MY TEEN DISCOVERS PORN by JAMES MCMANIS

PORNOGRAPHY IS A GENUINE CHALLENGE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH READY INTERNET ACCESS, MORE AND MORE TEENS ARE SEEKING OUT, OR STUMBLING UPON, FREE PORNOGRAPHIC WEBSITES. THIS RAISES REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO THESE IMAGES ON TEENS. NOW, IT IS QUITE APPROPRIATE FOR TEENS GOING THROUGH PUBERTY TO BE CURIOUS ABOUT SEX AND START TO EXPLORE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR. HOWEVER, THERE IS CONSISTENT RESEARCH OUTLINING THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS EXPOSURE TO PORNOGRAPHY CAN HAVE ON TEENS. Recent research indicated that over 90 per cent of teenagers have Internet access. Further research revealed that one of the top five websites accessed by adolescent males was Pornhub, a pornographic website with free material. Now, what harm this does to those viewing such pornographic material depends a lot on the content of that material and the reasons the teen is seeking pornography out. If the content is extreme or abusive, then exposure to such material can traumatise. What also needs

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to be addressed is what might be ‘normalised’ by viewing such material. If someone is seeking pornography as a way of coping with stress or anxiety, then the seeking can become compulsive and problematic. Most likely, the teens seeking such pornography are feeding curiosity triggered by peers or inadvertent clicking on Internet advertisements. As a result, it is important to consider another source of potential harm: the fear of getting into trouble for viewing such material.

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[TEENS]

WHAT TO DO 1. Sex education Nothing can substitute for a parent engaging positively with their child’s sexual education. By allowing opportunities for open discourse and questioning in a non-judgmental way, a parent can build a safe place for their child to explore sex. This discussion only works from a position of openness and positivity. Negativity or doom-saying will simply drive teens to seek the answers to their questions elsewhere. 2. Cyber education Parents need to understand the technology they are allowing their teens to use. Know how to block sites, know how to install ‘nanny software’, know how to monitor (and take control if required) of your child’s social media site, and know how to review an Internet browser history. Take the time to read through the material on the Government site www.esafety.gov.au because you cannot educate your teens about something you know nothing about. 3. Online trust building Parents need to be clear about expectations and rules for Internet and social media use. This needs to be discussed with the teens, as well as rules negotiated and consequences outlined. However, consequences in this context is not that of punishment, but rather learning about trust. For example, the better we are at sticking to the rules, the more freedom and independence we have. If we break the rules then our level of freedom and independence is reduced and greater guidance and supervision provided until we can stick to the rules consistently again. This ‘give a little’ / ‘take a little’ approach allows teens to feel like they have more control over their circumstances which will help get them on board with the strategy and allows parents to guide their teen through the minefield of Internet access.

WHAT IF I DISCOVER MY CHILD HAS ACCESSED PORNOGRAPHIC WEBSITES? If you come to discover your child has accessed pornographic material, then it is important to do a few things: • Reassure your child that curiosity is okay. This situation needs to be seen as an opportunity to discuss sex and pornography, and create a dialogue that can answer some of your child’s questions in a safe and healthy way. • Discuss what was seen so that it can be put into perspective. Pornography is not reality, it is not how sexual relationships operate and it is not an accurate representation of the average male or female body. • Discuss why they ended up visiting a pornographic website. Was it curiosity, was it influenced by peers, was it accidental clicking, was it malware or a virus, or was it influenced by an older child or adult? • Review the sites yourself if you can — it is important to know the extent of what they have seen as pornographic sites can vary significantly and can be traumatising to teens. This also informs your discussion of what has been seen and allows you to clearly identify what issues need to be dealt with immediately. • If your child has viewed sites involving child sexual abuse, you need to discuss this with police as a child may be in danger, or your child may have come into contact with a possible offender. • Educate your child on age-appropriate sexuality. Visit www.true.org.au for detailed information on what is age appropriate or consult a psychologist, GP, or paediatrician.

