Child (June 2018)

The magazine for parents

CHiLD ISSUE 60, June 2018

SPLASHING INTO SUMMER

EXPLORING NATURE FIRST RELATIONSHIPS ORGAN DONATION VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN FIGHTING OBESITY Plus: recipes, travel tips, fun and creative activities

CHiLD ISSUE 60 June 30, 2018

Contents

All play and no work…

Features 4 People: Life after Drew campaign 8 Nature: Exploring the beach and its wonders 12 Parenting: Ending corporal punishment 18 Counselling: New family support programme 24 Education: Paying tribute to teachers 26 Teenagers: Dealing with a broken heart 32 Obesity: Local study results 36 Recipes: Healthy summer snacks 38 Travel: Planning a smoother flight

Regulars 15 Top tips: Creative summer activities 29 News you can use: No smartphones at night 40 Top tips: Water warnings 41 Shopwindow: The best of goods and services

Correspondence to the editor may be sent to: The Executive Editor, Child Magazine, Times of Malta, Triq l-Intornjatur, Mrieħel, BKR 3000, or send an e-mail to stephanie.fsadni@timesofmalta.com Executive Editor Stephanie Fsadni Publisher Allied Newspapers Limited Printing Progress Press Limited Production Allied Newspapers Limited Contributors Charlene Borg, Coryse Borg, Emily Burton, Sandy Calleja Portelli, Sarah Carabott. Design Krista Bugeja Advertising Sales Amanda Gauci (tel: 2276 4332; e-mail: amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com).

The days are getting longer, the freezer is packed with ice cream and frozen yoghurt, and laundry baskets are overflowing with dirty little T-shirts – and all against the screaming Greek chorus of an invisible army of cicadas.

The clues are obvious even to an amateur detective – school is over and children can finally enjoy a well-deserved break from early mornings and late nights. No more copybooks, textbooks or homework and plenty of time to play games on their tablet and watch TV. Well, at least that’s what their summer wishlist says.

Parents surely don’t want their children to stay idle all summer and they may now be fretting over how to keep young brains active yet entertained.

This issue of Child packs plenty of ideas on how children can learn life skills and improve their knowledge on various subjects through fun, educational activities. A bonus is that these will not stretch your household budget.

Encourage your little ones to explore their creative side through art and science projects such as studying the weather, tending a garden or making a home movie.

A visit to the beach can also become a thrilling adventure as it’s a treasure trove of natural wonders, just waiting to be explored. And if they poke their heads beneath the waves, they are sure to get hooked to the underwater world.

Swimming is good for children and adults alike. The heat outside falls like a humid blanket and may discourage kids – and their parents – from doing any other sports outdoors but it’s important that they keep physically active.

Obesity has become a major health issue locally, especially because of related complications which translate into a heavy financial burden on the country. Child reads up on a study carried out among schoolchildren that has found that increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help combat excess weight and thus reduce the risk of obesity.

This edition also features other important topics such as organ donation, the adoption of positive discipline as opposed to physical punishment, the challenging task of talking to one’s child about their medical condition, and the highs and lows, trials and tribulations of first love.

I hope this issue provides an interesting read for summer and that you find the tips useful. Your children will surely reap the benefits if they spend their time wisely.

All rights reserved. © 2018 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

CHiLD JUNE 2018 3

PEOPLE Drew Abela passed away from a brain haemorrhage in 2016.

Donating life after death Sarah Carabott meets a couple who have learnt to live ‘broken’ after their son Drew passed away two years ago. They managed to cope better through a project they set up in honour of his noble gesture: that of organ donation. gentle giant. An animal lover. The young man who loved all things Batman. The 20-year-old who was bigger than life.

This is how Drew Abela is remembered by family and friends, two years from his sudden passing away. But he will especially be remembered as a lifesaver for those who received one of his organs.

The tragic loss of their son remains painful for Sharon and Kenneth Abela, with life after Drew being a constant struggle to learn to live ‘broken’.

In picking up the pieces, the Abelas conceived a project honouring Drew’s noble gesture, which will see the launch of a campaign aimed at raising awareness about organ donation.

Called Life after Drew, the campaign is being put together by his parents, his aunt Claire Galea and members of the Transplant Support Group Malta.

They hope the campaign will raise awareness among the public about the need of organ donation, encourage others to register as a donor and prompt a support structure that guides surviving relatives through the process.

Sharon and Kenneth know how traumatic the sudden loss of a loved one, especially a child, can be.

Drew passed away from a brain haemorrhage. He was declared brain dead in a matter of hours on a summery day in June of 2016.

Sharon recalls the sense of confusion they felt, as the world came crashing down around them.

“There were moments when we didn’t really understand what was going on. We were told that he has been declared

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“When they told us there was no hope, I wanted to save something from my son”

brain dead, however, we were still seeing him breathe with the help of machines,” she said.

The Abelas were psychologically supported by relatives who have a medical background; this helped them cope better with the situation.

However, what happens to those without access to such information? Do they return home, their thoughts shrouded with doubts that could be detrimental to their mental well-being?

The hospital authorities already provide commendable psychological support to people battling cancer, or those who lose their offspring at childbirth. These psychological services could be replicated with those who lose their relatives in tragic or sudden circumstances, especially after giving consent for organ donation, Sharon noted, adding that in their case, the medical staff went beyond their call of duty to provide the optimum level of service.

Anyone who has lived the last moments with a loved one knows how surreal those few hours or minutes could be.

Organ donation is the last thing on your mind, as you hope against hope that they will pull through. How did the Abelas decide to go ahead with the donation?

PEOPLE

“I may have jumped the gun myself – when they told us there was no hope, I wanted to save something from my son,” Sharon said.

The Abelas, registered donors, had in the past brought up the subject of organ donation with their children Drew and his older sister Bobbie.

Now was the time to go ahead with the donation, and the decision they took reflected their son’s altruistic character. They believe that around seven people received his organs but donations remain anonymous.

Kenneth noted that although the donation did not change the pain or sorrow, it helped them cope better.

For Sharon, more than closure, it helped provide some sense of continuation. It helped make sense of something that did not make any sense.

They now hope to encourage others to register as organ donors.

Aiming at boosting the existing support group’s efforts, they have partnered up with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, with students providing the tools for the campaign. These include an exhibition, a performance, interviews and videos and a new brand identity.

Drew with his sister Bobbie

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PEOPLE

Some advice to parents who lost their children SHARON: Your love for your lost child will never stop – I realised that I needed to branch out my love for Drew and fuel something else with it. I thought that the best thing to do was to keep his memory alive, and do something in his name.

If you used to go for walks, start going for walks again. If you used to work, return to work. Don’t be afraid to cry and show your emotions, because bottling it up will not help at all… on the other hand, you could actually empower and encourage others.

KENNETH: The days immediately after Drew passed away were surreal – it was overwhelming for me. It is important to keep yourself occupied. We did things together, such as go for walks and set targets, including completing the Camino de Santiago, for which we had to get out of the house to train.

Drew's parents, Sharon and Kenneth Abela.

PHOTO: JONATHAN BORG

Become a donor Those aged 16 and over who wish to donate their organs can now enrol in a register and specify which organs they would like to donate and, if they change their mind, they can de-register.

Those already in possession of a donor card, who want to ensure that their organs are donated on their death, need to register again following new legislation in force since December 2016.

More information is available on www.transplantsupport.org.mt.

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In the parents’ own words “The loss of a loved one, in our case our son, brings with it tragic circumstances which are devastating beyond repair, and which are difficult to comprehend let alone deal with. It is a life-changing moment, which now I understand more than ever. It will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The question is: how are we looking at our lives after Drew?

How has life been altered? How can we restore the positivity that was present in our lives before and during our life with Drew? How are others looking at their lives, after Drew?

For us, life after Drew is a constant struggle to learn to master the art of living broken. The Japanese have such an art called Kintsugi (golden joinery), which is a technique wherein heirlooms of pottery are fixed with liquid gold (sometimes silver or platinum). The cracks remain, the fractures are emphasised rather than concealed, the breakage remains visible as evidence of the events that shaped it. Moreover, it is highlighted through a shimmering seam of gold, which winds and hugs the shattered piece. Because beauty can prevail in the broken, the flawed and the imperfect. Because the broken have a story to tell. The broken have been through calamity and made it.

The broken possess strength and resilience. The broken stand dignified.

Thus Life after Drew pays tribute primarily to all broken individuals who, like us, have a story to tell.

