Baby's and Beyond - Issue 11 - October to December 2016

Baby’s and Beyond October - December 2016

babys beyond TM

and

a family lifestyle magazine

Sugar Bay: The ultimate holiday camp

The importance of playing hide-and-seek

Beat the heat, check the back seat…

we’ve changed for the better

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

October - December 2016

ISSN 2311-5467

9 772311 546706 www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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INSIDE: Features Competitions Kicks for kids Recipes 2016/09/22 11:55 AM

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babys beyond TM

and

12

a family lifestyle magazine

CONTENTS FEATURES

21

31

Problem solving your toddler’s misbehaviours.................... 8 Does my baby have bipolar disorder?...............................12 Instilling ambition in our children.........................................16 Fix your budget now for the New Year...............................18 Tips for avoiding a tragedy in your pool.............................21 Teaching children about growth mind-set........................24 Care Crib for moms in need................................................26 Barriers to movement and your child’s brain..................... 28 Night nanny versus night nurse............................................31 A Santa Shoebox is so much more than a box................. 34 Financial freedom for single moms.....................................36

HEALTH

Beat the heat, check the back seat…..............................39 Dental trauma in children....................................................43 How to make a perfectly delicious kid’s lunch box.......... 49 Organic nutrition...................................................................50 A thumbs up for pre and probiotics....................................53 Advertorial: The ins and outs of stretch marks................... 56

EDUCATION

Why playing hide-and-seek is good for your child........... 58 Being a better sideline parent.............................................60 Discovery boxes and treasure baskets...............................62 Helping your teenager cope with exam stress.................. 65 Advertorial: Helping children to grow................................68

OUT AND ABOUT

Sugar Bay: Where kids keep coming back for more........ 70

REGULARS

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Kicks for Kids: Fun puzzles and activities.............................76 Grab Some Grub: Main Course Salad of Chicken and Mango, Fairy Cake Fish................................................80 Promising Products: Hamleys wooden toys, Kroko’s new products...........................................................90 Little Rockerz kids’ headphones range expands, Mysmartkid and Nido help to power little minds and bodies.............................................................................91 Sweet dreams for baby and mom, Nappy recommendations from trusted sources............... 92 Book Review: This edition’s recommended reading........ 94 www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Baby’s and Beyond October - December 2016

CREDITS babys beyond TM

Editor: Emma Dawson editor@babysandbeyond.co.za

and

Editorial Contributors Anel Annandale Bruce Flemming Carey Haupt Carolyn Slabbert Danielle Forsyth Dr Adel Rossouw Gavin Sutton Gillian Mooney Kate Rose Marene Jooste Marion Smith Megan Pentz-Kluyts Michelle Ainslie Rene Brummage

a family lifestyle magazine

Sugar Bay: The ultimate holiday camp

The importance of playing hide-and-seek

Beat the heat, check the back seat…

we’ve changed for the better

Content Manager: Melanie Taylor artwork@mediaxpose.co.za Design and Layout: CDC Design carla@cdcdesign.co.za

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Project Manager: Elroy van Heerden elroy@babysandbeyond.co.za Advertising Sales Manager: Wendy Scullard wendy@babysandbeyond.co.za

October - December 2016

ISSN 2311-5467

9 772311 546706 www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Advertising Sales: Ehrin Manuel ehrin@babysandbeyond.co.za Lorraine Beneke lorraine@babaysandbeyond.co.za Allison Davids allison@babysadnbeyond.co.za

INSIDE: FEaTurES CoMpETITIoNS KICKS For KIDS rECIpES

Pictures: www.123RF.com

Chief Financial Officer: Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za Accounts Assistant: Melany Smith accounts1@mediaxpose.co.za Marketing & Online Advertising Coordinator: Maurisha Niewenhuys marketing@mediaxpose.co.za

babysandbeyond

Distribution and Subscriptions: Janine Mays distribution@mediaxpose.co.za

@babysandbeyond

Printing Paarl Media Paarl www.paarlmedia.co.za

Published By:

babys beyond TM

and

a family lifestyle magazine

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404 Commerce House, 55 Short Market Street, Cape Town, 8001 PO. Box 15165, Vlaeberg, 8018 Tel: 021 424 3625 Fax: 086 544 5217 E-mail: info@babysandbeyond.co.za Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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ED’S NOTE

50

Happy holidays

I

65 70 NEW

RUNWAY kids

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t always surprises me how quickly the year goes by.

Suddenly, here we are getting ready for long, sunny summer days and the holiday season just around the corner.

Have you started shopping for your Christmas pressies yet? I admit, I haven’t. I’m notorious for leaving it until the last minute, fighting through crowded malls and staggering through a packed parking lot with arms full of bags to find my car that’s parked miles away.

However, I vowed to change my ways, and get on with my shopping earlier this year, when I read this edition’s article (page 18) by Bruce Flemming at the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa. Bruce highlights the importance of planning your budget now, in preparation for the New Year.

Bruce argues that budgeting is core to all financial planning. Without a budget it is impossible to curb your expenditure and even more impossible to think about saving. He also explains how to assess your fixed and variable costs to highlight where you spend wastefully. And, as we head into the holiday season, one of his top tips is to buy gifts early. He warns that prices tend to go up closer to December and we can save a little more by shopping early.

This not only helps you to buy at better prices but, as in my case, cuts down on impulse spending in the last-minute rush and helps you to stay on track with your budget.

Once the shopping is done and everyone relaxes around the pool or at the beach during the holidays, remember that in South Africa drowning is listed as one of the top causes of unnatural death in children. The scary fact is that in 90% of these cases children were under some sort of adult supervision. The tips we’ve provided on page 21 are from TopStep, the home of pool safety that makes child drowning prevention in swimming pools its core focus.

On a lighter note, don’t miss my review of Sugar Bay Children’s Camp on page 70. This paradise, at Zinkwazi Beach in KwaZulu-Natal, stretches over 16 acres with waterfront access and 100-odd activities to keep children between the ages of seven and 17 entertained and active in a safe and secure environment. I highly recommend Sugar Bay and was truly impressed with what I saw and experienced during my visit.

However, before we get to the holidays, our children have their end-of-year exams to get through. This can be a very stressful time, so don’t forget to keep an eye on your children’s stress levels as the exams approach (see page 65).

The team at BABY’S AND BEYOND wishes our readers a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

Happy reading!

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Problem solving your toddler’s misbehaviours

By Danielle Forsyth, Educational Psychologist at Trinityhouse Heritage Hill

Parenting is one of the most important and challenging responsibilities we will ever encounter. But, without a handbook or manual, how do we know we are on the right track?

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ow will we know that what we are teaching our children and the ways in which we are disciplining them will create responsible and independent individuals? This all stems from the nurturance, attention, unconditional love and determination we provide in the hope of our children growing up to be the best they can be. But what if some of their behaviours are stemming from our own actions as parents?

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Before I go any further, let me emphasise that this article is not meant to be a guilt trip for moms and dads. We have enough of that already. Instead, it reframes the issue as one of parent behaviour as much as toddler behaviour, which can actually be really empowering – especially for control freak moms like me – because it means we can actually do something about it.

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FEATURE

From the moment a child is born it observes and starts to learn to imitate its caregiver’s behaviours, being quite compliant at the start.

From the moment a child is born it observes and starts to learn to imitate its caregiver’s behaviours, being quite compliant at the start. However, once the toddler years come along, that power struggling personality starts to develop to create your child’s own individuality. We all know that toddlers are prone to misbehave. Screaming, whining, not listening, as well as throwing that hour-long tantrum in the grocery store, are all par for the course when you’re dealing with a tot. Some of it is downright unavoidable.

Toddlers are toddlers.

So why do toddlers really misbehave?

Children, teens and adults, for that matter, have a need for belonging and significance. It’s just the way we’re wired. Belonging refers to the emotional connection and positive attention we need with each other. Significance refers to one’s sense of autonomy, capability, and need to make contributions in meaningful ways. Think of ‘significance’ as a form of possessing personal power. Without both of these innate needs being met, children will misbehave. In some cases where the need is identified, parents want to be proactive and implement strategies that will positively and proactively fill that need. However, without knowledge of why children are misbehaving and what strategies to use to address and correct the misbehaviours, parents naturally rely on their instincts and some of the ‘popular’ parenting techniques they’ve read or heard about. This can lead to an escalation of the misbehaviours and seldom corrects them permanently.

Clash of personalities Parents unknowingly encourage and escalate misbehaviour in two ways – their personality and their choice of discipline strategies. For example, a parent with a ‘controlling’ personality typically communicates with children by doing a lot of ordering, correcting and directing – ‘put your shoes on, brush your teeth, turn off the TV now’. No one likes to be told what to do, when or how to do it – including children. The more we order, correct and

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direct, the more likely our kids will dig in their heels and engage us in power struggles. It’s their way of saying, ‘you’re not the boss of me’.

A parent with a ‘pleasing’ personality style may invite helplessness from children because as soon as the child says ‘no’ to the request, the pleasing parent avoids conflict and does the task for the child. However, the good news is that once parents understand their personality style and how it impacts behaviour, they can choose more effective ways to communicate and correct behaviour.

Here are some ways parents can trigger their toddler’s less-than-angelic side, plus tips on how to fix it:

I need more of your time and attention When a child doesn’t feel a strong sense of belonging, she will act out in ways that she (mistakenly) believes will give her the emotional connection and positive attention she craves.

For example, a toddler who isn’t getting enough positive attention from mom and dad will act out with attention-seeking behaviours such as whining, clinging or acting helpless. To avoid a scene, many parents give in to these behaviours – giving their toddlers the response that they need and fulfilling their goal.

Fix it: Make sure you’re giving your toddler plenty of undivided attention when she’s behaving well. I’ve found that focusing solely on my almost-two-yearold for just fifteen to twenty minutes makes her more content to play independently when I need to get something done.

You’re modelling bad behaviour For better or worse, imitation is one of the key ways children learn how to behave. So if your three-yearold hears you use a swear word or sees you yelling at your spouse, it should come as no surprise when she follows suit.

Fix it: Develop a constant awareness that your tot’s eyes are on you, absorbing everything you say and do. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect; when you do mess up and model bad behaviour, use it as a learning opportunity to explain to your child what you did wrong and how you’re going to correct it.

I need some power of my own A young child feels stripped of her significance when mom and dad do things for her, that she is capable of doing herself. Or, perhaps they call all the shots and make all the decisions – robbing her of having some personal control over her life.

These parent behaviours (which are natural and extremely common) then strip the child of her sense of significance or personal power.

If her hard-wired need to feel capable, important and to have some say over her own life isn’t met, she will fight back with power-seeking behaviours like tantrums, talking back, not listening, and other power struggles occasionally leading to defiance in tweens and teens. The child really wants positive power, but the negative power-seeking behaviours are the toddlers’ or tweens’ way of saying, ‘you aren’t the boss of me! I need some power of my own’.

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FEATURE Fix it: Provide more space for your child to do things independently. If she requests your help you are welcome to assist, but in most cases encourage that independence and provide a lot of praise when she starts to do things for herself.

Your expectations are too high If your toddler is constantly breaking a particular rule, consider the possibility that there’s a problem with the rule itself. For example, expecting your two-year-old to remain perfectly tidy at dinnertime is setting her up for failure – by nature, toddlers are messy eaters because their fine motor skills are still developing.

Fix it: Make sure your expectations for your child are fair and developmentally appropriate. For me, this means not expecting my son to sit still throughout the entire church service or remain quiet during dinner with friends.

Why a time out is a waste of time…

Time out is one of the most widely used strategies for disciplining children. It is defined as sending a child to her room or to a designated time out spot for a period of time so the child can think about her behaviour or learn a lesson for next time. Sadly, these two goals are not accomplished with time out.

Beyond the age of three (or younger), children understand that they are independent beings and using time out only intensifies the power struggle.

When we attempt to control a child by forcing her to stay in time out, she will instinctively fight back by refusing to stay there or throwing a tantrum to prove that ‘you’re not the boss of me!’.

Children who are less headstrong may do as they are told and remain in time out for the prescribed time, but it begs the question – what are they learning from this punishment? Are they sitting in time out thinking about their misbehaviour and about how they’ll make a better choice next time? Probably not.

Most likely they are brooding over how unfair you are for sending them to time out. Most often, time out becomes a battle of wills between parent and child.

But, more importantly, it doesn’t teach the child to make a better choice in the future, which is what we are ultimately after in the first place.

Parents unknowingly encourage and escalate misbehaviour in two ways – their personality and their choice of discipline strategies.

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What can we do instead?

One of the strategies we recommend is the use of effective consequences. An effective consequence is one in which the child learns to make a better choice for the future and the parent isn’t the bad guy.

For consequences to do their job – to teach our kids and parents from being seen as the bad guy – they should include the 5 R’s: • Respect – Our goal is not to make the child suffer but to have her learn to make a better choice in the future. When parents inflict blame, shame or pain as part of a punishment, the child is focused on self-protection, not learning for the future. An effective consequence is respectful to the child.

• Related to the misbehaviour – For children to learn for the future, the consequence has to make sense to the child and should be related to the misbehaviour. For example, the consequence for throwing blocks around the room is to lose the privilege of playing with the blocks for the day. The consequence for not turning off the video game when asked is to lose video/gaming privileges for the day/week.

• Remain reasonable – In duration, based on the child’s age.

• Revealed in advance – The consequence must be revealed to the child in advance so she can make a choice between the appropriate behaviour and the consequence. Unless she knows ahead of time what the consequence will be, the parent will always be the bad guy.

Make sure you also make eye contact and bend down to the child’s height level to instil better understanding and focus from your child.

• Repeated back to you – To ensure that the child is perfectly clear on what is expected, and the consequence for not following your rule, ask her to repeat it back to you. For example, ‘Just so we’re on the same page, can you repeat back to me our rule for turning off the video game when asked, and the consequence if you choose not to do that?’ Once the child repeats it back to you, you have a verbal agreement. For younger children, use very simple language but as long as they are verbal, they can repeat back to you.

Put the monkey where it belongs!

Now the onus is on your child. She knows the rule and she knows the consequence for not following the rule. It’s up to her now to make the right choice or live with the consequences.

If you follow the process of the 5 R’s, your child will most likely make the appropriate choice. If not, that’s fine too, it will be a learning experience for her.

Continue to remain calm and don’t give in! Instead, very calmly say, ‘I see you choose to lose your video/ gaming privileges for the day. You’ll have a chance to try again tomorrow.’

Experiencing consequences is a wonderful way for kids to learn to make better choices in the future, and everyone can feel more positive about the disciplining process.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Does my baby have

bipolar disorder?

By Michelle Ainslie

Although it is difficult to diagnose bipolar disorder with certainty in a young child, it is important to explore the possibility if you are concerned that something is not right.

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ou wake up for the fifth time in the night for your screaming baby. You’ve changed her diaper, fed her, and made sure she doesn’t have a fever. Yet, when you pick her up, once again she is flailing her tiny body in your arms, crying louder and longer than you think you can bear. With barely any sleep during

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the night, you had hoped she would rest during the day, but your hours are consumed by temper tantrums. You’re told that this is just the ‘terrible twos’ but something just doesn’t feel quite right. You’re not alone. Many parents are desperate for answers.

