Child (March 2019)

The magazine for parents

CHiLD ISSUE 63, March 2019

ENJOYING SPRINGTIME SCHOOL SECURITY ART THERAPY BOWLING HEROES PLUS: photography tips, exercise guidelines and picnic ideas

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CHiLD ISSUE 63 March 23, 2019

Contents

Securing a safe environment for our children

Features 4 Education: School security 8 Sport: Young bowlers interviewed 14 Nature: BirdLife’s Walk for Nature 16 Health: The causes of wheezing 20 Arts: The healing power of art therapy 24 Technology: Helping children with speech sound disorders 28 Exercise: The benefits of daily physical activity 35 Photography: Protecting our children’s images 38 Recipes: Savoury and sweet picnic ideas

Regulars 42 Shop window: 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 Kurt Aquilina, Jessica Arena, Ciara Attwell, Marika Azzopardi, Sandy Calleja Portelli, Rebekah Camilleri, Claire Falzon, Speechie project team at the University of Malta. Photographers Matthew Mirabelli, Chris Sant Fournier Design Krista Bugeja Advertising Sales Amanda Gauci (tel: 2276 4332; e-mail: amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com).

All rights reserved. © 2019 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

A couple of unfortunate events that took place in two schools earlier this year served as a stark reminder that these institutions are not necessarily the safe sanctuary we would like them to be.

Various forms of violence and aggression may take place within the school boundaries, between parents and teachers or administrative staff, between staff members, between children and their teachers, and among the students.

Efforts are being made at a national level to curb such incidents.

Among others, new proposals have been put forward by the Malta Union of Teachers and the Union of Professional Educators. These include security measures such as the installation of security cameras, controlled access to schools and the introduction of security personnel. But will this suffice to eliminate all sorts of aggression within schools?

Hardly so. The problem must be tackled at root level, beginning at home. Parents have a pivotal role to play here, especially when it comes to bullying. Starting off from helping our children understand and acknowledge the idea that any form of violence against peers, teachers and anyone else is unacceptable. Full stop.

This edition of Child takes a deep look at the issue in question and how it is being addressed, while giving parents tips on how to act when confronted with a case of bullying, whether their child is the perpetrator or the victim.

Other topics covered in this issue concern photography and social media, wheezing among preschool-aged children, and new technology that is being developed to help children with speech sound disorders (SSD).

A young team of tenpin bowlers, who recently brought home a gold medal after taking part in a tournament in the Netherlands, discuss the sport, the challenges they face and their dreams.

Speaking of sport, this edition highlights the importance of enticing children and adolescents to do some form of daily physical activity. Even children suffering from certain medical conditions are encouraged to engage in moderate to high-intensity exercise, while following doctors' guidelines.

And what better season to engage in some form of exercise than spring? When it’s getting less and less cold and the days are getting longer?

Spring is the also the best time to enjoy the countryside and observe and learn about the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit our surroundings. A walk being organised by BirdLife Malta at the end of the month is a good way to instigate a love for nature among kids.

And if the smell of strawberry fields and the fresh air make you hungry, try out the suggested picnic recipes that will surely please all the family.

Wish you a blissful season.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 3

EdUCATION

ARE SCHOOLS SAFE HAVENS? PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI and CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

Events which unfolded in two schools earlier this year have once again highlighted concerns about school security. Sandy Calleja Portelli delves into the different forms of violence and aggression that can take place within educational institutions and what is being done at a national level in a bid to curb such incidents.

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EdUCATION

s parents wave their children off to school every morning they do so expecting that their son or daughter will be learning in a safe and happy environment – a place where they will acquire new academic and social skills alongside classmates, who may become lifelong friends, and guided by teachers and staff working to bring out the best of them. For the majority of students, this may indeed be the case.

But, unfortunately, this idealised image of school does not always translate into reality and events which unfolded in two schools earlier this year have once again highlighted concerns about school security. Is this a new phenomenon and should parents be worried?

Incidents of violence and aggression within schools can take various forms and affect different sectors of the school population including among students, between students and staff, involving staff and parents and among staff members themselves.

Perhaps the most common example that instantly springs to mind is students bullying their peers, behaviour which can be manifisted through physical violence, verbal abuse, social exclusion and cyberbullying.

The national anti-bullying policy is incorporated in the National Curriculum Framework (2012) and the Respect for All Framework, 2014-2024 (2014) but some schools have also established their own anti-bullying policies, adopting a ‘whole school approach’ involving staff, parents and students in the process of developing guidelines for acceptable behaviour. despite the efforts and attention devoted to the issue of bullying, anecdotes of serious bullying are rife on social media as parents, students and former students share personal experiences of bullying and often lament that their complaints were not taken up by the school in question.

In at least one of the recent cases of school violence, the trigger appears to have been a physical altercation between two students which left one hospitalised and led to a different form of school-based violence when a parent attacked two school officials.

Reports of a parent or a relative attacking a member of the teaching or administrative staff of some school or other also surface from time to time. These attacks are usually due to some disagreement in the way a student has been treated or disciplined, or due to a belief that legitimate concerns have not been adequately addressed by

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“Students acting aggressively towards their teachers or peers would seem to be at the root of the majority of these problems”

the school. Although such incidents appear to be on the rise, they are not new and as far back as April 2008, the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) was demanding that the government take tough action over violence against teachers.

“The MUT has been appealing to authorities to take this issue seriously for many years,” said union president Marco Bonnici.

Mr Bonnici also referred to a survey the union conducted at the end of 2018 in which 87 per cent of the 183 respondents reported experiencing some sort of aggression at school, or as a result of their work, over the last two years, mostly by students. However, only 60 per cent of these had reported the aggression they had experienced which may perhaps be attributed to what Bonnici describes as “the helplessness and disappointment felt by a growing amount of educators, together with a feeling that they are not supported”.

This comes after a parliamentary question revealed that the department of Education’s dedicated website, designed to allow educators to report incidents of aggression experienced at school, had received 23 reports, which related to nine separate cases, since the start of the year.

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EdUCATION

When assessed in the context of the number of educators on the island, which Education Minister Evarist Bartolo told the Times of Malta numbered more than 9,000, the relatively small number of response to the MUT survey means that these figures cannot be taken as being representative of the educational sector as a whole. Nevertheless, it is a situation that all involved agree needs to be addressed in a reasonable manner as soon as possible and it appears that some plans have already been made.

The proposed amendments to the Education Act include increased fines ranging from €800 to €5,000 for any threats or acts of violence directed towards “any teacher or to any other official or employee of a school or to any other person involved in the organisation of an educational, cultural, social or sports activity for minors on the premises of a school or during such an activity”.

In the wake of the events in February, the ministry also commissioned a security audit in schools which is expected to make a number of recommendations both in terms of a national school security policy and, possibly, individual plans for some schools whose layout require specific security measures.

Some of the audit’s preliminary proposals, such as making sure no doors are left unlocked, are already being implemented in certain schools and some security protocols (e.g. what should happen when parents need to visit the school for meetings with staff) are in the process of being reviewed and amended.

Once the audit has been completed, new security measures are expected to be implemented in State schools.

These may range from policies promoting safer behaviour to the installation of security camera networks in schools.

While these measures go some way towards addressing the current security situation in schools, they may not meet all the concerns listed by the MUT which recently made nine proposals to ministry officials. These include ensuring that access to schools is controlled, the introduction of security personnel in schools and banning students from using mobile phones.

The proposals also highlight concerns about the catchment areas of some schools which are “affecting order and

“Reports of a parent or a relative attacking a member of the teaching or administrative staff of some school or other also surface from time to time”

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discipline” as well as the care of students with mental health or substance abuse issues.

