ISSUE: Aug 2017
24
AUSTRALIA
SPOTLIGHT ON
SPECIAL NEEDS
INDEPENDENCE IS THE KEY TO BEING KINDY-READY EMOTIONS TAKE YOUR NEXT
PARTY TO THE SKIES
SENSATIONAL SENSORY FUN
FREE www.pakmag.com.au | August 2017 1
CONTENTS PAGE 04 The Thing Is...
Hello and welcome to the August edition of PakMag.
This month. We’re continuing our education series with our story on kindy readiness and the importance of learning science, so check those out on page 11 and 13.
With Bree James
07 Education: Emotions 11
Education: Being Ready
for Kindy
12 Education: The Exciting
World of Science
15 Health 17 Babyproof for Peace
of Mind
18 Bump, Bub And Beyond 21 Father’s Day
We all know that emotions are part and parcel of raising kids so our guide to handling emotions is a really great feature to help you help your children understand, accept and manage their emotions as they navigate the big wide world. With Father’s Day just around the corner (3rd September, don’t forget!), we’ve got a great Father’s Day Gift Guide with a number of giveaways. Make sure you take a look and enter those competitions to win some amazing prizes for that dad in your life (or for yourself!). Our Challenges with Children feature is all about physical disabilities this month and gives an eye-opening look at the most common physical disabilities in children. I hope you have a great month, and it’s not too cold at your place!
Gift Guide
25 Physical Disabilities
in Children
28 Celebrate: Take Your next
Party to the Skies
Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James
Bree James Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Contact Us: p 4053 3331 f 4053 3350 e admin@grandpublishing.com.au a Po Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 fb facebook.com/pakmagaustralia t #pakmag
Marketing to Families Experts Lisa Gillman Steph Bartram
Operations Manager Rose Foster
Office / Production Manager
Graphic Designers Clare Winter Lise Mardon-Smith
Sub-Editor
Janelle May
Supply & Distribution Manager Gleisy Meireles Accounts Trent Stievano Media Intern Monique Saggers
Kate Moloney
Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers. Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 30th July 2018
www.pakmag.com.au | August 2017 3
The Thing Is... STORY Bree James
One of my favorite sounds in the whole world is the sound of laughter. Not just any laughter, but the laughter that literally makes someone’s whole body shake, and their eyes water with happy tears. The thing is, we can learn a lot from children and laughter, and as adults I think we need to observe kids more and take a leaf out of their silly book. I’ve heard some funny things in my life and since being a parent, I think the things that come out of our children’s mouths can be hilarious. Sometimes disturbing. Sometimes innocently inappropriate, and sometimes just so cute it makes your heart melt. Having sons, most of the laughter in our home is from inappropriate behaviour. I constantly catch myself laughing at the kids’ antics, even though I know I shouldn’t encourage them. From them telling their daddy that he is furry like the dogs or smells as bad as them, to catching them sniffing each other’s butts to see who’s fart smells the worst, I’ve seen it all. With my first born, it was easy to turn away and laugh without him knowing and then the behaviour stopped. But my second child really is a clown. Since he was little he has made his big brother laugh, it is his favourite thing to do and it is a daily occurrence. The older they get, the sillier they become.
and his big brother is crying with laughter. From terrible puppet shows where every hand puppet dies then flies through the air, to dancing like he has been electrocuted, or the magic tricks that are so bad you can’t help but laugh. Kids sure know how to have fun. The inappropriate things they say innocently is the absolute worst. I wanted to curl up and die when one of the boys was nearly two and he pointed at an African man at Bunnings and said, “Monkey” (thankfully he laughed and said it happened all the time), to saying loudly in a restaurant, “Mummy what’s your doodle called again!?” My kids have said and done things that have embarrassed me many times that I have said loudly, “You wait ‘til I tell your mum” to try and stop the stares, for them to reply, “You are our mum”… Dang it, deflect plan didn’t work. The thing is, if we ever need cheering up, being around children in a silly mood will brighten your day. As hard as it is, it’s so important, in our serious world, to embrace our inner child and have some fun. So jump on that trampoline (don’t wet yourself), run around the house, play hide and seek, jump on their scooter, and do silentbut-deadly farts. Your kids will love you for it.
It is so hard as an adult to not laugh when your youngest is doing something inappropriately funny,
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Education
EMOTIONS STORY Raquel Sheridan
From childhood to adulthood, we all have to deal with our emotions; they will never leave us, they are just part of us. But what are emotions? The term ‘emotion’ is used by psychologists to refer to feelings that are expressed when important things happen to us. Emotions can affect our behaviour, in the way we act and conduct ourselves, especially towards others. It can also have an influence on decisionmaking, what and how much you spend money on, or eating habits, which are common coping mechanisms to deal with negative emotions. We can experience positive or negative emotions depending on the nature of the stimuli and our prior experience to it. In 1972, Professor of psychology Dr Paul Ekman proposed a set of six basic emotions experienced and recognised universally; surprise, anger, sadness, disgust, fear and joy. In later years, he expanded this list to include a number of other basic emotions, including guilt, embarrassment, excitement, shame, pride, satisfaction, amusement and relief. Why emotions are so important for children? At any stage of life emotions are important, but for children, understanding what these emotions mean and how to cope with them is a challenge in itself. Emotional development is an important aspect of children’s overall development but can be somewhat overlooked, with other milestones such as walking, talking and learning certain tasks being high priority.
Sadness, anger, joy and fear are the emotions which present themselves first and can be seen in babies. These emotions are generally expressed as physical reactions to their surroundings. As children get older, their awareness of themselves opens them up to new emotions like shyness, shame and surprise. The importance of experiencing emotions is immense; it is the first insight into self-awareness, rationale and reasoning that children experience. How these emotions are managed is key to ensuring a child’s overall emotional wellbeing and emotional maturity as they get older. Children must experience emotions to rationalise how they can deal with certain situations, make decisions and react appropriately. Their experience of emotions at younger ages can also influence their actions when they get older; they may do what they can to either avoid or pursue a certain emotion. Managing emotions in children According to Eliane Whitehouse & Warwick Pudney in their book, “A Volcano In My Tummy”, there are a number of ways that parents can help their children manage and deal with their emotions. •• Help your child self-regulate – This applies mostly to young children. It is extremely important for an adult to help the child regulate their emotions during moments of anger. Parents should acknowledge their child’s feelings but at the same time be calm and
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Education
•• firm in setting limits to the ways emotions can be expressed, and coach coping mechanisms to enable the child to deal with frustrations. Helping your child recognise and understand emotions is key. If a child is a little older, ask him to think about if there is a real need to be angry. Invite the child to self evaluate their own problems and find solutions, directing them if necessary. Ask, “Is this a big, little, or no problem?” and, “How can we resolve this?” Coach instead of control. •• Prevent negative emotions from happening – Identify triggers and avoid them. For example, organising yourself so you avoid a hungry and overtired child before going out shopping might be a good way to prevent the flourish of negative emotions. Do not put unrealistic expectations on children to avoid frustrations. Look for age appropriate activities with developmental capabilities that the child is good at performing. Don’t compare one child to another, remember every child is different! •• Increase your child’s self-esteem – Apply 5:1 rules. We need five praises or acknowledgments before we make one criticism, and this criticism is towards the behaviour, not the child. Good self-esteem means less need for negative emotions. •• Build a wide emotional vocabulary - Help children identify and communicate different types of feelings. This in turn helps them manage emotions in a more productive way, and instead of acting out or being withdrawn, they can talk about their emotions. Drawing might be a way of emotional communication especially for young children that don’t have many
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skills to express their emotions in words. •• Role Model – Children learn from what adults do, not from what they say! Regulating our emotions as parents using healthy coping mechanisms is essential to teach children how to best manage their own emotions. Use the anger rules model proposed in “A Volcano In My Tummy” which says “don’t hurt others, don’t hurt yourself, don’t hurt property.” •• Connect with your child – Be in tune to what’s happening with your child. Observe body language and behaviour, listen to what they have to say and be with them. “Children don’t need more things. The best toys a child can have is a parent who gets down on the floor and plays with them” according to Dr. Bruce Perry. By connecting with your child, you are building successful parent-child relationship, which is directly linked to development of emotional competency. •• Shifting negative emotions – Even anger can be useful as a powerful motivator. Use your negative emotions to bring a positive outcome. Shifting towards a healthy activity such as doing exercise is a good strategy. Marcus Aurelious once said: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts” You can’t always prevent an emotion from happening or stop a thought coming into your mind but you can learn to control your behaviour, and use different strategies to shift negative emotions into positive outcomes. In this way, you strengthen positive paths and connections in your brain.
Education
Independence is the key to being ready for kindy STORY Catholic Education Services – Diocese of Cairns
Starting kindergarten can be so exciting for your child but somewhat daunting for you as a parent. Some questions you may find yourself asking are, “Are they going to like it?”, “Will they be okay?”, “What if they miss me?”, “Will they make friends?”, “Will they eat what I pack for them?”, and the list goes on. Rest assured, your child will love kindergarten! They will thrive and make friends. So much so, you will probably have to remove them from the grounds kicking and screaming. However, like all new chapters, it is important your child is ready for this next step. Here are some tips for getting your child kindy-ready: •• Read with your child (every day is best). Talk about the book, ask your child questions about the pictures and don’t be afraid to re-read the same book multiple times. Repetition is key! •• Talk about colours, numbers and shapes in a range of contexts (e.g. books, road signs, magazines, newspapers, fruit and vegetables while at the supermarket). •• Practise writing their first name or making it with plastic letters or tiles.
•• Introduce them to numbers 1 to 10. •• Encourage them to use greetings such as “hello” or “good morning” when meeting people. •• Classify objects according to their shape, size and quantity. When you’re cooking, talk about what you’re doing and describe the sizes and colours of bowls and plates. What ingredient comes next and how much is needed. •• Give your child simple instructions to follow to get them used to following simple directions. •• Play listening games and encourage children to listen to natural sounds such as birds chirping or dogs barking. The most important thing to remember is not to panic. If your child hasn’t completely nailed everything on the list, it is okay! They will learn a lot in kindergarten. What’s more important is to begin increasing your child’s independence in completing simple tasks. For example, help them to zip up their jacket, tie their shoes or use Velcro strips. The main thing is to engage with your child and be excited for them; this is the beginning of their life of learning.
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Education
The Exciting World of Science STORY Rose Foster
August is National Science Month and all around the country there are events to help get your kids excited about this awesome subject. There are so many reasons that science is super-cool and getting the children interested in this diverse subject will open a world of possibilities to them that they never knew existed. The Importance of Science Studying science at school helps children develop invaluable skills and understand the world around them. Through planning experiments, analysing data, gathering information and working in teams, children learn skills that will help them in life, not just if their future career involves science. Whilst we may not think it, science actually influences many of our daily activities and the decisions we make. We can make informed decisions about how to tackle a problem, think analytically about issues we may face and understand the physical consequences to certain actions. Cool Careers Studying science gives way to a multitude of opportunities and a world of wonderful possibilities. Check out these awesome careers for people who study science. •• Zoo Endocrinologist – helping animals by developing breeding programmes and studying habitats. •• Drone Pilot – with the development of drone technology, there is an increasing demand for this job. Companies like Amazon and Google have already begun testing a delivery service by drone. •• Ethical Hacker – on the front line of cyber security, this job involves exposing your company’s cyber flaws to help protect them from malicious hackers.
•• Food Chemist – a food chemist experiments with food on a chemical level to make food easier to ship, more long lasting and tastier! •• Storm Tracker – these daredevil scientists track storms and collect data on tornados, cyclones, flash flooding, and more. Making Science Fun Sometimes sitting in a physics lesson, learning equations might not be the most fun activity. But there are a number of ways that schools engage children in science in a fun way too… and there are some ways that you can encourage fun science experiments at home too. Here’s some ways that you can get the kids involved in science at home: •• Plant a garden – plant a flower or veggie garden and track its progress with your little one. •• Get In the kitchen – there are a number of easy science experiments that you can do in the kitchen. There are so many to list here so we recommend googling “kitchen science experiments”. •• Take simple household items and discover together how they work. Lightbulbs are great for this. Check It Out We spoke to Kay Lembo from National Science Week, who gave us some tips on where you can find more resources. •• Visit www.asta.edu.au for some awesome free downloadables. •• Get along to your local National Science Week event. Go to www.scienceweek.net.au to find out about events in your local area.
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Health
HEALTH Is bedwetting causing your family distress?
Jeans for Genes
STORY Dial a Home Doctor Mackay
On the first Friday of August, each year, Jeans for Genes Day is celebrated. People all over Australia are invited to dress in jeans for work or school to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI).
As parents, we deal with numerous challenges every day, usually learning as we go. Some things are easily fixed, and some require a little more time and energy. One issue that can cause concern is bedwetting. Bedwetting can cause sleepless nights and piles of washing. If a child is older and at school, it can inhibit their desire to ‘sleep over’ at their best friend’s place. It can also cause emotional distress for everyone in the family, especially mums and dads trying to do their best. So, what do you do as a parent if you are faced with a child who continually wets the bed? Let’s shine a little light on some of the facts: •• Children do not wet the bed on purpose. •• Bedwetting is as common as having a fussy eater. •• It is more dominant in boys with around 10 per cent of five-year-olds wetting the bed. •• Very rarely, in fact, in around two per cent only, medical causes are the reason for bed wetting. Bedwetting is challenging for families so here are some ideas that might help you get back to getting a good night’s sleep: •• Make sure your child goes to the toilet before bed. •• Use waterproof sheets. •• Have spare pyjamas and sheets next to the bed, just in case. •• If your child is a little older, it’s okay to get them to help change their beds – not as a punishment, but to help them learn to deal with the situation. There are however, situations where it’s time to get medical help. Westmead Children’s Hospital recommends that this might be a good idea if: •• Your child is still wetting the bed after the age of about six or seven, and the child is unhappy or worried about it. •• Your child has persistent daytime wetting. •• Your child has been dry at night for over a year and suddenly starts to wet the bed again. Every child is unique, so if you are concerned, it’s always best to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s condition.
The CMRI is a superb organisation conducting vital research into children’s health. One in 20 children are born with a birth defect or genetic disease and the CMRI aims to cure childhood diseases. And they believe they will do just that. As a result of medical research, diseases such as polio, diphtheria and smallpox are a thing of the past. Over the past 60 years, the CMRI has achieved some extraordinary medical advances including creating the first research unit for newborns which dramatically improved premature baby survival rates. But they need your help to advance further, so why not get your workplace involved in Jeans for Genes Day? For more information, visit www.jeansforgenes.org.au to register.
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Bump, Bub and Beyond
Babyproof for peace of mind STORY Kate Moloney
You’ve gotten through the sleepless night period, you’re finally feeling like you’ve got this parenting gig under control, and then someone moves the goal posts on you again, they start moving independently! Once babies start crawling, it’s time to up the ante, get down on all fours and have a good look at your home from a different vantage point; a baby’s-eye view! You’ll be surprised by the dangers that present themselves to your seriously curious baby. It is a good idea to go around your home, room by room, and address all the things that suddenly have now become obvious dangers to you. Take note of sharp corners on any furniture, assess what they can reach, and look for any breakable items that can be reached or could fall by the wobbling of the furniture. Look at your furniture in terms of its stability will the coffee table tip if it is pulled on one side? Is all of your tall furniture stable or affixed so there’s no danger of it toppling should your little one want to climb it? Is the television out of reach? This is also the time to consider all the ‘little’ things that you may have around too. Babies love to put things in their mouth, and these may pose a choking threat to your little one. And they will find them! A good rule is, anything that can fit through an empty toilet paper roll should be locked away.
Cupboard doors and draws can be babyproofed to ensure the treasures inside are kept safe (and your little one too). There are numerous safety latches and locks available, as well as DIY tricks such as using hair ties or rubber bands to stop little hands from being able to pull open draws or cupboards. Doors also pose a danger to little fingers. Invest in some door stops, or you can cut up a pool noodle, put a slice in it and affix to any sized door to prevent it from slamming. Electrical outlets also are an absolute magnet for babies too, ensure you cover any unused outlets with covers and that any electrical cords are tidily tucked behind furniture and out of reach. Safety gates are great to totally block off entire rooms that pose too many dangers and are better kept out of bounds all together. Gates can also be used to keep them in a particular space that you have babyproofed and know is safe. Babyproofing your home leads to peace of mind. Get these things sorted early and you can just sit back and enjoy as your little one takes in the wonder of being able to crawl and discover all the curiosities of your home.
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Bump, Bub and Beyond
BUMP, BUB AND BEYOND Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!
Wonsie - Larger sized bodysuits RRP $63.83, www.wonsie.com.au Wonsie specialises in larger sized bodysuits for older children, teenagers and most adults. They are designed to assist specific needs for families who live with disabilities.
LeapFrog Sing & Spin Alphabet Zoo Ball RRP $34.95, www.leapfrog.com.au LeapFrog, an innovator in learning toys for children, believe that every child’s development is a continuous journey that happens one spark, one discovery, one success at a time. The fun starts with the Sing & Spin Alphabet Zoo Ball! Discover the alphabet from Alligator to Zebra! Little ones learn about animals and their sounds plus the letters A to Z with each spin of the wheel. Music, lights and swirling patterns encourage exploration. Babies develop motor skills by batting the wheel again and again. LeapFrog toys are available from Big W, Toys R Us, and independent toy retailers. Check out LeapFrog news on Facebook LeapFrogAustralia and Instagram Leapfrogofficial.
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Their “wonsies” help to keep wandering hands out of nappies and incontinence pads and deters inappropriate undressing. They keep curious fingers out of feeding buttons/PEG tubes and prevents eczema sufferers from scratching tummies. They are great for keeping people in wheelchairs comfortable and also specialise in styles to assist peg-tube feeding. New to the range is the Back Zip Jumpsuit which is designed to challenge your escape artist! Wonsie is proud to be a registered provider to the NDIS. Shipping is available worldwide and FREE within Australia.
Illume Learning Education Resource Pack RRP $92.00, illumelearning.com.au Illume Learning supports the education of students with diverse learning needs. They’ve put together a selection of their most popular education resources with a focus on literacy, fine motor development and handwriting. This engaging resource pack is sure to be a hit with your little learner! Prize includes 1 x tactile letters set, 1 x lace and link letters set, 1 x A-Z flash cards set, 1 x pencil stylus and 1 x pencil grip pack.
Bump, Bub and Beyond
Hip dysplasia STORY Monique Saggers Your baby has just been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and the first thing that hits your mind is, “What is this disorder and what does it mean in regards to my baby?” What is hip dysplasia? This disorder occurs within the development of the hip joint, when the ball at the top of the thigh bone is not stable within the hip socket, the ligaments of the hip become stretched and loosened, resulting in instability within the hip. What is the cause of hip dysplasia? The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, however there are a number of factors which can influence this disorder: •• The position of the baby in the womb can cause pressure on the child’s hip joints. Babies in the breech position are more likely to have hip instability when compared to babies in the non-breach position. •• Genetics can play a role but aren’t a direct cause of the disorder. •• Girls can be more likely to develop this disorder due to the mother’s laxity hormone being transferred, causing ligaments to relax and become loose. Treatment If your baby is at high risk, you will be advised, and your baby will need to have an ultrasound done at around six weeks of age. Hip braces are used as part of early management, and your baby may need to wear this device 24 hours a day for a number of weeks or months. Through early detection and the use of braces the hip joint can develop as normal and your baby may avoid the need for surgery in the future.
Does your baby have a hearing problem? STORY Hearing Advice with Grant Collins | Principal Audiologist at Clarity Hearing Solutions Early intervention is the key to ensuring the least amount of ongoing issues for children with hearing loss. But hearing loss can develop at any stage, so what can we as parents do? The best thing is to be vigilant for any signs of hearing loss. At between four and eight-months-old, you should start to see responses in your baby such as turning their head or eyes toward sound from sources they can’t see. They should be changing expressions at the sound of voices or noises in quiet settings and enjoying rattles or other toys that make noise. Your baby should also be talking to him or herself (although in their own baby babble) and back to you as well. If they seem to hear some sounds and not others; or respond to noises that make vibrations but not others, you should keep a closer eye on their hearing development. From there until about 12-months-old, your baby should turn towards new noises or speech directed at them and start to respond to their name. Their babble will now be more pronounced with varying pitches and they should also be making several different consonant sounds. If you have any concerns, have your baby’s hearing assessed to ensure they are meeting development milestones.
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Gift Guide
FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!
CapHat™ RRP $22.99, www.caphat.com.au CapHat™ (as seen on Shark Tank) is a unique, award winning, one size fits all attachment that simply fits over your favourite cap or hat to provide ultimate UPF45 sun protection and are suitable for the whole family. They have grip tabs for wind or glare and can be dipped in water for an awesome cooling effect.
Captain Jack Beard Co Beard Oil RRP $34.95, www.captainjackbeardco.com.au Captain Jack Beard Co. is a boutique men's grooming label which specialise in blending high quality artisan beard oils. A unique blend of five different oils and irresistible fragrances Captain Jack's Beard Oil will not only maintain a fresh and healthy beard but also protect and nourish the skin underneath. Captain Jack Beard Oil can also be used as a facial oil if you don't support a full beard or a pre shaving oil to soften the skin and hair. With new fragrances and matching balms coming soon, Captain Jack will make the perfect gift this Father’s Day!
Muck Boots Chore Classic Mid Boot RRP $129.95, www.muckboots.com.au The Original Muck Boot Company is heralded as one of the most innovative and comfortable boot brands taking the world by storm. The range caters for every Man, merging comfort, style and high performance with every boot delivering 100% waterproof protection. No matter the purpose, all footwear is designed to tackle tough conditions in work, agriculture, gardening, construction and all trade professions making them the perfect Fathers Day gift. The Chore Classic Boot provides a comfortable style of boot leading the Men’s range as the best seller. With 5mm Neoprene comfort, a durable lightweight rubber outsole and a steel shank for additional arch support, this boot is built to handle the toughest of jobs.
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Gift Guide
Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!
Brenniston’s Motor Vehicle First Aid Kit RRP $35.48, www.brenniston.com.au Brenniston’s Motor Vehicle First Aid Kit will ensure Dad’s ready for anything. Purpose-built for roadside emergencies like bleeds, burns and post-accident shock, this kit will fit safely under his car seat or glove box. Designed and produced in Australia for quality and reliability, he’ll never leave home without it.
Milkman Grooming Co Spring Rider After Shave Serum RRP $40.00, www.milkmanaustralia.com Milkman Grooming Co's new “Spring Rider” After Shave Serum combines a moisturiser with an alcohol-free after shave. With ingredients like witch hazel, aloe vera and allantoin, it contains some of the most sought-after post shave ingredients but is also packed with the kind of high-end moisturisers and anti-oxidants you would usually expect to see in a much more expensive day cream including hyaluronic acid, kakadu plum extract, beta glucan plus vitamins E and B5. At only RRP $40.00 it makes the perfect gift for Father’s Day. www.milkmanaustralia.com. Milkman Grooming Co products are also at Shaver Shop.@milkmanaustralia #milkmanaustralia #springrider @shavershopau #shavershop
Prickly Pete Underwear Trunks by Funky Trunks RRP $19.95, www.funkytrunks.com Famous for its bold, bright prints, Funky Trunks has added an exciting new design to its underwear collection; Prickly Pete. With a self-lined pouch for greater support, a smooth waist and generous stretch around the leg, these trunks are so comfortable; you’ll forget you’re wearing them! And considering they are the first item you slip into in the morning and the last you take off at night; that has to be a good thing.
22 August 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au
Buckle 1922 Father's Day gift pack RRP $97.00, www.shopbuckle.com.au Spoil Dad this Father’s Day with Buckle 1922’s collection of men’s fashion accessories. Buckle has a range of cufflinks, lapel pins and bow ties that make the perfect affordable gift for Dad. Enter now for your chance to win a Buckle 1922 Father’s Day gift pack valued at $97.00 Each prize pack includes: Buckle Bow Tie – RRP $39.00, Buckle Lapel Pin – RRP $29.00 and Buckle Cufflinks – RRP $29.00
Challenges For Children
Physical disabilities in children STORY Nicole Brown - Occupational Therapist
Children that have physical disabilities often have difficulties participating in everyday activities such as walking, playing, dressing themselves, and going to school. A physical disability can be any condition that impacts on a person’s normal body movement and control. What are common types of physical disabilities? Common physical disabilities include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and spinal or acquired brain injuries. Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects movement and posture. It is a permanent life-long condition, but generally does not worsen over time. It is due to damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth. There are different types of cerebral palsy including
boys. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive condition which means it gets worse over time, and there is no cure. Most children who have Duchene Muscular Dystrophy are in wheelchairs by the time they reach adolescence. People with spinal or acquired brain injuries can have difficulties with moving certain body parts depending on the location of the injury. Children with physical disabilities may present with other conditions including hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), scoliosis (curvatures of spine) and bone and joint deformities (due to differences in growth). How do physical disabilities occur? Physical disabilities can be caused by a number of different factors including;
•• spastic quadriplegia- affects movement in both arms and both legs
•• inherited or genetic conditions such as muscular dystrophy,
•• diplegia- affects movement in both legs
•• congenital (present from birth) such as spina bifida or some types of cerebral palsy,
•• hemiplegia- affects movement on one side of the body •• ataxia- affects balance and coordination Spina bifida occurs during pregnancy when the spinal cord does not fully close. Children with spina bifida may have paralysis or weakness and/or sensory loss. They also can have difficulties with bowel and bladder control. Muscular dystrophy occurs when muscles that control movement start to weaken. There are different types of muscular dystrophy however the most common is Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, which occurs mainly in
•• serious illness or injury that affects the brain including meningitis, spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury (stroke, near drowning, trauma to head). The Role of Allied Health Professionals To assist children with physical disabilities in achieving independence and developing functional skills. In addition to medical professionals, allied health professionals form part of the healthcare team. Physiotherapy is a vital profession in helping children with physical disabilities achieve gross motor skills and movement. Physiotherapists engage a wide range of
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Challenges For Children
interventions to improve a child’s strength, balance and movement including walking, being able to transfer (lie to sit, sit to stand) and of course running, jumping, hopping and skipping. Physiotherapists work with the child and their family to incorporate exercises to strengthen muscles and train correct movements in the developing child to prevent deformity and improve function. Physiotherapists also train the caregivers in how to safely lift and position the child to prevent caregiver injuries. Occupational therapists assist children with physical disabilities to participate in everyday activities such as feeding, dressing, toileting, playing and school activities such as drawing and writing. Occupational therapists use a variety of play-based activities to practice these skills and provide recommendations on changing the activity to make it easier, or provide equipment to make the activity achievable. For example, occupational therapists will trial equipment for seating, feeding and hygiene activities that assist the child to be supported, safe and able to participate in the activity if possible. Occupational therapists will work on the child’s ability to engage in age appropriate play including early object play (banging, casting and posting toys) to construction play (building blocks and Lego) and even imaginative play. Speech pathologists work with children who have physical disabilities to help them communicate and address feeding and drinking difficulties. Communication is such an important skill in everyday life and is at times affected by physical disabilities. Speech pathologists also assess and prescribe the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems when a child has complex communication needs (for example, a speech generating device, or a communication app for a tablet device). Other health professionals that work with children with physical impairments include; •• Orthotists who fabricate foot orthoses to help with walking and prevent deformities of the feet. •• Psychologists who assist with supporting a child’s emotional health, addressing complex behavioural problems and supporting thinking and learning. •• Audiologists who assess hearing difficulties. •• Ophthalmologist who assess vision difficulties.
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Equipment that Children with Physical Disabilities May Need Depending on the child’s age and level of disability there are various pieces of equipment that may assist the child to participate in daily activities. These include standing frames to promote muscle strength and postural control, walkers to develop gait and support mobility, and wheelchairs to provide mobility for those who are unable to walk. Seating systems are often required to maintain good posture for attending to everyday activities such as eating, doing schoolwork or playing and also assist with preventing deformities due to muscle weakness. Showering and toileting equipment is required at times to keep the child and caregiver safe during these daily tasks, in addition to promoting the child’s independence within these personal activities. Other equipment such as modified play equipment and communication devices are also available to enhance a child’s ability to engage in everyday life. Going to school with a physical disability Going to school can host a number of challenges for children with physical disabilities. Legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and Disability Standards for Education (2005) provide schools with guidelines on how to support students with disabilities in attending and achieving at school. Schools in Australia have specialist support from teachers and allied health professionals to assist with meeting the educational needs of the individual. There are often specialist teachers and facilities available to assist children. Examples of what support schools are required to provide include adjustments to curriculum, assessment modifications, assistive technology such as software to support learning (e.g. voice to text, predictive text) and accessible buildings and facilities. Children with physical disabilities have difficulties with moving or controlling their body. However, with the support, assistance and acceptance from the wider community these children are able to engage in everyday activities to learn, develop and achieve!
Celebrate
TAKE YOUR NEXT PARTY TO THE SKIES Time flies when you’re having fun, and before you know it, your little one’s birthday makes a landing. So why not throw them a party that will really take off?
•• Cotton balls
Suitcase Rush Game
•• Craft glue
You’ll need:
Boarding Passes
Method:
•• String
•• Holiday items (clothes etc) Method:
1. Using a pencil, draw an outline of a cloud onto the white cardboard. Carefully, cut out the cloud.
Invite your guests with their very own boarding pass invitation, make sure to include the ‘take off’ time (party start time) as well as their destination (party address).
1. Have the party separated into two teams and form two lines. Set two suitcases with clothes outside of the case running distance in front of each team.
2. Repeat steps one and two to create your desired number of clouds.
Fluffy cloud display
2. Have each team send a player to pack the case and bring it back to the start of the line to then unpack.
3. Add a layer of glue onto one side of the cloud cut out and stick on cotton balls, making sure to fill the entire surface with no gaps.
By following the steps below, you can create a magical array of clouds in your very own living room.
3. The next player must re-pack the suitcase and run to the other end, to repeat the cycle. The first team to make it back to the starting person wins!
4. When dried completely, attach each cloud with tape to a piece of string, and hang in desired spot.
You’ll Need: •• White cardboard
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•• 2 suitcases
•• Tape
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1. Retro Metal Bi Plane - RRP $39.95 - www.earthtoys.net 2. Unicorn Skirt - RRP $34.95 - www.hellomisspoppyseed.com 3. Aeroplane & Cloud Biscuits www.babka.pt 4. Hot Air Balloon Cutter - www.cookiecutterkdom.com 5. Party Setting - www.babyprepping.com 6. Cloud Cupcakes www.allthingscupcake.com 7. Lunch Punch® Favourites Transit Two Pack - RRP $14.95 - www.hellomisspoppyseed.com 8. Black Birds Bagbini - RRP $34.95 www.hellomisspoppyseed.com 9. Playforever Mimmo Plane - RRP $110.00 - www.earthtoys.net 10. Captain’s Cake - www.catchmyparty.com
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11. Edible Icing Bits - www.icingbits.com 12. Hot Air Balloon Rainbow RRP $75.00 - www.earthtoys.net 13. Sunshine Pancake www.cupcakediariesblog.com 14. Down to thw Woods Felt Cloud Garland - RRP $41.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au