Mom's Notes Feb | Mar 2016 by TwoRedPens

SECURE INVESTING

for your family and your nest egg at The Rest Nature Estate With the current economy being in a state of uncertainty, 2016 has already proved to be challenging for South Africa. The Rand/Dollar has reach heights of R18 to the dollar, while commodity prices have plummeted over recent months. In a scenario of investment uncertainty, all investors have the one question in mind. Where do I place my hard earned money to protect my capital? Property has two types of potential return for investors, one in the form of rental income and the other in the form of capital gains where the property increases annually in value. The property market has proven to be less volatile than the stock market or other forms of investment. . In the case of rentals from property you only pay tax on the net rentals received after deduction of mortgage interest and your property expenses. Invest today in The Rest Nature Estate either in a home to live there with your family or for above average rental returns, in a tangible asset that will provide ďŹ nancial security for your family. The Rest Nature Estate is owned by Sanlam Investments and it is their stated objective of creating the safest and best residential estate in the Nelspruit region. Invest in a an estate that provides security for both your family and protects your ďŹ nancial nest egg.

sales@therest.co.za | 072 6444 955 | www.therest.co.za

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grow ready, set

Parenthood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you’d have. It’s about understanding that your child is exactly the person they are supposed to be. And, if you’re lucky, they might be the teacher who turns you into the person you’re supposed to be. - The Water Giver

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contents

Ready, set, go!

Get ready for a good school year

Handle with care

Oorkom wiskunde-angs

The tech-savvy generation

Is graad R belangrik?

The Mozart Effect

Constructive praise

Die regte dosis oefening vir â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n langer lewe

100 Years of excellence: Laerskool Nelspruit

In the beginning

The magic of 5

Full house: the Nel Family

7 Fâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of life

Foundation Nation

Fit & Fab: Fit mom success stories

Waterwise gardens

Ready, set, grow!

Fancy a flutter?

The falling apple

102

ED’ S letter

Flitse en gedagtes uit my pen... Dis ongelooﬂik om te dink dat net meer as twee maande ons skei van die Desembervakansie, wat vir baie van ons net bloot ‘n vae herhinnering is. Die jaar het alweer op ‘n drafstap begin vir meeste van ons. Terwyl ek so tussen die ander “nuwe” mammas staan langs die atletiek baan wonder ek waar die dae heen hardloop. Dis asof ons dae en tyd net elke dag en jaar korter en minder word. Met my laaste kind wat hierdie jaar sy skoolloop begin en my oudste wat letterlik nog net 3 jaar van skool oor het, sluk ek maar swaar aan hierdie gedagte. Soos hulle altyd sê, voor jy jou oë uitvee, is hulle groot! Terwyl ek hier voor my rekenaar sit, sien ek op die boekrak voor my hoe tyd die afgelope 4 jaar verby gestap het vir Mom’s Motes. Met hierdie 5de herdenking herleef ek elke oomblik. As ek terug kyk en sien hoe veel Mom’s Notes gegroei het wil my bors bars van trots. Dit is voorwaar ‘n voorreg vir my dat Alison my vertrou het om hierdie “baba” onder my vlerk te neem. Mom’s Notes het ook ‘n nuwe blaadjie omgeslaan en met ‘n spogerige nuwe voorkoms, bly ons steeds mamma se handleiding met nutige wenke, resepte en kontaknommers. In hierdie uitgawe maak ons gereed vir die jaar, met wonderlike hulp vir ouers oor hul kleingoed se eetgewoontes, die gevreesde “potty training” en wiskunde- angs. Ons ontmoet ook die Nel familie, ‘n groot gesin vir ‘n man met ‘n groot hart! 2016 beloof om ‘n jaar vol inspirasie en uitdagings te wees. Lekker lees!

WIN!

Groete Yulandi

1 OF 5 FREE

MediClinic Nelspruit Gift Hampers to the value of R800! SMS us your Name & Surname, Contact and the address of MediClinic Nelspruit to 083 462 8527. Competition ends 31 March 2016 | Terms and Conditions apply.

EDITOR Yulandi Jansma DESIGN & LAYOUT Amanda Espag DESIGN Chris Broderick PHOTOGRAPHY Monique Harris,

Kerry-Lee Wiehman

ARTICLES Nadine Odendaal, Cora

Breytenbach, Natalie Grobler, Amanda Espag PROOF READING Nadine Odendaal, Lenise Gibbs ADVERTISING Yulandi Jansma PRINTER Paarl Media KZN WEB www.tworedpens.co.za FACEBOOK facebook.com/mom’snotes ONLINE issuu.com © Copyright 2016 Mom’s Notes. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of Mom’s Notes Magazine or TwoRedPens. Mom’s Notes Magazine, TwoRedPens, staff and contractors accept no liability for the loss or damage in any form whatsoever arising from information, submissions or opinions expressed in this publication. Public comment and submissions are published at the sole discretion of Mom’s Notes Magazine. E&OE.

Our cover girl this issue is beautiful little four year old Nanine. She is the apple of her father’s eye and enjoys playing with her cat. She is a friendly little girl with a sharp mind and big heart. If you would like to see you child on our cover, enter their photo on our Mom’s Notes facebook page, or email them to

on this issue’s yulandi@tworedpens.co.za

COVER

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5 year celebration Celebrate Mom’s Notes 5th anniversary! One lucky reader will

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an Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue Combi Pack Just SMS your name, contact details and the month and year of Mom’s Notes First Edition to 083 462 8527. T’s & C’s Apply.

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5th Avenue 125ml EDT

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South African child may start school at the age of 5½ provided they turn six by June 30th of the grade one year. By law, a child must start school by the year in which they turn seven. If you want your child to start at 5½, the department of education stresses that no child may now be tested for school readiness unless they’ve already been accepted by the school.

ready, set

go?

The Department of Education says that denying a child entry to Grade 1 on the basis that they’re considered “not school ready” is discriminatory. So it’s now up to parents to decide when their child should start school within the Government’s directives.

But how do you decide whether you little angel is “school-ready”? And does it matter? What can you do to prepare them for the big step to “big school”? Your child may be ready age wise, but are they actually ready to start twelve years of education? Will they be able to keep up academically? Are they emotionally mature enough? School readiness is not about being able to read and write, know colours or count. These skills will be taught at school. School readiness is about being socially and emotionally prepared, as well as being physically and cognitively prepared to participate in the activities of a Grade One class. If you are not sure, and your gut instinct tells you not to send your child to school, ask for advice.You are not expected to assess your child’s school readiness on your own. Your child’s Grade R teacher is the best person to assess school readiness. It is important that you listen to the advice given because this person has been trained in early childhood education, and will have the experience to give you the best advice. DOES IT MATTER? Why would you send your child off to Grade 1, knowing that there is a good chance they will need to repeat the year? You want the first year of school to be exciting and successful. If they struggle, especially if their classmates are coping well, it could lead to stress, anxiety and low self-esteem which could create negativity toward school which can last a life time.Younger children, and children with low self-esteem tend to be easy prey for bullies, which makes them even more negative towards school. Obviously there are expectations. A lot depends on the child, the school, and especially the teacher. But sending a young child, lacking social and emotional maturity into a large Grade 1 class, with a teacher who may not have the time to support each child, is a recipe for disaster.

CHECKLIST FOR SOCIAL COMPETENCE

The child should be able to: • get along with other children. • share and know how to take turns. • cope with the stress of a new situation. • be healthily assertive. • converse socially and express their needs. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Take your child on playdates, or to organised activities or clubs. Have friends over so you can observe, and guide, or correct behaviour when necessary. Be a good role model.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

The child should be able to: • dress himself (button and unbutton, work a zipper) • use the bathroom on his own • feed himself • manipulate a pencil/crayon to colour and draw. • run, jump, catch and throw, balance and dance. • cut and paste simple shapes • complete a simple jigsaw puzzle • be aware of position in space – above, below, in front, behind etc. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Provide your child with a wide range of materials to manipulate as his imagination dictates – building blocks, crayons, construction paper, safety scissors, glue, playdough, puzzles sand and water toys, balls etc. Provide lots of opportunities to run, hop, skip, jump, climb, balance, ride bicycles. Limit TV and DVD time. Ask your child to walk backwards, forwards, sideways, then jump up and down and to the side.

EMOTIONAL MATURITY

The child should be able to: • manage their emotions, especially anger and frustration, to an extent. • cope with minimal adult contact in large groups. • develop friendships. • separate from parent/care-giver. • postpone the need for immediate gratification. • adapt to doing things differently. • cope with change and deal with challenges, • cope with criticism and failure. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Acknowledge your child’s feelings and emotions with empathy, but don’t try and fix them, and don’t judge. Let them try and figure out a solution to a problem. Allow your child to have ideas of their own and make decisions, and teach them to deal with the consequences of making poor decisions. Spend time as a family to foster open and respectful communication. Set clear boundaries and be consistent.

LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE SKILLS

Your child should be able to: • follow basic instructions (2 or 3 at a time) • try to “read” a book by telling the story based on the pictures. • recognise numbers and begin counting, • be curious and receptive to learning new things. • concentrate for a reasonable amount of time. 14

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• recognise and name colours and shapes. • listen to stories and learn rhymes. • use expressive and receptive language. • produce the different sounds of language, in other words have a command of a language. • take turns in conversation. • name and sound the letters of the alphabet. • recognise their written name. • hold a book correctly, turn the pages, and know that we read from left to right. • understand the concepts of counting, sorting and grouping (categorising objects) • name the different times of the day – morning, afternoon and night. • pay attention to and plan the execution of an activity. HOW YOU CAN HELP Read with your child, OFTEN. Play games where your child has to give/follow instructions eg. Simple Simon. Teach them songs and nursery rhymes. Play with letters and numbers. Take them out on excursions. Try to make learning fun. There are myriads of educational games available on the internet and at good toyshops. Let the child close their eyes and try to identify sounds. Play memory games, like Kim’s Game. (Put a few small objects on a tray, then cover them up and see how many your child can remember. Secretly remove one object and see if they can tell you which one is missing.) Let your child help you to match socks, sort buttons or beads, put cutlery in the right place. Use the correct names for things, not baby talk. Let your child tell you about their day. Describe things to your child and let them describe things to you.

WHAT IF I’M NOT SURE?

It is wise to remember that all children are different. They didn’t all sit, crawl or walk at the same age. They didn’t all speak at the same age. It is the same with children at school. If you don’t feel equipped to make the decision about your child’s school readiness – get advice! As mentioned before, your child’s teacher is the best person to offer advice. You may also want to ask family and friends who have already had to make the decision. (A friend who is a teacher can be very helpful). If you are still not sure, an Educational Psychologist will do a full battery of tests, and give you an opinion. The “Get Ready for School” programme offered by the Kip Mcgrath Education Centre in Nelspruit is a 10 week programme designed to prepare your child in many ways to be ready for school. Phone the Centre to find out when the next programme starts. 013 741 5356 www.kipmcgrath.co.za

SMS “register” to 083 265 8641 to arrange a free assessment

good school year get ready for a

As a parent, there are many things you can do at home to help your child have a good school year. These include making sure your child gets enough sleep, gets to school on time, and reads at home every day. Here are some important ways to get started.

A HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE Children who eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise can concentrate better during the school day. It is important that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and has opportunities to exercise every day in one way or another.

SLEEP Getting enough sleep will help your child get up on time, feel good and be ready for a full day of learning. Children need different amounts of sleep at different ages. Ask your teacher or doctor how many hours of sleep your child needs each night.

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GETTING TO SCHOOL, EVERY DAY AND ON TIME It will be easier for your child to complete daily lessons, homework and tests if he gets to school on time every day. Limit the time your child misses school for family trips and other activities.

HOMEWORK Help your child set a regular time and place for homework. Choose a time that works well for your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule. Find a place that is quiet and has good lighting. Make sure your child has supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, etc. Ask your child to show you her finished homework so that you can see what she is learning and confirm that she is doing all of her assignments.

TELEVISION, VIDEO GAME, AND COMPUTER TIME Limit the time your child spends watching TV, playing video games and using the computer. Where possible, confine viewing to weekends and then not for long. When possible, do these activities together, and look for educational programs and games. Help your child understand that he should never give personal information on the computer or talk to strangers online.

Children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them, will make an impression.

-Haim Ginott

TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL TOGETHER Ask your child to tell you about the school day. Ask her what she learned, and how she felt during the day. Listen carefully to her answers, and help her think of ways to solve any problems she might be having in her schoolwork or in the classroom. It helps a child if you as a parent also talk about your day at work or home. This lifts some pressure off them and can help them relate to feelings that you as a parent also might experience throughout the day.

READING Set aside time to read with your child each day.You can make reading a part of daily routines by reading stories at bedtime and keeping lots of books and magazines in the house.

THE LIBRARY Help your child get to know the library and what you can find there, including books, audio books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. Libraries also offer homework resources and a quiet place for students to work.

LEARNING AT HOME Help your child learn at home by sharing activities together, singing, talking and telling stories.Visit educational places such as museums, the Kruger Park, etc. as a family together. Find out what your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests are, and look for activities and books that are connected to that interest.

CORA BREYTENBACH Educational Psychologist 082 810 2409 corabreytenbach@yahoo.com Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

HANDLE WITH CARE Every 45 minutes a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is born in South Africa. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability and affects a growing number of children in different ways. 18

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n November 2015, the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) released the latest incidence figures namely 1 in every 45 children are affected. There is no reason to believe that South Africa is any different, but conservative South African researchers estimate that approximately 2% of the South African population is affected which is over 1 million people! What we do know is that it is the fastest growing developmental disability, more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatrics AIDS combined. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social and emotional interaction, rigid and repetitive behaviours and sensory perception. There is no known cause (yet) of autism, although it is widely believed to have a genetic component. There is no known medical test for autism; it is reliably diagnosed through the observation and interaction ideally by a multi-disciplinary team. There is no known cure for autism but there is definitely hope. Early intervention is always recommended, but it is never too late for the support and intervention for someone with autism.

Truly, the spectrum is vast, from individuals with very high support needs to those who can function successfully within mainstream society. Autism does not impair intelligence, although an intellectual disability may occur together with Autism in an individual. Many individuals with autism have extremely high IQ’s, often displaying unique and remarkable skills in particular areas. It is thought by some that some of the most brilliant minds in history had autism including Albert Einstein and Vincent Van Gogh. Children with Autism are still children. Often we forget this. Parents of children with autism are still parents. Parents need support too and it is important that we remember this. Here are 10 tips for parents of children with Autism.

TAKE TIME-OUT This time, take time-out for yourself! We all need a break, and we all need “me-time”. Go for a walk, read a book or meet a friend for coffee, go on a date with your spouse or partner.You need to recharge your batteries! Remember, you cannot pour out of an empty cup.

MEET OTHER PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS Contact your regional Autism South Africa Office to find out about support groups where you can meet others who are looking after a child with ASD. This support will help you on your journey, and provide you with a sympathetic ear. Ask your school if there is a support group that you can join. Meet the other parents from your child’s class. There are other people dealing with similar difficulties.

SOMETIMES THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AND THAT’S OK! Nobody is perfect. We don’t always get things right. Neither do children living on the spectrum. Maybe a new behaviour method or medication isn’t working for your child. Trial and error is important to find the right combination. If a shopping experience goes badly, consult your child’s teacher about helping with a schedule or a social story about going shopping. Remember, if you don’t try, you don’t know!

DEVELOP A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER Your child’s teacher can become your strongest ally when trying to get the best for your child, but they can also become a great source of support and provide you with someone to talk to. Chat to them about what your child enjoys and what they enjoy doing over the weekend. A good teacher will appreciate this as well.

MAKE USE OF PICTURE SCHEDULES AT HOME You don’t need to use complicated software or

expensive ink to make a schedule. Grab a newspaper, or promotional leaflets, find pictures that represent each portion of your child’s day, use a picture of a cereal box to show breakfast, and create a schedule. This will reduce their anxiety, and help them with their motor planning. Remember, if something changes, include it on their schedule and let them know about it in advance.

