Child - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Enhanced Learning in Distance School and the Syllabis Education’s iWizard

For those parents out there who’s children are already distance learning, or those of you that are considering distance learning as an answer for your child’s educational needs, we are sharing some insight about the amazing value-added products and platforms that we offer. We can’t deny that homeschooling requires a certain level of independence and initiative from the students to tackle their academic responsibilities. We have found that some students struggle to engage with their academics and often become distracted from their academics or simply want to learn more still. Other learners might have certain learning areas where they have problems understanding core concepts, while others are willing to go the extra mile and gain an extensive understanding of a topic or core learning area. Solving these issues was an incentive to create a new technology enhancement, and this is where the Syllabis iWizard was born. Is it abnormal for my child to get distracted easily? Not at all! In general, most students find some academic areas boring and see it as something they are being forced to do, and with so many distractions being made readily available all around them (laptops, phones, TV’s, video games, etc…) who can blame them for being easily distracted. Do students want to learn more? Many students enjoy all the subjects offered in their grade, but most students start to develop a learning preference for certain subjects, such as accounting or business studies for aspiring entrepreneurs, or science and mathematics for the sciences. Others love art or sports. Those students who want to go the extra mile and excel in a learning area, often have difficulty finding applicable resources. That’s another reason we developer the iWizard, for each augmentation lesson available, there is an extended lesson, which greatly enhances the understanding of the topic to the student. They become Masters. How does Syllabis plan on solving the above-mentioned problem? For 2022, Syllabis Launched its iWizard in December 2021. Our iWizard takes the vast resources made available to us by the internet and packages them into fun, interactive, lesson-sized educational lessons. The iWizard is universally applicable to all students. Students who are struggling on a certain topic, students who have found interest in a certain topic, students who want to further their comprehension on certain topics, and even students who want to further their knowledge on topics that are not part of their curriculum (such as the Syllabis iWellness program) will fall in love with the Syllabis iWizard and its many features. How has Syllabis developed the iWizard? We wanted to develop this educational tool to achieve a few outcomes: To develop an innovative educational tool. To allow the creation of quality educational content as an added feature as part of our core offering. To take full advantage of the internet and its endless number of educational resources. The internet is the most powerful educational resource ever known to man, but this resource is extremely unstructured and unfiltered. The Syllabis iWizard is the solution to the above problem as it allows us to create meaningful, interactive educational resources, saving you the trouble of scrolling through endless web pages just to find the same information. Where can you access the Syllabis iWizard? The Syllabis iWizard will be offered as a free educational resource to all Syllabis students who are studying under the Buffalo or Lion package. The iWizard will help these students test their academic progress with the help of built-in quizzes and further their comprehension on topics they might be struggling with or topics that they may simply be interested in and would like to further their knowledge on. How does the Syllabis iWizard help our students? Step by step lesson plans that helps guide the students through the lessons. Built-in quizzes that test your child(ren)’s comprehension of the relevant lesson. Lessons structured per grade and per subject. Educational videos embedded into the lessons. Instructions that guide the student along every step of the lesson. Makes sure your child(ren) stays on track with his/her academics. The lessons are interactive and make sure that your child(ren) stays engaged in his/her academics. Lessons that go beyond traditional education and incorporate life skills. Our iWellness lessons are a perfect example of this. iWIZARD The instructional model is based on thorough research into students’ needs when using the internet as a learning tool, especially from home. The Pre-Quiz provides a measurement stick against which you’re learning during the online lesson can be analysed. Lessons and Quizzes can be done over and over. Students move page by page through several quality, interactive web resources within our learning browser. Students measure their learning progress by partaking in a post quiz. Results are sent electronically to parents and the Syllabis learning team. Most lessons are accompanied by extended learning content as well as excellent project ideas for learners. When do I use Syllabis iWizard? When I have a problem with a topic and need reinforcement. As extra lessons in general for reinforcement. For revision before tests and exams. As part of my tutoring. For non-students of Syllabis, enquire today about adding the iWizard to your set of learning tools. Once again, Syllabis Education has led the way in educational innovation, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with our students in 2022!

December 20, 2021

THE JOY OF SCHOOLING FROM HOME

As we reflect on this academic period, we are delighted with the amazing successes of children who are learning from home. While there has been significant frustration with school systems around the world, where schools were opened and closed, curricula were reduced, tests and examinations were adapted, school was online and offline, and mask wearing, social distancing and sanitising was enforced, children who are learning from home have continued their education as normal. And they have flourished. They have excelled academically. Some have accelerated significantly on their academic pathway. Their creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills have developed, and their research and technological skills have been enhanced. They have become more confident and motivated. It gives me joy to see children playing, socialising, finding new interests and trying new sports. There is no anxiety, as they are not being pressurised to perform in a system which does not value each child’s unique character, interests, and abilities. I delight in seeing children playing with their pets and spending quality time with their families. I hear the calm in parents’ voices as their children take responsibility for their learning and they see their improved development. THINKING ABOUT SCHOOLING FROM HOME? At this time, you might be reflecting on your child’s schooling, and, like many other parents, you might be considering the best way forward for your child. I would like to encourage you to consider embarking on the exciting journey of schooling from home. It might look daunting, but with guidance and support, it is a lot easier than you think. There are many options available to support parents and children to learn from home. Take the time to carefully consider your child’s interests, passions, talents, and ambitions, and, also consider your family situation, so that you can find the best solution for your child. It is important to thoroughly research the many methodologies and curricula before you decide on an educational solution. In my experience and with the research I have done in education and development, I have found Cambridge International qualifications to be an excellent option for students to obtain a matric and to have the choice of further study. CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is part of the University of Cambridge and provides international education qualifications for children worldwide. Reasons to obtain a Cambridge International qualification Internationally recognised Cambridge International qualifications are accepted by South African and international universities and by employers across the world and are recognised to prepare and equip students with the skills they need to succeed at university and beyond. Develops attributes for future success Learners develop a deep understanding of their subject and learn to apply their knowledge. They develop the ability to solve problems creatively, to think for themselves and to do their own research and to communicate what they have learned. Students are encouraged to be confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged. Challenging and inspiring Students are challenged to develop their potential and are encouraged to utilise their strengths and to pursue their interests. They learn in depth and develop higher order thinking skills. The approach encourages students to draw on local context and culture so that their learning is relevant. Prepares students for life Students develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. They develop thinking and learning skills which prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow’s world and to shape a better future world. Matric and university exemption with Cambridge International qualifications The Cambridge AS Level qualification is a matric qualification that is internationally recognized as one of the best in the world. The incredible resources and methodical delivery of the curricula ensure that your child is getting the best education available. For matriculants, Cambridge offers an international qualification that is a less stressful option than the South African National Senior Certificate. Instead of writing all exams in one sitting, Cambridge offers IGCSE and AS Level exams (Grade 11 and 12) over different sittings. Your child could write some subjects in November, others the following June and still have a third opportunity to write subjects the following November. Fewer subjects are required and there is a range of subject choices and qualification combinations. In addition, once your child has written and passed a subject, the certificate is issued by Cambridge Assessment International Education (UK) and your child will not need to write the subject again, unless they choose to. This means they can concentrate on their remaining subjects. There is no age limit to write subjects with Cambridge International. Why our children and parents love the Cambridge way “It is organised.” “We know what to expect. When we start, we know what is in the syllabus, which textbooks to use and what the exams look like. It is easy to find past papers and answers, so we can do as many past papers as we need, to practice for exams.” “We can set our own pace, work when we like, and do as much work as we need to. We don’t have to sit in a class all day and wait for everyone to catch up. We don’t need to listen to a teacher reading from the textbook.” “It is a lot less stressful.” “It is a much better way to learn than school.” “Exam marking is unbiased.” GLOBAL VILLAGE COLLEGE The delivery of the Cambridge curriculum by Global Village College is a complete educational solution for students and parents to school from home. Global Village College provides it all at your fingertips 24 hours a day. We introduce your child to the Cambridge curriculum so that the transition from other curricula is seamless. We offer Academic Pathway consultations to help your child choose subjects for IGCSE and AS Levels and to plan their pathway to write exams. We provide course material and subject specialist tutoring. We have a variety of options and can recommend the one that best suits your child and your involvement as a parent.

December 17, 2021

PLAY IT SAFE THESE HOLIDAYS

It’s the long school holiday season again, a time when we enjoy long days with family and friends and listen to squeals of delight as our children run around and enjoy the warm weather. It is also a time which brings a harvest of injuries to our children. “Bored children are more likely to investigate new ‘risky’ objects and areas. Children like to explore ‘new territory’, therefore this holiday season we encourage all parents and caregivers to actively supervise their children and be extra be vigilant”, Thilda Nel, Executive Director, ChildSafe. To help ensure your children have fun and stay safe this holiday, here are a few tips from ChildSafe to remember. Be a mindful driver Always keep within the speed limit Keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially now with children home and playing outside Check that there are no children playing around your car before you drive off Remember that children are safer in the back seat Check Your Child’s Car Seat Before Holiday Travel Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat. Also ensure that all passengers are buckled up, even for short trips. Use Booster Seats Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have graduated from booster seats, they should remain in the back seat (firmly buckled up) until they reach the age of 12. At the Beach and Swimming Pools Never leave children unsupervised near or around water. Actively keep an eye on your child near water, even if they can swim or wear safety gear Stay close to your child near water, in case they will need help Restrict children’s access to pools; use a fence with a locking gate On the beach always have children swim where there is a lifeguard Even good swimmers can be swept out to sea by currents. Check warning signs near water before entering the water Consumption of alcohol Parents and caregivers to be responsible when consuming alcohol because numerous injuries to children occur when caregivers are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol consumption impairs self-control and adequate supervision of children cannot take place. Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. Most traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, therefore, please use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a party. Preventing burns Kids love to reach, so to prevent burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge. Do not hold small children while drinking hot beverages. Always start with cold water first when running a bath and remember to test the temperature with your elbow and never leave a child unattended to in the bathroom. Put our braai fires with cold water and not sand. Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach Keep holiday candles at least 30cm away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys. Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes berries, plants and mushrooms. In a poison emergency, call the Poisons Information Helpline – 0861 555 777. Find the Perfect Toy for the Right Age Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right. Before you’ve settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards. Keep Button Batteries Away from Young Kids Keep a special eye on small pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings. Don’t Forget a Helmet for New Bikes or Other Toys If your child’s heart is set on a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they’re having fun. Decorate Your Tree With Your children in Mind Children are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young children. Check the Lights Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Keep yourself and your children entertained, keep them safe, and have a happy, enjoyable summer holiday! In case of an emergency call 10177 or 112.

