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ISSUE 81| DeceMBER 2017 | AED 15
BRING ON CHRISTMAS! THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE
TOP WINTER CAMPS FESTIVE FAMILY FUN
MAKE HOLIDAY MAGIC COOK THE
PERFECT TURKEY
Holiday Stress Relief for Mums BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR NEW MUMS
YOGA FOR FERTILITY IS YOUR TOT JET-LAGGED? FIND OUT INSIDE
CONFESSIONS OF A SCHOOL
TEACHER
WHY I JUST LOVE
THE UAE…
SLEEPY BABY, HAPPY YOU!
WHY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IS SO IMPORTANT
Supported by:
EDITORIAL
Editor: Dina Maaty
dina.maaty@cpimediagroup.com
Online Editor: Emma Hodgson emma.hodgson@cpimediagroup.com
ADVERTISING
Sales Director: Michael Phillips Sales Manager: Mathew Tharakan Sales Manager: Vanessa Linney mbc.sales@cpimediagroup.com
MARKETING
Isabelle Mills
marketing@cpimediagroup.com
DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Rajeesh Nair
rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com
PRODUCTION
James Tharian
DESIGN
Sarah Radwan
Editor’s Note It’s the end of 2017 already and we can’t believe we’re almost ready to say goodbye to what has been a fun, yet challenging year, and welcome 2018 with open arms and high hopes. We’re hoping that 2018 will bring more happiness to our children or, if they’re still on the way, hoping that we’ll see them soon and look forward to the joy they’ll bring into our lives. The Mother, Baby & Child team wishes all of the wonderful mothers out there a merry Christmas and fantastic new year!
ONLINE
Ramir Toyado
PHOTOGRAPHY
Maksym Poriechkin
FOR OTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE VISIT:
EDITOR’S PICKS
motherbabychild.com
FOUNDER
Dominic De Sousa (1959 - 2015)
CHATEAU BLANC
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Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai
ROBINSONS
PUBLISHED BY
Head Office: Media City, Building 4, Office G-08 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 13700 Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 Email: info@cpimediagroup.com Publication licensed by Dubai Production City, DCCA © Copyright 2017 CPI Media Group FZLLC. All rights reserved.
While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
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MARKS & SPENCER MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 03
DCE 2017
in this issue
e Mb
er 04 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
10
..........................................................
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE
Things to Do .............................................................
Mummy & Baby ...................................................... 40
Toddler & Child ....................................................... 44 Older Child & Tween ............................................. 48 Parenting .................................................................. Festive family fun..................................................... 56 Winter camp fun mode: ON! ................................. 60
Baby on board............................................................ 64 Education ............................................................... Teacher profiles................................................... 71
Mummies, beware!................................................. 73 Learning English as a second language............. 76 The importance of a multilingual education... 78
Good Living ............................................................. Best Christmas gifts for new mums..................... 82 Holiday stress relief for mums............................... 83 A four-year-old’s (real) Christmas list................... 86
In the kitchen......................................................... 88
Health ...................................................................... Jet lag and kids......................................................... 92 Healthy holiday snacking for kids........................ 94
Calorie counting....................................................... 98 Helping your kids develop healthy eating habits............................................ 100
Baby sleep solutions .............................................. 103 Nappy change, happy change ............................. 105
CONTRIBUTORS Kamal Dasani Lucy Holmes
is Mum to a 7-year-old boy and newborn baby girl. Lucy is a freelance marketing consultant, specialising in the baby and child industry across the region.
Ebru Verimli Yuksel
is a Turkish writer, business consultant and, most importantly, a mother to an 8-year-old son. She has dedicated herself to parenting and education after her son was born and writes for a Turkish publication on these topics; she also writes stories for children.
is mum to twin girls and the owner of online store and blog ‘TherapyBox Australia’ As a senior occupational, vision and applied behaviour analysis therapist, she provides developmental advice and resources to parents, therapists, teachers and carers. therapyboxaustralia.com)
Keira Langman
is a UK-based mother-of-one, who started her very own blog ‘Cake Run Mum Repeat’ to give mums a humorous take on the balance between responsibilities, staying beautiful and — very importantly — loving cake. cakerunmumrepeat.com)
Sidiqa Sohail
is a 26-year-old mum to a one-year-old baby girl. Sidiqa has a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and owns Spontiphoria -- a concept store bakery and cafe. In her free time, you’ll often find her testing recipes or reading a novel.
Rosa Bullock
Juggling her roles as a new mother and business owner, multitasking is second nature to Rosa. When she isn’t acquiring new business and sorting through a mountain of emails, she’s spending some precious quality time with her infant daughter, husband and two French bulldogs.
STAR LETTER Winner
Congrats Noor on winning an AED 1000 voucher to spend on laser hair removal at ZO skin centre. “I love this magazine because there’s always something for every mum, something that will keep a mum interested in all stages of motherhood. Last issue, I particularly liked the feature on how to discipline a toddler. Having a 19-month-old myself, I loved the tips and finger food recipes. I tried some out for my daughter. This is the best mummy magazine and I look forward to every issue. Keep up the great work!” Noor Nishal, Dubai
To enter our Star letter competition, please visit motherbabychild.com/competitions 06 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
A W A R D S 2 0 1 7 The Mother, Baby & Child Awards are held annually to acknowledge the enormous contribution which brands, educational establishments, healthcare providers and other entities make towards shaping UAE-based families’ futures through their role in helping mothers and nurturing children. Now in its sixth year, the ceremony was held on December 21, 2017 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai to celebrate mothers’ favourites. Since its inception in 2011, Mother, Baby & Child has been helping mothers across the UAE take care of their families, navigating every aspect of parenthood from pregnancy through the school years. Getting to the heart of the latest news and recommendations on kids’ health, education, safety, nutrition, behaviour and more, our aim has always been to give parents the tools to raise healthy and happy children. 2017 was a big year for the industry, and the publication, as we got to see Mother, Baby & Child’s smashing success in garnering mums’ support, having them continue to choose the magazine for everything motherhood, making it the biggest, most trusted publication in the region. The magazine’s reputation has echoed internationally as well, with readers logging in from all corners of the globe to know the latest in the world of parenting. This year, more than 114,000 Mother, Baby & Child readers voted for their favourites, a total of 413 nominees across different categories. Here’s a look into what has made this year as special as ever. See you next year!
10 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
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12 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 13
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Primary
School of the Year - Secondary
Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Primary
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Wom
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Hom
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Fam
NURSERY OF THE YEAR NORTHERN EMIRATES
NURSERY OF THE YEAR ABU DHABI
w i n n er Formula Brand of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
BRITISH ORCHARD ABU DHABI
Formula Brand of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
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CHUBBY CHEEKS NURSERY RAS AL KHAIMAH
ODYSSEY NURSERY
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LITTLE TREASURES NURSERY RAS AL KHAIMAH 14 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Kids' En
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HAPPY HOME NURSERY SHARJAH
Baby Food Range of the Year
Sch
KIDS ACADEMY ABU DHABI
Supermarket of the Year
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE
Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of of the the Year Year Nursery Abu Dhabi Dubai
NURSERY OF tHE YEAR DUBAI Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Nursery of of the the Year Year Nursery Northern Emirates Abu Dhabi
Educational School Educational New School SpecialAfter Needs After School Activity Centre Centre of the Year Activity of the Year Education Centre of the Year of the Year
Water Park Theme Parkof ofthe theYear Year
DentalPark CareofProvider Water the Year of the Year
School of of the the Year Year School - Secondary - Primary
School of Nursery ofthe theYear Year - Primary Northern Emirates
PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Soft Play Venue New School of the the Year Year of
Kids' Entertainment Soft Play VenueCentre Kids' Entertainment Centre of the the Year Year of of the Year
Medical of the Year DentalClinic Care Provider of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year Pediatrics BestClinic Maternity Hospital of the YearYear of the Year Aesthetic of the Year Aesthetic BestClinic Maternity Clinic of the Department Department
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Women’s Health Clinic Medical Clinic of the Year of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Homestore theYear Year Hospital ofofthe
Homestore of the Year
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JUMEIRAH INTERNATIONAL NURSERY Formula Brand of the Year
School of the Year - Secondary
Baby FoodBrand Range Formula of the the Year Year of
Supermarket Baby Food Range of the the Year Year of
REGENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DUBAI
Family-Friendly Restaurant Family-Friendly Family-Friendly Hotel Restaurant Supermarket of the the Year Year of the the Year Year of of
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
winner
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TODDLER TOWN BRITISH NURSERY
KINGS’ SCHOOL DUBAI UMM SUQEIM
w i n n er
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JEBEL ALI VILLAGE NURSERY JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE
GEMS WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DUBAI MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 15
ool Year
ar
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Primary
School of the Year - Secondary
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
w i n n er
w inne r
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
JUMEIRA BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL DUBAI
AL NOOR TRAINING CENTRE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
winner
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EMIRATES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL JUMEIRAH
DUBAI AUTISM CENTER
Supermarket of the Year
SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Homestore of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
w i n n er BRIGHTON COLLEGE ABU DHABI 16 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION CENTRE OF THE YEAR
Formula Brand of the Year
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Me
Fam
MOHAP XT24882 - EXPIRY 31/12/2017
Clinical Services offered
: 04 3387878
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
NurserySchool of theof Year the Year Dubai - Primary
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Special Needs After School Centre Soft Play Venue Educational Kids' Entertainment EducationofCentre Activity Centreofofthe theYear Year the Year of the Year
EDUCATIONAL AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE YEAR
Formula Brand of the Year
NurserySchool of theof Year the Year Abu Dhabi - Secondary
New School of the Year
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Supermarket of the Year
School of the Year - Secondary
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
NEW SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Water Women’s Park of the Year Clinic Dental Care Provider Park ofClinic the Year Dental Care Provider Theme Medical of the Year Health of the Year of the Year of the Year
Clinic of the Year Hospital of the Year Aesthetic Clinic of thePediatrics Year
School of the Year - Primary
Best Maternityof the Year Aesthetic Clinic of the Year Homestore Department
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Formula Brand RestaurantBabyFamily-Friendly Food Range Hotel Family-Friendly of the of Year of the of Year the Year the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
LITTLE EXPLORERS
THE ARCADIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL
winner
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BROOKLYN MELODIES MUSIC CENTER
SUNMARKE SCHOOL
w i n n er IQRAA ARABIC LANGUAGE CENTRE 18 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
w inne r NEXT GENERATION SCHOOL
ar
Year
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Baby Food Range of the Year
NurserySchool of theof Year the Year Dubai - Primary
NurserySchool of theof Year the Year Abu Dhabi - Secondary
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Special Needs After School Centre Soft Play Venue Educational Kids' Entertainment EducationofCentre Activity Centreofofthe theYear Year the Year of the Year
SOFT PLAY VENUE OF THE YEAR
New School of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Best Maternityof the Year Aesthetic Clinic of the Year Homestore Department
w i n n er
Formula Brand RestaurantBabyFamily-Friendly Food Range Hotel Family-Friendly of the of Year of the of Year the Year the Year
School of the Year - Secondary
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE OF THE YEAR
WaterWomen’s Park of the Year Clinic Dental Care Provider Park ofClinic the Year Dental Care Provider Theme Medical of the Year Health of the Year of the Year of the Year
Clinic of of thethe Year Hospital Year Aesthetic Clinic of thePediatrics Year
School of the Year - Primary
Supermarket of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
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MATTEL PLAY! TOWN
SPARKY’S ABU DHABI
winner
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FUNKY MONKEYS PLAYLAND
KIDZANIA DUBAI
w i n n er FUN CITY
w inne r MAGIC PLANET MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 19
of the Year
Kitchen Appliance
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Best Party Venue
PARTY VENUE OF THE YEAR
Entrepreneur of the Year
Special Employer Needs Mother Educational AfterBrand School Parent Friendly Baby and Child Education Activity Centre of the YearCentre of the year of the Year of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Formula Brand of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
WATER PARK OF THE YEAR
winner
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SPLASH ‘N’ PARTY
YAS WATERWORLD ABU DHABI
winner
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SKI DUBAI
WILD WADI WATER PARK
winner
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SPARKY’S
AQUAVENTURE WATER PARK
20 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
School of the Year Educational After School Special Needs - Secondary Education Centre Activity Centre of the Year of the Year
Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Primary
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Formula Brand of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
Kids'Park Entertainment Water Park of the Year Theme of the Year Centre of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year Women’s Clinic Pediatrics Clinic ofHealth the Year of the Year
DENTAL CARE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Homestore Formula Brandof the Year of the Year
AESTHETIC CLINIC OF THE YEAR
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
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EMIRATES HOSPITAL
COCOONA CENTRE FOR AESTHETIC TRANSFORMATION
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DRS. NICOLAS & ASP
COSMESURGE
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w inne r
DUBAI LONDON CLINIC DENTAL CENTRE
MEDSTAR HEALTHCARE CENTRE
22 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
ool Year
ar
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Secondary
School of the Year - Primary
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINIC OF THE YEAR
Me
PAEDIATRICS CLINIC OF THE YEAR Formula Brand of the Year
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DANAT AL EMARAT WOMEN & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
ZIA MEDICAL CENTER
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w inne r
MEDCARE FERTILITY CENTRE
KOSTER CLINIC
w i n n er
w inne r
KOSTER CLINIC
THE CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTRE
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 23
Fam
ar
Year
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
School of the Year - Primary
School of the Year - Secondary
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Formula Brand of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
MEDICAL CLINIC OF THE YEAR
FORMULA BRAND OF THE YEAR
w i n n er
w inne r
MEDICLINIC THE DUBAI MALL
APTAMIL JUNIOR
w i n n er
w inne r
GMC CLINICS JUMERIAH
PEDIASURE®
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w inne r
HEALTHBAY AL WASL
NOVALAC 3
24 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
M
Fa
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ear
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
Water Park of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Baby Food Range of the Year
Water Women’s Park of the Year Clinic Dental Care Provider Park ofClinic the Year Dental Care ProviderTheme Medical of the Year Health of the Year of the Year of the Year