GO OUT WITH YOUR CHILD Trips out may be daunting and scary, but take your child out. If they cannot cope with a busy shopping centre, due to sensory overloads, choose a quiet shop and go when they are not busy. If they are good, reward their behaviour. Shopping is a life skill, let them practise it!

FOCUS ON YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS Often we overlook what our child is capable of doing. Look out for those moments when he/she is doing well and reward them for it. But also look for their strengths, with ASD we tend to focus more on their weaknesses and choose to ignore what they are good at. Not only is it important for your child’s self-esteem, but it also helps them with their weaknesses. So, if your child LOVES Lego, but has an intense dislike for maths, let them use Lego blocks to practise their maths skills.

BE PATIENT Children with ASD generally have processing difficulties. Give them time to process an instruction you have given them. But also give new interventions, behaviour methods and new medications time to work.

PLAY! Play with your child. This is important, as often children with ASD lack social skills. Play is critical in helping children develop interpersonal relationship skills such as; negotiating. Find objects your child enjoys, use them to play with him/her.You could hide the object, and model a game of hide and seek.

ASK FOR HELP Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is your partner, a friend, your doctor, your child’s teacher, or your support group, they are all there for you, and willing to support you. With increased awareness of autism spectrum disorders, it is hoped that children will receive a diagnosis and treatment earlier; families will get the support that is so desperately needed; and different abilities will become more widely accepted rather than ridiculed. For more information:

Call 011 484 9909 www.aut2know.co.za or email info@autismsouthafrica.org for a referral to your local a;sa office. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

oorkom wiskunde-angs Die woord wiskunde ontlok ‘n baie algemene reaksie van vrees by beide leerders en hul ouers. (En as jy nie in hierdie kategorie val nie, kan jy dit gerus as ‘n groot seën in jou lewe tel!).

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iskunde-angs is ‘n baie algemene verskynsel. Deb Russell vergelyk wiskunde-angs met verhoogvrees (“stage fright”). Mense kry verhoogvrees oor aspekte soos vrees om hul woorde te vergeet of om geëttiketeer te word as “dom”. Russell sê wiskunde-angs, net soos verhoogvrees, roep vrees in ‘n mens op, soos om bang te wees dat hy nie genoeg tyd gaan hê om sy vraestel te voltooi nie, of dat hy alles wat hy gedink het hy weet, in een oogopslag gaan vergeet. WAAR KOM WISKUNDE-ANGS VANDAAN? • Wiskunde-angs se oorsprong lê dikwels in negatiewe ervaringe in wiskunde en is dikwels ook gesetel in ‘n oor-afhanklike vertroue op metodes, in plaas daarvan om te verstaan wat jy met hierdie metodes doen. Wanneer jy reëls en prosedures memoriseer sonder dat jy dit verstaan, is die kans goed dat paniek gaan oorneem en dat jy baie vinnig die wiskunde gaan vergeet. • Ouers se voorbeeld speel ‘n belangrike rol in wiskunde-angs. Onthou, jou kind doen wat jy doen en nie wat jy sê As jy as ouer ‘n negatiewe houding oor wiskunde het, gaan jou liggaamstaal (stemtoon en houding) dit wys, al probeer jy dit wegsteek. • ‘n Verdere sneller van wiskunde-angs is die klem wat die wêreld op die noodsaaklikheid om wiskunde te kan doen, plaas. Dr Lorna Geer, ‘n voorligtingsielkundige in Centurion, wat navorsing oor wiskunde-angs doen, sê daar blyk ‘n verband te wees tussen die kind se geboorteproses en wiskunde-angs. ‘n Baba word vir nege maande binne-in sy ma se baarmoeder versorg. Dan is daar skielik ‘n geboorte – en die baba word deur die geboortekanaal geforseer. In die proses is daar baie druk op die naelstring wat ‘n tekort aan suurstof tot gevolg het. Hierdie tekort aan suurstof veroorsaak ernstige angs in die baba en hy kry die gevoel dat hy besig is om dood te gaan. Dan word die baba van sy ma weggeneem en die boodskap wat die baba se onderbewussyn kry, skep weereens die illusie van doodgaan. Die baba hoor dan ook harde stemme rondom hom. Wanneer ‘n mens dan later in sy lewe druk ervaar, beleef sy onderbewussyn dit as gevaar, omdat die onderbewussyn nie kan onderskei tussen werklike gevaar en ‘n herinnering aan ‘n gevaarlike situasie nie. Wanneer ‘n kind ‘n wiskundetoets of eksamen moet skryf en hy druk ervaar (en aan maats se harde stemme blootgestel word), ervaar die kind weereens druk. Nou kom die kind se geboortevrees weer na vore en die onderbewussyn fokus op oorlewing en die kind vergeet alles wat hy van wiskunde geleer het.

WAT KAN JY AS OUER DOEN OM JOU KIND TE HELP? • ‘n Goeie tutor, wat ‘n kenner op die vakgebied van wiskunde is, kan jou kind ondersteun deur op die vlak te begin waar jou kind begin agter raak het in sy wiskunde. ‘n Kind kan nie na ‘n volgende vlak beweeg as die vorige vlak nie vasgelê is nie. • Dit is ‘n mite dat wiskunde nie ‘n leervak is nie. ‘n Groot geheim van wiskundesukses lê daarin om ‘n deelnemer en nie ‘n toeskouer te wees nie. • Oefen, oefen, oefen. Wiskunde is soos om ‘n musiekinstrument te leer speel. Jy kan nie net gaan sit en jou instrument soos ‘n kenner begin speel nie. Ure se harde werk, lesse en oefening is nodig. Jou kind moet met ander woorde soveel moontlik praktiese werk doen. • Moedig jou kind aan om deel van ‘n groep maats te word wat ernstig is oor wiskunde en mekaar kan help en ondersteun. • Moenie te veel druk op jou kind plaas nie. Kry so vinnig moontlik hulp, sodat julle op die probleem kan fokus. WAAR KAN ‘N OUER AANKLOP? • Dr Lorna Geer ondersteun hoërskoolleerders deur middel van hipnoterapie om geboortevrees in die onderbewussyn aan te behandel en verwyder. • Baie opvoedkundige sielkundiges spesialiseer daarin om kinders met wiskunde te help. Hulle kyk ook na die emosionele aspekte wat meestal handaan-hand met jou kind se wiskunde-angs loop. • Jou kind se skool kan jou moontlik help om ‘n geskikte tutor of onderwyser te kry wat jou kind met ekstra klasse kan ondersteun. • Verskeie skole het remediërende klasse waar hulle kinders ondersteun om wiskundeprobleme te bowe te kom. Artikel verskaf deur:

Maroela Media

www.maroelamedia.co.za

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the tech-savvy

generation

enerations are shaped by the nurture they receive in childhood and the challenges they face coming of age. More of the Tech-savvy Generation than we would like have actually spent more time with their technology toys and tools than with their parents. Or, while they’re with their parents, they’re also using their digital gadgets. They’ve been nurtured by television characters, video or computer games, and singers and their songs on their I-pods. The term “Tech-savvy Generation” is used to describe a generation of people born from about 1982-2002. They have been and still are being heavily influenced by digital technology. That’s why most researchers define the generation as beginning in 1982. It’s the year when the personal computer was invented, basic cell phones were first available, television cable became more available, and video games were more affordable. EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY Many in the Tech-savvy Generation spend more time with technology than they do with family and friends. Research indicates that their frequent use of digital toys and tools like phones, I-Pods, cameras, and computers and applications like the world wide web, social networking, movies-on-demand, and online games has affected their brain structure. Through to about age 25, the brain is still developing. The things we do and the feelings we have often cause connections between neurons to form. These connections make it more likely that we’ll repeat the same actions and feelings. They become more natural and automatic. For instance, do you know someone raised in an angry environment who still struggles with anger?

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It’s because of these connections. For this age group, it’s digital technology that has especially changed their brain structure. Its use has resulted in certain beliefs, attitudes, and actions being prevalent because neurons have permanently connected. For example: • They’re impatient. • They’re good at multitasking. • They expect to be given a choice. • They struggle to focus and persevere. • They need frequent objective feedback. • They expect to win. BELIEFS OF THE TECH-SAVVY GENERATION More than generations before them, Tech-savvys have had their beliefs influenced by real-time news from around the world. Within hours (if not minutes) of major events, they’ve been reported on websites, tweeted from the middle of the action, and shown on YouTube. From a young age, they have seen great tragedy and great miracles. As a result, they want to change and improve the world. IIt’s common for them to want what they want when they want it the way they want it. They believe that it’s right and realistic; maybe even necessary. They can hear a song on the radio, order it from iTunes, and listen immediately rather than having to drive to a store and buy an entire CD. They can see an ad for a movie, order it from Movies-On-Demand, and watch it immediately. The tech-savvys also believe they’re entitled to the best because they’ve seen the best. Technology rapidly changes so they always expect to have the latest and greatest. Source: www.celebratekids.com

Is graad R belangrik?

n Suid-Afrika is graad R nie verpligtend nie*, en navorsers aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch het ook bevind dat dit nie noodwendig vir kinders so ’n groot akademiese voorsprong bied soos voorheen geglo is nie. Tog meen kenners dat graad R ’n noodsaaklike grondslag vir die res van ’n kind se skoolloopbaan vorm. Graad R dien as voorbereidingsjaar vir graad 1 (kinders raak gewoond aan die skoolomgewing, -roetine en -verwagtinge) en onderrig word in kinders se huistaal, wiskunde en lewensvaardighede gebied. Dit is egter minder formeel as graad 1, en die klem word gelê op leer deur spel – taalvaardighede word ontwikkel deur rympies op te sê, liedjies te sing en stories te vertel, wiskundige konsepte word met behulp van blokkies aangeleer, en legkaartbou moedig probleemoplossing aan. Die graad berei egter kleingoed ook op verskeie ander vlakke voor, en help speel-speel met die ontwikkeling van ’n reeks noodsaaklike vaardighede, insluitend: • Selfhelpvaardighede: Kinders leer om selfstandig te wees, bv. om self hul skoene aan te trek of op hul eie badkamer toe te gaan. • Sosiale vaardighede: Kinders leer hoe om in ’n groter groep te funksioneer, asook watter gedrag aanvaarbaar en onaanvaarbaar is. Hulle leer ook van leierskap, verdraagsaamheid en beurtspel. • Emosionele vaardighede: Selfvertroue word ontwikkel en kinders leer hoe om hul emosies te beheer. • Luistervaardighede: Kinders leer om na ander te luister sonder om te onderbreek, asook om korrek op opdragte te reageer. • Fyn motoriese vaardighede: Verf, knip, ryg en krabbel help om kinders se vaardighede te ontwikkel. • Groot motoriese vaardighede: Om ’n bal te skop, in die sandput te speel of op die klimraam te klouter dra alles by tot liggaamlike ontwikkeling en bewustheid. • Konsentrasievaardighede: Kinders leer stelselmatig om vir langer tydperke te konsentreer. Elke kind is uniek, en dit bly ouers se prerogatief om hul kind vir graad R in te skryf (al dan nie). Kenners meen egter dat ouers die groter prentjie in ag moet neem voordat hulle daarteen besluit, want graad R berei kleuters nie net voor vir graad 1 nie, dit rus hulle ook toe met die boublokke vir lewenslange leer. * ’n Beleidsdokument om graad R verpligtend te maak is in 2013 aanvaar. Na verwagting sal dit teen 2019 in werking tree. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

Wenke vir gebruikers

acebook was ‘n paar jaar gelede eenvoudiger om te gebruik, maar jy kan inderwaarheid Facebook nou baie meer verander om by jou behoeftes aan te pas. Hier is ‘n paar wenke:

VERMINDER KENNISGEWINGS Jy kan nie van al die kennisgewings op Facebook ontslae raak nie, maar jy kan ‘n hele paar afskakel. Gaan na “settings”, klik op “notifications”. Nou kan jy presies kies wat jy op jou rekenaar of op jou selfoon wil sien. Jy kan ongelukkig nie e-poskennisgewings deur “settings” afskakel nie. Jy gaan “unsubscribe” op elke tipe kennisgewing moet klik totdat jy dit nie meer ontvang nie. Om kennisgewings van ‘n spesifieke groep of blad te ontvang, moet jy elke bladsy afsonderlik besoek en die kennisgewings afskakel. Jy kan ook die bladsy “unlike” of die groep verlaat. Vir ‘n geleentheid (“event”) waarop jy ge-RSVP het, moet jy jouself van die gastelys verwyder. Baie belangrik: om seker te maak dat jy Maroela Media se plasings altyd sien, kan jy ons Facebookblad op jou rekenaar besoek (natuurlik het jy reeds op die “like”-knoppie geklik!). Gaan staan nou met jou muis op die “like”-knoppie waar ‘n spyskaart sal verskyn. Nou kan jy kies of jy kennisgewings vir al ons plasings wil ontvang en selfs of jy al ons nuus heel eerste wil ontvang. Onthou om sommer ook seker te maak dat jy aansluit by dit wat jou belangstelling is: rugby (Pale Toe), kuns, musiek en vermaak (Op die planke) en Afrikaanse lekkertes (Taaltoffie).

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VERHOED DAT VIDEO’S OUTOMATIES SPEEL Wanneer video’s outomaties begin speel, kan jy dalk meer data spandeer as wat jy wou. Om te verhoed dat video’s outomaties op jou rekenaar begin speel, moet jy weer op “settings” klik. Klik dan op “videos” (heel onderaan die lysie) en skakel “auto-play” af. Op jou selfoon-app klik jy op die drie horisontale lyntjies en blaai na onder tot by “app settings”. Klik dan op “account settings, en dan “videos and photos” en maak jou keuse.

STOOR IETS WAT JY LATER WIL LEES Nou kan jy plasings deur jou vriende stoor. Klik op die onderstebo pyltjie regs bo en klik “save link” Op jou eie Facebook se tuisblad kan jy links in die

kolom soek vir “saved” – alles wat jy só gestoor het, sal hier beskikbaar wees.

HET IEMAND JOU GEBLOK? Facebook het glad nie (en sal dalk ook nooit nie) ‘n kennisgewing indien iemand jou geblok het nie. Daar is ook nie eksterne apps of webblaaierprogramme wat jy kan gebruik nie. Die enigste manier is om leidrade te volg om te sien of iemand jou verbied het: • jou plasings op daardie persoon se blad sal verdwyn (dit sal weer verskyn wanneer die persoon jou weer goedkeur) • die verloop van ‘n gesprek bly in die “messages”vouer, maar nuwe boodskappe sal nie wys nie • wanneer jy op die persoon se naam klik in ‘n gespreksvenster of op ‘n ou kennisgewing, sal jy die volgende kennisgewing ontvang: ‘die skakel wat jy wou volg, het verval of die bladsy is slegs beskikbaar aan ‘n gehoor waarvan jy nie deel is nie’. Sodra jy iemand weer “goedkeur” nadat jy die persoon geblok het, sal julle weer vir mekaar ‘n “friend request” moet stuur.

BLOK “CANDY CRUSH” EN ANDER UITNODIGINGS Facebook laat jou toe om app-uitnodigings (soos speletjies), uitnodigings na bladsye en geleenthede, te blok. Klik op “settings” en dan “blocking”. Nou kan

jy die spesifieke speletjies of selfs individue se name invul en nooit weer enige uitnodiging daarvoor ontvang nie. Jy kan keuses oor die volgende uitoefen: • Block users • Block app invites • Block event invitations • Block apps

ALLES WAT JY IN DIE VERLEDE GEDOEN HET OF KOMMENTAAR WAT JY GELEWER HET Op jou persoonlike profiel kan jy klik op “view activity log”. Jy kan selfs regs bo in die blokkie soek vir spesifieke inskrywings.