December 15, 2021

Family Games – Bringing families together

December is family time, we travel, we gather (safely) and spend time together. Togetherness extends beyond visiting, cooking and sharing a meal however. Often these get togethers over the festive period means families are gathering but not experiencing togetherness. Often the generational gap is what’s keeping families from experiencing togetherness. Youngsters find themselves under the adults’ feet, teenagers are only interested in their phones, and the adults try their best to ensure the visit goes according to plan. A family together, yet still apart. Just like a meal brings a family together around a table, so to can the right board game assist families in bridging the generational gap and offer common ground during which the entire family can truly bond. We aren’t however asking you to pull out the 20-year-old monstrosity with missing pieces from the top shelf of the cupboard that mostly stores junk. A brand-new generation of games exist that is suitable and exciting for the entire family! Allow us to take you an a journey of games that will bring your entire family together this festive season! Are you speedy? Nimble with fingers? Drone Home is like the old school hungry hippos, but with a real flying drone! Race to launch your aliens down the ramps and land inside the drone! Watch out — there’s a delay once you make it in, so others can knock you out! If you stay in just long enough your alien escapes when the drone lifts off, you’re one step closer to winning! Get rid of all your aliens first to win! In Pencil Nose, can YOU draw a rose with YOUR nose? Think you’ve got a nose for drawing? In this hilarious party game, players use their sniffers to sketch objects and then hope their teammates can correctly guess what they’re drawing before time runs out! Simply pick a card and then, using the special Pencil Nose glasses, try to draw the object onto the screen – using only your nose! It should be easy to name 3 South African foods starting with “B” – but can you do it under the pressure of 5 seconds twisting down, and with the other players staring at you, waiting for you to get flustered? In 5 Second Rule South Africa time is not on your side, so just say what comes to mind and risk ridiculous answers slipping out as time twirls down on the unique twisted timer. It’s all in good fun with this fast-paced game where you have to “Just Spit It Out!” Pass the Bomb! The explosive word game that will blow your mind! Players nerves are tested to the limit by the threat of the ticking bomb. A card is drawn bearing two or more letters, while the variable length fuse (10 secs to 1 min) is set, and the ticking bomb is passed to the first player. In turn players must shout out a word that contains the letters on the card and pass on the bomb before it goes off! Qwirkle is the ultimate combination of set collection and pattern matching suitable for the entire family. There’s no reading required, just shape and colour recognition. This easy to learn, very simply highly strategic game is perfect to hone the tactical manoeuvres, forward-thinking and planning. Play by building lines of matching tiles based on either colour or shape and score points for doing so. Mix, match, and win! Drones, pictures, words or tiles, these games with simple gameplay and rules are still challenging enough to keep older player thoroughly entertained and engaged. The festive season is meant to bring families together and a game like one of the above is a fantastic way to build real family bonds and a sense of connection and togetherness. May a board game bring happiness home this festive season. Find these games and more at Takealot.com, Toy Kingdom, Hamleys and C.N.A.

December 14, 2021

Child kidnapping prevention tips for all ages

News headlines across the country were dominated recently by the kidnapping of four young boys from Polokwane. They were thankfully returned with their family a few days ago, but available crime statistics seem to indicate there is a growing trend of kidnappings across our country and many of these never make the front pages. The figure for reported kidnappings in 2010/2011 was 2,839 and the upward trajectory of this particular crime by 133% by 2019/2020 places South Africa at risk of being placed on a “consolidated watch list” of countries viewed as kidnapping hotspots. According to Missing Children South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours in our country. “Parents need to empower their children, teenagers, and varsity-going young adults with all the information necessary to prevent kidnappings,” says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Communications and Marketing at Fidelity ADT. She says there are several tips for parents and family members to consider, and it starts with these safety tips to teach your kids: Children must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. Stick to streets they know and never take shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots and never walk with cell phones and iPads in full view. If they get picked up at school, they should never leave the premises but always wait inside the school grounds for their lift to arrive. Younger children particularly must never get into a stranger’s car– even if the stranger claims that someone they love is hurt and that they have been sent to pick them up. Remind them that you would never send someone they don’t know to fetch them. Consider using a password system. If the person coming to collect you from school cannot repeat the password that you and your child agreed on, they should not get into the car but immediately ask for help. If a stranger approaches your child, they should not talk to them no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab them, they need to fight, kick and shout. If your child does encounter any suspicious activity, encourage them to get a good look and memorise their physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are in. Listen for any names or other details that might help identify them later. Make sure your children memorise their full names, address, and phone number. Using a play phone, teach them when and how to dial 10111. If they are older they should have some emergency numbers programmed into their phone or consider having a safety App on their phone. Hattingh says there are also tips for older children, such as those of varsity age: Older children should be reminded to keep their valuables out of sight at all times and not to use headphones because this will dampen their ability to sense their surroundings. The more you cut your senses off the easier it is for someone to take you by surprise. Stay alert! Alter their route: If they are walking home or to public transport, they need to alter their route. Even if it takes longer, always use a route that is well lit and populated with houses and other walkers instead of taking shortcuts through less-friendly areas. If you feel threatened, you can at least knock on someone’s door for help if you’re walking through a familiar neighbourhood. If you are using a taxi service, ensure that it is a bona fide service provider. Be extra cautious to go and meet anyone who befriends you on social media. Always meet in a public space with two or three friends as backup. Be cautious to be lured by people offering you a job or modelling contract. Remember safety in numbers. “When it comes to kidnapping, the more knowledge both the parent and child have, the better their chances of identifying kidnappers and preventing the unthinkable from happening. As parents, we don’t want our children to live in fear. Still, we live in a world where bad things happen,” says Hattingh.

December 10, 2021

SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR CHANGING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

As our kids enter their school-going years their growth is steady, but slower and somewhat less dramatic when compared to the rapid baby-toddler-to-little-person transformation. It’s an interesting time nutritionally as school-going children tend to be more open to trying different foods and are developing their foodie likes and dislikes. They are more able and adept at learning about different foods and their nutritional impact, so you can really start communicating with them about the importance of food and healthy eating. Many of our lifelong dietary habits are rooted in this young life-stage. According to Zelda Ackerman, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for ADSA (The Association for Dietetics in South Africa) the primary school-going age is an ideal time for parents to help set our children up for a lifetime of healthy eating. She says, “What happens around food in both the home and school is really important not just to ensure optimal nutrition for growing bodies, but to educate our children about how important daily food choices are to our overall health and our abilities to perform well in life. For instance, balanced nutrition is vital for developing strong bones, teeth and muscles, as well as supporting our immune system to prevent disease. However, it impacts too on our abilities to focus and learn in the classroom, and to achieve in sports and other physical activities.” Physical growth demands energy, and children’s energy needs are high. According to another ADSA spokesperson, Vanessa Clarke, also a Registered Dietitian, “These energy needs increase as children get older and are influenced greatly by a child’s level of exercise. As children move through the various school levels, their energy demands will increase which means they need more carbohydrates, protein and fat to support necessary bodily functions and their growth. Children may also require increasing amounts of certain vitamins and minerals as they get older. Some children going through adolescence who are physically active each day may require more energy in the form of calories than even an adult female or male. It’s also important to remember that children continue to grow and develop well beyond their tweens and during their teenage years into young adulthood.” During your child’s school-going years, it’s essential to get a good start to the day in the form of a sufficient balanced breakfast, even if it is a breakfast on the go. A balanced breakfast means that the meal includes high-fibre carbohydrates (wholewheat toast, oats, granola), protein (eggs, cheese, yoghurt) and fat (avocado, nut butters, olive oil), as well as vitamins and minerals (fruit and/or veg). This sets them off to school with a powered up brain and energy to spend. It’s typical for school-going children to need to eat four to five times a day – their snacks are really important, so don’t skip or skimp on their lunchboxes. What is an optimal school lunchbox? Depending on their school age and their after-school activities, your child’s lunchbox may be their snack or their midday meal. For older children participating in late afternoon after school activities, their lunchbox may need to contain their morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. You need to adjust the quantities based on the day’s schedule and your child’s level of physical activity. In order to ensure the lunchbox is optimal nutritionally, always strive for a balanced snack or a balanced meal containing all the essential nutrients. Focus on home-prepared wholefoods rather highly processed snack foods. Vanessa offers this suggestion: Include high-fibre carbohydrates such as wholewheat bread, wholewheat wrap or high fibre crackers such as Provitas. Choosing a high fibre option ensures they stay fuller for longer, and have a more sustained level of energy Add a fruit like an apple, naartjie, banana or nectarine Pop in a portion of vegetables such as sweet pepper strips, cucumber wedges or carrot sticks Include a protein portion by making a chicken mayo sandwich with the high-fibre bread, or add chicken drumsticks, meatballs, biltong or cheese Make sure they have their freshly filled up water bottle to meet their fluid needs. You can add a sprig of mint, a lemon slice or a few blueberries if they prefer flavoured water. Avoid any sugar-sweetened beverages that contribute towards obesity and tooth decay If your child will be having a longer school day, add extra portions of fruit and veg and raw nuts, and consider including a yoghurt or smoothie. Older children participating in sports may also need an extra wholewheat sandwich and additional lean protein portions to help preserve lean muscle mass. Dealing with the challenges of food at school School tuck shops can be a source of food for your children, but parents need to be aware of what kinds of foods and drinks are on offer. There are many convenience and snack foods that, although marketed to children, are nutrient-poor and contribute to rising childhood obesity. School tuck shops that do not have well-informed, dietitian-led healthy eating policies often offer these types of foods because they are popular with children and drive profits. Zelda says, “Parents need to stand together and approach school governing bodies to raise their concerns about unhealthy food being offered at school. Of course, children like sweets, chocolates, crisps and sugary drinks – and if they are on offer, that’s what they will choose. School tuck shops need to be committed to only offering healthy food, snack and drink options. A registered dietitian can help parents with a list of healthy tuck shop food and drink options.” Under-resourced South African schools also face school food challenges with many parents concerned about the nutritional quality of the school’s nutrition programme. Zelda says, “Sometimes, there are problems around the inadequate supply of food to address child hunger, but a persistent issue is the lack of fresh vegetables and fruit. Here, parents can help to motivate or get involved in the establishment of school food gardens to supplement school meals. Many nutritious vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, tomatoes, beans and butternuts are easily grown by beginner gardeners. Schools