Clinic of the Year Hospital of the Year Aesthetic Clinic of thePediatrics Year
Supermarket of the Year
Best Maternityof the Year Aesthetic Clinic of the Year Homestore Department
Formula Brand RestaurantBabyFamily-Friendly Food Range Hotel Family-Friendly of the Year of the Year of the Year of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR
w i n n er
w inne r
CARLUCCIO’S
ATLANTIS THE PALM
w i n n er
w inne r
SUMO SUSHI & BENTO
HILTON RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT & SPA
w i n n er
w inne r
CHILI’S
KEMPINSKI HOTEL & RESIDENCES, PALM JUMEIRAH
26 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
chool e Year
Year
ge
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE Dental Care Provider of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Babymoon Destination of the year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
HOMESTORE OF THE YEAR Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
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INDIGO LIVING
BABY & CHILD CLOTHING RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
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BABYSHOP
Best Party Venue
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IKEA
OKAIDI OBAIBI
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HOME CENTRE
ZIPPY
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 27
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Babymoon Destination of the year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Babymoon Destination of the Family Car year of the Year
Family-Friendly Airline Year Babyof&the Child Clothing
Family Car of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand theWipe Year Bestof Baby
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
MATERNITY SKINCARE BRAND OF THE YEAR Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Disposable Nappy Brand of theofYear Stroller the Year
Car Seat of the Year Baby Monitorof the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
of 2017
Stroller of the Year Must have Kitchen Appliance
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
BABY WIPE BRAND OF THE YEAR Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
One-Stop Parenting Shop Entrepreneur of the Year Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand Mums' Must Have Item the YearEmployer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the Year of the year Entrepreneur of the Year ParentofFriendly of the Year of the year
Best Party Venue Best Party Venue
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BIO-OIL
JOHNSON’S BABY WIPES
w i n n er
w inne r
MUSTELA
PAMPERS
w i n n er
w inne r
PALMER’S
WATERWIPES
28 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Babymoon Destination of the year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
TOY BRAND OF THE YEAR Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Stroller of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
Baby & Child Car Seat of theFootwear Year Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Disposable Nappy Brand Retailer of the Year of the Year
Best Baby Wipe Women’s Beauty & Skincare Mums' BabyMust & Child Skincare One-Stop Parenting Shop Have Item of Year 2017 Brand of the Year Brand the Year of the of theof Year
Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Baby the Year BestMonitorof Party Venue
Must have Kitchen Appliance
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
Best Party Venue
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LITTLE TIKES
HELEN MCGUIRE CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, HOPSCOTCH
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PAW PATROL
ELISSA FREIHA FOUNDER WOMENA
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HAPE TOYS
MARIA CONCEICAO FOUNDER MARIA CRISTINA FOUNDATION
30 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & SkincareMaternity Baby &Retailer Child Skincare of the Year Brand of the Year Brand of the Year
Baby Wipe Toy Best Brand of the Year of 2017
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Be
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
MUMS’ MUST-HAVE ITEM OF THE YEAR Best Party Venue
Baby Monitorof Year Disposable Nappythe Brand of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Must Car Seat ofhave the Year Kitchen Appliance
Stroller of the Year
Parent Employer Baby and Child Brand Entrepreneur of the Year One-Stop Parenting Shop Mums'Friendly Must Have Item Mother ofthe theYear Year ofthe theYear year of of
Baby Monitorof the Year
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Parent Friendly Employer Mother B of the Year
ONE-STOP PARENTING SHOP OF THE YEAR Best Party Venue
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BIO-OIL
BABYSHOP
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SUDOCREM
JUSTKIDDING®
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PHILIPS AVENT MILK POWDER DISPENSER
MAMA’S BOX
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 31
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
e Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Year
Stroller of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
ng Shop r
MUST- HAVE HOME APPLIANCE OF THE YEAR
Babymoon Destination of the year
Family Car of the Year
Baby Ret
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby Br
BABYMOON DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
w i n n er
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Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
PANASONIC 3-IN-1 JUICER/ BLENDER/GRINDER MACHINE
SHANGRI-LA, VILLINGILI RESORT & SPA, THE MALDIVES
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BRAUN MULTIQUICK 9 HAND BLENDER
THE ST. REGIS MAURITIUS RESORT
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BABY BULLET BY MAGIC BULLET
AL MAHA DESERT RESORT & SPA, DUBAI
Car Seat of the Year
Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Baby M
Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent
Family Car of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Baby Ret
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Party Venue
Airline r
Family Car of the Year
e Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
BABY & CHILD FOOTWEAR RETAILER OF THE YEAR Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
w i n n er Best Baby Wipe of 2017
SHOE MART Year
ng Shop r
Stroller of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
w i n n er Must have Kitchen Appliance
CLARKS
Babymoon Destination of the year
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AIRLINE OF THE YEAR Maternity Retailer of the Year
PABLOSKY
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
32 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
w inne r Toy Brand of the Year
Be
EMIRATES AIRLINES Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
w inne r
Stroller of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
ETIHAD AIRWAYS
w i n n er Entrepreneur of the Year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Kitc
w inne r Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
AIR ARABIA
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent Friendly Employer Mother B of the Year
Nursery of the Year Dubai
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Theme Park of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Nursery of the Year Abu Dhabi
Educational After School Activity Centre of the Year
New School of the Year
Soft Play Venue of the Year
Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year
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Baby Food Range of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Women’s Health Clinic of the Year
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
Wo
Women’s Health Clinic Best Maternity of the Year
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Ho
Supermarket of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Fa
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Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
ASTER HOSPITAL w inne r Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
CANADIAN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
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MOTIONGATE™ DUBAI
MEDCARE WOMEN & CHILDREN HOSPITAL
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
BABY FOOD RANGE OF THE YEAR
Formula Brand of the Year
Medical Clinic of the Year
School of the Year - Secondary
Formula Brand of the Year
IMG WORLDS OF ADVENTURE
Dental Care Provider of the Year
MATERNITY DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Formula Brand of the Year
WaterEntertainment Park of the Year Kids' Centre of the Year
Department
Best Maternity Department
LEGOLAND® DUBAI
of the Year
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE
School of the Year - Primary
w i n n er
Theme Park of the Year
Theme Soft ParkPlay of the Year Venue of the Year
of the Year
- Secondary
Nursery of the Year Northern Emirates
Pediatrics Clinic of the Year
Special Needs Education Centre of the Year
School of of thethe Year Activity Centre Year
Dental Care Provider Pediatrics Medical Clinic the Year Clinic of of the Year of the Year
THEME PARK OF THE YEAR
Nursery of the Year Dubai
School of the Year Education Centre - Primary of the Year
Baby Food Range of the Year
w i n n er
Supermarket of the Year
Hospital of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Airline Babymoon Destination Family-Friendly Restaurant Family-Friendly Family-Friendly Hotel ofofthe Year ofofthe theyear Year the Year
HERO BABY
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
w inne r
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
AUDI Q7 Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
w inne r Stroller of the Year
BMW X5
w i n n er CELIA CERELINE
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
FAMILY CAR OF THE YEAR
HEINZ BABY w i n n er
Family Car of the Year
w inne r Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
MERCEDES-BENZ GLE
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 33
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017
ear
Water Park of the Year
Dental Care Provider of the Year
e Year
Best Maternity Department
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
w inne r
of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
HOSPITAL OF THE YEAR Hospital of the Year
w i n n er Baby Food Range of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Family-Friendly Airline Babymoon Destination Women’s Health Clinic of the Year of the year
Medical Clinic of the Year
Supermarket of the Year
Homestore of the Year
Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year
BABY & CHILD SKINCARE BRAND OF THE YEAR Baby Monitorof the Year
Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year
EUCERIN
MEDCARE HOSPITAL AL SAFA w i n n er
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Babymoon Destination of the year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
MATERNITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR Maternity Retailer of the Year
w i n n er Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
w i n n er Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year Toy Brand of the Year Baby & Child Footwear Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year Retailer of the Year
Nappy Best BabyBrand Wipe Baby & Child Skincare Disposable of the of Year 2017 Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
DISPOSABLE NAPPY BRAND OF THE YEAR w inne r
One-Stop Parenting Shop Have Item Baby Monitorof the YearMums' Must Must have of the Year ofKitchen the Year Appliance
PAMPERS w inne r
Best Party Parent Friendly Employer Mother BabyVenue and Child Brand of the Year of the year
HUGGIES BABY DIAPERS
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BLUEPINK FASHION
FINE BABY® DIAPERS
Best Party Venue
34 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Family Car of the Year
Baby & Retai
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Bran
Stroller of the Year
Baby Mo
Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent Fr o
BABY MAGIC
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
DESTINATION MATERNITY
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
w inne r
Toy Brand of the Year
MOTHERCARE
w inne r Babymoon Destination of the year
Best Party Venue
SAUDI GERMAN HOSPITAL DUBAI
Entrepreneur of the Year
CETAPHIL
BELHOUL SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
w i n n er
Must have Kitchen Appliance
of the year
of the Year
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
of the YearYear Retailer of the
of the year Retailer of the Year
Retailer of the Year Women’s Beauty & Skincare Maternity Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Toy Brand ofWipe the Year Best Baby of 2017
Retailer of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Recognising the best products and services FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE
Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Stroller of the Year
CAR SEAT OF THE YEAR w i n n er
Entrepreneur of the Year
STOKKE IZI GO MODULAR™ BY BESAFE®
Disposable Nappy Baby Monitorof the Brand Year of the Year
w i n n er
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the Year
Brand
e Item
ue
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Family Car of the Year
MAMAS & PAPAS Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
w inne r
MAXI-COSI PEARL
GRACO
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best BabyNappy Wipe Brand Disposable of of 2017 the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Stroller of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Mums' Must Have Item Must have of Appliance the Year Kitchen
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Baby Monitorof the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Must have Kitchen Appliance
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
PARENT-FRIENDLY EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
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PHILIPS AVENT
NESTLÉ
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iBABY
JUSTKIDDING®
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D-LINK
MASTERCARD
Best Party Venue Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year
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BABY MONITOR BRAND OF THE YEAR
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year
Best Party Venue
Baby & Child Footwear Maternity Retailer of the Year Retailer of the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
BUGABOO
Family-Friendly Airline of the Year
GRACO CAR SEAT SNUGFIX EVO
nation
Baby Monitorof the Year
STROLLER BRAND OF THE YEAR
One-Stop Parenting Shop Entrepreneur of the Year Mums' Must Have Item Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the Year of the Year of the year
Babymoon Destination of the year
Best Party Venue
Stroller of the Year
Car Must Seat of the Year have Kitchen Appliance
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 35
Maternity Retailer of the Year
Toy Brand of the Year
Women’s Beauty & Skincare Brand of the Year
Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year
Best Baby Wipe of 2017
Baby Monitorof the Year
Must have Kitchen Appliance
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2017 Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year
Car Seat of the Year
Mums' Must Have Item of the Year
One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year
Stroller of the Year
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD BRAND OF THE YEAR Entrepreneur of the Year
Parent Friendly Employer Mother Baby and Child Brand of the Year of the year
Best Party Venue
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A BIG ‘CONGRATS’ FROM MB&C!
Lucky mama Nicole Sliedrecht has won a family holiday to The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort in the Maldives worth over AED 17,000 as part of our Awards competition! Enjoy Nicole and don’t forget to send us some snaps… 36 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS silver partner
Supporting Partner
Community Partners
Prize Partners
Official Publication
38 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Voting Prize Partner
Media Partner
Organiser
A Franchise of Silicon V alley Education Co. USA
W e nurture Scientists, Engineers, Artists, M athematicians, and Explorers through play Bringing design-thinking, STEAM education, Virtual Reality, and a research-based world curriculum to preschool education for the 1st time in the Middle East
Cognitive skills
STEAM skills
Social skills
Fine & Gross M otor Skills
25% founding members discount; register before 15th Dec No registration fee for transfers from other nurseries www.thecardinalvalley.com | info@ thecardinalvalley.com | T: 04-394 8181 | C: 055-4646 257 15 Al Sagi Street, Jumeirah 3 (near Sunset Mall)
THINGS TO DO
TURN BABY’S CRIB
INTO A TODDLER BED OR DESK
A Spanish brand has launched its range in Dubai and we can’t wait for you to check it out! ALONDRA Baby features furniture, accessories and textiles, all of which are designed with a sophisticated twist.
Their goal is to find the right balance between design and functionality. Most of their cots are design pieces and can be transformed into other types of furniture. The cribs can be used as toddler beds, desks or complete bedroom sets once the baby outgrows the original crib setting.
oconceptstore.ae
Ladybird Nursery is hosting interactive playgroups for mum and baby fun. Located in Jumeirah 1, the nursery’s playgroups are for children between the ages of 6 – 24 months, taking place every Wednesday morning from 10 am – 10:45 am.
ATTEND A PLAYGROUP SESSION
WITH
BABY
Encouraging an environment for social interaction, research has shown that playgroups provide a unique opportunity for children to play and learn, and assist in language development and communication.
The playgroups will involve an interactive musical journey as parents and children can enjoy exploring instruments, puppets and parachute games. The sessions also include dance and movement classes, as well as singing.
The playgroup classes are offered at an all-inclusive package of AED 375 for five classes.
Can you recall a time when you used to look forward to diaper changes? You can now with the launch of the Pampers® Rewards app, an application that rewards you for purchasing diapers and other Pampers products.
You get access to a variety of benefits including magazine subscriptions, diaper discounts, music and movie vouchers and so much more – and best of all for every AED 1 spent on Pampers products such as diapers, Pants and wipes, you’ll earn two reward points. It’s free, easy to use and you’ll receive 400 points – equivalent to AED 200 – just for joining the programme.
The Pampers Rewards app is available in the Google Play and iOS App Stores to download onto your Android or iPhone, respectively.
