WINTER 2010 • GARDEN ROUTE
F R E E
HEALTHY & HAPPY! FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHILDREN & OUR WORLD
Dear SG Reader,
TO ADVERTISE info@survivalguide.co.za or call 074 103 8761 www.survivalguide.co.za Survival Guide Team Publisher: Mia Blom Editor: Jacqueline Baldwin
In the spirit of the FIFA World Cup 2010, soccer legend Gary Bailey introduces our Active Bodies & Minds Edition with a bit of advice for our readers… Gary Richard Bailey is a well-known TV persona in South Africa, presenting football on Mnet’s SuperSport. He enjoyed a successful playing career in both England and South Africa. ne of my major concerns with our children today is their lack O of daily physical exercise. In years gone by, kids spent their days in parks, playing at friends houses or staying late for sport at school.
Area Managers Garden Route: Angela van Vuuren
Today the trend is to sit at home and watch TV, play video games or simply send text messages to friends.
Pretoria / Centurion: Esmarie Cilliers
So the challenge for the parents of today is to create an environment where children can still be active - and a little gentle persuasion isn’t necessarily a bad thing!
Gauteng: Hayley-Ann Rodgers
I increase my kids’ pocket money if they play 2 sports/physical activities per week, and the more they do, the greater is the increase in their basic pocket money. So my daughter, being driven by designer branded clothes, suddenly found an added interest in dancing, and has loved every minute of it and had so much fun with the social evenings! My son has taken up BMX biking in a big way, and he absolutely loves it. In both cases, my kids have not only had fun, but have excelled in their activities, and this has boosted their self confidence.
Administrator: Janet Nielson Design Layout: Sandra Matthee Printing Paarl Print (Pty) Ltd. Cover Image Pumpkin Patch Babywear Kidswear & Accessories www.pumpkinpatchsa.co.za
It’s worth the lifts during the week and trips to play games on weekends, better that than dealing with violence, drugs and other nasty activities that can fill the void left in the absence of physical activities. Have a healthy, happy winter holiday! Mia, Jacqui & the SG team
Spring 2010
NEWSFLASH!
If you pop in at Giggles in June, you’re in for a big surprise… you won’t believe your eyes! If you like to play, and like to climb… find a pirate ship for a jolly good time! COPYRIGHT: Copyright of all original published material is vested in ‘Survival Guide’ and may be reproduced only with the permission of ‘Survival Guide.’ All opinions expressed in the articles appearing in ‘Survival Guide’ are those of the authors. Authors of articles are compelled to acknowledge all sources of information (if any) used in the compiling of articles and are therefore liable for copyright transgressions. ‘Survival Guide’ accepts no responsibility for claims made in the advertisements and will not be held liable for any damage resulting from the use of any of the information published in ‘Survival Guide.’ Survival Guide takes no responsibility for artwork supplied by our advertisers.
BABY DAYS SISTER JENNY’S JEN-TIL CREAMS.THE CREAMS THAT HEAL THE NATION A unique range of healing creams which contain 100% Pure essential oils, PLANT EXTRACTS AND VEGETABLE OILS. NO animal products, synthetic colouring or perfumes.
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Sister Jenny’s Multi-Purpose cream: • Helps repair, regenerate and heal skin tissue, scars, chilblains, chafing, dry skin, wounds, burns, sunburn, sores, bruises, cracked heels. • Soothes eczema, itch, rash, insect bites, tired feet. • Helps circulation and prevents feet from cracking. • Daily Moisturizer, relieves stiff muscles, backache, neck and shoulder tension. Sister Jenny’s Multi Purpose Massage Cream is sold in jars for R99.95 and in tubes for R75.
For further info please contact Sister Jenny 083 592 8280 l www.jentiltouch.com Available at selected Clicks & Pick n Pay Hypers
-An inspirational story! itta-Patta is a business that provides kiddies from birth to about age 4 with soft, healthy and beautiful leather P shoes. My wife and I started this business in Cape Town - and this is our story…
In the year of 2005 we went through a very rough patch financially. Our family of three, I (Konrad), my wife (Marjolein) and our precious little girl (Amande-Leigh) lived in peace and harmony despite the huge lack of finance. Amande-Leigh at that time crawled vigorously and her shoes chafed through. Needless to say, she needed new shoes. You might think it strange that someone in our day and age did not have enough money to buy his kid shoes, but it is true. I went for many job interviews, but to no avail. My wife had a strong desire to stay at home with Amande-Leigh and bring her up herself. Many times it looked like a suicidal choice, but we stuck to our guns, and we are so glad we did. One day we went to Tygervalley shopping centre to visit a leather shop and asked them for an off cut piece of leather. They gave us a green piece. Filled with excitement… we went home and my wife made Amande-Leigh a pair of shoes. When I saw what she had crafted for our little girl, the excitement in my heart grew so strong that I showed them to all our friends saying, “We are going to have a business from this!” They all looked at the green pair of shoes I was holding up, but I saw that no one had any faith in what I just said. Even my wife looked at me in disbelief.
BABY DAYS
No More Holes!
in Cape Town and they placed an order. Our first order from them was for 300 pairs. That means there were 600 shoes. Every shoe had 8 pieces to it. 4800 pieces my wife and I cut with our own hands, day and night. All of it had to be glued then be stitched, every shoe had to be elasticized and then we had to make 300 boxes and brand them. It took a miracle to get us to deliver the order on time. Marjolein was our only seamstress and we had one domestic machine, and we made it. It really was a miracle! Today we supply some amazing stores around our country. We are still looking for the international market to open up for us. (Feel free to contact us if you have any ideas!) This business is summarized in one word “MIRACLE’. This is how we started and that is what we live every day. My wife has her desire, she is a mommy at home with Amande-Leigh (4 and a half) and Keanu (23 months) and I have a job and our kids don’t have any holes in their shoes. Hope you enjoyed reading about our journey and we trust that you were inspired by it.
