Peninsula Kids Autumn 2019

PENINSULA KIDS AUTUMN/19

ENINSULA KID P S LOVING FAMILY LIFE ON THE PENINSULA

AUTUMN19

FREE

More Fishy tales by Peter Helliar The About Having A Baby...

5 Things they never tell you!

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Science Parties!

Tips for raising joyful, inspired children

10 Australian

Children’s Classics for Your Family Bookcase www.peninsulakids.com.au

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MORNINGTON CUP DAY IT'S NOT JUST TOP-NOTCH RACING SAT 23 MAR - MORNINGTON RACECOURSE MRC.RACING.COM

Bring the family and visit the new family zone this Ladbrokes Mornington Cup Day. Set among the sprawling lawns away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds, let the kids enjoy the rides and activites, family food stations and an appearance from Clip Clop Clyde.

Watch the Peninsula Kids Facebook page for an exclusive family promotion with free family tickets.

BECOME A CLIP CLOP CLUB MEMBER FOR JUST $15 NORMALLY $25

Join the Clip Clop Club on Ladbrokes Mornington Cup Day and receive an exclusive Clip Clop Club merchandise pack and special gift.

Plus, get access to 2 upcoming Clip Clop Club Family Days, where Mum and Dad will receive FREE racecourse entry: Easter Cup Race Day on 20 April at Caulfield Mornington Queen’s Birthday Race Day on 10 June at Mornington Join on the day at the Clip Clop Club Marquee or at the Race Day Office

2

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Exclusive to Ladbrokes Mornington Cup Day, the Crittenden Estate Marquee showcases one of the

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

Mornington Peninsula’s oldest and most iconic

• Racecourse and Trackside Enclosure admission

wineries. Family owned and operated since 1982,

• 3 course luncheon

Crittenden Estate is known for its quality cool

• Private bar facility serving an allinclusive beverage package of beer, Crittenden Estate wine, sparkling, cider and soft drink

climate wines that have consistently received awards and accolades worldwide.

home straight, experience the exemplary quality

• Trackside frontage including private garden enclosure with umbrellas and outdoor tables

of Crittenden Estate wines with a matched dining

• Tote facilities inside the marquee

experience designed to complement the flavour

• Floral centrepiece arrangements

profile of each course. With an aesthetic which

• Television screens within marquee

mimics that of the spectacular Crittenden Estate,

• Racebook per person

Located in prime trackside position along the

including a central communal garden space and acoustic tunes between races, don’t miss this exceptional trackside wine experience.

220

$

PER PERSON

FOR BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL 03 5975 3310 OR VISIT MRC.RACING.COM

www.peninsulakids.com.au

3

M O R N I N G T O N

R A C I N G

C L U B

Join the Mornington Racing Club today and get Members’ Reserve access to the rest of the 2018-19 season*, including: Summer and Autumn racing carnival featuring 20+ race days

Members’ Reserve access to 2019 Ladbrokes Mornington Cup Day

One Mornington Members’ Reserve Guest Pass

Join today at mrcmembership.com.au or call 1300 46 7223 *Membership valid until 31 July 2019

There's so much to do, So much to see....

233 Mornington-Tyabb Road Moorooduc, 3933

Sheepdog shows Reptile encounters Adventure playground GIANT jumping pillow Wild life park Pony rides

Cafe Mini golf Tractor ride Animal feeding Cana maze

Adventure Farm EASTER AT THE BIG GOOSE! Our easter egg scramble is back this year and better than ever!

APRIL 19TH - 22ND

10 AM - 4 PM

Suitable for all ages. everyone takes home a bag of easter eggs!

Cover Photo Model: Ella Busuttil Location: Nana’s house Photographer: Danielle B Photography daniellebphotography.com.au Editor and Publisher Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au

Editor

Melissa McCullough

ed’s letter...

Welcome autumn.

I know. We’re sad. Summer is over.

But let’s look at the bright side: routine.

Design Sam Loverso sam@mpnews.com.au

C’mon..you know you love it. Even though it’s a fantastic feeling being able to throw those lunchboxes, (with perfectly sized carrot sticks so they fit into that dang bento compartment), out the window, there’s something about the military operation we call school life that ‘sparks joy’.

Advertising Miriam Doe 0421 085 974 miriam@mpnews.com.au

Here’s hoping that your kids are settling into the school year well.

For some it’s an easy transition, (both kids and parents), and for others it’s a bit more complex.

General Enquiries info@peninsulakids.com.au

Me? There’s Miss 9. Always ready to go. Strong dislike for being late. Blowing me off before we’re even close to the door of the pod.

All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.

Then there’s Mr 6. Non-lover of sport day. Strong dislike for socks.

Sufferer from morning hypochondria.

To the kids who help us get there on time, and for those that force us slow down; Thank you.

Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

“ Today you are You, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

― Dr. Seuss

Peninsula Kids is produced quarterly.

15,000 copies distributed between Mordialloc and Portsea.

Don’t forget to turn the clocks back Sunday April 7th at 3:00am.

Maybe we’ll be able to get the kids to sleep before 9pm! #anotherperkofautumn

Registered address: 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931

Enjoy!

Advertising

Miriam Doe www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

Proudly published by

Design

Sam Loverso

N INFORMATION

PHARMACY ONLY

kage: 14.5 + 200mL cold water

Average Quantity per Serving

J (222 Cal) 13.3g 3.7g 2.2g 33.1g 21.6g 108mg 418mg 160mg 400mg 300mg 10.2mg 4.8mg 0.85mg 0.5mg 30µg 105µg 20µg 42.5µg 400µg uantity 1.0mg 100ml 0.9mg epared 10mg rected) 4.0mg 95 Cal) 2.0µg 5.7g 40mg 1.6g 6.0µg 0.9g 4.0mg 14.2g 1.2mg 9.3g40µg 46mg25µg 179mg 500µg

Average Quantity per 100ml (when prepared as directed)

398kJ (95 Cal) 5.7g 1.6g 0.9g 14.2g 9.3g 46mg 179mg 50%* 69mg 50%* 172mg 30%* 129mg 85%* 4.4mg 40%* 2.1mg 17%** 0.4mg 17%** 0.2mg 43%* 13µg 70%* 45µg 10%** 6µg 17%** 18.2µg 53%* 172µg 91%* 0.4mg 53%* 0.4mg 100%* 4.3mg 80%** 1.7mg 100%* 0.9µg 100%* 17mg 60%* 2.6µg 40%* 1.7mg 75%* 0.5mg 50%** 17µg 83%** 11µg 250%* 215µg

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Premium

Pregnancy Supplement

Mix 55g (2 heaped scoops) of MamaCare pregnancy supplement with 200mL of water and consume immediately.

For best results, always add powder to water and use a shaker or blender. Delicious over ice.

One or two serves a day is great for a pregnant mother and her unborn baby.

Serving suggestion: In a blender, combine 3/4 cup of your favourite fresh fruit, like banana, mango or berries to 2 scoops of MamaCare to make a delicious, nutritious smoothie.

Healthy mum for a healthy baby

Pregnancy Supplement

tablet forms of pregnancy supplements Gentler alternative to tablets andcan make it difficult to meet the extra easily absorbed nutritional demands of pregnancy.

Made in Australia from at least 68% Australian ingredients

MamaCare is a delicious vanilla shake Delicious vanilla flavourthat is gentle on the stomach, readily

for before, during and after pregnancy

69mg Dietary Intake 172mg and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake 29mg 4.4mg NTS 2.1mg Healthy mum DER, WHOLE MILK POWDER (MILK, EMULSIFIER (SOY LECITHIN)), MALTODEXTRIN, 0.4mg for(471) a healthy baby (MILK), OTEIN (CALCIUM CASEINATE, EMULSIFIER (SOY)), FLAVOUR 0.2mg OXIDE, FERRIC PYROPHOSPHATE, SELENOMETHIONINE, ZINC SULPHATE, NESIUM TE, MANGANESE SULPHATE, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM 13µg Recommended

by MOLYBDATE, DE), VEGETABLE GUM (415), VITAMINS (VITAMIN C, NIACIN, PANTOTHENIC ACID, 45µg doctors, pharmacists DOXINE, THIAMIN, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN A, VITAMIN K, BIOTIN, 6µg MIN B12). CONTAINS MILK AND SOY. and nutritionists 18.2µg 172µg Gentler alternative 0.4mg to tablets and 0.4mg easily absorbed 4.3mg 1.7mg Delicious 0.9µg vanilla flavour 17mg 2.6µg 1.7mg Made in 0.5mg Australia from at 17µg least 68% 11µg Folic Acid | Protein | Iron Australian 215µg ingredients

ntake

With Recommended by everyday demands, morning sickness doctors, pharmacists as well as common complaints of nausea, and nutritionists constipation and reflux – the sensitivity to

Visit Mamacare.com.au to see our all natural and luxurious range of pregnancy Body Care products.

26

essential nutrients

26

essential nutrients

and effectively absorbed, containing 26 essential nutrients.

These include Folic Acid, which helps prevent Folicneural Acid | tube Protein | Iron defects and promotes maternal Iodine | Calcium tissue growth|†;Niacin Iodine, necessary for normal 800g Vitamins B, E, C &development D | Biotin in your unborn child†, neurological Vanilla flavour Iron, Vitamins A, C, D, E and K, all B group vitamins, a serve of Protein and more.

For peace of mind, MamaCare is made in Australia under very strict quality controlled conditions using the highest quality ingredients, and is classified as Food for Special Medical Purposes.

NEW

Iodine | Calcium | Niacin Vitamins B, E, C & D | Biotin

SACHET PACK

Please consult your doctor before taking MamaCare.

MamaCare is a formulated nutritional drink and must not be used as a total diet replacement.

Store in a dry cool place below 25°C. Keep product out of direct sunlight and well sealed to ensure maximum freshness. Use contents within 1 month of opening.

7 days’ supply / 7 serves measuring needed: JTM Global Pty Ltd 1, 12-16 President Avenue, Caringbah NSW Australia 2229 1 easyLevelserve per sachet No mess, perfect for on the go

7 x 55g No Vanilla flavour

MamaCare is the gentler alternative.

Simple, Easy and Delicious.

With everyday demands, morning sickness as well as common complaints of nausea, constipation and reflux – the sensitivity to tablet forms of pregnancy supplements can make it difficult to meet the extra nutritional demands of pregnancy.

MamaCare is a delicious vanilla shake that is gentle on the stomach, readily and effectively absorbed, containing 26 essential nutrients.

for before, during and after pregnancy

Premium

We’re giving the pregnancy supplement market a really good shake.

Boosting your Maternal nutrition is essential for the health and wellbeing of both you and your unborn baby. MamaCare is formulated specifically for all stages of pregnancy, ideally 3 months before conceiving, during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.

WE GUARANTEE OUR PRODUCT IS AUSTRALIAN MADE WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND INGREDIENTS.

† When consumed as directed and included as part of a healthy diet which includes at least 400ug of folic acid per day. Folic acid should be consumed at least the month before and 3 months after conception.

These include Folic Acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects and promotes maternal tissue growth†; Iodine, necessary for normal neurological development in your unborn child†, Iron, Vitamins A, C, D, E and K, all B group vitamins, a serve of Protein and more.

For peace of mind, MamaCare is made in Australia under very strict quality controlled conditions using the highest quality ingredients, and is classified as Food for Special Medical Purposes.

Please consult your doctor before taking MamaCare. MamaCare is a formulated nutritional drink and must not be used as a total diet replacement.

Store in a dry cool place below 25°C. Keep product out of direct sunlight and well sealed to ensure maximum freshness. Use contents within 1 month of opening.

† When consumed as directed and included as part of a healthy diet which includes at least 400ug of folic acid per day. Folic acid should be consumed at least the month before and 3 months after conception.

Pregnancy is both a wonderful and worrying time.

Nausea, morning sickness, body changes and food sensitivities can make it harder to maintain the extra nutritional requirements that you need to maintain a happy and healthy pregnancy.

JTM Global Pty Ltd Level 1, 12-16 President Avenue, Caringbah NSW Australia 2229

Many of the available supplements come in tablet form that may be hard to swallow and tolerate, and also have – let’s face it – a yucky flavour.

That’s why we created MamaCare.

9 350104 000200

MamaCare is a specially formulated, great tasting vanilla-flavoured shake mix, providing 26 of the minerals and vitamins that are essential both for your health and for your unborn baby.

Taken once or twice daily as a premium dietary supplement, it’s a delicious way to make sure you are getting the extra nutrition you and your baby need, in a form that you’ll enjoy – not endure.

Why should you take it?

Is it right for me?

MamaCare is a scientifically formulated and balanced mix of everything you and your baby need to stay healthy throughout all stages of pregnancy.

It certainly could be the right supplement for you if you are one of the 33% of women who hate or can’t take tablets, or if you loathe the nasty taste of pregnancy supplements in pill form.

It helps prepare your body for pregnancy by boosting those crucial minerals while you are trying to conceive, giving your baby’s life a healthy start.

And then continues to support Mum’s body throughout its transformation while pregnant, and into early motherhood and breastfeeding.

Why is MamaCare better?

MamaCare comes as a shake mix that is both delicious and easy to take.

It’s gentle on the tummy and easily absorbed.

It tastes particularly good over ice, or blended with fruit into a delicious, healthy smoothie.

MamaCare makes staying healthy a pleasure, not a chore.

Also, if you’re one of the 43% of women having your first child over 30 – then MamaCare could be exactly what you’re craving.

But most importantly, it’s right because we’ve taken great care to create a balanced nutritional supplement for all stages of pregnancy – ensuring both quality and efficacy.

Try it: you’ll love it.

Formulated with 26 essential minerals including Folic Acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects.

Plus Iodine and Iron; Vitamins A, C, D, E, K; all B group vitamins, Protein and more.

Available at Priceline Pharmacies and selected independent pharmacies.

MamaCare is made in Australia under strict quality-controlled conditions, and is distributed in Australia and New Zealand

by Bod Australia. Find out more about Bod Australia at bodaustralia.com.au See MamaCare.com.au for more information and clinical trial data.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Contents

10

14

28

Spotlight 10 More Fishy Tales by Peter Helliar His Frankie Fish series is an immediate favourite among readers of all ages.

14 The Dark Side of Social Media – and How to Tread Carefully Ways to keep your child safe when sharing online.

22 Questions to Ask Your Childcare Provider Choosing the right place can be an overwhelming task.

26 Expert Tips on How to Talk to Children About Death Why is death still considered a taboo topic?

28 How to Deal with Bullying What can you do if your child is the target of bullies?

36 Smart Super Five tips for creating your ideal future.

40 Making Confident Dads Television’s joke portrayal of ‘dumb dads’ isn’t the reality.

47 How to Illuminate Your Child’s Innate Strengths and Abilities Strengths-based parenting and it’s impact on our children.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

7

CONTRIBUTORS Special thanks go to the gorgeous and talented group of contributors who breathe life into every issue by sharing their best with us.

47 ERICA LOUISE

melbourne.kidtown.com.au

SHERRIE MILLER

@sherriemillernutrition

73

YVETTE O’DOWD

www.facebook.com/groups/ SouthernNaturalParentingNetwork

76

Contents Local

Pregnancy & Baby

JO & CARL VIOLETA

42 The Joy of Fishing 44 The Theatre of Imagination 77 Peninsula Link Trail

76 The Awakening During Pregnancy 80 The Real Truth About Having a Baby

Celebrate

82 Top Tips to Clean Your Child’s Ears Safely and Effectively 84 Five Simple Ways You Can Exercise Around the Home 88 What Are Ketogenic Diets Actually Used For?

50 The Science Shed Party 54 Planning Your Science-Themed Party

Education

58 High School!!! What???

60 Building Confident Kids…Managing Stress in Our Under 10’s 62 Literacy Skills Unlocked by Play-Based Learning

Recipes

68 Recipes with Jodie Blight

Health

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

OLIVIA WILSON

www.the wilsonsofoz.com

Creative

96 Pompom Bunnies 98 Pimp Your Swear Jar

DEANNE ATKINSON

www.parentwithpassion.com

In Every

Issue 55 Party Planning 56 Things We Love 74 Little Bites 90 Ask the Experts 92 Book Reviews

8

www.violetafinance.com.au

DAVID HAWKINS

nt is ream ated hieve.

Personalised learning, quality teaching Average class size of 17

This is possibility.

This is Toorak.

Dynamic curriculum from ELC to VCE Innovative learning facilities State-of-the-art sporting facilities Supportive, caring environment

Discover Toorak College

Little Learners Playgroup Discover Toorak from the very beginning! Explore our rich and diverse play program for children aged 2 to 3.

At Toorak every student is Early Learning Specialist Program encouraged to dream big Explore a plethora of play-based activities while learning pen for 2019 and 2020 and is celebrated for what literacy, numeracy, language, creative arts, health, performing online at toorakcollege.vic.edu.auarts and STEM for ages 3 to 5. they achieve.

This is possibility.

This is Toorak.

Prep and beyond An academic journey that feeds students’ passions and empowers them so they can thrive in a future that awaits them.

Thrive at Toorak | Information Evening with Principal, Kristy Kendall | 14 March To learn more join us by registering your place at toorakcollege.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

9

More Fishy tales by Peter Helliar

By Melissa Walsh

Mum says I always had a pen and paper in my hand and even now, I like to keep one with me to write down ideas 10

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

continued next page...

PENINSULA’S PREMIER CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL Peninsula Grammar is proudly co-educational from Kindergarten to Year 12 with leading-edge programs and targeted teaching to meet individual needs.

We support our students in their pursuit of excellence.

MIDDLE YEARS INFORMATION EVENING Becoming Me - Middle Years 5-8 Wednesday 3 April, 7.00pm - 8.00pm, Ansett Hall The Years 5–8 Becoming Me program is designed to extend students’ academic skills, promote personal development and encourage responsible citizenship through a variety of learning experiences.

Learn more about this unique program at our information evening.

2019 OPEN DAYS Term 2 - Thursday 9 May, 9.00am - 11.00am Term 3 - Thursday 25 July, 9.00am - 11.00am Term 3 - SATURDAY OPEN DAY 7 September, 10.00am to 12.00pm To book a tailored school tour for your family anytime, please call 9788 7702 or email us at enrolments@peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au.

www.peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

11

I’m stunned and stoked that so many kids and families have welcomed Frankie Fish into their lives!

T

he best-selling Frankie Fish series by Australia’s favourite comedian and children’s author Peter Helliar has smashed the 100,000 copies sold mark ahead of the next exciting book in the series which will be publishing in March.

Helliar has gone from strength to strength since Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase, the first book in the series, published in 2017,about a twelve-yearold prankster who inherits a time-travelling suitcase from his grumpy granddad.

“I’m stunned and stoked that so many kids and families have welcomed Frankie Fish into their lives,” said Helliar. “I’m also very relieved that I don’t have a garage full of my books that I need to pass off as Christmas gifts.”

“I lost one of my grandparents when I was only 11 but spent a lot of time with the other three. They were so supportive and I always valued our relationship so it was great to be able to feel like I was making them proud,” he said.

Another source of inspiration for Helliar is his three boys, whom he has always loved reading with and encouraged to pick up books.

“I had always wanted to write books. I mean writing is what I do with my work as a stand-up comedian, on The Project, and TV roles. A book came to mind as something I could do for my kids before they were too old and then that week two publishing companies rang my manager and asked if it's be interested in writing a kid’s book so I thought that was a definite sign,” he said.