To download the app visit:
40 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
pampers.ae/pampers-rewards
ladybirdnursery.ae
GET REWARDED
FOR EVERY
DIAPER PURCHASE
Hauck-Soul Plus Shop ‘n Drive
Classy and cosy at first sight, but there’s more to this item: the soft and smooth cuddly fabrics, comfortable tires, reversible and fullyreclinable seat, adjustable footrest and canopy with a very easy foldable mechanism. It comes with an Isofix base car seat and a changing bag to go for the baby’s needs.
There are a lot of extra, but necessary parts of a stroller that make this item a real perfect travel buddy.
04 239 88 55 info@babico.ae
AED 470 Call: 056 5533171 jamal@juniorbookstore.com FREE HOME DELIVERY WITHIN UAE
juniorbookstore.com …because every child is special
THINGS TO DO 1
BABY’S CLOSET
6
5
2 3
Babyshop 1 AED 69 2 AED 52 3 AED 77 ZARA 4 AED 129 each Desigual Kids 5 AED 189 6 AED 239
BABY AND STAY ON SCHEDULE TODDLER WITH YOUR MUMYOGA AND GEAR BABY ‘MUMMYLATES’… IN A CLICK
Designed to reduce mums’ stress levels, Hire4Baby.com combines all the essentials a baby or child would need for a safe, comfortable and entertaining stay across the emirates – while saving you, the parent, money. The website has launched a series of set-price packages for speedy hire. These are perfectly tailored according to age group, enabling parents to simply tick the box that applies to their child.
Available to order online at the newly-revamped Hire4Baby.com site, the packages include ‘Suite Dream’ hotel room solutions for guest babies ages zero to six months – comprising of an infant car seat, baby bouncer, activity gym and steriliser, in addition to ‘Jet Setter’ babies ages 6 – 12 months, comprising of an infant car seat, high chair, activity gym, table or walker and steriliser. Launched by Australian expat mum and long-term Dubai resident Jossette Naiken in 2015, Hire4Baby.com offers an inventory of expertly-selected baby and toddler equipment.
050 331 4940
42 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
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Mums and Babies Yoga/Mummylates (babies from six weeks to 14 months) Every Sunday and Wednesday at 11:00 am at Zoga Yoga Studio, Downtown AED 100 per class Mums and Babies Yoga/Mummylates (babies from six weeks to 14 months) Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 am at 136.1 Yoga Studio in Marina AED 100 per class
Mums and Toddlers Yoga (tods from 2 – 5 years) Thursdays at 4.30 pm at Villa #46, Kindermusik, Umm Suqqeim 3 AED 100, siblings 50% off
yogaretreats.ae
A RR Y E FO Y S IS N DA T H PE R O U FO
6-9 DECEMBER 2017
Santa’s grotto Family Pantomime Fun fair children’s talent show Snow play zone giant christmas tree kids zone festive shopping Cheese Corner Sponsor
Gingerbread House
Snow Play Zone
Co-Sponsor Main Stage
Ofcial Water Sponsor
Ofcial TV
Ofcial Radio
Ofcial Food Magazine
Save 40% with code MBCWF! Buy your tickets now at www.dubaiwinterfestival.com
Ofcial Parenting Magazine
INSTRUMENTS, PUPPETS AND PARACHUTE GAMES
FREE FARE FOR LITTLE NIPPERS AT ARROWS AND SPARROWS
Cosy Greens-based café Arrows and Sparrows has launched a refreshed menu for little nippers. Big on taste, the new menu features brilliant brekkie options in the form of mini acai bowls, scrambled eggs, peanut butter and jelly on toasted sourdough and delicious homemade lunch and dinner favourites like grilled chicken with cheesy mashed potato, pumpkin pasta, cheesy toast and lots more.
The popular ‘kids eat free deal’ continues, with kids dining free of charge when accompanied by adults ordering from the main menu. ‘Kids eat free’ is valid on weekdays, from 2 pm to 7 pm. The café’s menu of delicious, quirky and comforting dishes is 100% organic, with ethically-traded coffee.
arrowsparrows.com
Ladybird Nursery, located in Jumeirah 1, has introduced weekly interactive playgroups for children between the ages of 6 – 24 months. The playgroups take place every Wednesday morning from 10 am – 10:45 am and involve an interactive musical journey where parents and children can enjoy exploring instruments, puppets and parachute games. The sessions also include dance and movement classes, as well as singing.
AED 375 for five classes
ladybirdnursery.ae
44 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
THINGS TO DO
A BABY & KIDS’ FLEA MARKET IN THE CAPITAL
The first Abu Dhabi Baby & Kids Flea Market is finally here! Held on a bimonthly basis, the event is a platform for parents to sell and buy pre-loved kids and baby goods, meet other parents and keep the kids entertained with free activities. “Most shopping is done here at shopping malls where things are rather expensive; it seems to be a good idea to buy these items second hand in a family-friendly, fun environment. Being a mum of toddler twins, I realise how quickly they outgrow their clothes, shoes, toys and equipment,” says Organiser Martina Venus.
The next Abu Dhabi Baby & Kids Flea Markets will take place on January 6 and again on March 3, 2018 from 9 am to 3 pm at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort at the Corniche. Entry for visitors is free, valet parking is available and stalls can be booked in advance at AED 220 AED auhbabykidsmarket
THE UAE’S D I K R FIRST FAMILY O F Y A PL RAVE IS HERE , M U M R O F G N I R PAMPE S
With daytime temperatures remaining high, families looking for some adventurous fun can take advantage of Desert Palm’s IMG Package. The package includes a stay for four people in the privacy of a Pool Residence, inclusive of four full access tickets to IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park.
Offer valid until the end of December 04 323 8888
46 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
The UAE’s first family-friendly rave is here! Brought to you by a team of parents and seasoned ravers, Party Monsters is a grassroots mash-up of music and activities for the whole family. Taking place from 12 to 5 pm on the second Saturday of every month until April 2018, Party Monsters aims to recreate the festival feel in a safe and fun environment for new and experienced ravers of all ages.
Every event will feature top local and international DJs playing a mix of club classics. Sound levels will be maintained at a lower level to ensure it’s 100 per cent safe for children of all ages.
Tickets are priced at AED 70 per adult and AED 35 for kids, while children under two enter free. The fee includes access to all areas and a party bag with glow sticks, earplugs and discount vouchers to some of Dubai’s top family attractions.
platinumlist.net
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF SCIENCE Want your kids to learn more about science? Henkel has partnered with Children’s City for an international education initiative, ‘Forscherwelt’ (Little Researchers’ World), in the UAE.
The initiative aims to encourage children to explore the world of science and make research fun. Forscherwelt will familiarise children with the exciting world of science and research, exploring and understanding technical and scientific processes through engaging experiments. The UAE is the first country in the GCC region where the initiative has been launched.
Your kids will be able to conduct fun experiments playing with adhesives, washing, cleaning, using cosmetics and learning about sustainability. The ‘Forscherwelt-to-go’ concept will launch the initiative at schools across the emirate.
DISCOVER A CHILD PAINTER’S
ARTISTIC JOURNEY Embark on the artistic journey of Rozárie Kautmanová following her collection ‘Ego by Rozá’ at Fairmont The Palm and teach the kids about fine art.
Brought up in Prague and starting from the tender age of five, Rozárie is a child painter who expresses her style through forms of impressionism, realism and cubism by painting with coal, tempera and acryl, creating masterpieces with brushes, toothpicks and cloths. Her work is inspired by the world around her and has been showcased in Prague and at numerous private and charity events.
Taking an unconventional idea, Rozárie has collaborated with an Italian company to create fashion accessories, scarfs, shawls and foulards of different sizes in 100% silk with original prints. The textiles are sourced by high-fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermés, Dior and Sonia Rykie.
December 20 to January 3rd.
egobyroza.com/en/galery/
48 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
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YAS FAMILY
FITNESS FESTIVAL UAE
26 – 27 JANUARY 2018 GATEWAY PARK SOUTH, YAS ISLAND
free entry!
BE ACTIVE
GET FIT LIVE HEALTHY
two days of free activities for all!
Fitness Classes | Kids Gym | Climbing Wall | Inflatable Obstacle Course | Healthy Cooking Challenges Healthy Food Trucks & Stalls | Strongman Challenges | Boxing & MMA | Fitness Shopping | Outdoor Gym TO SEE THE SCHEDULE AND REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE TICKET VISIT WWW.FITFEST.AE
THINGS TO DO
COOK A FULL MEAL
INSIDE YOUR CAR Chef and TV personality Jamie Oliver and Jaguar Land Rover have created the ultimate kitchen on four wheels. Jamie’s bespoke family SUV comes with a host of cooking features including a slow-cooker, barbecue, ice cream maker, olive oil dispenser and will even churn butter as you drive. Other ingenious features include a slow-cooker that sits beside the engine, a pasta maker, gas hob and a deployable dining table and worktop. There is even a herb garden and spice rack in the rear windows.
With up to 2,500 litres of luggage space and clever storage for 21st century family essentials, the seven-seater Discovery has plenty of room for a custom-made aluminium sink, flat screen TV and a deployable kitchen worktop that also doubles as a dining table. Further touches include a spice drawer, bespoke pestle and mortar and a Land Rover barbecue.
EATING OUT HAS TURNED INTO
THE COOLEST OF PARTIES Zafran Indian Bistro has announced the launch of their new kids’ menu conceptualised with a little help from some experts…their young diners! Zafran’s team of chefs presented their dishes to focus groups comprising of young children of different demographics throughout the summer. Based on constructive feedback provided during these tasting sessions, a menu featuring fun and fresh twists on classic Indian dishes is now available at the restaurant located in Mirdif City Center. The main entrees include child-friendly versions of signature dishes such as butter chicken and paneer makhani as well as an Indianised versions of children’s favourites like chicken and chips as well as fish and chips.
For the healthier option, French fries can be replaced with side of vegetable chips. Each entrée comes with a choice of orange, apple or watermelon juice, milk or mango lassi and a chocolate brownie for a sweet ending.
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04 2840987
CEL-NBP-51-Aug2016
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ADVERTORIAL
HINGS
IT’S A FESTIVE CELEBRATION AT Are you ready for a festive party at Dubai’s favourite playtime venue? Festivities at Mattel Play! Town will run from December 10 – 31 and will be full of surprises, endless play, and fun with your kids’ favourite characters.
For a festive celebration like no other, kids will enjoy live shows featuring everyone from Bob’s Building Club and Fireman Sam’s Welcome to Pontypandy to singing along with Barney, Thomas the Tank engine and friends. The te-rrific dinosaur will be dancing at the Jingle Bell Dance Craze with them and hosting a holiday-themed show at his very own house, fully dressed in the season's spirit for a magnificent puppet show and photo snapping. For ballet lovers, Angelina Ballerina will be teaching the kiddies how to make holiday-themed crafts and create beautiful nail art. The fun doesn’t stop there! From holiday-design face painting and gingerbread man cookie-decorating to stilt-walking Christmas characters, everybody will have fun. Guests visiting from December 12th to the 25th will get to meet and greet Santa and even write him some letters too!
Mattel Play! Town’s Fun Winter Camp For those who would like to spend more time with their favourite characters, Mattel Play! Town’s Winter Camp 2017 runs from December 17 to January 11, daily from 8 am to 4 pm, Sunday to Thursday for children ages 5 – 10. Kids can expect puppet shows, educational craft projects and lots of free play in a safe, clean environment. They can also munch on healthy treats at breakfast and lunch buffets designed especially for them – as well as the nutritious afternoon snacks. Hurry, sign up now and get a 15% off discount for siblings.
For more information:
Mattel Play! Town is located in City Walk 2 800MERAAS
playtowndubai.com
52 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
MPTevents@meraas.ae PlayTownDubai
JUST FOUND OUT YOU ARE EXPECTING? Our new UAE directory will help you find the right hospital and obstetrician
Visit motherbabychild.com/directory to search 100’s of clinics and hospitals across the UAE.
PARENTING
NEW YEAR, NEW KIDS’ KIDS' ROOM Tis the season to be jolly, and almost time for New Year, and your favourite home retailer Home Centre - is bringing your children the room of their dreams. The largest home retailer in the Middle East is offering you a chance to cherish your children’s formative years with its expanded kids’ collection, featuring vibrant colours and fresh designs.
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ADVERTORIAL Created with safety in mind, the versatile kids’ collection now includes furniture and accessories catering to every age, from newborns to style-conscious teenagers. The new categories include a variety of fun and functional items such as bunk beds, soft toys, dinnerware, enchanting playrooms and more. Ready to welcome the New Year with your kid’s new room? Here are some tips to help you enjoy style their space:
Get creative
Inject some extra fun into your children’s room plan with colourful, textured wall art and functional accessories.
Add light, and lots of it
Incorporate multiple light sources; Make sure you have a night light, table lamp and ceiling light too.
Look for a fun bed
make sure your children’s beds reflect their personality. We recommend Home Centre’s ‘Harper House bunk bed’ for sleepover fun.
Storage is crucial
Bookcases, toy boxes, nightstands and dressers can be used to keep your kids’ belongings out of sight.
Consider having a desk
Many parents feel like their children can study on the dining table or in the living room – especially if they’re still young, but it’s best to have a practical, gender-neutral desk in their room.
Harper House bunk bed – presented in a charming houselike design with a clean ivory white finish; this beautifullycrafted bunk bed is designed for sleepover fun. It comes with a 2-year warranty and is priced at AED 2,950.
Follow the latest from Home Centre: homecentrestores homecentrestores homecentre.com
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 55
PARENTING
Festive Family Fun A meet-and-greet with Santa or last-minute shopping? The holiday season is here and there’s plenty of fun just around the corner. We’ve cherry-picked the best outings for festive family fun in the UAE.
Santa’s Workshops, a Christmas Fair and More
Festive fun is an ongoing affair at Fairmont, The Palm’s Falcons Kids’ Club: Santa’s workshop promises to be rife with excitement and fun for children, when the Club is transformed into a workshop comprising of handcraft sessions, magical entertainment, a Christmas tree, ornament decorations and many more festive-inspired games.
