DJ Michelle
Magic Phil
Celebrity of the Month
Haifa the Trainer
ISSUE 50, June - July 2020 AED 5
Moafaq Al Gaddah & Moafaq Talal Al Gaddah
All About the Dominical Republic
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s U w o l l o Fon Socials kidz.blogmagazine
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CONTENTS
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10
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31
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06
Breaking News
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Facts About Giraffes
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Tato Time
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Did you know
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45
Healthy Recipes
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A Trip to Jebel Jais
E-Learning a Success: Practical Tips and Guidelines
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DIY (Do-It-Youself)
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All About the Dominican Republic
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Haifa the Trainer
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What you need to know about Napping
Celebrity of the Month MIllie Bobby Brown
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Show your Talent
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Writing Competition Winners
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Top 10 Immune Boosting
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Fun Corner with Magic Phil: Celebrity
Columnist and Kids TV & Radio Personality
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Meet the Youngest DJ in the UAE -
8 Year Old DJ Michelle
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Like Grandfather, Like Grandson: An inspiring tale of a bond that has led to success and happiness
Foods For Your Family
Hello! Heya! I hope you are doing well. Summer is here and it’s time for some exciting experiences! We have compiled the ultimate summer guide to ensure you will enjoy the last few days of summer before the it’s Back to school. In this issue, we’ve had incredible amounts of collaborations and competition entries. Congratulations to our winners; thank you for sharing your talent with us. This issue features talented young boys and girls from across different ages, who’ve participated in different competitions including art, writing and poetry. If you would like to showcase your talent in art, poetry, writing etc, feel free to reach out to us via our social media pages and follow us as well to get updates. Thank you for your continued support.
Managing Director and Editor Farrah Alshash Kasem Assistant Editor Jecinta Wangui Contributing Partner Al Basel Consultancy Writers Jecinta Wangui Simran Chaudhry
Best Regards,
Graphic Designer Ivan Tracy Babor
Jecinta Wangui.
Photographer Manoj Kuttapurath Web Master Ivan Tracy Babor
We have gone DIGITAL! Check our account on ISSUU to read more of our online magazines.
We have a brand new website! kidzblogmagazine.com
Sales & Marketing Manager Faraz A Shah For Advertising Enquiries Tel: +971 4 276 1133 Email: info@kidzblogmagazine.com P.O. Box 56087, Dubai UAE Tel: +971 4 276 1133 Al Basel Publishing
Have you ever wanted to publish a birthday wish? Or say something special about your bestfriend? Or post a mini advertisement? Well, whatever it is! Say it on our SHOUT OUTS Page! Contact us on: ivan@kidzblogmagazine.com
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BREAKING
NEWS
Indoor adventure park for families reopens with new safety measures in place For families looking for an activity to do before the summer holidays end, Jumble, the indoor adventure park that provides fun team exercises such as puzzles and fitness challenges, has re-opened its doors. Adhering to the safety guidelines, Jumble will ensure to practice social distancing measures, have separate entry and exit points for their customers, organise temperature checks and provide sanitised wristbands and lockers. Bookings can be made through their website www.jumble.ae.
Schools are preparing for the return of students With social distancing measures still in place, schools are preparing for the return of their students in the new academic year. Students and teachers will be expected to wear their face masks at all times with the exception of eating and participating in sports. Students can also expect to see daily temperature checks in place and classrooms will be re-arranged to help maintain distance between each other. Students will also remain in the same classroom for each of their lessons to help avoid crowds throughout the day.
Parents can opt for distance learning in the new academic year Although schools in Dubai are now preparing to open for the academic year amidst COVID-19, The KHDA has announced that parents who are uncomfortable with sending their children back to school will be given the option to continue with distance learning. This option comes after parents expressed their concerns about their children going back to school and is aimed to help students eventually ease into returning to face-to-face learning.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Different from humans, sheep have four stomachs and each one helps them digest the food.
Saturn isn't the only ringed planet. Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune also have rings, but they are less obvious.
Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
The skin colour in humans is determined by the amount of pigment melanin produced by the body. The smaller the amounts present, the lighter the skin and vice versa.
The first man made object sent into space was in 1957 when the Russian satellite named Sputnik 1 was launched.
The Mariana Trench found in the Pacific Ocean is the deepest known point in the world’s oceans.
The first person to see a live cell through a microscope was Anton van Leeuwenhoek.
Only female mosquitos bite humans.
Almonds are members of the peach family
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A Trip to
Jebel Jais By Simran Chaudhry
Located in Ras Al Khaimah, Jebel Jais is the perfect place to enjoy unforgettable views, breathtaking nature and the many adrenaline fueled activities that are offered. Jebel Jais also makes for a fun family summer trip as the temperatures in the mountains are generally cooler than other areas of the country! With Jebel Jais being the tallest mountain in the UAE, families can enjoy the scenery around them from the Jais Sky Maze. This fun obstacle course
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involves climbing ropes, swings and bridges that are suspended 10 metres above the ground to give visitors a view of the mountains. For those who are feeling more adventurous, Jebel Jais is also home to the world’s longest zip line! Known as the Jebel Jais Flight, visitors will feel as though they are flying as they cross over the spectacular scenery at a speed of 120kph. Visitors can also experience zip lining across seven different platforms through the Jais Sky Tour. The Sky Tour offers a birds eye view of the
Hajar mountains as well as the chance to stop at the UAE’s highest sky bridge to witness the stunning cliffs and canyons.
mountains and canyons. Trails such as the Wadi Shah will give visitors the chance to discover For a different view of the Hajar mountains, the abandoned villages as Viewing Deck Park has seven different viewing well as spot different decks for visitors to check out. Located 1,250 animals like goats and meters above sea level, the viewing deck is a foxes. great opportunity to catch a 360-degree view of the beautiful mountain valleys. Visitors can also attempt to take on one of Jebel Jais’s several hiking trails for more views of the
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ALL ABOUT THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC By Simran Chaudhry
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Quick Facts
Official language: Spanish Currency: Dominican Peso Capital: Santo Domingo Population: 10.84 million people Punta Cana
Geographical Features The Dominican Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean and shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
The Dominican Republic is larger than the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the entire French West Indies combined!
