Vivian Baby 23, December 2013

newspaper post

December 2013

IssUe 23

a UsefUl gUIDe to chIlDren’s growth

Give them a Plum start

t h e p o i n t, t i g n e

Two Gold Awards

go to Orchard Toys

Creative Play

Introducing a Second Language

Experiences as a dad

Babies’ Senses

03 05 06 08 10

Benefits of Creative Play

12 14

Exposing Children to a Second Language

17 18 22 26 28 34

Omega 3 – for all the Family

Sleepy Time Friends It’s begInnIng to look a lot lIke

Christmas!

And rightly so…with the Christmas season now upon us; trees are up, decorations out and that wonderful festive feeling is all around. So all that’s left is The Vivian Baby Christmas issue….and here it is!

In this time leading up to one of the biggest celebrations of the year we bring you a newsletter filled with ideal gifts for your little elves, along with various articles including some information on pets and babies, new experiences as a dad, benefits of Omega 3 and 6 and much more.

On this note the VivianBaby team and I would like to wish you all a magical Christmas, filled with all the joys it brings with it, and a healthy, happy new year!

tigieg t u B y a R and Team Publisher: Lawrence Gatt, Vivian Corporation Editor: Ray Buttigieg Contributors: Claire Camilleri, Hannah Cremona, Mariebelle Muscat, Luan May Sant, Sephora Schembri, Sarah Wismayer 29 Sanitas Building, Tower Street, Msida, MSD 1824 Tel: 2134 4610 / 2134 4616, Email: info@viviancorp.com www.viviancorp.com

Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles for Toddlers

I’m a Daddy Now!

Pets & Babies

Competitions

Two Gold Awards for Orchard Toys

Our Children’s Development

Dressing skills

Oasi Plasmon

ANGEL DIAPERS • Best Prices • Available in all sizes • Available from leading outlets

Collect your FREE sample pack FROm OuR SALES OFFICE: 29 SANITAS BuILDING, TOwER STREET, mSIDA, mSD 1824

Dudini

Mother Nature protects your he alth

The sleepy time friends with natural antibacterial fabric

h

ave you ever thought about the amount of germs, bacteria and allergens that are in contact with your baby every single day, while playing or sleeping with their favorite teddy bear or soft toy?

Dudini are the safest and healthiest soft toys, in fact, they are the only soft toys in the world made of Natural aNtIBacterIal fabric derived from the phytoncide extract of the hinoky cypress tree. at least once in our lifetime, we all tried the mental and physical benefit of a simple walk in the forest: that is the effect of the phytoncide, which is directly released by plants and trees. phytoncide has always been acknowledged for its effectiveness in eliminating germs and bacteria, as it is produced naturally by plants and trees for their self-protection against parasites. the phytoncide on your Dudini will last even after many washes, ensuring the optimal safety for your baby.

A mother’s scent helps baby to sleep peacefully having a toy with the mother’s scent will help a baby to sleep peacefully, as well as aiding and comforting after crying or helping to face something the baby is afraid of. Many experts advise mums to keep a soft toy with them while sleeping in the last period of pregnancy. this allows the toy to resemble the mother’s scent and will provide comfort not only in the first hours but also during the following months. Dudini are perfect for this: they will calm and reassure the baby, while preventing them from entering in contact with germs and bacteria.

Dudini are four different animals, lio the lion, teo the hippo, Nillo the rabbit and Mia the monkey.

Dudini change and grow together with your baby becoming a friend that will be able to relieve them whenever in need.

Nillo the rabbit

Teo the hippo

Dudini are innovative and different from all the other soft toys!

Mia the monkey Lio the lion

• Dudini are the one and only soft toy with an antibacterial and natural fabric • Dudini are the only soft toys that are ALWAYS 100% hygienic and healthy as they do not carry any germs or bacteria • Dudini retain the mum’s scent, reassuring and calming down the baby • Dudini comply with all the European safety norms • Dudini are certified by a globally recognized institution • Dudini can be washed in the washing machine without losing their antibacterial properties, even after many washes.

Available at all leading Pharmacies and Baby Shops

Orchard TOys have been approved for use within the National curriculum in the U.K.

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exCellent for pre-sChool maths Quite simply the aim of the game is to be the first to fill your board with the correct coloured sheep.

This game is aimed at children aged 3+ but I honestly feel it is suitable for children aged two years and over. It is an excellent resource for promoting pre-school maths, as colour recognition and matching is one of the first steps in mathematical development. The game also helps teach turn-taking in a very simple format, for the younger user the sheepdog section could be ignored if they have problems understanding the choice element.

Counting made fun!

Excellent first number, colour and counting game. Very bright and colourful.

Really easy to play too. Kids loved it.

I really like this game, it is a very quick and simple game to fit into a fiveten minute slot. Ideal before bedtime or as a preliminary activity to a maths or art activity.

ages: 3-12 Can you be the first to collect all your sheep?

Gather your flock in this fun colour matching game for young players!

educational information • Promotes colour recognition • Encourages observational skills • Teaches social interaction and turn-taking • Links with early learning goals

ages: 3-12 Collect one to ten in this first colour and number game. Can you be the first player to find all the numbers to complete your caterpillar? A fun colour matching game that helps to teach number sequencing. educational information • Develops and reinforces number recognition.

• Promotes early counting skills • Encourages colour and matching recognition • Encourages observation and memory skills

orchard toys are available from leading supermarkets, toyshops and stationeries 4

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…& two gold awards go to

orchard toys!

We are proud to announce that two of our games have each won a Gold Award through the popular “Bizziebaby” website

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TOP 20 MOST RECOMMENDED GAMES 20 Crazy Chefs 19 Pirate Shapes Game 18 Farm Snap 17 Party Party Party 16 Fairy Tales 15 Under The Sea 14 Pirate Snakes & Ladders & Ludo 13 Tell The Time Lotto 12 Jungle Puzzle 11 Shape Snap 10 Transport 9 Alphabet Lotto 8 Pass The Word 7 Bus Stop 6 Shopping List

pirate shapes - age: 3-6 years is a very simple game for young children, which encourages colour and shape recognition.