Santa’s Workshop is available on December 21 – 22 from 2 pm – 4 pm. Prices start from AED 120 per child, per day The family Christmas fair is a chance to indulge in the spirit of the festive season where families can uncover gifts and help create magical moments with activities such as gingerbread decorating. Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club will be welcoming little guests during the Christmas Fair with festive arts and crafts, cookie decoration and face painting complemented by a surprise visit from Santa.
The Family Christmas Fair takes place on December 23 from 2 pm – 4 pm and is priced at AED 250 per child. The Christmas party at the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club kicks off at 10:30 am and goes on until 7:30 pm with a variety of activities on offer for three-year-olds and above, including cookie decorating, arts and crafts, face painting and special movies to spread some festive cheer.
AED 60 per child per hour
The Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club will be hosting its own New Year’s Eve party with a kids’ special buffet dinner, themed arts and crafts, games and movies to keep little guests busy.
From 6 pm – 1 am for children ages 3 – 15, priced at AED 395 per child with flexible entry, exit and multiple entries. Parents must dining on New Year’s Eve at Fairmont The Palm to avail of this offer 04 457 3331
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A Winter Wonderland Experience in Dubai Free Christmas Tree Lighting Fairmont The Palm’s annual community Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will be back with a ‘festive bang’ on December 6. Expect a fun Christmas atmosphere with entertainment and live singing from the Safa Community School Choir for sing-along festive songs all evening. Children can enjoy irresistible festive treats while adults step out onto the ‘Mashrabiya’ terrace.
Event starts at 5 pm with the lights switching on at 6 pm sharp. 04 457 3457
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates has unveiled an unforgettable experience for the festive season. The hotel will transport your family to their own private Winter Wonderland for a magical retreat in the heart of Dubai.
Available from December 3 – 25, the experience includes an overnight stay in a luxury Ski Chalet and a private chef who will prepare a delicious four-course culinary journey for up to 12 people. The highlight of the feast is the traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings, with the sumptuous meats carved tableside by the chef, followed by a mouth-watering array of festive desserts.
This unforgettable family experience also includes travel to the hotel in a luxury limousine and access to the Snow Park at Ski Dubai. Prices start from AED 15,000++ for two adults and three children. Guests can invite friends to join the celebration from AED 500 per person, for food and beverages only. 04 341 0000
A Pre-Christmas Brunch and New Year’s Eve Party
Christmas enthusiasts of all ages are invited to enjoy an exclusive preChristmas celebration at Farriers restaurant, Meydan Hotel, with a festive-inspired buffet, indoors and al fresco seating, live band, views of the Meydan racecourse and a special kids’ activities corner in a dedicated and supervised area all combined in one place.
The Pre-Christmas Brunch buffet is available on December 22 from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm at Farriers restaurant and starts at AED 395 per person (including food, juices and soft beverages). Children up to four years old enjoy a complimentary brunch, 50% discount for children ages five to 12 years old
04 381 3111 Family-friendly restaurant Al Forsan, located at Bab al Shams, invites families and friends to welcome the New Year with a culinary journey to the different parts of the world covering European, Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines. People with a sweet tooth will choose their favourites out of the extensive dessert corner while watching the grand firework display which will light up the skies of Dubai.
The Al Forsan New Year’s Eve Dinner buffet is available on December 31 from 7:00 pm – 2:00 am and starts at AED 345 per person (food, soft drinks and water). Children up to four years old enjoy a complimentary dinner, AED 175 per child for children ages 5 – 12. 04 809 6194
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PARENTING A Classic British Atmosphere and Festive Dishes Reform Social & Grill will celebrate the most wonderful days of the year in an atmosphere where you’ll feel right at home. For Christmas Day, you can feast on a splendid four-course Christmas brunch which offers everything from a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings to a scrumptious loin with classic sage and onion stuffing. Of course, no Christmas meal would be complete without mince pies, a yule log and cheese board.
There’s a children’s menu available, plenty of festive entertainment and a special appearance from Santa.
AED 400, four-course brunch menu with unlimited soft drinks 04 454 2638
The Winter Garden Market Introducing the most wonderful season of the year at The St. Regis Dubai’s highly anticipated Winter Garden Market, the lush St. Regis Dubai Gardens transform into an enchanted winter wonderland, glistening with dazzling lights and beautiful festivethemed décor. Experience the holiday magic as the Winter Garden Market comes alive with entertainment and themed activities for everyone to enjoy. Showcasing a range of retail and unique food stalls, combined with a line-up of children’s activities and attractions, the Winter Garden Market will get you into the festive spirit.
Until December 26 at the St. Regis Dubai Versailles Gardens from 5 pm to 11 pm Sunday – Thursday, 3 pm – 11 pm Friday and Saturday. Complimentary entry for all; food and beverage offerings charged separately. 04 355 5577
Gingerbread House Decoration Let your children be part of the holiday festivities while expressing their creative talents as they decorate their very own edible gingerbread houses using a colourful selection of sweet treats. The fun doesn’t end there! A surprise visit from Santa will complete the festive experience at Manzil Downtown.
December 1, 2 and 9. First session is from 10 am – 1 pm and second session is from 3 pm – 6 pm at meeting rooms 1 and 2, Mezzanine Level, Manzil Downtown. AED 125 per child/person 800 DINING dine@emaar.com
Gingerbread House Afternoon Tea at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi Treat your kids to an afternoon full of sweet delights and let their little hands learn how to make gingerbread houses. Each child will be provided a gingerbread house to decorate, while the in-house pastry chef provides tips and tricks over a fun teatime set-up. Families can later indulge in some quality time with sweet and savoury nibbles, accompanied by a festive tea range.
Location: The Drawing Room
Price: AED 350+++ per adult and one child 58 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Date: Every Saturday in December Time: 2 – 6 pm
A Family Brunch in True Festive Style Get yourself in the festive spirit – literally, at Al Bahou, where the family brunch offers a huge selection of exquisite dishes, including an array of succulent roasts from all four corners of the globe and lots more to tantalise your taste buds. You’ll certainly not go thirsty either with unlimited beverages, while a range of exciting children’s activities will keep the young ones off your knees.
December 22, 12:30 pm – 4 pm, starting from AED 325 unlimited soft beverages 04 444 5613
A Traditional Festive Family Feast
Embark on a joyful Christmas with Galvin Dubai, reviving jaded palates with friends and family over a festive-themed, three-course menu available on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The traditionally British menu is executed with a chic European twist, offering a delicious choice between four mouthwatering starters, four main dishes and four desserts, including a celebratory glass of French bubbles.
December 24 – 26, 12:30 pm – 11:30 pm. From AED 295 per person 04 590 5444
A Life-Sized Gingerbread House
Embrace all the wonder of this magical time of year with a visit to the impressive life-sized gingerbread house outside the entrance of La Farine Café & Bakery, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Take in the magnificent sweet and spicy aroma as you walk through this wondrous creation. The kids and you can browse the atmospheric festive market, where you can purchase festive hampers to take home or give as gifts and sample seasonal cakes, hot chocolate, strawberry fondue and home-made waffles.
December 4 – 26, 10 am – 10 pm 04 414 3000
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WINTER CAMP FUN MODE: ON! Winter break is almost here, so why not sign the kids up for a fun, educational winter camp? With options including sports, brain training and even horseback riding, winter break activities will keep them both busy and entertained.
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Flip Out Dubai is introducing a winter camp just in time for the school holidays this December. Ideal for entertaining kids and keeping them busy over the festive period, they’ll be able to master the art of trampolining, parkour and 3D wall-running.
In addition, they’ll be a whole host of other cool activities to enjoy, including bubble soccer, archery tag, dodgeball, volleyball, football and basketball, all within the region’s largest trampoline universe.
December 17 – January 4, 2018. The Winter Flip Camp will run every Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am – 2 pm. Children five years old and up can join, with prices starting from AED 140 per session. Snacks will be provided. 600 567 568 flipout.ae
Celebrate National Day with a Splash In honour of the UAE National Day, Splash n Party will be hosting a celebratory party for the little ones to enjoy, taking place until December 3. The Splash’tastic’ bash will be perfect for the kids and their friends to play on the exciting splash slides, splash pads and much more. Entertainment will include stilt walkers, jugglers, dancers, LED light shows and a mermaid show. Each entry ticket will cost AED 46 for one child and one adult, tickets will be available at the entrance of the park. From 9 am to 9 pm splashnparty.ae
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A TRIP TO WONDERLAND
2 Al Forsan International Sports Resort is packed with activities for the young this winter. If your children are between four and 14 years of age, register them for Al Forsan’s new Winter Kids’ Camp, where they’ll participate in full days of active, indoor, and fun activities to keep them entertained and engaged throughout the school holidays while they learn sportsmanship, teamwork and living a healthy lifestyle while having lots of fun.
December 17 to January 4 800 AL FORSAN
Kids two to six years old will enjoy two weeks of fun at Kids HQ. Their winter camp includes activities like arts and crafts, music time, gym time, fun science, storytelling, a short movie and a lot more – all related to Christmas.
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Ready to celebrate the holiday season with Goofy and all his friends? This year, Goofy's bringing the holiday celebrations to Walt Disney Studios Park. Watch out for a few unexpected surprises – it’s Goofy, after all!
December 17 – 21 and 24 – 28, 9 am until 1 pm. AED 100 per day and AED 800 for two weeks. 10% sibling discount 04 379 4233
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Your kids can attend winter camp daily or weekly and get involved in a huge range of fun activities including arts and crafts, baking and cooking, brain gym, dance and yoga classes, mad science and much more! Winter Camp at Le Petit Palais is suitable for kids ages three to 10 years old.
Camp runs weekdays from 10 am – 3 pm and costs AED 140 per day or AED 650 per week. December 17 to January 4 info@lepetitpalaisdubai.com
Walt Disney Studios Park will be buzzing with the sounds of Christmas in the daytime as well. Get your voices warmed up! Do you like Disney Parades? You'll be treated not only to the year's biggest novelty, Disney Stars on Parade, but also two special opportunities to see THE Disney Christmas Parade. At Disneyland Park, you'll feel the holiday spirit as soon as you set foot inside, with amazing snowmen of famous Disney Characters. As if by magic, snow will fall at special moments every day on Main Street, U.S.A. And where there's Christmas, there's Santa, of course. As you might expect, he's decided to take up residence in Fantasyland. disneylandparis.com
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 61
PARENTING
5
Children’s Oasis Nursery will be channelling the spirit of the season this winter with a fun, interactive and educational winter camp. Designed for children ages two to 4+, taking place at the nursery’s home-like Jumeirah location, the week-long camp will include a range of activities like festive decoration and card making, music and movement classes, baking classes focused on festive treats and a festive party.
December 17 – 21. Open to all children – including those who aren’t enrolled in the nursery; the camp will run from 8 am to 5 pm daily with the option of a half-day session from 8 am to 2 pm. Prices start from AED 630 per child for two half days and AED 730 per child for two full days and go up to AED 1,120 per child for five half days and AED 1,340 per child for five full-day sessions. Both half-day and full-day sessions include a hot and nutritious lunch by Pinch Gourmet. 04 379 0790
As the winter season approaches and school holidays start, festive fun and more is on offer at Aventura adventure park. Located in Mushrif Park’s Ghaf tree woodland, the park will be holding an exciting and actionpacked schedule to keep students of all ages thoroughly entertained.
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Aventura Camps are designed and based on outdoor adventure, and activities are about just that. Suitable for students ages 7 – 17 years old, the Winter Camp includes group games and team-building, survival and nature activities.
In addition, students will get to tree-surf, zip-line and rope-cross, also enjoying the other activities available at the horse stables, swimming pool and planetarium.
Aventura’s Winter Camp is priced at AED 2,250 per week and will run from December 17 –21 and December 31 until January 5, 2018 from 9 am to 5 pm. Price includes breakfast and lunch 052 178 7616
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Imagine mornings filled with amazing creative activities such as candle-making, t-shirt painting, ceramic painting and soap making, along with dance classes, yoga for kids, and mad science? This is what’s in store, and lots more! Winter Camp at Cloud 7 is suitable for kids ages four to ten years old and runs weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm. You can sign the kids up for one day, one week, or more. Each week will have different themes so, rest assured, they’ll never get bored!
December 17 to January 4. AED 140 per day or AED 650 per week, including lunch. 04 510 8317
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The Courtyard Playhouse Winter Camps
Let your child go on a magical journey, where they’ll creatively explore books by world-famous and award-winning children's authors. Courtyard Playhouse’s Winter Camps for both age groups will involve storytelling, games, mime, role-play, arts and stagecraft. While having fun, your child will be developing their communication skills, learning to work as part of a team, thinking on the spot and building confidence. They’ll be taught and cared for by qualified teachers with a wealth of experience in a cosy, purpose-built 70-seater theatre, the perfect venue to tread the boards and discover the wonderful world of storytelling and creative arts live on stage! Dr Seuss Winter Camp
Dates: December 17 – 21 Times: 10 am – 1 pm Duration: 3 hours per day from Sun – Thu Recommended Age: 4 – 8 years Price: AED 1,100, AED 1,045 with sibling discount Pay before December 1 and get the early bird discount (AED 1000) Roald Dahl Winter Camp
Dates: December 17 – 21 Times: 2 pm – 5 pm Duration: 3 hours per day from Sun – Thu Recommended Age: 9 – 12 years Price: AED 1,100, AED 1,045 with sibling discount Pay before December 1 and get the early bird discount (AED 1000)
PARENTING
BABY ON BOARD TRAVELLING WITH A TODDLER Sidiqa Sohail
“Why did we even do this?” I thought to myself as we went into our second hour of driving in the rain. We had been awake since 4:30 am, 12 hours going. We were drained, and our little one was reaching the point of hysteria in her car seat. All my visions of wanderlust disintegrated by the shrill force of her cries.