Most importantly, if you don’t feel confident dealing with any of these issues or feel you need support visit a psychologist, GP, or paediatrician and seek advice. James McManis, BA Psych. (Hons). Assoc. MAPS, is a volunteer lifesaver, pilot, and psychologist at All Abilities Child & Family Therapy Centre in Noosa and Gympie. All Abilities works with children and adolescents as well as their families/carers to develop skills and facilitate positive change. All Abilities is a multidisciplinary clinic offering in-house psychology and occupational therapy. For more information visit www.allabilities.com.au

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JUL/AUG 2016

[WELLBEING]

benefits pet ownership by DR ALEX HYNES

PETS PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES, WHETHER YOUNG OR OLD, AND RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT OWNING A PET HAS POSITIVE BENEFITS FOR BOTH OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING. Pets can fulfil many different roles, and the benefits of pet ownership can differ from person to person. Although they remain blissfully unaware of their positive role, a furry friend can influence our interactions with other people, reduce stress and anxiety, improve overall health and fitness plus lift an owner’s mood. It is no coincidence that pets are often used as part of therapy or rehabilitation. Here are just some of the positive and proven benefits of pet ownership.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

SOCIAL LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS

There is nothing better than the unconditional love and trust that a pet gives and the physical act of touching and stroking a pet can have a calming effect on an owner. Other health benefits for pet owners can include lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. Pet owners are also less likely to suffer from depression and they are able to cope better with stress. A pet offers no judgement, and allows an owner to feel needed, wanted and cared for.

Similar interests are one way of meeting other people and pet ownership is no exception. Pets, especially dogs when out walking, are great conversation starters and can help to develop friendships and build connections with the outside world. Dating sites often have pet ownership as one of the criteria for choosing a partner. Internet pet forums, clubs and societies also provide ways for pet owners to interact with each other.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT Pets can play an important role in a child’s development. Pets initially provide companionship, which can boost self-esteem and confidence. As children grow older, pet ownership helps them to develop a sense of empathy and responsibility that they carry through to adulthood—encouraging routine, activity and care for something outside of a person. Play, mimicking and interactions with animals help children to not only see beyond themselves, but also help them get active. Plus, animals can teach children about important difficult issues like boundaries, sex and death. 32

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EXERCISE

Pets can bring people closer together. Families often spend quality time together caring for and playing with a pet and they become an extension of the family. kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

Obesity is a risk factor for many major health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, and keeping active with pets can help prevent these diseases. Dog walks get people moving and enjoying the outdoors. Even if there isn’t time for a long walk, a run around in the local park or backyard is enough to get the heart rate up. A study in New South Wales estimated that if all dog owners walked their dogs regularly, there would be a potential saving of $175 million in healthcare costs annually.

[WELLBEING]

HOBBIES Pet ownership, especially with the less common species can become a hobby and with that comes a whole new social group where a person can be accepted and thrive. Hobbies such as keeping and rearing exotic pets, showing pets or agility dog training can be very mentally stimulating and satisfying, and can open up a whole new world to the pet owner.

A pet can provide much needed stress relief, physical benefits and increased social interactions.

BEST PETS FOR KIDS OF DIFFERENT AGES There comes a time in most parents' lives when children ask them for pet of their own. However, there are a few things that you need to think seriously about when you are considering taking this important step. Even though the pet may belong to your child in name, it is you, as a parent, who will ultimately be responsible for the cleaning, feeding and any veterinary care that the pet may require. Maturity and sense of responsibility play a big part in which pet to choose for a child. Whatever pet is chosen it is important to teach them that any living creature deserves respect, constant care and love. If you are unsure about your child’s level of responsibility, offer to pet sit for a friend or family, or take home the school pet for a holiday. As a parent you will soon know if your child is ready for the commitment of a pet of their own. Once a decision is made on the type of pet contact your local veterinarian or RSPCA for advice. They can guide you through the ownership process, health and wellbeing of many types of pets. Children under 3 years old Kids this age are often too young to understand the needs of pets and to be able to handle them with the care required. Too often at an animal hospital you see kittens who have been dropped or a dog who has been pulled around until it has reached the limit and lashed out. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have a pet in the household with kids at this age, but all contact with animals should be supervised as the urge to grasp and pull, which is a normal milestone for a toddler, is not fair for any pet to have to tolerate.

