Get Ahead Kids Magazine Vol. 4. No. 3. May/Jun 2012

EDUCATING FAMILIES ON THE GO

Vol. 4 • No. 3 • May/Jun 2 012

An Interview with

e w o R a c i s s e J Languages & Communications Special First Books & Early Language Development Mindful Communication with Your Child To Do or Not To Do Homework?

‘Just Read It To Me!’

May/June 2012 Subscription $6.60 AUD INC GST 03

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Well Known, Well Loved, Well Taught Junior School (K - Yr 4) | Middle School (Yr 5 - Yr 8) | Senior School (Yr 9 - Yr 12) Charlton Christian College | K-12 Non-Denominational Christian College 43 Fassifern Rd, Fassifern NSW 2283 | P: 02 4959 9111 office@charlton.nsw.edu.au | www.charlton.nsw.edu.au

May/Jun 2012

Contents

This Month’s

F O R FA M I LI E S O N T HE G O

Spotlight

®

4

Editorial Your Letters

6

Spotlight An Interview with Jessica Rowe Giveaways

An Interview with Jessica Rowe

24

“Bugalugs Bum Thief” Family Pass Giveaway

Photos Courtesy of Kurt Sneddon.

25

Australian Reptile Park Family Pass Giveaway

Get Ahead Kids® © MAP Marketing 2012 Publisher MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 www.getaheadkids.com.au Managing Editor Maria Charlton MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au Graphic Design Katie Hurst MAP Marketing P: 02 4929 7766 Advertising Maria Charlton MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au Get Ahead Kids® is published by Marketing Advisers for Professionals Pty Ltd T/A MAP Marketing. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for the opinions, errors or omissions.

5

My Own Leaptop Giveaway

Languages & Communications 8

First Books & Early Language Development

10

Failure to Communicate

12

To Do or Not To Do Homework?

14

‘Just Read It To Me!’

16

Mindful Communication with Your Child

18

Understanding the Language of Eating Disorders Health

20

Organ Transplants

22

Lessening Child Foot & Lower Limb Fatigue News

26

Silver Medal for Local Rowers at Australian Titles

27

Allambi Wins “Community Services Stallholder” at the Tocal Field Days

28

Supporting Families Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder

30

Reviews

34

Advertisers Index

35

Activity Zone

to Subscribe ids dK Get Ahea azine ag Digital M scriber ub to enter S away e Only Giv ge 5 Details Pa

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Editorial This issue’s celebrity in focus Jessica Rowe provides an interesting look into her career in the media and her involvement with mental health campaigns.

Checkout our great giveaways that include family passes to the Reptile Park, and one family pass to “The Bugalugs Bum Thief” stage production!

The Communications issue offers a diversity of informative articles on homework, Mindful Communications and the importance of books in language development.

To encourage and reward our digital subscribers we are giving away a LeapFrog Leaptop to one lucky digital subscriber.

The international medical charity Medikidz provides informed advice on organ transplants and new developments in the field.

I enjoyed reading ‘Steps to Improve Your Family Wellness’ and using ‘Cycling for Family Fitness’. Both articles were so inspiring that instead of not going out for a bike ride with the kids, I went and got myself my very own bike and a toddler seat for our youngest - now no excuses!

Thank you.

Maria Charlton Managing Editor P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au

‘Too Much Exercise Could Be a Sign Something Is Wrong’ was an interesting read. Although I knew of eating disorders I had never realised about children exercising so much that it consumes their life.

It is frightening to think that this happens!

L. Walton, Toronto NSW

C. Cambridge, Lara VIC

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Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

The ‘Minimise the Pain of Backpacks’ article was a sweet reminder to me as a first time Mum that I should be really careful with the amount of things I carry in my handbag for child and me. The strain of carrying a heavy handbag and sometimes a toddler too can result in a very sore neck and back. So thank you for the reminder to keep that in check.

‘Mindful Movement: Exercises for Body Appreciation’ - We are constantly trying to keep ahead in this fast paced society of ours and often forget to take time to breathe, look, listen and feel what is actually happening around us. This was a welcomed reminder about slowing down and enjoying the moment... and teaching our children to do the same. Many Thanks

K. Genova, Cessnock NSW

J. Cook, Charlestown NSW

I particularly enjoyed the article on ‘Steps to Improve Your Family Wellness’ as it offered great tips and advice that are really practical and helpful for any family, whether they are just starting out or have older kids. Its a good reminder to develop and role model a healthy lifestyle, which benefits everyone.

M. Thornton, Wallsend NSW

Please send letters and stories with your name and contact details to Get Ahead Kids® Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 F: 02 4929 7827 maria@mapmarketing.com.au

1M y to GOwnNews Le Va lue iveaw apto da p t ap ay! $49 .95 prox.

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Giveaway!

Toddlers can leap ahead with their very own Leaptop. With three modes of play: My Alphabet Pictures, Music Exploration, and Animalpedia, My Own Leaptop is loaded with learning fun.

Kids can log onto music, animals, emails, Scout’s blog, letter games and more. They can even download their own music playlist from 20 pre-loaded songs.

Parents can create emails for their child from family and friends, which children will love receiving. And they can visit Scout’s blog to see what’s on his mind.

With personalised content embedded, My Own Leaptop is safe and secure for a child’s first online learning experience.

Compact in size with a carry handle, LeapFrog continues with its quality, portable, on-the-go learning fun.

As an added benefit, parents can create each child’s individualised profile with the free online LeapFrog Learning Path. Each time a child finishes playing with their Leaptop parents simply connect via USB to their computer to view details about the learning games played, skills engaged and progress made.

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O With special thanks to LeapFrog, Get Ahead Kids has one My Own Leaptop valued at approx $49.95 to giveaway to GET AHEAD KIDS DIGITAL SUBSCRIBERS ONLY! Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au follow the subscribe link and sign up to the free digital magazine (must be subscribed by June 15 2012 to be eligible). Subscribers will receive a special link via email for entry to the giveaway.

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5

Spotlight What are your career highlights?

I feel very lucky to still be doing a job that I love! A real stand out moment includes interviewing Tony Blair. He was charismatic, charming and oh so bright!

I also loved wearing a cat costume and attempting the foxtrot on Dancing with the Stars. I think I enjoyed the sparkly costumes more than the dance routines.

How do you deal with being in the public eye?

People are very kind… but there are times when my daughter is having a tantrum in the playground or the supermarket when I want the ground to swallow me up!

Please tell us about your family.

Family is the most important thing to me. I’m blessed to have my darling girls, Allegra and Giselle. My husband Peter isn’t too shabby either! We’ve been married for eight years. My two sisters are my best friends and I’m very close to my mum as well as my dad and stepmum. All of us have had our moments but family is where I feel loved, safe and understood.

What are some important family values you want to pass onto your daughters?

I want them to be kind, compassionate and have a sense of wonder about the world.

h it W w ie v r An Inte

e w o R a Je ssic

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Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

You’re a long term campaigner for mental health issues, what do you feel is the most important thing people should know about depression and mental illness?

I’ve had post natal depression and I grew up with a mum with a mental illness. Mental illness touches all of us in some way and it’s essential to put your hand up if you need help. I know that once I spoke to my husband, and then went to see my doctor I finally put a voice to the scary feelings and emotions I was experiencing. Although I had a long way to go I started to feel like the weight was starting to lift off my shoulders because I asked for help.

Spotlight Please tell us about your involvement with beyondblue.