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The country has many mountains and is home to the highest peaks in the Caribbean.
The longest river in the Dominican Republic is known as Yaque Del Norte.
Playa El Morro, Monte Cristi
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Places to Visit
Santo Domingo
The main place to visit in Santo Domingo is La Zona Colonial, where there are numerous art galleries, museums and restaurants to explore. Other popular areas include Parque Colón where you will find many street performers, as well as the ChocoMuseo where visitors can sample chocolate and learn about the country’s cacao history.
Jarabaco
a Known for its stunning waterfalls, valleys and mountain peaks, there are a range of activities for families to do in Jarabacoa such as river rafting on the Yaque Del Norte river, horse riding, hiking, paragliding and canoeing.
Home to beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Punta Cana has many water activities to enjoy such as sailing, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling and whale watching. For those who are feeling adventurous, visitors can also check out the Canopy Adventure Zip Line Tour, which offers a breathtaking view of the countryside
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ana
Punta C
People and Culture Jeison Rosario Two of the most popular sports loved by Dominicans are baseball and boxing. In fact, many world champion fighters in boxing are originally from the Dominican Republic!
Music and dance are a significant part of the country’s culture. The most popular types of music dance include Bachata, Salsa and the Merengue, which is the national dance of the Dominican Republic.
There are many festivals celebrated in the Dominican Republic, but one of the most well-known festivals is Carnaval Dominicano. This involves colourful costumes, lively music, dancing and street parades.
Art is also a big part of the Dominican Republic’s culture, especially in Santo Domingo where there are many artists, art galleries, studios and art exhibitions.
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Nature The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful nature, especially it’s mountains located in the town of Constanza. Constanza is often referred to as the ‘Switzerland of the Caribbean,’ and is also bordered by 4 national parks.
There are a variety of animals that you will come across in the Dominican Republic. Some of these include the Hispaniolan Solenodon, Dwarf Geckos, Rhinoceros iguana, frogs and snakes.
The country has over 6000 species of plants including orchids, coconut trees, Caoba and Rosade Bayahibe, which is the national flower.
Food The cuisine of the Dominican Republic is a combination of Spanish, African and Taíno culture. One of the most loved dishes is called Sancocho, which is a stew made up of different types of meat served with rice, beans and salad. Other popular dishes include Suspiritos, Mangú, Yaroa and La Bandera Dominicana, which is the country’s national dish.
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Color Me
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Fun Corner with
Celebrity Columnist and Kids TV & Radio Personality
Hello K idz Blog gers! I’m grabbin Magic P g this m hil and o n th’s Kid thanks s recently z . B o much log Mag I have la for azine! I’m unched That Lov m y second so excit es Red’, ed as children a story a red, but ’s book ll about ‘T who doe he Cam a camel el s it belo that find it? A fun n g to? Wha s somet filled ad hing t is it? A venture – Availa n d w it c a h n ble onlin loads of she retu e and at Magic P rn hil silline Booktop ss! ia Duba i.
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Top Summer Jokes Where do pencils go on holiday?
Where do cows go on holiday?
Pencil-vania Moo-York What’s Brown, Hairy and wears sunglasses?
A Coconut on Holiday
Tongue Twisters (Say these fast 10 times) • • •
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Simon shined his silver shoes Betty borrowed brain’s bike Suzie sang a silly song on Sunday
Fan Photos – Send us your Magic Phil photos and maybe you could be featured in our next issues.
magicphil.ae 21
DJ MICHELLE 23
MEET THE YOUNGEST DJ IN THE UAE 8 YEAR OLD DJ MICHELLE By Simran Chaudhry
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t just 8 years old, Mishel Rasul’s love for music and DJing has lead to her becoming one of the world’s youngest female DJs. She is a social media sensation with nearly 83,000 followers on Instagram and she’s even followed by world famous musicians and DJs such as DJ Snake, Chris Brown, Soulja Boy, Maya Diab, Latoya Jackson and Massari. Also known by her stage name, DJ Michelle, music became a part of her life from the moment she was born. With her father being a DJ himself (DJ Shock), it wasn’t long before she developed her own love for the skill and began learning and practicing with him until she was able to stand on her own. Today, Mishel will be sharing her journey in DJing and how this passion has inspired her to make other people happy and explains that she receives a lot of messages from people all over the world stating that they motivated to follow their dreams. are inspired by her passion, and some have When Mishel first told her parents about her evenstarted to follow in her footsteps! dream of becoming a world famous DJ, she had their full support and encouragement every step of the way! She explains: “My parents support me in everything I am interested in and I feel really blessed and grateful”.
While Mishel has come far in her journey as a young DJ, the achievement that she is mostly proud of was her invitation to the Sample Music Festival (an event for DJs and music producers) in 2019, whereby she was given the opportunity to When asked what she likes most about DJing, demonstrate her DJing skills. This was an exciting Mishel explains that she enjoys making others moment for Mishel who says: “I was the only kid happy: “The best thing about DJing and music DJ who was ever invited to participate on this for me is definitely seeing the smile on people’s festival held every year. It was amazing to see how faces, making them dance and spreading the DJs reacted to my scratching skills.” good vibes!” This year however, the COVID-19 pandemic has Having been labelled one of the world’s youngest had a massive impact on people and businesses female DJs, Mishel has shown that it is never too everywhere, and for Mishel, this meant she was early for young people to start working towards unable to go out and play live for a big crowd. something that they are passionate about. S he This didn’t stop the young DJ though, as staying
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at home gave her the opportunity to connect with her fans across the globe. Soon, Mishel was playing live DJ sets for her fans from different parts of the world some of which include Brazil, Mexico, The United States, Germany, Lebanon and India, just to name a few!
Away from her life as a DJ, Mishel spends her free time taking part in activities like dancing, singing, reading and karate. However, one thing you may not know about her is that she is currently working on a book. Titled ‘Nothing is Impossible - Anything is Possible’, Mishel explains that the book will encourage people to be inspired to Staying at home over the past few months meant follow their dreams. Mishel also shared another that Mishel has had to come up with creative ways exciting project of hers to watch out for- she is to perform at events. One example that she gives currently working on her first ever single! is DJing at birthday parties which are held via Zoom and Mishel seems determined to give the Mishel’s passion for music and DJing has resulted best experience possible to her fans: “I prepare in her achieving some major milestones, and my playlist and stage costume beforehand for shows that it is possible for you to chase your every event. I love the opportunity to play at Kids biggest dreams no matter your age. Mishel ends Zoom Birthday Parties now and I love to surprise by giving some very important advice for young them wearing superhero and party costumes,” people to keep in mind: “Believe in yourself! Do she explains. what you love and never give up!”
“
The best thing about DJing and music for me is definitely seeing the smile on people’s faces, making them dance and spreading the good vibes!
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Facts About Giraffes By Simran Chaudhry
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iraffes are land mammals that can be found wandering the savannas, grasslands or open woodlands of Africa. Although it is commonly believed that they belong to one species, there are actually four species of giraffes! These include: the Southern, Northern, Masai and Reticulated giraffe. One of the most noticeable differences is between the Reticulated giraffe and the Masai giraffe. The Reticulated giraffe has large orange patches on their body whereas the Masai giraffe has smaller patches that are darker in colour. Perhaps the most predominant characteristic of giraffes are their long necks. In fact, giraffes have been labelled the tallest land mammals in the world as they grow up to 18 ft tall their necks alone can grow over 6 ft tall! Their long neck helps them to keep a look out for predators and also allows male giraffes to fight with each other, which is otherwise known as ‘necking’. Giraffes are herbivores, meaning that they are plant eating animals. Therefore, their diet consists of leaves, seeds and fruit which they can reach from trees with the help of their neck. This means that they are able to reach for more nutrients compared to shorter animals, which is beneficial for giraffes in surviving the dry climate that they live in. Giraffes also have long legs, which not only helps them to support their weight but allows
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them to run as fast as 35 miles an hour! Another well-known characteristic of giraffes are the patches on their body, which helps to camouflage themselves from predators. There is also scientific research that suggests the blood vessels and sweat glands found under a giraffe’s patches help to release heat from their body. Giraffes often sleep for just 30 minutes a night and never longer than 5 minutes at a time to avoid being caught out by predators. A giraffe’s sleeping position is quite odd as they tend to sleep with their feet tucked under them and are sometimes even seen sleeping fully standing!
Did you know? 1. Giraffes only need to drink once every few days as they get most of their water from the plants they eat. 2. Giraffes spend most of their time eating an adult giraffe can consume over 45 kg of leaves and twigs in a day! 3. In the wild, giraffes can live for up to 25 years. 4. A giraffe’s tongue is 20 inches long and dark in colour, which protects them from sun exposure while eating.
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1. Create an organised workspace
E-Learning a Success: Practical Tips and Guidelines
Choose a quiet and comfortable space in your home for your workspace strictly devoted to learning. Think of this space as your virtual classroom and make sure to organise it well. Neatly arrange all that you would require for your daily classes and please ensure it is free from all distractions. This area should be a different set-up than where you play games or watch television.
2. Get up and Dress Up
Avoid the temptation to stay in your PJs. Start your day by getting dressed in your normal clothes or even school clothes to get in the mindset of heading to class, else you might find yourself becoming lazy and in the mood for lounging on the couch. So get up and dress up!
Aditi Gandhi, Year 7, The Winchester School Aaditya Gandhi, Year 9, The Winchester School Schools all over the world are currently closed as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. While practicing social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of schools and universities have announced online learning for uninterrupted education. Even in the UAE, thousands of children have experienced the first nationwide initiative to implement remote learning in the country. As students, we are extremely grateful to all the principals and teachers working consistently and dedicatedly towards designing online lesson plans, delivering content and arranging virtual meetings through various platforms. We all have been enjoying the last few weeks of distance learning. While it did seem a bit overwhelming at first, most of us have undoubtedly learnt the ropes. Here are a few practical tips and guidelines to help make the most of this opportunity to continue our learning and make it an enriching experience.
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3. Establish a daily routine
We all have a set routine on days we go to school. So try to find ways to replicate that routine as it shall help to prepare you mentally to plan your day and then stick to the plan. In order to have a well-balanced routine, get up early, finish your online classes, submit your assignments on time.
7. Be in touch with your teachers and mentors
4. Make a timetable for your online classes
It is essential that you follow the timetable set by your school for the online live classes as well as the recorded video lessons. Note down this timetable and keep it at a spot so that you can readily view it. You can also use sticky notes to help you become organised in keeping track of all the important details like submission deadlines or online assessments.
Distance learning will be successful only if you are regularly connected to your teachers. All your teachers will be available online and be in touch with you through e-mail as well as different apps like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams etc. Communicate and collaborate with them often to clarify your doubts and taking regular feedback on your work.
8. Control screen time and take regular breaks Prolonged periods of
screen time can have many side effects making you experience headaches and strained eyes. It is extremely essential to take small breaks in between your e-learning classes to feel relaxed, refreshed and energised. Drink adequate water, consume healthy snacks, exercise tired eyes and take a stroll around your home to regain your focus
5. Stay away from distraction
It can be hard to stay away from distractions like games, gadgets, television or social media especially when you don’t have to go to school. In such a situation, you will have to exercise your willpower to stay strongly motivated and disciplined. Turn off your phone, your microphone, your webcam and other distracting apps and tabs to help you stay focused while working. This isn’t always easy in our connected world but setting limits for yourself is the need of the hour.
6. Make the most of online lessons
The world of virtual learning is indeed exciting and intriguing, and we all need to make the most of it! While attending your online lessons, focus and concentrate on grasping the concepts and take notes as you would if you were in your regular classroom. In case you have any queries make sure to clarify them with your teacher either in the chatbox while the lesson is on or by emailing her later.
9. Interact with friends and family members through video chats
Being confined inside the house can have an unsettling effect and feelings of isolation. We are used to lots of social contact through our friends at school and family members. As we need to practice social distancing, we cannot meet them but can surely interact with them online which is beyond social media or text messaging. Video chats are often the closest thing to seeing someone in person. But do remember to take the permission of your parents and this can be your personal online playdate with your near and dear ones!
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10. Use your free time wisely
We all should make the most of the time we have at hand. Take this opportunity to bond with your family, take up a hobby, learn a musical instrument online, start an exercise routine, read a new book, clean your room or even try your hand at cooking a new dish in your kitchen!
11. Don’t treat this phase as a vacation
Since we are not going to school and are home all the time to keep ourselves and others protected, it might be difficult to concentrate on our studies. But our education is very important and just because classes have moved online, assignments and assessments aren’t going away. While this phase is certainly not a vacation, it’s important to schedule some fun activities as well.
12. Think Positive and be Optimistic
These are challenging and uncertain times no doubt! But it is all the more important that we steer away from negative emotions and have a positive frame of mind. Do not let the news about Covid-19 make you anxious, confused, stressed or fearful. If you feel any of these emotions, talk to your parents or your teachers. Have faith that things will get better. And don’t forget to look for the many advantages this situation will offer. You now have more time to spend with your family and also the fact that there are now fewer vehicles on the road amounting to less pollution and carbon emissions leading to environmental sustainability. So, try to take things one day at a time and do reach out to your teachers and classmates as and when needed.
Remember to stay home and stay safe. We are all in this together!
Thank you Aditi and Aaditya Gandhi for sending in your this Article!
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D
ubai Summer Surprises is back bringing you the best deals from a variety of retailers. Enjoy the best offers until the 29 th of Aug from your favourite outlets. Don't miss out on exclusive sale deals, daily surprises, exciting competitions and shop-and-win promotions. For the little ones, there are fun character shows that are assured to keep them engaged and entertained.
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THE FIRST STORY
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NAPPING By Jecinta Wangui
Taking a nap in the middle of the day is one of the best feelings in the world. It is an act of selfcare that has several health benefits if done properly. So how long should you take a nap? Experts recommend 10-30 minutes. This is more than enough to get you rejuvenated, any longer than that may leave you feeling tired and disorientated. If one can afford to take a longer nap, a full sleep cycle lasts at least 90 minutes. To ensure that your daytime nap doesn’t affect the quality of your sleep at night, avoid taking it after 3 pm. According to Healthline, younger children have the following recommended napping period dependent on their age:
0 to 6 months:
2-3 daytime naps that last from 30 minutes -2 hours each
6 to 12 months:
2-3 naps a day, that last from 20 minutes to a few hours
1 to 3 years:
1 afternoon nap that lasts 1 -3 hours
3 to 5 years:
1 afternoon nap that lasting 1-2 hours 5 to 12 years: If they’re getting 10 or 11 hours of sleep per night, then no nap is needed
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Benefits
Side effects
• Naps enhance learning abilities. Studies show that napping improves memory and focus which are essential in retaining new information.
• Naps that are too long will affect the quality of your sleep during the night.
• Taking a nap helps improve your mood. When feeling irritable and tired, napping helps relax the body and enable you to wake up feeling rejuvenated.
• Napping for more than 30 minutes may lead to sleep inertia which is when a person awakes from a deep sleep. It causes one to feel groggy and disoriented which affects the general performance of an individual.
• Napping is essential in boosting productivity. Studies show that a nap helps increase alertness which improves the overall performance of an individual.
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FEATURE STORY
Like Grandfather, Like Grandson An inspiring tale of a bond that has led to success and happiness
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The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is truly unique. While parents play the vital role of day to day nurturing, grandparents provide special care to young ones that ultimately impact their lives positively. Equipped with extensive life experience, they can offer mentorship and guidance to little ones, making them an asset to the entire family. That being said, today we have an inspiring story of a bond between a grandfather and grandson, that has led to happiness and success in both their lives. Meet Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah, the Chairman of MAG Group Holding and his grandson Moafaq Talal Al Gaddah, a multi Chess Champion at only 8 years old. Today they will be sharing insights about their relationship and how their connection has impacted their individual lives.
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Feature Story
Talking about his childhood, Mr. Al Gaddah states that even at a young age he was ambitious and hardworking. He used to walk six kilometers each morning to get to school while living in a small village in Syria. From a young age, he had a knack for leadership and business, hence strived to make his dreams come true, even when no one else believed in his vision. His son Talal M. Al Gaddah, Senior Executive Vice Chairman of MAG Lifestyle Development, mentioned in an article that while in school, his father was teased by other children for being a dreamer. However, he did not give up. Mr. Al Gaddah is, “More than a father, he has been my role model for as long as I can remember. His determination to succeed against all odds strengthens my resolution to achieve my own goals. This kind of aspiration and ambition is what I want to pass down to my son,� he adds. Today, his resilience has paid off. He grew his career from being a street vendor to one of the most successful businessmen in the world, running one of the largest corporations in the region, MAG Group Holding. Apart from being a business leader, Mr. Al Gaddah is all about family and investing in young people. Over
the years he has supported many university student activities, offered scholarships and financial support to Arabs living in Dubai, assisted local and Arab charitable associations such as Dubai Cares, among others. Despite achieving great success in his career and leaving a mark in the lives of those in
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need across the region and the world, Mr. Al Gaddah perceives his family as his greatest triumph, especially his grandson Moafaq Al Gaddah who has attained great success at such a tender age. Mr. Al Gaddah’s grandson is an intelligent young man equipped with great resilience and discipline. While conducting the interview, little Moafaq was a bit shy at first however, the whole room couldn’t help but notice when his face lit up as his grandfather entered the room. As he sat at the head chair in the meeting room (as directed by Mr. Al Gaddah), his confidence grew, and he became more talkative about his experiences. This goes to show what a wonderful presence Mr. Al Gaddah is in his grandson’s life.
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The young man has won several chess tournaments, and this is something that his family is proud of. Recently he was crowned champion at the ACF Junior Chess Academy Winter Championship, beating several prominent competitors. The tournament took place in Al Ain and the closing ceremony was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout AlNahyan, who is the President of the Asian Chess Federation. The ACF aims to teach young minds how to improve their skills and learn the importance of discipline through chess. Mr. Al Gaddah was right by his grandson’s side as he posed for a photo with his trophy. He mentioned that his mentorship has been a positive influence in his life and gave him the confidence to undertake challenges. Besides from his grandfather, another role model that the eight-year-old looks up to is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice president of the UAE and Ruler
of Dubai. For a young man of his age to admire and aspire to be like prominent business leaders, is truly remarkable. Throughout the interview, Mr. Al Gaddah looked lovingly at his grandson as he expressed how proud he was to see him reach such an incredible milestone at a young age. The work that he has put in to achieve his goal reflects Mr. Al Gaddah who, as a child, never shied away from hard work and always had the same drive to succeed. Mr. Al Gaddah even explained how happy he was that his grandson is challenging himself and is now
encouraging him to become a worldwide champion, ensuring to remain supportive of him until the end of the journey. Grandparents are nurturing, loving and patient and can guide their grandchildren by teaching them important lessons. Mr. Al Gaddah has a lot of wisdom when it comes to family and explained how the valuable life experience that grandfathers have gained can be passed on to their grandchildren. For fellow grandparents out there, Mr. Al Gaddah expresses how important it is for them to share a close and supportive relationship with their grand kids and encourage them to work hard and achieve their dreams. A big supporter of inspiring and challenging young minds to reach their biggest goals in
life, Mr. Al Gaddah says that it is vital for parents to understand what their children want from an early age. They should be able to make their child’s interest a big part of their life and work to help them improve in it, as it might even turn into a lifelong career! Mr. Al Gaddah rounds off with some key advice on what it takes to become a good business leader which includes being able to think straight, having a vision and working towards achieving it. He also expresses the importance of staying committed, being consistent and organized , having respect for others, and finally being trustworthy. kidzblogmagazine.com
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ly ah proud d d a G l A alal e Moafaq T randfather’s nam is g carries h s to follow in his ire as he asp can be expected It footsteps. gs will be achieved hin ill that big t an, who w his m g n u o y er by the hard und k r o w o t e. continue ’s guidanc r e h t a f d n gra
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Feature Story
AL L A T Q A M OAF AH D AL GAD
kidzblogmagazine.com
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by Martin Iskander
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Healthy Recipes By Anupa Mathews @anupa.210 Blogger Anupa of The Saffron Bowl has two quick and easy to prepare summer treats that are not only delicious, but also make for the perfect healthy snack to enjoy!
Date Apple Nibbles You will need: • 1 Apple (Red or Green variety) • 1 dozen Dates, pitted and sliced in half • Nut butters like Peanut Butter, Almond Butter or Cashew Butter
Topping Options: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Chocolate Chips Chopped Pistachios Cake Sprinkles Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate curls Chia Seeds Sliced Almonds Sliced Pistachios Bee Pollen Goji Berries Flaxmeal Granola Cream Cheese
Instructions: 1. Wash the apples well, core them and slice into 1 cm in thick roundels. 2. Spread the nut butter over each apple slice (I used Peanut Butter). 3. Place the dates on a platter with the pitted sides up and delicately stuff each date with the nut butter (I used Almond Butter, I love this combo with Pistachios). 4. Now top it off with whatever toppings your kids prefer and enjoy this delightful snack!
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Bento Meals
By @chiligobento
The word BENTO is a Japanese word that means “convenient” and it refers to a meal commonly served on a box. Though it started in Japan, many people nowadays in all countries, especially mothers, do the bento in their most creative ways. Everything from sandwiches to pasta, rice and salads may be included in the bento. As for me, I do bento for my 5 year old daughter for the reason that most of the time, and whenever she's requesting, I know for sure she will finish the meal I prepared for her. To keep the food fresh, I prepare the bento an hour before our lunch, midday snack or dinner time. Sometimes, with those that are hard to design, I prepare the cut outs earlier on that day.
Tips:
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lunch l food-safe u rf u lo o c rands ea re some b 1. Choos a re e h T . te for box or pla partments m o c le ip lt u that have m ning of the foods. io rt o p easy pro ls in a bento mea re a p re p s y t you 2. Alwa ke sure tha a M y. a w bread), y health tes (rice or ra d y h o rb a ggies include c s, etc.), ve g g e t, a e proteins (m and fruits. bles and red vegeta u lo o c t n izes fere different s 3. Use dif in m e th t aling cu fruits and more appe it e k a m s to reat for and shape s. This is g e y e ’s d il h to your c rs too. picky eate g in g ra u o enc paration d in the pre t you il h c r u o y his will le 4. Involve to meal. T n e b as ir e th of tastes and d n a s e k li r-child know their o a mothe ls a is it , s u a bon ctivity! bonding a
Brown and White Bear Rice Bento
You will n e
ed:
• Rice • 2 diffe rent colours of cheese • Soy Sa uce • Lettuc e • Nori S heet • Cling Wrap • Scisso rs • Tweez er
Instructions: 1. Mix half of the rice with soy sauce to achieve the color of a brown bear. 2. Scoop rice in cling wraps and shape them into 2 big ovals and 4 small circles. 3. Cut face details (eyes and mouth) on a nori sheet. You may use a clean puncher or cut it manually. 4. Using cheese, cut out an oval shape and a big circle. Use the oval for the mouth and cut the big circle in half to use for the ears. 5. Mold and arrange the face of the bears and attach the details using tweezers. 6. Finish your bento by adding meat or other protein and fruits and vegetables cut in different shapes. You may also use some food picks and cups for added designs.
Dog and Cat Cupcake Bento
You will need:
• 2 cupcakes • 2 different colors of cheese • Nori Sheet
Instructions: 1. Cut out circle shapes on cheese and nori sheets to create the mouth and eyes. For the ears, cut out two ovals for the dog and two triangles for the cat. 2. Arrange them on the cupcakes. 3. You may dab a small circle of mayonnaise using a toothpick to make the eyes more alive.
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DIY : Math Multiplication Clock By Poonam Indrodia and Yash Indrodia
Learning multiplications can be quite challenging. Poonam and her son Yash have come up with a fun craft that makes learning your multiplications much easier to understand! Let’s get started.
You will need: • • • • •
Two pieces of coloured paper Scissors Scale Pen Straw
Instructions: 1. Cut both pieces of paper into two equal circles. 2. Divide the paper circles into 10 equal parts with the help of your pencil and scale and write the answers of your multiplication table on one circle going downwards. 3. On the other paper circle make two rectangular cuts so that you can see the answers of your multiplication table underneath. 4. Make a hole in the centre of both your paper circles and join them together using a straw or pin to make the paper circles rotate and reveal the answers to your multiplications.
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DIY: Felt Hoop Frame
By Rashida @itsybitsycraftsy
Looking for an activity to do this summer? Rashida of the craft blog Itsy Bitsy Craftsy has a fun ‘Home Sweet Home’ Felt Hoop craft for you to try out! Before you get started make sure you have an adult present to help you when using the hot glue gun. Let’s begin!
You will need: • • • • •
Hoop Frame 2 Felt sheets in contrasting colours Scissors Hot Glue gun Image template
Instructions: 1. Iron both the felt sheets. 2. Separate out the hoop you are using to frame the first felt sheet (light blue in my case). Make sure the fabric is pulled taut. 3. Next, tighten the screw on the embroidery hoop. Trim the excess sheet in a circle around the hoop, leaving about a 1-1/2 inch margin. 4. Stick the extra part of the sheet on the backside of the hoop using the hot glue gun. 5. Print the ‘Home Sweet Home’ template provided to use as stencil for the second coloured felt sheet. 6. Reverse the design and trace it on the second felt sheet with the help of the stencil. 7. Cut out the design. 8. Position the screw on top and stick the cut out design below it using a hot glue gun.
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Millie Bobby Brown 51
Celebrity of the Month
Millie Bobby Brown By Simran Chaudhry
Millie Bobby Brown has achieved incredible milestones since starting her career in acting, from becoming the youngest person featured in Times 100 Most Influential, to being the youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
“
At the end of the day, I just do my job. I love my art. But I genuinely want to change the world. I’m very generous, and I really want people to see that I am - that’s really it - Millie Bobby Brown
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Millie landed her first television role back in 2013 on the fantasy drama Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. After working in smaller roles for shows like Modern Family, Millie went on to star in the well-known sci-fi series Stranger Things. The actress even became one of the youngest people in the industry to be nominated for an Emmy award for her work on the show! Aside from her acting career, the 16 year old is dedicated to focusing on her work as an activist. Since being named the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, Millie has used her role to raise awareness of children’s rights, lack of education, violence against children and bullying. In 2018 Millie contributed to the #GoBlue Campaign for UNICEF’s World Children’s Day by encouraging her followers to wear blue to support the fight for children’s rights. The following year she had the opportunity to speak at the UN’S global summit for World Children’s Day, where she opened up about her personal experience with being bullied as a child.
Millie has also shown her support for women’s rights. In 2019 she became the ambassador for the Union of European Football Association’s #WePlayStrong campaign. The campaign worked to support girl’s and women’s football as well as inspire a larger number of young girls to get involved with the sport. Millie’s success doesn’t stop there however. Last year she launched her first ever vegan make up and skincare line named Florence, and even collaborated with footwear company, Converse, to launch two successful collections! For the young actress’s next project you can expect to see her on the big screen as she stars in the movie Gozilla Vs. Kong, set to be released later this year, and has also landed the lead role in the mystery film Enola Holmes. Millie’s successful career along with her passion for helping people shows that with hard work you can achieve your biggest goals and make a difference in fighting for a cause that you believe in.
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Hayah Dilshad -
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9 years old
Aditi Gandhi - 12 years old
Aaditya Gandhi - 14 years old
years old Zara Azmi - 15
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Zoha Zafran 6 years old
Jersey - 10 years old
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Vaidehi Acharya 13 years old
Caiomhe Fernandes - 6.5 years old
Zoha Zafran 6 years old
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Sravya Nagalakunta - 15 years old
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Writing Competition Winners "Your Favourite Hobbies"
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Hobbies By Sayyida Rania 13 years old
H
obbies: Those little things we do that help us pass time and unknowingly helps us develop a lot of skills. In these times, as an attempt to adapt to the new normal, young people including myself have been pursuing different hobbies. The best part is that there is a whole world of hobbies out for you to explore! Be it stamp collecting or painting, everything comes with its own set of perks. Some things I have been doing to pass the time are: • Art: Art isn’t just a hobby, it consists of many! Art journaling, painting, sculpting are just few of the numerous things you can do under art. I have painted CDs, practised sketching and much more! It helps me think more creatively to fill spaces in beautiful ways and guarantees numerous hours of fun and joy! • Gardening: Having a green corner in your home is a very enjoyable hobby to pursue and most importantly, it helps the environment! Composting and sowing are just parts of this interesting hobby. I suggest all of you pursue this hobby as it helps the environment and at the same time is very interesting. • Writing: Article writing, story writing, script writing and many more! Writing helps in developing better vocabulary and helps you get your creative juices flowing! This is always a personal favourite which I hold close to my heart and I hope you do too. • Making videos: Making videos about whatever interests you is an amusing hobby and if you wish, you can upload them on YouTube to share your big ideas to the world! The above are some of the things I have been doing and I hope you will try them out too and always remember, there is a whole world of hobbies out there for you to explore!
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Hobby Time = Fun Time By Anika Bhise 8 years old
I
magine Alice’s curiosity when the white rabbit went along the path and down into the strange wonderland, and how she left everything to chase him down and fell in the hole into the wonderland? That’s exactly how I feel when there’s a new book in the house. I just can’t wait to read it. You guessed it! My hobby is reading books and Alice In Wonderland is one of my favourite books of all time. Whenever I read books I am transported into the book and I imagine that I am one of the characters. I have been reading since I was very young and now that I read a variety of books, I also review the books I have read. I post all of my book reviews on my YouTube channel. It is fun to expand the book after reading, learning about authors and illustrators and sharing my thoughts with my friends and family members online.
the planets, grapes were asteroids and so on. After I finish doodling, I go and tell the story in my mind to all my family members and we all have a good laugh.
One more hobby that I have been building on since I was very young is swimming. I started swimming at the age of two and now it’s grown from an interest to a hobby. I go to swimming classes regularly to practice my strokes and improve my skills. Last year we went to Fujairah over the weekend and tried snorkelling near Snoopy Island. As soon as I put the snorkelling gear on, and put my face under the water, it was as if the curtains had lifted from the stage and a whole new drama was unfolding in front of me. We saw a variety of sea life bustling and going about their ways. The best moment was when we Illustrating your imagination on the paper is fun swam through the school of mackerels, it felt like too. I love creative art when my mind is building going through a grand procession where I was a a story and my hand is doodling the characters. mermaid queen and all the fish were waving out In my free time, especially ever since e-learning to me. I am hoping to go on another adventure started, I have been doodling. I made a picture after summer and experience the sea-life. of outer space by drawing fruits: blueberries were space junk, watermelons and honey melons were
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My Favourite Hobby By Manvik Gupta 12 years old
My Hobbies during Quarantine By Kyra Behl 11 years old
My favourite hobby is reading. Reading helps me learn new vocabulary and it is even a different type of recreation in these times. When I start reading a book, it gives me pleasure and it fades away all the pressure from studies, school etc. Reading even enables me to learn new topics and look upon them in my daily life. Many books have new ideas which stimulate my mind and makes my imagination run wild. It keeps me focused in grasping the knowledge of the book and it keeps me controlled and occupied instantly.
During the lockdown, I discovered many new talents and hobbies. A few weeks ago, I started drawing Manga or you can say Anime, that’s a type of Japanese comic. I would grab my Manga set and sketch a number of super heroes, villains and even animals. It was not so soon until I decided that I’m going to write my own fantastic Manga comic. One of my other hobbies is playing the piano. I have been playing the piano since I was four years old and it immediately stuck with me ever since.
Some books are so good that I read them in a few days. Books even make topics simpler and easier to understand as terms are explained. They teach us to think twice and enable our brains to think in a different perspective on topics. It sometimes even shows your true potential and it helps a lot in increasing your concentration on what you read. I usually use them to study in a better way and they even teach you new terms.
I really feel that everybody should learn something new like painting, playing an instrument, and writing a book etc, as we have all the time in the world right now. Well let me get back to my hobby of playing the piano. Soon I’m going to be giving my grade seven trinity test, so wish me luck. My other hobby is writing short stories or even long novels. Last year I published my first book ‘Some Peculiar Stories’. The book includes eleven short stories, ending with a cliffhanger. It’s also available on Amazon.com, so do check it out. After that amazing experience I contributed some of my stories for the Big Write Up, organized by the Young Author Academy. I’m in the process of writing my third book named ‘The World Beneath our Feet’, though I don’t want to give much away as you never know, you might be reading the next Harry Potter. Since we have all the time in the world you never know, you might find your new hobby that might come in handy in the future.
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MY HOBBIES By Arjun Kapur 16 years old
During this quarantine period, I alongside my family have strived to find many ways in which we can be around each other and have more family time. I have multiple hobbies, that range from reading books and blogging to playing sports with my friends and family. But the hobby I would like to focus on is my interest in sports. This is because playing sports is my favourite hobby as it makes working out more enjoyable and brings people together.
with the whole family. I believe hobbies are not just a way for finding fun in life, but it’s also unifying with the people around you, and creates memories that can last for a lifetime.
During these uncertain times, we all have been faced with difficulty, and we can overcome this with keeping company with our loved ones. Sharing my sport hobbies along with my family keeps us busy, happy and healthy altogether. I suggest that everyone take up at least one sport I love playing sports because I am very competitive as their hobby; if not, pursue a hobby that you myself. So, every week, me and my dad would play find most entertaining. Taking up a hobby has tennis for a solid 2 hours. We manage to get our been most dire right now than ever, and having exercise sorted, and have fun at the same time. one is always amazing. Also, I play table tennis with my little brother and mum every evening. I have a spacious backyard, so we switch it up and also play cricket sometimes
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Get set up for summer and keep your family’s defences supported with a range of nature’s very own superfoods! We checked in with Kidzapp who teamed up with leading children’s cookery author and food expert, Annabel Karmel, to pull together a selection of top foods full to the brim with immune boosting properties.
Top 10
Immune Boosting
Foods For Your Family
1. Brocolli A powerful source of vitamins and minerals, broccoli is one healthy vegetable to pop on your plate. It contains vitamin A, C and E as well as iron, potassium and folate to name but a few. Make steaming your superpower when it comes to cooking your veggies as steaming is the best way to maintain those all-important nutrients. Why not try serving steamed Tenderstem broccoli ‘soldiers’ with a boiled egg for little ones to dunk and dip!
2. Salmon Oily fish such as salmon is the best source of omega 3 essential fatty acids and should feature in your child’s diet twice a week. It’s an essential nutrient, hence the ‘essential’ in its title! Omega 3s are responsible for helping the development of your child’s vision, nervous system as well as brain growth and development. Plus, they help to reduce inflammation and enhance the function of your immune cells.
3. Carrots Carrots pack a powerful crunch. High in antioxidants; this cheap and cheerful versatile veggie is packed full of vitamin A, and lots of other all-important immune boosting nutrients.
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4. Avocados Rich in monounsaturated fats (also known as the ‘good type’ of fat) avocados are one of the most nutrient dense foods around. They also contain vitamins A, C and E which can help our immune systems fight off any unwanted attack!
5. Curry (garlic, ginger and turmeric) If your family likes to cook-up a good curry at the weekend, then you’re in luck. Those typical curry ingredients such as garlic, ginger, turmeric and other spices all have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties so plan in that healthy homemade ‘takeaway’ night now!
6. Blueberries Blueberries are packed with vitamin C to help you fight off bothersome colds so are an essential ingredient for your family throughout the year. Frozen berries are just as nutritious as fresh so when they’re not in season, have a stash in your freezer so you can dip in when your family need an immune boost!
7. Eggs Eggs are one of my favourite ingredients to cook with as they contain so many important nutrients such as protein and essential vitamins and minerals including folate, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, choline and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. There are so many recipes you can create with the almighty egg – try some egg muffin cups, veggie fritters, scrambled egg tortilla wraps or stir through rice for a tasty egg fried rice.
8. Spinach There’s a reason Popeye was a fan! Not only is this leafy green packed with vitamin C, it contains a whole host of antioxidants as well as beta carotene which can help build and strengthen your immune system. Straight up spinach might not be top of your child’s favourite foods list, so I like to serve it up in different ways. For example you can blitz spinach into a pancake batter, stir through a tomato sauce in a pasta bake or make a super-fuelled pesto!
9. Yoghurt Opt for the ‘live and active’ yoghurts which contain ‘good for you’ bacteria. These live cultures are said to stimulate your immune system and support your digestive health. But, do be careful to choose one that is full fat and check that it doesn’t contain any added sugar. If needed, you can always sweeten slightly with fresh fruit.
10. Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants such as omega fatty acids, zinc and vitamin E. Variety is key so why not mix it up with some homemade granola for breakfast or task your little ones to help you make mini energy balls by blending dates, oats, peanut butter, chia seeds and raisins – and then get rolling!
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