5 Farmyard Puzzle 4 Pets Puzzle 3 Farm Opposites 2 Match and Count

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Flashcards

goldiloCks and the three Bears age: 4-11 years is aimed at slightly older children. In this game Goldilocks races the three bears back to their cottage. This game involves a sneaky bit of arithmetic too!

Call us on Freephone for further information 80073102 5

Welcome to Boikido’s world!

This is wood for real!

B

oikido toys are round shaped and coloured, and offer a constant free play environment for your child. Boikido also blends with your home furniture.

Boikido wooden toys are of superior quality, are steadfast, reliable and can be handed down to other siblings and generations. The toys’ softness of touch and superior quality are a complementary in decorating your child’s room. early Childhood development and the Benefits of wooden Jigsaw puzzles Early childhood development, basically children between one and five years, occurs rapidly and is widely recognized as extremely important in setting the foundation for future learning. Social, cognitive, and motor skills are needed

puzzle fishing game This colorful 2 in 1 puzzle with funny fish will help your child develop fine motor skills. Guide lines under the pieces will help him match the pieces together. For fishing game, all fish should be inserted upside down vertically in the slots for easy fishing.

to handle the demands of pre-school and kindergarten. During these formative years, parents and other carers, have the ability to enhance this development by wisely choosing activities that stimulate and challenge their children’s minds.

Benefits of Jigsaw puzzles for toddlers – ages 1-3 Toddlers should be given jigsaw puzzles having large pieces and with simple content. As they master the simpler ones, caregivers or parents can introduce puzzles with greater complexity and smaller pieces. As a result, these toddlers will receive the following benefits: • Hand-eye coordination by grasping and placement of puzzle pieces • Knowledge of various shapes and sizes • Problem solving skills when they master the assembly of each puzzle • Sense of pride in a job well-done, enhancing self confidence.

first puzzles A colourful first puzzle with raised pieces. Guide lines under the pieces will help the child match the pieces.

• Enhanced memory capabilities, as they recall what they did and learned • An understanding of the concept of sequencing in puzzle piece placement • Recognition of various colours • Identification of objects, animals, and other jigsaw puzzle contents.

aBC Cubes These 28 multi sided printed wooden cubes will be a great way to learn letters and numbers while playing. Making constructions and towers will also develop motor skills. It includes capital letters, lower case letters, numbers and shapes.

Boikido toys are available from leading supermarkets, toyshops and stationeries 6

double sided domino Learning to count and to identify numbers is a very important stage before entering primary school. The double sided dominoes can be used at a younger age with the colourful drawings. For 3 years and up, the child can use the dots side as he begins to learn to count.

Drawer box for easy storage.

Blocks 30pcs A colorful and imaginative starter building block set.

Includes 30 colorful wooden building blocks and a tote bag for easy storage.

In addition, jigsaw puzzles offer opportunities for parental/caregiver interaction with a toddler, especially as a new jigsaw puzzle is introduced. While a valued bonding experience, it is also a chance to assess the appropriateness of each puzzle, including whether they are too difficult or too simplistic, potentially frustrating the toddler.

• Recognition of geometric shapes, such as squares, triangles, circles, etc.

• Familiarization with letters of the alphabet and the concept of spelling • Ability to recognize and spell their names, as well as simple words • Identification of basic numbers and the concept of counting

Benefits of wooden Jigsaw puzzles for preschoolers – ages 3-5 Preschoolers will continue to benefit from jigsaw puzzles, with increasing number of pieces, and more complex/ challenging content. While furthering what they learned as toddlers, they will receive the following additional benefits:

Wooden jigsaw puzzles offer significant early childhood development benefits. Parents, aunties, grandmas, and other family members, plus friends and other caregivers may consider one of these puzzles as a gift this Christmas!

flower Counting Learning to count and identify numbers is a very important stage before entering primary school.

Thanks to the colour codes, the child can first assemble the 11 piece flower puzzle while learning how to count by inserting the correct number of pegs in each petal. Includes 60 pegs.

Drawer box for easy storage.

Blocks are one of the top educational toys Building blocks are one of the most basic toys you can find for children.

It may seem they do not really do anything and in their simplest form they are just little wooden cubes.

But to a child, they represent a world of possibilities. wooden Blocks help: • Develop Creativity & Imagination.

• Develop Problem Solving skills.

• Teach Size & Shape Discrimination.

• Teach Relationship & Perception Skills.

• Encourage Basic Math & Science Skills.

• Teach Sorting & A Sense of Order.

• Develop Hand Eye Coordination.

• Develop Fine Motor Skills.

• Enhance Logic Skills.

• Encourage Social & Cooperation Skills.

• Are fun for all ages!

geometric stacking puzzle A4 piece puzzle with stacking geometric shapes to learn to count, sort shapes and recognize colours.

Includes 10 stacking shapes.

Call us on Freephone for further information 80073102 7

t n e m p o l e v d e s ’ n e r d l i h c O ur … y a l p f o e c n a t r o p m i e h t d an

The firsT 5 years

the first five years of a child’s life are critical for development. moroever, our relationship with our child shapes the way they learn and grow In the first five years of life, our children’s brain develops more and faster than at any other time in their life. The early experiences, the things they see, hear, touch, smell and taste – stimulate their brain, creating millions of connections.

Both genes and the environment influence our children’s development. genes are the blueprint for our children’s development and carry information about what they will look like, how they might behave, their physical and mental health and more. The information in children’s genes come from us parents.

The environment is the experiences our children have

with their family, school and the wider community. The environment influences things like their language, as well as how independent children can be and how good they are at forming relationships.

As our children develop, genes and environment influence each other. The way children’s genes and environment work together affects their development!