The humour and heart Helliar weaves into each story of his time-travel “I think now more than ever it is so important for kids to read with their adventure series has cemented the Frankie Fish series as a firm and parents or just read a book themselves, especially with the prevalence of games and screen time. Books give us a chance to use our imagination immediate favourite among readers of all ages. and when you read to your kids it is invaluable interaction time.”

Two years on from the first book, with a hit new television show under For Helliar, his interest in writing started at an early age. his belt (Network Ten’s How to Stay Married), an ongoing co-hosting role on Network Ten’s The Project, stand-up shows booked around the “Mum says I always had a pen and paper in my hand and, even now, I country, and now over 100,000 copies sold across the Frankie Fish like to keep one with me to write down ideas. Writing a children’s book series through Nielsen Bookscan, Helliar is showing no sign of slowing was a little bit harder than I had expected and I don’t think the time travel element helped,” he said with a laugh. “It was important to me to down. make sure I didn’t patronise the kids in any way so I made sure every Frankie Fish and the Sister Shemozzle, is the upcoming fourth book detail was right, and I wanted it to have a lot of adventure and humour.” in the Frankie Fish series for readers of eight plus. In this brand new adventure Frankie and his best friend Drew Bird must go back to Ancient With each book, Helliar has made sure the lead character, Frankie Fish, had a travelling companion.

Greece to track down Frankie’s big sister and bring her home.

“The series of books came from two sources of inspiration. The first book “We started with Frankie and Granddad then Drew, Nana Fish, and the Vikings; this book we have his sister which has added some sibling issues I remember loving was The Magic Faraway Tree and my favourite film and humour. As much as the lead character is a boy, I have noticed a was Back to the Future. I wanted to do a story about a kid whose life lot of girls like reading the stories. Time travel doesn’t know gender and wasn’t going too well and make it a fantasy book with the idea of time the girls are just as interested so it was great to have his sister more travel,” said Helliar. “I thought the idea of time travel could be fun involved,” said Helliar. particularly with the granddad.”

Helliar says he was very close to his grandparents and the grumpy granddad is the polar opposite of what his grandparents were actually like.

12

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Frankie Fish and the Sister Shemozzle will be available in stores from Monday 18th March 2019.

Jolong Park is proud to provide lessons, school holiday programs and equine education programs for children of all skill levels Our staff are accredited to ensure you gain and experience the basics of horsemanship skills, and help develop your riding skills further. Jolong Park makes learning, riding and fun come together in the best possible environment.

Lessons

Speciality Clinics

Education

Holiday Programs

Bookings can be made online 24/7

Phone us on 9776 3184 www.jolongpark.com.au info@jolongpark.com.au 128 Riverend Rd, Bangholme VIC 3175

and how to tread carefully

By Andrew Muir, Founder of Momatu

A

larming statistics show that more than 80% of children have an online presence before the age of two, and the average child has almost 1,500 images of them posted online before their fifth birthday –– yikes!

While social media is a wonderful way to share your child’s special moments with friends and family, many parents forget that these people won’t necessarily be the only ones who are privy to them. For this reason, it’s no wonder that experts are increasingly cautioning parents against “sharenting”, a term to describe parents who incessantly share posts and photos of their children to social media.

of parents that were cited in the report were the risk of images they posted being used in a sexual nature, or for the purpose of stalking and even kidnapping.

It goes without saying that most people have good intentions when sharing images of their children online. And let’s face it, we all want to celebrate and share our children’s proudest and more precious moments with those closest to us. What we need to keep in mind though is that sharing these on social media means that the hundreds of ‘friends’ (and their friends, and friends of friends) that we’ve accumulated over the years are also often able to view them.

A recent report by OFCOM in the UK found that while many parents do share images of their children online, 56% of parents don’t. Of these non-sharers, 87% said they actively chose not to in order to protect their child’s privacy. In addition to privacy, common concerns

This is not to say that people should stop posting photos of their kids altogether, but rather that they should be aware of the risks in doing so, and take any reasonable step they can to ensure they are protecting their children’s privacy online.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

continued next page...

“Dressing Tomorrow’s Leaders”

WHY SHOULD YOUR SCHOOL PARTNER WITH US? PSW take the stress out of managing your school uniform by providing a solution that is tailored to you.

From DESIGN, to MANUFACTURE and DELIVERY, we have been providing QUALITY and SERVICE since 1990.

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Contact our friendly PSW Representatives on:

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15

Ways to Keep Your Child Safe When Sharing Online Be Aware of Your Privacy Settings Most social media platforms offer custom privacy settings. For any albums or images that include photos of your children, set the privacy setting controls to custom, which allows you to choose the people that can see your photos. At a minimum, always make sure these settings are set to ‘friends’ and not ‘friends of friends’ or ‘public’.

It’s also worth checking regularly that your social media accounts are set to private as app updates and software changes can alter your settings.

Turn off Geolocation Tagging It’s easy to forget that social media posts often provide indicators that enable viewers to easily identify your location. Platforms including Instagram and Facebook are required by law to ask if you’d like them to use your current location; however if you’re ever prompted with this question and you’re posting a photo of your child, select ‘no’.

Further to this, if revealing your location is a concern, it’s best to avoid posting photos with telling landmarks or identifiable features such as restaurant names in the background.

Lower Your Resolution Believe it or not, people often pull images of kids from the internet to use in advertising material. By lowering the resolution of the photos you’re posting online, they’re less likely to be able to print or enlarge the images.

Use a Private Photo Sharing App There are a number of private photo sharing apps that parents can use to keep track of and share their child’s most important memories in a fun and safe way.

16

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Momatu is just one example. It’s a new free private social media platform that was created with the expressed purpose to provide parents with a place to connect, and share their children’s most precious moments, with only those closest to them.

Users of the app can capture, sort and co-create their family’s history into beautiful timelines that can be shared and enjoyed by only the people they’ve invited. And this way parents can post to their heart’s content, and rest assured that they know exactly who is viewing their photos.

Momatu provides parents with their own private space to connect, and share their child’s most precious memories with only those closest to them. It’s a digital timeline app that allows parents to capture and sort their little one’s milestones and moments into sophisticated timelines that can be viewed and interacted with by only those they have invited. Momatu also allows users to design and print their timelines into beautiful, hard-copy photobooks that can be kept and enjoyed for years to come.

ADVENTUROUS

MINDS see things differently. They forge new paths, find new perspectives and unearth new possibilities.

Adventurous Minds take risks and find solid footing.

They test their boundaries, mastering challenges as they grow.

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT ONE OF OUR REGULAR INFORMATION SESSIONS OR CAMPUS TOURS www.woodleigh.school/enrol R E A L W O R L D . R E A L E X P E R I E N C E . R E A L U N D E R S TA N D I N G .

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17

W

hen you bring your new baby home from the hospital for the first time you’re filled with a tumult of emotions – pride, joy, nervousness and an all-encompassing fear of just about everything, from a fly buzzing nearby to a zombie apocalypse.

You are responsible for this tiny human life and that can be a terrifying thought – you’re responsible for at least 18 years and the world is a very different place to the one you grew up in. The biggest change by far is the Internet and the impact it’s had on every aspect of our lives, from consulting Dr Google to finding friends all over the world. Then, of course, there’s the darker side of the Internet and we like to think as adults that we’ve got everything covered, that we

18

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

can handle it and that by the time our kids start to go online they’ll be old enough to handle it too.

The reality is that children are accessing the Internet at an ever-younger age now and so we need, as parents, to be increasingly vigilant and to be having more in-depth and more frequent talks with our kids so that they’re equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to stay safe in an online world.

What do we need to be concerned about when it comes to children using the Internet?

You probably can’t stop your children from going online and you most likely shouldn’t try to, either, as it’s an essential part of life and education now. However, it’s important to meet the challenges it poses head-on.

Most children have fun online, but a fifth of children aged 8-13 say they’ve seen something disturbing online within the last 12 months, according to research by the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cybersmart Outreach (ACMA). There’s also been a rise in the number of younger children saying they’ve been cyberbullied. Social media platforms like Snapchat let teens and even younger children share images and other content instantly. Most of the content is harmless, but some of it is worrying and inappropriate.

More personal devices means more privacy

The rise of smartphones and tablets has made it easier for children to get online – and harder for parents to monitor what they’re doing. When most households had one shared computer, parents could keep an eye continued next page...

www.peninsulakids.com.au

19

Enrolments close Friday 10 May 2019.

Year 7 2021 Enrolments

For enquiries, please contact

Visit our website to enrol online

If you have a child in Grade 5 and would like them to attend Padua College from Year 7 2021, enrolments open on Tuesday 5 March 2019.

the Registrar on 5978 2701 or email enquiry@padua.vic.edu.au

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

or to book a school tour

www.padua.vic.edu.au

11% of children aged 8-9 have their own mobile phone, so who’s teaching them how to stay safe on the proceedings. Now, however, the average age at which someone gets their first smartphone is 10! Being small and portable, it’s easy for kids to sneak them into bed and to be chatting away or accessing all kinds of content on YouTube and Netflix when you think they’re asleep!

and cyberbullying. A particular concern is their children sending inappropriate images to other users which then get into the wrong hands and end up going viral.

Who are they chatting to?

How can parents and carers protect their children while they’re online?

Most children who go online love to use social media as it’s a great way to keep in touch with their friends and family, as well as to make new friends and share their lives with the world.

The most important thing you can do is to talk to your children as soon as they start to go online, no matter how young your child is.

Unfortunately, though, some kids are sharing too much with the world and giving away information like their phone numbers, their dates of birth, their school’s name and location and even their home addresses.

Children in the 8-11 age group are most likely to do this and this can leave them very vulnerable to fraudsters and even online predators.

Older children, it seems, are more cautious possibly because they’ve had more education at school and at home about how to protect themselves online. The fact is, though, that 11% of children aged 8-9 have their own mobile phone, so who’s teaching them how to stay safe?

Once your child is online regularly, maintain a dialogue about keeping their details to themselves, not posting compromising photos of themselves or telling strangers where they go to school or the name of their dog.

It’s also important to get into their world a little. Kids move with the latest fads, so when they come home talking about a new free game they want you to download because literally everyone is on it, spend a few minutes investigating it before you give it the green light.

Once they’re up-and-running on it, play along with them for a while to get a feel for the privacy settings and for how you can report problems.

How involved should you be in your children’s online world?

Your quick tips for online safety

Very involved is the succinct answer. Australian parents are very concerned about their children’s safety and happiness while they’re online and they’re certainly very active and engaged when it comes to helping them to stay safe and happy. Most parents are eager to learn more about cyber safety so that they can stay abreast of the latest trends and threats.

Talk to your child about how they can stay safe online and carry on talking – threats come and go so you must stay vigilant.

Children are going online younger and younger; when children are still of primary school age it’s easier for parents to monitor online activity and step in if necessary. It’s this age group that needs to work most on its online safety as children under 11 years of age are still very trusting and can be easily deceived or persuaded to share information by unscrupulous users.

Parents are still the first port-of-call for children if things get rough If children are finding something – or someone – difficult online, then you’re the first people they’ll turn to for help. It seems again, though, that it’s the younger age groups that don’t discuss cyber safety so much with parents; teens often bring up issues and topics themselves so they’re more proactive.

What do parents worry about?

ACMA found that parents’ chief concerns included their children accessing inappropriate content online, strangers contacting their children, online predators trying to groom their children

Monitor your child’s online activity and have set times when they can access the Internet – preferably when you’re on-hand.

Make sure you use a filter to reduce the risk of exposure to distressing, illegal or dangerous content. If you do choose an OVO plan for your children, then use the Family Zone filter app that comes free with it as it protects your children’s smartphones and other devices in and out of the home.

Have a set of house rules, like time limits, age-appropriate content, telling you about anything scary, rude or dodgy and what information they can give out.

Demonstrate good behaviour online yourself. If you’re playing an interactive game then don’t send sweary messages, however jokey, to your friends, don’t divulge all your personal details and always be kind to other users.

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21

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR

CHILDCARE PROVIDER

By Jae Fraser

P

utting your little one in the hands of someone else is a big deal.

Choosing the right childcare provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. There are many elements which go into making this decision. Sometimes, it can feel a bit overwhelming! That’s why we’ve put together a list of all the questions you need to ask. Take this list with you as you tour your local childcare centres. It’s a surefire way of making sure you choose the right place for your child.

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www.peninsulakids.com.au

23

POLICY PERFECT

THE FUN STUFF!

The general policies of a childcare provider are a great place to start.

These policies are what will determine the day-to-day life of the centre.

Policies are only the surface of a childcare centre, but they can help paint a general picture. Here are some questions to ask, as soon as you walk in the door:

Remember that an early education centre should do just that - educate!

Childcare centres these days should be held to high standards to education and development. You want your child to be benefitting from every moment spent in the centre. In order to suss out where the provider sits on these issues, here are some basic questions to ask:

•

What are the costs? (Make sure you get a figure per day, after

•

What kind of activities would my child participate in? What activities do you use to stimulate physical, emotional and social development?

(Extra points if music and foreign language are taught!).

•

Do you follow a particular program or curriculum?

•

How are children grouped? By age or developmental stage?

•

What toys do you have and how often are they sanitised?

•

What emphasis do you place on reading? Can I see your library?

your government rebates have been taken into account.)

•

What are your operating hours? Is there a fee for late-pick ups?

•

Can I come and observe or participate in the activities?

•

What is the teacher to child ratio?

•

What happens if we need to miss a day of daycare?

•

What happens if my child becomes unwell at daycare?

•

How to you manage behavioural issues?

•

How will I know what’s going on? (I want to be kept informed as to what activities my child has done, what they’ve eaten and how long they slept for.)

SAFETY FIRST

FOOD AND NUTRITION The last thing you need is to pick up a hungry child from daycare. Even worse, a badly fed child! Nutrition and feeding routines should be at the top of your list of questions for any potential childcare provider: •

• As a parent, safety is a primary concern. It should be for childcare • centres too. It can feel a bit pushy to ask these hard-hitting questions but your child’s safety is too important to risk. Start with these questions • to see if the centre is up to scratch: • • How are employees screened?

•

Are all your staff up to date with their infant and child CPR and First Aid?

•

Are your staff trained in regards to SIDS?

•

What certifications and training do you educators have? Where do you source them from?

•

How long have your educators worked here for?

•

For security, does the front door require an entry code? How often is it changed?

•

What is the policy if I need someone other than my spouse to do the pick-up?

BASIC ROUTINES Childcare centres need to have high standards on basic routines such as sleeping and toileting. Be sure to check out the facilities yourself to make sure they are clean and well maintained. Here are some great questions to ask: •

Can I see the nappy change facilities and toilets?

•

What is the cleaning procedure for these areas?

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Does the centre provide meals or should I send meals with my child?

Do you follow an endorsed Nutrition Australia menu?

Do you provide infant formula? Can I bring expressed breast milk?

What is the routine for feeding babies? Are they held? Can I come in to nurse at any time?

Are nappies and wipes provided?

•

How do you manage potty training and inevitable accidents?

•

Do children have their own cribs or cots?

•

Do I need to provide linen?

Choosing a childcare centre doesn’t have to be scary, with a list of good questions up your sleeve. Be sure to take a thorough tour of each facility and take photos so you can contrast and compare. Don’t ignore your gut feeling - you may find somewhere that ticks all your boxes but just doesn’t feel right, trust yourself and your knowledge of your child. Most of all, don’t rush it. Take your time to shop around until you find the ideal place for your child to be loved and nurtured during this critical time in their life.

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25

Expert tips on how to talk to children

By Kerrie Noonan

eath happens to everyone, yet it is still considered a ‘taboo’ topic to talk about. In particular, there is a general misconception adults have when discussing death with their children. They either think that children don’t understand death or it’s harmful to discuss death with them and that children should be shielded from this concept.

Although this mindset comes from a good place, it goes against the natural resilience that children have. Surprisingly only 24% of people feel comfortable talking about death, dying or loss with a child, according to the Beyond Taboos report. However, statistics show that 43% of people have experienced the death of someone close to them while under the age of 16, emphasising how important it is to have the conversation.

If discussions about death with children are avoided, it sends the message that death should be feared instead of being a part of life. It is crucial for parents and guardians to be informed and able to talk about death with their kids. It is all about trust and honesty - parents make sure children can come to them to talk about anything. The topic of death is no different to talking about sex, bullying and mental health.

In Australia, ‘death literacy’ is not a well-established concept yet, however it should be. Death literacy is the practical know-how needed to plan well for end-of-life. It encompasses learning through experiences, skills, knowledge and taking action. If adults, particularly parents are educated in this area, not only will it strengthen the relationship with their children, but also the communities’ capacity to take action and care for one another at times of dying, death, loss and grief.

Here are the top five tips parents and guardians should implement when it comes to talking to children about death.

1. Don’t compare death to sleeping Never compare death to sleeping - avoid phrases such as ‘grandma has gone to sleep’. It can be very confusing and scary! It can also make children afraid of falling asleep. After all, sleeping is something people who are alive do.

2. The significance of inclusion There is no ‘best age’ to talk about death. The best time to talk about it is when it happens. It is through experience that people learn best, so include children in hospital visits and in dying rituals, especially if someone the child is close to is expected to die. This gives them a warning and sufficient time to come to terms with it. You can include children by giving them a small job to complete. In these situations, it is ideal to have something to do to feel helpful when you or the child might be feeling helpless.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Wanting backyard hens but unsure where to start?

3. Use plain language When it comes to learning and understanding, young children often tell adults their preference is for us to use simple words and phrases. When it comes to discussing death, use plain language such as dead, died, their heart stopped and coffin. An example to say is ‘his heart stopped beating and then his body stopped working and he died’. This method also applies when answering questions. Respond in a factual and straightforward way.

4. Teachable moments Utilise opportunities and teachable moments when they arise. They are a natural segue to start a conversation about death. For example, don’t flush the goldfish or quickly replace pets that die. Children learn a great deal from pet funerals and about grief. It also helps parents and adults build their skills in discussing death with children.

5. Be honest and give children space There is no need to rush children when it comes to talking about death or the grieving process. Grief usually comes in short intense bursts. Children tend to grieve differently to adults and conversations may take place over several days, weeks or months as they become more curious. Go at their pace and always be honest and upfront with them. Don’t make up false information or missing facts if you don’t know, as those can be more damaging than the actual truth. The best way is to tell them you are unsure and will find out more details for them.

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The GroundSwell Project is an international leader in death literacy and has been at the forefront of this matter in Australia since it was established by Clinical Psychologist Kerrie Noonan and Playwright Peta Murray in late 2009. The cofounders noticed a lack of death literacy in Australia and set about to create an organisation that created change in this area. Shortly after, it was registered as a not-for-profit organisation with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, incorporated in NSW. The purpose of the organisation is to create a more death literate society, one where people and communities have the practical know-how needed to plan well for end-of-life. This means shifting focus from ‘talking about it’ to transforming this ‘difficult’ conversation into one of deep community engagement, social action and empowerment.

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27

Bullying Katrina Kahler writes fiction books for children. One of her most popular is the bestselling series and winner of several Amazon All Star awards - Julia Jones' Diary, suitable for children from 8 to 12 years. These books deal with the emotional traumas that young girls experience, including friendship issues and bullying. Many of Katrina’s stories teach kids to be more confident and positive. They also teach the strategies that girls and boys can use to deal with social problems at school.