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Slowly, as the road curved through mist and rain, the lush green valley of Lauterbrunnen emerged and all I had to do was look at it and think, that’s why we travelled: it was worth every minute of getting there. The way I see it, whether you’re at home or abroad, you’ll still deal with the same things each day as a parent: diaper changes, tantrums, bottle feeds, hair artistically brushed with carrot puree; I’d rather deal with all of that and experience a new place while I’m at it than be stuck in my daily routine. Oh, and you’ll find that the most interesting travel stories you end up with will somehow be related to changing a poopy diaper in a challenging situation!
There are so many benefits to traveling with a baby. The first is that, for working parents, it’s a chance to really bond with your child without the distractions of daily life.
Another benefit is getting children acclimatised to being on the move. Doing your best to ensure your child is raised with the ability to easily adapt to new environments is extremely beneficial for their personality in the long term.
Third, the sensory overload to which your child will be exposed to (no matter how little they are) is priceless. No amounts of well thought-out home activities and structured play groups can come close to the sights, sounds and scents they will experience while traveling.
When we decided on taking a three-week road trip through France and Switzerland this summer, I did as much research as possible on how to make things easier for ourselves. Here are some of my tips on flying with a child who is six months and above.
For the flight: Make a detailed flight itinerary. Break it down to two-hour increments and pre-plan meal timings. Make the day’s meals in 1cheese advance and schedule in a couple of extra feeds in case of a delay. Foods that don’t go bad quickly are pasta with tomato sauce, sandwiches and potatoes. The most comfortable way to travel would be to take a night flight, buy a child’s seat for your infant and install their airline2 approved car seat on it. Bonus points if you’re going on a road trip as you can use the same seat. It also helps that their car seat is something familiar to them and helps them settle easily.
Take a new toy for every hour you’re on the flight and 3younger wrap it in shiny aluminium foil. Great toys for the set are cloth books, mini magnetic drawing boards and stacking cups
tons of snacks that take ages 4 Take to eat such as rice cakes. A convenient idea for a meal for babies who are still on purees is to take a banana and sandwich bag. Place the 5 peeled banana in the sandwich bag and mash it with your fingers. Feed directly from the bag using a spoon.
Even if you’re anti-technology (which I am, most of the 6 time), there will be times when you’ll need to rely on it for your sanity – such as during flights and road trips. Keep it as a last resort and use when all the other toys/activities/ snacks have been spent. Download some infant games on the iPad and let them tap around the screen.
the aisles (a lot). 7 Walk
My most important tip would perhaps be this: don’t try to act too smart and pre-empt crises! If your child is calm and content, don’t give them a toy or any other distraction. It’s all about stretching time and taking it in small increments.
Nannies Dubai Dubai Nanny and housemaid placement agency
We provide nannies, housemaids, cooks and drivers for your home and office, throughout the UAE 055 1858622 | 050 8477 537 | 9-5 pm www.nanniesdubai.com | nanniesdubai@gmail.com
PARENTING
Love and Care
CAN THEY AFFECT YOUR NEWBORN’S DEVELOPMENT? Aamnah Husain
Counselling Psychologist Consultant
Every child’s brain starts developing almost immediately during pregnancy and continues to develop until early adulthood. As the human brain is only partially formed when we’re born, the earliest experiences that a human baby goes through will have a lifelong impact on their mental and emotional health.
Our brains are made up of numerous different areas which are responsible for controlling everything we do, from hearing, walking and problem-solving to managing emotions. Brain cells – neurons, communicate with each other by passing chemical messages. In the initial years of life, these connections develop at an extremely fast pace as babies immediately start interpreting the world around them. So, how does this development happen? That’s where parents come in. You can stimulate your baby’s brain to help it develop in healthy ways. It doesn’t take special equipment, and it’s easier than you might think!
It’s the day-to-day experiences – activities like playing, being read to, learning and interacting with people that have a lasting effect on your child. When babies cry, they don’t know if they’re wet, tired, hungry, bored or hot – they just know that something is wrong, and rely on a loving adult to soothe their feelings. The baby whose basic needs are met learns that the world is a good place, and they’ll retain this sense for life, almost as an instinct.
Here are few things you can do to ensure your baby’s overall well-being: Relationships are crucial. Loving, consistent and positive relationships help build a positive personality and protect your baby from the negative effects of stress. Even very young infants can experience anxiety when the places they live and play in feel unsafe, or are frightening. It can lead to physical, learning and emotional problems during childhood, and these problems can carry on right into adulthood. 66 | NOVEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Positive interactions: Loving, caring and smiling faces of adults who are responsive to them are things that no special gadget can replace; babies need active interactions with you and other people in their lives to help them explore their world.
Hauck Bungee Deluxe Rocker AED 269
Giggles Cradle with Frill Detail AED 610
Bright Starts Itsy Bitsy Portable Swing AED 420
Consistent positive routines: This is especially important when your baby is sick, hungry, upset or just needs some comfort, but babies also reach out to you in countless positive ways – by babbling, making sounds or smiling. When you respond in a loving and consistent manner, you encourage trust and assuredness. Develop daily routines that your baby can count on. Create a soothing atmosphere at home with soothing light, playing relaxing music and by giving them a comfortable space.
Juniors Vibrating & Spinning Rattle AED 35
Juniors Printed Playmat with Toys AED 155
Playgro Ball Playnest Activity Gym AED 231
Help your baby explore their surroundings: Play helps babies learn and you’re your child’s first playmate. Playing simple games will help them learn about people and the world. Remember to talk to your baby as you go through your daily routines. Tell them what’s going on, point out interesting things that you see together and help them develop other senses – hearing, touch, taste and smell. Trying out different types of food together, playing with a variety of objects and textures, and clapping hands will help them develop their fine motor skills.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 67
PARENTING
Juniors Infrared Ear Thermometer AED 109
Crane Humidifier AED 299
Avent Digital Video Monitor AED 1299
Get regular health care for your baby: Your baby should be seen by a healthcare provider on a regular basis. An infrared thermometer, a quality nasal aspirator and an air humidifier come in handy during cold seasons. Keep vaccinations up-to-date, monitor them at all times and talk to your doctor about their development and what to expect next.
Boon Fluid Sippy Cup AED 29
Squeasy Snacker Sport Collapsible Bottle AED 49
Giggles Diaper Bag AED 139
Minnie Mouse Blanket and Plush toy AED 59
Bebitza Nursing Cover AED 145
Juniors Hooded Nest Bag AED 199
Prepare well for travel or trips with your baby: Even a short trip to the grocery store is an outing for a baby. Make sure you’re all set to take care of their needs while managing to keep them as comfortable as they are at home. Packing a handy bag with necessary food items, spill-proof cups, diapers, an extra blanket, a change of clothes and soothing toys should be on the top of your travel checklist.
babyshopstores.com 68 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
BabyshopArabia
babyshoparabia
EDUCATION
JUNIOR ATHLETES
Reducing the Risk of Sports Injuries Jordan Bradford
Leader of Physical Education and School Sport, Kings’ School Dubai
Participating in sports gives children boundless opportunities with life experiences. They can build social skills, self-esteem and confidence. It also gives them the opportunity to further establish an understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship.
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EDUCATION
Furthermore, children will reap the benefits of physical activity by regularly taking part in a sport. An important consideration in ensuring your child stays safe is to understand and encourage them to develop good habits with a focus on injury prevention.
Perform a progressive, sport-specific warm-up Firstly, it’s essential to recognise the importance of an effective warm-up. Preparing the body for physical activity is an important first step for injury prevention. Children should start with slower movements and gradually increase intensity until they reach game speed. The warm-up should include dynamic stretching. This will help loosen and prepare the muscles for activity. These stretches can help improve range of motion and are an active way to stretch the body and increase blood flow to muscles. Some examples of dynamic stretches are: walking lunges, knees to the chest, squat jumps and leg swings. Sport-specific movements during a warm-up will also help prepare the body and mind for what would be required in a game environment. For example, a child who plays tennis should complete movements that mimic their actions on the court. In football, it could be a simple, light dribbling exercise with lots of touches of the ball, before moving onto a game of keep ball with small-sided teams and no tackling.
Ensure safety equipment is worn Sport-specific safety equipment is another important factor that can help keep your child safe. For instance, always use a helmet for any activity that can cause a fall or impact to the head, such as bike riding, skateboarding or skiing. In sports such as rugby or martial arts, children must always use a mouth guard to help prevent any mouth injuries.
Emphasise hydration Keeping hydrated is something else to consider. Some symptoms of dehydration are thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. It’s important that children consume water before, during and after exercise. If your child has taken part in an activity for an hour or more, a sports drink may be a better option. Children seem to love the taste of sports drinks and they contain the electrolytes needed to replace those which are lost through sweating.
Keep active and perform body weight movements During longer off periods such as the school holidays or off-seasons, consider keeping children active by performing basic strength exercises. These can be simple body-weight movements that can be performed anywhere. They could make a fun circuit consisting of squats, lunges, push-ups and sit-ups in the garden. There are also lots of climbing, jumping and balancing opportunities using equipment in parks. The focus is on keeping active and building functional strength to enhance performance and reduce risk of injury. 70 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
TEACHER PROFILES Michaela Barber Head of Juniors, Repton School Dubai Why have you decided to work in the UAE?
I decided to move to the Middle East after a wonderful holiday with our family friends who were already settled in the Middle East. I loved the idea of learning about Middle Eastern culture and having the opportunity to work in an International environment which was very different from my home town in the UK.
What’s your favourite aspect of working in the UAE?
I feel very privileged to be living in the UAE. I find Emiratis to be very welcoming and open to helping me understand more about the culture and heritage of their country. I also feel very lucky to have a lifestyle here that wouldn’t have been possible back in the UK. My children have a world-class education and they’re surrounded by opportunities that I hadn’t experienced when I was growing up.
Tell us more about your experience as an expat teacher.
I’m very proud to be Head of Juniors at Repton and thrive on the wonderful community that we have. With 77 different nationalities across the school, there’s always something new to learn.
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EDUCATION
Shabnam Ranny Foundation Stage Teacher, Aspen Heights British School Why have you decided to work in the UAE?
There are many reasons for me choosing to work in the UAE and, of course, the lovely weather is a contributing factor. After my visit to the UAE, I was pleasantly surprised at the diversity yet strong sense of culture and Islamic influence. I was inspired by the forward-thinking, creativity and respect for people. I feel that the UAE is an ideal, safe place to develop myself both personally and professionally, explore my own creativity through the influence of my surroundings and share my positive experiences with our global community.
What’s your favourite aspect of working in the UAE?
My favourite part of being in the UAE is saying to the children in my class: “Let’s go inside to cool down.” This isn’t a statement you would ever hear me say in the UK!
I love being able to openly practise my religion wherever I am (school, mall, gym, etc.) and that everyone is so respectful of people’s different religious beliefs. I’m pleased to now be part of a community where Muslim women are highly valued and influential.
Tell us more about your experience as an expat teacher. In a short space of time, I’ve developed an excellent understanding of culture, identity, community and team work. I’m delighted to be in a country where I enjoy my work and surroundings, but most of all the company of people around me (this helps when living so far away from my family). School staff have gone above and beyond to make me, alongside other expat teachers, comfortable and happy within Abu Dhabi. Naturally, it can be difficult to adjust to a whole new way of living and sometimes there have been language barriers and cultural differences. However, there’s always someone close by to assist. A supportive positive community is probably the best phrase to summarise my experience so far within the UAE. I look forward to many more years of living and working in this amazing country. 72 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
MUMMIES,
BEWARE
Kid-Proofing Technology at Home and Beyond Oh, the beauty of technology. We can now do almost anything by touching our screens, swiping right or left and double tapping. Mums fall on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to smartphones and tablets, with some proudly multitasking, and others avoiding the burden being reachable 24/7 can bring to their lives.
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EForDkids, U Chowever, A T I Oit’sNa different story. Those shiny screens and the option of using the ‘Paint’ app for eternity
are the perfect tools for happy afternoons, which means more distraction time for mum to do whatever she likes. Unfortunately, there’s some content out there that may not be suitable for kids. So, how does mum ensure a safe, kid-friendly play or browse session? “It’s virtually impossible to deprive our kids of the flat and shiny touchscreens, just as we can’t imagine ourselves without our gadgets for too long. Most children nowadays carry a smartphone or tablet in their pockets and backpacks, or use their gadgets at home,” says Aya Samaha, head of digital at the on-demand tech support company Geeks. When used cautiously, technology can be beneficial. In addition to advancing kids’ learning, creativity and communication skills, the digital world can help them make use of their free time efficiently, but it’s a must to protect them from cyberbullying, harmful websites, explicit content and other dodgy online experiences.
Here are some ways, according to the experts, to keep the kids protected – whether they’re using an Android or iOS device: Communicate: The older your children grow, the more likely they’ll argue that they need more privacy online. While it’s relatively easy to monitor a toddler’s online activities, your tween may be reluctant to being watched. Have an open dialogue with your children over how they’re making use of technology and always stay one step ahead, knowing what they’re looking at from behind the screen. However, draw the line when you feel like they’ve fully understood where they’re allowed to be online and which apps they can use. Self-monitoring and self-control come with integrity, and this is a value that may take a bit longer to instil than others. Lock it up: Smart devices always have privacy options which can make it harder for your children to come across undesired content. From passwords to locks, you can utilise such features to protect your children from the possibility of coming across things which can have lasting damages.
Parental control advised: Passwords and locks aren’t the only restrictive features. Depending on the operating system, we can allow and disable certain apps based on things like age bracket, or limit an application’s use of certain features such as the Photo Album, for instance.
Don’t forget the laptop or PC: While smartphones and tablets may be more accessible, computers are also always available at home. It may be easier to spot your child before they run away with a laptop, but you should still keep an eye on what they’re doing with a Mac or Microsoft computer. The best way to keep everything under control is to set up Child accounts. You can add child users to any operating system, an option which leaves it up to the Administrator to exercise control and play with settings.