In addition to these proposals, both the MUT and the Union of Professional Educators have called on the government to provide educators with indemnity insurance and cover against loss of earnings and injury, a proposal which the ministry is reported as being willing to consider.

Most of these proposals are either aimed at addressing the problems once they arise or at preventing the ultimate escalation of a problem. However, while it is practically impossible to eliminate all sorts of aggression within a society and, by association, within schools, any comprehensive solution to the problem must also include the most underlying causes of violence and aggression at school.

Students acting aggressively towards their teachers or peers would seem to be at the root of the majority of these problems and it would be reasonable to surmise that dealing

EdUCATION

with these students’ problems would greatly diminish incidents of school aggression, especially bullying.

At the end of 2018, parents reported incidents of violent bullying at Pembroke Secondary School. In the wake of those reports, the school announced that it had reported two cases of violent bullying to the police. One former student who did not wish to be named said: “This has been building up for two years or so. We started seeing fights in the playground with some boys trying to rule the school, and the teachers seemed too scared to do anything about it.”

Similar reports of simmering tensions and ongoing bullying have also surfaced in the wake of previous headlines about violence at school. While the anti-bullying policies listed above are undoubtedly bearing fruit in many cases, they do not seem to be effective in all cases and perhaps the introduction of some additional measures may bolster these programmes.

In 2014, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) published its ‘Research Study on Violence, Harassment and Bullying in Schools: A Qualitative Perspective’ which made several recommendations that included calls for students, parents and teachers to be educated about what constitutes bullying behaviour, the negative impact of bullying, fostering an appreciation and understanding of diversity within the school community and the introduction of ‘cultural mediators’ in schools.

The need for greater education on bullying was also repeated in the recommendations made by the EU-funded study ‘Against School Aggression Partnership’ which published its report in November 2016. This study also highlighted the need for NGOs and government institutions to collaborate more closely as the work of NGOs was not always in line with work undertaken by the authorities.

Schools may not quite live up to idealised images but it is important to keep in mind that these incidents remain the exception rather than the norm and that most children will eventually look back at their school years with fond memories.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS Parents have a crucial role to play in dealing with bullying in schools by teaching their children the importance of getting along with their peers and that violence is unacceptable. Perhaps the more challenging question is what to do if your child is a victim and here it is important that parents tackle the problem on two fronts.

Psychology Today recommends that parents should listen to their child, offer them support and understanding. Encourage them to speak up when they feel upset or left out at school but teach them to recognise the difference between conflict and bullying, and constructive skills to resolve conflicts with their friends.

The UK organisation Family Lives recommends parents make a detailed report about what happened, who witnessed the events, including anything their child may have done to trigger the conflict before setting an appointment with the school authorities to discuss the issue.

The organisation’s website also recommends parents should strike a balance between being patient while the process takes its course without allowing their concerns to be swept under the carpet.

While the situation remains unresolved, keep a bullying diary noting all the details of every relevant event that occurs and, if the school does not resolve the problem, then take complaints to higher authorities.

Competition Pemix Distributors Limited is giving readers the chance to win €50 worth of Babylino Sensitive products by answering the following question:

What does the Dry Matrix technology of Babylino Sensitive diapers consist of?

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 April. The winner will be announced in the next issue of Child. The winner of the last issue is Maria Borg.

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.

CHiLd MARCH 2019 7

SPORT

PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER and MATTHEW MIRABELLI

YOUTH BOWLERS STRIKE AGAIN A young crop of Maltese tenpin bowlers produced an eye-catching performance in an international tournament held recently in the Netherlands. Kurt Aquilina met with these youngsters and their coach to discuss their achievements and plans for the future. alta has left its mark in international bowling over the years, winning a host of medals on both a Mediterranean and European level.

This success, especially over the last two or three decades or so, owes much to the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association’s vision of focusing on its grass roots. Its upcoming players are trained meticulously and are given the opportunity to take part in international competitions.

This approach has ensured a great performance by a crop of young players at the 19th YET Open International Scratch Youth Tournament held last month in the Netherlands.

The youth selection, under the charge of Rick Vogelesang, returned home with a gold medal from Kayden Lagana (Class 8, mixed), on his international debut. Philip Gruppetta and Matthew Magro both placed 10th in the Mixed Division 1 and Boys Division 2, respectively. Dylan Santillo was 11th in the

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Boys Division 4, while Juliana Bonanno placed 10th in the Girls Division 5.

According to Mr Vogelesang, the game has changed in both style and training methods since he started his role in 2007.

“There has been very good progress,” Mr Vogelesang said.

“No doubt the National Sports School was a very positive step by the Maltese government. Some of the players like Matthew Magro and Kayden (Lagana) both had the opportunity to improve their skills by training regularly because of the school.

“Besides, schemes such as Sport on the Move give children the chance to start playing from a very young age.

It is from here that they are able to get into youth teams and eventually get scouted for the National Sports School.”

SPORT Mr Vogelesang insisted that the sport of bowling deserves to be given more resources especially since Malta is in the top league both at Commonwealth and Mediterranean Games level.

“Bowling is one of the most − if not the most − successful sports in Malta,” he said.

“For an island with around 120 members and just one bowling centre, having European champions means we are doing very well. Contrary to other youths in Europe, who just have to step in the car and find a tournament in a radius of maybe 200 kilometres, we always have to travel abroad. I think this makes us even more proud that the kids did so well.”

The coach highlighted the fact that Lagana gained a lot of respect from the other bowlers in the Netherlands.

“He was a good ambassador for Malta and the sport. That’s good and I’m enjoying it,” he remarked.

Mr Vogelesang, however, expressed his admiration towards all his players.

“From the day I started with the youth team, I only had one girl, Sara Xuereb. Slowly the number grew and now we have a very big base. I’m proud of this. This is all part of the future and it looks promising.”

MEET THE WINNING TEAM MEMBERS Kayden Lagana

Matthew Magro

Matthew Magro, 17 Matthew Magro is currently making his way out of the youth categories and into the senior levels of the sport. He has been playing for seven years and has been called to the national team three times at youth level.

He believes that overseas tournaments are key for his development as a player.

“The more tournaments I play, the more I am getting used to it all and also becoming more prepared,” Matthew said.

“It is a good experience for me to play for both divisions.

It’s very exciting at such a young age and also an honour for me to be chosen to represent my country.”

He loves the atmosphere and the camaraderie during team events.

“We are united all the time, cheering on each other as much as we can. We have that national pride,” he noted.

Matthew said that the youth division is already very tough, let alone the senior division. Because of this, he has now also incorporated a gym schedule.

Philip Gruppetta

Kayden Lagana, 11 Kayden Lagana has been bowling for three years. He started playing for fun at first, but with his parents’ approval, he took the sport more seriously.

At 11 years of age, he trains five days a week.

“Some people joke that I should start sleeping here,” he said.

“Others have also suggested we move to St Julian’s. I don’t like the place that much though.”

Despite the fact that none of his family members are bowlers themselves, they have all hopped on to the supporters’ bandwagon.

Bowling has surely become Kayden’s favourite sport.

“It’s like I get an adrenaline rush. Even if I hurt my knee or something, when I’m playing bowling, I get that feeling which helps me,” he said.

Philip Gruppetta, 23 Philip Gruppetta has been playing bowling since the age of nine after being introduced to the sport by Special Olympics national director Anna Calleja.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 9

SPORT The team with their coach Rick Vogelesang.

“It all started when Anna Calleja asked me and my parents if I’d be interested in playing bowling at an ADHD session,” Philip said.

“These people saw potential in me and so I dropped the other sports I had been playing and focused on bowling.”

Philip plans to play more tournaments abroad and, in order to reach his goals, he trains four times a week apart from playing in the national league.

“The best players in Europe were playing at the YET tournament, so it was tough competition. But it motivated me to train harder and do better in future.”

This month, Philip formed part of the Malta Special Olympics team who participated in the Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi.

Juliana Bonanno

Juliana Bonanno, 20 The sole female member of last month’s contingent was Juliana Bonanno. She has been a Malta international player since 2013 despite only taking up the sport two years earlier.

“After six months of playing, the people here saw my potential and they asked me if I wanted to go a step further,” she said.

“To do well in tournaments like the one in the Netherlands is always great. Especially when you’re representing your country, it gives you that confidence boost. I’ve learnt so much because I set targets and pushed myself towards them.”

10 CHiLD MARCH 2019

Being one of the older players in the group, Juliana has quite a lot on her plate between university, work and bowling.

“I’m working more shifts to be able to train more and go to tournaments. But at least, if I’m waking up earlier or sleeping later, I’m doing it for something I love.”

Despite her stamina, Juliana admitted it is hard to find the right balance but the fact that her teammates are her best friends is a boon.

SPORTS

“There isn’t enough time in my day, so every other free hour I have, I’m at the gym or here training,” she pointed out.

“I’m at least lucky that my best friends are here so we can bond over the sport and it’s less problematic on my social life.

This helps me during training and I end up giving my 110 per cent every time I’m here. We have a very good relationship, even with the coach.”

Juliana eventually hopes to find a career that does not obstruct her dreams.

“It is very important for me to find a workplace that appreciates the fact I practise a sport and hopefully makes life easier for me,” she said.

Dylan Santillo

Dylan Santillo, 17 This struggle for balance was mentioned by another team member, Dylan Santillo.

Dylan lamented that, unlike players abroad, all local bowlers must juggle between work and the sport.

“Abroad, people can live off these tournaments but all the top players here in Malta have to work,” he said.

“Competing abroad is expensive, so it’s harder for us. Yet it makes so much difference when you get to play against higher-level players. I tend to make a better effort to do well against them,” he continued.

Over the past year, his level of play has changed significantly thanks to Mr Vogelesang’s coaching. Dylan looks forward to build on this improvement and make a name for himself.

NATuRe

WELCOMING SPRING

Participants of last year’s Walk for Nature held from the Roman Villa in Rabat to Xemxija.

PHOTOS: BIRDLIFE MALTA

BirdLife Malta is organising its annual walk to celebrate the arrival of spring and raise funds for environmental education. f ter the autumn and winter rains, the countryside is in full bloom and the amount of plants one can find in the countryside is unbelievable.

‘Wild flowers’ is in fact the theme chosen by BirdLife Malta for their annual Walk for Nature, which this year will take participants on a beautiful trek through the Majjistral Nature and History Park on Sunday, March 31.

This event encourages children and families to enjoy spending time outdoors in the beautiful Maltese spring, while at the same time raises awareness about the importance of nature conservation by contributing to a specific environmental education project.

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Funds raised will go towards BirdLife Malta’s efforts to support educational resources that connect young people with nature. With the money collected, the NGO’s education team aims to buy nature explorer kits to use with members during nature activities.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Along the route that stretches from Għajn Tuffieħa to Għadira Nature Reserve, participants will be guided to look out for some of the most common plants one can find at this time. Among these is the Maltese spurge, a common plant that is only found in Malta. It is usually a low shrub and it drops its leaves in summer. At this time of year the shrub is covered in yellow flowers which attract all sorts of insect life.

NATuRe The Maltese pyramidal orchid is another endemic flowering orchid which blooms in March and which participants will encounter on their march in the park. It is one of Malta’s larger orchids and has a round shape compared to the common pyramidal orchid which blooms later in the season. The flower is a delightful whitish pink. All orchids are protected so they should be admired and left to grow without being disturbed.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE The event is open to everyone who has nature at heart but BirdLife Malta is particularly calling on schools to join in. Children under eight years should be accompanied by an adult.

At this time of year the Maltese giant fennel is also at its best. The large flower which towers over other plants turns into a bright yellow and can be up to 150 centimetres tall.

This plant has only been described as an endemic plant in the last few months as it was presumed to be the common giant fennel found in other countries.

The African wolfbane, which arrived from North Africa by wind dispersal, is also found around the Majjistral park. At this time of the year the flowers have seeded and a horntype pod appears which will open later on in May and June, revealing the silkcovered seeds which are quickly dispersed by the winds.

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One can also come across boar thistles, an important source of pollen for bees, with their prominent white flowers. Years ago, the thistle was harvested in summer for use as fire wood and it was illegal to cut before it dried out.

If one looks very closely in dried-out rock fissures, one can also find the reddish clumps of blue stonecrop. The tiny blue flowers give it the name although most of the time the plant looks red. It flourishes in any small hole or pool where water settles during the winter.

Another small shrub associated with this area is the olive-leaved germander which flowers at this time. The small blue or violet flowers are prominent and the plant takes its name from its resemblance to an olive tree, having dark upper leaves and pale lower leaves.

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While participation is free for those who raise funds, a donation of €5 will be requested at the start of the walk for those who don’t.

Booking is required. Apart from filling in the reservation google form on BirdLife Malta’s event webpage, one can also download a sponsor sheet which has been prepared for the event.

This should be filled in and presented at the start of the walk together with any money collected.

Participants who raise funds for this event are encouraged to take the money they raised with them to the walk. All those who raise at least €5 will be given a goody bag and at the end of the walk there will be a prize-giving ceremony in which the highest three donations will win awards for their sponsorship effort.

Both the online booking form and the sponsor sheet together with more details about the Walk for Nature 2019 can be found at https://birdlifemalta.org/2019/ 02/walk-for-nature-2019.

NOTE: The route through the Majjistral park is considered as an easy-to-moderate difficult one, but this year BirdLife Malta has decided to use country paths which means that accessibility for pushchairs, scooters or bikes is limited.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 15

HEALTH

WHAT’S THAT

WHEEZE? ciated with asthma so as ly on m m co e ar es ez Whe multitude a be d ul co e er th , ity al re or colds but, in ical student ed M . es us ca g in rly de un of some light on Rebekah Camilleri sheds d children. wheezing in preschool-age heezing is one of the commonest reasons why parents take their child to a doctor or paediatrician.

About a third of all children have had at least one episode of wheezing in the first three years of their life. A common misconception is that wheezes are symptoms of asthma or colds but the truth is that they there could be many underlying causes.

Wheezing is usually defined as high-pitched whistling sounds made when breathing out, usually accompanied by difficulty in breathing. In Maltese, wheezing is often referred to as tisfir (whistling).

However, people tend to use different vocabulary when referring to a wheeze and the term is often used to describe many other chest sounds as well. This can create communication problems when parents report their child’s symptoms to medical professionals, as they may sometimes disagree as to when a ‘wheeze’ is present.

Abnormal breathing sounds like wheezes are created when there is a

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16 CHiLD MARCH 2019

HEALTH

change in airflow inside the lung airways. This is similar to how high changes in airflow in windy weather generate the typical high-pitched howling wind sound. Inside the lungs’ airway passages, a change in airflow is usually the result of obstruction(s), as air is forced through a smaller space, thereby creating a whistling sound. This obstruction can be due to many causes, especially: • Mucus and phlegm which accumulate inside the airways, especially if the person is suffering from a chest infection (including bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia); • Swelling from inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to dangerous threats such as trauma, infections, irritation and allergic triggers; • Bronchospasm and bronchoconstriction, whereby the muscular walls of the lung airways twitch and contract, in response to irritation, resulting in a narrower airway; • Airways having a small calibre or diameter, which is especially the case in children, whose lungs have not yet reached adult-size; • Structurally or functionally diseased airways, which can be a condition which the child is born with or acquires later on in life; • A combination of a number of causes mentioned above.

Young children tend to wheeze more than adults because they have smaller and narrower lung airways. An obstruction can have a significant impact on airflow in a child, whereas the same obstruction will not affect an adult to the same extent. As children grow older, their organs grow larger and their airways become wider.

Children also wheeze more than adults because they get sick more often, especially in their preschool

“People tend to use different vocabulary when referring to a wheeze”

years, when they are exposed to many illnesses as they begin to socialise with others. They get sick at their first encounter with a particular infectious agent, like a virus or a bacterium. Next time they are exposed to the same infectious agents, their immune system would have ‘learnt’ how to eradicate the bug before the symptoms are even felt.

Preschool wheezes are often classified temporally, the two main categories being episodic viral wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze.

Episodic viral wheeze is commoner in children younger than three years.

Airway obstruction is mostly due to accumulated mucus and inflammatory swelling caused by a cold (a respiratory virus). In episodic viral wheeze, the airway inflammation is said to be noneosinophilic, meaning it is not associated with allergies or atopy.

This wheeze can come about quite suddenly and may be frightening for both child and parent. Nevertheless once the illness settles down, so does the wheezing. The child would not have any symptoms between viral respiratory tract infections.

In multiple trigger wheeze, children wheeze when they are sick with a cold but continue to wheeze during the interval between respiratory illnesses. Their wheeze may be worsened and triggered by certain environmental factors, such as exposure to cold air, exercise, excitement and cigarette smoke.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 17

HEALTH Your family doctor may choose to prescribe a preventer inhaler as a ‘trial of treatment’.

IDENTIFYING DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHEEZES The below examples better explain the difference between episodic viral wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze.

CASE 1

In multiple trigger wheeze, the airway obstruction is caused by an inflammatory response to triggers, resulting in swelling of the walls of air passages, increased production of mucus and phlegm and bronchospasm, which is muscular contraction of the airways’ walls, making them even narrower.

The inflammation in this case is described as eosinophilic, because when the airways are seen under a microscope, there are eosinophils, a certain type of white blood cells. Eosinophils are typically abundant when the person suffers from allergies. In fact, children with multiple trigger wheeze have been found to be at an increased risk of also suffering from allergies and atopic diseases like hay fever, eczema and asthma. Nevertheless, one must keep in mind that an ‘increased risk’ does not mean definitely having these conditions.

Unfortunately, the distinction between episodic viral wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze is not always clear-cut, as they can overlap each other and with other types of wheeze.

The pattern of symptoms can also change, giving a mixed picture which is sometimes difficult to interpret.

In fact, your family doctor may choose to prescribe a preventer inhaler as a ‘trial of treatment’ if the wheeze is severe and/or frequent. The inhaled medication should be taken everyday with the aim to control and prevent the wheeze. Follow-up after a few months is 18 CHiLD MARCH 2019

“Children wheeze more than adults because they get sick more often, especially in their preschool years”

Marianne was having a typical hectic morning. She woke up, downed her coffee while having her early-morning cigarette.

When she entered her two-yearold David's room to get him ready for preschool, he let out a rough wheezy cough. His cold had gotten worse from the night before.

However, David got better after a couple of days and both the cough and the wheeze stopped.

David has an episodic viral wheeze. He is particularly susceptible to this because he has been suddenly exposed to viruses at preschool and his mother smokes.

CASE 2 necessary to check how the child is doing and whether the wheeze responded to the medication.

The majority of preschool wheezes naturally remit and settle on their own by the age of six. A fraction of cases can be more persistent and a small percentage of these may develop into asthma. Children who have a parental history of asthma and/or a personal history of eczema or allergic rhinitis are at increased risk of developing asthma, and should be followed more closely.

If you have any concerns about your child’s health, don’t hesitate to contact your family doctor.

Ms Camilleri’s article has been reviewed by paediatrician Cecil Vella.

John is four-and-a-half years old.

His dad was noticing that John’s breathing tends to be noisy when he wakes up. However, one morning, John had to stay home due to a cold and his noisy whistling breathing got louder than usual. His dad remembered that, as a baby, John had a couple of episodes of itchy red rashes on his cheeks and arms, though at the time he did not think much about them.

John has a multiple trigger wheeze. His wheeze is worsened due to a cold but was present before getting sick. He also used to suffer from eczema (itchy red rash) as a baby, which may be associated with wheezing.

ARTS

PAINTING PICTURES WITH YOUR FEELINGS As we increasingly warm up to self-care and alternative therapies in the conversation about mental health, art therapy has also been carving its own strong little niche.

Jessica Arena takes a closer look. e’re living in an era where mental health has dominated a fair bit of discourse. Survivors of traumatic experiences, people living with mental health or developmental disorders have become more vocal about their needs and experiences, and there has been no shortage of advocacy groups campaigning for inclusion and wider social acceptance on these fronts.

In response, there has been a global push for inclusion and access to information about care and services in such sectors has increased rapidly and continues to evolve in innovative ways.

It is in this climate that broaching the topic of art therapy takes on new and fascinating dimensions.

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20 CHiLD MARCH 2019

This therapeutic technique allows a patient’s creative output to develop organically throughout a session and is then channelled into meaningful expression.

The practice can be applied in a variety of disciplines, including drama, music and dance, and can be helpful to patients who have experienced trauma and general illness, as well as eating disorders and mental health issues.

Andrei Scerri, founder and director of Art Classes Malta (AK Malta), runs a young art school that has also expanded into art therapy. His organisation now offers a variety of classes in art and design catering to children and adults alike.

“We saw a real need in including more proactive and therapeutic courses such as art therapy,” Mr Scerri says.

ARTS According to him, much of the current educational landscape in schools places far too much focus on instructive learning for the sole aim of passing exams, with the greater potentials of practising art being overlooked.

“The general approach to education assumes that all children have the same needs,” argues Mr Scerri.

“In art therapy you’re not being told what to learn or how you’re going to learn. Rather, your needs as a student are assessed and you are engaged to express your thoughts and feelings as a priority. The learning is then modified towards those needs.”

This particular approach stands to benefit both adults and children.

“It can engage quite a wide audience, not just those who wish to improve their cognitive abilities,” Mr Scerri continues.

“Children with attention deficits, such as autism or ADHD, have also found art therapy to be beneficial.”

People with autism are often characterised by their difficulties in expressing themselves and lack of intuition in social interaction, often leading to frustrating attempts at communication which leaves their needs unmet.

Art therapy can be beneficial in such instances as it works with the specificity of the way in which the student wishes to interact and provides a space where they are encouraged to improve upon those interactions in a neutral space.

“Let’s say the theme for a session is facial recognition and emotions,” Mr Scerri says.

“You’re sometimes told that children with autism cannot feel emotions, cannot empathise, for example, with a person who is crying. Many of the students have problems with their mirror neurons. The fusiform face area (FFA), that is the part of their brain that deals with face recognition, which is in the visual area, is not linked with the emotional part of the brain,” Mr Scerri points out.

“The child can see that you’re crying but cannot link that picture with the corresponding emotions. In a neurotypical child, links between empathy and social skills grow with experience but, in a child where these regions are impaired, there needs to be deliberate reinforcement or training. Art therapy in this case can be beneficial as it aims at reinforcing and training those skills tailored to each individual child.”

Mr Scerri also notes that art therapy has been traditionally beneficial in addressing traumatic experiences in teenagers and adults. Experiences of repressed memories and chronic depression show signs of improvement when patients are equipped with skills to communicate themselves better to the outside world.

“An integral part of the success rate of art therapy is the cooperation between the therapist, the patient and their families”

“Art therapy is a multisensory experience,” Mr Scerri says.

“You engage both the visual and the motor sensory experience: the touch, the feel, the sight. These are all sensations which can help people in different areas of life to express themselves and communicate themselves better to the outside world.”

An integral part of the success rate of art therapy, Mr Scerri highlights, is the cooperation between the therapist, the patient and their families. For therapy to be successful, it is imperative that the family life of the patient is included in the process and that the progress made in sessions are also integrated into the home.

“Art therapy is not a one-day thing, you can see progress. It differs from one child to another, of course,” he says.

“But for art therapy to be adopted and absorbed in its whole, the relationship with the therapist has to extend into the family. When it comes to training, the repetitive nature of the training itself helps those neurons synchronise better. The support and understanding of the process by the family helps when the child goes home.

“Unless these skills are being enforced and these behaviours are being adopted at home, the benefit of this very beautiful and proactive approach to learning will not reach its full potential.”

CHiLD MARCH 2019 21

TECHNOLOGY

Facilitating the assessment and analysis of child’s speech in the local context New technology is being developed to help local clinicians better assess children suffering from speech sound disorders (SSD) in Malta and therefore plan more effective intervention programmes. Loridana Buttigieg and Helen Grech from the University of Malta discuss its potential. he ability to communicate plays an essential role in our everyday life since it is required to exert control on one’s social and emotional worlds, as well as to interact with others. Some children experience communication problems, possibly related to difficulties in understanding or expressing themselves.

As young children develop language, it is typical for them to produce certain words and sounds differently from the way they are produced by adults. This is because their speech skills develop over time. Different

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Speech sound disorders may negatively affect the ability of children to communicate optimally, leading to frustration for both child and caregivers.

speech sounds are mastered at specific ages, yet some children present with speech sound disorders (SSD). This means that they continue experiencing difficulties in producing certain sounds and words beyond the expected age.

Consequently, one may find it hard to understand the child and in some situations even close family relatives do not comprehend them. It is acknowledged that SSD may negatively affect the ability of children to communicate optimally and to participate in everyday life; consequently, their self-image may also be affected. Furthermore, a child

with SSD and his/her relatives may also experience frustration due to the unintelligibility of the child’s speech.

SSD is characterised by various subtypes and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) would need to identify what exact difficulties the child is experiencing in order to intervene. They normally administer speech assessments to determine whether a speech sound impairment exists and whether the child requires intervention. The assessment results also allow clinicians to plan effective intervention.

Currently, SLPs in Malta can use the standardised Maltese-English Speech Assessment (MESA) (Grech, Dodd & Franklin, 2011), to assess and review the speech of children. This tool was

“Recently, the need for new and innovative ways of assessing and delivering therapy to children with communication disorders started to be acknowledged” 24 CHiLD MARCH 2019

TECHNOLOGY standardised on monolingual Maltesespeaking children as well as Maltese children who were exposed to both Maltese and English from early on, and hence it is particularly appropriate for the local bilingual scenario.

Recently, the need for new and innovative ways of assessing and delivering therapy to children with communication disorders started to be acknowledged.

Children are nowadays living in a world of interactive media. Digital devices are, in fact, becoming part of our culture, not just at home but also at school, work and in the community.

Consequently, technological tools started to be considered even for learning and therapeutic purposes.

Technology began to play an important role in speech and language therapy. Due to the exponential rise of technology, SLPs are increasingly becoming interested in using applications and possibly smart devices when working with children having SSD. Unlike the traditional paper-based resources, digital applications offer the advantages of being stored easily, as well as being portable and durable.

Also, speech and language therapy can be more attractive and engaging to children, possibly allowing them to feel more motivated.

Software applications for assessment purposes have also become available for clinicians. Yet, not all electronic resources are standardised and/or normed on a specific population, meaning that results need to be interpreted with caution by the SLP. Furthermore, to date no applications are available that can be used by local clinicians to assess the speech of monolingual and bilingual Maltese children.

The MESA, which is the only standardised speech assessment for Maltese children, is available solely in the form of a traditional picture-based assessment. During the administration of the MESA, children often end up losing attention and get tired.

Furthermore, it requires lengthy and laborious analysis following the assessment session. Considering the increased interest in using technology for speech and language

Digital devices are becoming part of our culture, not just at home but also at school, work and in the community. PHOTO: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

CHiLD MARCH 2019 25

TECHNOLOGY Olly Speaks is meant to be controlled by an adult SLP or parent who will have the role of selecting the goals that should be practised by the child.

assessments and intervention, the need to create a technology-based version of the same assessment tool was recognised.

The conversion of the MESA from a traditional pen-and-paper tool to a technology-based version may offer various advantages to both the service user and the SLP. It can facilitate the work of the clinician by reducing the time required to score the results, while also offering an improved experience for the children who undergo the assessment process.

Following discussions with local SLPs, a prototype of the online MESA was developed. The main aim is to eventually deliver the existing prototype into a finalised version which clinicians will be able to use locally. The online version would allow SLPs working in Malta to assess the speech of monolingual and/or bilingual Maltese children.

Data would be saved securely, allowing SLPs to access data relating to previous assessment results for clients, while also enabling comparison of results and monitoring of the child’s progress. The technologybased version of the MESA will carry out all the analysis automatically and generate results quickly, saving a lot

of time and being more accurate than manual analysis.

Furthermore, the final version will include available standardised norms (Grech, 2017) to support SLPs when judging whether the child has an SSD or not and to identify an appropriate intervention programme.

“The online MESA will eventually be linked to the Speechie device known as Olly Speaks” Following the delivery of the first prototype of the online MESA, clinicians were interviewed again and their opinions were compiled. Suggestions to further improve the online software have been forwarded and are being taken into consideration to refine the product.

The online MESA is currently also being tested on monolingual and bilingual Maltese children presenting with typical speech development and those diagnosed with a SSD, to ensure that the novel technology-based MESA gives the same results as the traditional picture-based assessment.

Acknowledgments The online Mesa project forms part of the Speechie project which was funded by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) through the Technology Development Programme 2016. The researchers are grateful to those involved in the development of the online MESA prototype tool. The team would also like to thank the Speech and Language Centre for the support and collaboration and all those who participated in the study, including speech-language pathologists, young children and their parents.

26 CHiLD MARCH 2019

The software will eventually be linked to the Speechie device known as Olly Speaks, an attractive and engaging toy (an article about this device was published in the previous edition of Child). This renders a unique, comprehensive productservice system for speech therapy.

The MESA pictures are meant to be shown via a technological device, such as a tablet or laptop. The child’s responses will be scored by the SLP on the device and will be audio-recorded. They will then be analysed automatically by the software and compared to the available norms by the SLP. This will help him/her reach a differential diagnosis.

All data, including audio recordings, transcriptions of the child’s speech and results will be saved on the cloud.

This information will subsequently be linked to the Speechie product, allowing the SLP to adapt goals and adjust enjoyable activities/games on Olly Speaks, based on the child’s presenting difficulties and the differential diagnosis.