December 9, 2021

Boston Online Home Education to extend its academic support and services

Boston Online Home Education, a registered Cambridge International Associate, is your home education partner. We create credible online pathways for parents/guardians of home educated learners toward the attainment of school-leaving alternatives that are internationally recognised for entry into leading local and global universities. As a pioneer in private higher education specialising in online and distance learning over the past 30 years, the Boston group realises the challenges faced by parents who select to home school their children. As a result Boston is extending its educational expertise to support parents and learners via Boston Online Home Education. Our mission is to create new opportunities for home education parents and learners to choose an aspirational online learning experience by offering support to the Cambridge International single subject, i.e. International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Supplementary (AS) Levels, or group awards, i.e. International Certificate of Education (ICE) and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE). The Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE) is for learners turning 14 in the first year of registration and who have achieved either a Grade 8. And the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) stream is for learners turning 16 in the first registration year and who have achieved either a Grade 9 or 10 or the ICE. Learners also have the option to register for Cambridge examinations in respect of individual Cambridge subjects to supplement their existing studies especially for those learners who wish to enter into high stakes faculties such as medicine or engineering after school. Parents of a learner without a grade 9 are required to register their child as a home-school learner with the Provincial Department of Education in the province in which they reside. “Being a registered Cambridge Associate brings huge advantages to parents and their children. The educators at Boston continually work with the academic and assessment guidelines, which are only made available by Cambridge to registered Cambridge associates and Cambridge schools. This means we have access to the Cambridge curriculum statements which ensure that the support is directed towards the guidelines specified by Cambridge. These guidelines also direct the “how” of the assessment methodology for each topic, thereby ensuring that learners will be well prepared for their exams. It is therefore critical for parents to ensure that they are getting support from a credible source such as a registered Cambridge Associate” says Katz. Amongst the challenges faced by parents is ensuring that their children have access to quality content and assessments whilst being able to monitor this progress. As a result Boston have developed a comprehensive offering of recorded lessons, summaries, e-books and assessments with triggers being sent to the parent so that the parent is able to monitor the progress of the child throughout the learning journey and track performance. The parent has a specific log in feature to participate in the learning journey. Forums and discussion groups between peers and educators are also integral support mechanisms with access to experience educators to solve problems is fundamental. Through strategically designed learning material, learners have the benefit of honing higher order skills of comprehension, understanding and application. Expert tutors are on standby to ensure personal attention to guide and assist each learner. Learners also have the advantage to study at their own pace, whilst the use of online technology assists with diagnostics pinpointing what a learner knows and where there are gaps as opposed to getting lost in the classroom because a learner might feel uncomfortable to ask question. Learners also have access to teachers who provide personal guidance and support. Learner progress is also monitored through a range of formal and informal assessments, facilitating detailed feedback to parents and learners, enabling relevant academic intervention throughout the learning process. ”We are not a private or independent school, as we do not enrol learners in any grades or have physical school grounds. We also do not set any curricula, exit exams or issue awards – this is done solely by Cambridge International, and you need to register for this separately. We can however assist you by facilitating this separate registration process”. “We do not replace your legal responsibilities and duties as a parent or guardian of the home education learner. Our focus is about providing support to parents and learners in the home school journey”. Boston encourages social interaction through multiple opportunities to work and interact online in groups with other learners. In this way, learners are able to enjoy a local and global social infrastructure. Boston enhances this further through the many extra curricula activities such as digital music production, journalism club, public speaking and even an online chess tournament. “We aim to assist parents so that their children develop skills and future readiness through a holistic support program of academic excellence, offering learners the opportunity to enjoy an alternative to high school while preparing them for a successful and fulling future”.

December 8, 2021

Travel Games – Entertainment on the go

School holidays have started, what do you do? You’ve planned a picnic in a park, or you’re headed to the coast? You go for a game drive or camp in the back yard, you’re going to have an adventure! You should also make sure you pack a few almost pocket-sized travel games that will keep your family entertained! Yes, the whole family, from ages 4 to 108! No matter the adventure, there will always be an opportunity for boredom the creep in. Let us show you a few games so fun and compact that you can take them on any adventure and make every second fun! Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, yes, a mouthful, but the name is how you play the game! Reveal a card and say the next word in the title. If what you say match the card you play, you rush to put your hand down first on top of the card stack. The last person to put their hand on the card stack takes all the cards! If the word you say don’t match the card you play, then continue to play. The first player to lose all their cards, wins! Yogi is a game that will have you and your family twisting and turning (and laughing, of course!) Each turn you draw a card with a simple instruction, such as putting the card on top of your head or your finger on your nose. You need to be skilful, you need to be creative, and you need balance to become the Yogi master as each turn you continue to add more cards to your balancing act! Don’t let the fishy exterior of Happy Salmon fool you!This easy-to-learn card game is packed with high-fivin’, fin-flappin’ foolishness. With mini celebrations built into the gameplay. This game is great for young and old as there’s no need to read complex cards and all players play at the same time. Players call out the action shown on their cards as fast as they can. When two players have a match, they celebrate by performing the action: the classic “High 5”, the unifying “Pound It”, the frantic “Switcheroo”, and the delightful “Happy Salmon”. Each time a player celebrates a match, they quickly discard that card. The first person to get rid of all their cards wins. Explore your wild side with Jungle Speed! Each player tries to grab the Totem first when the symbol on their card matches somebody else’s. Jungle Speed is an explosive game of dexterity and pattern matching. Jungle Speed is easy to transport in its own travel bag, for quick on-the-go games! Can you Spot It? No matter the card there is always a matching symbol. But it’s not as easy as it sounds as the position and size of the symbols varies from card to card! There are 5 ways of playing, no matter the game, you always need to be the fastest to spot the matching symbol between two cards, name it out loud and then take the card, place it or discard it depending on the rules of the mini game you’re currently playing. Kids and adults go bananas for Bananagrams, the anagram game that drives you bananas. You’ll have a bunch of fun as you make crossword grids in a race to the finish first. And with everything you need to play included in the banana pouch, its go-anywhere fun for everyone. This banana pouch holds pieces enough for 8 players! If you like letter and word games, you and the entire family will love Bananagrams. Anyone who says maths isn’t fun has never played Mobi! This is speed equations to get your mind working! Each player builds their own continuous crossword equation. When a player has one blue tile left to place, that player says “FLIP” and ALL PLAYERS pick THREE more tiles from the centre. Keep this up until the blue tiles run out. The first player to connect all their blue tile’s shouts “MÖBI” and is the winner! The game plays the same way as Bananagrams and comes in a compact blue whale pouch for added convenience! These compact games are addictive fun that you can take anywhere! Simple enough for young players, yet engaging enough for older players to enjoy, parents will find themselves still playing long after the youngsters has been tucked into bed. Make sure every second of your holiday is action packed with these awesome ‘take anywhere’ games! Find these games and more at Takealot.com, Toy Kingdom and Hamleys.