Laying chickens also make great pets for young kids. They are very tolerant and collecting the eggs keeps kids involved and interested. Ages 9–12 years

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ARE: 1. What is the animal’s expected lifespan? If your child quickly loses interest then perhaps the commitment of a decade for the care for a dog versus a year for a small rodent is important to consider. 2. How much looking after will they need? Consider costs such as feeding, grooming and housing as well as the time commitment. 3. Will this pet fit in with my family? Think about allergies, but also fears. If someone in the household is terrified of reptiles then getting a snake is probably going to cause an issue! Ages 3–8 years Consider a small pet whose home is a cage most of the time such as a guinea pig or rat. These pets are very social and children will love handling and stroking their soft coats. They can be put safely away after play time and the mess is relatively confined when it comes to regular cleaning and mantenance.

This is the opportunity to solidify the concept of responsibility of pet ownership and is a great time to introduce a puppy or kitten to the household. Also consider adult dogs or cats who are easier to look after in a busy family. There are many adult dogs and cats in shelters who are looking for a family to adopt them. Make sure they have been temperament assessed as suitable for a family by the RSPCA or animal shelter and that you spend some time with them to make sure they are the right fit for your family before taking them home. Make sure your child understands that jobs like walking the dog or cleaning the cat’s litter box are a daily requirement. Teenagers If your teenager is looking for a more individual pet then consider a pet bird, a lizard or even an aquarium with fish and turtles. These animals take more care and keeping their environment cleaned regularly is essential but the rewards are considerable and teenagers will often bond strongly with their unusual pet as they go through the ups and downs of puberty. Finally, whatever decision you do make, make sure to involve your child in the discussion and planning about the pet you are considering getting. Make time to ensure they they are up for the responsibility, as well as the fun side of owning a pet. It can be an incredibly positive milestone in their lives and one that the entire family can share in.

Dr Alex Hynes is a Veterinary Surgeon and Director at Animal Emergency Service who provide after-hours emergency veterinary care for pets and wildlife. Dr Alex is a local public figure passionate about educating pet owners and dedicated to advancing emergency and critical care in veterinary medicine, so that sick and injured animals can have the care they need at any time of day or night. Find out more about Alex’s services at www.animalemergencyservice.com.au or www.dralexhynes.com.au. You can also connect with Alex on social media at www.facebook.com/dralexhynes and www.instagram.com/dralexhynes

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JUL/AUG 2016

[FAMILY HEALTH]

FEBRILE CONVULSIONS: KNOW THE FACTS Brrr, winter is most definitely here! And along with the winter woolies, these chillier months also bring a barrage of colds, flus and other nasties that spread throughout our homes, schools and child care centres. One of the more alarming side effects from childhood fever is the possibility of febrile convulsions. So we spoke to paediatrician, Julian Paxton, to get the low down on what to do should a fever hit.

WHAT ARE FEBRILE CONVULSIONS? Convulsions are caused by waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can cause people to lose consciousness, display abnormal jerking movements, or even behave strangely. Febrile convulsions are convulsions triggered by fever. They tend to occur in early childhood.

WHEN DO THEY OCCUR? Febrile convulsions occur when a child has a fever, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The higher the fever, the more likely it is to cause a convulsion. In children a fever is a temperature above 38°C. In most children, febrile convulsions occur early in the illness with fever, generally within the first 24 hours of the illness. Sometimes a convulsion can occur before a parent is aware that their child has a fever. Reports from around the world have suggested that between two and four per cent of children have febrile convulsions.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF A FEBRILE CONVULSION? If a child has one febrile convulsion, they are at risk of further febrile convulsions in the future. However, uncomplicated febrile convulsions do not cause brain damage and are not an indicator that a child will have epilepsy in the future. Complicated febrile convulsions are more serious but much less common. They may need specialised medical assessment. Features of complicated febrile convulsions include convulsions lasting longer than

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15 minutes, multiple convulsions in a 24-hour period, and convulsions producing movements in just one area of the body, for example jerking in one arm, the face, or on one side of the body. A child with convulsions with any of these features should be taken immediately to hospital.

WHAT AGE GROUP IS MOST AT RISK? Febrile convulsions are most common between 12 and 18 months of age, but can occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. Outside this age range, other diagnoses should be considered. Both boys and girls are equally at risk.

