Kids on the Coast Magazine - Sunshine Coast - Issue 66

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

ISSUE 66 January/February 2015 SUNSHINE COAST

WIN 2KOOL4SKOOL PACKS

Back to school!

G re et a t sc dy ing ho fo ol r

Don’t forget!

A handy checklist

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R ai

s ig ing he ita a al lly t ch h ild y

The bell’s rung...

Now what?

Year 7

in detail

66 Contents ISSUE

January/February 2015

WIN PACKS

From our cover shoot*

4

FROM THE EDITOR

6

THE SOCIAL GATHERING

8

WHAT’S NEWS

10 FEATURE: Raising a digitally healthy child 16 CHECK THIS OUT 18 EDUCATION: On track for school success 24 THE ‘P’ FILES: Helping your child prepare for school 30 SPECIAL FEATURE: Back to school 34 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Find out what’s happening on the Coast during January & February 36 BABIES: Pregnancy myths 40 TEENS: A Flying Start for Queensland students 44 ONLY NATURAL: Food for thought 50 GOOD HEALTH: Is it time to pay your GP a visit?

Avril, 4yrs

52 YOU: Remember you?

54 DESTINATION: Out of this world 60 PARENTVILLE: Twice is nice enough 62 COAST LIFE 64 CONVERSATION: Meet Morgan Parker

School supplies 2Kool 4Skool www. 2kool4skool.com.au

66 REVIEWS

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: SANDRA SMITH, MAXINE ARTHUR, DR KELLY BOWERS, ALISON RODRIGUEZ, RACHEL DOWNIE, BELINDA BROWN, DR NICOLA KETTLETON-BUTLER, ALENEY DE WINTER, CAROLYN TATE, NATASHA HIGGINS COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: VERVE PORTRAITS Printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems.

WE ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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mother

WELCOME

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kids on the coast | in th

Can you believe it’s 2015 already? We welcome you to an INCREDIBLE new year and hope you had a wonderful Christmas and time over the past few weeks to relax, unwind and enjoy time with family and friends.

MEDIA

The summer school holidays still have some time to run, and I’m sure by now your kids will have played with their new toys and maybe made a fort or an art masterpiece out of the boxes and packaging that came with their Christmas gifts. If you’re running out of ideas for activities to do over the rest of the holidays turn to our calendar in the centre pages for heaps of inspiration. You may even find something for the kids to do while you can relax. Remember also to take a look at the summer eGuide on our website which has even more great events and activities listed (and some yummy iceblock recipes for you to try!).

PUBLISHED BY Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5442 7253 ABN: 86 473 357 391 WEB: www.mothergoosemedia.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

It’s also time to start thinking about getting the kids – and yourself – ready for heading back to school. For some this will mean going back to the same school to reconnect with friends and teachers; for others this year may mean starting a new school or perhaps starting school for the first time.

We've put together a great collection of back-to-school articles, with pages of invaluable tips for helping your child prepare for school, helping them settle in and then staying on track once the school year starts. There’s something for even the most seasoned school mum! I know I’m about to start working my way down the back-to-school checklist in our special feature section to get my daughters ready for school this year.

Our back-to-school buying guide features the latest school essentials you and your child will love, with plenty of fun, functional and affordable products from the coolest lunch boxes and laces to stylish and colourful supplies.

With the start of a new year, it’s a good time to review the ever-present discussion on our kids’ use of digital technology.

We investigate the ins and outs of raising a digitally healthy child. Are your kids spending too much time on digital media? We take a look at the recommended limits and what you can do to ensure the safest and healthiest use of technology for your kids while still ensuring they benefit from the latest technology around us.

With Year 7 set to become part of high school in 2015, we’ve put together some useful notes on how the new system is set to work to help allay any fears at this important time. In Only Natural, we also share some quick, nutritious and filling ideas for breakfast and first break at school to give your child’s brain a boost and set them up for a great start to the day. You’ll want to use these ideas for the whole family.

Finally, once the kids head off to school, it’s time to step back and focus on yourself. Remember you? YOU are important! In our YOU section you’ll find a host of different things for you to try whether you’re a working mum, a stay-athome mum or a bit of both. We share plenty of thoughts on a little pampering, work and study, health and wellbeing, as well as nurturing new and old friendships.

EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston EDITOR IN CHIEF/DIGITAL EDITOR: Carolyn Tate PRINT EDITOR: Natasha Higgins ADMIN: admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au SOCIAL MEDIA: Eva Lewis PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Alana Falk production@mothergoosemedia.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Alana Falk PRINTING: Print Works, 07 3865 4433 All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications are 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@ mothergoosemedia.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.

We would love to hear what you think. All of our articles are online and we welcome you to comment and discuss the topics on our website and Facebook page. We add topical news stories daily as well as blogs, new articles and reviews on products, movies, books and apps.

DISTRIBUTION

Do you have something that you want to share? Please feel free to contact our team via Facebook.com/kidsonthecoast, our website or email. Don’t forget to sign up for our What’s On eNews that comes out weekly at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au.

Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa, including hinterland.

Enjoy the rest of the summer break and see you again in March!

Separate editions cover the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Natasha Higgins, Editor

BEHIND THE SCENES … at our cover shoot

Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across South East Queensland.

Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 18,000 copies from Tweed Heads to Coomera, including hinterland.

Kids in the City (Brisbane edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from North Lakes to Springwood and covering all suburbs to Jindalee.

For distribution enquiries phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au

ADVERTISING Call 1300 430 320 or email your Sales Account Manager.

SUNSHINE COAST Jo - advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au GOLD COAST Nicole - gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au BRISBANE Joanne - advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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The social gathering Daily conversation, inspiration and information

Kids on the Coast Magazine

@kidsonthecoast

kidsonthecoastmagazine

Let's get

SOCIAL in 2015!

FACEBOOK Do you have a question? Let our community offer their help and advice.

If we find something funny, we'll share and make you laugh. Memes, quotes, links to cool websites - we'll have it all! And we want to hear from you too.

Share your pics, your stories and help other parents by answering their questions or simply just share a message of support.

Because we hear you. "It takes a village to raise a child"

INSTAGRAM We'd love to see what you're up to on Instagram.

Hashtag #kidsonthecoastmagazine and you could feature in our next issue.

PINTEREST We've been busy pinning away... arts, crafts, ideas, words and everything else we find that we just love - and think you will too!

Visit www.pinterest.com/kidsonthecoast

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{From our blog…}

Family fun in Caloundra

By Toni Eggleston I'd heard a lot about Oaks Oasis Resort Oaks Oasis Re – word travels fast when a local resort sort has the ultimate water park, not to mention the fact that you can buy a day pass that will keep your kids entertained for the entire day. I was curious to see what all the hype was about, so I paid a visit – just me and my three kids.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got to Oaks, feeling as if I'd stepped in to an overseas, tropical oasis-style resort, set with beautiful palm trees dotting the grounds.

The room was so comfortable and, above all, CLEAN. That is a holiday in itself for me! Just being able to walk from one area to another, no school uniforms on the floor, no dirty dishes .

I envisioned a late, leisurely stroll to breakfast, but instead, my lot were up ready to hit the buffet at 6am. Nothing speaks 'holiday' like a buffet breakfast, but this buffet breakfast's highlight was their super-duper, whiz-bang, pancake machine.

The millisecond [the waterpark] opened, the pancakes were ditched, and the kids made a run for the gate. [My teenage daughter] enjoyed it just as much as the little ones, lounging around reading her book, listening to music and drinking slushies while the younger two were in water park heaven.

I would definitely recommend Oaks Oasis if you’re heading to the Sunshine Coast or if you're a local and just want to feel like you're on holidays – either to stay or for a day visit to the water park.

To read Toni’s blog post in full, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au /_blog/Our_Blog/post/family-fun-in-caloundra

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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

Visit our website for more news, www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/news

NEW COMMISSION GETS FAMILIES TALKING

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles in life. New research has revealed more than half of Queensland parents struggle to cope with the stress of raising children but more than 90 per cent of them do not regularly ask for help. The Queensland Family and Child Commission, established on 1 July, has launched Talking Families to encourage families to have honest conversations about the pressures they face and to seek and accept help. Steve Armitage of the Queensland Family and Child Commission said research showed struggling parents were reluctant to speak out for pride or fear of being judged as a bad parent. “We want parents to know they do not always have to put on a brave face. Everyone struggles from time to time. It is okay to talk about problems and ask for help,” Mr Armitage said. For more information, visit talkingfamilies.qld.gov.au

WEATHER FLUCTUATIONS CAN WORSEN ASTHMA

New research has found that unstable weather can adversely affect the respiratory health of children with asthma. The study conducted in Australia with 270 children across major cities found that increased differences between the highest and lowest temperatures in a day led to reduced lung function and worsened respiratory symptoms in children with asthma. National Asthma Council Australia director Associate Professor Janet Rimmer says this research indicates that it is important and necessary to protect children with asthma from the problematic consequences of unstable weather. Have your lungs checked by your GP to make sure you’re as healthy as possible, and let them know if you think weather changes or thunderstorms affect your asthma. Use your preventer medication every day, if prescribed, even when you are feeling well, and ensure you have an up-to-date written asthma action plan from your GP so you know what to do if your asthma flares up. For more information, visit www.nationalasthma.org.au 8

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

THERE’S A NEW ISLAND HEADED FOR THE SUNSHINE COAST

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There’s a new island coming to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, but you’ll only need to go as far as Australia Zoo to begin your adventure! Escape to your own tropical paradise at Australia Zoo’s latest exhibit, Bindi’s Island, set to launch on December 26. From Bindi’s incredible three-storey treehouse, visitors will be able to check out the cheeky ringtailed lemurs, on display for the very first time! As well as some new island friends, Bindi’s Island will also include some original residents, the amazing Aldabran tortoises, Coconut and Jarvis. Australia Zoo Director Wes Mannion said that the launch of Bindi’s Island meant fulfilling another milestone in Steve and Terri Irwin’s 10-year Business Plan. “Bindi’s Island is going to be another big tick for something Stevie always wanted,” Mr Mannion said. “Steve did all the excavation work years ago, and it’s just been sitting there waiting to be finished off. It wasn’t that long ago that Terri said ‘let’s finish it!’ and we started planning Bindi’s Island!” For more details head to www.australiazoo.com.au/bindi-island

JOIN THE SUMMER READING CLUB WILD ADVENTURE This summer, young readers on the Sunshine Coast will be dodging danger, outwitting enemies and journeying beyond their wildest imaginations with the State Library of Queensland’s popular Summer Reading Club. Sunshine Coast libraries are taking part in this annual program that aims to encourage a continued love of reading and ongoing multiliteracy skills development among children and young people during the summer holidays. From 13 December, children are required to read five items of their choice over the summer holidays, complete the reading log and hand it in to their local library by January 19, 2015. There are five fantastic prize packs up for grabs including a massive book voucher, Adventure Time pack, LEGO Minecraft micro worlds, Craft pack and an Alpha Maze marble run.” It is easy to enter – just register in person at any Sunshine Coast Library or Mobile Library, or complete the online registration form on www.library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Children are also encouraged to check the specially created Summer Reading Club website www.summerreadingclub.org.au to play games and competitions where you can win great prizes, read book raves and chat with other book lovers. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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CMD0120

FEATURE

Raising a digitally healthy child

by Sandra Smith

CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY AT THEIR FINGERTIPS AND IT IS NOW A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF DAILY LIFE FOR MOST FAMILIES. NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE EMERGING AT A BREATHTAKING RATE AND IT’S EASY FOR PARENTS TO FEEL EXCLUDED FROM OUR CHILDREN’S DIGITAL WORLD. Our role as parents is to help children navigate the complex media landscape and have a positive experience in this digital age. If we are open to the changes and keep the lines of communication open, we can help children avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the best of what technology offers.

HEALTHY SCREEN HABITS

The guidelines for healthy screen use are simple – no more than one hour a day for preschoolers and no more than two hours a day for school age children up to 18 years old.

However, according to the Raising Children Network, the average young person in Australia consumes almost five hours of media in a typical day. This includes television, internet, computer games, videos and mobile phones.

Quirky Kid Clinic principal child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien says physical exercise and time outdoors is much more important than screen time. She says children who stay up late and have unmonitored social networking time don’t perform as well in the classroom and then have social issues at school.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

“When you look at kids that do a lot more outdoor activities than socialising online, they look physically healthier, they have more energy and they’re more socially confident,” she says.

Kimberley advises parents to be on the same page first and to set a good example with their own use of digital technology before having a family meeting to set agreed limits. She advises parents to be prepared and to think about what the desired screen time for their children might be, whether it will be before or after school and how that might fit into the family’s routine.

Some parents may lock their kids out of all internet access during the week and then allow a little internet time on the weekend.

Others will allow internet access for the household between 7pm and 9pm and then switch it off.

“Negotiate a little bit with the kids when they are, say, 10 and above, but otherwise setting limits and expectations of what they won’t be doing during their time is better than discovering it at a later date,” she says.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEATURE

If we are open to the changes and keep the lines of communication open, we can help children avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the best of what technology offers.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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FEATURE

We’re supposed to be forwardthinking parents and have kids that are techno-savvy, but it’s so important not to let that slide and not to be too relaxed about it.

TURNING OFF THE TELEVISION

Most modern families couldn’t imagine life without a television, but when mother-of-two Grace moved from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast with her family two years ago, she and her husband opted to go without a television in their new house. Prior to the move, Grace often used the television as a babysitter for the children, but she realised that this had to change.

“It seemed like watching television ate into so much time that could be spent doing something that was more wholesome and beneficial for every person in the family and every relationship in the family,” she says.

The children, who were both under five, initially went through a phase of not knowing what to do and they had to learn how to play together without conflict. “For the first eight weeks it was really tough, because I didn’t know how to parent without a television,” Grace admits.

The television was later set up in a tin shed on the property, with strict rules regarding usage. The kids, who are now aged six and five, watch less than 20 minutes of television per day during the week and about an hour a day on the weekends.

Instead of relying on screens, the children have Lego and a craft table, and they make their own fun with role-play and imaginative games.

They enjoy an old-fashioned childhood on their acreage property, with lots of outdoor play and very little technology in their lives.

Removing the television from the house has been beneficial for the whole family, and Grace says their communication has improved.

They talk to each other more instead of “just plonking down in front of the telly”.

Grace understands that the time will come when she will have to relax the rules and not shelter her children from technology, but she says that time will be later. For now, minimal screen time at home, coupled with educational technology use at school, is sufficient for this family.

“In relation to other technology, I just don’t see at the moment that they have a need for it,” she says. “We don’t have lots of money to splash around and I don’t parent out of guilt. They don’t need that to make me feel like I’m a good parent.”

While removing the television from the house may seem too radical a shift for some, parents can set clear limits on usage and provide children with opportunities for outdoor play and sport instead.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

BEING SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM RISKS

Kimberley advises parents to put messages about cyber safety in place early, when children are at primary school. The parent and child should explore some of the different social networking sites together that the child may be interested in. If children are well informed, they will be better equipped to manage any issues when they get online.

The legal age for some social network services is 13, however children as young as 8 are using social networks such as YouTube and Facebook. This is worrying, because underage users don’t have the skills or life experience to manage the risks.

Kimberley advises parents to stick to the minimum age guidelines for Facebook. She says that if the rules are bent for social networking, then it’s likely that everything else will have to be negotiated from that point onward.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reports that children aged 8 to 11 mainly use social network sites to play games, while children aged 12 to 17 will post comments, send private or public messages, post status updates or group chat.

According to the ACMA, the most common risky behaviour for children online is looking for new friends or adding unknown people to their friends list or address book. This can result in online chats or sharing photos and videos with someone they have never met face-to-face.

