Mother Baby & Child - March 2018

ISSUE 84 | MARCH 2018 | AED 15

ISSUE 82|january 2018| AED 15

ISSUE « 82|january 2018| AED 15 WIN«

AED 8,000

OF PRIZES

THINGS TO DO

IN MARCH!

MAKING CHILDREN FEEL SECURE PEEK BEHIND THE GATES OF A TOP UAE SCHOOL FOODS TO BOOST FERTILITY

THE FOUR PARENTING STYLES

& the effects on your child

GIVING BIRTH IN THE UAE

– YOUR TOP CONCERNS

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT Supported by:

Supported by:

A Progressive American Education that facilitates Deeper Learning Admissions Now Open for 2018 04 407 3000 | www.clarionschooldubai.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor: Michael Jabri-Pickett mjp@cpimediagroup.com Editor: Kay Marham kay.marham@cpimediagroup.com

H

ello Mum! ;o) By now I hope you have noticed that Mother, Baby & Child magazine is a very different animal to what it was last year. This year we have introduced more in-depth articles and parenting expertise that will help to understand more how your child thinks, develops and feels. Here are a few examples of what you’ll find in this issue:

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

DESIGN

Sarah Radwan

ONLINE

Ramir Toyado

PHOTOGRAPHY Maksym Poriechkin

FOR OTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE VISIT: motherbabychild.com

What is your style of parenting – and what effect does it really have on your child? What makes children feel secure? What are the stages and milestones in their development? Why do school field trips benefit and stimulate your child so much?

If you are planning to become pregnant again, you may be interested in the Foods to Boost Fertility article. Take a look at the top concerns that expat mums have when planning to give birth in the UAE, as it’s always nice to know that others may be feeling the same as you.

I’m not letting you go without wishing you a happy Mother’s Day this month!

Of course, we know that every day is Mother’s Day and for this reason, we are launching a new, regular monthly section, Especially For You, on page 20. Here you’ll find details of my Editor’s recommendation of offers, treats and the indulgent pampering products that I think you’ll love!

Happy Reading!

K

FOUNDER

Dominic De Sousa (1959 - 2015) PRINTED BY

Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai

EDITOR’S PICKS

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 2018 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.

cpimediagroup.com

MARKS & SPENCER Maternity Wear is now online!

www.marksandspencerme.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 03

CONTENTS

60

09 THINGS TO DO

10 FOR ALL THE FAMILY We have given this section a total revamp! Instead of dividing the pages into Baby, Toddler, Tweens and Older child activities and events, we have now given you much more information on the ‘don’t miss’ things that all families will enjoy.

Look out for details of: the outdoor cinema; rooftop organic market; LEGO Activity Zone; the Play-Doh Show; The Play Date in the Park; Dubai Food Festival; and the exciting new VR Park.

18 IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! In this issue we are also introducing a new section…All About YOU! These are the pampering products and places that the Editor recommends to really indulge yourself and remind yourself that you are a bright, vibrant, modern woman, as well as a mother. Check out this month’s recommendations and treat yourself

72

52

Baby’s Closet & Mini Style Stars

Competitions

Foods to boost fertility for Mother’s Day this March!

22 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Treat yourself, get together with friends, family and celebrate this special day, that should quite rightly focus on women!

2 7 PA R E N T I N G

28 The Four Styles of Parenting

Researchers have identified four types of parenting styles, with each style taking a different approach to raising children.

32 Stages of Child Development 38 Making Children Feel Secure

46 The KHDA School Inspection Reports and Rankings 48 Behind the School Gates

51 GOOD LIVING 56 The Gift of Reading to Children

Getting a child into the habit of reading books is the first step to raising a thoughtful, curious, stimulated and motivated little human being!

6 5 H E A LT H

66 Eight Common Allergy-causing Foods:

4 1 E D U C AT I O N

There are eight foods that cause around 90% of all food allergy reactions. These are the ones to watch!

The Magic of Field Trips.

70 Giving Birth in the UAE

40 Learning Beyond the Classroom

04 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

STAR LETTER COMPETITION

Every month, our Star Letter wins a fabulous prize, with plenty of luxurious pampering treats lined up this year!

Next month’s Start Letter will win three fabulous prizes…

A LUXURIOUS A 12-MONTH PAMPERING SUBSCRIPTION TO EXPERIENCE IN ONE THE NEW-LOOK OF DUBAI’S BEST MOTHER, BABY & SPAS CHILD MAGAZINE

A RELAXED AND INDULGENT BRUNCH FOR TWO!

GETTING INVOLVED WITH MOTHER, BABY & CHILD Tell us about your experiences, challenges and priceless moments raising your child! Send your stories to the Editor: Kay.Marham@CPIMediaGroup.com

06 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

RECOMMENDS

W O M E N ' S D AY P R O M O T I O N

AT F E A S T, S H E R AT O N G R A N D H O T E L , D U B A I With Women’s Day falling on March 8th, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai will treat ladies to a 50 percent discount off dinner at Feast Restaurant. Original prices are: AED 210 including soft drinks and AED 310 including house pours. sheratongranddubai.com

08 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

This is our monthly kid’s calendar and round-up of what’s happening to keep your children’s lives fun-filled and stimulating.

This month we introduce a new pampering section, Just For You!

THIINGS TO DO EVENTS | ACTIVITIES | OUTDOOR

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 09

things to do

IN MARCH

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

in Abu Dhabi at The Mall at World Trade Centre

WHEN!

Every weekend until 30th March

WHO!

All The Family

The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi is offering visitors heart-warming family entertainment with a charming array of outdoor cinema screenings, an organic market, a street food festival, LEGO World playground and Play-Doh theatre shows, all guaranteed to delight the whole family.

Under the Stars Outdoor Cinema A first for a mall in Abu Dhabi, The Mall at WTCAD has launched it’s Under the Stars Outdoor Cinema, providing free movie screenings every weekend until 30th March.

Complete with comfy chairs and delicious snacks, the Under the Stars Outdoor Cinema will offers its guests the most wonderful family cinema experience. Films will be shown every Friday, while this week in collaboration with Alliance Francaise the French movie ‘Les Contes de la Nuit’ with Michel Ocelot will be shown at 6pm, followed by the English title, ‘The Emoji Movie’ at 8pm.

Rooftop Organic Market With health and wellness being a constant trend in the UAE, The Mall at WTCAD has introduced its own Rooftop Organic Market on the third floor. Supplied by local company Mawasim, the Rooftop Organic Market will feature a wide selection of organic fruit and vegetables every day from 1pm – 9pm so that health-conscious visitors can pick up fresh produce to cook nutritious meals at home.

Street Food Festival With an impressive line-up of tasty food trucks offering authentic street food, The Mall at

WTCAD is collaborating with Tajer Abu Dhabi to bring a ‘Street Food Festival’ to the capital, held at Liwa Street until 14th April. The perfect culinary day-out, food lovers can watch chefs in-action while sampling an appetising mix of freshlyprepared dishes from around the world.

LEGO Activity Zones The Mall at WTCAD is also encouraging children to explore their creative side by joining forces with LEGO to host enthralling LEGO Activity Zones throughout the mall. At the LEGO Activity Zones, children will be invited to hang out and make their own creations with the famous toy building blocks. With a range of different LEGO toys, including LEGO Ninja Movie, LEGO Duplo, LEGO Batman Movie and LEGO Friends, there’s a special set of LEGO for everyone.

Play-Doh Show Never seen before in the UAE, The Mall at WTCAD will also welcome the spectacular Play-Doh Show. Children will be mesmerised as the “Doh Dohs” come alive in this fantastic, colourful show featuring the four characters with a mixture of song and dance. To keep the magic alive all day, there will also be roaming cartoon characters including the “Doh Dohs”, who will pose with visitors for that picture-perfect moment.

All the weekend events will take place at The Mall at WTCAD from 1pm-10pm.

For more information: WTCAD 10 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Child can r u o Y OV

C S I D

ER! AED 378

including VAT

Colors | Patterns | Shapes | Numbers | Prepositions | Music FREE HOME DELIVERY WITHIN UAE 056 5533171

jamal@juniorbookstore.com

juniorbookstore.com

things to do

IN MARCH

PLAY DATE IN THE PARK with Clarion School

WHEN! 10th March

WHO!

Parents, Toddlers & Little Ones

Prominent UAE American school, Clarion, will be hosting their second annual Play Date in The Park on March 10th.