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS DO IF A CONVULSION OCCURS? Febrile convulsions are always very frightening for parents, especially parents witnessing their child's first convulsion. If a child has a febrile convulsion: • The child should be removed from a situation that may be dangerous, e.g. taken out of the bath. • The child should be laid on their side in the ‘coma position’. • Do not put anything in the child's mouth or forcibly try to stop the jerking movements. • Check the time to measure how long the convulsion lasts. If it lasts more than 5 minutes an ambulance should be called immediately. • Seek medical advice as soon as the seizure is controlled and the child is resting.

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WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PARENTS TREATING FEVER IN CHILDREN? Fever in children is almost always a sign of infection. Teething does not cause fever. If a child has a fever but is happy and active, eating and drinking well, then there is probably not too much need for concern. If a child with a fever is irritable, lethargic, or excessively sleepy, medical advice should be sought. As a general rule a temperature of over 38°C represents a fever, although the method of measuring the temperature can influence what is regarded as normal or abnormal. Fever can be reduced by light clothing, maintaining hydration by encouraging fluid intake and medication, either paracetamol (Panadol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen), at the recommended dosage and at the recommended interval. Most children with fever do not need this treatment, but if a child is miserable or in pain, treatment should be used. If treatment is being given for fever for more than 24 hours without improvement medical advice should be obtained. Making a child too cold, and inducing shivering, can actually increase body core temperature and is not advised. This article has been published to update an article that appeared in the Jan/Feb 2016 issue, to contain adjusted information regarding febrile convulsions.

Dr Julian Paxton is an experienced General Paediatrician working with Sunshine Coast Paediatrics. He sees young people ranging in age from newborn babies to late teens. As a specialist doctor he sees patients on referral from another doctor, usually a family doctor. He consults at the Nucleus Medical Centre on the grounds of the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim. His rooms can be contacted on 07 5406 1270. Find out more at www.sunshinecoastpaediatrics.com.au.

e e r f

membership!

PLAYGROUP QUEENSLAND PARTNERS WITH QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO GIVE ALL FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS ACCESS TO PLAYGROUPS By the time your child turns three they will have developed the skills to become a lifelong learner. As your child’s first and foremost teacher you will play a crucial role in this learning journey. Play is the easiest way to help your child learn and grow because ‘play’ is not just fun, it is how your child learns. When your child paints, draws, listens to stories, sings songs or dresses up they are getting ready for school by building their vocabulary, expressing themselves, learning to listen, strengthening muscles in their hands and developing hand–eye coordination that will help them to identify numbers, letters and words. The Queensland Government is committed to creating opportunities for all children to access quality early years’ experiences, regardless of their circumstances or where they live. That is why the Queensland Government has partnered with Playgroup Queensland to launch Play Stars. An initiative funded by the Queensland Government, Play Stars provides all Queensland families with a child under one, 12 months’ free membership to Playgroup Queensland. “Playgroup offers families the chance to connect with other parents, carers and children in their local community. Many families rely on playgroup to obtain information about other local services, schools and community activities. Being a part of a playgroup allows families to develop a sense of belonging within the community and gives them reassurance in their parental journey,” Playgroup Queensland CEO Ian Coombe said. “To create a strong network of support, connections is important. Families with young children often feel isolated, alone in their decision making and unsure about how to raise their children. Playgroup performs a vital role in reassuring parents that they are not alone and if they do need help playgroup can either provide it or point them in the right direction.”

What is a playgroup?

A playgroup is an informal session where babies and young children and their caregivers regularly meet in a relaxed environment. They are usually held once a week in community venues such as a local school, community hall or park. Playgroup Queensland playgroups are run by participating families or volunteers. Whether you are a mum, dad, carer, grandparent or family member, everyone is welcome at playgroup.

Why playgroups are good for parents

Why playgroups are good for children

Your child will join in different activities suitable for their age Playgroups give you and your child one-on-one play away from home and everyday distractions. At playgroup you can: and play with other children. At playgroup, your child will: • enjoy stories and music • discover new ways to play with your child • socialise with other children and adults • meet new people and make new friends • explore the world around them through play • share ideas and experiences • try out new imaginative and creative activities • learn from other parents • and have fun! • watch your child learn by developing new skills • learn more about your community and how start help young children to connect with local services Playgroups can also e learning ey need for school, lik • and have fun! developing skills th .

to share, taking turn

s and making friends

Join Playgroup Queensland for free. Become a Play Star. To become a Play Star simply register with Playgroup Queensland before your child’s first birthday. Find out more by visiting: www.playgroupqueensland.com.au or call 1800 171 882 Play Stars is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government. kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

JUL/AUG 2016

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July/August 2016

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MEDIA PUBLISHED BY Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au www.mothergoosemedia.com.au Uniquely connected to our local market and with a devotion to our community we exist to bring an abundance of high quality content – news, events, features and lifestyle – to parents across South East Queensland. Fresh, modern and always evolving, this is THE place for local parents to be united, be understood and be inspired.