December 7, 2021

What NOT to ask Santa for this Christmas: The most abandoned toys in South Africa

Every parent knows the frustration of buying their child a toy that they’ve been nagging about for ages, only for them to abandon it within a few days. Thankfully, according to Gumtree Marketing Manager Estelle Nagel, the local online marketplace can easily spot which toys didn’t live up to the hype by analysing the listings on its site. “Parents start listing abandoned toys around 28 December. So, by the end of the first week in January, a spike in our listings tells us which toys kids weren’t as excited about over the holiday season,” says Nagel. Gumtree’s analysis of toy listings shows that these are the most commonly abandoned children’s items between 2018 and 2021: · Hatchimals These adorable animals remain a surprise until they noisily hatch from their eggs. But, unfortunately, that’s usually where the excitement begins and ends. Although Hatchimals cost anything from R800 to R1000 per toy, hatched Hatchimals are often resold for between R250 and R500. · Build-A-Bear Similar to Hatchimals, Build-A-Bear is a fun experience that allows children to make their very own soft toys and custom teddy bears. These toys range in price from R250 to R1000 depending on the accessories and toy type. “To cut costs, take your little one to assemble their stuffed bear and buy your accessories second-hand on Gumtree. You can pick up wardrobes full of shoes, sunglasses, and clothes for bears for a tenth of the price.” · Hoverboards Hoverboards were all the craze in 2018, but frustrated parents started listing their hoverboards by 25 December in 2020. “Last year, we had dozens of hoverboards listed by Boxing Day for half price,” says Nagel. “The cause is unknown, but reports of injuries and accidents might be behind the steep abandonment rates.” · LEGO LEGO is incredibly popular, but pieces invariably go missing once assembled, and the novelty wears off. “The good news is that you can often buy second-hand LEGO in bulk as incomplete sets – leaving your little ones free to use their imagination to assemble their very own LEGO world.” · Battery-powered cars Car enthusiast parents will often shell out thousands for mini Ferraris and BMWs for their kids, but they usually end up for sale soon after. “The batteries in these toys need to be replaced quite often, which usually leads to kids losing interest in these cars or simply outgrowing them.” Nagel says kids outgrow toys quickly. So, before committing to a big-ticket item, parents should shop second-hand. “You can teach kids healthy money habits by having your child sell their old toys to buy new ones. Also, make a point of donating or repairing old toys rather than throwing them out.”

December 6, 2021

Summer Fun – The joys of playing outdoors

Kids today are focused on electronics, some still have zoom classes, have homework on devices and some enjoy being in front of the television. Spending time off screen, being ‘unplugged’ adds definite value to children and adults alike. Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors and away from technology aids their physical well-being, and helps them improve their emotional and intellectual health, too. Beat the Heat! In summer there is nothing better than a day by the pool. The entire family gets to relax, unwind and cool down from the summer heat. Children seem to be in their element around water with laughter and fun filling the air! Now add an additional layer of fun with some funky pool inflatables! No swimming pool? No problem! You can still beat the heat with a wide variety of sprinkler toys! All you need is a small patch of grass and a garden hose, and you are ready for some serious fun! No access to a pool or no outdoor garden space? No excuse! – Bring a sense of outdoor fun come indoors with a bubble maker. Watch the little-one’s imagination takes flight as they run, jump and pop bubble all day long. Kickstart Some Fun! As children grow, they gain an ever-expanding sense of independence. The ability to operate their own vehicle and in their pretend play ‘travel’ wherever their imaginations can take them will help your child grow in confidence and nurture their independence. Plus, when you do it in style in your dinosaur ride on car or on your funky LED light up scooter then you can be confident of hours of fun filled travels! Ride in Style! Driving down the highway in a sports car or driving around their very own farm doesn’t have to be just pretend. Spark your childs’ imagination with a mini version of their favourite vehicle! Just sit back and enjoy the look of pure joy on their face as your child zips down the driveway in their own little Audi or ‘farm the yard’ as they cross the lawn in their very own tractor. Hours of outdoor fun is guaranteed! We suggest trying what works for you and your family, no one is the same and everyone enjoys something different, though each item has its’ own merits. Spending time laughing, in the sun, in the pool, running or zooming around is the perfect way to help children grow, thrive and become happier people. Find these great outdoor toys at Takealot.com

December 3, 2021

Leading Local, Going Global… Why Syllabis Education is the best solution for your child

Home-schooling is a progressive movement around the world, in which learners are educated at home instead of in traditional public or private schools where methods have hardly changed in over a century. To give you an idea; in only 2020 was the ‘Chalkboard’ replaced by a ‘Smartboard’ in a few privileged schools only 2021– the ‘Classroom Teacher’ is replaced by an ‘Online Teacher’ using the same old methods which are of little consequence to today’s learners. In 2022 Syllabis Learning is now leading the way to change this. Researchers worldwide, forecast that home-schooling will balloon over the next decade as families discover that there are vastly better alternatives to public or private schooling such as homeschooling and more importantly as far as we are concerned, independent learning. The core idea of home-schooling/ independent learning is the idea that children need to learn at the speed, and in the style, most appropriate for them. Families have voiced many reasons for moving away from traditional schooling which has now all been super-ceded by the COVID worldwide pandemic. This unfortunately may be with us for quite some time. At Syllabis Education We have some amazing developments that we would love to share with you, our valued parents, learners, and potential learners. We have just launched our new WEBSITE and we will be making our unique and super-enhanced products and breakthrough tools available to our home school families, worldwide as of 2022. How our new global distance school works: We offer a 3-tiered product approach to distance school, with each offering customizable to your unique needs. You are free to upgrade or downgrade at your discretion, which means you are not locked into any one package. Introducing the Syllabis Education Big 3: The Elephant Strong and peaceful with a great memory, a good concentrator, and a force to be reckoned with – This package includes our basic offering, with great value-added products and features. Fantastic for those starting on this journey. The Buffalo Strong and Feisty, always looking for an edge, the great rememberer, whether alone or in a herd, this package includes our enhanced offering, and many great value-added services, products, and features. By far the best value for money in comparison to our competitors. Enhanced offering includes Orientation week, extended progress reporting, call-in help with curriculum planning, study skills course, access to iClass online lessons (2 hours per week), and formal academic feedback to parents. The Lion On the Hunt, Protective, Happy in groups or alone, the King of the Jungle. This package includes all the bells and whistles (and a few loud ROARS). By far Clearly the best value for money in comparison to our competitors. Enhanced offering includes orientation week, extended progress reporting, call-in help with curriculum planning, study skills course, iWellness, access to iClass (4 hours per week), and formal academic feedback to parents. Our unique curriculum enhancements: PRE-REGISTRATION ASSESSMENTS AND ANALYSIS Free Educational Needs Analysis Online Assessments Online Examination Concession Assessments Educational Analysis Financial Needs Analysis SPECTACULAR CURRICULUM COMPONENTS AND BREAKTHROUGH TOOLS School-on-a-Tablet – (just press the on-button and get started) or download to your own device Syllabis Learner Portal – Learner’s access to our world of learning and prosperity Syllabis E-Workbooks – Tailored to the needs of the student learning at home Syllabis Printed Workbooks Grade R – 3 – Delivered to your home or nearest Postnet (South Africa only) Syllabis Online Study Guides – Provides the learner with month-to-month guidance on how to approach each subject Orientation Pack – Online orientation pack for our Elephant package Orientation Week – Students that enroll with Syllabis Buffalo or Lion packages can participate in various levels of orientation Progress Reporting – Keeps the Parent and Syllabis up to date with the learner’s progress which is optional Extended Progress Reporting – Links the learners up with a tutor who will guide them through a problem area at affordable rates (South Africa only) Online Help – Professional help with Curriculum Planning Call-in Help – Professional help with Curriculum Planning Syllabis iCLASS – Online Group Class with Educators – for our Buffalo and Lion package only Syllabis iWizard – Extra resource for when a learner need additional help Syllabis iWellness – Additional Children’s Wellness and Life Skills Programme Syllabis iMaster English – Online English Literature Support for Grade 10 – 12 (South Africa only) Syllabis iDrive – Driving Lessons offered in the Johannesburg area only until further notice (South Africa only) Formal Academic Feedback to Parents – Online Graphing Calculators – Syllabis Learning 8 Pillars – Comprehensive add-on curriculum for Grade R – 12 Tutoring – In-home or online tutor placements at affordable rates, at the click of a button For more information on our amazing and progressive offering or to register for 2022 contact us today.

December 3, 2021

Boomerang December Highlights DStv (CH302)

Dino Ranch A Step Back in Time Monday, 13/12/2021 Monday to Friday @ 16:20 CAT Have you ever imagined a world where humans and dinosaurs live side by side? What would that look like? Meet the Cassidy family, Bo and Jane Cassidy, their adopted children, Jon, Min, Miguel, and a whole lot of dinosaurs at Dino Ranch. This self-sustained ranch also serves as a dinosaur sanctuary where big (and small) exciting things are bound to happen – like when Jon gets spooked by a campfire story about a legendary dinosaur, he doesn’t want to admit to Miguel and Min that he is afraid, then eventually comes clean and learns that his family is there for him whether he’s scared or not. If you believe in the impossible, then you don’t want to miss the brand-new Dino Ranch series launching on Boomerang this December! Grizzy and the Lemmings Monday, 6/12/2021 Monday to Friday @ 07:25 CAT Welcome to Africa Welcome to Africa Grizzy, the bear, just wants to relax – but those rascally Lemmings have other plans in Grizzy & the Lemmings! Join Grizzy and the most manic tiny animals you’ll ever meet – the Lemmings, as they travel all across the globe to the Mother Continent, Africa. From discovering a magical djembe inside the trunk of a baobab tree to using an elephant’s trunk like a powerful vacuum cleaner, the Lemmings have no interest in letting the big bear get his way. You’ll laugh out loud at the wild antics of these animals as they engage in an endless battle of wits, naps, and the hurling of all sorts of objects. Keep up with all the fun with Grizzy & the Lemmings – on Boomerang! Movie Star Special Monday, 6/12/2021 Monday to Friday @ 07:25 CAT Happy Holidays Happy holidays!… Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way, what do I watch on Boomerang for this year’s summer holiday? The most wonderful time of the year has arrived, and the best family Christmas movies are coming to Boomerang this festive season! So, grab your popcorn and cool drinks, and sit in for a festive holiday movie marathon with your best-loved Boomerang Movie Stars! From everyone’s favourite frenemies, Tom and Jerry’s merry mayhem at the North Pole in the new movie, Tom and Jerry: Santa’s Little Helpers, and the tap-dancing penguins in Happy Feet 1 & 2, to The Ant Bully, Space Jam and Lego Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach Bash, you won’t want to miss out!