The books are available as ebooks or paperbacks on Amazon.com and Amazon.com.au If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can download all the ebook versions for FREE!

By Katrina Kahler

W

hat can you do if your child is a target of bullies?

If you know there is a problem, the first step is to encourage your child to admit to it. They may be too scared or embarrassed to acknowledge the issue and could even deny it. Research on bullying clearly shows that victims are reluctant to report a bullying incident.

Often they will lie about being bullied or blame themselves. Many victims feel there is something wrong with them and feel worthless and insecure. They may be threatened to silence and secrecy or develop a fear of what might happen if they do tell someone. Children often feel uncomfortable about reporting an issue but need to realise that this is the responsible way to break the cycle. However, they need to know that they can trust you and turn to you for help or assistance; also, that the issue will be taken seriously and handled with sensitivity. Talking to trusted people is the first step towards solving the problem.

Sometimes, they may choose to try to deal with the problem themselves first and rather that you didn’t become involved. Regardless of the case, you can help them with strategies to deal with bullying.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Listen • First of all, it’s important to talk with and listen to what your child has • Bullies love an audience, and it is very important to them to have onlookers as it gives them a feeling of power. to say.

• If your child can make a clever (but not a nasty) reply or retort, the • Becoming emotional or giving a lecture on how bad you think audience will start to take the victim’s side, and this will undermine bullying is, won’t help the situation. the bully’s power and support.

Don’t overreact

• We all want to protect our children, but we need to remember that this is not our battle.

• We won’t always be by our child’s side to protect and help them, and it is important that they learn how to solve their own problems.

Build self-esteem in your child • Children who excel at something, whether it’s sports, music, art, dance or something else are less likely to become a victim.

• B y overreacting, interfering or becoming involved, we can actually worsen the situation.

• Having a talent in any area and having that talent acknowledged by parents, friends, and teachers will help to build much stronger self-esteem.

• In most cases, it’s best to listen, stay neutral and offer some non-emotional responses about bullying behaviours.

• This can often provide the extra empowerment a child needs to deal with bullies and bullying behaviour.

Offer suggestions • Your child is likely to need help with how to best cope with bullies.

The following solutions can be offered:

Encourage your child to stay with groups of friends • Bullies like to take advantage of their victims when they’re alone.

• They often ignore children who have even 1 or 2 friends with them as they feel less powerful so try to encourage your child to stay in a group.

Assertiveness - Encourage your child to speak up!

Involve Other Adults • The message of not interfering with how your child resolves a bullying situation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t approach another adult.

• If the problem is ongoing, the teacher should definitely be notified.

• Your child’s teacher may not even know that there is a problem and unless they’re told, they can’t help.

• Regardless of age, all bullies are the same, and unless someone tells them to stop, they believe what they’re doing is okay and will simply continue.

• You may also find the opportunity to discuss the situation with the • Bullies prefer victims who stay passive and suffer in silence. child’s mum or dad.

They will continue the behaviour until someone says, “that’s enough!”

• Be sure that the children involved aren’t present and avoid blame. or “please stop that!”

• In this situation, many micro skills are essential for children to learn to • You could broach the subject by saying something like, “Our be assertive. children haven’t been getting along. Can we talk about it?”

• Speaking bravely, calmly and politely with a firm voice is very • In this case, you may even learn a different perspective and find that important when using words like, “Please stop that. I don’t like it!” there could be behaviours that your child has been exhibiting that have contributed to the bullying situation.

• These are the micro skills that are necessary for children to learn to display confidence and stay calm in a difficult situation.

• The key here is to help resolve the issue, so don’t hesitate to speak • E ncourage your child to practice speaking bravely in front of a mirror, using calm facial features and friendly eyes.

• You can also practice role-playing this scenario with your child at home until they feel confident enough to act on their own by firmly telling the bully to stop bullying them.

• Using their own words can empower your child to have some control of the situation.

• This also encourages them to stand up for themselves before asking for help from an adult.

• If your child can’t manage this, then they should tell someone who can.

• Asking a teacher or carer for assistance is another essential assertive strategy for children to use in an inappropriate bullying situation.

• Help your child think of funny remarks or comebacks when being bullied

with a classroom teacher or school counsellor.

• If your child is older, it’s best to inform them that you plan to talk with someone at their school regarding the situation but that it will be kept confidential.

Violence Or Retaliation Isn’t The Solution • Although it might be tempting, never encourage your child to bully back or to become a bully to others.

• Parents must teach their children to rise above bullying situations and to avoid the temptation to become a bully themselves.

Studies have shown that children who are the frequent victims of bullies often become bullied as adults as well. You can help to stop this cycle now and ensure that your child is bullied no more. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and be bully-free!! www.peninsulakids.com.au

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O

ur everyday lives are full of technology that, on one hand, enhances and simplifies everything from buying laundry detergent to managing the family schedule. However, on the other hand, heavy screen use has unintended side effects, which are often magnified in children because of their developing minds and bodies. Smartphones, whether they are being used for games or communicating with friends, have the potential to disrupt your child’s sleep cycle.

REGULATING THE SLEEP CYCLE AND HOW SMARTPHONES INTERFERE The problems start with light. After sunlight filters through the Earth’s atmosphere, it's categorized as blue spectrum light. Special photoreceptors in the eyes called ganglion cells absorb blue light and send signals directly to the circadian region of the brain. The circadian rhythms regulate everything from your sleep-wake cycle to feeding times and cell energy levels. Anything that alters exposure to blue light has the potential to interfere with the sleep-wake cycle.

EFFECTS OF PHONE USE BEFORE BED Smartphone screens and those of many other electronic devices, including televisions and laptops, emit a blue light that’s similar enough to sunlight that they can suppress sleep hormones. Consequently, a child that uses a smartphone right before bed may not feel sleepy for afters after the phone has been shut off.

But, it’s not just smartphone use that affects sleep, it’s the access to it as well. Even when a child isn’t using the device, the potential for access can cause wakefulness and shorten sleep times. Studies have shown that

Smart SUPER 5 TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR IDEAL FUTURE

By Carl & Jo Violeta

I

magine yourself in two or more decades from now. Your kids have grown up, the mortgage is paid off and you are weeks away from retirement. What would your dream life look like?

Close your eyes and take a moment to visualise it – seriously, go ahead and close your eyes – picture it…

How are you spending your time? Are you travelling the world on a cruise ship? Hanging out with your grandkids? Enjoying long, leisurely lunches with friends? Maybe you’ve taken up golf or are splitting your time between home and your coastal holiday house.

No matter what your dream life looks like, you are more likely to make it a reality if you start planning today. As busy parents, it's hard to think about the future when we’re dealing with the day-to-day realities of looking after kids, balancing our budget, paying the mortgage and trying to make ends meet. Although retirement can seem distant, the truth is that if we don't start planning now, we might not be able to enjoy our dream retirement. In fact, we may not have even have enough money to live on in the future!

Although women live longer than men on average, most women will retire with significantly less superannuation (super) than men. Because women are more likely than men to work part-time and take breaks from the workforce (i.e. for maternity leave), their average superannuation account balance is almost half the average balance for men. Women are also more likely to engage in unpaid carers roles contributing to a lower balance when it comes time to exit the workforce.

That’s where being super-smart with your super can really pay off.

Here’s five simple steps you can take right now to build your super balance and create a life that your future self will thank you for.

Set a Goal Every journey needs a destination, so the first step is to set a goal.

To create your goal, you need a clear picture of your superannuation situation. Gathering information about your current position can feel overwhelming but remember that the more information you have, the closer you will be to building financial security.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Check your super fund's account balance to find out how much you have already accumulated. Calculate how much will you need to retire. Insider tip: most people need about two-thirds of their current income per year to maintain their lifestyle. Set your financial goal and start growing your balance

Find lost super We recently conducted a search for our ‘lost super’ and found several small accounts from previous casual jobs. Admittedly, the balances weren’t huge, but every little bit helps.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) holds some unclaimed super monies. To find any lost super you may have, use the government’s MyGov app. Then authorise your current superannuation fund to conduct a search on your behalf using ‘SuperMatch’. You may have more super than you think!

Consolidate Once you’ve located all your super funds, you can consolidate them.

Rolling your superannuation accounts in to one makes it easier to keep track of your super and means you're only paying one set of fees. This step can be completed surprisingly fast by using the MyGov app so there’s no need to put it off any longer. Just think of your long lunches or holiday house for some added motivation!

Insider tip: It’s important to consider exit fees and insurance benefits before consolidating.

Pay extra if you can Got savings or disposable income that could be working harder for you? There’s two ways to do this. First of all, consider transferring any extra savings into your super account. Then, have a chat to your Accountant about contributing a portion of your gross income into your super, in addition to your regular super contributions. This option involves your employer deducting extra money from your pay (before tax is taken out) and paying it into your super account. Simple.

Seek professional guidance Hopefully, this general information is enough to get your started. We recommend speaking with a Financial Planner and your Accountant for personalised, tailored advice to help you achieve your dream retirement.

Here’s to a happy retirement, and who knows, we might see you on a cruise ship or at the golf course in the future.

Jo and Carl Violeta are self-confessed numbers nerds, parents of an energetic toddler and a super switched-on teenager, and co-founders of the award-winning business, Violeta Finance. They are a husband and wife team who are passionate about empowering their community with financial education, love the odd glass of wine, and get a kick out of helping families achieve their homeownership and financial dreams.

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31

Tips for raising joyful, inspired children

By Smriti Goswami

I

desire the best future for my children, and for many years, I believed the only way I could ensure it was to be a perfect parent, raising perfect kids. After years of strict rules, high expectations, pressure to perform, and constant judgment of me and my kids, I realized striving for perfection was killing our joy curiosity, and creativity.

Perfection is a constant state of judgment. What if there’s nothing to perfect? What if you don’t have to get it “right” as a parent or a kid because there’s actually nothing wrong with you in the first place?

One of the most dynamic ways we can discover our greatness, ignite our dreams and create the life we desire is by giving up self-judgment.

There are many ways parents can empower their children to eliminate judgment and limits, and truly soar: 32

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The 91st

RED HILL SHOW

Saturday, 9th March, 2019

Labour Day Weekend | 8.30am to 5pm

Red Hill Show Grounds - Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill For info visit: www.redhillshow.com.au - Like us on facebook Mornington Peninsula Paddock - Celeb Chef Matt Wilkinson on stage - Local exhibitors & producers - Cider Show Australian Mountainboarders - Animals Galore - Fly Dogs - Sheep Shearing - Working Dogs - Woodchop - Music Wildlife Encounters - Roaming performers - Tractors - Art & Craft Stalls - Carnival Rides and much more...

Admission: Family ticket (2 adults, 3 children 6-17 years) $60; Adults $20; Children 6-17 years $10 5 years & under free; Students & Pensioners $10. Free parking. MOST RIDES FREE with entry!

Proudly supported by our major sponsors: Hillview Quarries, Mornington Peninsula Shire, MP News Group, Our Caravans RV Rosebud, Hastings Mowers, Mornington Toyota, Balnarring Bendigo Bank and Swan St Sales

Create your show experience! www.peninsulakids.com.au

33

Always have questions, never answers Rather than struggling to try and give our kids the answers for a perfect life, ask them questions that empower them to create a joyful and generative life of their own choosing.

Don’t give them answers or limits. Ask them what they desire: “What would you choose if you knew you could never fail?”

“If you were creating life on your own terms, what would that be?”

Allow them to fail Demanding perfection makes failure the worst possible outcome! Now, I am willing for my kids to fail. Everyone messes up or gets in trouble and the most empowering choice you can make at those times is to refrain from judging your child and realise that failure is just an unexpected result, not the end of the world. Some kids (and adults) receive their greatest inspirations, ideas, and awareness from mistakes and failures. If something doesn’t work out, let them know they can just choose again.

Allow freedom of experience Having strict rules and forbidden things is the perfect invitation for rebellion. I used to force my son to study and not go out. The moment his exams finished, he refused to even touch his books again. I realised this didn’t work. I now let both my children know it’s their choice and they are responsible for creating a greater future for themselves.

I ask them, “What would you like your life to be like now and in the future? What choices are required for you to create that?”

Great day trip to Queenscliff School Holiday activities Onboard kids playground Kids High Tea Family tickets

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Encourage self-trust Perfection requires constant self-doubt. Self-trust develops their confidence to handle themselves in any situation. Encourage your children to listen to their intuition and instincts. I say to my kids, “It doesn’t matter if your best friend is telling you that it’s the best thing; if it feels heavy or not right for you, trust you always.”

Encourage them to find their voice

Focus on joy, not getting it right When my daughter was about four years old, she was going out to play with a friend and I said, “I don’t like what you are wearing, I don’t think it’s suitable. Would you like to change your outfit?” She looked over her clothes and replied, “I like it,” and skipped away. How often do we refuse to choose what is joyful in favour of fitting in with outside standards? Now I tell my kids, “If you didn’t have to get anything right, how much fun could you have doing it your way?”

Support their current dreams – even if they change As a kid, I wanted to be and do everything! My wonderful parents never restricted me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I did many things, including a Navy Diving Course, earning my commercial pilots’ licence, launching multiple businesses and enjoying success in adventure-sport, athletics and aeronautical gliding. Are you willing to be the wind beneath your children’s wings, allowing them to soar and not trying to steer their direction? This doesn’t mean you stand idle if they’re choosing something you know isn’t in their best interest. Ask questions: “What would truly make you happy? Is this the path that works for you? Will this create the future you desire?”

Having your voice is not just about following dreams.

It includes expressing when there is upset, anger or hurt as well.

It’s important not to shut down any line of communication.

If your kids disagree, listen to their point of view without judgment.

Be willing to explain why you are not allowing something or taking a certain perspective. Having vulnerability and openness with them will allow them to have that also, while never feeling the need to stifle their voice.

A joyful life is far from perfect, in fact, it’s greater.

Don’t let you or your kids get stuck in trying to be perfect.

What if you are too wonderful to be perfect?

Smriti Goswami is a communication mentor, life and business coach and certified facilitator of several Access Consciousness® special programs, including Joy of Business, Right Voice for You, and Access Bars®. She is a certified FAA Commercial Pilot, experienced glider pilot and co-owner of Mumbai organisation, ArtEscapades. A talented athlete and adventure sportswoman, Smriti successfully completed an intensive SCUBA course with the Indian Naval Diving Team in her youth – one of just eight girls in a gathering of 600 participants. A committed advocate for women’s empowerment, she offers individual consultations and classes around the world, empowering people to think out of the box and follow their dreams. www.rightvoiceforyou.com

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35

Essential

CAREER ADVICE we need to give kids

By Michelle Gibbings

F

or children growing up now, the workplace of today will not be their workplace of tomorrow.

McKinsey predicts that by 2030, 375 million workers globally will have to master new skills as current jobs evolve alongside the rise of artificial intelignce and capable machines. Getting ready for this future, given that it is evolving quickly and there are many unknowns, is about equipping children with the skills to thrive through change and to think adaptively so they have options.

Don’t lock in too early The 2016 Growing Up in Australia report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that six in ten 14-15 year olds knew what job they wanted.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Of these, 60% aspired to professional or managerial jobs; jobs that make up only 35% of the current Australian labour market.

Only 14% wanted to work in areas such as retail, hospitality and administration; jobs that make up nearly half the labour market.

About one in ten children surveyed said they wanted to work in so called ‘fantasy’ occupations (eg sportsperson, entertainer or famous).

What children aspire to in childhood often doesn’t translate into reality. In a rapidly changing workplace, looking at career options too narrowly can limit their choices.

By the time they enter the workplace there will be roles that currently we’ve never heard of. It pays to look broadly, to experiment and to be open to career ideas that on the surface may not yet look plausible.

Fall in love with learning Encourage children to love learning because they are going to need to continuously learn and evolve throughout their career.

Estimates suggest that children today will have at least 5 careers and more than 17 different employers during their working life. Consequently, a sustainable career requires them to have the willingness and eagerness to continuously look at their skill set, identify what needs to be refined, improved and acquired, and then to take the necessary action.

Emotional intelligence matters We’ve long known the importance of emotional intelligence, and into the future it will be even more important as it is one of the core skills that can’t be mastered by robots.

Being resilient, adaptable and able to regulate emotions underpins this.

2014 research from the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence found that being able to regulate emotions - that is, respond rather than react – was an important predictor of success.

Conducting their research with high school students, they found that children who are able to regulate their emotions are better able to handle stress, are more attentive and have better social skills. These are skills that are critical to master in a changing world.

Encouraging children to see the investment in understanding themselves – who they are, what motivates them, what they stand for and how to best manage themselves – are life skills that are just as essential as technical skills.

Own their brand Almost twenty years ago, Tom Peters said “All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You”.

In a world where everyone has a digital footprint this advice is even more relevant. Getting children to recognise and accept the impact – both positively and negatively – that their footprint has on their career is essential.

They need to own their brand from an early age. A person’s personal brand is essentially what springs to mind when people think about them. It’s created through a combination of what a person says and does, and is what they are known for. All of which is reinforced through social media and digital platforms.

Don’t forget the old rules While the world is changing, many of the old rules of career success still hold true.

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It will always pay to work hard, be focused and deliberate about the choices a person is making. Additionally, build strong relationships with people and always seek to do more than is asked of you.

Book online today Michelle Gibbings is a change leadership and career expert and founder of Change Meridian. Michelle works with leaders and teams to help them get fit for the future of work. She is the Author of ‘Step Up: How to Build Your Influence at Work and ‘Career Leap: How to Reinvent and Liberate your Career’. For more information: www.michellegibbings.com

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37

The effects of night time screentime use on a

CHILD'S BRAIN

By Samantha Kent

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

O

ur everyday lives are full of technology that, on one hand, enhances and simplifies everything from buying laundry detergent to managing the family schedule. However, on the other hand, heavy screen use has unintended side effects, which are often magnified in children because of their developing minds and bodies. Smartphones, whether they are being used for games or communicating with friends, have the potential to disrupt your child’s sleep cycle.

REGULATING THE SLEEP CYCLE AND HOW SMARTPHONES INTERFERE The problems start with light. After sunlight filters through the Earth’s atmosphere, it's categorized as blue spectrum light. Special photoreceptors in the eyes called ganglion cells absorb blue light and send signals directly to the circadian region of the brain. The circadian rhythms regulate everything from your sleep-wake cycle to feeding times and cell energy levels. Anything that alters exposure to blue light has the potential to interfere with the sleep-wake cycle.

EFFECTS OF PHONE USE BEFORE BED Smartphone screens and those of many other electronic devices, including televisions and laptops, emit a blue light that’s similar enough to sunlight that they can suppress sleep hormones. Consequently, a child that uses a smartphone right before bed may not feel sleepy for hours after the phone has been shut off.

But, it’s not just smartphone use that affects sleep; it’s the access to it as well. Even when a child isn’t using the device, the potential for access can cause wakefulness and shorten sleep times. Studies have shown that children who use any kind of electronic/media devices before bed sleep less, experience more daytime sleepiness, and have poorer sleep quality.

Though it might be easy to dismiss or ignore the effects of sleep deprivation once in a while, if it becomes chronic, it can hurt a child’s social, emotional, and academic success.