The event is for families in and around Dubai to come down and enjoy an afternoon solely dedicated to old school fun! Kids and parents alike can look forward to magic shows, live entertainment, delicious eats and plenty of activities, guaranteed to leave you with a whiff of nostalgia.

The event promises to be a must-attend Saturday affair especially for parents with young little ones at home looking for a fun, active and entertaining day out.

The event takes place at Clarion School on Saturday March 10th, between 3.30pm – 6.30pm.

For further information and registration: clarionschooldubai.com/event/playdate-in-the-park/

A FEAST OF FAMILY FAVOURITES at Taste of Dubai!

WHEN! 8th-10th March

WHO! All the family

Taste of Dubai 2018 celebrates its 11th year and is the city’s favourite food, drink and music festival. Taking place between 8th-10th March, the festival is a 3-day food extravaganza, with Dubai’s hottest restaurants, world class celebrity chefs and an incredible line-up of international music.

Food lovers can come and watch live cooking demonstrations or get hands-on and cook alongside our famous chefs, as well as learn some top culinary tips. Alternatively, you can enjoy listening to fantastic live entertainment; relax and soak up the festival atmosphere and enjoy shopping for unique gifts and culinary products. tasteofdubaifestival.com

12 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

things to do

IN MARCH

VR Park at The Dubai Mall An Exciting Virtual World to Explore!

WHEN!

WHO!

Every weekend until Parents, Older Kids 30th March & Tweens

Dubai’s latest and most exciting attraction – VR Park – is now at The Dubai Mall. Blurring the lines between perception and reality, VR Park combines Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (VR), providing unforgettable rides, journeys and games in an unbelievable two-storey attraction.

The VR Park delivers an unprecedented and awe-inspiring experience, with the all-new mind-blowing attraction with a range of games, rides and experiences to suit all ages. For example, feel what it’s like to propel down the side of Burj Khalifa in ‘Burj Drop’, or hold on tight as your Dubai Drone taxi spins out of control on a rollercoaster adventure like no other! Try a skydiving adventure with aerial views of in Plummet; and a hair-raising Dune Bash experience featuring close encounters with camel spiders, scorpions, snakes and other thrilling creatures.

Interacting with one another and living the experience together, The Raft requires you and the kids to grab your VR guns and work together to defend the swamp against an infestation of

supernatural creeps; whilst gamers will love PAYDAY 2’s VR heist, and the challenge to survive a zombie infested hospital in the apocalyptic The Walking Dead Outbreak. There’s something for everyone with a PVRK Café serving out-of-this-world treats, and rides spanning horror, adventure, leisure, a multi-sports arena, and more. Younger children will especially enjoy Geminose: The VR Carousel, as beautiful and playful creatures join an exploration of magic, music and dance in their mystical world.

The family-friendly VR Travel Bus explores cities from around the world, without having to visit an airport; whilst space explorers can man their own spaceship and navigate a world full of aliens and space stations, in RobocomVR. The 7,000 smq VR Park is located in The Dubai Mall on Level 2, between Reel Cinemas and KidZania® Dubai. Open from 10am to 11pm Sundays-Wednesdays and 10am to 1am ThursdaySaturdays, VR Park offers free entry for all to explore, and experiences priced at AED 15-45.

For more information: VRParkdubai.com.

(Age and height restrictions apply to some attractions – do check!)

14 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

things to do

IN MARCH

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

New Monthly Skin Treatment Packs FROM SKIN REPUBLIC Face masks are the perfect skincare treatment to help with most skincare concerns. Using a face mask is one of the easiest ways to get healthy and supple skin in just a few minutes. However, while instant

Clear Skin Pore Refining (x10) (AED 185) • Helps clear spots and blemishes • Cleans and refines the skin’s pores • Controls shine and reduces redness

results are visible after a single use, the skin has a four-week regeneration period, therefore a face mask is most effective when used twice a week for a period of one month.

Brightening Vitamin C (x10) (AED 185) • Reduces the visible appearance of freckles, age spots and imperfections • Brightens and evens skin tone • Antioxidant and moisture rich

All Skin Republic Masks are dermatologist tested and are not tested on animals and are available from department

Platinum Lift (x10) (AED 185) • Reduces the signs of ageing • Antioxidant rich • Firms, tones and lifts

Emirates Park Zoo and Resort will be arranging a lovely day for mothers and their tots on 21st March, between 9am - 1 pm.

The event will give respite for mums, who can attend a lovely yoga meditation class followed by a brunch at the resort. While you’re doing this, the kids will be taken on a tour of the zoo that focuses on ‘edutainment’- a fun and exciting combination of education and entertainment.

A dedicated guide will show the kids around each area of the zoo and make sure there is enough time for them to observe and even interact with more than 180 species of animals and birds.

For Mums: Relaxation, meditation and water yoga For Kids: A tour around the zoo and show with educators; arts and crafts preparation for their mums’ gift.

18 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Collagen Infusion (x10) (AED 185) • Improves elasticity • Promotes firmer, younger looking skin • Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles

stores, pharmacies, online and supermarkets.

For more information: theskinrepublic.com

Mums & Kids Brunch AT EMIRATES PARK ZOO

Prices start at AED 199 per adult and AED 150 per child.

For more information: marketing@emiratespark.ae

It’s great news then that Skin Republic has just launched new monthly treatment packs that include a value deal of 10 masks in each box for the price of 8! The following treatment packs are now available:

things to do

IN MARCH

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

MARCH OFFER AT THE FABULOUS YHI SPA, DUBAI

Unlock the biological rhythm fat-burning action of LPG’S BODY SHAPING GEL The LPG Body Shaping Gel contains intelligent active ingredients that adapt to the biorhythm of our fat cells to directly target them. At night, it inhibits fat storage and during the day, it helps fat release. Simply apply morning and evening to targeted areas such as the stomach, thighs, buttocks, etc. until the product is completely absorbed. Priced at AED 280, the LPG Body Shaping Gel is available in centres, spa and resorts equipped with LPG systems in the UAE.

Based in Port Rashid, Dubai, the YHI Spa at Melia Dubai introduces you to an exclusive spa experience that aligns the total well-being of your body, mind and spirit. And what could be better, more relaxing, indulgent or more refreshing for busy mums who want to take a little regular ‘me time’?!

The luxuriant treatments at the YHI spa use exotic products that nourish, revitalise, rejuvenate and totally relax your body. With over 1,000 sqm featuring multiple treatment rooms offering body and facial treatments (even for couples!) YHI spa has everything you need, in the perfect setting to pamper and luxuriate your way back to your most calm and energised self. Choose from BODY SCRUBS, WRAPS and DETOX treatments, a variety of relaxing FACIAL REJUVENATION treatments and the most luxurious and indulgent MASSAGE options, from Swedish, to Thai, to reflexology to YHI ABHYANGA and much more.

MARCH OFFER – Mother’s Indulgence at Melia Dubai!

Treat your mum to something really special with the Mother’s Day and Women’s Day spa offer.

Their pampering treat includes an amazingly relaxing hour-long massage and a 30-minute mini facial at just AED 350.

For further information: www.melia.com

20 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Fresh and Glowing Skin FROM HIMALAYA Himalaya’s Blackhead Cleaning Daily Scrub is the long-awaited skincare remedy your face will thank you for. Sometimes just normal cleansing does not get rid of blackheads and dead skin cells, leaving the skin looking dull. The combination of Natural Salicylic Acid and Walnut granules help skin become smoother and visibly clear of blackheads.

It’s priced at just AED 30 and is available in all leading supermarkets.

La Petite Robe Noire

BY GUERLAIN Calling all yummy mummies! Treat yourself to this incredibly light and chic Guerlain fragrance - an ‘eau de parfum légère’ enhanced with rose water and cherry.

The legendary inverted heart bottle is tinted in luminous purple-pink. Through the bottle you can see the silhouette of a classic little black dress (‘la petite robe noire’), reminding yourself your eternal feminine spirit.

Floral. Fruity. Bohemian. Light.

Unforgettable!

things to do

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY - 8 TH MARCH

CELEBRATE YOURSELF ALL THROUGH MARCH! Dine out and receive a blissful 30 minutes of complimentary spa pampering!

March has become synonymous with celebrating women and all they represent, as two key calendar occasions fall in the social diary. International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day - both global recognitions of women and their achievements.