December 1, 2021

Water Safety

Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death in children between 5 and 14 years – 30% of all drownings. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk. Drowning is known as “the silent killer” because when drowning occurs, it happens so quickly and one may have less than a minute to react. There can be very little splashing, waving or screaming. A child can drown in as little as 4cm of water and it takes about 90 – 120 seconds submerged for a child to lose consciousness. Irreversible brain damage occurs after 4 to 6 minutes not breathing. ChildSafe reminds parents and caregivers of the following:

November 30, 2021

Snap Ships – Reinforcements have arrived

Welcome to the future… where humanity is under constant attack from a brutal alien threat. The Komplex spreads through the galaxy, growing stronger with each species they defeat and assimilate. To fight them, humanity relies on an elite team, the Forge, who pilots their own armada of spacecraft known as Snap Ships. Now YOU can Build to Battle! Snap Ships is a versatile building system for creating multiple crafts with action play, and all sets and pieces are interchangeable, so kids can build however they want. Versatile building system — Create multiple crafts to build to battle. All sets and pieces are interchangeable, so kids can build however they want. Real shooting weapon play — Fire away for active play against the enemy. Full-colour instructions — Includes easy-to-follow instructions for two different builds to get you started! Use your imagination to build even more! No batteries required — Snap Ships is full of action play, and it’s completely fuelled by kids and imaginations! Reinforcements have arrived! During November 2021 both the Forge and the Komplex will be adding impressive new vehicles to their fleet starting with a fleet of unmanned drones that combine to form a formidable Mech. Bolster your fleet with these exciting new sets and let your imagination take flight with amazing new Snap Ships builds. Are you ready to Build to Battle! Snap Ships is available from Toy Kingdom, Hamleys, C.N.A. Takealot.com, EveryShop and other fine retail stores.

November 29, 2021

Introducing Mega Construx™ Barbie just in time for Christmas

You can be anything when you help 3 Barbie™ micro-dolls at the Animal Grooming Station. Discover the nurturing world of animal care and play as you build the grooming, feeding and examination stations equipped with roleplay accessories like a brush, water bowl, stethoscopes and more. Working at the Animal Grooming Station is fun when you play with adorable animals like a panda, turtle, koala, sloth and baby sloth. Designed for beginners, this building set is easy to build and offers storytelling play with every step of building. Ideal for Wonder Builders, ages 4 and up Building set include 3 Barbie™ micro-dolls, 5 animals including a panda, turtle, koala, sloth and baby sloth, 97 building bricks with special pieces and accessories, and 3 heart-shaped baseplates Play as you build the grooming, feeding and examining stations that include roleplay accessories like stethoscopes, bathing sink, examining table and more Bricks combine with all Barbie™ and Mega Construx™ building sets, and are compatible with other name brands Ideal for ages 4 and up, this building toy provides build-and-play and storytelling experiences to develop creativity and problem-solving skills Mega Construx™ Barbie®Adventure DreamCamper™ Let your imagination take the lead when you hit the open road in the Adventure DreamCamper™. Cruise into an outdoor adventure and play as you build the pink camper filled with all sorts of accessories and surprises. Explore the wilderness and find the perfect spot to set up for a picnic with accessories like a table, chairs, croissants and more. When it’s time to turn in for the night, create a home away from home by removing the top of the camper, transforming it into a campsite with 2 beds where the 2 Barbie™ micro-dolls can fall asleep under the stars. Designed for beginners, this building set is easy to build and offers storytelling play with every step of building. Ideal for Wonder Builders, ages 5 and up Building set includes 2 Barbie™ micro-dolls, 3 animals, 123 building bricks with special pieces and accessories, and 1 heart-shaped baseplate to build on Buildable camper that transforms into a campsite with 2 beds 6 fashion accessories for customization Bricks combine with all Barbie™ and Mega Construx™ building sets, and are compatible with other name brands Ideal for ages 4 and up, this building toy provides build-and-play and storytelling experiences to develop creativity and problem-solving skills Available from Leading Retail outlets!

November 26, 2021

How Homeschool prepares Kids For The Real World

A common concern when it comes to homeschooling is whether kids will be ready to navigate the ‘real world’ when it comes time to enter it. People who are uninformed about homeschooling, as well as people who are interested in homeschool as an educational alternative, and even homeschoolers themselves might wonder how they can ensure their kids are ‘real-world ready after being schooled from home. This is a real and smart question to ask if you are considering homeschooling your child. “Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.” We believe homeschool is great preparation for life as an adult and here are some of the reasons why: They are Independent – Because homeschoolers need to become responsible for their education more than if they were in a traditional school they become able to take over their education more and more. They can decide which topics they want to pursue and which activities they want to engage in. Homeschooling prepares kids to work independently and gives them the ability to make decisions and work toward their own goals. Keep in mind, the evidence consistently shows that qualities employers desire (if the goal is to work for someone else) hardly ever include test scores or the ability to memorize facts, etc. It’s almost always about character, communication skills, and the ability to solve problems–all most easily learned in the real world, where children are free to satisfy their curiosities and find solutions, an amazing trait the Creator gave us all when we were born. Even most highly specialized jobs provide on-the-job training, requiring the capacity for learning, not a specific set of facts already learned (which most students forget anyway). They have a better idea of what they want – Learning from home is so appealing as it provides children with the ability (and time) to explore all of the topics available to them. This is especially true when parents allow the curriculum to be guided by, or at least partially guided by their child’s interests. Homeschool allows for a greater amount of time to be spent on topics that your child is interested in as they can work from anywhere and at any time. Your child can dig deep into the subjects that they find fascinating. In a traditional school, this happens so much later. Homeschool students might be more confident about the direction they would like to take once they graduate from high school. Developed Life Skills – Another amazing thing about homeschool is that since you and your child have more control over your own curriculum you can include subjects and activities that normally would not be offered in traditional schools. For example, you can teach them how to balance a checkbook, how to develop a budget, how to grow a garden, how to change a tire on their car, how to change the oil in their car, and even how to start a business. You could even have a curriculum that includes a specific focus on life skills. So not only does homeschooling offer more flexibility with curriculum, but homeschooling prepares kids for living on their own. They are Highly Socialized – One common misconception is that homeschooled kids across the board lack socialization. This is untrue. Although it does depend a great deal on the parent and child, homeschoolers have a wide variety of opportunities to socialize. Homeschooled kids are not confined to a single classroom in a single building for 5-8 hours a day. Rather than being limited to interactions with children their own age and most often from their own neighborhood, homeschool children can spend part of their day meeting and interact with children and peers of all ages, through extracurricular and sports activities, as well as with adults. This environment is much more similar to “the real world” than a traditional school setting. So in reality, homeschooling prepares kids better for interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds.

November 19, 2021

Creativity meets fun during family game night!

Can you draw a rose with your nose or a trout with you snout? Give your family a whiff of game-night excitement that’s not to be sneezed with Pencil Nose. In Pencil Nose you will attempt just that. In this hilarious family and party game, players don a special set of glasses with a marker for a nose and attempt to sketch out words from a prompt card while their teammates try and correctly guess the word they are sketching. Pencil nose is great for players as young as 8 and stimulates coordination, creativity and communication skills. As a bonus, nothing makes for better family bonding time than. As Pencil nose is also played in teams you can play with large groups of players at a time, each team member taking a turn to try their nose at some sketching. Will your team be the first to score 7 points and win the game? Pencil Nose includes an erasable drawing board, two pairs of pencil nose glasses, erasable marker, eraser, a sand timer and 90 object cards with some uniquely South African objects listed on the cards to make Pencil Nose a truly lekker game! If you have a nose for fun, then Pencil Nose is a must to keep the entire family entertained this festive season. Available from Toy Kingdom, Hamleys, C.N.A. Takealot.com, EveryShop and other fine retail stores.

November 19, 2021

Lift-Off with Drone Home

3… 2… 1… LIFTOFF! With Drone Home, gone are the days of boring family game nights, it’s the only game that literally takes flight! In Drone Home players assumes command of a group of crash-landed aliens needing help to return home. Each player selects their favourite colour aliens and attempts launch them into the transport drone to send them flying home. Sounds simple, well your opponents are trying their best to secure a seat for their aliens and just might kick your pilot out before the drone takes flight! The first player to send all their aliens home is the winner! Suitable for ages 8 and up, Drone Home will keep the whole family entertained for hours on end. With it’s simple addictive gameplay and active play, younger players will stay entertained and develop important fine and visual motor skills. As a finalist for the Toy of the Year Award (TOTY) 2021 you are rest assured that Drone Home isn’t only adored by families but has gained the attention and approval of leading toy authorities across the world. Key Features: Race to the launch pad – Hurry and launch your aliens down your ramp, trying to land in the centre launch pad where the drone awaits! Knock others out of the drone – Another alien landed in the drone? You have mere seconds to propel your aliens to knock them out and prevent the others escape! Lift-off – When an alien lands in the drone, it’s activated and flies up after a small delay! So, if your alien is aboard when it takes off, you’re closer to winning! Closer to winning – The winner is the first player to fly all of their aliens home! Number of Game Players – 2 – 4 Ages – 8 & Up Drone Home is available from Toy Kingdom, Hamleys, C.N.A. Takealot.com, EveryShop and other fine retail stores.