Our neighbours shared my excitement and they placed an order for two pairs. That meant BIG bucks! I mean R100.00! Wow, now I just saw dollar signs. We made the two pairs and took a picture of Marjolein standing with the money. (We still have the picture)
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We then showed our shoes to a very reputable company
www.survivalguide.co.za
Then we heard about a craft market in Durbanville. With 35 pairs of shoes, lots of faith and an ironing board for a table we were off to make our ‘millions’. Our packaging was wrong, the leather hard and the sun very hot, but we sold 5 pairs. This was a major breakthrough.
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BABY DAYS
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BABY DAYS
BABY DAYS
Baby Photo’s • Photography Classes • Graphical Design & Alterations • Conversions of Home Movies to DVD • Conversion of slides & photos & video to digital formats • Corporate Training • Advertisement DVD’s
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Frieda by: 082 898 9747 & 044 692 0076 Email: frieda@geminisolutions.co.za www.geminisolutions.co.za • www.geminimodels.co.za
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BABY DAYS
BABY DAYS
f o t s o M e h t g Makin
E M I T Y A L P
Part Two – Baby Toys
As you are getting ready to buy a toy for your little one, keep it in mind that the toys you pick need to be age appropriate for your child. Children go through various stages of development at different ages. Toys need to stimulate the child’s mind during play. Here’s a guide to the right toys you need to buy depending on your child’s age. Eric Watson, founder of the South African Toy of the Year Award and owner of Giggles Toy Store offers parents these tips to help make the most of Playtime.
Babies/Infants
The time from your baby’s birth to when he or she turns one year old is when the most amazing changes take place. Baby toys at this stage need to stimulate the senses, particularly the senses of sight, sound and touch. That's why so many baby toys at this stage are colorful, textured or make noises. Babies at the ages of 0 - 6 months are all about discovery. They are discovering how to use their hands, feet, eyes and most of their senses. They are fascinated by cause and effect, and are becoming aware of their surroundings. Toys that are the most popular for young babies at this age include toys for looking, listening, sucking or fingering. Babies love to see bright primary colors like red, blue, or yellow. Toys with high contrasts and simple designs are the best buys. Toys should be light, soft and easy for your baby to handle. Toys that respond to baby's actions are more popular.
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Some popular types of toys for this age range include: 1. Rattles: Rattles entertain and stimulate babies. Rattles have been around forever and it's easy to see why. 2. Baby Play Gyms: Your little baby will love some tummy time and play gyms are perfect for that. 3. Cloth Toys 4. Squeeze Toys 5. Soft Squeeze Balls 6. Hanging Toys 7. Plastic Keys On Rings 8. Play Gyms 9. Soft Dolls 10. Small Stuffed Toys 11. Soft Hand Puppets to be moved by Adults 12. Unbreakable Mirrors 13. Audio Lullaby CD's to be played by Adults Babies at the ages of 6 to 12 months are slowly becoming more aware of their surroundings. They start teething, learning how to grasp, pull themselves up, crawl, begin to stand and walk alone at the later stages. They start wanting to explore their surroundings and objects around them. With toys, they exhibit a great interest in opening - closing, twisting, poking, shaking, biting, pushing pulling, and dragging. Babies begin to enjoy their bathtime, with bath toys being extremely popular too.
BABY DAYS
Some popular types of toys for this age range include: 1. Musical Toys: Musical toys for babies usually feature soothing music to calm your restless little one or, at the other end of the spectrum, are of the noise making variety. On a long car trip, during a nappy changing session, during play time or at rest time, musical toys will prove to be very handy. 2. Baby Play Gyms: Play gyms provide tummy time for babies. Babies are not only entertained by the various toys in the play gyms, their sensory and motor skills are developed as well. 3. Bath Toys: It's a lot of fun to splash around in the tub surrounded by colorful bath toys. Bath toys range from the traditional rubber ducky to the sophisticated bath toys of today. 4. Push and Pull Toys 5. Infant Swings 6. Rubber or Soft Blocks 7. Pop Up Toys 8. Big Balls 9. Nesting/Stacking Cups 10. Dolls 11. Cloth or Plastic Books 12. Soft Hand Puppets to be moved by Adults Before you buy a toy for your child, you have to check if the toy is right for your child's age, and whether it is safe enough for your precious little one. There are a lot of hidden hazards concerning toys which we as parents may not realize. Here are some pointers to guide you in buying the right toy keeping toy safety in mind for your child: � Check For Sharp Edges and Points. It is a must to check all toys for sharp and pointed edges. This is especially important for younger children since they have a tendency to put things into their mouths or into their eyes. There is always a danger of falling on top of the toy while playing, which also may cause injury. � Check if the Toy Has Cords or Strings Attached. If the toy you are planning to buy has cords or strings attached to it, please be careful that the cords are not too long. There is always a danger of the cord getting entangled into a loop which may pose strangulation hazards to the child. � Avoid Toys With Small Parts. This is a very important point to be noted - Never buy a toy which has small or loose parts that can come unattached for younger children below the ages of three. Younger kids have a tendency to swallow things, which can pose a danger. Also check if the toy has loose parts like eyes, noses etc which can be pulled off by an overzealous child.
. grounds otal Play y's T i in m y ove G ur bab E Tiny L ulate yo of THRE elight and stim e n o in d W will yground s and This pla l addres e, emai e.c o.z a w it h senses. m a n r u send yo @ s u rv iva lg u id ail. Winner will in m – simply To win m b e r t o a d m ubject of your e me a nu the s lly beco c o n ta c t / TINY LOVE in 2010. tomaticaounts monthly. u a l l i w u c S r GIGGLE on 2 SeptembeES competition,rsyoand member dis e L n be draw ntering the GIGGreceive newslett * By e member and ork SG Netw
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y Giveawa
Spring BABY DAYS
2010
BOOK THIS SPOT 074 103 8761
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Conscious Choices for Conscious Parents.