Music Band Table Chicco Malta

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Babies are born ready to learn, and their brains develop through use. So our children need a stimulating environment with lots of different activities that give them plenty of ways to play and learn, and lots of chances to practise what they are learning. why play is important In the early years, children’s main way of learning and developing is through play.

Play is fun for children and gives them an opportunity to explore, observe, experiment, solve problems and learn from their mistakes. They need our support and encouragement to do this. But it’s important to try to find a balance between helping them and letting them make mistakes, because finding out for themselves about how the world works is a big part of learning.

Lots of time spent playing, talking, listening and interacting helps our children learn the skills that they need for life, like communicating, thinking, solving problems, moving and being with other people and children.

Learning is a growth phase where children pay a lot of attention to sounds and melodies. Activity centres, musical toys and shape sorting are important because they teach them the concepts of shape, size and logical association.

1. drums

2. dJ console

3. Maracas

Call us on Freephone for further information 80073102 9

Babies’ senses…

REady TO ExplORE ThE WORld

haNd COORdiNaTiON SkillS

MuSiCal SkillS

The senses help babies grow during babies’ first few months of life, they use their senses to perceive reality and get to know the environment they live in. The environment around them, with its sounds, colours and smells, is a fundamental source of stimulation that is precious for their development.

The Chicco Baby Senses line has been specifically designed to accompany and stimulate the sensory development of babies and encourage their bollo età first experiments with motor skills.

Easy Grasp animal Rattles These cute little animals are light elementi distintivi del nuovo pack TOYS weight and easy to grasp, making them ideal to help infants coordinate their first movements, encouraging the progressive evolution of the instinctive grasp reflexes typically found in newborns, towards the voluntary ability to grab and shake.

producing Sounds and Music Babies are attracted to toys that provide sound and music stimulation. They love discovering different sounds and experimenting their ability to shake and hit objects to create a sound effect and develop the basics of learning cause and effect concepts.

bollo età

Bubble island

Music Ball

Multi activity Vibrating Monkey

Baby phone colore di base PANTONE verde 368

Chicco Malta colore di base PANTONE verde 368

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+ giallo al 55% in sovrastampa

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+

TaCTilE SkillS

ViSual SkillS

TEEThiNG pERiOd

elementi distintivi del nuovo pack TOYS

First activities The first tactile experiences for infants mainly involve contact with their mothers and the exploration of their bodies. This progressively expands to include relations with other objects.

Manipulation of toys made of different materials, surfaces and consistencies convey different sensations to infants and help them refine their tactile and sensory skills.

Flashing lights Rattles By the age of 3 months, infants see objects more clearly and start to perceive details and distinguish primary colours. These animals have strong contrast coloured decorations and light effects to encourage and adapt to the development of their visual skills during this growth phase. The use of red and white with luminous effects attract infants and stimulate their visual skills.

bollo età

Cooling & Soft plastic Rattles at the age of 3 months babies are able to coordinate their movements.

Their eye-hand coordination allows infants to fix their gaze on objects and put them in their mouth to explore them further. They look at an object, grasp it and put it in their mouth. These rattles have different surfaces to inspect and specially shaped cooling parts to provide relief for some sore gums during the teething period.

Music ‘n’ play Table

animal Cottage

colore di base PANTONE verde 368

+ giallo al 55%

Freephone for further information 80073102 11

Exposing Children an extraordinary potential for children! a foreign language becomes a game learn many different sounds while playing In the early months of their lives, babies boast a natural inclination in learning any type of vocal sound without any difficulty, even if it belongs to different languages. By choosing a bilingual toy, this amazing skill can be boosted.

Children have fun and become familiar with the sound of another language through play and a pleasant experience that involves linguistic, cognitive, psychomotor and creative skills.

The sooner babies are introduced to a foreign language, the simpler and more natural it will be for them to learn it in the future.

In fact, while they discover the language basics, they posses the utmost potential to learn many sounds.

Language and Emotions

Language and Movement

at this age, babies already have a language form that is not expressed through words, but gestures and expressions, and it is strictly linked to the sphere of their emotions.

at this age, children learn to repeat syllables linked with each other. it is also the time to crawl, and for these young ones to take their favourite toys out and about with them.

9 MONThs

6 MONThs

Words, nuMbers & CuddLes Teddy Count With Me is a friend to cuddle, to have funwith and this helps discovery: • First Numbers • Greetings • Animals • Lively nursery rhymes • Parts of the body Teddy talks when turned • First words upside-down!

Chicco Malta 12

first Words, first MoveMents Talking dragon is a pull-along toy packed with surprising interactive activities: • Colours • Alphabet • Names of animals • Numbers his head moves from side to side • Shapes as babies pull him around.

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to a second language Language and Imitation 12 MONThs

at this age toddlers are able to say their first words. They love observing and imitating adult’s activities and they are now able to recognise and name an object.

understanding and iMitating Talking Carpenter is a workbench with 8 tools that help toddlers develop their hand coordination skills and stimulate their imagination and creativity. it also offers light and sound effects that reproduce the real noises of tools, fun tunes, songs and phrases. Talking carpenter helps toddlers to discover: • Opposites • Alphabet • Colours • Numbers • Carpenter tools and words • Shapes

Talking kitchen offers 13 activities that stimulate toddlers’ imagination. it includes a lot of songs, melodies and phrases to familiarise with: • Alphabet • Numbers • Shapes and objects • Opposites and directions • Ingredients for cooking and kitchen accessories • Telling the time.

• It has lots of sound effects that reproduce the real

life noises heard in kitchens, emits light effects and includes a shape sorter toy to learn the importance of recycling!

Talking Garden Table has a garden to explore by playing with music and words. it includes songs, nursery rhymes and funny phrases to familiarise with: • Alphabet • Shapes • Numbers from 1 to 10 • Colours • Animals • Opposites & surfaces

Call us on Freephone for further information 80073102 13

Let’s be

creative!