To celebrate, over 20 top restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will provide a complimentary 30-minute spa voucher to any woman dining alone or as part of a group, when they spend a minimum of AED 295 on lunch or dinner. The offer is valid from 1st-31st March, 2018 at participating restaurants across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

For more information: www.Celebrate-Her.com and take a moment to #CelebrateHer

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

AT VIDA DOWNTOWN

HOLA Celebrates International Women’s Day with A FLOWER YOU CAN EAT!

Mark your calendar as Dubai’s favourite boutique hotel, Vida Downtown (Dubai) presents two special experience menus for you and your #GirlsSquad to celebrate the spirit of womanhood on 8th March.

Dishing out all your favourite guilty pleasures, the ‘Go Dirty’ menu is where great taste, generous portions and delightful drinks coexist.

Indulge in a BBQ beef burger with a refreshing cheeky celebration drink. End your meal on a high note with the chocolate brownie cake topped with vanilla ice cream.

Celebrate the healthy you and eating clean rituals over a special ‘Go Clean’ combination, offering flavourful avocado burgers with a choice of chicken or vegetable patty, complemented with a lush mixed berry punch and sorbet for dessert.

Delicious food, amazing music and good friends around you – what better way to celebrate being a woman! You can enjoy these special priced menus for AED 99 over breakfast, lunch or dinner. Plus, enjoy 50% off on hubbly bubbly throughout the day.

For more information:

04 888 3444 or

22 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

dine@emaar.com

HOLA, the vibrant Latin American Fruit Bar located at La Mer, pays tribute to International Women’s Day on 8th March 2018 with a special offer for all ladies looking for a ‘fruitastic’ snack; a two for one offer on the Mango Flower all day long! The charming colourful ambiance of the venue offers a vibrant environment for an extraordinary International Women’s Day experience, this year.

things to do

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY - 8 TH MARCH

NEW FRAGRANCES FROM LOOTAH

LUXURIOUS HAMMAMII ZA’ATAR ANTIOXIDANT BODY EXFOLIANT

to Celebrate Your Femininity

Celebrating femininity, the new Lootah fragrance for women, ‘Petal’ encapsulates purity and simplicity. With refreshing top notes of bergamot and vetiver, you’ll feel instantly calm and rejuvenated as you wear this scent. Fragrant heart notes of saffron and cardamom accentuate the simplicity and elegance of the perfume. Finally, woody base notes create a warm halo that wraps the wearer in a delicate cocoon of luxury.

If you are gifting for your husband, the new ‘Lavish’ fragrance captures masculinity and is effortless and graceful.

Invigorating top notes of bergamot, lavender and oud blend together to create a fragrant symphony.

Middle notes of cinnamon and jasmine add a touch of playfulness to the fragrance, while base notes of leather, patchouli and musk meld all the ingredients together to produce an exquisite effect.

Immerse yourself into ripples of endless bliss with Hammamii, a traditional, luxurious, and pure range of skincare products made from natural and traditional ingredients from the UAE. Hammamii has a spectacular range of skincare products, including our recommended Hammamii Za'atar Antioxidant Body Exfoliant, which contains a rich aroma of Za'atar along with a unique blend of traditional and luxurious ingredients such as rosemary, sesame and thyme along with Vitamin E, giving your skin a beautiful and radiant glow.

The Hammamii Za'atar Antioxidant Body Exfoliant is available at the Willow Stream Spa and Dalouk Spa in Sharjah Ladies Club for AED 185.

Enjoy 20% off the bill WITH THE GIRLS ON WOMEN’S DAY In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Catch 22, the localfavourite social eatery located in the heart of JBR’s The Beach Mall, are showing appreciation for the special women visiting the venue.

Gather your girlfriends, daughters, mother or colleagues and head to Catch 22 to relish in the celebrations and take advantage of a special discount, offering a 20% off the total bill, making it the perfect opportunity to tuck-in to Catch 22’s latest additions.

Indulge in the exciting and delicious new dishes like the creamy Butternut Squash Soup, a mouth-watering Fully Loaded Chicken Burger and the sweetest ending with the Red Lava Lova and the decadent Choco Crunch Melt.

Treat yourself at Catch 22 with the women you love this International Women’s Day. For further information and bookings: or +971 4 424 3057

www.catch22.ae

24 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

FOOD

DRINK AND C

M

Y

CM

M U S I C F E S T I VA L

MY

CY

CMY

K

8 - 1 0 M A RC H D U BA I M E D I A C I T Y

In partnership with

Taste of Dubai hosts 23 of the city’s hottest restaurants, an inspiring line-up of celebrity chefs, tasty cooking competitions and master classes for you to participate in and three days of live entertainment. This year is set to be a sell out!

Book now at tasteofdubaifestival.com Mainstage Co-Sponsor

Official Cutlery Sponsor

Cooking Challenge Co - Sponsor

Official Baking Session Sponsor

Cooking Challenge Co-Sponsor

Chefs' Theatre

Partner

Official Event

Italian Pavilion

VIP Lounge Sponsor

Official Water Sponsor

Ingredients Supplier

Official Radio

Official Food Magazine

Official TV Sponsor

Official Newspaper

RECOMMENDS

E A S T E R -T H E M E D B R U N C H AT FA I R M O N T T H E PA L M

The ultimate Easter-themed family fun day, kids will be over the moon to see a live petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, parrots and more. Enjoy face painting, magic tricks and of course, an Easter-egg hunt!.

Further details: via Fairmont The Palms

26 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

@fairmontthepalm

This is both for you and about you. In this section we look at a diverse range of issues and challenges and advise on how best to deal with them.

PARENTING N AT U R E | N U R T U R E | L I F E MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 27

parenting

THE FOUR PARENTING STYLES & THE EFFECTS ON YOUR CHILD Researchers have identified four types of parenting styles, with each style taking a different approach to raising children.

28 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Your parenting style can affect everything from how much your child weighs to how she feels about herself, both day-to-day and throughout their adulthood.

It Is important to ensure your parenting style is supporting healthy growth and development because the way you interact with your child and how you discipline him/her will influence her for the rest of their life.

Authoritarian Parenting Read through the following statements to see if any of them sound familiar: • You believe that kids should be seen and not heard • When it comes to rules, you believe it's ‘my way or the highway’ • It is your feelings as a parent and the adult in charge that are important, so you don't take your child's feelings into consideration If any of the above apply to you, you may well be an authoritarian parent.

Authoritarian parents believe that it is better for children and life runs more easily if they follow the rules without exception.

Authoritarian parents are notorious for saying, ‘Because I said so,’ when a child questions the reasons behind a rule. They are not interested in negotiating and their priority outcome in most situations (if not all) is that their child behaves obediently.

This style of parents also tend not to allow their children to get involved in working out how to solve a challenging situation or obstacle.

Instead, they make the rules and enforce the consequences and don’t believe a child's opinion is

important to consider.

Authoritarian parents may use punishments instead of discipline.

This means that instead of teaching a child how to make better choices, they're focused on making the child feel sorry for their mistakes.

Impact on the Child Children who grow up with strict authoritarian parents tend to follow rules much of the time, but their obedience comes at a price.

These children are at a higher risk of development and self-esteem problems because their voice is stifled and their opinions aren't valued.

They may also become introverted, unable (or unwilling) to stand up for themselves when being treated unfairly, easily frustrated, hostile or aggressive.

Rather than think about how to do things better in the future, they often focus on the frustration or anger they feel towards their parents.

Since authoritarian parents are often strict, their children often grow up to become good liars in an effort to avoid punishment.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 29

parenting Authoritative Parenting Although the word ‘authoritative’ sounds very similar to the ‘authoritarian’ we just looked at, this is a very different parenting style. Read through the following statements to see if any of them sound familiar:

Authoritative parents invest time and energy into preventing behaviour problems before they start. They also use positive discipline strategies to reinforce good behaviour, like praise and reward systems.

• You put a lot of effort into creating and maintaining a positive relationship with your child • You explain the reasons behind your rules • You enforce rules and give consequences, but take your child's feelings into consideration.

Children raised with authoritative discipline tend to be happy and successful. These children also find it easier to interact with others and make friends easily. They're also more likely to be good at making decisions and evaluating safety risks on their own.

If the above sounds familiar, you may be an authoritative parent. Authoritative parents have rules and they use consequences, but they also take their children's opinions into account. They validate their children's feelings, while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.

Uninvolved Parenting

Read through the following statements to see if any of them sound familiar: • You don't ask your child about school or homework • You rarely know where your child is or who they are with • You don't spend much dedicated one-to-one time with your child If the above sounds familiar, you might be an uninvolved parent.