WIE SIEN WAARVAN JY HOU OF WAT JY TE SÊ GEHAD HET? Indien jou vriendin iets op Facebook gelaai het, besluit sy wie daardie item kan sien. As sy dit “public” deel, kan enigiemand die inligting sien. As sy dit privaatheid stel vir “friends of friends”, dan kan al haar vriende en al jou vriende dit sien. Indien sy byvoorbeeld ‘n foto oplaai en 10 persone op die foto “tag”, kan al 10 mense plus al hulle vriende alles sien wat jy geskryf het. Artikel verskaf deur:

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www.maroelamedia.co.za

Can classical music really make your baby smarter? A study suggests that playing music while pregnant could help develop an unborn childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearing.

Mozart

THE

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EFF ECT

he ‘Mozart effect’ phenomenon was first suggested by a scientific study published in 1993 in the respected journal Science. It showed that teenagers who listened to Mozart’s 1781 Sonata for Two Pianos in D major performed better in reasoning tests than adolescents who listened to something else or who had been in a silent room. The study (which did not look at the effect of Mozart on babies) found that college students who listened to a Mozart sonata for a few minutes before taking a test that measured spatial relationship skills did better than students who took the test after listening to another musician or no music at all. The finding, by a group at the University of California whose study involved only 36 students, led crèches in America to start playing classical music to children and the southern US state of Georgia even gave newborns a free classical CD. Most recently Helena Bonham Carter has said that listening to Mozart and other classical music while pregnant has made her children ‘unbelievably smart’. But there has been debate since, about whether the effect exists. THE EFFECT IS A MYTH A report, published in the journal Pediatrics, said it was unclear whether the original study in 1993 detected a “Mozart effect” or a potential benefit of music in general. But they said a previous study of adults with seizures found that compositions by Mozart, more so than other classical composers, appeared to lower seizure frequency. Lubetzky’s team said it was possible that the proposed Mozart effect on the brain is related to the structure of his compositions as Mozart’s music tends to repeat the melodic line more frequently.

Mozart’s music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe - Albert Einstein A study in Nature in 1999 by Christopher Chabris, a psychologist, adding up the results of 16 studies on the Mozart effect, found only a one and a half point increase in IQ and any improvements in spatial ability limited solely to a paper-folding task. THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC TO KIDS Music seems to prime our brains for certain kinds of thinking. After listening to classical music, adults can do certain spatial tasks more quickly, such as putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Why does this happen? The classical music pathways in our brain are similar to the pathways we use for spatial reasoning. When we listen to classical music, the spatial pathways are “turned on” and ready to be used. This priming makes it easier to work a puzzle quickly. But the effect lasts only a short time. Our improved spatial skills fade about an hour after we stop listening to the music. Learning to play an instrument can have longerlasting effects on spatial reasoning, however. In several studies, children who took piano lessons for six months improved their ability to work puzzles and solve other spatial tasks by as much as 30 percent. Why does playing an instrument make such a difference? Researchers believe that musical training creates new pathways in the brain.

In more condemning evidence, a team from Vienna University’s Faculty of Psychology analysed all studies since 1993 that have sought to reproduce the Mozart effect and found no proof of the phenomenon’s existence.

WHY CLASSICAL MUSIC The music most people call “classical”--works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart-is different from music such as rock and country. Classical music has a more complex musical structure. Babies as young as 3 months can pick out that structure and even recognize classical music selections they have heard before.

In all they looked at 3,000 individuals in 40 studies conducted around the world. “Those who listened to music, Mozart or something else – Bach, Pearl Jam – had better results than the silent group. But we already knew people perform better if they have a stimulus,” said Jakob Pietschnig, who led the study. “I recommend everyone listen to Mozart, but it’s not going to improve cognitive abilities as some people hope,” he added.

Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. So listening to classical music may have different effects on the brain than listening to other types of music. This doesn’t mean that other types of music aren’t good. Listening to any kind of music helps build music-related pathways in the brain. And music can have positive effects on our moods that may make learning easier. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

Disciplining

re there any parents who haven’t felt complete and utter love for their toddler and, at the same time, frustration and anger? Every day, little by little, they’re mastering new abilities and accomplishing new feats, and are anxious and excited to use these skills.

your child

Sometimes it’s tough to reel in a toddler, but it can be done. And setting rules and limits now - when your child is learning what behaviors are acceptable - will help prevent bigger problems down the road. Here are some ways to help you keep your youngster on the right track.

Our beloved little ones test our nerves because they’re testing boundaries all around them.

BE CONSISTENT When it comes to discipline, it’s important to be consistent. Parents who don’t stick to the rules and consequences they set up don’t have kids who do either. For example, if you tell your toddler that a timeout is the repercussion for bad behavior, be sure to enforce it. Only issue warnings for things that you can follow through on. Empty threats undermine your authority. And don’t forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. So make sure your own behavior is role-model material. When asking your child to pick up toys, you’ll make a much stronger impression if you’ve put away your own belongings rather than leaving your stuff strewn around the room. ELIMINATE TEMPTATION By now, you’ve figured out that your toddler wants to explore and investigate the world. Toddlers are naturally curious, so it’s wise to eliminate temptations whenever possible. That means items like TVs, phones, and video equipment should be kept out of reach, as well as choking hazards like jewelry, buttons, and small items that kids can put in their mouths. And always keep cleaning supplies and medications stored safely away where kids can’t get to them. WHEN TEMPERS FLARE If your child does throw a tantrum, keep your cool. Don’t complicate the problem with your own frustration. Kids can sense when parents are becoming frazzled and this can just make their frustration worse. Try to understand where your child is coming from. For example, if your youngster has just had a great disappointment, you may need to provide comfort. Ignoring the outburst is another way to handle it - if the tantrum poses no threat to your child or others. Continue your activities, paying no attention to your child but remain within sight. Kids who are in danger of hurting themselves or others during a tantrum should be taken to a quiet, safe place to calm down. Some kids will have a hard time stopping a tantrum. In these cases, it might help to say, “I’ll help you settle down now.” But whatever you do, do not reward your toddler by giving into desires. This will only prove that tantrums are an effective tactic for getting what they want. Instead, verbally praise your child for regaining self-control. As their language skills improve and they mature, kids become better at handling frustration and tantrums are less likely.

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Getting a toddler to eat right can be tricky. You want your child to eat enough, and you want meals to be nutritious. From wrangling a picky eater to offering key nutrients, here’s what you can do to encourage your toddler to eat healthier food.

YUMMYin theirTUMMY I

t’s a fact of life: Chips, cupcakes and lots of other not-so-nutritionally-noble foods are going to find their way into your child’s mouth. Heck, if left to their own devices, many kids wouldn’t eat anything that didn’t come out of a pizza or pasta box. But that’s all the more reason to make sure the meals you serve up are packed with as much good stuff as possible. Your toddler is growing and developing at an incredible rate, so he needs the right combination of calories and nutrients to help keep him going. There’s plenty you can do to encourage him to eat a balanced diet, even if he seems to be a fussy eater. WHAT IS A BALANCED DIET AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? A balanced diet should contain different foods, offered in a variety of combinations. This will ensure that your toddler gets everything he needs to grow, develop and explore. It also helps him to learn about new flavours, and develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. However, providing a balanced diet for a toddler every day can be quite a challenge. So try not to worry if you don’t always achieve it. As long as your toddler eats well most of the time, he will be getting plenty of nutrients.

WHAT FOODS DOES MY TODDLER NEED FOR A BALANCED DIET? Don’t feel that you have to stick to a certain food to provide your toddler with a specific nutrient. For example, meat will give your toddler protein, but he can also get protein from chickpeas, baked beans and peanut butter. You can also give your toddler what he needs by choosing recipes with nutrient-rich foods. If he turns his nose up at a boiled egg and a glass of milk, try giving him a homemade pancake instead. Same nutrients, different food! FRUIT AND VEGETABLES These are especially important as they contain essential vitamins and minerals to help your toddler grow. You may find that he enjoys certain fruits more than vegetables, probably because of their sweet taste. But keep offering veg so that your toddler learns that they’re a normal part of a meal. Keep your toddler interested by choosing unusual fruit and vegetables. You could try arranging fruit and vegetables into the shape of a face, or cutting them up and offering them with a dip. Multicoloured plates of fruit or vegetables may also help to tempt

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STAGE 1These fruit and vegetable varieties are ideal to use when introducing solids to your baby as they are extra smooth for easy swallowing and digestion. Once your baby is comfortable eating solid foods he/she needs to start learning about new flavours. STAGE 2 This range introduces a variety of flavours to baby’s diet. It is important for babies to be exposed to a variety of flavours from an early age as this promotes easier acceptance of new foods and flavours as they grow older. STAGE 3 At around 8 months babies are developmentally ready for more complex tastes and textures. The introduction of textures is important for the development of babies’ speech and chewing skills. This range of textured foods teaches babies to chew regardless of whether they have teeth or not. him. Banana, kiwi fruit, blueberries and strawberries work well as a mini fruit platter. Or you could use red pepper, sweetcorn, broccoli and cauliflower to make a colourful vegetable medley. Try always to offer your toddler fruit as part of his sweet course. This way he’ll learn that dessert doesn’t have to mean sweets, chocolate, biscuits or cake. SALTY FOODS Your toddler needs no more than 2g of salt a day. It can be tricky to keep an eye on how much he eats because some foods naturally contain salt. Here are

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some tips on how to avoid giving your toddler too much: • Offer crisps and salty snacks no more than once a week. A whole bag of crisps is too salty for your toddler, so only give him a few at a time. • Try not to add salt to your toddler’s meal. Use herbs and spices to add flavour instead. If you and the rest of your family would like extra seasoning, add it separately. • Limit the number of ready meals and takeaways that your toddler eats. These foods often contain a lot of hidden salt. If you give your toddler a ready meal, give him a small portion and add plenty of vegetables.

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Todd’s tummies At some point, every parent hears these three words: “My stomach hurts.” Most of the time, kids’ stomach pain goes away on its own with home remedies such as ginger ale and TLC. But sometimes stomach aches signal something more serious.

lmost all children have abdominal pain at one time or another. Abdominal pain is pain in the stomach or belly area. It can be anywhere between the chest and groin. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem. But sometimes abdominal pain can be a sign of something serious. Learn when you should seek medical care right away for your child with abdominal pain. HERE ARE A FEW POINTS TO CONSIDER: Gastroenteritis, one of the most common causes of stomach aches in children, is typically caused by a virus. It usually includes diarrhea and vomiting and will run its course in seven to ten days without the need for medical assistance. Be sure to have your child drink plenty of fluids.

Kids get heartburn, too - gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often tough to pinpoint, especially in very young children, but vomiting is often a strong indicator. So are complaints of a sour or foul taste in the mouth and pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen. GERD can typically be treated with antacids and, if necessary, medications such as Nexium® or Prevacid®. Also avoid acidic drinks and spicy food and medication such as ibuprofen.

Constipation is a frequent cause and rounds out the three most common causes of abdominal pain in kids. Adding more fiber to a child’s diet, along with apple juice (preferably unsweetened) or prune juice can really help. Watch for rectal bleeding, though. It could signal something more serious. And chronic constipation can point to celiac disease or an underactive thyroid gland, among other conditions.

It may be more than just a stomach ache: Most of the time, a stomach ache shouldn’t cause alarm. But parents should be mindful of how long it lasts and any other symptoms that come with it. Acute pain in a child’s lower right abdomen is a sign of appendicitis, which should be treated right away. In addition, recurring bouts of what seems like gastroenteritis could really be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially if you have a family history of IBD. And chronic stomach aches can come from food allergies or food intolerance.

WHEN TO SEEK URGENT MEDICAL HELP FOR ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDREN Go to your local doctor or the emergency department of your nearest hospital straight away if your child has:

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• severe or worsening pain or pain that has moved position • fever or chills • become pale, sweaty and unwell • been vomiting for more than 24 hours • refused to eat or drink • blood in their vomit or poo • problems passing urine or is producing less than four wet nappies a day • skin rash with pain • any other problem that concerns you. So when a stomach ache seems like something more, listen to your parental “gut”— and don’t be afraid to talk to your child’s doctor.

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Reuterina Drops

Probiotics are being prescribed with increasing frequency for the treatment of many conditions and to boost both bowel and overall health and immune strength. Probiotics are what many people call “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria.” They are bacteria that naturally live in the body, especially the digestive tract, and keep it running smoothly. Often probiotics help defend the body from infections caused by unfriendly bacteria or other germs. Probiotics consist of live “good” bacteria such as Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria and yeast like Saccharomyces. They are found in a number of products stocked in your pharmacy including Reuteri®. Research studies are discovering more and more health benefits associated with probiotics. They are thought to aid digestion by breaking down proteins and fats in the digestive tract. They can help reduce intestinal inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions in infants with food allergies, and those suffering from atopic eczema.

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f your little one is showing signs of readiness for potty training, then it’s time to get the potty training essentials together and prepare your little one! Look at children’s potty books together, use words like ‘poo’ and ‘wee’ and tell them about what you are doing when you use the loo. Talk to your little one about how being a big boy or girl means using the potty. Pick a potty or potty seat together and encourage your child to sit on it at bath time and at intervals throughout the day to get her used to it – don’t expect any requests to use it just yet. While there’s no perfect time to start potty training, if possible give yourself a clear window of opportunity when life isn’t too busy and there are no big events or holidays looming on the horizon.

quite likely to say ‘no’ – simply say, ‘it’s time for the potty’ and help your child to sit on it. It’s worth noting that boys usually find it easier to learn to wee while sitting down at first as they need to feel comfortable when sitting to do a poo. Gently remind your child about their potty to make them aware of their physical feelings. There may be certain times of the day when she will need to go, but you shouldn’t pressure her to do so. If she has an accident, don’t make a big deal out of it. A simple “Oh, you’ve done a wee – let’s get you changed. Next time, you can do it in the potty” will keep the focus on learning.

GO! On the first morning, switch from nappies to training pants like Huggies pull ups and don’t look back. Encourage your little one to visit the potty at regular intervals throughout the day too, and give her praise for trying (even if they don’t actually do anything).

SAY GOODBYE TO NAPPIES Help your little one understand the transition by switching from nappies to potty training pants. Huggies pull ups have unique fade when wet graphics to teach kids the difference between wet and dry, and can be easily pulled up and down to give them independence and control. Absorbent enough to protect against little accidents and featuring easyopen sides for quick checks and changes, pull-ups are decorated with fun boy and girl graphics to look and feel just like real underwear.

Rather than asking of her if she needs a wee – she’s

And for bed, there’s Huggies pull ups for night

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TOILET TRAINING lers d d o t

It’s been on the cards for a while now, but are you wondering exactly how to potty train your toddler? Get potty training off to a ﬂying start with our essential guide.

time which offer all the benefits of pull ups with extra absorbency for a good night’s sleep. It’s really important to be consistent, so once you’ve made the switch to pull ups don’t go back to nappies as this can confuse your toddler and even slow down the progress. ALL IN THE ATTITUDE Although exciting, potty training can be very frustrating, both for you and your little one. A few tantrums from your toddler are to be expected, but if you feel your temper rising, take a deep breath and count to ten. Be calm and patient as your child will sense your frustration and anxieties. The potty training process should not be a chore but a gradual progression. KEEP GOING! Consistency is crucial, so start as you mean to continue. Get into a routine that includes your child using the potty just before leaving the house, before a nap and before leaving nursery or playgroup, and give lots of praise for co-operation. Use the potty or toilet even when you’re away from home, pulling the training pants up and down. Treat pull ups as pants and not as a nappy, both during the day and at night. Visit the toilet with your

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child first. Don’t be tempted to avoid this step just because you know her clothing will stay dry when she’s in Huggies pull ups. If your child goes to nursery school or other child care, be sure to co-ordinate toilet training plans. A consistent approach is important to avoid confusing your child. Keep her motivated with little rewards, a progress chart with fun stickers and, of course, plenty of hugs and enthusiastic praise to give her a sense of achievement. And when she’s ready, start to introduce some advanced training: • Lighten up on the reminders and encourage independence by letting her decide when to use the potty or toilet. • Teach boys to wee at the toilet standing up; use a step or a box to help them reach the right height. • Remind girls to hold up dresses and skirts so they don’t hang into the toilet or potty. • Emphasise the importance of careful wiping and hand-washing, although both will need your supervision for a little while yet. Move on to normal underwear for your child during the day, but continue with pull-ups at night.