Organic and natural alternatives from bump to birth and beyond... For parents who want the best for their children and the world in which they live.
www.rainbowtots.co.za +27 (0)767 213 223
Good for the Body, Good for the Mind!
“Where do they get the energy?” parents ask as they watch their little ones on the go from the moment they wake up to the second the bedroom light is switched off. The good news is that physical activity isn’t just helping their bodies get a good workout; it’s also helping their minds develop. Studies show that physically active kids find learning easier. They get more out of their time in the classroom and cope more easily with the stresses and challenges of everyday life.
Roy Frazer-Mackenzie & Heath Baldwin
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Unfortunately children get less active as they get older, so it is vital that a healthy, active lifestyle is established early in life. – Start early and start easy. – See what’s working, and build on it. If there’s an activity your child is already enjoying, encourage them to explore it further. – Offer your child new opportunities for activity and stress the fun rather than the fitness. – Everyone has their own tastes, from dancing to running to cycling to soccer- let your children choose for themselves! Some experts share insights into what makes their activity great for children over the next few pages…
Makes learning to swim fun!
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Contact Sarah: 033 330 4931 swimfin@sai.co.za www.swimfin.co.za
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD
Paddling VIVIERS BALLET STUDIO
The safe and friendly studio, where every individual is important. Classes are offered in the International Royal Academy of Dance method.
EXAMS • BADGE TESTS • CONCERTS
MARIKI VIVIERS
Experienced RAD registered teacher BA HOD. PrePrim • RAD dip • RAD reg
044 620 3165 • 084 508 2919
– Martin Frazer-Mackenzie
P
addling is a wonderful, adventurous sport. It gives you a sense of independence and freedom to go where you want. It takes effort and involves fitness, so requires discipline. But the sense of achievement is great. Paddling is easier to learn at a younger age, as balance is better and more natural. Go paddle Kids!! A note from his wife, OT, Sally Paddling is a great continuous activity to build up muscle tone, and improve overall fitness. It also enhances the two sides of the body working together (bilateral integration) so will improve integration in many other tasks as a result.
Hiking – Fred Orban www.oystercatchertrail.co.za
M
any parents today realise that it is not the fault of the child that they are losing touch with the reality of the universe. There is now a trend towards parents taking their children on hikes in the parks, along the beaches or in the mountains, also letting them listen and identify the sound of birds singing their songs or little frogs croaking in a stream. Several schools all over the country are now organising tours for their pupils. They learn again to walk barefoot in the sand on remote beaches, watch dolphins dancing in the waves, follow ghost crabs scuttling for cover and fall asleep with the whisper of the wind outside their tents. No cell phones or other communication equipment are allowed during these adventures. This puts the balance of nature and the value of life back into the minds of both parents and children. The essential bonding between parent and child is now once again formed and the family can once again act as a unit under the leadership of the parents.
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Masada Lees - en Studiesentrum Kom lees beter en leer beter Leesvaardighede en studiemetodes Graad 1 - 13 Nico Fourie : 083 6535 770 masadaleessentrum@live.co.za
Fred Orban
Tel: +27 (0)44 699 1204 • Cell: + 27(0)82 550 4788 Email: forban@mweb.co.za • Website: www.oystercatchertrail.co.za
Nadav Buchalter
-Gordon Buchalter logs@xsinet.co.za
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD
Tennis e are all aware that a child is able to master a language by the W age of 2 or 3. If that is the case, one might easily conclude that co-ordination can also be learned early, and I say “learned” and not
“taught” because many of the actions required, come naturally to children who copy with ease. I personally encourage learning both fine and gross motor co-ordination as early as possible. A huge advantage of tennis as a precursor to other sports is that the demands of tennis requires a full repertoire of movements that are used in other sports: Footwork as in soccer, hip pivot as in golf, baseball, and cricket; serve as in the throwing action of cricket or baseball and smash as in badminton and squash, just to name a few. Hand eye co-ordination, balance, poise and core strength also get thrown into the mix. Tennis, in many respects, requires a degree of finesse and control that makes it easier to branch into other racquet ball sports rather than vice versa. Then there is the general wellness aspect. Tennis has a low injury rate and is a sport that lends itself to general fitness while enjoying the company of friends. Tennis can remain a competitive or social activity long after our schooling days are over. It affords the player the opportunity to develop independence and decision making skills in a one on one adversary situation. Children then aspire to achieve recognition and success which feeds on itself encouraging them to stay healthy, opting for fitness and natural endorphins highs rather than the synthetic stimulants too readily available today. Tennis is for all ages, all levels and all seasons. Start early, become used to tennis and sports in general to make it something of a lifelong habit and one of the sports you can play into your 80’s! Tel: 044-8733429 E-mail: office@holycrossgeorge.org.za Website: www.holycrossgeorge.org.za
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Gordon is a Registered Professional Tennis Coach living in the Garden Route.
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD
Horse Riding -Philippa Johnson
F
rom the outside riding may look incredibly simple – it is only once you get the chance to experience horse riding that you realize that every riding lesson is a lesson in how to deal with life. Children very soon come to understand that there is always more than one way to solve a problem and that nine out of ten times force does not work. When you are working with something that is a good eight to ten times your body weight with no spoken language – you have to find a way to get across what you want. The other lesson horses teach you is tenacity, you have to keep going back and do something again and again until you get it right - nobody else can fix it for you. Horses, like most animals, also have the gift of unconditional love –they will keep trying to understand us and give us their heart.