Download some parental control apps: There are tons of third-party apps out there that can help you keep an eye on your kids’ tech usage. For example, Screen Time Parental Control can help you limit screen time, plus lock access to certain apps. Applock is another application which can lock almost everything, including phone calls. There are also more comprehensive monitoring tools for parents, including FamilyTime, which is simple to set up and can help you block certain apps, limit screen time, monitor the kids’ online activity and have access to their location. Additionally, children have an SOS button in case of emergency. 74 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Outside home, some parents believe in location control, meaning also being able to track your child’s whereabouts. Apps like Find my Friends for iPods and iPhones, and cross-platform ones like Familia and GeoZilla, will not only track your family members, but even provide you with navigation routes to each of them. Have you heard of YouTube KIDS? There isn’t a child in these current times who hasn’t watched nursery rhymes, learning videos and cartoons on the infamous YouTube. However, you know how the website works; it can be very easy, even automatic, to move on to the next video. So how can you know what might pop up next? Luckily, YouTube has launched Android and iOS apps for children, where parents can fine-tune the search settings to correspond to the child’s age and needs. There are so many ways to stay on track when it comes to regulating your child’s tech usage, whether it be on a phone, tablet, computer or otherwise. Devices which are created specifically for children will rarely appeal to them, so ensure you keep an open dialogue, keep things well-locked and get all the necessary tools to fine tune freedom and privacy – which can go hand in hand – all with the right balance.
ES EMIRATES PARK ZOO AND RESORT LAUNCHHO CURRICULUM-BASED PROGRAMMES FOR SC OLS Emirates Park Zoo and Resort has launched its new curriculum-based school programmes, an individual, singleday experience, designed in line with British, American, Indian, UAE and European syllabi. The edutaining visit includes a touchable-animal experience, visit to several sections of the zoo and a choice of educational talks, animal shows and interactions. Come face-to-face with the darling residents – Asian elephants, sea lions, vultures, raccoons, crocodiles, cheetahs, lions and the animals housed at the petting zoo. Children can also dance to the tunes of exotic African drums, and be enamoured by a magic show at the stunning Amphitheatre for an interactive, African-themed experience. The day will also showcase a wealth of information on animal conservation and environmental sustainability. The Zoo also has a Fun Games centre which houses five rides and over 100 machines on which children can slide, run, play and enjoy virtual and simulation games. Schools can also choose to include meal options like healthy snacks, lunch boxes and refreshments available at the zoo.
emiratesparkzooandresort.com
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EDUCATION
LEARNING ENGLISH
AS A SECOND LANGUAGE Tips and Challenges Dubai is a melting pot; with the amazing mix of nationalities and cultures, some schools often struggle to meet children’s linguistic demands. Some children are not native English speakers, and learning English as a second language can be difficult for them. The good news is, young children are natural language acquirers: they’re self-motivated to pick up a language without conscious learning, unlike adolescents and adults. That’s because they can imitate pronunciation, making up their own rules as they go. As you may know, learning English later in life through grammar-based textbooks is much harder than learning it at a young age. Here are some tips for mums to make learning English as a second language easier for their children: • Children love learning through play-based activities. Try to create the perfect playtime setting for them at home, and speak English whenever you can. They’ll make sense of the activity and pick up on your shared language. • When learning English, children start with the silent period, where they listen to adults speak. Then, during the talking period, they begin with single words and short phrases. Finally, children build their vocabulary and start creating full sentences.
• Avoid having the kids become frustrated with their English-language learning by providing them with ‘performance pieces’. For example, they can start by counting to ten or singing simple rhymes as these provide a sense of achievement. 76 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
• Studies have found that most lifelong attitudes develop by the age of eight and nine. Remember, this isn’t simply about learning the language, but also teaching them to have a positive attitude towards learning, so always encourage them to learn and enjoy it too. • Rather than telling your child when they’ve made a mistake, try repeating the word, phrase or sentence in its correct form instead. If you respond to “I go’ed.” with “Yes, you went”, they’ll be more likely to learn the right way to say it.
• Use everyday situations to add to your children’s vocabulary. When they’re getting dressed or you’re sorting out the laundry together, talk about clothing items. Discuss furniture and toys while cleaning up their room and sorting out their belongings. • When cooking or shopping, teach your child food vocabulary. When at the supermarket, give them a list of things to find and revise the list as you put the groceries away at home.
• Start with the basics! Read with your children so they can familiarise themselves with English-language structure, grammar and vocabulary. Before they can decode English, young children need to know the 26 alphabet letter names and sounds. • Children love stories, so turn the English-language learning experience into a fun activity by choosing colourful, illustrative books. Point to objects and animals, and ask them to identify them.
• With younger children, learning grammar comes with hearing the correct grammatical structures from their parents. Once your child is older, you can start explicitly teaching them about grammatical usage and proper sentence structure. • Ever wondered where to start? Remember, when starting early on, it’s better to go for the basics: numbers (1 – 10, 10 – 20, 20 – 100), Colours, Adjectives, The Body, Toys, Clothes, Animals and Food.
Like with any form of learning, children need to feel both secure, and understand that there’s a need for learning English. Armed with these tools, you’re ready to embark on a fruitful English-language learning journey with your child.
NURSEY CHILDREN, PARENTS AND TEACHERS DO GOOD Over 100 Dubai pre-schoolers, ages between 18 months to four years, supported by their parents and teachers at Children’s Oasis Nursery have come together to pledge over 150 boxes to the UAE Box Appeal project, a homegrown initiative that sees members of the community gather daily necessities such as t-shirts and toiletries in boxes to donate to UAE-based workers.
theboxappeal
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EDUCATION
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THE IMPORTANCE OF A MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION Most children in the UAE benefit from a multilingual education, as taught and incorporated within school curricula. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), promotes mother tongue instruction in the context of a bilingual or multilingual education from the earliest years of schooling because it lays a solid foundation for learning, improves access to education, facilitates learning both of academic subjects as well as the second language and more.
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EDUCATION At school, children can concentrate on the subject matter instead of struggling to understand the language of instruction as well. Multilingual education improves learning outcomes as it promotes dialogue and interaction between learners and teachers by means of better communication and understanding; it raises the quality of education by emphasising understanding and creativity rather than repetitive memorisation. “When it comes to teaching children other languages, the sooner the better. Babies focus on the phonemes of their family language while communicating with their parents and environment, and quickly lose their initial ability of recognising the sounds of other languages. Therefore, the more a young child is exposed to different languages, the easier it is for them to maintain comprehension and pronunciation skills in those languages,” Dr Pauline Owayjan, head of the Arabic Department at the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai, tells Mother, Baby & Child.
Learnt in an authentic context, additional language acquisition by a child follows the same steps as the mother tongue, with oral skills developing first. Research has proven that phonological skills develop best before children are five years old, and syntax skills before they turn nine. Exposure to the additional language must be constant to achieve outstanding fluency. However, an additional language can be learnt at any age. The older the learner is, the more they’ll – unconsciously or consciously – establish connections between the new language and their mother tongue. Therefore, if the first language system is well consolidated, it may be easier to learn another language later. When it comes to teaching other subjects – like math and science – in English, Dr Pauline believes that regular and systematic exposure to an additional language is necessary for a learner to become bilingual. If the objective is to make every student proficient in English, teaching only two subjects in that language will not be sufficient as language acquisition needs to occur in an authentic context. As for Arabic, the head teacher emphasises its importance in the context of a multilingual education: “There’s no doubt that learning the Arabic language in the UAE is an urgent need and a national necessity, since Arabic is the official language of the country, and a common language between people of Arab descent and Muslims from all over the world being the language of the Holy Quran,” she posits. For non-native Arabic speakers, Dr Pauline sees the importance of learning the Arabic language in the fact that it’s a tool of communication and interaction with the surrounding environment and key to discovering the culture of the UAE, its civilisation and people. 80 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
“I see that the multicultural aspect in the United Arab Emirates and the domination of foreign tongues on the Arabic tongue in many fields has had a positive side; national campaigns, conferences and events that aim to protect the Arabic Language were born in the UAE and spread to neighbouring regions, such as the Reading Initiative sponsored by the rulers of the UAE. This focus was also reflected in the National Agenda, UAE Arabic Curriculum, school inspections and intensification of professional development for teachers of Arabic language courses." The possibility of communicating for children to have access to Arabic acquiring the language through the everyday life of Arabic-speaking
in all languages in the UAE makes the only way language learning it to do so through school, study rather than from the context of people.
A multilingual education is part However, the globalised nature of difficult to learn a foreign language play an important role in teaching the case with Arabic at educational UAE – which helps children adapt, learn and grow, playing a bigger every day in a multilingual, multicultural society.
of life in a multilingual culture. the world today makes it more in its true context. Schools foreign languages – as is establishments in the role
Hape Toys-Jungle Play & Train Activity Table Adventure awaits on this knee-high table from the forest floor to the jungle canopy tree-tops! A jungle train winds its way through the underbrush as monkeys and parrots leap and flutter through the dense bead maze forest above. It’s an adventure for plenty of human friends and jungle playmates alike. Let your child's imagination goes with ‘whoops’ and ‘oops’ as they go along with the colourful and exciting rides.
04 239 88 55 info@babico.ae
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G N I V I L D O O G
15
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for New Mums Ted Baker 1 AED 865 | OKAIDI OBAIBI 2 garment AED 109 shoes AED 89 | Cath Kidston 3 AED 150 9 AED 110 | F&F 4 AED 129 5 AED 79 6 AED 49 | RICE 7 AED 50 | Marks & Spencer 8 from AED 20 | BALMESSENCE 10 AED 450 | TUC TUC 11 AED 150 12 AED 250 14 AED 35 | Babyshop 13 AED 699 | DIESEL 15 AED 1,299 |
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HOLIDAY STRESS RELIEF FOR MUMS The turkey dinners, shopping, re-gifting and – most importantly – friends and family gatherings. Our favourite time of year is filled with joy and laughter, but as mums we feel the extra pressure. Do I want to see five-months-pregnant Jenny? Can I keep my holiday shopping within a budget? How can I avoid getting depressed when baby decides to munch on the carpet as I make dinner? Mamas, here’s how:
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GOOD LIVING
1
Shop online. Online shopping is a blessing, and Dubai residents are more aware of this than anyone else. From groceries and organic goodies to toys and even diapers, shopping online for the holiday season is no exception. Online shopping is holiday survival mode, and you can still sneak in those discount coupons.
2
Delegate tasks. There’s no shame in making the kids earn their Santa gifts. Delegate some small tasks, like unloading the dishwasher or hanging some clothes, to the kids based on their age. This will help take some of the load off you during the stressful holiday season.
3
Replace ‘should’ with ‘could’. Should you build a gingerbread house with the kids? Should you cook two turkeys ‘just in case’? Asking yourself these types of questions will only lead to pressure and regrets. Always think in terms of what can be done rather than what should – or must be.
4
Forget perfection. Okay, okay, we know it’s very difficult for a perfectionist to do anything less than perfectly, but you must try. The thing about perfection is that it can very easily backfire. See, when faced with big, heavy tasks, the brain just freezes. Who wants their brain to freeze when their mother-in-law is coming to town in two days? Not us!
5
Establish a budget and stick with it. Budgets were not made to be broken. Going into the holiday season with an open heart, and wallet, will only lead to disappointments later. Focus and be specific when setting a budget, ensuring you factor for emergencies too.
6
Consider both their actions and your reactions. Grandpa Marley is probably still the same, with that sharp sense of humour of his. Picture yourself with everything set up to perfection, and there he goes on to make fun of your plating. How will you react? It’s better to know what to expect beforehand than to be caught on the spot and overreact.
HAIR, NAILS AND RELAXATION AT DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY
Have you heard? Tips & Toes has opened a branch in Dubai Festival City Mall. With three treatment rooms, 10 mani/pedi stations and a specialised hair section, the salon is open 10 am – 10 pm, Sunday – Wednesday with the spa staying open until midnight Thursday – Saturday.
04 399 0550
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Leave ample time for travel. Ah, last minute chaos. From a missing piece of luggage to hurricanes, nothing is impossible when it comes to flight plans. Make sure you have a good time cushion, just in case the unexpected happens: good or bad, it’s crucial to be prepared Set some priorities. Not every task can be treated with the same degree of importance. Some things are urgent, while others can be finished rather quickly. There are also things that will take a bit of time to complete. Create a solid to-do list mama, and get checking.
9
Help others. This may seem like another way to add stress to your holiday list, but studies have shown that helping others may help life your mood and make you feel better about the season. Visit a new-mum neighbour with a fresh batch of cookies or volunteer at a centre for the elderly.
10
Increase stress-busting rituals. Remember, it’s all about perspective. What more to help you keep a healthy perspective on things than a calming yoga session or good cup of chamomile? The more you calm yourself down, the easier it will be for you to juggle tasks – and keep calm.
CLEAN YOUR STRESS AWAY While spring is usually the time to consider clearing homes of clutter and scrubbing a little deeper, here in Dubai it’s towards the end of the summer that cleaning is high up on every mother’s agenda. Whether you’re moving into a new home, heading back after a long holiday or just in desperate need of a quick, efficient and cost-effective cleaning option, Justmop.com has the solution. Their ‘deep cleaning’ package includes everything from dusting and vacuuming the entire property and mopping floors to a thorough cleaning of cabinets, wardrobes, electrical installations, window grills, furniture and glass fixtures. Bathrooms, toilets and kitchens are
disinfected and sanitised. Sinks and drying counters are cleaned using an anti-microbial, anti-bacterial solution. The refrigerator and all kitchen appliances are also deep cleaned. That's not all! Internal and external window cleaning for villas is also available, and so is the scrubbing of balconies and outdoor patios. Outdoor furniture and decorative installations are also dusted and wiped. The pricing for this deep cleaning depends on the size and condition of the apartment or villa, but general charges are:
AED 350 for studios AED 450 for one-bedroom apartments AED 650 for two-bedroom apartments AED 850 for three-bedroom apartments
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GOOD LIVING
R U O AF S ’ D L O R A YE ) L A E (R S A M T S I R H C T S I L Dear Santa,
1 2 3 4 5
I want a bike so I can do laps around the living room with my brother, who will be on his scooter. I need it to come with bells and whistles, so the neighbours will complain, and have sharp edges which can tear our curtain garment apart. A Pokémon stuffed toy would be lovely to carry around all the time; my nursery classmate has one, and I need mine to be bigger than his so I can look cool – and not just any cool – toddler cool.