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COSTRUCTIVE brought to you by

Nelspruit Ford

praise

onfidence is earned, not bequeathed. That truth is supported by a wealth of recent research about children. Scientists are discovering that when kids get overpraised — when their parents affirm successes out of all proportion to reality the child inevitably pays for it. Consider a few everyday examples: “You made an A on the test! You’re the smartest kid at school!” to a child who knows exactly where she stands on her class’s intelligence spectrum — and it isn’t at the top. “You deserve to be the lead in the play!” to a child who is in awe of the acting ability of classmates who got the lead roles. When kids get overpraised, they know at some level that the praise isn’t based on reality. So they develop a fear of taking risks and of failing. They have not yet developed the capacity to think, I know what I’m capable of and what to do when I come to a situation beyond my capability. Instead, they overﬂow with anxiety and shame, and often stop trying at all. CONFIDENT KIDS Kids need confidence to win at life, and lots of it. But the path to genuine self-confidence is a history of success. When a child can look back at 20 track meets that went well, or a series of successful school projects, they begin to feel confident. And they should. Confident kids don’t have to talk themselves into “I can do this.” They know they can because they’ve already done it. THE ART OF PRAISE Praise is an important part of parenting. But we sometimes praise our children in ways that can actually harm them. Praise that seems positive — such as praising things that take no effort, or praising tasks that are required of our child — can cause problems. When these patterns of praise become overall trends, parents risk fostering attitudes of entitlement in their children. Consider the following suggestions for using healthier praise, praise that will contribute to building resilience and confidence in your children:

• PRAISE WHAT TAKES EFFORT. Rewards and praise are most effective when they focus on an achievement that took time and energy. But praise for what takes no effort can be unhealthy. To repeatedly praise a little girl for being pretty puts her in a bind. What she hears is, “What gets me loved is something I can’t do much about.” She also hears, “My inside isn’t important, just my outside.” Consider how that little girl would feel if instead she heard, “You work really hard at school.” Now what quality is receiving the praise? Her diligence, which she can do a lot about. Although looks fade over time, character will not. This girl’s character will grow and blossom and become even more beautiful her entire life. • AVOID PRAISING TO CREATE A SPECIAL IDENTITY. Every child needs affirmation when he has done well in class, at a hobby or in a sport. That is why competition can be healthy. The message should be, “You are good at what you do.” But when the message crosses the line to, “You are a better person than others because of what you do,” or, “You deserve special treatment,” trouble results. As a parent, the right message is, “Great job on defense in the soccer game! You worked hard with your team and your individual plays were excellent. Now go and help the coach pick up the equipment.” Top-tier executives, college students, managers and athletes all have to stand in line. Keep in mind that while your child may be better in ability, she is no better intrinsically. • KEEP PRAISE BASED ON REALITY. One of the saddest things I see encouraging parents do is to give a child hope in an area even though no real basis exists for that hope. Buoyed by comments such as, “You can do anything you want to,” a child might spend years and all of his energy in traveling down a path that is simply wrong for him. Consider the current crop of talent competition shows, such as “American Idol” and “The Voice.” In the early rounds, there are always young people who have undoubtedly been overpraised and never gently told they have limited singing talent. The judges will be the first ones to give them a dose of reality — and that reality often proves to be devastating. It is much better for parents to encourage both dreams and hard work, while helping their child deal with reality. This difficult balance is a mark of great parenting.

Die regte dosis oefening vir ‘n

langer lewe

ns weet lankal dat oefening verskeie gesondheidsvoordele inhou. Anders as medikasie, kom oefening nie saam met ‘n voubiljet wat die presiese dosis aandui nie. Die algemene aanbeveling vir oefening is tans 150 minute matige oefening of 75 minute intensiewe oefening per week. Alhoewel enige oefening beter is as geen oefening nie, wonder mens tog hoeveel oefening ‘n mens nodig het vir ‘n langer en gesonder lewe. Twee grootskaalse studies wat onlangs in die JAMA Internal Medicine Journal gepubliseer is, werp meer lig op die onderwerp. In die een studie is die data van ses opnames wat meer as 660, 000 mense van die Nasionale Kanker Instituut in Amerika ingesluit het, ontleed. Die studie het mense wat geen oefening doen nie vergelyk met mense wat minder as die aanbevole 150 minute per week oefen asook diegene wat meer as die aanbevole hoeveelheid oefening doen. Die studie het gevind dat mense wat minder as die aanbevole hoeveelheid oefening doen, ‘n 20% laer risiko gehad het om vroeër te sterf as onaktiewe mense en dié wat een tot twee keer die aanbevole hoeveelheid oefening doen se risiko 31% laer was. Mense wat twee tot drie keer die aanbevole hoeveelheid oefening gedoen het, het ‘n 37% laer risiko vir vroeë sterfte gehad en dié wat drie tot vyf keer die aanbevole oefening gedoen het, se risiko was 39% laer. Hoe meer die mense dus geoefen het, hoe laer was hul kans om vroeg te sterf. Die tweede studie wat in Australië gedoen is het meer as 200, 000 volwassenes ingesluit. Mense wat

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slegs matige oefening (rustige swem, huishoudelike takies en stap) gedoen het, is vergelyk met die wat soms meer intensiewe oefening (draf, kompeterende tennis en aërobiese oefeninge) doen. Die studie het getoon dat mense wat ten minste 30% intensiewe oefening gedoen het, se risiko om vroeër te sterf het met 9 % verminder teenoor dié wat aan geen intensiewe oefeninge deelneem nie. Die risiko om te sterf was ook 13% laer vir diegene wat meer as 30% intensief geoefen het. Dr Klause Gebel, ‘n senior navorser aan die James Cook Universiteit, wat betrokke was by die studie, het gerapporteer dat die studie bevind het dat selfs ‘n klein hoeveelheid intensiewe oefening die risiko vir ‘n vroeë dood kan verlaag. Hy beveel verder aan dat enigiemand wat liggaamlik in staat is om oefening te doen, moet probeer om vir 150 minute per week te oefen, waarvan 20-30 minute intensiewe oefeninge moet wees. Beide studies wys dus duidelik selfs ‘n klein hoeveelheid oefening kan die risiko van ‘n vroeë sterfte verlaag. Deur intensiewe oefening daarby in te sluit, verlaag die risiko nog meer. Die goue reël bly dus steeds dat enige oefening beter is as geen oefening. Haal daardie vergete tekkies uit die kas, raak aktief en leef ‘n gesonde lewe vir langer! Artikel verskaf deur: Carlien van der Merwe

Maroela Media

www.maroelamedia.co.za

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gluten-free choc-hazelnut MERINGUE DESSERT SLICE

Gluten free choc-hazelnut dessert slices that everyone will love - your challenge is not to devour them all at once! INGREDIENTS

• 125g SPAR butter, melted • 1 cup SPAR brown sugar • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2/3 cup gluten-free self-raising ﬂour • 3/4 cup hazelnut meal (ground hazelnuts) • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted • 3/4 cup SQUILLOS chocolate hazelnut spread • 2 SPAR egg whites • 1/2 cup caster sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease an 18cm x 28cm (base) slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing 3cm overhang on all sides. 2. Combine butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, ﬂour, hazelnut meal and cocoa powder in a bowl. Spread over base of prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until top is just firm to touch (base will sink slightly). Spread with Squillo’s chocolate hazelnut spread. Set aside to cool. 3. Increase oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until dissolved. Spoon meringue onto Squillo’s chocolate hazelnut spread. Using a spatula, swirl mixture to create small peaks. Bake for 5 minutes or until golden. Cool. Cut into squares. Serve.

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DO YOU WANT TO WIN A SQUILLO'S GIFT HAMPER TO THE VALUE OF R500? ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COMPLETE THE WORD SEARCH AND YOU CAN STAND A CHANCE TO WIN.

A H A S PA R TH MP O F E VA E R T R5 LU O 00 E *

T'S & C'S APPLY.

Find these 20 words in the letters below: • CHOCOLATE • MERINGUE • DESSERT • HAZELNUT • POWDER

• SUGAR • EGGS • VANILLA • SQUILLOS • SPREAD

• FLOUR • COCOA • CUP • TABLESPOON • BAKING

• GLUTEN • BUTTTER • OVEN • ENJOY • PREHEAT

O W

*Simply WhatsApp a photo of your completed word search to 083 462 8527 to enter the draw to win the R500 Squillo's hamper. Competition ends 31 March 2016. Winners will be contacted telephonically and the judges decision is final. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

ORIGINS

General consensus is that the sport is named after Rugby School where the game was first played. It’s said to have originated in 1823, when William Webb Ellis caught the ball while playing a game of football, and ran to the opponents goal with it.

TRADITION

For every Rugby World Cup event, the same whistle is used to start the kickoff for the opening game. It is called the ‘Gil Evans’ whistle and was first blown by the man himself in 1905. Interestingly, it was also used at the kickoff for the final match at the Paris Olympic Games in 1924.

HAKKA!

Before each game, the All Blacks perform a traditional Maori war chant – the fierce ‘Haka’, called the ‘Kora’. This primal ritual has been performed before each game since 1884.

the first rugby balls were made from pig bladders CHAMPIONS

The All Blacks beat Japan 145 points to 17 in a World Cup game played on 4th June 1995. This is current the record for the highest-scoring game, ever!

the notion of singing a national anthem before a sporting event originated at a rugby match Arkansas Spur, West End Centre: (013) 745 8043 Mountain Views Spring, I’Langa Mall: (013) 742 2250

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WIn!

A RUGBY HAMPER!

Just complete the other side of the springbuck’s face and enter at Arkansas Spur or Mountain View Spur.

free kids meal!

Draw and colour in the other side of the springbuck’s face on this page and enjoy your free meal on or before Sunday 31 March 2016.

N a m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A ge : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ B i r t h d ay : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C o n t a c t N u m b e r : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Terms & Conditions Children can enter more than once | Competition will be open to all kids aged up to 12 years | Qualification to draw subject to sit-down meal upon holding-in of original Mom’s Notes colour in page at either Arkansas-, Mountain Springor Laramie Spur. Competion closes 31 March 2016. | Every child receiving a FREE meal must be accompanied by an adult enjying a sitdown meal. *Maximum of x6 people (maximum x2 adult only) | Bookings are essential. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

EASTER NEST COCONUT & WHITE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Try saying no to these little sponges with frosting and clever bird decoration made with chocolate eggs

INGREDIENTS

• 3 medium eggs, beaten • 100ml milk • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 175g golden caster sugar • 100g desiccated coconut • 200g self-raising ﬂour • 50g melted butter • 100g white chocolate, melted

FOR THE FROSTING

• 100g white chocolate, melted • 200g unsalted butter, at room temperature • 225g icing sugar, sifted

TO DECORATE

• about 25g shredded coconut • 36 mini egg • black writing icing tube

METHOD

HAVE FUN BAKING WITH YOUR CHILDREN

aking with your kids is a terrific way to have fun and create quality time together. Kids enjoy making and working with dough, cutting out shapes, decorating cookies and cakes, and most of all, eating the delicious baking recipes they helped make. Introducing kids to baking is a great way to help them discover how rewarding it is to bake something special and to share with friends and family and also the ideal way to teach them about healthy eating. Eating fresh, homemade baked foods warm from the oven is something everyone loves. Making them together as a family is something I think you will enjoy. From creating personalized, homemade pizzas on family pizza night to hot and delicious cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning, find out how much fun you will have in creating delicious food and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases and heat oven to 180C. Whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Whizz the sugar with the coconut in a food processor until very finely ground. Tip into a big mixing bowl with the ﬂour and mix. Add the whisked egg mixture, melted butter and chocolate, then stir together until smooth. 2. Spoon into the cases (they will be quite full) and bake for 18-20 minutes on a middle shelf until golden and a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean. Cool the cakes on a wire rack (keep the oven on). 3. Spread the shredded coconut on a baking tray and put in the oven for about 10 minutes to lightly toast – stir halfway through. Cool. To make the frosting, put the chocolate, butter and icing sugar in a big bowl and beat together with an electric whisk until just combined. 4. Spread some of the frosting generously over the top of the cooled cakes – you don’t have to go right to the edges. Once you’ve done all 12, scrape the rest of the icing into a piping bag fitted with a 1-2cm nozzle, and pipe a ring around the top edge to make a nest. Roll in the cooled coconut to roughly coat.

elsl W i a n LD ii ve e t i c

Membership Form Mopani Card Number: 9 7 1 0 0 0 0 3

With you on your incredible journey to parenthood! Our Baby Club is here for every need, question and concern. Why join Mopani Baby Club?

• You will receive a monthly newsletter with advice when you need it most, at your specific stage of pregnancy or baby’s life. You will know firsthand of any promotional offers and workshops specifically tailored to meet the needs of your baby. • You will recieve a welcome pack and Special Goodie Bag*

How do I join?

• Simply complete the Mopani Baby Club Membership form also available in-store. • You may join at any stage during your pregnancy. • Please make sure you ﬁll in your expected due date and email on the form. • You have to be an active Mopani Rewards Card member. New members can join and enquire in-store.

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Article: Nadine Odendaal

of excellence Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

centennial birthday. What a proud moment for Laerskool Nelspruit. To have guided and shaped little minds into responsible and successful adults for a 100 years is by no means a small feat. What an honourable achievement for a school. I am with great fondness that I think back to my own primary school years at Laerskool Nelspruit. It is filled with memories of all my wonderful friends and favourite teachers. I am reminded of the sporting events and carefree, fun filled days. Laerskool Nelspruit is such an integral part of the Nelspruit community that it would be almost impossible to imagine the city without this school. The history of Laerskool Nelspruit is woven like a colourful tapestry in which the colours are derived from the experiences and hard work of all the people who dedicated their lives to it. They were determined to make this school work. These people had hopes and dreams for a school that we can’t even begin to imagine. They had a passion for education and would not be thrown off course regardless what life threw their way. Determined teachers that climbed over all the obstacles and looked straight ahead. Visionaries with a clear picture in there minds of what they wanted to achieve. People with a vision! Laerskool Nelspruit was officially opened on the 11th of April 1916, by Mr. A.F. van Zyl, with a total of 20 pupils. Numerous people were appointed as acting principals until Mr. D. J. J. Bisschoff was appointed as the first permanent principal, on the 18th of April 1922. The first permanent principal, Mr. Bisschoff and his daughter came to Nelspruit on the 18th April 1922. He described Nelspruit as a town with a couple of shops, a hotel, a police station, two banks, a butchery and a couple of houses. The town didn’t even have a doctor. Nelspruit had a few of gravel roads and only a few farmers had cars. When he arrived at Laerskool Nelspruit on his first day as headmaster he met with Mrs.E.C. van Wyk and some forty pupils. They divided the pupils into their respective classes. The school’s only classroom was divided by a wooden partition. They also still used slates and chalk back then and they did not have access to many books. Back in those days there were a couple of very small schools situated in communities outside of Nelspruit. Mr. Bisschoff’s main goal was to build Laerskool Nelspruit up into a centrally located school accessible to every one. One after the other all the little farm schools closed down and Laerskool Nelspruit grew in its numbers.