Although these symptoms can be caused by www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE anything from normal growing pains to conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), they can also be clues to something more serious. 0.2 to 0.4% of young children are now being diagnosed with early or childhood-onset bipolar disorder, also called paediatric bipolar affective disorder.

Isn’t this just another ‘trendy label’ doctors are putting on our kids?

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) only lists specific symptoms for bipolar disorder in adults. This has resulted in medical debate about whether or not this illness can indeed be accurately diagnosed in young children.

It also has overlapping symptoms with other psychiatric disorders and misdiagnosis is very common. Children may have co-occurring illnesses that makes diagnosis and treatment that much more challenging. For example, 90% of children with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. Other mental illnesses that mask or occur with bipolar disorder in children include: depression, conduct disorder (CD), oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette’s syndrome (TS), intermittent explosive disorder, and reactive attachment disorder (RAD).

These are a lot of diagnoses that are exceptionally difficult to accept and seldom come with a 100% guarantee that it is the correct ‘label’ for your child’s illness.

The only road worth taking is one that includes several opinions, a thorough understanding of the facts, and a deep knowledge of your child’s behaviour. This article will highlight the symptoms that are common in paediatric bipolar disorder, when you should seek help, as well as the types of treatments that are available should you need them.

Why should I get a diagnosis in the first place?

The longer you delay going for help, the longer it will take to find the correct treatment. If your toddler does have bipolar disorder, then any delays can exacerbate the condition.

Here are some of the reasons why: • Young children who have the disorder may need special arrangements at crèche or pre-school.

They will have a different learning style and if you recognise this early it can make a huge difference to their success at school.

• Misdiagnosed symptoms may be treated with stimulants or other medications that can worsen their condition and result in permanent damage.

• Punishing your child for what you perceive as bad behaviour may actually be a disorder that they are unable to control. This can have devastating consequences on your child’s self-esteem.

Signs that something isn’t quite right What makes bipolar disorder difficult to pinpoint in infants is that it is by nature a disease of extreme ups and downs. In adults, periods of mania followed by dips into depression are clear indicators, while in toddlers this could be part of their normal behaviour. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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What baby hasn’t switched from screaming to giggling in a matter of minutes? But where do you draw the line between normal and not? Paediatric bipolar disorder is rarely diagnosed until the child is close to puberty and, in retrospect, it is apparent that as an infant she was actually already exhibiting signs of her now confirmed illness.

Research interviews with parents of adults with bipolar disorder report that they knew their children seemed different from birth. Many noticed that something was wrong at around 18 months. Their babies showed strong signs of separation anxiety, were often extremely difficult to settle, had sleep difficulties and woke up often during the night, sometimes appeared colicky, held their bodies rigid when crying, were difficult to console, and were also extremely sensitive to sensory stimulation.

Other common symptoms include explosive temper tantrums that can last several hours, irritability, oppositional behaviour, mood swings, hyperactivity, fidgetiness, easily frustrated, aggression, preference and craving for carbohydrates, lethargy, difficulty waking up in the morning, social anxiety or phobias, oversensitivity to emotional and environmental triggers, severe nightmares or night terrors, compulsive behaviour, motor and vocal tics, manipulative behaviour, mischievous bursts of energy that are difficult for the child to control, bossiness, destruction of toys and other items, paranoia (very fearful), and hallucinations.

One mom, Elisa, says, ‘When she was only a few months old, Katie* would hit herself on the head so that she could physically fight off sleep. She had dreadful night terrors, sleep walking and waking up in the middle of the night screaming. As she got older she complained that she could see dark objects fly across the ceiling and told me that “the voices” were telling her what to do’.

Long temper tantrums are a key feature of paediatric bipolar disorder. These can be explosions of rage and anger that verge on violent. They are often prompted by a parent’s refusal to meet the child’s request. Parents have described their baby as appearing possessed, having a glazed look in their eyes, or behaving like a wild animal. However, not all excessive and regular angry outbursts are linked to bipolar disorder. It is important to understand what the other triggers or causes might be, especially if other symptoms aren’t present.

Toddlers with the disorder are often also rather destructive. This includes purposeful breaking of toys and valuables. Instead of innocently drawing on the wall with crayons, this child may escalate to cutting bed sheets and curtains. Wilful, bossy and overbearing, they are incredibly difficult to discipline or restrain.

Adults and children with bipolar disorder experience mood swings that alternate from periods of severe highs (mania) to severe lows (depression).

However, while these abnormally intense moods usually last for weeks or months in adults with the illness, children with bipolar disorder can experience such rapid mood swings that they commonly cycle many times within a single day. Ultra-rapid cycling of moods in toddlers is often noticed when they battle

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FEATURE to wake up in the morning, but then have massive bursts of energy in the afternoon or early evening.

We often expect mania in children to appear the same as it does in adults: elated and euphoric.

However, young children are far more likely to exhibit mania in the form of irritability or destructive outbursts.

They also show behaviour very similar to ADHD such as difficulty focussing and fidgetiness.

In a depressed episode, your child may complain of physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, stomach cramps and tiredness. They may also cry for long periods of time for no apparent reason, lose their appetite, and have difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Key differences between ADHD and paediatric bipolar disorder It is imperative that this distinction is drawn, as treatment for ADHD can actually worsen bipolar disorder, particularly manic states. Here are the differences you can look out for: • Both disorders will result in destructiveness.

However, with bipolar disorder it seems intentional while with ADHD it is more due to carelessness and inattention.

• Physical outbursts and temper tantrums, which also feature of both disorders, are usually triggered by sensory overstimulation in those with ADHD, but can be caused by limit-setting (for example, a simple ‘no’ from a parent) in children with bipolar disorder.

• Toddlers with ADHD seem to calm down after outbursts within 15 to 30 minutes, while those with bipolar disorder often continue to feel angry, sometimes for hours.

• It is important to note that children with bipolar disorder can be remorseful following temper tantrums and express that they are unable to control their anger.

• Night terrors with morbid, life-threatening content (involving violence for instance), are commonly seen in young children with bipolar disorder, but not usually associated with ADHD. Elisa says, ‘Katie* told me about terrible nightmares of being eaten alive by sharks, where she could actually see them tearing her flesh apart and the blood and her flesh would be gushing out everywhere. She would not sleep alone in her room and would call me often to come and sleep with her.

Most times we would just stay with her for the night and she would also wake up frequently just to make sure we were still there and had not left her.’

When it’s time to get help The first red flag will be if your family, on either or both sides, has a history of mental illness. If there are any cases of mood disorders, depression, suicide, or substance abuse, it is important that you have your child assessed if you are noticing any abnormal symptoms. Bipolar disorder, as is true of a number of mental illnesses, has a strong genetic component.

In families with a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder (parents or siblings), the risk is increased seven-fold.

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Another critical point to get help is if you notice any psychotic symptoms in your baby. These can include hallucinations or delusions. Also, if your child is becoming violent or extremely aggressive, it is best to approach an expert.

Finally, as a parent, you know your child best. If something just doesn’t feel right, then be on the safe side and make an appointment with your paediatrician who will be able to refer you to a specialist if necessary. Discovering an illness early, bipolar disorder or otherwise, is always far better for the child because then you can start treatment before it gets any worse.

If your toddler does have bipolar disorder, then any delays can exacerbate the condition.”

Treatment options There is no simple pill you can have prescribed, or some magic therapeutic technique. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disorder that needs to be managed with a comprehensive treatment plan. Catching the symptoms early and starting this treatment as soon as you can will help your child cope as she grows older.

The plan should include the following for you and your family: • Education about the illness • Counselling or psychotherapy • Supportive network of family and friends For your child’s crèche/pre-school teacher and caregivers: • Inform your child’s teacher about what behaviours to expect. You may find you have an unexpected ally who is extremely sympathetic and understanding. It also helps her do her job more effectively when she understands the unique challenges your child faces. Your child’s attention problems, fidgetiness, tantrums and anxiety levels can be placed in context.

• For example, Katie* was obsessed with certain things and, at one stage, she became extremely frightened of tall dark-haired men. At nursery school the teachers had to turn her chair away when the when fathers fetched their children.

For your affected child: • Medication (where necessary and ideally when your baby is older) • Close monitoring of symptoms • Stress reduction • Good nutrition • Regular sleep • Flexible, low-stress home and school/crèche environment www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE The first line of medical treatment, if necessary, is to stabilise the child’s mood and to treat sleep disturbances and psychotic symptoms if present.

However, once you start going down the medication rabbit hole it can get really scary and complicated.

For instance, medication that treats ADHD can actually make manic symptoms, irritability and aggression worse. Several studies have reported high rates of the induction (triggering) of mania or hypomania and rapid-cycling in children with bipolar disorder who are exposed to antidepressant drugs or psycho-stimulants.

However, children that are experiencing psychotic symptoms, severe aggression, high anxiety, sleep disturbances or rapid-cycling mood swings may require medication. These can include mood stabilisers or anti-psychotics. As they all come with side-effects, especially in really young children, these should only be prescribed as a last resort and only in very extreme cases.

Treatment needs to include so much more than just medication and it’s important that as a parent you also receive support for your own emotional well-being. When people don’t understand and accuse you of being a bad parent because your child is constantly misbehaving, you need to have a sounding board and a means of coping. None of this is your fault and building a support network will go a long way.

The good news is that with a strong treatment plan at home and school, many children with bipolar disorder achieve a drastic reduction in the severity, frequency and duration of episodes. Many go on to live entirely normal lives that simply need to be managed well. Take it from one who knows – I was one of those babies.

Further resources The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder – By Demitri and Janice Papolos Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder Specialist: Dr Bruce Bradfield (Cape Town) bcbradfield.phd@gmail.com Website and support network: www.bpkidssouthafrica.co.za * Not her real name to protect her identity

Photo credit: Michelle Ainslie

Michelle Ainslie holds a postgraduate degree in Psychology and an advanced diploma in Counselling. She has dedicated her life to learning about mental illness and combines it with her love of writing. This ongoing discovery and connection takes place on her blog at www.micha.co.za.

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FEATURE

Instilling ambition in our children Unlike teaching your child how to learn and play, inspiring them to be ambitious is a harder task. Anel Annandale, an Educational Psychologist and Mysmartkid expert, explains how to teach your children to be curious and how to encourage them to explore to go after the things they want in life.

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s a parent you sometimes wonder if your child will have the hunger and drive that they need to go after the things they want in life. However, unlike teaching your child to learn and play, it’s somehow harder to teach them to be ambitious. That’s why it’s important to expose your child to a lot of different things so they are able to experience a variety of topics that might interest them. ‘Inspire your children, let them be curious and encourage them to explore.

Passion grows as children try new things, see new places and meet new people,’ says Anel Annandale, an Educational Psychologist. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a costly exercise. ‘Reading is an easy and inexpensive way for children to immerse themselves in new worlds,’ says Anel.

Another important aspect would be to help your child to set appropriate targets and goals. ‘Unbridled enthusiasm can have negative spin offs as children set unrealistic goals and then feel disappointed and discouraged when they don’t reach these,’ she adds. When taught to set smaller, more realistic goals, children will grow in self-confidence and their enthusiasm and ambition will be maintained.

‘Teach children delayed gratification. Children will need to be able to wait and be patient to reach their goals. Don’t make the experience about money. Kids don’t fully understand the lure of money at a young age and, even if they show some excitement initially, they will soon lose sight of why they wanted to do in the first place – rather encourage passion,’ she advises.

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Anel encourages parents to interpret their children’s failures with them and help them to understand that every failure is a chance to try again. ‘Talk to them about your own successes (and failures) and the lessons you’ve learned from these.’

It’s important not to hand out meaningless praise.

‘Children will soon realise when the praise they are getting is undeserved and instead of encouraging them, they will simply become demotivated.’

Anel Annandale has been practicing as an educational psychologist in Cape Town for six years and is the Mysmartkid expert for the developmental areas of identity and belonging, and ‘my world’. Her passion for Early Childhood Development (ECD) was ignited working as a nursery school teacher, and her favourite ECD group is children aged three to four.

Mysmartkid is South Africa’s foremost playbased educational programme for children from pre-birth to six years. By focusing on your child’s development through the use of ageappropriate toys and activities, Mysmartkid promotes school readiness.

For more information, visit www.mysmartkid. com or www.myslimkind.com, or 0861 555 224.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Fix your budget now for the New Year Bruce Fleming, CFP®, FPI 2016 Financial Planner of the Year, provides some tips on how to fix your budget in preparation for the New Year.

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FEATURE

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here is nothing worse than getting to the end of the month and you have to start eating crackers. But what is even more daunting is starting a new month on an empty bank account.

Too many of us are living from one pay cheque to the next. Budgeting is the core to all financial planning. Without a budget it is impossible to curb your expenditure and even more impossible to think about saving. Budgeting is simply inflows versus outflows – and outflows should never be more than inflows.

With the festive season drawing near and the New Year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to relook at your budget.

Here are some tips for fixing your budget:

Assess your fixed expenses Fixed expenses, such as bond repayments/rent, car repayments, bank charges and so on, are pretty constant every month. You may try and negotiate a lower fee on your bank charges and some other fixed expenses, but generally there is very little manoeuvrability when it comes to fixed expenses.

However, by determining what your fixed expenses are first, you are able to determine what you have left for other expenses.

There are many ways to cut down on variable expenses, but what is of vital importance is to document them and compare them from month to month.”

kills a budget like unforeseen expenses, which can be compounded by paying on your credit card.

You ideally should have approximately three times your monthly salary in an emergency fund. It won’t happen overnight, but make it your goal.

Savings

By determining what your fixed expenses are first, you are able to determine what you have left for other expenses.”

Assess your variable expenses With variable expenses it is far easier to cut down – such as shopping in bulk rather than stopping at the convenience store, purchasing items on sale, cutting down on those expensive dinners and rather eating at home. There are many ways to cut down on variable expenses, but what is of vital importance is to document them and compare them from month to month. That way, not only will it illustrate wasteful expenditure, but you will see in black and white the decrease in these expenses.

Tip: With the festive season around the corner, start buying presents now rather than waiting for December.

Prices tend to go up closer to December and by starting now, you are able to save a little more.

Build an emergency fund It is vitally important to build an emergency fund for unforeseen expenditure such as medical expenses, school expenses or car repairs. Nothing www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Our pay cheque comes in and every month we pay out our expenses. The last person we pay is ourselves.

Make savings a non-negotiable part of your budget.

The easiest way to do this is a consistent amount that is debited from your account every month. See it as part of your fixed expenses, then split these savings into short, medium and long-term savings. Shortterm savings are for expenses in the next year or two, such as holidays. Medium-term savings are for your children’s education, for example, and long-term savings for retirement.

Bonus If you are expecting a bonus in December, spoil yourself, but within reason. Being smart with your bonus will take a lot of pressure off your budget in the New Year.

There are still two months to the end of the year.