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We believe your story should be told. We believe every day is worth celebrating. We believe everyone should live in the moment. We believe in celebrating life through art.

VERVE PORTRAITS. ART INSPIRED BY YOU.

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JUL/AUG 2016

[DESTINATIONS]

scien-ter rific TAKE A

HOLIDAY IN AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA IS A DIVERSE AND TRULY AMAZING PLACE. WITH UNIQUE WILDLIFE AND SCIENTIFIC ADVENTURES AT EVERY TURN, THERE IS ENOUGH ON OUR DOORSTEP TO KEEP EVEN THE MOST CURIOUS OF BUDDING SCIENTISTS ENTERTAINED. HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE SPOTS TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT FAMILY ADVENTURE! KANGAROO ISLAND, SA

Picture credit: South Australian Tourism Commission

Picture credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

An untouched wilderness providing protection to a host of native Australian animals, Kangaroo Island is an easily accessible sanctuary, perfect for little wildlife warriors to explore. Due to its separation from the mainland, a diverse range of birdlife and animals has thrived on Kangaroo Island, and more than one-third of the island is now declared a conservation area. With sea lions basking on the beaches and koalas lounging in the trees, the white beaches and dense wetlands are a wildlife paradise. See www.tourkangarooisland.com.au for more details.

AUSTRALIAN DINOSAUR TRAIL, QLD For an exciting adventure in Outback Queensland, check out Australia’s Dinosaur Trail of Winton, Hughenden and Richmond, where you can uncover fossils and learn the history of these incredible creatures that once ruled our lands. There are several self-drive trails available along which you can visit the many fabulous museums, take an eco walk through the bio-regions, discover dinosaur footprints from 95 million years ago, see Australia’s premier marine fossil collection and go fossicking for fossils. For the more adventurous there is also a selection of 4WD drive trails through the stunning gorge systems. See www.australiasdinosaurtrail.com for more details.

JUL/AUG 2016

THE CUBE, QUT, BRISBANE, QLD At the heart of QUT’s (Queensland University of Technology) Science and Engineering Centre is ‘the cube’, a stunning two-storey digital display designed to transform the way students interact with learning and experiencing STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics). One of the world’s largest digital learning spaces the cube provides interactive and inspiring science experiences for kids from age 9 to 15. With hands-on sessions on robotics energy, mechanisms, physics, and more, the cube is a fabulous scientific day out for the older kids. Best of all, it is totally free! See www.thecube. qut.edu.au for more details on what is screening each day.

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Picture credit: Destination NSW

JENOLAN CAVES, BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW Not far from Sydney, tucked away in the Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves are an ideal destination for any keen geologist. Known as ‘Nature’s Classroom’, the ten show caves are the largest and some of the most spectacular in Australia and offer a range of tours suitable for all ages. With limestone crystals, marine fossils, stunning rock formations and huge chambers, the caves are brought to life with evocative light and sound shows. See www.jenolancaves.org.au for more details on tour times and opening hours.

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QUESTACON, CANBERRA, ACT No self-respecting science curriculum is complete without a trip to the exciting and thoroughly engaging Questacon. With interactive science exhibitions and hands-on programmes for all ages, there is something to inspire the whole family. For the 0–6 year olds there is Mini Q, a fun, custom-built space where mini-scientists can develop problem-solving skills as they explore the colourful range of activities. Q-Lab is a more dynamic and experimental space, perfect for those over seven years old, where kids can wrap their minds around the more intriguing questions that face scientists today. Also at Questacon is the H20—Soak Up the Science exhibition, where visitors can delve into water and discover its many different properties and its importance in our lives. And Excite@Q is a high energy, highly addictive exhibition where you test both mind and muscle: battling a robot, testing your reflexes and free-falling down a giant slide. Check www.questacon.edu.au for details of exhibits on your visit.

For more

FAMILY DESTINATIONS GO TO OUR WEBSITE

LADY ELLIOT ISLAND, QLD A favourite amongst families wishing to visit the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is a small coral cay at the southern tip of the reef. There is a great Eco Resort on the island as well as a children’s playground and education centre. And during school holidays the island runs the Junior Reef Ranger Club for kids aged 5–12. The highlight of Lady Elliot Island is the wildlife and healthy coral that surrounds the island. With clear waters and some of the best snorkeling and diving on the reef, over 1,200 species of marine life can be found around the island, including manta rays, turtles, dolphins and sharks, and a host of tropical fish. At certain times of the year Lady Elliot Island is also home to nesting turtles, which visitors can experience under the guidance of the Island’s turtle rangers. Visit www.ladyelliot.com.au for more information.

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsinthecity.com.au JUL/AUG 2016

[LOCAL LIFE]

Chasing DREAMS

OLYMPIAN, ENGINEER, AND AMBASSADOR FOR AUSTRALIAN SPORT, BRISBANITE JANE MORAN PAUSES HER BUSY LIFE TO CHAT TO US ABOUT TRAINING, MENTORING AND THOSE 4.30AM STARTS. How did you end up playing water polo? I was always a strong

What did the Olympics mean to you? The Olympics had always been

swimmer, and I competed through primary school and into high school at state and national level. I was introduced to water polo when I was 12 years old, but it wasn’t my primary sport straight away. My school, Stuartholme, had a lot to do with my playing water polo, and my success. We had a great school team and an unbelievable coach—she was the timekeeper at the Sydney Olympics and a FINA (International Swimming Federation) referee, so I was lucky enough to be exposed to that incredible expertise from the start. So I entered into junior teams, then seniors and had my first international tour in Year 12. I even missed my high school formal; it was a bit of a whirlwind!

the goal, even through school. I grew up idolising the likes of Sam Riley and Susie O’Neill and thought I’d get there with swimming. But when swimmers like Leisel Jones were hitting the pool with unbelievable results I had the sudden realisation that water polo might be the path to that medal instead. Winning bronze in London is still my proudest moment. I’ve won gold and silver in other international tournaments but nothing beats the Olympics, it’s the pinnacle of any sporting career.

What is a typical training schedule for an Olympic water polo player? We would try to get in twelve sessions a week. Three in the gym with cross training and weights, three swimming sessions in the pool, then we’d do three skills sessions practising ball skills and legwork, passing and shooting, and then three game/fitness sessions.

Elite sport is incredibly tough, both physically and mentally. How did you manage to turn around and get back into the sport after not being selected for Beijing? Yeah, that was a really tough time. I trained hard but was one of the last players not selected for Beijing. I was also dealing with the death of my dad three months prior to my non-selection, so I ended up taking some time away from the sport, asked for a transfer with work and moved to Mooloolaba for a while. A good friend of mine, who also wasn’t selected, got me into playing in the National League, which got my enthusiasm back. And from there it was a steady progression to the London Olympics. 40

JUL/AUG 2016

How does it feel, seeing the teams getting ready for Rio? I’m excited for them! I actually attempted to get back in the pool to be in contention for Rio after I had a shoulder reconstruction and ended up needing a year to recover. But when I went to the camp for the World Cup selection, I just didn’t really love the elite sports environment anymore, and that was it. It was sad, because it’s been such a big part of my life. But I’m glad I took that year to recover, and that I did try that one last time, because it made me very clear it was the right decision, and I have no regrets. Now I’m focused on progressing my career.

Talking of career, you’ve somehow managed to build an impressive career as an engineer amidst all of your athletic success! How? It never crossed my mind not to! It was just never an option. I knew it could be done, so why not? I’ll admit it wasn’t easy. When my teammates were doing just one subject at university or still living at home, I was doing a full-time engineering degree then working full-time in the city. I’d leave home at 4.30am with three changes of clothes, three meals, and get home exhausted! But I love engineering and I’m so glad that I did it; I’m

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[LOCAL LIFE]

You can find out more about Jane’s work at www.janemoran.blogspot.com.au FRIDAY

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certainly stronger for it. And when the time came for me to stop playing at such an elite level, I had a career and purpose outside of sport with strong career development options. There is a big push for women in engineering so it’s a great time to be involved.

What involvement do you have now in water polo? I still play in the National League, but I’m also involved more strategically now: I’m the secretary for the Athletes’ Commission of Water Polo Australia, I’m on the board for Water Polo Australia, I’m a committee member of the Olympians Club of Queensland and I’ve recently applied to be on the FINA Athletes Committee. So that still keeps me very involved!

As a standout role model for Queensland kids, what advice do you have for someone who has a dream to chase? If you want it, go and get it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have it, and be bold about it. Do something different to get noticed and be seen, so the people selecting know who you are—be the best at something so they can’t not notice you. And don’t be scared to ask them questions no one else asks.

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KIDS ON THE COAST / KIDS IN THE CITY

Why do you feel it’s important for kids to get involved in team sports? I never thought it when I was doing it, but sport has been hugely important in my professional career. There are so many discretionary things in sport that help you as an adult—persistence, an ability to lose, communication skills and real teamwork—and high-performing sporting teams are increasingly relevant to success in the workforce. A global survey done by EY (Ernst & Young) found that 96 per cent of female CEOs had played sport during primary and secondary school, and 55 per cent had played at university level. So there is a big push for women athletes in business. So much so that I’m now part of a mentoring program with the WABN (Women’s Athlete Business Network) where they match 25 elite female athletes with a female CEO for a year of mentoring. It’s nice to think that my experience can help other women achieve in their careers, to further boost that much-needed diversity in the work force and in senior management. kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

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JUL/AUG 2016

Movies DISNEY.PIXAR’S FINDING DORY

In cinemas June 16. Rating: G Disney.Pixar’s Finding Dory reunites everyone’s favourite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

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FAMILY PASS

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ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE

In cinemas June 23. Rating: CTC Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age world. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, travelling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colourful new characters.

DISNEY’S THE BFG

In cinemas June 30. Rating: CTC The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic The BFG to life. A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kind-hearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers he refuses to eat boys and girls. The BFG opens in cinemas June, 2016, the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Dahl’s birth.

Valid for 2 kids + 2 adults or 1 adult + 3 kids, and available for the school holiday’s biggest family films, Disney.Pixar’s Finding Dory, Ice Age: Collision Course or Disney’s The BFG. For your local cinema’s family pass deal ask at the box office or book online at www.eventcinemas.com.au

apps

Books

WHAT COULD IT BE? ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER

Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, Abrams Always tinkering with bits and pieces, inventing machines and imagining gadgets, Rosie Revere dreamed of one day being a great engineer. But after one humiliating experience she sadly always hid her inventions away. That was until her greatgreat-aunt Rose told Rosie that she dreamed of flying, and Rosie set to work to make her Aunt’s dreams come true. Through rhyming text and gorgeous quirky illustrations young readers are taught about the importance of pursuing your dreams. Rosie Revere, Engineer is recommended for readers aged 5 to 7 years and will inspire creativity and perseverance in readers and remind us all that real failure can only come if you quit.

JUL/AUG 2016

I HAVE A WORRY

Sally Fawcett, Exisle Publishing Part picture book, part artistic inspiration, What Could It Be? is an interactive adventure for pre-primary and primary school-aged children. Designed to inspire children to see the potential in simple geometric shapes for creating art, this beautiful concept book is all about unleashing creativity, thinking outside the square and opening the mind to possibility.

Tanya Balcke I Have a Worry is a touching picture book, telling the story of a young child who carries a ‘worry’ around. Putting the feelings of worry and anxiety into a concrete tool that young children can relate to, the story introduces strategies for children to handle and share their worries, empowering children to ‘give’ this worry to someone else for a while. Beautifully illustrated and lovingly told, I have a Worry is perfect for any little worriers out there. kidsonthecoast.com.au | kidsinthecity.com.au

GROW WITH NATURE PLAY QLD

A practical and user-friendly app that gives parents simple age-appropriate outdoor play activities for children aged 0–3. Nurturing confidence, creativity and fine motor skills, the play activities encourage open-ended, explorative outdoor play, helping parents to raise a generation of happy, healthy kids. With development charts to watch how your little one grows, the GROW with Nature Play app shows that you don’t need to spend big on education toys, when one of the greatest education resources is just outside the front door.