We are pleased to introduce you to giotto Bebè, part of the FILA Group, which is the first complete line of drawing colours specially designed for toddlers, thanks to their non toxic ingredients.

The range offers innovative products to fully satisfy young children’s needs and requirements. They are easy to use, and are available in bright colours and offer a playful day for the little ones. On the other hand, parents may rest assured that these products are safe, harmless, washable from hands and fabrics and dermatologically tested.

The range includes Super Largepencils, Super Fibre Pens, Unbreakable Supercrayons, Super Finger Paints + accessories & Super Modelling Dough and accessories.

All products have been designed with mothers to enable the children to open and close the products by themselves. They open like a book and have special slots where the products can be stored after use! These features encourage children to keep their colours organized from when they are young! is known for ✔ Quality ✔ Research & Innovation ✔ Products that cater to the need of pre-school children in complete safety ✔ Constant attention to mums and children’s requirements giotto Bebe’ products are available from leading supermarkets, toyshops and stationeries 14

Benefits of creative play

super fibre pens Jumbo size and easy to grip Super washable colours from hands and fabric Includes choke proof caps and child proof stopper and extra strong tight fitting nib Dermatologically tested inks

unbreakable supercrayons Jumbo size and easy to grip Resistant when dropped Washable colours Dermatologically tested

super largepencils Jumbo size and easy to grip Extra soft lead Anti-bite plastic and cover Washable colours

super modelling dough super finger Colours Mellow bright colours Washable from the hands with water Harmless and dermatologically tested

Very Soft Made from natural ingredients Clean and will not cause stains Washes off skin with warm water Harmless and dermatologically tested

Creative Play is what children do when they are just being children, and there are plenty of things you can do to encourage creative play in your home. Whether it is drawing, painting, cutting, pasting, modelling or making, all children love being creative if they are given the chance, and the act of being creative brings with it so many benefits. if your kids love digging into arts and crafts projects with, colours, paint or glue up to their elbows, relax – they’re learning and developing in essential ways while making a beautiful mess. children obtain many important benefits from the opportunity of working with arts and crafts projects, making creative activities worthwhile in your home.

these products are safe, harmless, washable from hands and fabrics and dermatologically tested.

maxi set A rich and complete kit to colour, play and model

giotto

super colour box A personalised and exclusive case that contains the full Giotto Bebe range

Call us on Freephone 80073102 for your nearest stockist

competition We would like you to colour the sheep above which is the main character shown on each giotto product in any colour which is shown on the packaging. Send the coloured sheep by 31 January 2014 to giotto Bebè, Vivian Corporation, 29 sanitas Building, tower street, msida msd 1824. The first three envelopes to be opened will receive a set of Giotto Largepencils.

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BIOlOGY AT ThE sERVIcE Of DERMO-PAEDIATRIcs care products recognised by the skin

the skin to “Teaching live according to its natural biology”

since it was founded, BIODERMA has devoted a large part of its research to understanding the skin's natural and original functioning.

The aim: to reproduce it.

Natural mechaNisms, absolute models When the skin suffers from external attacks, medical treatments or cutaneous ageing, rather than treat it, BIODERMA designs biomimetic* molecules and processes that boost its natural and biological mechanisms.

active iNgredieNts 100% approved by the skiN, 100% safe BIODERMA's care products tend to avoid chemical substances foreign to the skin, with 100% biomimetic*, pure and natural active ingredients that respect the skin's physiology. Used at appropriate doses for optimal efficacy, they are tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.

A DERMO-PAEDIATRIC INNOVATION fROM BIODERMA's REsEARch lABs

abcderm, a range of baby products, enjoying an exclusive dermatological safety charter. high safety• Formulated without paraben**, without phenoxyethanol, without artificial colouring or essential oils, without chlorphenesin, without MIT-McIT, BhA or BhT, without chlorhexidine, without phthalate. right efficacy • The ABcDerm care products are made from the purest dermatological active ingredients, at optimal doses.

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ICAL OG

abcderm, care products to restore the natural balance of babies' skin:

ATOL RM

SA

total monitoring• A flawless traceability system can find the origin of any ingredient, in any product, in any pharmacy.

DE

perfect tolerance • To limit risks, the products contain only ingredients that are strictly necessary and whose roles are clearly defined.

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daily hygiene products for diaper changing and cleansing, dermatological products to protect baby's skin, "pleasure cares" products to experience exceptional daily moments.

abcderm is available in pharmacies . discover it and benefit from previews of new products on www.bioderma.com

* Biomimetism is a process that consists in reproducing or mimicking the essential properties of one or more biological systems. ** Except the wipes, which contain parabens.

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OMEGA-3 FOR ALL THE FAMILY SUPPORTING NORMAL COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND VISION (DHA) DURING ALL THE LIFE STAGES

Essential fatty acids, as is implied by the name, are essential nutrients, which have to be obtained from food.

There are two types of important long chain fatty acids.

These are Omega-3 and Omega-6. In order to obtain these fatty acids good quality vegetable oils (for Omega-6 and Omega-3 precursors) and oily fish (Omega-3 preformed and ready to be used by the body) should be consumed.

Government guidelines in the EU generally recommend the consumption of 2 portions (~ 140g each) of fish per week, one of which oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout or herring) and the other from white fish (cod, plaice or whiting).

Be aware! During pregnancy it is best to avoid shark, swordfish and marlin and limit the intake of tuna. This is because they are on the top of their food chain and tend to accumulate higher levels of mercury compared to other types of fish.

It is especially important for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy to ensure that their nutritional requirements for Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are met, so that the body is well nourished during this important time of life. In fact the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have backed a health claim to support the role of DHA (an Omega-3 fatty acid).

‘Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) maternal intake contributes to the normal development of the eye/normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants*’ *Information for pregnant and lactating women: The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200mg of DHA , in addition to the recommended daily intake for Omega-3 fatty acids for adults i.e. 250mg DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

DHA and EPA for normal cognitive function, is not only of key importance during pregnancy,but also during childhood and adolescence (school days), adulthood (work and hobbies) and in the older population (living life to the full during retirement).