Uninvolved parents tend to have little knowledge of what their children are doing, there tend to be very few rules in your household. The children of these parents may not receive much guidance, nurturing, and parental attention.

Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs. These parents may also be neglectful but it's not

always intentional. A parent with mental health issues, or someone with no real awareness of what it takes to nurture a child, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs on a consistent basis.

At other times, uninvolved parents lack knowledge about child development. (See article on page 30). Sometimes, the parents are simply overwhelmed with other problems, such as their hectic working schedule, paying bills, and managing a household.

Impact on the Child Children with uninvolved parents are likely to struggle with self-esteem issues. They tend to perform poorly in school. They also exhibit frequent behaviour problems and rank low in happiness.

30 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Impact on the Child Researchers have found kids who have authoritative parents are most likely to become responsible adults who feel comfortable expressing their opinions, which is an important aspect of forming healthy relationships into adulthood.

Permissive Parenting This is a different approach to the others and parents who practice permissive parenting may be doing so because of their own character traits, rather than implementing a deliberate child-rearing strategy.

Read through the following statements to see if any of them sound familiar: • You set rules but rarely enforce them • You don't give out consequences very often • You think your child will learn best if they work things out for themselves - and at their own pace - with little interference from you.

If you recognise yourself in the above statements, you might be a permissive parent. Permissive parents are lenient and often only step in when there's a serious problem. This style of parent is often forgiving and they adopt a ‘kids will be kids’ perspective. When they do apply consequences to their child’s actions, they are quite likely to not commit to those consequences themselves. For example, they might give privileges back if a child begs or they may allow a child to get out of time-out early if he promises to be good.

Permissive parents usually take on more of a ‘friend’ role than that of a parent.

They often encourage their children to

talk with them about their problems, but they usually don't put much effort into discouraging poor choices or bad behaviour.

you can do.’

Impact on the Child Children who grow up with permissive parents are more likely to struggle academically. Some experts believe that this is because they were left to determine their own level of effort into their schoolwork, without being actively encouraged or motivated by parents, who may have told them ‘just do as much as

These children may manifest more behavioural problems as they don't appreciate authority and rules. They often have low self-esteem and may be prone to sadness or depression. They're also at a higher risk of health problems such as obesity, because permissive parents struggle to limit junk food intake and enforce a healthy diet. They are even more likely to have dental cavities because permissive parents often don't enforce good habits, like ensuring their child brushes their teeth.

So Which is the Best Parenting Style?

Sometimes parents don’t fit into just one category, so don't despair if there are times or areas where you tend to be permissive and other times when you're more authoritative.

there are steps you can take to become a more authoritative parent.

The studies are clear, however, that authoritative parenting is the best parenting style. But even if you tend to identify with other parenting styles more,

With dedication and commitment to being the best parent you can be, you can maintain a positive relationship with your child while still establishing your authority in a healthy manner. And over time, your child will reap the benefits of your authoritative style.

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parenting

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DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF PRESCHOOLERS The first five years of a child’s life are critical for development. But exactly what kind of ‘development’ takes place?

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‘preschool’ child is aged between three and five years, according to child development professionals. During this time, the preschool development milestones are skills that a child acquires within a particular time frame, although children develop at different rates to each other.

The experiences children have up to age five, particularly their relationship with you, their parent, will greatly influence the way they learn and develop, as well as shaping the adults they will become.

Speech and Language Development

Stages of Development

Cognitive Development

Fine Motor Skills These skills involve the use of a child’s smaller muscles such those in the fingers or hands. A preschooler should be able to hold a crayon and draw circles, squares and triangles. The child should also have the ability to button and zip or unzip their own clothes.

Gross Motor Skills The gross motor skills of a preschooler include being able to go up stairs with alternate steps, meaning that that they can put one foot on each step as he climbs up, instead of both feet on one step, throw and catch a ball, hop, climb and skip, pedal a bicycle and jump over low obstacles. To perform gross motor skills, a child needs to use their large muscles.

A child’s speech and language development refers to thier ability to not only understand language when spoken to, but also to use language for communication. The preschooler uses a minimum of 250 words, can say threeword sentences and understands plurals.

She is also inquisitive and asks lots of questions, knows the names of different colours and can recite familiar songs, poems or stories from memory.

Cognitive development, also known as intellectual development, involves a child’s ability solve problems, learn, reason and think. A preschool child can participate in conversations and begins to develop their reasoning skills. They will also know their own age and address, can identify the heavier of two objects and can name the days of the week. At this age, a child can tell a story with a beginning, middle and end. They also know the names of different shapes. However, at this point, preschoolers may not be able to differentiate reality from fantasy.

Social and Emotional Development A child’s ability to control her emotions, interact with others and help herself is an indicator of his social and emotional

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parenting development. A preschooler can follow simple rules during games, she may approach other children and begin to play with them and enjoys playing makebelieve games. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, preschoolers between the age of four and five years old show increased self-confidence and independence and may visit a next-door neighbor alone.

Speech and Language Development

The greatest period of growth in speech and language development occurs in preschool children between 2 to 5 years of age. As parents, you will want to observe and listen to your children as they acquire communication skills. Early diagnosis of any potential developmental delay in speech and language will benefit your child now and in the future.

Receptive and Expressive Language

Receptive and expressive languages are the two main areas of speech and language development, with pragmatics acting as an expansion of expressive language for social communication.

Hearing and understanding spoken words comprise receptive language, while speaking and using words appropriately classify as expressive language. In both cases, part of speech and language development includes the ability to distinguish and use the correct tone, emotion or reasoning conducive to the setting.

Factors Contributing to Language Development

Neurologist John Geake identified various factors within brain development that contribute to speech and language development. His research confirmed that while the entire brain engages in this process, each hemisphere manages specific portions of language development: grammar and speech in the left hemisphere and actions, feelings and word meanings in the right hemisphere.

Boys often exhibit slower speech and language development due to the effect

of testosterone on the left hemisphere of their brains. The inhibiting effect often causes distraction and restlessness, resulting in boys paying less attention to communicating, while girls tend to speak sooner and interact more socially.

Development in 2-to-5 Year Olds

As your preschooler progresses from the ages of 2 to 5 years old, her language development and communication skills typically increase at an amazing pace. At 2 years old, she generally uses phrases or brief sentences of two words and understands the word “no.” Between 2 to 3 years old, your preschooler’s vocabulary increases to about 450 words, she refers to herself as “me” and she can create short sentences with nouns and verbs.

During the next two-year range from 3 to 5 years old, your child usually acquires a vocabulary of 1,000 to 1,500 words, uses sentences of several words, distinguishes between present and past tense, knows her full name, enjoys telling stories and reciting nursery rhymes, and understands concepts such as colors, shapes and sizes.

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Each Child Has His Own Pace The American Speech-LanguageHearing Association emphasizes that each child reaches development milestones at his own pace. Some preschoolers, especially boys, may simply be “late bloomers” in acquiring speech and language skills. If your child appears to be progressing at a slower pace than peers his age, this is not necessarily cause for concern. Continue to encourage your preschooler to talk, read books to him, introduce new concepts such as colors and numbers and provide one-on-one interaction as you monitor his progress.

What to Watch For

As many as 10 percent of preschoolers exhibit some type of speech or language delay or disorder, according to the University of Michigan Health System, who have conducted extensive research into this area. If you have any concerns about your child’s language development, consult with his pediatrician to rule out potential physiological causes such as hearing loss, cleft palate or autism. If there

parenting appears to be no physiological basis for your preschooler’s language delay, visit a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) who can conduct evaluations to assess your child’s receptive and expressive language skills and determine any barriers to language development.

The SLP can also advise you about the best course of action, which may include regular speech therapy sessions for your preschooler, as well as activities that you can do at home to stimulate and encourage your child’s speech and language development.

Early child development

Development is the term used to describe the changes in your child’s physical growth, as well as her ability to learn the social, emotional, behaviour, thinking and communication skills she needs for life. All of these areas are linked, and each depends on and influences the others.

In the first five years of life, your child’s brain develops more and faster than at any other time in his life. Your child’s early experiences – the things he sees, hears, touches, smells and tastes – stimulate his brain, creating millions of connections.

This is when the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life are laid down.

Babies are born ready to learn, and their brains develop through use. So your child needs a stimulating environment with lots of different activities that give her plenty of ways to play and learn, and lots of chances to practice what she’s learning.

Relationships - the foundation for child development

Children’s relationships affect all areas and stages of their development. This is because relationships are experiences. In fact, relationships are the most important experiences in your child’s environment because they teach him the most about the world around him. They also shape the way he sees the world.