I’m proud to be an ambassador for beyondblue. I’m patron of their perinatal program. They have a wonderful website www.beyondblue.org.au. Their information sheets that were included in my information pack at the hospital helped me recognise that how I was feeling was not ‘normal’ emotions for a new mum. I had post natal depression.

What was your first job?

A check out chick at Woolies.

Once I graduated from uni, with a communications degree, I started out as a receptionist at Channel Nine.

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Paris and New York… oh it’s been so long… but I can dream. For now I love being beachside with my little family.

You have written two books, what did you most enjoy about the writing process?

Writing is such a treat. I love being in front of my computer and conjuring up the words. I really enjoy the intellectual challenge of getting it down on ‘paper’. Also with my second book “Love.Wisdom.

Motherhood” it was such a privilege to meet and interview 11 inspiring Australian mums, including our fabulous Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.

What do you feel is the most important mechanism to prevent or identify mental illness in young people?

I’m no expert but I think kids need to feel in a safe and comfortable environment so they realise they can voice what they’re feeling without being fearful about being judged.

All of us want to feel understood.

What are your top 5 tips for someone seeking a career in the media industry?

Persistence, persistence, passion, thick skin with some luck thrown in!

Biography Jessica Rowe is one of Australia’s best known television presenters, an author and a mother. During her career spanning nearly 20 years, Jessica spent a decade as co-host of Network Ten’s First at Five News, co-hosted the Today Show and can currently be seen on Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise on the Seven Network.

Jessica has authored two books on motherhood and on mental health and is a patron of the Mental Health Council of Australia, ambassador for beyondblue and a patron of its work on postnatal depression. Jessica is also a member of the IVF Australia Ethics Committee.

Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in communications from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and a Masters of International Studies from Sydney University.

She is married to Nine News anchor Peter Overton and they have two young daughters Allegra and Giselle.

More Information www.jessicarowe.com.au

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times Author: Penelope Rowe & Jessica Rowe This is an honest and open account of a family’s battle with mental illness. Penelope Rowe has lived with bipolar disorder for the past forty-five years and her eldest daughter Jessica has lived with it all her life.

Between making ends meet in a variety of jobs and publishing short stories and novels, Penelope was also a regular face on the wards of mental hospitals.

As the eldest of three girls Jessica took on the responsibility of taking care of her sisters and her mother while trying to deal with her own emotions as a teenager.

This is Jessica and Penelope’s story about coping with the unpredictable and unknowable enemy of mental illness. It is a great story that which will help readers to understand the illness and learn to recognise symptoms in their family and friends.

Age Guide: 15+ Years Extent: 188 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781741146615 Price: AU $26.95 Publisher: Allen & Unwin P: 02 8425 0100 www.allenandunwin.com

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7

First Books & Early Language

Development There is low awareness of the connection between normal language development and children’s choice of books.

As a speech pathologist working with children for more than twentyfive years, this information is second nature to me.

Language skills point directly to the sorts of books that children will love.

Matching ‘ability’ to ‘language content’ is what makes children’s eyes widen with delight and lures them back for more.

First words emerge in typically developing children between 12 and 18 months.

Prior to this explosion of single words, tiny tots are literally language sponges. Babbling and animal noises made in play herald a world of words that will soon follow.

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Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

Enter the board book. Durable pages of cardboard or plastic withstand chewing, dribble and other unmentionables. Each page often highlights a single word or several objects. Bold colours and clear outlines are essential for this age group. “My First Toys, My First Actions” and the like appear and disappear from bookstores regularly.

The same core intent remains - to increase vocabulary through stories about daily activities.

Toddlers from about 2 years old work hard at combining two words. Their favourite books model how this is done. Toddlers delight in the power of words like ‘my’ and ‘don’t’.

They give control. One of the best characterisations of this age is “All By Myself” by Mercer Mayer. Toddlers take charge with an emphatic ‘I can’. The illustrations tell a different story, adding depth and humour.

By Jo Burnell

As little hands become more adept, play and language collide in the form of flap books. Children love to discover for themselves. What better way to learn the meaning of prepositions (‘in’, ‘on’, ‘under’, and ‘behind’) than through hide-andseek games? “Bears in the Night” by Stan and Jan Berenstain and “Who’s Behind the Door? Series” by Michael Salmon are great starting points.

A simple question leads children on their quest for an answer. This is an age-old recipe for enjoyable learning. Wrapped between book covers, the result is a life-long invitation for learning fun with pictures and words.

“Where’s Spot?” was first published in 1983 and has enjoyed continuous print ever since. The Maisy Series was first published in 2004 and enjoys similar popularity. “Are you my Mother?” and many others follow this quest format with great success.

Languages & Communications

Rod Cambell’s “Oh Dear”, “Dear Zoo” and “Farm Chase” flap books are other timeless favorites.

As the third birthday approaches, language explodes. Two word utterances give way to short sentences. ‘Want bear’ transforms into: ‘I want my bear’.

Parents blink in surprise. Language learning has just begun.

Expectations of politeness are soon imposed.

There are new ways to talk to Grandma that are different from the way we talk to the cat. Some delightful books, such as “Say Please Louise” by Keith Harvey and Lauren Beard and “The Berenstain Bears say Please and Thank You”

by Stan Berenstain, depict the humour of socially acceptable and unacceptable interchanges.

❑❑ Adjectives, plurals & prepositions “Bears, Bears Everywhere” by Mara Bergman & Helen Craig ❑❑ Adjectives - “My Dad!” By Charles Fuge ❑❑ Possessives - “Whose Nose and Toes?” By John Butler ❑❑ Verb tenses - “I Went Walking” by Sue Williams & Julie Vivas Speech Pathologists fill their shelves with books that promote oral language and support language development and recommend these books to parents and teachers.

Of course, many bestselling children’s books are not based on language development. This peek at early childhood from a language development perspective is just another angle.

About Jo Burnell

Many lead the listener with a rhythmic beat, but timeless treasures also sneak in a healthy dose of humour.

The following is a ‘getting started’ list of books for 3 years +. ❑❑ Question asking - “Who Sank the Boat?” By Pamela Allen ❑❑ Negatives -“I’m not Cute” by Jonathon Allen ❑❑ Plurals - “Too Many Pears” by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley

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It’s important to note that books on manners are often parents’ favorites while their children tend to prefer other stories.

Grammatical structures such as ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’, verb tenses, plurals and possessives emerge from 3½ years of age. Many picture books focus on one aspect of grammar, but the ones that do this best capture the imagination with a riveting story.

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Jo is a speech pathologist who enjoys working with children. She reads and reviews childrens’ literature in all formats. Hooking the reluctant reader into the world of books is her dream.

More Information www.speechpathologyaustralia.org

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Languages & Communications

Failure to

Communicate

By Amanda Tocci

Reading is the most important skill a child can ever learn. It is the ability to communicate, to reach across cultures, to break through boundaries and to forge a worthy and fulfilling life path.

But for some children the path is obstructed and their reading development is inhibited by deficits that are not always visible to parents or teachers.

Such deficits impede children from forging and fulfilling their life path, leading to a failure to communicate in a demanding and ever changing world.

Have you ever heard the following from a child?

Have you ever noticed the following yourself?

❑❑ I cannot remember what the word says?

❑❑ Your child always needs a picture to help with the word.

❑❑ Where’s the picture? I need the picture to read!

❑❑ Your child guesses words.

❑❑ I can’t do it, it’s too hard!

❑❑ Your child sounds out all words separately.

Have you ever heard the following from a teacher?

❑❑ Your child forgets the same word from line to line & page to page.

❑❑ It’s like it goes in one ear & out the other. ❑❑ The child cannot follow directions in the class. ❑❑ The child wanders off in class.