Since its early days, Laerskool Nelspruit was part of the lowveld community’s trials and tribulations. Malaria raged through the people in those early years. Teachers and pupils alike were struck by the illness and sometimes the school had to close for up to six weeks at a time. During the school holidays, the school building often doubled as a hospital for people that were contaminated with bilharzia. On the 5th of April 1923 Mr. Bisschoff, then principal, reported that two of his assistants and three-fifths of the school’s pupils were absent because of malaria. Even Mr. Bisschoff wasn’t spared the illness and on the 12th of April 1923 the school had to close for 10 days. When it reopened on the 23rd of April 1923 only 21 out of the 77 pupils were able to return to school. Still frail and weak from malaria the school personnel courageously returned to their posts. Reports from the school inspector stated that practically all the pupils and teachers suffered from malaria that year and they all had to be kept out of school for periods of between one to five months. Troublesome times indeed. But even all the illness and absence of students and teachers alike could not keep the school down for long. Back in the early days is wasn’t easy for the kids to get to school. Children from Krokodilpoort and Schagen were transported to Nelspruit by train. Some kids had to walk more than 6 km to catch the train. As a result of this they were often half an hour late for school. As if this was not enough, they had to leave school an hour earlier, to prevent them from missing the train back home. Some days these children were at school for only two and a half hours. On the 22th of August 1923 the school established its first transport system. A mule cart transported 11 kids from Bosbokrand to Laerskool Nelspruit. But it wasn’t long before disaster struck. On the 19th November 1923 it had a huge setback. Not even three months after the cart started operating it was involved in an accident with another car. All eleven kids were thrown of the cart and were injured in some way. The kids from Bosbokrand again struggled to get to school. But were there is a will there is a way! It was only on the 11th of November the following year that a new mule cart started operating again.

1923

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Laerskool Nelspruit has got many interesting anecdotes from its past. The school had its first school concert in October 1924. The concert was held in a building next to the Old Fig Tree Hotel. The building, that went by the name of the “Sample Room” was a place where travelling salesmen could exhibit their products. The School concert was a huge success. In the schools journal they stated that the profits they made at the concert came to a whopping R16.50. In 1925 the school decided to buy their first piano for R240. A very big expense back then. They paid it off in monthly payments that ranged between R2.05 to R21.45 a month. In 1927 a children’s bazaar was held. Some of the proceeds from the bazaar also went towards the piano. Eventually the Department of Education also contributed a R90 payment. Out of his own pocket Mr. Bisschoff payed R7. After two years the piano was finally paid off. And believe it or not, the Fritz Kuhla piano is still being used by the school to this day. Another unbelievable story is that the school personnel shot and killed an 8 foot crocodile in the canal back in the early days.

Its for a reason that a school’s library has been called the heart of a school. Sooner or later everybody needs and more importantly, wants to use the library. For bookworms like me, the periods when we had to go to the library were my favourite ones.

In 1926 the principal wrote in the school’s Journal: “At the start of the year many children are absent. They are remaining at home until they are sure that the school has really started.” The first school buses only started operating in the 1930’s. From then on it slowly expanded and became a very successful enterprise on it own.

Laerskool Nelspruit already started collecting money for library books back in 1928. In 1932 the principal opened a public library at Laerskool Nelspruit. They charged a monthly fee of 20c per person. The school sent the teachers on special training courses. In 1961 the library moved into its own building, specially erected for the purpose. In 1964 Miss M. Pallas was permanently appointed as the first teacher/librarian. Today the library has a collection of over 6500 publications and more than 24 000 books get checked out every year. The library gets integrated into the curriculum and pupils and teachers alike can do research on almost every subject when needed.

1924 1926 1928

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At the beginning of the third quarter of 1952 two new schools opened their doors. One of them, a fully functional high school with 335 pupils with Mr. P. J. du Toit as principal and a primary school with 599 pupils and Mr J. P. Anderson as principal. In January 1957 Mr. J. C. E. Fölscher got appointed as principal. The school was growing at an astonishing rate. In 1933 Laerskool Nelspruit got permission to teach pupils up to Standard Eight (grade10). At the end of 1934, 11 out of 12 pupils graduated with their Junior Certificate. What an incredible achievement. Back then the school had a total of 180 pupils. In January 1934 a boarding school was opened for children in need for whom 1p (10c) a day was received from the board. Eleven kids moved into the boarding house with Mrs. Heydenrich. In 1948 a new boarding school opened with space for 180 pupils. It ended up housing over 200 students.

By June 1959 the school had more than a 1000 pupils. In 1963 the school’s new Assembly Hall was opened by Mr. A. J. Koen. The Hall is named after Mr. Fölscher, the previous principal.

On 16 February 1948 Mr. A. C. F. Whiteman took over as principal. The learners numbered 713 of which 177 were students of the higher division. At the end of 1948, 7 of the possible eight candidates passed the matric examination and one of them, Mr D.E. Gray who went on to be a Principal at Lowveld High School, achieved a first class.

Laerskool Nelspruit offered lessons in parallel medium format up until 1965. Nelspruit Primary School opened its doors in January 1966. Before all the English speaking pupils went over to Nelspruit Primary, Laerskool Nelspruit had 1395 pupils at that stage. Its was the biggest primary school in the country. After all the English speaking pupils went over to Nelspruit Primary, it still had 1117 Afrikaans pupils left in the school.

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DID YOU KNOW? Chris Barnard attended Laerskool Nelspruit

Christiaan Johan (Chris) Barnard was born in Mataffin in the Nelspruit district on July 15 1939. He studied at the University of Pretoria, attained a BA degree, majoring in Afrikaans-Nederlands and History of Art. He debuted in 1961, at the age of 22, with the novella, Bekende onrus, for which he received the CNA prize. In 1967 Chris started work as a journalist at Die Huisgenoot, and his column Chriskras was later published in three collections. His second novel, Mahala, was published in 1971, and is considered an Afrikaans classic. As one of the most important Sestigers, he contributed greatly to the Afrikaans literature, mainly because of his versatility: he wrote novels, novellas, columns, youth novels, short stories, plays, radio dramas, essays, film scripts, television dramas. He received several literary awards including the much sought-after Hertzog Prize twice.

In 1966 Laerskool Nelspruit celebrated its 50th anniversary year. Its celebrated its birthday with a Jubilee athletics event, a festival concert and even brought out a memorial booklet.

In 1967 Laerskool Nelspruit had 1224 pupils. In 1970 another Afrikaans school formed from Laerskool Nelspruit. Laerskool Bergland opened it classroom doors with Mr. F.J.Coeter as principal. Again in 1982 a fourth school formed from Laerskool Nelspruit. Mr. D.A. Barnard gets appointed as principal of the newly opened Laerskool Laeveld. Mr. Fölscher stepped down as principal in 1975. He was followed up by Mr. C de Wet in April 1976.

So a total of four Primary Schools and one High School formed out of Laerskool Nelspruit. What an achievement for a school to grow at such a phenomenal rate. In 1961 the school officially unveiled their newly built swimming pool. In 1974 a dolphin show was held in the school’s swimming pool. For this very special occasion 10 tons of refined salt had to be added to obtain a “Sea water” effect. In 1983 the school had a carnival. The event was enjoyed by young and old and made an incredible profit of R29 195,34. Good times indeed.

1966 1970’s

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In December 1985 Mr. C. de Wet stepped down as principal to be followed by Mr. K. Steyn who remained principal until 1998. Mr. Arrie Henn is currently the principal of Laerskool Nelspruit. The Hostel was closed by the MED for unknown reasons in 2000. The Nellie Miere kicked off with four students in a temporary classroom and within two months we had enough kids to accommodate four classes and we had to move to bigger facilities. The opportunity was seized by the principal and governors of the school and the Hostel buildings were transformed into a Pre-Primary school with its own indoor playgrounds, state of the art educational facilities with amongst others climbing apparatus, five different playgrounds, a put put course, cycle course etc. The classes are also kept below 24 students to ensure quality teaching. The kids have ample space to play on the three ha terrain. Mrs Rénaldia Henn has been the Principal of the Nellie Miere since it’s inception and manages a dedicated staff of 27 teachers and caretakers. The Nellie Miere boasts 355 Pre-primary students in Gr 0, Gr RRR, Gr RR and Gr R ranging from 2-6 years of age! Since 1916 a lot has happened in and around Laerskool Nelspruit. The pupils, parents and teachers are proud of everything that has been achieved

by the school over the past 100 years! Laerskool Nelspruit really believes in their pupils and trust that all of them will go on to achieve great opportunities. They offer learners and their parents a chance to broaden their horizons and explore new things. They encourage them to try new things, and to not be afraid to try and even fail. They teach them to be brave, form new friendships. They show their pupils that each and everyone of them has received one or more special talents and they help them to develop them to their full potential. And with a history like that, one can only imagine what the future holds. The pupils are encouraged to participate in as many activities as possible. The school’s teachers believe in education and they live their dreams as teachers with passion. They ensure that their students are academically, emotionally, socially, physically, culturally and spiritually stimulated and that every opportunity is provided for the learners to reach their full potential. Laerskool Nelspruit is once again the biggest Primary school in the Lowveld with 1112 kids from Grade 1-7 and 355 kids in the Nellie Miere. A whopping total of 1467 NELLIES! The sky is the limit and it is with great admiration and pride that we can say: Happy 100th Birthday Laerskool Nelspruit. You make us proud! Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

Article | Alison Blair

in the beginning With Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes 5th anniversary, we went back to the begining to find out what inspired the founders.

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family, driven by ideas

inspired by

years ago while on my December holiday in Durban a friend, who had recently moved from Nelspruit to Durban, showed me a copy of a magazine she received while waiting at her daughter’s school pick up. I was immediately intrigued by the magazine and started thinking about how a similar concept could work in the Lowveld. Needless to say I spent my holiday working on the concept and a strategy to launch in the Lowveld. In January, I chatted to my business partner, Tabita, about the idea and together we decided that there was a huge gap in the market for what we had in mind and really started putting the concept into an implementation plan. The sample magazine I had from Durban was more of an advertising booklet and distributed to a much wider audience. We felt the target audience needed to be much more streamlined and that the magazine should contain interesting and relevant articles that would connect emotionally to our reader. We started brainstorming names, taglines a mock up look & feel and soon we were very happy with what we had put together. There was one thing which was vitally important to get 100% correct right from the launch of the magazine otherwise it wouldn’t work. And that was getting the magazine to our intended target reader, which was Moms of children aged from 3 – 12 years. The plan was to present our idea to local schools, show them the mock up magazine and ask permission to distribute via their teachers every second month. We did not have one school that rejected our proposal, something we were very excited about. Fuelled by this positive response and by the fact that we now had a secure distribution method, we started the humongous task of selling the advertising space to relevant advertisers that would benefit from this type of advertising vehicle. Another benefit to the schools was that we made it easy for them to distribute the magazine, we pre-packed the exact amount of magazines for each register class for each school so all that was required of them was to put the relevant pack in a teacher’s pigeon hole who in turn handed it out to their class. The kids were super stars as they helped us by making sure they gave our magazine to their mom’s!

Our vision was to create an affordable advertising alternative for small businesses that worked. We weren’t happy just taking money for advertising without giving thought to what the advertiser wanted to achieve, therefore we included in the advertising placement fee the graphic design fee. We both spent time with the advertisers to help them with their campaign inside Mom’s Notes so that their advert worked and they felt they got great value for the money they have spent with us. And our formula worked in a relatively short space of time. We launched our first Mom’s Notes in March 2011, just 2 months after conceptualisation. As with any new business, Tabita and I did everything ourselves to start with. I sold the ad space, Tabita did the layout and graphic design, we packed the magazines for each school and delivered them ourselves. There was a method to this madness in that we wanted to develop a relationship with our target schools and our advertisers as we could confidently tell them when the magazines had been delivered as we did it ourselves. After about 18 months we came to the conclusion that our team needed to grow as our magazine was growing with each edition. This was when we brought in Yulandi as our sales representative and later added Chris and Amanda to the design team as well. Since then, the magazine has done phenomenally well, which is something I am very proud of. I hope that as a Mom’s Notes reader, you enjoy each edition as much as the team enjoys putting it together with you in mind. Last year I had to move to Johannesburg, my baby (actually he was 6 at the time!) needed specialized therapy on a daily basis that wasn’t available to us in the Lowveld. It was very hard to hand over my other baby (Mom’s Notes) but I knew that I was handing it over to the right team who had grown to love it as much as I did. Thank you to the superb TwoRedPens team for nurturing my baby so that it has ﬂourished into the magazine it is today.

heretheis next to 5 years 58

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MY GIFT

Receive your 7-piece gift* with the purchase of any two Elizabeth Arden products, one being a moisturiser or foundation. *Offer available from 15 February to 13 March 2016. Limit one gift per customer, while stocks last. Excludes all other offers, promotional lines and gift sets. Exclusive to Mopani Rewards Card Holders. No traders. E. & O.E. Crossing Centre (013) 755 5500 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Langa Mall (013) 742 2225 White River (013) 751 2267/8

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the magic of With Mom’s Notes turning 5, Monkey Magic took this opportunity to show us how they celebrate everything from 5 months to 50 years.

5th birthday is a real milestone. Not only is your child becoming a school kid, their 5th birthday is probably the first party they will truly remember. These reasons alone are enough to go all out and celebrate with a big bang. PLANNING A 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY In planning the party, you will need to consider that many of your child’s friends may have already started school, and some may be in full time child care. With that in mind, you may need to have the party over the weekend, or actually have it at day care itself. But no matter where or when you decide to have the party, these ideas will help make your child’s 5th birthday party something they’ll never forget. There are lots of other great party themes that are perfect for 5 year olds, and which one you choose will largely depend on your child’s interests. See the top 5 party themes for children below. TOP 5 PARTY THEMES FOR GIRLS: 1. Frozen 2. Barbie 3. Princess Tea Party 4. Sofia the First 5. Tinkerbell TOP 5 PARTY THEMES FOR BOYS: 1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 3. Cars 4. Despicle Me 5. Construction pals 60

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the BIG 50! Hitting that half century mark is cause for celebration! Whether you enjoy a lovely tea and cake party with your friends and family or have an over the top themed birthday party, you need to celebrate your half century!

5th anniversary:WOOD The traditional 5th wedding anniversary symbol is wood! In ancient times, trees symbolized strength and wisdom. By the 5th year of marriage, the married couple is developing strong, deep roots like a venerable oak tree and is gaining insight and understanding from the mistakes and stumblings of the first five years. The pair has learned the most important lesson of all and the secret to a successful marriage: forgiveness.

You can celebrate by spoiling your better half to a romantic weekend or have a celebration with friends, family, or vow renewals.

For all your party and function requirements Tel: 013 010 1245 | 082 388 0594 nicolette@monkeymagic.co.za | www.monkeymagic.co.za Unit 11, Central Park, 12 Suikerriet str, Nelspruit Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

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full HOUSE They say it takes a village to raise a child. If this is true, then raising six surely requires great skill.With the eldest already building a life for herself, and the youngest only recently starting her school career, the Nel familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey has been a remarkable one. Article | Marius Nel

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he year 1992 heralded the birth of my firstborn. Three more children followed, and with a minor change of plans, the two youngest were born. A very diverse crowd, and yes, a family outing to Spur does nearly require taking out a bond. Although there are similarities, each one of my children is unique. May-Lize (23) has settled into adulthood, and with it parenthood. The proud mother of a beautiful little girl has taken on a career in the media world and has been working as a sub-ditor for three years. She shares my great love of music and writing, and we have often had deep conversations about life and all its little oddities. The rebellious streak from my life as a 20-something seems to have contributed to her intense love of rock ‘n roll and her aspiration to not only be different, but to also make a difference.