Olly Speaks is meant to be controlled by an adult SLP or parent who will have the role of selecting the goals that should be practised by the child. The responses of the child will be recorded and saved on the Speechie device and progress can be continously monitored by the adult/s (SLP/parent).

Loridana Buttigieg, a post-graduate researcher, and Helen Grech, associate professor and head of the Department of Communication Therapy within the Faculty of Health Sciences, are Speechie project partners.

EXERCISE

PLANNING A HEALTHIER FUTURE All children benefit from engaging in daily physical activity, even those suffering from certain medical conditions, says physiotherapist Claire Falzon.

Children and adolescents aged five to 18 should spend a minimum of one hour of moderate to high-intensity physical activity every day.

28 CHiLD MARCH 2019

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espite ongoing national efforts, most Maltese children and adolescents are not being as active as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Statistics show that more than 80 per cent of Maltese adolescents are not reaching the minimum level of the daily recommended physical activity. This is increasing the risk of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and fragile bones from an early age, while also upping one’s risk of mortality in adulthood.

All children and adolescents stand to gain from being physically active, even those suffering from certain medical conditions. Engaging in some form of physical activity can lead to better cardio-respiratory fitness, which refers to the capacity of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles efficiently, and muscular fitness, which is all about muscular power, agility, speed and flexibility.

According to international guidelines, children aged three to five should at least spend three hours a day of low, moderate and high-intensity activity achieved through play.

Children and adolescents aged five to 18 should spend a minimum of one hour of moderate to high-intensity physical activity every day. It is also recommended that they participate in high-impact (for example, jumping) and muscle-strengthening activities three times a week. The minimum of one-hour activities can be split into

EXERCISE

short bouts of 10- to 30-minute activities spread throughout the day.

If more than one hour of activity is performed, this is of additional benefit.

In cases where the child or adolescent is inactive, activity and exercise need to start slowly and should be increased gradually as the child gets stronger and the cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness levels increase.

Research shows that moderate and high-intensity activities are more beneficial than low-intensity activity, therefore one should monitor the intensity of the activities children are participating in and encourage more moderate to high-intensity exercise.

A simple way to do so is by observing whether children can sing or talk while exercising. During low-intensity activity, children will be able to sing while moving; if the activity is of moderate intensity, children will be able to talk but not sing (for example,

“One should monitor the intensity of the activities children are participating in and encourage more moderate to high-intensity exercise”

while riding a bike); and during highintensity exercise, they will be short of breath and unable to talk while moving (such as when running).

Children with medical conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart diseases or other conditions can still perform daily physical activity. In most cases, this is even essential to their health.

Physical activity should, however, be done under the guidance and recommendations of the child’s doctors and physiotherapists, where an exercise programme tailored to their needs is drafted.

If a child suffers from diabetes, blood sugar levels will vary depending on the type of exercise being performed and its duration, hence it is important to seek guidance prior to starting any kind of new activity. It is also essential to monitor blood glucose levels prior, during and after exercise.

In the case of cystic fibrosis, regular physical activity and higher fitness levels are associated with better quality of life and lower risk of admissions to hospital; while in cases of congenital heart disease, regular exercise has been found to be safe and beneficial to children’s health.

However, as already stated, one should seek professional advice from a doctor and physiotherapist and increase physical activity gradually.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 29

The benefits to be reaped from exercise are multifold.

It improves both cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness and plays a very important role in the prevention of heart disease which starts developing in childhood.

High-impact and strengthening activities strengthen the muscles and bones. Research shows that high-impact activities also lead to a lower risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures in late adulthood.

Physical activity is proven to be beneficial to mental health as well. Studies have shown that active children and adolescents are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and that active adolescents tend to adopt healthier behaviours with regards to tobacco, alcohol and drug use. It was also observed that children who were physically active performed better academically.

Keeping in mind all the benefits of physical activity, it is therefore of utmost importance that all children are encouraged to always be physically active, while reducing time spent sedentarily in front of a TV, computer or tablet.

The net result would be that our children, despite any limitations they might face, would grow into a healthier, happier adult population tomorrow.

The author is a recipient of a Malta Sport Scholarship, financed by the Maltese government.

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Graphic by Claire Falzon

EXERCISE

VOLUNTEERING

UNSUNG HEROES Ann Camilleri, Inspire Foundation’s Gozo services manager, discusses the importance of volunteering and the benefits gained by those who are willing to give up some of their free time for a good cause.

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hildhood memories are brimful of the cartoon superheroes of yesteryear… Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman to mention just a few. These largerthan-life characters who constantly save the world from all evil became our own heroes when we were young and emboldened our own resolve to do good.

In real life and as we grew older, these cartoon heroes were replaced by members of the police force, firefighters, soldiers and other overworked and underpaid professionals who often go unrecognised. But there is also another category of heroes, composed of volunteers, who give up their time freely for the benefit of others.

As humans, we tend to want to gain something out of the efforts we make,

32 CHiLD MARCH 2019

however, the rewards of volunteering go far beyond monetary compensation. There are intangible benefits that money cannot buy. Not only does making a difference in the world make one feel good but it helps in other facets of life as well.

Socially, volunteers become more connected to the people they are helping and tend to build long-lasting friendships with other volunteers. Such social connections build a greater community feel and this sense of belonging benefits the volunteer not only mentally but also physically. A paper, published by Harvard Health, dubbed this phenomenon “the happiness effect”.

A volunteer also has the opportunity to learn new skills, including leadership skills, which can ultimately improve job prospects, and self-esteem.

One must not look too far from our shores to do a good deed. There are plenty of opportunities locally. Inspire, like other local NGOs and charities, is always in need of volunteers both in Malta and Gozo.

It is an opportunity to meet new people, gain insight into the world of persons with disabilities, connect with the community, learn new skills and gain some personal satisfaction.

If you have the energy, drive and dedication, become that superhero you have always dreamed of becoming.

“The rewards of volunteering go far beyond monetary compensation”

VOLUNTEERING

Jane Lewis of Għajnsielem has been a volunteer with Inspire in Gozo for over a year. She helps to fulfil the foundation’s mission of providing an excellent service and bringing out the best in children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Ms Lewis sometimes makes herself available even at a moment’s notice and is always ready to work with Inspire’s team of tutors. Over time, she formed a very close bond with the tutors and the children and continues to volunteer with the same gusto as she did when she first started.

Here she describes her experience: “My name is Jane. I have been living in Gozo for five years. Last year I saw an advert from Inspire asking for volunteers here in Gozo to work alongside a group of professionals looking after children with varying needs. I applied and now I volunteer every Saturday morning for about four hours. It is not a long time but it gives me an enormous amount of satisfaction.

“I work one-to-one within a group under supervision. This gives me a chance to get to know the children who have a structured morning, playing and completing tasks. The tutors are very professional and always at hand to offer advice and assistance, so I am never alone.

“We are all different in age and gender but have a common aim – that of looking after these very special children. Inspire has given me the opportunity to serve our community in a small way and in return the children and tutors at Inspire have given a new purpose to my week.”

For volunteering opportunities, contact Inspire’s volunteer manager on 2092 8154 (Malta) or Ann Camilleri on 2156 4149 or by sending an e-mail to ann.camilleri@inspire.org.mt (Gozo).

PROMO

JOLLY FRIAR STORIES GET A REVAMP ra Mudest – a jolly friar who always ends up in a pickle – is a household name in children’s literature and many a generation has grown up laughing out loud at his antics.

Charles Casha’s tales were first published as magazine short stories in 1967. Four years later, Fra Mudest was published as a book collection, becoming the first ever Maltese children’s book to be published in Malta.

Now, the chubby frair has been given a makeover, making him accessible to readers as young as seven years of age.

A new Merlin Publishers series will see Fra Mudest star in shorter stories which have been simplified by Mr Casha. Each book contains one short story, with a contained amount

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of text making it the perfect length for young children just developing the confidence to read their first ‘proper’ book.

The friar has also been given a facelift with new illustrations by Deandra Scicluna, who kept the retro ambience of the 1970s period when Fra Mudest was written, but at the same time giving the characters a fresh look.

Fra Mudest u l-Figolla tal-Pirjol is the first book in the series and is printed in a sizeable and easier-to-read font on matt, yellow paper, specifically aimed at helping children with reading difficulties. It is available from all leading bookshops or directly online, with free postage to Malta and Gozo addresses, from merlinpublishers.com.

201 18 IN PICTURE ES A SE ELECTION OF SPECTACULAR IMAGES TAKEN FOR TIMES OF MALTA AND THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA

BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS.

THE COLLECTION CONTINUES

ISSUE 13

AVA AILABLE FR ROM LEADING STATIONERS NERS AND BOOKSELLERS RS ARO OUND MALT TA AND GOZO TRADE ENQUIRIES: Book B Distributors Limited, 13, Giorgio o Preca Street, San Gwann SGN 3511.

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Tel: 2138 0351 Web: www.bdlbooks.com w

PHOTOGRAPHY

PROTECTING YOUR CHILD’S PRECIOUS IMAGES Many parents seem busy taking photos of their children 24x7 and posting them on social media. But how many are truly aware of the possible consequences? Family therapist Karen Bishop gives Marika Azzopardi some advice on the matter. sn’t it amazing how we can document practically every moment of a child’s growth nowadays? With the advent of smartphones, we can click away at all times, be it on special occasions or during our daily routines. But have you ever thought that perhaps you’re taking too many photos and leading your children to be more image conscious?

Family therapist Karen Bishop acknowledges that smartphones offer “an invaluable means” of capturing loved ones but she is very aware of the repercussions this might have in the long run.

“Children in their infancy tend to know when a camera is being pointed at them and actually ‘freeze’ for a pose,” Ms Bishop says.

“This culture may be rendering children more ‘self-aware’ as opposed to the spontaneity typically characterising childhood.”

However, some children might get tired of posing for a photo while waiting for their parents to get the perfect shot.

And Ms Bishop encourages parents to respect the child’s decision not to be photographed.

“This way, we tell the child that they have control over their own physicality, including their own image,” she says.

The child may not make sense of the whole process and receive conflicting messages.

“If we’re taking a photo as a happily smiling family but moments later disinterestedly walk away from each other, what messages are we implicitly giving our children about authenticity, intimacy and social image? Are we just faking it for the photo?,” asks Ms Bishop.

She also wonders as to what children make of a parent who is constantly taking selfies.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 35

PHOTOGRAPHY “It seems to promote vanity and privileging physical appearance, possibly even encouraging a fake persona for the sake of being admired by others,” she says. “As a therapist and parent, I am amazed how children lap up and learn unspoken messages just through observation as we go about our daily lives.”

She also advises parents to be mindful of what they choose to share over social media.

“A parent might think the photo of his/her young child being silly during bath-time is adorable and wants to share it with ‘friends’. Most people today befriend others on social media, some of whom they might not know all that well. Are you ever really sure who will be gaining access to that picture?”

Ms Bishops says that a child’s photo can easily end up in the hands of paedophiles who would share it with like-minded groups. She also notes that many of us tend to be quite careless as regards the privacy settings on social media accounts and do not have a clear idea about who has access to what they post.

“Parents need to check whether they are comfortable about sharing their photos, especially as children grow older,” she continues.

“What might look cute today might prove embarrassing 10 years down the line, when they’re teens or young adults.”

As a therapist, Ms Bishop has encountered a number of cases where children and teenagers shared inappropriate pictures of themselves, with very dramatic results.

“This phenomenon is on the increase, which is very worrying. A young teen might be lured into sharing a naked photo with somebody who would have created a fake profile and might be posing as a prospective partner,” she points out.

Aside from the sexual predator scenario, such pictures may be exploited by peers and circulated between classmates as a form of bullying.

“One can only imagine the serious consequences of this. A child might even contemplate suicide to escape it all. As parents we need to monitor what goes online and have age-appropriate conversations about online safety,” Ms Bishop concludes.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Vassallo.

VInTAGe PHOTOS FROM KeVIn CASHA IMAGe ARCHIVe

presented a vast collection of vintage photographs from his own archives, including some child studio portraits. Several are by Leandro Preziosi, dating circa 1860-1866.

The most common reason for photographing children in those times was mainly to have a keepsake of the child and to have copies to distribute to close relatives.

There was also the curious, somewhat macabre practice of photographing deceased children as many of them died in infancy.

“They would be dressed in their best clothes and, most times, were made to look as if they were only sleeping,” noted Mr Casha, who is also the president of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP).

A studio photo session could be quite a complex affair. early cameras were rather slow to shoot, so very early child photographs are extremely rare. “exposure times would be long seconds and children (or pets) could become uncontrollable. Blurring would thus occur. As technology improved and lighting was introduced in studios, child photography became one of the mainstays of early photographic studios,” Mr Casha says.

“This culture may be rendering children more ‘self-aware’ as opposed to the spontaneity typically characterising childhood”

Stepping back in time Photographs were a rarity until less than a century ago and were only taken in a professional studio.

In his recently published book Photography in Malta – the History and the Protagonists, photographer Kevin Casha 36 CHiLD MARCH 2019

Leandro Preziosi, courtesy of Marion Camilleri

PHOTOGRAPHY

Giuseppe Cassar (SR) of Ħamrun

1663 J. Mallia & Co., Valletta

John Ciancio, Valletta

Photographers came up with varied tricks to capture the attention of children and keep them still. Most often they used toys which could make sounds to arouse curiosity.

“A certain Axisa, who had a Sliema studio, had a live bird for the purpose, and I myself sometimes used a felt hand puppet which would squeak at opportune moments,” he recalls.

Asked for some expert advise on taking children’s photos, Mr Casha encourages parents to try and capture them in as natural a way as possible. With today’s cameras, there is no need for flash, thus retaining the spontaneity and naturalness of the moment.

“Let children get used to the camera for some time and when they lose interest, then start taking pictures… kids do not pose well, so candid photographs work better,” he remarks.

“Having said that, I would like to point out that while ethics have changed, taking pictures of children can be very tricky.

If you are not the parent of the child being photographed, you should seek parental consent. Most certainly, no pictures should be posted online or published in books without the written permission of both parents.”

CHiLD MARCH 2019 37

RECIPES

Spring has started and so has picnic season. What’s better than enjoying a few savoury snacks and sweet but healthy treats in the countryside or by the sea? Here are a few recipes courtesy of Ciara Attwell, who runs the blog www.myfussyeater.com.

LET’S PICNIC! BACON, CHEESE AND CHIVES EGG MUFFINS Serves 6 Ingredients 6 slices streaky bacon 6 large or 7 medium eggs 100g shredded cheddar cheese 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives 1 tsp dried mixed herbs pepper to taste

CHILD-FRIENDLY PEA HUMMUS Ingredients 240g cooked chickpeas 200g cooked peas 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 garlic clove, crushed water salt and pepper to taste Method Place the chickpeas, peas, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor or blender and blitz until well combined. Add some water to help loosen the mixture to your desired consistency.

Serve immediately with crudites or store in a lidded jar or container in the fridge for up to three days.

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Method Preheat the oven to 175⁰C. Fill each hole in a six-hole muffin tin with a square of parchment paper.

Line each of the holes in the muffin tin with a slice of streaky bacon and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

In a large jug crack in the eggs and whisk with a fork.

Add the cheese, dried and fresh herbs and pepper and mix again. Pour the egg mixture into the muffin holes on top of the bacon, dividing equally between each.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the muffins are cooked and firm and starting to brown on top.

Serve immediately or allow to cool and store in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.

RECIPES

HEALTHY STRAWBERRY BANANA BREAD Serves 12 Ingredients 275g plain or all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder ¾ tsp baking soda 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed 75g coconut oil, melted 75g honey 50g plain yoghurt 1 medium egg 2 tsp vanilla extract 100g chopped strawberries Method Preheat the oven to 180⁰C. Grease a 23cm loaf tin with butter or oil. Line with parchment paper and then grease the paper. This ensures that the bread does not stick.

Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda to a large bowl and mix with a spoon.

In a second bowl, add the mashed banana, coconut oil, honey, yoghurt, egg and vanilla

HEALTHY BANANA AND APPLE BROWNIES Ingredients 100g coconut oil 25g unsweetened cocoa powder 2 small bananas, mashed 140g apple sauce 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 medium eggs 2 tbsp honey 150g ground almonds Optional: a little melted chocolate to drizzle on top (can be dairy free) Method Preheat the oven to 170⁰C. Grease and line a brownie tin with parchment paper.

Melt the coconut oil (you can do this in the microwave or in a saucepan on the hob) and add it to a large bowl.

and mix well until combined.

Add the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix with a spoon.

Finally, fold in the chopped strawberries.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf tin and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, then remove the tin from the oven, cover the bread loosely with foil and return it to the oven.

Turn the temperature down to 160⁰C and bake for a further 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the banana bread comes out clean.

Once the loaf has cooked, remove it from the oven. Allow to cool in the tin for five to 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

This strawberry banana bread will keep in a cake tin for up to 48 hours.

Serves 9

Add the cocoa powder to the melted coconut oil and mix until they are well combined. Add in the mashed bananas, apple sauce, vanilla extract, eggs and honey and mix again.

Finally add in the ground almonds and mix just enough so that all the ingredients are well combined.

Pour the mixture into the brownie tin and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool slightly in the tin for five to 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely.

You can add a little melted chocolate drizzled on the top of the brownies.

Cut into nine large or 18 small squares.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 39

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

SHOP WINDOW POSITIVE PARENTING COURSES

TINY TRENDSETTERS Spring into action and freshen up your tiny trendsetters’ wardrobe at Debenhams. From adventure-ready denim to twirl-worthy dresses, Debenhams has fashion for all ages and occasions in store. It’s all made to last and is well-priced for a busy, growing family.

The one-stop shop is found at The Point, Sliema, and Main Street Shopping Complex, Paola.

IS YOUR CHILD A PICKY EATER? Early feeding patterns in infants and toddlers are critical for growth and development. These patterns also impact long-term health. Food preferences and eating habits will start developing at an early stage, so it is especially important to expose your child to a variety of healthy foods since it shapes dietary patterns. Offer picky eaters a variety of foods and experiment with different fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products if there are no allergies involved. You can use a tasty delicious milk-based product such as Mio Merenda and add different fresh fruits as a tasty nutritious snack. Otherwise, choose from the variety of flavours available to identify your toddlers’ favourite!

Positive parenting programmes at Aġenzija Appoġġ aim at transforming family lives by tapping into parents’ resources and liberating their ability to care for their offspring in a positive and effective manner.

During the course, spread over five weeks, trained professionals will focus on different skills needed to adopt this style of parenting. Both parents are urged 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 selfesteem which leads to a more positive relationship between the parent and the child. Descriptive praise provides the children with the positive attention they need and helps parents and children see the positive side of things. It can be used for all children, at all times and in all situations. Other than being accurate and truthful, it gives children the precise information they need to repeat the behaviour.

This course also supports parents to become emotion coaches. It helps them build their children’s emotional intelligence and self-esteem, foster deep connections with their offspring and helps them regulate their behaviour. Parents are shown how to lead their children to succeed in life. 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 helps parents get a 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 rules and following them through is an important part of a parent’s role and 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 teaching parents how to cool down, using each situation as a learning experience and connect through emotion coaching.

Anyone interested in attending these programmes is encouraged to contact Aġenzija Appoġġ on 2295 9000, or make contact through the Facebook page Foundation for Social Welfare Services or send an e-mail to parentingskills@gov.mt.

CHiLD MARCH 2019 41

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

SHOP WINDOW BABY WIPES RECLINING CHAIR FOR MOTHERS-TO-BE AND MORE If you are expecting a baby, Fama’s Moonrise chair is just what you need. It is eye-catching and once you try it, you will fall in love with it.

This concept of a recliner is different to everything else on the market. Its wide measures offer the possibility of finding a great variety of very comfortable positions such as lying up or on one side, embracing the cushion, etc. In addition, the mechanism is reclining, swivel and rocking. It is also available in XL size, so it is wide enough to share with someone else. The reclining system works with a remote control and can be stopped in different positions. It also has two independent adjustable headrests.

The full range of Fama sofas and chairs are available from R Living, Mrieħel Bypass, Qormi. For more information, call 2149 9699, send an e-mail to info@rliving.com.mt or visit www.fama.es.

TRENDY PIECES FOR GIRLS AND BOYS Next has the most trendy pieces for girls and boys this season.

For boys, think cosy hoodies, jeans and staple T-shirts that are perfect for the transitional weather. Comfortable, on-trend denim is a must for a boy who is always on the go. Their soft touch and pull-on styles are perfect for keeping up with him and will continue to look stylish wear after wear, wash after wash.

The latest range of boys’ T-shirts and tops are a perfect accompaniment to their playtime, sportswear or casual outfits.

These are also available in sets with their favourite character prints.

The must-have trends for girls include casual denim and knitwear to occasion dresses and shoes. There are also pretty dresses and printed tops for girls aged three months to five years.

A wardrobe staple and go-to for all her outdoor adventures, Next girls’ jeans come in a variety of washes and designs. There’s white and blue in distressed and bootcut jeans, and the latest skinny styles in black.

The stylish girls’ sweatshirts include pastel tones, bold colours and fun slogans.

The unicorn-themed hoodies are very 42 CHiLD MARCH 2019

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

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

PROVIDING ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR YOUR CHILD Cerelac Infant Cereals are full of the essential nutrients infants need 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.

popular this season, while floral and character-inspired prints remain an all-time favourites.

Next also has a wide range of baby clothing. Whether you’re welcoming a baby of your own into the world or looking for the perfect baby gift, you will find everything from outfit ideas to everyday essentials. The newest ranges and coordinating outfits for girls, boys or twins are available from newborn sizes.

Next clothing stores are found in Valletta, Sliema and Arkadia, Gozo.

BABY DIAPERS Diapers are not only a daily baby care product but also a way of living in a friendly, safe and sensitive environment. Certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for absence of harmful substances and embedding ‘Dry Matrix’ technology for extra absorbency, Babylino Sensitive diapers offer the quality and protection you need for your baby.

For trade enquires, contact Pemix Distributors Ltd on 2143 7926 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/Babylino.Malta/.