Reassessing your budget now will enable you to refine your budget by the time the New Year begins. Remember to stick to your budget and continually review and assess it. Get assistance from a professional such a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional/CFP® professional who will assist you to plan for your financial future.

To find a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional in your area and for more tips on financial planning, visit www.fpi.co.za. You can also join our online community on Facebook (Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa) and on Twitter (@FPI_SANews). CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CFP® are trademarks owned outside the US by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd (FPSB). The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) is the mark’s licensing authority for the CFP® marks in South Africa through agreement with FPSB.

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FEATURE

Tips for avoiding a tragedy in your pool In South Africa, drowning is listed as one of the top causes of unnatural death in children and in 90% of cases children were under some sort of adult supervision. TopStep’s highly-informative website provides this water safety information.

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FEATURE

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opStep, the home of pool safety, has a core focus on child drowning prevention in swimming pools.

However, other common drowning risks in the home and in natural bodies of water, such as rivers, dams and the ocean, must be taken into account at all times.

Be aware that a child can drown in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, springs, ponds, creeks, ditches, reservoirs, swamps, floods, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines, five-gallon buckets, sinks, portable ‘baby’ washtubs, portable kid pools, portable spas, fish tanks, animal watering troughs, mop buckets, water parks, food, rimless tires and dog bowls.

TopStep advises parents and supervising adults to familiarise yourselves with some of the unique risks of child drownings in these circumstances, as well as the safety tips to avoid such tragedies.

The website also points out that people of different ages drown in different locations. For example, most children between the ages of one and four drown in home swimming pools. The percentage of drownings in natural water settings, including lakes, rivers and oceans, increases with age.

A good rule for supervision around any body of water is to practice touch supervision, which means being close enough to reach the child – within arm’s length – at all times.

It’s also very important that supervising adults should never drink alcohol or be under the influence of drugs. Alcohol influences your balance, coordination and judgment.

In the time it takes to pour a drink, a child can drown.

What you need to know Here are TopStep’s tips that every parent and pool owner should take note of and keep handy: 1. If you have a pool or water feature, get a safety cover fitted by a reputable supplier. Don’t secure a pool then ignore a pond or fountain. Check the cover’s fastenings regularly and replace them as soon as they weather or break – they are crucial to the effectiveness of the cover.

2. If your children visit friends whose pools are not secure, urge the parent to fit a safety pool cover.

3. Check the weight tolerance of any safety cover you purchase.

4. Ensure that every adult in the home, including your domestic worker, knows CPR. Never hire a baby sitter or au pair who can’t swim.

5. As soon as a child is found in a pool, start CPR and do not stop before emergency services arrive on the scene. It can make the difference between a full recovery, brain damage and death.

6. Thermal pool covers and leaf nets are never to be considered a safe barrier for children.

7. Don’t leave toys in or near a pool. Children will be tempted to retrieve them.

8. Teach your child what to do if they see another child in trouble – to call for help and not to try help the victim themselves as this could put the child at risk too 9. Never leave a child unattended near a pool.

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A good rule for supervision around any body of water is to practice touch supervision.”

Take a cordless phone outside in case you get a phone call, or let the call go unanswered.

10. If you’re pregnant, order your safety pool cover now, you’ll have enough to worry about after the birth.

11. Teach your child to swim fully clothed and with shoes on.

12. Choose a swimming coach wisely. If you’re not comfortable with techniques being used, trust your gut instinct. Negative experiences in early childhood can have long-term impact. If your child develops a fear of water, don’t ignore this – a child who panics is at greater risk.

13. If your child is ill or on sedative medicine, do not allow swimming. Never allow swimming after dark.

14. If your child has suddenly gone quiet or wandered off, check the pool first. Even a minute can make the difference between survival, irreversible brain damage and death.

15. Be a role model. Children tend to copy adults so don’t be a clown, and ban hooligan antics in and around your pool. Never allow an adult who has been drinking or is under the influence of sedative medication to supervise children in or near a pool.

16. Discourage walking or playing on any pool cover.

Fit a sensor beam if your children tend to flout the rules.

17. Don’t let pool levels drop. Keeping the pool topped up allows for small arms to easily grab the edge if needed.

18. Never underestimate the scope of peer pressure when it comes to risk taking. If you see other children being excessively foolish in the pool, chat to the parent. Children don’t enjoy teasing and will often jump in the fire if their friend tells them it is a good idea!

19. Discourage your dogs from swimming. Children and pets in a pool are not a good mix.

20. Teach your child how to retrieve objects from the bottom of the pool to build water confidence and teach breathing techniques.

21. Even if you don’t have children, it is still necessary to consider safety for visitors. Families living in residential complexes with a communal pool should insist that their body corporate install a pool cover.

Source: TopStep www.topstep.co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Teaching children about

growth mind-set

By Danielle Forsyth, Educational Psychologist of Trinityhouse Heritage Hill

‘Our society worships talent, and many people assume that possessing superior intelligence or ability – along with confidence in that ability – is a recipe for success. In fact, more than 35 years of scientific investigation suggests that an overemphasis on intellect or talent leaves people vulnerable to failure, fearful of challenges, and unwilling to remedy their shortcomings.’ – Dr Carol Dweck

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arents and teachers tend to think that praising children’s intelligence boosts confidence and motivation to learn. However, this type of praise provides only a brief boost in students’ confidence and leads to the development of a fixed mind-set – one that is more concerned with looking smart and keeping the parent or teacher’s admiration, rather than actually working hard to learn and understand concepts. Parents and teachers would do better to focus on praising the process or personal effort,

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and any effective strategies used, which fosters motivation by placing value on what students have done and what they need to do to continue to be successful. This would ultimately lead towards teaching our learners and children about the power of a growth mind-set.

We can liken the theory of growth and fixed mind-set to the story of the tortoise and the hare.

To have a fixed mind-set means to believe one’s basic abilities, intelligences and talents are just www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE fixed traits. However, developing a growth mind-set means that you understand that talents and abilities can be developed through effort, practicing and persistence.

Individuals with a fixed mind-set often develop and peak before their peers, appearing to be more intelligent and successful than everyone else. But this is a dangerous trap to fall into.

‘The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability, we will be brittle in the face of adversity’ – Josh Woutzkin. This is what happened to the hare. However, the tortoise, with a growth mind-set, continues to power through and works hard, overtaking the hare and eventually winning the race.

Start thinking differently How many of us think ourselves as ‘not maths people, or creative or sociable or athletic’? If we are to achieve our potential, we have to start thinking differently. We are not chained or bound to our current abilities. Let’s take a tree as an example, it needs lots of water and minerals to grow, just like we do. By continuing to nurture and care for this tree it can grow taller and stronger than other trees, and the trunk and branches will explode with growth. Just like our brain, which is malleable and can physically change in size and growth. Even more so at a young age, the activity and growth of the brain during our short teenage years is phenomenal.

So how do we do this? Well there’s no short cut or secret solution. It’s as simple as hard work, commitment and perseverance. In any chosen field or career path you are certain to have some level of failure at some point. But at each pitfall you come across, you must learn to overcome it. We need to fail to learn to pick ourselves back up.

Right now, fixed mind-set learners might be ahead of others. However, they are afraid of failure and when they reach the peak that they are comfortable with, they will just stay there. They will never reach their full potential. Failure is the most essential step to success. And as the growth mind-set continues to improve they will overcome the rest.

If you feel you are in a fixed mind-set, don’t lose hope because there is a lot we can do to change that. But start by listening to your fixed mind-set and when you hear it, talk back with a growth mind-set voice. For example, if you hear ‘I can’t do it, add… ‘yet’.

Fixed mind-sets can change, so what mind-set are you in?

Modelling a growth mind-set How can parents and teachers model a growth mind-set? A lot of how learners (or children) pick up on a growth mind-set will be from observing and listening to you as their parent or teacher. Show children how to recognise fixed mind-set thoughts and how to replace them with a growth mind-set.

With a few simple strategies, let’s take a look at how to empower them in developing a growth mindset in a variety of learning potential environments: • The first thing our children need to know is that our intelligence isn’t fixed – it can change. It can www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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get stronger or weaker depending on how much effort we are willing to apply.

• Teach your children that they can improve their IQ and talents. Present the evidence and teach them that education is something that they have control over. Just as a baby isn’t born talking but learns over time, they don’t know everything but can learn over time with work and effort.

• Assist them in altering their negativistic attitude of themselves into the ‘I can if I just set my mind to it’ attitude.

Don’t say:

Do say:

I’m so stupid.

What am I missing?

I’m awesome at this.

I seem to be on the right track.

I’m not good at math (or any other subject).

I’m going to train my brain in math (or another subject).

This is too hard.

This is going to take some time and effort.

I’m jealous – she’s so smart!

I’m going to figure out how she is doing it.

I give up!

I’ll use some of the strategies I’ve learned.

I made a mistake.

Mistakes help me improve.

It’s good enough.

Is this really my best work?

• Teach children that people with a growth mindset believe that they can learn, change, and develop needed skills. They are better equipped to handle inevitable setbacks, and know that hard work can help them accomplish their goals.

• Phrase your feedback in a way that develops more of a growth mind-set, for example: • I like the way that you…

• You must have tried really hard at this.

• I noticed you are thinking through the steps we discussed. Great job!

• Pay attention to their hypotheses, challenges and triumphs and remember to focus on the process more than the outcome.

• And lastly, teach children about the growth mind-set by telling stories about achievements that resulted from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniuses who were more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mindset, but descriptions of great mathematicians who fell in love with mathematics and developed amazing skills engenders a growth mind-set.

Developing a growth mind-set will take consistency over time. You will know that your kids are implementing the growth mind-set when you see them becoming more persistent, not contemplating about their own failure much at all but instead thinking of their mistakes as problems to be solved.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

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FEATURE

Care Crib for moms in need

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ach year, many women face the stark realities of a crisis or unplanned pregnancy. Statistics show that 30% of South African teenagers have reported ‘having been pregnant’, and most of these pregnancies are unplanned. Often teenagers from impoverished backgrounds face the greatest challenges and judgement, but it could just as easily be a single mother of three facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The Care Crib is a sturdy cardboard box that doubles as a sleeping crib for the first six to eight months of a baby’s life. Filled with all of the necessities a mother needs in the first few weeks after the birth of her baby, the cribs are distributed by NACSA partners to mothers in need as part of the NACSA ‘Choose to Care’ crisis pregnancy support programme. Since this programme’s launch in June 2015, NACSA has helped 1 245 women experiencing a crisis pregnancy through its national support centre (more than 100 women every month from across the country).

‘Women experiencing an unplanned crisis pregnancy can call us, email us or send us a contact form on our MXiT app, and we can put them in touch with a crisis pregnancy support service in their area’, says Pam Wilson, spokesperson for NACSA. ‘Most of

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Photo Credit: National Adoption Coalition of South Africa

For Nelson Mandela Day 2016, and in support of all women facing a crisis pregnancy, the National Adoption Coalition of South Africa (NACSA) launched a new initiative called the Care Crib. the young women who call us are desperate, living in dire poverty and have little to no support from their families or community. Through Choose to Care we counsel them and give them advice on all the options available to them.

‘We developed the Care Crib in response to research conducted on child abandonment, which found that mothers who choose to abandon their babies have often not bonded with their child in utero,’ says child protection activist Dee Blackie.

‘They don’t see the child as a person but rather as a reason for their suffering.’ Dee notes that most abandoned babies are abandoned at birth and often in extremely unsafe spaces, such as toilets, latrines and the open veld. ‘We are hoping that the Care Crib goes some way to helping women experiencing a crisis pregnancy to connect with the baby growing inside their womb. Even if they decide that they cannot look after their child, the mothers at least have the tools and information they need to place their child safely in our child protection system where they can be taken care of.’

For more information, please email info@crisispregnancy.org.za or visit our website at www.crisispregnancy.org.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Barriers to

movement and your

Photo credit: Melissa Campbell

child’s brain In the first of a series of articles about getting children moving, Marene Jooste, a Kinderkineticist and Founder of Kwanda Kinetics, explains how we can help babies to become more effective movers.

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n the first two years of a child’s life we do everything in our power to teach a baby how to walk and to talk. However, for the rest of his childhood we will all-too-often ask him to ‘sit still’ or ‘be quiet’.

And we are not talking about discipline or the lack thereof. The fact is, children were made to move!

Research on the importance of sensory-motor experiences for brain growth and development has blossomed in recent years. We can no longer limit the learning environment to sitting still, being quiet, and memorising stuff. As schools, we can no longer limit a child’s break time to only half an hour per day.

As parents, we cannot allow screen-time to be the predominant time consumer of the day. We need to go back to the basics. We need to get our children moving again.

The importance of movement Why is movement so important? Apart from the health benefits and that movement counterfeits

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emotional stress (that children so often experience), movement is crucial for optimum brain development and learning. Jean-Pierre Changeux, a French neuroscientist, paralysed the muscles of a baby chick inside the egg. This prevented the chick embryo from moving while it was in the egg. The result? The chick’s brain was abnormal when it hatched. This emphasises the need for movement (even while a mommy is pregnant), for healthy brain development.

Changeux went one step further. He took healthy brain cells from a chick and placed them in a dish.

The cells remained there but did nothing else. He then added a protein called BDNF. John J Ratey, a Harvard psychiatrist, calls this protein Miracle-Gro. Do you know why? This protein causes the brain cells to sprout into new structural branches – something like fertiliser for the brain. So how do we get this protein called Miracle-Gro? Through movement and exercise.

Movement further stimulates and affects all of the major senses that provide important information www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE necessary for future academic success. Let’s look at one of these sensory systems called the vestibular system. This is just a fancy word for the ‘balance’ system that is situated in your inner ear. However, this sensory system is considered by many professionals to be the most important system of all. It acts as a traffic cop in our brain, and directly or indirectly influences nearly everything we do. It also has a direct link to the following aspects that are indirectly related to learning (to name but a few): • balance and equilibrium • eye movements • muscle control • spatial orientation • arousal state (responsiveness, being alert) • discrimination of speech and language Some researchers found that 94% of children with dyslexia and learning disabilities had a vestibular dysfunction related to ear infections or allergies. How then do we get this system to function optimally?

You guessed it – through movement. A child’s every movement stimulates the vestibular system that, in turn, stimulates the brain for new learning. We can now understand why we need to make sure that our children are moving enough. As John R Ratey says, ‘Exercise is really for the brain, not only for the body’.

What can hinder a child from being active and fully developing his senses? Over the next few editions of Baby’s and Beyond, we will provide in-depth discussions about practical steps to take for children of various ages. We will also have a look at conditions such as hypermobility and the influence it has on a child’s capacity to be active. However, for this article, we’re looking at how we can help babies become more effective movers.

Creating opportunities for movement For years, Dr Glenn Doman pressed for parents to get their children moving the moment they are born. It seems as if this rings true now more than ever. With ever-increasing safety equipment, convenience gadgets and over-protective parenting, we are unknowingly causing our babies to become more passive by the day. Rather, what we need to be doing is creating an environment that gives our babies the maximum opportunity to move.

