PakMag Townsville - August 2022 Issue 141

Parents and Kids Magazine

ISSUE: AUG 2022

141

TOWNSVILLE

Focus On

EQUALITY & INCLUSION Community Noticeboard The Earth and our Solar System How to Manage the Rising Cost of Living

FREE

100

Family-Friendly

EVENTS Mini Mag: Kids LiftOut Activities Inside What’s On this August in Townsville

BLENDED 5& DIVERSE Tips on Discussing

Families with Your Children

Perspective Taking for Social Development Learning Difficulties and How to Support Your Child

+

Learn About Maternal Depletion

Welcome

5

The Thing Is

6

Tips and Tricks to Manage the Rising Cost of Living

8

STEAM: Earth and Our Solar System

10

How to Talk to Children About Blended and Diverse Families

13

How Does “Belonging” Help Students Succeed?

15

How to Support and Advocate for Your Child with a Learning Difficulty

18

Talking with Your Child About Race

21

All Things Health

24 Parent’s Puzzle 25 Mini Mag 31

Meet One of Mary MacKillop Childcare NQ’s Kindergarten Teachers

33 Maternal Depletion

Hello and welcome to our August edition, which shines a light on the topic of equality and inclusion.

For this edition, I had the privilege to chat with Dr. Truglio, Sesame Street’s Senior Vice President for Curriculum and Content. She shared how we can talk thoughtfully about race with our children, and how to identify and respond to racism. We also spoke to many other experts around the globe to bring you and your family helpful and insightful topics to talk about, including tips for discussing diverse families with your children, and how to support and advocate for your child experiencing learning difficulties.

As we approach the second half of the year, a lot is happening festivalwise around FNQ, so make sure you check our website and our What’s On Guide to see all of the incredible things happening in our region.

We are also planning the rest of our 2023 content this month, so if you have ideas or topics that you would like us to cover, shoot them over to editorial@pakmag.com.au - we’d love to hear them.

The team and I hope you love this edition as much as we do and that you get lots out of it. If you want to share your voice, you can find out more about becoming a contributor at www.pakmag.com.au/communitycontributor Until next time, happy parenting, and don’t forget to tell everyone you read it in PakMag.

34 Bump, Bub and Beyond 37 The Importance of Perspective Taking for Social Development 41

All Things Tweens and Teens

43 Daddy Diary

Bree

44 Community Noticeboard 46 What’s On

PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James Creative Team Leader, Designer and Editor Clare Winter Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino Sales and Business Development Tracy Couper Videographer, Designer and Podcast Producer Monique Saggers Writer and Content Coordinator Lis Rooks Accounts and IT Support Trent Stievano

p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.paktownsville.com.au • www.pakmag.com.au • www.m2f.com.au

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PakMag would like to acknowledge the First Nations people of North Queensland; the first storytellers and Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we work, live and enjoy. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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 ideas expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers. We have done our best to ensure all events and information was correct at the time of going to print. Please check with individual businesses and authorities.

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families

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The Thing Is

The Thing Is with Bree James Whoever said “it gets easier as they get older” lied. It doesn’t get easier. It’s like playing a video game; you are just at a different level with more diverse challenges.

The thing is, the fun starts when your babies are little.

You have sleep deprivation and you worry about them as they can’t communicate with you, but you console yourself with the thought that it’ll get easier as they get older. Then, as the toddler years roll in, you discover that you’re still sleep deprived and you still worry.

Then, the school years start. You think, “I am going to get more sleep, I’ll get more done and life will be easier when they are at school”... But, now that I am more than a few years into the school journey, I doubt this more than ever.

As our kids get older, our life takes more of a backseat while we adjust to our kids having a larger agenda than our own.

I am trying hard to not use the word “overwhelming” to describe this business of raising children, but seriously, what’s expected of parents is immense. We are expected to work like we don’t have children, and raise children like we don’t have work. While I feel incredibly blessed that I can work around the ebbs and flows of my family’s needs (which sees me stretch like Elastigirl most days), I know many parents are in different situations and I can only imagine that the mental load is even more draining.

While we have a vast variety of choices and opportunities underpinned by the empowering narrative “I can do it all”, we eventually begin to feel troubled as the message morphs into “I should do it all and I am not doing enough”, leaving us feeling overwhelmed.

As women, we are socially conditioned to find value in giving and providing for others. But as we do more and more for others without giving back to ourselves, we become exhausted.

In today’s fast paced world, many women are so busy and experience such a high mental load that they can feel like robots catering to everyone’s needs, eventually losing touch with themselves. Sadly, many women juggle so many commitments that they often run on empty.

Living according to society’s value of ‘doing’ over ‘being’ has consequences. Activities like having a bath, getting dinner with friends, or getting your nails done certainly helps temporarily, but what we really need is time and space to work on our wellbeing. Though we know this, we tell ourselves that there is no way we will ever find the time because everyone needs us. We are forever managing “all the things”.

Add in a dose of illness through the household, and tasks pile up so high that life can take a month to get back on track.

So, with life’s demands not lessening, let’s remember what’s truly important. These family years are some of our best years. It’s so important we make time for fun, forget the mess and aren’t too hard on ourselves.

We are all doing our best, and sometimes we just need to lower the expectations of ourselves to realise that “I don’t need to do it all” and change the narrative to “I am doing enough”.

If you are looking for a way to find some space and clarity for yourself, I invite you to join me on my Vision Voyage Reset Retreat in June 2023.

Payment plans are available to make it affordable for everyone. This might just be the opportunity you need to reset your life and get back on track. Find out more at www.myvisionbook.com.au/my-vision-voyage

Bree www.breejames.com www.myvisionbook.com.au

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Feature

Tips and Tricks to Manage the Rising Cost of Living STORY Lis Rooks We all know that raising kids is expensive, and with the rising cost of living, staying on top of your finances may feel even more challenging. While the changing economy and inflation challenge many, there are steps you can take to future-proof your bank balance and manage tougher times better.

With wages lagging behind the rising cost of living, many families experience a lower income threshold, requiring a different budgeting and financial planning approach. While government support can help, additional finance management options can improve a family’s financial position and alleviate anxiety and worries about the future.

Although planning and managing family finances may sound tedious, keeping an open mind can make the process more enjoyable and help you develop innovative and creative solutions. Including teenagers and other family members in the planning process can also help motivate and teach young people essential life skills.

Cover the Basics of Budgeting Anyone familiar with budgeting knows that keeping track of your expenses will give you insight into what you spend, and help you identify essential and non-essential outgoings. Luckily, there are many

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ways to approach expense tracking, and not all of them include trawling through your bank statements.

You can use smart money apps linked to online banking, easy-to-use third-party mobile apps, or approach it manually with Excel spreadsheets.

Remember that tracking your expenses isn’t as dull as it sounds; you might be surprised to see where your money is going!

One often overlooked pitfall is recurring subscriptions managed by PayPal. You may have signed up for free trials that automatically switched to paid subscription plans after expiration. You can check these by logging into your PayPal account and cancelling any recurring payments you no longer need or could do without.

Families with more than one child may also want to consider novelty expenses such as online gaming purchases, after-school shopping sprees with friends,

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tuckshop expenses, and other non-essential costs.

Setting aside a set amount per week or fortnight can teach your teen budgeting skills and help you restrain expenses to a reasonable amount.

Lastly, if there is any extra income after essential expenses, think about what you most want to spend that money on.

Hot tip: Instead of spending hard-earned dollars on streaming services, join your local library and access Kanopy for free, which lets you stream up to 20 free movies per month!

Know the System and Make it Work for You Knowing your entitlements and taking advantage of them means extra money in the bank, so don't be shy to ask questions and explore your options. Becoming financially savvy can help you discover new ways to reduce costs and keep more of your income, allowing you to work smarter not harder.

Some of your expenses may be tax deductible, so speak to your tax agent or accountant. Remember to do this annually as government entitlements and tax deductions often change. Compare insurances and utility providers, make the switch, and cancel services you no longer require. Aside from this, there are options such as trust funds, superannuation contributions, salary packaging, living away from home allowances, scholarships for students and much more. For someone unfamiliar with these options, navigating what works best can be incredibly confusing and overwhelming. So, instead of spending endless hours researching online, connect with a reputable financial advisor or accountant who you can trust, and talk to friends and family about ideas and options.

Planning for the Future At some stage in life, most people worry about their future, especially when it comes to financial security.

As part of a personal financial plan, you might want to consider some of the following products to give yourself and your family extra protection: • Life Insurance • A will that is specifically structured to meet the needs of your family • Income, trauma, or serious illness insurance policies • Savings plans to achieve long-term goals

Be Creative and Stay Positive While financial pressures can plunge us into an anxious state of mind, being creative with budgeting will help you feel more at ease, and teach your young ones valuable life skills.

Aside from the options discussed above, there are seven creative ways to reduce the cost of living and increase your cash flow:

1. Community Exchange Systems (CES) and Local Energy Trading Systems (LETS).

2. Offering cash-in-hand services within your local community.

3. Preventing impulse purchases by buying groceries online or from small local shops and sticking to a meal plan.

4. Switching to less expensive mobile phone and broadband providers.

5. Rethinking your commute by carpooling, biking or working from home if that option is available to you.

6. Incorporating free self-care practices such as tenminute meditations or a walk in the park to curb any online shopping addictions.