Proper supervision of young children will help prevent risky behaviours and exposure to unsafe material. Kimberley says that there can be issues when there is inadequate parental supervision, and she recommends restricting any screen use to the public space such as the lounge room.

She warns that there are risks for young children who use unsupervised social media in the bedroom and this needs to be taken seriously by parents. She cites an example of an eight-yearold girl who was approached and coerced by an online predator while she was using an iPad in her room.

“It’s exposing kids to something that they don’t need to be exposed to and they shouldn’t be exposed to,” Kimberley says.

“We’re supposed to be forward-thinking parents and have kids that are techno-savvy, but it’s so important not to let that slide and not to be too relaxed about it.”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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FEATURE

TEENS AND TECHNOLOGY

There are new challenges for parents as they help teens navigate through the complicated world of social media. Sunshine Coast mum Simone says it’s important to communicate with your kids about social media as much as possible, to show them that you’re interested and to be there for them if an issue arises.

“I've always been fairly social media savvy, so I was one of those naughty parents who allowed them to have Facebook pages and Instagram from a fairly young age. I'm glad I did though, as the novelty has worn off in a sense, and I set the rules very early,” says Simone. “Even now, I have all passwords and am able to log in any time I feel the need. Every so often I do that, and it's no secret to them. I don't read through messages or anything, but I do scan through who they are talking to.”

Simone advises parents to keep up to date with new platforms so they can teach kids acceptable online behaviour. Her three daughters, aged 16, 15 and 14, have learned social media etiquette and they understand that what goes online stays online.

“My kids often show me what other kids have posted, and it shocks them,” she says. “My kids will still ask me before they post a photo, to make sure it's 'social media appropriate'. But there are definitely more concerns as new platforms arise.”

The girls’ internet usage has increased with age, however, and Simone says they now have more purpose. They each have a computer, iPad and Smartphone, which they use for a range of activities, including creative projects and online tutorials.

“My eldest two are very interested in make-up and fashion, and often use their iPads to learn new techniques and will follow it stepby-step. My eldest also loves writing and has her own blog. My youngest has taught herself to play the guitar and keyboard from doing iPad tutorials,” she says. “My kids have made some fantastic film and photo projects, learned music, and they're able to take their passions to the next level, like blogging and learning.”

Simone says there is no point in banning social media, because there are too many ways kids can access it.

“Over the years, we've had kids visit our home, and the ones who aren't allowed social media are the ones wanting to spend the entire time on the computer,” she says. “When parents turn their heads and think their kids aren't using social media, there is no control and no opportunity to teach them what is appropriate and what isn't.”

RESOURCES

Raising Children Network: www.raisingchildren.com.au Australian Communications and Media Authority: www.acma.gov.au Cybersmart: www.cybersmart.gov.au The Easy Guide to Socialising Online: www.cybersafetyhelp.gov.au/easyguide To report offensive or illegal online content, contact the ACMA Hotline at www.acma. gov.au/hotline. If a child or other person is in immediate danger or is at risk of serious harm, call the police on Triple Zero (000).

For access to private psychologists in your area, contact the Australian Psychological Society (APS) on the toll free number 1800 333 497 or conduct your own search on the APS website at www.findapsychologist.org.au.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Talk and talk and talk to your kids and don't stick your head in the sand. Help them learn, and you can learn at the same time. Technology is part of the future and it’s not going away.

TEEN SAFETY

When children have a bad experience online, research has found that parents are the main source of advice and support. Up to three quarters of 12- to 17-year-olds have talked to their parents about how to stay safe online, according to the 2013 ACMA report Like, post, share: Young Australians’ experience of social media.

Simone says exclusion and cyber bullying are big issues for teens using electronic media. All three of her daughters have been excluded from events at various times. Her daughter was sad at recently being excluded from a party and was reduced to tears when she later received Snapchat messages from people at the event. Simone sees this as a form of cyber bullying.

While social media has its downside, it also has benefits. Simone believes if parents learned more about it and understood it a little more, there wouldn't be as many issues. She says that like anything in life, kids need our guidance with what is acceptable behaviour.

“Talk and talk and talk to your kids and don't stick your head in the sand,” she says. “Help them learn, and you can learn at the same time. Technology is part of the future and it’s not going away.”

CELEBRATING TECHNOLOGY

While it’s easy to home in on the fear factor, child psychologist Kimberley says there are a lot of positives to the internet that parents and children can celebrate together.

“Parents can help kids to be really well informed and be excited about the benefits of the new technologies,” Kimberley says.

“When you look at all the dangers, it’s easier for parents to just shut down and turn it off and say, 'No, we’ll limit the access', but then I know there are a lot of benefits that go along with it.”

Children learn how to be active researchers; they can look information up on the spot and find answers to anything they need to know. They can talk to family on Skype, connect with friends, send photos and do all sorts of amazing things that expand their social network and sense of community. Kimberley says the screen time just has to be managed.

She advises parents to dedicate time each week to exploring the media with their children, and to use the opportunity to build the parent-child relationship as children enter early adolescence and beyond. She says if parents have a close relationship with their child, then if there is anything unusual, the child can ask.

“If you leave it too late then you might be pushed out of that opportunity. The kids will say, 'No, I don’t want you sitting with me.' So you have to start early and enjoy exploring together,” says Kimberley.

The rapidly changing media landscape may seem confusing for parents, but we have a responsibility to help our children use technology safely and responsibly. Along the way we may learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the ways that technology enriches all our lives.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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2Kool4Skool’s slip-on PVC school book covers are fresh, edgy and creatively designed to make 'back to school' book covering a breeze. Available in 4 sizes: A4, scrapbook, 9x7 exercise book and 10x7 exercise book sizes. A select number of the cover designs have been used in pencil cases, transport card/identification card holders and water bottles. 2Kool4Skool also stocks awesome scratch and sniff name labels, lunch items and a huge range of funky school stationery supplies. www.2kool4skool.com.au PVC SCHOOL BOOK COVERS Multi packs from RRP $13.95 SMART CALENDAR RRP $15.99 and $25.99 Beautifully illustrated with quotes to inspire, amuse and encourage families, the 2015 Smart Calendar is the perfect tool to help reduce stress in busy families. Up to six family members can have their own column to record what they are up to on any given day or use spare columns to keep track of birthdays, bills and pets. Australian & New Zealand Public and school holidays are included and a 2016 Year Planner at the back allows you to plan even further ahead. Different formats and sizes available online from www.smartcalendars4u.com.au

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Tips for new Prep children

r r child. Understanding you be overwhelming for you process. assist with the transition The transition to Prep can will s cern con r thei ut talking abo child’s expectations and your child: Some of the challenges for hers t with new children and teac • Larger school environmen biggest concern) the n (ofte n lear to s rule • New school & classroom lish skills • Learning new maths & eng r child’s and how you can help you you may face as a parent u m.a s.co rner dlea Read about the challenges age .eng d Early January Blog post at www y operated by experience transition to prep, on the vative education consultanc Engaged Learners is an inno Kennedy.

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17

EDUCATION

ON TRACK FOR

SCHOOL SUCCESS

by Maxine Arthur ASKING YOUR CHILD ABOUT HIS SCHOOL DAY OFTEN ELICITS “SCHOOL’S OKAY” FOLLOWED BY A HASTY EXIT, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR THEM. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE FINAL SCHOOL REPORT TO DISCOVER YOUR CHILD IS STRUGGLING. Research shows that children do better in school when parents are involved. A wise parent will get on board with the school and present a united front that says to the child, “Your teacher and I are on the same team”.

Modern parents need no longer rely on scouring the bottom of their child’s school bag for a note from the teacher to know what is happening at school. Schools are using increasingly sophisticated and varied means to promote ongoing communication with parents and engage them as partners in their child’s education.

BE AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION The Queensland Department of Education advocates an active partnership between parents and their child’s school stating, “As your child’s first teacher and the person who arguably knows your child best, it is important to talk positively and constructively with the school about your child’s needs, interests, goals and progress.”

Start the new school year on a positive note Establishing contact with your child’s teacher early in the year and maintaining regular open, honest and respectful communication is the key to avoiding the stress that can affect the whole family when a child is struggling to cope in class.

Make early contact with the teacher and set up the best means of ensuring ongoing communication. Most teachers organise a 'meet and greet' session for all parents early in the year to share what your child will be learning (subjects, topics, content) and how they will be learning (classroom activities, processes, technologies).

Make a follow-up appointment to discuss any individual concerns or to seek further information.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Use the communication channels set up by the school These may include parent–teacher interviews requested by the school or by you, emails, text messages, telephone calls, newsletters, the school website, the school Facebook page, parent workshops, school assemblies, school diaries or 'keep in touch' books that promote everyday communication. In some schools, students now have their own laptop and teachers email homework to the student.

Support your child, his teacher and the school Indicate to the teacher that you are willing to help in whatever capacity you can; perhaps give a classroom talk on an area of expertise, share skills you have, help with school trips or a school fete, or do something at home.

Work with the teacher to help your child meet expectations By working with the teacher, you can help ensure your child meets expectations around homework, behaviour, attendance and a positive attitude towards learning, other students and staff. Parents can help a child with organisational and time management skills as well as talking through school matters at home in a constructive, positive way. You will be helping your child to gradually take on more responsibility and function more independently as he progresses through school, while still giving him the support he needs.

Listen to your child on school matters but keep an open mind Ask questions and encourage your child to suggest possible courses of action. Can he resolve the problem himself? Keep in mind that many day-to-day upsets resolve themselves, however if a problem is serious and ongoing, you may need to contact the teacher to discuss a plan of action. Remember to get both sides of the story before you leap to your child’s defence. Ask, discuss, negotiate and problem solve in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Find us on Facebook/MysteryIslandKidsClub JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

19

EDUCATION

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TEACHER “HOW IS MY CHILD MANAGING SOCIALLY?” This is the most important question to ask a teacher before you ask about grades, as slow school achievement is often associated with not fitting in or being bullied. An unhappy, fearful child will not be motivated to learn. If you discover the unpalatable truth that your child is bullying other children, work with the teacher to form an action plan to improve your child’s behaviour.

“WHAT ARE MY CHILD’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND HOW CAN I HELP?” Knowing the answer to this question means that you can encourage your child to pursue interests that give satisfaction and success while being alert to opportunities to strengthen any weaknesses.

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS Parent–school communication was a priority for local parents Nicky and Jay when their son Wallace started at his new school, as Wallace found adapting to change difficult when he was younger.

Nicky says that moving interstate to live their dream on the Sunshine Coast was a stressful process in itself but on top of that they had to make an important choice – finding the best school for Wallace, then aged eight and going into grade three.

“As your child’s first teacher and the person who arguably knows your child best, it is important to talk positively and constructively with the school about your child’s needs, interests, goals and progress.”

“My husband and I chose a number of schools to look at, both public and private. We made appointments with the principals to discuss any questions we had. We made it a point to discuss the type of boy Wallace was as I wanted the schools to tell me what they could offer our son when it came to education, sport and general support in not only school matters but any personal issues that may arise. Each child is different, as is each school you look at.

We just needed to find the school that best fitted Wallace’s needs.”

Nicky and Jay asked Wallace to help them make the final choice because they felt it was important for him have a say. Fortunately, all were in favour of the same school.

“We went with the private school as it was a lot smaller,” says Nicky.

“The school asked a lot of questions about Wallace’s previous years and we had to supply a copy of his school reports as well as letters from previous teachers on Wallace’s attitude and behaviour. Some parents would find this a bit intrusive, but I personally loved the fact that the school took the behaviour of its students very seriously.”

Close communication between school and home helped Wallace enjoy a successful first year.

“I was a full-time working mum so had to rely on emails and phone calls to keep in touch with how Wallace was going at school. I was made aware of excursions, homework and exams that were coming up via email. If the teacher had any concerns she would email me straight away and then follow up with a phone call if I had not responded quickly enough. The communication between us was great.”

Wallace’s school also has a website, which parents can access for school policies, up-to-date news and events, as well as to contact staff. They also use student homework diaries to encourage parent–teacher communication.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

“DOES MY CHILD NEED ANY EXTRA HELP BEYOND THE CLASSROOM?” It is not easy for teachers to tell a parent that a child is well below grade level in any area, but you need the full picture in order to help your child.

TRACKING PROGRESS AS YOUR CHILD MOVES THROUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL There is a world of difference between being involved, supportive and aware of how your child is faring at school and being the dreaded ‘helicopter parent’, always hovering and not allowing a child to develop as an independent and responsible person.

Lily is in Year 7 at Woombye State School on the Sunshine Coast.

Lily’s mother Terry says: “The way I track Lily’s progress has changed over the years as she’s advanced through primary school. In the early years, I was in the classroom a lot and so had plenty of opportunity to discuss things with the teachers. Helping out in the classroom also meant that I was able to get a really good indication of how she was progressing. I used to attend parade every week, so found out a lot of the general school information, like upcoming events, that way as well as from the newsletters and notes sent home.

“Now that she’s in her final year of primary school I really only go into the school when something special is on, but I still feel that I’m kept in the loop. The school holds a 'meet and greet' at the beginning of each year, as well as parent–teacher interviews throughout the year. It’s lucky that the school has a Facebook page and electronic newsletters to keep me informed about upcoming events because the notes often don’t get retrieved from her school bag until it’s too late!

“Apart from formal report cards, which are issued twice a year, I can usually judge how Lily is going at school simply by asking her, or by looking through her homework book at the previous week’s marks. There have been times when I’ve noticed she’s been having trouble with a particular area so I’ve either just worked with her at home or else approached the teacher for some guidance on how I can help.”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

21

Resources

EDUCATION

Queensland Government Literacy and Numeracy resources and activities: http://education.qld.gov.au/ literacyandnumeracy/resources.html 201 Literacy and Maths Tips: www.education.vic.gov. au/school/parents/involve/Pages/literacynum.aspx For help with homework and school projects (with over 1000 videos and games all linked to the Australian Curriculum): www.splash.abc.net.au

SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY BE FALLING BEHIND HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS KEEPING UP? Naplan (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) assesses the skills of all state and non-state school students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The tests measure how well your child is performing against national standards.

School reports from your child’s teacher usually arrive in June and December. These are probably more useful to parents as they give a rounded assessment of how your child is performing over a longer period, and not only academically.

The problem with relying on formal assessments alone to gauge how your child is progressing is that by the time you receive them, your child may have been struggling for a long time and the original difficulty made worse by loss of confidence and motivation.

Professor Frank Oberklaid is the Founding Director of the Centre for Community Child Health at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne. In his April 2014 article Struggling at school, Professor Oberklaid says that up to one in five children struggle at school.

“Sometimes it is the parent who first becomes concerned about academic progress or behaviour at school, or because of the child’s social isolation – for example, not being invited to classmates’ birthday parties. Parents may notice that the child is slower or different when compared with an older sibling at the same age. Often it is the class teacher who has indicated to the parent that the child is struggling and this leads to a visit to the GP. In other instances it is suggested to parents that their child should be assessed.

“The nature of difficulties the child experiences varies greatly.

There can be concerns about learning, behaviour, socialisation or a combination of these. The issues may be straightforward; for example, a child of average or above average intelligence might have trouble with reading. On the other hand, a child may present with a complex constellation of difficulties – not keeping up academically, problems focusing and sustaining attention, disruptive classroom behaviour, low self-esteem and poor motivation.

School difficulties can be associated with a range of symptoms including headache, recurrent abdominal pain, mood swings and manifestations of anxiety or depression. A small number of children have a chronic medical condition that affects their learning, whereas others have a history of developmental delay and/or challenging behaviour that can be traced back to the toddler years.”

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Fruition Tuition Maroochydore owner Viv Ronlund, who previously worked for Education Queensland for 23 years in varied roles including classroom teacher, learning support teacher and school principal, says: “As a private tuition provider, most of the parents who contact us are concerned that their children are not coping well at school.