PREPRIMÊRE SKOOL
More important than all these things is that children today that are interested in horses PREPRIMARY SCHOOL are able to enjoy their childhood, they run around in the open air, get 91 Mitchell Street dirty and have fun away from the Tel: 044 874 3082 influences of shopping malls and Fax: 044 873 4559 E-mail: gppadmin@xsinet.co.za clubs. For me personally my horses P.O. Box 961, George, 6530 have always been the centre of my CHAMPIONS AFTER SCHOOL CARE-CENTRE universe and my passion. When I was Champions a child they enriched my childhood, as DON‛T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT 2010 HOLIDAYS? WHAT: Exciting HOLIDAY PROGRAM After School a teenager they taught me work ethics WHERE: 74 Cradock Street Care-Centre WHO: Grades R – Grade 7 and responsibility and when I became A fun, safe, exciting TIME: 7h30—17h30 2010 an adult and my life was destroyed they Our aim is holiday to provideprogramme! a FUN, SAFE programme PLEASE CALL TO SECURE YOUR CHILD‛S SPACE gave me a reason to live. R175 per week—Includes LUNCH AND 2X SNACKS
GEORGE
What: Exciting Holiday Program Where: 74 Cradock Street Who: Grades R – Grade 7 Time: 7h30—17h30
Enquiries please call: Maryna DeVries 072 4556505 /Sally Versfeld 072 2415442
R175 per Week Includes Lunch and 2x Snacks
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Maryna Devries: 072 455 6505 Sally Versfeld: 072 241 5442
Philippa did South Africa proud when she brought home two gold medals in the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008
- Maria Markides
M
artial Arts for me is more of a life skill than a child sport programme for boys and girls. Children need to play. They need to socialize. They need to feel worthy. The principles of martial arts align themselves with the sound educational principle of teaching children well within the boundaries of their age profile. All classes are taught in a fun-filled, energetic positive, environment. Instructors take into account the difference in the cognitive, emotional, social and motor development of the children in each age group. Classes are taught in an organized and structured manner similar to a classroom situation. Children are taught to listen to instructions, to observe demonstrations attentively, to concentrate while attempting the skills. Healthy values are also instilled like treating other students with respect, co-operating well, taking turns, being flexible and being a good sport that one can win and lose with dignity.
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD
Martial Arts
The classes focus on motor development (muscle tone, dominancy, bilateral symmetry and mid-line crossing) and motor skills (co-ordination, balance, timing, spatial orientation). They will then be able to play any of the following sports: tennis, hockey, cricket, soccer, volleyball, basketball and netball.) Gross Motor Development provides the basis of all other forms of development - including intellectual and perceptual development. It has been scientifically proven that physical activity has a profound influence on academic performance. If certain development milestones have not been achieved by school-going age, children will find it difficult to cope in the classroom. Maria has full Protea colours and was part of the SA Wushu team at the Beijing World Champs.
Full & 1/2day, CCTV cameras, finger-print scanned entrance, baby clinic on premises 16 Mann Str. George-East (044) 871 0078 mountaintop@mweb.co.za
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3 - 24 MONTHS
ACTIVE KIDS YOUR GROWING CHILD PAGE 18 www.survivalguide.co.za
Cycling – Sarah Wielopolska
C
ycling is for anyone and everyone. It is a non impact sport. ie it doesn’t damage ones hips, knees or back as it is non weight bearing. These means it is particularly good for growing children and older people. And it’s enjoyable! Whether cycling through a peaceful Nature Reserve, zig zagging through a lush forest, meandering along a river or riding through some fields with hills on either side, the scenery and being amongst nature at its best is excellent for ones spirit and well being. It is a perfect excursion for a family day out too. Mum and Dad, on their own bikes, can help their little ones with a push here and there and can teach them how to go over obstacles and face any challenges.
YOUR GROWING CHILD
Making reading fun and accessible for children
�
Little Lucky Lolo is the smallest boy in school. He loves to play sport, especially soccer. Can the smallest boy help win the township’s biggest soccer competition?
‘... this book is a gift for soccer fans and all families around the world’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This book tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s life, from his carefree days as an ordinary village boy, to his unflinching leadership of the ANC, the long years in prison and his eventual freedom and extraordinary elevation to President of South Africa.
Celebrating our vast cultural diversity, Giraffe Books picture books are available in South Africa’s eleven official languages.
Available at all good bookstores.
PAN MACMILLAN
For�more�information�visit:�www.panmacmillan.co.za�or�call�011�731�3440
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Join Bongani and his friends as they kick, dribble and shoot their new football through the dust. Who will win the game? The players – or the bullies who come to stop them?
YOUR GROWING CHILD PAGE 20 www.survivalguide.co.za
STIMULATE your Child’s Imagination To SUCCESS!
online support www.tobytower.co.za
consumer helpline 0800 220 488
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YOUR GROWING CHILD
YOUR GROWING CHILD PAGE 22 www.survivalguide.co.za
www.wallpaperdecor.co.za
The fun & easy way to decorate a kids’ room. Popular American imported wall decals, Mirror appliquÊs & Mega Packs, peel & stick borders, growth charts & giant wall murals for babies, toddlers & tweens. (boys & girls) Contact Gina Morris 084 677 0423 E-mail: info@wallpaperdecor.co.za
YOUR GROWING CHILD SABS 1288457 CCA Treated
22 Market Street • George • E-mail: gladiatorza@absamail.co.za
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Tel: (044) 884 1361 • Cell: 082 453 6284
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YOUR GROWING CHILD
www.helenogrady.co.za STUDIOS & SCHEDULE: HOEKWIL UP: Mon 3:45-4:45 pm LP: Tue 2-3 pm
KNYSNA LP Wed 3-4 pm YT 4-5pm
GEORGE BERGSIG UP Tue 3:30-4:30 pm
GEORGE-SUID UP Thur 3-4 pm
OUDTSHOORN Comp Tue 4-5 pm YT 5-6 pm
GEORGE ARTS THEATRE LP Thur 3:30-4:30 pm YT 4:30-5:30
MOSSEL BAY Comp Wed 4-5 pm YT 5-6 pm
MOONPARK THEATRE Adults Drama: Thurs 5:45-6:45 pm
YOUR GROWING CHILD
DRAMA CLASSES NEAR YOU KINDY PRIMARY YOUTH 3-5 YRS 6-12YRS 13-18YRS 044 850 1098 071 877 1881/2
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LP= Lower Primary • UP= Upper Prim YT= Youth Theatre
YOUR GROWING CHILD
Today’s children ARE NOT MOVING ENOUGH! MODERN LIVING, easy access to FAST FOOD and TECHNOLOGY all contribute to passive lifestyles, increased body weight and in many cases obesity.