Through relationships, your child learns whether the world is safe and secure,

whether she’s loved, who loves her, what happens when she cries, laughs or makes a face – and much more. Your child also learns by seeing relationships between other people – for example, how you behave towards your partner, and how your partner behaves towards you. This learning is the basis for the development of your child’s communication, behaviour, social and other skills.

Your child’s most important relationships are with you, other family members and carers, including early childhood educators.

A loving, nurturing relationship helps you and your child learn a little more about each other every day. As your child grows and develops, his needs will change.

You’ll learn more about what he needs and how you can meet these needs.

Play - how child development happens

In the early years, your child’s main way of learning and developing is through play. Play is fun for your child and gives her an opportunity to explore, observe,

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experiment, solve problems and learn from her mistakes. She’ll need your support and encouragement to do this. But it’s important to try to find a balance between helping her and letting her make mistakes, because finding out for herself about how the world works is a big part of learning.

Lots of time spent playing, talking, listening and interacting with you helps your child learn the skills he needs for life. These skills include communicating, thinking, solving problems, moving and being with other people and children.

Play is a great relationship builder.

Spending time playing with your child sends a simple message – you are important to me. This message helps your child learn about who she is and where she fits in the world.

Other child development factors

Things like healthy eating, physical activity, health and the neighbourhood you live in also have a big impact on your child’s wellbeing and development. You have some control over some of these things – eg, what your child eats and how

health condition, it’s a good idea to talk with your GP, child and family health nurse or other medical specialist (for example, a pediatrician) about how this might affect her development.

Neighbourhood and community spirit

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Your neighbourhood and local community influence your child’s development. For example, your child’s development is supported by positive relationships with friends and neighbours, and access to things like playgrounds, parks, shops and local services like child care, schools, health centres and libraries.

Developing at different rates

Children grow and develop at different rates. Some parents worry about when their child will walk, and others worry about when their baby’s first teeth will appear.

Most skills develop in the same order, but the age they happen might vary even for children in the same family.

Self-confidence

It might help to remember that development is different for every child.

If you’re wondering about whether your child’s development is ‘normal’, it might also help to know that ‘normal’ varies a lot. For example, the normal age range for children to start walking is 8-18 months.

So if your child isn’t walking at 14 months, that’s OK.

in children increases between the age of four and five.

Healthy eating

Healthy food gives your child the energy and nutrients she needs to grow and develop. It helps develop her sense of taste. And healthy family food and eating patterns in the early years can set up healthy eating habits for life.

The best way to help your child develop healthy eating habits is to let him see you preparing, eating and enjoying healthy food yourself.

Physical activity

Being physically active gets your child moving. It develops her motor skills, helps her think and gives her an opportunity to

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much activity he does. But you might have less control over things like health.

explore her world. Your child therefore needs plenty of opportunities for active play, both inside and outside. And if you’re active yourself, your child is likely to follow your lead.

Health

Your child’s health can influence his development. All children get sick at some point – for example, with coughs and colds, earaches or gastroenteritis.

These minor childhood illnesses generally won’t cause any long-term problems with development.

But chronic or long-term health conditions like diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis or cancer can affect your child’s development. If your child has a chronic

If you really feel that something isn’t quite right with your child’s development, trust your instinct. See your child and family health nurse or GP.

Parenthood

As a parent, you’re always learning. Every parent makes mistakes and learns through experience. It’s OK to feel confident about what you know. And it’s also OK to admit you don’t know and ask questions.

Your own physical and mental health is an important part of being a parent.

But with all the focus on looking after a child or baby, lots of parents forget or run out of time to look after themselves.

Looking after yourself will help you with the understanding, patience, imagination and energy you need to be a parent.

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parenting

MAKING CHILDREN FEEL SECURE Developing a secure attachment with your child can help them in many ways, perhaps most important of which is playing a huge role in shaping the adults they become.

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hildren with a strong bond with a parent/guardian are more likely to have higher self-esteem, perform better in school, have positive relationships, and manage stress. Here are four simple ways you can develop an attachment with your child.

Be Dependable

Your child needs to see you as a safe place. Provide comfort whenever he or she is sick, hurt, or upset. Be physically available as often as possible. When your child feels safe, they can explore the world on their own, knowing they can return to you for security and comfort when they need it. Encourage your child to try new things by showing you believe they can do it on their own, but be nearby in case they need to return to you for comfort.

Be Attentive

Interact with your child one-on-one.

Discover activities you can both enjoy, play games together, talk and listen to his or her interests. Take your child’s lead on what they need; do not force a specific type of interaction based on your needs.

These activities do not need to take up a great deal of time, but it is the affection and undivided attention that is important.

Eye contact, warmth and touch, and smiles will help build attachment during these interactions.

Be Predictable

Children need routines to feel secure.

Having a routine for meals, bedtime, and any other regular activity helps your child establish self-discipline and security.

Knowing what comes next allows children to start the next step in the routine on their own, encouraging their independence.

Be Understanding During Separation

Having your child spend time with another caregiver does not impact your attachment. Your child may create a bond with another person in addition to you. When leaving your child with someone else, establish a goodbye routine. This predictability helps your

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child feel secure. It is understandable for your child to be unsure, but they will likely mimic your behavior. Be confident and show your child it is not upsetting. If possible, gradually introduce your child to spending time away from you, slowly increasing the amount of time you are gone. Most daycares allow parents to stay onsite with their child to help with the transition. Some children benefit from a security blanket or familiar toy.

Establishing a strong attachment with a child is extremely beneficial to them as they grow. Providing security, warmth, and routine allows your child to feel safe and confident when they explore the world on their own.

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40 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Education doesn’t just mean school, as there are many ways to learn and a huge range of issues explore. This section is all about learning and teaching – in all its forms.

EDUCATION

LEARNING | DEVELOPMENT | PERFORMANCE MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 41

education

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

THE MAGIC OF FIELD TRIPS

By Susan Simmons Whistler, Clarion School Dubai

Have you ever wondered why we take students on field trips? As a progressive school, one of the things that sets Clarion School apart from more traditional schools is an emphasis on learning through a variety of entry points, and field trips are one of the most effective ways to reach every student.

When planned well, field trips can shape a study and are often one of the experiences that each child remembers from year to year. They are also a way to bring in different voices and give teachers and parents a chance to demonstrate a passion for learning.

The Role of Field Trips in the Curriculum

At Clarion, field trips can play a variety of roles in a curriculum. Many teachers start a study with a field trip to engage students and bring excitement to the subject. A field trip early in a study can spark ideas and questions and often guides the students’ learning.

As the study unfolds, a teacher may plan a second visit to the same place, but with very different intentions. Students can go deeper into their learning and reflect on how much they have grown in their understanding when they revisit the same place.

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When planning a trip, teachers collaborate with educators at museums and cultural institutions to customise their visit for their students and then plan post-trip activities for when they return to the classroom, making the incorporation of field trips an integral part of the curriculum. In all of this, students usually have a lot of fun, too!

Identifying Learning Styles One of the most amazing things to watch as a teacher is how field trips bring out the many types of learners in a classroom. Museums and other sites

POWERED BY:

Some children learn best through social interactions, and the group dynamic on field trips becomes an entry point for them. Others learn best through handson experiences and reflect this learning in artwork or other projects. For many children, getting out of the classroom and into a place where they can practice their observation and questioning skills ignites their imagination, and they develop an interest and delve deeper into the subject matter than they would otherwise.

“Many times I see quiet learners blossom during a hands-on field trip. This is an opportunity for them to lead in our learning experience,” says Michelle Burrows, Clarion K1 teacher.

A Different Perspective On field trips, students also have the opportunity to see teachers as students.

Teachers may lead some trips, but at times they work with other educators and take on the role of a student in the group.

This is a great way to show children that adults are lifelong learners, too.

Even on trips that are teacher-led, often

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A school field trip brings

excitment to the Subject for a child.

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outside the classroom provide sensory experiences, bringing the material students read about in books to life.

the children’s questions will inspire a teacher to explore a subject in a different way and then bring that learning back to the classroom with new activities. Field trips are a valuable way for students to collaborate with their teachers by engaging in discussions, generating follow-up ideas to sharing responsibilities.

In progressive schools like ours, learning is an organic, evolving process that encourages exploration and discovery. By stepping out into an ever-changing world,

teachers can observe their students as they are exposed to new ideas and then shape the curriculum and classroom learning to be engaging and rich.

Often a measure of the success of a field trip is visible back in the classroom through the journal entries, project ideas and artwork that children produce in response.

Next time your child goes on a field trip, be sure to talk about it after school that day and let them be the teachers!

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education

THE KHDA SCHOOL INSPECTION REPORTS AND RANKINGS

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he Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is responsible for the quality of private education in Dubai. The KHDA support schools, parents, students and educators to create a highquality environment that is focused on educational quality and wellbeing.

The KHDA publishes school inspection reports that provide a comprehensive review of the performance and standards of private schools in Dubai, particularly every private school in Dubai. The reports include a ‘Parent Report’ section that gives you detailed information about the quality of education provided by your child’s school, helping you to make informed decisions about the future of their education.

In addition, these KHDA reports include specific information about the quality of provision for students with special educational needs, as well as the quality of early years education.

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The information contained in the reports is designed to help you work more closely with schools, as partners in your children’s learning, and also facilitates improvements for the schools themselves.

The Six School Ratings

There is a six-point scale for school ratings in Dubai. These are:

Outstanding:

The quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE

Very Good:

The quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE.

Good:

The quality of performance meets the expectation of the UAE (This is the expected level for every school in the UAE).

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Acceptable:

The quality of performance meets the minimum level of quality required in the UAE (This is the minimum level for every school in the UAE).

Weak:

The quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE.

Very Weak:

The quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE. The Dubai School Inspections Bureau encourages school management to share their improvement and action plans with parents when the inspection reports are published. Because of this, parents should be careful to read through these reports carefully, as some schools have previously tried to present themselves as having a higher ranking than they actually have, if they have excelled under one particular criteria.

education

BEHIND THE SCHOOL GATES

AT KINGS' NAD AL SHEBA

By Claire Malcolm

Claire Malcolm provides us with a candid run-down of what she discovered at her recent visit to one of the UAE’s top schools.

Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba is an educational anchor point spread across 1.3 million square feet of privately owned land. The first thing that strikes you about the school is the welcome at the gates, where School Principal, Darren Gale and his team greet every child by name, often taking time to ask them about something they’re working on or family news.

This level of personalisation and attention to detail extends throughout the school, from the school café where parents swap notes over a latte or healthy fruit salad (there’s a clear nutritional mission that includes the grown-ups as well as their offspring!); to the unflappable admin staff, who have a real warmth in their manner.

Foundation Stage 1 & 2 is a riot of colour and activity where the ‘learning through play’ philosophy is brought to life across every square inch of space; from the indoor garden and interactive central construction site-themed area, designed to help children develop fledgling motor and communication skills; to the Emirati cultural majlis and wall art, showcasing personal performance and class projects.

Children requiring one-to-one support or quiet time also have their own activity spaces as part of the Kings’ inclusion policy. The hands-on vibe pervades through the classrooms, each of which connect to a second classroom to encourage socialisation and expand friendships, as well as into shaded interconnected outdoor spaces.

A key Kings’ focus is to seamlessly

integrate learning with play.

There’s also a brief moment of wanting to turn the clock back when the door opens up on either of the two temperature-controlled swimming pools where children learn to swim or get their first taste of aquatic competition; and the sports hall, dance studio and outdoor sports field only add to the flash of envy.

Parents can relive their school days with a monthly early morning outdoor ‘wake and shake’ exercise session for all the family, and occasional dance/ drama workshops. In fact, the parents at Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba are incredibly involved in the ‘edutainment’ side of school life with the Friends of Nad Al Sheba School group organising everything from Zumba lessons to

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POWERED BY:

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Children are encouraged to try

a VIP experience with the teachers as waiters and a special foodie treat such as ice cream and fruit salad.

new things

Up in the library, reading is anything but a chore with visiting authors. A ‘have you been caught reading’ programme with prizes for reading in your own time, and the ‘mystery checkout book’ initiative, where children pick plain brown paperwrapped books to take home, aims to expose them to different genres.

and get involved either on their own campus or at the other Kings’ campuses.

But when it comes to facilities, it’s the STEM building that really differentiates Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba from other FS/Primary options. Something you’d traditionally expect at senior school level, the dedicated block houses its own black box theatre and green room; a domestic science area; space with sewing machines for aspiring fashion designers; and access to metal and woodworking.

And an eco garden too!

The school, and the wider Kings’ community of schools, offer access to a remarkable programme of over 85 extra-curricular activities. Children are encouraged to try new things and get involved, either on their own campus or at the other Kings’ campuses.

Cross over to the Primary side and a purpose-led design helps with the

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international days and school decoration projects.

transition of FS2 children to Primary, and even before they’re ready for Year 1 they get to use the ‘big school’ library and periodically hang out at snack time or use the climbing frame. In addition, the Year 6 students act as ambassadors, helping the younger children with their reading and writing as part of the school’s ‘responsible citizens’ programme.

Memories of growing up in the UK and the school ‘house’ system are alive and well at Kings’ Nad Al Sheba, where children are split between four royal houses with a fun performance and attitude token rewards system. Weekly assemblies are a high point for mini Tudors, Windsors, Stuarts and Hanovers, eager to find out if their house will reign supreme for the next seven days.

Impeccable behavior during lunchtime also equals points, with the end of term ‘best table manners’ winners enjoying

While Primary level education gets a little more serious than the FS years, the learning process is a world away from what many of us experienced at the same age. The ICT suite has virtual reality facilities and its own 3D printer; with Year 1 children already coding (the school also ran coding lessons for parents just so they could keep up!). A Dragons’ Den initiative was another big hit last year. Based around a chocolate factory visit, the children then had to write about how chocolate is made, make their own chocolate, incorporating maths and science skills, and then present their project to an audience of dragons (teachers).

The Kings’ core value is to ‘do the best by every child’, and a tour of Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba definitely delivers in spades.

To apply for a place at one of our Kings' Schools, visit us at: kings-edu.com/enquiries.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 49

RECOMMENDS

H A P P I N E S S F O R B R E A K FA S T AT FA R Z I C A F É , D U B A I

Farzi Café, Dubai serves up happiness in every meal. From table theatrics and molecular gastronomy to the artistic and innovative presentation of each dish and beverage, there’s no better way to start the morning than with a breakfast at Farzi Café in City Walk, Dubai. farzicafe.ae

50 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

We never forget that our readers are modern women as well as mums, so you’ll always pick up good living tips here and remind yourself it’s okay to be you!

GOOD LIVING F A M I LY | F A S H I O N | L I F E S T Y L E

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good living

FOOD FOR FERTILITY

FOODS THAT CAN HELP YOU BOOST YOUR FERTILITY You are what you eat and if you are trying to conceive then eating the right food can boost your fertility, says Dr. Pankaj Shrivastav (MD.DGO.FRCOG), Director of Conceive Gynaecology & Fertility Hospital.

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While fertility is a multifactorial outcome of the body’s health, consuming the right diet and an active lifestyle can not only boost fertility but also reduce stress and anxiety levels. It is important to note that no particular food item can cure infertility but including the below listed items can help in nourishing the body and combatting fluctuating hormone levels.

3) Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a real powerhouse for your fertility! They’re loaded with zinc which has been termed “the most important fertility mineral!” It’s vital for healthy fetal growth and facilitates healthy sperm production. Research has also linked pumpkin seeds to reductions in early miscarriages. Pumpkin seeds go great in soups, on salads, and just as a great-tasting snack!

Here are some foods to include in your diet to improve your fertility: 1) Brussels Sprouts

4) Sweet Potatoes

Brussels sprouts are loaded with folate and are essential for your diet if you’re trying to conceive or are expecting. Most of the folate-rich foods are leafy green vegetables which makes Brussels sprouts a great alternative source for this nutrient.

Brussels sprouts have also been found to help increase sperm counts for men and help in keeping uterine lining, which is essential for implantation, healthy.

2) Butternut Squash

The fertility diet, by and large, does not include potatoes. White potatoes, that is.

Sweet potatoes and yams are a wonderful food to include in the fertility-friendly diet.

They are a great source of healthy carbs and they’re also high in vitamin C, B, and vitamin B6. These antioxidants protect against cell damage so they’re great for protecting your eggs and improving egg health!

5) Apples

In addition to being delicious, Butternut squash are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A (great for sperm health and overall hormone production and one serving of squash covers your entire daily recommended value!), Vitamin C (essential for healthy ovulation) and carotenes (good for egg health). It is also a great source for healthy carbs.

An apple a day proverbially keeps the doctor away and a lesser known fact is that it helps boost your fertility too. Apples are considered a balanced fruit with a good mix of all nutrients. They’re a low calorie fruit, so they’re a great choice for getting the nutritional benefits of fruit without all the sugar that’s found in other fruits. For men, apples are recommended to increase sperm count.

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good living 6) Tomatoes

chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm which can affect fertility.

9) Blueberries

Tomatoes are one of the best food sources when it comes to the antioxidant, lycopene. Studies show that lycopene has been found to significantly improve motility (the sperms ability to swim), activity and structure of sperm.

Lycopene can benefit women also, as some studies suggest that it can help treat endometriosis, so if you have this condition, this is great news for you!

Tomatoes are also a great all-around fruit for healthy nutrition and boosting our fertility. They’re a good source of Vitamins A, C, K B6, folate and fiber, among other nutrients, that help balance our hormones and improve our ovulation. They’re also beneficial for heart health, cholesterol, and overall health.

7) Oysters

Blueberries contain two of the best, most powerful antioxidants there are (quercetin and resveratrol). Quercetin helps maintain healthy sperm parameters including motility and quality while resveratrol helps to improve sperm count and motility.

10) Avocados Avocados are a great source for vitamin E and essential for fertility. Along with being another powerful antioxidant, it also improves the viability of sperm. Avocados are considered “healthy fats” and are essential for hormone function and stabilizing of their levels.

11) Nuts

In addition to being known for their natural aphrodisiac, oysters help boost fertility because of their high zinc content.

Other zinc rich foods include baked beans, eggs, and walnuts.

8) Lentils

defects. Eggs are also rich in antioxidants and carotenoids which also help to boost fertility in women.

13) Black-eyed Peas

These are also a great food to eat if you’re trying to lose weight, because they’re filling but low in calories. They also don’t contain any fat or cholesterol, making them a great food choice when looking to eat healthy overall.

14) Olive Oil

This is another good choice for health and fertility. Extra virgin olive oil especially makes for a great cooking oil of choice, because it is rich in Vitamin E which helps protect the health of our cells, including our egg and sperm cells.

15) Leafy Greens (spinach, chard and kale)

A variety of nuts such as almonds and walnuts, both rich in Vitamin E, helps to improve female sex drive while protecting embryos from miscarriages.

12) Eggs

Lentils are considered one of the richest sources of folate (natural folic acid) which is equally as important for male fertility as it is for female fertility. Men with lower folate intake often have higher rates of

Eggs are packed with nutritional sources that boost fertility. They contain Vitamin B12 and folate, both of which minimize birth

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Leafy greens are loaded with iron, which is super important for regulating ovulation.

Studies have shown that women who get sufficient iron in their diet have, on average, 40% less risk of ovulatoryrelated infertility.

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good living

THE GIFT OF READING TO CHILDREN Getting a child into the habit of reading books is the first step to raising a thoughtful, curious, stimulated and motivated little human being! Writer and stay-at-home mum, Hina Zohaib Khan, explains…

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t pays such rich dividends in the development of any child when their parents find opportunities to read to them as part of their regular routine.

Even from age 6-7 months, your child will absolutely love sitting on your knee, looking at pictures, with you holding their hand, gently pointing to ‘the cat, the sun, the tree, the ball’ etc. This kind of repetition in a regular routine really helps them to learn and also love reading.

You child will love listening to your voice and stories, and reading will become an integral part of their life as they grow.

Reading books does wonders. Start as young as possible, using small books with sensory elements such as sound, touch, brightly coloured illustrations and short sentences. But when your child has times when they show no interest, don't force them to sit and listen – maybe save the reading as part of the routine of getting them calm, ready for bed.

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Developing Vocabulary Reading develops children’s imagination and triggers their thought process.

They begin picking up syllables and even words from the books as early as six months. It's best to do face-to-face animated reading, as it builds their language and communication skills.

Babies are pretty sharp and make links easily. Read words out aloud and repeat again and again by reading the same books regularly, until they associate a particular page with a specific word. Try to make them laugh, so they know reading is fun. There are special books for babies that have different textures and colours inside, and many are made from fabric so they can easily be cleaned in the washing machine.

Babies who are read-to have a significantly higher vocabulary than those who are deprived of this, so you should introduce nursery rhymes, stories, fairy tales, naming shapes, colours, words and pictures to them every day.

Bed-Time Reading Associating the bedtime reading habit at an early age this will go a long way for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps to develop a routine so your child knows that we are reading a book and then we will sleep. Secondly it helps in mental cognition and strengthens your child’s memory.

Re-read Slowly but surely your baby will learn words, like car, truck, animal names, and even enjoy making animal sounds when you ask them, for example: ‘what does the cat say?!’ They will also be more observant and will get inquisitive about objects they don’t understand. You’ll have fun answering all the interesting questions from their curious minds.

Enjoy Their Development and Participation When you start reading books to your children, and as they develop some motor skills they will try to grab the book or chew it. Once they discover what they could do with their little hands, reading time will become a little tug-of-war with mummy trying to flip the pages or trying to eat the book! This is absolutely natural for small babies, so a good tip is to gently hold out their pointed finger in your hand and help them to point to the pictures as you are reading – this helps them to engage in the reading. However, it is really important to NEVER force small babies and toddlers to be interested in a reading session (it is not about you!); and NEVER get frustrated with them if they are playful mood while reading.

As your child gets older, let them hold the book – and even choose the books that they will now be familiar with. Turn the pages and allow to them emulate you when you say the words. Your child may also move their mouth, make sounds or pretend to read, which is a great sign

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that you are making a wonderful effort.

A massive point of enjoyment for older babies and toddlers who have become familiar with a particular book is when you read a familiar sentence and let them fill in the last word themselves – for example: “…and then the cat said…….’ (leave a pause and let your child fill in ‘meow.’)

Some Favorites Some of the classic children’s favourites include: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Where is the Green Sheep, Dear Zoo, Pout Pout Fish, Giraffes Can't Dance, Brown Bear Brown Bear, The Napping House, Dr. Suess ABC, Gruffalo, and so many more that your baby or toddler will adore.

Like any other habit, if you nurture this routine of reading at home, your child will happily become accustomed to it.

As they grow up, they will go on to read books independently and explore different genres for themselves. So be patient and enjoy reading with your bubba and enjoy this unique and wonderful time together!

First steps to school?

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Real life health stories, the latest in nutritional insights, family wellbeing and our top health tips this month.

HEALTH

N U T R I T I O N | W E L L B E I N G | V I TA L I T Y MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 65

health

EIGHT COMMON ALLERGY-CAUSING FOODS There are eight foods that cause around 90% of all food allergy reactions. These are the ones to watch!

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Milk

Peanuts

Lactose intolerance should not be confused with a milk allergy, as they are two different things. Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products.

Even a little bit that you swallow or inhale could cause an allergic reaction.

You know to avoid the obvious foods, such as almond butter, cookies with walnuts baked in, or oatmeal studded with pistachios.

You'll often get symptoms such as stomach pain, gas, and diarrhoea. With a milk allergy, the symptoms affect more than just your digestive tract. A milk allergy is when your immune system thinks dairy is a foreign invader and attacks it by releasing chemicals called histamines. Symptoms can range from wheezing problems to vomiting and diarrhoea.

But other trigger foods, including sauces and gravies, are more surprising.

You need to know what to look for, so you can check before you buy or use a product.

Not Just Peanuts

Eggs

These are the foods to familiarise yourself with to protect yourself or your child from an allergic reaction:

Soy Foods to Stay Away From • Edamame • Miso • Natto • Soy sauce and shoyu sauce • Soy-based fibre, flour, grits, nuts, or sprouts • Soy-based milk, yogurt, ice cream, or cheese • Soy protein • Tamari • Tempeh • Textured vegetable protein (TVP) • Tofu Foods That May Contain Soy

Eggs are in so many foods. When you’re allergic to them, you need to know what to look for on food labels and what you can use instead when you cook or bake.

Peanuts and tree nuts aren’t the same.

But if you’re allergic to one, you may also need to avoid the other. Ask your doctor to be sure.

Soy

Almost any food can trigger an allergy.

Less common foods include:

Most people with egg allergies react to the egg whites, not the yolk. To be safe, don’t eat either part. Even if you separate them, the yolk is likely to have some of the white’s proteins in it.