November 11, 2021

Why does reading matter?

Why do we tell children to read? Why do we always tell children that reading is beneficial for them? And is it even true in this digital age? Does reading novels actually help older children in any way? Does reading to younger children have identifiable benefits? And, finally, does reading really matter in any way? Yes – reading is vital, life-changing and stimulating for some very important reasons. Let’s take a look at how reading assists children in their everyday lives, and then look further to see how it can give them an overall fulfilling, rewarding life. Books help children develop vital language skills. In children, reading skills do exist, but they need to be developed. Learning in school, and later on at university requires advanced levels of reading. No reading SKILL equals no advancement in the university of life. Whatever path you want to follow in life, be it academia, sciences or even entrepreneurship and the arts, you need reading skills. And to cope with life as a normal functioning adult, reading skills are of utmost importance for everyday use. People studying futurology have hailed the death of the written word as imminent. However, the exact opposite has happened. With the advent of the internet and the overload of information that we are bombarded with every day, reading a vital skill that everyone wants to acquire as fast as possible. Skimming and searching through copious amounts of information as fast and as accurately as possible is a valued skill. Paperless does not mean without the written word. You can read the same report in many different ways, formats and presentations at the click of a button. A couple of written words today can cause an international uproar in minutes. In order to understand what you read, other skills are also necessary, such as critical thinking, evaluation, anticipation, and moderation. Without these skills, reading would not mean much at all. The more children read, the better they become at reading. Yes, it’s true. If children enjoy what is being read to them, the more interested they will become in doing as much as possible to fine tune and develop their reading skills. This means they will be fully capable adults with access to all information anywhere they choose. It is also important to enjoy the activity of reading. If it takes you out of your life and introduces you to other worlds, thoughts, places, and things, then you are the richer for it. When a child struggles to read, it will continuously be an emotional obstacle. So, it is important to forge a positive attitude towards reading as early as possible. Children who read frequently will develop enquiring minds and become more interested in becoming avid readers themselves. If you read out loud to children, they become familiar with grammatical styles and expression. Through this, they learn to speak better and develop a greater understanding of how to express themselves verbally. Through this they are also able to pick up on empathy as they read stories through the eyes of different characters. They learn to identify similarities and differences between themselves and various characters. The list goes on. Children who read a lot regardless of whether it is newspapers, the internet, books or magazines are exposed to a greater range of new and interesting vocabulary. They do not have to understand the actual word as most times they can work it out from the context of the sentence and next time they see it, they will have learned something without even realising it. Reading aloud also helps children with the pronunciation of words as they link the word on the page to the word that is being spoken – this is true even if they cannot yet sound out the word themselves. Reading is an amazing experience. It can open up a whole new world to children, enhancing their lives with places, things, and descriptions they have never heard of before. Reading also brings a completely new world to a child – whether it is factual, scientific or simply for self-interest. There are so many resources available from which children can read, that if they take to it and realize how useful it can be, then, literally, the world is their oyster – there is no end to what they can read and access. It would be a magical experience for them. Reading will open up a whole new understanding of humanity, and its history from all over the world. And nowhere is it more obvious that we live in a “global village” than when thinking of this in relation to children growing and developing their hungry minds. Aspects such as peaceful coexistence throughout the world and concern for humanity are all by-products of reading. Children will learn these things through the reading of non-fiction books, and other materials that are set in other periods of time, in other countries and cultures. Books bring a real live world into the life of a child. Through their imagination, they can go places and feel things without any consequences. They don’t have to answer to anyone. They can travel with their minds and meet all sorts of unsavory or popular characters who they can revisit, whenever they feel the need, by simply rereading the book. Discovering a sequel or other stories by the same author is even more exciting. Lessons in life skills such as problem-solving, cause and effect as well as conflict resolution and learning about accepting responsibility for your own actions are all explained and contained between the exciting pages of novels. Mystery stories or investigations into plots can all challenge young minds to solve theories – and then feeling terribly pleased when they do it correctly as it unfolds in the book. Furthermore, their confidence is given a great boost. Everybody knows that children copy what they see and hear from the world around them. There are plenty of children’s TV programs that leave much to be desired

November 9, 2021

Keeping kids healthy throughout the year

Parents are often very good about getting their children off to a healthy start at the beginning of the year with medical check-ups and healthier schools lunches but it’s equally important to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the year. So, here are some tips on what you should be doing to maintain your child’s health.

November 8, 2021

25 Years of Pokémon!

For more than 25 years, children all over the world have been discovering the world of Pokémon. It is almost a sure thing that parents have been introduced to the world of Pokémon through their children watching the animated series, bringing home trading cards from school or playing one of the many video games. As the Pokémon franchise is turning 25 years old this year, the chances are good that parents have great memories of Pokémon from their own youth. With 2021 being the 25th Anniversary of the Pokémon brand, it is no wonder that Pokémon is being celebrated worldwide across various platforms. The brand has such an amazing following that celebrities such as Katy Perry and Post Malone even lent a hand in celebrating Pokémon! Besides a long running animated series that has been a staple on South African television channels and more recently streaming channels such as Netflix, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) especially enjoys a strong local following. It’s no surprise as the Pokémon Trading Card Game is beloved by young and old alike. With the generational gap it breaches, it has become a pastime parents enjoy with children. In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, players build decks around their favourite Pokémon and then play against each other to prove who is the best Pokémon Trainer. There are many ways for players to start their Pokémon Trading Card Game journey, but typically younger players will start with the Pokémon Battle Academy, which is a step-by-step guide guiding children and parents alike through the rules. Players can also start out with theme decks – preconstructed decks designed to cover the basics of the game. Once players understand the rules they can augment their card collections with booster packs that provide more cards, letting players develop more diverse decks and unique strategies. With thousands of cards to choose from, the game is never the same twice. It is during November and December when Pokémon’s anniversary celebration will truly reach its peak with the local release of a Trading Card expansion named aptly named Celebrations! The Celebrations expansion offers plenty to be excited about, allowing players the opportunity to stroll down memory lane with classic Pokémon TCG cards. Celebrations will allow players to add a variety of Legendary, Mythical, and other beloved Pokémon to their collections, including Mew, Ho-Oh, Zamazenta, Flying Pikachu, and Surfing Pikachu. The Pokémon TCG: Celebrations expansion includes: 4 Pokémon V and 2 Pokémon VMAX 25 classic Pokémon TCG cards More than 45 cards The Celebration set will contain some sough after items such as the Elite Trainer Kit, the Pikachu Premium Figure Collectors Box and the Pikachu V-Union box set which will delight young and old. Pokémon Celebrations will truly make an amazing gift under Christmas trees this year and create lasting memories your children will remember when they are celebrating the 50th anniversary with their children.

November 5, 2021

Girls are ready to overcome gender norms but society continues to hamper creative potential

New research commissioned by the LEGO® Group reveals that girls today feel increasingly confident to engage in all types of play and creative activities, but they remain held back by society’s ingrained gender stereotypes as they grow older. The study was carried out by the Geena Davis Institute in recognition of the UN’s International Day of the Girl and to mark the launch of a new LEGO® campaign, ‘Ready for Girls’, which celebrates girls who rebuild the world through creative problem solving. The research, which surveyed nearly 7,000 parents and children aged 6-14 years old in China, Czech Republic, Japan, Poland, Russia, UK, and USA highlights the need for society to rebuild perceptions, actions, and words to support the creative empowerment of all children. It also supports many of the findings in the LEGO Play Well Study 2020, which included the feedback of South African children and their parents. Ready for Girls The research findings show that girls are ready for the world, but society isn’t quite ready to support their growth through play. Girls feel less restrained by and are less supportive of typical gender biases than boys when it comes to creative play, with 71% of South African parents believing that it’s more acceptable for girls to be ‘boyish’ than it is for boys to be ‘girlish’. According to the Geena Davis Institute study, 82% of girls believe it’s OK for girls to play football and boys to practice ballet, compared to only 71% of boys. However, despite the progress made in girls brushing off prejudice at an early age, general attitudes surrounding play and creative careers remain unequal and restrictive, according to this research: For most creative professions, parents who answered the survey imagine a man, regardless of whether they have a son, daughter, or both. They are almost six times as likely to think of scientists and athletes as men than women (85% vs. 15%) and over eight times as likely to think of engineers as men than women (89% vs. 11%). The children surveyed in this research share these same impressions except girls are much more likely than boys to consider a wider range of professions to be for both women and men. Our insights further indicate that girls are typically encouraged into activities that are more cognitive, artistic, and related to performance compared to boys who are more likely to be pushed into physical and STEM-like activities (digital, science, building, tools). Parents from this study are almost five times as likely to encourage girls over boys to engage in dance (81% vs. 19%) and dress-up (83% vs. 17%) activities, and over three times as likely to do the same for cooking/baking (80% vs. 20%). Adversely, they are almost four times as likely to encourage boys over girls to engage in program games (80% vs. 20%) and sports (76% vs. 24%) and over twice as likely to do the same when it comes to coding toys (71% vs. 29%). The Play Well Study 2020 highlighted that 75% of South African children only play with toys designed for their own gender, while more than half of South African children said that people make fun of them when they play with games or toys marketed for children of the opposite gender. When it comes to parents’ perceptions of gender, 84% of South African parents agree that gender differences are driven more by societal expectations than by biology, but only a little more than half allow their children to, wear, or play with things that are geared towards the opposite gender. Rebuilding the World This was launched on The International Day of The Girl (11th October), the LEGO Group is calling on parents and children to champion inclusive play. To help, they have developed a fun 10-step guide and invite parents to share photos of their child’s LEGO creations against a pre-defined AR backdrop featuring the words ‘Get the World Ready for Me’. “As a Mom of three children, I have long admired the LEGO Group and I’m heartened by its global commitment to this study to inform how we can dramatically inspire creativity in girls through play and storytelling,” said Geena Davis, Founder of the Geena Davies Institute on Gender in Media. “We also know that showing girls unique and stereotyped activities can lead to an expanded viewpoint of possibilities and opportunities.” The role of LEGO play The LEGO Group believes in the value of learning through play and that the development of 21st century skills from LEGO play are equally relevant to all children. While many parents perceive the LEGO brand as a good example of an inclusive toy brand, LEGO play is still considered more relevant to boys than girls, with 59% of parents saying they encourage their sons to build with LEGO bricks compared to 48% who say they encourage it with their daughters. This view became more pronounced when parents were asked to complete an implicit bias assessment and 76% said they would encourage LEGO play to a son while just 24% would recommend it to a daughter. “The benefits of creative play such as building confidence, creativity and communication skills are felt by all children and yet we still experience age-old stereotypes that label activities as only being suitable for one specific gender. At the LEGO Group we know we have a role to play in putting this right, and this campaign is one of several initiatives we are putting in place to raise awareness of the issue and ensure we make LEGO play as inclusive as possible. All children should be able to reach their true creative potential,” says Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, the LEGO Group. The ‘Ready for Girls’ campaign aims to help girls rebuild the story and welcome more girls to LEGO building, ensuring they aren’t losing out on the benefits of LEGO play due to societal expectations. The company will ensure any child, regardless of gender identify, feels they can build anything they like, playing in a way that