The overwhelming concern is that their children are lacking in, or have lost confidence with, their academic ability. This may become evident at report card time, but there are also indicators that parents can pick up on much earlier in the school year. If your child often portrays their ability in a poor light, compares themselves negatively to their peers or is reluctant to do their homework (or even attend school in extreme cases), then these self-esteem issues may stem from their inability to grasp vital concepts at school.

“Other indicators that your child is not doing well at school can be more subtle such as not wishing to join in with family activities like board games and in-car games such as I Spy or gradually becoming socially distant from their peers. Not wishing to engage in a subject area that they have always appeared strong in may be another. For example, a child who has a strong understanding of mathematical concepts may be struggling with reading comprehension, which in turn creates difficulty with worded maths problems and turns them off their favourite subject.

“Children will often engage in work-avoidance strategies come homework time,” advises Viv. “Some children would rather get into trouble for not doing their homework as this is less painful for them than letting on that they can’t comprehend the work. At Fruition we have a saying ‘parents are their children’s heroes’. As such they don’t want to let you down. This strong emotional attachment can lead to frustration, tears and even screaming matches come homework time.

“If your child is falling behind due to lack of confidence, then an external tuition program can be of great benefit. Apart from the obvious academic rewards that an individually tailored program can provide, the child is placed into an environment that removes emotional pressures and attachments. Away from the peer judgement of the classroom and the pressure of pleasing their parents, children can attain the success that they have been lacking … and success is the only way to develop confidence! From this success will come the motivation children require to achieve more success, and so the cycle continues. The end result – a more independent, confident and motivated learner, with no tears come homework and report card time."

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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www.suncoastcc.qld.edu.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

23

THE P FILES

Helping your child prepare for

by Dr Kelly Bowers, Psychologist, Youthrive Integrated Therapy Services SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE A GREAT TIME TO BE WITH YOUR KIDS AND HAVE SOME FUN TOGETHER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY OF HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL OR WORK AFTER THE BREAK COMES AROUND TOO SOON. OVER THE HOLIDAYS, SOME ROUTINES MAY SLIP AND TRANSITIONING BACK TO SCHOOL MAY BECOME CHALLENGING OR WORRYING FOR SOME CHILDREN (AND EVEN FOR SOME PARENTS). STARTING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME OR RETURNING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS SIGNALS A TIME OF TRANSITION FOR ANY CHILD: ADAPTING TO THE SCHOOL ROUTINE ALL OVER AGAIN, COPING WITH A NEW CLASSROOM AND DIFFERENT TEACHERS, AND FORMING NEW FRIENDSHIPS. Kids often take a week or two to settle into the school routine, which is understandable given that they have had weeks of freedom and fun. Most children experience some degree of anxiety when returning to or, indeed, starting school for the first time. While this anxiety typically subsides once settled back into the school routine, some children require a little longer when adjusting to these changes.

Schools and teachers know all too well that some students may feel nervous, and they typically do a good job at helping their new students (or returning students) feel as comfortable as possible.

For new students, most schools do this by holding an orientation

24

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

day towards the end of the previous year. Parents often report that this is a good opportunity for them and their child to attend an orientation and tour the school grounds and classrooms before the first day of school. Breaking the ice early on is one of the ways to calm your child’s fears and familiarise them with their school environment. It’s also a great opportunity for your child to meet peers with whom they will share a classroom so they feel more comfortable on their first day.

While this is a good start, there are other useful strategies that families can consider to help make the ‘back to school’ transition a little easier.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Some of the best-loved parenting bloggers in South East Queensland join Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City to discuss the topics that matter to you.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

25

THE P FILES

DEVELOP A CONSISTENT MORNING AND EVENING ROUTINE IN THE LEAD UP TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR EASE YOUR CHILD BACK INTO THE SCHOOL ROUTINE GRADUALLY. It is often more beneficial to start putting a new routine into place a week or two leading up the return to school.

By establishing a consistent morning routine your child will come to know what to expect before school returns.

Whether you are going out for the day or just spending the day at home, KEEP FOLLOWING THE SAME ROUTINE. Wake up at the same time, have breakfast, get dressed, make lunches and pack bags in the same order each day. Where possible, have lunch at the same time that your child typically would when at school.

Start to INCREASE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR ROUTINE gradually over the final weeks of the school holidays. It is hard for some children to fall straight back into a highly structured environment, even more so following a holiday period where they may have had more freedom and choice. Setting an activity schedule for the day may help your child adjust to the increased structure of the school environment.

EVENING ROUTINES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT as those that occur in the morning so it’s important to re-establish the bedtime routine at least one week before school starts. Go through the nightly rituals: free time, dinner, shower, brush teeth, reading and bedtime. This will help your child to get the right amount of rest when school starts and develop regular sleep patterns to alleviate fatigue.

ROUTINES ARE EASIER TO FOLLOW IF THEY ARE PRESENTED IN A VISUAL WAY. It may be hard to expect your child to remember every step of their routine off the top of their head.

Create a visual routine chart with pictures to help motivate your child and ensure that it is simple and easy to follow.

FAMILIARISE YOUR CHILD WITH THEIR SCHOOL, TEACHER AND CLASSROOM Where possible, FAMILIARISE YOUR CHILD WITH THEIR SCHOOL, TEACHER AND CLASSROOM before the new term starts. Some schools do this in the final term of the year by allowing students to have a meet and greet with their teacher for the following year. If this is not available to your child, look on the school website for a photo of the teacher or request a photo so that your child knows who to look for on their first day.

FOR NEW STUDENTS, TELL YOUR CHILD ABOUT THE TEACHER’S ROLE and how they can help everyone who is in the class. Remind your child of classroom etiquette, such as putting up your hand to get the teacher’s attention.

SHOW YOUR CHILD AROUND THEIR NEW SCHOOL and where their new classroom will be. If it is not possible for your child to see their school firsthand, then familiarising them with pictures of the school is the next best option. If possible, download a map of the school grounds and show it your child. Show them where to find their classroom, pick-up zone and play areas.

While you are still on holidays, CONSIDER DRIVING PAST THE SCHOOL to show your child where it is and what it looks like.

This will be particularly beneficial if your child is attending that school for the first time. Where possible, drive through the dropoff zone and rehearse the drop-off procedure with your child.

TRY ON THE SCHOOL UNIFORM. This is more important for new students as opposed to returning students. Show them what they will look like – more often than not, new students are highly motivated to wear a uniform for the first time. Allow your child the opportunity to get used to how the uniform looks and feels when they are wearing it. If necessary, you may even consider having a practice at putting the uniform on in the mornings to assist with the transition into a new morning routine.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE SUBJECTS THAT THEY MAY BE TAKING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Obtain the school supply list and purchase all textbooks and writing materials prior to the commencement of the school year. Allow your child to choose their book coverings, favourite coloured pens or notebooks in order to increase their motivation towards the return of school.

Having the right tools will make your child feel more prepared.

26

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

27

THE P FILES

HELP YOUR CHILD TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THEIR CLASSMATES Most schools release a CLASS LIST prior to the recommencement of school. IDENTIFY CORE FRIENDS from this list who may be in the same class as your child. Where possible, schedule play dates before the return of school to help your child refresh relationships with peers.

PLAY DATES ARE ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY to notice if your child has any problems interacting socially, such as being too bossy or too shy, so you can identify any problems and work with them on solutions.

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD’S CURIOSITY FOR SOCIALISING AND LEARNING. Invite your child’s new friends to your home to play or work together on an assignment. Don’t allow your child to take car rides or go home with new friends until you’ve met their parents.

A great way for your child to meet new friends is by JOINING AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY that may be of interest to your child, such as a team sport. This will help your child form new friendships and encourage them to mix with others outside of school.

Remember that IT IS NORMAL FOR CHILDREN TO TAKE TIME TO FIND FRIENDS AND GET ALONG WITH OTHERS. There are often several different personalities within a classroom at any one time, so social difficulties are bound to occur from time to time. Try to avoid the temptation of jumping in straight away to solve the problem for your child. Instead, try spending time with your child discussing ways to solve problems. By trying out the ideas that you have discussed, your child will become more empowered and confident in resolving personal challenges with greater independence.

REVIEW SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR BULLYING. Rehearse and discuss ways in which your child can cope with bullying while they are at school. Emphasise the importance of asking the bully to stop, walking away and telling a teacher, before considering further strategies if required.

Dr Kelly Bowers is a registered psychologist from Youthrive Integrated Therapy Services on the Gold Coast with specific interest in clinical, developmental, health and sport psychology. He has experience working with children with disabilities, children who have experienced grief and/or trauma and people who experience chronic health conditions and persistent pain. Kelly provides assessment and treatment for children and adolescents who experience a range of difficulties including adjustment, anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, trauma, abuse, anger management, behavioural problems, parent support, grief/loss, self-esteem, social skills and chronic illness/pain. Dr Bowers has conducted research and presented those outcomes at conferences across Queensland. For more information, visit www.youthrive.com.au

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If your child is still finding the transition difficult, professional support and advice may help your child to develop their confidence in returning to school.

Psychologists are trained in supporting families to cope with life adjustments that naturally occur and often support children who experience difficulty during their transition into or back to school.

Psychologists provide education to children and parents about anxiety and ways in which to overcome it. This may include general school anxiety or more specific anxieties such as exam anxiety or social anxiety. In addition, psychologists can provide support by developing social skills for children, including ways in which to manage being bullied. Psychologists may also help families to

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

The first step in reducing the impact of back to school anxiety is to ensure your child is well prepared, and following some of the strategies listed above may help to achieve this. However, if your child’s anxiety persists, consider following some of these helpful tips.

IDENTIFY WHAT SPECIFICALLY YOUR CHILD IS ANXIOUS OR WORRIED ABOUT, and invite your child to discuss these concerns with you and/or their teacher.

PREVENT AVOIDANCE OF ANXIETY-INDUCING ACTIVITIES. The successful completion of activities that caused anxiety in the first place will promote self-confidence and reduce symptoms of anxiety for your child.

BE EMPATHETIC WITH YOUR CHILD. Make an effort to try and truly understand your child’s anxiety. Allow them to feel as though they have been heard and that you understand their experience.

MODEL NON-ANXIOUS BEHAVIOUR. Children often look to their parents for guidance. Display calm and positive behaviours to show your child that there is no need to feel anxious and that their environment is safe. This can be particularly difficult amongst the rush of getting out the door on time.

BE PATIENT. Try to be as consistent and patient as possible to reinforce the message to your child that their world is a safe place. Overcoming any form of anxiety can take time.

establish family routines and behaviour management strategies to assist with school transitions.

Other allied health professionals such as child occupational therapists and speech pathologists may also offer additional support for children who are starting or returning to school. These professions may provide support if your child experiences difficulty with handwriting or holding their pencil correctly or if your child experiences delays with their expression and understanding of speech and language.

If you feel that your child may benefit from support from one or more of these professionals, speak to your school, General Practitioner or visit www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

KIDS AT KAWANA SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN! We’ve got more of the fun activities you love these School Holidays! All our craft activities are free, and you can also try your hand at yogurt decorating for only $3. Our Busy Nipper Craft Packs are available at most of our cafes and restaurants so you can keep the kids entertained while you enjoy your lunch or dinner!

KIDS, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! From beachwear to something smart for a family celebration, we’ve got the kids covered at Kawana.

With Cotton On Kids, Best & Less, Pumpkin Patch, Big W and more, you’re sure to find the perfect outfit for your little ones.

BACK TO SCHOOL Get all your back to school needs in one easy location.

From books to shoes, bags and hats, and now with a wider range of stores, shopping is easy at Kawana!

MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE

/KawanaShoppingworld KawanaShoppingworld.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

29

- on the coast

- in the city

Back to school checklist Get out the calendar and pop down the first day of school and all holidays in 2015 Make sure the school has all paperwork needed - in the city - on the coast Speak to the school about any allergies, medical conditions or special needs your child may have

Purchase school uniform and shoes Purchase backpack, lunchbox, ice pack and water bottle Gather together all required stationery supplies Cover books and label all supplies Summer holidays are a great time to get a haircut, a health check with the GP and a dental check-up Visit or drive past school with the kids, especially if it is their first year at the school Determine a safe pick up spot at school Organise bus transport or carpooling if required Arrange before and after school care if needed Set up a spot at home to keep your child’s school belongings For younger children, put together a care kit including spare underwear, tissues, bandaids, sunscreen and a special family photo Plan lunchbox meals for the first week of school and purchase groceries Plan something special for the first day of school (e.g. special photo prop or location, lunchbox note, after-school treat) Start getting kids back into a school bedtime routine, including quiet time for reading or homework THE DAY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS Lay out school uniform Prepare lunch and snacks Pack backpack Make sure your camera is charged Set the alarm FIRST DAY Take a photo Smile … wave goodbye … enjoy!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au • www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

SPECIAL FEATURE BACK TO SCHOOL

The schools are ready.

Your child is ready.

You are ready (you think!).

What now?

Tips for back to FROM HER PERSPECTIVE AS A MUM WHOSE SON JUST FINISHED YEAR 12, A TEACHER OF 20 YEARS AND DIRECTOR OF STYMIE, A COMPANY THAT DEALS WITH BULLYING AND HARM IN SCHOOLS, RACHEL DOWNIE SHARES A FEW TIPS FOR FAMILIES WITH A JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENT GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL: • Set boundaries and routines early around technology (especially mobile phones) and work/study regimens.

• Have a dedicated studying space that you can actively supervise. It is still appropriate at Year 7 and 8 to supervise this time, especially if they are going to be using a computer. It really needs to be in a central location, not a bedroom.

• Some physical activity is important. I’m not talking Sports Star of the Year, just some moving.

• Eat dinner together. This creates opportunities for very important conversations because teenagers very quickly move into their ‘villages’ with their friends. Most teens say that their first point of conversational contact (especially about big stuff) is their friends, not their parents.

school shopping

• BE PREPARED: Bring the school uniform guide or book list with you when you go shopping for school supplies. It sounds like such a simple thing but it can really make a difference when the kids want that bright pink pair of shoes and are trying to tell you “Everyone wears them”; you can refer to the guide that says all black shoes and say ”I don’t think so” .

•E VERYONE HAS THE SAME MESSAGE: It can be an exciting/ overwhelming time school shopping for your first time and sometimes the whole family wants to get involved. Make sure that everyone is on the same page as to budget, uniform guidelines and additional purchases so that the child is not confused about who gets to make the final decision and it doesn’t turn into a free-for-all.

•T HE RIGHT SIZE: Too big can be just as bad a decision as too small! If you are shopping with a reputable company with trained staff then be guided by their recommendations.

• Set an appropriate bedtime. So many of my students go to bed too late. I don’t think it is my teaching style (!), but an increasing number of my students over the last few years have literally fallen asleep in class. It is hard to learn if you’re exhausted because you’ve been texting and social networking until 3am.

• READ BETWEEN THE LINES: It hurts or it’s too tight or it’s rubbing can be code for I don’t like it and I want the pretty sparkly ones or the cool brand that costs twice as much or just that it’s new and hasn’t been worn in yet. Remember that last year’s uniform and shoes are comfortable and have been washed a hundred times and grown into; they were most probably complained about just as much at the beginning of last year.

• Know who their friends are. Meet them. This includes online friends too. Our kids spend many, many hours with people online (and statistics show that up to 80% of our kids’ online activities are hidden from us). Each one of these people has the ability to affect your child’s feelings, values and attitudes.

Given that you are teaching values as a parent, it is of utmost importance that you know who is having input as well.

•B UDGET: Work out the essentials and buy the best quality you can afford in items that need to go the distance.

Determine how many uniforms you will need as a starting point (you can always add to them throughout the year when the budget allows). Once you have the compulsory items taken care of then you can add in the little extras like lunchboxes, pencil cases, hair accessories and the like.

• Please go to stuff. The only parents teachers usually see these days are the ones we don’t really need to see! Please don’t misinterpret this; it is always lovely to meet parents but we are struggling to get numbers at parent–teacher nights, information evenings and other events. One of the best ways you can support your child is to turn up! Be involved in the community and help the school problem solve. We are all on the same side – your child’s.

• If your teen intensely dislikes you, you are doing an excellent job! Keep it up! Your child needs a parent, not a 30-something-year-old friend. I do know this is hard … it is … but enforcing sometimes very important rules is very difficult if you have a friendship with your child. It is okay to say no.

• Always agree with the teacher … just kidding … but please do! www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

• FEED THEM FIRST: You know as soon as they go out to the shops they’ll be starving, so plan the trip so that they are fed and watered before tackling the big shop for school stuff. If you have littlies in tow be mindful of dirty hands and feet when trying on items. It will make it less stressful for everyone.

STAY CALM ... BREATHE ... THEY’LL BE BACK AT SCHOOL SOON These tips have been brought to you by The School Locker, Maroochydore. The School Locker opened its second store in Queensland in August 2014. Located in the Maroochydore Homemaker Centre, The School Locker stocks a wide range of school uniforms, school shoes, stationery, sports and music equipment.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

31

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS

Classrooms of the future, transforming learning.

What a long way we’ve come from what was once viewed as the traditional school classroom. We are now educating students for the 21st century to be active thinkers, who are able to collaborate with learning partners, think and problem solve critically all while displaying creativity, across a variety of contexts.

Flexible table groupings and seating arrangements lead to more discussion, active student learning and frequent informal teacher assistance, with students in these environments outperforming those who were taught the same course in a traditional classroom (Whiteside, Brooks and Walker 2010).

Traditional classrooms in the 20th century were dominated by one type of furniture design, usually arranged in a straight line, with classes predominantly teacher and blackboard focused. In the late 20th century, digital technologies were added to the classroom in the forms of interactive or conventional whiteboards and a handful of desktop computers – but these additions rarely altered the dynamics of the teaching style within the classrooms.

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be welcoming and familiar

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be flexible

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allow adequate space for movement

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allow for student and teacher ownership

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enable changeable focal points within the space

There are exciting changes afoot for our 21st century learners. Our modern day classrooms are being transformed into stimulating and colourful, student-centred, flexible environments. These learning spaces are creating the ideal environment for active group learning, as well as teacher directed and individual learning, allowing for responsive flexibility to suit student needs and the daily learning requirements of the classroom.

Without doubt, current research is pointing to the fact that peer collaboration (teamwork) and feedback as a result of this collaboration are strategies which have the greatest impact on improving learning outcomes (Hattie 2009).

328429_SCGS_Prep_Ad_KOTC Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY PRF.indd 1

2015

Research shows (Gee 2006) that 21st century classrooms need to:

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have mobile displays that support collaboration and teaching with digital media

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anticipate future needs

The challenge for schools is to ensure that learning environments continue to evolve in response to the needs of current and future learners. With these exciting changes taking place in our classrooms right now you can be assured that Sunshine Coast Grammar School is providing the dynamic environment required for the 21st century learner. For further information about Sunshine Coast Grammar School please visit www.scgs.qld.edu.au or to book a tour call 5445 4444.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 10/12/2014 9:41 am

WIN 2Kool4Skool PACKS From our cover shoot*

To enter visit: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

* Each prize pack includes a pencil case and an assortment of pencils, pens and stationery supplies.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

33

s

Sun

GET CREATIVE WORKSHOP Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 10am – 12pm Free family orientated workshops inspired by current exhibitions.

Details: Free event; all welcome www.noosa.qld.gov.au/whats-on-bfac

KIDZART SUMMER HOLIDAY WORKSHOP Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 10.30am – 11.30am (5 to 8 year olds) / 12pm – 1.30pm (9 to 12 year olds) Engaging and creative art workshops for our younger audience based on current exhibitions with an experienced art teacher.

Details: $8. Contact: 5329 6580 or email gallery@noosa.qld.gov.au for bookings www.noosa.qld.gov.au

ENGLISH TEA PARTY

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2015

TO FEBRUARY 2

Where: Venning St, Mooloolaba When: Daily 4pm til Late Come join the carnival fun with old-fashioned rides, sideshow alley and back by popular demand … piglet racing!

Details: Free

CARNIVAL BY THE SEA

TO JANUARY 17

Where: Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah When: 9am – 5pm What a little beauty! Have your photo taken with Santa and a gator, have your face painted ... and so much more!

Details: Adults $59, Child $35 www.australiazoo.com.au

Where: Caloundra Aerodrome, Pathfinder Dr, Caloundra When: 10am – 4pm The Queensland Air Museum presents its collection of historic aircraft engines. This awesome sight and sound is one you won’t want to miss!

Details: Museum entry included in fee.

Adult $15. Child $8. www.qam.com.au

AERO ENGINE RUN DAY

JANUARY 10

Where: Mystery Island Kid’s Club, Maroochy RSL, Memorial Ave, Maroochydore When: 7pm Smack bang in the middle of our British weekend you can join us for an English Tea Party! Don’t miss out on a chance to spot the Queen!

Details: Members $2.50, Non-Members $4.50 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island

JANUARY 17

JANUARY 13

JANUARY 10

AUSTRALIA ZOO SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN

TO JANUARY 26

Where: Mystery Island Kid’s Club, Maroochy RSL, Memorial Ave, Maroochydore When: From 5:30pm; Show from 6:30pm Celebrate the school holidays with the Super Heroes Family Show. Be there from 5:30pm for

SUPER HEROES FAMILY SHOW

JANUARY 14

Where: The Ginger Factory, Pioneer Rd, Yandina Wander through the largest and most exquisite range of ornamental gingers and heliconias under one roof. Enjoy activities for all ages including popular chefs, gardening gurus and entertainers.

Details: Free. www.gingerfactory.com.au

GINGER FLOWER AND FOOD FESTIVAL

JANUARY 23 TO 25

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin When: 10:30am – 12pm Calling all puppeteers! Learn how to create a simple animated stick puppet.

Details: $8 per child. For ages 5 to 8 years.

Contact: 5329 6145 www.noosa.qld.gov.au/whats-on-nrg

PLAYFUL PUPPETS

Where: Maroochydore Football Club, 462 Maroochydore Rd, Kuluin One and two-day Lego workshops for children aged 5 years and over. Each child will receive a BRICKS 4 KIDZ t-shirt and custom LEGO mini-figure.

Details: Workshops from $90 www.bricks4kidzaustralia.com.au

JANUARY 15

Where: Currimundi Active Recreation Centre, 80 Currimundi Rd, Currimundi Choose your own adventure from body boarding, giant swing, high ropes, kayaking, learn to surf or stand up paddle boarding.

Details: For ages from 8 years. $25 for children and $30 for adults www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

LEGO BRICKS 4 KIDZ

COAST CLUB

JANUARY 8 TO 21

Where: Aussie World, Frizzo Rd, Palmview Aussie World is Santa’s Sunshine Coast home and you can visit FREE with your general admission ticket.

Details: Entry from $32 www.aussieworld.com.au

JANUARY 12 TO 23

january

Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street, Cooroy When: 9.30am – 12pm Award-winning artist provides children with the experience of learning skills and techniques in a pottery studio.

Details: Open age. $35 including materials, firing and glazing. Email: merrietomkins@ hotmail.com

KIDS POTTERY WITH MERRIE TOMKINS

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

AUSTRALIA DAY

26

JANUARY

Where: Aussie World When: From 12 noon With live entertainment, cold beers and the absolute best roast you’ve ever tasted, Sunday Roast in the Shed is the ultimate way to spend an afternoon out.

Details: Adults $20. Children $15 www.aussieworld.com.au

SUNDAY ROAST IN THE SHED

JANUARY 4 & 18

Where: Kawana Waters Hotel When: Friday and Saturday night, Sunday afternoon Enjoy a meal on the deck while the kids are entertained with colouring in, face painting, games and a jumping castle.

Details: Free. www.kawanawatershotel.com.au

Where: Maleny Dairies, 70 McCarthy Road, Maleny 4552 When: 10:30am & 2:30pm Come and experience life on a real farm and see the whole process of milk from the cow to the bottle.

Details: $9 per person (2yrs & over). For bookings, contact: 5494 2392 www.malenydairies.com SATURDAYS (EXCEPT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS)

KAWANA WATERS HOTEL – KIDS ENTERTAINMENT

MALENY DAIRIES FARM & FACTORY TOUR

TO MID-JANUARY

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

DOWNLOAD

Where: SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba Come and see the brand new, interactive learning seal experience where you can learn about their aquatic adventures through a trio of unique displays, focusing on the fun senses of sound, smell and sight.

Details: Adult $30.40. Child (3-14) $18.50. www.underwaterworld.com.au

MEET THE NEW SEALS AND EXPERIENCE 'SEAL DISCOVERY'

DAILY

REGULAR EVENTS EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

MONDAY TO SATURDAY

When: 5pm – 9pm Where: Ocean St, Maroochydore An evening of art, craft and culture held in the new epicentre of Maroochydore.

Details: www.nightsonocean.com.au

NIGHTS ON OCEAN

JANUARY 9 AND FEBRUARY 13

Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi When: 5pm – 9pm Join us for retail therapy under the stars, with more than two hundred stalls and shops plus a gift-wrapping service on site. Free kids rides, activities and family outdoor movies!

Details: www.eumundimarkets.com.au

EUMUNDI NIGHT MARKETS

JANUARY 2

Where: Bulcock Street, Caloundra When: 8am – 1pm There is something for the whole family with activities for kids, handcrafted locally made products and art, live entertainment and street theatre.

Details: Free. www.caloundrastreetfair.com.au

CALOUNDRA STREET FAIR

EVERY SUNDAY

Where: Big Pineapple, Nambour Connection Road, Woombye When: 6:30am – 1pm The biggest all-weather market with fresh fruit and veges plus an array of art, amazing food, clothing and more.

Details: www.bigpineapple.com.au/saturday-growers-markets

BIG PINEAPPLE MARKETS

EVERY SATURDAY

Where: Bulcock Beach Esplanade When: 4pm – 9pm A special twilight market featuring 100 unique stalls with street food, gourmet sweets, fashion, jewellery, fun stuff for kids and more.

Details: www.caloundrastreetfair.com.au

TWILIGHT MARKETS CALOUNDRA

EVERY FRIDAY IN DECEMBER

Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi When: Wednesdays, 8am – 1:30pm / Saturdays, 7am – 2pm You’ll find original artworks, sculptures, furniture, handmade toys, home wares, skincare as well as cutting edge fashion and jewellery by local designers, all guided by the ethos “make it, bake it, sew it, grow it”.

Details: www.eumundimarkets.com.au

EUMUNDI MARKETS

EVERY WED & SAT

MARKETS

- CALENDAR -

t

as o C e hin

250+ WAYS TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY 14

Where: Nambour Civic Centre, Currie Street When: 8:30am – 3pm This workshop offers school students 8 years and up a chance to work on a play in one week.

The group will rehearse, explore the elements of acting and play theatre sports, concluding with a showcase performance on January 17.

Details: Workshop Program $200 www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

LITTLE SEED THEATRE COMPANY DRAMA WORKSHOP PROGRAM

JANUARY 12 TO 16

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin When: 11am – 2pm Creative fun for young people and their families.

Details: Free. www.noosa.qld.gov.au

FAMILY FUN DAY

JANUARY 11

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin When: 1:30pm – 3pm One eyed-monster, crazy clown, dancing doll, cheeky monkey, what will jump out of your imagination? Design your own puppet with recycled materials.

Details: $8 per child, Age Group 9-12.

Contact: 5329 6145. www.noosa.qld.gov.au

RADICAL RECYCLED PUPPETS

JANUARY 15

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin When: 1:30pm – 3pm Explore printmaking with cut-off pipes and plumbing materials!

Details: $8 per child. For ages 9 to 12 years.

Contact: 5329 6145. www.noosa.qld.gov.au

PRINTING WITH PIPE

PIPE POP ART PAINTINGS

JANUARY 14 Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin When: 10:30am – 12pm Create a pop art painting of bright, bold pipes that bend and twist.

Details: $8 per child. For ages 5 to 8 years.

Contact: 5329 6145. www.noosa.qld.gov.au

amazing balloon art and fabulous face painting.

Details: Members $2.50, Non-Members $4.50 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island

Where: SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba When: 4:30pm – 8am Explore the depths of the all new SEA LIFE Mooloolaba these school holidays with the return of our family sleepovers. Includes tours, seal presentations, rocky shore ramble, all meals and sleeping bags.

Details: BYO pyjamas, toothbrush and sense of adventure! $80 per person www.underwaterworld.com.au

SLEEP UNDER THE SEA

JANUARY 10 & 17

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery, Pelican St, Tewantin When: 11am – 2pm Bring the whole family for some creative fun!

Details: Free

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, Omrah Ave, Caloundra When: 10am – 12 noon Children of all ages can engage in exciting and creative activities.

Details: Free www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au Asperger Services Australia 3rd National Conference Where: Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane Local and overseas presenters join with Asperger Services Australia to recognise 21 years of supporting those with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Details: Adults: 1 day – $160, 2 days – $280, 3 days – $400 (early bird prices) www.asperger.asn.au

HUMAN BEING: ON THE SPECTRUM

Where: Model Railway Park, Florence St, Nambour When: 10am – 3pm Kids love riding on these mini steam trains and diesel locos. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Enclosed footwear must be worn when riding on trains.

Details: www.scrms.org.au

MINI STEAM TRAIN RIDES

FEBRUARY 22

Where: Mystery Island Kids Club, Maroochy RSL, Memorial Ave, Maroochydore When: 7.00pm Space has unexpected surprises … like Aliens!

Our friendly neighbours from Mars are here and we are going to party.

Details: Members: $2.50. Non-Members: $4.50. www.facebook.com/MysteryIslandKidsClub

ALIEN INVASION PARTY

FEBRUARY 21

www.libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au

www.library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Find details of FREE events like storytelling, baby rhyme time, art and craft, and free movie screenings at your local library by visiting:

LIBRARY EVENTS

Visit a Library!

Sign up at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au for our weekly What’s On guide. We also have a special comprehensive activity and event eGuide every school holidays, covering all of South East Queensland. You can sign up online to be notified when the guide is launched and to receive the link to download your personal copy.

Don’t miss out on any events!

Where: Mystery Island Kid’s Club, Maroochy RSL, Memorial Ave, Maroochydore When: 7pm We’ve just landed at the Space Station but there is no time to rest! It’s party time – come give it your best!

Details: Members $2.50. Non-Members $4.50. www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island

SPACE STATION EXPLORATION CELEBRATION

FEBRUARY 7

FAMILY FUN DAY

KIDS CLUB

FEBRUARY 19 TO 21

FEBRUARY 15

FEBRUARY 7

february HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

- on the coast

* 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

Lake Kawana Community Centre. www.kidspromotions.com.au

PLAY SCHOOL "ONCE UPON A TIME"

MAY 14

Brisbane Entertainment Centre www.brisent.com.au/Event_Calendar/Walking_With_Dinosaurs.aspx

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS

APRIL 1 TO 5

QUT Gardens Theatre. www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au

OCTONAUTS LIVE!

FEBRUARY 27 & 28

Brisbane Entertainment Centre. www.brisent.com.au

DISNEY LIVE

JANUARY 17

Playhouse, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

JANUARY 14 TO 17

Lake Kawana Community Centre. www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

THE LISTIES MAKE YOU LOL!

JANUARY 13

Lake Kawana Community Centre. www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

CINDERELLA

JANUARY 10, 11, 17 & 18

Concert Hall, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

THE ILLUSIONISTS

JANUARY 4 TO 10

Noosa Arts Theatre. www.noosaartstheatre.org.au

Where: Aussie World, Frizzo Rd, Palmview A day filled with true blue events, entertainment and food suitable for the entire family.

Details: www.aussieworld.com.au

ALADDIN AND THE LITTLE MERMAID

AUSTRALIA DAY DUNNY RACES + FUN!

JANUARY 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18

Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO

JANUARY 3 TO 11

Playhouse, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

GIGGLE AND HOOT

JANUARY 3 TO 11

Lyric Theatre, QPAC. www4.qpac.com.au

THE LION KING

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 TO JANUARY 25, 2015

TICKETS

JANUARY 26

Where: Model Railway Park, Florence St, Nambour When: 10am – 3pm Kids love riding on these mini steam trains and diesel locos. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Enclosed footwear must be worn when riding on trains.

Details: www.scrms.org.au

MINI STEAM TRAIN RIDES

JANUARY 25

Where: Tickle Park, Coolum When: 6:30pm Details: www.coolum.com.au

COOLUM BEACH FLICKS

JANUARY 24 AND FEBRUARY 28

Where: Mystery Island Kid’s Club, Maroochy RSL, Memorial Ave, Maroochydore When: 7pm We’ve been around the world this month and now it is time to celebrate all the cool things we’ve seen and done. Come dressed up inspired by your favourite place to visit.

Details: Members $2.50, Non-Members $4.50 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island

WELCOME TRAVELLERS CELEBRATION

JANUARY 24

Visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au for more events

Where: Kiah Park Horse Riding Camp, 578 Beenham Valley Road, Beenaam Valley When: 11am on arrival day until 7am on day of departure Horse riding camps for children aged 6 years to teens. Children get their own horse/pony for the week and all riding abilities welcome.

Details: $770. Contact: Phone 5486 6166 www.kiahpark.com.au

7-DAY HORSE RIDING CAMPS

JANUARY 3 - 24

Where: Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah When: 11:30am Bindi and The Jungle Girls Perform LIVE! See our very own wildlife warrior perform daily in the Crocoseum.

Details: Entry to Zoo – Adult $59, Child $35 www.australiazoo.com.au

BINDI AND THE JUNGLE GIRLS

JANUARY 2 TO 16

Where: The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich When: 9:30am – 4pm Thomas fun for the whole family! Meet Thomas and the Fat Controller; get busy in the Thomas Play Pit and watch adventures of the blue engine in the cinema!

Details: Family $59, Adult $20, Child (3-15) $11.50. www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au

BABIES

Pregnancy Myths

by Alison Rodriguez and Natasha Higgins YOUR OBSTETRICIAN CAN’T TELL YOU THE SEX OF YOUR UNBORN BABY WITHOUT AN ULTRASOUND, SO WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT YOUR GRANDMOTHER CAN? THE MYSTERIES OF THE FEMALE BODY AND THE NATURAL PROCESSES OF CONCEPTION, PREGNANCY AND BIRTH HAVE GIVEN RISE TO A WIDE VARIETY OF FOLK MYTHS THAT HAVE PERSISTED THROUGH THE AGES. Here are just some of the most common myths together with a few facts to help you navigate your pregnancy with confidence.

CONCEPTION

MYTH: Handstands or standing on your head after intercourse improves chances of conceiving. FACT: The vaginal canal does not run vertically up towards your head (but rather towards the small of your back), so complete inversion is not necessarily the best option. The fallopian tubes twist and turn, so gravity won’t actually affect how the sperm travel through them. Most medical professionals agree that lying down with your pelvis tilted upwards for about half an hour can improve your chances by keeping the sperm inside you. Standing on your head will probably give you head, neck and back problems you can best do without.

MYTH: You can choose the gender of the baby before conception if your husband drinks more beer (girl) or prefers wine (boy).

FACT: This is probably based on the Shettles theory that sperm are pH sensitive. Weaker y-sperm (male) become immobilised in an acid environment (beer is more acidic than wine) giving the x-carrying sperm (female) a greater chance of fertilising the egg. How drinking either could affect the sperm is not clear and there is no medical evidence to back this up. Similarly, working from the same theory that vaginal pH is important for gender determination, some believe that using douches to create an alkaline or acidic environment will favour conception of the desired sex (acidic for a girl, alkaline for a boy). While there may be some truth to this, gender swayers may be disappointed as results are NOT guaranteed.

MYTH: The stage of the moon at conception or delivery can affect the birth. The Chinese believe that a baby conceived on a new moon is likely to be born on a new moon and one conceived on a full moon will be born on a full moon. So if you conceived on a half moon, and your due date is just before the half moon, you

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

may deliver later than the due date (ie. on the half moon). Ancient Chinese wisdom also says that a mother who gives birth on a full moon will have a long and often difficult delivery. It is, however, considered to be very auspicious for the child. Eclipses are to be avoided entirely. FACT: This could be based on the moon’s effect on water and the tide, but scientific support for this theory is unlikely so don’t look for a study proving it any time soon.

DANGERS!

MYTH: Lifting your arms over your head will cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby’s neck. FACT: Thankfully, this one is a myth. However, if you need an excuse to have someone else put out the washing...

MYTH: Chemicals in hair dye can be harmful to the baby because they soak into the mother’s skin. FACT: While there are potent chemicals in these products, medical advice is that because only a minute amount is actually absorbed it is very unlikely to be harmful. However, pregnancy hormones can do some crazy things to hair so products which normally work for you may give you an unintentional new look.

MYTH: Australian soft cheeses are pasteurised, so they are okay to eat while pregnant. FACT: Theoretically, this might be true, but the risk that some nasties have slipped through the pasteurisation process means that health professionals still advise against indulging in soft cheese while pregnant. Listeria is a bacteria found in some foods and can be fatal to unborn babies. High-risk foods include soft cheeses, pre-prepared salads, cold meat products such as ham and salami, raw seafood, cold leftover meals, soft serve ice cream, and any unpasteurised dairy products. Safe food handling and storage is especially important for pregnant women to avoid the serious complication of listeria infection. Further details can be found at www.health.qld.gov.au/foodsafety/documents/fs-19-listeria.pdf.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

37

BABIES

BOY OR GIRL

MYTH: How you carry your baby can predict the gender. If your tummy is flat and/or low it means you’re having a boy. If your tummy is round, high and carried out in front of you it means you’re having a girl. FACT: How you carry your baby (the shape and height of your belly) is determined by your body shape, muscle tone, condition and position of your uterus, and how the baby is lying (and they move around a lot, dropping lower just before delivery). So your shape isn’t really a tell-tale sign of the sex of your baby!

MYTH: If you dangle a wedding ring on a thread over your tummy while you are lying down and the ring swings in a strong circular motion, you are expecting a girl! If it swings to and fro like a pendulum, it’s a boy. FACT: With no hard science to back it up, this gender prediction test is a bit of fun with some wishful thinking thrown in!

MYTH: Foetal Heart Rate (FHR) can indicate baby’s sex. If you’re having a girl, the baby’s heart will be above 140 beats per minute; it will be slower if it’s a boy. FACT: Normal FHR can be anywhere between 100 – 180 beats per minute. Of course, many factors can influence this: maternal health, foetal activity or developmental stage, and typically the rate will vary slightly between antenatal visits.

MYTH: How and where you put on weight can predict the baby’s sex. A full, round face predicts a girl. Weight gain on your thighs and hips also means a girl. Extra weight gain around the waist area indicates a boy. If your partner stacks on the weight expect a girl. If he doesn’t put on a pound, it’s a boy. FACT: Everyone puts on weight differently according to their body structure and weight gain can differ between pregnancies too. Of course, your partner’s weight gain won’t affect the baby’s sex!

MYTH: Baby’s sex can also be indicated by cravings for sweet food (girl) or sour food (boy). FACT: No basis of fact for this one, although Grandma Esme may beg to differ. Many scientific experts don’t even believe pregnancy related cravings actually exist, so blaming the baby for your urge to eat chocolate cake probably won’t wash.

FOOD

MYTH: You need to eat for two… FACT: If you do, you’ll simply end up twice as big. Diet is extremely important in pregnancy, and you should expect to put on between 10 and 15kg. This should be through eating healthy food – around 300 extra calories a day. Pregnancy is not an excuse to eat a tub of ice cream after dinner or pig out on chocolate bars. Your baby needs important nutrition, not empty calories. Where you do need to eat heartily, but still healthily, is while breastfeeding.

Presumably, that’s what the pregnancy weight gain is for.

MYTH: If you have heartburn it means your baby will be born with lots of hair. FACT: Acid reflux is caused by the growing baby putting pressure on the stomach, as it occupies more and more space in the abdomen. The connection with the amount of hair your baby has is entirely coincidental. As we usually only hear of cases where this has been true, myths such as this gain a lot of support. Some believe heartburn signifies a fair baby or drinking huge amounts of orange juice will produce a fair-skinned baby. Others believe taking iron supplements will produce darker skin! All of these are nonsense.

38

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

MYTH: You lose a tooth for every baby. FACT: This may have been true in your grandmother’s day, but in modern times, pregnancy need not compromise dental health. The baby’s need for calcium will mean calcium is taken from the mother’s teeth and bones when calcium levels are deficient. Pregnant women need good calcium intake (around 1200 - 1400mg daily). It seems the basis for bone density is laid during adolescence prior to the onset of menstruation and calcium intake is most important in the teen and pre-teen years. Good calcium supply is also important preconception to prepare for the demands of pregnancy.

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

MYTH: Eating ghee or butter will ensure a smooth delivery.

FACT: This has to be for that state of mind when you’ll try anything.

Supposedly, it provides lubrication for the baby to slip out. There may be some fact in this, as eating unusual amounts of butter will irritate the intestines and cause the bowels to open. This supposedly stimulates the uterus thereby preparing it for onset of labour. Castor oil, which has a similar effect, was also administered around the due date to induce labour. Hot, spicy curries were recommended for the same reason. It seems logical, but is largely considered to be ineffective as a method of induction.

MYTH: Getting busy in the bedroom will bring on labour.

FACT: Not necessarily a myth. Not only does cuddling and caressing increase oxytocin levels, which stimulates uterine contractions, semen contains prostaglandins, which are given in synthetic form to induce labour. When compared to eating ghee or castor oil … well … enough said.

BREASTFEEDING

MYTH: Women with small breasts won’t produce enough milk.

FACT: Not true, of course. The amount of milk you produce is not related to the size of your breasts, but rather to how much rest you get, how well you are eating and whether or not you drink enough water. If you are convinced the baby is not getting enough and start to supplement, the reduced suckling time will result in a decrease in milk production. This one could be a self-fulfilling prophecy if you believe it.

MYTH: If you rub your nipples with a hard towel during pregnancy, you will toughen them up for breastfeeding. FACT: Nope. Breasts respond to hormonal changes so that they are in tiptop shape for your baby. There is nothing to be gained in rubbing creams and lotions into your nipples and much to be lost in scrubbing them with abrasive fabrics! Your best bet for successful breastfeeding is lots of support.

Make sure your partner is on board and ask for help from a nurse or lactation consultant if you’re struggling with baby latching on.

MYTH: Breastfeeding equals birth control. FACT: Not entirely true. It may work if you demand-feed (including at night) exclusively for the first six months, but it is definitely possible to get pregnant without some other form of contraception. You have been warned!

Of course there are many, many more myths relating to pregnancy and birth, some clearly bizarre and others that sound like there might just be a grain of truth to them. Myths such as these are usually not taken too seriously and are generally seen as a bit of harmless fun, but trying out some of the more unusual suggestions seriously could be harmful. Think carefully before changing your diet or taking anything without first consulting your health care provider.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

39

TEENS

by Rachel Downie

A Flying Start for Queensland students WHAT DOES MOVING YEAR 7 INTO HIGH SCHOOL MEAN FOR YOUR CHILD? From the commencement of the 2015 school year, the Queensland government’s Flying Start program will see Queensland secondary schools welcoming Year 7 into Junior Secondary along with Years 8 and 9.

sometimes difficult to be awarded money and time to be involved in courses relevant to classroom practice, many teachers involved in the new system consider the training they have received to be excellent.

At a cost of approximately $620 million dollars, moving Year 7 into Junior Secondary is being hailed as a modernising step; one that will bring Queensland into line with most other states and “ensure the bridge between primary and secondary school is safe, strong and consistent for all students” (http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au). This is a logical move, given the recent roll out and implementation of the National Curriculum in English, Maths, Science and History.

The implementation of moving Year 7 will be slightly different from school to school, given that each place of learning has a different context. With this in mind, the Queensland Government has developed six guiding principles using the information from the aforementioned pilot studies:

In 2012, 20 state schools participated in a pilot program and have since provided valuable insights and feedback regarding the Junior Secondary transformation, thereby contributing to relevant and current research supporting your child’s progression into Junior Secondary.

Moving Year 7 to High School gives your child an opportunity to be exposed to a depth of teaching and learning provided by specialist teachers and teaching areas. “Junior Secondary will provide challenging educational offerings,” according to Flying Start program guidelines. For example, students will be able to study Science in a Science laboratory, with a Science teacher.

With the government investment in learning spaces (550 new classrooms and 880 refurbishments), students will be learning in a specialised and dedicated Year 7 learning area. State schools such as Hervey Bay State High School, Chancellor State College and Mountain Creek State High School have finished their brand-spanking new facilities ready to welcome their Junior Secondary cohorts.

The new Junior Secondary system also aims to give young adolescents a sense of belonging and support. There will be a strong emphasis on pastoral care for students with $213 million spent on teacher training in this area. Pastoral care is a term used to describe the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of students and each school has to establish a wellbeing framework, which identifies their undertakings in ensuring quality pastoral care for their students.

In a wider context, a school’s wellbeing framework is underpinned by the National Safe Schools Framework, which is a shared vision of key factors in building safe teaching and learning communities for all students in Australian schools. In a world where it is

40

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

1. DISTINCT IDENTITY

Junior Secondary students will be encouraged and supported to develop their own group identity within the wider high school. This can involve dedicated school areas and events.

2. QUALITY TEACHING

Teachers working with students in the Junior Secondary years will be given the skills they need through additional professional development, so they can support young teens through these crucial early high school years.

3. STUDENT WELLBEING

We will meet the social and emotional needs of Junior Secondary students with a strong focus on pastoral care. For example, schools could provide a home room to support students as they adjust to new routines and greater academic demands.

4. PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We want parents to stay connected with their students' learning when they enter high school. Parent involvement in assemblies, special events, award ceremonies and leadership presentations will be welcomed.

5. LEADERSHIP

Schools will be encouraged to create leadership roles for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Dedicated teachers experienced with teaching young adolescents will lead Junior Secondary supported by the principal and administration team.

6. LOCAL DECISION MAKING

The needs of each school community will influence how Junior Secondary is implemented in each school.

Source: http://deta.qld.gov.au/about/induction/eq/year-7-transition.html

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

41

TEENS

Head of Junior Secondary Andrea Evans shares the steps taken

by Mountain Creek State High School (MCSHS) on the Sunshine Coast to ensure quality pastoral care, teaching and learning for the transition of Year 7 into Junior Secondary.

“I am confident that we are well prepared. We have developed a Junior Secondary philosophy and have considered all of the domains for the transition process.”

• We have developed a pastoral care program based on the feedback from 60 pilot schools and the recommendations by Mission Australia’s (2011) National Survey of Young Australians about key concerns.

• Junior Secondary students will have their own uniform and will be on the second shift at MCSHS (this begins at 10.30am). This will ensure that for half their school day, they will have the school and specialist learning facilities such as the pool, dance studios and science labs to themselves.

• A Junior Secondary precinct has been developed.

• Students have been involved in a transition program where they have toured the school, met key staff and worked with staff in classrooms.

• We have had extensive transition planning for students with disabilities.

• MCSHS has a unique Head of School Structure (HOSS) to support our students in all manner of welfare matters.

I am confident that we are well prepared. We have developed a Junior Secondary philosophy and have considered all of the domains for the transition process.

(Andrea Evans, Mountain Creek State High School)

A MUM’S

VIEW

Like thousands of mums across Queensland, Rachel Young has a child starting high school next year as the first group of Year 7 kids to take the plunge. She's not sure if she's quite ready.

Are you? Read Rachel’s story on our website: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/ article/too-soon-for-high-school

• A Junior Secondary Leadership Program is in place.

• With the aim of developing friendships, team building, selfesteem building as well as confidence and leadership, we have Initiative Days for both Year 7 and Year 8 students.

• We hold Student Forums once per term where students can raise issues or present information to both staff and students, about projects and achievements within the school community.

• We have done extensive work with our key partner primary schools around the transition of both Year 7 and 8 students for 2015.

• We have identified and appointed staff with a unique skills set to teach 11–15 year olds.

• We have continued with the Art and Science of Teaching (ASOT) as a framework for best practice in teaching and learning.

• As part of the Great Teachers = Great Results initiative, we have trained two mentors to support new and transitioning teachers.

• We have been awarded a grant following a successful application that has allowed for time allocation to plan and prepare for curriculum. This grant also allowed us to work extensively with staff at our key partner primary schools.

RESOURCES

Many of the initiatives that have been implemented at MCSHS – whilst unique to their setting – have the same flavour as other state secondary schools. A number of independent schools in Queensland already have Year 7 in Junior Secondary or have been running Middle Schools for quite some time, which means fewer larger scale changes have had to be made. Given that independent schools can determine their own structures independent of the public sector (provided that they gain accreditation), a Junior Secondary program may look quite different in a Catholic or independent school. The Queensland government has allocated $110 million for the Junior Secondary transition in these settings.

High Schools across the state have been working tirelessly to ready themselves to welcome your children into Year 7. There is an abundance of information available to help you understand and stay connected with the transition to Junior Secondary and the breadth of experiences it is going to bring in this time of rapid change for you and your family.

If you need further information, the following links will be helpful:

Fact Sheet http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/factsheet-Junior-Secondary-new.pdf Information for Parents http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/getting-ready-high-school/starting/Pages/for-parents.aspx Questions and Answers Page http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/q-and-a/Pages/home.aspx More about the Safe Schools Framework here https://www.education.gov.au/national-safe-schools-framework-0

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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ONLY NATURAL

Food for thought

by Belinda Brown WE ALL KNOW THAT MORNINGS ARE BUSY AND IT’S EASY TO FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF A NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST TO SET YOUR CHILD UP FOR A GREAT START TO THE DAY. PLANNING AHEAD AND TAKING JUST A FEW EXTRA MINUTES WHEN PREPARING BREAKFAST AND SNACKS FOR SCHOOL LUNCHBOXES CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S ATTENTION SPAN, CONCENTRATION, MEMORY AND BEHAVIOUR THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY. Our brains have limited capacity to store energy, therefore they rely on nutrients and energy from the food we eat daily to develop and function in the best possible way. Consuming breakfast and snacks that are rich in ‘brain foods’ such as whole grains, fibre and protein while being low in added sugar will give your child a boost during the school day. Children who eat a nutritious breakfast and snacks are also more likely to consume the level of fibre, calcium and other important nutrients required to fuel the body.

WHY IS BREAKFAST SO IMPORTANT? Health practitioners regularly preach that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why is this so? Breakfast is the process of breaking the fast after an extended period of rest. When we consume a nutritious breakfast, our bodies are given a fresh supply of glucose, known as blood sugar, which is the brain’s basic fuel. When blood sugar levels are low, adrenaline and cortisol hormones are released which can cause feelings of agitation and irritability. This can affect a child’s concentration and may lead to destructive behavioural outbursts.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Associate Professor in Social Health Sciences at Flinders University Claire Drummond states, "Eating a good breakfast can lead to better academic performance and a higher enjoyment of school. Also, children who regularly skip breakfast are more likely to be disruptive in class or to be absent from school. Repeatedly eating breakfast can lead to children learning to associate feelings of well-being with feeling less hungry. In the long term, eating breakfast affects a child’s health, which in turn will have a positive effect on brain performance."

There is now overwhelming evidence proving the positive benefits of eating a healthy breakfast for developing children. Consuming a nutritious breakfast has been shown to create a feeling of fullness for longer and improve cognitive functioning and academic performance.

From birth, nutrition plays a vital role in the development of our brains and the way in which we focus and learn. School-age children who don’t eat breakfast are likely to struggle to activate enough energy in the morning to cope with the demands of school, consequently affecting learning and interaction with other students.

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45

ONLY NATURAL

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY NUTRITIONAL SOURCES

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN GET THE BEST START TO THE DAY?

It is not only the food source we are consuming that is important, but also the process that the food has gone through to end up on our plate. What is most important is the quality of the food source.

With growing demands for mass production, our food has been altered and manipulated by intensive farming methods to cope with demand. Food that was initially a quality source of protein has been changed to contain more harmful chemicals, pesticides, toxins and fewer nutrients than ever before.

Eating habits formed at an early age generally continue into adulthood. Therefore, poor dietary patterns among young children can have direct implications on their lifelong health and well-being.

Education begins at home with positive parental influences, and encouragement of a regular and nutritious breakfast prior to school is a great way parents can positively influence their child’s eating habits.

We have all been there, reaching for packaged food such as chips, muesli bars, biscuits or roll-ups as a lunchbox snack. The truth is, these items offer little to no vitamins or minerals for your children.

Swapping these items for ‘real foods’ as close to their natural state as possible will offer your child a solid foundation for a lifetime of positive food choices.

Try out some of the following top tips to ensure you are using good quality nutritional food sources. + Visit a local farmers market and aim to buy local organic produce, which is pesticide and chemical free. A farmers market is a cost-effective way to purchase fresh produce. Spray-free produce is often available if organic is not available or beyond your budget. + Use ‘out of sight, out of mind’ thinking and toss out all the processed packaged snacks in your pantry. Try this for at least two weeks and I guarantee your children will be happy to eat their new fresh food choices. + Offer fresh fruit as a snack option. Utilise fruits that are in season, choosing a variety to keep your child interested. + Add fresh vegetable sticks with a side of hummus as a snack.

Great choices include carrot, celery, capsicum or cucumber. + When it comes to dairy products, look for items that are simple and contain only a few main ingredients with no additives. Great snacks include sliced or cubed cheese or natural yoghurt. Try to avoid yoghurts marketed towards children as these contain large amounts of added sugar and possible additives. + Create snack sections within your pantry and divide them into segments. Dried fruit, nuts and seeds are excellent snack options. Aim for organic where possible.

The importance of a good breakfast and its direct association with mental alertness among children is being recognised within the education sector by the introduction of breakfast clubs at many schools, particularly primary schools, including those run by the Red Cross and the YMCA. The Australian Red Cross (www.redcross.org.au) has instigated Good Start Breakfast Clubs, which "provide a healthy breakfast and nutrition information for thousands of school kids, who would otherwise go to school hungry, in areas of greatest need around Australia".

Y-Care (South East Qld) Inc (www.ycare.org.au) runs the YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program at various state schools across South East Queensland. Funded by local sponsors and run by volunteers, it is expected that the breakfast program will provide over 350,000 meals during 2014 and support up to 70 schools. The Y-Care program ensures "students commence the school day after a healthy breakfast which contributes to their emotional wellbeing, health, and learning that is so critical to students’ educational success and performance at school."

The chaplaincy service at Noosaville State School operates a free breakfast club program run by volunteers that offers students not only breakfast but also a safe and welcoming place to come before school. Cooroy State School also offers a Chaplin-run breakfast club with volunteers from the Cooroy Uniting Church helping out.

In addition to a nutritious breakfast, children also need regular small snacks throughout the day to provide them with energy for growth and concentration. Most primary schools have a short mid-morning break – often called ‘fruit break’ – when students can eat a small healthy fresh snack such as a piece of fruit or vegetable to help them to refuel. Snacks such as this are essential for the brain to develop – to learn, remember, create, solve and to meet the many challenges that children face in school. A first break snack provides energy for a child's cognitive development and other physical activity.

+ Dried fruits: Purchase dried fruit that does not include added sugar. Great snacks include apple rings, dates, figs and raisins. + Raw nuts: Go for raw nuts as these do not contain added oil or salt. Great snacks include cashews, almonds, walnuts and macadamias. + Seeds: Great snacks include pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

47

ONLY NATURAL

A BRAIN BOOST FOR BREAKFAST… Wholegrain bread or organic cereal, fruit, milk, natural yoghurt or eggs are good breakfast options. For children older than two years, low-fat milk or nut milk is a good beverage to include with breakfast. If your child doesn’t enjoy the types of foods generally associated with breakfast, consider serving dinner leftovers or a mix of fresh vegetables that may appeal to them more.

Here are a few of my favourite nutritious breakfasts for children and the whole family.

TWO-EGG OMELETTE A time saving tip for busy mornings – before bed, cut an array of vegetables and fresh herbs. You can use any vegetables that you have, but one of our favourite omelettes includes basil, broccoli, red capsicum, turmeric, zucchini and carrot.

In the morning, simply mix your vegetables and herbs with two whisked eggs, heat one tablespoon of coconut oil in a pan and cook until golden brown.

PROTEIN-POWERED SMOOTHIE A smoothie can be a perfect breakfast for children who usually skip breakfast or eat on the run. Blend the following ingredients until smooth. ½ cup nut milk (we love almond) 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp organic oats 1 large banana 1 cup Greek yoghurt Sprinkle of nutmeg FOR MORE FANTASTIC NUTRITION ADVICE FROM BELINDA ON WAYS TO ADD MORE FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES TO YOUR CHILD’S DIET, VISIT WWW.KIDSONTHECOAST.COM.AU TO READ MORE.

SUPER MUESLI One batch of this muesli makes roughly 4½ cups. For an extra dose of nutrients, serve with fresh fruit and a dollop of natural yoghurt.

2 cups organic oats ¼ cup flaxseeds ¼ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup chopped almonds 2 tsp ground cinnamon ⅓ cup fresh orange juice ⅓ cup rice malt syrup ¼ cup coconut sugar 2 tsp coconut oil 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ cup goji berries ¼ cup dried cranberries Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine oats, flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

Combine orange juice, rice malt syrup and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over a low heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring frequently.

Remove from the heat and stir in coconut oil and vanilla.

Pour heated mixture over oat mixture, stirring to coat.

A BRAIN BOOST FOR FIRST BREAK… Your child’s school may specify what type of food students can bring for their first break snack, however you may like to try some of these quick and easy healthy options. + Fruit skewers – slice banana, strawberries, rockmelon, watermelon and alternate pieces onto a wooden skewer + Veggie sticks with dip – slice carrot, cucumber and red capsicum lengthways and serve with a dollop of hummus + Whole fruit – mandarin, kiwi fruit, strawberries, apple, pear and peaches + Cheese – cheese wheels, diced cheese or cottage cheese with rye crackers + Yoghurt – calcium-enriched soy yoghurt, natural yoghurt and coconut yoghurt + Tofu bites – bite-sized tofu pieces baked with parmesan cheese + Bliss balls – blend dates, almonds, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, cinnamon, coconut oil, sunflower seeds and cacao together until a sticky mixture forms, then roll into bite-sized balls

n a lined baking tray, spread mixture in O a thin layer and bake for 12 minutes, stir mixture, then bake for a further 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Spoon mixture into a bowl and mix through goji berries and cranberries.

Cool completely before placing into storage containers. The muesli should last for up to seven days in a cool pantry. For breakfast on the run, divide the muesli into smaller containers that are ready to be topped with fruit and natural yoghurt for a quick breakfast.

Belinda Brown is a food and lifestyle coach with qualifications in food coaching and nutrition. Belinda’s passion lies in child nutrition, the role of nutrition in chronic diseases and healthy weight loss; however, she has an array of clients from all walks of life. Belinda’s mission is to inspire and educate people to learn that quality nutritious food can be delicious.

For more information on Belinda, visit www.thephysiomovement.com.au and www.facebook.com/thephysiomovement.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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Near Coles at Pelican Waters Shopping Centre, Pelican Waters Blvd, Pelican Waters Email: info@LSOPTOM.COM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

49

GOOD HEALTH HEALTH CHECKS

Is it time to pay your GP a visit?

By Dr Nicola Kettleton-Butler, General Practitioner, Coastal Family Health, Buddina EVEN IF YOU AND THE FAMILY ARE IN GOOD HEALTH, IT’S WISE TO MAKE TIME FOR REGULAR CHECK-UPS TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IT THAT WAY. BUT WHEN ARE THE BEST TIMES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO VISIT A DOCTOR? When to get a check-up from your general practitioner (GP) largely depends on your time of life, gender and whether you have any chronic medical conditions.

CHILDREN As any parent with young children knows, visits to the doctor seem to be a frequent occurrence, whether it’s for routine vaccinations, suspect rashes or the inevitable bouts of colds and flu. While newborn babies should be examined at birth, it’s also advisable to have them checked at seven days of age to ensure feeding is going well and to review physical development from head to toe. After this, children should then be regularly assessed by your GP when their vaccinations are due at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months of age. At 3½ to 4 years of age, a ‘Healthy Kids Check’ should also be scheduled to ensure your child is ready for school. This is really the last age-specific formal review recommended for children, with health checks beyond this age occurring opportunistically.

YOUNG PEOPLE From 6 to 18 years of age, there’s no real need to schedule regular check-ups so long as your child visits a doctor at least once a year for other reasons. During these visits, it’s a good opportunity to ask your doctor to check your child’s growth, physical, social and emotional well-being, as well discuss with them the importance of sun protection and injury prevention.

WOMEN Tammy Wynette once sang “sometimes it’s hard to be a woman” which is a sentiment that many women can relate to when it comes to the screening tests for cervical and breast cancer. But the good news is these simple tests are highly effective at detecting issues and this leads to greatly improved health outcomes for women. With this in mind, women are encouraged to start regular two-yearly PAP screening for cervical cancer from 18 years of age or 2 years after they become sexually active (whichever is the later). Two-yearly screening for breast cancer should begin for all women from 50 years of age, and women should pay attention to how their breasts look and feel so they can report any changes to their GP. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should discuss the possibility of commencing earlier breast screening regimes with their GP.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

ADULTS In line with the view that if you can measure it, you can manage it, it is important for both men and women to have a one-off formal health assessment between 45-49 years of age to determine their level of risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Scheduling regular check-ups roughly every two years thereafter improves health outcomes through earlier identification and better management of chronic disease. Many women coordinate this general health check with their two-yearly mammogram and PAP smear. From 50 years of age, two-yearly screening for colorectal cancer is also encouraged for both men and women.

Living on the Sunshine Coast and having an outdoor lifestyle means developing skin cancer is a concern for most people.

For this reason it’s important to be familiar with the look of your skin and to have any skin lesions checked that have changed or are new. It's a good idea to have your skin checked every one to two years, depending on your risks, which include being over 30, having fair skin, a family history of melanoma, having significant UV exposure as a child and your current degree of sun exposure.

OLDER PERSONS If you’re over 65, there’s an increasing risk of having a fall or developing a chronic disease which may impact on your quality of life. As with every stage of life, it pays to maintain a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and good nutrition. Your GP can help you with this. People over 75 should have a formal health assessment to determine the risk of falls, level of mobility, cognitive function and to determine whether any assistance may be needed to enable them to continue to live independently in their own homes for longer.

A FINAL WORD Keep in mind that these guidelines are general so if you have any concerns about your health, it’s always best to see your GP. When it comes to health, everyone is different, but once thing is certain – by being proactive and developing a good relationship with your GP you will give yourself a much better chance of living a happier, healthier and longer life, and who doesn’t want that?

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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51

20

YOU

15

by Carolyn Tate

THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN THE KIDS ARE BACK AT SCHOOL IS A GREAT TIME TO FOCUS ON YOU.

REMEMBER YOU? Whether you go out to work, or you're a stay at home parent, remembering the individual at the centre of everything is crucial. It's time to revisit you and take steps to make sure that person is nurtured and energised for the year ahead. Here are some ideas.

CAREER

• If you’re already employed, put your hand up to assist in an area you’ve always been interested in. Who knows where your initiative could lead?

• If you’re looking to re-enter the workforce, rewrite your resume, highlighting all your saleable skills – or have a professional check it over to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

• Enrol in a university or TAFE course that will help you take the next big step that will lead to your dream job. If not now, then when?

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Social

Get your girlfriends out and frocked up for a night on the town.

Start a book club with your friends or parents from school.

Gather a bunch of friends and head along to a local trivia night, live music or barefoot bowls.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

YOU

PAMPERING •B ook yourself in for a massage, mani/pedi or a facial and let someone take care of you for a change.

• Call in some babysitting favours and book yourself into a hotel for the night (with or without your partner).

Order room service.

• Start planning your next big holiday. Gather some brochures and write a savings plan so you can turn that dream into a reality.

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”

“Self-care is not selfish or self-indulgent.

We cannot nurture others from a dry well. We need to take care of our own needs first, then we can give from our surplus, our abundance.” ~ JENNIFER LOUDEN

DO YOUR THING AND DON’T CARE IF THEY LIKE IT. ~ TINA FEY

Health ~JEAN SHINODA BOLEN

What health checks have you been putting off? Dentist?

Mammogram? Skin cancer check? Book it today.

Join a gym or local group training class or, if you already go to a gym, go to a class you’ve never tried before.

Try planning your menu for a week, including all meals and snacks – then take a look and see if there are any areas that need improvement. Try to minimise the amount of processed food on your list. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” ~ NORA ROBERTS

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

53

DESTINATON

World Out of this

Lord Howe Island

by Natasha Higgins

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT … NO WAY I CAN TAKE THE KIDS THERE!

MAYBE YOU SHOULD.

It seems that there are many easy places to take the kids, but few that inspire and delight the parents as well. Be it a short break or a lifechanging cultural trip, there are many places in Australia and around the world that are worthy of consideration for a family holiday, and not all of them will break the family budget on the way through.

To help fire your imagination, we give you a taste of some more unusual destinations to visit as a family. Research is your friend though – the more you search, the more you will learn and the more incredible destinations you will uncover. Of course, be aware of travel visas and jabs that perhaps the little ones won’t be too pleased to receive, even if they are tempted by meeting monkeys in Malaysia!

Boodjamulla may just be the best kept secret among Queensland national parks. Located in far northwest Queensland, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) is one of the last places to visit before you hit the Northern Territory. It’s a beautiful oasis in the outback with emeraldgreen waters and lush vegetation attracting abundant wildlife and offering exceptional views, walks and canoeing.

We’d love to hear about your family’s wonderful travel experiences.

Please share your favourite family destinations on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/kidsonthecoast.

4WD is recommended at all times and camping facilities are available within the park. If you prefer a more few comforts of home, motel accommodation is available in nearby Adel’s Grove.

Walks in the gorge are divided into eastern and western tracks of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. Canoeing on the still waters of Lawn Hill Creek is an ideal way to explore the middle and upper gorges.

COOBER PEDY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

LORD HOWE ISLAND

The opal mining outpost of Coober Pedy is one of the most unusual and unique places in Australia. Located in one of the hottest and most inhospitable climates in Australia, more than half the population live underground to escape the extreme summer temperatures.

It's a fascinating and friendly place to visit and a must-do for an outback holiday experience. You can visit underground houses, underground cafes and an underground church, stay in underground hotels and roll out your swag in Australia’s only underground camping area.

You can also try your luck at ‘noodling’ (fossicking) at various spots around town, get a great insight into the town’s history at the Old Timers Mine and Museum, and visit one of the many opal shops for an opal cutting demonstration. There's also a host of awesome natural landscapes to admire nearby, including the Painted Desert, the Moon Plain and the Breakaways Reserve.

54

BOODJAMULLA NATIONAL PARK, QUEENSLAND

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia, just a twohour flight from Brisbane, is one of the world’s most beautiful World Heritage-listed islands. It’s a great place for a relaxing and unhurried break for families with kids, and with only 400 tourists allowed on the island at any one time, it’s a peaceful and uncrowded getaway.

Cars are restricted, so getting around by bike or on foot is the way to go. There are plenty of water-based activities on offer – you can surf, snorkel on the coral reef, swim off one of 11 beaches and hand feed the fish at Ned’s Beach. Back on land, discover the island on foot on some of the world’s best day hikes through spectacular surroundings.

A great range of hotels, guesthouses and self-contained lodges and apartments is available, as well as sumptuous spas and great restaurants, making it a perfect ‘off the beaten path’ island break close to home.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

55

DESTINATION

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO

Karijini National Park in Western Australia offers incredible walks and breathtaking gorges with hidden swimming holes. One for your ‘must do’ list if you plan to visit Western Australia. Located in the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara region, rugged mountains rise out of the flat valleys, and the tropical semi-desert environment is home to a wide variety of birds as well as red kangaroos, echidnas, goannas, legless lizards, pythons and other snakes.

A wonderful walking experience for families can be found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in northwest Africa. As well as exploring the lively and colourful souks of Marrakech, you can experience the tranquil pace of life in the remote villages of the High Atlas.

Be sure to do plenty of walks and try to include Dales Gorge, Weano Gorge, Oxers Lookout, Fortescue Falls, Kalamina Gorge, Knox Gorge and Hamersley Gorge. Of course, choose walks wisely, dress appropriately and consider consulting with a certified guide to accompany you on some of the walks.

SARAWAK, MALAYSIA Homestay at The Kebun, a working organic farm near Kuching in Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo.

Here you can immerse yourself in nature in your home away from home surrounded by jungle. The Kebun is safe and quiet and has all the modern amenities required for the international traveller.

Adrian’s Bungalow and Olivia’s Bungalow are simple self-contained dwellings ideal for a family to experience an authentic Sarawak working farm. Children will have a great time exploring, finding mysterious insects, feeding the animals, fishing and playing in the cowshed. Meals are included when you are at the farm and are homemade mainly from organic farm grown fresh produce.

An ideal base for sightseeing around Kuching, The Kebun also provides guests with one of their personal cars complete with preprogrammed Sat Nav so you can head off on day trips. For more information, visit www.thekebun.com

NAMIBIA One of Africa’s most beautiful countries and one of the world’s best wildlife destinations, Namiba is a memorable and diverse destination for a family holiday. There is plenty of contrast between the wild Skeleton Coast and the dry desert interior, from the salt pans and grass plains of Etosha to the acacia savannah and lush, green, sub-tropical woodlands of Waterberg Plateau. Kids will love the red sands of the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and spotting elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards and zebras in Etosha National Park.

As well as organised tours, Namibia offers the more budgetfriendly option of a self-driving family safari holiday. Be prepared for long drives on often bumpy, unpaved roads, however, which make a holiday to Namibia best suited for families with older children who can entertain themselves during the longer drives.

B&Bs, smaller guest farms and lodges are a fantastic place for families to stay, as many have a friendly and informal atmosphere well suited to children.

TO CONTINUE READING ABOUT MORE UNUSUAL FAMILY HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.KIDSONTHECOAST.COM.AU

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Start out with easy day-walks as an introduction to mountain villages inhabited by the friendly and traditional Berber tribe. Then set off on a trek deeper into the stunning mountains where life has stood still for centuries. The beauty of an organised trek in the Atlas Mountains is that mules are on hand to carry the kids (or you!) when they get tired.

KERALA, INDIA The region of Kerala, located in the tranquil south of India, is gorgeous, safe and cheap to visit. Fly to Kochi where you can watch traditional Chinese net fishing and learn about the elaborate costumes and makeup of the Kathakali dancers. You can see wild elephants at Periyar National Park and tigers at the Periyar Tiger Reserve, cruise on the tranquil Malabar backwaters by converted rice-barge, learn to cook a yummy curry and visit a tea plantation to see how tea is made. The beaches at Mararikulam are a good spot to spend a relaxing few days before heading home.

IGLOO VILLAGE, FINLAND The secluded Kakslauttanen log cabin village is located high above the Arctic Circle in the northeast corner of Finnish Lapland. There’s an array of unique lodging include snow and glass igloos, offering a perfect vantage point to experience the northern lights up close. Be sure to get a close look at the surroundings on a safari tour through the gorgeous white snow by reindeer, husky or snowmobile. No matter how chilly it gets on your winter excursion, the igloos are heated so you can return to the comfort of your bed afterwards!

Every December, the best ice sculptors in the world come to Kakslauttanen to participate in the international ice-sculpting week and their creations remain on view during the rest of winter.

Nearby, Santa has finally decided to unlatch the doors of his home to the public. His idyllic red cabin awaits visitors at the end of a wooden bridge across a narrow river and Santa himself may just be home to greet you.

GILI ISLANDS, INDONESA The Gili Islands may just be the island paradise you are searching for. The three tiny islands of Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno lie off the northwest corner of Lombok, with beautiful white-sand beaches and palm trees fringing crystal clear turquoise sea.

Relatively unknown until recently, the Gili Islands are now seeing an influx of visitors and development, however still manage to maintain an air of serenity. Motorised vehicles are not allowed and therefore locals and visitors mainly get around by bike or horse and cart.

Each of the islands has its own character with Trawangan the most developed, cosmopolitan and ‘touristy’, however it does also have the best variety of accommodation types, many catering for families with children.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS

Infinity: more than Martial Arts If you’re looking for a way to encourage your child to get active, become more vibrant and increase confidence levels, then enrolling them at Infinity Martial Arts may just be the answer.

limits in both areas, which help them to stay fit, positive of mind and on the right path the reaching their full potential in life.

Infinity Martial Arts offers a range of fun and interactive classes for 2–15 year olds that have been designed to make sure every child is challenged and given the chance to reach their full potential.

3. Respect: the instructors at Infinity work one-on-one with the students and strive to ensure all children learn the art of respect - teaching them to behave appropriately and hold a high regard for teachers, parents and other mentors that are present during their life.

With classes starting for children as young as 2, it allows kids to get a head start on learning vital skills such as paying attention, listening and showing self-control. The classes focus on hand and eye coordination, which is extremely important in early learning development.

4. Honour: all children will have the opportunity to progress through the coloured belt rank system. This provides the building blocks for learning how to set and achieve goals. The honour brings a positive social standing and more importantly improves their overall self-esteem.

Their programs not only teach children healthy and active habits from a young age, but also endeavour to give every student valuable lessons for life. All instructors at Infinity are full-time professionals that take pride in teaching quality, child-friendly martial arts that will help tackle selfconfidence, bullying and socialisation issues.

5. Personal Safety: students are trained to defend themselves against bullies in and out of the schoolyard. infinity teach non-violent ways to deal with the bully as well as providing valuable tools to make sure children don’t become a bully themselves.

1. Self-Discipline: research shows that children who train in martial arts develop a high level of discipline that flows through to how they focus and behave on a daily basis, in the classroom or at home.

6. Self-confidence and self-esteem: people that high levels of selfconfidence and self-esteem are less likely to be bullied, or become a bully for that matter. They are more likely to take on leadership roles in later life and have the belief in themselves to chase their dreams. This is the single most powerful life lesson, and one that they focus on most at Infinity.

2. Strength: physical and mental strength can be one of the most valuable components to carry through life. Children are encouraged to push their

“Your child deserves the best start in life - give them that with Infinity Martial Arts!” Call 1300 INFINITY for more details.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS

Paradise Resort Promotes Healthy Holidays Australia’s number one destination for family fun, Paradise Resort, has introduced a new holiday experience designed to keep guests happy and healthy, just in time for the Christmas break.

The Resort has today unveiled a new Juice Bar, as part of a focus on active and healthy holidays that will compliment a wide range of healthy options already available on its menus.

General Manager, David Brook, said that guests will still be able to indulge in all the regular menu fare with the additional option of the Juice Bar, featuring a wide range of healthy menu options including high protein and 100% natural products.

After receiving feedback and recommendations from our guests, we have focused on ensuring that going on holidays doesn’t mean you have to stop being healthy and eating right. The introduction of these options enable us to cater for the growing demand of healthy, wholesome and fresh dietary and exercise choices.”

Guests will be able to start their day with a selection of fresh juices, protein shakes and smoothies, along with gluten and dairy-free options.

“We live in an amazing part of the world with access to a wide range of fresh produce,” said Mr Brook.

“What better way to enjoy each day than with a divine ‘Mango Tango’ fruit smoothie or a perfectly tailor-made juice from our new Juice Bar menu.”

The Juice Bar is located in the Resort’s Poolside Café and Bar, which already offers a range of freshly made salads, sandwiches, gourmet wraps and sushi.

Mr Brook said that he and his team had listened to customer feedback and made changes across the resort including the Kids menu, which now offers the addition of healthy alternatives including brown rice and vegies.

“Our daily activity program is also popular and makes use of some of our unique and fun features, including our 24-hour cardio gym for the adults and rock climbing, ice skating and laser tag for the kids.”

“While many holiday-goers are keen to bask in the sun by the pool, there are a growing number who want to maintain their regular diets and not necessarily return home with excess or unwanted ‘baggage’.”

The new menu also features a brand new Australian owned product from SPC called Perfect Fruit, made with 100% Aussie fruit that is whipped with air, then frozen and containing less calories than an apple.

“With every improvement and new product we introduce, we are mindful of enhancing the experience in offering a diverse product that is able to cater to the widest range of needs and a great family holiday. Too often we return home from our holidays wishing there had been more healthier dietary options available to curb the over indulgence that holidays seem to promote.”

For more information visit: www.paradiseresort.com.au

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1800 074 111 • facebook.com/paradiseresortgc 122 Ferny Avenue Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

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*On sale for a limited time only. Min 2 night stay. Travel until 30/09/15. Subject to availability. Saturday night and seasonal surcharges apply. For details visit www.paradiseresort.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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PARENTVILLE

Twice is nice enough

by Aleney de Winter

Ever since I was a child myself I have wanted four children. Four was my magic number. One was lonely. Three meant someone would be a spare wheel and two … well … that just seemed too neat. Four was the family way forward. Less magical was my unexpected infertility issues that, combined with eggs that are well past their useby date, nixed that plan. And that’s okay! Given that the two children I do have were made in a cocktail shaker by the clever kids at Casa Conception and the sad truth that I’m now so old they could carbon date me, I consider myself extremely fortunate and blessed to have any children at all.

Still, those two splendid little humans are so wonderful that there are days when I yearn for another bub or twelve.

But I’m a great believer that things happen for a reason and today I discovered the reason why the universe and my Teflon coated uterus stopped me at two. It’s because I wouldn’t have been able to handle that much awesomeness. Seriously! Not even a chance.

How do I know? Because today I took my munchkins to the museum for a little dinosaur hunting and each brought a little friend along … all the while expecting that double the kids would equal double the fun.

My experience as the guardian of four children lasted approximately four hours. Post-trauma therapy will be ongoing. It’s not that any of my charges were anything other than adorable; it’s just that where two young children unleashed in public requires only my undivided attention, four is more like herding cats. Feral cats.

To those parents who have more than two kids, you are freakin’ superheroes! And I will personally mint medals for you. I don’t know how you do it. You always look so calm and together. Me? I was in a bug-eyed, hair-pulling state of panic pretty much the whole time.