THE MAGIC OF MOVEMENT! Did you know? • There is a direct connection between the large body movements involved in climbing, running, walking, swimming and ball play, and the small movements necessary for reading and writing activities. • Babies and young children learn from the inside out. Their core muscle strength is vital to healthy overall development and for laying strong foundations for higher order learning. • Children need to repeat movements thousands of times in many different ways to master them and gain confidence. • When a child is moving he or she is not just working his or her body but the eye muscles too. The co-ordination between the eyes and hands and the eyes and feet is integral to overall development.
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Good foundations Good movement education helps develop foundations for: • neater handwriting • the ability to sit comfortably in a chair and focus on desk work • improved concentration • eye strength for reading and copying from books, worksheets or the blackboard • the ability to follow movement demonstrations and auditory instructions • sequencing, memory and rhythm – for reading and writing • the acquisition of vocabulary that relates to movement eg. numbers, up, down, body parts, action words (in, behind), direction (left, right) etc. Research tells us • Children today are living in smaller environments eg. townhouses and clusters; • Children have increasingly limited access to large gardens and jungle gym equipment; • Children are at risk of spending too much time in front of a screen instead of moving • Security concerns limit the free exploration of the environment by children.
The Monkeynastix fun and creative approach to movement allows children to be children again. It is a broad-based, holistic programme that combines creativity, music and storytelling with basic training in flexibility, balance, strength, agility, co-ordination and body awareness. Your child will love each energy-packed lesson. How does Monkeynastix work? • A qualified instructor will come to your child’s school or public venue to run a class once a week. • Lessons run for 30 minutes. • Lessons include a warm up to music, stretch and tone and working with specialised equipment. • We believe in rewarding children to build their self esteem - each child receives a sticker or special hand out at the end of every class. • A certificate will be given to your child at the end of each term. • At the end of each year your child will receive a special Monkeynastix medal. Healthy living habits Get your child into healthy living habits from an early age. At Monkeynastix we reinforce what you are doing at home by incorporating some of the following into our lessons: • Emotional intelligence (e.g. respect yourself and others); • Social skills (e.g. please and thank you); • Environmental awareness (e.g. conserve water); • Moral standards (e.g. waiting your turn); • Healthy habits (e.g. Like brushing teeth, sun protection, hygiene); Let Monkeynastix take your child on a journey of discovery that will not only shape the body, but wire the mind for academic success. Children are born to move and through Monkeynastix we encourage them to explore and discover the world through their senses and their bodies with our fun and exciting movement education programme - designed by specialists, endorsed by therapists and teachers, and loved by kids!
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YOUR GROWING CHILD
YOUR GROWING CHILD
KIDS HOLIDAYS 2010 LAKELAND FARM
ART & CRAFT COURSES
CAMP ECO WALKS & TALKS BEACH TRIPS & GAMES ALL IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS!! R1400 / CHILD
BEADING, FABRIC PAINTING, CERAMICS, ECO WALKS & ANIMAL TALKS. SNACKS & LUNCH TOO. R850 / CHILD FOR ALL 4 DAYS
DATES: 20 - 25 JUNE (5-13YRS)
14 - 17 JUNE (5 - 9YRS) 28 JUNE - 1 JULY (9 - 12YRS)
Contact: Amanda 072 949 3002 l Email: party@tumbleweeds.co.za l www.tumbleweeds.co.za
Creative Orbit 0656
Improve your child’s development
• Interactive audiovisual stimulation • Give your child a learning advantage • Developed in conjunction with educational specialists • Complete FREE e-books from website: “Donkey, dolphin and dragonfly” / “Donkie, dolfyn en duisendpoot” PAGE 28 www.survivalguide.co.za
SCARAB VILLAGE
HOLIDAY CAMP
www.novolibri.com
by Di-Di Hoffman
- conscientious self-care that’s better than average you’re likely to keep on getting ill just like everyone else.
Just as there are things in life that sap our immune system’s vigour and capacity, there are also things that give it a break, or even actively nurture it. So in the simplest sense, the strategy for strengthening the immune system is to increase the positive influences in our life as much as possible, while at the same time reducing the negative’s as much as possible. One negative influence removed from your life makes a difference - there’s no getting around that. It’s simply one less burden on your immune system. One addition on the plus side gives greater impetus to your own innate healing power. Do what you can, and appreciate yourself for the changes you make. There are at least six major immune boosting and cancer prevention tools that are both easy to adopt and accessible to virtually everyone. These six health promoters are: diet, culinary herbs, exercise, stress reduction techniques, social support and intimacy. Immune Booster # 1: Diet There are two areas on which you can focus. The first is a positive strategy: increasing your daily intake of anti-oxidants and minerals that promote immunity and support the cancer-fighting mechanisms of the body. The second is to follow a low-fat diet. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants: they slow down the aging process and protect the body from cancer, heart disease and pollution. Find out what vitamin C does for your body and how you can fuel up on vitamin C using only natural sources. Immune Booster # 2: Culinary herbs A wide array of herbs are proving to have powerful immune boosting and cancer-prevention properties. The most prominent of these are garlic, cumin, turmeric, Japanese green tea, licorice, cinnamon, mint and chamomile.