IMPROVING YOUR CHILD’S SLEEP HEALTH Luckily, better sleep habits and smartphone management can improve sleep in a matter of days. School-age children need anywhere from eight to twelve hours of sleep, depending on age and activity level. To achieve those numbers, you can try:

-SETTING A PHONE/ELECTRONICS CURFEW Smartphone use isn't inherently bad, but you’ll need to keep an eye on it in the evening. An electronics curfew that’s set two to three hours before bedtime allows the circadian rhythms to function normally and follow natural daylight patterns.

-CREATING A SLEEP-ENHANCING BEDROOM Children who are accustomed to using devices right before bed may have a hard time settling down when you're first making the transition.

You can help by creating a sleep-enhancing bedroom environment.

A mattress that keeps your child at a comfortable temperature and supports his weight and preferred sleep position is a good start. You can also keep distractions to a minimum by blocking out light and noise. Your child’s body temperature drops a few degrees at the onset of sleep so a cooler room temperature between 15 to 20 degrees is typically more comfortable.

-SETTING A BEDTIME AND USING A BEDTIME ROUTINE The human body loves predictability. A consistent bedtime helps your child's brain recognize when to start the sleep-wake cycle. You can further support bedtime by creating a relaxing bedtime routine that includes anything from reading a book to taking a warm bath.

As long as the activity helps your child relax, it works in a bedtime routine. Try to start the routine at the same time each night and perform the activities in the same order for the best results.

The development of new habits takes time. It may take days or a few weeks for a child to become accustomed to limited smartphone use before bed. But in the end, it will set him up a lifetime's worth of sleep success.

Samantha Kent is a researcher for SleepHelp.org. Her favourite writing topic is how getting enough sleep can improve your life. Currently residing in Boise, Idaho, she sleeps in a California King bed, often with a cat on her face. www.peninsulakids.com.au

39

By David Hawkins

ave you noticed that in almost every movie or TV show that has a Dad in it, they are the joke parent? Always bumbling around, putting nappies on upside down and brushing baby’s hair with a hairbrush taped to an electric drill. They can be pretty funny, for sure, but how many times can you see a ‘dumb dad’ portrayed before the joke becomes an expected part of family life?

I’m very lucky these days. Not only do I get to be a stay-at-home dad for my amazing little monkeys, but I also get the opportunity to meet lots of brand-new, first-time Dads. They are all brimming with love and excitement for their miniature daughter or son, or even twins or triplets!

These aren’t the Dads we see on screen; these are hands-on Dads who hold, cuddle, rock, tickle, kiss, feed, burp and change their new babies.

was doing. Just as every brand-new Mum has to learn. There seems to be a weird myth that, somehow, the act of being pregnant instantly downloads all of the necessary baby-rearing information, Matrix-style!

And this can leave Dads out on the periphery, feeling incapable or biologically ill-prepared.

Any Dad can be a confident Dad. All it takes is time. Alone time.

When Mum isn’t there to fall back on, to hand baby back to, then Dads work it out on their own. Their way. The more time that Dad has alone with bub, the easier 'Dadding' becomes. The more quickly the confidence comes. It’s the same as starting a new job – you aren’t an expert in the first week, but we learn quickly the more we do a job.

Being a Dad is exactly the same, just with better pay (cuddles and kisses).

And yet, when we get talking about how much time they spend alone with their bub, many of these Dads become quiet. Even though I can see that they are completely capable of looking after their child, the Dads are hesitant to be alone with baby or too far from Mum; there is still this feeling, hidden deep down in so many new Dads, that only Mums know what they are doing. Dads sometimes think that they are just there to be the support.

As a bonus, the more time that Dads spend alone with their baby, the more time Mums have to recharge; perhaps a shower or a quiet coffee, a trip to the shops or catch-up with a friend; a few baby-free moments to catch their breath.

That’s crazy talk! Dads can do anything!

Just remember that Dads will do things differently and that’s okay.

My wife, Phenom-A-Mum, says that she only listened to one piece of advice given to her before our first was born: “Let him make mistakes.

No matter how hard it is for you to just watch, let him learn too.”

(My kids never look as awesome as when I dress them; Ninja Turtle t-shirts and Converse Hi-Tops all the way!)

And that is exactly what she did. From zero day onwards, Phenom-AMum dumped Little E in my hands regularly and bit her lip as I fumbled my way through. She wanted to intervene and show me how she does it, but she held back and waited. I was learning in my own way, just as she 40

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

David Hawkins is a Peninsula based stay-at-home-dad who realised that he needed to improve his Dadding. So he set himself the simple task of being an Awesome Dad. He now challenges all dads to be awesome dads, by doing something out-of-theordinary with their kids.

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41

THE OY OF FISHING

By Melissa Walsh

G

uru Glenn is a man on a mission to show young people and those going through tough times a secret he learnt years ago through the joys of fishing. The co-founder of That's The Thing About Fishing (TTTAF), Glenn and a handful of fabulous volunteers donate their precious time and experience to taking people fishing across the peninsula.

Glenn says fishing is the conduit to encourage people of all ages to spend quality time outdoors. “This also allows people to regain social skills that they may have lost by becoming stuck in front of a TV, technology or social media and housebound, helping them engage in society again,” he said. “Through the outdoor experience, children and their families get away from screens and participate in real-world interactions which promote health and social development.

casting a line and the patience and skill required, sitting there making friendships and sharing stories with other anglers that brings people together.”

Since their beginning, Glenn and Brian have developed relationships with many organisations and been able to observe the difference it can make to a child to get them off their screens and out near the water.

“We aim to build programs that will get people of all ages outside, away from computer games, living in front of a TV screen or on social media. They will learn to fish and, hopefully, this will encourage greater social interaction for them,” he said. “We work with law enforcement and schools to assist youth in trouble or at-risk teens by setting up programs in schools and elsewhere utilizing the benefits of fishing.

It is a great outlet because of the pressures on their lives due to everyday issues.”

Glenn really does know what he’s talking about, after suffering an injury a few years back which led to a wheelchair with a lot of time on his hands. “I was getting a bit down not having anything to do and Glenn says that teaching a person to fish someone who was looking after me took me down to the pier to fish is more than just learning to fish. one day. I had always had a passion for fishing and realised how “It gives a person a sense of purpose much it can help with your mental attitude to get out with a rod and and assists with mental health and motor reel,” said the keen fisherman. “It occurred to me that many younger skills. It is about teaching patience, building people probably did not know how to fish and may never know so friendships and networks and giving our I teamed up with another fisherman, Brian Rowley, who shared his youth something productive to do. TTTAF vision of wanting to teach people about fishing and promote the sport.” also acts in a mentoring role for at-risk Glenn says that fishing is about far more than just catching a fish, as he teens,” he said. discovered first hand.

“Fishing can be used as a therapeutic way of changing lives by giving them a better quality of life and enjoying the benefits that fishing has to offer, both socially and personally,” said Glenn, who takes out people of all ages to go fishing. “We have fishing groups for kids and teenagers, for adults, those with physical and mental disabilities and we always have the best day together. There is something about 42

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

The not-for-profit organisation runs regular clinics every week.

To find out more about TTTAF go to www.thatsthethingaboufishing.org.au

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43

THE THEATRE OF IMAGINATION

By Melissa Walsh

F

or Rebecca Perry, teaching drama and musical theatre is more than a career choice. It’s a passion that she was destined to follow from the time she was a child. So it was no surprise when she went into teaching singing, dance and drama and then eventually opened her own school, Broadway Academy.

“Not a family gathering would pass by when I didn’t organise some form of show for the grown-ups in the household,” said Rebecca, who is thrilled to have been able to make a difference to children’s lives through the theatre. “One of the best feelings is when a child pushes through their nerves to achieve something wonderful. Be it a solo, show-stopping song or a single line performed with confidence. In all the years of teaching singing, dance and drama, it is these unique, breakthrough moments that inspire me.”

For Rebecca, the philosophy is simple: offer the opportunity for each child to experience top quality theatre and watch the magic unfold.

“It is just incredible to watch each child’s confidence grow as they experience the thrill of performing in a real stage show and come out of their shell,” said Rebecca, who opened Broadway Academy on the peninsula in 2011. “With a wonderful team behind me, our mission is not necessarily to produce professional performers but to create magical experience for children that inspire them to become their best self. Musical theatre is the vehicle for doing that which is something I noticed while I was teaching for many years.”

Rebecca says it is all about transformation.

“Our favourite thing is when a parent come to us and says their child was so shy months before and now they have come out of their shell. This is something that happens all the time and becomes part of the magical experience of using their imagination. We are very conscious of the effect our decisions can make on the children’s self-esteem and we even take that into account in regards to casting,” said Rebecca.

After working in the industry as a performer doing weddings, theatre and TV roles, a teacher and now running Broadway Academy, Rebecca has seen firsthand the implications a theatre experience can have on children and says it is so much more than learning to sing and act.

“Our teachers put a lot of thought into involving all the kids and being respectful, giving them plenty of choices to take part in different aspects of the productions. They can go for a main part or the ensemble or work behind the scenes. We also have a Broadway leadership program where their focus is to work closely with those children who need a bit of extra help.”

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Broadway Academy is a theatrical school for children aged prep to year 12, giving children every opportunity to develop in the performer and person they want to be.

“Musical theatre is unique in that there is so much variety. In every class your young performer will experience dance skills and choreography, drama games, acting exercises and singing training; a wonderful blend of activities to develop not just performance abilities but life skills,” said Rebecca. “Although we’ve done many shows over the years, it is your children’s ‘lightbulb’ moments we teachers witness behind the curtain that keeps us doing what we do.”

Broadway Academy runs classes in Frankston, Tyabb and Mornington.

“We choose our venues carefully to make sure the children feel comfortable,” said Rebecca, a mum of three children who also attend the classes. “Having my own children there is wonderful and they all love being involved. I have found juggling motherhood and running two businesses easier thanks to technology. I am also a contract worker for Studio Expansion, helping to mentor how to run successful businesses so I do a lot of work from home and online, conferencing and liaising with ballet and music schools. “ For Rebecca and her husband it was important, once the children were born, to have one parent at home more often. ”My husband and I were both school teachers and we both wanted to work so have got the perfect balance with me doing most of my work from home, apart from when I am at the Broadway Academy,” said Rebecca, who also developed an all-inclusive fee system to make theatre classes more accessible to all.

“I think every child should have the opportunity to learn theatre skills so we have an all-inclusive payment system where there are no surprise charges.”

To find out more about Broadway Academy to go www.broadwayacademy.com.au

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45

HAPPY EASTER

Name.............................................................. Age..................

Email.........................................................................................

Colour me in for your chance to win ‘Big Smiling Bunny’, a smooth milk chocolate Easter bunny which weighs in at 1kg!

Email entries to info@peninsulakids.com.au or PM your artwork to facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids Prize worth $50 from Chocolate Grove, Carrum Downs (See advert on page 49) Winner chosen and notified on April 15th 2019 Prize must be collected from Peninsula Kids offices, Mornington 46

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Illuminate How to

your child’s innate strengths and abilities

By Brooklyn Storme

G

rowing up on the Mornington Peninsula with my mum and five younger siblings was interesting, to say the least. I remember loving my afterschool activities very much! For me, it was all about ballet and calisthenics. Every night after school I’d come home and I’d give myself carpet burn on the balls of my feet from all the practising I did on the rug on our loungeroom. To say that I loved it would be an understatement!

My brother on the hand did not love dance. He loved tennis and so he’d be off doing that. I remember being really interested in why he liked it so much and then one of my sisters decided she wanted to try it and of course then; I panicked that I’d miss out if I didn’t try it too. So off we all went and I did give it a go but it just didn’t light me up the same as dancing did, so I stuck to that.

And now I’m in my mid 40’s and I look back at those times and I think I should really give my mum a massive high-five for doing such a great job. You see, she didn’t push us to do anything that we didn’t want to.

She allowed us to find our flow and encouraged us to tap into our own unique gifts from a strengths-based framework. Good on you Mum!

Strengths-based parenting is really about focussing on your child’s positive values and beliefs as well as on their interests or abilities. Positive values such as compassion, generosity, kindness of spirit and honesty are examples of areas of strength that we want to try and cultivate. Special interests are also unique to your child and may include any interest they having in pursuing creative, active or cognitive areas, for example.

According to psychological research, a strength has three components.

These include: Use (best thought of the child’s natural tendency to want to use that strength), energy (using the strength results in the child feeling inspired, happy, energised and excited) and performance (the child is good at the activity they are doing / interested in).

Research shows that when parents give attention to their child’s strengths, the impact is that the child feels more inspired, energetic, happy, open to new experiences and more resilient. It can absolutely be tempting to compare your child’s performance to other children their age but doing so can have negative consequences for them both short and long term.

It can affect their self-esteem, reduce their confidence, increase the child’s stress and impact their mental health in unwanted ways. continued next page..... www.peninsulakids.com.au 47

Building your child’s strengths is easier

1. Be consistent

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2. Experience If your child expresses an interest in an activity like sport, chess, spelling, art, dance or any other reasonable thing, supporting them to have their own experience of it will really help them to identify if it is an ongoing interest and from there, opportunities can be created for them to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Be a detective at home and keep an eye (and ear) out for any examples of positive values or beliefs being expressed. If your child shares her snack with her brother, acknowledge it. If they apologise to someone without being asked, praise that behaviour. By providing positive feedback you will be more likely to increase these behaviours occurring and help your child to develop clarity around positive behaviours.

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4. Pairing It’s fabulous to praise a child when they demonstrate a great behaviour but we can dive a bit deeper by pairing this feedback with an acknowledgement of the matching inner strength that was exhibited during the action by your child. For example, if your child sees others picking on a friend in the playground and goes to comfort him, you might say “thank you for helping” but a paired approach would also add, “that was very understanding of you” / “that was very kind of you” / “that was very compassionate of you”. We acknowledge the behaviour and the strength.

I hope this article was a useful read and gives you a new perspective on a parenting approach that might be a good fit for your family. As someone that was raised under this framework, I can say that it was by living a life that was aligned with my passions and interests and by having a parent foster my inner strengths, I’m all the better for it.

With over 20 years experience, we are committed to continuous quality care and improvement to ensure a full balanced development for each child in our expansive natural learning environment.

Thanks Mum. Dr. Brooklyn Storme, PhD is the Director and head psychologist at All Psyched Up, a mindfulness-based allied health practice on the Mornington Peninsula.

When she’s not at work, she’s usually teaching Gabe new tricks or spiking up his purple Mohawk. Facebook: allpsychedup Ph: 8765 2434

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49

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

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PLANNING YOUR SCIENCE-THEMED PARTY

1. Contact thescienceshed.com.au to book in a date for your budding scientists' party.

They bring the lab coats, protective eyewear and awesome experiments.

2. Arrange some science-themed yummy treats by a local custom cake maker, such as customcakesbytinaayer.com.au

3. Get the vibe going by creating a science-themed music playlist – or borrow ours on Spotify! Its’s called Science Party. (Link on our website.)

4. Print off periodic table element symbols to make words.

We used the words FUN, PLaY, and GeNIUS.

5. Orbees in tall vases or bowls make great looking decorations, and they’re a super fun sensory activity.

6. Replace the labels on water bottles with ‘This H2O belongs to’ labels.

(Printables on our website.)

7. Instead of loads of lollies in the goody bags, send the scientists home with a take home experiment such as mentos and cola or a few glow bracelets.

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8. Make petri dishes with bacteria growing out of jelly and sprinkles or hundreds and thousands.

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(Excludes group and party bookings) LEARN TO SKATE SESSION TIMES

BEGINNER STAR CLASS WED 6PM TILL 7PM AND SAT 10AM TILL 11AM BIGINNER SPEED CLASS SAT 9AM TILL 10AM BEGINNER ADULT CLASS 3/2 Amayla Kids Cres CARRUM DOWNS Ph:03 9773 6799 MON 7PM TILL 8PM 54 Peninsula – Autumn 2019

*Birthday Parties *Skate Shop *Learn To Skate *Great Coffee!

party

PLANNING

#Dava KID’S PARTIES

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Pa R Ty

Experiments

Explosions

Explore

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Slime

Surprise

Fu N! $12.95 per child

indoor & outdoor play-area EAT I DRINK I PLAY

614 The Esplanade, Mount Martha I 5975 1555 @thedavahotel

The Science Shed

Dava Parties

Party Packs are great value at just $12.95. Indoor and oudoor play area. Includes an individual food box, two food platters, unlimited soft drink, lolly bag & party decorations. Mon - Sat Ph: 5975 1555 davafunctions@taverns.com.au www.thedavahotel.com.au

The Science Shed comes to your home for your next birthday party! Children can dress up in real lab coats and safety glasses and experience their own hands on experiments.

Science, slime and much more.

0419 882 765 or info@thescienceshed.com.au www.thescienceshed.com.au

Sensory Friendly Sessions

Baby Friendly Sessions

$5 Tickets

$10 Tickets

Dimmed Lighting Lowered Sound Saturday Morning Sessions (exc. School holidays)

Screening First Mon, Tue & Wed of the month (exc. School holidays)

Charlie SillyPants Parties Melbourne Madness

The ultimatekids kids’ show! Come on an adventure The Ultimate show! full of magic and laughter Charlie SillyPants Come on an adventure full ofwith Magic and laughter with Charlie friends!and childcare. and friends.SillyPants Parties, and preschool Parties, pre-school and Call: 041 1 957 185 orchildcare. www.melbournemadness.net www.melbournemadness.net p: 0411 957 185

Dimmed Lighting Lowered Sound

Peninsula Cinemas Rosebud & Sorrento Rosebad Parade, Rosebud Ph: 03 5981 2555 26 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento Ph: 03 5984 2903

facebook.con/PeninsulaCinemas @Peninsulacinemas www.peninsulacinemas.com.au

Forever Flower Crowns

Providing fun party workshops for your children to create beautiful forever flower crowns!

Head to the website for bookings www.foreverflowercrowns.com

KIDZTOWN PARTY VENUES

Mornington & Seaford

Kidztown

The biggest and most exciting themed kids party venue to hit the Mornington Peninsula.

P: 8759 1431 or M: 0403 795 562 www.facebook.com/kidztownmornington

My Dreamy Teepee

A unique and stylish experience.

Hiring out handmade teepee’s, 5 metre bell tent and outdoor cinema.

Contact Kylie 0437 437 803 www.mydreamyteepee.com.au

Mornington Hotel

Let us take care of your child’s next birthday party at the Mornington Hotel 917 Nepean Hwy Mornington 5975 2015 www.morningtonhotel.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

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lo ve things we

1.

GO TO peninsulakids.com.au/giveaways for your chance to WIN!

Julia Jones' Diary - Books 1 – 3 by Katrina Kahler

2.

Suitable for children from 8 to 12 years. These books deal with the emotional traumas that young girls experience, including friendship issues and bullying. Many of Katrina’s stories teach kids to be more confident and positive. They also teach the strategies that girls and boys can use to deal with social problems at school.

Julia Jones’ Diary – These books have an exciting plot that will hook you in from the first chapter. What happens on Julia's worst day ever? Who is Julia's secret bully? And will her secret dream ever come true? Discover how Julia deals with her secret bully and how she copes with all the drama and friendship issues that cross her path.

Book 1 Ebook – RRP: FREE Paperback RRP - $9.50 The books are available as ebooks or paperbacks on Amazon.com and Amazon.com.au If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can download all the ebook versions for FREE!

