Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast - Issue 42

kidsonthecoast Gold Coast Issue 42 Dec/Jan 2013 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

The weight of the matter Keeping kids safe Life lessons through sport Separation anxiety plus Holidays, Parties What’s on calendar & much more!

contents - DecemberJanuary2013 -

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From the Editor

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EDUCATION: Life lessons through sport

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Meet some of our team

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BABIES ON THE COAST: Separation Anxiety

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WHAT’S NEWS

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ONLY NATURAL: Turf them outside

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CHECK THIS OUT: New, fun and funky things

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HEALTH: Kids Dental Health

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FEATURE: Challenging weight issues

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LET’S CELEBRATE: Old School Party Games

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THE ‘P’ FILES: Keeping Kids Safe

40 HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Escape to Brisbane

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Find out what’s happening on the Coast during December & January

REVIEWS

Editorial contributions for Issue 42: Justine Urbahn APD, Sandra Smith, Luke Goldston, Dr. Patrick O’Rourke, Jasmin Forsyth, Kim Lahey COVER: Allison Wills - Minty Photography.

A special thank you to Annabelle.

Kids on the Coast magazine is printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems. Kids on the Coast encourages recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5471 2372 WEB: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au ABN: 86 473 357 391.

All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast is published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Feedback/comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au. We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity. PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Simone Bell EDITOR: Jackie Goldston EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Sandra Smith, Chaley-Ann Scott, Jackie Goldston, Gary Hands, Dr Sarah Lantz, Aleney de Winter ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone 1300 430 320 or email: advertising@ kidsonthecoast.com.au LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Speak with your advertising coordinator or email: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au Production Department: Email: production@kidsonthecoast.com.au ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger DISTRIBUTION: Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland. Separate edition covers the Gold Coast. For distribution enquiries please phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Kimberley Pederson & Alana Falk december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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some

of

- meettheteam Louisa Kneller

Welcome to

Advertising Sales Coordinator, Gold Coast

kidsonthecoast Christmas is coming! I can’t help but get caught up with the spirit of the season when my kids start to get excited about Christmas. This time of the year is fabulous on the Coast: longer, warmer days, holidays and the New Year just around the corner. We are lucky to have so much to do on the Coast over the holiday season. Make sure you check out our calendar for your holiday and New Year activity planning!

In this issue we are pushing boundaries: or at least encouraging you to get outside and explore. From Turf them Outside to Life Lessons Through Sport, we look at how the activities our children participate in, be it through the natural environment or sport impact on their learning and development.

We also tackle the f word – no not that one, the fat one. It is a word that no parent wants to have to use in relation to their children (or themselves for that matter), but one that we need to be conscious of when appropriate and not hide our heads in the ground when it comes to looking for a solution.

This month we are lucky enough to have accredited practicing dietitian Justine Urbahn delve into how to start to confront the issue of weight and healthy eating in our homes.

As always, please feel free to contact me via Facebook.com/ kidsonthecoast, our website or email. And of course, keep an eye out for the stories, reviews, news and competitions that are added almost daily to our website!

30 seconds with Louisa My Favourite childhood book: May Gibbs Snugglepot n Cuddlepie.

When I grew up I was going to be: an Air Hostess and travel the world (weren’t we all LOL!).

My absolute favourite food: T-bone with chips and salad.

My Achilles Heel: Salt. I love salt and anything with salt, such as peanuts, chips, crackers, you name it.

If I could live anywhere in the world: that’s easy! Right here where I am on the Sunshine Coast as we do really live in paradise!

Favourite Sunday Activity: Well it’s not very active, but I love to kick back with family and friends whether it’s down the beach, a picnic in our beautiful Hinterland or a BBQ at home.

Favourite saying: Do unto others as you should have them do unto you.

I am inspired by: The likes of Nelson Mandela & Mahatma Gandhi. People who fight for what is right in life.

Kim Lahey writer

30 seconds with Kim My favourite book: Last chance to see. Douglas Adams goes every place he fancies going in the world, on the lookout for endangered animals, with hilarious results. My retirement plan!

The best advice I’ve been given: You get back what you give Toys I loved as a kid: My pet sheep. And a golden-haired doll. Trouble was, my older brother told me “The sun makes hair grow - I’ll shave her head and you can watch her hair grow back….”

My favourite Sunday activity: Family bushwalk and backyard chat.

My secret talent: Tragically I can sing every word from just about every onehit wonder of the 80’s My absolute favourite food: Anything my eldest daughter Codi makes, a toss-up between her chocolate banana cake or her pizza.

I am inspired by: My Dad – he digs out something intriguing about the world every day.

The cutest thing my child has said: Class presentation by daughter Ali, then-six. “I love my mum because she makes the best slime.” (Backyard science, not my cooking…. I think!)

Jackie Goldston Editor *See the website for competition terms and conditions

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My favourite saying is: Be kind, for everyone you meet might be fighting a hard battle (thanks Plato).

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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Literacy At The Roots Of Early Education The highly acclaimed children’s picture book The Alphabet Tree by Leo Lionni has been the basis for an innovative and highly engaging new literacy program targeted at Kindergarten Children.

The unique Alphabet Tree program is one of the key reasons Kindergarten children At Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School as excelling in early literacy after it was developed by the School’s Head of Primary, Michele Chandler, with Speech Pathologist Karyn Johns.

required whilst having fun interacting with their class teacher who dress up as the word bug from time to time.”

The Alphabet Tree complements other early literacy programs at Lindisfarne Grammar including the Cued Articulation and the Qld Early Literacy Foundation programs to ensure that all elements of the reading formula are practiced and reinforced to instil a lifelong love of reading.

Mrs Chandler said, “Our unique program has been acknowledge as best practice due to its ability to Kindergarten students to important concepts by visually using the image of a tree where each letter is written on a leaf at the top of the tree, words are written on the back of a bug and sentences are represented on the backs of caterpillars.”

“The teachers benefit by having a framework to work with that caters for the different learning styles of children within a group and easily gives the, a conceptualisation of the whole theme by viewing the leaves, word bugs and caterpillars as a collective whole co-existing on the tree” said Mrs Chandler.

This multisensory approach caters for different learning styles and each Kindergarten classroom has a visual Alphabet Tree mural and props for the word bug and sentence caterpillars which they place on the tree throughout literacy lessons. Mrs Chandler went on to say “This program works really, really well and is an interesting way for the children to learn the key elements

ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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- what’snews 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 on editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au

Enrol your child now

Gold Coast Aquatic centre

for kindy

gets green light for pan pacs

The Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council have joined forces to ensure that the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is upgraded in time for the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. The existing Aquatic Centre will make way for a new world class facility to host the Pan Pacs in 2014 before becoming the venue for the swimming and diving competition for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Speaking at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in November, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the project cost of approximately $41 million would be shared in a joint funding partnership between the Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government.

Bravehearts’ child safety initiative to reach all aussie kids

National child protection advocate Bravehearts has launched a breakthrough safety initiative as it seeks to educate all Australian kids about the dangers of sexual assault. The Ditto in a Box education pack teaches personal safety skills and underpins children’s instinctive understandings and feelings around their personal safety in a way that is nonconfronting, safe and highly effective.

Stephens College at Coomera became the first school in Australia to implement the education pack into its program with the assistance of Rob Molhoek, Assistant Minister for Child Safety and Member for Southport; and Detective Superintendent Cameron Harsley, Child Safety Director at Queensland Police Service. Developed to complement the Personal and Social Capability Criteria of the Australian National Curriculum Version 3.0, it is focused on providing children with protective factors to build resiliency and empower them when faced with unsafe situations. For more information visit www.bravehearts.org.au

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

Give your child a head start to their education by enrolling them in a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program. Children’s entertainer Jay Laga’aia is supporting the Queensland Government’s commitment to ensuring all four year olds across the state have greater access to a governmentapproved kindergarten program.

More Sleep equals better behaviour It may not seem that surprising to most… Research has suggested that parents should let their children sleep in a little more: it may help improve their behaviour and make them less restless in school. According to researchers of the Canadian study, cutting back on children’s sleep time seems to make them more likely to cry, lose their temper and become frustrated. “You can think about it from a lot of different angles,” said Reut Gruber, of Montreal’s McGill University and Douglas Research Center. “What we are showing here is that it can go both ways in terms of behaviour and academic performance.” While there are many studies that link sleep and behaviour, not many have examined whether more sleep actually leads to better behaviour in school children.

They’ll be taught by qualified early childhood teachers in the year before Prep for at least 600 hours a year, usually 15 hours a week for 40 weeks. Children who take part in a quality kindergarten program are better prepared for school thanks to the learning opportunities, experiences and friendships they enjoy at kindy. Fees apply and are set by individual services. For more information about kindergarten visit: www.qld.gov.au/kindy or call 1800 4 KINDY (1800 454 639).

A much loved resident ray has arrived back home to UnderWater World after a 10 month holiday at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast. The brown ray was carefully transported by marine experts in October then released into its new home, Bay of Rays, a new area in the ocean tank, which has recently undergone a $3.5m refurbishment. The brown ray was relocated to SeaWorld while work was completed on the new ocean tank’s four new zones; Bay of Rays, Shark Shipwreck, Coral Cove and Turtle Temple. Now reopened, the ray and many more animals are continuing to return to the attraction after enjoying ‘holidays’ at various aquariums around Australia. UnderWater World curator Mark Smith, said the ray had taken to its new home swimmingly. “It’s great to see all our animals returning home and thriving in their new environment in the ocean tank. The whole team here at UnderWater World are so passionate about our animals so it’s exciting to see animals we’ve cared for, for many years, healthy and flourishing” he said.

welcome

home

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

- CHECKthisout 2

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1. Princess and the pea: Beautifully handcrafted fairy-tale doll in her bed of ten mattresses with a hidden pea and sewn book.

Price: $90 From Mumzie in Marcoola, Ph. 5448 9060 or www.facebook.com/Mumzieforbaby 2. Science Explained - Science Museum: Answer mysteries from the world of science with this kit that reveals fascinating secrets of science. 8+ RRP: $87.95 www.newtonsapplepuzzles.com 3. Yonana’s frozen desserts: Makes a frozen dessert that has almost no calories and we have tried it – and love the taste and texture! RRP $79.95 at leading retailers or www.yonanas.com.au 4. Peoni Bedhead: Add style & personality to your child’s bedroom, with a kid’s upholstered bedhead in a variety of shapes, colours or even personalised. From $599 www.peonihome.com.au 5. DINGaRING Betty Butterfly: Soft toy, teething ring and rattle all in one lovable character.

RRP $19.95 From www.facebook.com/Mumzieforbaby or www.limetreekids.com.au 6. 2013 CalendAr with a difference: A Smart Calendar allows up to 6 people to easily keep track of what’s going on in their life at a glance RRP $15 from www.smartcalendars4u.com www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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FEATURE

Challenging

Weight Issues

By Justine Urbahn APD

Obesity rates amongst both children and adults are overwhelming.

Currently 1 in 4 children are obese or overweight in Australia. These rates are showing no sign of slowing down with predictions that in 2020 rates will be as high as 80%. This trend is consistent in other developed nations. America followed by Mexico are the two heaviest nations. Australia is ranked 6th.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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he reasons for these alarming statistics are mostly environmental. Our lifestyle is physically easier than in our grandparent’s day. Computers, remote controls, smart phones and transport allow us to do so many daily activities at the press of a button. Although our lifestyles are mentally more demanding than in our grandparents day, we compensate by taking part in sedentary leisure activities such as computer games, X Boxes, iPods and DVD’s. We are often busy and tired and participate in far less physical activity.

This lifestyle that was unheard of 50 years ago is taking its toll on our health and public health resources. Health problems associated with obesity such as diabetes and heart disease are costing taxpayers into the billions of dollars.

For many years chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes have been considered problems that only affect older people. Today with the rising

rates of obesity we now see obese children suffering from the following: • Type 2 Diabetes • Heart Disease • High Blood Pressure • High levels of harmful cholesterol • Low levels of good cholesterol • Fatty liver disease • Disturbed sleep • Insulin resistance In addition to these physical problems, psychological issues manifest themselves usually during primary school and can have devastating consequences lasting throughout life. Overweight children often have self-esteem issues and can be the target of bullying.

Causes of obesity?

An imbalance of energy intake versus energy output is what causes unnecessary weight gain. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

If you eat more calories than your body burns off you will gain weight. The environment we live in makes it all too easy to buy cheap, energy dense foods. Advertising leads us to believe many mistruths about our food. Our children know less about fresh food, many thinking food comes from a box. Food is used too often as a treat by many parents rather than treating children to a trip to the park or the beach.

What about Genes?

Our genes determine the colour of our eyes, our hair and our skin. It is thought that 40% of our body shape is determined by our genes. So genes determine if we have an apple shape, a pear shape or if we have a tall lean build or a short stocky build. But only about 1% of the population is thought to have a genetic defect that predisposes us to gaining weight. This is a very small percentage that highlights the influence our environment has on our weight.

Recognizing the problem For some parents it is obvious their child is overweight when they look at them. With so many overweight people around us though, it is difficult for some families to tell if their child really has a weight problem. Many times excess weight is put down to ‘Puppy Fat’ that he or she will ‘grow out of’. Unfortunately, ‘Puppy fat’ can be the start of a life long battle with weight problems. The sooner you address issues with weight the more hope you and your child have of controlling the problem. Excess weight in childhood is likely to continue into adulthood. Some children will ‘thin out’; however waiting for this can be problematic.

It becomes much harder for an overweight teenager to lose weight because they are no longer growing than for an overweight child who can maintain their weight as they grow taller.

If you are concerned that your child is gaining excessive weight then it may be a good idea to have him/her assessed by your GP or Pediatrician. They will measure your child’s Body Mass Index and plot this on a chart designed specifically for children. They will assess whether your child’s weight may be the result of a medical problem or whether it is environmental.

How do you talk to your child about weight?

If you know your child has a weight problem you need to start making changes now. If your doctor tells you your child has asthma and requires medication, then of course you would immediately take action and begin the medication. It is no different to when your child has a weight problem… you need to act on it now!

Many adults who have battled with their weight their whole life, often talk of their sadness as a child when a family friend or relative called www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

“It becomes much harder for an overweight teenager to lose weight because they are no longer growing than for an overweight child who can maintain their weight as they grow taller.” them fat. Many speak of feeling inadequate and unloved because of their weight. Your child may already be aware of their weight, particularly if they have slim siblings and friends. So how you approach the issue of weight needs to be handled sensitively.

Before you talk to your child, have a look at your own lifestyle and assess what changes you can implement to make it healthier. If you can make your lifestyle healthier, you will automatically help your child. If you are motivated to improve your own health and wellbeing, you may be able to make all the necessary changes that will help your child without even needing to discuss their weight with them. If you feel you need help with this speak to a Dietitian or a GP. Often when I am

seeing an overweight child I like to speak with the parents first. I look at what the family eats, what they buy at the supermarket, how many times they have takeaways and how much time is spent doing physical activity. From this information I can suggest healthy changes that can be implemented for the whole family. It is important that the overweight child is never made to feel different. Dietary advice is based on healthy eating principals that benefit the entire family.

‘Healthy Eating’ is definitely the message to give to your child, avoid the word ‘diet’. The term Healthy Eating is a positive phrase. Teaching your child about healthy choices helps them now and well into their future. You can provide them with positive messages about food when you serve december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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FEATURE

Children need to know that part of loving and respecting themselves is about making healthy choices to keep their bodies healthy. dinner, do the shopping or unpack the groceries.

Talk to them about the food you are buying and explain why it is good for them. When your child makes a healthy choice you may take the time to compliment them.

As your child gets older be mindful of the words you use to describe weight. Avoid terms like ‘fat’ and ‘chubby’ and use terms like ‘above average weight’. Avoid stereotypical comments like ‘she is fat she must eat lots of bad foods’ or ‘she is fat and lazy’.

Tell your children you will love them unconditionally regardless of their body shape.

Remind them of their positive attributes and

how much you admire them. Children also need to know that part of loving and respecting themselves is about making healthy choices to keep their bodies healthy.

In all aspects of parenting our children learn from their parents. Again be mindful of the language you use to describe yourself and your partner.

Avoid phrases like ‘do I look fat in this?’ or ‘I am going to start my new diet Monday’.

The engine inside our body We’ve all heard of people say ‘I only need to look at a piece of cake and I’ll gain 2 kg.’ We know that some people gain weight more easily than others. This may be related to our metabolism.

When you have an older child you can talk about the engine inside their body. Explain to them that some people have a really fast engine that uses food up really quickly. These people usually have a very slim build. Some people have a slow engine that uses less food more slowly. Ideally we want to speed up our engines. We can do this by fuelling our bodies with regular, healthy meals, lots of water and plenty of activity.

This is a concept children can grasp. It explains why their super slim sister can eat and eat whilst they have to be more careful about their choices.

No food is bad food.

There are Healthy Foods and Sometimes Foods.

When children are young their food intake is easy to control. But as they get older and start going

to school and on play dates, suddenly you are not around to decide what food they eat. Children who have a very restrictive diet tend to go crazy when Mum’s not looking. Being too restrictive inflames a child’s desire to eat forbidden goodies.

Avoid phrases like ‘junk food is bad for us’, or ‘potato chips make us fat’. I like to refer to foods as healthy foods and sometimes foods. As a family you need to decide when it is appropriate to eat ‘sometimes foods’. This way your child will learn that all foods are to be enjoyed but some are healthier for us than others and need to be eaten in moderation.

Understand your child’s relationship with food Time and time again I see overweight children who are obsessed with food. They think about food all the time, they have a tendency to eat when they are emotional or anxious and they eat very quickly. These children can be harder to manage because they are always nagging you for food. If you have a child like this you may find it helpful to include a small serve of protein such as egg, lean ham, peanut butter, nuts, chicken, baked beans or yoghurt at each of their meals.

Ensure that each meal and snack has some low GI carbohydrate such as grainy bread, yoghurt, grainy crackers, fruit bread or sweet potato.

You are not doing your child any favours by giving in to them and allowing them to eat food freely.

Children need boundaries for their behaviour and for the foods they eat. It is important to let them continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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FEATURE know that you have set meal times; 3 meals and 2 snacks. If their intake is appropriate at these meals they shouldn’t be hungry.

Some children ask for food when they are bored, happy or sad. It is important to identify these triggers. If you see this pattern occurring, talk to your child and understand what is going on so that you can help them cope with these feelings in healthier ways. Sometimes it helps if you direct them to an activity. You will know that they are not hungry if they are absorbed in the activity and no longer asking for food.

Children and adults who eat very quickly are likely to eat large portions. Talk to your child about this and come up with a strategy that will help to slow them down. I often suggest timing meals so that meals take 20-30 minutes instead of 10-15.

Should you weigh?

When a child comes to my practice I will weigh them to obtain a clearer picture on where their weight is in relation to their height. Weighing regularly at home is counterproductive. Weight varies from day to day and even week to week.

As a child begins to exercise, muscle mass can change and this can show as increased weight on the scales. I think the effects of regular weighing can be damaging. Remember for a growing child you are not expecting to see weight loss. Weight maintenance is your goal – you want your child to grow into their weight.

Reduce screen time and increase activity One of the big hurdles families have today is finding the time to be active. High-density living means we don’t often have vast amounts of space for our children to use outside, we are more wary about letting our children walk to school and ride their bikes on the streets.

Money is another consideration. Some families just don’t have the money to enrol their children in organised activities.

Sometimes you need to be a little creative when it comes to family activities. The best change you can make is reducing screen time. When children are not in front of their screens they are likely to be moving their bodies.

Think about how you can participate in activities as a family. For the health of your child encouraging physical activity is as important as giving that asthma medication.

A healthy relationship with food and exercise should be a goal for all families – weight problems or no weight problems. I think that just as it is the parents responsibility to teach a child how to dress themselves, cross the road safely, be kind to others and so on, it is also their responsibility to teach their children how to eat well.

For families where children are gaining excess weight it is important to act quickly. The younger the child the easier the weight problem is to control. The longer you leave it or deny that there is a problem the more likely your child will battle with their weight well into adulthood.

Justine works at the Sunshine Coast Children’s Development Centre and Justine is an accredited practicing dietitian. www.sccdc.com.au

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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LUMI-AIRA Cirque Extraordinaire!

There’s a buzz of excitement this summer with the arrival of LumiAir – A Cirque Extraordinaire to the Gold Coast! Installed from the 20th December 2012 in the stunning Broadwater Parklands - just north of the Sundale Bridge on Marine Parade Southport - LumiAir is an acrobatic show that highlights human performance and moving acts of skill, fully produced and displayed in an impressive arena. The two hour show offers a fresh entertainment attraction to enjoy on the Gold Coast during the summer holidays.

Over 45 performers combine in a choreographed storyline based around a young girl’s journey in a kaleidoscopic world of colour as she intertwines with a feast of human performance acts that unite elements of drama, humour, beauty and skill. LumiAir entertains with exhilarating highs and lows - from dance acts on the stage floor to high-flying feats in the air – all in a fully produced and choreographed two hour performance centred on a unique circular stage that has been specially built for the LumiAir show.

LumiAir opens on Wednesday 26 December 2012 under a huge big top (‘Grand Chapiteau’) with a capacity to seat 1600 guests per night. The show is limited to just 12 show nights and includes two shows on New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve shows have been formatted in conjunction with the Parklands fireworks display at 9.00pm. Show guests can watch the fireworks after the first show at 6.30pm… or before the last show at 9.30pm!

The LumiAir site precinct encompasses 100 square metres of Parkland space and is fully equipped with all amenities necessary for an exhilarating evening in this brilliant location. A box office is on site, concession areas with snacks, beverages and show programmes, guest photo walkway, bathrooms, two entry foyers (General Admission and Clair de Lune VIP) and the show can be enjoyed in air-conditioned comfort.

Organisers Angelis Productions have structured the hospitality and show tickets so that a wide audience can enjoy the LumiAir attraction.

“LumiAir can be a night out for the family with the promise of a great show, snacks and drinks and an amazing park atmosphere themed in lights to set the scene… or it can be an evening starting with an amazing one-hour hospitality package of delicious canapés, wines and beers to enjoy in the sensational themed ‘Clair de Lune’ lounge. [Clair de Lune is 18+]. Custom packages are also available in the Clair de Lune lounge for late Christmas Parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations and large groups – upgrade to prawns and fresh seafood, fine champagne!”

Major ticket outlet Ticketek have LumiAir tickets on sale now, with a special offer available for families for a limited time. The LumiAir ‘Family Pass’ offers 2 adults & 2 children general admission entry for only $110.00.

All show information, dates and special offers are at www.lumiair.com. au and a free-call information phone line is available - call 1300 LUMIAIR (1300 586 424) www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Couple Counselling helps ease the Strain on Family Relationships More and more couples are turning to counselling for help as the demands of day-to-day life puts increasing strain on relationships.

relationship is good as long as they don’t have to talk about it and for women it is good as long as they can talk about it.

Simon Santosha, Managing Director of Men & Family Counselling and Consultancy said many couples were struggling to deal with numerous competing demands.

“A lot of men initially resist couple counselling not wanting to talk about their relationship issues, and like the car with the funny noise they ignore the problem until it is too late. But for those that do seek help they generally come away with a stronger relationship,” he said.

“Most of the couples I see are dealing with everyday stresses like the birth of a baby, raising children, work pressures, financial stress or step and blended family issues. The increasing stress on their relationship means many couples start to argue more frequently and spend longer periods away from the family and each other as a way of dealing with the conflict.

“Couples often talk without hearing or understanding each other and start to feel a sense of despair and frustration, as each time they try and resolve their issues it leads to more misunderstandings and arguments. This can lead to feelings of being disconnected in the relationship,” he said.

Mr Santosha said a common mistake made by most couples and especially men is thinking that a relationship just happens and doesn’t require attention.

“I often ask men what would happen if they bought a new car and just drove it without getting it serviced or when the wheels started to get wobbly and the engine started to make funny noises they just ignored it and kept driving. The car of course would break down.

“We tend to think we can just get into a relationship and keep driving along.

Relationships, like cars, need regular tune-ups. It is a cliché that for men the

Mr Santosha said the number of couples seeking professional help from his counselling service has steadily increased as people experience first-hand the positive changes this timely intervention has bought to their lives.

“Most of us want to be in a stable, loving relationship with a partner, but we don’t know how to achieve this.

“Couple counselling provides a space where each person can talk and start to feel listened to. It is a place to reconnect with each other and to sort out issues without the fear of it turning into another fight. A large part of couple counselling is learning skills to respectfully resolve conflict and communicate with each other in a way that brings you closer together.

“Couples learn how to deal with relationship problems more effectively, feel more comfortable expressing their concerns with each other and feel much more positive about their relationship,” he said.

For more information or to make an appointment contact Simon on (07) 5559 1303 or email: simon@menandfamilycounselling.com.au

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We are located at: Mudgeeraba Professional Centre, Suite 5 Building A (A5), 50-54 Railway St, Mudgeeraba Qld 4213 Appointments available Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Early morning, after hours and weekend appointments also available.

14

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Keeping Kids Safe

by Sandra Smith Helicopter parenting won’t keep our kids safe. Instead, we need to teach children about personal safety and who to talk to if they need help. We can’t bubble-wrap our kids, but we can help them learn safety skills that will protect them from harm.

Social worker and author Caryn Anderson advises parents to teach their children safety tips in small, repeated, positive doses.

“Children’s personal safety skills, when supported, can help them stay safe with most people most of the time,” Caryn explains. “You can teach children to be safe without scaring them. You just need to know how.”

Body rules Learning rules about private body parts helps children develop a clear understanding of inappropriate touching and personal boundaries.

Body rules help to keep kids safe by teaching them that some behaviours are not appropriate, as well as helping them know when and how to tell someone.

Use the correct terms for genitals when talking with children about their bodies. This normalises these words and helps kids develop a healthy attitude to their own bodies. Teaching young children the correct names for their private

16

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

body parts may feel awkward or embarrassing for parents, but Caryn says it gives children the language to be able to speak about their bodies if they need to disclose abuse.

“As parents we can often tell our children ‘that is silly’ or ‘that is rude’,” Caryn says. “This can suppress children’s disclosures as they believe talking about these parts of the bodies are ‘rude and naughty’. Keeping things really clear for children gets rid of any confusion.”

Remember that children are often exposed to sexual messages from all forms of media at a young age, therefore it’s important that they receive positive messages from their parents and carers so they understand the boundaries of appropriate behaviour. This includes an understanding of the various types of touch.

“By teaching what is ‘ok’ touching, you will not scare a child or make them afraid of good, healthy touching,” Caryn says. “You will be giving the child skills to stop bad or confusing touching.

Children feel good knowing they can help themselves.”

Important

body rules

for kids:

• No-one should touch your private parts • No-one should look at your private parts • No-one should take photos or movies of your private parts (Source: My Body Rules, Anderson, C & Howe, A.) continued on next page... www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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There are different levels of Calisthenics; some clubs have non-competitive classes, performing only at their annual concert. Other teams compete during the year at a number of competitions, performing on stage in costumes. Queensland also has a State Representative Team that competes at the Australian National Championships. Calisthenics classes and teams are broken up into the age groups and start from the age of 3 years through to Masters age groups.

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

17

awareness of safe and unsafe situations, of body clues and the rules of body ownership.

• React: this helps students to consider safety options and make choices that can keep them safe or help make them safe again as quickly as possible.

• Report: this depends on the child having a safety network of trusted adults who they can tell. This also applies to phone and online safety.

“They need to recognise a dangerous situation, they need to be able to react to get out of there and very importantly, they need to report,” Denise says. “They have to recognise the body clues, the early warning signs, the butterflies in the stomach, the sweaty palms and the shiver down the spine.”

“They have to recognise the body clues, the early warning signs, the butterflies in the stomach, the sweaty palms and the shiver down the spine.”

The statistics The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reports that in 2010-11, there were 40,466 cases of child abuse substantiated by child protection authorities across Australia. The AIFS defines four types of child maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

In 2010-11, the most common types of child maltreatment substantiated by child protection authorities were emotional abuse and child neglect; however, there were 5,437 cases of sexual abuse. Note that this data only includes cases reported to child protection authorities, so it does not tell us exactly how many children in the community have been abused or neglected.

the child safety message to more than 150 schools in Queensland this year, giving talks to groups of children from Prep right through to Year 12.

In January 2012, Education Queensland asked for expressions of interest from Queensland schools and Denise says that she and Bruce decided to go to every single school that sent in a request, whether it was a group of 25 kids, or whether it was in Cooktown, Miles or Mt. Isa. Children in regional areas need an awareness of personal safety, especially in the mining towns where there is a transient population, says Denise.

The safety message

The three key words that Denise and Bruce take to school children in their role as child safety ambassadors, are recognise, react and report.

Queensland child safety ambassadors Bruce and Denise Morcombe have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of child safety since the death of their son Daniel in 2003. They have personally taken

• Recognise: this message encourages students to be aware of their surroundings and to recognise warning clues. This depends on an

18

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

A new personal safety programme, the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum, has been developed for school students by the Department of Education, Training and Employment, in partnership with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. The programme will be delivered by teachers across three phases: Prep to Year 2, Year 3 to Year 6 and Year 7 to Year 9. The early years phase was launched in Queensland schools in September 2012, and the other two phases will follow later in 2012 and 2013.

Internet safety Social media can pose a threat to children’s safety, when they enter chat rooms, add Facebook friends they don’t know or innocently post images or personal details that can be accessed by others. When Denise talks with school children, she advises them to take down any Facebook friends they don’t know personally.

“They could be talking to a 60-year-old man from Innisfail or Townsville or anywhere, pretending to be a 12 or 13-year-old with the same interests as them,” Denise warns. “Some kids do get lured away and go and meet these people. They just have to be very careful.”

Stranger danger Avoid talking about ‘stranger danger’ with children. It is far better to teach children to judge the situation and make smart choices to protect their personal safety.

The ‘stranger danger’ message can have a reverse effect as children may become fearful and anxious about the monster-like stranger who could be hiding in the bushes ready to pounce, but they will trust anyone who appears kind and friendly.

In reality, the child sex offender is likely to be a familiar person who has gained the family’s trust and has unsupervised access to the child.

Children need the skills to be able to discriminate continued on next page...

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

19

between a safe and a threatening situation involving a stranger and to have strategies in place for staying safe and getting help if they need it. Teach children to act quickly in a personal emergency, to make things safe. This could mean shouting a loud, clear ‘No’ and running to a safe place.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation now has a Help Me phone app, designed for use in personal emergencies. The phone app’s ‘Help Me’ button sounds a warning and allows the user to send a text message, including GPS co-ordinates, to two nominated ‘safety’ numbers.

A trusted adult network Children need a safety network of at least five trusted adults they can talk to if they are feeling scared, confused, sad or upset. It’s important to include adults outside the family home in the child’s trusted adult network, for example, the child’s teacher, the family doctor or a police officer.

“A lot of the time the problem is at home, or somebody that they know, so if they tell someone and they don’t listen, they just keep telling someone else, whether it’s their school principal or someone at the school office or a friend’s Mum and Dad,” Denise says. “I think it’s just a matter of being educated that nothing is so bad that they can’t tell anybody.”

Confident kids A safe and secure home environment helps children feel confident, which in turn helps protect them from child abuse. Parents can reduce the risk of abuse by helping their kids develop a healthy self-esteem, assertiveness and self-confidence.

Social worker Caryn Anderson, who spent many years working in the child protection field and now works with children in private practice, says

20

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

research has shown that confident children who are less emotionally needy are less of a target for abuse.

“Confident children are less likely to go along with something, and will speak out, posing a greater risk to perpetrators of being discovered, hence they are targeted less,” Caryn advises. “Predators seek children that they can groom to engage in the abuse and to keep the secret.”

Caryn says confident children can: • Judge the entire situation and make smart choices • Stand up and say no • View challenging problems as tasks to be mastered • Develop deeper interest in the activities in which they participate • Form a stronger sense of commitment to their interests and activities • Recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments • Protect themselves from hurtful words • Get the attention of busy adults and tell them about situations that make them confused or uncomfortable

Open communication Communication with children is important for safety, as it creates the avenue in which they can disclose. Sex offenders rely on secrecy and trickery to continue offending, so children need to learn the difference between good secrets and bad secrets which must be told.

Children may feel too scared, guilty or embarrassed to tell anyone when someone breaks their body rules. Perhaps they’re confused about the behaviours and are desperate for approval and affection. Telling their secret may result in change and loss. It could mean moving house, suffering financial hardship or even going through a court case.

Caryn says children who have not been listened to in the past are going to find it very difficult to tell someone when something bad is happening to them. The child needs support and reassurance that it’s ok to tell, so parents and carers need to stay calm and avoid reactions of shock, blame or disbelief.

“For the older children, know their daily activities and habits,” she advises. “Listen to what your children like and don’t like, encourage open communication, let them know they can talk about anything without fearing they may get into trouble. Teach your children it’s ok to say ‘no’, set appropriate boundaries.”

Every child has the right to feel safe, and these important life skills will help our children stay safe.

Resources These services can assist with more information or support.

• Children’s Safety Australia Inc: www. childsafety.org.au • Bravehearts: 1800 BRAVE 1 (272 831) www.bravehearts.org.au • Daniel Morcombe Foundation Inc: www.DanielMorcombe.com.au • Family Planning Queensland: www. fpq.com.au • Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 (free call from a land line)www.kidshelp. com.au • National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN): www.napcan.org.au • Parentline: 1300 301 300

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

21

Calendar Gold Coast 2013

December

A calendar of regular weekly events is available online. For details of playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

8 and 15 December

8 December

2 December

RSPCA Christmas Fair

Where: Currumbin Farm Campus When: 8.30 till 2pm Live Music Animal Feeding Market and Food Stalls and lots more Family fun

Mayor’s Christmas Carols

Where: Broadwater Parklands When: 6pm – 9.30pm Bring the family down to the Broadwater Parklands for the Major’s Christmas Carols with special guest Jessica Mauboy. Main entertainment starts at 6pm and finishes at 9pm with a spectacular firework display!

Cost: FREE Details: www.gccc.com.au

13 – 16 December

• • •

Come and Try Kayaking

Where: Paradise Point Parklands The Esplanade Paradise Point When: 9am – 12pm Cost: FREE Come and try kayaking by yourself or with your family. Sessions every half an hour with kayak instructors guiding the experience and helping with your paddling technique. Come and have a go and see if kayaking is for you All equipment supplied.

Contact: bookings@vertecadventure. com.au

Where: Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise Santa appearances in the Mall 6:00pm - 9:00pm Looney Tunes Christmas Stage Show - 6:30pm - 7:00pm Looney Tunes Christmas Meet & Greet - 7:30pm - 7:45pm Looney Tunes Christmas Stage Show - 8:00pm - 8:15pm Details: www.surfersparadise.com

16 December

Gold Coast Salvos Carols on the Lawn

Where: 157 Wardoo Street (corner Nerang and Wardoo Streets), Southport When: 4.30pm to 6.30pm markets & carnival; 6.30pm to 8.30pm - carols concert The event will commence at 4.30pm with The Mummy Tree, rides for the kids and entertainment, Carols concert and a special visit from Santa Contact: 0411 344 303 Email: goldcoastsalvos@aue.salvationarmy.org

16 December

Craft in the Park

Where: Ed Hardy Park - meet next to playground Kelly Avenue Miami When: 10.30am – 12pm Christmas Craft in the park is a hands on workshop which will allow your kids to express their creativity through a wide range of stimulating, hands-on activities.

Cost: $2 Details: info@creativecentre.com

Boxing Day

Where: Pratten Park/Kurrawa Beach - Meet at all abilities playground Old Burleigh Road Broadbeach When: 3pm to 4:30pm Running, jumping and digging in the sand with games and competitions.

Bring your buckets, spades and creativity for some family sandcastle building.

Don’t forget to slip slop slap!

Cost: FREE Details: P: 5534 4030 W: www.gcparks.com.au E: info@childrensfitnesscentre.com.au

10 December

Santa Arriving

Where: My Centre Nerang When: 10am Enjoy elf stilt walkers, face painters and Elf balloon twisters from 9.30am to 11.30am and Santa will be in residency from 10am to 2.30pm daily until Christmas

15 December

Broadbeach Christmas Carols

Where: Kurrawa Park Broadbeach When: Kids activities from 3pm; 6pm – 8.30 Concert Kids’ activities including petting zoo and of course a special guest! Enjoy a spectacular evening filled with live entertainment, celebrating the spirit of Christmas under the stars in this fantastic free evening concluding with an amazing fireworks display.

Contact: 5539 8416

16 December

Fifo Family Day

Where: Jack Evans Boat Harbour (Boundary Street/ playground area) When: From 9.30am (NSW time) www.fifofamilies.com.au in the Southern Gold Coast/ Tweed Coast: all wives/ partners/ and families of FIFO or long/frequent travel workers are welcome to attend. Bring a picnic rug, own drinks/ snacks and suncreen/ hats/ bathers for kids who may want to swim .

Cost: FREE Details: tweedcoast@ fifofamilies.com.au

23 December

Carols on the Beach

Where: Surfers Paradise Beach, end of Hanlan Street When: 6:00pm - 9:00pm The first ever beachfront Carols by Candlelight on the Gold Coast with a line-up of stars from TV hits X Factor and Australia’s Got Talent. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of song with the whole family, spending a summer night under the stars in Surfers Paradise.

Details: www.surfersparadise.com

25th December

Christmas Day

31 December 2012

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Broadbeach - 8pm and midnight, Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach Phone: (07) 5539 8416

Paradise Point - 9pm Paradise Point Parklands, The Esplanade Phone: (07) 5537 5113

Southport - 9pm Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport Phone: 0414 869 943

Coolangatta - 9pm and midnight, Coolangatta beach Phone: (07) 5534 3500, Email: info@ southerngcchamber.com.au

Robina - 9pm Robina Town Centre, The Promenade, Robina Phone: (07) 5575 0480

Surfers Paradise - 9pm and midnight, The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise www.surfersparadise.com

Events start earlier, times are for fireworks only and subject to change.

Please confirm before the event.

Markets Every Wednesday & Friday evening Beachfront Markets

Where: The Esplanade, (North & South of Cavill Mall), Surfers Paradise When: 5:30pm – 10pm Make, bake or grow it, is the ethos of these markets. Each stall features a variety of local, hand-made or grown products, including fashion, jewellery, accessories, crafts, artworks, photographs, beauty products and home wares.

Details: W: www.surfersparadise.com E: spa@surfersparadise.com

22

8 December

Active Fun in The Park

31 December 2012

31 December 2012

26th December

Where: Various locations including Paradise Point, Molendinar, Southport When: Usually from 7pm Spend a hot summer’s night slouching back under the stars watching a movie.

Bring a blanket or chair. In the event of wet weather the Movie Night will be rescheduled. Visit the GC Parks website on the day for updates if the weather is uncertain.

Details: http://www.gcparks.com.au/ events Cost: Free

15 December

Looney Tunes Stage Show & Christmas Display •

Movies Under the Stars

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

Events start earlier, times are for fireworks only and subject to change.

Please confirm before the event.

2 December and 3 February The Upper Markets

Where: Upper Coomera State College, Reserve Road, Upper Coomera When: 9am - 1pm A new boutique style market that showcases the work of handmade, home-grown, small businesses and WAHP’s and offers quality handmade items, ranging from skincare to children’s clothing and toys.

Details: http://theuppermarket.com.au

2 & 16 December; 6 & 20 January The Village Markets

Where: Burleigh Heads State School oval When: 8am - 1pm. With 70 fashion, vintage and art stalls, including trendy kids stalls, as well as live local music and delicious food, there is something for everyone in the family at The Village Markets.

Details: www.thevillagemarketsgc.com.au

Events start earlier, times are for fireworks only and subject to change.

Please confirm before the event.

30 December Monaco Markets

Where: 110 Monaco Street, Broadbeach Waters When: 8am - 12noon. Pre-loved and new designer clothing and accessories, jewellery/beading, shoes, handbags, kids clothing, food & coffee. Cost: FREE entry Details: www.monacomarkets.com

2 February Mamma’s Market

Where: Mudgeeraba Memorial Hall, Railway St, Mudgeeraba When: 2pm – 6pm. Mamma’s Market is a high quality boutique style market with a focus on handmade, unique items and services catering to pregnancy, baby, children’s and family needs www.mammasmarket.com

11th February The Mummy Tree Markets

Where: Sanctuary Cove – Off Masthead Way When: 3pm – 7pm, Twilight Market These markets are a must for the hip and stylish family looking for unique and inspired products and services. Cost: FREE Details: www.themummytreemarkets.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

January 2013 5 January

Twilight Cruise Sessions

1 January

New Years Day

Where: Thorn Park - meet at playground opposite Santa Monica Road Marine Parade Miami When: 2pm- 4pm Learn how to cruise in these fun cruiser skateboarding sessions. Suitable for all ages and ability levels. Please bring your own skateboard if you have one.

A selected number of skateboards are available for use on the day.

Cost: Free Details: http://www.gcparks.com.au

6 – 11 January

Currumbin Farm Campus Healthy Cooking Classes

Where: 1226 Currumbin Creek Road Currumbin Valley When: 10am – 12pm Cooking classes with a healthy twist.

Learn how to cook yummy recipes that take into account the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. Workshops are held at the beautiful Currumbin Farm Campus so why not make a day of it..

Costs apply Contact: info@currumbinfarmschool. eq.edu.au

27 January

Stand up Paddling

Where: Paradise Point Parklands The Esplanade Paradise Point When: Two sessions - 8am & 9.30am This exhilarating activity is taking the Gold Coast by storm. By the end of this workshop you will know how to stand-up paddle and will be well on your way to learning new techniques for paddling and turning. No previous experience needed and children are welcome. Bookings required.

Cost: $10 Contact: 5607 0998

Weekly Baby Rhyme Time

Where: Various libraries When: Mornings times vary, check website for details. Share a fun and interactive time, rhyming, singing and talking with your baby. For parents and babies, newborn to two years. Cost: FREE Details: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library

Every Sunday Night Junior Sharks Dance Nights

Where: Southport Sharks, Cnr. Musgrave & Olsen Aves, Southport When: 6pm - 7:30pm Let the kids burn some energy on the dance floor to a live band Cost: FREE Details: www. southportsharks.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

20 January

Where: Pat Fagan Park Marine Parade Coolangatta When: 10.30am – 12pm Cost: FREE Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Soar to new heights in this fun and creative kite making workshop. In this hands on workshop, you’ll create your own kite, then enjoy the thrill of flying it in the park.

Contact: info@creativecraftcentre.com

26 January

AUSTRALIA DAY

Where: Ed Hardy Park The Esplanade Miami When: 9am – 10am Join in this fun, come and try program open to all ages and ability levels.

Discover the secrets of martial arts training and learn how to improve your core fitness, flexibility and strengths in this fun and energetic hour of training.

Booking required.

Cost: Free Contact: 0430 695 550 or info@ defensivetactics.biz

Australia Day is a day to celebrate the past, present and future of the country.

It is a commemoration of the day that the First Fleet landed in Sydney Cove in 1788, as well as a celebration of all the achievements of our country. At its core Australia Day is driven by communities who celebrate everything they love about living in Australia and about being an Australian. http://www.australiaday.org.au/

27 January

Fishing at Hope Island

27 January

Live Music in the Park

Where: Laguna Park Laguna Avenue, Palm Beach When: 1pm – 5pm Check out a great line-up of live sounds at this free concert in the park.

Featuring local artists from South East Queensland. Entertainment is brought to you by JLR Sound / SGC Music Hub and interactive kids’ activities are also on offer.

Cost: FREE Contact: www.gcparks.com.au

Where: Various libraries When: Mornings - times vary, check website for details. These interactive storytimes will stimulate young minds and provide parents and carers with some great ideas to take home and try. Parents and children aged three to five years.

Cost: FREE Details: www.goldcoast.qld.gov. au/library

Where: Tallowood Park Rose Valley Drive Upper Coomera When: 3pm – 4pm In these classes you will be playing African rhythms in minutes and giving your whole body a workout with African dance movements while having fun. This is a family friendly activity suitable for children 6 years and over.

Bookings required.

Cost: FREE Contact: 0431 726 300

13 January

Self Defence Super Session

Weekly Read & Grow Storytime

6 January

African Drumming and Dancing

Make and Fly a Kite Workshop

Where: Palm Beach Parklands Gold Coast Highway Palm Beach When: 3pm to 4:30pm Running and jumping and digging in the sand with games and competitions.

Bring your buckets, spades and creativity for some family sandcastle building. Don’t forget to slip slop slap for this family adventure.

Cost: FREE Details: P: 5534 4030 W: www.gcparks.com.au E: info@childrensfitnesscentre.com.au

19 January

Where: Paradise Point Parklands The Esplanade When: 1pm – 5pm Entertainment is brought to you by Gold Coast Jazz & Blues Club and interactive kids activities are also on offer.

Cost: FREE Contact: www.gcparks.com.au

Where: Currumbin Farm Campus 1226 Currumbin Creek Road Currumbin Valley When: 10am – 12pm Test your fitness, strength, speed and navigating skills. Site Navigation requires teams to find as many checkpoints around the farm campus within a selected time period. Archery includes a lesson, a few practice rounds and a chance to compete against your family and friends. Bookings required.

Cost: FREE Contact: 5533 0312

Active Fun in The Park

Where: In association with The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Artslink Queensland will deliver a 6 day, multi-arts intensive day residency program for young people aged 10 – 15 years during the January school holidays.

Cost: $395 Details: http://www.theartscentregc. com.au/whats-on/whats-on-items/ mad-camp

Blues on the Broadwater

Where: Various locations including Labrador, Ormeau, Palm Beach, Southport, Pacific Pines When: Usually from 7pm Cost: Free Spend a hot summer’s night slouching back under the stars watching a movie. Bring a blanket or chair. In the event of wet weather the Movie Night will be rescheduled. Visit the GC Parks website on the day for updates.

Details: http://www.gcparks.com. au/events

Site Navigation & Archery

12 January

MAD CAMP 2013: The Summer Edition

13 January

6 January

5, 12, 18, 19, 26 January

Movies Under the Stars

Where: Charles Holm Park Pinnaroo Crescent Hope Island When: 9am – 10.30am & 11am – 12.30pm Come learn from the professionals how to bait, cast, catch and to read tides. Two sessions are conducted at each location. Children must be six years or over to participate and must be accompanied by an adult. BYO morning tea. Cost: FREE Contact: Bookings required.

To book please email bookings@vertecadventure.com.au

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

Fairy Tales - Stories of Hans Christian Andersen

Hairy Maclary and Friends

1 to 19 December QPAC, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au

9 to 19 January 2013 QPAC, South Bank, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au

The Wiggles Celebration

The Surfer and the Mermaid

15 & 16 December Brisbane Entertainment Centre http://premier.ticketek.com.au

26 Feb – 2 March 2013 The Arts Centre, Gold Coast http://www.theartscentregc.com.au

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin Road Show

Room on a Broom

6 & 7 January Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre premier.ticketek.com.au

13 May 2012 The Arts Centre, Gold Coast http://www.theartscentregc.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

23

EDUCATION

L ife L e s so ns T h ro u gh Sp o r t

by Luke Goldston

Sport is good for kids. Children who are involved in sport generally have lower rates of depression, get better school results, become more employable, have higher self esteem and a more positive body image. In addition they have all the health benefits that higher activity levels provide, particularly if they can continue into adulthood.

For younger kids it’s an essential part of learning motor skills and social and emotional development.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

But it’s not as simple as just buying a pair of boots and driving them down to the nearest sports club. Although sport does have a lot of benefit, it has far more benefit when it’s put into the context of a broad and fulfilling life. Kids who are also in a happy home, are encouraged academically and get involved in the wider community in various ways such as clubs and charity work tend to get much more out of sport than those who focus more narrowly.

Role models It seems a given in modern culture that sports stars are role models for children. While it’s true that sport can provide role models, the more likely and useful source of inspiration is not the millionaire megastar who is as real to a child as a comic book superhero, but the humble junior coach and their fellow athletes.

Renowned parenting writer Steve Biddulph notes that from the ages of about 7 to 14, boys in particular look to their fathers to learn how to be men. As they progress through their teens they

start to look for role models from outside the family. This is where a consistent commitment to a sporting team can provide kids with a template for how to deal with success and failure, the importance of effort and teamwork and the rewards for determination.

However, not all role models are positive ones.

For instance, research has shown higher levels of violence, drink driving and antisocial attitudes amongst some male high school athletes which carries over into adulthood; and that’s why it’s important to choose a sport as much for the individuals that are involved with it as for the sport itself.

No girls allowed ABS data show that girls trail boys in sporting participation, even when female dominated activities like organised dancing are taken into consideration. In fact, it is not until middle age that this trend starts to reverse and women begin to take part in sport and exercise as much as men.

continued on next page...

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

25

EDUCATION

on their sons, has quite a significant effect on whether their daughters play. Perhaps we need to rethink the meaning we attach to the phrase ‘soccer mum’ to include a mum who inspires their daughter to play rather than just drive them to the games.

The Down Side As any parent will tell you, kids have a certain genius for hurting themselves. They have an undeveloped awareness of the boundaries of the physical world and the limits of their bodies, and remarkable resilience and recuperative powers that make the consequences seem not as great.

Although it may sometimes fill us with worry, in general this is a good thing; without this adventurous, creative urge they wouldn’t develop at all. However it does mean they are prone to sporting injuries. For the most part these injuries aren’t serious. Immature bodies are usually flexible enough to cope with the kinds of impacts and strains that they are put through and the greatest risks to health, like rugby scrums, have been made significantly safer with rule changes over the years.

Yet the benefits for girls from sports participation are, if anything, even more pronounced than those for boys. Girls who participate in sports have, on average, a more positive body image, suffer less from depression, have higher self esteem and are less likely to have unintended pregnancies. In fact even in sports like diving and gymnastics where teenage competitors have their bodies on display in revealing attire, a situation which might be thought to promote anxieties, research showed a positive effect on physical self image.

So the question remains: why don’t girls play sport as much as boys? There is no clear answer but it is certainly true that parents, peers, the media and society in general seem to take a different view of girls’ sport to boys.

Many of the characteristics that we tend to applaud in athletes are often seen as inherently ‘male’ traits such as mental and physical toughness, determination and courage. ‘Boys will

26

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

be boys’ is the attitude we take to the prospect of our sons hurting themselves, yet we often treat girls as a somehow more vulnerable species and even more fragile the older they get.

For girls, particularly those in and approaching those difficult teenage years where sexuality and gender identity become such a factor, sport may be seen as unfeminine and therefore unappealing.

There also seems to be a lack of role models for young women in sport. Some of this may be due to the fact that there is only a tenth as much women’s sport coverage in the media as men’s.

When women athletes are given airtime, it often seems to be more for their beauty than their ability.

Once again though, the solution may lie closer to home. Studies have shown that a mother’s participation in sports, while it has little influence

However, with the increasing professionalisation of most sports, more intensive training practices have filtered down to junior levels making younger and younger bodies vulnerable to overuse injuries. More gifted athletes who get involved in elite programs are often subjected to a ‘survival of the fittest’ process where those who can hack the pace are rewarded with a shot at adult professional glory and the 95% who can’t are discarded with only scars to show for it.

If a parent has concerns about the training load of a young athlete the most important questions to ask are: • Who is driving this? Is it the athlete themselves or is this coming from an overly zealous coach, or even from yourself as a parent.

• Do you trust the coaches, trainers and health care professionals involved? Do they have the appropriate experience and qualifications to help you make decisions? continued on next page...

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

27

EDUCATION Motivation

“No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training...what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

Socrates (469-399 BC)” Sport has been used by civilizations to train future soldiers and empire builders, by governments to boost national pride and by corporations for marketing and branding. Youth sports is now a focus of government policy and a key initiative in the ‘war’ against obesity. However, while we can cite the benefits to our children in boosting self-esteem, teamwork and psychological health it’s easy to get so caught up in the push to get something out of sport that we forget the chief goal of most kids playing sport – to have fun.

Unfortunately, many coaches and parents have methods and attitudes towards training and playing that end up being nothing more than elaborate ways of sucking the fun out of sport.

It’s worth remembering that while we may see the benefits that will last them a lifetime, for many kids the only factor that will actually keep them in the game is whether they’re enjoying themselves.

It’s worth restating that the simplest and most effective way to motivate a child to participate in sport and exercise is for the parent to participate themselves.

Losing and other catastrophes Kids are natural competitors. They want to get out there and run faster and throw further. They want to be the best dancer, the best singer, the best footie player. In short, they love to win.

Some have a naturally better handle on winning and losing than others. For those kids, losing is bad because it’s less fun than winning and it goes no further than that.

For others, unfortunately, the experience of losing a game seems to cause an emotional and spiritual breakdown of Chernobyl proportions.

Those same kids are often even worse winners, teasing and taunting their opponents to rub their noses in it.

The solution isn’t to insulate them from losing and competing. Sport can be an emotional experience. Winning, losing, getting hurt, being exhausted, all of these can trigger strong responses in us. Controlling the wild excesses of childhood emotion doesn’t come naturally but sport can be a valuable teacher in this regard, especially when good mentors are around to show kids how they should behave.

You should, therefore, focus on praising them for effort and behaviour rather than results, show an interest in and talk to them about the specifics of a game or event rather than just asking them ‘did you win?’ and most importantly, model appropriate behaviour yourself and ensure they are around others who do the same. One of the most difficult but important tricks that sport can teach is how to compete to the utmost of your ability but not go to pieces when that doesn’t bring success.

Finally, give your kids some perspective. As stated earlier, sport has been shown to be a more valuable learning experience when it’s tempered with some real life experience of the wider world; because at the end of the day, it is only a game.

Which sport?

in. What is important though is to find a sport that is a best fit for the child, physically and psychologically.

For instance, endurance sports are often linked to personalities that excel at persistence and dedication. But to push a child into long distance running in the hope that they’ll develop these characteristics may be misguided. It’s more likely that certain personality types are more attracted to certain sports.

Some kids might be turned off by traditional team sports to the extent that they are labelled unathletic, yet turn out to be a champion at fencing or badminton. Some may value being in nature far more than competing with their peers and love nothing more than bushwalking. The trick is not to make the process of finding the right sports excessively time and money consuming, and to remember that at some point they need to learn to commit to something.

Many sports that are learnt young can be enjoyed until well into the senior years; swimming, cycling, martial arts and sailing for example. Others have a relatively short lifespan, with participation in popular sports such as the rugby codes and AFL dropping off sharply after the 20s.

This is not a reason to ignore those kinds of sports but a child who commits all their energy to a game that they’ll give up when they’re 21 is in danger of spending the rest of their life inactive. It’s also been shown that kids who play multiple sports are more likely to continue playing into adulthood than single sports athletes. A more balanced approach is to make sure every child participates in at least one sport or activity that they can continue to do long after their indestructible youth is gone.

Every sport has some benefit; it’s hard to argue that one is better than others, still harder to argue that there is a best sport for kids to participate

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“I’ve experienced, first-hand through my own children, the importance of a kindergarten program,” Jay said.

“As parents, we all want the best for our children so I’m excited to help educate Queensland parents on the value of a quality early years education.”

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

29

BABIES on the coast

•

•

•

•

S e pa r at i o n A n x i e t y

By Jackie Goldston It can be very hard to leave your child when they are upset. Child and Youth Health Network (CYH, SA Government) explain, “Separation anxiety is when a child gets upset when separated from a parent or loved carer. For example, a young child may become distressed when left with a baby sitter, or when put to bed by herself.”

It is generally accepted that separation anxiety is normal during early childhood. It can start as young as six to eight months of age and continue on and off until about two and a half to four years of age. Some kids may never show any sign of anxiety and separation and with others, it can last longer. CYH suggest that “separation anxiety reflects the child’s attempts to hold on to what is safe in a very scary world, and it will settle down as the child grows older and more confident.”

The childcare dilemma Experts believe that separation anxiety peaks around 12 – 18 months. CYH explain that even though there can be a peak, it “often takes until children are three or four years old for them to feel safe even for a short time when they are away from people they know and trust.

“This means that toddlers may often become distressed on separation from parents and carers when being dropped off at child care centres.

However, this distress is often short-lived, and many children do thrive in the safe environment of a child care centre.” Choosing a centre that has a low turnover of staff can assist with your child bonding with a carer or a few carers making you child feel safer and more comfortable.

There are steps that you can take to help reduce separation anxiety, particularly in a childcare setting: • Share as much information as you can with your child’s caregiver. Share things such as likes, dislikes, fears, eating/sleeping habits which will help them better understand your child.

• Take time to visit the new setting with your child if possible before the first day of care.

Look at when your child will eat, sleep and play.

• Help your child adjust with a few short days to begin with. This will give them more opportunity to build a bond with their carer and start to learn that you will always return.

Take time to talk with the carer in front of your child. A child will watch you for cues of trust and confidence.

• Ensure that you are well prepared before the first day. Having a calm start on the first day

will assist in a more successful separation.

If your child is old enough it can help to have them involved in planning their clothes and food (if needed) for the first day. Sometimes even with younger children a choice between two shirts or pieces of fruit can give them a feeling of control.

Bringing something from home for the first few weeks to use as an item of comfort or familiarity can help (sometimes it may be a toy or blanket, for others it may be a photo). This is especially important if you use a specific item as a sleep cue (such as a sleeping bag).

Talk to your child on the way, keeping calm and positive. Talk about the day ahead for your child and explain in a simple way when you will be picking them up (for example, after your sleep and afternoon tea I will come and collect you).

It can be helpful to develop a “goodbye” ritual of something simple such as a kiss or hug.

Older children may like to be a part of the decision of what this will be.

Don’t sneak out, as tempting as it may be.

Always take the time to say goodbye, but avoid repeated goodbyes. Once you say you are leaving, go through your ritual and go.

The Canadian Childcare Federation shares that you need to accept and listen to negative feelings.

“If you or your child are feeling upset about the separation, reassure yourself that you have taken all the required steps to place your child in a safe, nurturing and stimulating setting. Telling children that they are too big to cry or that they are making a fuss over ‘nothing’ only aggravates their fears and fails to help them understand their true feelings. Saying, ‘I know you are feeling sad. I will miss you too,’ is more helpful.”

The bed time dance Kindy, childcare or leaving your child with a friend is not the only time that your child may show signs of separation anxiety. Bedtime can be a mind field for some parents (me included!). From around 6 months of age, babies may get upset at bedtime, especially when a parent leaves the room. At this age they don’t understand that their parents may be just outside as they cannot see them. If your baby is distressed, it is best to comfort and resettle them.

There are as many recommendations as there are experts for baby settling and sleep. It is best to work with what you are comfortable with. Once the child is in their own bed they may try and follow you out of the room or become very clingy.

If this happens you have a few choices to help your child to sleep and it is important to work within your comfort level.

Experts recommend having some kind of sleep routine, regardless of the age of the baby or child.

This may be reading a book, having a glass of continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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BABIES on the coast Jenni Connor and Pam Linke from Early Childhood Australia explain, “In the first year of school, it is particularly important that your child knows you are there for them and that you will listen, understand, comfort and support them and follow up any concerns about school on their behalf.

Parents are the safe base from which children can move out to explore the world, to learn and grow and become socially confident, responsible young people.”

“It often takes until children are three or four years old for them to feel safe even for a short time when they are away from people they know and trust.” milk/water or singing a quiet song, followed by a goodnight kiss. Babies and kids generally find comfort and security in routines and this can help parents in organising bedtimes and reducing tension and stress.

Over time, experts believe your baby’s anxiety at being left on their own at bedtime should reduce through following a regular routine. As a parent, we all need to do what is best for our families and our own mental wellbeing. If you want something to change, sometimes doing it in small steps is the best you can offer at the time.

Starting School The transition to school from either childcare or home can be a time of nervousness and anxiety for some children. As the national early childhood initiative KidsMatter explains: ‘Starting primary school is an important time for children and their families. Children who make a positive start to school are more likely to feel: comfortable, relaxed, valued and good about themselves as learners, and a sense of belonging to the school community.’

•

•

•

•

• Early Childhood Australia recommends the following to help to prepare for a smooth transition into school: • • Select the right school for your child by talking with other parents, visiting schools and checking each school’s website to see

how their values, programs and expectations connect with your wishes and dreams for your child.

Find out about the school’s enrolment and orientation programs and procedures and ‘book in early’; how much time and attention the school gives to ‘orientation’ may influence your decision about which school to choose Take your child to orientation programs—watch how comfortable they are in that setting and discuss how you and the child feel after the event.

Get to know the Principal and/or senior staff and class teacher at your chosen school; explain your child’s home life and culture and previous learning experiences, including their strengths and needs.

Talk positively about the chosen school, without building up unrealistic expectations. If you have unhappy school memories, try to put them behind you and set up your child to enjoy and make the most of their school experience.

Listen to any concerns your child may have and answer any questions.

Take them for a walk around the school, pointing out their classroom and ‘mapping’ the journey from the room to the toilets, canteen, library and other key facilities.

Try to make contact with another family with a child going into the same class, so that your child knows someone when they actually start school.

Importantly, if you are concerned that your child simply will not settle or may have something more serious wrong, make sure you trust your parenting instincts and seek help from a health professional, school counsellor or an appropriate person or organisation.

Further reading • http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia. org.au/feelings_and_behaviours/ everyday_feelings/separation_anxiety. html • http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/ • Book: Your child’s first year at school: Getting off to a good start by Jenni Connor and Pam Linke; Early Childhood Australia • Women and Children’s Health Network: http://www.cyh.com Editor’s note: Make sure you visit our website to read the article which discusses separation anxiety from an attachment parenting perspective. Writer, Chaley-Ann Scott is an attachment parenting expert and passionately believes in what she writes about.

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33

ONLY NATURAL

TUne up the Brain turf them outside

By Kim Lahey A place to squelch a little mud under the nails. A place to escape routine, explore, muck around. The outdoors: we sense how it enlivens us. But can it weave more magic than we know?

Environmental Psychologist Kathleen Bagot says there are a plethora of proven benefits from outdoor play, compared to a ‘built-play’ setting.

Just for starters, the physical activity in the natural environment yields stronger physiological benefits than built-play settings, like lowering blood pressure and reducing the body’s stress levels.

I’m sold already, but we’ve only scratched the surface. Play in the natural place offers physical benefits like better motor skills, balance and fewer sick days, cognitive benefits like better attention, concentration and self-discipline, plus the stronger social benefit of access to adults.

“Even the type of children’s play in green space is much more creative,” Dr Bagot says.

“Yet, adults and kids are starved of outdoor time,” Dr Bagot says. “They are missing out on a rich and complex experience which appeals to all of our senses.”

A dramatic one-generational shift from outdoor to indoor-play is unearthed in a recent study.* Over seven-in-ten adults played outside daily as kids, but today that’s dwindled to one-in-ten kids playing outside - once a week or less. Over 60% of the adults climbed trees as kids (the survey did not ask them if they still do!) but less than 20% of their kids do.

“Nothing gives me more joy than knowing kids can go out into a place and pick up a rock or climb a tree without getting into trouble,” Dr Bagot says.

Parents agree. Most parents surveyed saw outdoor-play as a physical and motor skill builder, imagination booster and outlet for reducing stress. Trouble is, they are too fearful (60%) and too busy (80%) to play outside with their kids.* “If we lose green-time we risk raising kids who are not capable of looking after themselves and developing their own sense of resilience,” Dr Bagot says Her study of children in 14 Melbourne schools found the higher the level of vegetation in the school yard, the better children’s classroom attention scores after playing in that environment, which in turn predicted higher academic scores.

ART - nature-driven brain power Our capacity to ‘direct attention’ comes down to shutting out distracting or irrelevant stimuli, letting the ‘right’ information be pulled-in from around us.

But this directing of attention - ‘grabbing only the good stuff’ - needs effort. So restoring our attention-capacity is crucial, Dr Bagot explains.

It gives us the ability to concentrate - crucial in everyday tasks and life effectiveness.

Here’s where green-power for our brain, Attention Restoration Theory (ART), comes in. ART asserts people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature.

Restoring our attention capacity is crucial and restorative experiences can be ‘anything and everything,’ Dr Bagot says. But an environment or activity needs four features to enable it to fully restore our attention, Dr Bagot explains, even though partial-restoration can start with just one feature, like just being away from chores or work.

Being away – physically or psychologically – from the must-do parts of your daily life, like chores or work, is the first restoring feature. Extent is the second – the environment must offer a sense of a whole-other-world – a totally absorbing activity, like a visit to the zoo.

The third feature is fascination. “This is stimuli that attract people, keep them from getting bored and don’t need effortful directed attention,” Dr Bagot explains. Fascination alone does not offer a complete restorative experience.

Attention-holding stimuli like an accident, a fire burning out of control, or a video game, offer ‘hard fascination’, but do not refresh us, Dr Bagot explains. While nature is ‘soft fascination’ because it’s easy, the hard fascination providers, because of their intensity (especially the violent) do not refresh us. “We often want to do things that are not good for us, especially the hard fascination,” Dr Bagot says.

The final restorative feature is compatibility – the environment must support the activity as well as the inclinations of the person, and allow the continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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ROBINA TAVERN ON THE LAKE OPEN 7 DAYS Mon to Fri 9.30 to 5pm Sat 9am to 4pm Sun 10am to 3pm

We also host Amazing Birthday Parties Book in for our School Holiday Programs for December 2012 and January 2013

07 5532 8429

• Video games for action and fun • For family safety we have a secure play area and “kids only” toilet facilities • Face painting, games, our own Fairy Princess and Baggy Pants, the hilarious clown • Upgrade your kids’ meals to include ice cream and a drink • Saturday night Kids eat Free ( conditions apply ) Bring this add and receive a FREE KIDS MEAL with every paying adult meal Sunday & Monday nights Valid till 30/12/12 • Conditions apply

www.SuperPerformanceCentre.com.au

Bookings Essential Ph 55 932 600 robinatavern.net.au

info@SuperPerformanceCentre.com.au

It all adds up to the most fun for the kids at your local The Corner of Ron Penhaligon Way & Cheltenham Drive. Robina. QLD. 4226

DISCOVER THE NEW STYLISH

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Boasting a clean and simple design, the classic ‘Morgan’ range is available with a myriad of storage options.

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‘MORGAN’ SINGLE BUNK Also Available: ‘MORGAN’ KING SINGLE BUNK ‘MORGAN’ 5-DRAWER TALLBOY ‘MORGAN’ 2-DRAWER

$1599 $1299 $649 High access point - Harder for younger children to climb Low to floor, great for young kids

GOLD COAST BUNDALL Visit www.domayne.com.au

29-45 Ashmore Rd. 5553 2100

Domayne stores are operated by independent franchisees. Offers not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Mattress, bed linen and accessories shown are optional extras. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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35

ONLY NATURAL things they want to do to be done, like finding the right book and the right spot to curl up and read.

Once the brain has a dose of these four features, it will be back to its vital ‘resting level’, Dr Bagot says, with the ability to concentrate fully on the next task.

“Green-space is more effective - and efficient - in restoring our ability to pay attention than any other environment or activity,” Dr Bagot says.

Other leisure activities do bring the brain back to relaxation but not to the vital ‘resting level’, she says.

Yet people are more inclined to suggest others to go out in nature, than to do it themselves, because it is effortful, Dr Bagot says. Adults surveyed commonly advised a walk in the local park as a pick-up for a tired friend, yet for their own ‘restoration’, said they would go to dinner or watch a movie.

nature play and bring ‘green-power’ into their lives. Nature-play enhances a child’s creativity, imagination, teamwork, co-operation, problem solving and leadership skills, Narelle says. “They also experience a sense of wonder”, an important motivator for life-long learning, she says.

Narelle facilitates educational, weekly ‘free play’ nature-experiences for two to five year-olds and their families. I’ve read comments from some of the parents who say they love the chance to explore nature in the safety and in the company of others and slow down their busy lives.

But the kids comments are a treat: “I love this fun in the sun”, “We get lots of time to play and get dirty and finding things to keep is fun (leaves, sticks, feathers),” “I saw koala poo and smelt it”, “I tried to catch a fish and the stuff on the hook was stinky”, “We laugh a lot, I am allowed to do lots of stuff.”

I can see why Narelle is so keen to help kids find these experiences! And why she insists that when outdoor-play and nature are an integral part of kids’ lives, they’re well on the way to a healthy and happy future.

Richard Louv said recently that photography was a carrot for kids to head outdoors, in much the same way fishing gear has been an inducement for many.

“Ultimately, we are well-served by whatever gizmo helps get us into the outdoors if we know when to put that device down —cameras included — and when to simply use our inborn senses to soak up the nuances of our surroundings.”

But virtual-nature can weave a spell too, even if it’s minus the physical and social benefits. “Only looking can be enough, there is work that has been done in dentist surgeries where paintings of nature and fish tanks reduced anxiety levels significantly,” Dr Bagot says.

“It’s not that the built environment is bad, it’s the absence of nature that is,” Dr Bagot says.

Nature-play in action Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, said for eons, humans spent most of their formative years in nature, but within few decades this has changed radically. “Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in everyone’s self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depend on it,” he said.

Enter Melbourne teacher, bush-playgroup facilitator and mother-of three, Narelle Debenham. She inspires families to embrace

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

Photo: Narelle Debenham

“I ask people to just give it a go - two or three times a week go for a walk in the bush or just anywhere outside each day, for two weeks,” she says. “They’ll tell me they feel fantastic, so I tell them to ‘remember the feeling, so the next time you are sitting on the couch ready to watch TV, remember you can actually walk around the neighbourhood, or pack an afternoon tea and stop somewhere on the way home!’”

There seems to be a widening gap in our lives between what we have to do, and what we want to do, Dr Bagot says. “Sometimes it is a case of putting on another pair of socks or a raincoat and just getting out there.”

Find out more: • www.naturedkids.com - Narelle Debenham is an environmental early-childhood facilitator of educational‘free-play’ nature experiences which can be adapted for use in any community.

• www.planetark.org - Planet Ark is a not-for-profit environmental organisation which commissioned the childhood-nature interaction study*, released in 2011.

• www.childrenandnature.org – a network designed to encourage and support the people and organisations working internationally to reconnect children with nature.

Outdoor Activity groups include: • Community gardens: www.communitygarden.org.au, • Girl Guides: www.GirlGuides.org.au, • Landcare: www.JuniorLandCare.com.au, • Surf Lifesaving: www.sls.com.au • Scouts: www.scouts.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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goodhealth Kids Dental Health

By Dr. Patrick O’Rourke BChD MFGDP RCS Teaching our children proper oral care at an early age and passing on to them the know-how to prevent dental decay is a gift that can pay lifelong dividends. Baby teeth though temporary are still very important to care for and keep healthy.

When do the baby teeth start coming in and when should I start brushing their teeth?

When you start seeing baby teeth come through, an appropriate age 0-6mths soft tooth brush should be used to gently massage teeth and gums twice a day with water for about 30 seconds. At the age of 2 introduce fluoridated toothpaste. (In fluoridated areas use a children’s toothpaste with reduced fluoride). Brush twice a day, morning and night time for preferably two minutes.

When should I bring my child to the Dentist?

It is always good to get your child introduced to the dentist at an early age.

From the age of 2 we would recommend a visit to the dentist for a ride in the chair and “counting teeth”. This can be combined with your own visit and set a great example. From the age of 6 most children have been introduced to having their teeth cleaned and polished.

When should a child begin to brush their own teeth?

Encourage your child to allow you to do the brushing as much as possible and for as long as you can especially under four years of age. Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make it fun with battery or electric toothbrushes that beep and make sounds. Each child is different but parents should continue to assist with brushing up until the age of 7 What should I give my baby at night to drink?

PLEASE DO NOT give your child any sugary drinks or juice to take to bed in the night. Sugary drinks at night like juice or flavoured milk can create a condition called nursing bottle caries and is disastrous for the baby dentition.

When is a good age to stop thumb-sucking and the dummy/pacifier?

Discouragement of the use of the dummy and thumb-sucking should begin at the age of 2 and the habits should be stopped around 4 years of age. If the habit continues it can lead to deforming the dental arches and creation of protruding teeth, open-bites, cross-bites and crooked teeth.

CALL US NOW FOR MORE DETAILS

How do I prevent my child from having tooth decay?

Prevention is always better than cure and with ever increasing costs of dental care, preventative measures are worth their weight in gold.

Dental caries or tooth decay is a bacterial infection in the tooth causing demineralisation of the enamel and dentine. Specific bacteria produce acid from fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose and glucose which over time destroys the tooth. Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes with pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Eat a well-balanced diet that limits sugary, starchy and acidic foods and encourage healthy eating habits.