I would love to get a giant toilet paper roll for my bedroom. I know it belongs in the bathroom, and I think mum doesn’t want me to play with it, but I love rolling the tissue around myself and all over the floor. I really need a pair of scissors, and I don’t mean kiddie scissors. I like those adult scissors that come with sharp, shiny edges. Mum has warned me that they are super dangerous, but my curiosity makes me want to play with them. Please buy me a set of house keys. By the way, I know plastic keys aren’t real, so get me the real ones that mum used to open the door that day. I love the noise they make when you shake them, and my younger brother loves to eat them.
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A pair of glasses. Oh, don’t worry Santa, I can see just fine. I just love the smudges I can create with my oily, chips-covered hands on the lenses, only to be told off by their owner. If I get my own, I can play with them as much as I want. Can I please have the contents of a bin emptied into my stocking? I am fascinated by bins; did you know that, upon emptying them, you could spot things like cotton balls, dirty tissues and even old candy wrappers? Wow!
What about a handful of our dog’s hair? I know he doesn’t like it, and I mean to be gentle, but I just love pulling on it. I promise, I’ll let you handle this as I don’t want to hurt him anymore. Could you also ask if he hates it when I taste his food? The runner in our corridor, that would be such a cool gift Santa! I love rolling its edges and snapping the threads, destroying the design. I know it’s expensive, but it makes for a fun time – especially when I get bored of my toys. My older sister just got this new iPhone thing, and I just love it. I would love to have one, not because I know how to use it, but I like pressing all of the buttons, and playing the colourful games.
Santa, please send me more metal stuff. I love coins, and I also love bobby pins. Mum hides hers, but I always manage to find them. Please don’t tell her it was me collecting them all along.
12
I really need socks, Santa! I keep losing pairs of socks all over the place. I left one at the play area, one at the nursery and maybe one at the mall ball pit. Just send me a couple and we’ll be good…
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Baby oil, cream, you name it…I want it all. While I understand that it’s mainly for my baby brother, I just love the smell and texture, it makes for some amazing sliding on wooden floors too.
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Please don’t forget the coffee machine; no, I don’t go to the office, but I love pressing the button and having it make beverages which I can just throw away. Do you think it’ll be able to make hot chocolate someday?
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More small toys please! Of course, I’ll be tossing them across the bedroom floor and losing about 40 of them under the sofa, behind the TV and inside the window sills, but I still want more and more. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 87
GOOD LIVING
IN THE KITCHEN
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TURKEY Romain Van Durmen Chef De Cuisine, Chef’s Palette, Fairmont The Palm
88 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Chef’s Notes: To have the perfect roasted turkey for Christmas, it really helps to brine the turkey before cooking. It’ll help with flavour, moisture, colour and create a crispy skin. For that, you need to keep the turkey in the brine for one full day if it’s a large enough bird. To make the brine, you need to combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil, then stir the liquid until the salt is dissolved. When this is done, just remove the pot from the heat and cool down completely before use.
Keep the turkey in the brine for 24 hours before cooking. When you take the turkey out of the brine, keep it in the refrigerator for two hours without cling film so that the brine can seep in and form a dry turkey skin: this will help in the skin become crispier and crunchier when cooked. Now, it’s time to roast the turkey.
BRINE:
• 0.8 litres water • 38g salt • 24g honey • 20g garlic whole, smashed • 2.5 pieces of bay leaf • 6g whole black peppercorn
• 1 piece rosemary sprig whole • 1 piece thyme, whole • 10g Italian parsley • ½ piece of orange zest and juice • ½ piece lemon zest and juice
METHOD:
• Stuff the turkey cavity with a bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and half of a garlic bulb. Brush the outside with butter. Tie the turkey legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body. • Roast the turkey for about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the size. You should focus on the internal temperature of the bird rather than cooking time. The internal temperature needs to be 75C when rested. If you remove the turkey from the oven at 71 – 72C and give it a good rest, covered in aluminium foil on the stove top, you should easily reach 75C. • I recommend an oven temperature between 160 and 175C. Slow cooking will help keep the turkey moist, and you may want to increase to a high temperature for a few minutes at the end to get a little extra colour on the skin if needed.
OR JUST PLACE AN ORDER... Galeries Lafayette, LE GOURMET is offering a classic whole roasted turkey served with cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, maple-glazed heirloom carrots, roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon and almonds, apricot and chestnut stuffing, mash and roast potatoes. The dessert selection includes classic baked pumpkin pie or salted caramel and pecan nut tart. For AED 750, your guests can enjoy a turkey that serves 8 – 10 guests. Thanksgiving orders will be between November 15 – 25. Galeries Lafayette is offering free delivery within Dubai, as well as pick up if preferred, but a 24 hours’ notice is needed for an order.
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GOOD LIVING
IN THE KITCHEN
Gerhard Coetzer Head Chef, SugarMoo
Cupcookie Recipe: INGREDIENTS:
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon baking soda • ½ tablespoon salt • ½ cup unsalted butter • ½ cup brown sugar • 1/3 cup granulated sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tablespoon vanilla • 2¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
METHOD:
LEAVE SANTA SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR! Christmas Tree Cupookies!
• Pre-heat oven to 350F. • Sift together all the dry ingredients and keep them in one bowl. • In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugars for about 2 minutes until smooth. • Add the egg and vanilla and mix until blended in, and gradually add the flour mixture. • Don’t over mix! • Add chocolate chips and stir with a spoon. • Form dough into 12 balls and place inside greased muffin tin. • While using your fingers, gently press on dough to form a cup inside each muffin and bake. • Once out, you can fill with whatever you want! If your dough rises, don’t worry, once you take pan out of oven you can press down gently while dough is still hot and it’ll take the shape of a cupcookie! Remove cupcookies once cooled down.
Butter Cream Recipe: INGREDIENTS:
• 175g butter • 270g icing sugar • 120g cream cheese • 5 ml vanilla • Green edible gel food colouring • Sprinkle balls and stars 90 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
METHOD:
• Cream the butter, icing sugar and cream cheese together until fluffy. • Add the vanilla and fold ingredients in together. • Add a few drops of green gel colour and insert into piping bag with a 2D tip. • Pipe above cupcookie in a swirling motion. • Decorate as you wish with the kids!
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JET LAG AND KIDS TOP 10 TIPS
Jet lag can mess up even the healthiest of adults – and it’s much worse in kids. A wide-awake baby at 2 am or hyperactive toddler at 5 am, jet lag can manifest itself in different ways. Either way, it’s no fun to deal with, but that won’t stop us for planning our dream trip. Here are some ways to deal with jet lag in kids: the trip. The body finds it harder to adjust to You can take advantage of kids’ extended nap 1 Understand a shorter day, rather than a longer one. 6 times due to jet lag and do some activities which you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise – fine dining at your Plan your flight. Try to pick a flight that makes jet lag favourite resto, check! 2 easier. Arriving in daylight is better for beating jet lag, so choose an overnight flight if available. Change the time on your watch as soon as you get 7 there, but keep one watch on the old time to keep Try to help your child sleep on the plan so they won’t track of baby feeds and naps. 3 arrive to the destination without the energy to even move. Breastfeeding mums, stay hydrated. A long flight Jet lag is much worse if you’re all sleeping in the 8the new will affect milk supply. Baby will also have to adjust to 4 same room. Whether you pick a serviced apartment as a schedule. cheaper alternative, or can afford a hotel, try to ensure family members are sleeping in as many different rooms as possible. The transition back home is even more of a 9 difficult adjustment to babies than a trip abroad. Factor in jet lag. Don’t get too excited, the first few 5 days after arrival will be tricky, so make sure you give Gradually help baby get used to taking most of your kids at least one day to adjust before embarking on any 10 their food during daytime, but don’t deny them adventures. food if they want it. 92 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
BABY CARE Q&A:
BABY MASSAGE What’s a baby massage and what are its benefits? A baby massage is a lovely way to soothe and calm your baby, enjoying your time with them. Long before babies are able to speak, they communicate with the world around them through touch. The power of touch to soothe is instinctive. Massaging your baby is an extension of this natural impulse. It simply means touching your baby, but doing this in a mindful way. At my courses, I support this natural impulse with showing mums different stroke and massage techniques to improve their little ones’ well-being. There are many benefits for babies. All body systems are stimulated when you give your baby a massage. In fact, studies have shown that a regular baby massage can reduce crying, help them relax and enable them to sleep more peacefully. It also alleviates constipation and colic problems.
When you give your baby a massage, you're stimulating the whole central nervous system – in fact, you set off a chain reaction which enables the brain to produce oxytocin, a natural neurotransmitter and feelgood hormone and reduce cortisol, a hormone which is related to stress. As a result, your baby's heart rate and breathing slow down and become more relaxed.
While you’re giving a massage, your own oxytocin levels increase and make you feel happy, more confident and less stressed with your new life situation. Mothers who have postpartum depression are typically not able to touch their babies often. Studies have shown that a mild form of postnatal depression can be eased by having mums give regular massages to their babies.
By creating a special time to touch their babies through a massage, the bond between mother and child is strengthened, and the infant begins to respond to their mother with warmth and pleasure. Being on the receiving end of a baby’s love helps depressed mothers begin to feel the joy that’s part of motherhood.
Finally, you can also make friends while you learn a long-life parenting skill.
Nicole Flasser is a nurse for general and intensive care hailing from Vienna, Austria. She is licensed in both Austria and the UAE. At Koster Clinic, she offers aromatherapy consultations, and courses in baby massages were she’s also able to introduce you to different essential oils.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 93
H E A LT H
HEALTHY HOLIDAY SNACKING FOR KIDS
EVEN THE PICKIEST OF EATERS WILL LOVE THESE GOOD-FOR-YOU CHRISTMAS SNACK IDEAS. 94 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
• ‘Babybel’ cheese can be made into the cutest Santa. Cut off half of the plastic to create a hat-face ratio and add a cream beard. Don’t forget to remove the plastic before the kids eat it! • Another cheesy surprise (which mum will love too) is the Christmas tree cheese plate. Layer cheese cubes with coloured grapes, along with sprigs of thyme, for a yummy tree which will be long gone before the guests arrive. • Cheese sticks are versatile. You can use a wrapped cheese stick to create a snowman, simply by tying a ribbon around it and using a marker to draw its features. • More cheese? Create cheese wedges and place them on a stick. Then, sprinkle them with some broccoli for an instant Christmas tree effect. • Kid not a fan of cheese? You can use regular party crackers and make them into mini Santa faces with some cream and a sundried tomato hat. • Cheese and tomatoes make a great red-and-white combo. Add some crackers on the side and – voila – you have a healthy, crunchy treat. • You can easily make a bagel buddy by spreading cream cheese on half of a bagel. Use the other half for the top of its forehead and add some broccoli florets for the hair. Black olives make the cutest eyes and don’t forget the red capsicum scarf.
able to resist.
• Rudolph is one of our favourite Christmas characters; add a strawberry nose and beef bacon antlers to freshly-made pancakes and you’ll have a treat the kids won’t be
• A pop of red with chocolate strawberries will never disappoint. It’s the vitamin C that we’re after, but with a chocolatey twist. • Pumpkin pie is fuall of fibre and tastes yummy. Make a low-sugar version and skip the whipped cream for a healthy twist on a holiday favourite. • How about making a Christmas tree out of green apples? Slice the apple to create the body, and add some pretzels for the trunk. Decorate your ‘Christmas tree’ with raisins. • For a Christmas tree without the hassle, use kiwi. Place some slices of the green and black fruit in the shape of a tree. Just make sure the slices are cut in the right shape. • ‘The Grinch’ is one of the most famous holiday characters: recreate him using green grapes and add a banana slice, strawberry and marshmallow on top for the hat. • You can also create a lovable Grinch using a pear: just add some whipped cream on top and stick some strawberries on there for a hat. Almond cookies make great Grinch eyes too. • Kids love sandwiches. Make a ‘Frosty the Snowman’ sandwich by using a cookie cutter to round a turkey, cheese and toast sandwich. Simply add a capsicum scarf and cucumber hat for the finishing touches.