❑❑ The child does not pay attention.

Children with reading disabilities ❑❑ The child is easily distracted & experience significant difficulties in fidgety. acquiring the core skills of reading, writing and comprehension, skills required for effective communication.

10 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

❑❑ Your child is slow & disjointed in reading.

The above points are only some of the comments and observations children, parents and teachers make. If these points are relevant to you then it is most certainly a reason for initial concern.

Many children with reading disabilities have a working memory deficit. That is the inability to maintain and manipulate information in working memory.

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A working memory deficit is characterised by many of the points listed above. Such a deficit can exist despite strength in other academic areas and despite average to above average intelligence.

About Amanda

For children with verbal working memory deficits the ability to acquire the phonological structure of language, letter/ sound knowledge, rapid naming and comprehension are the consequences of such a difficulty.

Amanda Tocci is a Literacy Specialist and Managing Director of the Australian Literacy Clinic Pty Ltd. Amanda is currently undertaking her PhD in Psychology at Newcastle University, investigating appropriate strategy instruction for children with working memory and reading disabilities. The Australian Literacy Clinic Pty Ltd is a specialist centre located in Maitland and Newcastle, working with families and schools in assessment, planning and intervention for children with reading difficulties.

As the amazing Dr. Seuss said:

More Information

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you’ll go.”

Amanda Tocci Managing Director & Literacy Specialist Australian Literacy Clinic Pty Ltd. P: 1300 869 905 contact@auslit.com.au

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11

r o o To D o D o t t o N

m o H

? k r e wo rte y Do

B

The school year is going full steam ahead, and my practice is full of busy, chatty, laughing school children and their frazzled mothers.

However, is homework really necessary for academic success?

Kids are at school for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week.

Many of these kids are in my practice because they struggle at school; with reading, writing, concentrating or even sitting still. A recurrent topic with these loving, frazzled mothers is the never ending battle the family has about homework.

When I started looking into this topic, I was surprised about the heated debate going on for and against homework and even more surprised about some of the research facts.

“We always have to fight to get our children to do their homework.

We have to bribe them, they never concentrate or do it neatly, and most of the time I pretty much end up doing it for them” one mother complains.

Homework is an interesting subject; we adults think of it as an integral part of going to school and learning - we all did it. Teachers tell me that it is the parents who ask for homework, to get more of it for their children.

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For example, in the USA the proportion of 6-8 year olds who were assigned homework every night went from 34% in 1997 to 64% in 2002. The children of that age more than doubled their homework load in that time frame; however the increase in homework was not associated by any increase in scores on achievement tests.

Professor Harris Cooper of Duke University in USA concluded that there is very little correlation between the amount of homework and academic performance in primary school and only moderate correlation in middle and high school.

Many countries with the highest scoring students on achievement tests, such as Japan, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, have teachers who assign little homework.

Meanwhile, countries such as Greece, Thailand, and Iran, where students have some of the worst average scores, have teachers who assign a lot of homework.

So, how do we get our young ones to succeed in life? Because that is really what we all want, isn’t it?

For them succeed, be happy and healthy, and not have to struggle to make ends meet for the rest of their lives? How can we encourage them to learn, be interested in the world and solve problems?

To me one very important fact is that 90% of stimulation to brain comes from movement of the spine. Our brains work better when we move regularly; we concentrate better, think clearer, focus on tasks, get ideas and find solutions. Movement such as walking, running, biking,

Languages & Communications

swimming, throwing a football, jumping on a trampoline, climbing a tree, rolling down a hill, balancing on a log, crawling through bushes, playing soccer, tennis and netball.

Anything and everything! So when they have been sitting for 6 hours at school, it may be time to get outside and move.

Playing an instrument and singing are both powerful stimulators of the brain, and have both been shown to increase concentration and learning ability.

Spending time together as a family and with friends talking and laughing, helping with cooking and household chores, has been shown to decrease depression and antisocial behaviour in children.

Having meals together as a family is the single strongest predictor of better achievement scores and fewer behavioural problems for children aged 3 to 12.

This was the conclusion of a national survey in the USA conducted by the University of Michigan - they found family meals were a better predictor of achievement scores than the amount of time spent studying.

The American Educational Research Association states that “Whenever homework crowds out social experience, outdoor recreation and creative activities, and whenever it usurps time that should be devoted to sleep, it is not meeting the basic needs of children and adolescents”.

Homework Tips ❑❑ Remember it is your child’s homework - encourage, help, motivate, brainstorm, be a sounding board, but don’t do the work. ❑❑ Persuade them to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. ❑❑ If you struggle to get your child to do the given task, maybe send him/her outside for some time to burn off some energy & focus the brain. ❑❑ Feed your child good, wholesome brain food every day - avoid anything that is packaged & contains numbers. ❑❑ Let your child see you do your homework every day; paying bills, reading & completing tasks. ❑❑ If it becomes a fight, leave it - it is not your responsibility. ❑❑ Talk to your child about important topics to help them focus & think. ❑❑ Read with your child every day.

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13

Languages & Communications

‘Just Rea

d It To M

By Dr. Vir

e!’

gina Low

John and I are word-people, and we used to read to our baby daughter Rebecca often. I was very keen for her to start speaking. At 17 months she had only 35 words, though three were book-related, two names for nursery rhymes (‘Awfaw’ - ‘All fall down’ and ‘Ohde’ - ‘what can the matter be’) and the demand ‘wead wead’ as she followed us with a book.

She was a perfectionist, so if we didn’t understand a word she wouldn’t use it again for weeks. Her words jumped to 350 by 19 months and at 27 months I counted 1147.

By then it seemed that every word in our vocabulary or in her books could be used.

The day after her second birthday, Rebecca made her first quotation.

She objected that her dinner was ‘hot’. ‘No, it’s warm’ I countered.

‘Warm and cosy’ she said. Both John and I recognised this as a quote, but couldn’t place it. ‘Sayor’ she volunteered, but we didn’t understand.

So she went to her room, pushed the books off her table, and came back bearing Bruna’s “The Sailor”. Sure enough ‘The igloo was warm and cosy.’

14 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

For the next year, it seemed that a large proportion of her speech was quotations adapted from books, especially in new situations.

The ocean with spume in piles on the beach: ‘I went down to the fluffy sea’ (AA Milne’s ‘Sand Between the Toes’). Tiny spiders flying on filaments of silk we said were called ‘lerps’. ‘I think I’ll call them nightingales’ (Lionni’s “Inch

by Inch”). To boats on the lake: ‘Baby Doll [her rag doll] wants to go on a boat to market’ (as did Hendrieka in “The Cow who Fell in the Canal”).

She especially enjoyed vocabulary that was not in our family lexicon ‘Macintosh’, ‘tippet’, ‘chamomile tea’. She would use this in play, and only after weeks come and ask: ‘What does “fortnight” mean?’ The meaning seemed less important than the sound, and the feel of it in her mouth.

We read the author’s words, rather than playing the ‘labelling game’ (‘Where’s the brown dog?’) We didn’t test her knowledge, or ask her to perform, and never praised her for enjoying a book or giving a correct answer as many experts recommend. If it is something that gives pleasure, praise is superfluous.

Our second child’s experience was quite different. Ralph listened to everything read to Rebecca.

Conversation with three people chatting would have been largely unintelligible too.

e

For Rebecca, words were for communication. For Ralph, words were for socialising - being understood was less important than joining in the conversation.

Much of his early speech was jargon. He started to speak earlier than Rebecca had, but by two she had outstripped him. Their vocabularies were equivalent by four.

