Peekaboo Back to School Guide 2014

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BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014

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BAGS AND BACKPACKS MADE FOR KIDS

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FOR ACTiVE KiDS FEET APEX Adults & Kids Multiple widths 6 Month outsole warranty

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peekaboo magazine

DESIGN AWARDS

2014

ENTRIES OPEN FEBRUARY 2014 Celebrating the finest Australian and international brands in children’s fashion and design; lifestyle, travel and shopping; interiors, toys and more. www.peekaboomagazine.com.au/design-awards

welcome Welcome to the Second Edition of our digital interactive mini-magazine, the Peekaboo Back to School Guide. We’re pleased to present a curated selection of essentials for school, kindy or childcare, available in Australia and internationally for you to source just in time for the first school bell of the year. We’ve included something for everyone and for the first time include some informative articles about relevant back-to-school topics.

We survived our eldest’s first year of big school with only a few tears and hiccups and mostly a wonderful experience. With Peekaboo’s Chief Reviewer in Year 1 this year and our Assistant Reviewer in 3-year-old kinder we are really starting to understand the importance of quality school accessories that serve their purpose and last longer than a single term.

Here‘s to a great 2014 school year and also looking good whilst you’re there!

contents click thru The Peekaboo Back to School Guide is interactive which means all you need to do to get through to one of our gorgeous finds is CLICK on its image and you’ll be taken straight to a website where you can purchase it.

ONLINE FINDS

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LITTLE KID BACKPACKS & BAGS

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BIG KID BACKPACKS & BAGS

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Settle Petal / Tips to help your kids settle in

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DRINK BOTTLES

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LUNCH BOXES & BAGS

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Snap Happy / How to take great school snaps

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STATIONERY

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ESSENTIALS

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COMPETITIONS

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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The publisher, its directors, contractors and employees accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information contained in this publication. The views expressed or contained herein are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher.

PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 05

online finds

click here Browse our selection of awesome online stores and CLICK THROUGH to shop online for your Back to School needs and more

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MAMASHOME.COM.AU

NAMEMYSTUFF.COM.AU

Mama’s home is a unique and wonderful store bursting with fresh, bright, vibrant and inspiring gifts, toys, fashion, homewares, and all accessories needed for bubs through to adolescents, as well as those Mummy’s caring for them.

Created after co-founder Tea received a personalised dummy for her daughter, Name My Stuff, is the place to source quality personalised and permanently marked stuff including lunchboxes, drink bottles, dummies and more.

SPENCIL.COM.AU

WINDMILL.COM.AU

From pen, paint, highlighter and crayon sets in delicious, vibrant colours to collectable erasers in nifty shapes and the coolest-ever pencil cases and notebooks, Spencil is fast becoming the coveted brand on desks across Australia and NZ.

Windmill provides a wide range of environmentally friendly educational products of excellent quality and design.

Established in 1977 their team of helpful and experienced staff includes teachers, parents, musicians and artists.

IAMMONTESSORI.COM.AU

PENNYSCALLAN.COM.AU

I AM Montessori was created to fill a major gap in the market for parents looking to provide an alternative form of education for their children in the critical early years of their lives. Buy materials online. Making Montessori easy.

Penny Scallan is a boutique designer that isn’t afraid to show a little personality.

Featuring lifestyle products and accessories the Penny Scallan Collections boast stylish vibrant designs and stunning detail.

little backpacks

mini sherpas Gorgeous packs for the little necessities.

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1. Apple Park Penguin Toddler Backpack 59.95AUD www.sweetcreations.com.au 2. BeatrixNY Lucas the Whale Little Kid Backpack 49.95AUD www.urbanbaby. com.au 3. Dabbawalla Owl backpack 44.95AUD www.finleeandme.com.au 4. Littlepacks Toddler Cowboy Backpack 41.29AUD http://www.etsy.com/au/ listing/152646198/toddler-backpack-preschool-backpack-boys?ref=shop_home_feat 5. SkipHop Zoo Packs Little Kids Cat Backpack 34.95AUD www. shopnaturally.com.au 6. Bixbee Purple Sparkalicious Butterflyer Backpack 51.95AUD www.sillymillymoo.com.au 7. LittleLife Turtle Toddler Daysack 49.95AUD www.expeditionequipment.com.au 8. Apple Park Ducky Plush Backpack 54.95AUD www.sweetcreations.com.au 08 / PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014

Space for everything a big kid needs.