STIMULATE YOUR CHILD – LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN! • With a baby – keep showing your baby how to do things; they will learn from you • With a toddler – read picture books, do jigsaw puzzles, paint and play alphabet games together • At primary school – find out how they teach your child at school and continue the same approach at home (Efalex caps original, concentrate and liquid – For All The Family)

Efalex products contain both Omega-3 (DHA contributing to normal cognitive function and vision) and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids ( Evening Primrose Oil - increases skin moisture, firmness and smoothness).

All Efalex products are supported by reputable research projects and have resulted in more published trials than any other brand.

Efalex is available from all leading pharmacies in Malta and Gozo. For more information visit www.efamol.com

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I’m

W

ords cannot describe the great feeling of becoming a father. Some describe this joyous occasion as the best feeling in the world. True – it is wonderful and exciting to finally see your family evolve from a couple, to three or more.

At some point not long after your baby is born, just like every new father, you get hit by a sharp jolt of reality – I am a father now, with new responsibilities, new pressures and new expectations to live up to.

In fact dads might also feel nervous that babies are fragile and they are

18

somehow going to do something wrong.

But with this thought in mind, growing close to your little one might become somewhat challenging.

Many people focus on mother-baby bonding, but we are to keep in mind that fathers also share special activities with their adorable baby. This unique connection between father and child is priceless. Therefore it is important that you build a strong connection with your newborn in the early days of parenthood.

Do not let fear get the better of you when your child needs a diaper change or a bottle. Give yourself time to learn and grow into the role.

Start Early Bonding with your baby is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care. As you and your partner are settling into a routine, it is suggested to find time during the day for some quality time with your baby. The more time you spend with your little one, the better. During the first couple of days and weeks of your newborn’s life, the power of touch can bring you closer.

You can begin by cradling your baby and gently stroking your little one in different patterns. Infants are also fans of motion. They love to be held, bounced and jiggled. There is a good reason for this. Movement helps infants

a daddy now develop everything from their brains to their sense of balance. When you hold your baby, give them a sense of security like fathers know best, but not too tight or too loose. Do not be afraid to hold, gently bounce or cuddle your baby, but be aware of what your baby enjoys most. You want to be the one with that magic touch when your little one needs a motion magician.

plan a play date with your child. This could be another opportunity for oneon-one bonding!

Feeding your child is another special bonding moment, but be ready for the mess. You can also help with bathing and dressing. If you want to score some extra points with mum, learn the art of diapering. You are part of a team, so treat nappy changing as a shared duty.

Whatever your schedule can permit,

thE WayS BaBiES Bond Did you know that babies have their own ways and means to bond with us at such a young age? Yes, they do!

When you are a new parent, it often takes a while to understand your newborn and his or her wide range of cries. But our darlings have their ways of interacting with us.

Putting in the time and effort at the start is certainly worth your while.

Keeping close during the early days of childhood will encourage a good relationship with your son or daughter as they get older.

Touch becomes an early language as babies respond to skin-to-skin contact. Eye-to-eye contact also provides meaningful communication at close range. This means that your little one could be following you, as babies follow moving objects. Children also like to imitate daddy’s gestures and facial expressions, whilst also enjoying the sound of your voice and trying to vocalize their first efforts at communication. Ba-ba, ma-ma and pa-pa are the first and most common sounds infants make. The first time your child says Pa-Pa to you will be a wonderful experience.

Touch BECoMES An EARlY

lAnGuAGE AS BABIES RESPonD To SKIn-To-SKIn ConTACT

Remember, bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes and neither happens within a certain time period after birth.

You may not even know it’s happening until you observe your baby’s first smile and suddenly realize the reciprocated love and joy.

This article has been brought to you by Give them a Plum start

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Stage

3

Give them a Plum startcould be At this stage babies

teething, so they will naturally want to bite and chew more.

This means that your child is ready to move from soft lumps to chewier chunks. In fact Plum’s Stage 3 meals are thicker in consistency – whole meals made from finger foods, with harder pieces and stronger flavours.

f life o e ic p s e h t is Variety tures n e v d a e t s a t plum

Plum meDiterraNeaN Paella with SalmoN The Plum Mediterranean Paella with Salmon is a hearty combination of organic tomato, peas, sweet potato, red pepper, salmon and rice with herbs.

The ‘lumpy’ texture of the stew gives babies a perfect opportunity to put their new chewing skills to the test! ✔ Dairy free ✔ GluteN free 20

Plum auBerGiNe aND lamB mouSSaka The Plum Aubergine and lamb Moussaka is a delicious and tasty combination of organic aubergine, tomato, sweet potato, red pepper and lamb. It also contains quinoa, which is a nutritious grain. Quinoa is incredibly versatile and delicious yet easy for your little one to digest. ✔ Dairy free ✔ GluteN free

Plum ChiCkPea ChiCkeN aND taGiNe The Plum Chickpea Chicken and Tagine is another delicious and tasty adventure. This is a hearty combination of organic chickpeas, vegetables and chicken with cumin and garlic. ✔ Dairy free ✔ GluteN free

Plum Sweet CaPe Curry with Beef The Plum Sweet Cape Curry with Beef is a Cape Town style dish- sweet, with gentle hints of spice, and a delicious fruity tang from the mango puree and raisins. This delicious dish is full of protein - essential for your baby’s growth and brain development. ✔ Dairy free ✔ GluteN free

like our page on Facebook

Give them a Plum start

Plum Baby Food (Malta)

Photo Competition by like us on facebook and send us a photo of your child with his/her favourite Plum product.