We felt it was important to avoid retelling the book’s story in our own words. The children heard our speech patterns all the time. We wanted them to experience the author’s instead. As Rebecca (27 months) said to her grandmother, ‘don’t tell me about it, just read it to me’

Tips ❑❑ Let children hear literary language - don’t paraphrase the words of the book. ❑❑ Don’t underestimate the learning abilities of young children. ❑❑ Don’t deny children the rich vocabulary of books. ❑❑ Literary language will be familiar to them when they start to learn to read. ❑❑ Children will develop a life-long love of language for its own sake.

Languages & Communications

About Dr. Virginia Lowe

Dr. Virginia Lowe is the author of “Stories, Pictures and Reality: Two Children Tell” (Routledge 2007) and a chapter in “Emergent Literacy: Children’s Books from 0 to 3” (ed. Kümmerling-Meibauer, Benjamins, 2011).

She has run the manuscript assessment agency Create a Kids’ Book for the last fifteen years, also offering workshops, e-courses and mentoring to aspiring authors.

More Information P: 03 9578 5689 www.createakidsbook.com.au

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College Kindergarten to Year 12 Quality Education Exceptional Value.

You may be surprised that our fees are a fraction of the cost of other Newcastle Private Schools.

A Bishop Tyrrell education is exceptional value for

Education for Life

We offer your child access to: • Academic excellence • A range of activities such as music, drama & the arts • Commitment to a wide range of sports • A school family philosophy that embraces the individual, nurtures gifts & talents • Before & after school care Our excellent 2011 HSC & NAPLAN results speak for themselves.

256 Minmi Rd Fletcher NSW 2287 P: 02 4979 8484 | www.btac.nsw.edu.au

h t i w y p p a H t No t s a L ’s d l i h C Your ? t r o p e R l o o h Sc • Worried that your child is falling behind at school?

• Is your child struggling with reading?

• Are you at a loss to know why your child is struggling?

Traditional tutoring may not be the answer!

Phone 02 4967 1205 for a FREE Reading Assessment Essential moves offers fast guaranteed results.

www.essentialmoves.com.au www.getaheadkids.com.au

15

Mindful

Communication with Your Child Think of a time when your child said or did something and ‘bang’, you were triggered.

Where did the communication go from there?

Were you able to respond in a way that served you, your child and your relationship?

Or perhaps you responded from habit, in the only way you know, and the communication left you feeling disregarded, disconnected and frustrated.

14th Century Persian poet Hafiz says: “You carry all the ingredients to turn your life into a nightmare. Don’t mix them!”

16 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

By Kara Matheson

Many of the communication patterns that parents and children use with each other create frightening and unpleasant experiences. This may be in large part because when you are triggered, it is hard to think clearly.

Mindful communication practices can help.

These simple practices give you ‘somewhere to go’ before you get lost in habitual patterns of blame, judgement and criticism. You can begin with this self-connection practice: ❑❑ Notice what you are thinking: your thoughts might be full of anger and judgement, that’s ok, you don’t have to act on them.

Take a deep breath, which will help you to calm down.

❑❑ Become aware of your feelings: this includes your emotions (angry, sad, confused, etc) and the sensations in your body (tension in face and shoulders, short breath, etc). Take another deep breath. ❑❑ Notice what you are longing for in this communication: this could be understanding, support, consideration, to be heard, etc.

Take a deep breath.

Once you have connected with what is going on for you (and this might only take a minute or two), you can communicate this to your child with a request for what you need. It might sound something like: “I can see how much support you need right now. I really want to hear you and care for you but I’m all mixed up at the moment. Could you give me 10 minutes and we’ll talk then?”

Languages & Communications

Soccer

Hafiz also says: “You carry all the ingredients to turn your existence into joy. Mix them.

Mix them!”

One such ingredient is Mindful Listening. We all want to be heard.

Being heard meets needs for being understood, for mattering, for being accepted and loved. When we sense that others are truly listening, our fears and defences tend to soften, allowing greater connection, empathy and peace in our relationships.

Mindful listening is making a choice to: ❑❑ Give your full attention to what your child is saying. If you notice your mind wandering, gently bring it back to your child’s words. ❑❑ Avoid interrupting. ❑❑ Focus on what your child is feeling and the life or longing behind the words. ❑❑ Respond with empathy. For example: “Sounds like you’re excited about being included” or “I’m hearing that you’re frustrated because you want to be able to choose what you do.”

Mindful communication is a skill, and cultivating it takes practice, but the connection that can come from this style of communication is a beautiful gift to you and your child.

About Kara Matheson

Programmes For boys & girls of all ages & abilities.

Junior Roo Soccer: 3-5 yrs July Holiday Clinics: 5-14 yrs After School Sessions: 5-14 yrs

P: 0402 352 132 or 0402 844 996 info@inzanefootball.com www.inzanefootball.com

Kara teaches Mindful Parenting courses and offers Mindful Communication Practice Days at her studio in Black Hill. Kara is a trained and experienced teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress reduction (MBSR) and Compassionate Communication.

Kara has also taught languages and communication at TAFE for over 15 years.

More Information Kara Matheson kara.ed21c@gmail.com www.ed21c.pbworks.com

KidsSmile Providing specialist dental care for infants, children, adolescents & those with specialist needs.

Teen dental is also available.

Dr. Helen Cornwell Paediatric Dentist P: 4962 7300 40 Brown Rd Broadmeadow NSW 2292

www.kidssmile.com.au

ndale!

Free fun at Stockland Gle Join the my funland club today. It’s free and packed with fun!

Stockland Glendale

Ages

3 -12 years

Share in stacks of giveaways, competitions and be the first to hear about all the latest news and fun events!

Join online today! Visit myfunland.com.au

387 Lake Road, Glendale Ph: (02) 4954 9666 www.stockland.com.au/glendale

www.getaheadkids.com.au

17

Languages & Communications

Understanding the Language of

Eating Disorders

By June Alexander

Six years into freedom, I remain gob-smacked at the ability of an eating disorder to twist and turn words. Not only the spoken word but also the silent words that for decades raced incessantly, like champion dodgem cars, around in my mind.

Say one word and my resident eating disorder would grab and magnify it to the point where confusion reigned and common sense was vanquished. One word could trigger a thousand irrational thoughts.

An outsider would never dream of the connection. They would scratch their head, wondering what they had said, as a cloud swept over my face, my sunny nature swallowed up by the Eating Disorder. Babbling one moment, silent the next.

I had lived with an eating disorder since age 11 and had no idea what life could be like without the tormenting thoughts. Frankly, I did not know life could be any other way. By the time I entered adolescence, the language of the eating disorder had become embedded in my thoughts and behaviours; I did not know that my friends did not have a bossy voice in their brain like me.

My mother did not understand what had happened to me. She growled and criticised when I did not eat my meals, and when I refused to stop running. Because we did not understand each other, a rift grew between us. I kept to myself, more and more. It was like the weather became the only safe subject on which to communicate.

18 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

From my early twenties onwards, I became aware I was often making decisions that were not in my best interests, and could not understand why.

The torment did not relate only to food and exercise. It related to relationships. And to feeling safe, stable and secure. Language and communication on every level was affected.

Life was a rollercoaster and I had no idea how to get off. It was scary because chaos was a great partner for my eating disorder. Together the two fouled up both inner and outer communication.

I was in and out of relationships that were attracted to the eating disorder characteristics rather than mine.

One of my sons, aged 14 at the time, said quietly one night: ‘Mum, you are ‘as bad’ (hurting yourself as much) as those abused women you write about in the newspaper.’ He was right.