Life after Drew commends all donors (living and deceased) before Drew, as well as all future donors after Drew, as they are the protagonists of the altruistic and heroic act of organ donation.

Life after Drew celebrates the love and selflessness of families of deceased and living donors.

Life after Drew applauds the possibility of giving a better quality of life a second chance to the recipients.

Life after Drew encourages registrations of organ donation, motivates individuals, creates awareness about the subject and, above all, promotes altruism in all aspects of life.”

NATURE

On a discovery of sun, sea and nature Emily Burton gives ideas on how to turn a trip to the beach into a thrilling adventure. ummer sees us packing our sunscreen and heading for the seaside. But if you are planning a family trip to the coast this summer, why not keep things interesting for everybody and explore some of Malta’s glorious marine habitats while you’re there?

There are endless nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered and a whole bunch of simple activities that you can do to bring your family closer to nature. Here are five ideas to get you started.

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Discover rock pooling Let’s face it – poking around in the water and hopping between the rocks is fun at any age, especially when you are the first to discover a crab or spot an interesting fish. However, there is undoubtedly a deeper fascination to be found in these colourful rock pool worlds for younger minds. Not only will your child have the chance to discover some amazing plants and animals but this activity also teaches patience and perseverance. The longer they wait and watch, the more they will see.

For younger children, simply enjoying the pools and the animals may be enough but it might be worth downloading a ‘spotter’ sheet for older kids so that they can identify and mark off what they see. When you have finished exploring, remember to leave the area as you found it, so that the creatures that live there continue to thrive.

Become beach scavengers The beach is a treasure trove of natural wonders; from shells and seaweed to sharks eggs and bones, you are always guaranteed to find something cool if you take the time to look. Children can find endless fun in the challenge of a ‘treasure hunt’ and this activity can easily become a family game.

Littles ones might be happy simply to retrieve ‘something smooth’, ‘something noisy’, ‘something smelly’ and so on, which will allow them to explore different natural items using their senses.

However, encourage older children to become detectives and work out exactly what they’ve found – they can do this using a book, the internet or by taking a picture and asking someone later. Remember to warn them to be careful about what they handle and to always wash their hands when the fun is over.

“The beach is a treasure trove of natural wonders”

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NATURE

Create a masterpiece Natural art is an expressive and rewarding way to enjoy the outdoors.

Collect natural materials with your child and encourage them to make something beautiful. They can use a variety of materials to explore textures and colours in the picture or structure they create. If you’re on a sandy beach, why not work together to create a sand sculpture and add sticks, stones, leaves or shells to bring it to life? It’s always best to use natural debris – although colour is good, please avoid picking flowers and plants as this could damage important habitats. Once your masterpiece is completed, take a picture and then leave it for others to enjoy in its very own outdoor exhibition.

‘It’s easy to become addicted to the underwater world once you know that it’s there”

Take plunge

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Malta is world renowned for its incredible display of underwater marine life. Don’t take it for granted! Take your child for a dip and instead of splashing around on the surface, buy or borrow some goggles or a snorkel and poke your head beneath the

waves. The whole family will be impressed and astounded by the life you will find there and it’s easy to become addicted to this underwater world once you know that it’s there. Look online to find out more about spots around the coast that are easy and safe to explore with your child and discover tips about how to get the most from this amazing experience.

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NATURE

Do a beach clean-up Clearing up other people’s litter might not seem like the perfect family day at the beach, but giving something back to nature can be very rewarding. Marine litter, especially plastic, is currently causing our wildlife enormous problems and thousands of animals die every year because of the rubbish we leave behind.

Cleaning up the beach is truly one of the best and easiest ways to make a direct positive impact on Maltese wildlife. Make sure your child fully understands that they are not only

making the beach a nicer place for people but that they could also be saving the lives of wild fish, birds and mammals as well.

And remember, a clean-up can be fun! See who can collect the most rubbish in 10 minutes or else challenge your family to find the weirdest object they can. You can easily do a litter pick independently but, if you’d prefer to join a larger group and be provided with all the equipment you need, then do some research online – plenty of NGOs around the island lead cleanups on a regular basis.

Just remember to be safe. All sorts of things wash up on the beach, so make sure you all wear gloves and warn youngsters about sharp or dangerous objects.

There are plenty of books and websites packed with more ideas about enjoying nature and the outdoors as a family... so whatever you choose to do, make sure you spend some quality time outdoors with your children this summer.

Emily Burton is Birdlife Malta education assistant.

Competition VJ Salomone Marketing is giving readers the chance to win €100 worth of Pampers products by answering the following question:

Name one of Pampers Splashers’ unique features?

Answers, including your name, surname, telephone number and e-mail address, are to be sent to Amanda Gauci on amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com, until the end of July. The winner will be announced in the next issue of Child.

Terms and conditions: The voucher is valid for six months. It can be redeemed on VJ Salamone products.

Products will be given at consumer prices.

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PAreNTING

SPARE THE ROD, SAVE THE CHILD A global movement aims to end all forms of violence on children by 2030.

Sandy Calleja Portelli finds that despite commitment to end corporal punishment in many countries, including Malta, there is still a long way to go before all children are guaranteed a childhood safe from all kinds of violence and humiliation. meme popped up on Facebook a couple of months ago that said “share if you were raised by the wooden spoon”.

It was shared extensively with many commenting that the odd spanking they received as a child did them no harm and others expressing their belief that today’s children would also benefit from similar disciplining.

Our attitudes to corporal punishment have changed substantially over the years – today we would be aghast at the thought of a teacher hitting a student although this was commonplace in my schooldays. However, the thought of a parent spanking a child is

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not met with the same widespread condemnation and some perceive corporal punishment as being an inevitable part of parenting. Unfortunately, this is a global issue but, fortunately, there is a global movement aimed at ending all forms of violence on children by 2030.

The latest High Level Global Conference on the Universal Prohibition of Corporal Punishment was hosted by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca this spring.

Over the span of two days, participants from every corner of the globe discussed and shared the strategies being implemented in their countries

to end all corporal punishment against children as part of international efforts to meet the child protection targets established by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 2030 Agenda was signed by the General Assembly of the United Nations aimed at safeguarding the future of the planet and the dignity of all the people on it. As former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at the time: “We don’t have a plan B because there is no planet B.” Among the 17 goals of the agenda is one which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture of children which is

PAreNTING understood to include all forms of corporal punishment (sustainable development goal 16.2). At present 53 States, including Malta, have prohibited all corporal punishment of children and another 56 States have committed to prohibiting all corporal punishment but there is still a long way to go before all children are guaranteed a childhood safe from all kinds of violence and humiliation.

In her opening address, Ms Coleiro Preca described corporal punishment as “a serious attack on the child’s intrinsic human dignity [which] undermines the well-being of our communities and societies”. The President also noted that despite the fact that all corporal punishment has been illegal in this country since 2014, we have not yet achieved the cultural change needed if we are to eradicate the culture of corporal punishment from all our homes and families.

Marta Santos Pais, who is the special representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children, expressed her hope that we will continue making progress on this issue as we near the deadline of 2030.

“The good news is that this issue, which was previously hidden and confined to the privacy of the family, is now a matter of major concern for all societies. Some societies have advanced more in action but the debate has encouraged people to engage in reflection and this is important to push the boundaries of social change,” she says.

Ms Santos Pais is passionate about the need for social change.

“We have almost 100 countries with a national agenda on violence against children but it’s not enough that we have many good pieces of legislation. States must also invest sufficiently to ensure that all professionals – from the birth attendant to the paediatrician and eventually teachers and social workers, who work with the family – are

trained to pass on the message of positive behaviour and that it is not acceptable to hit a child.”

She adds: “Presently only 10 per cent of the children of the world are protected from violence by law, so we need to do much more. Legislation must be an important step that generates a better understanding of alternatives to using violent discipline and how to support parents in using positive parenting disciplinary methods.

Parents need to learn how to use positive discipline methods and to reward good behaviour rather than venting their anger and frustration on the children,” she says as she recalls the startling fact that every five minutes a child dies as a direct result of violence.

You might be thinking that there is a difference between spanking a child and hitting that child hard enough to kill them but Anna Henry, director of the Global Initiative to end All Corporal Punishment of Children, contends that all violence is harmful to a child’s well-being.

“There is evidence that even mild aggression, smacking, shouting or mak-

“The good news is that this issue… is now a matter of major concern for all societies”

ing demeaning statements have an adverse effect on a child’s psychology and development. What is alarming is that this kind of treatment is often aimed at pre-school children who are listening and learning all the time and this kind of behaviour affects them more than one might think. Children who experience or witness violence can become fearful, suffer from mental health issues in later life, become aggressive and, ironically, tend to be disobedient. When children experience corporal punishment, they learn that problems should be resolved through violence and aggression and they tend to be more aggressive with their peers,” she says.

“We are not advocating parenting without setting any boundaries because those boundaries are absolutely important to a child. However, boundaries can be set through other means such as explaining the consequences of their actions and having consistent expectations of children. So, if a child were to break something, it would serve the child better to be told they must save up their pocket money to replace it rather than smacking them. This would send out a core message that educates a child and aids their development.”

CHiLD JUNe 2018 13

PAreNTING

“Positive parenting supports the notion that violence against children is unacceptable and offers alternatives to discipline which are not harmful to children” Ms Henry also points to research suggesting that children who grow up around violence are likely to have selfesteem issues, may become violent partners or may accept violence towards them as natural.

“This is an area that needs to be researched further but the evidence we have at the moment suggests that growing up in a violent home may lead to the children repeating the cycle of violence in their own adulthood. We need to break this cycle of violence and teach our children to learn self-control and grow into healthy adults.” ruth Farrugia, director general, President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, explains that the 2014 amendments to the law prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment was introduced alongside the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility which caught the public’s attention.

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The 2030 Agenda: a global commitment to end violence against children The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development lists 17 goals and each goal has a list of targets and assessment criteria associated with it.

Sustainable development goal 16 is to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”.

Target 16.2 is specifically directed at protecting children by “[ending] abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture of children”.

Indicator 16.2.1 The progress States make in protecting children from violence is assessed through a survey aimed at establishing how many children aged between one and 17 (as a percentage of the child population) are reported to have experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the preceding month.

“More people – not just parents – need to be made aware that ‘reasonable chastisement’ no longer permits any form of corporal punishment.”

In their separate addresses to the conference, both the President and Michael Falzon, Minister for the Family, Children’s rights and Social Solidarity, mentioned a National Strategic Policy for Positive Parenting.

“Positive parenting supports the notion that violence against children is unacceptable and offers alternatives to discipline which are not harmful to children.

“The strategy is in place and now needs appropriate financial and logistical support to be implemented,” Dr Farrugia points out.

“Children have a right to group up free from violence and the positive parenting strategy should serve to make all people who parent – grandparents, aunts and uncles, older adult siblings

etc – aware of the long-term impact of corporal punishment.

“Sweden will celebrate 40 years free from corporal punishment in 2019 and the country now has a culture where violence against children is unacceptable and the public has learned to use non-violent means to respond to challenging behaviour. This is the culture shift we should aspire to and the positive parenting strategy should make this a reality sooner rather than later.”

The issue of corporal punishment on children extends further than simply a matter of child protection. The acceptance of corporal punishment reflects the lack of status children have in society – we do not accept violence on any other section of the population and we would not dream of solving problems outside the home through violence or abuse – so why would any society condone violence on children?

TOP TIPS

KEEPING THE KIDS BUSY THIS SUMMER Freed from the constraints of school, summer can be the most magical season for children. Parents, on the other hand, are often left scrambling for activities to keep their kids happy and entertained. No one wants their children to simply sit in front of the TV or play with their tablet for months on end. Instead, encourage them to explore their creative side with art and science projects, such as the ones below, that will expand their minds while keeping them busy. the weather 1. Study Children can learn about the world around them by keeping track of the weather. Have them track the temperature each day and record the weather in a special journal. Make a chart that shows any rise and fall in temperature each day and another chart to show a month’s worth of changes. Collect rainfall, if any, with a cup and measure it using a ruler. You can also make a homemade barometer using instructions from the internet; you will only

need a glass jar, a balloon, a straw, tape and a rubber band. With time and practice, your future meteorologist will be able to make their own predictions about the next day’s weather. and complete an obstacle 2. Build course It can be hard to make sure your children are getting enough physical activity in summer, especially when it is hot outside. One way to keep them moving and having fun is to encourage your

children to build an obstacle course.

This activity can be done either inside or outside, making it an especially great choice on hot days. Items found around the house can be used in creative ways. For example, lay out wooden blocks to make a balance beam, build a tunnel out of couch cushions or just use masking tape to outline a path on the floor. Your children will get a ton of exercise while learning a little something about engineering.

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TOP TIPS a garden some art 3. Tend 4. Make Inspire a love of nature and enYou do not need expensive supcourage healthy eating by helping your children start their own garden or roof garden this summer. They do not have to cost more than a few euros for seeds and soil. Some seeds are easy to start and grow quickly, like beans and lettuce. For hot-weather plants that take more time, like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, pick up starts from your local garden store. Encourage your children to check on their garden daily, keep it watered and look out for pests.

By the end of summer, they will have learned a lot about nature and will develop a new appreciation for eating their veggies.

plies to create something awesome.

Lots of art projects can be done with household items and a dash of creativity. Make your own sculpting material from flour, salt and water or make your own paint from food colouring and cornstarch. Give your children unusual tools for drawing, such as spray bottles, or let them make stamps from items such as leaves and flowers. You still can offer your children such classics as paper and crayons but tell them to create something special, like a comic book or a sign for their door. Just remember that they may ignore your suggestions entirely and come up with their own project but that is what being an artist is all about. and direct a movie 5. Write For older children, encourage their creativity further by letting them write and direct their own home movie.

You can either pick up an affordable camera just for your children to use or, if you feel they are especially trustworthy, give them access to a smartphone.

Whether they choose to make a scary monster movie, a comedy or a documentary on the life of your family, they will be busy creating for hours.

When the summer is over, you will have a multimedia record of their work, as well as memories that will last a lifetime.

Competition Pemix Distributors Limited is giving readers the chance to win â‚Ź50 worth of Babylino Sensitive products by answering the following question:

How can you avoid baby rashes?

Answers, including your name, surname, telephone number and e-mail address, are to be sent to Amanda Gauci on amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com, until the end of July. The winner will be announced in the next issue of Child. The winner of the last issue is Ruth Bajada.

Terms and conditions: The voucher is valid for six months. It can be redeemed on Babylino Sensitive products only (whole available range). Products will be given at consumer prices.

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PROMO

DETECTIVE IRVIN VELLA STRIKES AGAIN ineteen-year old Irvin Vella is a detective. Well, an almostdetective – because he is still studying to get his private investigator’s warrant. But his reputation for solving unsolvable mysteries is fast catching up in Malta and he is very much in demand.

When young lawyer Kevin Piscopo is found dead in Gozo on New Year’s Eve, the police believe it was just an unfortunate accident. However, his sister Joanne is not convinced. She had been close to her brother and somewhere deep down she has this niggling feeling that his murder could have been a planned ploy.

Together with his younger cousins, Luca and Laura, PI Irvin sets off on a sleuthing adventure in Gozo. The result is a whodunnit full of hidden clues, action, suspense and a good dose of humour.

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Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tal-Gżejjer tat-Teżor is the third in the detective series written by John A. Bonello and published by Merlin Publishers. It follows Irvin Vella: Il- Każ tasSerqiet Strambi and the first book in the series, Irvin Vella: Il-Każ Manduca.

The Irvin mysteries are aimed at children aged nine upwards. Being the first detective in children’s fiction to hit the Maltese bookshelves, all books have been a bestselling hit with Maltese young readers.

The book is illustrated by artist Lisa Falzon who uses black and white incisive drawings to capture the investigative mood.

Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tal-Gżejjer tatTeżor is available from all bookshops, or online directly from www.merlinpublishers.com.

COUNSELLING

WHERE DO I START?

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COUNSELLING

Talking to one’s child about their medical condition is a very challenging task. Charlene Borg introduces a new family support programme at Inspire which aims to assist families in such matters. ow many times have you encountered a situation where you set your mind to do something, something important, something really sensitive and even though you would be aware of its significance, you delay this task forever? How many times have you asked yourself ‘where do I start?’

Such situations usually involve challenging life and family cycle events, such as talking to your children about sex and sexuality. Discussions that require honesty make us face challenging questions and the trickiest part is providing answers that satisfy the enquiry in an age-appropriate way.

Another area of discussion that not all families encounter is talking to their child about their diagnoses. This area of discussion is a concern for a number of parents, especially caregivers of children who do not have a physical condition, such as an autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

At Inspire, we are aware that this topic is an extremely sensitive one and like the majority of challenging life experiences, there is no one-size-fits-all way to go about it. As a team of professionals, this topic has involved a lot of research and a thorough consideration of different points of view and different possibilities to address this area of concern; not only for our service users in order to experience this phase of their development in a healthy and positive way, but also for the parents/guardians, who need considerable support to be emotionally strong enough to support their children.

All our discussions led us to the conclusion, or better, to the initiation of a

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new parental support programme and reflection. Families can then conwhich, above all, aims to provide guidtinue the discussion at home. ance for parents and caregivers in Such discussions help caregivers to different areas of their child’s developtake a close look at the family and underment and family dynamics. stand what approaches worked well in The most salient parts of this plan of the past, what may need to change and support will address the followwhat resources need to be deing areas: veloped and/or strength• The family structure and ened. Not to mention “This sensitive how it is organised. the readiness of the aspect of one’s This usually underchild. As much as life needs to be pins how and when possible, this sensiaddressed at a point to relate to each tive aspect of one’s other within the life needs to be adwhere the individual family.

Also, to dressed at a point is well equipped whom to relate to in where the individual to handle the different situations. is well equipped to information” • The family system, handle the informawhere all communication tion. Therefore, the fampatterns take place and usuily’s observations on the ally where members of the family readiness of the child to receive develop and refine their interpersuch information are extremely sonal skills. important.

• The readiness of the family, not only Furthermore, families need to conto go through this family cycle event sider that this as an ongoing learning but, very importantly, their readiness process and not think of it as a oneto support one another throughout time event. Children/adolescents this phase, negotiating constructively might not have questions there and through conflicting beliefs and ways then, but can come up with questions of relating. at a later stage, once they have • Different indicators that show us processed the information. whether it is a good time to address Questions and further discussions the discussion. might keep coming at different inter• Who is best to address this discusvals as the individual grows, acquires sion with the child/ren. This can inmore knowledge and develops his/her volve more than one person. thinking processes. These discussions • Which environment is more conmight be intertwined with other issues, ducive to address such a topic. such as sex and sexuality, self-confi• Different possibilities and materials dence and self-worth, and respecting that can support the discussion. oneself and others, among many • “Why tell my child about his/her more topics. diagnosis?”

Finally, there are rules that will guide All the above are split into different the family members, not only through sessions, allowing time for discussion this developmental stage, but CHiLD JUNE 2018 19

COUNSELLING throughout all experiences a family can come across, both as a unit and individually. These include: • Being acceptant of unexpected reactions and behaviours.

• Being loving, comforting and present for your child/ren and for each other.

• Being open and honest in a way that enhances growth and, at the same time, keeping check on the level of understanding of the child/ren.

Families are continuously challenged by outer pressures and inner ones. The former usually involve demands to accommodate the institutions that have an impact on the family and each individual member, such as employment and education systems.

The latter relate to pressures coming from the developmental changes of individual members of the family, hence the systems and subsystems of the family unit. An example can be the different stages of child rearing and the relational dynamics of the family

members that need to adapt to accommodate such changes.

Our hope is that with our family support programme, we will be adding some more assistance to help families adapt better to these stresses and pressures, in a way that not only allows

them to make the necessary restructuring changes but, more importantly, maintain the continuity of the family unit.

Charlene Borg is a parent relations manager at Inspire – The Foundation for Inclusion.

EDucATIOn

PAYING TRIBUTE TO TEACHERS The De La Salle junior school annually organises Teachers’ Appreciation Week.

T

eachers change the lives of millions of children every day, and their work extends far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Teachers do not just teach academic subjects but they provide inspiration, motivation and, ultimately, prepare your children for their future.

In many countries, teachers are paid tribute during a Teachers’ Appreciation Week, which is annually celebrated at the beginning of May. This year it was marked between May 7 and 11.

24 cHiLD JunE 2018

This celebration is not popular locally, however, a school started marking this week last year.

The De La Salle junior school celebrates teachers during the week they celebrate their patron saint – St John Baptist De La Salle – who is also the patron saint of all teachers.

The school’s animation team, made up of teachers and LSAs, organises the event. Members of the school management team and the director of the school, Brother Martin, also help in the organisation.

Teachers' Appreciation Week started off on Monday, May 14, with a train ride for all the teachers while the school management team and some of the animation team members supervised the students during a special assembly held outside the school’s gym. On the same day, the teachers were also given a fruit each.

On Tuesday, staff members participated in a treasure hunt in the school grounds. Students did not attend school as it was their founder’s day. The activity was organised by the animation team of the secondary school. Teachers were given a highlighter each to emphasise the mark they leave on the students.

A special Mass was held on Wednesday, after which the educators of the junior school were given a doughnut.

EDucATIOn

On Thursday, all junior classes were invited to meet in the school’s tennis court where teachers enjoyed a game of tugof-war. And on the last day of the week, the educators were given a handmade heart with a quote to thank them for putting their heart into teaching.

Apart from this, throughout the week, the animation theme also selected some students from each class to write and read a sentence to thank each educator within the junior school. The teachers appreciated the kindness shown towards them and thanked the animation team for helping transform the school into a better place.

Showing gratitude to teachers motivates them to keep giving their best in class. And remember, if teachers are happy, so will the students be. cHiLD JunE 2018 25

TEENAGERS

AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE Feeling in love for the first time might seem like the best thing in the world, while breaking up or being rejected might feel like the worst ever. Coryse Borg re-experiences those highs and lows, only to realise that romantic relationships are a natural part of growing up. h… first love – isn’t it wonderful and special? Just like misinterpretations that the feelings are reciprocated,” Ms Darthe movies. Actually, judging by the tear-stained diary manin explains. “In extreme cases this may result in maladI used to keep when I was a teenager many millions justed acting-out behaviours, such as hostility and ‘stalking’, of years ago, my first loves were made up of some of my but more commonly the distress is turned inwards, contributhighest highs – and, quite possibly, my lowest lows. ing to depression and low self-esteem, sometimes with the I remember my first real amorous ‘rejection’ like it was yesrisk of self-harm.” terday. One big argument in his car, one of us (I’m quite sure Like the feelings of passion early in the relationship, the it was me; he’s quite sure it was him) deciding we wanted difnewness and rawness of grief and loss can be intense ferent things and that it was better if we split up… and one and decimating. inconsolable me dramatically sobbing on the floor in my bed“Break-ups are especially painful for the person who is room for hours on end. broken off and feels hurt, vulnerable, helpless, Of course, I got over it eventually and moved on. betrayed, abandoned or rejected,” Ms However, I still remember the anguish I felt at the Darmanin stresses. time, and there was nothing trite or trivial “Female adolescents often grieve about it. pain from loss and may react more “Break-ups Registered educational psychologist Liana depressively. Enabling themselves are especially Darmanin says that falling in love is an emoto feel profoundly disheartened, painful for the tional upheaval at any age, however, for they are often able to reach out person who is broken young adolescents, these feelings and for social support to help them emotions – which can include happiness, through this hard time. Male adooff and feels hurt, gratitude, concern, admiration, pride, love, lescents, by contrast, who are vulnerable, helpless, joy, shyness, shame, anger, sadness, anximore accustomed to toughen up, betrayed, ety, fear, guilt, jealousy, loneliness and suppress hurt feelings and do it frustration – are harder to oversee. alone, may react more forcefully.” abandoned or Darmanin says that adolescents who are According to Ms Darmanin, parents rejected” involved in romantic relationships often feel that need to understand that even though it having a partner boosts their confidence and might be uncomfortable for them to come self-worth. to terms with the fact that their child is dating, “Romantic relationships can aid in identity development romantic relationships are a major part of growing up. It is and provide a positive learning experience about the self and normal for parents to feel scared, stressed, worried or someself-worth while raising status in the peer group,” she says. times sad about this and, in fact, some even feel the urge to However, entering the world of relationships almost indiscourage the adolescent from pursuing relationships in escapably leads to the emotionally vulnerable experience of their tweens. breaking up. For tweens who are more sensitive to rejection, On some occasions, tweens might not willingly speak breaking up can trigger a dive into uncertainty, self-doubt about their difficulties to their parents; yet manifest visible and despair. symptoms of depression, anger or acting out behaviour. In “In the case of unrequited love, fantasies about the other such eventuality, it would be best to seek immediate help can be intense and obsessional, sometimes leading to from a psychologist, therapist or counsellor.

A

26 CHiLD JUNE 2018

TEENAGERS Adolescents who are involved in romantic relationships often feel that having a partner boosts their confidence and self-worth.

Break-ups are a huge challenge at this age and parents need to be non-judgmental and acknowledge that this is a loss for adolescents. Consequently, they should listen and respect their feelings, while at the same time helping them to look forward. For adolescents, the moment is everything and their emotions are solid. It’s important to help put the relationship into perspective for them.

“Encourage them to go out, to invest time with other friends, and maintain schoolwork and hobbies,” says Ms Darmanin. “Parents need to encourage talking the painful experience out so that destructive acting out does not occur, and to make sure they are moving through the loss in a healing way as they contemplate some grown-up lessons sadly learned when broken love occurs. If this is not so, seek help.”

Psychologist Stephanie Pullicino adds: “In my line of work I spend a lot of time with young people, so I hear quite a few romantic stories and adventures. I think that the most dominant feeling at this age – and any age really – is excitement. There is a sense of achievement and curiosity... is this what love feels like? Does he or she love me back? Should we hold hands?

Should we kiss? At this age, love feels like it is the best thing in the world, it consumes their thoughts and most of their time.”

Social media and friends add a lot of pressure. Some parents also might not be as accepting about their tween having a partner – especially if that partner is of the same sex.

“Unfortunately while some parents may ban their children from dating, nowadays they still find ways of doing it behind their parents’ back. So what I suggest is that parents have an open relationship with their children so if anything goes wrong, they would be the first people their child would go to.”

When one of the partners decides to move on, the other is usually left confused and heartbroken, she points out.

“There’s nothing worse than the first heartbreak… I think we all remember ours!” she smiles. “If the couple hangs out in the same group, the chances are that one of them will start dating someone else from the same group which might be difficult for the heartbroken ex-partner.

When this happens, I find that adults are rarely empathic and they don’t always take this seriously. Support and an ear to listen at this point is very important. They need to feel understood and reassured that another love will come along.”

CHiLD JUNE 2018 27

TEENAGERS

The ups and downs of love ReBeCCa attaRd, 16, has recently finished secondary school and is currently looking for employment.

“I’m in a relationship with a wonderful guy that I met at a rock place. We have been together for five months and I’m looking forward to many more. Having someone who loves you, cares for you and is there by your side (and vice versa) is such a lovely feeling.

Of course, relationships aren’t a piece of cake. there are occasional disagreements and tears, but it’s like any other relationship, not just the romantic kind. though, sometimes, things get hard, the love we have for each other is always present and we always repair things very quickly, and get back to being our crazy, lovey-dovey selves.

My parents were worried at first, because, of course, they didn’t want their ‘little girl’ to get hurt and they wanted to protect me but, over time, they realised that I’m growing up and relationships are a natural part of life. they’ve gotten used to it so much that mentioning him has become very normal in our home and we can talk about it like it’s no big deal (because it isn’t.)

My advice to teenagers whose relationships aren’t going so well, is to: first see what the problem is and try to fix it.

Fight for what you love but also make sure that the other person is fighting for your relationship as well, because a relationship is made up of two people, not one. If they don’t want to keep going, let them go. Yes, it’s very tough to let someone you love go, but wouldn’t you rather have someone who’s willing to fight for you as well? (and if you think that you’ll never find anyone else, you’re wrong.)” aBIgaIl enRIquez is a 24-year-old computing teacher in a primary school.

“When I was 14 in the summer of 2007, I met my now fiancé Kevin Camilleri who is two years older than me. We both used to attend the same youth centre. I had been attending since I was a child and Kevin had joined that year. We had the same group of friends and had started to meet up.

From July until October, our interactions mostly consisted of shy smiles and

blushing bright red when we talked to each other. around October, we started messaging each other – flip phones were a thing back then! In december he asked me out via text message and then later during the week in person ‘because it was the right thing to do’.

We actually got together on Friday, december 13, which some people say is unlucky! I was his first girlfriend and although I had gone on a couple of dates, he was my first serious boyfriend. last year, we started looking for a place together. On our 10th anniversary, Kevin proposed to me and we’re planning to get married in two or three years’ time.

I wouldn’t say there was any heartache between us – there certainly were tough times – however, we always worked through them. We did both have our share of loss, however, and we were there for each other throughout those times.

Our secret for staying together would be that when something is bugging us, we speak up, argue about it, work through it and then let it go. What’s in the past stays there. also, a bit of cheese goes a long way when you foul up!

In five, even 10 years’ time, I see us living in our apartment, happily married. a few pets wouldn’t go amiss either. We would both like to travel a bit. We would like to have kids as well – but we wish to first enjoy the experience of living together as a couple. edWIn* has an It background and is a flying instructor.

He is married and has three daughters aged 14, 11 and five.

“My oldest daughter has a boyfriend and it makes me feel protective but also happy she’s growing up and becoming a young woman. It has instilled in me an awareness of the passage of time (in other words, I’m getting old!)

Her boyfriend seems like a nice kid. I still want to show him my chainsaw though, no matter how nice he is. this is my baby girl we’re talking about!

I worry about her getting side-tracked from her studies, from falling madly in love and getting wild ideas of spending the rest of her life with him. there’ll be enough time for that silliness… getting her heart broken doesn’t really scare me as she will have full support and I try hard to drive in her mind to never be dependent on anybody, especially another man. a broken heart will heal and is healthy at that age I believe. like scar tissue. I’m more worried about her meeting someone like me! especially at age 15… raging hormones and all that stuff!” *Name has been changed.

28 CHiLD JUNE 2018

NEWS YOU CAN USE

BEWARE OF SMARTPHONE USE AT NIGHT P

arents should take their children’s smartphones away “The industrial revolution took 80 to 100 years to spread. from them at night and instead buy them a cheap alarm We are now 29 years since the invention of the world wide clock, a British expert has said. web, we are 11 years since the first iPhone and it was only 14 Professor Adam Joinson said he and his 17-year-old son years ago that Mark Zuckerberg was developing Facebook had endless fights about the teenager’s smartphone being in in his dorm at Harvard. his bedroom at night but he was banned until he turned 18.

“We are bang in the centre of something that is abHe said teenagers lacked the cognitive skills to resolutely transforming how we engage with each alise that staying up all night using a smartphone other and society in general. would mean they were tired for school the “That makes it very difficult to exactly know next day. what the impact is and be able to step aside “Young Prof. Joinson, whose work at the Univerand look at the possible long-term impact. people do not sity of Bath focuses on cyber security and “But we can start to see some small ways have the ability, until behaviour, said smartphones should not of understanding the impact of technolthey are in their 20s, be the last thing they see at night and the ogy. For example, for brains and their first thing they see in the morning. cognitive function.” to fully understand “There is not a vast amount of evidence But he warned recent studies were hintconsequences of for this but parents should take the phones ing at problems in the future. their actions” off their kids at night. Store the charger down“People who intensively use a smartphone stairs and buy cheap alarm clocks,” he said. are lower in analytic thinking and instead they “I did it with my 17-year-old. It causes endless have effectively outsourced their analytic thinking fights but otherwise he will be on it all night. Young to Google or Siri or to Alexa,” he said. people do not have the ability, until they are in their 20s, to “People are less likely to remember facts when they have fully understand the consequences of their actions. got a smartphone with them but they are more likely to re“This is a basic developmental thing and cognitively they member how to find those facts. cannot do it. They won’t say ‘I better not stay on my phone all “People who intensively use smartphones are worse at denight otherwise I’ll be exhausted tomorrow’. laying gratification and there is some evidence that it pushes “As parents we have a responsibility of care. Generally, I people towards sensation seeking and instant gratification. think parents are remiss if they allow their kids to keep “Some studies have shown that if you take someone’s phones in their bedrooms.” phone from them and ping it with a notification and you Prof. Joinson, who was speaking at an event at the Chelmeasure their physiology they show ridiculous levels of stress tenham Science Festival last month discussing whether technoland anxiety if you don’t allow them the phone. ogy was bad for you, said one way of people digitally detoxing “The mere presence of this small device changes the way was to leave their phones downstairs. we are able to focus and concentrate.”

He said it was still too early to say what damage could be However, if parents spend their lives on their smartphones potentially caused by modern technology. playing games or using social media, they should not be “Farming took 6,000 years to spread and develop, from surprised if their children copy them, so one should lead seeds to the domestication of animals,” he said. by example.

CHiLD JUNE 2018 29

BABY STOP CRYING? f your baby is constantly crying, one of the possible reasons it that he or she might have colic. Colic is fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and is suffered especially in early infancy.

It is a common condition and carries on until the baby is about three to four months old.

Even though the baby may scream for all they are worth, colic is not dangerous or harmful. But how can you be sure that your baby has colic?

I

Here are some tips to know whether the cause might be colic: • If your baby starts crying suddenly, the cry is high pitched and nothing you do seems to help; • The crying begins at the same time each day, often in the afternoon or evening and can last for minutes or hours; • Your baby might draw their legs up when they cry and their tummy might look swollen; • Your baby might clench their hands and your baby’s face might flush; • The crying often winds down when your baby is exhausted or when they have passed wind or a stool.

Babies with colic are not ill and there are always things you can do for them, such as: • Buy special teats designed to prevent air from getting into the feed; • Hold your baby in an upright position to help any wind to pass; • Make sure that the hole in the teat is not too large.

Things not to do are to: • Feed your baby too quickly; • Give your baby herbal treatment or soya based formulas before checking with your doctor.

Remember that your baby should be over colic by the time he is four or five months old. Meanwhile, try not to worry as long as your baby eats well and normally gains weight.

Treatments are also available at the pharmacy. One of these is Infacol, which contains the active ingredient Simeticone and is given to babies to relieve griping pain, infant colic or wind due to trapped air. It is an anti-flatulent which means that it helps bring up wind or air trapped in the tummy. It can be given from birth onwards.

For more information, refer to the full summary of product characteristics or visit www.actavis.com.mt.

This is a paid advert

health

Say no to obesity and yes to physical activity Increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces the risk of obesity, local research suggests. Child looks at the findings of a study carried out among schoolchildren. alta is currently dealing with an epidemic of childhood obesity. the figures are alarming. according to a recent National Childhood Body Mass Index Study, 40 per cent of primary schoolchildren and 43 per cent of secondary schoolchildren are overweight or obese.

Internationally, according to the latest health Behaviour in School Children (hBSC) study carried out in 2013/2014 by the World health Organisation (WhO), Malta has the highest overweight and obesity rates, surpassing the United States.

Obesity can have multiple complications. It may bring about arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, heart attacks, stroke and cancer, as well as depression, anxiety, social marginalisation, low self-esteem and early death.

It also poses an economic burden on the nation as these complications will, directly or indirectly, lead to increased expenses by means of sick days, hospital and medical costs. as the risk of sedentary-related diseases in adulthood rises over time, it is highly important to prevent obesity during childhood. lack of physical activity is a major factor in becoming obese as a child, and obese children typically mature into obese adults. the WhO recommends that children aged between five and 17 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of age-appropriate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPa) daily.

MVPa is the intensity of an exercise that makes you slightly breathless and sweat a little.

M

the recent guidelines presented by the National Policy for Sport in Malta and Gozo 2017-2027, further recommend that 50 per cent of physical activity performed during physical education (Pe) lessons should be of MVPa quality.

Despite this, a local study carried out in 2013, showed that among 11- to 12-year-old students, children engaged in only 9.7 minutes of MVPa (6.8 per cent of curricular time excluding breaks) in comparison to 143 minutes spent sedentarily.

Over the past year, amanda Fenech, a paediatric trainee at Mater Dei hospital, conducted a study in which primary schools were provided with a research-based Pe curriculum aimed at increasing the MVPa acquired in class. 120 students, aged nine to 10, were recruited from three schools forming part of St Benedict’s College. the curriculum called SPaRK, which stands for Sports and active Recreation for Kids, was delivered by the Pe teachers in two schools for the scholastic year 2016/2017. the third school in this study served as a control school, where the national standard Pe curriculum was delivered. the structured plan was divided into instructional units, typically four weeks in length. every standard Pe lesson consisted of two parts: activities with a health-fitness focus and others focused on motor/sport skills. the health-fitness activities were embedded in instructional units that included aerobic dance, aerobic games and jump rope activities. although the main aim was to develop cardiovascular endurance, activities to develop abdominal and upper-body strength were also included.

“As the risk of sedentaryrelated diseases in adulthood rises over time, it is highly important to prevent obesity during childhood”

32 ChilD JUNe 2018

HEALTH

Additional units focused primarily on developing motor skills and included age-appropriate skills used in sports such as basketball, football and volleyball. Low-active games, such as softball and kickball, were modified to make them more active.

At the start of the study, School 1 had the highest prevalence of students who were overweight or obese (67 per cent) and School 3 had the smallest, though still a significantly high number (45 per cent). After the application of the structured PE curriculum over a whole year, this percentage decreased by nine per cent in School 1 and 10 per cent in School 3. Conversely, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in School 2 (the control group) only decreased by three per cent (see Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1 60%

School 1: Intervention School 2: Control School 3: Intervention

Percentage

50% 40% 30% 20%

Normal

Overweight

9%

16%

36%

39%

32%

31%

55%

52%

0%

33%

10% Obese

Weight Status (Follow up)

Figure 2 70%

School 1: Intervention School 2: Control School 3: Intervention

60%

40% 30%

Normal

Overweight

16%

9%

29%

19%

36%

29%

0%

65%

10%

55%

20% 42%

Percentage

50%

Obese

Weight Status (Follow up)

CHiLD JUNE 2018 33

HEALTH

A physical activity questionnaire for children was delivered both at the start and at the end of the scholastic year. Scores in the intervention schools increased at the follow-up stage, especially activity levels during the second lunch break, afternoon physical activity and overall weekly activity. This implies that the structured PE curriculum brought about an increase in physical activity even outside the PE lesson.

PE lesson observations were randomly carried out in order to measure the quantity of MVPA reached during classes.

School 3 students achieved the highest mean percentage of MVPA (69 per cent) during PE lessons. School 2 (control) students, with the standard PE curriculum, only reached a mean percentage of 39 per cent, which does not meet the national guidelines (see Figure 3).

Figure 3

60% 50% 40% 30%

0%

1

69%

10%

39%

20% 56%

Mean MVPA achieved during PE lesson observation

70%

2

3

School 1: Intervention School 2: Control School 3: Intervention

School

Being provided with such high intensities of health-enhancing physical activity during PE lessons, School 3 students showed a significant improvement in their jump height (see Figure 4) at the end of the year, which was measured through the use of a force platform and biomechanical analysis.

Postural stability, or balance, was also measured with the force platform, by having the children stand straight with their eyes closed for 30 seconds. The ability to balance is affected by excess weight and having good balance is in turn imperative to be able to carry out adequate physical activity at healthy intensities. When compared to the control school, balance parameters showed significant improvement in the intervention schools. This study also introduced an innovative concept of biomechanical performance testing on schoolchildren as a means of objective fitness assessment and tracking of physical progress.

Finally, students’ academic achievement was analysed.

The study results were in line with the report of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) review on school-based physical activity, which says that physical

34 CHiLD JUNE 2018

activity does not affect academic performance. Moreover, it stated that by increasing the time for PE, academic performance is not affected.

Annual results marks in the local research decreased overall as can be seen from Figure 4, but the decrease was not significant and Dr Fenech says that it was probably due to the increase in difficulty of the subjects.

The long-term benefits of physical activity should be kept in mind: when the body is active and exercises regularly, physiologic changes occur instantaneously. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness may lead to a reduction of depression and anxiety and an increase in self-esteem. These effects can lead to a positive relationship with academic performance. Increased blood flow to the brain helps information to be retained and enables the individual to understand, remember and retrieve information at a quicker rate.

This work was conducted as a part of Dr Fenech’s postgraduate research in Clinical Biomechanics and was supervised by Alfred Gatt, who leads the Clinical Biomechanics research at the University of Malta; Cynthia Formosa, head of podiatry at the university; and Nachiappan Chockalingam, an

HEAlTH Figure 4 100%

60%

Baseline

Mean

80%

40%

82%

79%

76%

78%

77%

83%

73%

70%

0%

69%

20%

Mathemetics Annual Results English Annual Results Maltese Annual Results

100%

60%

Follow-up

Mean

80%

40%

School 1: Intervention

School 2: Control

78%

78%

72%

75%

73%

81%

68%

72%

0%

63%

20%

School 3: Intervention

“Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness may lead to a reduction of depression and anxiety and an increase in self-esteem”

affiliate professor at the university and professor of clinical biomechanics at Staffordshire University in the UK. Dr Fenech said: “This study introduced the innovative concept of biomechanical fitness testing as an efficient and objective tool in fitness progress monitoring of schoolchildren.”

Furthermore, she emphasised that “the encouraging results recommend the provision of a structured PE curriculum to schoolchildren, as a public health strategy against children obesity.”

Prof. Chockalingam added: “Obesity is a global issue which has a particular significance for Malta. We would like government agencies to take note of these results and help our academic team to develop further focused interventions to alleviate the problems created by obesity.”

Meanwhile, the Clinical Biomechanics Group at the University of Malta, in collaboration with international experts, is

working on various innovative projects with an overall objective to improve the health of society.

Prof. Chockalingam explained that these ranged from complex heath issues relating to diabetes, to back pain and posture in pregnant women to obesity in children. The main aim of most of these individual projects was to provide “a culturally competent evidence base for Malta”.

He said: “If we focus on this particular project [MPVA programme], as you would see, it involves a team of interdisciplinary professionals looking at a societal issue in several ways. We have adapted a tried and tested intervention and have included novel outcome measures to prove its credibility and applicability. It involves paediatricians, allied health professionals, bioengineers and scientists to come up with an evidence-based protocol to have a wider impact on childhood obesity. The work led by Dr Formosa and Dr Gatt covers a wide variety of clinical issues within a range of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.”

CHilD JUNE 2018 35

RECIPES

HEALTHY SUMMER SNACKS

ith summer here and the temperature rising, your children are probably asking for ice cream and ice lollies when hunger strikes. Although sweet treats are fine occasionally, it’s best not to give in to their every request for sugary snacks. During the summer months, there is an abundance of fruits and vegetables but giving your children a handful of fresh produce, no matter how juicy and full of flavour, is not going to cut it most of the time.

However, if you want your little ones to eat well and look forward to snack time throughout summer, rustling up healthy and appealing snacks is easier than you think. Here are five suggestions.

W

FRUIT SKEWERS A wide range of fruits work well on skewers, allowing you to try everything from berries and banana to melon. If you have a barbeque going, a skewer of banana, pineapple and peach is delicious cooked with added cinnamon. Your little ones will love threading chopped fruits on to a skewer and may be happy to eat their fruity kebab just as it comes. Although your children may hanker after a drizzle of chocolate over their fruit, natural yoghurt, Greek yoghurt or plain fromage frais offer a creamy addition with a boost of calcium.

36 CHiLD JUNE 2018

RECIPES

BANANA ICE CREAM You cannot get any simpler than a recipe with just one ingredient and unlike many ice cream recipes, this iced dessert requires no stirring once in the freezer. Simply mash ripe bananas in a container and freeze. This take on ice-cream sets hard, so you may want to remove it from the freezer a little ahead of snack time to soften. Alternatively, leave the bananas whole to give your children a nutritious ice lolly.

ICE LOLLIES WITH FROZEN FRUIT ADDED

VEGETABLE STICKS AND HOMEMADE SALSA OR DIPS Although shop-bought salsa tends to be high in salt, all you need to make a lowsalt salsa at home is a can of tomatoes, a diced onion, herbs and spices. Add the ingredients to a pan, simmering till the onion softens and the mixture thickens.

There is no need to make a hot salsa, so everyone from babies upwards can enjoy dipping sticks of carrot, cucumber and pepper. You can also offer a tuna dip, which is a favourite among children, or hummus instead of salsa.

For a more substantial snack for active children, you can offer strips of pita bread for dipping or make your own tortilla chips by brushing tortillas with olive oil before baking them in the oven.

Ice pops and lollies are usually loaded with added sugars, as well as artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. However, you can make a much more nutritious and cheaper version yourself at home. All you need to do is dilute pure fruit juice with an equal volume of water and add fruit of your choice before freezing in moulds. Possible combinations include orange juice and grapes or mango juice and strawberries, but there are endless options.

You can pick up lolly moulds cheaply or you can improvise with clean yoghurt pots and craft sticks. This is another snack your children will want to help prepare themselves, making their lollies even more appealing when snack time comes around.

CORN ON THE COB Although corn on the cob is a hot snack, it soon cools and the sweetness will appeal to even the fussiest children. Just hold on the butter and salt, instead seasoning your corn with a dash of paprika or a scattering of your favourite herbs.

CHiLD JUNE 2018 37

TRAVEL

Flying with children aking children on their first plane flight can be an exciting adventure. Here is a parent’s guide to flying with young children, which aims to help make the most out the travelling experience, so everyone can have a safe and fun-filled journey.

If your child has a cold before you are due to fly, get them checked out by your doctor. If it’s a severe cold and your child ruptures an eardrum, it will be the end of your holiday. Some infant nasal saline spray can come in handy for blocked noses while travelling, so make sure you keep some in your

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handbag. If you are travelling with really young children, try to put them to the breast or bottle on take-off or landing as the act of swallowing will help eardrums to ‘pop’ and equalise the aircraft pressurisation.

If you are heading to the tropics make sure you have contacted your GP beforehand and know the necessary inoculations you will be required to take. Some malaria tablets need to be taken three weeks before the start of your holiday and some injections require a time period of six months before travel.

If this is the first flight your child has taken, it is a good idea to have some junior travel sickness tablets handy.

All airlines have air-sickness bags in the seat pocket in front of you, but it is good advice to take a lightweight spare set of clothing for them, just in case.

Long-haul travel can be gruelling for parents with children, so try to book a night flight where your child is virtually guaranteed to sleep on at least one leg. If you have young infants ask your airline operator if they have baby bassinets on board; many companies

TRAVEL

do and infants sleep like a dream in them. If you have toddlers under the age of two, they will sleep on your lap unless you book an extra seat (at extra cost) for them. This can be a nightmare if you want to settle them to sleep but an infant baby seat in the shape of a hammock is a great invention which hooks over the parent’s seat in front and forms a makeshift bed for your little one. You can find these online.

If you are taking your car seat on the flight for your child to sit in, make sure the airline you are travelling with approves of it first. Some airlines have specific guidelines regarding width, height and brand which your seat has to adhere to before they will let you use it.

Have a checklist of everything you absolutely must have in your handbag before you leave the house. This

should include your passports, tickets, travel insurance and any medicine that you or your children might need on the flight. Make sure that none of these items go in your checked luggage as there is a chance that this might go missing for a day or two. If you have space in your hand luggage, take a light-weight change of clothing for each member of the family.

Allow yourself plenty of time at the airport. Grumpy children who refuse to walk to the check-in desk, need the toilet or simply throw a tantrum in the middle of the airport concourse will have your stress levels fit to burst before you’ve even seen an aeroplane.

While you cannot carry water with you through the departure gate (airlines don’t let you carry liquids over 100ml in volume), you would be well advised to buy some in the airport departure lounge. Flying is very dehydrating due to the aeroplane air-conditioning systems, so buy yourself and the children plenty of water in advance.

Airlines are not as good as they used to be when handing out toys and some airlines do not hand out any toys whatsoever. Be prepared and pack your own goody bag for your child. You can put colouring books, crayons, stickers,

snacks and little toys in a rucksack which they can carry themselves and it will give you hours of peace and quiet on your flight.

Eating on board the aircraft can be difficult with children, especially if they are sitting on your lap. If the airline serves meals, the best thing is to ask the flight attendants if you can have the children’s meals first and then your own. That way you will have much quieter children and you may even be able to eat some of your own meal in relative peace and quiet.

The days of children being allowed to visit the cockpit of an aeroplane are unfortunately long gone. The only real entertainment some aeroplanes provide is in-flight TV and parents travelling with small children should make the most of it. This is not the time to limit viewing hours and if it keeps your child amused for a few hours, you may even manage to get some sleep yourself! Games on tablets also work wonders.

If you have any queries regarding your flight, call your airline first to make sure problems do not arise later when they cannot be resolved. Travelling with children does not have to be difficult and stressful, as long as you remember to do your research and are well prepared.

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TOP TIPS

WATER WARNINGS

FOR PARENTS

ccording to data from the World Health Organisation, children aged one to 14 are at the greatest risk of drowning. Keeping children safe near water is a top concern for parents. If you want help teaching your children water safety tips, keep the following water warnings in mind.

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• An inflatable toy or air-filled water ring is not considered a safety device.

To keep your children safe near pools and the sea, make sure your child is wearing a life vest. The safety vest should fit securely, with no room for your child to wriggle out should they become immersed in water.

• Follow the safety flag system at Blue Flag and other managed beaches. The flags are in a rectangular form and the colours indicate the following: red over yellow flag demarcates the lifesaving boundary, green is for calm water, yellow for 40 CHiLD JUNE 2018

medium hazard, purple indicates the presence of pests (such as stinging jellyfish), red is for high hazard and the double red indicates that the water is closed for the public and the lifeguards may not risk their lives to enter the rough sea.

• Even though the water looks calm, do not assume a lifeguard will notice if your child gets into trouble in the water. Parents might think it is a lifeguard’s job to babysit their children when they are in the water. Lifeguards are hired to maintain order, not to be your eyes and ears when your children are enjoying water activities.

• Just because your child knows how to swim, that does not mean they are not at risk of drowning. Factors like undercurrents or water hazards can get even the most experienced swimmers in trouble. Know about water dangers before you let your children jump into the sea.

• Do not assume you will hear your child should they get into trouble in the water. Many drownings happen with no warning or loud splashes from a child.

Your eyes need to be on your child at all times when they are near the water.

• Children should know how to tread water, float on their backs and get out of the water on their own. If your child cannot climb up a pool ladder or make their way out of a pool unassisted, they should not be in the water without you.

Understanding these water warnings is crucial if you want to keep your kids safe this summer. It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure your children know not to take chances in the water (peer pressure can be deadly for activities like cliff jumping) and that your children are equipped with the appropriate water safety gear. Summer swimming can be full of fun but can also be deadly without adequate preparation and attentiveness.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

SHOP WINDOW Supporting healthy growth

Baby wipes

Cerelac Infant Cereals provide the essential nutrients the infant needs to support healthy growth and development. They provide infants who have small stomach capacity with nutrient-dense foods, which are enriched with key vitamins and minerals, specially selected to reduce the risk of micro-nutrient deficiencies and thus promote healthy growth and development.

Thanks to their pure formula with chamomile and arnica extract, the new Babylino Sensitive wipes, lightly scented, cleanse and care for the baby’s sensitive skin while helping to protect against irritations and rashes. Each pack comes with a practical reclosable lid for better product preservation and a pleasant baby fragrance.

For trade enquires, call Pemix Distributors Ltd on 2143 7926, or visit www.facebook.com/Babylino.Malta/ or www.parentchildclub.com.

Making the right nutritional choices Women’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So one might want to start making the right nutritional choices before becoming pregnant as this is important to your baby’s health. One of those choices should be to start taking a multivitamin supplement containing folic acid before you are pregnant. Folic acid is a naturally-occurring vitamin which the body needs.

If a woman does not get enough folic acid, her baby has a higher risk of developing a type of birth defect called neural tube defect (NTD). One way to help prevent NTDs is to make sure you get enough folic acid.

While folic acid can be found in some of the foods you eat, most international guidelines recommend that women should take a folic acid supplement at least 12 weeks before conception, throughout pregnancy, and four to six weeks after delivery or as long as breastfeeding continues.

During pregnancy, a woman’s need for a number of essential nutrients increases, for instance, extra iron is required to help maintain a healthy placenta. It is important to choose a multivitamin that is especially formulated for use during pregnancy. Nestlé Materna helps provide the vitamins and minerals needed during all stages of your pregnancy.

After pregnancy, Nestlé Materna provides both calcium and vitamin D to help meet the nutritional needs while breastfeeding.

Nestlé Materna is available in pharmacies.

Keeping your baby dry Pampers Baby-Dry Pants are easy to pull on and provide up to 12 hours of dryness. Their all-round fit adapts to your baby’s movements. The revolutionary three absorbing channels help distribute wetness evenly for less wet bulk (versus previous diaper pants) and lock it away, keeping your baby dry. Changing time is also quicker and easy, wherever your baby is crawling.

Distributed by VJ Salomone Marketing, tel: 8007 2387.

Sunscreen hero SunHero Sunscreen indicators by Swedish brand Everyday Baby is an innovative product new to Malta.

The SunHero indicator eliminates the problem of trying to keep track of when you may need to apply more sunscreen by easily and clearly indicating whether you are protected or not. Stick the sunscreen indicator to the most exposed part of your body, normally the shoulders or back of the neck. Apply an even coating of the sunscreen to your body and the sunscreen indicator. When you are protected, the sunscreen indicator is white. When the sunscreen is losing effect, the indicator turns purple – simply apply more sunscreen or avoid the sun. SunHero is water resistant and is made of skinfriendly material.

The product is function-tested by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and is also skin irritation-tested by the SGS Institute Fresenius of Germany.

Suitable with any sunscreen and lasting all day, SunHero is available in two pack sizes, a children’s pack with 10 pieces or a family pack with 24 pieces.

For trade enquiries, contact Emma Diacono Ltd on 2010 2070 or send an e-mail to myfavouritethings@ emmadiacono.com.

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES Making a splash

SHOP WINDOW Sun-safe swimwear and holiday accessories Marks & Spencer has a new range of children swimwear and holiday accessories.

New Lycra Xtra Lif chlorine-resistant technology means that swimsuits will last longer, without the fabric becoming opaque or losing elasticity, ensuring your children will get more wear out of their Swimsuits with sun-safe swimmers. The quick-drying UPF50+ (3 months to 7 fabric also means swim years) – €11 shorts will not take long to dry out.

There is also sun-safe swimwear, the fabric of which will provide protection against UV radiation and has been independently tested to give a UPF rating of 50+ As regards accessories, one can pack everything needed for a day at the seaside in a fun beach bag and keep eyes protected from the sun’s rays with a pair of bright sunglasses.

Dry nights for your baby DryNites Bed Mats with ‘Stick and Stay Put’ are designed for ultimate undercover confidence.

Highly absorbent with waterproof backing, the new peel off adhesive back sheet secures the bed mat to a mattress, keeping it in place for great night-long protection. DryNites Bed Mats are for children who sometimes wet the bed or simply for extra protection.

DryNites Bed Mats offer the perfect solution for a comfortable night’s sleep.

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Your baby is free to make a splash in Pampers Splashers disposable swim diapers. Pampers Splashers do not swell in water like regular diapers, giving your baby a comfortable fit.

For secure protection in the water, Splashers double leg cuffs fit snugly around your baby’s legs to help contain messes, making them perfect for the pool and beach.

Only Pampers Splashers are designed with a 360-degree, all-around stretchy waistband that fits like swimwear and easily pulls on and off – even when wet.

Plus, Splashers are equipped with easy-tear sides for a quick disposal with less mess and the adorable swim-inspired, all-over graphics look like real swimwear. Pampers Splashers make a day at the pool even more fun.

Distributed by VJ Salomone Marketing, tel: 8007 2387.

Positive parenting Positive parenting programmes aim at transforming family lives by tapping into resources within parents and liberating their ability to parent positively and effectively. The course is spread over five weeks where different skills are taught by trained professionals.

Both parents are encouraged to attend and groups are kept small to encourage discussion. The first module revolves around ‘descriptive praise’. When parents use praise effectively, the child develops a healthy self-esteem and the parents see more of the behaviour they want to encourage. This also leads to a more positive relationship between the parent and the child. Descriptive praise provides the children with the positive attention they need, helps parents and children see the positives and can be used for all children, at all times and in all situations.

Other than being accurate and truthful, it also gives children the precise information they need to repeat the behaviour. This course also supports the parents to become emotion coaches. In this way they help build emotional intelligence and self-esteem in their children, foster deep connections with the

children and help them regulate their behaviour.

Children will get things right when prepared and it is the parent’s job to prepare them to succeed. Experiencing some degree of success is paramount in motivating children and building their self-esteem.

This course also supports parents to have a clear vision of how they want to be as a family by identifying what values are important for them and devising rules to follow those values. Parents are encouraged to set up a united front with the other parent, to determine reasonable rules, communicate them positively and involve the children in the process. Setting up rules and following them through is an important part of a parent’s role; it helps the parents to be in charge and the children to have adequate boundaries to keep them safe.

Finally, this course focuses on positive discipline by learning to cool down and use each situation as a learning moment, connect through emotion coaching and take constructive steps such as following through with consequences.

Anyone interested to attend these programmes is encouraged to contact Aġenzija Sedqa on 2388 5110.