Helles Teeth Dedicated to bringing gum soothing goodness to babies around the world in a range of quirky themes and colours.

We believe that teething toys should be safe and have a low impact on the environment - as well as being awesome to look at! They should appeal to babies' curious hands and aching gums, as well as parents quirky sense of taste.

RRP $24.00 www.hellesteeth.com facebook.com/hellesteeth Instagram: @hellesteeth

Yowie

3.

With over 50 new toys to discover, and the biggest to date, this huge series is double the size of previous Yowie ranges.

The World Wildlife Super Series is now available on the shelves of major confectionery retailers across Australia and features six Yowie and a number of Grumkin characters from the popular book series, plus their animal friends from all around the world including Aussie animals like the Tasmanian Devil.

What's more, these little guys make the perfect treat as the chocolate is nut, gluten and GMO-free, plus Yowie is certified by the Rain Forest Alliance, making it the natural choice for the allergy and eco-conscious. www.yowieworld.com.au

Storm Boy by Colin Thiele Storm Boy is the timeless story of Mike "Storm Boy" Kingley who rescues three pelican chicks after their mother is shot. One of the birds, Mr Percival, forms a very special bond with the boy which brings into focus the conflict between his lifestyle in the remote Coorong of South Australia and the external pressures of society including his schooling. Treasured by generations of children, this is a heartwarming- tale about unusual friendship and unconditional love. au.newhollandpublishers.com RRP: $14.99

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Parenting For Legends

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Parenting for Legends is a hilarious, uncensored guide to parenting young children filled with confessions, tips and stories from an irreverent mum of two young boys. This honest and frank account of parenthood will have you in stitches and bring you gently back to reality with sprinklings of sage advice.

Shannon Kelly White is the bestselling author of Shannon’s Kitchen: Healthy Food You’ll Actually F**king Eat and she is so excited to bring you her second book, Parenting for Legends RRP: $29.99 Available from www.parentingforlegends.com

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Rubik’s Race Rubik’s Race is a fun new puzzle game that combines the strategy of the Rubik's Cube with face-to-face play. Shake the Scrambler to create a new Rubik's pattern, then slide the tiles to match the pattern on your board to the one in the Scrambler. The first player to complete the match and slam down the center frame wins! Suitable for ages 8+, RRP $29.00. Available at all retailers.

Coco Bare Baby From a brand that is as pure as a baby laid bare comes a naturally derived range of baby products, CocoBare Baby. Using the purest of ingredients, and formulated for babies delicate skin, CocoBare Baby is safe for both bub and the environment. Unlike many ingredients in baby products today that are only designed to heal external tissue, the coconut oil used in CocoBare Baby penetrates deeper, moisturising and nourishing the skin. COCoBare Baby is available from supermarkets and leading pharmacy chains and is priced from $9.95.

9.

Phlat Ball Flash

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Ready for School Elmo This adorable new plush helps get kids ready for school by teaching them the basics of the alphabet, counting and getting dressed. Press Elmo’s right foot to hear him speak the ABC’s, and press his left foot and Elmo will count to ten! Kids can also zip Elmo’s jacket and tie Elmo’s shoes, helping to develop their fine motor skills.

The Ready for School Elmo is available now from Big W and other independent retailers for RRP $39.00

10.

Tri-ominos With over 21 million sold worldwide, Tri-ominos is the ultimate game the whole family can play together!

Combining strategy with luck, players try to match oneside of a Tri-omino tile that's on the table to one that you have in your hand. The first player to 400 points wins. It’s easy to learn and can be played simply or competitively, it’s up to you! Suitable for ages 8+, RRP $24.95. Available at all retailers.

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The next generation of Phlat Ball is tricked up with a light display fit for a sci-fi flick! The Phlat Ball Flash is fitted with bright LED modules that shine and shimmer. So squash it, toss it, watch it pop into a ball and be entranced by the light show. It’s made from soft, flexible plastic and comes in assorted colours! Suitable for ages 6+, RRP $24.95.

Available at all retailers.

Bubba Organics

Every precious baby deserves the very best that Mother Nature has to offer, which is why BUBBA ORGANICS have lovingly created their premium 100% natural skincare formulations using only the purest natural ingredients. With absolutely no synthetics or soaps and no added water, you can trust Bubba Organics to gently soothe, calm and safely moisturise precious new skin. And for those suffering the effects of eczema, Bubba Organics Australian Goats Milk & Goats Milk & Manuka Honey ranges are the perfect natural choice. Learn more at www.bubbaorganics.com.au or visit @bubbaorganics on Instagram.

I-Top Check out the new generation of tops with i-Top! Using smart technology, this high-tech top keeps track of the number of spins while LEDs light up the display.

Spin your way to the top score by competing in multiple challenges.

Unlock hidden features by spinning the top an exact number of spins to show special animations, or challenge your friend to a high score. With over ten different ways to play and tons of animations, i-Top is non-stop fun! Suitable for ages 7+, RRP $19.99.

Available at Mr Toys Toyworld.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Education

By Olivia Wilson

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

I

t wasn’t too long ago you were thinking about the transition from Day Care to Primary and now look at you! You’re booking the school tours, gasping at the cost of the blazer and wondering how your little baby is going to cope with facing the enormous, hormone filled, sweat smelling classrooms at high school! I’m told, more often than not, children just do!

friendships by organising time out of school for the kids to get together.

Even if your child is attending a high school with many of their current friends, it’s important to motivate them to create a bigger circle of friends.

You can never have too many!

Transitioning troubles

It goes without saying that some children will take it all in their stride, slot One major change when children find themselves at high school, is in perfectly and feel right at home within the first few weeks, and others that the teachers may not be at hand all of the time like they are in the will take a little longer. Whatever happens, it’s incredibly important primary school playground. They may not know all the teachers, and the teachers may not know every student. This can be particularly hard for that you give your child a say in where they are going to further their children with certain difficulties, such as anxiety. Chat to your child about education. Listen to their worries, answer their questions and calm their things that they may take time adapting to, such as: fears. High School really isn’t a scary place. It’s a new beginning, a chance to meet new people, learn new things, and become the adult • Finding their way around they’d like to be. This really is an incredible time for the whole family, • Making new friends even if you’re feeling tearful about sending your baby out into the big, • Finding their feet wide world.

• Learning new rules and regulations

What’s so different about High School?

• Class sizes are usually bigger.

• High Schools are generally larger and have more students • The children will move around the grounds for different lessons.

• The teachers will change per subject.

• Inevitably there will be more homework.

• There will be a necessity to be more organised and responsible.

• It’s more likely your child will be travelling to school independently.

Are you weeping yet??

Quite often you’ll hear people saying that High School students don’t need to be mothered or wrapped in cotton wool, which is nonsense. It’s incredibly important for you to be supportive throughout this transition, and use a little cotton wool every now and again. This is a huge change in a child’s life and now more than ever they need you to be encouraging, sympathetic and helpful.

All change Such a huge change in anyone’s life can lead to adjustments in behaviour, loss of appetite or even create nervousness. This is completely normal. High schools are well versed in this and should be your first point of contact if you are worried about how your child is coping.

It is vital that children take time in the first few weeks at High School to develop new friendships as this will make the transition easier for them. As a parent, you should try to encourage and grow these new

• Learning about what is expected of them • Being responsible for all their work and books, and laptops!

• Coping with change • Time management • Committing themselves to lone study • Competing in a larger field If you’re researching High Schools, it’s important that you take your child on a tour. It’s important to bear in mind how they feel about the school. High Schools usually hold weekly tours, and a number of information nights which are a great way for your child to learn a little more about where everything is, what the facilities are like and what will be expected of them. Tours also give you the chance to see the uniform, chat about what they will be wearing, and how it differs from what they wear now. Usually High Schools have a stricter uniform policy than Primary, which some children struggle with when they first transition.

Doing as much preparation in the run up to High School will make the transition a lot more manageable for your child. And remember, a little bit of cotton wool is more than acceptable on this occasion!

Good luck mamas!

Olivia is a British mum of two, living in Melbourne. Having moved all over the world, she is a lifelong ‘expat’, and thoroughly enjoys the adventures that come with a fairly nomadic life overseas. Follow her family’s journey and share their current exploration of Australia at www.thewilsonsofoz.com on Instagram @the_wilsons_of_oz and on Facebook @thewilsonsofoz www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Building ConfidentKids...

By Kim Norton

T

antrums, nail biting, stomach aches, and cries of “I don’t wanna go” can all be signs of stress. In our younger kids where expressive language has not yet fully developed, these physical, mental and emotional signs can be a common way for our toddlers and younger kids to tell us that they are just not coping. In our primary school kids, similar responses can be seen in those that have not yet learnt how to recognise and manage their own stress and anxiety.

As some stress is a necessary part of everyday life, we don’t want to save our kids from every stressful situation that will come their way (micro managing their lives just does not work and actually creates more stress for all involved). Instead, we want to empower our kids with the ability to recognise their own stress symptoms, triggers and behaviours and equip them with the tools necessary to manage them.

Recognising how our kids respond to stress is a great place to start. A thought, a place, an event or a person (whether real or imagined) can all evoke a “fight or flight” stress response in our kids that can vary in intensity and frequency.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

...Managing Stress in Our Under1O's So what can symptoms of stress look like: 1. Nail Biting / Nail Picking 2. School/Child Care Refusal Not wanting to go to school with no clear answers as to “why”.

3. Stomach Aches More than the usual number of stomach aches with no medical reasons.

4. Irritability and anger. Sudden and/or more frequent bouts of irritability or anger as our kids are experiencing strong emotions and are unable to cope with them.

5. Sleeping Problems Insomnia, nightmares, constant waking or trouble falling asleep.

Too much or too little sleep. Bedwetting 6. Loss of confidence 7. Changes in appetite Eating more or less and craving high fat/high sugar foods.

8. Frequent Headaches More than the usual number of headaches with no medical explanation.

9. Rapid heartbeat/palpitations 10. Avoidance Avoiding tasks or events that will cause stress like trying out for the school choir even though they love to sing at home and can sing quite well.

11. Clinginess or separation anxiety Clinging to a parent or specific teachers.

12. Excess Fidgeting 13. Obsessive Worry “What if”? Worrying about every little detail of the day

What can cause these symptoms or behaviours?

1. Nightmares/bad dreams 2. TV programs (a glimpse of the news as they walk through the loungeroom can be enough) 3. Some Computer/Playstation/Xbox games 4. Some YouTube Videos 5. Death in the family 6. Divorce 7. Moving house

8. Sudden changes to household routines like a parent starting night shift 9. Starting school/starting a new school or child care facility 10. Overwhelming schedules 11. Upcoming school test, dance recital, sporting final 12. Genetics and family history 13. Scary movie or book

As the parent what can you do?

Observe and listen. A child will not always be able to say “I am stressed”. Look for signs as already mentioned, observe their body language and listen to what they have to say. Statements like “I don’t feel well” or “I have a sore stomach” or a child who is continually apologising can often be code for “I am stressed”. Remember this: “Never in the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down by being told to calm down.” Your child needs age-appropriate strategies that empower them to manage their own stress and anxiety and not to be told to just “calm down” or “you’ll be fine”.

Some simple strategies that you can employ yourself include teaching your child some breath work and mindfulness activities. Teach them to stay in the moment and not fret about what may or may not happen next. If your child is having trouble sleeping then set up a good bedtime routine (this starts 3-4 hours before sleep) and use guided meditations to help them drift off. The calmer your child is before sleep then the better quality of sleep they will have. Look at your stress levels and how you cope with the stressors of day-to-day life. What examples are you setting for them?

Lastly, if you need help then seek it out. Enlist the services of a Counsellor or Psychologist to help you develop an action plan that will investigate your child’s symptoms of stress, the causes behind them, the initial symptoms and the implementation of individualised strategies that will work for them and the family as a whole.

(Stay tuned for tips on Managing Stress in our Tweens and Teens in next edition of Peninsula Kids magazine)

Kim is the founder of Rainbow Light Therapies and is a Holistic Counsellor specialising in stress and anxiety management for kids, teens and adults. Kim provides a unique, intuitive and individualised therapy approach through individual, small group and family counselling sessions at her studio in Langwarrin. Also working with special needs kids, Kim is an NDIS registered provider and runs workshops for people of all abilities on various topics throughout the year. Please see www.rainbowlighttherapies.com.au for more information. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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By Pat Barbieri

L

iteracy skills and concepts do not develop on the first day of a child's schooling. They occur from the minute a child is born. In the early years, literacy and numeracy are best developed through a rich authentic play-based approach, thus allowing young children to observe, explore and test theories in areas of language and numeracy.

Literacy is more than just reading and writing. It is the capacity, confidence and disposition to use language in all its forms such as listening, dancing, drawing, media, observing, writing, reading, speaking and storytelling. Children develop literacy and numeracy skills in a progressive manner; most commonly from play-based learning.

More and more research shows that play is the key to unlocking a world of learning opportunity. Not only does it open a door to the unchartered territory of a child’s boundless imagination, but it also helps with a child’s social interaction. Playing and engaging in a social setting for a young child is an extensive but necessary process where they will enter six stages of play from unoccupied play to social play in order to reach their peak interaction point.

Equally as important as oral communication is print, which includes writing and drawing to help them express themselves. A child begins the print process through lots of experimentation such as scribble, handprints, playing with paintbrushes and mark making. As the child is guided on an explorative journey through the alphabet, the child can experiment with writing their own name, thus discovering the ability to imprint their own indentity onto paper. As their writing skills progress, the scribble gradually turns into drawings, and handprints morph into paintings.

The children learn how to write cards to celebrate special events, food recipes, and written messages addressed to other people. Every task given to them is within context and is purposeful so that the child is experiencing a holistic approach to learning.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Play helps to incorporate literacy and numeracy into their dialogue and is an essential part of childhood learning. Play provides an important context for learning where children can explore ideas, solve problems and make connections with others. Children use sounds, gestures and body language to communicate their feelings and needs.

The more parents can speak and sing to their child, the faster that child can recognise the sounds and begin to develop awareness around the language used. The early years is about building a positive attitude toward literacy and numeracy by involving these into everyday routines.

Small and easy ways to do this can include reading stories to your child on a daily basis, singing nursery rhymes to them during feeding and bathing, and integrating their name into song. Playing with rhymes, in particular, helps children learn about sound and its patterns. It can also help them to learn words faster as they are easier to remember.

Once a child develops fluency in oral and written language and can begin to understand certain sounds, they then need to learn about empathy. Showing empathy does not come naturally and is a skill that begs a different type of language. Knowing the right form of words to use in various situations that enables children to swap between normal speech and empathetic speech shows exceptional growth and brain development. Children can also integrate counting, subtraction, measurements, and quantities into their play; this demonstrates a positive attitude to numeracy.

Literacy and numeracy are vital skills for all children to develop. Without literacy, a child cannot communicate in any capacity. Children connect with others through physicality, sounds and language, which must be incorporated into a child’s everyday life well and truly before they reach the classroom.

Pat Barbieri is Director of Early Learning at Toorak College.

What Makes A Healthy Lunchbox?

The summer holidays have come and gone, and we’re now back into routine, embracing the 2019 school year. I hear many Mum’s say at the beginning of each school holidays, “I’m so glad I don’t have to do lunchboxes for the next few weeks!” It is clear that lunchboxes can be a real headache for some from dealing with fussy kids to trying hard to keep it healthy.

A nude food lunchbox is the best option. Not just for reducing plastic waste, but the more nude, the more likely it’s a whole food. If your child is a picky eater or time is not on your side, we tend to get quite frustrated with lunchboxes, and many end up opting for convenience food, which is not nutritionally ideal for our little growing humans.

What makes a healthy lunchbox? What foods should we consider?

By Sherrie Miller

Adding Greens This is not always an easy feat for many parents, because in most kids’ eyes, green is bad! Encouraging kids to eat their greens has obvious reasons. It reduces inflammation, is rich in minerals such as iron and calcium and boosts immunity to help fight off colds and infections. I know this options is a battle for many, but don’t give up on feeding the greens.

Think Outside the Lunchbox

Two incredibly important nutrients that should be considered when building a healthy lunchbox is protein and fat. Many kids’ lunchboxes lack these two nutrients. Protein is important for muscle strength and growth and fat is essential for brain function. Both protein and fat also keep us feeling full for longer.

As we move towards the cooler months, why not consider sending your child to school with a warm lunch in an insulated food jar. There are so many cute and colourful food jars available today and you can fill it with a yummy, nourishing meal. Depending on your child’s level of fussiness, some ideas may include: leftover dinner from the night before, casseroles, fried rice, soup, healing chicken bone broth (add some spelt noodles for a chicken noodle soup) or porridge. Stir some unflavoured collagen powder into the porridge for added protein, some macadamia oil for added fat and top with berries, hemp seeds and a drizzle of raw honey.

Fruit and Vegetables

What’s A Healthy Lunchbox Look Like?

Fruit and vegetables are not only rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but also fibre. Fibre is needed to keep our bowel movements healthy but also keep our gut bugs happy - the good bacteria - that play many important roles in our body such as reducing inflammation, regulating immunity, nutrient absorption and improving mental health.

Fibre also slows down blood sugar spikes, reducing the rollercoaster ride of sugar highs and lows.

Protein (chicken drumstick, tuna, eggs, cheese, chickpeas or red kidney beans to make as a dip) Fat (butter, eggs, cheese, coconut, olives, seeds) Greens (kale chips, celery, cucumber, beans, snow peas, broccoli) Vegies (sweet potato, lettuce, carrot, capsicum, cauliflower – eat them with the dip) Fresh Fruit (berries, cherry tomatoes, mango, banana, apple, plums, peaches) Homemade Sweets (gelatin gummies, muffins, banana bread, bliss balls, fruit jelly, biscuits) And don’t forget water.

Protein and Good Fats

Homemade Sweet Treats Sweet treats are magical moments in life, and there are many ways in which you can add a sweet treat to your child’s lunchbox that have a much healthier impact than the highly processed kind.

Too much sugar is detrimental to your health and it’s so important for people to acknowledge this and make changes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children have no more than 3 teaspoons of added sugar a day in their daily diet. Many kids eat up to 40 teaspoons of sugar a day, as they’re hidden in processed foods.

Some sugars may be naturally occurring such as fruit, grains or lactose but much of it will be added sugar. Looking at the ingredients list will help you determine this. If sugar is listed in the first 3 ingredients or there is more than one type of sugar listed (corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, cane sugar, fruit juice concentrate etc), it is likely to be high in added sugar.

Making homemade sweet treats using whole ingredients and sweetening with natural fruit or honey, is a nice way to add some sweetness to your child’s lunchbox. Fruit is naturally sweet, and if you can get your child to satisfy their sweet tooth with just fruit alone, you’re on a good path. It is recommended that we eat no more than two pieces of fruit a day.

Processed Carbs and Additives The other problem with many school lunchbox snacks lining the supermarket shelves, is that they are highly processed offering no nutritional value, often cooked in inflammatory seed oils and laden with artificial additives that contribute to behavioural problems, asthma, skin irritations and other health problems. Learn to recognise the numbers on the back of packaged foods and their associated symptoms. There are now many phone apps that can help you with this.

Allow your child to feel like they have control of their lunchbox destiny! Get a Healthy Lunchbox chart emailed to you and have your child choose something from each list on the chart. Simply email sherriemillernutrition@gmail.com and your free healthy lunchbox chart will be emailed to you.

CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE FROM

PROTEIN FISH

Like Salmon, sardines or Tuna

MEAT CHICKEN OR

EGGS

EACH LIST BELOW FOR A HEALTHY

SCHOOL LUNCHBOX! FAT

AVOCADO

full fat only!

BUTTER

MAKE A BEAN DIP WITH VEGES

FRUIT

BERRIES BANANA

UNLESS NUT-FREE

KALE

MAKE SOME KALE CHIPS!

OLIVES BROCCOLI

QUINOA COCONUT BEANS OR CHICKPEAS

CUCUMBER

NUTS & SEEDS CELERY NO MARGARINE - EEK!

CHEESE

GREENS

APPLE MANGO WATERMELON

LEAFY GREENS

brain food!

SO MANY FRUITS TO CHOOSE FROM!

BEANS aDD other VEGEs FOR EXTRA FIBRE!

nutritionist

SNACK HEALTHY & HOMEMADE IS BEST! BANANA BREAD SPREAD WITH BUTTER (FAT)

AIR-POPPED POPCORN RAW CHOCOLATE MUFFINS BLISS BALLS CHERRY TOMATOES

LIKE LETTUCE OR SPINACH

healthy fats are

sherrimiel er

SEED CRACKERS WHY NOT TRY ADDING A FERMENTED FOOD!

Sherrie Miller is a qualified Nutritionist with a special interest in gut health.

She is passionate about the way in which our digestive health can influence our mental health, skin health and immunity. Sherrie takes the concept of ‘Food is Medicine’ very seriously. You can find out more on instagram @sherriemillernutrition

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Peninsula Grammar Music is a key part of Peninsula Grammar life “Peninsula Grammar really is the only place to be for music education that is relevant, excellent and inspiring.” Dr. Richard Vaudrey, Head of Ensemble and Studio Music Music plays a central role in the educational and cultural life of Peninsula Grammar.

Students are offered a 21st century music education that is both stimulating and relevant to each child.

Music not only develops new skills but also consolidates skills learned in other areas of our school curriculum.

Gross and fine motor skills consolidate co-ordination, rhythm and pitch to assist with language development, music theory improves literacy, ensemble music promotes collaborative social interaction and leadership skills, instrumental and vocal lessons help students develop individual learning strategies and music technology complements e-learning.

At Peninsula Grammar we invest in our music program and students

enjoy a broad range of musical experiences.

Directed by Dr. Richard Vaudrey, Peninsula Grammar’s Music Department presents over 30 concerts per year, including the incredibly popular Peninsula Grammar Presents concert series, which brings leading artists from around Australia and the world to our very own Performing Arts Centre on campus: www. peninsulagrammarmusic.com.

For further information regarding Peninsula Grammar’s music program, please contact us on 9788 7733 or via email at: vmaclachlan@ peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au.

Peninsula Grammar is proudly coeducational from Kindergarten to Year 12 with leading-edge programs and targeted teaching to meet individual needs.

To book a tailored school tour for your family please call 9788 7753 or email us at: enrolments@ peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au.

Register via www.peninsulagrammar. vic.edu.au or call 9788 7702 to attend our upcoming Open Day on Thursday 9 May 2019. www.peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au

20 Wooralla Drive, Mount Eliza, VIC 3930 Phone: 9788 7777 Web: www.peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au 64

Peninsula Kids – Summer Autumn 2019 2018/19

Padua College Padua College Open Days Padua College is opening its doors to families on the Mornington Peninsula with a series of Twilight Open Days in March and you’re invited!

Take an after-hours tour with students and staff, meet members of the College Leadership Team and gain a better understanding of what Padua College can offer your child.

The College is comprised of three junior campuses (Year 7-9) at Mornington, Rosebud and Tyabb, with a single senior campus (Year 10-12) at Mornington.

Twilight Open Day dates are as follows: Rosebud Campus 4-7pm Tuesday 5 March Tyabb Campus 4-7pm Thursday 7 March Mornington Campus 4-7pm Thursday 14 March Padua College seeks to develop entrepreneurial thinkers who foster a range of 21st century skills including innovation, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and Mornington Year 7-9 Campus & Year 10-12 Campus 62 Oakbank Road Mornington VIC Phone: (03) 5976 0100

creativity. Student engagement is therefore a key priority and, to this end, the College has restructured its campuses to increase its curriculum offerings to better meet the future educational needs of its students.

Year 10 students now have the opportunity to complete a three-year VCE or three-year VCAL Program, with far more options to accelerate learning in their area of interest. As part of the College restructure and Educational Strategic Plan, a brand new, state-ofthe-art Learning Centre has been built at the Mornington Senior Campus, which you can explore on a Twilight Tour.

Underpinning Padua’s diverse curriculum offering is an extensive social justice program and a pastoral care program where Catholic values and spirit are shared and nurtured. “Excellent staff, facilities, grounds and resources at each of our campuses provide ample opportunity for students to excel in areas of curriculum, leadership and the sporting, cultural and religious life of the College,” explains Principal Anthony Rosebud Year 7-9 Campus 2 Inglewood Crescent Rosebud VIC Phone: (03) 5982 9500

Banks, “At Padua College we offer an education for life, one that values mind, body and spirit.”

For further information on the Twilight Open Days, or to book into a school tour if you’re unable to make it to an Open Day, visit:

www.padua.vic.edu.au

Tyabb Year 7-9 Campus 1585 Frankston - Flinders Road Tyabb VIC www.peninsulakids.com.au 65 Phone: (03) 5978 2700

10 Australian

By Rebecca Fraser

Ocan I become a better writer?’ There are many answers

ne thing I’m frequently asked by budding writers, is: ‘How

to this question, of course, but one I give to everyone as a starting point is to read often, read widely, and read forensically.

New at Mt Martha

THE BRIARS CRAFT AND PRODUCE MARKET (The Briars) 450 Nepean Hwy, Mt Martha

William Faulkner once said, “Read, read, read. Trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just as a carpenter works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write.”

By exposing themselves to different genres and styles of writing, children develop a better understanding of the ‘music’ of words: how syntax transforms words and phrases into well-formed sentences; the emotive power of prose, the magic rhythm and beats of poetry, or the art of narrative structure and the relationship between text, art, and panel sequencing in comics and graphic novels.

They’ll enter new worlds, meet new characters, be exposed to different cultures and historical events, be presented with new dilemmas, puzzle over mysteries, laugh out loud, be fearful for, or weep for, a character they’ve come to care about … or simply be entertained in the most traditional sense of the word.

Reading is an activity the whole family can enjoy together, especially with the cooler days and longer nights looming.

There’s nothing nicer than snuggling on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate to read a chapter or two of a good book together.

Market Dates:

There are hundreds of classics to choose from when it comes to children’s literature, but I have focussed on Australian authors to celebrate our home-grown talent. Australia has a wonderfully diverse pool of literary talent across all genres, and it was difficult to condense this list of classics to just ten books the whole family could turn and return to. Selections are based on the writing style, and content of each of these treasured icons of Aussie children’s literature.

Open 9am - 2pm 24th of March 28th of April 26th of May

Parking 5

Each book showcases different narrative techniques and literary devices to enjoy and explore. Whether it’s a snapshot of Australian life from a different era or perspective, a deep sense of setting and place, a multi-faceted, relatable protagonist with a strong voice, the understated art of speculative fiction, or beautiful prose, these books offer entertainment and education to the budding creative writing enthusiast. But there are so many more to enjoy … may they all find their way to your bookshelves!

$

Supervised by the Briars 66

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Rebecca Fraser operates StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops for aspiring authors of every age and ability. visit www.storycraftworkshops.com.au

Children’s Classics for Your Family Bookcase 2

1

Seven Little Australians

by Ethel Turner First published in 1894, this classic novel has been loved by generations. It follows the misadventures of the Woolcot family, and evokes an Australian lifestyle reflective of the era.

5

Blueback

by Tim Winton Nobody quite captures Australian coastal settings and landscape like Winton, and this is again reflected in this moving and poignant tale.

Blueback meshes a coming of age theme with a refined environmental backbeat.

A boy, his mother, and a fish: it’s beautiful.

The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

by May Gibbs The adventures of the gumnut babies take readers from the bush to the ocean and back again.

Deeply imaginative, Gibbs has created a uniquely Australian fantasy world populated with a memorable cast of inventive characters.

8 I Can Jump Puddles

by Alan Marshall Marshall contracted polio at six and I Can Jump Puddles is the moving first-of-three autobiographical accounts, recalling his childhood experience with his disability in rural Victoria.

Full of heart and spirit – an exploration of courage in the face of adversity.

6

3

Storm Boy

by Colin Thiele The bond between Storm Boy and Mr Percival is one of Australia’s landmark literary friendships. Rich in visual imagery and quiet emotion, it’s a beautiful (but heart wrenching) read.

Picnic at Hanging Rock

by Joan Lindsay This iconic historical mystery revolves around a group of Australian boarding schoolgirls who go missing at Hanging Rock on a Valentine’s Day picnic in 1900. It continues to spark imagination and debate to this day – a compelling masterpiece.

Magic 9 by Possum Mem Fox Grandma Poss uses bush magic to make Hush the possum invisible … but then can’t turn her back again.

The power of this enchanting picture book lies not just in the charming Aussie-style quest, but Julie Vivas’ stunning illustrations.

4

Playing Beatie Bow

by Ruth Park The time travelling storyline of 14-year-old Abigail Kirk from contemporary Australia to The Rocks in the year 1873 is a captivating glimpse into Victorian-era Sydney carried by a wellresearched, well-crafted plot.

7

The Magic Pudding

by Norman Lindsay This children’s classic penned in 1918 is divided into slices, instead of chapters. Beautifully illustrated and with sections of the narrative told in rhyming verse and song, it continues to delight the young, and the young at heart.

10

Fatty Finn Ginger Meggs

by Sid Nicholls

by Jimmy Bancks Take a trip back to the 1920’s with these two mischief-making characters who won a place in the hearts of everyday Australians through their long-running comic strips. Wonderful examples of sequential storytelling to compare and contrast with contemporary works for those interested in the medium of comics.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

67

Recipes

W FONTS

ith so many of our Peninsula families affected by gluten intolerance and coeliac disease, we have decided to focus on recipes which can be enjoyed by GF and non-GF alike.

Jodie Blight has developed an amazing new App which enables you to scan the recipe from Peninsula Kids Magazine to create a shopping list on your phone. All in the name of making dinner time easier. Endorsed by Coeliac Australia so you have peace of mind that every recipe is 100% gluten free.

GOTHAM

Pacifico

Download the recipeezi Gluten Free App from the App Stores (it’s FREE), use the App to scan the recipe QR code in the magazine and voila, your shopping list awaits!

COLOURS

Even if you are not GF, I promise you will love every recipe.

Download CMYK (print):

recipeeziApp!

CMYK (print): 70 0 30 0

82 85 36 27

CMYK (print): 0 50 99 0

HEX (web): #25bdbd

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RGB: 37 189 189

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 68

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2018

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

BARBECUE SALMON WITH ORANGE AND FENNEL SALAD Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4-6 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Serves: 4

***

4 salmon fillets, skin on zest 1 lemon 1 tablespoon baby capers, chopped (optional) 1 fennel bulb, finely sliced (keep the leafy fronds) 2 tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper 4 handfuls mixed lettuce leaves 2 oranges, peeled and sliced ½ red onion, finely sliced 1 handful coriander, chopped Dressing 3 tablespoons orange juice 6 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons white condiment (white balsamic vinegar) 1 tablespoon gluten free wholegrain mustard*

***

On a chopping board, combine lemon zest, capers and leafy fennel fronds and chop together. Rinse and pat the salmon dry. On the top side of each salmon fillet, cut three or four shallow slits in the flesh. Place fillets on a plate, oil and generously cover with lemon zest mixture, trying to get it into the slits so as to keep the flavour from falling off during cooking. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

On a medium–high barbecue, cook for 2–3 minutes each side. Start with the skin side down and when you turn it over remove the skin and place skin on the hotplate to continue cooking until crisp. If the fillets have a thick and a thin end, you may want to cut them in half, as the thin piece will need much less time to cook.

Remove from barbecue and arrange on a plate.

Combine lettuce, orange, sliced fennel and onion in a large salad bowl.

To make dressing, shake ingredients in a jar until combined.

Taste and adjust to your liking.

Pour over salad and toss together.

Sprinkle with coriander leaves and serve with salmon.

*Of course feel free to use normalGF

wholegrain mustard if you are not

Autumn Open Day! Saturday April 20, 11am - 3pm

Vegetable picking, tractor rides and family entertainment!

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

69

!

CHICKEN PARMAGIANA Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Serves: 4

***

4 chicken breast fillets 4 tablespoons coconut oil 200 g mozzarella or parmesan (or a bit of both) Tomato sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 red onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400 g tin crushed tomatoes 1 whole roasted red pepper, diced (optional) ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 handful basil salt and pepper

***

Preheat oven to 2000C. To make tomato sauce, heat oil in a frying pan over medium–high heat. Add onion and cook for a few minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add tomato tin and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, add red pepper and cook for 10 minutes until sauce thickens. In the last minute or two, add balsamic vinegar to the sauce.

Slice the chicken fillets in half horizontally so you have skinny fillets. Lay chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and, using the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound schnitzels to an even thickness (about 1 cm).

This makes them quicker to cook, keeping the chicken moist.

Place 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook schnitzels (3–4 at a time) for 1 minute on each side until brown. Place on a lined oven tray and repeat with remaining schnitzels. You may need to add more coconut oil each time.

Top each schnitzel with 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce and slices of cheese.

Bake in oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned slightly.

***

Alwaysy a famil favouritme ! .......y

Serve with salad or steamed green beans.

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 70

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

BIRCHER MUESLI Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 2 hours (including soaking) Serves: 2

***

1 tablespoon chia seeds ½ cup milk (or almond or coconut milk) ½ cup apple juice ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ tablespoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds 1 tablespoon shredded coconut 1 tablespoon linseeds 2 tablespoons almonds, flaked or slivered 2 tablespoons cranberries or goji berries 2 medjool dates, seeded and chopped ½ apple, grated (optional) 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (or to taste) 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt

***

Preheat oven to 2000C. On a lined oven tray, mix sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, linseeds and almonds. Toast in oven for 8-10 minutes.

Keep an eye on it to make sure nothing is burning. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

In a jar or container with a lid, mix together the chia seeds, milk, apple juice and cinnamon. Set aside.

Stir toasted seeds and nuts into the chia seed mixture, together with cranberries and dates. Add the lid to the container and pop in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.

When ready to eat, mix through the grated apple, honey and yoghurt. Feel free to top with berries or other seasonal fruit.

This will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days so make a big batch and enjoy throughout the week.

Feel free to replace the apple juice with milk, just make sure you have 1 cup liquid in total.

***

Tip: You can skip the toasting of the nuts and seeds and just stir through all the ingredients with the chia seeds at the beginning. I prefer the toasted flavour, but it’s still great without toasting.

Tip: For a slightly different flavour, leave out the grated apple and add 1 teaspoon of orange zest instead.

Tip: Try a range of different dried fruits including diced dried apricots, sultanas or currents. If you add more dried fruit, add a bit more milk or apple juice as they soak up the liquid.

Autumn Open Day! Saturday April 20, 11am - 3pm

Vegetable picking, tractor rides and family entertainment!

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

71

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Serves: 4

SPINACH & FETA GOZLEME

***

Dough 2 cups chickpea flour 1 tablespoon gluten free baking powder (extra gluten free flour for kneading)* 2 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ tablespoon salt 1 cup Greek yoghurt

Filling 50g pinenuts, toasted & chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 red onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 2 teaspoons ground coriander 3 teaspoons ground cumin ¼ teaspoon sumac ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika

1-2 teaspoons salt 300g baby spinach leaves ½ cup hot water 200 g feta, crumbled 2 handfuls fresh mint leaves, chopped 2 handfuls fresh parsley, chopped 3 spring onions, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon, wedges

***

To make the dough, sift flour with baking powder, paprika and salt into a mixing bowl. Sift again to make sure the baking powder is mixed through evenly. Add yoghurt and mix until the dough comes together. Flour behaves differently in different environments so you may need to add another ½ a cup of flour.

You want a slightly sticky consistency.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5–8 minutes, until no longer sticky. Add more flour as you knead. It is ready when the top of the dough bounces back a little when pressed. Cut dough into 8.

In a dry frypan, toast the pinenuts on a medium high heat until golden, remove and roughly chop. Set aside.

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium–high heat. Add onion and cook for a few minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add spices until aromatic then add spinach, pinenuts and water and continue cooking until spinach has wilted (1 minute or so). Taste and add more salt or chilli if needed.

Allow to cool slightly then stir through crumbled feta.

On a lightly floured surface (ideally a wooden board so the dough doesn’t stick), roll out a portion of the dough, as thin as possible. Spoon a quarter of the spinach mixture onto half the dough, then top with mint, parsley and spring onions.

Fold the dough over the top of the filling and seal the edges. Lightly roll out to remove air bubbles. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Heat the BBQ on high, then drizzle with olive oil and transfer Gozleme to the hotplate. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the dough has browned and bubbled slightly.

***

Serve sprinkled with spring onions and a wedge of lemon.

*Of course feel free to use normal plain flour if you are not GF

!

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 72

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

ONE POT CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Serves: 9

***

125g butter 1 cup sugar 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons water 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) 1 cup almond meal 50g gluten free chocolate chips (optional) pure icing sugar, to serve Raspberries and ice cream to serve

***

Preheat oven to 1600C. Grease and line a 20cm square oven proof dish.

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter, sugar, cocoa and water. Stir until completely melted then add eggs and vanilla. Finally stir in the almond meal.

Pour mixture into the prepared dish and cook in oven for 35-40 minutes.

When ready, remove from oven and allow to cool in the dish for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a cake rack. (I say this but it has never actually happened in our house – it always gets attacked the second its removed from the baking dish.)

Sprinkle with icing sugar, cut into squares and serve with raspberries and ice cream or on its own.

***

Tip: For a variation, try mixing the raspberries through the chocolate mixture before baking.

Try to resist having one ! of these

Autumn Open Day! Saturday April 20, 11am - 3pm

Vegetable picking, tractor rides and family entertainment!

www.hawkesvegetables.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

73

little FAMILY FRIENDLY

BITES

1

CAFES & VENUES

Across the Mornington Peninsula.. and Beyond!