I could see that. But still I could not escape the bullying language of the eating disorder.

Each time I managed to get on the verge of a safe place - a place where I could be secure and have plenty of support while recovering my ‘voice’ - I would take fright and make life doubly difficult - chaos was something I knew about; I yearned for peace within but was scared of it - afraid of the stillness, of the ‘nothing’ but me and ‘it’.

So I would return to a relationship that my treatment team, children and friends had encouraged me for months to leave. I would be aware I was not behaving in my best interests, that I was letting my children down (again), that I was hurting the feelings of a nice man who I knew would be ‘safe’ and who declared love for me despite my illness, that I was making life hard for myself - but I would go headlong into fresh chaos and do it anyway.

An eating disorder and breakdown in communication; went together like a horse and carriage.

I would sell a house and go into new debt. One time I even bought a house back, that I had sold only three years before - paying almost double. Telling myself I needed to buy this house back, to fix up a mistake in the past. And then my road to peace would become clear. So fuddled was my thinking.

The eating disorder had a grand time playing with thoughts and emotions.

Emotions? What were they? I had no idea!

Eating disorders had been bossing me around since childhood.

Now I was a middle-aged woman! Emotions and feelings were a foreign language to me. I was completely out of touch with both. Besides not knowing how to communicate with others, I had no idea how to communicate with myself.

Languages & Communications

The moment of enlightenment occurred when my therapist suggested identifying the language of the eating disorder and separating it from the thoughts that belonged to the real me. I could identify the eating disorder language - dominating and manipulative as it was - but catching and de-fusing it before those dodgem car thoughts roared out of the pits of my brain was a huge challenge.

‘Focus on your feelings and food will take care of itself,’ my therapist said. She was right. The process took eight years but the day came when I could eat normally, peace reigned in my heart, I stopped moving house just to ‘have a new start’, I embraced stability, security and safety, I became my own best friend. I rediscovered the language of self that had been sabotaged

by Anorexia Nervosa more than 40 years before. I learnt how to communicate with others and myself.

No more dodgem car thoughts racing around in my head. No more misinterpretation, no more chaos. Everyone who loved me heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Example conversations of how eating disorder language misinterprets conversation said with the best of intention:

About June Alexander

Parent: Oh good for you, you’re eating your dinner before I even had to remind you it’s meal time.

Child: What have I done! I’m so weak and pathetic! I’ll stop eating right now!

Parent: I know you’ve been lying to me and exercising in your room when the doctor has told you not to.

Why do you do this when you know it is harmful for you?

Child: She’s been spying on me and now she hates me. I have to be more careful not to get caught. I’ll wait until she is asleep.

Parent (at restaurant): Oh c’mon honey, hurry up and choose your dish. Everyone’s waiting for you.

Child: Well thanks a lot! Now I can’t even look at the menu. There’s nothing on here I can eat. There are too many choices. I don’t want to be here and now everyone’s looking at me. I want to go home!

Together with co-author Cate Sangster, June Alexander is writing ED says U said, a guide to understanding the language of eating disorders which is due for release in early 2013.

June Alexander grew up on a family dairy farm in Victoria in the 1950s. As one of two daughters, she was her father’s shadow on the farm. Her mother called her ‘Tim’.

She attended a one-room primary school. Around puberty she began to experience what today would be called a body image problem. In grade six, she developed anorexia nervosa, a severe psychiatric illness that would challenge and shape her life. A love of the written word became a tool for survival.

A journalist since the age of 18, June worked for many years on rural and suburban newspapers as senior writer, editor and newspaper columnist. In the past three years, she has written and edited three books about eating disorders.

More Information www.junealexander.com

26568

Then, at age 47, I discovered feelings were the key to beating the horrid eating disorder.

www.getaheadkids.com.au

19

Health

Organ

Transplants

By Dr. Chris Russell

Organ failure means that one of your body’s vital systems is not doing its job properly. Life with a failing organ is very challenging and the condition can be imminently lifethreatening.

Which organs can be transplanted?

Organ transplantation is when an organ or part of an organ is removed from one person (the donor) and put into another person (the recipient).

❑❑ Heart - roughly 70 Australians per year receive a new heart

Modern transplantation began in the 1950s with the first successful kidney transplants. Heart, liver and pancreas transplants soon followed.

Since then, the range of organs that can be transplanted as well as the understanding of transplantation has expanded.

❑❑ Kidney - there are approximately 800 kidney transplants per year in Australia

Currently, approximately 1,600 Australians are waiting for a lifesaving or life-improving transplant, and about 50 of those waiting are children.

Waiting for a transplant is not easy.

It usually involves many trips to hospital and a very limited lifestyle.

Most people wait between 6 months and 4 years, but unfortunately, some of those waiting will die from their disease before a transplant becomes available.

20 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

The list is growing. Currently, common transplants in Australia are: ❑❑ Eye tissue - approximately 1,500 people per year regain sight

❑❑ Heart valves - this transplant helps to repair rather than replace a damaged heart

❑❑ Liver - usually only part of a liver is needed for a successful transplant ❑❑ Bone & tendon - these transplants help mend difficult fractures & bone problems Where do the organs come from?

Organs can come from deceased or living donors.

Deceased donors are people who have agreed in advance to give their organs to others when they die.

This is sometimes called cadaveric donation, and is the source of most transplant organs. Organs from one cadaveric donor can sometimes enhance or save the lives of ten or more people.

Living donors are people who choose to give organs such as the kidney or liver to someone in need.

Humans usually have two kidneys, but most can live healthily with just one. More than one-third of kidney transplants in Australia are now from living donors.

The liver has several lobes and regenerates very quickly, so it is sometimes possible to remove part of a liver from a living donor and give it to someone else.

What happens after a transplant?

Almost everyone who has a transplant will need medicines called immunosuppressants afterwards to keep the transplant working.

Each person has an individual code on each of his or her cells called an antigen, which is like a security pass for the body. A cell without the right pass is targeted for attack by the immune system. This is how the immune system normally identifies and fights invading bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, transplanted organs do not have the right security pass, so the immune system can attack. This is called rejection.

Health Doctors try very hard to match donor organs so that they have antigens that are as near a match as possible to receiving person’s own, but an attack by the immune system on the new organ can still happen.

Immunosuppressant drugs ‘turn down’ the immune system. The aim is to get the right medicine at the right dose to stop the immune system fighting the new organ, while allowing it to continue fighting infection. People who receive a transplant are monitored closely by their medical team to make sure this is happening.

have greatly improved success rates from organ transplants. Scientists are working on other exciting advances as well. They are working on growing organs in the lab from human cells called stem cells; if successful, the patient’s own stem cells could be used to provide them with an organ.

About Dr. Chris Russell Dr. Chris Russell is a member of the medical writing team at Medikidz.

Medikidz provide children and teenagers with informative, accessible and fun comics to help them understand their bodies and illness.

What’s next?

More Information

A better understanding of immunosuppressant drugs, as well as improved surgical techniques

www.medikidz.com

NEWCASTLE OFFICE t +61 2 4926 1300 f +61 2 4926 5557 17 Arnott Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302 e sales@ncp.com.au

SYDNEY OFFICE t +61 2 9890 7029 f +61 2 9890 7036 8-10 Frank Street, Wetherill Park NSW 2164

A division of Bright Print Group

The Medikidz superheroes whisk William off to Mediland, a distant planet shaped like the human body, to explain the important roles that organs play in the human body and why people need organ transplant operations. During his Mediland adventure, William encounters cells carrying antigen ID cards and comes to understand the importance of immunosuppressants.