November 2, 2021

Keep your kids moving

Winter is here and with it comes colder weather, making getting outside to play and exercise more of a challenge. But it’s still important. Bonitas Medical Fund suggests you try and keep your child active throughout the year and provides some suggestions to get them moving, exercising and having fun.

November 1, 2021

Chicco Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus

Chicco, world leaders in baby travel, introduce the brand new toddler seat, the all-round, comprehensive Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus – perfect for the forward-facing part of your child’s car travels. Relax and #parentmore knowing your little one is as protected as can get with the rigorous safety standards that come with every Chicco car seat. Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus grows with your child and features a new level of safety – the new Safe Pad. The perfect booster seat for toddlers, this group 2/3 car seat is suitable for children weighing between 15 kg and 36 kg (From 3 – 12 years). Installing the Chicco child safety is easy and done in only a few steps by using your vehicle’s own 3-point belt which makes it perfectly suitable for being installed in almost every vehicle type. In order to gain even more safety and security for your child, you can attach the rigid FixPlus connectors to the Isofix-points in your vehicle. No matter when or how fast your little one grows, the Oasys 2-3 Fixplus Evo car seat always adapts perfectly to your child’s body size. Both height and width can be adjusted independently of each other by using a convenient rotary wheel. At the touch of a button, you can adjust the backrest and seat surface in four different levels until a comfortable position for your little one is created. The integrated cup holder keeps their bottle or sippy cup within arms reach for road trips. If your little one spills on the car seat, no problem! Easily remove the cover and throw it in the wash to restore its slick and pristine look. You can pick up Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus from Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other participating retailers now.

October 29, 2021

Bringing School 2.0 to Life at Koa Academy

Koa Academy embraces a high-contact philosophy where children belong to an 8-person Pod guided by a dedicated teacher. While timetables are individual and terms are flexible for each family, the Pod gathers together each school day providing opportunities to develop collaboration, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and communication skills. The Academy is a provider of the South African IEB curriculum and lesson content is sourced from top educational resources worldwide. Age-appropriate feedback and assessment is embedded in the learning experience so that children can adapt in dynamic ways on the pathway to mastery. “There are options opening up for parents that have just never existed when it comes to educating their children,” says Koa Academy Principal, Mark Anderson. “It’s becoming easier to truly align your family values with a school community because you are no longer limited to the institution available in your physical neighbourhood. At Koa Academy we prioritise engagement in small group settings so that real relationships are built and maintained more easily than in larger classes where it is often challenging to connect meaningfully with peers and your teacher. Parents are directly connected to their child’s teacher, in tune with their child’s school activities and more empowered when it comes to their child’s learning, social and emotional development and their progression through school grades.” The pandemic disruption has made us all question priorities, values and how we can better shape our lives to be in alignment with what really matters to us. “There’s a new openness to doing life differently, to do life better,” says Mark. “For families, educating our children well for a productive and fulfilling future is a critical concern. On the one hand, the new choices emerging in education are inevitable as we all know that transformation in education is long overdue. However, the pandemic has accelerated this and that is a positive consequence. From education providers and teachers to parents and children, there’s a welcoming when it comes to having more choices, and better choices.” To find out more about Koa Academy, click here.

October 28, 2021

Why making book reading part of your bedtime routine is smart

By now you know that creating a predictable bedtime routine helps set your child up for a better nights rest. A previous blog about Bedtime and Naptime rituals for Toddlers mentioned how reading a book together at bedtime promotes cognitive development as well as bonding between you and your little one. But there is more. Interactive, shared book reading can also support a wide range of early language skills. We as parents tend to think we have to read to our child, but it actually has greater benefits if you read with your child. Children learn the most language during enjoyable back-and-forth interactions with you, their beloved parent. When you read with your child regularly, your child may learn language faster, enter school with a larger vocabulary, and become a more successful reader eventually. How do you read with your child? Follow your child’s lead As mentioned in this blog your bedtime routine must be fun. This is not the time to argue with child. Let your child choose the book she wants to read, even if you have read it umpteen times before. You could even allow your child to hold the book and decide when to turn the page. She is more engaged when she plays an active role in the book reading and an engaged child is a learning child! Make it a conversation You can simply read the story, or you can talk about the characters, or illustrations or plot. Watch your child to see what she points to and make a comment about that. Having a conversation about the book helps your child understand the story better and it exposes her to more complex language. Besides, there is nothing more calming than a quiet conversation with mom or dad before bedtime. Don’t ask questions all the time Remember, the aim is to have an enjoyable back-and-forth conversation. You do not want to test your child’s knowledge here. Pause often and wait for your child to participate, rather than bombarding her with questions. If you do want to ask a question, make sure it is an open-ended question such as, ‘How do you think Mouse felt when he found out the Gruffalo really existed?’ It is never too early to start reading with your child and reading with your child is never a waste. Happy reading! www.talkingtokiddo.com By Lize van der Merwe – Speech Language Therapist with special interest in early language development

October 27, 2021

RAISING DIGITALLY SAFE ONLINE SCHOOLERS.

Koa Academy to host free parent webinar The global pandemic has emphasized how important our digital world is to modern life as we pivoted out of necessity to remote working, at-home schooling and online shopping. Many millions of us got our first experiences of certain digital platforms and applications that have now become part of day-to-day life. Trends such as online education have been greatly accelerated as many families experienced the benefits of remote learning and noted how successfully their children and teens adapted to learning through well-conceived digital platforms. This has opened up the opportunities to think about schooling and tertiary studies differently and to take advantage of the greater flexibility and vast choice of high-quality educational programmes that can be accessed online. As a result, many thousands of South African families have not returned to brick and mortar schools and colleges. New and better online schools have emerged, and many tertiary institutions have invested in enhancing and expanding their online campuses. If there’s one question that concerns parents more than any other about online education, it’s about the online safety of their children. While we are adept at identifying threats in the physical world and helping our children reduce those risks, online dangers can be more opaque to parents, and they may worry that more time online might lead to increased vulnerability. However, CEO and Principal of Koa Academy, Mark Anderson points out that a high-engagement online education platform is specifically designed with safe online spaces which enhance your child’s digital citizenship equipping them to navigate the internet confidently, responsibly and wisely. This development of digital citizenship is increasingly regarded as a key 21st Century skill for the 4iR world. Parents who want to deepen their understanding of how to keep their kids safe online can join the free one-hour Koa Academy webinar on Tuesday, 2 November from 18h00. The panel is hosted by Mark Anderson and also features Rachelle Best, founder of FYI play it safe, a non-intrusive, consensual monitoring app that helps parents by adding a layer of security to their child’s online interactions. They are joined by ICT law specialist, attorney Arinda Truter, an associate at law firm, Dingley Marshall Lewin Inc. In addition to the presentations there will be a Q&A session enabling parents to present their burning questions to the experts. Across the board, the presenters agree that parent-child communication based on trust is at heart of keeping children safe online. Just as the issue of safety and awareness of threats in the physical world is an ongoing conversation in families, this needs to happen too in regard to our children’s online interactions. Best says, “Parents need so see online safety as a holistic concept. Setting up screentime and the relevant age and content restrictions on applications are not enough. Parents need to understand threats and risks in a world where new apps are made available every day, and tech is ever-changing. So, there’s a need for parents to be aware and knowledgeable so that they make good decisions when it comes to keeping their children safe online. At FYI play it safe, we also believe that keeping your children safer online starts with the relationship with your child. We empower parents with the right level of information to know when their children may need their help. This creates an opportunity to open up conversations with the right information and at exactly the right time.” Attorney, Arinda Truter emphasises that children attending online schools do not face different risks than any other child making use of the internet and engaging with others over social media. She says, “It’s important for all parents to be aware of the risks presented by online gaming, apps and social media. It is just part of the modern parenting experience to have knowledge of issues such as cyberbullying, hate speech and sexting, to be aware of privacy concerns and digital footprint, and to understand the law when it comes to the chain of online publishing.” Anderson also points out that positive experiences offered by online schooling give your child the opportunity to build their skills as a literate, responsible digital citizen. He says, “Koa has thoughtfully designed the online school experience to not only maximise safety but leverage the advantages of being online. The high engagement of our small Pods with a maximum of eight learners and their teacher gives the kids the perfect environment for healthy relationship-building and online social connection. There is high accountability where people can be themselves and quickly get to know others well. The teacher is also very much in touch with each individual in the Pod. Parents are encouraged to get to know their child’s teacher and school leadership. We like to keep the channels of communication wide open so that everyone is in the loop. Live Dashboards show academic progress which keeps the kids accountable to their daily work rhythms and targets, ensuring that they are keeping busy during their school time. Our SACE- registered teachers undergo regular training and have significant experience in the online space, which is an asset both to the kids and their parents. Koa has a strong focus on teaching digital literacy which is fed into all of our academic courses, Pod Connect sessions and even online socials. We intentionally teach online socio-emotional skills as well as practical tools for handling potentially unwanted online experiences or content.” Parents who want to learn more about online safety for families, and how to support their children as they gain vital digital literacy and citizenship skills can join the free Koa Academy webinar: Date: Tuesday 2 November Time: 18:00-19:00 Platform: Zoom Host: Koa Academy Panelists from Koa Academy, FYI Play It Safe, Dingley Marshall Lewin Inc To book your spot for this webinar, register here.