Immune Booster # 3: Exercise Moderate exercise stimulates the production of a variety of immune cells and enhances the overall function of the immune system. As little as 30 minutes of walking per day, three to five times per week, is enough to boost cardiovascular fitness and immunity. Immune Booster # 4: Stress reduction techniques Stress affects immunity in a number of ways, but primarily through the endocrine system by causing the secretion of immune depressing hormones. Dealing with stress effectively is therefore essential in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Among the best ways of doing that is exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Immune Booster # 5: Social support There is no denying that humans are social creatures, but we are only beginning to learn that social life is essential to our health, as well as our happiness. This is especially the case in times of a health crisis. Immune Booster # 6: Intimacy We call it “dying of a broken heart,” and, indeed, the research consistently shows that the loss of a loved one is associated with depressed immune response and premature death. When following this strategy of increasing the positives and decreasing the negatives, don’t expect to experience a necessarily dramatic result. One of the ironies of taking good care of yourself is what we call the “no-result” result. We are not accustomed to measuring our success by what doesn’t happen. We want to see something happening, even if it means being very ill and getting heroically “cured.” A shift in thinking is needed here: No news is good news. There are countless all-too-common health catastrophes whose absence in your life will confirm your success. Source: www.herb.co.za
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t is possible to simply not get ill. I’m getting better and Iyour better at it each year, and hopefully so will you and family. However, if you don’t do something special
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one individual at a time.
Courage, consciousness and a sense of humour eing an individual in a world that demands conformity can be scary. It is daunting for your child but it is equally frightening as an adult. You are subjected to fashion trends, rules about how you should raise your child and how you should relate, even to the point of why you should get married! Why the need to conform? It is a structure designed to keep you safe because if there is a formula to follow then there is no need to take any risks or, more accurately, any responsibility. Youget to blame the formula for failure and go on ignoring the core issue: your truth.
order. The reason is simple: you are the one thing that no one and nothing can take away from you, and your partner is who you are left with when your children have grown up…and you do not want him/her to be a stranger. So, everything starts with you. Looking after yourself as a parent is the greatest gift you can give your children. Couples often choose to stay in unhappy relationships “for the children” when a greater gift would be to give them your happiness. Children feel happiness and
Your child is subjected to this same formula merely by being a part of this world and so there is no point trying to protect them from it. However, you can give them the special gift of knowing who they are before they feel the need to fit in.
Lifeology provides support to individuals and families through tailored talks, courses and online resources.
Provide them with the environment and the guidelines; the basic tools of life, such as to put themselves first, have fun, and endeavour to never harm others, especially themselves. You should teach your child that a fire can burn but do not try to stop them getting burnt.
there is nothing more obvious to them than when it is not there. So, work on you. Get to know you. Seek out your own happiness and take responsibility for your life and your family.
This then teaches them to make their own choices responsibly. Give them the grounding and then allow them the freedom to explore. What about you – the parent? Life has become pressurised and serious. You are focussed on giving your child the best life you know how. Rest assured that that is what you will do so take the stress off yourself.
True selflessness is a selfish journey. In order for your cup to overflow to benefit those around you it needs to be full first. So fill it; fill it with the truth of everything that you are, including those aspects that you have avoided looking at. Be wary of false positivity because that hides the truth and whatever truth is hidden vies for your attention. Why hide any part of you? Love yourself unconditionally and the rest takes care of itself, including your family.
Check who your priority is in your life and make sure it is you, your partner and then your children, in that
“The truth will set you free” but you have to face it and acknowledge it first.
www.lifeology.biz | Greg Arthur 083 601 8147 | Jodene 0741 563363
PAGE 33 www.survivalguide.co.za
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FAMILY LIFE
PAGE 38 www.survivalguide.co.za
HEALTHY LIVING
F
adly, our society is in the midst of an epidemic of childhood obesity… a state of affairs which we have the power to change through making simple changes to every day life within our family environment. What causes obesity? From a scientific point of view the cause of the problem is very simple. Our energy balance equation determines whether we gain, or lose weight. If a child consumes more energy through food and drink than he or she expends through exercise and general living, that extra energy is stored by the body as fat. Fat mass builds up in the abdomen, around the child’s internal organs, creating the so-called apple shaped obesity and leads to ill-health. What can we do about it? The key to managing the problem effectively is to change the environment - the way our children live, the way they are educated, the promotion of unhealthy foods, access to affordable healthy foods at school, and at home. It means making the streets safe for them to walk to school, improving their activity levels at school, increasing opportunity for sport, and general encouragement to get up off the couch, leave their computer games and TV, and be more active. Much of this lies well beyond a child’s control and so they are reliant on the adults in their world to take the lead and lead by example! A healthy lifestyle is for everyone in the family. Here are some helpful pointers: • Concentrate on health, not weight. • Talk to your children, agree on sensible, sustainable small changes and make them together. • Try and eat together as a family as often as possible; not only is it more fun it’s also been shown that children who eat with their parents eat more fruit and vegetables and are less likely to be overweight. • Make breakfast an important meal every day. Children who eat breakfast have been shown to be healthier, have less time off school, and have better
HEALTHY LIVING
e alt g n a Ch He r o
behaviour and improved concentration; their teacher will thank you! • Reduce sugary drinks and snacks. These empty calories have little nutrition but lots of unnecessary calories. • Make fruit and veg a priority. Only one in five of us achieve the recommended 5 portions each day so start by increasing your daily intake by one or two portions and build up from there. Not only are they better for you but they will fill your child up and make them less hungry for less healthy alternatives. Children, particularly under the age of seven, still need some fat in their diet, in milk and cheese for example, but where it’s not needed, keep it to a minimum. • Think about portion sizes; our plates have become bigger over the years and we heap them higher. Make sure vegetables fill over half the plate. For snacks try fresh fruit chopped-up, or a handful of nuts. Try not to associate food with reward or punishment. And don’t forget that the occasional treat is absolutely fine. • Get Active! Few children get the one hour of exercise they need every day to stay healthy. Any form of activity can be helpful. Walk with them to school, encourage them to take part in school activities, to join after school clubs. Limit the hours they spend watching TV and playing on computer games each week and encourage them to go out and play, but make sure they understand why; in my experience most children respect this kind of “contract”. Go for a family bike ride or walk at the weekend and in the evenings and spend time with them chatting as you walk; your kids will love it. There is so much we as parents can do to get our children off to the right start for a healthy active life. Make health a family priority. Concentrate on a healthy diet and active lifestyle, never on weight or dieting. Be active as a family. What’s good for the health of our children is good for mum and dad’s health too. Our children deserve nothing less.