Authors: Dr. Kim Chilman-Blair & Shawn deLoache

This book is light-hearted, entertaining, informative and graphic. It’s a must-read for anyone with a loved one who needs to or has had an organ transplant. This book provides an excellent educational reference for schools, parents and healthcare professionals.

William is angry when he is taken away from a game with his friends.

He doesn’t understand why he has to take all of this medicine, or why he had to have an organ transplant operation.

Age Guide: 8+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781906935320 Price: AU $19.99 Publisher: Medikidz Limited P: +44 (0)2073766630

What’s Up with William?

Medikidz Explain Organ Transplants

Does Your Child Lack Concentration at School?

Glasses or vision therapy may be the answer.

Behavioural Optometry • Vision Therapy Children’s Vision • Sports Vision Ortho-K Contact Lenses specialeyes OPTOMETRISTS Susan K Walton B Optom FACBO

245 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300 Appointments 02 4926 4799

www.getaheadkids.com.au

21

Lessening

Child Foot & Lower Limb Fatigue

By Adam Glascock

Running and playing is an integral part of the school day for children.

From the time they leave home and walk to school, children with feet and legs that don’t function well will become fatigued and deenergised.

For these children it is more than the foot and lower limb that are working overtime. Hip and core muscles have to compensate to assist in stabilising their lower limb in gait, compared to children with more appropriately functioning lower limb.

Sitting in the classroom, writing, drawing and just concentrating also

22 Get Ahead KidsÂŽ May/Jun 12

requires stability of the trunk and hips through suitable core and hip control.

When fatigue sets in due to walking, playing and running, children tend to wiggle in their seats, slump over the pages of their text books or become distracted.

Children with poorly functioning lower limbs expend greater energy during recess and lunchtime resulting in fatigue and poor concentration when they return to the classroom. Through no fault of their own, they are unable to focus on school work.

Addressing poorly functioning foot and lower limb biomechanics is an important function of podiatrists in liaison with other healthcare professionals.

Hypotonia or poorly functioning weak muscles can be addressed and retrained to assist in stability whilst our children sit, write and concentrate.

By treating foot and lower limb function, children can benefit from decreased fatigue and experience an increase in energy levels to enjoy their day.

Health About Adam Glascock

When given the opportunity to assess a new born or youngster, particularly before they are walking it is possible to diagnose a misalignment, medical or structural issue that will manifest and develop with the child particularly through weight bearing. This will often become noticed for the first time as the child becomes involved in physical activity and sport.

More Information Adam Glascock is the principal podiatrist at Newcastle Family and Sports Podiatry in Hamilton East, Newcastle. His main field of practice is paediatric and biomechanical abnormalities in children.

He heads a team of 13 staff and his special interests include improving the gait parameters and performance of elite junior athletes.

Adam Glascock Principal Podiatrist Newcastle Family and Sports Podiatry 51 Denison St. Hamilton East NSW 2303 P: 02 4961 4411 admin@newcastlepodiatry.com.au www.newcastlepodiatry.com.au

The quality teaching, outstanding facilities, balance of academic, sporting and cultural endeavours combine to make HVGS the right learning environment for your child.

Every day is open day at HVGS. Make an appointment & see for yourself!

NORFOLK ST ASHTONFIELD 2323 P 4934 2444 www.hvgs.nsw.edu.au

treating foot & lower limb conditions for your kids & you

www.getaheadkids.com.au

23

sss a w News ily eP ay! am eNaw rox.

F 1 Giv pp A t to d a e 00.00 u l Va $1

T im Winton’s “Bugalugs Bum Thief”

from the page to the stage!

“The Bugalugs Bum Thief” is a hilarious tale of the town of Bugalugs, where the residents wake up one morning to find their buttocks missing!

Monkey Baa’s

THE BUGALUGS BUM THIEF Based on the book by Tim Winton

25-27 JUNE CIVIC THEATRE Ideal for children & families Tickets: 02 4929 1977 www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Skeeta Anderson, along with his best mates Billy Marbles and Mick Misery, set out to find the culprit.

After much mayhem and madness, Skeeta finally unravels the mystery and Bugalugs returns to normal… well, almost.

Everyone has claimed the wrong bum! Join Skeeta and his friends in this ripper adventure that will have you singing along to the catchy tunes and laughing your own bum off!

Duration: Approx. 1 hour Venue: Civic Theatre Newcastle Show dates: 25-27 June 2012

More Information www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

24 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

With special thanks to the Civic Theatre Newcastle, Get Ahead Kids® has 1 Family Pass to ‘The Bugalugs Bum Thief’ valued at approx. $100.00 to giveaway!

The Family Pass entitles 2 adults and 2 children entry to ‘The Bugalugs Bum Thief’, Monday 25 June 2012, 6:30pm at the Civic Theatre Newcastle.

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au and click the giveaways link for a chance to win this fantastic giveaway.

to G5 Pass e Va lue iveaw s d $6 at A ay!

8.0

0 E pprox ac . h

Australian Reptile Park

Givea ways

The Australian Reptile Park is the hands-on zoo that features animal interaction and exciting wildlife shows.

Learn about the park’s work to help save the iconic Tasmanian devil with the exciting conservation project, Devil Ark.

Visitors to the park can have a close encounter with some of the scaly and furry animals during Snappy Hour 11am-2pm daily, including a walk with Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise.

Visitors can witness venomous snake and funnel web spider milking every day, have a photo with a snugly python, wombat or cuddly koala.

NSW’s biggest crocodile Elvis, is fed at 1:30pm on weekends and school holidays, watch the spectacular alligator feeding from the banks of the ’gator lagoon. See native and exotic reptiles and spiders in the unique exhibits The Lost World of Reptiles and Spider World, featuring Tarantula-ville.

Enjoy the children’s adventure playground, cafe and picnic area, free BBQs and hand feed friendly kangaroos.

Ask about the behind the Scenes Tours, Devilish Encounter and Kids to Keepers program.

With special thanks to the Australian Reptile Park, Get Ahead Kids® has 5 Family Passes valued at approx. $68.00 each to giveaway!

Each pass allows a family of 2 adults and 2 children (3 - 15 years) a wildlife experience at the Australian Reptile Park.

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au and click the giveaways link for a chance to win one of these fantastic Australian Reptile Park family pass giveaways.

More information www.reptilepark.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

25

News

Left to right - Coxswain - Chris Boyle, Benjamin Robinson, William Rodgers, Nicholas Minch, Samuel Hall.

Silver Medal

for Local Rowers at Australian Titles

Newcastle Grammar School’s outstanding rowing success has continued with one of the Schools’ rowing crew taking out silver at the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships held at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in the city of Armadale, located south east of Perth. Eighteen students from years 9 - 12 competed in the weeklong event held in March 2012.

The Women’s Under 17 Quad age group racing girls crew qualified for the final where they finished 5th in the country.

The crew consisted of Ben Robinson, William Rodgers, Nick Minch, Sam Hall and the coxswain Chris Boyle on their silver medal.

The Boy’s Quad won their heat and went straight through to the final and managed to push past many crews throughout the race and crossed the line in second place, only 2 seconds behind Kinross Wolaroi.

More Information

OPEN DAY

Michelle O’Toole Communications Manager P: 02 4929 5811 www2.ngs.nsw.edu.au

TOURS BY OUR STUDENTS

9am - 11am WEDNESDAY 20

JUNE

LIMITED PLACES ARE AVAILABLE Newcastle Grammar School p: (02) 4929 5811

26 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

w: ngs.nsw.edu.au

News

Allambi Wins

“Community Services Stallholder” at the Tocal Field Days In May 2012, Allambi Youth Services Inc. (Allambi) was the worthy recipient of the “Community Services Stallholder” at the Tocal Field Day for its contribution to foster care, seeking suitable respite and full-time carers for children.

In partnership with other organisations Allambi aims to be a leader in the provision of quality professional services to the community including: • Crisis Youth Refuge • Residential • Foster care

• Disabilities programs • Clinical services • Adolescent counselling Allambi is a not-for-profit organisation and endeavours to ensure all children and young people in their care are provided with the services, skills, learning opportunities and life skills essential to become happy, capable independent and mature adults.

More Information P: 02 4944 5900 www.allambi.org

Respite, Short Term & Long Term Care

WE NEED YOU FAMILIES • COUPLES • SINGLES F O S T E R I N G

Family Opportunity Support Teamwork Empathy Relationship Individual Nuturing Guidance Allambi Foster Care Team provides professional training & 24 hour support

P: 4944 5900 www.allambi.org

Tocal

Open Days 10:00am - 3:00pm, Friday 6 July 10:00am - 3:00pm, Friday 13 July

Open Days offer interested students and families the opportunity to learn about Tocal courses, tour the college campus, student residences, college farms and the historic Tocal Homestead.

Tocal has a proven reputation for training students for careers in agriculture and the horse industries.

Ring for a Tocal Prospectus 1800 025 520 info@tocal.com | www.tocal.nsw.edu.au www.getaheadkids.com.au

27

News

Supporting Families Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder In February 2012, Nobbys Beach was transformed as 200 children and young adults with autism and related developmental delays spent the day surfing.

Such is the power of the ocean-such is the power of the Hunter Connect and Surfers for Autism (SFA) missions.

Children and young adults on the autism spectrum and with related special abilities spent the day being pushed into waves by expert surfing instructors.

This day was not just about the children, but also the families that deal with stress, frustration and uncertainty on a daily basis.

Many families withdraw socially for fear of uncomfortable social situations, and these events provide a safe setting where they can enjoy each other’s company for a day.

The event is free for participating families, including the provision of lunch.

Lunch was sponsored by Andrew Campbell and his team of Hog’s Breath Cafe Newcastle. Hogs Breath not only donated food, but also its staff to cook and serve the families and volunteers.

Next Event Connect & Surfers for Autism Beach Festival 19 January 2013 Nobbys Beach

More Information

.

QUIZZY

esy of S

court Photos

28 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

Wayne Hampton P: 0419 490104 wayne@hunterconnect.org.au www.hunterconnect.org.au

News

How to Make Your Next orable & Fun! Event Mem

As Seen on TV

International Award Winning Magician We Offer Shows, Workshops, Roving Entertainment, Balloon Twisting, Spruiking & MC services.

Dates are “Disappearing� Fast Call Today 4942 3593 www.jd4magic.com

www.getaheadkids.com.au

29

The Secret of the Swords: Sword Girl Book 1 Author: Frances Watts Illustrator: Gregory Rogers Tommy dreams of becoming a knight. When she is promoted from kitchen hand to Keeper of the Blades, it seems all her dreams are coming true. That is until Sir Walter’s sword goes missing. The search is on to recover and replace the sword before anyone notices it is missing.

This is a fun, easy to read book; a great alternative to princess tales, with a feisty female lead character in an adventurous novel.

Age Guide: 8+ Years Extent: 96 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742377285 Price: AU $11.99 Publisher: Allen & Unwin P: 02 8425 0100 www.allenandunwin.com

Just Doomed!

Author: Andy Griffiths Illustrator: Terry Denton ‘Just Doomed!’ Is a funny collection of stories about mischief and crazy events.

The book is a mix of choose you own adventures, diary entries, mini cartoons and completely random lists such as ‘101 Ways To Be Doomed’.

This is a hilarious book, which will hook readers instantly. It’s an entertaining read supported with comical illustrations.

Age Guide: 10+ Years Extent: 218 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742610924 Price: AU $12.99 Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia P: 02 9285 9100 www.panmacmillan.com.au

The Hunger Games - The Official Illustrated Movie Companion Author: Kate Egan Move over Twilight, 2012 is all about The Hunger Games!

This book has everything fans need to know about the movie, has full page images and is packed with information about the filming of the movie.

This book is perfect for Hunger Games fans of all ages.

Age Guide: 10+ Years Extent: 160 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780545422901 Price: AU $24.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

The Littlest Angel Lily Series Author: Elizabeth Pulford This series follows the life and adventures of Lily, the littlest angel at Amelia’s Angel Academy. For a little angel, Lily always seems to find herself in big trouble. With perseverance and persistence, Lily overcomes the variety of obstacles that are thrown her way.

These are simple, magical stories, with a lovable main character and beautiful illustrations. This series is ideal for young girls.

#1: Lily Gets Her Wings ISBN: 9781775430223

#4: Lily Lands in Bubble Trouble ISBN: 9781775430520

#2: Lily Has a Secret ISBN: 9781775430230

Age Guide: 8+ Years Extent: 88 Pages Each (Paperback) Price: AU $9.99 Publisher: Scholastic NZ P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.co.nz

#3: Lily Goes Skitter Skating ISBN: 9781775430247

For more great reviews visit www.getaheadkids.com.au 30 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

Reviews

Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space Author: Anna Branford Illustrator: Sarah Davis Violet has some good news and upsetting news.

The good news is that her Mum and Vincent are getting married news not accepted as well by her brother Dylan!

The upsetting news is that they have to move house and leave her personal space.

This is a charming tale that focuses on respect for personal spaces, change, acceptance and family celebration.

The picturesque black and white illustrations add to the visual depth of the simple but meaningful plot.

A great read especially for young girls.

Age Guide: 7+ Years Extent: 112 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921529207 Price: AU $19.95 Publisher: Walker Books Australia P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

Kick it to Me

Forget Me Not

Author: Neridah McMullin Illustrator: Peter Hudson

Author: Sue Lawson

This book tells the story of Tom Wills, one of the most important sportsmen in Australian history.

Having spent much of his upbringing in the Gariwerd Grampians, Tom spent his time playing Marn-grook with the local indigenous children.

After returning to Australia from an English boarding school in 1856, Tom wrote to a Victorian newspaper explaining the benefits and importance of fitness.

From his knowledge of Marn-grook and fitness the game as we now know as AFL was developed and introduced.

This is a great way for young AFL enthusiasts to learn the origins of the most popular Australian spectator sport.

Age Guide: 10+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9780980794861 Price: AU $19.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

In the Beech Forest

‘Forget Me Not’ is the fictional story of a family’s voyage aboard the Titanic destined for America.

The story is successfully separated into chapters, with alternating narration from siblings Eve and Thomas Gilmore. There is a strong contrast between the siblings, Thomas is fascinated by the ship and is keen to explore whereas Eve misses her friends back in England and is uneasy about the entire journey.

This book is a well written enjoyable read, offering not only an historic account of the Titanic, but a look at life in the 1900s.

Sue Lawson produces a clever balance between the historical accuracy and the drama of the event.

Age Guide: 12+ Years Extent: 256 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742032108 Price: AU $16.95 Publisher: Walker Books Australia P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

Author: Gary Crew Illustrator: Den Scheer

With an unusual story line and intriguing illustrations, children will enjoy reading with their parents.