Since it is almost impossible for your baby to move while she is on her back (like an overturned turtle), the best thing you can do for your baby is to create a safe floor environment where she can spend as much time on her belly as possible. However, remember to offer your baby a variety of positions (back, tummy and side) during awake time to develop and strengthen his muscles equally well. Also, ensure that your baby is doing all of the hard work when she

We need to get our children moving again.”

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Apart from the health benefits and that movement counterfeits emotional stress, movement is crucial for optimum brain development and learning.” needs to assume a position like sitting. Even if some gadgets are approved by a professional, it is futile to let a baby sit (or walk) in a gadget where she is supported in such a way that her muscles do not need to work all the time. Rather place your baby in an apple box where she can learn to sit upright by herself without falling over completely. Let your baby do most of the work when you pick her up or put her down. Roll her to the side when you change her nappy and slowly pull her up into a sitting position by taking her hands. These all seem like logical things to do but, in our practice, we continue to see fourmonth-old babies with a head lag.

Also make sure that your baby’s cloths fit correctly.

Long sleeves that hang over her hands, or pants that are too lose or too tight, all play a part in making movement difficult for your little one. The best shoes are no shoes at all. If you want to invest in your child’s posture and health, then invest in more expensive shoes that can bend and give way as your child learns to walk. The type of surface on which your child needs to crawl or walk also needs a lot of consideration. If a baby has poor core muscle strength, and finds it difficult to work against gravity when she needs to push up in an all-fours position, she will tend to bum-shuffle if the surface is smooth (tiles or laminated flooring).

If a baby is in the early stages of bum-shuffling, she will quickly be discouraged by a sturdy carpet under her bum. In winter time, babies in long-sleeve clothing also find it extremely difficult to move around if surfaces do not provide enough grip. Further, remember that an overweight baby finds it more difficult to move around and work against gravity than her little peers. Remember: An active baby is a smart baby! Until next time, happy moving moments!

Marene Jooste has a Masters Degree in Kinderkinetics and serves on SAPIK’s board as one of two vice-presidents. She is also an Integrated Learning Practitioner and the founder of Kwanda Kinetics, an innovative development centre in Gauteng. For more information, visit www.kwandakinetics.co.za.

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Night nanny versus night nurse

Marion Smith, Owner of Aupairs Exclusive, offers some pointers for hiring a night nurse or nanny for twins and triplets. In her opinion, it is a life saver.

A mom who has slept can manage during the day, while a mom who has not slept will be tired, which leads to many other problems.

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our babies have arrived home and you, the proud parents of twins or triplets, are excited to finally put your babies into the nursery you’ve spent hours decorating. There have been many times when you sat in the arm chair staring into their cots dreaming of the moment you would get to see and touch your babies. You couldn’t wait to hear their cries and immediately kick into ‘mom mode’ and take charge of the situation, offering endless hugs and kisses.

However, that can all change in one sleepless night as you begin to wonder how you are going to get www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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through the night and still sleep, and then take care of your babies during the day.

Many families resort to the use of a night nanny or night nurse. This is a costly exercise but, as many will tell you, even one or two nights off mom and dad duty a week can give you the sanity you miss.

Aupairs Exclusive has been placing night nurses in Gauteng and KZN for ten years, and finds that the most common schedule is to have a nurse work from Sunday to Thursday nights as dad is home to help on a Friday and Saturday nights. Another common

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FEATURE option is one night on and one night off, which makes it more affordable and still gives you a chance to have some sleep. For this option you are ideally looking at a Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday night.

The difference between a night nurse and a night nanny The biggest difference is qualifications and salaries.

A night nurse is exactly as it states – a qualified nurse who has worked either in the maternity ward, paediatrics or NICU. A night nanny is a lady who has a care workers’ certificate and has also completed her practical exams. Both ladies could also have completed a basic sleep training course (offered by Aupairs Exclusive) and are taught by Pikanini Baby Academy. They both wear a uniform when on duty.

What do they earn?

A night nanny earns between R300 and R350 per night for a twelve-hour shift, whereas a night nurse earns between R350 and R450 per night depending on her experience and the needs of your babies.

How long are their contracts?

There is no minimum requirement so you can employ a nurse for one week or for six months to a year – it is entirely up to you. The norm is to have a person for three months and then extend it month by month if needed until your babies are sleeping through.

What do I need to provide for my night nurse?

As long as there is a comfortable armchair in the room for her to sit on, nothing else is needed. Some households have a single bed in the room if there is enough space. This is not always recommended as you don’t want your nurse falling into a deep sleep.

Another option is to allow the nurse to sit in the lounge and watch TV quietly if you have baby monitors that she can use. Providing meals is not expected but tea and coffee and a light snack is something that should be available for her during the night.

Can I use a night nurse if I am breast feeding?

Most definitely. The nurse will come and wake you up at the time you have asked her to and then assist you with breast feeding. She may help you latch the babies on if you are struggling. She will then take your babies and burp them as they finish drinking, change

A night nurse is exactly as it states – a qualified nurse who has worked either in the maternity ward, paediatrics or NICU.”

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A night nanny is a lady who has a care workers’ certificate and has also completed her practical exams.” their nappies and put them back to sleep. This assistance cuts down your awake time and you don’t need to stay in the room and still try and settle them.

If baby drinks slowly this allows you time to bond with this baby while the other one is being attended to.

What duties can you expect your nurse to perform?

If it fits into your schedule she can bath the babies when she arrives. She will then prepare bottles, feed the babies, burp them and put them down to sleep.

The nurse will also empty the nappy bins and wash and sterilise bottles before she leaves in the morning.

You can also expect her to keep a chart so that you know what time the babies ate, how much they ate and if they had any dirty nappies.

What are the working hours of a night nurse?

The ladies work a 12-hour shift – the most common is 18:00 to 06:00 or 19:00 to 07:00. The seven to seven option is usually better as this allows the night nurse time to hand over to any day staff that may be arriving.

What should I look for when I am interviewing potential candidates?

The ideal candidate will previously have worked in homes with multiples. Hospital-trained staff are not necessarily the best candidates because they have many hands to help them while on shift so they have not taken sole care of a child for 12 hours.

A former night nanny will have taken care of the twins on her own for 12 hours and this is the type of reference you want. You also want to know if she knows about sleep training if this is a method you approve of. An important question you could ask is how will she feed two babies at the same time and then put them down to sleep. Very important is that you feel a connection with the candidate. The babies’ bedroom is probably small and if you are breast feeding you are going to be spending a lot of time with your night nurse or nanny. You do not want someone that you clash with. Some moms want a nurse that comes in and takes over, which is often the case with first time moms. Other moms would prefer a nurse that listens to their requirements and follows the routine set out by you, even if it is not something the nurse approves of. Again this is a personal choice.

Don’t be scared to ask for help, even if it’s only one or two nights a week.

For more information, visit www.aupairsexclusive. co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

A Santa Shoebox

is so much more than a box Pledges for the annual Santa Shoebox Project opened on September 1, and this year marks the 10th birthday of an initiative that has become one of South Africa’s favourite ways to give during the festive season.

Photo credit: Santa Shoebox Project

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rom a humble 180 shoeboxes donated in its first year, the Santa Shoebox Project has now notched up more than half a million thoughtful shoebox gifts donated to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia.

What makes the Santa Shoebox Project a favourite with family, individual, and corporate donors is that it is highly personalised. Prospective beneficiaries apply to the project from April each year. After September 1, donors get to choose who they make a pledge to – with the child’s name, age and gender known to them upfront so that they are empowered to choose perfectly appropriate contents of their shoeboxes. It is also why it is so important that all pledges are fulfilled – there’s always a child in anticipation of what Christmas might bring, and an unfulfilled pledge is just like Santa failing to make good on the promise of the festive season. Donors are encouraged to remember that a pledge is a promise.

A decade of experience has finely honed the wisdom of what’s best to go into a Santa Shoebox.

There’s a specific balance of what every child wants and what underprivileged children particularly need.

Some donors may want to fill the shoebox space with items more exciting than a soap and facecloth, toothpaste and a toothbrush, but the reality is these everyday gifts are vital under the circumstances.

The Santa Shoebox beneficiaries live in deep poverty. The means to achieve all-important general

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and dental hygiene are, most often, out of their parents’ or caregiver’s reach or awareness. By including these everyday items in the Santa Shoebox, the donor helps to highlight how important it is for disease prevention that children are able to wash with soap and brush teeth daily.

Compiling a box for a child in need is also a great way for parents to educate their children about those less fortunate than they are.

There’s plenty of space in a Santa Shoebox to include the fun stuff. The template for a Santa Shoebox includes an age-appropriate toy, an outfit of clothing, and a vital gift of stationery, as well as a sweet treat. If all of this seems too much for an individual donor, it’s possible to get together as a family, a community group, or a corporate team fill one Santa Shoebox that makes an extraordinary experience become real for a child. It’s not as important as how the box gets filled as it is that a child gets a Santa Shoebox filled with what they need.

This year the Santa Shoebox Project aims to donate 100 000 boxes to underprivileged children throughout the country.

[Ed: Pledging a box opens on September 1, and runs through October until box drop offs between October 28 and 30.]

To make a pledge and for details about filling boxes and drop-off points, visit www.santashoebox. org.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Financial freedom for single moms

The 2016 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor reveals that only 20% of single mothers surveyed feel financially secure, and that as many as one in two mothers in South Africa – 48% of households – describe themselves as single parents. Just 12% of these women receive regular support from the father of their children.

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ccording to Lizl Budhram at Old Mutual Personal Finance, young, single mothers are increasingly finding themselves under financial pressure, often unable to make ends meet. The 2016 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor confirms this, revealing that only 20% of single mothers surveyed feel financially secure. ‘Supporting both their children and their parents; young, single mothers often feel that they have no choice but to compromise their own financial security and jeopardise their financial goals to take care of their families,’ Lizl says.

The monitor reveals that, in addition to supporting their children, one in three South African women financially support their parents or other relatives.

‘Research suggests that 72% of women with children foresee that they will have to support older family members, or are planning to support their parents or family members in the future,’ Lizl adds.

Ironically, yet unsurprisingly, because of financial constraints, single moms save the lowest percentage of their income towards retirement of all the groups.

Likely to be closely related to this low level of savings, the 2016 monitor also reveals the highest expectation of receiving financial support from adult children in the history of the survey.

‘There’s a very real expectation among these single moms that their children will assist them in achieving financial stability upon reaching retirement. Without

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proper financial planning, these single mothers are destined to become the financial responsibility of their children or younger relatives, perpetuating a vicious cycle of socio-economic inequality.’

However, Lizl remains hopeful and believes that, despite the current challenges that they face, it is possible for young, single mothers to achieve financial freedom.

‘The most common reason single mothers cited for not seeking professional financial advice was the perception that they don’t have enough money to warrant seeing a financial adviser. But it’s those with a limited supply of resources and the largest number of financial responsibilities that need a clear financial plan the most. The perception that you need to be wealthy to be able to afford to see a financial adviser is not true. Never think that you earn too little to be eligible for advice. An adviser can help you to understand your circumstances and your specific needs and goals. Setting goals of what you want to achieve will help you determine your priorities.’

A tailored financial plan, that is realistic and understanding of the unique needs of single mothers, is key to surviving the current tough economic climate to create a secure financial future. ‘Without a budget, it’s hard to know and control your financial situation.

The first step towards financial security is to draw up a budget as part of a broader financial plan.’ www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

Beat the heat, check the back seat…

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was recently chatting to a good friend who works for an Emergency Medical Service in the USA. It was the usual banter – the calls he’d responded to and any newsworthy developments in terms of emergency care. One of the things he mentioned was that during the month he had responded to an average of two calls per day about kids who had been locked in, or forgotten in, cars. This is not something that is completely new to me, I have seen my fair share of this over the past 25 years. However, two kids a day for a smallish rural emergency service? Something is very wrong. So the question is what is happening?

I’m just popping into the store for five minutes to pay an account…

The car seat is tricky to secure, so I’ll just leave little ‘Annie’ strapped in. I won’t be long. In reality, it is so easy for those five minutes to become 60 minutes.

We are human after all and when we are relaxed and away from work deadlines and other stressors, our level of attention takes a tumble. It is very easy for us to bump into an old friend on our way back to the car and have a chat or take advantage of a must have special at the hardware or clothing store.

Sadly, while you are away, your car is turning into a greenhouse. The temperature is climbing very rapidly with each minute that passes and your child is being exposed to a life-threatening increase in body temperature. You made sure the windows were closed before your left, so your little one would be safe and, of course, this just exacerbates the terrible reality that is about to occur.

Where are Mike and Julie?

Children’s thermoregulatory systems are not as efficient as adults and a prolonged high ambient temperature will result in some very detrimental effects.”

Kids are inquisitive by nature and, mostly, it is an important part of their development. All that is needed to ensure healthy development is

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HEALTH supervision. Kids also tend to emulate what their parents do. What could be more fun that pretending to drive dad’s luxury BMW? The problem is that cars are becoming more sophisticated with pretty advanced technology. It may be pretty easy to get into an unlocked car but certain cars with sensors make it extremely difficult to get out.

A while ago, I remember trying to help an elderly gentleman park his luxury imported car. He had already scraped the wall a couple of times and so he took me up on my offer for help. Well gosh, I felt like I was in Alcatraz. I couldn’t start it, couldn’t open the door or even a window. I was trapped.

Nothing worked because it needed several buttons to be pushed to switch it on. Now imagine two kids playing in the car while mom and dad are taking an afternoon nap. They eventually get bored and try to open the door and simply can’t. Two hours later mom and dad wake up and realise that they are still outside. By now the temperature in the car has exceeded what their little bodies can cope with and so begins a lifetime of regret.

Why didn’t you drop Tammy at day care this morning?

Believe it or not, the greatest cause of incidents leading to vehicular heat stroke is that the caregiver simply forgot that the child was in the car. Statistically, this is the cause of around 54% of vehicular heat stroke deaths in children. It sounds really over the top. How on earth is this even possible? How do you forget your child strapped into the back seat of your car? Receiving that pre-meeting call that you have been dreading, a call from the bank saying you have overdrawn on your credit card, or bad news from a

beloved friend can completely change your train of thought. Additionally, your child may be soundly asleep and I guess you can understand where I am going with this? It happens, even to absolutely model parents.

Children and heatstroke Heatstroke occurs when the body is exposed to prolonged high ambient temperatures. The body temperature exceeds 40°C and the thermoregulatory mechanism, or heat control mechanism, is overwhelmed and fails. At a core body temperature of around 41°C, cell damage occurs and internal organs begin to shut down.

Children’s thermoregulatory systems aren’t as efficient as adults’, and their body temperatures warm at a rate three to five times faster. A child’s body has a greater skin surface area to mass ratio than an adult’s, which means they absorb heat far quicker.

Thermoregulation is under the control of the Hypothalamus in the brain. There is a very fine line between heat generation and heat dissipation. The Hypothalamus constantly monitors body temperature by means of sensors found mainly in the skin, and responds to changes, either up or down. For example, it’s a hot day and the Hypothalamus picks up a rise in body temperature and it responds by stimulating the sweat glands to secrete sweat. The sweat evaporates from the skin taking heat with it and body temperature drops. Another mechanism is when the blood vessels underneath the skin dilate to move the warmer blood closer towards the skin’s surface where it is able to give off its heat by means of radiation. This can be seen physically in the flushed appearance of the skin on a hot day.

Thermoregulation Gavin Sutton.2016

Thermoreceptors

Increase in body temperature

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Decrease in body temperature

Normal body temperature 37°C

Normal body temperature 37°C

Decrease in body temperature

Increase in body temperature

Thermoreceptors

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Increased sweating Vasodilation

Shivering, vasoconstriction

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HEALTH Again, children do not have an as efficient thermoregulatory system as adults do and a prolonged high ambient temperature will result in some very detrimental effects. Children have smaller fluid volumes and prolonged sweating will cause dehydration in a relatively short period. Their circulating blood volume is also far less than in adults, so prolonged dilation of blood vessels can significantly decrease blood pressure and flow of blood to the brain. Add all these negatives together and it gives you a very good idea of just how dangerous a prolonged hot environment is for kids.

Never leave your child alone in a car, irrespective of how mild you think the weather conditions are.”

Cars and heat stroke

What you should do Firstly, the only thing that truly guarantees your child’s safety is prevention. Never leave your child alone in a car, irrespective of how mild you think the weather conditions are. It is also always a good idea to leave an item you know you will need at work on the backseat of the car. This could be you mobile phone, wallet or lunch. This way you will always open the back door of your car before you disappear into your office for the day. Remember that statistically one of the most prominent causes leading to vehicular heat stroke is that the minder simply forgot that the child was in the car. Thirdly, make a habit of always locking your car and hanging up the keys when you get home, even if you park your car in a driveway behind locked gates. Make it impossible for your young kids to access any of your cars for playtime.

These are important preventative measures.

However, what should you do if faced with a heat stroke emergency?

Firstly, and most importantly, immediately remove the child from the hot environment to a cool or shaded area. Activate the Emergency Medical Services and assess the child for breathing. If no signs of breathing, immediately begin with CPR and continue until the paramedics arrive.

If the child is breathing, remove any excess clothing, lie him down with his legs slightly elevated and begin cooling by sponging down with tepid water. Take a newspaper or anything you have www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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access to that can be used as a manual fan and continue to sponge down and fan. Never use ice cold water. Ice cold water will cool the skin too rapidly and may cause shivering, which will ultimately cause a further increase in body temperature. Ice cold water will also cause constriction of blood vessels beneath the skin and cause retention of heat in the body’s core. Continue with cooling until the paramedics arrive.

The tragic loss of precious little lives through vehicular heat stroke is 100% preventable. Prevention begins with accepting the reality that it could happen in any family and most often involves really good parents.

This article is dedicated to the hundreds of children who have lost their lives due to vehicular heat stroke. We should have learnt our lesson by now, but somehow we simply are not there yet. Please share this message with everyone who has kids and most importantly, please make sure you always check the back seat first; it may just save your child’s life.

Gavin is a paramedic and previous head of training for the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services. He is currently the chief operating officer at Be Safe Paramedical South Africa. www.be-safe.co.za

Photo credit: Gavin Sutton

Vehicular heat stroke was always thought to be directly proportional to car ambient temperature.

However, a study conducted a couple of years ago at Stanford University Medical School found that this was not actually the case. The study referenced several cases where death from vehicular heat stroke had occurred in ambient temperatures as low as 21°C. They also found that all that was required to cause dangerously high temperatures inside a car was for the sun to be shining, much the same way as the sun warms a greenhouses on mild days.

According to research, the temperature inside a parked car during a typical summer’s day in South Africa can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. On a 29°C day, a car can reach 44°C in just 10 minutes, and 60°C in 20 minutes. Leaving the windows slightly open has very little effect on both the internal temperature of the car and the progressive deterioration in the child’s condition.

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HEALTH

Dental trauma in children

By Dr Adel Rossouw

Children are active and accidents happen – it’s part of growing up.

More than 50% of children have some type of tooth injury during childhood and, in most cases, these are not life threatening and serious complications rarely develop. However, injuries to the teeth and mouth can have long-lasting effects on the child’s appearance and self-confidence.

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he teeth injured most frequently are the four upper front teeth. While they still have poor muscle coordination, children aged between one and three are at high risk of injuring their upper front baby teeth as they start walking and running. The second highrisk group is children between the ages of eight and twelve. Boys are twice as likely as girls to fracture their front permanent teeth. The main causes of mouth injuries are falls, fights, sports and motor vehicle accidents.

What to do when accidents happen Firstly, don’t panic! Even small cuts in the mouth can bleed profusely. Hold a clean cloth with pressure to slow the bleeding, which should normally stop after 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse the mouth and surrounding areas gently with warm water to remove the dirt and debris.

If you suspect concussion, or if it’s a big laceration and the bleeding doesn’t stop, seek medical attention.

Injuries to baby teeth Parents often wonder whether it is baby teeth or permanent teeth that got injured. The permanent teeth are not usually present before six to seven years of age. Baby teeth also look different from permanent teeth. If the child is younger than six, it is most probably his baby teeth that got injured. The treatment goal for an injury to baby teeth is to avoid damage to the permanent teeth.

If the baby tooth is knocked out, never try to re-implant it. It is not worth risking the developing permanent tooth. The baby tooth is often displaced up into the socket or to the side. It usually re-erupts on its own and doesn’t need further treatment.

If the tooth is broken (fractured), the child should see the dentist promptly. The dentist will determine whether the nerve and blood vessels are damaged. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Treatment may include smoothing off the rough edges, repairing the tooth with a tooth colour filling material called composite resin, leaving the tooth in place, or removing it.

Injuries to permanent teeth The key is to act fast. Time really is of the essence with permanent teeth. Children aged between nine and ten are the most susceptible to this damage, with boys about twice as likely as girls to damage their teeth.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it must be reimplanted immediately and it is a dental emergency.

This is not as difficult as it sounds and can be done by a parent or another adult or even the child himself.

The following steps can be followed: • Handle the tooth carefully by the top part (crown) and don’t touch the root. Remove any debris by only rinsing the tooth with saline or tap water.

Don’t scrub or sterilise the tooth.

• Place the tooth in the socket by hand.

• Keep the tooth in place by having the child bite on a clean cloth.

• Then get to the dentist as quickly as possible. The dentist will use a splint to keep the tooth in place during the healing time.

If you don’t want to attempt to put the tooth back, you can keep it in milk or the child’s saliva and get to the dentist as soon as possible. The tooth should ideally be replaced with in 15 minutes. If it is replaced after more than an hour, the survival chance drops drastically. Remember: time is of the essence.

If a permanent tooth is broken (fractured), it can be repaired with composite resin, which can match the colour of the tooth. If the tooth is hot or cold sensitive, immediate attention is needed. The tooth’s nerve can be damaged and it will need a root canal treatment. If the tooth’s structure is compromised, a protective coverage is needed in the form of a porcelain crown.

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PRETORIA BRANCH

Phone: 012 752 9000 (reception) Cell: 083 719 9021 (emergency only) E-mail: dradelrossouw@gmail.com Address: 577 Rubenstein Road,

Moreleta Park, Pretoria

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BRITS BRANCH

Phone: 012 252 6352 (reception) Cell: 083 719 9021 (emergency only) E-mail: dradelrossouw@gmail.com Address: 9 Harrington Street, Brits

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HEALTH Potential complications • The tooth might discolour. This means that the nerve got damaged and the tooth needs a root canal treatment.

• The tooth can be lost • The tooth can be hot or cold sensitive and then it might also need a root canal treatment.

• The permanent tooth can get damaged.

What to do to prevent injuries • Use a mouth guard during contact sports. A custommade guard can be fabricated by a dentist.

• Use approved car seats and seat belts while travelling.

• Beware of bunk beds as children commonly fall from these (often while sleeping).

• Teething infants will try to chew on everything. Make sure that objects made of materials that can splinter or crack their teeth are kept away from them.

• Learning to walk is a treacherous time for toddlers.

It’s not possible to avoid falls on tiles, stairs or onto tables. However, it’s necessary to check their upper front teeth regularly to look for signs of damage (colour change of the tooth or an abscess in the gum above the tooth). Regular (four monthly) dental visits are also necessary for the dentist to check for these signs.

For more information, visit www.adelrossouw.co.za.

Boys are twice as likely as girls are to fracture their front permanent teeth.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

How to make a

perfectly delicious

kid’s

Grant Cullingworth, Executive Chef at Westin Cape Town, explains how to pack a perfect school lunchbox for your children.

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aking sure your kids get the best nutrition possible to help them grow and perform well at school is every parent’s intention. However, keeping lunch boxes tasty and nutritious can be challenging – it can be easy to reach for the pre-packaged salty and sugary snacks but now, more than ever, you don’t need to.

According to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa, one in four girls and one in five boys between the ages of two and 14 are overweight and/or obese. Consequently, Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan has announced a sugar tax on sweetened sugar beverages (SSBs), which will come into effect from April 2017.

When healthy options are not available to them, children tend to make unhealthy eating choices by opting for the high-sugar foods that most school tuck shops offer. This makes it imperative for parents to create healthy eating habits with their children. Foods high in sugar provide an abundance of calories and are low in nutrients. In addition, this high sugar intake leads to dental cavities, obesity and poor nutrition habits that can easily last a lifetime, exposing people to all sorts of serious lifestyle diseases and conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

‘With the rise in awareness around healthy eating, parents are opting for nutritional food options for their children both at home and on the go. The new choices not only reflect this trend but also speak to children’s preferences,’ says Grant Cullingworth, Executive Chef at Westin Cape Town. This awareness has inspired the culinary team at The Westin to collaborate with experts from SuperChefs to develop a SuperFoods menu, made from powerhouse

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Photo credit: Westin Cape Town

lunchbox

ingredients rich in nutrients, antioxidants and delicious tastes so you can start your day feeling recharged.

Although broadening the horizons of your child’s taste buds is definitely challenging, the options for creating a healthy, tasty and nutritious lunchbox are endless. And, in using a combination of high-fibre whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein – while keeping an eye on the nutrient count of sugar and salt included – you can achieve this in no time.

Here are some quick and easy options to include in your child’s lunchbox: • Almond waffles with strawberries, banana and black cherries • A soft boiled egg with whole-wheat pancake dippers, broccoli and cauliflower • Sweetcorn and zucchini fritters with slices of grilled chicken • Boerewors and lentil meatballs and courgette tagliatelle • Fresh fruit cut into quarters with a small natural yoghurt • Gluten-free oat and chocolate chip cookies Healthy eating habits truly start at home where children mimic the dietary habits of adults. This is why it is important for you to spend some time with your kids and try out different snacks – show them how they are prepared, and involve them in finding the nutritious foods that they like.

For more information, visit www.westincapetown. com.

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HEALTH

Organic nutrition

By Megan Pentz-Kluyts, Dietician

The demand for organically produced food is increasing worldwide and people have different reasons for choosing organic foods. Have you wondered what the difference is between organic and nonorganic foods?

What is organic food?

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines organic food as ‘food that is produced according to organic agriculture standards. For crops, it means they were grown based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility and crop health without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilisers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionising radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. Organic produce must not be genetically modified. Products are usually certified by a third party certification body recognised at international or national level’. In South Africa, legislation for Organic Agriculture is still pending.

Nutrients Research published in the 2009 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that there is no evidence of a difference in nutrient quality between organicallyand conventionally-produced foodstuffs. However, research in 2012 showed an exception of higher phosphorus levels in organic produce and evidence suggesting higher omega-3 fatty acids in organic milk. Similarly, a 2007 meta-analysis by the British Nutrition Foundation found no overall differences in the nutrient profiles of organic and conventional foods. But there was evidence of higher levels of vitamin C in some organically-grown produce, such as potatoes and dark, leafy greens.

However, these studies did not look at look into the differences in contaminant contents, such as herbicide, pesticide, or fungicide residues or the possible environmental consequences of organic and conventional agricultural practices.

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Reasons for buying organic Organic produce generally has lower levels of pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, two main reasons why people are attracted to them. In addition, organic production is more sustainable – it uses less energy, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and creates healthier soils. If anything, this widely publicised 2012 Stanford study highlights what’s really important about organic food production – it’s not just the nutrients. It goes on to report that consumption of organic foods may reduce exposures to pesticide residues.

A 2010 study published in the Alternative Medicine Review Journal showed that consumption of organic dairy products did result in a significant advantage for lower eczema. Those children consuming organic milk and milk products had a 36% reduction in risk of having this allergic skin disorder.

Organic produce is about much more than nutrients – it’s about the way crops are grown.

For more information, call Laurika Swartz at Rialto Foods on +27 021 555 2160/1/2. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

A thumbs up for

pre and probiotics

By Carey Haupt, Dietician at Family Kitchen

Yes, yes, yes to pre and probiotics! Information from the scientific world about their health benefits is really encouraging, including a link to improved outcomes for people who have obesity, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, allergy symptoms, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, mental health, and infectious diarrhoea.

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o what are pre and probiotics and why are they so amazing? In short, prebiotics are carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the human body and probiotics are live organisms that live within your gastrointestinal tract. Yes, that is not a typo – you have trillions of microorganisms thriving inside you, so much so that 99% of the DNA in your body comes from bacteria. It sounds totally weird but these bacteria are really important for your gut health, your immune system, and overall health can be affected by the different types of bacteria you have inside you. Basically there are good and bad bacteria. If you feed the good bacteria well with prebiotics they will flourish and help to keep the bad bacteria, such as yeast and fungus, at bay.

So how do you get the good bacteria into your body? It all starts with your mom. Yes, moms you are so important. When a baby is born she has an immature gut that does not have the bacteria that will help the gut to mature and aid the immune system. So the best way to introduce (or seed) the bacteria is through a vaginal birth and to begin breast feeding within one hour of giving birth. It may sound a little ‘out there’, but the way we were intended to be born is the most beneficial to us, including for our gut health. Think about it, if babies are born via C-section, they do not have exposure to their mothers’ bacteria but rather to that of the doctor and health care professionals that handle the babies. Also, there are hospital bacteria that will seed to babies if they are not exposed to their moms first.

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Breast milk is also really important because it is packed with prebiotics and probiotics that help the bacteria to grow and to stimulate the growth of the baby’s gut. This allows the baby to absorb her food better and keep any of the nasty bacteria out of her blood stream. Breast milk and close mother contact as soon as possible is very important, especially for babies born via C-section and those born early (babies in NICU).

Improving the gut microbiome So what can you do for a child or adult to improve the gut microbiome? As we grow older we are exposed to a variety of factors that could decrease the amount and types of bacteria in our guts. These factors include a diet low in the nondigestible carbohydrates, a lack of foods high in probiotics, stress, antibiotic use, fungal infections, food contamination, viral infections, and low gastric juice production. To stimulate the good bacteria, we need to seed them and feed them with the food that they thrive on (that means you need to have a healthy diet). You also need to look after yourself by destressing, exercising, and not using antibiotics unless they are needed (yes, every time you take an antibiotic you kill off a few million of them).

The types of foods that need to be included in your diet are listed below. It is best to eat a diet high in prebiotics and probiotics as they are both needed for optimal gut health.

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HEALTH Foods naturally high in prebiotics Vegetables

Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, garlic, onion, leek, spring onion, asparagus, beetroot, fennel bulb, green peas, snow peas, sweetcorn, savoy cabbage

Legumes

Chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans, baked beans, soybeans

Fruit

Apples, bananas, nectarines, white peaches, persimmon, tamarillo (tree tomato), watermelon, grapefruit, pomegranate, dried fruit (dates, figs)

Bread/cereals/snacks

Barley, rye bread, rye crackers, pasta, gnocchi, couscous, wheat bran, wheat bread, oats

Nuts and seeds

Cashews, pistachio nuts

Other

Human breast milk, honey

You can also help to replenish the number of healthy bacteria in your gut by eating foods that are high in probiotics.

Foods that are naturally high in probiotics Dairy

Yogurt (must have live cultures of bifidobateria and lactobacilli), aged cheese

Vegetables

Kimchi, sauerkraut, olives, fermented vegetables (salt and water is better than the vinegar based fermented or pickled vegetables)

Legumes

Ugba (fermented oil bean seed)

Soybean

Miso, tempeh, soy beverages

Bread/cereals/snacks

Dosa (pancake made from a fermented batter rice and urad beans), Ogi (fermented cereal)

Nuts and seeds

Kunnu (tiger nut milk)

Other

Kefir products (can be dairy or coconut milk)

What about using pre and or probiotics supplements? The thing to remember is that the information about the use of probiotics is still new and we don’t have the full picture. They are also live organism that you are putting into your body. They need to be treated with respect and I would urge you to do your homework on the specific strain of probiotic that you would like to supplement with.

While the studies show very promising results, there is not one strain that will work for all symptoms. A strain of bacteria that may help with diarrhoea disease may cause more severe symptoms in a person with irritable bowel disease.

Some interesting information on intestinal flora:

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Family Kitchen is a company of dieticians who each have a special interest in different aspects of family health and nutrition. We provide one-on-one services for individuals and wellness and training services for corporate clients. We also run workshops on nutritionrelated topics such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding, fussy eating or disease of lifestyle.

For more information, email info@ familykitchen. co.za or visit, www. familykitchen. co.za.

Pic credit: Carey Haupt

• There are at least 500 types of bacteria living inside you • Gram-positive bacteria are the dominate bacteria in your stomach • Gram-negative bacteria are mainly found in your intestine • The composition of your gut bacteria is general constant • Your bacteria can be affected by antibiotics, food contamination, viral infections, stress, and shortage of gastric juices.

I see probiotics as a part of the overall treatment.

For example, a person that has depression will still need to be assisted by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals to assist with medical, mental health, diet and physical activity.

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HEALTH: ADVERTORIAL

The ins and outs of

stretch marks We all know them, some better than others, but there comes a time in every woman’s life when she is faced with the reality of stretch marks.

S

Photo credit: ELANCYL

tretch marks appear as long, linear streaks on your skin. In the beginning, they have a purplish-pink colour, which gradually lightens and narrows over time. Stretch marks are commonly found on the hips, stomach, breasts and inner thighs.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are the result of alterations of conjunctive tissue (tearing of elastic fibres and disorganisation of collagen fibres).

This can be caused by hormonal fluctuations and is common in girls going through puberty. Stretch marks are often also a side-effect of endocrine diseases, such as Cushing’s syndrome.

Sudden stretching of the skin, for example with significant weight fluctuations or excessive weight training, can also cause stretch marks.

One of the most common causes of stretch marks is pregnancy – a combination of hormonal fluctuations and sudden stretching of the skin. It occurs in 70 to 90% of pregnant women and is common between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy. The most visible stretchmarks can be noticed on the stomach, breasts, thighs and hips.

How to combat stretch marks during pregnancy 1. Prevent the formation of stretch marks – to prevent stretch marks from occurring while pregnant, you will need create a better resistance to distension (swelling) and improve your skin’s elasticity.

2. Correct the appearance of stretch marks – even if stretch marks do appear, you can reduce the size, depth and colour to make them less visible.

ELANCYL Stretch Mark Prevention Cream This safe and effective formula helps prevent and reduce the appearance of early stretch marks by stimulating and improving the elasticity and resistance of skin fibres. The formula has been used for over 20 years, with 86%* of women seeing effective, visible results.

The cream also promotes healing, nourishes and softens skin. Specially adapted for use during pregnancy (from the fourth month, unless breastfeeding). The ELANCYL Stretch Mark Prevention Cream is available in 150ml (R160) and a 500ml value size (R225).

ELANCYL Stretch Mark Care Oil The effective dual-action formula with 99% natural active ingredients, is dermatologically-tested and safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding (after the fourth month). It increases collagen and elastin fibre synthesis and reduces inflammation.

Clinical results show the prevention of 89%** of stretch marks after the fourth month of pregnancy, and a 98% reduction** in the number and severity of new stretch marks after delivery.

The 150ml ELANCYL Stretch Mark Care Oil is also available at Dis-Chem and retails for R145.

Even though stretch marks may seem inevitable, don’t lose hope. Let ELANCYL help you with their specialised stretch mark range – the only one of its kind available in South Africa.

For more information about ELANCYL and products in the range, visit www.elancylsouthafrica.com. * Tests conducted on pregnant women applying the product twice per day for six months. ** Clinical study conducted by an independent body on pregnant women over six months

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EDUCATION

Why playing

hide-and-seek

is good for your child Hide-and-seek has many far-reaching benefits. It starts early with peekaboo and develops into a complex challenge for children to hide their whole bodies. Carolyn Slabbert, Principal of Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Palm Lakes, explains why hide-and-seek is so good for your child’s development.

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lay encourages children to consider options and make choices. They create, invent, discover and learn about their world while experiencing joy, an understanding of themselves and others. Group play is the basis for ongoing cooperative relationships requiring the sharing of ideas, organisation and

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making friends. Being active enhances academic performance, improving memory skills, problem solving, concentration and the ability to think ahead.

Children need to practice these skills in a variety of enabling tactile environments and they need to receive encouragement, regular feedback and

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EDUCATION

Hide-and seek is a healthy outlet to practice acceptable behaviours that children see around them, empowering them to act appropriately in different situations.” support from adults, creating healthy bonds, helping them to feel accepted, loved and understood.

Playing hide-and-seek starts early, with simple peekaboo, developing into a complex challenge of hiding their whole bodies. From a fine motor skills point of view, children need to coordinate their bodies, develop stamina, and learn about their whole body in relation to the space around them – whether it’s behind a large object or inside a confined space such as a large cardboard box – to learn about volume and the concept of size. The more physical development (strength, endurance, muscular skills, balance, agility, competence, coordination) the child experiences, the more his ego will be enhanced, which aids confidence. Hideand-seek also promotes a realistic appraisal of a child’s feelings of his own physical capabilities. It also develops flexibility in children as they review the rules and compensate for their younger peers. Children sleep better after a physically active day, allowing them to achieve more the next day.

Cognitive development Physical development is strongly associated with the development of perception, cognition, motivation and communication. Cognitive development is the process of growth in a child’s intellectual abilities such as thinking, reasoning and understanding. Hide-andseek enhances object permanence – the idea that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen – the start of abstract thinking and memory. It also allows the children to explore the idea that their experiences may not be the same as someone else’s.

A toddler starts by covering his eyes with his hands, assuming the adult has disappeared, but then peeps through his fingers to find the adult actually in front of him smiling. We know that supportive guidance from adults creates a scaffold for children’s learning, which is essential for moving children to higher levels of intellectual development. Children practice skills that they will need later in life, such as following directions and attention maintenance – the ability to control what they want to focus on without getting distracted.

Thinking of safe hiding places, as well as trying to find others, forces children to be strategic and to use their imaginations, developing problem solving skills.

Opposing role-playing develops empathy, helping them to comprehend others’ likely moves.

We learn through repetition, and frequent opportunities to play allows a language routine to www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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develop because the adult uses similar expressions and vocabulary each time for the toddler to identify key phrases such as ‘where are you?’ and ‘there you are!’. It also reinforces positional words (under, behind) as you give them clues by asking questions such as ‘have you looked under the…’.

By encouraging a child to gain mastery in a game, you develop their sense of empowerment and self-esteem. They also learn to count, listen for clues and settle themselves rapidly. Their body awareness develops as they learn to hide all of themselves, including tops of heads and legs. During their time of stillness, they notice the detail around them, the bugs, the ants, the texture of fabric or grass. They become aware of time – as it flies by while having fun but how it seems to stand still while they’re hiding and have nothing to do.

Social development Playing hide-and-seek enhances social development, shaping the way children think. It teaches turn taking, the enjoyment of sharing play with others, working as part of a team and dealing with conflict. There is a shared mission to alternate exploring and being discovered, offering ways to interpret the world by focusing on rules and social interactions. A certain sense of solidarity and trust is formed when you hide with a friend.

Children gain reassurance from positive responses and as they go to hide, are searched for and found – it brings emotional satisfaction. Children hide because they want to explore their environment.

They want to know that they will be fine on their own, providing a sense of autonomy. The joy of exploring, feeling lonely and the reassurance that their friends want to find them is life affirming. The joy of being found is that of being loved. This type of cooperative play places the emphasis on peers, allowing leadership roles to emerge.

Hide-and seek is a healthy outlet to practice acceptable behaviours that children see around them, empowering them to act appropriately in different situations. It enhances powerful physical and mental activities for dealing with the world. It provides the child with important insights into themselves and the communities in which they live. The moments of suspense while one person looks for the other adds to the tension, which leads to the excitement of being reunited. It teaches children that people in relationships can separate and come back together.

The repetition in hide-and-seek is reassuring because the temporary separations teach them that they can endure and cope, despite their separation anxiety, knowing that the reunion brings such happiness and relief. We have to cope with separations throughout life. Hide-and-seek offers a fun way to practice independence and master their fears.

So be patient, we learn at different rates. Some are better coordinated than others. Make sure that clear boundaries are given and understood. Keep gently encouraging, participate (allowing you to sit quietly and catch your breath), make it fun, and give lots of praise. Now close your eyes and count to ten. Ready or not, here I come!

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

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EDUCATION

Being a better sideline parent

By Kate Rose, Sport and Academic Development Co-ordinator, ADvTECH School Division

Every parent on the sideline at a school sports game hopes to support, encourage and cheer their children on. At times though, they are unaware that their actions and words are more destructive than constructive.

R

ecently, I had to reflect on my actions at a sports game. I was at my daughter’s netball match and I got a bit vocal because of a quite a few bad ref decisions. I didn’t think I was that bad but my daughter didn’t agree. After the match she said, ‘Mom, I love you and appreciate that you support me at netball but I’m suspending you for two matches.’ The more I tried to explain that I was standing up for her, the more she explained that it embarrassed her. It was a huge learning curve for me…

There are questions we need to ask ourselves as parents: ‘How is my child feeling with me shouting at the ref/umpire? How is my child feeling about me ridiculing her in front of team mates and other parents? Is my child going to flourish in her sport if I am always shouting at her from the sideline?’

According to Mary-Anne Dover, Co-Founder of Positive Sport Parent, ‘We have become too obsessed with the results of the games/events and are more focused on winning rather than the performance.’

She believes a parent’s role in sport is to encourage, motivate and support their children. Research shows that children actually want their parents to show a moderate level of involvement but feel embarrassed, stressed and distracted when their parents behave inappropriately on the side line. This can lead to poor performance, which then leads to them feeling that they have disappointed you and failed.

In research conducted by Allistair McCaw (tennisconsult.com), the top four reasons why 70%

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of children give up sport are that they’re not having fun, they feel awkward because they lack physical literacy, their parents are too enthusiastic, and they dread the post-game car ride home. In three of these points, parents are involved.

Sport should be a continuation of education that occurs in the classroom. There is an over-emphasis on winning at an age when children should be having fun and learning the fundamentals of physical movement and sports skills. This will ensure sporting success at later stages. However, the over emphasis is happening because sport is becoming more professional and commercial, and coaches are under pressure to achieve results.

According to Cote and Hancock (2014), the three goals of sport participation are participation, performance and personal development.

Participation and goals setting to perform better will lead to strong personal development outcomes.

Players, parents, coaches and schools need to commit and work together to ensure that emphasis is placed on the right goals in sport. Sport is competitive and winning is good, but winning doesn’t need to be achieved by aggressive sportsmanship. As parents, we need to work with our children to become constructive supporters, focusing on supporting them in meeting their personal goals.

So next time you have an urge to shout at your child or the ref, maybe rather take a breath and do 20 push-ups!

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

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EDUCATION

Photo credit: Rene Brummage, Mothers and Miracles

Discovery boxes

and treasure baskets

By Rene Brummage, MD, Mothers and Miracles

Babies and toddlers learn about their environments by engaging and exploring with their five senses. By giving them a range of natural, tactile, multi-sensory objects to examine and investigate through touch, taste, sound, smell and sight they are able to learn and make sense of the world around them.

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reasure baskets, derived from the concept of heuristic play, was conceived by child psychologist, Elinor Goldschmied in the 1980s. Heuristic play refers to how babies and toddlers discover the properties of everyday objects through sensory exploration.

Treasure baskets are an ideal way to engage all five senses, encourage exploration, develop concentration, refine fine motor and eye-hand coordination and promote the concept of making simple choices.

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A treasure basket is easy and cost-effective to assemble, encourages the use of natural materials readily available at home, can be used indoors and outdoors, and can be themed.

Preparing the treasure basket • Choose a low-sided, stable wicker basket (10 to 15cm high). • Fill the basket with as many items as you want to (20 to 30) from around the house and garden. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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EDUCATION • Ensure a variety of textures (avoid plastic as it offers very little sensory value).

• Make sure all the items are clean, non-toxic and safe (no sharp edges, loose threads, etc).

• Avoid small items that pose a choking hazard.

• You can theme the items by colour, material, texture, shapes and size.

• Add new items often and remove items that don’t interest or attract your child.

Using the treasure basket • Put the basket in an area where your baby won’t be distracted (no TV in the background).

• Sit close to your child to observe • Let your baby lead the exploration and interact when she engages you.

• Allow your little one to make her own choices.

• Ideally each session should last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how interested your child is during this time.

• Make sure your baby is well rested, calm and has eaten before you set up the treasure basket session.

Themes that make for interesting play • N oisy basket – rattles, spice bottles filled with rice and popcorn, bunch of keys, maracas, castanets, music triangle, whistle, harmonica, flute, spoons, rhythm sticks, drum, tamborine, pot lids.

The learning opportunities presented by treasure baskets are endless and depend on your imagination.”

• Soft basket – bath sponge, cotton wool, soft toy, velvet powder puff, ball of wool, soft baby brush, swatches of fabric, lengths of ribbon, gloves.

• Nature basket – leaves, big stones, pebbles, acorns, seeds, bark, shells, grass, flowers, pine cones, soil.

Learning through play The learning opportunities presented by treasure baskets are endless and depend on your imagination to present fun, age-appropriate items that will spark your child’s imagination.

For more information, visit Mothers and Miracles at www.mothersandmiracles.co.za.

Ideas for treasure box items Wood

Metal

Paper

Brushes

Pine cones

Tin lids

Egg boxes

Hair brush

Curtain rings

Closed tins with items inside

Notebook

Make-up brushes

Serviette rings

Chains

Carboard tubes

Scrubbing brushes

Avocado stones/pips

Brass curtain rings

Gift wrap

Shaving brush

Wooden spoons

Bunch of keys

Old phonebook

Pasty brush

Wooden beads on a necklace

Selection of spoons

Roller towel

Paint brush

Cubes and blocks

Tea strainer

Tissue paper

Nail brush

Castanets

Egg whisk

Food cartons/boxes

Tooth brush

Egg cup

Whistle

Magazines

Wooden picture frame

Costume jewellery

Hardboard story books

Door wedge

Tin foil

Brown paper bag

Dowel sticks

Honey drizzler

Paper gift bag

Wooden egg

Bells Measuring spoons

Heuristic play refers to how babies and toddlers discover the properties of everyday objects through sensory exploration.” www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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EDUCATION

Helping your teenager cope with

exam

Dr Gillian Mooney from the Independent Institute of Education comments on how parents and students can identify, approach and manage stress, and provides some useful tips to help students perform at their best.

stress

I

n an increasingly competitive world, young people writing exams are arguably under more pressure than ever before, knowing that their results need to give them an advantage when applying for higher education or employment. Unfortunately, this means that they are also exposed to increasingly higher levels of stress that, if not managed properly, can become debilitating and even affect their performance.

Dr Gillian Mooney, Teaching and Learning Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, South Africa’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider, says it is vital for parents and caregivers to monitor the mental wellbeing of learners and students in addition to their preparation, as there are a number of ways that stress can be manipulated to improve performance rather than allowing it to be an unnecessary hurdle.

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At this time of year, it is not unusual for young people to experience peak levels of stress because of the nearing exams.�

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EDUCATION

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If you manage your emotional approach to stress, the physical response will also become manageable.”

hot or cold. Make a list of all the materials you will need in the exam room and be sure to pack it before you go.

9. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle: Your anxiety levels will increase if you feel tired and run down.

You can improve your resilience by getting enough exercise, eating nutritious food and getting regular and adequate sleep.

10. Avoid the things that won’t help: Try not to drink too much coffee the night before and the morning of the exam. Avoid other students who are anxious and talkative before the exam.

And avoid talking about the course material just before the exam.

‘If you manage your emotional approach to stress, the physical response will also become manageable,’ says Gillian.

‘Parents and caregivers should be vigilant and ensure that if they start seeing the signs of excessive, unproductive stress, they timeously assist by providing the practical and emotional support required to help students and learners perform at their best.’

Dr Gillian Mooney is the Teaching and Learning Manager at The Independent Institute of Education (IIE). The IIE focusses on quality teaching and learning practices in which access to tertiary education is actively promoted.

The IIE offers 90 CHE-accredited qualifications and includes diverse tertiary spaces, namely Varsity College, the Design School of South Africa, Rosebank College and Vega. Gillian currently works closely with the individuals responsible for curriculum design and implementation.

Photo credit: The Independent Institute of Education

‘At this time of year, it is not unusual for young people to experience peak levels of stress because of the nearing exams,’ she says. ‘It is important to remember that stress can be both motivating and managed.’

Gillian, who has also spent more than a decade and a half as a psychology lecturer, notes that adults should understand that stress is subjective, and that what is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another.

‘Stress is your body’s physical reaction to certain situations. Your body has a biological response – the release of chemicals and hormones – to help you cope with a stressful stimulus. As a result, stress can affect your physical health, your mental health and your behaviour.’

She adds that while some stress is healthy in the short term, and can help you to be more productive and motivated, negative stress will cause distress, leading to feelings of anger, irritability and fear.

‘Negative stress may also cause physical symptoms such as a headache or stomach cramps. Exam anxiety is a kind of stress that involves excessive worrying about exams, the fear of being evaluated, and of the consequences of exams. Exam anxiety is experienced by many students and is not mysterious or difficult to understand.’

Gillian says this type of stress can be easily managed if students heed the following ten tips: 1. Believe in yourself: If you have worked consistently since the start of the year, you should be fine and there is no need to worry excessively.

2. Don’t try to be perfect: It’s good to have goals, but these need to be realistic. If you believe that anything less than 100% means you have failed, then you are creating unnecessary stress for yourself.

3. Don’t keep things bottled up inside: A good way to alleviate worry and stress is to confide in someone that you trust and who will be supportive, for example your parents, friends or lecturers.

4. Keep things in perspective: Exams may seem like the most important thing right now, but in the context of your whole life, they are only really a small part. Life will be worth living regardless of an exam. Give yourself credit for getting as far as you have.

5. Be proactive in tackling your problems: If you do not understand some of the material, feeling stressed about it will not help. Rather make an appointment to see your lecturer, talk to your classmates, or review a past exam paper.

6. Get accurate information: Check all the course information and ask your lecturer. You need to know what will be in the exam, how it will be marked, where the exam will be written, and when the exam will start and end.

7. Structure your study time: You need to study in regular sessions of about 50 minutes each, separated by 10 minute breaks.

8. Plan for the exam: Try to arrive at the exam venue early. Wear a watch or make sure you know where the clock is in the exam venue. Wear layers of clothes so that you can adjust when you feel

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EDUCATION: ADVERTORIAL

Helping children to grow Encourage your young one to get up and play, swing, bounce, ride, and more, with Little Tikes products. From outdoor sets to role-playing toys, boys and girls will enjoy hours of fun.

L

ittle Tikes is a range of safe, quality and durable toys for indoor and outdoor play that entertain children while helping them to develop their minds and imaginations. Toys in the range include: Little Tikes Lil Ocean Explorer Ball Chase Octopus – A colourful toy that gets baby moving through fun and unpredictable ball play. The toy spins and releases balls, encouraging baby to crawl, chase and play again. It helps to develop gross and fine motor skills, the understanding of cause and effect and also encourages balance and coordination. It is suitable for babies six months and older.

Little Tikes Push ‘n Play Turtle – A baby walker and baby activity centre in one. Introduce shapes and colours to your baby with this walker. The wide base and easy-to-grip handle helps keep your little one stable and encourages him to walk. It is suitable for babies nine months and older Little Tikes Handle Haulers Carey Cargo – This toy encourages children to get down on the floor and play. Easy to grip and easy to push, this hand-held toddler car encourages energetic floor play and hours of pretend fun. Suitable for ages 12 months and older.

Little Tikes Ball, Drop and Roll – For toddlers who enjoy playing with balls, this is a stimulating toy that helps to develop fine motor skills. Toddlers can drop the balls in the top and watch them fall and roll all

the way down. Balls make a fun click-clack sound as they drop. Ideal for ages 12 months to 5 years.

Little Tikes Jungle Climber – Children can cascade down the wavy slide and use the cargo net to develop rope climbing skills. Ground level openings connect one play area to the next via a secret escape route. Ideal for ages 3 years and older.

Little Tikes Pop Tunes Piano – Perfect for toddlers aged two and older. It features light-up keys and fun songs, making it an ideal introduction to music and musical instruments. It is also a great toy for building hand-eye coordination.

Little Tikes Pop Tunes Guitar – The perfect size for kids between the ages of two and five. Kids can play along with five pre-set toddler songs, or do their own thing with the freestyle strings!

Little Tikes Discover Sounds Kitchen – This kitchen playset is an ideal baby and toddler toy. With lights, sounds, colours and shapes, this playset captivates and entertains little ones, and helps develop visual perception, fine motor skills and cognitive processes.

Plus, it’s highly interactive. It features shape sorting, lights and sounds, and encourages put and take play.

Little Tikes toys are ideal learning while playing toys that will help your child develop fine and gross motor skills while learning about the world around them.

For more information, visit www.primatoys.co.za.

Photo Credit: Prima Toys

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OUT & ABOUT

Where kids

keep coming back for more

By Emma Dawson

I don’t have many regrets in my life, but a trip to Sugar Baby Children’s Holiday Camp at Zinkwazi Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, did make me wish I was 30 years younger! South Africa’s first and only American-style school and holiday camp, Sugar Bay provides children between the ages of seven and 17 with the most fun and memorable holiday imaginable.

F

rom the shy and reticent to the outgoing and adventurous, Sugar Bay offers something for everyone. With complete freedom to choose from over 100 activities, the latest equipment and superb facilities, Sugar Bay offers children the freedom to enjoy themselves within a safe and secure environment.

I planned my way-too-brief visit to Sugar Bay to coincide with the camp’s 15th birthday, and its splash-themed birthday week celebrations. To say I was impressed is an understatement. I was completely blown away with what I saw and experienced.

Daily schedules are jam-packed with fun activities for all campers, and the camp’s counsellors – the

Photo Credit: Emma Dawson

Sugar Bay’s 15th birthday present for campers – a new water slide for endless hours of splashing fun.

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OUT & ABOUT

Above: Body boarding is just one of the fun beach activities on offer. No one can enter a body of water without a counsellor and lifeguard on watch.

Right: Sugar Bay’s 14th birthday gift for campers – a four-station bungee trampoline.

Photo Credit: Sugar Bay

Sugar Bay taught me that it doesn’t matter how you look or how shy you are, you will still fit in. I am really shy and have low selfconfidence, but Sugar Bay and the people here make me feel comfortable with who I am. – Donna, age 15”

Campers sleep in spacious wooden cabins with more than adequate ensuite bathroom facilities.

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OUT & ABOUT heart and soul of Sugar Bay – ensure that learning is fun, safe and engaging.

The camp’s strict safety protocols include a 24hour supervision policy and a minimum staff to child ratio of 1:3. The staff includes a highly-experienced management team, qualified counsellors and a loyal support team. And these aren’t just words in Sugar Bay’s brochure. The camp’s counsellors are truly remarkable and their impeccable training, sheer delight at working with children, their empathy, sense of fun, and attention to safety protocols are evident no matter what activity is underway or what time of day it is.

In a world short of positive role models, Sugar Bay’s counsellors, and extended staff, offer friendship, advice and encouragement in abundance. Time and again during my visit, I witnessed this first hand – a gentle reminder, a helping hand, a friendly smile, patience and encouragement to inspire children to excel at the activities they were involved with, and an enormous and infectious sense of fun.

Every week has a theme. New activities are introduced, an extravagant themed dinner is held, and unforgettable weekly highlights (all in addition to the camp’s normal 100-odd activities) ensure that no two camps are the same.

This children’s paradise stretches over 16 acres and includes a soccer field, 25m pool, obstacle course, three ropes courses, a paintball arena, indoor sports hall, theatre, health centre and a grand hall, dining area and tuck shop. The waterfront has private

access to the lagoon and beach, and is stocked with kayaks, boards and a boat.

Some favourite activities include paintball, dance lessons, kayaking, surfing, a four-station bungee trampoline, stand-up paddle boarding, a zip line, body boarding, arts and crafts, wall climbing, skateboarding, and BMXing. All equipment is provided.

Besides the myriad day-time activities, the tireless counsellors also provide wide-ranging evening activities (my favourite was the camp fire!) before children head off to bed.

Campers sleep in spacious wooden cabins nestled under large canopy trees with covered verandas and extensive views. Two or more counsellors are assigned to each cabin for round-the-clock supervision. Each cabin has more than adequate ensuite bathroom facilities, and boys’ and girls’ cabins are in separate, secure areas.

Children are housed in cabins according to their grade, and counsellors are specially trained and experienced in the growth and development needs of the children’s different age groups. Counsellors in junior cabins provide security, love and routine for those who are often sleeping away from home for the first time. Senior campers, while they have special privileges, also need 24-hour supervision but for a different reason… Their counsellors ensure there’s no misbehaving through constant vigilance.

And, to keep all these energetic bodies fuelled for

Sugar Bay is the best place I have ever been to, and I have been to Disney World and Universal Studios in America. Sugar Bay is 10 times better! – Junior Camper, MAD Week”

Photo Credit: Sugar Bay

Left: With warm water and a sub-tropical climate, water activities are an all-time favourite for campers – summer or winter.

Above: Counsellors, with crazy nicknames and playful personalities, come from all over the world and are actively involved in instructing activities and ensuring everyone is helped and encouraged to reach their highest potential.

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OUT & ABOUT

Photo Credit: Sugar Bay

Sugar Bay is the place where real fun was invented. You don’t just sit on the couch all day watching TV. If you’re not at Sugar Bay, you’re not having fun! – Jonothan, age 12”

Above: From a meditative paddle through the reserve to a crazy game of paddle polo, or the rush of ocean kayaking, this low-impact isometric exercise improves cardiovascular health, core-muscle strength and flexibility.

Right: Well supervised and with safety the number one priority, the king swing, climbing wall, advanced overhang wall, crate climbing, Jacob’s ladder, rope courses and zip line are on offer to those with a head for heights.

day after day of full-on activity, Sugar Bay’s meals are worth a mention. Forget memories of surviving boarding-school dinner – the food is fantastic and there’s plenty of it. Three large meals, two smaller snacks and one tuck-shop visit a day ensure energy levels are maintained.

So much more than just a fun holiday, Sugar Bay specialises in the growth and emotional development of each child. Greater self-esteem, independence and self-confidence are just some of the life-changing attributes your child will acquire.

Each of the camp’s 100 activities provides specific and invaluable personal development opportunities, and free choice scheduling ensures that each child is fully-committed to the experience. Your children will come home fitter, stronger, and with greater maturity and a sense of responsibility. They’ll also be weaned off their digital devices and make a whole new group of friends.

Sugar Bay is located at Zinkwazi Beach on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The camp offers a shuttle service that travels to and from Sandton, as well as airport transfers from King Shaka International Airport to Sugar Bay. If I was 30-odd years younger, I’d happily go to Sugar Bay for every one of my holidays (and many children do go back time and again). Since I can’t turn back the clock, I’ll just hope that I get invited again to write another review! Check out Sugar Bay’s website and Facebook page to see for yourselves why I (and many, many others) love this happy place so much. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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RUNWAY KIDS

Toddlers 2 pack babydoll top R99.95 Toddlers 2 pack leggings R79.95

MIX & MATCH 4 OUTFITS 100% COTTON TOPS & COTTON ELASTANE LEGGINGS FOR A COMFORTABLE FIT

Toddlers 2 pack leggings R79.95

Toddlers 2 pack babydoll top R99.95

Toddlers 2 pack Babydoll tops R99.95 Sizes 0-24 months Toddlers girls summer range is cool and comfortable.

Styling is girly with lots of florals to welcome summer.

The focus is on natural cotton fabrication which is cool and comfortable for those hot summer days.

Great Value for every day wear product.