PAGE 39 www.survivalguide.co.za
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not all things nice! By Nutritional Therapist, Heidi du Preez
D
r William Martin was first to publicly label sucrose (sugar) a poison. Martin’s definition came about after he determined the classical definition of a poison as “… any substance applied to the body, which causes or may cause disease.”
• Obesity - cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity result from increased use of refined sugars. The huge worldwide increase in heart disease increases in rough proportion to the increase in sugar consumption, and not fat consumption!
Sugar contained in natural, wholefoods is easily metabolised and utilised by the body. Nature has ensured that fructose, for instance, obtained when we consume unprocessed fruits (wholefoods), has the necessary enzymes, vitamins and minerals accompanying it to allow this type of simple carbohydrate to be converted efficiently into glucose (blood sugar) and fully metabolised by our bodies for energy.
• Micro-organisms and cancer - all refined sugars are parasitic. Yeasts, moulds and other bacteria feeds on sugar and even cancer cells proliferate in a sugar rich environment!
Because refined sugar has no accompanying vitamins and minerals and no nutritive value, it leaches valuable vitamins and minerals from the body to complete the assimilation processes, resulting in the following conditions: • Immune system - sugar suppresses the immune system, making one more susceptible to infection, colds and flu. It is also mucous forming, so can exacerbate sinus infections, runny noses, ear infections and other respiratory or digestive problems. • Hyperactivity – sucrose robs minerals and the B-vitamins, impairs brain function, resulting in increased emotional instability, crankiness, concentration difficulties, hyperactivity and violence. ADD, ADHD, autism and other behavioural problems have been linked to excessive sugar consumption.
• Other diseases - sugar can cause appendicitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, increase the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and can exacerbate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Excess sugar consumption has also been linked to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, varicose veins and don’t forget the rotten teeth! • Aging - free radicals, and thus sugar, are the most significant factor that accelerates ageing. Food companies have doubled the amount of sugar they add to many of their processed products. Processed meats, soups, yoghurts, breakfast cereals, and other foods have been heavily sweetened to attract more customers. Some breakfast cereals contain up to 14g of sugar per serving, which is 5g more than the sugar content of a jam doughnut. Read the labels! Also look out for hidden refined sugar like glucose or corn syrups, fructose, maltose, dextrose and starch. The best way to sweeten up your life is to use wholefoods, like raw honey, dates, raisins, fruits and natural sweeteners like Stevia, Xylitol or Agave. However, the best is still to trade in your sweet tooth for one that will appreciate only the delicate taste of natural wholefoods. For more detailed info on how important nutrition is in raising happy healthy kids, see http://www.naturalnutrition.co.za/ infantfeeding.asp
Heidi du Preez Pr.Sci.Nat., MSc. Nutritional Therapist www.naturalnutrition.co.za • Tel: 044 382 7100
PAGE 41 www.survivalguide.co.za
To the contrary, refined sugar, or sucrose, is manufactured from cane and beet extract, which has had its enzymes , vitamins and minerals removed to leave a white, crystalline substance devoid of any nutritional content, only offering empty calories.
HEALTHY LIVING
Sugar and Spice,
You Can Be
HEALTHY LIVING
Her HERO! I
was recently talking to a male friend of mine from France who was appalled at the South African male condition. We are very busy trying to convince everyone how masculine we are by putting on a macho façade and thinking that’s what chicks dig. Anything that’s pink, scented, soft, tender or romantic is “gay”… This is a huge problem for our guys, because the stuff that really appeals to the heart of a woman is going to require dropping the macho routine and embarking on a journey of feeling and articulation and tenderness! Here’s a short list of hot tips to elevate your rankings with the fairer sex: • Don’t lose your manners. Open the door for her; say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’; offer to dish up for her at a party and get her a drink; introduce her to people properly; carry stuff for her; etc. • Look at stuff she likes when you go shopping. There will be times you drop her at a boutique while you move on to the cigar shop alone, but from time to time you need to shop with her for her benefit alone - just because it makes her happy! • Listen, and make her feel like you’re listening. Don’t try and “fix” all her problems the moment she raises them – mostly she just needs to
voice things to get them off her chest and settle emotions. • Physical touch. Touch your lady throughout the day, whether you’re a “physical touch” person or not – just do it. • Make sacred time for each other. Every week there should be specific appointments with each other that you simply don’t allow anything to interfere with. You wouldn’t allow anything to disrupt your business meeting, so don’t allow work or kids or family or friends to disrupt your special time together. • When it comes to intimacy, setting the scene is really important – the right atmosphere, the right lingerie (visit www.pinneduplingerie.co.za for inspiration), music, candle light… all that stuff DOES make a difference! Let the lead up be lingering and meaningful – take your time to really enjoy each other on all levels is the way forward to intimacy that will knock your socks off! So men, that’s it in a nutshell …. Why not turn on off the TV, ignore the sports channel, drop the mucho image and give it a go… you might find yourself a natural Don Juan in the making! Adapted from article by Deon Barnard (www.deonbarnard.net)
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HEALTHY LIVING
Pole Dancing the fun way to get fit!
rties Pole dancing pa are perfect for: rties • Bachelorette pa • Showers • Birthdays y night! • or just a Saturda dance learn how to pole What better way to king tal be l u’l Yo ? ds lfrien than with your gir years! about this party for
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PAGE 43 www.survivalguide.co.za
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Bioflora
HEALTHY LIVING
What are probiotics? Quite simply, probiotics are good bacteria which are vital for good health by preserving and replenishing the healthy bacteria in the body which in turn helps to maintain a healthy digestive and urinary system. Probiotics are bacteria that occur naturally in the intestines and have many beneficial qualities. They are frequently referred to as the “friendly” bacteria. There are two main groups of these bacteria: Lactobacillus, which lives in the small intestine and Bifidobacterium, which lives in the large intestine (the colon). The term ‘probiotic’ originates from the Greek expression pro bios, meaning “for life”.