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1. Ore Zippee Backpack Seet and Sour 25USD www.lbcliving.com 2. Cyclus Armadillo Recycled Rubber Backpack 246AUD www.luisaviaroma.com 3. BLOK Full Pack 4 Alarm Fire 60USDGBP www.madpax.com 4. BeatrixNY Lucas Whale Big Kid Backpack 59.95AUD www.urbanbaby.com.au 5. gooie Woodland Large Backpack 59.95AUD www.mamashome.com.au 6. Wildkin Stripes Bright Macropak 41.99USD www.wildkin.com 7. Hello Kitty Chambray Backpack 55.10AUD www.tillys.com 8.Crumpler Kids Private Zoo Laptop Backpack 95AUD www.crumpler.com PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 09

big bags & packs

pack it in

settle petal starting or changing school can stir a range of emotions parents aren’t familiar with. make it easier with our tips for helping kids settle into school. story sarah hetzel

Starting school for the first time can be quite nerve wracking for children and also for parents. It is often the first time a child is away from parents for a long period of time and can be unsettled about having a new teacher or trying to make new friends. As a teacher of Junior Primary students, I have found there are things you can do to help your child be more settled and hopefully excited about the school year.

Children can get overwhelmed with the changes that occur when starting school especially after having six weeks of holidays. They have to wake earlier, get organised for school, make new friends, be independent with their toileting and dressing, be responsible for their possessions, sit still on the floor in class and listen to the teacher and then follow numerous instructions throughout the day. It is understandable why they are so tired at the end of the day and why they may not listen that well when they get home.

Here are some ideas that will help your child settle into school.

1. Practise eating lunch and recess in the holidays with your child so you can teach them the food that they should eat at recess and what they should save to eat at lunchtime. Often kids will try to eat everything at recess and then are hungry at lunch.

It is also important your child can open their lunchbox by themselves, so let them have a few opportunities where they have to do it at home and teach them how to ask for help from their teacher or another student if they are having trouble.

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2. It is really important that they can recognise their school bag and their lunchbox so they know it is theirs (especially if they are young and are unable to recognise their written name) so perhaps put a special sticker on their lunchbox or a special keyring on their school bag.

3. As parents we want to make sure our children have enough food to eat, but over the years I have seen some lunch boxes that have enough food to feed the child for 3 days. It is great to give choice and variety, but if you want to pack a lot of food then explain to your child that they don’t have to eat ALL of the food at school. They can finish it after school when they all seem to be so hungry!

I say this as some students spend their whole recess and lunchtime eating their food and have no time to play with their friends and run off excess energy.

4. Children feel more settled and excited about the school year when they know who is in their class so if there is a chance in the holidays for your child to meet up with one of their classmate it may help to settle their nerves. It is also handy as parents to have a parent ‘buddy’ so you can help remind each other about returning notes, what things the children need to bring each day for example a morning talk item and someone to have a coffee with once the kids are at school.

5. I think that children feel more comfortable about school when they have talked about it with their parents. So in the holidays please have some conversations with your child about the teacher and practise saying their name, talk about who is in the class (if they know), discuss what they may do at school eg drawing, writing, playing

on the playground, sitting on the floor and listening to the teacher. Explain that they will be able to play outside at recess and lunchtime with their friends. Hopefully your child has had transition before the holidays and had the opportunity to meet their teacher and see their classroom (sometimes this isn’t possible).

6. It is also important that each child knows where the toilets are and how to use them by themselves. Often the child will struggle with their uniform when they are going to the toilet eg can’t undo the button or pull their zipper down. Practise this at home when they are wearing the uniform and if you have a spare older uniform put it in their bag or at least a clean pair of underwear. Schools will have spare clothes that the children can change into if they do wet their pants.

7. Label, Label and Label everything! When there are often 25+ students in the class and they all take their jumpers off, it is chaos trying to return them if they don’t have a name and expensive to keep replacing these items. Please label all their clothing, lunchbox, drink bottle, shoes, books and anything special they bring to school eg their morning talk item.

8. As parents we can help our child be ready for school by having all the required books, correct uniform and ensuring they arrive at school on time. Children feel more confident if they are organised and not rushed. They then have time to get ready in the classroom and can do their reading or their morning activity. It also makes children feel happy about school if the teacher and parent have a positive relationship. Have a friendly talk to the teacher in the morning if they are available. This is also a great

opportunity for the teacher to let you know if there are any issues that you need to know about. (Sometimes teachers are so busy in the morning organising students and listening to reading or sight words that it isn’t possible so a catch up after school could be better).

9. Ensuring children eat a nutritious breakfast in the morning before school sets them up to concentrate longer in the classroom. Empty stomachs mean they get restless and are unable to focus on their work.

10. Children will be extremely tired in the first week of school and maybe a bit ‘grumpy’. They may need extra cuddles and lots of patience as this is a big change in their life. They may need to go to bed earlier or may want to spend extra time with ‘mummy or daddy’. Also keep extra curricular activities after school to a minimum in the early days so they can go home and rest. Keep the conversations going about school as this is a great way to find out how they are coping and if there is anything bothering them.

Good luck with your child who may be starting school for the first time or returning to school with a new teacher.

Remember to also look after yourself as this is a special time for parents and can be emotional and challenging to let your child go. Take one day at a time and treat yourself with a coffee or something special when they are at school. You have earnt it!

About the author Sara is a Primary School teacher who has taught from Prep to Year Seven. She has completed her Masters of Education and now is enjoying being a mum to her two gorgeous children. Sara is the owner of the online store www.frombabytokids.com. au which stocks lunchboxes, drink bottles, wooden toys, capsule covers, organic sleeping bags and useful baby items. Her facebook page is www.facebook.com/ frombabytokids PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 11

drink bottles

just hydrate

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Stylish bottles to keep you refreshed.

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6 1. Omnisax Water Bottle 500ml Aqua Stream Bottle 2 Pink Dot 26.95AUD www.eatdrinkstainless.com.au 2. Fairy Stars 350ml 29.95AUD www.ecococoon. com.au 3. Life Factory 450ml Glass Drinking Bottle with Flip Top 39.95AUD www.limetreekids.com.au 4. Contigo 415ml Kids Autospout Striker Bottle - Aqua Swirl www.biome.com.au 5. Camelbak 400ml Kids Bottle Eddy - Tractor 17.26AUD www.surfmountain.com 6. Dwell Studio for Thermos Dinosaur FUNtainer Bottle 40AUD www.thenile.com.au 7. Skip Hop Zoo Flip Water Bottle Panda 350ml 14.95AUD www.haggusandstookles.com.au 8.The Safe Sporter in Orange 24.95AUD www.limetreekids.com.au 9. Polar Bottle Razzle 24oz. Water Bottle 11.99USD www.polarbottle.com 12 / PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014

lunch packs

munch bunch

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Eat your lunch in playground style.

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1. Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Reusable Snack and Everything Bag in Rodeo Drive 12.99AUD www.angelfishdragonfly.com.au 2. Ecogear EcoZoo Lunch Bag Monkey 23.99USD www.ecogear-products.com 3. Lock and Lock Round Lunch Box Set 48.95AUD www.biome.com.au 4. Wildkin Olive Kids Mermaids Lunch Bag 18.95USD www.wildkin.com 5. Briggi A Bit Spotty Lunch Bag 28AUD www.briggi.net 6. Beatrix NY Dolce & Panna Lunch Bag 39.95AUD www.fairyblossom.com.au 7. Planetbox Rover complete - groovy with purple bag 85AUD www.biome.com.au 8.Dabbawalla Lunch Bag in Holy Cow 34.95AUD www.finleeandme.com.au 9. Lunchskins Reusable Sandwich Bag in Red Birds 14.95AUD www.limetreekids.com.au PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 13

snap happy taking the perfect ‘first day of school’ picture is easier than you may think. with some props and a little creativity your kids will love to put on a show. story mum the photographer

This is such a special time of year. Whether your child is getting ready for Prep, or is an old hand at the back to school routine, excitement starts running high as we begin to organise everything from uniforms to books to lunchboxes.

Firstly, they give your kids something to do. It’s really hard to look natural in a photo when your hands are empty and you are staring down the lens of a camera.

If your child is doing something or even simply holding a prop, the photos will be more fun and natural.

It’s a great time to capture some photos of your kids.

They are excited and relaxed after being on holidays, and the lead up to the first day of school for the year is something worth recording. It can also be a fun way to fill some free time late into the school holidays when the activities list is running low!

Props are also a great way to inject personality and colour into your photos. The hit of colour from some books or pencils can turn an otherwise ordinary photo into something much more interesting.

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to create some memorable back to school photos.

1. Get your kids involved from the start. Ask your children what excites them about heading back to school and what type of photos they would like you to take.

Maybe they want to show off their new school bag, or their uniform. Perhaps they are excited about reading or art classes. Whatever the answer, try and tailor your photos a little to include their ideas. Having some ownership of the photos and what’s included will have the kids much more excited about being involved.

2. Choose some fun props to jazz up your shots.

Props don’t have to be anything fancy. It could be a pile of books or textbooks, a lunch box filled with apples or anything at all that makes you think ‘school’. These props serve a few purposes in your photos.

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3. Don’t say ‘cheese’! Most school age kids are great at delivering cheesy grins on command. But do we really want a childhood record filled with cheesy grins? If you want more natural photos that are still full of smiles you need to work a little harder than just asking for ‘cheese.’

Your tactic will really depend on the age of your children.

You know your kids best and have a good idea on what will illicit smiles. Our best recommendation is to have FUN! Mess around with them. Play games. Sing silly songs or make silly faces or noises.

If this isn’t working, requesting their ‘best giggle’ can also result in some pretty natural looking smiles. Even if the giggle is forced, the smile often still looks quite natural.

4. Choose locations that are meaningful. The location of your photos will form a part of the memory created, as much as the uniform and your child’s smiling face. For

this reason, it’s a really good idea to take some of your back to school photos in a location that has meaning for you. This might be the front of your house, the child’s bedroom, next to your letterbox or out the front of the school gate. Any location you like that will give some context to the photos and that will evoke memories for you and your child in years to come.

In addition, these general tips on taking photos of your kids will stand you in good stead year round • Lighting is the key to great photos. Look for spots in and around your home that have good natural light. You want even light on your child’s face, and will know you are on the right track if you can see little sparkles of light in their eyes. Mum the Photographer has a free online module that details exactly how to find great light around your own home and back yard.

• Location, location, location! It applies to photography as well as real estate! Search out locations that are free from distractions. Blank walls and large grassed areas work really well.

• Have fun. This is the most important thing to remember.

If you are having fun and a laugh with your kids they will shower you with the smiles and expressions you are hoping for. Tell bad jokes, sing songs, jump around and make silly faces.The result will be worth it. If things start getting stressful, hang up the camera and try again later.

Mum the Photographer is an online community for all mums who want to create a beautiful photographic record of childhood. The blog is full of free tips and tricks on how to capture amazing photos of your own kids, regardless of the type of camera you own. Mum the Photographer also offers an online photography course designed specifically with busy mums in mind. 10 modules packed full of great information and inspiration that you can work through at your own pace. www.mumthephotographer.com/blog www.mumthephotographer.com PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 15

stationery

the write one Learn to write with just the right tools.

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1. Derwent Set of 24 Studio Colour Pencils 30.25AUD www.officeworks.com.au 2. Pelikan Griffix Ink Writer 23.82AUD www.fishpond.com.au 3. Snifty Pepperoni Pizza Scented Pen 3.95AUD www.2kool4skool.com.au 4. Staedtler Triplus 0.3mm Fineliners pk/20 34.64AUD www.officeworks.com.au 5. Pencil Case Medium Cute 16.95AUD www.kikki-k.com 6. Lernstift Digital Pen (Available mid 2014) www.lernstift.com 7. Smart Phone Eraser 1.45AUD www.2kool4skool. com.au 8.Spencil Snaggle Black Dog Pencil Case 9.95AUD www.thestationeryshop.com.au 9. Stabilo Trio Scribbi Set of 8 22.65AUD www.eckersleys.com.au 16 / PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014

online finds

funky extras Make sure you’re ready for everything.

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1. Tigeroy School Planner - Girl 7.95AUD www.tigeroy.com.au 2. Apple & Bee Kids Library Bag in Fox 29.95AUD www.appleandbee.com 3. Overcrawls Ladybug Stripes Raincoat 29.95AUD www.overcrawls.com.au 4. Penny Scallan Umbrella in Big City 19.95AUD www.pennyscallan.com.au 5. Hunter Original Kids Metallic Wellies 39GBP www.hunter-boots.com 6. TinyMe Personalised Labels Various Pricing www.tinyme.com.au 7. Toshi Boys Vintage Cars Sun Hat 34.99AUD www.swimweargalore.com.au 8.Trunki PaddlePak Chuckles the Clownfish Swimming Bag 34.49AUD www.swimshop.com.au PEEKABOO BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE 2014 / 17

with your favourite one-stop-shop

backpacks . lunch boxes . swim bags . library bags . pencil cases . drink bottles

Fed up losing stuff because name labels and texta keep coming off?

It’s time for permanently marked and personalised stuff.

Brands include Sistema, Contigo, Vorgee, Fridge-to-Go and Sili Squeeze.

win with peekaboo

peekaboo competitions NAME MY STUFF win a value pack worth $78.95 Name My Stuff (formerly Name Your Dummy) was founded by two friends who live in Brisbane. Personalised dummies were not available in Australia, so they decided to start their own business. It took them a long time to find the best way to personalise products, and source the highest quality items that met Australian safety standards, but they were excited they could bring their personalised products to market.

With kids at different ages, they discovered their kids havd different needs – some of the kids lost their lunch boxes and drink bottles at school, while the others peeled the stickers – which had their name on them – off the bottles and containers. This was how they came up with the idea of personalising the Sistema products, which had never been done before.

Now run by Tea, Name My Stuff is continually expanding its range to meet the needs for young and active families. www.namemystuff.com.au

itzy ritzy win an itzy ritzy pack thanks to angelfish dragonfly Itzy Ritzy believes parenting in style is possible. Their modern collection of baby toddler and lifestyle accessories provides smart, attractive solutions to everyday challenges, from carrying heavy car seats to keeping school snacks under ecofriendly wraps. They love making your life easier, so their multi-purpose products pack a number of dazzling punches without making you do a lot of work. Plus, they tread lightly on Earth with environmentally conscious, no-waste solutions.

Through it all, they keep style top of mind, designing chic prints you won’t find anywhere else in a confection of eye-catching colors.

Thanks to leading childrens’ boutique, Angelfish Dragonfly, we have a great value pack of Itzy Ritzy Snack Happens reusable snack bags available for you to win. www.itzyritzy.com www.angelfishdragonfly.com.au

How to win Simply visit the Peekaboo Facebook page at www.facebook.com/peekaboomag and click on the WIN tab at the top of the page. This competition closes at 7.00PM January 18th, 2014.

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