2

MONDAY MONDAY & FRI DAY & FRI DAY

KIDS KIDS

EAT EAT FREE FREE Plus

Plus

FREE FREE DRINK DRINK

Conditions apply Not available public holidays

WITH ANY ADULT MAIN MEAL PURCHASED

W ITH AN Y ADWUITH LT MAIN AN Y AD MEAL U LTPU MAIN R C HMEAL ASE PU R C H ASE

C ondi t i ons appl y. CN ondi ot avai t i ons l ablappl e on y. publ N oti cavai holl iabl days e .on publ i c hol i days .

ids Peninsula K nderful g the wo is showcasin on the peninsula ble places availa region to take the and Bayside ress-free bite to eat! r a st family out fo and your u o y e d i u g p Let our ma gry tribe . hun e best cafes, th of e m so nd Here you'll fi mily-friendly places to fa venues and d have a break . stop an

2 Mornington

8 Mt Martha

MORNINGTON HOTEL 917 Nepean Highway, Mornington P:5975 2015 www.morningtonhotel.com.au

3

5

1

Portsea

OPEN EVERYDAY F OR BREAKFAST & COF F EE BET WEEN 9AM -11:30AM

Sorrento

OPEN EVERYDAY FOR BREAKFAST & COF F EE 4 LEVELS ODDLERS BET WEEN 9AM T-11:30 AM AREA T EEN ZONE INT ERACT IVE SCREENS

LIQUID F LOOR

Blairgowrie

Rye

Rosebud

Dromna

4 Red Hill

4 LEVELS T ODDLERS AREA T EEN ZONE INT ERACT IVE SCREENS LIQUID F LOOR

Boneo

4

Main Ridge

5 Family Dining & Function area is complete with an enclosed kids adventure play room so you can enjoy your meal while your kids are safe in view

• • • • •

OPEN 7 DAYS BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

74

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Flinders

7

6

Aspendale Gardens

Frankston Frankston

MtMt Eliza Eliza

3

6

Langwarrin

9 Moorooduc Moorooduc

Bangholme

7

Pearcedale Pearcedale

Somerville Somerville

Tyabb Tyabb

10

Springvale Rd & Wells Rd Aspendale Gardens P: 9773 4453

Hastings Hastings

8

- PLUSTeens Menu Available All dishes $15

Bittern Bittern

5 days a week

Crib Crib Point Point

Kids Eat Free* monday to friday

Balnarring Balnarring Stony Stony Point Point Merricks Merricks Somers Somers

*Buy 1 main meal & get one kids meal free.

Exc. Festive days, W/ends & School hols.

Indoor & Outdoor Play-Space. Open 7 days.

614 The Esplanade, Mount Martha I 5975 1555 @thedavahotel www.thedavahotel.com.au

10

9

INDOOR PLAY CENTRE and

CAFE

SPECIALISING IN CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

be noisy while you enjoy a coffee and relax!

and s playFAMILY. kidWHOLE LetFORtheTHE A CAFÉ 222 Marine Parade, Hastings P: 5906 5900 www.kidzshed.com.au

www.peninsulakids.com.au

75

Pregnancy & Baby

By Deanne Atkinson

I am just so emotional! Welcome to pregnancy where your body is changing rapidly and the flood of different hormones causes you to carry the tissue box wherever you go. It’s a time of rapid change from feeling the highest of highs to curling up on the couch and not wanting to move ever again. Every part of you is changing and you have no control or know what is coming up next. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually changes are happening.

In this article I would like to focus on the spiritual changes which can occur during pregnancy.

To be honest I didn’t know who I was before children. I didn’t know the full capacity of my strengths or my weaknesses or the depth of my vulnerability.

It was like I was reborn never to be the same woman again. I had a strong pull to explore my spirituality, contemplate life and beyond and understand on a deeper level what was going on within my body. As if my inner spirit had suddenly come alive and I was embarking on a journey with no certainties and plenty of roller coaster ups and downs. continued next page...

76

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

1

SEAFORD WETLANDS

4

McCLELLAND GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK

7

FRANKSTON WATERFRONT VISITOR CENTRE

10

SAGES COTTAGE

2

PINES FLORA & FAUNA RESERVE

5

CRANBOURNE ROAD SCULPTURE

8

WILLOW ROAD PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

11

MORNINGTON RAILWAY LINE

3

SCULPTURE LOCATED AT SKYE RD

6

BALLAM PARK HOMESTEAD

9

LANGWARRIN FLORA & FAUNA RESERVE

12

MOUNT ELIZA REGIONAL PARK & MOOROODUC STATION

Peninsula Link Trail

Peninsula Link Trail (South)

BONBEACH NATIONAL WATER SPORTS CENTRE

Considered the largest piece of “health and fun infrastructure” in the south east of Metropolitan Melbourne, riders and walkers are now able to enjoy the 25 kilometre shared path built as part of the Peninsula Link freeway project.

MELBOURNE WATER EASTERN TREATMENT PLANT

Patterson Lakes Tennis Club

Learmonth Reserve Reserve

LEGEND

Peninsula Link Trail Trip 1 Start: National Water Sports Centre Finish: Mt Eliza Regional Park Distance: 25km

PATTERSON LAKES

Carrum

K

PENINSULA LINK TRAIL (sealed track)

MORNINGTON PENINSULA FWY

PENINSULA LINK TRAIL (unsealed track) Peninsula Link EastLink

Frankston City Motorcycle Park

Bird Hide

Existing freeways Existing roads Other walking trails

Peninsula Link Trail Trip 2 CARRUM Start: Seaford Wetlands Finish: Belvedere Reserve DOWNS FRANKSTON-DANDENONG Distance: 2km

Frankston BMX Club

SEAFORD WETLANDS ETLANDS TLANDS

SEAFORD D RD

Other shared use trails

• DISTANCE:

Pedestrian bridges/underpasses

12.7 km

Traffic lights Seaford

Toilets along trail

Viewing Platform

BELVEDERE RESERVE

Playgrounds along trail

• TIME TO COMPLETE:

BELVEDERE BUSHLAND RESERVE

Picnic areas along trail

Full day

Parking along trail

• PARKING ACCESS: Access through the Pines Reserve along unsealed track

500m

1km

1.5km

2km

FRANKSTON NORTH

Kananook

PORT PHILLIP BAY

PINES FLORA AND FAUNA RESERVE

LONG ISLAND GOLF CLUB

N

PINES FLORA AND FAUNA FLOR RESERVE

CFA/pedestrian underpass

Tennis Club

• DIFFICULTY RATING: PeninsulaLinkTrailTrip3 Start: Belvedere Reserve Finish: Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve Distance: 6km

Centenary tenary Centenary Park Park

Frankston

LANGWARRIN McCLELLAND GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK SCULPTURE SCU PARK BALLAM PARK PARK

FRANKSTON

CENTRO KARINGAL

OURN URN E RD R PeninsulaLinkTrailTrip4 HEA HEA Langwarrin Flora and Start: THERHILL RHIL RD Fauna Reserve Finish: Mt Eliza Regional Park Distance: 10km

FRANKSTON SOUTH

MOUNT ELIZA

FER DALE V VE

FRANKSTON GOLF CLUB

OVERPORT RD

ROBINSONS PARK

FRANKSTON NATURE CONSERVATION RESERVE

LANGWARRIN LANGW FLORA AND FAUNA RESERVE

PeninsulaLinkTrailTrip5 Start: Robinsons Park Finish: Frankston Flinders Road, Baxter Distance: 2.7km FR

LANGWARRIN SOUTH MOUNT ELIZA

BAXTER PARK

BAXTER

SAGES AGES COTTAGE

Lakeside Picnic Picnic Area Area

MOOR OROODUC OODUC (TOURIST TRAIN)

Peninsula Link Trail Trip 6 Start: Moorooduc Tourist Train, Mt Eliza Finish: Frankston Flinders Rd, Baxter Distance: 4.3km

MOOROODUC

2/5 • FEATURES: Toilets are located at various parks adjacent to the path, not on the actual track.

• OPTIONS: Alternate segments of the Trail are available.

Trail Trip 6 - Start at the side of the Eramosa Rd roundabout on Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc to Frankston Flinders Rd, Baxter (2.3km).

Trail Trip 5 - Frankston Flinders Rd, Baxter to Robinsons Park, Robinsons Rd, Frankston South (2.7km).|Trail Trip 4 - The side of the Eramosa Rd roundabout on Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc to Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve, 122 Robinsons Rd, Langwarrin Sth (10km).

• PATH SURFACE: Sealed Concrete Path.

Baxter

Moorooduc Quarry Flora & Fauna Reserve

MOUNT ELIZ ELIZA MO MOUNT REGIONAL PARK

• FACILITIES: Toilets, Picnic area, Playground

CENTENARY CENTENARY PARK PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

FRANKSTON PENINSULA COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

Parking is available at the beginning of each segment.

Peninsula Link Trail (South)

0

• Start/Finish: The Trail starts off to the side of the Eramosa Road roundabout, 460 Moorooduc Highway, Moorooduc and finishes at Centenary Park, Skye Rd, Frankston.

SOMERVILLE

For more great Mornington Peninsula walks/rides go to: visitmorningtonpeninsula.org www.peninsulakids.com.au

77

Many pregnant women feel their spiritually is awakened and have a need to dig deep for some understanding of their purpose in life and the journey they are on. Emotions can come from nowhere and at any time leaving you feeling overwhelmed and unsure. Often tears arise with underlying issues bubbling up from your own childhood forcing you to look at the way you were parented and address any hurts or disappointments as well as celebrate the joys. As you enter the hood of mothering you may reflect on the relationship with your own mother. This may bring to the surface the realisation that you were let down or your bond with your mother was not as close as you had desired and there was a lack of connection between the two of you.

If this is the case, the feeling of disconnection can be very lonely and fear can arise about bonding with your own child. Fear of judgement that you are a failure as a mother if you don’t connect with your baby.

So many of these thoughts and emotions can spin around inside your head as your body does an amazing job of growing your baby inside; emotionally and spiritually you struggle to keep up.

Connecting with your baby doesn’t just happen for some mums and that is ok. It doesn’t mean you are a failure or a bad mother. It doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. If you are struggling to connect with your unborn baby start by stroking your belly and talking to him or her; some mums like to sing to their babies. Open your mind beyond the physical and feel your baby’s energy just like bubs is doing inside of you. Once your baby is born, lots of talking to him or her, gentle touch and massage can help mother and baby bond.

If you feel overwhelmed with hurts arising from your own childhood or your emotions are playing havoc it is always best to talk about it.

Embrace the opportunity to have an internal clean out of your emotions, seeking support and reassurance that your emotional and spiritual needs are just as important as your physical needs.

Each of my own pregnancies was different but both awakened a deeper part of me that I am forever grateful for and have grown from addressing

THE UNTOLD EVENTS CO PROUDLY PRESENTS

botanika cinema A SPECTACULAR MONTHLY MARKET IN THE HEART OF FRANKSTON SHOWCASING OVER 100 OF THE VERY BEST MAKERS AND CREATORS IN MELBOURNE

23.FEBRUARY 23.MARCH 27.APril

10Am to 3pm FOOD TRUCKS / GOURMET FOOD / LIVE MUSIC / KIDS FUN

BEAUTY PARK FRANKSTON WWW.LITTLEBEAUTYMARKET.COM.AU

78

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

FEB

MAR

APR

9AM-2PM

9AM-2PM

9AM-2PM

16

16

13

under the stringybarks Bring the whole family for amazing live music, incredible food, beer, wine & coffee, fun for the kids, workshops and the very best collection of market stallholders in Melbourne.

# iheartepm

BOTANIKA OUTDOOR CINEMA IS BACK! PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY THE FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

16th to 21st APRIL GATES OPEN AT 6:30PM FOR LIVE MUSIC & STREET FOOD

TICKETS FROM $10 / CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE

G EO RG E P E N T L A N D EMU PLAINS RESERVE B OTA N IC G A R D E N S F R A N K S TO N BALNARRING www.emuplainsmarket.com.au www.unscenecinema.com.au

LUCAS

If you are in your second or third trimester and are interested in nurturing your spiritual side and deepening your connection with your baby Parent with Passion is holding Spiritual Meditation Classes for expectant mums starting in March at Spirited New Beginnings in Frankston. This class is a great way to increase your intuition and connect with bubs. Bookings essential. To secure your place contact deanne@parentwithpassion.com Deanne Atkinson is the Founder of Parent with Passion and has a spiritual approach to parenting. She runs Spiritual Parenting Programs for Mums and Dads who want to grow in their role as well as Pregnancy Meditation classes and later this year is starting a Spirited Mums Tribe. For more information head to www. parentwithpassion.com you can also join Deanne on Facebook or Instagram

Orthodontic Specialists of Melbourne delivers a range of orthodontic treatments including metal and ceramic braces, Invisalign aligners and plates. Dr Ravi Theja Kamisetty, specialist orthodontist, grew up on the peninsula and loves working with families and the community. He offers treatments to suit children, teenagers and adults. By providing individually customised treatment plans, he aims to create lasting, beautiful and healthy smiles.

•No referral needed •Payment plans available

ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS OF MELBOURNE 46 Karingal Drive, Frankston, VIC. 3199 reception.osm@gmail.com www.orthodonticspecialistsmelbourne.com.au www.facebook.com/orthodonticspecialistsmelbourne.com.au

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s soon as your baby bump begins to show, it seems that everyone and his grandmother will have a wealth of advice to share with you. They mean well but they probably won’t share these five things that you really need to know, know – just so you don’t worry, "are we the only ones who ‘suck’ at this?" Let’s bust this conspiracy of silence so you don’t feel so alone – you really are doing a great job!

You are giving so much, sometimes you need a boost.

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1) Breastfeeding may not ‘just happen’

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Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby but it often doesn’t come naturally at first. It’s helpful to understand that just like learning a new dance, you and your tiny partner can take a little while to get ‘in step’. As you learn how to hold your baby comfortably, your newborn has to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing.

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Being born is hard work and many babies take a while to feed effectively but offering skin to skin cuddles will help: strip your baby down to his nappy and hold him against your bare chest. As soon as you notice early hunger signs (sucking movements with his mouth, trying to move his hand to his mouth or ‘rooting’ towards you as though he is seeking food) offer the breast quickly – support your baby and pull him in close as he turns in and opens his mouth. (Never push your baby’s head). You may need to feed some breast milk from a syringe if he takes time to begin feeding, and expressing will help kick-start your milk supply. Try to avoid bottles during this learning period, as this will imprint a different sucking action from breastfeeding.

2) Your baby probably won’t appreciate your interior design skills Even the most lavish, lovingly prepared nursery won’t encourage your baby to feel safe and secure enough to sleep soundly away from the security of your smell, your arms and the sound of your heartbeat, at least in the early weeks.

In the watery world of the womb, your baby was weightless and warm, he was comforted by the rhythm of your heartbeat and the gentle rocking motion of his “mother home” as his body was gently massaged by the uterine wall and contained by the boundaries of your own body.

Now, from this dark warm world of muffled sounds, the newborn must get used to new sensations: air moving across his skin and into his lungs, lights, direct sounds, smells and stillness.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

Your baby will need help to make the transition from womb to world so it can be helpful to think of his first three months as the ‘fourth trimester’ of your pregnancy. This way, you will reduce the pressure on yourself and your baby to ‘separate’ too quickly. You can relax and enjoy every sweet cuddle as you wear him, rock him and sing to him, knowing you are not ‘spoiling’ him. Instead, you are teaching him to love.

The

About Having A Baby

5 Things They Never Tell You (But You Really Need To Know).

3) Crying isn’t just for babies

4) You might feel like you’re going a little crazy

You are dealing with a cocktail of new mummy hormones, a whole new You finally get your baby to sleep, you hop in the shower –and you lifestyle and you are recovering from giving birth to your beautiful baby – hear him crying. You jump out, dripping wet and race to check – he’s is it any wonder you are overwhelmed by it all? still sound asleep, safely in his cot, exactly where you left him just a few minutes ago. Your raging mummy hormones are designed by nature to Tears are pretty normal for new mums, but if things are too hard it is make sure you protect your baby from lurking danger. This is why those important to get help just in case you are starting to spiral downwards voices in your head urging you to check up are so persuasive. It’s also into the dark tunnel that is postnatal depression. common for new mums to have weird dreams about ‘losing’ their baby – Evidence suggests that as many as 1 in 7 new mums and 1 in 20 new resulting in throwing off the blankets to search when, just like the shower fathers are diagnosed with postnatal depression each year in Australia. scenario, baby is sleeping soundly in his own bed!

Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can be present during pregnancy or after birth and may develop quite suddenly or more 5) Sleep is for the weak gradually over several months: The passing ‘baby blues’, where you are In infant sleep studies, ‘all night’ is considered as five hours. For safety, weepy for no apparent reason in the days following the birth (typically your baby is designed to arouse easily and wake often in the early between the third and fifth day after delivery), affect up to 80 per cent months and, according to several studies, night waking is normal for at of women. About 15 per cent of women and 5 percent of men develop least the first year. There is increasing evidence that some approaches to moderate to severe postnatal depression, requiring medical treatment. ‘teaching babies to sleep’ that advise leaving babies to cry, can cause Symptoms of postnatal depression (PND) may include mood swings, anxiety or panic; sleep disturbances unrelated to the baby’s needs, changes in appetite, chronic exhaustion or hyperactivity; crying – feeling sad and crying for no apparent reason or feeling like you want to cry but can’t; irritability; negative, obsessive thoughts; fear of being alone or withdrawing from family and friends; loss of memory or concentration, unrealistic feelings of inadequacy or guilt, loss of confidence and self-esteem. For men, symptoms can also include anger, loss of libido, engaging in risk taking behaviour, increased hours at work as part of withdrawal from family and increased use of drugs or alcohol instead of seeing treatment for depression.

stress responses that may lead to long term, adverse changes to a baby’s developing brain.

Baby training practices also have the potential to negatively impact your baby’s trust, attachment and bonding, and your own confidence.

They may also contribute to breastfeeding problems such as low milk supply along with poor baby weight gains and failure to thrive due to inappropriate advice that doesn’t consider the physiology or unique experiences of individual mothers and babies. However, this doesn’t mean you have to ‘suck it up’ if you are exhausted and sleep deprived; there are gentle methods to help you and your baby sleep, without tears for either of you, so do seek help.

The good news about PND is that it is treatable. And, the sooner you get help, the more quickly you will recover. There is a range of treatments, from psychological therapies to medication – and yes, there are safe medications for women who are breastfeeding.

Pinky McKay is an internationally certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and bestselling author of Sleeping Like a Baby, Parenting By Heart and 100 Ways to Calm the Crying (Penguin Random House). She is also the creator of Boobie bikkies all natural and organic health food cookies for breastfeeding mums. www.pinkymckay.com www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Health

Top tips to clean your child’s ears safely and effectively

By Lisa Hellwege

E

xcessive or impacted earwax occurs in one in ten children, compared to one in twenty adults . Young children are often unable to express symptoms related to this build up e.g. hearing loss, and this makes them particularly vulnerable to a lack of evaluation and treatment. With smaller ear canals and ears, wax build up can cause a blockage more quickly and if not treated can impact on hearing, and therefore development. This can also lead to infection of the outer ear where water becomes trapped behind built up wax. It is therefore extremely important to keep a child’s hygiene and ear health top-notch. However, many parents are

Use a soft washcloth

1

Children’s ears, like adult’s ears, are actually designed to be selfcleaning; they normally do not need to be ‘cleaned’. Earwax, produced in the outer third of the ear canal, is carried out by a migrating skin layer which works like a conveyor belt. As the wax is carried out and emerges from the outer ear, it can be gently wiped away using a soft washcloth or tissue. It is important to note that the cloth should only be used on the outside of the ear and no fingers or cotton buds should be inserted into the ear. Using cotton buds or other objects inside the ear canal can push the wax further down the canal, worsening symptoms. A soft washcloth is also a safe method if a child has any residue on the outer ear after an infection.

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cautious and wary of what to do when it comes to ear cleaning and ear health.

Earworx, an earwax removal clinic that uses the same safe and effective microsuction technology used by ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialists, focuses on removing excess earwax that may be causing blockages in the ear. When patients don’t have any wax to remove they educate people about ear health and ear care.