H E A LT H • Window sandwiches will reveal what’s inside, turning every bite into a fun treat. Use two cookie cutters of the same shape, but in different sizes, to cut a sandwich with a hole in the middle. We would recommend star-shaped cutters for a dazzling effect. • Don’t put those cookie cutters away just yet! Use Christmas-shaped cutters to cut pizza dough for yummy individual pizzas. Who doesn’t love pizza? • If you don’t have any cookie cutters, you can make some cookies using your bare hands. Simply mould them into balls and cover with powdered sugar. • Gingerbread cookies are healthy if you make them with less sugar, and can be made into any shapes you like: from the typical gingerbread man to a reindeer, it doesn’t get more fun than this. Dip them in chocolate for a snow-like effect. • The good old gingerbread house can be healthy! Use gingerbread dough and glue it together using peanut butter. Decorate the house with healthy snacks such as cereal, nuts and dried fruit. • Some kids don’t like the taste of ginger. Use oatmeal cookies, which are super healthy, and add some icing for holiday season vibes. • The reindeer have arrived! Use applesauce cups and add some googley eyes, tiny bells and glitter antlers for cute Christmas reindeer. We can totally see them pulling Santa’s sleigh. • You can make a full reindeer face using only toast – heart and edges, make sure you use it all. For eyes, add some round marshmallows, then place a cherry on top for the red nose effect. • How can we go through the Christmas list without going bananas? Cut a banana in half, then add chocolate tops and bottoms with M&Ms to create a penguin. Another way to make a penguin? Boiled eggs and thin cucumber slices. • Banana snowmen or banana kebabs? Stack some banana slices on a stick and use peanut butter to glue raisins for the face. Now the only thing that’s missing is a green/red apple hat! • You can recreate a colourful Christmas tree with a Styrofoam base and some sticks. Shape the base into a top-wide tree and stick as many fruits as you like on the sticks – from cantaloupes to strawberries, the options are endless. • Eggs are so nutritious and can also be made into egg-tastic holiday treats. Poke some holes in hardboiled egg whites and add a sprig of parsley for the final hand-and-feet touches. Your snowmen can also wear carrot hats. • Candy canes are loaded with sugar. An alternative to the traditional candy is to place bananas and watermelon slices domino-style on a plate, creating a simple yet healthy candy cane. 96 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
H E A LT H
CALORIE COUNTING
HELPING YOUR KIDS DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS
There’s no shortage of research on obesity and its impact on health and lifestyle. Every day there’s a new wonder food, revolutionary diet or something we can do about the food our family eats. There’s also no shortage of information on food-related illnesses; we’re acutely aware that the GCC has some of the highest obesity rates in the world. 98 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
What we do lack is practical information for parents who worry that their children may be at risk of developing obesity, and the health and lifestyle illnesses that develop as a result of bad eating habits. “Children transform their health together, through exercise, new social bonds and, of course, hard work. We must listen to the individual goals of each child – whether fitness or weight-motivated – and support their achievements step by step,” says Javed Gani, co-founder, Little Gladiators. “Like teaching children about charity, health starts at home, and that’s why we must also work closely with parents to help them educate and inform their children after they leave school or nursery.”
Here are top tips on what parents can do to help tackle obesity at home: Strike a balance First and foremost, food is fuel. Certain foods are higher in fuel than others, while some foods are better at providing fuel than others; we require a varied and balanced diet. To balance the calories you consume with the ones you burn, it’s important to pay attention to the nutritional content of food, in addition to activity levels.
Healthy Habits Health starts at home and every healthy habit is learned by example. Be the change you want your child to embrace – go for the apple instead of the umm ali.
Make fit fun Making a game out of exercise is critical to keep children entertained. To engage and motivate a child in a new
activity, parents must ensure there’s a strong social element, and a clear set of goals and targets: team sports tick these boxes.
Add a cultural or educational element If your child loves to learn, bring the classroom to the gym and introduce them to one of the dozens of cultural and performance-based sports millions of children around the world enjoy, such as martial arts or dance. Both disciplines involve lessons on culture and language as well as physical strength and agility.
Remove temptation Children need support to try – and succeed – at something new, and this can often mean removing sources of temptation. Whether it’s a video game that’s prioritised over exercise, or a snack cupboard visited too often, these treats are effective tools to incentivise progress in the fight against obesity.
Keep treats to a minimum The occasional treat is ok, but limit their consumption as much as possible. With children, it’s easy to get carried away while eating food that they find tasty. Here are some alternatives to high-salt, high-sugar foods: • A medium-size apple • A medium-size banana • 1 cup blueberries • 1 cup grapes • 1 cup carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers with two tbsp. hummus
Make favourites healthier Children still need to eat the foods they love. If their favourite dish is mac and cheese, why not try a healthier version using whole-wheat elbows, diced broccoli florets, gorgeous tomatoes and some artichokes.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 99
H E A LT H
CALORIES AREN’T CUTE! HELPING YOUR KIDS DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS
There’s no shortage of research on obesity and its impact on health and lifestyle. Every day, there’s a new wonder food, revolutionary diet or something we can do about the food our family eats. There’s also no shortage of information on food-related illnesses; we’re acutely aware that the GCC has some of the highest obesity rates in the world.
100 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
What we do lack is practical information for parents who worry that their children may be at risk of developing obesity, and the health and lifestyle illnesses that develop because of bad eating habits. “Children can transform their health together through exercise, new social bonds and, of course, hard work. We must listen to the individual goals of each child – whether fitness or weight-motivated – and support their achievements step by step,” says Javed Gani, co-founder of the Dubai-based Little Gladiators children’s gym.
“Like teaching children about charity, health starts at home, and that’s why experts must work closely with parents to help them educate their children and teach them about eating healthy and staying active at home, after they leave nursery or school.”
Here are top tips on what parents can do to help tackle obesity at home:
Strike a balance
First and foremost, food is fuel. Certain foods are higher in fuel than others, while some foods are better at providing fuel than others; kids also require a varied and balanced diet. To balance the calories they consume with the ones they burn, it’s important to pay attention to the nutritional content of food, in addition to activity levels.
Healthy habits
Health starts at home and every healthy habit is learned by example. Be the change you want your child to embrace – go for the apple instead of umm ali.
Make fit fun
Making a game out of exercise is critical to keeping children entertained. To engage and motivate a child in a new activity, parents must ensure there’s a strong social element, and a clear set of goals and targets: team sports tick these boxes.
Add a cultural or educational element If your child loves to learn, bring the classroom to the gym and introduce them to one of dozens of cultural and performancebased sports millions of children around the world enjoy, such as martial arts or dance. Both disciplines involve lessons on culture and language as well as physical strength and agility.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 101
H E A LT H
Remove temptation
Children need support to try something new – and succeed, and this can often mean removing sources of temptation. Whether it’s a video game that’s prioritised over exercise, or a snack cupboard visited too often, these treats are effective tools to incentivise progress in the fight against obesity.
Keep treats to a minimum
The occasional treat is ok, but limit their consumption as much as possible. With children, it’s easy to get carried away while eating food that they find tasty. Here are some alternatives to high-salt, high-sugar foods: • A medium-size apple • A medium-size banana • One cup of blueberries • One cup of grapes • One cup of carrots, broccoli or bell peppers with two tbsp. of hummus
Make favourites healthier
Children still need to eat the foods they love. If their favourite dish is mac and cheese, why not try a healthier version using whole-wheat elbows, diced broccoli florets, gorgeous tomatoes and some artichokes?
Join the Hello Kitty Run Dubai 2017 Presented by Babyshop Babyshop is all set to present the Hello Kitty Run Dubai 2017 at Zabeel Park on December 8 for the second year in a row, inviting fans and runners of all ages (three years and above) to have a fun-filled, energetic day out with Hello Kitty. After visiting Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, the beloved Hello Kitty will inspire love, share happiness and get active with everyone. Race participants can pick up their exclusive race kit including the official Hello Kitty Run Dubai 2017 race t-shirt along with some special gifts, all packed in the limited-edition Hello Kitty drawstring bag, while all runners who cross the finish line after the fun run will receive a limitededition Hello Kitty Run Dubai 2017 finisher’s medal for their effort!
To add more excitement, the Hello Kitty Run Dubai 2017 features an Entertainment Village at Zabeel Park where runners can take their best selfies in front of the Hello Kitty-branded photo walls, get warmed up before the race with the official Hello Kitty warm-up session conducted by the event DJ and enjoy entertainment for the whole family with face painting, plus balloon bending, food and beverage stalls and the opportunity to meet and greet Hello Kitty herself.
hkrundubai.com
102 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
BABY SLEEP SOLUTIONS HELP YOUR BABY SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT
High up on the list of most-asked new-mum questions is: “How can I help my baby fall asleep easier?” and “how can I make sure my baby sleeps through the night?” Mother, Baby & Child has some fantastic insights on baby sleep, straight from one of Dubai’s renowned experts on baby sleep. Oana Titaca, founder of Baby Sensory UAE, tells us why it doesn’t have to be a challenge.
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H E A LT H “Naturally, babies fall asleep when nursed, held close or worn in a sling or carrier. At the same time, some sleep experts believe that parents should encourage babies to fall asleep independently to avoid night-waking problems,” says Oana. There are lots of methods, ranging from controlled crying to gentle sleep training or even a complete lack of sleep training. These methods are supported by research, and each method has its advocates and debaters. Nowadays, parents tend to be confused by the information they get from different sources.
However, the critical success factor is for the parents to choose the method that best suits their beliefs, habits and feelings. Parents should feel comfortable and follow a method they can trust. Babies quickly pick up on stress and this can make them more agitated and unsettled.
“One thing that all sleep experts agree on is the need for a consistent, regular bedtime routine. It doesn’t matter what the routine consists of, provided the same things happen every night. Babies learn to associate certain events and situations with bedtime, although it may take a week or two for them to develop new sleep habits,” adds Oana.
Here are a few tips from the UK-based Baby Sensory Founder Dr Lin Day: Falling asleep: • Allow a quiet wind-down period of about 20 minutes before bedtime. • Make the bedtime ritual as calm and relaxed as possible to reduce stress levels. • Help baby relax and unwind with a warm bath. When they get out, the surrounding cooler air will lower their temperature, which will help trigger the sleep mechanism. • Put baby in special clothes that are only used at night. • Snuggle quietly with baby, give them a massage or read a story, but avoid overstimulating them to avoid fizziness at bedtime. • Use keywords such as ‘bedtime’ or ‘night-night’ which are associated with sleep.
Everybody has a period of latency before going to sleep, so don’t expect baby to fall asleep the moment that they’re placed in their cot. Some babies take twice as long as adults to fall asleep.
Promoting sleep: • Let baby have a daytime nap when they need it or they may become overtired and difficult to settle at bedtime. • Avoid putting baby down on a very full tummy, as this will increase core body temperature and keep them awake. • Fully wind baby before bedtime. • If breastfeeding, avoid alcohol, artificial sweeteners and excess caffeine, which can have a negative effect on baby’s ability to sleep; • Ensure that the room temperature is neither too hot nor too cold and that baby is dressed comfortably. These checks can make all the difference when it comes to a comfortable sleep. • Avoid warming baby’s bed with cot bumpers or too many soft toys; these can raise core body temperature and keep baby awake. • Make sure that the room is dark and quiet: this will help baby learn the difference between night and day. • When breastfeeding is fully established, provide a dummy or comforter to help baby fall asleep without being held or rocked. • Put baby on their back on a firm surface to keep their spine as flat as possible and allow their lungs to fully expand. • Make sure that baby’s feet are near the end of the cot: this will prevent them from working their way under the covers where they could suffocate. 104 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
, E G N A H C Y P P A N E G N A H C Y P P A H OW N K O T D E E N TIPS YOU
Always carry a pack of wipes in your baby bag Wipes have countless uses and are a must for your baby bag. No matter what you’re having to clean up, wipes are there for you. Make sure you choose wipes with tight packaging to avoid having them dry out, the pack needs to be re-sealable for your convenience. You should also choose chemical-free wipes with a moisturising element so they’re good for baby’s skin.
Location, location A hassle can make mums change baby’s diapers anywhere around the house, even (gasp!), on the kitchen counter: not the most ideal of places for a diaper change. If you can always use a changing table, great. If not, choose the same spot every time – and it better be somewhere away from anything that can get contaminated.
Keep your portable changing mat warm Babies tend to cry when places on the changing mat, and the reason is believed to be the sudden change in temperature. They’re comfortable in the warm nappy, then it’s suddenly time for a cold surface or no nappy at all. To avoid this confusing moment, put a flask of warm water at the bottom of your changing bag, under the portable changing mat. Warm bottom, happy baby!
Make sure you roll up carefully Taking your time to roll diapers can be tricky, especially since baby is usually kicking and crying. If you can manage, however, try to go for a slow roll to ensure a germ-free diaper ball. Don’t forget the diaper pail, which is essential to keep the house smelling good.
Use distraction techniques You may have mastered the art of nappy changing, but baby will always be ahead of you. As soon as they learn to stand, walk and twist, it’s nappy-changing mayhem. The trick here is to create a distraction, singing some rhymes, giving them a colourful toy or placing a rotating, hanging toy above them.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2017 | 105
COMPETITIONS
Win a Family Photo Shoot with Emma Staples Photography Worth AED 1000
WIN 1 of 2 Months of Free Sensory Programmes at The Cardinal Valley Nursery Worth AED 2000 Each To celebrate The Cardinal Valley’s launch in Dubai in January 2018, the nursery is awarding a one-month free sensory programme to two parents! The three-day programme runs from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
Say cheese! Win a family session including a 1.5-hour photo shoot and 25 digital, hand-edited, high resolution images in colour and black and white, the same set in low resolution (ideal for social media and emails) and a montage of the best moments in colour and black and white too.
Win a Daycation at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa Worth AED 545
Win a Selection of RICE Tableware for the Whole Family Worth AED 500 Danish homeware and accessories brand RICE is bringing everyday magic to tables across the UAE with their range of familyfriendly tableware. With cool, bold designs, their Autumn Winter 17 SHINE collection means that little ones can now match the rest of their families too. The RICE philosophy? Funky, fun and functional!
Unwind at the 5* Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa and enjoy Arabian Sea views and a private 200m beachfront. Your prize will include access for two to use the beach and pool facilities and a deliciously-smelling Farmhouse Fresh facial for one to hydrate, nourish, firm and lift.
Win 1 of 5 NINJAGO® LEGO® Gifts Bags Worth a Total of AED 575 We love LEGO and LEGO-inspired movies are so much fun to watch. Stand a chance of winning some LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE™ gifts this month including premium goodies such as a branded phone case, water bottle and beach towel – all in NINJAGO style.
Win a Tuc Tuc Gift Hamper Worth AED 500 Stand a chance to win a Tuc Tuc hamper full of goodies from the latest Autumn-Winter fashion collection. Tuc's Tuc’s creations are inspired by worlds of fantasy, fun and inventiveness brought together by the power of colour and pattern. They sure know how to make your little one stand out from among the fashion pack.
To stand a chance to win these prizes*, please visit our competitions page on motherbabychild.com/competitions, or simply scan this QR code with your mobile to go directly to our website, answer the questions, and win! *Terms and conditions apply. CPI Media Group employees not eligible to enter. Winners will be selected at random from correct entries.
106 | DECEMBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD