Mother Baby & Child - October 2017 by Mother, Baby & Child

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ISSUE 79| OCTOBER 2017 | AED 15 ISSUE 79| OCTOBER 2017 | AED 15

RAISE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, FAMILY!

“HUSH, LITTLE BABY.” Sleeping tips for

HAPPY BABIES Do cuddles make babies smarter?

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

CUTE, BUT A LIL’ SCARY! TRICK OR TREAT No candy required

FOR YOU: SPA BREAKS FOR MUM

HOW TO BUILD A MONEY-MAKING MUM BLOG

YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE

20 Tips for Choosing a Good School

FINDING THE RIGHT NURSERY

SAVING FOR EDUCATION Supported by: Supported by:

Editor’s Note

EDITORIAL

Editor: Dina Maaty

dina.maaty@cpimediagroup.com

The UAE has been teaching the world when it comes to enforcing the Law and making sure we’re actually aware of its benefits – a notion which applies to adults and children alike. If you have a toddler, you’ll know it’s a Mission Impossible to get them to follow the simplest of rules, even more so complicated ones like buckling up in the car.

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

ONLINE

Ramir Toyado

PHOTOGRAPHY

Maksym Poriechkin

FOR OTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE VISIT:

So, when my cousins, who span three different age groups, asked me about the seatbelts as soon as they got into the car, I was impressed. Not only that, but they mentioned very matter-of-factedly that they had to fasten the seatbelts because they found it important to follow the ‘new Law’. “Haven’t you heard of it,” they asked. Of course I had, and I nodded in agreement thinking: If there was one thing I loved about my job, it would be supporting future generations in line with this beautiful country’s vision. When it comes to our children’s future, we always choose what’s right.

EDITOR’S PICKS E VIAN - D I S NEY ©

HO M E S R U S

motherbabychild.com

FOUNDER

Dominic De Sousa (1959 - 2015)

PRINTED BY

Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai

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

YN M D U B A I

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

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 03

Oc 72

To Br e 10 Candy-Free Alternatives for Halloween Fun

Mini Style Stars

Competitions

04 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

in this issue Things to Do ........................................................... Mummy & Baby ................................................... 08

Toddler & Child .................................................... 12 Older Child & Tween .......................................... 18 Parenting ................................................................ 15 tips for choosing a good school........................ 22 20 toddler discipline tactics that work................ 30

Sleeping tips for happy babies (and mums)....... 34 Hugs & kisses .......................................................... 36 Myths and truths about walking......................... 40 The cost of baby’s first year................................... 42 Education ...............................................................

Choosing the best educational toys for your child .......................................................... 50 “So, how was school today?”.................................. 52 Saving for your child’s education.........................62

Teacher Profiles..................................................... 64

5 ways parents can help teachers this school year....................................................... 66 Good Living ......................................................... Home insurance in dubai..................................... 74 Perfect spa breaks for mum.................................. 76

Top mum bloggers share their secrets .............. 78

In the Kitchen ...................................................... 82 Health .................................................................... Breastfeeding ......................................................... 84

Staying healthy in school..................................... 88

11 ways to boost your child’s health ...................82

CONTRIBUTORS

Star Letter

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.

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)

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)

What have you enjoyed the most while visiting the Mother, Baby and Child website and reading our magazine? A practical monthly magazine, web platform, and more! An online presence, which both complement the magazine and add to it, while facilitating an open dialogue with mothers all over the world. Helpful in every stage of motherhood and full of information. Best thing is that you get everything for mothers and babies all in one place. Maimoona Imran. Dubai

Tasneem Rajkotwala

is a Dubai-based food blogger. As a busy mum herself, she creates easy-to-prepare treats and mouthwatering seasonal dishes which celebrate the joy of cooking at home on her blog for mums who have their hands full.

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. 06 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

thoughtsoverchai.net)

Natasha Bajaj

is mum to a baby boy and is the founder and head designer of N&J (natsandjun.com), a label which designs breastfeeding dresses for mothers and nursing boxes for new mamas and babies.

To enter our Star letter competition, please visit motherbabychild.com/competitions

win AED 1000 vouchers This month, we’re giving one lucky reader the opportunity to win AED 1000 vouchers to spend at Confident Dental and Skin Care Clinic. The clinic specialises in high-class dental and skin treatment procedures, including same-day dentistry with CEREC® CAD/CAM that uses advanced digital technology.

OCTOBER 31st 2017 9:00AM to 9:00PM SHOW TIMINGS: 10:00AM to 1:00 PM 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

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includes: Splash Slides Splash Pad Spooky led show Thriller Dance Shows Tantalizing kids meal Ursula Mermaid

www.splashnparty.ae

043883008 info@splashnparty.ae

BABY,

HAVE YOU PACKED? Turkish Airlines want mamas, and their babies, to feel comfortable on board. The airline has now started to provide specially-designed baby packs in order to make its cross-continental flights more comfortable for families who fly with little ones (0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 ages). The baby packs include a diaper changing mat, disposable baby bib, rash cream, baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby wipe and breast pad. All items are free of parabens, alcohol, paint, SLS and SLES (harmful chemicals) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; produced with the sensitivity of baby skin in mind.

turkishairlines.com

LEARN ABOUT BABY-LED WEANING WITH A

RECIPE BOOK

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) has never been more popular, yet, as a new parent you wonder if self-feeding over spoon-fed weaning is the best choice for you and your baby.

With baby groups, parenting forums, friendship circles and experts banding around the merits of letting a child feed themselves from the very start of weaning, trusted feeding expert Annabel Karmel has come to the table with her brand new Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book. Championing a flexible approach to feeding, this recipe-filled practical guide is designed for those wanting to explore BLW exclusively, and families looking to introduce it alongside nutrient-rich purees.

08 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Joolz Day² in everyday life Imagine your perfect day in the city, and make it happen. With the Joolz Day² it’s easy. From a picnic in the park, to a lunch date with friends, the Joolz Day² is just as cosmopolitan as you. Just go for it, and experience your Best Day Ever.

Available at

+971 800 5878 | www.justkidding-me.com

Wholesale inquiries

+971 800 888 22 | www.mamasandpapas.ae

+ 971 4 323 2500 www.dutchkid.com

baby’s closet AED 70

Desigual Kids AED 139

AED 169

Kippins AED 115 each

AED 149

Okaidi Obaibi Mamas & Papas

NO TRICKS,

JUST TREATS

Eggspectation, the Canadian-born breakfast, lunch and dinner favourite is celebrating the spooky season with a complimentary limited-edition cocoa waffle! To keep in line with the colour and ingredients of the season, the waffle will be topped with a creamy orange mascarpone cheese dollop, and a finishing touch of salty-sweet caramel drizzle. Boo if you resist… Each table of dining customers can enjoy the complimentary Halloween special from October 29 – 31. The waffle will be available at both JBR and City Walk locations. • The Beach, JBR is open seven days a week from 7 am to midnight • City Walk: Open seven days a week from 8 am to midnight eggspectation.com

Eggspectation has now teamed up with Deliveroo.ae in both locations. 12 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

R Enjoy a Halloween-themed weekend surrounded by beautiful weather and scenery at Desert Palm Dubai. For those who enjoy a more immersive scare, join in the frightening fun on October 27, with an eerie approach to food and drink designed with Halloween in mind.

Little pumpkins can join their parents for Friday brunch and feast on spooky-looking food and drinks for only AED 195.The beverage package is charged at AED 450, while the normal package with soft drinks is only AED 295. Whether it’s a family affair or creepy sunset precelebration, Desert Palm is located just 20 minutes from the heart of Downtown Dubai. 04 323 8888

14 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

GET YOUR SPOOK ON AT DESERT PALM

EVIE

FAMILY EATS AND STORIES

If your family is looking to experience brunch rather than simply indulge, Grand Hyatt’s spacious ‘The Collective’ is just the venue for you. You feel as though you’re exploring a food haven amid the hotel’s lush green interiors and man-made rivers. Complete with a dedicated kids’ area, cartoonplaying TV and colourful chairs, kids can enjoy their own buffet, popcorn included, while parents try the extra-fresh seafood, mouth-watering grills and satisfying desserts. The Collective showcases an eclectic community of food and drink experiences reflecting how we eat, relax and socialise. It brings a modern re-telling of a Boutique Bakery, classic Levant Emporium, an iconic Bombay Café and new wave ‘Grill Bar’. The food is great and service fantastic!

Friday Brunch: 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm, AED 219 inclusive of soft beverages, AED 319 for the house alcoholic brunch package, AED 419 Premium Package. Children ages 6 – 12 eat for half the price. Children under six years of age eat for free.. 04 317 2221

THINGS TO DO

THE SPOOKIEST KIDDIES’ HALLOWEEN IN TOWN Fairmont, The Palm, invites families to the mysterious unveiling of All Hallows’ eve at Flow Kitchen. Children and adults will discover the frightening and tantalising atmosphere as the moonlight shines over the resort on October 31 from 6:00 to 10:30 pm. The international buffet served will be in theme with the night and children under the age of six dine for free. Look forward to an evening that will walk you through the real haunting experience of Halloween as you’ll be served by the ghosts of the past as they offer tricks or delicious treats. Which one will you choose?

AED 355 per person inclusive of unlimited house beverages, AED 185 per person for food only. Children ages six years and younger dine for free; children between six and 12 years old receive a 50% discount. All discounts applicable fairmont.com/palm-dubai

MEET CARTOON NETWORK’S STARS AND ENJOY YAS WATERWORLD Grab your tickets to the spectacular new stage family show Cartoon Network Live! Heroes Unite and enjoy exclusive access on selected tickets to the UAE’s first mega waterpark, Yas Waterworld.

Cartoon Network Live! Heroes Unite will be held at the DU Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi from October 11 – 14, featuring Cartoon Network’s most popular heroes including Ben 10, The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time and The Powerpuff Girls.

In the show, we meet Kelvin Gizmo, scientist extraordinaire, who takes us into the world of Cartoon Network which is under threat of ‘Zarr’, the evil robot. We travel through the ‘Land of Ooo’, the city of ‘Townsville’ and ‘Elmore’ and meet their famous inhabitants. With them, and the help of the audience, Kevin Gizmo will hopefully be able to stop Zarr and his evil plans. 16 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Tickets are on sale now from

ticketmaster.ae.

‘LITTLE BIRDS CLUBS’ FOR FUN AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is giving young guests a chance to spread their wings with a programme of fun and educational activities at its Little Birds Clubs around the world.From cooking and dancing classes with a local twist, to eco trails, bird-watching and much more, children and their families are invited to try an exciting roster of signature experiences, which complement the existing kids’ club activity schedules. Targeting young guests ages two to 12, the Little Birds Club programme, which is available at all Mövenpick properties with in-house kids’ clubs, focuses on five areas:

• Local flair activities to help young guests learn about the local culture through art, crafts or music • Family activities that encourage parents and their children to have fun together such as dance classes or fitness challenges • Environmentally-friendly activities which promote the importance of protecting the planet • Cooking classes which provide fun food experiences • A library packed full of children’s books, which young guests can borrow and read in their hotel room at their leisure

movenpick.com/family

JUNIOR CHEFS’ VERY OWN KITCHEN 18 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Aspiring Junior Chefs between 10 – 14 years old can sign up for a 10-week cooking course, with a two-hour interactive class every week at Fairmont, The Palm. Get your kiddies to embark on some culinary fun, with classes taking place on Mondays or Tuesdays 4 pm – 6 pm. The 10-week gastronomic journey extends until November 28 and is priced at AED 1,500 for 10 weeks per child. Why not even whip up an unforgettable kids’ birthday party with the ‘The Chef’s Palette’? The hands-on cooking experiences are stimulating, interactive and loads of fun with tailor-made packages available for 6 to 14-year-olds starting from AED 250 per child (minimum of eight children participating).

04 457 3457

TALISE FUEL ‘MINI CHEFS’ COOKING WORKSHOP

Conducted by Jumeirah’s Executive Wellbeing Chef Gabriele Kurz, Talise Fuel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel has launched a children’s cooking workshop for 6 – 13 year olds you wouldn’t want to miss. Including more raw and healthy food in your child’s diet means they get all the enzymes, vitamins and nutrients of raw living food, making digestion easier and keeping the all-important blood sugar levels stable, as well keeping the little ones healthy. Participants will be encouraged to smell, touch, cook and taste a wide range of recipes they make themselves.

What participants will learn :

• How to make easy, healthy and delicious food • What foods they need to eat to stay smart and strong • The importance of incorporating healthy food into their little lives • How to easily get their recommended five fruit and vegetables a day in one glass

• How to incorporate more raw/living food into their diets • How to make healthy snacks, learn their nutritional benefits • A range of cooking skills • To try new tastes and textures • How to avoid foods high in salt, saturated fat and sugar – all while learning how to make better choices

Recipes: • How to make green juices and smoothies that they’ll love • How to make raw breakfasts that’ll keep their energies • Going all day

• Healthy lunchbox meals • Raw dinner • Soups • Healthy snack recipes • Nearly-raw banana bread • Healthy ice pops and desserts

Classes cost AED 150 per session and take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The price includes a take-home chef’s hat and recipes. Each fun-filled class is 2 hours long. gabriele.kurz@jumeirah.com

THINGS TO DO

READ A STORY

WHERE YOUR CHILD IS THE HERO Two passionate mumpreneurs have launched ‘Story for Me’, books which personalise stories for children and make them the heroes of their tale. Story for Me currently offers a range of 13 books, with emphatic moral messages and beautiful illustrations, mostly created by mothers. These personalised story books make reading fun, while taking young readers on a magical journey. To cater to the melting pot of expatriate population, most books provide an option to customise the hair and skin colour of the character. All personalised story books are hard bound and include the child’s name across the book, a picture and a personal message from the sender.

Expanding the creative realm, Story For Me also offer readers a fun and unique keepsake photo book. This special DIY book allows a child to make their own, truly-personalised memory album that includes photographs, stickers, writing and drawing.

All books are available online across the GCC at storyforme.me. Each personalised story book is priced at AED 200 and every photo book at AED 100.

Y X A L A G E H T EXPLORE

R E H T E G TO

The UAE’s National Space Program launched earlier this year aims for the Emirates Mars Mission to reach Mars by 2021 (pretty cool, right?). Abu Dhabibased International Astronomy Center (IAC) is holding astronomy courses, in an annual series of educational workshops taking place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The prestigious scientific centre bridges science to society, generating interest and curiosity among younger generations ages 7 –15 for astronomy exploration and discovery. The courses are fun and interactive with over eight hours of practical stargazing including a planetarium show. Children can learn from professional astronomers, explore the wonders of the most prominent stars and enjoy some of the most astonishing sights in all of nature to understand a little about the universe. Taught in English, topics include Galaxies, The Milky Way, Star Birth and Death, Properties of Stars, The Giant Planets and Their Moons, The Terrestrial Planets, The Earth-Moon System, How Science works, Early Astronomy and Life in The Universe.

055 955 115

20 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

A SPLASHTASTIC BIRTHDAY!

Happy Splashday to You! Celebrate your kid’s birthday with a fun day out at Splash ‘n’ Party. At Splash ‘n’ Party, birthday parties are nothing less than a fiesta.

Children between 1 – 12 years of age can make a splash at the outdoor water park area, which is safe and kidfriendly with different themed areas including Pirate, Mermaid, Under the Sea and the beach made just for kids. It’s exactly what your kids need for a memorable day out, whether you’re hosting a birthday or celebrating special occasions with family and friends. All the splashtastic fun is inclusive of a kid’s meal and printed invitation cards as well as access to water slides, all themed areas, Splash pads, an hour and 45-minute party and all the live action happening on stage as the talented live performers engage the crowd.

What’s even better, Splash ‘n’ Party can hire out the entire Jumeirah villa and garden complex as a venue or bring the action directly to your home.

AED 120 per child, with a minimum of 15 kids To book or for enquiries: 04 388 3008

info@splashnparty.ae

spashnparty.ae Splash ‘n’ Party: Villa no. 1, Street 8A, Al Safa 2, Jumeirah, Dubai

@splashnparty #splashnparty #mysplashnparty #splashtacular

ADVERTORIAL

Splash ‘n’ Party features a vibrant outdoor splash pad area along with water slides and water guns – all designed to engage the young in enjoyable fun and games. Adding to the excitement, entertainment facilities can be found on-site along with arts and crafts activities for kids.

Implementing the highest safety regulations, Splash ‘n’ Party caters to the entire family. Grown-ups looking for some rest and relaxation can sit back and unwind at the juice bar with a refreshing made-to-order fruit juice, while a selection of fresh, tasty snacks and light bites catering to all palates is available.

Opening times are 9 am to 8 pm (Sunday to Wednesday), 9 am to 9 pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and on public holidays. AED 100 – weekday rate, AED 140 – weekend rate

15 TIPS FOR CHOOSING

A GOOD SCHOOL

If you haven’t already, it’s time to choose a school: this is probably one of the hardest decisions parents would ever have to make. What constitutes a ‘good’ school? How can we set the right criteria for our choices? More importantly, how do we make a decision which would benefit our children the most in the future? 22 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

STEAM

LITERACY & WRITING

LANGUAGE

EARLY MATH READINESS

WORLD SCIENCE

ROBOTICS & CODING

Faclities across 30,000 sq. meters

European safety standards playground equipment

Splashpad, STEAM lab and VR lab

Founding Member Tuition Fee Subsidy of 20%. Register before 30 October.

+97155 4646 257 Call Us: (T) +9714 394 8181 (M) +97155 4646 257 Website: www.thecardinalvalley.com Email: info@thecardinalvalley.com Address: 15 Al Sagi Street, Jumeirah 3, Dubai

PARENTING

A school’s curriculum is much more than textbooks – it’s extra-curricular activities, school trips and even personalities visiting the school. Dubai private schools offer 17 different curricula: make sure you find a favourite.

When choosing a curriculum, you may need to think beyond academics and delve a little deeper into the practicality of your decision. If you’re coming from abroad, you’ll child will most probably need to integrate back into your home country’s school system at some point.

The school’s learning outcomes and performance are also good indicators of whether it would be the right fit for your child. The Dubai School Inspection Bureau’s (DSIB) annual inspection report can help you make a decision based on these two very important factors. Consider teacher-child dynamics, especially for preschool-age children. The transition from home to school isn’t easy. After spending most of their time among loving family and friends, they’ll need teachers who can communicate with them in a similar way. It’s not only words, but words can be very important. Again, especially during the early years, you need to make sure your child’s school emphasises reading. Is there a proper library? Are the classrooms full of books? Math should also come first. You don’t want your children to be scared of math so, in addition to avoiding passing on that sentiment, you want teachers who aren’t scared of math – and believe it when we say this, apart from math teachers – there are plenty of those.

Standardised test scores are important, but they aren’t everything. An indicator that the school is doing well, they can also show that it’s merely teaching the Test. A rich, varied curriculum is a better choice than programmes that help students pass the test.

A school day needs to have a proper recess. While all schools give children some sort of break, some don’t provide the right facilities. A break is necessary for optimum cognitive development. Say no to factory-style academics!

As for teacher qualifications, this is something that should be on the top of your list. It’s your right to know more about the person who will be teaching your children, and you need to know if they’re consistently being evaluated and whether there’s a high turnover. There’s more to a school than just a name. Whether it’s the school’s name, programme titles or academic labels, nothing can really tell you if that’s the school you need for your child apart from its strategy. Dubai school fees range from approximately AED 5,000 a year to almost a AED 100,000 per year for some schools. Make sure you understand the fee structure and any extra costs and plan your budget accordingly. State-of-the-art isn’t just a cliché! A school campus or facility can either encourage children or make them feel uncomfortable. Tour the school beforehand to make sure the classrooms are spacious enough, play areas are safe and that your child can happily spend time there.

Your decision when choosing a school will also be affected by your child’s own needs and abilities. If they have any special needs or enjoy certain activities, make sure they can make the most out of their talents – or have their needs supported – at school.

The commute to/from school is also an important factor to consider. While Dubai may seem like a small city, rush hours and traffic jams can make reaching school at the desired time a nightmare.

Come to the school tour/visit prepared with a list of questions that cover everything from the Prospectus and Transport to bullying and staff policies. Your list will ultimately depend on what you need to know more about more than anything else.

24 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Love play. Learn.

Friendship Fun @hape_mena

www.hape.com info@babico.ae +971 4 239 88 55

2 1

6 5

Okaidi Obaibi 1 AED 89 2 AED 49 3 AED 49 Babyshop 4 AED 39 5 AED 87 6 AED 47 My Party Centre 7 AED 110 8 AED 175 9 AED 75 Cath Kidston 10 AED 320 11 AED 375 12 AED 320 Il Gufo 13 Moulin Roty 14 AED 22 15 AED 88 16 AED 130 17 AED 57

CUTE,

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MiNi STYLE STARS

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15 26 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EVIE

AT THE CARTOON BRUNCH MÖVENPICK HOTEL JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS Imagine entering a world where your kids’ favourite cartoon characters come alive, a world where they can munch on their favourite foods with a twist while colouring, playing, singing, dancing and watching a selection of the greatest animation movies of all time. A child’s dream come true, Mövenpick JLT’s Cartoon Brunch will make your Friday morning one to remember. Walking into the Nosh Restaurant brunch, you’re greeted by cartoon characters, characters and more characters. Apart from life-size cut-outs, staff is also dressed up in meticulous costumes; our personal favourites were Mario Brothers’ one half Luigi and a very excited Minnie Mouse. The buffet selection delivered a huge rush of nostalgia with live cooking stations, massive roasts, Homer Simpson’s burger and hot dog station, seafood, Kung Fu Panda sashimi and sushi rolls (yes, there’s an actual panda sushi roll), Mutant Ninja pizzas and even Minion desserts to add to the excitement. A child’s paradise, little ones at the Cartoon Brunch can enjoy a range of weeklychanging entertainment in the privacy of their dedicated kids’ area boasting a ‘Power Bites’ buffet, face painting, films, colouring mats, a photo booth and other activities.

This is the only brunch in town after which you’ll be able to say that Cinderella’s Prince Charming had brought your diet coke and Luigi hurried to grab your mini sausage pizza. Now there are two sentences we thought we would never say!

Every Friday from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. AED 149 per person including soft beverages and AED 259 including house beverages. Children from six to 12 years old dine at half price and under six dine complimentary.

For more information on, or reservations at Nosh restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers: movenpick.com/jumeirah-lakes-towers

+971 4 438 0000

#MovenpickJLT

6 5

WE BELIEVE IN

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Okaidi Obaibi 1 AED 139 2 AED 69 3 AED 89 4 AED 89 5 AED 89 Desigual Kids 6 AED 259 7 AED 289 8 AED 259 Babyshop 9 AED 39 10 AED 59 11 AED 125 Mamas & Papas 12 Monsoon 13 AED 309 14 AED 375 17 AED 385 ZARA Kids 15 AED 79 16 AED 66

28 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ADVERTORIAL

SPARKY’S BRINGS FAMILIES NEW ENTERTAINMENT OFFERS UAE families have loved and enjoyed Sparky’s entertainment offerings for very long! Now the muchloved brand is bringing them more fun, for more affordable prices.

“Sparky’s is the flagship entertainment brand of Al Hokair Group, and one of the most popular entertainment brands in the GCC and region,” says Hani Al Hussein, Al Hokair Group UAE’s regional marketing manager. Our vision is to leverage our experience and provide an unrivalled service that reflects the highest standards of quality and entertainment. Sparky’s is a family fun destination, where children and can share in the excitement. The rides cater to a wide range of ages starting from two-yearold toddlers.”

t Offers

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game. py Hours: m, play for only AED 3 per ap H ay d n o M y from 4 to 7 p motion: Every Monda Packages Pro ount and 1000 free n o ti ra eb el % disc Party C ounts (up to 35 Amazing disc oints ut of 79 Al redemption p ss the UAE (o a, the UAE, ro ac es u n ve Arabi has 13 Sparky’s now ainment Centres in Saudi rt te n E r ai Hok dia). Egypt and In

At Sparky’s, you can choose from a wide range of special rides, attractions and games such as roller coasters, a trampoline, soft play, skill games and the Drop Tower. The Ice Rink and party halls have professional skating coaches and party organisers on hand to ensure complete family participation.

Sparky’s UAE

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Ajman: Snowy Forest by Sparky

’s, City Life Al Khor Mall

Vote for Sparky’s and Win! Sparky’s is nominated for the following categories at the Mother, Baby & Child Awards: Kids’ Entertainment Centre of the Year Best Party Venue of the Year Vote on motherbabychild.com/awards/2017 and stand a chance to win an iPhone 7 every month: just send Sparky’s a screenshot of your vote. Mother, Baby & Child is also offering voters the opportunity to enter a draw to win a trip to the Maldives.

August Winner: Wafaa Reda Mohammed Sparkys_UAE

PARENTING

20 TODDLER DISCIPLINE TACTICS THAT WORK

Toddlers can be a lot of work! Mums know that the frustration associated with mismatched shoes, broken vases and random chocolate stains can mean the verge of a nervous breakdown. However, Mother, Baby & Child is up to the challenge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do you have what it takes to discipline a toddler? 30 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Focus on the positive. Disciplining your child doesn’t mean focusing on the bad stuff. Children will do what they can to get attention, so try to ‘catch’ them doing something good and tell them how it makes you proud.

Stop and divert. Toddlers can get rebellious and have a natural curiosity for the world around them, resulting in behaviour which may seem strange for an adult. While not fond of rules, they’re easily distracted. So, call their name or make a funny noise, and offer a more reasonable alternative to their object/behaviour of choice.

Plan to avoid frustration. Setting up your home to make it easier for them to indulge in their favourite habits is wise. For example, if your toddler is into playing dress-up, ensure they have clothes on hand which they can easily put on/take off – also knowing where to put them back.

Supervise your child. While you won’t be able to follow their every move, try to make sure that you’re there for a good amount of time to monitor behaviour and ensure you understand the way they think.

Use the first person. Whether you say ‘I’ or ‘we’, the first person appeals more to children who are keen to please. Also, be very clear on what would happen if they don’t follow the rules.

Be respectful. Discipline tactics need to be kind, but firm. Going down any other route will have the complete opposite effect, triggering feelings of insecurity and making children work harder for your attention.

Have a routine. Toddlers are more likely to rebel if they feel like they have no control over their schedule. Having a good routine for playtime, bedtime and more will ensure they feel more empowered, hence causing less of a fuss when asked to do things.

PARENTING

8 9

Explain your decision to them. You may think a toddler wouldn’t understand, but they do. Instead of always telling them what not to do, explain why something is good or bad.

Make sure any instructions are clear and simple. While they do understand, going into textbook-mode about why something is bad for them will make toddlers less likely to even listen, much less try and comprehend what you’re saying.

Do some show and tell. For any behaviour you’re seeking to teach them, try modelling it first. Toddlers are very visual and the fact that they get distracted easily doesn’t help. However, they’ll mimic most of what they see you doing.

Childproof your home. Instead of screaming from across the room more than 10 times, make sure the environment isn’t conductive to any bad behaviours or unfavourable attempts. See, we knew us mamas were partially to blame for something.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Positive timeouts are the only mum-approved ones. Help your child set up a nice timeout area with books, toys and more so they can have some quiet time to think about what they did, but also feel relaxed about the experience.

Sing. We’re quite serious about that one. Child psychologists claim that controlling your voice while pointing out something to your children is key: Yelling at them can have a rather negative effect. Authoritative Parenting is the most effective, and it involves having clear expectations while being affectionate towards your child. Avoid being an authoritarian, where you have expectations, yet show no affection, or passive – showing lots of affection, but providing little or no discipline. Natural consequences can be the best teachers. As long as they’re not potentially dangerous, you can let them run their course. If a toddler refuses to listen, you can let them engage in whichever behaviour they like, and they can experience the results first-hand. Use logic. If there’s hope for your toddler to ever listen, you can also try resorting to logic by telling them what might happen if they misbehave. For example, if they don’t pick up their toys, they’ll be removed for a week. Always follow through. As with all discipline strategies, breaking any promises will only lead to them perceiving you as the weaker party. Never, ever back out of a decision or promise anything you can’t deliver.

Record successful events on a chart. Your toddler will be very proud when they go and place a sticker on their success chart, which is used to mark instances of desired behaviour or achievements. Offer choices. While it may seem counterintuitive to give them MORE opportunities to make you mad, toddlers will often calm down if they feel ‘in control’. The alternatives need to be better, but also reasonable and attainable.

Be consistent. With all your disciplinary strategies, make sure you’re consistent all along. Don’t ever let a behaviour pass in hope that they’ll never repeat it. You need to condemn undesirable behaviour every single time and follow through with appropriate action. 32 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

www.hauck.de i n f o @ b a b i co. a e +971 4 239 8855 @hauck_mena

PARENTING

SWEET DREAMS

SLEEPING TIPS FOR HAPPY BABIES (AND MUMS) Establishing good sleeping habits starts as soon as your baby is born. Many mums try to devise complicated sleeping plans for their babies, running into a few problems along the way, but sticking to basics is the best bet when trying to guarantee a good night’s sleep for the whole family. “Babies need more sleep than adults because they grow very quickly. Proper brain development requires sufficient, good quality sleep. For 0 –1 year olds, research suggests between 12 – 18 hours for a 24-hour period. Breastfed babies may sleep one to one and a half hours at a time. Between the ages of one and three years old, babies need between 11 – 14 hours of sleep,” says Occupational Therapist Aine McGrath, medical director at the Dubai-based Pure Child Health. Here are Aine’s tips for a better night’s sleep:

Where possible, sleep environments should be conducive to sleeping:

• Try to set the room to the right temperature (not too hot or cold). • Ensure a darkened room with minimal visual distractions. Consider whether the night light is helpful or your child prefers a completely dark room. • Ensure quiet, non-stimulating surroundings. Does a lullaby help or hinder your child’s sleep? • Use unscented detergent and avoid softener as this can leave residue. • Babies generally prefer cotton, with no tags, elastic or seams and to be tucked in snugly.

2 3 4

Where possible, try to encourage consistent meal and sleep timings. A routine or pattern should be established by the time they’re three months old. A sleep diary may help with this. Routine is critical because we build up associations and habits when it comes to sleep. Avoid over-excitement near sleep time including boisterous play, stimulating toys, etc.

Avoid having them spend too much time awake in bed, particularly if distressed. Try to stick to one environment, one that’s associated only with sleep. 34 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Co-sleeping: Should baby be sleeping next to me? Having children sleep in the same bed or room as their parents works better for some families. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s far easier to have your child in your bed because they just turn into you. You’ll know what works best for you and your child.

Self-soothing: It’s bedtime, baby! Teaching a child how to self-soothe can be a challenging task. One approach can be controlled crying, which involves making sure the child is safe, but not picking them up, and avoiding any response that teaches them that they should be up. This technique means switching off emotionally and ignoring the child’s crying, but checking up on them at pre-determined, regular intervals. At the end of day, you’re the caregiver and you know best. Trust your instincts! Here are some steps to follow: • Decide on how long you can cope with the child’s crying and wait for the required number of minutes. • Go to the child and tell them, in a calm and clear manner: “Bedtime, go back to sleep”. Then, leave the room without fuss or distraction. • If the child is crying, go back in two minutes later and do the same thing; keep telling them to go back to sleep until they settle. • The next night, add one minute before going into their room each time.

Before implementing this strategy, it’s important that you ensure your child is not unwell or frightened. It’s also important that they have a good established bedtime routine when using controlled crying. You need to be sure you have the energy and commitment to implement and commit to this technique. There you go mamas! Now that baby’s fast asleep, we’ll let you sleep too.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 35

PARENTING

Hugs & Klsses 13 Reasons Why You Should Cuddle Your Kids

Babies are just naturally oh-so-cute and cuddly, but did you know that cuddling your baby affects you both physically and psychologically? Even cuddling your child later in life can have beneficial effects. Here are some insights into the magic of mum-child cuddles:

Non-essential touching is when you interact with baby outside of feeding or changing times, and studies have shown that it can help shape how the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brain responds to social and emotional connections.

A study by Reuters Health has shown that babies whose mums interacted with them on a regular basis had developed larger grey brain matter and a more mature cerebral cortex.

Neuroscientists and clinicians have found that cuddling with your baby can increase the connections between their nerve cells.

Scientists at Birkbeck University in London have found that mums preferred cuddles with their children over me-time such as retail therapy, spa time.

36 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Your child may not be into cuddles; other activities you can do together include cake decorating, shopping, getting pampered, storytelling or browsing social media. Yep, scientists say it’s just as good.

Need insurance against a future demanding toddler? Attend to baby now! Research has shown that responding to babies during the first six months makes them cry and whinge less in the six months after.

Kids are squishy and cuddly, so you always have an excuse to hug them. Let’s face it, you can’t say “I’ll hug you because you’re so adorable,” to anybody else, so your kids are perfect for that.

Physical contact with your kids means affection. If you don’t hug your kids, they’ll be deprived of that notion and either seek it elsewhere or eventually grow uncomfortable with physical contact.

Hugging your kids releases oxytocin, also called the ‘happiness hormone’. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure, in addition to – of course – making us feel good.

While time-pressed parents may feel like a quick peck on the cheek is enough, experts have agreed that taking the time to hug your kids, hold hands and snuggle with them is crucial for fostering the bond. Hugs convey a sense of acceptance. Cuddling your child will help them feel appreciated, loved and ease any upset feelings they may have.

The soothing effects of hugs teach your kids that people can be relied upon for comfort and support. The last thing you want is for your child to grow up with trust issues, and that’s why physical contact is important.

Even though they may not like it, you must continue to cuddle your child into their pre-teens and beyond. Well, maybe not in public, but always remember that they still need your love and affection. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 37

AED 120

PARENTING

The Organic Pharmacy AED 205

AED 36 Home Centre AED 89

Mum Baby AED 159

Four Cow Farm AED 148

AED 125

The Baby Boutique Anex AED 3,680

AED 159 ClevaMama AED 39

AED 35

AED 370 EcoViking AED 60

AED 279 38 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ekoala AED 160

PARENTING

BABY STEPS Myths and Truths About Walking Probably one of the most-discussed topics in babyhood is walking. Most babies take their first steps sometime between nine and 12 months and are walking well by the time they're 14 or 15 months old. While your child may take a bit longer, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing to worry about. Some perfectly normal children don't walk until they're 16 or 17 months old. There are many myths associated with baby walking. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at number one: Will a Baby Walker Help My Baby Learn How to Walk?

40 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

“Most parents opt for baby walkers under the impression that it’ll help their baby learn walking faster than other babies. This is not true. In fact, studies suggest that babies who use baby walkers may learn to walk about a month later than others who don’t,” says Amrita George, paediatric physiotherapist, Pure Child Health.

Another question that we should ask ourselves is: Are baby walkers safe? They’re in a contained environment, how bad can that be? Think again. A child in a baby walker needs much more attention and supervision as they give babies a high range of mobility which their bodies aren’t used to yet, which often results in bumping into furniture, falling down the stairs, walkers tipping over, etc. “Not only is speed a concern, but also the advantage of height to reach objects that may be hazardous including kitchen equipment and hot substances. There are several reports and statistics suggesting that children who use a baby walker end up getting hurt,” adds Amrita. Baby’s time in a walker will take away from their time doing other activities which are important for walking:

• Transitions: Once the child is standing, they begin to practice leaning into support surfaces with their arms and upper chest. This weight shifting helps develop strength, balance and strategies to move from one position to another.

• Core stability: Often from the cruising position, the infant begins to momentarily stand without support. As they reach using one hand contact, bend and play, they begin to develop core strength and control as well as ankle and knee control to attempt to stand momentarily without support.

“A baby in a walker would usually walk on their toes to push and move forward. This can have long-term effects on their foot and cause ankle problems in terms of strength, balance and alignment. Using a walker doesn't strengthen the muscles which are needed to walk unsupported. Instead, it interferes with the natural stance and development of hip joints, which continue to get stronger and become more stable as the child starts weight bearing,” she explains. Another disadvantage of baby walkers is that children are deprived of visual feedback of where their legs and feet are: this can hinder optimal motor development as babies highly rely on visual feedback to explore and learn. A study has suggested that walker-experienced infants sat, crawled and walked later than no-walker infants, and they scored lower on the Bayley Assessment, a scale designed to measure mental and motor development. Verdict: Mama knows best; only use a walker if you think it would be of any benefit to your child, or you have a specific need for it.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 41

PARENTING

THE COST OF BABYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIRST YEAR CONFESSIONS OF A (NEW) EXPAT MUM Lucy Holmes

When I found out I was pregnant with my second in Dubai, I was thrilled, but I immediately began to think about budgets and how expensive it would be. Let me tell you this, the most important thing to consider is the maternity care itself. If you have medical insurance, you need to check you need to check your policy and what it includes.

42 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Medical Costs You’ll need regular pre-natal appointments with your doctor as well as routine tests; additionally, you’ll need the birth and hospital care and stay, and you should consider post-natal requirements too.

All hospitals differ slightly in cost, so you’ll need to review your allowance (or budget if you don’t have insurance) and check where your doctor delivers. Here are some examples of the different hospital costs:

Antenatal Package

Normal Delivery Package

Caesarean Delivery Package

Al Zahra Private Hospital

AED 4000 to AED 5,600

AED 10,950 in a Standard Room

AED 21,450 in a One-Bed Suite

Mediclinic City Hospital

AED 4,120 to AED 6,300

AED 13,800

AED 27,135

International Modern Hospital

AED 2000 to AED 5000

AED 10,000

AED 20,000

If you have insurance, it won’t cost you, but the rest of the gear will!

A survey recently conducted in the UK suggested that a baby’s first year costs are around AED 45,000. Thankfully, I was already a mum, so we had some of the items already. However, the most expensive items including the stroller, car seat and cot, we had to replace. Usually, these are pieces which require an investment, and yes, I got a Bugaboo. However, mine came shipped from Europe, as did my car seat, which can save you up to 50% of the cost. The total cost at full price for the car seat and stroller here is AED 7000. I chose my cot from IKEA, and it was a real bargain at AED 345. I bought my Sleepyhead Deluxe cushion from the UK back with me, but that usually retails here at AED 750. In fact, a lot of my mamma friends bought items overseas and had friends and family bring them when they visited Dubai, or had them shipped to save money. Luckily, I had been given a lot of clothes as gifts so I only needed to buy basic items. I was also given a huge bag of second-hand clothes from a close friend, which have really been useful. I love Bonds sleepsuits, but only buy them when they’re on 40% off and then ship them for free from Australia; at full price, they’re around AED 75. Of course, in the first weeks you do go out on emergency missions and panic-buy nappies, nappy cream and cotton wool like they’re going out of fashion. I confess I did rush out to buy two slightlyindulgent items which I didn’t really research and ended up paying a lot to buy my baby monitor, which was AED 600 (an unnecessary video one) and a swing AED 700 (which she hates), but I eventually calmed down and began to budget and plan my needs.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 43

PARENTING Other unexpected purchases in the early days revolved around feeding my baby. I breastfed, which in theory is free, right? I didn't realise how much it would end up costing me; a Medela breast pump and all the accessories set me back AED 2000, nipple creams AED 200, breast pads AED 400 and, well, all the cake to justify my breastfeeding was easily another AED 500! Now, she’s a combination of feeding and weaned. I’m buying a tin of formula at AED 88 a week, Ella’s Kitchen pouches at around AED 30 a week and making the rest of the food myself in my fab baby food machine, which cost me AED 795.

So, what else did I splash on? Well, I bought a premium nappy bin, but it was on sale, and it cost me AED 300. I also splashed out on a baby photo shoot, which I must confess I’m super thrilled with, but it cost me AED 1000.

However, I’ve kept an eye on costs, given that I’m trying not to spend that AED 45,000.

I've now learned to use John Lewis online, Sprii.com, and Kidore.com as my first stops when I need a piece of baby gear.

Time to do the maths! The (approximate) costs of baby’s first year: Stroller

AED 6000

Car seat

AED 1000

Cot

AED 345

Cot-cushion

AED 750

Breast pump and accessories AED 2,600

Bouncer/gym

AED 500

High chair

AED 500

Bath

AED 50

Nappy bin

AED 300

Nursery furniture

AED 500

Clothes

AED 1000

Bedding

AED 500

Muslins

AED 300

Nappies

AED 1,200

Wipes

AED 1,200

Toiletries

AED 800

Formula

AED 1,056

Baby food

AED 600

Baby food machine

AED 795

Steriliser

AED 400

Toys

AED 1,200

TOTAL

AED 21,596

I’ve probably forgotten something, blame it on the baby brain, but – truth is – you really can give the baby everything they need without breaking the bank. They need to be loved, fed, and kept clean and dry. Those are the real essentials, and cuddles are free. 44 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

THE BEST BY EVERY CHILD

KINGS’ SCHOOL NAD AL SHEBA

OUR STUDENTS WILL GET CALLED NAMES, LIKE LEADER. Stand out with an education from Kings' School Nad Al Sheba. Our curriculum enables our students to see things in an entirely different light. We don't just teach them the basics, we give them the tools to exceed at school and beyond. Our exemplary school focuses on getting results the right way. And it happens here everyday. So here’s to the leaders of tomorrow. #StandingOut

Book your tour today to see us in action.

+971 (4) 237 5555 | registrar@kingsnas.com | www.kingsnadalsheba.com

EDUCATION Featured PRINCIPAL

Darren Gale Kings' School Nad Al Sheba

How future-ready is the school?

How future-ready can a school be? It’s well-documented that we’re preparing children for futures that haven't been invented yet! Therefore, it’s my responsibility to ensure we have a culture and climate where people don’t fear change, they embrace it, as well as encouraging all to think, think deeply, critically and outside the box to ensure we’re innovative in our approach to learning and assessment. Giving children a strong voice in the school by involving them in planning, development and direction is also key to our future readiness. How skilled are the teachers?

Within the King's group of schools, there’s a strong recruitment strategy. One of the key selection criteria is Teacher philosophy and outlook. Our teachers must be creative with an ability to think outside the box. At KSNAS, we continually provide challenges, support and ongoing training for staff. This is done through collaboration both within the school and across the group as well as providing bespoke training from external sources. Does learning happen outside the classroom and textbooks?

It’s the teacher's responsibility to carefully select the best strategy to maximise engagement, learning and progress. We’re fortunate to work with highly-skilled practitioners who skilfully select the best strategy whether it’s through technology, textbooks, collaborations, an educational visit or outside of the classroom.

Teachers have the autonomy to select. We’re not prescriptive. However, with autonomy comes accountability and, at KSNAS, while teachers can be creative with their learning strategies, the monitoring of learning outcomes is consistent. How safe are the learning spaces?

KSNAS is a new build school. Therefore, we’re fortunate to work in a bright and purposeful learning environment. Student safety is always at the forefront of our work. All schools must adhere to Government Compliance visits to ensure the very best practices for Health and Safety are adhered to. We also work collaboratively with our sister schools to ensure we’re developing and sharing best practices. All learning spaces and activities are subject to risk assessments. 46 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

How’s technology used at school?

At KSNAS, we share the philosophy that technology should be used to enhance and support learning. It’s not a gimmick that’s used to market the school nor manage children’s behaviour. We’re very fortunate to have a highlyexperienced Leader of Learning Technology and Innovation who works collaboratively with the teachers to ensure they’re frequently upskilled and using the best technology to maximise progress through planning and team teaching.

Children have access to a wide variety of technologies as we’re very keen for them to have refined skills and confidence with the full range of devices on offer in schools. Across the group of Kings' Schools, we have a BYOD programme from Year 3 upwards. However, we have favourable device-pupil ratios for androids, iPads and desktops from FS1. How are slow learners taught to cope with the curriculum? On the flip side, how does the school cater to gifted children? All children are unique, learn at different paces and indeed need a variety of strategies to ensure learning is matched to their needs. I’m very against labelling children at a young age.

We’re data-powerful at KSNAS. All teachers have a wealth of information regarding a learner's profile. The continuous, ongoing formative assessment and dialogue around learning and learning strategies gives teachers the information they need to ensure planning is as personalised as possible. The strong focus on depth and mastery at Primary level ensures that we’re delving deeper into concepts, which really engages more able learners. What’s the value system of the school?

KSNAS is no different from the other schools in the King's group. Our vision statement of 'the best by every child' guides our work. Children are at the heart of all that we do. We appreciate that children learn and develop in different ways and at different paces.

Every child is unique. Therefore, the second part of our vision statement 'results the right way' ensures that as professionals we do all we can to maximise students' learning and progress while ensuring that our value system and behaviour policy creates a climate and culture in the school where children feel valued, happy and safe. This was identified in our inspection outcomes with King's being renowned for how children think, achieve and feel in our schools. kings-edu.com MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 47

EDUCATION

ASK THE EXPERT Amanda Jayne Harriet Buckley Assistant Headteacher, Inclusion, Attitudes & Aspirations, Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba

What does ‘inclusion’ mean?

We believe that all children have the right to access quality educational provision. Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba caters for students with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, along with those who have English as an additional language, and those who might be more or exceptionally able. Every child is different and has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. We always play to children’s strengths while supporting them with things that they may find challenging. Inclusion doesn’t simply mean the placement of students with special educational needs in mainstream classes, but the way in which a school community supports and addresses the individual needs of each child, whatever these may be.

What’s differentiation?

One of the most important principles of inclusive education is that no two learners are alike. Therefore, we place great emphasis on creating opportunities for students to learn and be assessed in different ways. We consider a wide range of learning styles, ability levels and interests when planning and delivering lessons.

How can a school ensure its students feel like they’re part of a community?

Dubai is a very cosmopolitan city where many cultures live harmoniously alongside each other. This is reflected in our school community where it’s clear that children from all around the world learn wonderfully together. In a place where many of us don’t have our extended family, being an inclusive school is so important because it ensures that all students truly feel that they’re part of the school community.

Where does the ‘Achievement Centre’ fit in?

Pupils are referred to the Achievement Centre when their teachers feel that they need some additional support. This could be for many reasons:

• They have moved to Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba from a different curriculum and have some gaps in their understanding within the British curriculum. • English isn’t their first language and they need some language support. • They have a special educational need or disability. • They’re more or exceptionally-able students.

We offer inclusive provision with additional support, intervention, differentiation and personalisation where appropriate. This might be through support within the classroom, in a small group or in a 1:1 situation. kingsnadalsheba.com 48 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

12 16 October 2017 th -

For more information call 04 436 1020 or visit www.dubaimarinamall.com DubaiMarinaMall

@DXBMarinaMall

#DubaiMarinaMall

EDUCATION

Choosing the Best

EDUCATIONAL TOYS for Your Child

Not only are educational toys fun, but they also complement what children learn at school and from their parents. With such huge variety, it can often be difficult to pick and choose, but here’s how to make the search and selection much easier: Keep it simple: The younger your children are, the simpler the toy should be. Remember the three rules of a good educational toy: simple, fun to play with and safe for day-to-day use. Educational toys need to enhance skills: A growing baby has a series of skills to develop, including cognitive, motor, thinking and reasoning skills, in addition to mind-muscle coordination. Make sure the toys work on as many of these as possible, while keeping it simple for the child. Consider your child’s age: It’s crucial to choose age-appropriate toys. Children ages four and below are always keen on learning and developing, while older children will require more challenging-yet-entertaining toys. Think about your child’s preferences: Children may initially choose a toy based on the ‘wow’ factor, but would they still be playing with it after a week? While it isn’t always mandatory to follow gender stereotypes, girls also tend to have different preferences in comparison with boys. The sound of music: Children love making sounds and, when it comes to music, you have many musical instruments you can choose from. From classic nursery rhymes to more complicated rhythms, just bear in mind you’ll have to listen to these sounds – over and over again. Let them unleash their imagination: Children also love getting artistic and using their skills to draw, paint and write. Creative toys can help your child develop many skills. Challenging, not frustrating: Your children need to feel like they’re playing, rather than trying too hard to achieve something. Choose toys which are higher than your child’s perceived skill levels, but never too difficult to operate or complete. 50 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

1 IKEA 1 AED 29 2 AED 29 3 AED 39 4 AED 125 5 AED 49 Babyshop 6 AED 57 7 AED 37 8 AED 37 9 AED 118 LEGO Duplo 10 AED 569 11 AED 159 12 AED 309

6 5

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 51

EDUCATION

“SO, HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY?”

25 Ways to Ask Without Asking 52 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

You probably ask your kids this question every single day, and the answer is always the same: “Good.” “Fine!” – that’s not what mum wants to hear. Here are more creative ways to get your kids to talk about the school day because, let’s face it, we want to know what went on:

was the best thing that happened at 1“What school today?” Okay, so what you’re really trying to find out is the worst thing that happened at school. This question will get the kids talking and you’d be surprised at how much had happened.

me something that made you laugh today.” 2“Tell Kids are very easily amused. They’ll tell you stories about comments that their teacher had made and, while they may not make any sense to you, you’ll find that they’ve literally made their month.

the friendliest person in your class?” 3“Who’s We want our kids to make friends and be comfortable in their own skin at school, and that’s the perfect way to gauge interest in the social aspect of their school day. did you not like about school today?” 4“What Let’s hope there isn’t too much! The answer to this question will most probably be negative, but it’s a subtle way to know the things your kid isn’t loving about school. anyone get in trouble today?” 5“Did Not only is this a good way to know if your child was up to anything mischievous, but it’s also a sneaky way to show them that, even if they did, you would be there for them. did you play?” 6“What This is a sort of follow-up to the ‘friends’ question and actually serves more than one purpose. Apart from knowing more about playtime, it also helps you understand your child’s play habits and what they enjoy doing the most.

was your favourite part of today?” 7“What No matter how boring their day was, there’s always a favourite part. Was it a personal accomplishment? A new friendship? No matter what it was, your kids will love telling you more about it. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 53

EDUCATION me something your teacher has said to you today.” 8“Tell Does your child have a good relationship with their teacher? You would want to know, and this is the best way to ask. Where’s the coolest place in school?”

9“ Is it the gym? The playground? This question gives you the opportunity to understand your kid a bit more, and know where they like to spend time at school. How did someone help you today?”

10“Does your kid need help with anything? They may be too scared to come to you with a specific request, or need to tell you about that classmate who has been extra helpful.

What do you think you should do/learn more about at school?”

11“ This question will help you identify any shortcomings when it comes to the school – from your child’s perspective.

When were you bored today?”

12“ There must have been some things your kids didn’t enjoy, and knowing them will help you understand their preferences a bit more.

If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to

13“ take?”

This is another way of asking about their least favourite person. Kids will love the way the question has been phrased, but may go on to explain everything they know about aliens. If you could pack your own lunch, what would you pack?”

14“ Oh, to find out why the kids are always so eager to have white-sauce pasta from the canteen. We think our cold-cut sandwiches are just fine.

Who is someone at school who needs a friend?”

15“ We just hope the answer is never“me”. This question will also help you find out whether your kid is empathetic towards others.

Who did you sit with at lunch today?”

16“Oh, lunchtime, it can be so confusing for kids. You always have tables for every group, and everyone wants to be where the ‘popular kids’ are. This is more of a social question than anything else.

54 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EDUCATION

Which student in class is your exact opposite?”

17“ If they’re the ‘exact opposite’, it means they aren’t really friends with your child, but would they go as far as saying that they hate them? You can find out if the kids are getting bullied by asking this question.

What’s the one thing you did today that was helpful?”

18“ Is your child helpful or do they never go out of their way to help others? This is something that every parent would want to know…

What’s the biggest difference between this and last year?”

19“ Let’s hope the answer is positive, but this question is a great way to measure progress. Can you show me something you’ve done (or learnt) today?”

20“The kids will surely have something to show you, whether it’s an art project or the way they’d written their name.

What’s your teacher’s most important rule?”

21“Kids often think rules are stupid, and that’s why it’s crucial to know if they pay attention to them. When did you feel most proud of yourself today?”

22“This is the time to know more about your kids’ achievements. It may not be something huge, but it means the world to them – and you’ll want to know what it is.

If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?”

23“ This is another teacher question; the best thing about such questions is that they enable your child to tell you more about their own perspective of their teachers, which is always positive.

How are the rules at school different from ours at home and how do you feel about that?”

24“ This is a win-win, as not only are you asking them about school, but also home. This way, you get to know if they’re happy with both or unhappy with either one of them.

Tell me about what you read in class.” Reading is very important for the kids, both at home and

25“ school as well. School curriculum books are not always that fun to read, but there are bound to be some storybooks which have caught their attention.

Follow that question with: “What would you like to read at home?” 56 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Why do Clarion class teachers all have a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Education? Our teachers need to have the dedication, expertise and inspiration to provide deep and meaningful experiences that create transformational learning. Enroll Now Admissions for 2018 -19 are now open. Limited seats available. Open Mornings Oct 9th.

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ADVERTORIAL

EDUCATION

WHAT MAKES AN OUTSTANDING CURRICULUM?

Choosing the Right School for Your Child Mums, did you know? There are approximately 200 schools in Dubai; school fees vary from AED 5,000 – 100,000+. Parents also have different curricula to choose from – including British, American, Indian, IB, etc. Always ask your school to describe its curriculum. An outstanding school curriculum should:

• Demonstrate ethos and values which underpin everything that the children learn • Interest children and ‘hook’ them in • Be relevant, experiential and linked to the real world • Consider all types of learners • Have an eye on the future • Enable children to be challenged, supported and make excellent progress • Develop their skills, turning them into lifelong learners in an ever-changing world • Be, where possible, child-initiated • Make it possible for teachers to be able to ‘assess on the go’ • Be supported by robust tracking systems • Be progressive and appropriately-pitched

Looking for Positive Education? Choose Regent International School Regent International School (RIS) is all of the above, in addition to being a leader in Positive Education (PosEd). PosEd is characterised by outstanding teaching underpinned by the science of positive psychology, well-being and happiness. Their unique PosEd philosophy combines academics and achievement with character development and well-being.

Multiple studies on the effects of PosEd testify that improved levels of a child’s well-being are associated with higher levels of academic engagement, stronger social skills, higher levels of optimism, improved behaviour and fewer mental health-related issues.

RIS also has an ongoing collaboration with Geelong Grammar School, Australia - the first school in the world to implement Positive Psychology and a worldwide promoter of Positive Education in schools. This collaboration includes a continuous dialogue between their directors and RIS’ positive education, on-site and online training, in addition to sharing best practices between both schools. Positive Education is not an additional subject, but the culture of the whole school at RIS. At RIS, all teachers are trained in PosEd – learning, living, teaching and embedding it. Weekly assemblies on Character Strengths, regular FAIL (First Attempt in Learning) Days, personal experiences linked with classroom learnings and a warm and inviting Well-Being Room all make RIS a PosEd pioneer in the region.

risdubai.com

58 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ADVERTORIAL

PRIMARY TO SECONDARY MAKING THE TRANSITION EASIER FOR YOUR CHILDREN As students make the move from Primary to Secondary School, there are several factors which may leave them anxious and worried. For one, children often feel like it’s a big change. For many international students, however, moving schools may have happened as often as moving countries. Research conducted by The Nuffield Foundation has shown the top five factors that children worry about as they move from Year 6 to 7:

End of Year 6

Beginning of Year 7

End of Year 7

Getting lost

Losing old friends

Being bullied

Discipline and detentions

Homework

Getting lost

Homework

Discipline and detentions Losing old friends

Homework

Being bullied

Older children

The Foundation has found that the best ways to help your child transition would be to: • Encourage independence as much as possible in terms of time keeping, using a diary/ calendar to keep on top of deadlines and events, and being prepared with the right equipment and stationery. • Encourage open communication; talk to your child about anything that they may feel anxious about, even if it sounds superficial to you; always start with the positive. • Get to know your child's friends. If you know them, your child will be more likely to talk to you about them and share the sorts of things that interest them. • Arrange or facilitate times for them to catch up with their former Year 6 friends throughout the year.

In Dubai, a lot of these issues may not be pertinent to students as many are educated in all-through schools. A good example of this is Sunmarke School, where students can join Nursery at 45 days old and grow until they have completed their A Levels in Year 13 – all under the British curriculum. Throughout Years 5 and 6, Sunmarke staff work with feeder primary schools to tackle any student concerns. Students will visit Secondary at Sunmarke six to seven times over the two-year lead-up period to become familiar with the different rooms and resource areas they’ll be using – such as the TV Studio, Well-Being Room, Black Box Dance and Drama Studio or the nine peripatetic music tuition rooms.

At Sunmarke, it’s all about a Positive Education ethos and a healthy transition to ‘big school’.

sunmarkedubai.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 59

ADVERTORIAL

FOUR BY THE AGE OF FOUR

PRACTICAL WAYS TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT VALUES Katrina Mankani

Managing Director, Jumeirah International Nurseries “Isn’t it too early to teach values to toddlers and pre-schoolers?” Some parents ask me this question when they come to Jumeirah International Nursery (JINS), a chain famous for its value-based approach to education. Well, years of experience and research in the field of positive psychology have shown that it’s never too early, but requires the involvement of both teachers and parents. At JINS, we encourage everyone to practice these simple four things to develop a child’s character from the early days.

1 Be a role model

It’s no secret that children learn behaviours and attitudes through observing the adults around them. So, the first rule of the value-based approach is to lead by example. Whatever we ask children to do, we must practice ourselves.

2 Find virtues in cartoon heroes and discuss them

Apart from being entertaining, popular cartoons may be a good tool to introduce morals and values to your preschoolers. Music, graphics and visual aids are good sources for teaching young children, creating a lasting impression. As a medium, cartoons were created to keep messages light for children’s comprehension. It’s a good practice to pinpoint the values depicted in the cartoon in a short discussion with your child afterwards. You should also ask children, when faced with a choice to make, how their favourite characters would have reacted in a certain situation.

3 Encourage them to help

Encourage your children to help you and others whenever they can. Starting from simple housework such laying the table and tidying up to simple acts of kindness such as making get-well cards for people who are sick are all great ways to do that. Older pre-schoolers can also get involved in a more formal type of community service project.

4 Process praise

As parents, we want to celebrate the success of our children. We praise their achievements, big and small, not knowing that we shape their character by the way we praise. When adults praise a child using phrases like ‘good boy’, they aren’t specifying what exactly a child has done to receive such compliment. If, instead, an adult says ‘you’ve worked hard on building this pyramid, well done,” a child will connect the praise and behaviour, and repeat it in the future. Process praise is specific and well-deserved, it promotes a growth mindset and mastery. Follow these tips mamas, and we wish you all the best. At JINS, we know we will be! 60 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EDUCATION

SAVING R U O Y R FO CHILD’S N O I T A C EDU There are many factors parents need to consider when it comes to their children’s education. While college may seem like a long way down the road for the parents of toddlers and pre-teens, the cost of education will usually need a consistent, long-term plan. According to Dubai-based financial advisory Zurich Middle East, the cost of putting one child through education from pre-school through to university is approximately AED 938,599 (USD 255,749). This marks the second consecutive year that education from pre-school through to university could cost families in the UAE almost AED 1 million per child. The figure is based on the total cost of education of two years at pre-school, six years at primary school, six years at secondary school and three years at a UK university. In the UAE, pre, primary and secondary school costs add up to an average of AED 528,486 (USD 144,001) per child, a slight increase on last year’s figures. These costs exclude other fees such books, trips and uniforms, and could increase by up to 40% for top tier schools. 62 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

“When it comes to education – as this research shows – it’s important to start planning early to ensure enough capital is available when your child is ready to start university. Adopting a long-term approach to savings could help fund the best education for your child without worrying about the cost,” says Walter Jopp, CEO at Zurich Middle East.

Building on the insight, the financial advisory spoke with several UAE students to find out what professions they’d like to pursue, and the costs of associated university courses in the UK and US. The top five professions included medicine, computer science, business and management, finance and accounting, and engineering. “A key aspect for parents in the UAE is to realise that, the sooner you start saving for your child's education, the better. Putting the right financial plan in place as early as possible means parents won't need to sacrifice their own savings for retirement and ensures the best possible education and start in life for their children," says Maite Mouraille, head of insights, Zurich Middle East.

When it comes to saving for their child’s education, Maite tells mums:

1 2 3 4 5

Take a long-term approach to savings.

Make sure that the right savings plan is in place, specifically tailored to your financial needs/expectations. Start as soon as possible to spread the cost.

Speak to a trusted financial professional to help ensure you meet your financial goals/aspirations. Use online tools where applicable (including education calculators).

Mother, Baby & Child says, mamas need to remember:

Putting aside funds before your children get older is important. You have some time before you start school and, the older the child gets, the more expensive they become.

2 3

Consider an investment. There are many easy, affordable investment vehicles and plans on the market, and your bank can help you decide. Involve your child. It often happens that parents set up plans for their children, only to have them grow up and spend the money or not know what to do with it. Make sure your children know their finances.

4 5

Evaluate your plan on a year-by-year basis. Circumstances change, and so do your needs. Stay up-todate and keep an open mind to new financial opportunities. Put your money where it’ll grow. Investment advisors always recommend plans which have potential for growth, rather than simply putting your money in a bank. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 63

EDUCATION

TEACHER PROFILES Sara Haroon

PreK Teacher, Clarion School What would the students be surprised to find out about you? During my time teaching in New York City, my students were always surprised when they find out that Arabic was my first language and that I had learned my alphabet in fifth grade. They loved to hear me speak and watch me write their names. Sharing my background and a bit about myself always made my students feel comfortable and proud to share bits about themselves as well.

In which other teacher’s class would you like to enrol, even for a day? Why? I would love to go back to my kindergarten teacher’s classroom. I have vivid memories of Miss Magda. I mostly remember her smile and the snacks she used to give us. She was a very sweet woman and there was something in the way she spoke to me that made me feel visible and known. I was a very shy child, so it empowered me when she made me feel important. I hope and wish that I have that same effect on my children now.

What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School? I always ask parents to write a letter to their child in the future. Depending on the age of the children, I also ask them to do the same. I find it empowering and exciting to look back at how the parents and children were feeling at the beginning of the school year. It excites me to be able to see their growth. I give the letters back at the end of the school year and we all come together to read them.

Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you’re willing to share? What are they? I have many embarrassing moments!! My most embarrassing moment was one time when I was supposed to speak in front of the whole school and tripped, then I fell as I was stepping up on stage. The whole school saw it and laughed. That moment will always be ingrained in my mind. 64 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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EDUCATION

5 WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP TEACHERS THIS SCHOOL YEAR A child's first and most important teacher is their parents and it’s proven that, when parents are involved in their child’s schooling, they do better and have a more positive attitude atowards learning. Consistency is key to instilling positive school-home links so it’s vital that, right from the outset, a strong relationship is formed between Parents and School.

The best way to maintain a good connection with your child’s school is through the teachers. Here, Mother, Baby & Child interviews Principal Trish King, who heads up Smart Start Kindergarten in Al Barsha South, a US-curriculum pre-school with a focus on physical education for Early Years.

Set boundaries and encourage good behaviour Young children need guidance and boundaries to develop their key personal skills and learn about acceptable behaviours. In mastering this understanding, they’ll discover that there are many benefits to adopting the right behaviour. Make sure that, as a parent, you fully understand the school's behavioural policy to ensure that there are commonalities between what's happening in school and at home. It's hard for teachers to imprint expectations if children have entirely different consequences for behaviour at home vs. school.

Remember to focus on positive behaviour and praise your child when they make a good choice.

Independence and problem solving Encouraging children to be independent and problem solve has exceptional benefits. The easiest way to encourage this at home is to give your child opportunities to do things by themselves and, when they communicate a small problem, ask them to try and solve it on their own. By doing so, you’re opening their mind and helping instil independence. You can also help promote this by listening to your child’s ideas and responding to them, whether it be while reading a book or when you’re out shopping. By helping encourage active learning, it’s likely that your child’s interest in school activities will increase and they become more confident. 66 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

It’s also important for your child to see that you’re interested in what they’re doing and how they’re feeling about their learning experience.

Read with your children Reading stories together with your child can have so many positive benefits. By reading with your child daily, it helps develop their love for reading as well as their language and listening skills. If your child is too young to read by themselves, look at pictures in books and discuss what’s happening. Ask about the colours, who’s in the pictures and ask them to predict what might happen. Opening a dialogue is a fundamental part of enriching understanding and enquiry-based learning.

Keep children active and healthy Today, research shows that physical activity in children is more important than ever. Movement stimulates growth and leads to improved physical and emotional health. It’s therefore essential to encourage participation in physical activity from an early age. Try enrolling your child in activity sessions outside of school, but remember not to over-stretch them. In addition to this, ensure that your child has a healthy, balanced diet and that they get a good night’s sleep every night so that they start each day refreshed and ready to learn.

Monitor your child’s television and tablet use Children are spending more time watching television or on tablets. While there are some wonderful applications available to assist with learning, always monitor what your child is doing and limit the amount of time that they spend on devices.

Television and tablets shouldn’t be used as a tool for encouraging sleep. Don’t let your child have access to the television or tablets for at least one hour prior to going to sleep as the lights, sound and illustration can stimulate their minds too much, interrupting their body’s preparation for sleep. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 67

EDUCATION

Choosing a Nursery for your Toddler

Kid’s Island Nursery. Est.1982 

68 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

You’re pregnant! The excitement sets in. Your thoughts swing from wall colours to nappies. Nine months seem like a lifetime to wait for the arrival of your little one, but before you know it, your baby is being placed in your arms and that’s when the real fun begins. Endless feeds, the first smile, sleepless nights, the first step… the rollercoaster of parenthood is filled with beautiful, rewarding and challenging moments.

One of the most challenging decisions you may face in the early years is choosing a nursery for your child. The options are endless, and everyone has an opinion. Selecting the right learning environment for your child may seem like a daunting task, so give yourself time and start the process early on.

Before you ask the guru that’s Google for assistance, take a moment to set the scene in your mind: imagine what the feel of the nursery will be like, how teachers will interact with your child and how you, as a parent, will fit into the picture. Once you have this framework in place, it’s time to begin your search! You’ll be spoilt for choice once you get started and possibly even overwhelmed. A great way to narrow down your selection is to consider factors such as location, curriculum, cost, timings, and/or whether transportation and meals are provided.

Recommendations from family and friends, search engines, Facebook and Instagram provide you with a platform to begin your search. Creating a clear picture of what you can afford, which curriculum you’d prefer, how far you’re willing to travel and timings required will drive your search questions. Pick your top five choices, schedule a tour and get ready to be flooded with information!

Think of your tours as speed-dating sessions. Each nursery has a short period to make an impression on you: they want you to be wowed by their happy children, vibrant staff and phenomenal facilities. They want the relationship to continue beyond the initial tour so they’ll highlight areas that they excel in to impress you. They want you to apply and will be more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

Be confident, ask questions and be nosey during this time. It’s up to you to ask the tough questions to encourage the nurseries to reveal their ethos and values, and see if they align with your expectations. You want to be able to jog your memory later, as you weigh the pros and cons of each tour, so remember to take notes! Later, when you sit down with a cup of tea, a pile of prospectuses and your tour notes, try to recall how you felt in each location. Remember, you know what’s best for your child. Go with your gut feeling and apply to a nursery that you feel will suit your child’s needs. Good luck with the process and remember to trust yourself.

PS: If you’re applying to Primary or High Schools, don’t be shy. Send in applications to at least three schools. It may be costly, but if you think of the application fees as a financial investment towards your child’s future, it may take the sting out of the initial financial outlay. By doing this, you’re ensuring that you have a fallback plan in the eventuality that your first-choice school is full. Good luck!

kidsislandnursery.com/

04 394 2580

KidsIslandandCocoonNursery MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 69

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GOOD LIVING

TRICK OR TREAT 10 Candy-Free Alternatives for Halloween Fun “Trick or treat!” You’ll hear the kids screaming from behind the door and a part of you is thinking if it’s wise to prompt a group sugar high, while there may be a need for other items in their homes. Moreover, does anybody really want to deal with candy-induced dye sensitivities, food allergies and teeth problems? The kids may hate us for it, but mamas have asked: “What are some alternatives to giving out ‒ and receiving ‒ candy on Halloween night? We’ve picked some kids’ favourites they’ll be sure to love: 72 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Glow-in-the-dark Halloween stickers won’t weigh down trick-or-treaters’

1 bags and are good for showing off at school. Halloween AND back-to-school fun? It doesn’t get any better than this.

Snack bags are a great alternative for sugar-filled candy. You

2 can find individual-serving packets at the supermarket filled with dried fruits or pretzels: the packaging is usually superb too.

Party supply stores stock fun Halloween accessories that the kids will

3 just love wearing. From spider rings to vampire teeth, these are cute, practical and very Halloween-ish at the same time.

Would pocket change make a good treat? Of course, it would! We all have some

4 coins next to the door, waiting for the next ‘Deliveroo victim’ to show up. Those dirhams are piggy bank material and the kids will be delighted to have them.

If you’re looking for a candy-free alternative which also

5 doubles as a toy, glow sticks are a good option. Apart from

how entertaining they are, they’re also practical for navigating dark neighbourhoods; ‘The Greens’, we’re looking at you.

Have you ever seen a kid with a fake

6 moustache? We certainly have, and one or two

costume parties are sure to make these a favourite. Easy to pack and easier to wear, you can hand out fake moustaches for some laughs. Organic fruit strips are a great alternative to

7 sugary candy. This treat looks like leather and is both colourful and yummy.

kids are feeling a bit ‘rebellious’, temporary Halloween tattoos can also 8 Ifbethea great option. There are some very cool designs to enjoy and, best of all, they can be removed with some rubbing alcohol.

It’s slimy, cute and colourful. There are some small play

9 dough packets in the market which you can just slip into the trick-or-treat bag.

If you just can’t live without candy, go for the organic

10 alternative. A lot healthier than the sugar-packed

alternative, it may not be the best option, but it sure beats its ‘evil’ counterparts. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 73

GOOD LIVING

HOME INSURANCE IN DUBAI DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

With a never-ending to-do list, bills and school fees, home insurance is likely to sit lower down on mumsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; priority lists. While building a life in Dubai, we collect possessions and memories over time that make our houses into Home, yet we often overlook the need to safeguard them with a proper insurance plan. Fires and flooding are relatively unlikely in the UAE, but buying an insurance policy may be an essential part of protecting your prized possessions against unforeseeable incidents like a burst pipe or lost jewellery, and home insurance acts as the safety net for you and your family. Nonetheless, lots of people find it hard to identify which policy is best for them, not knowing how much it really costs or where to even start. 74 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Can less than a dirham a day keep your worries at bay?

With just as low as AED 21 a month, you can get your home insurance sorted – that’s less than AED 1 a day, but the cost will vary, dependent on whether you have high value items such as an expensive watch or high-end, luxury furniture.

Seeking someone to give us advice on home insurance, Mother, Baby and Child has enlisted the help of Vidya Veerapandian from RSA Insurance. A mum-of-one, here she helps us demystify the three different aspects of home insurance currently available in the market: The first is coverage for the building, the bricks and mortar that protect your apartment or villa. Should any damages affect your property, whether it be a fire or flooding and storms like the ones experienced across the UAE last year, insurance can cover your home for everything from basic repairs to a complete rebuild. The second component is home contents: these are the household goods, and just about everything you can think of within your home, from toys and gadgets to your clothes and furniture. It even includes the food in your freezer! Contents insurance typically covers you against uncalculated risks; if your kids accidently hit the TV screen, or you find yourself with a cracked glass window, it’s got you covered! This, of course, is in addition to unforeseeable incidents you don’t plan for, like the expenses you could be liable for should a burst pipe cause damage to others’ neighbouring property. The third and final component is personal possessions, which covers the personal belongings of all family members in the home – and any movable item they carry outside such as mobile phones, watches or purses. Even if you’re travelling, you’re covered for up to 90 days while away from home while overseas for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

Always bear in mind:

• Home Insurance can be customised to best suit your lifestyle. For instance, you can choose to insure only the building, or select your contents too, which extends to rent expenses and alternative accommodation should your home become uninhabitable due to an insured incident. • It’s highly recommended to make sure you understand your insurance policy and check what is and isn’t covered as well as the claims process – ideally dealing directly with the insurance company.

• Select reputable and credible insurance companies, keeping quality and long-term vision in mind; you’ll be thankful later for paying a few extra dirhams for a more adequate cover, especially when it comes to making a claim.

Although the chances of experiencing home break-ins and theft are rather slim in the UAE, consider the risk of fire, flooding or even the general possibility of a simple loss of valuables. Home Insurance is a small investment; a little peace of mind goes a long way knowing that you’re covered, but make sure to choose what’s right for you, carefully read the guidelines and factor for it in your budget.

A New Collection from Indigo Living Are you looking for chic, practical interiors? Indigo Living has launched its season-inspired Fall/ Winter Collection 2017. The collection features four distinctive styles that echo glamour, intricacy, expression and space – Milan, Pasadena, Rosy Posy and Natural Calm. The theme of curiosity and vitality is reiterated the Fall/Winter 2017 collection, perfect for the family to enjoy a cosy afternoon at home. The kids’ collection is a delightful mix of colours, fun and imagination. indigo-living.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 75

GOOD LIVING

Perfect Spa Breaks FOR MUM Top-to-Toe Spa Detox Ritual at The Spa, Palace Downtown Sometimes, all you need is a full detox, and 150 minutes of pure bliss at a luxurious spa that’s all about Arabian-style hospitality does just that. Complete with its own shower facility, the treatment rooms at The Spa feel like a 1001 Nights princess’ chambers.

Your experience starts with a Cleopatra-inspired honey and milk foot bath, followed by a relaxing, luxurious organic detox experience which combines a top-to-toe body polish with a Dead Sea salt scrub leaving your skin silky soft. Then, a full body massage releases stress for a complete ‘restart’ to your week.

Fresh seaweed, sourced from the depths of the Atlantic, and a hot stone drainage massage work together to enhance tightening and slimming results. Finally, a pro-youth facial harnesses the finest oceanic vitamins and minerals to give your face a youthful and radiant glow.

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Lift and Contour Facial at Westin, Mina Seyahi For cheekbones higher than the Burj Khalifa, the Elemis Pro-Definition Lift and Contour Facial helps restore the architecture of the face using potent nutrients in plant actives found to help support the extra-cellular matrix. The result is a profoundly sculpted, youthful effect.

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76 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

GORGEOUS TRESSES Busy Mum Hair? Get a Four-Month Blow Dry!

Summer is far from over, but at least we can step outside without having our hair suffer from some major fluffiness. Luckily, there’s a semi-permanent solution to our hair woes, with the option of making it more permanent if you fancy cutting back on blow dry trips to your salon.

If your hair is dry, damaged, frizzy, wavy, thick or takes too long to manage, the KeraStraight (KS) treatment is the perfect solution to transform even the most difficult of hair. Forget treatments that leave you breathless, this one actually works and it’s as easy as a wash, treat, rinse, blow dry and straighten. Just a typical day at the salon! PS: We tried ours at Ted Morgan, Town Centre Jumeirah, and loved it!

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ASK DR SANJAY Dr Sanjay Parashar

International Plastic Surgeon, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, Dubai and India When looking to do a plastic surgery procedure, what qualifications should I look for in the doctor and what experience does he need to have in that particular surgery? I believe that this is the most important part of research while choosing a doctor. In Dubai, we have two designations – specialist and consultant, both equally and adequately qualified; the difference is in the years of experience. A consultant plastic surgeon is senior, has more experience and will have more professional and academic achievements. Of course, he would be more expensive.

It would be unfair to put a number on it because, while judging a new specialist or seasoned surgeon, the exact number will not help. It’s important to know how many surgeries he has taken part in and who he was assisting, the results and what they say they’re best at because that’s where they have learnt the art. Also try and research how the doctor is regarded in the particular surgery in question. Good and bad word both spread. It’s also important to see the various boards that they’re associated with. Finally, more than the designation, which doctor makes you comfortable and has good results to showcase is the one you should choose. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 77

GOOD LIVING

TOP MUM BLOGGERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS The flexibility of online gives mums the opportunity to design their own schedule and do something they love, but making a blog successful is hard work. Here, Mother, Baby & Child interviews UAE mum bloggers for their secrets to a successful online platform.

78 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

LINDSEY PARRY arabiannotes.com ArabianNotes.com is based in Abu Dhabi and offers an insight into daily life in the UAE with everything from reviews, things to do, thoughts on life and culture and travel – both within the UAE and beyond. • After leaving university, I started working in the media industry which I’ve always loved. I started out in TV and from there moved into publishing and digital media, to journalism. • I left my full-time position when I was pregnant due to illness and with a longer-term view of concentrating on being a mum. After my son arrived, I very quickly realised that I needed something to keep my brain active; my writing helped keep me sane too. • I started my blog when I first moved to Abu Dhabi as I felt I had something to say. I started it purely because I loved to write and wasn’t even sure if anyone except my mum would read it! Along the way, it has evolved and grown more than I’d ever imagined.

• I write about expat life, specifically in Abu Dhabi and my travels both around and outside the region. I also write about topics that are of interest to me, especially questions that may arise about expat life in Abu Dhabi or things I’m asked frequently about the region by readers.

• In terms of getting the site off the ground in the first place it was easy – I just signed up initially for a free wordpress.com account and pretty much started writing! It was only after that point when I wanted to change the look and functionalities that I moved everything over to a self-hosted site and started to learn about the tech side. • My site was a mess when I first started blogging, though I’m sure I didn’t really think about that at the time. I hadn’t really thought about the visual aspect at all that much, I just wanted to write so that’s what I did

• Nothing has changed overnight: it’s been a process of me tinkering with things I’ve decided I wanted to change bit by bit. I’m not sure that process ever ends, there’s always things to work on when it comes to a website. • If you enjoy writing and want to do it, just do it. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s easy – it’s a lot of work, so you really do need to have a passion for what you’re doing. That said, it’s easy to set up a blog – and you can start simple and progress as you need to or want to, learning along the way.

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GOOD LIVING

MEHREEN NABEEL thempalette.com The M Palette is about all things related to life, style and beauty. Followers get insights on beauty trends, parenting tips, things to do around Dubai and some behind-the-scenes of this mama’s life. • I hold a Business Degree and was working at one of the Dubai Government sector firms as a business excellence specialist before I became a full-time mum.

• When I had my daughter Nuriya six years ago, I gave up my full-time career to focus on the demands of being a new mum. Sometime before my son Nael (two years old now) was born, I realised I wanted to channel my love for makeup into a career and completed a KHDA-certified Diploma in professional makeup artistry from one of the leading makeup brands in the world. • As a new mum, I used to be an avid reader of parenting blogs, which made me stumble across different blogs on various topics. I loved the idea that people could render advice and opinions of such value and reach out. I, too, wanted to share my expertise in makeup and talk about my experiences as an expat and mum in Dubai. Juggling between my makeup gigs and motherhood, the blog finally came into place this year.

• As a woman, I wear so many hats: a blogger, makeup artist, mum, wife, etc. so you’ll find anything and everything from makeup, beauty trends and parenting tips to eating out reviews.

• The biggest challenge for me was narrowing down on the blog name. Coming from a marketing background, I knew that the name had reflect the various themes I wanted to talk about. Once I zeroed in on The M Palette, setting up took a matter of two days and required a bit of IT knowledge. • I wanted something very minimalistic yet feminine. I chose a pop of purple along with the white and black for the website and kept the fonts very simple to make it easy to explore.

• Following your passion as a woman of many roles is challenging, but nothing is more satisfying than to see how your hustle helps enrich the lives of your children. One of the great things about the internet is that it has given everyone a voice and we shouldn’t be afraid to use it. Moreover, it has also made learning very easy; I got a lot of help from blogging tutorials online which you can easily google and get started.

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IN THE KITCHEN

PURE VEGGIES Veggie Balls

Annabel Karmel

Expert and Best-Selling Author, Baby Food and Nutrition

These little balls are a fantastic way to pack in veggies and ideal finger food. They’re also ideal for batch-cooking and freezing, in readiness for those busy days. Just pop them in a plastic freezer box, separating each layer with greaseproof paper, and reheat from frozen in the oven or microwave. INGREDIENTS

• 1 large white potato (about 440g) • 40g dried or Panko breadcrumbs • 50g carrot, grated • 4 spring onions, chopped • 50g brown mushrooms, chopped • 40g grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme • 2 teaspoons soy sauce • 1 teaspoon sweet chilli sauce • 1–2 tablespoons plain flour • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

METHOD

• Prick the potato and bake it in the microwave for 7–10 minutes until soft. Leave to cool, then cut it in half and scoop out the flesh – you’ll need 250 g/9 oz of potato. • Put the cool potato and remaining ingredients (except flour and oil) in the bowl of a food processor and blitz until chopped. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, season lightly with salt and pepper (if using) and shape it into 15 equal-sized balls. • Place the flour in a bowl and lightly coat the balls in flour. Transfer the balls to a plate and chill for 15 minutes. • Heat the oil in a frying pan until hot. Fry the balls for about 2 minutes until golden all over and heated through. Serve with cucumber sticks and halved cherry tomatoes, or a mayonnaise dip with sweet chilli sauce. 82 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Avocado Toast

Thomas Keller

Head Chef, Bouchon Bakery, JBR

INGREDIENTS

• 4pcs French sourdough bread, 3 cm slice, toasted • 120g Piquillo marmalade, recipe below • 800g Avocado mix, recipe below • 60g feta cheese, crumbled • 20g pickled red onions, recipe below • 20g breakfast radish, 1 mm sliced • 8g cilantro leaves

Pickled Red Onions

INGREDIENTS • 20g red onion, large • 10g white grape vinegar • 2g sugar • 10g water • 2g red beet, peeled, sliced to 1 cm

Avocado Mix

INGREDIENTS • 800g avocados • 32g lime juice, fresh • 8g kosher salt

METHOD • Cut avocado in half from top to METHOD bottom. Remove the avocado core. • Combine the vinegar, water, beets • With an offset spatula, score each half and sugar in a sauce pot and bring the of the avocado into a 2-cm dice. METHOD mixture up to a boil. • Once all are scored, scoop the avocado • Spread the marmalade equally • Cut the onions in half from the root halves into a bowl using a spoon. across the 4 pieces of toasted bread. end to the tip end. Remove the onion • Add the lime juice and salt. Gently mix • Top each toast with the avocado mix. core. together with a rubber spatula. • Top each toast with the feta, then • Julienne the onions from the root onions, followed by the radish end to the tip end and place them in • and cilantro. a Cambro container large enough to accommodate the onions and pickling Piquillo Pepper Marmalade liquid. INGREDIENTS • Pour the boiling liquid over the • 60g Piquillo peppers, julienned onions. seeds removed • Place all the ingredients • 15g red onions, 5 mm dice into an airtight container • 30g shallots, 5 mm dice ensuring to keep them • 60g red grape vinegar submerged. Cool, then • 26g sugar refrigerate until ready • 0.75g salt to use. METHOD • Spread the marmalade equally across the 4 pieces of toasted bread. • Top each toast with the avocado mix. • Top each toast with the feta, then onions, followed by the radish and cilantro.

CHOCOLATE FOR KIDS: YAY OR NAY? There’s hardly any person in the world who doesn’t like chocolate! We all love it and it’s no surprise that kids love chocolate too. While this month we’re talking pure veggies, Rahma Obaid Al Ketbi, nutritionist at Belvas Belgian Chocolates, tells us that the health benefits of consuming chocolate are scientifically proven and a very small piece of dark chocolate, 3 – 4 times a week, won’t harm your child’s health. Here are a few delectable ways to incorporate

small amounts of chocolate into your kids’ meals and snacks: • Melt a bit of dark chocolate and then drizzle it onto anything from fresh fruit to popped popcorn. • Blend a homemade chocolate smoothie by adding dark chocolate chips, a few squares of chopped dark chocolate or whipping in unsweetened cocoa powder. • Bake a healthy chocolate cake using premium quality chocolate.

BREASTFEEDING THE BASICS

Dr Stuti Mishra

Gynaecologist, Aster Clinic, International City 84 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

“A newborn baby has only three demands: warmth in the arms of their mother, food from her breasts and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breast milk satisfies all three.”

Grantly Dick-Read

British Obstetrician and Leading Advocate of Natural Childbirth

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is at least six months of age as it’s optimal for babies and mothers alike. Breast milk is your baby’s first feed and the first means of immunising them against infections and allergies. Your milk keeps your baby healthy by supplying them with all the essential nutrients in their required quantities. It has the perfect combination of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and fats. The importance of breastfeeding and its benefits for the mother and child are commonly known. However, there are certain other aspects of breastfeeding that mothers, or expectant mothers, need to know about to be able to breastfeed their babies efficiently.

The stages of breast milk: The mother’s body will produce breast milk when the time comes and it’s ready. This milk has three stages. The first milk that’s released from the breast is called the ‘colostrum, a yellow/golden liquid that’s perfect food for your baby. It’s considered to be the child’s first dose of immunisation containing essential proteins, vitamins, minerals and immunoglobins.

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H E A LT H The next milk is called ‘transitional milk,’ which is some amount of colostrum combined with breast milk.

The last stage of breast milk is known as mature milk: it’s made up of water, carbs, proteins, leukocytes, uric acid, urea and fat.

Is my baby getting enough milk? New mums are always concerned that their child may not be getting enough breast milk. A new mum should know a few signs that would help her understand if her child is feeding enough. Once the breastfeeding schedule has been established, a newborn baby should be fed 8 –12 times per day and have approximately 6 – 8 wet diapers. Also, if you’re able to hear the baby sucking and swallowing milk then they’re feeding appropriately.

How do I store breast milk? In today’s time and age, most mothers resume work a month after their delivery and find the need to collect and store their breast milk for when they’re separated from their infants. A breast pump will help a mother extract and store her milk for future use, allowing the baby to feed even when she’s not around. Breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag with ice cubes/packs for one day (not refrigerated). Unless used immediately, refrigerate the milk immediately after expression. Breast milk can be refrigerated/frozen for five days at about 40°F; if being frozen, it can last up to two weeks at 0 – 5°F. When it’s time to use it, breast milk should be warmed in a container with lukewarm water. If unused, the milk must be discarded.

Breastfeeding is the first step towards mother-child bonding. However, in some cases, mothers are unable to breastfeed their baby or may voluntarily choose not to continue breastfeeding even until six months of age. In such cases, they can still use breast milk by expressing it, spoon feeding the baby or using a feeding dropper.

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H E A LT H

STAYING HEALTHY IN SCHOOL Dr Sarla Sharma

Specialist Paediatrician, Aster Clinic, Al Nahda

You eagerly wait for your child to come home from school with stories about their day, a few homework assignments and maybe an art project. Instead, they sometimes come back with a cough, fever or even head full of ice.

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At school, staying in close contact with other children will make it inevitable that they infect one another. Sending your child to school wearing protective gear may sound tempting, but it’s rather impractical. So how do you make sure that, while they don’t stay 100% germ-free, your children are at least healthy in school? Prevention is better than cure is the golden rule. Parents need to make sure they have checked a few points off their to-do list. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that:

VACCINATION

Your child’s vaccination is up to date and they get the flu vaccination for protection against influenza (seasonal flu).

LUNCHBOX

WATER

You pack healthy food in your child’s lunchbox including fruits, vegetables and snacks which are rich in protein and carbohydrates.

SCHOOL BAG

Your child uses a school bag with a padded back and shoulder straps to reduce backache and strain on the shoulders and spine.

You ask your children to drink plenty of water at school and stay hydrated.

HYGIENE

You explain the importance of good hygiene to children and teach them proper hand-washing techniques, specially before eating and after a visit to the washroom.

We always wish all children good health, but in case your child falls sick after starting school, it’s important to ensure a timely visit to the paediatrician and follow their advice on the course of treatment. Additionally, it’s important to let your child stay home until they completely recover. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 89

H E A LT H

11 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH Mother, Baby & Child interviews two paediatricians. How do we ensure our children are healthy? Here’s what they had to say:

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1. Breastfeed until at least six months of age. Breast milk is a living substance which contains healthy bacteria, antibodies and other essential proteins, minerals and immune factors. These are equally important from six months and beyond as babies are exposed more to the outside world and infections that come along with it. Longer breastfeeding also helps lower the risk of health conditions that could develop later in life.

2. Be a good role model. Don’t give sweets as a reward for a good deed done. Don’t give sweet fruit drinks, instead, give them fresh juice or plain water. Don’t make a big deal if they don’t eat as much as you want them to.

3. Curtail junk food which leads to complications in later life. Junk food can lead to complications like obesity, low self-esteem, diabetes and cancer. It may also affect their performance in school by depleting their energy and ability to concentrate. School years are the most essential years and choices made during these years are likely to last a lifetime.

Dr Habibur Rahman

4. Evaluate vitamin D.

Paediatrics Consultant, Vitamin D is essential for bone health and its deficiency is prevalent among children. Canadian Specialist It promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus which strengthens the bones Hospital and teeth. This vitamin also helps in building a stronger immune system and with cell growth. Its deficiency may lead to asthma and muscle weakness at an early age.

5. Lead an active lifestyle. Play outdoors as much as you can and let them enjoy natural things. Neither the mobile phone nor other electronics are considered toys.

Children who are encouraged to play outdoors have a lower risk of suffering from myopia than kids who use electronic gadgets. Playing outdoors can increase vitamin D intake, improve the child’s attention span and promote social skills.

6. Ensure rest and sleep to promote growth and neurodevelopment. Lack of sleep may lead to language and reading problems. Set earlier bedtimes. Getting ready for the next day the night before helps the child sleep better. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | OCTOBER 2017 | 91

H E A LT H 1. Breastfeeding: • Breastfeeding is a gift to your baby that lasts a lifetime. • Research shows that breastfeeding results in many health benefits for the mother and baby. • Breast milk is unique and complete nutrition for your baby which changes every day to meet your baby’s growing needs. It saves lives, money and time. Cells, hormones and antibodies contained in it help protect babies from infections and chronic diseases. • Breastfeeding helps a mother’s health and healing following childbirth; it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer in mothers.

2. Immunise and protect your child at every age: • Immunisations have had an enormous impact on improving the health of the children and adults. They’re one of the best ways parents can protect children from many potentially-harmful, vaccine-preventable diseases. • It’s important to read the vaccine materials you receive from your child’s healthcare providers and follow the given immunisation schedule.

3. Help kids develop healthy eating habits:

Dr Dhiraj Sidagonda Shedabale

Specialist Paediatrician Zulekha Hospital, Dubai

• Give children building blocks for living by teaching them the importance of good nutrition. • Balance the calories your child consumes from food and beverages with the ones they use through physical activity and normal growth. • Encourage healthy eating habits like eating more fruits and vegetables, fewer snacks, and limiting the consumption of sugar, beverages and saturated fat. • Encourage children to choose water as a drink. • Look for ways to make favourite dishes healthier. • Remove calorie-rich temptations. • Have dinner together as a family to provide the best opportunity for conversation.

4. Help kids stay active: • Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week. • Reduce sedentary time: limit the time the kids watch TV, or use tablets, the computer and smart phones. • Lead the way: make physical activity a priority in your daily routine and look after your own health. • Do it together: spend quality time with kids. Do activities together with the whole family e.g. jogging, cycling, swimming and dancing.

5. Nurture good values in kids: • Raising children the right way is critical. Family feeds our bodies, which then feeds our souls. It’s important to teach good basic values to kids such as strength, resilience, faith, hard work, volunteering, empathy and gratitude. Resist lecturing and lead by example. 92 | OCTOBER 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Your child’s mental health is also very important. Here are some tips from Dr Sarah Rasmi, family psychologist and parenting expert for social app Play:Date, on how to ensure optimum mental health development: 1. Get moving Research shows that people who are physically active have better outcomes than those who aren’t. Exercise boosts memory, brainpower, coping skills, happy hormones and self-confidence. At the same time, it reduces anxiety, depression and stress. Soft play areas are the perfect choice for young children as they enable them to run and play in a controlled environment.

2. Explore nature Stimulate little minds by taking a trip to the aquarium or an indoor animal habitat. These excursions are both educational and fun for kids (and parents too!). There are so many wonderful options in the UAE and across the region.

3. Splash around Going for a swim is a great way to beat the heat. Practicing different strokes – or simply splashing around – is a fun way to get active.

4. Make a social date Schedule an indoor playdate for your little one and their friends! Are all their buddies out of town? No worries! You can use apps such to help you connect with parents in the community whose children share similar interests to your child. This is a great way to build new friendships, boost confidence and communication skills, and promote learning in children as young as six months old.

5. Start a project Whether it’s planting a small garden or working on a complex LEGO set, a project is a great way to teach children important life lessons and the value of discipline, determination and effort: it also encourages patience and problem-solving.

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