The heir to my proverbial throne, Marco (21), aspires to be a lawyer and is currently studying at the University of Pretoria. Although he may be quite the wild child, as most students are, he could very well have been my identical twin. Witty and strong minded; we share many traits. One of these is to immerse himself in social events. Lively music and roaring laughter can often be heard during gettogethers at the Nel house, and when we are both around, it’s officially a party. His sense of humour is on form, but he is also a very intelligent lad, always eager to learn. The matron of the bunch, Marcia (19), has a heart of gold. While she has been referred to as the blonde bombshell, she is always willing to lend a helping hand and adores children. The go-to girl for keeping a watchful eye or wiping away any tears after a toe has been stubbed or a knee scraped. However, do not be fooled, she does not shy away from challenges. Always seen in ﬂip-ﬂops, shorts and her long hair resting on her shoulders, she loves the outdoors and active lifestyle. Marcia has recently started life as a student and will study occupational therapy at the University of Pretoria. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

Health and fitness fanatic, Mareo (17), is always on his feet. His never-say-die approach is what keeps him going. He spends most of his time at the gym, exercising religiously. He is an adrenaline junkie; if he had his way he would spend every weekend on his bike at an enduro track. His sisters usually have to put up with his cheekiness, but everyone has a good giggle in the end. He can be quite the clown and is a hero to his little sisters. Despite a back injury in primary school causing him to stop playing rugby, he shares my love for the game and has tried to stay involved with it through his tenure as ball-boy for our local team, the Pumas. The minor change in plans previously mentioned heralded the birth of Venique (10). My eldest was 13 at the time; we couldn’t wait for the new addition to the family. She is a girly girl, but enjoys roughhousing with her older brothers every now and then. She has a kind heart, is a deep thinker and often enjoys spending time alone. She also inherited my great love of music and has a creative streak. She is an introvert but at the same time a free spirit. I must admit, they often giggle when I get confused with her and the eldest, as their personalities are near identical. Last but not least, Chalyssa (6) has always been happy go lucky. She is the bubbly little girl who is usually seen singing and dancing around the house with a big smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. She has taken the baby of the family, granddaughter Kaylin (4), under her wing. During family get-togethers the two spend hours playing upstairs, with Chalyssa leading the way, of course. When things get quiet, they are most likely causing mischief. She has a very strong personality, enjoys the outdoors, and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Although she is the youngest, her leadership skills have certainly helped her take on the role as big sister.

Six… Sounds like quite the challenge, doesn’t it? It is doable, but not without the help of my beautiful wife, Lana. Having a fast-thinker around surely helps when the rest of us are sitting with our heads in the clouds. She believes in routine and structure, which ensures smooth sailing, and is always there to give advice and share her wisdom. Not only does she provide the stability such a major undertaking requires, she also co-captains my ship of dreams while simultaneously pursuing her own interests in sport and her own goals. And then, of course, the unconditional love and care that only a mother could give.

Having a big family is nothing short of an adventure. Each day brings something new. Yes, there are challenges, but having these walking miracles by my side makes everything worth it. My children are my pride; each one has their own hopes and dreams and I am filled with excitement at the thought of sharing in their journeys. Seeing them grow and being able to be there every step of the way makes my heart burst at the seams. There is no greater joy. However, in thirty years’ time we’ll have to go on a hunt for the biggest dining table we can find, and each family get-together will be as memorable as the last. As for me, I can hardly wait.

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Life is a celebration!

y closest friends always say that, if you want a function to quickly turn into a party, invite Marius Nel. Whether this is a euphemism for my chronic insistence on making the best out of each and every opportunity to celebrate life, I cannot say but I firmly live the belief that we go through this life only once. While this causes me to rarely ever willingly decline an invitation to a party, it has become the force that drives all aspects of my life. At the risk of sounding like a sympathy seeking international pop star, I have tasted both the sweet and sour life has to offer and it was specifically the hardships I endured that gave birth to an insatiable drive to make the most of each opportunity I was provided with; where there was thought to be no path, I decided to create my own opportunities. I am still miles away from the shadows of Brand Pretorius, Jack Welch, Steve Jobs and Antony Ball (all of whom I respect deeply and whose principles I use to build my own challenge armour with), but my own entrepreneurial spirit is growing daily and I remain thankful for all the blessings I have received thus far. I further believe that hard work and talent are inseparable. On the one side, nothing good and worthy has ever come from laziness. Some very talented people live their lives on ‘standby’, waiting for success to tap them on the shoulder, while so many lesser talented people put in the effort and feed off their own perseverance to achieve prosperity. Out of the latter group of people, some move on to even greater achievements because they never stop moving forward.

Despite disappointment and failure and even regardless of a certain level of accomplishment, they never stop working towards new, modified or different goals. As far as talent is concerned, I try to live my life in search of my own hidden talents and insist on my children doing the same. On this path I have discovered that I can get great pleasure from areas where I have very little to no talent, like golf. In this quest to discover your talents you are guaranteed to fall or falter but true character is built when you don’t allow these minor or epic failures to define you; it is no secret why even the best Hollywood movies revolve around characters never giving up and achieving the seemingly impossible. Everything is impossible until someone makes it her or his goal to make it possible.

George Carlin said: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.” I boldly confess that I am a moment guzzler (oomblik-vraat), causing me to hunt for breathtaking or memorable moments in all circumstances, good or bad. As a result of a very busy life, I am sometimes forced to experience certain events to a lesser extent than ‘normal people’ but this certainly does not cause any of my moments to be less memorable or powerful. I simply try to allow the meaningful and impactful moments to affect me on a deeper level, believing that the degree to which we experience these profound emotions can be a good measure of the degree to which we have really lived life. I remain eternally grateful to and for each member of my family and my friends for their individual contributions to my bounty of moments.

seven ’s of life

he start to a New Year is always challenging and even more so for a mom. In general mom’s nerves are frayed by the new schools, new uniforms, new teachers and many athletics meetings, not to mention the challenge to do some very creative accounting. Between kids, schools and husbands, whether a home executive mom or the working mom, there is little time to give much thought to those dreams you had whilst lying on the beach in December. By now, they most likely seem like a distant whisper beckoning you to remember, come back and recommit. “If we don’t continuously grow, we soon stagnate. Standing still is not an option, the world is moving ahead too fast.” says Mel Tomlinson, Life and Business coach of 10 years. Mel admits that children to some extent force moms to stay up to date with the changes, such as technology, fashion trends and media fads. She maintains that if we want to stay ahead, we

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need to lead not follow. This requires a mind shift and a new attitude towards our own growth, especially in terms of the time we are willing to invest in ourselves as moms. Here are some tips from the Wheel of Life, a personal development tool used in the Performance Booster Program which will not only give you a snap shot of your life, as it is right now, but help you identify areas and opportunities for growth.

UN - make it one of your goals this year to let your hair down and laugh a lot. Laughter is the cure for many ailments. A great ‘growth-exercise’ to do is a Family Vision Board.

RIENDS - hang out with people who uplift you and make you feel good. Keep far away from negative friends and family members, their moods tend to be contagious and can leave you feeling down and disheartened. We are the average of the 5 people we spend most of our time with. It may be a good time to clear out the friendship closet and invite a few new one’s over. Develop some personal boundaries and stop been used by people who steal your time and energy.

INANCE - implement an easy and attainable savings plan that works for you. Spend your money wisely in 2016 and avoid unnecessary debt and don’t buy things you don’t really need. Think twice before you swipe that card to buy that handbag that you simply must have. A little bit of discipline and a financial goal goes a long way to avoid January blues. A simple strategy like buying a gift voucher from a mall every month and saving them for next Christmas will take the pressure off in December and leave you with extra spending money. A small amount monthly is hardly felt, compared to that big chunk all at year end.

LAME AND ROMANCE - Our spouses sometimes get the short end of the stick when the going gets tough. Rekindle your flame with a few date nights and special moments. Leave the kids with mom and head for a nearby hill, park or romantic restaurant. The Lowveld is full of lovely getaways. It is more about the time and effort than the expense.

URNITURE - When we are tired, our surroundings tend to look a bit drab and tired too. Now is a good time for a mini- facelift. Bring in a bright new colour, throw out that old rug and spruce up your

living space. A short morning paint technique course at your local craft shop or Mica Store can inspire you get your hands dirty and help you meet some new friends. Not only will it feel new, but by creating something together you will have loads of fun, laughs and feel proud of your joint efforts. It is amazing what a few new, fresh scatter cushions can do to breathe new life into a tired looking room.

ITNESS AND HEALTH - Very few people escape the festive season fat deposits found around the waist and buttocks. There are the old, tried and tested ways such as: reduce your portions, cut out sugar and starch and increase your exercise. A great way to lighten the load is also to take a day off of food once a week and simply juice or eat fruit or do a short, three day raw fruit and vegetable detox. Detoxing stimulates your energy and you will soon find yourself itching to clean out drawers and rooms.

URTHER GROWTH AND THE FUTURE - Whether you are a career woman or a stay at home mom, everyone needs to learn a new skill. Commit this year to do an online course, many of them are free. Learning new things broadens our horizons, opens us up to meeting new and interesting people and grows our confidence. Adopt a growth mind-set and you will never be bored. More than this, it is exercise for your brain. Ask your kid how to download the QR Code and get your own downloadable Wheel of Life to print out and complete. Live for today but plan for the future. The beginning of the year is a good time to think of what you really want to achieve in the year. Why not steal some time away on your own, just 45 minutes to purposefully reflect on what it is you really want. Keeping a journal is an awesome way of keeping track of your challenges and breakthroughs, it has fantastic healing benefits and serves to remind one of one’s commitments. Create a theme for your year: fun, courage, exploration or love and enjoy the experience.

After all, what is life, if not an experience?

To find out more about Performance Booster Program: www.performancebooster.co.za, email info@performancebooster.co.za or call them on 013 744 0027. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

A concise synopsis by Donna James-Jansen of Freyja Pty LTD

February: the month

of selflove

ife is busy, and for the most part we seldom put ourselves first on our ever-growing list of priorities. How wonderful that this year, a leap year, February is going to bless us with an extra day! Why not take this precious ‘extra’ time and spend it on YOU! You are your single greatest investment, and to put energy into your well-being is to ensure the equal well-being of those around you. There are many ways you can honour yourself. Here are a few suggestions: SELF AWARE HEALTHCARE When it comes to health, one size does not always fit all, and it will be well worth the time you spend getting to know your body through the modality of homeopathy. Understanding and treating the cause of health issues, in the most gentle and effective way is key to the homeopathic approach, as is the specific selection of a homeopathic remedy that is unique to your personal experience. Homeopathy works by assisting the body with its own natural healing processes, and taking the time to consult with a homeopath will help you to better understand your body’s unique health needs. South African Registered Homeopath, Dr. Joanne York, has over 11 years experience consulting in Nelspruit and White River, Mpumalanga. Dr.York’s rooms are based in White River, at Freyja Holistic Wellness Centre. If you have a question you would like to ask Dr.York, please write to her at drjoanneyork@gmail.com. To book a consultation with Dr.York, please call 013 750 2175 or 073 148 2582.

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THE HEALING POWER OF TOUCH The health benefits of massage are still highly underrated in the western world today. Sadly seen more as pamper and spoil rather than daily health requirement. Soothing touch, whether it be applied to a ruffled cat, a crying infant, or a frightened child, has a universally recognized power to improve the signs of distress. Think about when an infant or child cries, we immediately cure all by holding and comforting the child, yet when an adult is in an ill state we say he needs medicine. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen. Experts estimate that upwards of 90% of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. The therapists at Freyja are professionals in their field with a combined 18 years experience in the industry, highly qualified in a number of relaxation and therapeutic massage techniques including: Swedish, Hot Basalt Stone, Cold Rose Quartz, Aromatherapy, Sports Massage, Acupressure, Reflexology and more. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL Taking care of your skin for tomorrow is an important part of what we do at Freyja. We focus on offering the very best in Natural Organic Botanical Skin Care. We insist that all products used in our centre are not harmful to humans or animals and therefore ensure that no product in our centre is tested on animals. TheraVine, being a product that we proudly showcase, is not only a local South African product,

but an award winning Natural, Botanical and Organic Solution to Skin Health. TheraVine excludes the use of any harmful alcohols, petrochemical, artificial fragrances and colorants. Products found at Freyja, appeal to the purist and science seeker alike, by ensuring the products we serve offer outstanding product performance with luxury. MAKE HAPPINESS A HABIT Mental health and wellness is by definition, a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities to function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life. Mental wellness is not just about the absence of any illness, it is about harmony. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about being free of depression, anxiety, stress and any other psychological issues. Mental wellness is about how we think, feel and act as we cope with everyday life. Learning how to build your mental resilience is as important as daily exercise for the body. As already mentioned, the stresses of our modern day living has an immense effect on our health and wellness, dealing with the impact of stress on your mental state is inevitable for everyone and especially women, we all know we need to be the strong ones, we are the glue that holds everything together so it is imperative that we are prepared and take care of ourselves in order to take care of all those around us. One of your best defences is to truly know yourself. Self awareness, recognition and acceptance are key to arming yourself against any ill to your mental state. Acceptance of our limits, acceptance of our emotions and control of our thoughts, this in turn will lead to true habitual happiness.

FOUNDATION What’s in the base on your face? Modern day foundations have a rich history that paved their journey toward the remarkable skin-improving ingredients and formulas used today.

ncient Greeks and Romans wore versions of foundation containing high levels of white lead and mercury -- a formula that caused lethal poisoning. Nevertheless, extremely white skin remained popular into the 1800s. It represented class and privilege. Modern foundation has its beginnings in the theater. Carl Baudin, a German actor, mixed a paste of zinc, ochre, and lard to hide the joint between his wig and forehead. Other actors liked his concoction so much that Baudin called it greasepaint and sold it commercially. In 1914, Max Factor introduced his Pan-Cake makeup to make movie actors appear more realistic in close-ups. His version of greasepaint looked more like skin and was the first makeup created for film. Factor’s Pan-Cake eventually spawned other foundations and makeup for women who weren’t actors. FOUNDATION INGREDIENTS Cosmetic chemist Nick Morante says that no matter what form it’s in (solid, liquid, or spray), foundation contains the same main ingredients - moisturizers, colorants, and fillers. The base is usually water, oil, or wax. Talc, which helps color spread evenly and makes the product go on the skin smoothly, is the most common filler. Pigments include iron oxides and titanium dioxide in various shades of red, yellow, and black to help re-create natural skin tone. USING FOUNDATION FOR SKIN CARE Certain ingredients in foundation can help treat some underlying skin issues, Morante says. Foundations that contain kaolin clay and absorbent powders such as silica, alumina, cornstarch, or talc will help control oil and prevent shine. Dry skin will benefit from ingredients such as avocado oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, squalane, or glycerides (look for them listed first in the ingredients). Foundations that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide offer another way to fight blemishes. 72

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nation HIGH-DEFINITION FOUNDATION The most recent advancements in foundation are “high-definition” products that claim to cover skin imperfections to get skin camera-ready. The main difference between these products and previous versions involves light-scattering ingredients such as mica, silicone, crystals, or quartz. Diffusing light creates an illusion of an even finish so you can’t detect the flaws beneath. HD makeup formulas are often designed to moisturize because makeup can settle into cracks and creases, especially for those with dry complexions. The hydration also plumps up dry skin to make wrinkles and lines less noticeable. CHOOSING FOUNDATION COLORS Makeup artist Carmindy, an expert on TLC’s What Not to Wear, offers this tip for finding the best foundation color for your skin. Find your perfect match by selecting a few shades. Apply each on your jawline and look at the results in daylight. Foundation should blend with no noticeable pigment lines. Don’t test on your hands or arm - the color on your face will not match. FOUNDATION TIPS FOR ANY SKIN No matter what foundation you’re using, here are six great application tips to keep in mind. 1.Start with the foundation on and around the nose as that’s where most of the redness occurs. 2.Avoid the under eye area, that’s where concealer goes. 3.Contour (cheeks, forehead, nose, jawline and temples) with a darker shade in the same formula. 4.If you use your fingers, press the foundation into the skin as much as possible for a radiant natural glow. 5.When using a sponge to apply your foundation, roll with every touch to blend. 6.If you prefer to apply your product with a brush, use small circular strokes to buff the foundation in to the skin.

DRY SKIN To quench your dry skin throughout the day, we recommend a light coverage, hydrating foundation. When applying your product, use your fingers and press the product into the skin for longer-lasting coverage.

Elizabeth Arden

Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift & Firm Makeup SPF15 NORMAL SKIN If you’re one of the lucky ones with normal skin, the level of coverage is really up to your personal preference! Test out matte and luminous options to decide which texture you like best.

Estee Lauder

Double Wear Light Stay In Place Makeup

OILY SKIN To ditch the shine, choose a medium to full coverage foundation. When applying your product use a sponge or brush because using your fingers can transfer the oil from your hands to your face.

Clinique

Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup

AGING SKIN Heavy product can settle into fine lines and wrinkles so opt for a light coverage liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer for younger-looking, luminous skin.

Lancôme

Teint Visionnaire Skin Correcting Makeup Duo

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ORAL HEALTH a window to your overall health Your oral health is more important than you might realise. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.

id you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health, or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself. WHAT’S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH? Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers and diuretics can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease. Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis (a severe form of gum disease) — might play a role

in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe. WHAT CONDITIONS MAY BE LINKED TO ORAL HEALTH? Your oral health might affect, be affected by, or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including: • Endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart. • Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and strokes might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. • Pregnancy and birth. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. • Diabetes. Reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time

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controlling their blood sugar levels. • HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS. • Osteoporosis. Which causes bones to become weak and brittle — might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. • Alzheimer’s disease. Tooth loss before age 35 might be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. • Other conditions. Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth and eating disorders. Because of these potential links, be sure to tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes. HOW CAN I PROTECT MY ORAL HEALTH? To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day. For example: • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. • Floss daily. • Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks. • Replace your toothbrush every three to four

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months or sooner if bristles are frayed. • Schedule regular dental checkups. Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

The Oral-B Vitality electric toothbrush provides a superior clean vs. a regular manual toothbrush. The Vitality toothbrush head removes more plaque than a manual toothbrush with twice the cleaning, while the in-handle timer helps you brush for a dentistrecommended 2 minutes.

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PLUS

f you’re planning on getting pregnant, you can improve your chances of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy by following the advice in this article. STOPPING CONTRACEPTION With some methods of contraception, such as the male and female condom, diaphragm and natural family planning, as soon as you stop using the contraception you’ll be fertile immediately. With other methods, such as the combined contraceptive pill and contraceptive injections, it can take some time for your menstrual cycles to return to normal after stopping the contraception. Although there is no reason you can’t start trying immediately, some women like to wait a few months before trying for a baby to re-establish their natural cycles and prepare their body fully. FOLIC ACID Take a 400 microgram (400mcg) supplement of folic acid every day while you’re trying to get pregnant, and up until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. This is advised due to the fact that folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. A neural tube defect is when the foetus’s spinal cord (part of the body’s nervous system) doesn’t form normally. Women with epilepsy, diabetes and other medical conditions are recommended to take a 5 milligram (5mg) supplement. You can get folic acid tablets at pharmacies, or talk to your GP about getting a prescription. Don’t worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and weren’t taking folic acid supplements. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you’re past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

If you’re planning to have your first or second baby, ideally you should start thinking about your health and lifestyle as soon as you want to start trying.

STOP SMOKING Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems, including premature birth, low birthweight, cot death (also known as sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS), miscarriage and breathing problems/wheezing in the first six months of life. CUT OUT ALCOHOL Don’t drink alcohol if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Alcohol can be passed to your unborn baby, and the Chief Medical Officers recommend that the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all. Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby, and the more you drink the greater the risk. KEEP TO A HEALTHY WEIGHT If you’re overweight you may have problems getting pregnant, and if you’re having fertility treatment it’s less likely to work. Being overweight or obese (having a BMI over 30) also raises the risk of some pregnancy problems, such as high blood pressure, blood clots, miscarriage and gestational diabetes. Before you get pregnant you can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI. However, this may not be accurate once you’re pregnant, so consult your midwife or doctor. Having a healthy diet and getting moderate exercise are advised in pregnancy, and it’s important not to gain too much weight. You can keep to a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and getting exercise. HEALTHY EATING If you’re eating well before you get pregnant, you’ll have all the right nutrients to support your baby from the day of conception onwards. Eat regular, balanced meals, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and

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cut down on processed and ‘fast’ food. Make sure your diet includes: • Carbohydrates - wholemeal (brown) bread, pasta, rice and cereals are better than white bread, cakes and biscuits • Fruit and vegetables - try to eat five portions a day, bearing in mind that the more colourful the fruit or vegetable, the more nutritious it is. • Protein - you can get the protein you need from meat, fish, eggs, pulses and beans. • Milk and milk products - these contain lots of calcium, which is important for bone development • Fat - try to get your fat intake from vegetable sources like olive oil, or oily fish like salmon, herring or mackerel. IS YOUR BODY READY FOR BABY NUMBER 2? Growing a baby for nine months is one of the most demanding tasks your body has ever undertaken. So, before you ask your body for a repeat performance, it’s a good idea to check it’s back in shape and fully capable of building another baby. You need to be sure that your body is working efficiently and in optimum health before you embark on conceiving a second child. That way, you’ll have a healthier, easier pregnancy.

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Research suggests that it takes a minimum of 18 months for your body to fully recover after the birth of your child. A study of 173,205 babies found that those at the highest risk of being born early, or with a low birth weight, were those conceived sooner than six months after the birth of an older sibling. Those at the lowest risk were conceived between 18 and 23 months after the birth of the first child. Finding out if you’re pregnant can be exhilarating or upsetting or a little bit of both. If you suspect you might be pregnant, the first thing to do is be sure. While many women think they must see their doctor for accurate pregnancy results, the truth is Clearblue® pregnancy tests are as accurate as a doctor’s urine test to detect pregnancy.You can quickly check if you are pregnant with a home pregnancy test and save the time and cost of a trip to the doctor. • No tests are more accurate – All Clearblue Pregnancy Tests are over 99% accurate when used from the day of your expected period. • So sensitive you can test early – Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can be used up to 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period.

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hey come in all different sizes, shapes and colours. The seed is an embryonic plant itself and the origin of nutrition. A plant goes to great lengths to produce each seed and fill it with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential oils and dormant enzymes. If you’re looking for a high quality, nutritious and filling snack, seeds are tough to beat. Many seeds are edible and the majority of human calories come from seeds, especially from legumes and nuts. Seeds also provide most cooking oils, many beverages and spices and some important food additives.

and seeds five times a week had a 35% reduction in heart disease risk.

HEART-HEALTHY FAT Nuts and seeds contain healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are essential to health by managing inflammation and maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Saturated and trans fats, found in meats, full-fat dairy, fried and processed foods can be damaging to our bodies by triggering inflammation. Research shows that diets high in these unhealthy fats can lead to a host of diseases. Choosing healthy fats instead can lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation.

This process not only decreases fat absorption, but also leads to cholesterol being used to replace bile acids excreted when bound to fiber. Secondly, the fermentation process of fiber that occurs in the intestines causes a short-chain fatty acid called propionate to form. Propionate acts in the liver to prevent the enzyme HMG CoA reductase from triggering production of cholesterol.

A study published by “British Medical Journal” in 1998 found that individuals who consumed nuts

FILLING FIBER Fiber helps to slow digestion, which helps you feel full longer. This translates into eating less, which over time can lead to weight loss. The role of fiber does not stop there. Fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts helps to decrease cholesterol. There are various mechanisms by which this occurs. First, fiber binds to bile acids, which are needed to digest fat.

The “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” published research that found an additional 25 percent reduction in cholesterol levels after seed and nut consumption that could not be explained from the composition of healthy fat alone.

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Plant the seed to a healthy life

Just a handful of seeds pack a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which work together to affect your heart, your brain and your waistline.

Researchers speculated that fiber and mineral content in seeds and nuts were responsible. CHIA SEEDS Ready for a healthy surprise? Chia seeds particularly the Salba variety, are high in iron, folate, calcium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fibre. Iron and folate are both essential nutrients needed for health. The calcium and magnesium promote bone and dental health, while the omega-3’s help your heart by lowering triglycerides, the bad fats in your blood that can cause coronary artery disease. The soluble fibre helps decrease cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar levels and helps you feel fuller longer. SUNFLOWER SEEDS Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of B vitamins including folate, which helps to support healthy pregnancy and promotes a healthy immune

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system. They’re also an excellent source of Vitamin E - an antioxidant that protects your cells from damage, helps maintain healthy hair and skin, and may help to prevent cancer. These multitasking seeds are also rich in protein and hearthealthy fats. Aim to consume a variety of nuts and seeds, as they all contain different vitamins, minerals and ratios of healthy fats. This will not only give your taste buds some variety but also ensure that your body is getting adequate amounts of all the different nutrients nuts have to offer. Opt for nuts or seeds in their most natural state, without added oils or salt. So next time you crave something crunchy, skip the potato chips and indulge that craving guilt-free by grabbing some nuts or seeds.

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Mango Upside-Down Cake The health benefits of mangoes. Prevents Cancer: Research has shown antioxidant compounds in mango fruit have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.

PREP TIME: 30 minutes

Dancing with the flavors of the tropics is simple when mangoes are on hand. This upside-down cake offers a dazzling showcase, the ripe fruit nestles in a simple caramel, its golden hues and honeyed taste deepening as it bakes. Banana and rum add more tropical notes and help keep the cake moist, from first bite to last crumb.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 8)

• 1 1/2 cups sugar • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt • 1/3 cup buttermilk • 1/2 cup safflower oil • 2 tablespoons golden rum, such as Bacardi Gold • 1 large egg plus 1 large yolk • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1 ripe banana, mashed until smooth (1/3 cup) • 2 large or 3 small ripe mangoes, peeled, halfed and each side sliced into 5 pieces

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Heat 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over high, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Let boil, without stirring, until dark amber, swirling pan to color evenly and washing down sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Immediately pour into a 20cm round cake pan; swirl to evenly coat bottom of pan. 2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and remaining 1 cup sugar in a medium bowl. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, rum, egg and yolk, vanilla, and banana. Whisk buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until smooth and combined. 3. Arrange mangoes in pan on top of caramel, in a tightly packed single layer. Pour batter into pan. 4. Bake until a tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pan, invert cake onto a plate, and let cool completely before serving. 82

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Roasted Beet and Potato Borscht The health benefits of beetroot. If you’re considering beetroot as one of your 5-a-day, it contains potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, B6 and C, folic acid, carbohydrates, protein, antioxidants and soluble fiber.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

Bring deep, rich character to borscht, the classic Eastern European soup, by roasting the beets and potatoes. Top with a dollop of sour cream at the end for a traditional touch.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

• 1kg red beets, scrubbed, peeled, and diced medium • 500g russet potatoes, peeled and diced medium • 2 shallots, coarsely chopped • 3 to 5 sprigs thyme • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Coarse salt and ground pepper • 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar • Sour cream, (optional) • Chopped fresh parsley (optional) • Thinly sliced scallion greens (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet, toss together beets, potatoes, shallots, thyme, and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer and roast until beets and potatoes are cooked through, about 45 minutes. 2. Discard thyme. Add vegetables to a medium pot, along with broth. Bring to a simmer over medium high. With a potato masher or back of a wooden spoon, mash some vegetables until soup is thick and chunky. Stir in vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, top with sour cream, parsley, and scallion greens, if desired.

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G&J HERBS PRESENTS

BLACK PEPPERMINT

lack Peppermint forms part of the great Mentha family which includes several hundreds of mint species. Peppermint itself is a very commonly used word and a flavour that is found countless commercial products from foods and drinks to toiletries and cosmetics, but strangely it is rarely found in gardens.

USES

Black peppermint is unique from the other mints, it is the only mint that is accredited with the ability to boost mental clarity, increase concentration and relieve exam time fatigue. On top of its ability to help during exams and studying, peppermint is also an excellent digestive herb that relieves heartburn, eases nausea and colic and has recently been used in the treatment of migraines. It can also be used to clear spotty skin, unblock sinuses and ease spasms. It is such a lovely herb that no garden should be without it. For the above mentioned ailments peppermint can be taken in the form of a tea by adding ¼ cup of finely chopped peppermint leaves and stems to one cup of boiling water. Let it stand for 5 minutes and strain, sweeten with some honey if preferred and sip slowly! Alternatively for those hot summer days you can make your own delicious summer ice tea (see below) for a refreshing drink rich in antioxidants and vitamins:

SUMMER ICE TEA

• 1 Cup Lemon grass finely chopped • 1 Cup Peppermint leaves and stems finely chopped • 1 Litre boiling water • 2 Litres Granadilla or Orange Juice Put the lemon grass and peppermint in a jug and pour over the boiling water, let it stand 5-10 minutes and strain, set aside to cool, Once it is cool add the fruit juice and you may add some honey to taste. Serve with ice and add some fresh peppermint leaves.

DESCRIPTION AND GROWING

Black peppermint is a low growing mint compared to its rival Garden Mint (mentha spicata) which is found very often in gardens and very often mistaken for peppermint. It has dark stems with dark green leaves which is where the name Black peppermint originates from. It has an intense peppermint flavour and is also the mint that is used commercially for essential oil production. It grows quite vigorously and spreads on its own, it will need fertile and well composted soil, full sun and a good watering 3 times a week in order to thrive. This is also one of the most invasive mints but we have found that they do not take over the garden like they do in areas with cold winters. Article written by Josh & Gerrie of G&J Herbs. For any further information or recipes: gerrie@gjfarms.co.za | josh@gjfarms.co.za

s r a e y

WIN A TICKET TO ANY DESTINATION OF YOUR CHOICE ON THE CITYBUG ROUTE There are 20 tickets available from Nelspruit to Johannesburg Where are Citybug’s NEW ofﬁces situated? SMS your Name, Surname and answer to 083 462 8527 Competition ends 31 March 2016. Terms and Conditions Apply.

ohannesburg is the second largest city in Africa, with more than 3 million people calling this bustling metropolis home. Joburg, or Jozi as some prefer to call it, offers visitors an experience as unique and diverse as the city itself. Whether you are on business, in search of a cultural encounter, an adrenaline rush or simply want to relax and unwind for a few days, the city of Johannesburg has everything youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for and more! Visitors who are looking for a cultural experience can visit the more than 40 art galleries as well as a host of cultural institutes and studios in the city. Alternatively, they can take in a show at one of the many theatres in Johannesburg. Visitors can also learn more about the traditional cultures in Johannesburg at the cultural villages or centres in the city. Those visitors who are looking for something more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;upbeatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to do can visit one of the many nightlife hotspots Johannesburg has to offer. From pubs to clubs and shebeens, each venue promises a night to write home about. Of course, Johannesburg is also one of the premium shopping destinations in Africa. Here you can take your pick of locally crafted items or find international brands at great prices. Must see. Located on an old gold mine 8km from the centre of Johannesburg lies the Gold Reef City amusement park. The park is themed around the Gold Rush which occurred in Johannesburg around the 1880s. Enjoy one of the many rides in the park including the Anaconda, which is the fastest and tallest inverted roller coaster in Africa. There is plenty to do for the whole family, including gold panning, going on a mine tour, eating at one of the many restaurants, or just soaking up the history of the gold rush.