This is an interesting story about a boy who takes a path leading into a dark and scary forest away from the safety and comfort of his home. His mind is full of the characters from his computer games, battles between heroes and monsters and dreadful

Age Guide: 10+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921665578 Price: AU $29.95 Publisher: Ford Street Publishing P: 03 9481 1120 www.fordstreetpublishing.com

beasts.

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Ten Scared Fish & Kangaroos Hop Author: Ros Moriarty Illustrator: Balarinji These books are ideal for teaching very young children basic counting and basic verb use. Each book also includes the text in the Yanyuwa Aboriginal language.

The colourful, large and simple illustrations will draw readers in and the repetition in Kangaroos Hop will help build memory skills in young children.

Ten Scared Fish ISBN: 9781742379128

Kangaroos Hop ISBN: 9781742379159 Age Guide: 1+ Years Extent: 24 Pages Each (Paperback) Price: AU $12.99 Each Publisher: Allen & Unwin P: 02 8425 0100 www.allenandunwin.com

Professor Fred Hollows

Bananas in Pyjamas

Author: Hazel Edwards Illustrator: Pat Reynolds

Author: Southern Star

Professor Fred Hollows is known for his remarkable work as an eye doctor with Indigenous Australians and in developing countries around the world.

This book tells Fred’s life story in an engaging and comprehensive way and educates readers on the work he did around the world to make basic eye care affordable and available to those who need it most.

This book is perfect for primary school readers learning about characters in Australian History.

Age Guide: 9+ Years Extent: 128 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781921042751 Price: AU $14.95 Publisher: New Frontier Publishing P: 02 9453 1525 www.newfrontier.com.au

With Katerina’s cold mannerisms, Jude’s political motivation and Carmel’s low self esteem the girls are in for a bumpy ride. Will they be able to keep on top of their studies, new found interests, friends, and the housework?

Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude Get a Life Author: Maureen McCarthy Katerina, Carmel and Jude are from the same small town but hardly know each other. Their worlds collide when they are thrown into the same share house in the first year of university in Melbourne.

32 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

This is a story about love, betrayal and friendship and is ideal for young adults who will relate to the books’ themes and characters.

Age Guide: 15+ Years Extent: 448 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742379517 Price: AU $19.99 Publisher: Allen & Unwin P: 02 8425 0100 www.allenandunwin.com

Help young ones learn basic counting and alphabet skills by introducing them alongside their favourite Bananas in Pyjamas characters!

These books are great for very young children who will enjoy the bright illustrations and large text.

Numbers ISBN: 9780733329777

My First ABC ISBN: 9780733329470 Age Guide: 1+ Years Extent: 14 Pages Each (Board Book) Price: AU $9.99 Each Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers P: 1300 551 721 www.harpercollins.com.au

Ships in the Field Author: Susanne Gervay Illustrator: Anna Pignataro Ships in the Field takes its readers on a journey with a young girl and her friend Brownie. With detailed and colourful illustrations, this is a moving story that has a subtle sub-text about war and migration.

Age Guide: 7+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921665233 Price: AU $26.95 Publisher: Ford Street Publishing P: 03 9481 1120 www.fordstreetpublishing.com

Reviews Horrified that Jane and Ian have named the baby Sam, and changed his very own name to Jack, he runs away to teach Jane, Ian and the name-stealing baby a lesson!

Sam the Cat Author: Sam Bowring Illustrator: Andrew McLean Sam the cat lives a happy life with his owners Jane and Ian. One day Sam notices that Jane is starting to get very fat and decided she must have eaten too many mice for dinner. However, when Jane returns after a few days away she isn’t fat anymore and has brought a baby boy with her!

Get Ahead KidsÂŽ Partners

But Sam gets very scared when he realises he is lost, cold and alone.

He wanders aimlessly around the town until luckily Ian finds him on his way to work.

This humorous and heartwarming book is the true story of how the author got his name and is an ideal bedtime story book.

Age Guide: 5+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921504297 Price: AU $24.95 Publisher: Working Title Press P: 08 8232 0226 www.workingtitlepress.com.au

hey dee ho music runs music programs for 1- 5 year olds. There are franchise opportunities in the inner Sydney suburbs & the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

Franchise Enquiries: (03) 9786 3104 | jenny@heydeehomusic.com.au www.heydeehomusic.com.au

Noodle Loves the Farm Author: Marion Billet Go on a farm adventure with Noodle to see the horses, cows and chickens! A perfect book for very young readers; they will enjoy the bright colours and textured pages while finding the animals on each page and making their animal noise.

Age Guide: 1+ Years Extent: 8 Pages (Board Book) ISBN: 9780857630414 Price: AU $14.99 Publisher: Allen & Unwin P: 02 8425 0100 www.allenandunwin.com

The Pros and Cons of being a Frog Author/Illustrator: Sue deGennaro This warm and heartfelt story describes how two different types of people can end up being the best of friends. With beautiful illustrations and a relatable storyline readers can join Frogboy and Camille on a tale about friendship and personalities.

Age Guide: 4+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781742830636 Price: AU $26.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE NEW

Pilates, Brass Band, Choir, Chess, Table Tennis, Judo, Akido Kickboxing Boxing, Gymnastics, Circus, Dancing, Fencing

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Index

Article Themes 2012 January/February Back to School - Vanessa Amorosi Ad Booking Deadline Nov 11, 2011 Editorial Deadline Nov 18, 2011

March/April Physical Education - The Commando Ad Booking Deadline Feb 10, 2012 Editorial Deadline Feb 17, 2012

May/June Languages & Communications Jessica Rowe Ad Booking Deadline Apr 5, 2012 Editorial Deadline Apr 13, 2012

July/August Learning Innovations & Technology David Reyne Ad Booking Deadline May 25, 2012 Editorial Deadline Jun 1, 2012

September/October Study & Assessment - Iain Hewitson Ad Booking Deadline Aug 10, 2012 Editorial Deadline Aug 17, 2012

November/December Summer Learning - Nicole Livingstone Ad Booking Deadline Oct 1, 2012 Editorial Deadline Oct 15, 2012 EDUC ATIN G

• Sep/Oct 2

Advanced Careers College 13 Allambi Youth Services Inc. 27 Australian Literacy Clinic Pty Ltd 11 Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College 15 Charlton Christian College 2 Circus Avalon 11 Civic Theatre Newcastle 24 Essential Moves 15 Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown 13 hey dee ho music 33 Hog’s Breath Cafe Newcastle 29 Hunter Development Corporation 19 Hunter Food & Wine 36 Hunter Valley Grammar School 23 Hunter Wetlands Centre 11 I Can Read System 33 INParenting 33 Interrelate Family Centres 4 InZane Football 17 Irlen Diagnostic Clinic 9 JD’s World of Magic 29 Jungle Sports 9 Karrawong Kindy 9 KidsSmile 17 NCP Printing 21 Newcastle Family and Sports Podiatry 23 Newcastle Grammar School 26 PCYC 33 Schoolchoice.com.au 33 specialeyes OPTOMETRISTS 21 Stockland Glendale 17 TAFE NSW Hunter Institute 5 Tocal College 27

THE GO FAMI LIES ON

® Vol. 4 • No. 4

Advertisers Index

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For more advertising information please contact Maria Charlton | maria@mapmarketing.com.au | P: 02 4929 7766

Advertisers media kit & booking form at www.getaheadkids.com.au

2012 July/August GST $6.60 AUD INC Subscription 04

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Celebrity Spotlight David Reyne

Actor, Musician, TV Presenter Learning Innovations & Technology Issue out

July 2012 34 Get Ahead Kids® May/Jun 12

Activity Zone

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More activities at www.getaheadkids.com.au

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