Toddlers 2 pack leggings R79.95

Toddlers chambray and dobby voile Dress R99.95

Toddler White Floral Tiered Dress R99.95

*prices are correct at time of print.

All prices provided are vat inclusive.

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RUNWAY KIDS

Toddlers Zerbit Henley R129.95

Toddlers Zerbit T-shirt R99.95

Zerbit – Exclusive designs for your little one with the focus on fabrication and little details that make the difference while still being comfortable and durable.

Toddlers Denim R119.95

Toddlers Zerbit Shorts R159.95

ck

Sizes 0-24 months Toddlers boys summer range is cool and comfortable.

The look is tropical island ready for the beach.

The focus is on natural cotton fabrication which is cool and comfortable for those hot summer days.

Who says toddler boys can’t look cool!

Toddlers garment dyed T-shirt R89.95

Toddlers Denim short with braces R119.95

Toddlers garment dyed T-shirt R89.95

Toddlers Denim Dungaree R229.95

*prices are correct at time of print.

All prices provided are vat inclusive.

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KICKS FOR KIDS

babys beyond and

Body boarding Bodyboarding is a water sport in which the surfer rides a body board on the crest, face and curl of a wave that is carrying the surfer towards the shore. Body boarding is also referred to as Boogie boarding following the invention of the Boogie Board by Tom Morey.

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KICKS FOR KIDS

puzzle

Crossword

a Use the pictures to help you find the names of the items in this crossword.

Join the Draw a line from dot (a) to dot (b), then from dot (b) to dot (c), and so on. Keep going until you’ve joined all the dots, and then colour in the pictures.

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b

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Find

the route

c

Help the little bee find his way to the pot of honey.

KICKS FOR KIDS

Spot the differences Can you find the 12 differences between these two pictures?

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Grab some grub

Main Course Salad of Chicken and Mango Serves 4 Serve this delicious tropical salad for lunch or dinner with a selection of cheeses, fresh bread and a glass of fruity, well-chilled white wine.

Ingredients

1 butter lettuce, washed 4 smoked chicken breasts, sliced against the grain on the diagonal 2 large just-ripe mangoes, peeled and sliced Ina Paarman’s Lemon & Black Pepper Seasoning Ina Paarman’s Honey Mustard Dressing Spicy pecan nuts 2t (10ml) olive oil or butter ½ cup pecan halves (± 50g) ¾t (3,5ml) Ina Paarman’s Braai & Grill Seasoning

Method

Line 4 individual plates with lettuce and arrange chicken and mango on leaves. Sprinkle lightly with Lemon & Black Pepper Seasoning. Drizzle with Honey Mustard Dressing and top with toasted spicy nuts (see recipe below).

Spicy pecan nuts

Heat a heavy pan over high heat. Add the oil and tilt the pan to spread evenly. Add the nuts and shake the pan until the nuts begin to toast. Add Braai & Grill Seasoning and cayenne pepper. Quickly remove from heat and shake the pan to coat the nuts. The nuts are best used immediately while hot, but can be pre-prepared if catering for a crowd.

Ina’s Tips

A supermarket rotisserie chicken, boned and skinned works very well for this recipe.

Spicy Pecan Nuts make delicious cocktail nibbles. A combination of nuts and pumpkin seeds also work well. Butter is traditional and gives a wonderful flavour, whereas olive oil is healthier – your choice!

Recipes and pictures courtesy of

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Grab some grub

Fairy Cake Fish

Decoration

Makes ±25

These pretty little fish will be a real hit for any birthday party. Watch them swimming on a blue background while blowing bubbles.

You will need: 2 mixing bowls measuring cup measuring spoons electric beater spatula table spoon 2 muffin pans oven gloves cooling rack serrated knife small spatula tray

Fairy cakes

3 extra large eggs, at room temperature ¾ cup (180ml) canola oil 1 cup (250ml) fresh full-cream milk 1 x 600g Ina Paarman’s Vanilla Cake Mix 24 small white paper cups (4½cm x 2cm)

Icing

1 x 250g Ina Paarman’s Vanilla Icing Kit 125g butter at room temperature ± ¼ cup (60ml) water 1t (5ml) lemon juice

Decoration

100g packet of wafer biscuits filled with vanilla cream 200g pack of white chocolate buttons 1 pack hundreds and thousands 1 tube red writing icing Smarties silver balls plain blue paper

Tops trimmed for two fins

Above: Cut wafer fans to size for the tail.

Above right: Spread tails and fins lightly with icing and dip into hundreds and thousands. Position the tails and fins on the cakes.

Pipe spaces between tail and fins with icing.

Left: Arrange overlapping white chocolate buttons on the fish bodies for scales.

Below: Stick a Smartie eye on to each fish with a little icing and pipe on a red mouth.

Cover a board or tray with blue paper. Place fish on paper and position silver balls to represent bubbles.

Method

Fairy cakes Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 190°C. Line two muffin pans with paper cups. Mix cake according to package instructions and divide mixture between paper cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes and leave to cool completely.

Icing

Prepare icing according to package instructions. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Iron-on/Sew-in labels

Multi-purpose labels

Wrap around pencil labels

Shoe labels

Book labels

Micro labels

Bag labels

Starter Pack!

Super Pack!

25 Iron-on/Sew-in Clothing Labels 48 Wrap around Pen & Pencil Labels 25 Muti-purpose Vinyl Labels 40 Micro Labels 20 Book Labels 165 6 Shoe Shields labels 1 Bag Tag

50 Iron-on/Sew-in Clothing Labels 84 Wrap around Pen & Pencil Labels 50 Muti-purpose Vinyl Labels 40 Micro Labels 36 Book Labels 267 8 Shoe Shields labels 1 Bag Tag

R125

R150

Customise your labels!

You can choose your font & picture now!

To order please visit:

www.labels4school.co.za

info@labels4school.co.za

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www.facebook.com/Labels4School

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promising products

Hamleys wooden toys

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Photo credit: Hamleys

amleys offers a fabulous selection of traditional, top-quality, completely child-safe wooden toys for pre-school children. These toys and games are timeless, educational, promote coordination, and are all loads fun.

The Hamleys Pre-School range is carefully crafted to offer children the opportunity to develop and learn new skills through the power of play. It includes Hamleys Wooden Noah’s Ark, Hamleys 100 Wooden Building Blocks, Hamleys Wooden Teaching Clock, Hamleys Music Set, Hamleys Wooden Shape Puzzle, Hamleys Pull along Mum & Baby Owl, and Hamleys Abacus Rack.

Kroko’s new products for warts and minor abrasions

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Photo credit: Kroko

roko has introduced two new products, both of which are suitable for children and adults.

Kroko SkinFilm® is a liquid plaster for treating minor cuts, scratches and small grazes. It is unsuitable for larger wounds or grazes as it causes a brief stinging sensation when applied. The specially-designed applicator cap allows just the right amount of liquid to be applied to a wound and, once dry, it forms a waterproof, protective plaster allowing bodily healing to take place. This formula was specially designed for fingers and hands as they are often immersed in water. The waterproof, flexible and invisible dressing does not wash off easily and can be replaced with further layers until healing is complete.

The second new product, Kroko WartFix®, treats the common wart and is a painless treatment suitable for the whole family. It is child friendly from the age of four years. Kroko WartFix® is a fastdrying liquid that forms a flexible cover over the wart. The bottle’s special applicator applies the exact amount of liquid needed, resulting in minimum mess and wastage.

Both products are available in 10ml bottles and are available from Clicks, Dis-Chem, Medi-Rite, Pick n Pay Pharmacies and other select pharmacies. For more information, visit www.kroko.co.za.

To find out more about getting your product listed in this Promising Products section.

contact: Elroy van Heerden on 021 424 3625 or elroy@babysandbeyond.co.za

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promising products

Little Rockerz kids’ headphones range expands

Photo credit: Zagg Inc

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he popular range of volume limited headphones designed for kids keeps growing with the addition of Ice Princess, Green Dragon, Teal Bow and Red Robot!

ZAGG Inc’s new, wider range offers even more choice for parents and kids, and ensures there’s a design to suit any playful occasion from tea parties, castle rescues and jungle adventures to futuristic galactic sagas. Little Rockerz Costume are the perfect addition for trips or just to keep your little ones entertained at home on a rainy day.

‘We had a tremendous reaction to the original Little Rockerz Costume collection,’ says Chris Ahern, President for ZAGG International. ‘It’s great to be able to update the range with more themes to inspire kids’ imaginations while parents can rest easy that they’re listening safely.’

Each Little Rocker Costume features a built-in volume limiter (the headphone volume won’t go above 85 decibels); 30mm drivers (to deliver crisp, clear sound so kids can still get the most out of their experience); and a 1.2m cable (so they’re not constrained).

Little Rockerz Costumes sell for a recommended retail price of R299.99 and are available at www.zagg.com and leading retailers.

Mysmartkid and Nido help to power little minds and bodies

Photo credit: Mysmartkid

I

t’s a known fact that children learn better when their brains and bodies are fuelled by a healthy diet. Mysmartkid has teamed up with Nestlé’s brand, Nido, which is specially formulated to help support growth and development in children.

‘Nestlé’s Nido is one of the largest child nutrition brands in South Africa and, with its foundation based on strong nutrition science and the complete enhancement of a child’s development in the first six years, we believe Nido is the ideal partner for us,’ explains Mysmartkid’s General Manager, Adrian Kaplan.

The partnership between Mysmartkid and Nido provides members with a dedicated dietician and nutritional expert, Anne-marié de Beer, on the panel. This additional area of expertise means lots of exciting articles and advice being posted on the Mysmartkid blog, which is accessible via its newsletter.

Says Nido and Mysmartkid nutritional expert, Anne-marié de Beer: ‘Nutrition is critical in early childhood development. Well-nourished children are given their full potential to develop optimally. When children are malnourished – whether underweight, overweight or micro nutrient deficient – it immediately puts them at a disadvantage for early childhood development. Malnutrition in any form affects the ability of children to develop cognitively, physically and even mentally, so all the stimulation in the world will not help if we do not address the nutritional issues first.’ For more information, visit www.mysmartkid.com.

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promising products

Sweet dreams for baby and mom

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Photo credit: Protect-A-Bed

pilled bottles, leaky nappies and reflux ordeals at three in the morning can try a parent’s already-frazzled nerves, especially when all that spilling and leaking happens in your baby’s bed.

There’s a simple way to make these trying moments that much easier.

Save yourself time and hassle by putting a barrier between childhood’s little ‘oopsies’ and your baby’s mattress with a cot mattress protector.

Besides reducing laundry time and keeping your baby’s mattress free of smells and stains, a cot mattress protector does double duty by putting a barrier between your baby and dust mites – a major cause of allergy symptoms.

Protect-A-Bed uses the trademarked Miracle Membrane. This membrane is impenetrable to liquid but not to air, so acts like human skin to moderate your baby’s temperature, creating a comfortable environment for a restful, dry sleep. Additionally, covering the cot mattress protector is a soft, absorbent, 100% cotton terrycloth. The Protect-A-Bed cot mattress protector is like a fitted sheet and won’t crinkle with movement, and it’s easy to machine wash, on hot, and tumble dry on medium.

With a recommended retail price of R215, Protect-A-Bed is the only brand to offer a two-year guarantee. In the unlikely event that a Protect-A-Bed cot mattress protector should let a leak through, Protect-A-Bed will replace the product.

For mattress sizes, to purchase or to view other products in the Protect-A-Bed range, visit www.protectabed.co.za.

Nappy recommendations from trusted sources

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Photo credit: Pampers

n a world of information overload, new mothers may feel overwhelmed and unsure of which sources to believe. It is not surprising then that parents often turn to people they know well for advice on the best choices to make for their babies.

According to the recent Nielsen Global Baby Care Survey, which surveyed 60 countries around the world, 57% of South African parents rely on recommendations from family and friends when purchasing nappies for the first time.

When Pampers® launched its new Premium Care (PPC) range in South Africa, 86% of the attendees, who included parents and mommy bloggers, indicated that they would recommend this nappy to other mothers. The PPC is the softest nappy on the market and the most impressive innovation from Pampers® in 10 years.

The nappy’s newly-added silky top sheet ensures that a baby’s bum stays protected and dry for 12 hours. More importantly, the new range has absorbent channels that work together with the chambers of the nappy, helping to distribute wetness evenly and avoid sagginess. In addition, to help both moms and their little ones, the PPC range has a wetness indicator that lets parents know when it is the right time for a nappy change.

A survey of the audience at the launch revealed that: • 100% believe the new PPC is innovative • 95% regard the absorbent channels as a good benefit • 95% believe that the wetness indicator is an added benefit • 71% will purchase PPC nappies Pampers® brand manager, Sbonelo Mncube, says, ‘Pampers® knows that babies need love, sleep and play for healthy development, which is why we conducted 35 consumer tests in seven countries on the PPC nappy. Ten thousand parents and nearly 9 000 babies tried our new nappy and the response was resoundingly positive.’ For more information, visit www.pg.com.

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BOOK REVIEW

Family Walks in Cape Town Tim Lundy Penguin Random House South Africa | RRP R160.00 Photo credit: Penguin Random House South Africa

For families who enjoy the outdoors and who relish the beauty of Cape Town, this book details 30 short walks in the Peninsula, grouped into five broad areas: Central Cape Town, Atlantic Seaboard, South Peninsula, Southern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs.

Richly illustrated with photographs, each route offers: an illustrated full-colour route map; a detailed route description; directions to the start; approximate distance of the route, time needed and effort required; indication of pram-, wheelchair- or dog-friendly routes; and points of interest and ideas for fun and relaxing activities.

Accessible, informative and ideal for families of all sizes and ages, this book will be valued by Cape Town residents and visitors alike.

Pregnancy Sense Meg Faure, Jacky Searle, Heather Wood Metz Press | RRP R185.00

Photo credit: Penguin Random House South Africa

Never Follow a Dinosaur Alex Latimer Penguin Random House South Africa | RRP R160.00 Sally and Joe discover a mysterious set of footprints leading out into their garden and beyond – and they are convinced the footprints were left by a dinosaur.

Could they possibly be right? Join them in a clue-finding adventure and discover why you should never, ever follow a dinosaur!

A joy to read-aloud, filled with funny ideas and a clever, cautionary twist!

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Photo credit: Metz Press

Pregnancy is a journey like no other. It is the start of a new human life and the birth of a mother who, over nine months, changes in every possible way – physically, emotionally and socially. Your nutrition, wellbeing and emotions during this wonderful time play a large role in defining the rest of your baby’s life. The experience must also be safe and containing for you to provide your baby with the ultimate start and shape his potential.

Birth is a profoundly significant moment and one you don’t get to repeat. Being empowered with knowledge, understanding your choices and being active in the process will make a huge difference. Ultimately it does not matter how your baby is born; what matters is how you experience it and that it is safe.

Reading Pregnancy Sense will reduce the anxiety that may stem from the unknown and help you make your choices with insight and flexibility. This wonderful book includes chapters on preparing for pregnancy, birth choices, your growing baby week by week, your changing body week by week, a guide to birth, premature birth, your newborn’s first days and weeks.

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