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HAPPY NEW TRIP!

ost of us usually start off the New Year filled with inspiration to become more organised. Many of us moms have spent a day or five of our Festive ‘Holidays’ clambering in cupboards, armed with the Handy Andy & a ‘lappie’, we’ve thrown out the old stuff, found the lost stuff and bought some new stuff, so that we can feel our New Year is starting off super-organised. All this hard work over the Festive period probably got many of us longing for the next family holiday, but have you taken some time to start planning it yet? Your planning should start with your budget and work back from there. What destinations are on your list, and what types of experiences are you after? Whatever your choices are they must appeal to each individual, they should create excitement and provide opportunities for the entire family to spend time together and make memories. Building your new holiday around your budget is the most fundamental part of the planning process. Paying off a holiday via your credit card can add hundreds or even thousands to the costs, so aim to save-up and pay cash for as much of the trip as possible. A trip properly saved for in advance means that you will arrive back home relaxed & all that will be left for you to take care of is capturing the happy memories in a photo album, rather than having to continue to service a debt. Remember to seriously consider the time of the year you want to

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travel, as prices soar during school holidays and long weekends. If there is any chance you can whip the kids out of school during the term, then do it, but if this is impossible, then make sure you book very early for the holidays and budget to pay more over these periods. Once you’ve settled on your destination and the experiences you want to have whilst there, consider these clever tips to help you stretch that budget and travel free from money worries. • Book and pay as much as you can beforehand - flights, other transport like trains and car hire, accommodation with as many meals included as possible, and try to get your sight-seeing all paid for in advance if possible too. If you’re travelling overseas, remember to budget for other upfront costs, like travel insurance, visas & passport fees and the necessary vaccinations. • Research how much spending money you will need whilst there. Any of our Travel Consultants will be able to advise you on the average costs of things you can’t pay for up-front, like drinks and meals not included with accommodation, fuel, tolls, gratuities, entertainment, and whatever is left of the budget can be used for shopping. • Always set aside extra funds in the event of unforeseen emergencies, or for that “must-have” purchase you didn’t know existed when doing your planning.

• Create a budget that is realistic and affordable. Travelling with too little money can ruin a holiday as it creates stress since you constantly have to forfeit something you wanted to do, or eat, or buy, because you just don’t have enough in that purse. Cut day-to-day costs here at home during the year by making every second month a lean month and use this opportunity to teach your kids about planning and saving. Get them involved in the saving-drive, teach them to switch those lights & an unwatched TV off, take quicker showers, don’t fill the bath up so much, wear the same clothes twice if they aren’t dirty, cut down on the sweets & treats, downscale that Birthday Party, healthy home-packed school lunches & no more expensive tuck-shop, and don’t but anything that’s not absolutely necessary. • Always keep your goal top of your mind by surrounding yourself with visual reminders. Set a photo of your destination as phone or PC screensaver and spend a Sunday afternoon making a family vision board with everyone’s input and stick it on the fridge. There are so many valuable lessons kids can learn from being part of the planning, saving, anticipation and eventually reaching that goal!

THE OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A FAMILY HOLIDAY IS CONVENIENCE AND SANITY. ELIMINATING POTENTIALLY STRESSFUL SITUATIONS WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE KIDS, WILL CREATE A HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE THAT IS ENJOYABLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY • If you’re flying to your destination and depending on the age of your kids, consider the required check-in time - one to two hours ahead of departure is bad enough for adults! Get some extra sleep by booking a room at an airport hotel or a nearby hotel that offers a free shuttle service to the airport. Enquire about parking options if you travel to the hotel in your own vehicle. • How you will get to your final destination from the airport when you land? Consider hiring a car or even better booking a transfer so you’ll have someone to meet you off your flight. This way you won’t be running the gauntlet of the taxi queue, be worried about the taxi driver ripping you off,

or figuring out how the trains and busses work. • What are the airline’s baggage rules in terms of size dimensions and weight? Remember that these vary and may change from time-to-time. Always ask about this before you leave home and while there is still time to make changes or adjustments. Ask our Travel Consultants about the airline policy on electronic devices in hand luggage, resealable plastic bags for liquids, aerosols and gels. Help your children pack their own luggage and prepare them for what to expect. • Time it right! Cutting it fine at the airport is never a good idea, and remember during holiday times the airports are even more congested. Formalities can often take much longer than normal, and more so with little ones in tow, or on the hip. Avoid airport stress by arriving early and being prepared for queues and delays. Being too early is a lot better than being too late! • If you have a couple of hours to spare at the airport and don’t want to be sitting bored in a crowded departure lounge, consider buying access to a lounge where you can enjoy included drinks and snacks in a relaxed environment. Some lounges even have play facilities for children. Alternatively, hunt for one of the better restaurants and sit down to a decent meal. It’s a relaxed way to pass the time waiting to board your flight. • Give thought to the flying time and how you will entertain the kids. Most airlines have fantastic child-friendly channels and even some gaming, but some books, crayons, and a favourite toy may not be wasted either. • Particularly small or remote airports don’t have the same infrastructure as the big ones. Ask our Travel Consultants about facilities at airports so that you go prepared in case there is not much space, very little to do, and very little to eat or drink. Travel Agents undoubtedly offer insider knowledge and have access to resources and can offer everything at the right price, which means you don’t need to spend hours surfing Google, taking guesses and risks, and dealing with all the hidden strings of an online booking. Here’s to a new year, with new beginnings, and new plans. Go somewhere you’ve never been before, and do things you’ve never done before, after all, you’ll never see this year again, so grab it with both hands and make every last second count!

ar R deW nsISE

W AT g E

drought can be a gardener’s worst nightmare. When a hot, dry weather pattern settles in, it affects your landscape in a variety of ways. There’s nothing you can do to prevent a drought, but there are some strategies you can adopt to help minimize the effect it has on your yard. There is a misconception that only indigenous plants are waterwise. Montana encourages the planting of indigenous plants as they have many other benefits, and they also have a wide variety of exotic plants that are ideal for droughts and dry seasons. IMPACTS OF A DROUGHT The most obvious way a drought affects your garden is the way it makes your plants look: Healthy green foliage wilts, develops crispy brown edges, or dies completely. Flowers fade more quickly or fail to 90

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Montana Garden Pavilion

have just celebrated their 30th birthday and strive to educate clients about the importance of good water saving practices in the home and most importantly in the garden. appear at all and plants (even weeds) grow more slowly. Drought weakens your plants, increasing how susceptible they are to attack from insects and disease. It also makes plants less winter-hardy, especially if the drought occurs in autumn as plants are going dormant. The hot, dry conditions have a lasting effect too as trees and shrubs in particular can take several years to fully recover from drought.

WHAT TO DO DURING DROUGHT

WATER YOUR GARDEN • Water in the early mornings when it’s still cool. • Invest in a sturdy bucket or good watering can as there are restrictions on garden hoses. • Water deeply once a week (to penetrate) rather than a little bit each day where it would only be on the surface and evaporate quickly.

APPLY MULCH A 5cm deep layer of mulch over the soil can do wonders: It keeps the soil cooler and shields the ground from direct sun. The benefit is that moisture stays in the soil longer, where it’s more available to your garden plants. Use grass clippings, dried leaves, pine needles, straw or shredded bark to keep the soil cooler and reduce water evaporation. Raised beds help retain water better than open beds. Plant in groupings or hexagonal offset patterns rather than in rows when growing drought tolerant vegetables. This will provide shade from the leaves to keep the soil cooler and water from evaporating. GROUP YOUR PLANTS • Put plants with similar water requirements closer together. • Get rid of any unwanted plant/weeds. It might not be fun at the best of times, but getting those weeds out of the garden is especially important during drought. The reason: the weeds roots steal valuable moisture from the soil. SAVE WATER WHEN IT RAINS • Invest in a water tank to gather rain water. • Ensure all gutters run into something (even a bucket/rubbish bin) and not down the paving or road. DEADHEAD YOUR FLOWERS Removing spent blooms before they have a chance to set seed saves energy for your plants. They don’t need to put extra energy (which they need water for) into producing seeds.

DROUGHT TOLERANT VEGETABLE VARIETIES Drought resistant vegetables are often those with short days to maturity. Other options include the miniature varieties, bell peppers and eggplant for example. They need less water for fruit development than their larger cousins. The following is a list, albeit not complete, of types of drought resistant veggies: • Sweet potato • Beetroot • Carrot • Sugar Baby watermelon • Eggplant (brinjal) • Mustard greens • Peppers Growing healthy drought resistant vegetables will require a strict adherence to a water schedule when plants are young and un-established. They also need a good layer of moisture retentive mulch, protection from drying winds, soil amended with organic matter to feed the plants and, for some plants, shade cloth to lessen the effects of the sweltering sun. Waterwise gardening has always been of great importance to Montana. Friendly staff will be able to advise which plants would be most suitable for the different areas in your garden. Every drop we waste or save is very important in these desperate times. Find and Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our specials, gardening and waterwise tips.

SAVE WATER IN THE HOUSE AND USE IN THE GARDEN • Water used to cook veggies – don’t throw it down the drain – put in a bucket and use it to water your plants, likewise water used when rinsing fruits etc. • Use eco friendly soaps and then investigate how you can save “greywater” and put your household bath and washing/dishwashing machine water into to your garden. SIMPLE SOLUTIONS IN THE HOME • Don’t flush the toilet after each use. • Turn off the shower for the minute or two whilst shampooing hair, shaving or washing with soap. • Make sure you have no dripping taps anywhere!

MONTANA

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grow! ready, set

Children are natural gardeners. When working in a garden, a child can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time, while observing the cycle of life firsthand.

ardens are magical, fun, and always full of surprises. There is a natural magnetic attraction between children and the earth, whether it’s making mud or discovering a germinating seed emerge from the earth. Gardening with children, from toddlers to adolescents, opens new windows in a world dominated by technology. Gardening gives children a chance to learn an important life skill, one that is overlooked in standard school curriculums. Gardening is also a great way to teach environmental awareness by exploring the workings of nature. Although there are many crops suitable for the young gardener, here are our “top 5”, which are relatively easy to grow, have short growing seasons and are fun to harvest. SUNFLOWER A must for a child’s garden. Plant just one or two, since they take up a lot of room. Sunflowers will sprout in 1 week, become a small seedling in 2 weeks, and should be 5cm tall in a month. In 8 weeks, the buds will flower revealing hundreds of seed kernels. Be sure to grow ‘confectionery’ sunflowers, the type grown for food. They will dry naturally in the late summer sun; the seeds, rich in protein and iron, can be roasted for snacks. Save a few for next summers’ planting. CHERRY TOMATOES Gotta have ‘em! This may be the most fun crop for a child, aside from strawberries. Plant in full sun and use seedlings rather than planting from seed. Put in a 2’ stake alongside each seedling; they need to be tied loosely to stakes as they get taller. Add lots of compost. Water at ground level, trying to keep leaves dry. Growing season is 50-75 days. Cherry tomatoes can also be grown in containers.

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CARROTS Seeds can be sown directly into soil; carrots prefer cooler temperatures. They can be slow to germinate, so be patient. Carrots will mature in about 60 days. The soil should be free of rocks and easy for the carrot to grow ‘down’. Keep well-watered and thin to every 3” because crowding will produce foliage but no root. Small varieties are recommended for children, as they’re easier to grow and more fun to eat.

TIPS FOR GARDENING WITH CHILDREN

Give them their own garden beds. Whether you use raised beds, containers or ground plots, be sure to give each child his or her own separate plot. Keep it small, very small for young kids. Put their plots right in the middle of the action, with the best soil and light. Set them up for success. Reuse the sandbox. If your children have grown past their sandbox years, consider converting the old sandbox to a garden bed. This gives the

child continued ‘ownership’ of a familiar space and encourages a sense of responsibility to the gardening project. Of course, a productive garden bed needs to be in good sunlight and soil should be free of tree roots. It may be necessary to relocate the sandbox if growing conditions are less than ideal. Give them serious tools. Cheap plastic child’s gardening tools are worse than no tools at all; they break easily and frustrate the user. It can be hard to locate good tools for kids, especially work gloves that fit a small hand. With some garden tools, like a hoe or spade, you can easily saw the handle shorter. Let them use your tools if need be; in this way you’re acknowledging the importance of the work they’re doing. Engage them through the entire process, from seed to table. Children learn better when they understand the context of their activity. They will learn that gardening can be fun, but far more than idle play; they are contributing to the family’s well-being. Besides planting and nurturing their

garden beds, be sure they alone do the harvesting and preparation of their crop for the table, no matter how modest the offering. Cheat a little. Depending on the age of the child, you may need to help out a little ‘behind the scene’. Not every garden task is pleasant, and the child may not be ready at all times for all chores.You may need to go out in the evening to pick a few slugs off the lettuce, or be the one to run out and move the sprinkler. They don’t have to know about every little help you offer - the child’s ‘ownership’ of the plot is the main thing. Show off their work. When giving ‘garden tours’ to friends, be sure to point out the children’s beds. Take a photo of their harvest and send it to the grandparents. The attention given to their work is the best motivator for children to stay involved with a project. Source: www.eartheasy.com

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How your backyard can save butterﬂies. Butterﬂy conservation is important in South Africa as it plays a important role in pollinating plants and keeping the ecosystem balanced..

outh Africa ’s temperate climate makes it an ideal location to host butterfly exhibits, also known as butterfly houses.

Designed to simulate a tropical rainforest environment, butterfly houses are more than just pretty playgrounds for these dazzlingly colourful, fragile creatures. Besides allowing people to enjoy a fantasy-like experience surrounded by fluttering butterflies, they play a bigger role in butterfly conservation, by educating the public on their uniqueness and importance. South Africa has 671 known species of butterfly, of which the more common are the painted lady (with black and orange wings), the citrus swallowtail (black and cream wings and circular patterns resembling two eyes) and the African monarch (wings with a black and white border infused with two-tone orange). Butterflies in South Africa have life cycles that are closely linked with specific plant and ant species, and many only occur in very small, confined areas. South Africa’s butterflies are also vulnerable.

An African Monarch’s life cycle Scientific name: Danaus chrysippus 94

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Two, possibly even three, species have become extinct, and a further 38 species are listed in the Red Data List, meaning they are threatened with extinction in the near future. Butterfly education is a key part of the butterfly house experience, providing nature lovers with ideal surroundings in which to identify, admire and learn more about both exotic and indigenous butterflies. During warmer weather, the butterflies are more active, but opportunities for upclose sightings improve when conditions are cooler. DID YOU KNOW? A butterfly called the Table Mountain beauty is the only known pollinator of the ‘Pride of Table Mountain’ orchid (Disa uniflora).

Orange-and-black monarch butterﬂies are highly recognizable, but there are fewer of them to spot now than ever before. Why?

As recently as the mid1990s, population peaked at an estimated one billion butterflies. Now that number is less than 50 million, a tremendous decline. The principal factor seems to be the loss of habitat, specifically the loss of milkweed, which is where the butterflies lay their eggs. Herbicides are very effective for food production, but the casualty has been milkweed. It’s catastrophic for an insect like the monarch; the good news is we can rebuild that habitat, even in our own backyards.

Is planting milkweed really that simple?

Yes, it’s as easy as planting some plants. They will grow, and the monarchs will just show up. That’s kind of a miracle. The scale can be a backyard, a schoolyard or a national park. It’s a matter of everybody doing what they can do, and it all makes a difference.

If things don’t turn around, how much longer does the monarch have to live? It’s hard to tell. Species are resilient, but there can be a tipping point, and we don’t know where that is with monarchs. Most scientists believe we could push up the population by creating habitat. Dan Ashe - National Geographic; August 2015

Anatomy of butterﬂy wings

Butterfly wings are made of very thin layers of a hardened protein called chitin. (Your hair and nails are also made out of this protein.) On top of these chitin layers are thousands of tiny scales that serve several purposes, which may vary for different species butterflies. Besides being responsible for the magnificent colour characteristics of butterflies, scales also protect and insulate the insects and aid in the flow of air along their wings as they fly. Scales also may help the butterfly to soak up the heat that flying requires. Since butterflies are cold-blooded, they rely on external sources of heat to bring their core temperature to a high enough level for their bodies to function. Preliminary research shows that even tiny changes in scale thickness can have a big impact on how well the scales absorb heat. Created by TwoRedPens | www.tworedpens.co.za

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