Also avoid eggs in other forms, such as: • Egg powder • Dried eggs • Egg solids

• Baked goods (breads, cookies, and crackers) • Canned broth and soup • Canned tuna and meat • Cereals • High-protein energy bars and snacks • Infant formula • Low-fat peanut butter • Processed meats, like deli meats • Vegetable oil • Worcestershire sauce

If all you needed to do for a soy allergy was skip the soy sauce and tofu, life would be easy. But soybeans are a big part of processed foods, too.

• Corn • Seeds, often sesame, sunflower, and poppy • Spices, such as caraway, coriander, garlic, and mustard • Wheat and other grains with gluten, including barley, rye, and oats • Fish (mostly in adults) • Shellfish (mostly in adults)

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health Food Allergy Symptoms An allergic reaction can happen within minutes of eating, or it may happen hours later.

Mild symptoms can be hard to tie to specific foods. You could get: • Red, swollen, dry, or itchy skin rash (hives or eczema) • Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or a slight, dry cough • Itchy, watery, red eyes • Itchy mouth or inside your ear • Funny taste in your mouth • Upset stomach, cramps, throwing up, or diarrhoea Most often, peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish cause severe reactions, although any food can.

Symptoms include: • Trouble breathing or swallowing • Swollen lips, tongue, or throat • Feeling weak, confused, or light-headed, or passing out • Chest pain or a weak, uneven heartbeat Because young children may not know how to describe what's happening, they might say something like, ‘My mouth is tingling,’ ‘My tongue feels heavy,’ or ‘I've got a frog in my throat.’ A hoarse or squeaky voice or slurring words are also signs of an allergic reaction in kids.

Sometimes symptoms affect your whole body and are so serious that they're life-threatening. This kind of reaction is called anaphylaxis, and it's a medical emergency. It usually happens a few minutes after you've eaten. If you have asthma as well as a food allergy, you're more likely to have anaphylaxis.

an allergy. The epinephrine will not hurt you and could save your life.

For highly allergic people, even tiny amounts of a food (for example, 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel) can set off a reaction.

Less sensitive people may be able to eat small amounts of their trigger food.

Hidden Triggers The key to controlling a food allergy?

Avoid the problem food. That isn't always easy, though. It may be hidden as an ingredient in something else. Consider these points:

When you have a severe food allergy, you should carry injectable epinephrine (adrenaline) in case you have a reaction.

It can ease symptoms until you can get medical attention. Do not hesitate to use the epinephrine auto-injector ever if you are unsure your symptoms are caused by 68 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

• Most baked goods, like cakes and cookies, are made with eggs and sometimes nuts.

• Water-packed tuna may have added non-fat dry milk.

• Salad dressing could be made with soybean oil.

• A hot dog may contain milk protein.

So, be sure to read food labels! Still, labels don't always tell the whole story.

For example, pineapple, milk casein, or hydrolysed soy protein may be used in microwave popcorn - yet you won't see them on the ingredient list. You'll see the catch-all terms ‘flavouring’ or ‘natural flavouring’ instead. Words like ‘emulsifier’ or ‘binder’ can signal soy or egg in the product.

When you have a food allergy, you need to get familiar with these general terms and what specific things they can include. If you have questions about any product, check with the manufacturer.

The customer service department or the quality assurance officer should be able to help you figure out if the food is safe for you.

You'll need to read menus at restaurants carefully, too. Ask about how food is prepared before you order if you have any concerns.

LESS-OBVIOUS FOODS MADE WITH EGGS

“

The key to controlling a

food allergy?

Avoid the problem food

You probably know that lots of baked goods contain eggs, however eggs are also lurking in many other, less obvious foods.

These include: • Breaded and batter-fried foods • Caesar salad dressing • Cream pies, fillings, and puffs • Crepes and waffles • Custards, puddings, and ice cream • Egg substitutes • Coffee drinks like cappuccino (eggs are sometimes used to help create the foam) • Lollipops and other candies • Marshmallows and marzipan • Mayonnaise

• Meatloaf and meatballs • Meringue and frostings • Pasta • Sauces, including Hollandaise and tartar sauce • Some Fat Substitute (e.g.

Simplesse) • Soufflés • Some soups and consommés

Other Names for Eggs

If you see these ingredients on food labels, it means the food may contain egg proteins: • Albumin • Globulin • Lecithin • Lysozyme • Ovalbumin • Ovovitellin

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MARCH 2018 | 69

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health

GIVING BIRTH IN THE UAE YOUR CONCERNS

Our guest medical expert in this issue is Dr. Mitesh Patel, Spokesperson with health insurers, Aetna International. Here Dr. Patel addresses your top concerns with giving birth in the UAE as an expat woman.

What are your roles and responsibilities within Aetna International, Dr. Patel?

DR. MITESH PAT E L

As Medical Director for Aetna International, I provide guidance, support, and medical leadership for care management activities, primarily in Europe. I also manage Aetna International’s emergency evacuation programme, helping to ensure appropriate health care delivery for our members around the globe. I am also a practicing physician in Emergency Medicine.

What are the top fears of expat mothers giving birth in the UAE? Thanks to the advancements of modern science, most pregnancies occur without complications. However, some women might experience complications that can 70 | MARCH 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

involve either their or their baby’s health, or both. Naturally this will always be a concern or a fear for any mother anywhere in the world, however the added stress of not having family or friends around, being in a foreign country and the lack of additional support and after care is always a key factor. Some mothers ask to stay an additional night in the hospital until they feel ‘ready’ to go home and take care of their newborn child. We find this especially with first time mothers.

What do you believe these fears are based on?

The UAE healthcare sector is a mature and robust system, the Ministry of Health continuously undertakes multimillion-dollar programmes towards improving health facilities and hospitals expansions in all seven emirates.

plans secured by residents to cover maternity and the cost of giving birth.

While health insurance plans secured

by Dubai residents do cover the cost of giving birth, many plans offer fairly low levels of coverage and so it’s important to check the small print.

What is the best kind of health insurance for pregnant expat mothers planning to deliver their babies in the UAE? There is a variety of health insurance options available but, it is important to understand what coverage the policy provides. Before you start trying to conceive, upgrade your plan to cover potential circumstances such as antenatal complications and assisted/natural conception if it’s not included in your current policy. If you are planning to have your baby outside the UAE, it is important that your policy has a sufficient level of cover as some countries are far more expensive to give birth in.

Aetna International is a 160-year-old US company with 46 million members across the globe and established in the region for ten years. As one of the world’s largest providers of international private medical insurance but are also developing a much wider range of solutions that aim to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of healthcare for everyone, everywhere.

The majority of hospitals in the UAE are private; for example, out of the 24 hospitals in Dubai, there are only four governmental hospitals and therefore some would say there is an obvious existence of hospitals that operate to a commercial model, which could lead to some unnecessary scepticism.

This goes alongside the notion that private doctors may request additional tests, which may or may not prove necessary, knowing that the cost is covered by insurance companies. This can sometimes waste the patient’s time and puts pregnant women through needless obstacles. It is quite different to other parts of the world where extra procedures are avoided unless the practitioner requests, based on established medical facts or for further patient analyses.

Ex-pat mothers are used to standard procedures in their home countries and so, although some may view the standard of healthcare at times as over-cautious, others welcome the additional procedures

Another point to consider is if your policy covers newborns and congenital abnormalities; it is good to be aware of when your insurance company needs to receive the details of your new baby to ensure enrollment on your health insurance plan.

that make them feel more secure about giving birth away from home.

Are any of these fears legitimate concerns? Why? The majority of concerns stem from common doubts, misconceptions and completely normal anxiety that is associated with pregnancy, from pain, to the health of the newborn, to the parenting duties that follow. However, the majority of fears are non-medical relates and can be overcome with mental preparation and taking all of the necessary steps recommended by a physician prior to the delivery date.

What are the best ways to bring peace of mind to the situation when giving birth in the UAE? Pregnancy in the UAE can be expensive for expats, so it is important to understand exactly how insurance companies cover the costs. Fortunately, in the UAE, it is now mandatory for all health insurance

How do UAE healthcare standards compare to other regions?

The UAE’s ongoing increased spending and investment in the sector has raised the standards to levels of excellency which, in recent years, has helped to change the general perception amongst expats and raised the region’s status amongst other leading countries. All the investments, applications, and new technologies implemented in healthcare systems demonstrate the importance the UAE government places when it comes to healthcare and should provide peace of mind to expectant mothers who are some way from home.

In addition, doctors in the UAE are exposed to a wide range of cultures and are skilled in dealing with all kinds of medical conditions.

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