Sweets, chocolates, soft drink, lollies, fruit juice poppers are treats and contain high levels of sugar and will cause tooth decay. Discourage snacking on these treats throughout the day. If treats are given combine them with the main meals of the day. Visit the Dentist every 6-12 months.

The information contained in this article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for individual professional medical advice from your doctor or qualified health care provider.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Let’s celebrate

Old School Party Games With kids parties getting fancier and requiring more organising than ever before we thought it would be fun to take a step back in time and remember some good, old fashioned party games.

Nikki When I was in year 3, there was a game that I played with 2 dice, a big block of chocolate, knife and fork, and an apron. All the children would sit in a circle and take turns rolling the dice.

If you rolled a double number with the dice, you would go into the centre of the circle, put on the apron and start eating the chocolate; however you had to cut each piece with the knife and fork.

Meanwhile, the other children would keep taking turns rolling the dice trying to get double numbers and then they would go into the centre. The child that ate all the chocolate would win a prize.

Min My old school favourites were: Stuck in the mud; What’s the time Mr Wolf; Red Rover; Brandy; I wrote a letter to my love & on the way I dropped it, someone must of picked it up & put it in their

pocket, achoo...achoo... It’s y o u!!! Kids sit in circle with hands behind back. One child circles on the outside & drops letter into child’s hand on u & runs like crazy around circle while other child chases!

Plus all the clapping games! They were heaps of fun. It is a pity that so many of them seemed to have been banned in case someone gets hurt!

Sarah K For pass the parcel this year (6th birthday) I only had one prize and then on every other layer was a piece of paper with a dare to be done. The dare was like make an animal noise, hop on one leg 20 times, tell a joke, pop a balloon with your bottom etc. I told the children what was happening before we started and that the final prize would be random and it was a huge success, all the children loved completing/

watching the dares and waiting to see what they got. Previous years I have had a balloon or lolly in the in between layers. But will be doing it with dares from now on.

Alana We always did (and still do) “minty man”.

Sticky tape some minties to one of dads old shirts, get the kids to line up and when mintie man comes out they have to chase him and pull the minties off. If there are lots of kids and plenty of space, do a couple of shirts and get a couple of dads to help. Freddo frogs or anything in wrappers that are age appropriate are always good too.

Bren 3 legged races,bobbing for apples, egg & spoon race, Simon says, musical chairs, “freeze” dance/music game. Ahh the old days!

We would love to hear any ideas you have for cooking games, parties or nights in – find us on Facebook or join the conversation on our website www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Awesome kids

Epic Birthday party FULLY CATERED! Includes:

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• Rollerblade/rollerskate hire • Epic Birthday boy/girl gets their own announcement and Birthday song on the skating rink • Each Epic Birthday receives special attention from one of our Party Hosts and they will look after all your Birthday Party requirements

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WEDNESDAY General Skate 10am-12nooon & 3.00pm-5.00pm (school term only) FRIDAY NIGHT Teen Disco: 7.30pm-10pm SATURDAY Learn to Skate 9.30-10.30am (includes morning session) Morning Skate 10.30 - 12.30, General Skate 2.30 - 7.00pm SUNDAY General Skate 2.30 - 4.30pm Wednesdays Tiny Tots & Mums COFFEE CLUB 10am - 12 Noon All sessions NSW time www.epicskate.com.au

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

39

HOLIDAYS

Escape To Brisbane - By Jackie Goldston Sometimes the most exciting holidays can be the least obvious. And what could be easier than a holiday in Brisbane. Just over an hour’s drive away from the Coast, Brisbane has an amazing array of family activities, as well as cultural and educational centres that give additional depth to your stay. Whether it is for a day trip or a week away, we look at some of the best things to do with kids in Brisbane.

Sciencentre Museum (Southbank) The Sciencentre could almost be called a play centre, with so many fun and interactive exhibits that your kids don’t realise they are learning.

Located within the Queensland Museum Southbank, the Science Centre is on level 1. My kids’ favourite first activity is in the Body Zone.

They love to test themselves on the 10 metre running track with a beep start and a timer (just pretend to remember what time they did last visit!).

There are more activities than I can list, however highlights include a steadiness test, reaction times, biking with Boney (riding a bike and watching a skeleton do the same), puzzles, optical illusions (rooms, chairs and a spinning hallway) – and that is just in the Body Zone. Within Action Stations you can use some of your energy to crank up mini- generator or test how electricity and magnets will help you make a dish levitate.

Why not climb aboard a flight simulator, try your luck at sailing a land yacht or test your skills controlling the traffic flow of a city. The new exhibition, Going Places, invites you to take on a series of challenges to discover the science behind transport and travel. There is plenty of parking around the Museum or you could enjoy a Citycat ride and explore Southbank before the short walk to the Museum. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.sciencentre.qm.qld. gov.au.

The Workshops Rail Museum (Ipswich) ‘The Workshops’, as it is affectionately known, is a site that is steeped in history. The very first train to run in Queensland steamed from the site to Bigges Camp, now Grandchester, over 145 years ago. A trip to the Workshops will give your kids a chance to see a genuine restoration of the Heritage Steam Train Fleet up close and hear

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

living history from railway workers – you may even be lucky enough to hear a few tall stories! For your little ones, the Nippers Railway offers an exciting, interactive railway filled with adventurous and fun things to do and kid-sized places to visit.

With over 15 larger-than-life exhibits to discover, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy; from the beautifully restored carriages to the largest model railway in Queensland. The Workshops Rail Museum, celebrating 10 years this year is winner of Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for Heritage and Cultural Tourism.

For further information and ticket prices, phone (07) 3432 5100 or visit www.theworkshops. qm.qld.gov.au.

South Bank Catch the Citycat, drive, walk or do a combination (with the train too) and don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Southbank. Originally redeveloped as part of World Expo 88, Southbank has become a destination for families, with a variety of dining choices (and some excellent coffee bars), weekend markets, play areas (including our favourites, Aquativity and the Beach), parklands and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Aquativity is a fun, free water-play park for children and families to play, learn and enjoy the outdoors.

Aquativity immerses children in an interactive experience through play and helps to create an early understanding of the water cycle and its preservation. It is open daily from 7am - 7pm.

South Bank Beach is a great place to cool off and is Australia’s only inner-city beach. Pack a picnic basket, have a BBQ or grab a spot under a shady tree with a takeaway pizza. Make sure you bring your towels, togs and sunscreen and enjoy the amazing view of the Brisbane River.

If you are wanting to see the Brisbane River and City from a different angle, The Wheel of Brisbane offers breathtaking views on a 10 -12 minute ride

in a fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondola. For more information on the many daily activities at South Bank or for pricing for the Wheel of Brisbane visit www.visitsouthbank.com.au.

Planetarium and Botanic Gardens If you grew up on the Coast (or in Brisbane), it is likely that you would have had an excursion to the Brisbane Planetarium, located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha. I visited many times as a kid and have enjoyed being able to go back as a parent and watch the delight on my sons face as he watched the Cosmic Skydome for the first time. The Planetarium is not just for kids kids, it features entertaining and informative programs for adults as well. You will learn about our universe through the different Planetarium facilities available, including the Cosmic Skydome, Display Zone, Mini Theatre and Observatory. It is recommended to book in advance for any of the shows (especially on school holidays).

It is definitely worth leaving time to explore the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens. They are Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens set on 52 hectares and feature Japanese Gardens and a Freedom Wall monument. The gardens have plenty of space for the kids to run around and entry is free. There is a free walking tour Monday to Saturday at 11am and 1pm and many free activities such as story time. Search the net for Brisbane Botanic Gardens for more information (or visit KOTC website for the link). Finally, make sure you go to the top of Mt Coot-tha and enjoy the view (and maybe an ice-cream too!).

For more to do in Brisbane visit www. kidsonthecoast.com.au/article/escape-tobrisbane or www.visitbrisbane.com.au. We would also love to hear about your favourite things to do in Brisbane with your family.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Fordsdale

Horseback adventures

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Mob 0427 584 363 Ph 07 5462 7526

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BY THE SEASIDE

MeetThomas theTank EngineTM &The Fat Controller

26 December 2012 to 3 February 2013 For more info phone 07 3432 5100 or visit www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au Open daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, North Street, North Ipswich

Day Out With Thomas™ Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Thomas the Tank Engine & Out with Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Friends™ © 2012 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Based on the Railway Series www.thomasandfriends.com/au

by Reverend W Awdry © 2012 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

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december / january 2013 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Books APPS & Movies

REVIEWS BOOK Alphabet Town,

by Bryan Evans & Kimberly Moon, New Frontier Publishing RRP $14.95 Poor Zero didn’t feel very important as she didn’t amount to anything.

However when she meets Spot the Dot, they embark on an adventure and discover Alphabet Town.

Together they learn that curiosity and imagination can change everything for the better. A clever tale that will delight children through the creation of words and numbers to form books of knowledge. For ages 2 – 6 yrs.

BOOK Not for Parents: How to be a World Explorer,

by Lonely Planet Publications RRP $17.99 How to be a World Explorer will teach you all you need to know about venturing through all the landscapes on Earth. How do you cope with extreme cold? How do you find water in the wild? How do you escape from quicksand? How do you navigate by the stars? How do you build an igloo? How do you fight a bear? It’s all here! For 7yrs +

Discover your body

Kid’s App

$2.99 iPad Discover Your Body HD is a funny and educational application for kids and adults. It allows you to explore the human body, learn about its organs and parts. Stunning graphics, crystal-clear sound with a professional native speaker, funny sound effects. For ages 4+.

A similar android app is called Baby Learns Body Parts (free from Google play).

Guess with Jess

KIDS’S APP

$4 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch Packed with activities, GUESS WITH JESS® mixes learning and fun to entertain and educate. Offering a fun and varied range of easy-to-play activities, young fans of the popular TV show, can now join Jess, Postman Pat’s black and white cat, and his farmyard friends as they explore the world around them and discover that finding the answers to questions can be fun! Ages 3 – 6 yrs

MOVIES: FOR THE KIDS Rise Of The Guardians (Rating TBC) In Cinemas December 13 Get set for this animated adventure about a group of Holiday legends - Santa Claus (voiced by Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), the Toothy Fairy (Isla Fisher) and Jack Frost (Chris Pine) - who set out to stop Pitch the Boogeyman (Jude Law), who is hell-bent on sending the world into “eternal darkness”.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Rating TBC) In Cinemas December 26 The prequel to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the story of the curious, Bilbo Baggins, who journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. Stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage.

To see more visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 42

KiDs on tHe CoAst – December / january 2013

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