HEALTHY LIVING
Fixing tummy problems for your family is as easy as adding a simple supplement to their diet every day. Diarrhoea, constipation, tummy aches and even allergies can be controlled and completely eliminated by adding probiotics to the diet. Although probiotics have been around for many years, it is quite astonishing how few people are aware of their benefits.
Usually when we think about bacteria we associate them with having harmful effects on our health, causing numerous problems or diseases. However, only a relatively small group of bacteria actually cause diseases, while the remaining ones are either neutral (saprophytic) and can even be beneficial to our health. Probiotic bacteria belong to the latter group. Bioflora has developed a range of probiotic products to treat the whole family: • Infantiforte for babies and infants • Kiddieforte for toddlers and older children • Combiforte and Combi 15 for adults • Vagiforte Plus to treat bacterial infections and thrush By adding Infantiforte to baby’s formula or milk, or giving children delicious Kiddie-forte tablets, tummy ailments can be eliminated. Adults and older children can be given Combiforte and if anyone in the family has been on antibiotics, Combi 15 is the answer as it is a concentrated dosage of probiotics. It has been estimated that every year one billion women around the world suffer from urogenital infections which include bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis (vaginal thrush) and lower urinary tract infections. Although the initial response of most patients to antibiotic treatment or anti-fungal therapies for these infections is positive, the recurrence rate is generally high. Vagiforte Plus taken as directed, has been shown to help with bacterial infections and thrush. Probiotics have also been shown to play a positive role in the regulation of the immune system and assist in the absorption of good nutrients. Probiotic supplementation added to the diet of babies and children has also been found to reduce the incidence of allergies, asthma and eczema. So keep your family healthy with the range of Bioflora probiotic supplement which treat : • Diarrhoea • Constipation • Irritable bowel syndrome • Intestinal, oral and vaginal thrush • Lactose intolerance • Spastic colon • Inflammatory bowel disease • Excessive gas and bloating. The colon plays an important part in general health and apart from its role in digestion, if it does not function properly, symptoms such as flatulence, fatigue and bloating can occur. Colon Food is a prebiotic that enhances the growth of friendly flora in the gut. Colon Food should be used in conjunction with probiotics.
Bioflora products are available from pharmacies.
PAGE 45 www.survivalguide.co.za
All Bioflora products help to boost the immune system and are 100% safe as they are made under strictly controlled laboratory conditions.
SURVIVNG PARENTHOOD
Child’s Play:
Why children need to play
comes naturally to children. And the best is that they do not need expensive toys to intrigue them Pintolay the enchanting world of play. In fact, it is usually
Stages of play:
Why is play so important? Children develop their potential through play. This development takes place on an emotional-social, physical, linguistic and cognitive level. Children learn about themselves and their world through play.
Toddlers: • Toddler play requires supervision. They are not ready to share and take turns. • They do not play with other children, but rather side by side. • They need to practice gross motor skills by pushing and pulling activities and fine motor skills by picking up small things, pushing small objects though a hole etc. • Toddlers practice language by songs and nursery rhymes. • Their attention span is short and hence they need frequent changes in activity.
something that you will find in any household that can keep them busy for hours... OK, maybe not hours, but definitely for a precious few minutes or so. Ironically, we as parents jeopardize child’s play by keeping up with the Jones’. Do our children really need an Xbox, laptop or PlayStation? In this technological era, there is a place for these things, but definitely not to the extent where we interrupt our children’s normal development.
Emotional-social development: Play is the emotional language of a child. Children utilize play to deal with changes and challenges within their world. This is important to the extent that when we see children in therapy, we play with them. Through play therapy, we learn about this child’s world, his perspectives, insecurities and hurts. We can also identify his needs and help him to process traumas, to find productive ways of dealing with emotions and to change his behaviour. Oftentimes when I ask little persons what they wish for, I get the answer that they wish their parents had more time to play with them. They do not want sweeties and toys - they need the ones closest to their hearts to play with them. When you play with your child, ask questions about emotions e.g. “How does dolly feel about what happened now?” or comment by saying, “I can see that that made her very angry”. This is also an opportunity for practicing adult roles and tasks and learning about responsibility and socially accepted behaviour.
PAGE 46 www.survivalguide.co.za
Through play, children also learn important social skills and behaviour. Taking turns, sharing, dealing with conflict and being sensitive to other people’s feelings are only but a few. However, we should always keep their developmental phase in mind in our expectations of their social behaviour. A two-year old is not equipped to deal with conflict productively. Every conflict situation is, however, a learning opportunity where we can guide him into positive social and emotional responses.
Babies: • Babies learn about the world through their senses. Provide new sensory stimuli like music, mobiles and textured books. • They learn about cause and effect – if I pull here, this happens there. • Babies learn that they are a separate person from their parents. • They learn about object permanency through hideand-seek and peek-a-boo.
Pre-schoolers: • Pre-schoolers start to play with each other and sharing and taking turns is being mastered. • Encourage imaginative and pretend play. • Create opportunities for gross motor development like climbing, running etc. School-aged children: • Social abilities are very important for school-going children. They play with each other and have special friends. They are more independent in their play, but still need supervision on dealing with emotions and developing social skills. • They enjoy fantasy games. • They start playing games with rules and making up games. • They love exploring their extended environment. • Rediscover your inner child by playing with your kids. Happy playing! Jeanne Fourie-Hattingh is a psychologist in private practice and mother to Hema. Contact: 044 874 1241
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