Earworx can see children as young as four years old. Registered Nurse and Founder of Earworx, Lisa Hellwege shares effective tips for parents cleaning their child’s ears who do not require a treatment or are too young for the procedure.

Use olive oil

2

Olive oil and other commercially prepared earwax softening drops from the chemist, soften and break down excessive earwax that may be causing a blockage. For olive oil use, it is recommended to use four to six drops in each ear whilst the child lies on either side for five minutes. This allows the drops to penetrate the entire wax plug, as opposed to just the bottom of the wax or not at all when just tilting your head. This method will work best if it is completed right before bed.

Cotton wool can be used in the outer ear after administration to keep the drops inside the ear for longer. It is important to remember that a cotton bud should never be used to administer the olive oil or clean away the wax; again this may push wax further down the canal.

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Dry the ears after a bath, shower or swim

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To prevent infections, blockages and keep the ears clean, parents can help their child dry their ears after a bath, shower or swim.

This can be done by having the child tilt their ear to one side against a towel to allow the water to drip out on its own. A hairdryer on low heat may also be used for any trapped water within the canal.

For any abnormal secretions from the ear, always seek a doctor’s opinion.

Earworx clinics are located in Sydney, Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone. www.earworx.com.au

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83

5

Stephanie Rice on...

simple ways you can exercise around the home

O

ver the gym? Here are 5 simple ways to exercise around your home

If you’re desperate to get fit but don’t have the time or energy to drag yourself down to the gym, it may comfort you to know that one of Australia’s former top athletes feels exactly the same way.

A committed vegan, Stephanie recently released her third eCookbook Feel Vegie Good This Veganuary – which is free to download from the Vegie Delights website. It’s full of delicious plant-based recipes such as Moroccan style meatless meatballs, vegan party sausage rolls, smoky barbecued burger, Cajun tofu scramble and summer lovin’ hotdogs.

Olympic swimming champ and three-time gold medallist Stephanie Rice “Eating more plant-based meals and less saturated meat fat is a great way to kick-start your health regime, but you also need to exercise says her favourite place to work out is at home – particularly on her as well,” she says. “If you combine those two things, you’ll see a real small balcony. “I just like to work out in solitude and don’t want to waste change in the way you look and feel.” time driving to a gym!” she admits. “I also only exercise for around 20 Here are Stephanie’s top tips for exercising at home: minutes a day, five times a week, so I feel it would be a lot of effort to get continued next page..... to and from a gym just for that short amount of time.”

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One of Stephanie’s favourite ways to exercise at home is to follow along

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

For a great triceps workout, Stephanie says all you need is a sturdy chair, couch or coffee table. Start off sitting at the edge of the furniture with hands down and fingertips pointing forward. Lift hips and walk feet 15 A la Natural Lashes - Full toset30cm inches forward. Bend elbows back, lowering hips 7 to 12cm inches. Straighten arms for one rep. Do 20 reps.

$993 Shoulder sculpt with soup cans

“If you don’t have time to buy hand held weights, simply grab two 400g cans out of your pantry and use that as weights,” says Stephanie. “It’s still enough weight to tone up your arms and shoulders.” To exercise the fronts, sides, and backs of your shoulders, lift arms straight in front to shoulder height with soup cans facing vertically. Turn cans horizontally and pull arms to sides to form cross formation. Bend elbows to 90 degrees and, keeping elbows in line with shoulders, shift soup cans to face-up toward sky. Extend elbows to press both soup cans overhead.

Repeat these steps in reverse order to lower arms back down to starting position. Do for a minute and then rest for a minute. Try for at least six reps.

4 Work your bum and legs with a wall

“This is a great one for your lower body – and all you need is a wall,” Stephanie says. Lean against the wall with your feet shoulder-width apart and firmly planted on the ground. This is your starting position. Engage your core and put your feet forward. Go down as you do so and keep leaning against the wall. Your feet should be 15cm apart. Slowly slide down the wall with your back pressed against it until your legs are bent at a right angle. This angle is very crucial because if your thighs are not parallel to the ground, your muscles will not get a good workout. Ensure your knees are directly above the ankles and do not overshoot them.

Hold this position for 20-30 seconds. Gradually, increase the hold time to 60 seconds. After the last rep, come back to the starting position. Do three sets of 10 reps.

5 Get planking for a flat tummy

"One of the best exercises that you can do for a saggy stomach is a plank", Stephanie says. Face the floor in the press up position. Put the weight on the forearms while bending your elbows. Form a straight line through your body from shoulders to ankle, suck your belly button into the spine and hold on the position for some time and relax. In the beginning you may be able to hold the pose only for 8-10 seconds.

Don't worry, this will increase as you keep doing this. Repeat the same five-six times.

Dr Peter A. Scott is a specialist orthodontist offering orthodontic care for children, teens and adults alike in both the Mornington Peninsula and inner Melbourne areas. He is also a consultant orthodontist at the Royal Childrens Hospital.

Specialist Orthodontist Creating Beautiful Smiles On The Peninsula For 30 Years Expertise In Child And Adult Orthodontics Early Assessment Of Dental Development And Facial Growth Ideal Age Of Initial Assessment 7-9 Years Early Intervention Where Appropriate For Best Outcome No Referral Necessary

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87

What are KETOGENIC diets

By Jessica Bauer

R

aise your hands if you’ve heard the terms “keto “ketogenic”, or “keto diets”. I bet it’s no surprise most of you have heard these terms, especially for weight loss.

Now raise you your hands if you’ve heard that this type of diet is actually used for refractory epilepsy (poorly controlled seizures) in children.

Please remember to always seeks support and guidance from a medical heath professional, as a ketogenic diet might not be the right course of action for your child. The purpose of this article is to help you understand more about what is a ketogenic diet and when it might be suitable to use.

What is a ketogenic diet?

A ketogenic diet is an eating pattern that is high in fat and low carbohydrate. From the total daily calories 90% comes from fats, approximately 3% comes from carbohydrates and 7% comes from proteins. This particular diet is known as the classical ketogenic diet (KD). Modified versions of the KD have been designed to be more pleasant and make it easier for children to follow. These diets include the modified Atkins diet (MAD) and medium chain triglyceride (MCT).

So to begin we first need to understand the background on epilepsy.

The science behind how a ketogenic diet might be useful in epilepsy.

What is epilepsy?

Currently there is no definite answer as to how the ketogenic diet works; but scientist, researchers and medical professionals have been able to come up with a proposed mechanism.

Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that is characterised by spontaneous and recurrent seizures. A seizure is a disruption of the electrical activity in the brain.

There are many types of seizures. Some of them include: 1. Focal onset seizures. Approximately 60% of people with epilepsy have focal seizures and these type of seizures can be very resistant to antiepileptic seizures 2. Generalised onset seizures. There are 5 types of generalised seizures, ranging from loss of consciousness to muscle jerking.

3. Unknown onset. This is when seizures cannot be diagnosed as either focal or generalised.

Now that we understand a little more about epilepsy and seizures, let’s look into the ketogenic diet.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

To understand the way ketogenic diet can improve epilepsy, we need to understand the basics of our brain.

Our brain, liver and all muscle tissues need energy – this energy comes from the food we eat. Our brain prefers to use glucose to function, and glucose comes from carbohydrates, (Think bread, rice, pasta, dairy products, fruit and some starchy vegetables).

Now let’s take our ketogenic diet, which is very high in fat and very low in carbohydrates. When we restrict carbohydrate from our food, we restrict the glucose supply that our brain can use. So when we instead provide our bodies with predominantly high fat foods, our body will create what we call ketone bodies which our brain, liver and muscle tissue can now use as a sustainable energy source.

actually used for?

The proposed benefit of using ketone bodies instead of glucose for brain function is that ketone bodies have a potential anticonvulsant effect. (This is the agent used in antiepileptic drugs).

Practical points to consider • A ketogenic diet should only be used under strict medical supervision including a paediatric neurologist, nurse, and dietitian. Your medical team will decide what is best for your child.

• The only scientific evidence for ketogenic diets is for children with refractory epilepsy • Ketogenic diet might not always work to reduce seizures

Water Water Water Water

safety safety safety safety begins begins begins begins with you!

• Ketogenic diet can be restrictive and not suitable for all children • A ketogenic diet is not safe for children with certain metabolic disorders * Please seek medical attention prior to altering your child’s diet if for medical reasons

Jessica Bauer is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. She has a passion for children’s health and well – being. She loves teaching children about the wonders of food and in her practice she uses food to do good. She spent her childhood in snowy mountains of Switzerland and then spent her adolescent years running around the sandy beaches of Frankston – The best of both worlds. In her spare time, she loves finding that perfectly brewed coffee and jumping out of airplanes.

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Ask The

OPEN 24/7 JOIN NOW

Experts!

What is the difference between orthodontic treatment using a plate or braces?

Active orthodontic treatment to correct simple orthodontic problems prior to the eruption of adult teeth is often done using a plate. A plate is a plastic appliance with wires and springs which may move teeth or hold them in place as your child’s jaws develop and adult teeth erupt.

Plates are removable appliances so your child must be committed to wearing it as instructed.

Braces are fixed appliances used to correct simple or complex orthodontic problems predominantly when your child has their full adult dentition.

However, they can also be used for a short period of time before the eruption of the adult dentition.

We are often asked about the value of early treatment. Sometimes parents are worried that their children will ‘grow out of’ treatment. Plates or braces at an early age are used to treat functional issues with developing bites – using their growth to our advantage. It may not necessarily prevent the need for comprehensive treatment with braces in their teens, but it certainly makes treatment then much simpler and often faster.

Ronald Tan BOHT (Melb) PGCDT (Melb) Peninsula Orthodontics 134 Tanti Ave Mornington

9789 3566 INPUTFITNESS.COM.AU 224 CRANBOURNE ROAD, FRANKSTON 90

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

\J

Enamel Hypomineralisation or “Chalky Teeth” Enamel hypomineralisation or “chalky teeth” may affect one in five children. These teeth are very sensitive, causing children to experience pain during normal activities like eating.

Enamel hypomineralisation is a developmental defect affecting the strength and appearance of teeth. They can affect the molar (back) teeth, incisor (front) teeth, primary (baby) teeth, and permanent (adult) teeth. The affected teeth appear white, yellow, or brown patches that are crumbly and soft. The structure of the affected tooth is altered well before it erupts into the mouth. The cause of this condition has not yet been identified.

Affected teeth are weak and break easily once they erupt. This is called post-eruptive breakdown and is due the defect in their formation. Effective treatment requires early detection and the input of specialists so treatment can be staged to match the child’s growth and dental development.

The aim is to ensure that children have painfree, healthy, strong teeth well into adulthood.

Dr Giselle D'Mello Paediatric Dental Specialist Lucas Dental Care Mornington

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

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WEIRDO 11: SPLASHY WEIRD

6+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $9.99 I have so many super-amazing and IMPORTANT things to write about! I’ll tell you all about them: Our school is having a Science Fair! And the best team will win a prize. There’s a new girl in my class!

Her name is Bethany. Bethany keeps changing all my ideas for the Science Fair? I’ve been doing experiments with slimey gooey slime, exploding volcanoes and a sparkly glitter lamp! But what is that TERRIBLE smell in our classroom?! Pee-yew!

We need to think of a super amazing experiment so we can win at the fair. But how are we all going to agree on which one to choose? Olivia x

6+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $15.99 The school swimming carnival is on and Weir isn’t looking forward to ANY of it! Not the TINY cozzies!

Or getting water UP HIS NOSE! And especially not the RACING! Can Weir win for his team?

It won’t be easy... but it will be FUNNY!

BY MEREDITH COSTAIN,

BY ANH DO,

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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School Aged

$1299

$1299

$1499

PIXEL RAIDERS: #5: LAVA ISLAND

THE POPPA PLATOON IN OPERATION DESSERT STORM

THE BAD GUYS EPISODE 8: SUPERBAD

8+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99 In the final level, tricky puzzles lead Rip and Mei up a dangerous path to the volcano at the centre of Lava Island. There they must outsmart the game AND survive their toughest battle yet.

How does Mei get from the REAL WORLD back into PIXEL RAIDERS? Will Rip ever get the catchy Jungle Bungle song out of his head? Can Megalava be defeated and the trapped players released?

Find out in this EPIC series conclusion!

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b $12.99 The Poppa Platoon must eat as much as they can, as fast as they can, but still leave plenty of room for dessert. Then they must get out of there without being captured by a very spooky enemy–Wibbly the Cheeky Wizard himself. Can the platoon survive the horrors of the all-you-can-eat restaurant? Or will Operation Dessert Storm be their downfall? The Poppa Platoon has undertaken serious training before their outing.

The first strategy: avoid soup, keep room for dessert!

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99 The INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE of HEROES want you!

But what are they looking for exactly? GIGANTIC MUSCLES? SUPER SPEED? MIND POWERS? SHAPESHIFTING AWESOMENESS? Possibly. But are they looking for a nude Wolf? An unconscious Piranha?

A muffin-stealing Snake? And a... toaster with a fin and really big teeth? DUH! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN ASK THAT?!

BY BAJO & HEX,

BY DANNY KATZ,

BY AARON BLABEY,

Mornington

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2019

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MINIWINGS: COMET’S CROSS-COUNTRY CRIME

BY SALLY SUTTON, 7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99 Those naughty Miniwings cause so much trouble.

Who would have thought a cross-country race could be such a disaster!

$1499

WYRD

BY CATE WHITTLE,

FIRE WATCHER #1: BRIMSTONE

8+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 Wyrd is a light-hearted look at the often tumultuous relationship issues that girls in particular seem to face at end of primary school age, and touches on the situation that many children find themselves a part of, with 'merged' families becoming more normal.

However, the solution to Emma's problem (finding out that she has magic on her side) is not a solution that could easily be emulated (at least, I don't think so...).

BY KELLY GARDINER,

8+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99 December 1940. London lad Christopher Larkham finds an ancient Roman ring, inscribed with a phoenix, on the bank of the Thames. As German bombs fall on his city to create the greatest firestorm of the Blitz, Christopher takes shelter underground with his neighbours. He pushes open a hidden door, and steps out of the Second World War onto the river bank centuries ago, facing the Great Fire of London–and even greater danger on his return.

Fresh and Artificial Flower Crown Parties - Flower Wands - Bespoke Crowns - Items For Hire - Party Flower Crowns (Party Hats)

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(see website rhsfarm.com.au)

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490 Stumpy Gully Rd Balnarring Phone 5983 1691 Open 10am - 4pm www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Creative

Pompom Bunnies

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

You’ll Need:

7.

-Yarn -Paper -Scissors -PVA glue -Small ready-made pompoms -Medium ready-made pompoms -Tinsel (or fishing wire, pipe cleaners) -Googly eyes (or buttons) How to do it: 1. Cut the outer and inner ear shapes out of paper, using pink to

make the inner ear. Pinch the bottoms. Leave to dry.

2. Wind the yarn around four spread-out fingers. 100 times for small pompom. (Bunny head) 200 times for larger pompom.

(Bunny body) 3. Slide the bundle of yarn off the fingers and tie tightly with a long piece of yarn in the middle.

4. Use scissors to cut through loops all the way around and you’ll end up with a shaggy pompom.

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5. Now use scissors to trim and shape up your pompoms to desired length. (The shorter the better.) Be careful not to trim the long pieces of yarn used to tie the middles.

6. To attach the head pompom to the body pompom tie the long pieces of yarn together to make the ‘neck’ of the bunny.

7. Glue on your bunny tail, eyes and ears.

To make the bunny whiskers we used a piece of tinsel cut into thirds and knotted the three pieces together. Then glue these to the bunny face and glue the nose pompom on top.

Here comes Peter Cottontail!

2

March

21

DR SEUSS DAY

April

Born on March 2nd, Theodor Seuss Geisel, commonly known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, was a writer, poet and cartoonist. Though best known as a children’s author, having written forty-six books for kids, his career also saw him work as an illustrator for advertising campaigns and a political cartoonist during the Second World War. He was also a true perfectionist, known to discard 95% of his material before settling on a theme for a new book, sometimes spending up to a year writing a single story, and preferring payment upon completion, rather than in advance. Having made an impact on numerous generations, his stories are still cherished by young and old alike, and, having been translated into more than twenty languages, are read across the world every single day.

12 May

MOTHER’S DAY

Though Mother's Day has been celebrated on the second Sunday in May for only a century, many ancient cultures around the globe have honoured mothers through various celebrations. Ancient Romans celebrated Hilaria, a festival and feast honouring Cybele, the mother Goddess and the British devoted the fourth Sunday during Lent to "Mothering Sunday," during the 16th century. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson established Mother's Day, after years of lobbying by the mother of the holiday, Anna Marie Jarvis.

Examples of non-religious Easter traditions include Easter eggs, and related games such as egg rolling and egg decorating. It’s believed that eggs represented fertility and birth in certain pagan traditions that predate Christianity. Egg decorating may have become part of the Easter celebration in a nod to the religious significance of Easter, i.e., Jesus’ resurrection or re-birth. The exact origins of the Easter Bunny tradition are unknown, although some historians believe it arrived in America with German immigrants in the 1700s. Rabbits are, in many cultures, known as enthusiastic procreators, so the arrival of baby bunnies in springtime meadows became associated with birth and renewal.

Autumn Days to Celebrate!

Every child is an artist Pablo Picasso

EASTER

1

April

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

Although it's not a legal holiday, April Fools' Day is celebrated all around the world as a day filled with practical jokes and general silliness. Though many holidays have cloudy origins, the history of April Fools’ Day is particularly blurry, as there are several competing claims for the invention. Some see the holiday’s sources in a storybook, while others consider it an evolution of the general rejoicing of springtime. One thing is for sure, though, be a little more cautious or skeptical on April 1, since family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and even teachers may try to tickle your funny bone with a practical joke or a hoax of some kind.

EXHIBITIONS FREE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY SPACE YOUNG AT ART SESSIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Exhibition entry: adults $4 concession $2 children under 5 free Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington ph 5950 1580

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!@##@!

p!mp your swe@r##j@r!

3.

‘Swearing’ at our house covers many different misdemeanours; not just your garden variety profanities.

The kids must deposit 20 cents and the parents $1 into the swear jar for every ‘bad word’ which includes the likes of: hate, stupid and shut-up..(except when singing ‘Shut Up and Dance’, because that song is WAY too catchy.) Other things that can send your pocket money to the jar are throwing remote controls, slamming doors, crying for no reason and talking back.

At the end of the year or when the jar is filled, we cash in and use our funds toward a vacation. Disneyland here we come!

Tired of looking at the ugly pickle jar, we decided to snazz it up with a stained-glass look.

You’ll Need: • Glass jar • PVA Glue in small container with pointed tip • Acrylic Paint • Sharpie or permanent texta How to do it: -Remove a blob of glue from the container and add enough black acrylic paint to turn the glue solid black. Shake and mix with a popsicle stick to ensure the black is blended all the way in.

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-Draw lines or patterns on the jar with the black glue and let dry. Be careful not to use too much or the lines will run. (This can be cleaned up later with a box-cutter if it does happen.)

-We used yellow, red, blue, white and PVA to colour in our squares and let them dry. The PVA ones end up cloudy looking.

-Use the Sharpie to touch up where the original glue lines may have been painted over with another colour. $#@* that looks good! Oops.

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