7. Sharing childminding with friends and family instead of paying high vacation care or after school care fees.

Always remember that by approaching budgeting with a goal-focused mindset, you can learn to feel less stressed and anxious about covering unexpected or significant costs. Having a plan B in place can also be a huge relief.

While this is easier said than done, taking time out can help calm your mind and regain the strength to approach your finances from an objective perspective.

Setting aside quiet time to plan and review is especially important for parents and carers of children with complex needs, as this allows you to concentrate and take your personal wants and needs into consideration too. Various local not-for-profit agencies and NDIS service providers offer professional respite care services, giving you the space to breathe and focus while knowing your child’s needs are fully met.

As you become more comfortable with tracking and learning about your finances, you might feel more relieved knowing your family’s needs will be met, which boosts your mental health, interpersonal relationships and overall well-being too.

4 More Money Saving Ideas 1. Cut down on your electricity bill by checking if there is a better electricity tariff for you and your family. You could also hang the laundry out to dry, rather than using the dryer - good for the planet and your pocket!

2. Cut down on food waste by getting creative with your food scraps. You can pickle watermelon rinds, make your own stock, use up stale bread by making bread pudding, bread crumbs or croutons... the list goes on!

3. Check out free reward programs like ShopBack, where you can get a percentage of cash back from

eligible purchases. Stores that are currently participating with ShopBack include Target, Big W, Uber Eats and more. Be mindful to only purchase the things that you would already be buying and don’t get sucked into buying more than you otherwise would. To get $5.00 when you join, use the referral code 0kE47b. www.shopback.com.au

4. Use the 30 day rule for any non-essential purchases.

Instead of buying that item on the spot, take 30 days to think about it. This helps curb any impulse purchases you might later regret.

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STEAM

Earth and Our Solar System STORY Sasha Rozhkova Space is vast and ever growing, and its peculiarity continues to fuel the field of Astronomy. Astronomy delves into the world of all extraterrestrial objects, space and the physical universe as a whole - a pretty big task. This month, we’re taking a look at our solar system and exploring what makes life on Earth possible.

Located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy, our solar system consists of our star - the Sun, and everything orbiting around it. This includes the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune; dwarf planets such as Pluto; dozens of moons; and millions of asteroids, comets and meteoroids.

break down ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere, which has resulted in an ozone hole over Antarctica and much of New Zealand. As a result, UV exposure and rate of sunburn is much higher there.

What Makes Earth Suitable for Life?

Water is essential for life, which is why so much of our interplanetary travel and research focuses on the search for fresh water.

Distance of the Earth from the Sun The distance of the Earth from the Sun creates perfect conditions with the ideal amount of heat and light to allow life to be created and supported.

Light on the Earth Earth is the only planet that uses the Sun’s light as a source of energy. Life on earth has evolved to harness sunlight via photosynthesis, which as a by-product, releases oxygen.

The Earth’s Atmosphere Our atmosphere consists of the exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere and troposphere. The air content and atmospheric pressure also promote life. Compared to other planets, our atmosphere has less carbon dioxide than planets like Venus and Mars, which in turn helps moderate the Earth's temperature.

The Ozone Layer The Ozone layer is a part of Earth's atmosphere situated in the stratosphere. It protects life on Earth from harmful effects of shorter wavelength and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun. Gases like chlorofluorocarbons in spray cans and refrigerants

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Water

The Earth's Gravitational Pull The Sun's gravitational pull keeps our planet orbiting the Sun, and Earth itself in shape and form. The force of gravity doesn’t just keep us anchored to the ground, but also affects our biological system and development.

Plants even use gravity to determine which way to grow (gravitropism).

Favourable Climatic Conditions Our climate allows for life to flourish, and is the result of all the above factors working synergistically and cohesively. So, it’s safe to say that after a few billion years everything came together just right.

Memorise the Planets My - Mercury Very - Venus Eager - Earth Mother - Mars Just - Jupiter Served - Saturn Us - Uranus Nine - Neptune Pizzas - Pluto

Did You Know?

• There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!

• Black holes are created when big stars explode.

• The universe has no centre and is constantly expanding.

• The moon is the reason why we have tides and waves on Earth. Along with the sun, it moves billions of tonnes of water each day.

• Many of the atoms you're made of, from the calcium in your bones to the iron in your blood, were brewed up in the heart of an exploding star billions of years ago.

• The sun makes up 99.86% of the mass of the solar system. It's so big that you could squeeze 1.3 million Earths inside of it.

• The universe began with the Big Bang, and is estimated to be approximately 13.7 billion years old, plus or minus 130 million years.

Helpful Resources solarsystem.nasa.gov - This website is NASA's real-time science encyclopedia of deep space exploration.

NASA’s scientists and hardworking robots are exploring the wild frontiers of our solar system, and bring as much information to you as possible to learn, explore and understand the vast universe. www.natgeokids.com - National Geographic Kids is a fantastic interactive platform to discover facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. www.space.com - On space.com, you can find the latest news about space exploration, innovation and astronomy.

Here, we celebrate humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. www.esa.int/kids - ESA Kids features space news, information, animations and downloads for kids aged between 6 and 12, making space more accessible for kids.

Parenting

Five Tips on How to Talk to Children About Blended and Diverse Families STORY Jennie Guay, Author According to the 2016 census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, at least one in ten Australian families are children who live with a single parent, a nonbiological parent, a step-parent, step or half-siblings, or grandparents. This figure continues to rise as we live in a world where blended and diverse families are becoming more common.

Thankfully, the conversation we are having as a society has slowly been shifting towards accepting that there is no “family norm”. However, as parents we have a role to play to ensure that this trend continues. It is important for children to understand that every family, be it blended, diverse or LGBTQIA+, is valid. Divorced, remarried, shared children, blended... regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation, the family norm is varied – and every family is mainstream and unique.

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As parents and carers, we should not shy away from having the hard conversations about diversity and inclusion with our children just because it feels challenging. It’s necessary to realise that usually it is us that are uncomfortable, not our children.

They see and hear everything, and in many cases they can recognise that their family may look different to their friends’, or that their skin colour is different to some of their classmates.

Teaching our children love, acceptance and inclusion should never be hard conversations. Here are five tips on how to have these conversations.

1. Self Reflection is a Crucial First Step Your children are always watching what you do.

They see how you handle stress, how you treat other people and how you deal with your feelings – they soak it all in like little sponges.

Parenting

Before you start having conversations with your children, consider how you have behaved in front of them and ask yourself the following questions: • How am I talking to my kids about our own blended family or blended families we know?

• Have I asked them what they understand of our family?

• Do I undermine my ex, family members or in-laws to our kids?

Avoid shutting down a conversation and don’t lie or ignore questions. It is important for children to feel encouraged to have open conversations with you about families and their uniqueness. Afterwards, always reflect back on your conversation and think about any improvements for next time.

If you feel that you might struggle, it is always helpful to source age-appropriate books or TV shows that explain family dynamics in a fun, less intrusive way.

• Do I purposely try to alienate my childrens’ step parents to serve myself?

4. Tell a Story Through Your Own Family Tree

• Am I being a healthy co-parent or am I creating a divide which negatively impacts my kids?

A rainbow would never be as beautiful if it was all one colour. It’s the different colours that come together that make it so beautiful. The same is true for families and friends.

• How am I currently talking to my kids about diversity in families?

• Am I educating my children on the various ways you can have a family?

• Am I talking to my kids about racial diversity, differently abled children and LGBTQIA+ people?

• Have I equipped my children to engage with their peers in a comfortable, healthy and respectful way?

2. Love is the Common Language To help our children understand family diversity positively, we can use love as an anchor in our communication. Help our children understand that all families may look different, but the love they share is the same.

The foundation of a healthy family unit is unconditional love and that can come in different shapes and sizes.

Every family should be proud of their own unique values as well as understand, respect and accept other families uniqueness.

Whether it’s “natural conception” with a man and woman, or through artificial insemination, egg and sperm donation, adoption, or surrogacy etc, a family is a family. Talk through your family values with your children and give them an understanding of diversity and inclusion. Always remind kids that no family is different, they are all unique and the love we feel for our families is the same.

3. Be Mentally Prepared for Open Conversations Kids are inquisitive and will ask questions, so make sure you answer them in an honest and age-appropriate manner. You might not always have a chance to plan ahead for these conversations as they can happen unexpectedly. So, take some time to mentally prepare yourself, it will help you feel confident about addressing these topics.

It is important for our children to understand that some kids they come across might look different to one or all of their parents. It is important to explain to kids that skin colour and physical “sameness” does not equate to family.

Talk openly and positively about different cultures, communities, and traditions of family and friends.

Do your research and clue up on your family heritage, then share it with your children. You’ll be surprised at how much interest they show once they see it’s something you are passionate about. This will also help instil a sense of pride in their own background, as well as respect for others.

5. Let Your Children Decide on Your Title We hold on to the titles of “mum” and “dad” so tightly, especially if children are biologically ours. We need to let go of possessing the titles. In instances where there is a toxic parent or parental alienation happening, it can be extremely damaging to a child and develop further into adulthood trauma.