The photo with the most likes wins. the winner will win a hamper full of Plum products worth e30. terms & Conditions: Send us the photo on info@viviancorp.com by not later than 31 January 2014 along with your; • Child’s Name • Child’s Age • Parent / Guardian’s name & surname

SuPer GreeNS PaSta aND CheeSe The Plum Super Greens Pasta and Cheese compliments Stage 3. This meal is a combination of organic spinach, peas and green beans pasta, cheese and basil. ✔ Contains Dairy & GluteN

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Around the age of two, toddler independence is just around the corner. At this age some children show the urge to learn new skills, with their advancing capabilities, growing curiosity about how to do stuff and ever-insistent can-do attitude. Although you are still buttoning buttons and lacing up those cute tiny shoes, your little ones might be ready to learn dressing skills.

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our mission is to set the dressing him/herself, but be on so l wil ild ch ur yo a fun experience. believe that ke this learning process ma d Sometimes it is hard to an ills sk ing ss dre lp them learn basic ss by themselves. stage for our toddlers, he w to teach our kids to dre ho on s tip me so are re He

Zipping & Unzipping Tips Unzipping is actually easier to master than zipping up, so it is suggested to start from there.

Let your child practice on a jacket with a big plastic zipper, so it is easier for him/her to see and maneuver. At the beginning, it is best if you do the zipping up and your toddler zips down. When your toddler becomes confident at it, help him/her give zipping up a go on a closed end zip. You can compare the zipper to a car on the road – our kids are the drivers and it is their job to drive the car to the top. Zip, zip, vroom!

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Pulling Up Pants Just as with zippers, learning how to pull pants down is a lot easier than perfecting pulling them up. It’s suggested to start with an elastic- waistband design and help your little one step in by holding each pant leg open wide.

Offer your hand or shoulders for balance. Guide your toddler to tug those trousers to the top. Remember, practice makes perfect, so if they only get ankle high the first few times, it is fine.

Putting on a Jacket Once your toddler is around 3 years old, it will be time to learn how to put on a jacket. Here’s the topsy-turvy jacket trick – it works!

Lay the jacket on the ground, zipped open and on its back. With the hood or collar near the feet, have your child stand over it and bend down, feeding his/her hands and arms through the sleeves.

Next, encourage him or her to pull the jacket up to the chest, with his/her arms raised up to the sky.

The jacket then goes over the head and with mummy’s and daddy’s help, wiggle the jacket down behind your child’s back.

Slipping On Shoes Slipping on a Pullover Top At the age of three, your toddler might be ready to put on his/ her own pullover or T-shirt. It is suggested to stand your little one in front of a mirror and guide the T-shirt over his/her head. Ask them to pull the T-shirt down over the face and around the neck.

Hold out the sleeves for your child to pull his/her arm through, one at a time. To sharpen this skill, encourage your child to practice putting a print-sized pullover or T-shirt on a doll or teddy bear.

Buttoning Up This is one of the toughest dressing skills, so give your little one plenty of practice time. Show him/her how to grasp a button with one hand and the fabric around the opposite hole with the other. Guide your child to push the button through the hole and how to use his/her other hand to pull the hole open. Then lend a hand to slip the rest of the button through the hole and there it is. Clothing with big, coloured buttons and large holes will help your little one get the hang of it.

Finally we need to teach them how to slip on their shoes like Cinderella. First, show your toddler how mummy and daddy do it. Then it is their turn, so encourage your child to scrunch up his/ her toes to help ease the foot farther into the shoe. Then guide him/ her to complete the Cinderella moment.

This article has been brought to you

by SMA Progress Kids

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QUESTION & ANSWER

What are Omega 3 & 6?

Omega 3 & 6 – also known as n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients. The human body does not produce these fatty acids, thus we need to get them through food.

Toddlers have a high demand for these important components, thus they are recommended to form part of their diet. Omega 3 is found mainly in fish such as salmon and tuna, plants and nut oils. On the other hand Omega 6 can be found in vegetable oils.

rs e l d d o t r fo s a e d i e p i Tas ty rec

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WIN

COMPETITION

with SMA Progress Kids

dding u P r e t t u B d (Serves 4) Bread an

Win e30 worth of Rimmel make up with SMA Progress Kids

S: ideally INGREDIENT white bread ( r o n w ro b f o • 4 slices moved) crusts are re eggs • 2 medium Kids MA Progress S z) o fl (8 l • 250m or milk opped raisins h c z) o (2 r g • 50 ips chocolate ch h oven-proof dis • Greased, e eggs, ix together th m l w o b a In ips).

METHOD: chocolate ch r o ( s in is a r milk and nd layer nproof dish a Butter an ove Pour the milk in the bread. d the bread, an mixture over tely in (approxima leave to soak e s). Bake in th 10-12 minute

0 9 inutes at 1 oven for 25 m 5. ius / Gas Mark ls e C s e re g e d

We’re looking for a delicious and mouth-watering recipe, using SMA Progress Kids as one of the main ingredients. The most creative recipe will be featured in the next issue of VivianBaby Magazine.

Send your recipe to: SMA Progress Kids Recipe Competition Vivian Corporation 29, Sanitas Building Tower Street Msida MSD 1824 by not later than 31 January 2014 along with your name, surname and mobile number.

Good luc k

Growing up milk from 1 year +

Beneficial effects of essential fatty acids is obtained with a daily intake of 10g of linoleic acid and 2g of alpha - linoleic acid

We remind you the importance of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifesytle from the very beginning.

25

In my profession as a Dog Behaviour Consultant I am very often asked by stressed out parents to be, how to introduce their baby with their lifetime companion and loving pet at home.

They would want reassurance that nothing would happen and that all is safe.

PETS & babies Being concerned is very normal, however there is no room for panic or even worse, trying to get rid of your pet because you are awaiting a baby.

All our pets, be it cats or dogs, would really suffer should they be relocated.

Dogs love their “pack” and their routine,

26

RobeRt SpiteRi www.maltadogtraining.com 9944 2426

removing them from the environment they have been in for years is a really horrifying experience and could result in behavioural or psychological issues on the poor animal.