Of course, all four kids had different agendas and while one was drawing more attention from the visitors than the exhibits by hamming it up like a performing monkey, the two littlest were hiding under a chair and screaming loudly “because a dinosaur was going to eat them”. The other … well … after attempting to drown himself by pouring the contents of a large bottle of candy-hued juice all over himself and having to be stripped and dried with a hand dryer in the public toilets, he vanished completely. At that point I could only hope his mother wasn’t too attached to him.

After collecting my wits and the three other scene-making small people, we eventually found the missing offspring busily trying to convince museum staff, with the conviction that only a six-year-old can muster, to sell him some of the more impressive exhibits. In the end he was happy to settle for a key ring in the gift shop. Lucky really, because there’s no way I could have dealt with getting four children and a life-sized replica Triceratops home on the train.

My entourage of tiny troglodytes had a fabulous time dino hunting and, through sheer luck, I even managed to make it home with all four of them, but closing our front door where I could trap them in a confined space and not worry that they’d eloped with a T-Rex or smuggled skeletons was the sweetest relief.

Four children? Two’s good.

Aleney de Winter is a travel, food and parenting writer. For more hilarious antics from her globetrotting six-year-old foodie son and daredevil three-year-old daughter, visit her blog www.boyeatsworld.com.au

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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COAST LIFE

Coast Life shares exciting products and services by businesses that cater to Sunshine Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents deserve just as much choice, style, fun, innovation and value for money as those living anywhere else. So if you agree, please join us in helping these ventures by taking a look at what they’ve got to offer.

And if you’ve got a business you want to spread the word on, let us know!

SISTER ACT TRAVEL Ph: 0457 709 669 info@sisteracttravel.com.au

Sister Act Travel is a dynamic home based travel agency recruiting experienced travel consultants. Working for Sister Act Travel will allow you the opportunity to: work your own hours from your own home office, fitting in with your family's lifestyle, build a business with the support of industry professionals, create an income for yourself.

FUN & FUNKY SAND ART Ph: 0466 533 233 www.funandfunky-sandart.com

Fun And Funky Sand Art bottles offer a fun and creative kid’s activity that all ages will enjoy. Perfect for birthday parties, school vacation care programmes, fetes, events and fundraising. Offering a range of affordable packages from hosted parties, craft parties, DIY kits, individual gift packs, coloured sand suppliers for weddings and naming day ceremonies. Call today!

TEEPEA KIDS (07) 5455 3890 www.teepeakids.com.au

EZY KIDS PARTIES Ph: 1300 118 840 www.ezykidsparties.com.au | www.childrenspartysupplies.com.au Teepea Kids, the Coast’s newest home of all things RAD for kids! Top quality from must-have labels from Australia and across the globe! Including: Minti, Littlehorn, Bella and Lace, Mini and Maximus, Bandit Kids, Tutu Du Monde, I Dig Denim, Kip & Co linen, Of One Sea, Peggy, Sunday the Label and Duke of London. See, try and buy locally!

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Children’s Party Supplies is a Sunshine Coast-based online shop, with a huge range of invitations, tableware, decorations, accessories, party bags and favours, party games and craft. If it’s online, it’s in stock. Order today, and it’s shipped tomorrow, or you can collect to save on postage. If you need an entertainer, cake or catering, Ezy Kids Parties has over 20 themes to choose from. They do the lot so you can enjoy yourself too!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

- on the coast

- in the city

Whats coming up KIAH PARK

MARCH/APRIL ISSUE

Ph: 07 5486 6166 www.kiahpark.com.au

Horse Riding Camps are a great way for your child to enjoy a week of outdoor fun! For ages 6yrs - teens. Children are allocated their own horse to suit their riding ability. Camp includes: arena lessons, trail rides twice a day, learning to keep and care for your pony, a gymkhana and fun night activities.

January 3 - 10; 10 - 17 & 17 - 24; April 4 - 11 & 11 - 18; Anzac weekend April 24 - 27.

VEGIE PATCH www.vegiepatch.net.au

‘Making Eating Well Easier’ is the mantra of local small business Vegie Patch who provide the very best premium fruit and vegies to households here on the coast. With seasonal boxes starting at just $20 including free delivery, Vegie Patch says it’s time to support our local farmers. Personal attention, complimentary recipe cards for your box and special requests included.

KUDDLY KIDS Ph: 5445 2486 www.kuddlykids.com.au

XXX

Kuddly Kids is the one-stop kids shop on Buderim for specialty clothing, toys and gifts for boys and girls, newborn to size 12. New stock has arrived for back to school and birthday parties. Pop in and say hello at Shop 14, 86 Burnett Street, Buderim or visit our Facebook page.

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p i h s b i r Comve ned reade o r 2 0 0 , 0 00 * NEWS ARTICLES REVIEWS EVENTS

* Combined monthly readership from our printed publications, website, emarketing and social media channels

SPECIAL FEATURES + MORE

DON'T MISS OUT

Call 1300 430 320 or email your Business Development JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids onManager the Coast 63

CONVERSATION

by Natasha Higgins

Morgan Parker Meet

AFTER BUILDING A CAREER AS A SUCCESSFUL FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE, SUNSHINE COAST LOCAL MORGAN PARKER REALISED HE WANTED MORE FROM HIS LIFE. HAVING MOVED TO ASIA AT THE AGE OF 22, FOLLOWING HIS SCHOOL CAPTAIN DAYS AT BRISBANE BOYS' COLLEGE AND STUDYING LAW AT BOND UNIVERSITY, MORGAN CARVED OUT A RICH AND REWARDING CAREER IN ASIA’S TOUGH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT BANKING MARKETS. His life took a new turn in 2011 when he founded the non-profit organisation Wheel2Wheel and set off on a gruelling 125-day charity motorcycle ride across 10 countries from Hong Kong to Brisbane. The 25,000km marathon raised awareness and muchneeded funds for 10 carefully selected grassroots charities, and Wheel2Wheel became a globally broadcast television series on the National Geographic Channel.

Someone he thought about during testing times on the road was daughter Aria, now twelve. Becoming a father was one of the forces that started Parker to think about what he was getting out of – and giving back – to life. "If one thing caused me to change direction in my life, it would be Aria," says Morgan. "As a parent, your perception of the world changes. You are able to find a wider, broader and longer horizon to your thinking."

For Morgan, it was the challenge he had been searching for all his life. "The idea of roaming the world on a motorbike just seemed the right thing to do at the time,” he says. After spending 18-months researching more than 360 charities throughout Australasia, he created Wheel2Wheel as an avenue to give worthy charities exposure they would otherwise have struggled to receive and provide potential donors with insight to key issues. According to Morgan, “The motorcycle expedition and 10-episode television adventure series [was] simply the packaging of reality, adventure and travel to facilitate the humanitarian story telling.”

Aria joined her father on several stages of the trek and Morgan believes the exposure to how other children live will help her shape her own views on life. "The speed of information today means kids grow up very quickly, sometimes without acquiring much more than a superficial knowledge of a vast array of topics.

I think it was important for Aria to truly understand some of the obstacles other kids have growing up in the world today," he says.

Wheel2Wheel has already donated nearly $300,000 to the 10 charities chosen for Morgan's first expedition, including a school for 300 children in Laos, an online environmental education platform in China, HIV orphanage in Thailand, a vocational skills centre in East Timor and a training restaurant in Cambodia. Morgan concedes that raising money was the hardest part of the project.

"I knew it was going to be difficult, and even knowing that, I still think I underestimated how difficult it was going to be. It's difficult to capture people’s attention in such a noisy world today. A lot of people have become desensitised to humanitarian need."

Morgan says the experience helped him delve into new parts of his character and personality. "I discovered I was capable of more than I thought. I wouldn't describe it an inner strength but rather a powerful determination to deliver for those people who’ve supported me," he says.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

With Morgan set to embark on his next Wheel2Wheel expedition in India in 2015, we caught up with him to gain an insight into his remarkable life.

Tell us about your family, your career and living in Asia?

I’m married to Levina and have one daughter Aria, who is twelve years old and was born in Tokyo whilst we were based there. During my 18 years in Asia, I lived in seven countries, most recently in Hong Kong. To me, Hong Kong is a city without peer; it’s efficient, dynamic and multi-cultural. Before starting Wheel2Wheel I enjoyed a rewarding career with Macquarie Bank, Morgan Stanley, Lend Lease and as president of Taubman Asia – Taubman is the world’s most experienced luxury retail developer.

My career provided countless remarkable experiences and opportunities to learn about different cultures. I got lucky being in Asia during what has been a historic period of economic growth and development.

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CONVERSATION

What adventures had you gone on before this one?

I guess my life has been full of adventures; moving to Asia at the age of 22 was a pivotal moment and back then it was deemed by others to be highly ‘adventurous’. In terms of endurance expeditions like Wheel2Wheel, I’d never tackled anything so immense and complex before. Before Wheel2Wheel I had ridden a motorcycle only a couple of times on farms in Australia, so I had to learn to ride one properly. Friends on the Sunshine Coast got me out in the bush on dirt bikes which served as a useful but painful initiation.

How do you select the organisations that you want to work with?

The Wheel2Wheel team spent 18 months researching hundreds of different organisations in the 10 countries that we were passing through, whittling it down to just 10 charities.

We were looking for small grass-roots organisations that were tackling a major regional or even global issue, but in a local context. We sought out groups led by inspiring individuals whose passion could capture the imagination of our audience. We insisted on charitable organisations with absolute integrity, administrative efficiency and an intelligent approach to the issue. In some cases, Wheel2Wheel team members visited the charity before we made our final selection.

We also benchmarked our selections against the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals to ensure we were focusing on the right issues from a global perspective. Wheel2Wheel's objective was to present to our community of potential donors a well-researched, thoughtful group of organisations. We have done the work that many potential donors would like to do, before making a donation, but don't have the time. Now they can give to Wheel2Wheel or the charities directly, knowing their contribution is safe and will be high-impact-philanthropy.

What was your most unforgettable experience during the trip?

In a 125-day adventure it’s nearly impossible to single out one unforgettable experience. I had thousands of memorable experiences, given I was riding through some of the densest and most dynamic countries in the world. I particularly enjoyed spending an afternoon with the President of East Timor Mr. Jose Ramos Horta who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner too. He invited me to his residence for a beer!

What really tested your limits during the expedition?

The key challenge was maintaining concentration for extended periods. I rode at speed without breaks for 15 hours a day. With the poor road conditions, crazy drivers and the sheer density of vehicles throughout Asia, it’s essential to be on guard constantly.

This really wears you down. At the end of each day I needed to find a place to eat and stay. Then I would create a video clip of the day's adventure and upload it to YouTube. Given my remoteness, this often took up to five hours, leaving little time for sleep. Every day I needed to push on, no matter the conditions or I how feeling physically or mentally.

Did you ever think of giving up?

All worthwhile challenges in life are hard work; that's how we know we are really achieving something meaningful. There were

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

several days during the expedition I wondered if I would make it to Brisbane – like on day 16 in northern Laos when I rode for 15 hours through a mountain range on a muddy road in sub-zero temperatures, crashing over 20 times and having to pick up my 250kg bike each time.

How did you raise money and awareness for your selected charities?

We created a strong online presence via our website, our YouTube channel and Facebook page, which reaches tens of thousands around the world each week. Awareness has been built via these online communities as well as through events and global syndication of our 10-episode television series. Just the first broadcast on the National Geographic Channel reached 8 million households across 21 countries. Each episode focuses on one of our selected charities.

What have you learnt about the world and humanity through this journey?

Ultimately, we are all the same on this planet, regardless of race, colour, religion or gender. As humans, we share an undeniable bond of common destiny. The world's humanitarian challenges belong to all of us. It important we don't take the easy option of disassociating ourselves from these issues just because they are happening somewhere else and to somebody else.

What did you learn about yourself?

I realised anything is possible in life. I'm much stronger than I thought. One person can make a difference.

What do you have planned next?

The next Wheel2Wheel expedition is planned for India in 2015.

We will focus on eight key humanitarian issues in that country and will be circumnavigating the sub-continent with an objective to go deeper and authentically experience the issues first-hand.

Once again, the stars will be the heroic people working selflessly to tackle these crises. There will be television cameras and motorcycles once more!

Morgan sees his future clearly now. "Public service is at the core of who I am and who I want to be," he says. "I’m thrilled by the notion of balancing some form of public service, with a professional career and being a father.”

“I’m no hero; the real heroes are in the field giving up everything to help others. I’m just delighted my adventures inspire so many others to now get involved in something they are passionate about. Success to me is all about what positive difference we make, not how much money we make,” Morgan concludes.

Wheel2Wheel’s first successful 10-episode television series premiered around the world on the National Geographic Channel.

It was also broadcast in Australia on SBS and featured on airlines globally. Wheel2Wheel has created millions of dollars commercial value for charity.

For more information on Morgan’s next charity expedition in India and to find out how you can support Wheel2Wheel, check out www.wheel2wheel.tv. To read more of our interview with Morgan, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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REVIEWS

BOOKS, MOVIES, APPS, GAMES

BOOKS

APPS

FOR KIDS:

MWORLD

I DON’T LIKE CHEESE

(iPhone, iPad) Free

Hannah Chandler, Exisle Publishing, RRP $19.99

MWorld is an exciting, innovative educational app for children. Crafted by Monash University, it packs fun, creativity and learning into an irresistible package aimed at curious minds aged 8 to 12. Spread across 10 subject areas and 50 titles, MWorld’s content is unrivalled for depth and richness. MWorld uses stunning graphics and multimedia, lively narration and an engaging game system to make learning irresistible. MWorld can be previewed at www. discovermworld.com/amazing-world.

I Don’t Like Cheese is a lovely children’s story about how even the fussiest eaters can be introduced to new and different foods and discover how delicious they are in the process. This fun book introduces us to Mike the Mouse and his friend, a little girl called Ashley. Mike is different to other mice – he doesn’t like cheese! Luckily for Mike, Ashley brings him something delicious for dinner each night and in the process introduces him to food from around the world. When Ashley and her family go on holidays, Mike’s tummy begins to rumble and he has no choice but to try the cheese his Mum gives him and to his surprise he finds it delicious!

Mike realises many of the yummy foods Ashley has given him, have also contained cheese and is amazed to discover he has liked cheese all along.

What is amazing about this story, is it was written

by Hannah Chandler when she was just 11 years old! Now, still only aged 12, Hannah is already hard at work planning a sequel. A great book for young children thanks to both the beautiful illustrations and important message for kids.

FOR GROWN-UPS:

THE WIFE DROUGHT Annabel Crabb, Ebury Australia, RRP $34.99 "I need a wife." It's a common joke among women juggling work and family. But it's not actually a joke. Having a spouse who takes care of things at home is a Godsend on the domestic front. It's a potent economic asset on the work front. And it's an advantage enjoyed – even in our modern society – by vastly more men than women. But why is the work-and-family debate always about women?

Why don't men get the same flexibility that women do? In our fixation on the barriers that face women on the way into the workplace, do we forget about the barriers that – for men – still block the exits?

The Wife Drought is about women, men, family and work. Written in Annabel Crabb's inimitable style, it's full of candid and funny stories from the author's work in and around politics and the media, historical nuggets about the role of ‘The Wife' in Australia, and intriguing research about the attitudes that pulse beneath the surface of egalitarian Australia.

MOVIES THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR In cinemas January 1. Rating: TBC The Penguins of Madagascar are back in their very own feature film! Featuring the enterprising Penguins from DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar franchise, this 3D comedy adventure stars Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private in their very own spy thriller.

INTO THE WOODS In cinemas January 8. Rating: TBC “Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel – all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

PAPER PLANES In cinemas January 15. Rating: G Twelve-year-old Dylan lives with his father in the West Australian outback. One day at school, Dylan discovers he is extremely good at making and flying paper planes. While attempting to refine and develop his newly realised ability, Dylan finds himself caught up in the world of competitive paper-plane making, leading to new friendships, new rivalries and new revelations about his own family.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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