It’s time to change your mindset. Parents are parents.

Whether they are biological, step, adoptive, or otherwise. Forcing children to decipher between them, using first names or differing titles, is not necessarily what’s best for them.

When it comes to step parents and non-biological parents, let your child decide. Children are much more in tune with what feels natural to them then we give them credit for. They will thank you later for not forcing them or choosing for them.

At the end of the day, we are all just parents who want our kids to feel loved and safe.

No one parent is more vital to the child than the other.

Jennie Guay is a first-time author. Formally a career woman working in Financial Services, Jennie made the decision to leave the city and move to the country to support her step-children and write the Howie Blend Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends series. Howie welcomes children to join in his everyday playdates with each of his five friends; validating ALL family dynamics and experiences and providing a mirror for millions of children who cannot currently see themselves in their everyday reading and play. Currently available on Amazon, Booktopia, Kindle and Kobo.

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Advertorial

How Does “Belonging” Help Students Succeed?

Townsville Catholic schools see belonging as being accepted for who you are within the school environment. This is why we take an individualised approach to learning and offer the support our students need to succeed.

At Townsville Catholic schools, we believe all students belong in our communities. We create this sense of belonging by ensuring our schools are accessible to all and embrace inclusive learning environments.

This means giving everyone the opportunity to participate in the curriculum by offering spaces and activities where all students can participate and learn together.

To deliver a successful model of inclusion, our school learning environments are thoughtfully arranged, the curriculum is designed and instructed to meet the diverse needs of all students, and our staff are provided with the most up to date quality learning and teaching practices. To ensure inclusion is part of the pedagogy of Catholic schools, Townsville Catholic Education has a dedicated Inclusive Education Team which works with staff across 29 schools in North Queensland.

The Inclusive Education Team works closely with our Learning and Teaching Team and external agencies to share the skills and experience of our specialists.

This ensures our students have access to continued and consistent support, and can continue building confidence in their learning.

Learn more about what our specialists offer:

Speech Language Pathologists Our speech pathologists support teachers with planning and ensure that tasks are accessible to all students with language/literacy needs.

Advisory Visiting Specialist - EAL/D Our specialist collaborates with schools in the provision of specialised advice to support students who are learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). This fosters cultural responsiveness amongst staff, students and the school community.

Advisory Visiting Specialist - Hearing Impairment (AVS-HI) Hearing impairment specialists work alongside teachers offering educational support for students from Prep to Year 12 who have a hearing loss, enhancing their resilience in the hearing world and advocating for the students’ needs.

Advisory Visiting Specialists - Inclusion (AVS-I) Inclusion specialists work with school leadership teams, teachers, student support services, and parents and carers to ensure that students with a disability are supported and can engage purposefully in learning.

Experience what Catholic schools can offer your family, visit www.experiencecatholicschools.com.au

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Education

How to Support and Advocate for Your Child with a Learning Difficulty STORY Morgan Lund, Inclusive Education Coordinator, Townsville Catholic Education Schools in Australia aspire to promote equity and excellence so all young Australians can become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. As parents, there is great excitement, hope and a degree of trepidation that our child’s schooling will result in this aspiration.

But what if your child encounters learning difficulties?

Many parents or carers notice that their child is struggling at school but are unsure about the steps they should take or how best to support their child.

Learning difficulties is a term used to describe a wide variety of learning problems. They can be caused by external factors such as experiences, opportunities, family, communities, or internal factors such as medical, physical and neurological. It’s important to remember though that this is an umbrella term and learning difficulties present differently from one child to another.

How Can You Help?

Keep things in perspective. Learning difficulties are not the defining characteristic of your child and everyone faces challenges. It will be important to highlight their

many strengths and unique gifts. Nurture your child’s gifts and talents, and make plenty of time for them.

Discuss the learning difficulties openly. Speak with your child’s teacher to understand the concerns. See your GP and consider referrals to other health professionals and specialists who may be able to better assist e.g. a paediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist, audiologist etc.

Reflect on your own view of disability and difference.

A medical model of disability views the problem being within the individual, focusing on what’s “wrong” rather than what the individual needs. A social model of disability sees the barriers as being within the environment and how these disable individuals.

This view assists us to identify barriers and proactively address them, so individuals have more independence, choice and control.

Foster resilience towards challenges. Model how to approach learning challenges with optimism, hard work and a sense of humour. Your child will follow your lead and see challenges as speed bumps instead of roadblocks.

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Education

Trust you are an expert for your child. There may be many experts - teachers, therapists, doctors etc, weighing in on the learning difficulties observed.

Learn from these people but also don’t lose sight of your unique parent perspective. The insights of parents on their child’s learning, individual interests, strengths and personalities are invaluable in planning for adjustments in the classroom and school.

Learn about policies, standards and legislation regarding inclusive education. It helps to know your rights. Seek out experienced advocates or parent advocacy groups to assist with developing your knowledge and advocacy skills.

Take care of yourself. This is a challenging part of parenting and it’s easy to get caught up in what your child needs. However looking after yourself is important to avoid burning out from neglecting your own needs.

Tending to your emotional and physical needs means you can be in a healthy place to help and support your child.

How to Advocate for Your Child with Their School Establish a good relationship with the teacher. Speak enthusiastically and acknowledge the positives of what is happening for your child at school. Be respectful about booking meeting times by asking how (i.e. phone, email, video-conference or face to face) and when (i.e. before or after school) they prefer to communicate.

are being supported. Your child may be progressing with adjustments in the classroom instruction or there may be more targeted and intensive instruction or intervention being planned. Ask questions and engage in proactive conversations to understand the support available in the classroom and within the school.

Make generous assumptions about teachers and school staff. Schools are complex systems that are constantly changing. School staff are there to help all students be successful and are doing their best.

Sometimes this means letting little issues go. Don’t get caught up in micromanaging the school.

Nine Tips for Effective School Meetings 1. Know who will be in attendance and their role and purpose for being there.

2. Ask for a proposed agenda or the goal of the meeting, to support staying focused on this.

3. Bring an associate or support person with you to the meeting if you need this.

4. Present a calm, friendly and confident demeanour.

Acknowledge positives and find opportunities to praise the teacher and the school.

5. Avoid language indicating blame (i.e. instead of “you” use “I” and “we”).

6. Focus on solutions and next steps. Being

Commit to collaboration. Collaboration means working with others to pursue a common goal, such as ensuring your child’s learning difficulties are understood, supported, progressed and monitored over time. There are benefits to bringing together a group of people on a regular basis who can work collaboratively to support a student. Teachers are required to consult with parents prior to providing adjustments in the classroom and families can invite associates to engage in collaboration.

collaborative about problem solving rather than expecting your solutions are the only options.

Clarify the plan or steps forward. Communicate openly and ask how your child’s learning difficulties

9. Summarise what you understood as the plan or

7. Prepare for uncomfortable conversation topics with scripted answers.

8. Be curious rather than defensive in the face of a proposal you disagree with. Ask questions and seek to understand. Remain calm and if needed ask the topic be revisited at another time. decisions moving forward. Emailing notes or the summary of outcomes/actions after the meeting can assist with record keeping.

Morgan Lund is the Inclusive Education Coordinator for the Townsville Catholic Education Office. She combines her clinical knowledge and experience as a Speech Pathologist working in education, with a passion for advancing inclusive education. Inclusive education means all students attending their local school in age appropriate classes, and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Inclusive education is the means of acknowledging all students' fundamental human right to education, providing high quality education for all students and achieving a more inclusive society.

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Parenting

Talking with Your Child About Race STORY Dr Rosemarie Truglio, Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop

Each families’ race, ethnicity and culture are important parts of their identity. Children, including very young children, understand and want to have a sense of belonging to their families’ racial, ethnic and cultural group or groups. Yet, one part of our family’s identity can be challenging to talk with our children about - Race.

Share Family Stories

A common misconception is that children are “colour blind”. Research shows that children, even babies, do notice physical differences, from skin colour, to eye shape and hair texture. So, their observations will lead to them asking questions guided by their natural curiosity.

Children’s questions about others may make us feel uncomfortable, as if the questions are impolite.

Children are naturally curious about our diverse world and asking questions is a good way to learn about oneself and others.

To have open conversations about this part of our identity is known as “race-conscious parenting.”

Talking with our children about race helps them grow to feel positive about themselves and about others, especially those who don’t look like them.

So, how can we help children feel pride and confidence in their own skin and develop a positive racial attitude about other children? We can start by having simple, honest, conversations during our everyday routines.

Talk About Skin Colour During a simple routine such as washing up in the morning, pause to look in the mirror to celebrate the beauty of the similarities and differences in your skin colours.

18 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Make sharing stories, artifacts, and traditions about your family’s culture and heritage a routine, much in the same way you read and share stories at bedtime.

Follow Your Child’s Questions and Observations

Talk About Physical Differences and the Reasons Behind Them If your child mentions a physical difference in someone, e.g. “They have brown skin”, don’t shut them down by saying, “We are all the same.” Instead, acknowledge their observations and take time to explain the reasons why and celebrate these differences. You could say something simple like, “We all have different and beautiful skin colours” and “We are all unique and special, isn’t that amazing?!”

When they are ready, we can further share: “We all have something in our bodies called melanin.

It’s the amount of melanin in our body that makes us have this skin colour. Some people may have more melanin. Their skin will be darker than ours. Other people have less melanin. Their skin will be lighter.

Parenting

Recently, Sesame Street introduced two new Muppets, five-year-old Wes and his father Elijah. Elmo was curious and wanted to know why Wes’s skin is brown, so Elijah explains the concept of melanin and that the colour of our skin is an important part of who we are.

experiences. Questions such as “How would I feel if…?” and “How do you think that person feels?” are great starting points to help your child consider a situation from somebody else’s point of view.

To encourage a positive self-identity in your young child, finish sentences together like “I am good at…” and “I feel confident when…”

Resources to Support Your Parenting Sometimes parents don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. If, for example, your child asks some questions about a topic like the Holocaust or the history of First Nations Australians, and you don’t have all the facts, you might say, “Let’s go to the library and see what books they have that we can read together.”

WATCH THE VIDEO IN OUR ONLINE MAG

Acknowledge Unfair Behaviour When children observe unfair treatment of others based on race, ethnicity, or culture, acknowledge their feelings, “That is unfair.”

You can explore that subject or question together and remember that not everything has to be answered in the moment.

Also, reading books or watching videos with characters from different backgrounds is a wonderful way to introduce little ones to people from differing backgrounds and cultures. These books can also provide an easy way to spark conversations.

When they ask “Why?” provide a deeper explanation, “When people treat others unfairly because of their skin colour, eye shape, hair texture, or language they speak, that’s called racism. And that’s wrong and hurtful. We are all a part of one race, the human race.”

You can also teach Breathe, Feel and Share when something stressful related to race happens (for instance, when a child is excluded or teased):

Encourage and Celebrate

Feel: Notice how you are feeling and think of words you might use to respond (for instance, “I don’t like that,” “That’s wrong,” or “That hurts my feelings.”).

Children naturally have optimism for a better society.

Encourage and celebrate this. Everyone should be proud of who they are, inside and out. The way other people treat us doesn’t change who we are.

Everyday Family Moments Explore ways of incorporating empathy and identity into your family’s everyday moments. For example, to build empathy, ask questions to help children consider others’

Breathe: Take three deep belly breaths.

Share: Tell a grown-up what happened.

So, whether you and the children in your care are directly affected by racism or you’re allies of those who are, engaging honestly and directly with little ones is the beginning of building racial literacy, the skills needed to talk thoughtfully about race and to identify and respond to racism.

Dr Rosemarie Truglio Ph.D. has been a vital presence at Sesame Workshop for more than two decades. She is the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop, overseeing content development across media platforms and product distribution and is an authority on child development. Dr Truglio is author of Ready for School! A parent’s guide to playful learning for children ages two to five.

Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, has launched the ABCs of Racial Literacy and its Coming Together initiative to provide parents with tools to talk to their children about race and racism. Further tools can be found at sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/racial-justice

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 19

Health

All Things Health The Properties of Rose Quartz

Joint Pain

Rose quartz is said to release vibrations that can benefit your life in a number of ways, especially emotionally. Whether you are a “believer” or not, if you enjoy crystals, using them certainly can’t hurt!

Many things can cause joint pain, including injury, autoimmune disease, infection, inactivity and so forth.

While managing and minimising joint pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach, there are a few things you can do at home, in addition to seeing a medical professional.

Calmness and Centeredness - Along the central line of the body are seven chakras, or energy centres. Rose quartz nourishes the heart chakra which is stationed at the midpoint of our body’s energetic system. When we feed the heart chakra, we are feeding our entire body, radiating the love above, below, and throughout our beings.

Unconditional Love - Said to be a stone of unconditional love, it brings deep healing to the heart by opening the heart chakra and fostering self-love, and truly giving and receiving love from others.

Emotional Healing - Connecting directly to the heart chakra, rose quartz assists with healing emotional wounds by circulating a divine loving energy throughout the entire aura.

Get Moving - Regular activity and stretching benefit your muscles, connective tissues and bones. It also triggers endorphin production, which helps relieve pain.

Increase Fibre - In some people, a high fibre diet can reduce arthritic pain.

Reviewing your dietary requirements and making applicable changes can benefit your overall health.

Rose Quartz Beauty Tool Benefits - When used for gentle facial massage, the cool, smooth surface of rose quartz can reduce puffiness, dark undereye circles and promote lymphatic drainage that eliminates toxins. It can also tighten and lift skin by improving elasticity. Gua sha or roller facial massage can relieve headaches and migraines caused by exhaustion. After a long day in front of a screen, it can also help relieve eye fatigue.

Head to Self Amour and try their premium rose quartz beauty tools. www.selfamour.com

Supplementation - Discussing supplements with a health professional is recommended. However, some supplements, such as Turmeric, possess inflammation-reducing properties.

Rest - Balancing an active lifestyle with adequate rest is key. Rest goes hand in hand with recovery and is essential for reducing inflammation.

Interesting Heart Facts Your heart will beat around 100,000 times per day, adding up to around three billion beats in an average lifetime.

The beating sound your heart makes is caused by the valves opening and closing.

The average human heart is the size of a fist. At the size of a piano, blue whales have the largest hearts, while the fairy fly, a type of wasp, has the smallest.

There are 96,000km of blood vessels in your body. Some capillaries in your body are ten times smaller than a human hair, meaning blood cells travel singlefile through them.

Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 21

Health

All Things Health The Properties of Rose Quartz

Jana Gorski

Rose quartz is said to release vibrations that can benefit your life in a number of ways, especially emotionally.

Whether you are a “believer” or not, if you enjoy crystals, using them certainly can’t hurt!

Naturopath - Calanna TerryWhite Chemmart

Calmness and Centeredness - Along the central line of the body are seven chakras, or energy centres. Rose quartz nourishes the heart chakra which is stationed at the midpoint of our body’s energetic system. When we feed the heart chakra, we are feeding our entire body, radiating the love above, below, and throughout our beings.

Unconditional Love - Said to be a stone of unconditional love, it brings deep healing to the heart by opening the heart chakra and fostering self-love, and truly giving and receiving love from others.

Emotional Healing - Connecting directly to the heart chakra, rose quartz assists with healing emotional wounds by circulating a divine loving energy throughout the entire aura.

Rose Quartz Beauty Tool Benefits - When used for gentle facial massage, the cool, smooth surface of rose quartz can reduce puffiness, dark undereye circles and promote lymphatic drainage that eliminates toxins. It can also tighten and lift skin by improving elasticity. Gua sha or roller facial massage can relieve headaches and migraines caused by exhaustion. After a long day in front of a screen, it can also help relieve eye fatigue.

Dear Jana, what type of vitamins can help increase my immunity?

During the flu season or times of illness, people are often seeking ways to boost their immunity or help themselves recover faster from illness.

Vitamins A, C, D, E and Zinc are all important nutrients for the immune system, and help keep our immune system functioning well. If you are deficient in them, taking them will boost your immune system, or they can help you fight cold or flu viruses. Herbs such andrographis, echinacea, and sambucus have also been shown to shorten the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Always seek professional advice for dosages and to see if any of these will interact with other medications you may be taking Calanna WholeHealth Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Head to Self Amour and try their premium rose quartz beauty tools. www.selfamour.com

Ethical Nutrients Inner Health Plus Ethical Nutrients Inner Health Plus contains ‘good bacteria’ which assists in maintaining a healthy gut and digestive system, and helps improve your general wellbeing.

Beneficial bacteria promotes normal healthy digestive functions, and may help ease symptoms of bloating and gas. A healthy gut is vital for maintaining a healthy immune system, so drop by your nearest Calanna TerryWhite Chemmart today to get you and your family some Inner Health Plus.

22 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

Adult Colouring

WIN a Paint’n’Sip Art Kit and Class for Two Valued at $150!

Join Mrs Red’s online Paint’n’Sip class, using all the art supplies included in the Wine and Untangle Art Cart. You will receive a pad of watercolour paper, watercolour disc paints, brushes and drawing pens for two people. You can join whichever month you wish and can attend one or all of the classes that month. No experience necessary as Mrs Red will send you the template of that month’s theme, demonstrate how to use watercolour and give you plenty of doodling inspiration to get you on your way. Warning: This class is highly addictive! www.mrsreds.com.au Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 31/08/2022. No need to submit answers to enter.

24 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Find these 10 objects in the museum

Lift-out kids activity mag!

Help the din osaur find their way to their egg

Colour in the picture

WIN a Copy of The Floor is Lava! $16.59 - www.goliathgames.com It's The Original The Floor is Lava! game where players must imagine the floor is molten hot lava while spinning the colour wheel to jump to the right foam pieces to reach safety. This family game promotes physical activity, an active imagination, and is engaging excitement for kids and adults.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 31/08/2022. No need to submit activities to enter.

Colour me in

WIN Children’s Colouring Books by Golden Earth Publishing $9.99ea - www.jomartin.com These beautiful, creative colouring books are for children of all ages and the young at heart. Each page will engage your child, promote creativity and encourage imaginative play.

Colour as a family, use as a homeschool resource (add your own headings, practice writing stories to go along with the pictures etc) or simply colour in for fun!

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 31/08/2022.

No need to submit activities to enter.

Help lead the Mummy bear to the baby bear by completing the sums and following the icebergs from 1 to 10.

Count how many of each critter there are in the picture to the left, and write the answers above

WIN a NexCube! $9.00 - www.goliathgames.com Are you ready to try your hand at beating the World Record for the fastest cube puzzle completion?

NexCube offers unparalleled, ergonomic sliding action with adjustable elasticity designed to fit any cuber's personal style. With a flick of the wrist, users can customise flexibility to meet the needs of even the most adept speedcuber.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 31/08/2022. No need to submit activities to enter.

Advertorial

Meet Fran Parry, One of Mary MacKillop Childcare NQ’s Highly Skilled Kindergarten Teachers My name is Fran Parry, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a Kindergarten Teacher at Mary MacKillop Childcare North Queensland Early Learning Centre, Mundingburra.

Throughout the years, I have worked in various roles within the early education and care sector. These roles include working as a Nominated Supervisor, Director, Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher, Children’s Services Trainer and Assessor, and peer validator with the National Childcare Accreditation Council. As such, I possess extensive knowledge, skills and experiences in teaching young children.

With an emphasis on continual improvement, growth and critical reflection, I pride myself in allowing my teaching principles, practices and decision-making to develop and transform continually. My work is guided by the Nationally Approved Learning Framework; Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework (ACECQA, 2009), The Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QCAA, Queensland Education, 2020), varying educational theoretical perspectives and philosophies and current researchbased evidence in the field of early childhood education.

As a Kindergarten Teacher, I am passionate about providing high-quality education and care and strive for children’s rights throughout my teaching practices.

I believe early childhood is a vital period for children’s development and learning. When we consider young

children as capable, unique and competent individuals, they can thrive and develop positive learning dispositions.

My teaching philosophy is guided by play-based learning, and I strongly advocate that it is a child’s right to play within the early childhood years. Therefore, I like to provide free choices within large blocks of uninterrupted and unstructured self-directed play periods. This means that children have the right to decide where to play, how to explore their learning environment and who to play with. By empowering children with personal choices and opinions and giving them the right to their ‘own voice’, we support their individuality, uniqueness, learning processes and needs. We also enable them to investigate their own inquiries, interests, imaginations and curiosities.

I believe we can best support children’s development by cultivating and sustaining strong collaborative partnerships with the children and their co-educators, staff, parents/ guardians, families, and the wider community.

I understand that children have unique personalities with individual patterns and timings of growth and development, and I aim to respect, celebrate and acknowledge each child’s strengths, capabilities, existing knowledge and understandings. Within childcare, I aim to provide a secure and nurturing learning environment where children can be themselves, where we can maximise children’s life outcomes and inspire children to succeed in this ever-changing world.

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 31

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Maternal Depletion STORY Erica Komisar, psychoanalyst, parenting coach and author Maternal depletion syndrome has most commonly been used to explain the poor health and suffering of mothers who have recently given birth in developing countries. However, in recent years the definition of maternal depletion has expanded to include mothers anywhere in the world. In today’s society, mothers are often overwhelmed with work, social and family responsibilities. Maternal depletion symptoms in busy mothers include fatigue, inability to enjoy things which formerly provided pleasure, sleep challenges, emotional volatility or mood inconstancy. Mothers experiencing maternal depletion may also have changes in eating habits, experience physical or emotional breakdowns, and frequently get sick or feel run-down.

The difference between maternal depletion and postpartum depression is that maternal depletion can begin to happen at any point to a mother who is exhausted by caring for young children. In contrast, postpartum depression is a biological result of giving birth and occurring most commonly 1 to 3 weeks after having a baby.

As a psychoanalyst and parenting coach, I often tell mothers that they can have it all in life, but not always at the same time. For mothers who are experiencing maternal depletion, it is important that they begin to see themselves and their own health as a priority. To do this, they might need to step back from certain

social and work responsibilities to care for themselves and their children. As modern mothers, we want to be able to have it all, but taking care of our health should take precedence over job opportunities and social obligations. We can still get everything we want in life, but sometimes waiting or temporarily deprioritising can be the right decision for us and our families.

I would also encourage mothers to seek professional support. Qualified therapists can be incredibly helpful in teaching coping skills and developing balance and healthier mindsets. When appropriate, fathers or partners can attend these sessions too, to further discuss how to support the mother and assist in managing the household in ways that are healthy for all family members. Fathers or partners can also try to ensure that mothers are focused on their own wellbeing by getting adequate rest and nourishing her body with nutritious foods.

Being a parent is difficult, and as a society we need to acknowledge what a strong toll it can take on mothers. By being aware of what maternal depletion syndrome entails, knowing when to take a step back from other responsibilities, seeking professional help, and garnering the support of a partner, close friend, or family members, mothers can overcome maternal depletion syndrome and enhance the wellbeing of both themselves and their families.

Erica Komisar, LCSW is a psychoanalyst, parent guidance expert and author of Being There: Why Prioritising Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and Chicken Little the Sky Isn’t Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety.

Tune into Episode 136 of the PakMag Parents Podcast at www.pakmag.com.au/podcast to hear from Erica about why prioritising motherhood in the first three years matters.

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 33

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Bump, Bub and Beyond Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

My Sleepy Sloth from VTECH $44.95 - www.kmart.com.au It’s time to snooze with My Sleepy Sloth. This adorable sloth soothes your baby with its glowing night light, snoozing head motion, melodies, songs, gentle sounds, loving phrases and bedtime story lullabies. Soft fabrics allow for tactile stimulation and sensory discovery. Sloth’s light up heart button triggers responses and acts as a nightlight with up to 45 minutes of sounds and melodies. The leaf button can pause and play music responses. Includes three songs, five bedtime story lullabies and 25 melodies.

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Sleep Safety Bundle from Cubo Ai

$95.00 - www.okandco.com.au

Created by parents and approved by experts, Cubo Ai’s newest product, the Sleep Safety Bundle, is here to provide parents with extra peace of mind.

The bundle includes a Sleep Sensor Pad and a Cubo Ai Plus camera that comes with a shared stand, a floor base, a crib attachment and a mobile stand.Their AI safety detection looks out for the baby’s face being covered, if they are stuck rolling over or crying. It also generates a sleep analytics report, auto-captures unique movements and more. The Sleep Safety Bundle is a secure parenting tool trusted by parents around the world.

OK&CO. has created the most reliable, eco-friendlier, toxic-free, disposable nappy available. They come with their 100% bamboo, compostable wipes and plant based compostable nappy bin bags.

34 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

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Bump, Bub and Beyond

Helpful Breastfeeding Advice and Support Each year, the first week of August celebrates World Breastfeeding Week. Organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), this event aims to promote and support breastfeeding worldwide by highlighting its benefits for mothers and children.

If you are getting frustrated while trying to breastfeed, stop and try again later. If possible, ask a nurse or health professional to help with the correct attachment.

Often, a slight tilt of your baby’s head or the positioning of your arms can make a huge difference.

Lastly, remember that breastfeeding is a skill that requires practice, and it is easier for some mothers and babies than for others. Like anything new, it takes time and patience to succeed.

White Noise Helps Babies Sleep Did you know that white noise can help babies sleep?

If you notice your baby falling asleep at noisy times outside of their regular nap time, they might respond positively to white noise. However, babies can become dependent on white noise, so make sure you use different sounds and maintain their regular sleep time routine.

Worldwide, mothers face many different demands and do not always receive the support they need.

Amongst busy schedules, lack of support systems and health challenges, breastfeeding is not always an accessible option. Nevertheless, from the moment a baby is born, several things can improve the chances of breastfeeding success.

By staying with their baby after birth, mothers promote closeness which triggers a hormonal response linked to breastfeeding success. While bonding is a process and not something that happens within minutes, skin-to-skin contact can help soothe a baby and encourage the first breastfeeding.

Often, the first days after the birth are the best opportunity for a mother and her baby to learn how to breastfeed as breasts are still soft. This time is the best time to get the attachment and position right, helping to avoid potential problems down the track.

Great Cognitive Activities for Toddlers Play is one of the best ways for children to learn.

Engaging children in activities that appeal to their natural curiosity teaches them to explore, take risks, use their imagination and solve problems.

These activities teach them valuable skills that support their social, physical and cognitive development.

Play based learning should generally be enjoyable, have no set goals, be spontaneous and voluntary, encourage active engagement and involve an element of make-believe.

Some of our ideas for activities include dress-ups, role plays, playing outdoors with water, sand, and other natural items, or sensory toys such as playdough or slime.

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 35

Parenting

The Importance of PerspectiveTaking for Social Development STORY Simone Cook, Guidance Counsellor, Townsville Catholic Education As parents, we may aim for a life of ease and tranquillity for our children, but the reality is that there will always be challenges along the way.

The secret is to empower young people so they can navigate their way through challenges while interacting positively, responding appropriately, and building resilience as each difficulty arises. To do this, various skills are required, including the ability to consider our own perspective as well as the perspective of others.

What is Perspective-Taking?

Perspective-taking skills help to develop social awareness as they assist us in thinking critically about social situations and relationships. Essentially, these skills give us the capacity to look beyond our own point of view and consider how someone else may think or feel.

Why is Perspective-Taking Important?

When children lack good perspective-taking skills, they may appear inconsiderate or rude and are often viewed as children with behavioural problems. They often make decisions according to their wants and needs, disregarding what is best for anyone else. This can make it difficult for them to maintain friendships or be a team member.

Young children are by nature egocentric and must first see the world from their own point of view to develop self-awareness. However, in line with their cognitive development, specific experiences and activities can help children develop better perspectivetaking skills.

Pre-school Perspective-Taking Skills Children are never too young to learn perspectivetaking skills. As parents, we can start by teaching our children about emotions.

• Label your emotions. Model talking about emotions and ways to make yourself feel better.

• Notice the emotions of others. If another child is upset, name the feelings and identify how you know the child is upset. Cues might include identifying the other child’s facial expressions, the sound of their voice, their body language, etc. Talk about why the child would feel that way and ask about ways to help make the child feel better.

• Use story time to discuss the emotions of story characters. Ask questions about the characters: How do you know they are angry? Why does the character feel that way?

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 37

Parenting

Perspective-Taking Skills in Junior School During the early school years, children begin to connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. As time passes, your child will begin to understand how others think and feel by observing how others behave.

You can help your child understand and interpret the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of others by engaging in the following activities: • Notice when others display strong reactions and discuss these with your child. Why might the other person be behaving that way? How was he or she feeling in that situation?

• Ask your child to consider the situation witnessed from their perspective. How would you have responded? Would you have behaved like that?

This conversation helps your child identify the emotions, make links to the behaviour, and connect with how the other child felt.

• Similarly, you may use characters in stories to discuss why characters felt or acted in a certain way. Stories with multiple characters may also help your child see differences in perspectives, especially as situations, feelings and behaviours of individual characters can be interpreted differently.

• Talk to your child about body language and facial expressions to assist with interpreting feelings.

Discuss sarcasm and the ‘true meaning’ behind this form of communication.

Middle School Perspective-Taking Skills During this time, children begin to focus more on developing their friendships. They are beginning to realise that their friends’ perspectives differ, and they are trying to navigate the reasons why they are thinking, feeling, and behaving in a certain way.

The motives at this point become more complex as children see that the reasons for their friends’ choices vary. Open communication with your child is essential to help them navigate these more complex situations.

• Model being fair when dealing with conflicts and openly consider alternative points of view from all involved.

• Ask your child about their friendships. Listen to the difficulties the challenges they encounter in their friendship groups and the dynamics of those relationships.

• Discuss the motives behind certain decisions or behaviours by asking ‘why do you think they made that choice?’ or ‘why do you think that happened?’

• If your child is confused about a decision, discuss the positives and negatives of that decision. This teaches your child to make well-considered choices. Reflect on the idea that choices are different for everyone depending on the individual. Reinforce the idea that it is okay to make a different choice than a friend and discuss the possible impact this can have on others.

• Model and encourage the use of ‘I statements’ “I feel ___________ when you ___________, could you please _____________?” to ensure their feelings are being communicated effectively. This assists with understanding and helps others consider how another is feeling.

High School Perspective-Taking Skills As relationships become more complex during this developmental stage, young people begin to realise that a range of factors, including family values, cultural beliefs, their environment, etc. influence people’s decision-making and behaviours. During this stage, our discussions on perspective-taking need to widen so that young people can learn to make cause-andeffect connections.

• Talk openly about differences among people and the possible reasons for their perspectives.

These reasons can include their cultural background, family situation, experiences, etc.

• Share stories about people’s and families experiences, including stories of adversities and challenges.

• Avoid generalised statements that are racist, sexist or derogatory and instead foster tolerance and curiosity to understand differences.

• Discuss historical examples where a different perspective or change in attitude and thinking was required to move forward as a society.

These examples may come from a unit of study in History or Literature at school.

• Providing some social scripts may be helpful: “I can see what you mean” “I understand where you are coming from” “I hear what you are saying” “I respectfully disagree because...”

As a community, our hope for children is to develop mutually respectful relationships, so that we can work together, collaborate, communicate and problem solve effectively. This can only occur if we are mindful of the connections between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and are considerate of the differing perspectives of others.

Simone is an experienced educator, counsellor and mother of three who has worked for 30 years in both primary and secondary schools. Simone has a Bachelor of Education majoring in Health and Physical Education and a Masters in Guidance and Counselling and has held various positions in North Queensland schools advocating for the health and wellbeing of all students. Simone currently works as a Guidance Counsellor at Ryan Catholic College.

38 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

All Things Tweens and Teens

All Things Tweens & Teens Sexting Talking with your children about the possible consequences of sending or sharing intimate or sexually explicit messages, images, photos or videos is very important. Your support and guidance can help them understand risks and actions to take if things go wrong.

While you may be familiar with the term “sexting”, young people commonly refer to explicit messages as “sending nudes” or “dick pics”. In a 2017 eSafety survey, nine out of ten young people aged 14 to 17 thought sexting happened among their peers as a kind of courtship behaviour.

A young person who asks for, accesses, possesses, creates or shares sexualised images of someone under 18 may be at risk of criminal charges, even if both parties consented. In some circumstances, being found guilty of these offenses can result in a criminal record and registration as a sex offender. For our children’s safety and their future, it’s therefore essential we educate them not only about the things that can go wrong but also about the long-term legal consequences.

Bookclub: A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages #1 New York Times bestselling book The 5 Love Languages® has sold over 20 million copies, helping countless relationships thrive. Simply put, it works. Learning about the five love languages is a great tool to help teens with their relationships with parents, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches and significant others.

A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages®, the first-ever edition written just for teens, guides emerging adults in discovering and understanding their own love languages as well as how to best express love to others. It covers what it means to be a great friend, the best ways to get on with the opposite sex, what communicates love to my family and lots more. For more information head to www.5lovelanguages.com

WIN a Wireless Gaming Headset from Logitech $199.95 - www.logitechg.com Play games, play music, and play with friends. G435 Gaming Headset connects to your PC, phone and other devices through gaming-grade LIGHTSPEED wireless and Bluetooth®. It delivers powerful and clean sound while beamforming mics reduce background noise. G435 comes in three distinct colorways. Pick the one that matches your style or add all three to your rotation.

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www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 41

Daddy Diary

Daddy Diary Making music is a wonderful thing. Even more incredible to think that the likes of Britney Spears, Stevie Wonder and Celine Dion signed up with major music labels while still in primary school. Yes, the musical gene can be alive and thriving from a very young age, but unfortunately, it’s not a skill that swims in the Clifton family gene pool. Not that this stops us from trying.

Let’s start with our little boy Charlie who is three years old and full of confidence (and usually chocolate).

His fave tune at present is one band and one band only; Australia’s fave export. Move over Hugh Jackman and make way for (drum roll please) The Wiggles. On more than one occasion, I have woken in the middle of the night with the earworm “I like to eat, eat, eat – opals and ba-nay-nays” gnawing into me. The skivvy-wearing supergroup has been many Aussie kids’ introduction to music for decades now. Long live The Wiggles.

Now to the musical styling of Miss Matilda, our eightyear-old mini-Madonna. Actually, scrap that. I’ve seen Madonna film clips... let’s just say Matilda is slightly

more mature than The Wiggles in her music taste.

Lately, anything that goes wild on TikTok is her tune of choice. How she even knows what TikTok is dumbfounds me. Back in my day, they were called Tick Tacks #dadjoke.

For the 30-somethings out there, I’m happy to report that 90’s classic Barbie Girl is also getting a run alongside Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Classic stuff.

Now back to the actual making of tunes. Do my kids love all the aforementioned music? Hell yes.

Do any of us Cliffos’ have the ability to make the music?

Hell no. Does this stop us from trying? Again, that’s a big no. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because any family lucky enough to dance around the lounge room banging on pots and pans or dancing and singing the wrong words to an Ed Sheeran song is a lucky family in my book. This is the stuff we will remember when we are old and grey because these are truly beautiful memories.

I just have to find a way to get the kids in front of those big red chairs on The Voice. Surely those coaches would spin around for the “Clifton Family Band”... or maybe not?

Cliffo Hit 103.1

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 43

Community Noticeb o ard

CQU Townsville Open Day

Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival

When: 18 August / 4.00pm - 6.00pm Where: CQU Townsville More info: www.cqu.edu.au/events

When: 27 - 28 August / 6.00am Where: Strand Park More info: www.townsvilletrifestival.org.au

Come along and find out what CQUniversity offers at the CQU Townsville Open Day. Explore the campus, check out facilities, and hear about available courses directly from CQU’s friendly teaching staff. You’ll also be able to discuss scholarships, pathways, student support services, and more. With the wide range of TAFE and university courses offered online and oncampus, CQU can help you find the study option that suits you most. Cost: FREE / PG.

The Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival proudly hosts the Australian Championship for Aquathlon and Sprint Duathlon plus the 2022 World Triathlon Age Group World Championships. All events are held on the Townsville foreshore close to the Townsville Airport and CBD. With events catering for elite competitors to first timers and families, the festival offers an eclectic range of activities to suit all levels of abilities and interests. Cost: $35.00 - $205.00 / G.

Riverw ay Det e ctiv Movies Poke mon: e Pikac hu

When: 19 August / 6.30pm Where: - 8.00pm Riverwa y More in fo: www .whatso townsv n. ille.qld.g ov.au Riverwa y Movie Nights is open-a ir cinem a free a held e Friday o very thir f the m d onth.

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India Fe McDonalds Townsville Running Festival When: 7 August / 4.45am Where: Jezzine Barracks More info: www.townsvillerunningfestival.com Events include those that are suitable for all ages and abilities. Registration costs vary from FREE - $135.00.

0pm am - 9.0 st / 10.00 u g u A 13 When: ille.org iverway ttownsv Where: R .indiafes w w w : brate More info and cele le family o by the h d w te e n Bring th al prese v ti s fe l unity. gura n comm the inau nd India la s n e e u North Q y.

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44 August 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Please confirm the above details are correct before visiting during these uncertain times.We have done our best to ensure all details are correct at time of print.

CORES Queensland FREE Suicide Intervention Training When: Ongoing Where: Various locations across NQ More info: CORES Queensland CORES - Community Response To Eliminating Suicide, are a non for profit, non government community organisation that provide training in 27 communities around Australia with over 5000 members. One day suicide intervention courses are at the heart of CORES’ program. These courses are free and will teach participants to recognise early warning signs, support a person at risk to access available services and promote help-seeking behaviour before a crisis occurs.

Participants also learn to identify self-care strategies. Regular events are posted on CORES Queensland facebook page and are open to all people above the age of 16. Please note, this is not a crisis service.

Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Appeal When: 25 August Where: Australia wide More info: www.daffodilday.com.au This August, Cancer Council is asking Australians to support the Daffodil Day Appeal to fund lifesaving cancer research.

It’s estimated that 151,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. In Queensland, it’s estimated that over 31,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer every year. That’s why this Daffodil Day Appeal, Cancer Council is encouraging people to make a donation and give hope towards a cancer-free future by registering to fundraise or by donating to the cause. Daffodil Day falls on Thursday 25 August 2022, but you can get involved any time throughout the month. By donating or fundraising this Daffodil Day Appeal, you’ll help fund some of the brightest researchers in the state who are dedicated to working towards the next cancer breakthrough.

Get Involved!

We’d love to hear from you! Head to www.paktownsville.com.au/community to submit community news or a notice, and also view the full community noticeboard online.

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 45

What’s On MONDAY 1 AUGUST Townsville Careers Expo Townsville Stadium, Murray Sports Complex 9.00am - 5.00pm / FREE / PG www.careersevent.com Spirits of the Night Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery 6.30pm / FREE / PG Charters Towers 150 Celebrations High Tea with Maggie Beer Australian Festival of Chamber Music / AFCM Festival Gardens 3.00pm - 4.15pm / $116.00 $124.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Concert Conversations 2 with Jack Liebeck The Ville - The Pavillion 10.00am - 12.00pm / $73.00 $81.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Sunset Series: In Memoriam Townsville Civic Theatre 5.00pm - 6.00pm / $51.00 $56.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Evening Series: Entente Cordiale Townsville Civic Theatre 5.00pm - 6.00pm / $62.00 $69.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Orpheus Island Concert Orpheus Island 12.30pm - 8.00pm / $235.00 -

$250.00 / M www.afcm.com.au TUESDAY 2 AUGUST Invisible Realities Umbrella Studio 6.00pm / $25.00 / PG www.umbrella.org.au WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST Motov8ing Boys Townsville RSL Club 7.00pm - 9.00pm / $41.00 $193.50 / 11+ www.motov8.com.au Reset & Relax Runs weekly until 31 August Selectability 5.30pm / $40.00 / PG www.selectability.com.au AFCM Concert Conversations 3 with Jack Liebeck The Ville - The Pavillion 10.00am - 12.00pm / $73.00 $81.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Sunset Series: Loving Dedications Townsville Civic Theatre 5.00pm - 6.00pm / $51.00 $56.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Evening Series: Seasons with a Twist Townsville Civic Theatre 8.00pm - 10.00pm / $62.00 $69.00 / M www.afcm.com.au

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With HIT 103.1’s Cliffo & Gabi

THURSDAY 4 AUGUST Free Film Screening: Chasing Coral CQU Townsville 3.00pm - 5.00pm / FREE / PG www.cqu.edu.au/events AFCM Concert Conversations 4 with Jack Liebeck The Ville - The Pavillion 10.00am - 12.00pm / $73.00 $81.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Sunset Series: Baroque Magnifico Townsville Civic Theatre 5.00pm - 6.00pm / $51.00 $56.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Illuminates 3: Sea Conservation The Ville 6.30pm - 7.30pm / $25.00 $30.00 / M www.afcm.com.au Mike Rivett Jazz Quartet AFCM Festival Gardens 8.30pm - 11.30pm / $20.00 $22.00 / PG www.afcm.com.au Art Box - Art Activities for Under 5’S First and Third Thursday every month during school term Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 10.30am - 11.30am / FREE / PG www.townsville.qld.gov.au FRIDAY 5 AUGUST Craft Alive Townsville Runs until 7 August

Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre 9.00am / FREE - $25.00 / PG www.craftalive.com.au Greta Stanley Otherwise Bar 9.00pm / $27.00 / 18+ Greta Stanley Comedian Joe Avati - 25 Live Townsville Rsl 8.00pm / $61.00 / 12+ Townsville Rsl Townsville Open Age Tennis Tournament Runs until 7 August Western Suburbs Tennis Club 9.00am / FREE / PG Western Suburbs Tennis Club AFCM Concert Conversations 5 with Jack Liebeck The Ville - The Pavillion 10.00am - 12.00pm / $73.00 $81.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Winterschool Concert The Ville 1.00pm - 3.00pm / $25.00 $30.00 / PG www.afcm.com.au AFCM Sunset Series: Poems and Prayers Townsville Civic Theatre 5.00pm - 6.00pm / $51.00 $56.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Evening Series: The Silver Screen Townsville Civic Theatre 8.00pm - 10.00pm / $62.00 $69.00 / M www.afcm.com.au

Gamechangers Program 1 Day Communication Workshop Boardroom, Cowboys Leagues Club 9.00am - 4.00pm / $770.00 / 18+ www.mouthinoff.com.au SATURDAY 6 AUGUST Thirsty Merc Mansfield Hotel 8.00pm / $39.90 / 18+ www.thirstymerc.com St Matthew’s Fete and Flower Show St Matthews Anglican Church 9.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / PG www.saintmatts.org.au Never Ending 80’s Dalrymple Hotel 8.00pm / $39.80 / 18+ www.dalrymplehotel.com.au Havana Nights Pinot & Picasso 6.30pm - 9.30pm / $59.00 / 18+ www.pinotandpicasso.com.au AFCM Concert Conversations 6 with Jack Liebeck The Ville - The Pavillion 10.00am - 12.00pm / $73.00 $81.00 / M www.afcm.com.au AFCM Families’ Concert: Carnival of the Animals Festival Gardens - Townsville Civic Theatre 4.00pm - 5.00pm / $10.00 $30.00 / G www.afcm.com.au AFCM Festival Finale: Fond Farewells Townsville Civic Theatre 8.00pm - 10.00pm / $79.00 $88.00 / M www.afcm.com.au Lilttle Egypts’s Speakeasy AFCM Festival Gardens 9.00pm - 11.30pm / $18.00 $22.00 / G www.afcm.com.au TAB Townsville Cup Cluden Park

11.00am - 10.00pm / $54.00 $210.00 / 18+ www.cludenpark.com.au Africa Festival Riverway Riverway Parkrun 11.00am - 10.00pm / FREE / G Spirit Of Africa Townsville SUNDAY 7 AUGUST McDonalds Townsville Running Festival 2022 Jezzine Barracks 4.45am / FREE - $135.00 / G www.townsvillerunning festival.com Townsville’s Strongest Man and Woman Racecourse Rd 10.00am / FREE / G NQ Heavy Events 2022 Mirragin Australian X Class Open Bluewater Airport 10.00am - 4.30pm / FREE / G www.shop.xclass.racing Cent Sale Cutheringa Bowls Club 1.00pm - 4.00pm / FREE / G QCWA TSV Branch How to Prune your Garden Professionally Carville Villas, Pimlico 1.00pm - 4.00pm / $70.00 / M www.globalgardener.org AFCM After Party Peppers Blue on Blue, Magnetic Island 2.45pm - 5.00pm / $79.00 $88.00 / G www.afcm.com.au MONDAY 8 AUGUST Roald Dahl and The Imagination Seekers Burdekin Theatre 11.30am / $15.00 - $55.00 / G www.burdekintheatre.com.au WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST MM Darren Coggan’s Campfire Townsville Civic Theatre

Please check with individual businesses before visiting.

Townsville Relay For Life 2022 Joe Baker Field JCU 2.00pm - 10.00pm / FREE $75.00 / G www.relayforlife.org.au

11.00am - 12.30pm / $15.00 $17.50 / G www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au THURSDAY 11 AUGUST

WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST

Friends of St James Cathedral Art and Craft Exhibition Runs until 21 August Saint James’ Cathedral Townsville 10.00am - 2.00pm / FREE / PG www.stjamescathedral.com.au

Top Dog Film Festival Warrina Cineplex 6.30pm - 9.10pm / $23.00 $31.00 / G www.topdogfilmfestival.com.au Oasis Watercolour Group Session The Oasis Townsville 6.00pm - 9.00pm / G www.theoasistownsville.org.au

FRIDAY 12 AUGUST Reset and Relax Workshop by Youth RESET CQU Townsville 3.00pm - 4.00pm / FREE / PG www.cqu.edu.au/events

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST

Queensland Darts Masters Runs until 13 August Townsville Entertainment Centre 7.00pm -10.00pm / $61.00 $229.00 / G www.tecc.net.au/event SATURDAY 13 AUGUST Cyclones Annual Show n Shine Jezzine Barracks 9.00am - 3.00pm / FREE / G Cyclones Rod & Custom Club Townsville

Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour 2022 Warrina Cineplex 6.30pm - 9.15pm / $23.00 $31.00 / G www.gutsygirlsadventure filmtour.com.au CQU Townsville Open Day CQU Townsville 4.00pm - 6.00pm / FREE / PG www.cqu.edu.au/events FRIDAY 19 AUGUST

LiteHaus International’s 5th Anniversary Gala Ball The Ville Resort Casino 6.00pm -11.00pm / $180.00 $1800.00 / 18+ www.litehausinternational.org

North Queensland Elite Rodeo Runs until 20 August Hervey Range Rodeo Grounds 5.30am / $10.00 - $250.00 / PG North Queensland Elite Rodeo

Cate’s Chemist Charity Ball 2022 Quayside Terminal Townsville 7.00pm / $195.00 / 18+ Cate’s Chemist

North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors Queensland Country Bank Stadium 6.00pm / $22.00 - $96.00 / PG www.nrl.com

Big Blue Painting Workshop Pinot& Picasso 6.30pm - 9.30pm / $59.00 / 18+ www.pinotandpicasso.com.au Townsville Indiafest Riverway Oval 10.00am - 9.00pm / FREE / G www.indiafesttownsville.org

Riverway Movies, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Every third Friday of the month Riverway 6.30pm - 8.00pm / FREE / G www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au

www.pakmag.com.au | August 2022 47

What’s On SATURDAY 20 AUGUST

WEDNESDAY 24 AUGUST

Day Trip Music Festival 2022 Central Park Townsville 5.30am / $99.00 - $282.00 / 18+ wwww.moshtix.xom.au

The Little Mermaid Runs until 28 August Townsville Civic Theatre Various Times / $40.00 $150.00 / G www.tcs.org.au

#STEMLIKEAPATSGIRL Conference St Patrick’s College Townsville 8.45am - 3.30pm / FREE / Ages 10 - 15 www.stpatscollege.qld.edu.au Magical Red Carpet Fundraising Night Herbert Hotel 6.00pm - 11.00pm / $110.00 / Ages 7 - 17 Townsville Cremations Fee CORES Suicide Intervention Training Community Gro – Upper Ross Community Centre 9.00am - 4.00pm / FREE / 15+ www.cores.org.au SUNDAY 21 AUGUST Cape Pallarenda Trail Run Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park 5.00am / $14.00 - $55.00 / G www.outerlimitsadventure. com.au TUESDAY 23 AUGUST Seniors Lifestyle Expo Townsville Stadium 10.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / G www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au

With Triple M’s Pricey

Obstacle Hell Townsville 2022 Tarmaroo Scout Camp, Bluewater 7.30pm / $49.00 - $79.00 / 11+ www.obstaclehell.com

SATURDAY 27 AUGUST

SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival Runs until 28 August Strand Park 6.00am / $35.00 - $205.00 / G www.townsvilletrifestival.org.au

KISS - End of the Road World Tour Queensland Country Bank Stadium 4.00pm / $99.00 - $1199.00 / M www.queenslandcountrybank stadium.com.au

TUESDAY 30 AUGUST Judith Lucy & Denise Scott – Still Here Townsville Civic Theatre 7.30pm / $69.90 / M www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week Runs until 7 September Peppers Blue on Blue, Magnetic Island Various Times / G www.magneticislandraceweek. com.au/social-events SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER North Queensland Toyota Cowboys versus Penrith Panthers Queensland Country Bank

Please check with individual businesses before visiting.

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

Stadium 7.30pm / $22.00 - $75.00 / G www.cowboys.com.au

Townsville Book Fair Runs until 18 September Fairfield Homemaker 9.00am - 4.00pm / FREE / G Townsville Family Life SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Sounds of Rock Townsville Townsville Turf Club TBA Music Events in Queensland TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

The Sapphires Townsville Entertainment Centre 8.00pm - 11.00pm / $69.00 / G www.tecc.net.au

Bill Bailey – En Route to Normal Townsville Entertainment Centre 8.00pm - 10.30pm / $89.90 $99.90 / G www.tecc.net.au SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

Adventurethon Charters Towers: The Gauntlet Runs until 25 September Burdekin River, Charters Towers TBA www.adventurethon.com.au

The Garden Clubs of Australia INC AGM and National Convention Runs until 15 September Rydges Southbank Convention Centre TBA www.whatson.townsville. qld.gov.au

Fairytales on Ice Townsville Entertainment Centre 6.30pm / $42.90 - $69.90 / G www.tecc.net.au

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Townsville Masters Carnival 2022 Runs until 17 September Townsville Sports Reserve 9.00am - 9.00pm / G Townsville Leatherheads Masters Team

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER Bring the Kids to Empire Bring the Kids to Empire 10.00pm - 3.00pm / FREE / G Empire Alternacade and Events - Townsville

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Regular Events MONDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

Qi Gong Runs sporadically until 19 December Inner Light Meditation Centre 5.30pm - 6.30pm / $15.00 / G www.innerlightmeditation centre.com

Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 9.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au

TUESDAYS Toddler Time During school term.

Townsville Stadium 9.00am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and toddlers aged 24 + months www.townsville.qld.gov.au Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

Townsville Stadium 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au North Queensland Camera Group First Tuesday of each month QCWA – Magnetic Garbutt First meet FREE / G www.nqcg.org.au

Toddler Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and toddlers aged 24 + months www.townsville.qld.gov.au Flashback Dance BYO Baby Class Runs weekly Railway Estate Community Centre 12.30pm / $12.00 / G E flashbackdancetownsville@ outlook.com THURSDAYS Yoga for Happiness 5 week programs, run weekly until 15 December

Townsville South State School 6.30pm - 8.00pm / $100.00 / M www.yogaaspirations.com.au Playtime at the Library with First 5 Forever Runs weekly Hinchinbrook Shire Library 10.30am / FREE / Ages 0 - 5 www.library.hinchinbrook.qld. gov.au Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Stage Door Theatre Restaurant, Magnetic Island 5.00pm - 9.00pm / $95.00 / PG www.stagedoortheatre.com.au Little Learners Runs weekly during school terms Museum of Tropical Queensland 10.00am - 10.45am / FREE / children aged 3-6 www.athome.qm.qld.gov.au Breathwork Sessions Runs weekly Inner Light Meditation Centre 7.00pm - 8.00pm / FREE / G www.innerlightmeditation centre.com SATURDAYS

Storytime During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 9.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and children aged 3 years + www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Establishing the Basics - Yoga 5 week yoga programs, Runs until 17 December Townsville South State School 8.00am - 9.15am / $100 per course / M www.yogaaspirations.com.au/

FRIDAYS Moulin Rogue Runs until 17 December

Regular Markets Many markets are subject to weather conditions and community guidelines, so please check with market organisers and relevant communities before visiting.

Bluewater Twilight Markets February - December Second Saturday of the month 4.00pm - 8.00pm Bluewater Community Centre Bushland Beach Markets March - December First and third Sunday of the month 8.00am – 12.00pm On the foreshore, End of Mount Low Parkway Renegade Handmade Markets Second Sunday of the month 8.00am – 12.00pm Marian School Hall

Balgal Beach Markets First Saturday of the month 8.00am - 1.00pm The Esplanade, Balgal Beach

Cotters Markets Every Sunday 8.30am - 1.00pm Flinders St

Strand Night Markets March - December First Friday of the month 5.00pm - 9.30pm Strand Park, North Ward

Magnetic Island Markets April - January Every Sunday 9.00am – 2.00pm Foreshore in Horseshoe Bay

Mundingburra Markets Third Sunday of the month 7.30am - 12.00pm Mundingburra State School Willows Rotary Markets Every Sunday 7.30am - 11.30am Willows Shopping Centre Car Park

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8.00am – 12.00pm Conroy Hall, Ingham Wulguru Markets Every Sunday 7.00am – 12.00pm Wulguru Soccer Grounds 14 Edison Street, Wulguru, Ingham Raintree Community Markets First and Third Sunday of the month from 7.00am - 12.00pm Rotary Park, Ingham

Mercer Lane Markets April - December First Saturday of the month From 8.30am – 12.00pm Lannercost St, Ingham New Look Conroy Markets March - December Second Saturday of the month

Forrest Beach Markets May - October Fourth Sunday of every month 8.00am – 12.00pm 9 - 11 Palm St, Forrest Beach

Please check with individual businesses before visiting.