Everything we do in life requires preparation and planning. Planning for a baby requires some good thought. Parents tend to plan before the baby is born, such as which doctor to go to, the baby’s nutrition regime, budgeting, education etc ... How to introduce the baby to our pets is a must in the list too so that both the child and our pet would have a smooth transition.

Preparing your pet for the newborn requires time, so start planning some good months ahead. It’s important that whatever change you are about to adopt is implemented much before the actual

birth, so that the pet doesn’t associate this with the child.

First of all it’s very important to setup a special, private spot for your pet and let it get used to spending time there. Pick a place where it won’t be disturbed, like a laundry room, a dog crate, or, for a cat, a high shelf.

Stock it with a food bowl, water dish, blanket, and favourite toys. This will give your pet a safe, quiet space to retreat to when he’s over stimulated by household commotion or your crying baby. Also the pet should get used to a routine, and this surely does not involve being 24/7 in house with the owner. The day should be timetabled and everyone including the pet, should have exercise time, food time and affection time.

Early socialising with kids is also a very important factor. Get your pet

used to the presence of kids, maybe at first you can invite a friend over for a coffee and ask to bring his/her baby along. Before the arrival of your friend put the dog on leash and once in the house slowly let him sniff at the baby, then immediately reward with praise and treats.

Pets should be used to some rough handling, this usually can be part and parcel of the daily grooming and cleaning process. Start by gently touching your dog or cat in these spots. Don’t forget the insides of ears, inside the mouth (for dogs only), the top and underside of paws, and all sides of the tail. If your pet resists, try to make him focus on treats and combine every action with a tasty and happy praise and treat. Also a good idea would be to try and work with your pet in conjunction with his favourite activities, like mealtimes or play, so he’ll associate your sessions with pleasurable things.

Make sure that your dog has the basic obedience skills like sit, down and stay, as these can come in very handy in situations when you want control your pet. It is of utmost importance that only positive techniques are used to teach these skills to your dog as if these are associated with something negative, the situation around the baby might become tense. That is why it’s important that you seek the advice of qualified, experienced trainers should you have any doubt.

By the time the baby is born make sure that you have bought all the essential items for the newborn like pram, toys etc and gently get your pet used to having these things around.

Once more, it’s important that these items are not associated with any rough corrections. Getting close to these items should be a normal relaxed experience.

A technique that is also suggested pre-birth is to have a wrapped up baby doll that is life-sized, and start referring to it as “the baby”. This could

help get your pet used to having you moving around with “the baby” in your arms or in the pushchair.

If you think that you will have less time for your pet once the infant is born, then I suggest you start reducing the attention that you give it 2 or 3 months prior to the arrival. This will help It accept that it is no longer the “focus” of your attention. When the baby comes home, you should ensure that your pet gets sufficient attention, in the right time and for the right reason.

Finally the day has come and the baby is born. Use the time you are in hospital to familiarize your pet with the baby’s smell by bringing home blankets or clothing the baby has worn. Make this a happy positive experience by associating this scent with praise and treats.

When getting the baby home it’s always a good idea to let your pet greet the baby outdoors and only when all the commotion has settled down. Be careful though especially if your pet gets close to sniff the baby. Over a period of days, however, your dog should be allowed to smell the baby up close. After several introductions, and when it is clear that

the dog is not going to nip or lunge at the baby, you can allow your dog off the lead near your infant.

Remember, your pet should not have unsupervised access to your baby - EVER. Also it is very important that parents are especially careful when the baby is screaming, crying, or waving its arms and legs.

These actions can elicit a predatory, investigating, or play-leap reaction by the pet towards the infant. For the first few weeks be extra vigilant till your pet gets used to all these new changes. Remember never to punish your pet in front of the baby as this might lead the pet to associate being around the infant as a negative experience.

Finally its important to note that it’s not only the pet that needs to be disciplined and educated. As the child grows he/she should be taught to handle and play with It in an appropriate manner and to respect the pet’s space and rest. Pets are part of many children’s lives. A child who learns to care for an animal, and treat it kindly and patiently, may get invaluable training in learning to treat people the same way, apart from being a much more sensitive and responsible person.

Should things seem a bit too much to handle, just remember, don’t get rid of your pet but call a behaviourist for some professional advice.

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OASI Plasmon ®

What is the concept of the Oasi® Plasmon?

The concept of Oasi® Plasmon, started 30 years ago. This concept sets guidelines for the production chain, to guarantee top quality products thanks to top of the range ingredients, which go through rigorous testing and controls.

The Oasi® Plasmon focuses on simplicity. The raw material is produced according to rigorous guidelines of cultivation and breeding. It sets controls at every stage of the process: from the soil in which the vegetable is going to be cultivated to what the animals will be fed; from the transportation and harvesting of the raw material to the bottling of the finished products.

What is required for a product to pass from the Oasi® Plasmon test?

The Oasi® Plasmon Concept requires that fields where the vegetables and fruit are grown, are far away from polluted areas such as industrial areas. The latter is one of the most important criteria which one needs to fulfill.

For each raw material, the Oasi® Plasmon has studied the best cultivation and breeding method. For example, Plasmon has found the best time of day to harvest the vegetables to ensure high quality vegetables. Fruits are collected at the proper degree of ripeness. A team of vets and agronomists control and record all the stages of cultivation and breeding process; infact on each Plasmon Jar, one can find a Batch Code Number which can lead you back to the orchard which was used in the that particular jar of Plasmon Strained Apple, for example.

L et ’s d is co ve r th e O a s i a nd it s s u rr o u nd in g s Sud Tirolo

Mantova Colline Umbre Grosseto

Altopiano del Fucino

Pachino

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What are the Golden Oasi® Plasmon rules?

1. Raw materials are not bought off the market Plasmon defines cultivation and breeding rules for all its raw materials – be it apples, chicken, carrots, salmon. This gives Plasmon the ability to ensure high quality products and to trace all its raw materials in case of an emergency.

2. All raw materials need to be re-traceable It is very important for Plasmon to be able to re-trace all its raw materials. Therefore during the production cycle each step, from the field to the end product, is recorded and traceable.

3. A proactive quality system A highly specialised team studies all the possible problems which might occur during production to ensure that all the necessary prevention is taken. Even the slightest possibility is taken into consideration.

4. Pesticides’ policy Plasmon favours the use of natural methods to eliminate harmful pests that might damage the crops. Plasmon uses the Mating Disruption Technique, which leads to the reduction of these pests without using any pesticides. Plasmon favours the presence of ladybirds through the cultivation of wheat next to the fruit orchards.

6. Rigorous breeding guidelines During farming, the use - directly or indirectly – of hormonal and antihormonal substances is forbidden. There are also set guidelines for slaughtering; Plasmon animals are slaughtered first on a set day and carcasses are clearly identified. The supplier must guarantee the traceability of the farm in each phase of transport, production and storage.

7. Rigorous farm selection The farms must be located at least 1 km far from pollution source (motorways, bypasses, refuse dumps and any high risk industrial plants in environmental terms). Farms are visited by a team of specialised people (agronomists, vets) who ensure that they fulfil all the quality standards required by the Oasi.

Why aren’t Plasmon products called organic?

Plasmon follows the standards of the Oasi® Plasmon and not of the Organic guideline, as the standards set out by the Oasi® Plasmon are superior and ensure better high quality baby food. The following are two of the major differences between organic farming (according to the Organic Agriculture Regulation. 834/2007 – 889/2008) and the Oasi® Plasmon: • Organic farming mainly takes care only of cultivation methods and treatments (no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, etc.) but does not consider other risks, such as natural and environmental contaminants.

This means that organic farming does not take into consideration contaminants such as mycotoxins, heavy metals and nitrates which might contaminate the baby food.

• In organic farming it is not required to have one’s field away from polluted areas, therefore there is the possibility of cultivating crops according to organic guidelines but in polluted areas (near motorways etc…)

Have you tried the Plasmon Sapori Di Natura?

This range is famous for its authentic colour, better taste and convenient packaging.

This is because, the Sapori Di Natura is produced using advanced aseptic technology which uses five times less heat than the standard technology causing less heat stress to the raw material.

This r ange in re-s is present ed eala which ble tubs, ha ergon omic s been ally d for yo e ur co signed mfor t

Apple (100gr x4)

Mixed Fruit (100gr x4)

Apple & Banana (100gr x4)

Pear (100gr x4)

100% FRUIT es ch Ience U o R p nven g 0 o 0 c In 1 oUR y 29 FoR

SHOES 2013 Girls Cira

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800 blue

400 beige

080 steel

d49.90

Clementina 800 blue

Carambola d39.90

Cippina 870 black

Gorny/Cliff 260 ocra / 800 blue

d64.90

870 black

400 beige

d59.90 / €62.90

020 silver

100 pink

800 blue

d59.90

Dalen d49.90

Gimot d46.90

d49.90

Grancy d44.90

Gamfus d56.90

Dizy 800 blue

800 blue

870 black

d49.90

Gangy d39.90

Ginette d62.90

Clarisse

d56.90

Boys

100 pink

d49.90

Many More STyleS available froM Thirty Six The Point, Tignè Gallarija Darmanin Iklin Prices vary according to sizes

Cayo 800 blue

Gim d46.90

240 brown

d59.90

Cuba 870 black

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d34.90

0-16

YEA

RS

NEW WINTER COLLECTION

2013

Up to 16 years now available

Thirty-six Thirty Six The Point, Tignè | Tel: 2060 1086

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...a collection that offers comfort and style for your little princes and princesses

WarehoUse Sale at Galleria Complex

level 0, Fgura sale continues...

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UP To

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COMPETITION

Mummy’s

Competition

How many tubs are there in any one packet of the Plasmon Sapori Di Natura?

Send an SMS with your answer to 5061 9615 by not later than 31 January 2014 along with your name & surname. Each SMS costs E0.28c The first drawn correct answer will win a Sally Hansen Nail Care kit worth e55

What is the new designer brand at thirty-six?

Send an SMS with your answer to 5061 9615 by not later than 31 January 2014 along with your name & surname.

Each sms costs 28c. The first drawn correct answer will win a voucher of €50 from Thirty-Six fashion for kids at The Point, Tigne.

COMPETITION

Word Search

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Complete the word search by finding the following words:

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CHICCO ORCHARD BOIKIDO DUDINI POLISTIL GIOTTO

BeBe BILINGUAL SeNSeS BABy GIfTS

Send your Word Search to: Chicco Word Search Vivian Corporation 29, Sanitas Building Tower Street, Msida MSD 1824 by not later than 31 January 2014, along with your name and surname.

The winner is entitled to receive a Chicco Happy Hippo Vibrating Toy

COMPETITION

Answer the following question to be in the chance to win an ABCDerm Pack worth €28!

What are the 4 characteristics of ABCDerm’s safety charter?

Send an SMS with your answer to 5061 9615 by not later than 31 January 2014 along with your name & surname.

Each SMS costs 28c

COMPETITION Which of the following is a good source of Omega 3?

1. fish 2. fruit 3. meat Send an SmS with your answer to 50619615 by not later than 31 January 2014, along with your name and surname. each SmS costs 28c.

COMP ET WINNITION ERS ISS uE

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The first drawn correct answer will win 5 tins of SMA Progress Kids

Chicco Competition: Hertha Scerri - Siggiewi • Plum Competition: Mary Benower Plasmon Mummy’s Competition: Margaret Camilleri • Thirty Six Competition: Natasha Bonnici SMA Competition: Maryse Formosa

29 Sanitas Building, Tower Street, Msida, MSD 1824, Tel: 2134 4610 / 2134 4616, Email: info@viviancorp.com

www.viviancorp.com