October 26, 2021

Meet the Magbuddies

Magformers is a magnetic construction toy which allows children of all ages to express themselves through build and play, Magformers is more than just a construction toy. Once the Mag Buddies join the fun your child’s collection becomes an endlessly versatile playset. Meet the Mag Buddies! Magformers MAG BUDDIES are compact sets that come with Magformers magnetic pieces and a figure, making them perfect to collect. With a total of 4 characters, children and adults can choose their favourite set. This special Magformers product is fun for everyone of all ages. When connected all four sets make a series of mega-mansions for the friends to live in and play happily. Visit Max’s playground. Max the playful character just loves to build and play – and he loves hanging out at his ever-changing playground. Sometimes he puts a swing upstairs, other times he puts the slide in his room. Max’s Playground, making design changes is super easy – he just smashes it down and starts again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new playground layout. Maggy’s wonderful house. Maggy loves to decorate and build a beautiful new house every day – and she can, using a mix of magnetic shapes and accessories including a door, window, balcony, furniture, a bed, a bath, TV. She picks and chooses how she wants to live. Sometimes her bedroom is upstairs, other times she builds it at ground level. And making design changes is super easy…just smash it down and start again, because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new home. Minibot is the world’s hardest-working chef. Every day he builds his very own kitchen to whatever design takes his fancy – then cooks up a delicious meal for his friends in his little oven. Each day this busy bot designs a brand-new kitchen layout using Magformers magnetic construction squares and triangles plus chairs, a table, fridge, oven with sliding drawer, windows, and other fun accessories. With Minibot’s Kitchen Set making changes is always as easy as pie – you just smash it down and start again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new design. Milo is the luckiest puppy in the world. This pampered pooch lives the high life in his very own mansion. Every day this happy hound decides how he wants to design his home using stairs, windows, a swing door, an outside kennel, a special tree piece, and other fun accessories. And with Milo’s Mansion Set making design changes is super easy – you just smash it down and start again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new layout.

October 25, 2021

The toy that grows as your child does

Since its introduction into the market, Magformers has won the hearts of parents and children alike. More than just an educational magnetic construction toy, Magformers has grown into a brand parents trust, children love and that grows as your child does. Just as Magformers start the play journey as 2D flat magnetic shapes and transform into amazing 3D structures, so too Magformers has become a journey of growth and change you can explore with your child as they grow and develop. The award-winning design of the Magformers magnetic construction toy helps to explore and develop children’s creativity. At the core of the product, is the concept of 3D Brain Training – which helps children to develop comprehensive three-dimensional thinking through play. The Magformers family of products has something for children as young as 18 months and evolves and grows with your child to their tween years. The wonderful thing about Magformers is that even adults can’t put them down, with the “click” as the magnets meet being just too alluring to resist. Join us as we explore the Magformers family and find the perfect starting point for your child’s amazing Magformers journey. Sensorimotor Stage – 18+ months From birth to age 3, 80% of a child’s brain development is formed. This development is accomplished through sensory stimulation activities. This positions the Stock-O range perfectly to aid in early development Magformers Stick-O’s is the chunky magnetic construction toy for little hands. Designed to be super fun, safe and durable, kids can have endless enjoyable hours making all sorts of cute and imaginative creations. It’s also a great introduction to the wonderful world of magnets. The Magformers Stick-O collection uses hidden encased magnets to ensure children’s safety and are “tiny hand approved.” The size and shape of the pieces are made to fit perfectly inside toddlers’ hands or in the hands of children with functional challenges. This feature helps develop fine motor skills while playing. Exploration Stage – Age 3-5 During this phase children passionately exlore their environment. This stimulates their curiosity and develops their symbolic thinking. It is at this stage where children engage in imaginative and pretend play. My First Magformers is the perfect guide to assist children in exploring the world around them. Learn 6 different colours, 2 geometric shapes and all 6 Magformers building techniques. Create towers, houses, and the Magformers Magic Ball. Magformers My First Sets are safety tested from ages 18 months+ allowing your child the best start to learning as soon as possible. The My First Line uses a solid colour scheme, compared to a translucent one, as young children’s eyes are still developing and recognise solid colours easily. The learning content that is included with the My First products is specifically designed to help young children learn their geometric shapes and colours as well as developing essential life skills such as 2D to 3D modelling, problem solving and more. The transition from the My First range to the Magformers Basic Plus range is seamless as all the sets are fully compatible and interchangeable. Independent Behavioural Stage – Age 5-7 It is during this stage that children’s actions are triggered by their self-reliance. This is when children truly come into their own and express and develop their own unique ways. The Magformers Basic Plus and Themed Sets are the perfect outlet for children to explore and express themselves creatively during this stage. Unlock the ultimate playtime with Magformers. Selected sets include play cards to lay ideas flat and then roll, pull-up, transform, fold combine and wall to create exciting 3D ideas. The basic principle is that your creativity and, of course, the amount of fun you have while playing is unlimited. The frequent admiring looks of those who get to see your creations are also limitless. Concrete Thinking Stage – Age 7-12 During this phase, children are busy developing their observational and analytical skills. Children will be able to think critically about their experiences and reproduce those through play. So, what better time than this to click, connect, create, and explore endless construction possibilities with Magformers House Set. Your little one can build anything they can imagine when they use the Magformers Magnetic Rainbow shapes and the character and accessories to create and decorate houses. Each geometric shape contains magnets that never reject, so you’ll always hear the Magformers click. When playtime is over, use the magnetic power to simply stack and store. Compatible with all Magformers, add the Maggy, Milo, Minibot and Max sets, or any of the Town Sets for extended building fun! At every stage of your child’s development, Magformers will be a trusted partner helping your little ones develop and grow, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself joining in on the addictive Magformers fun.

October 18, 2021

Reading to children today paves the path for their development in the future

Raising your child to love reading is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give them and as Emma Cox said, “Reading is the most powerful gift we can give a child: it puts stardust in their imaginations”. While improving a child’s imagination is one of the benefits of reading to children from as early as the day they are born, there are also other significant benefits to children listening to stories that will help them throughout their school careers and beyond. While more than half of parents do not read to their children before the age of 3 according to research from Nielsen which found that 45% of 0–2-year-olds are read to daily or nearly every day increasing to 58% of 3- to 4-year olds. By the time children reach 5- to 7- years this figure drops to 44%, this is the most important time to be reading to children. According to research on children’s brain development, by 2-years-old a child’s brain is as active as an adult’s and by age 3 it is more than twice as active as an adult’s brain[1]. Further, as cognitive processes develop rapidly in the first few years of life and by age 3 approximately 85% of the brain is developed[2]. As such it is never too early to start reading to children and promote early development. Speech development and vocabulary Exposing young children to stories is the first step to helping develop their speech. By listening to adults speak and read, children are exposed to a wide variety of sounds and words that help them to develop their speech. As children listen to stories, their brains make cognitive connections to how language is used and exposes them to words that are often not used in spoken language. This is supported by a study on early language exposure[3] which states that there is a definite relationship between language development and early exposure to adult language which positively impacts children’s language ability through primary school. The study emphasises the importance of interacting with children between the ages of 18-to 24-months which is the period of a language explosion. It states that reading aloud gives children enriched vocabulary and prompts enriched interactions. Cognitive ability Cognitive ability refers to the way in which we perceive our world and experiences and is the ability to think and understand. Stories expose children to different topics, issues, experiences, and information through the characters in the story. This background information gives greater context to the world around them and is used to help them make sense of what they see, hear and read. This knowledge helps children develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as stories aid children with information processing, reasoning, language development, attention span, and memory. Listening and comprehension skills When children listen to stories they develop their comprehension and listening skills. Not only are these skills important to help children to learn to read, these are important skills that they will use when learning at school. According to Scholastic, listening is a skill that children must learn before they can learn to read themselves. Further, when children are listening to a story, they learn to sit still, develop longer attention spans and develop memory-retention skills which are all important skills that will benefit them at school in the later years. Audiobooks embellish storytelling Often a parent’s busy schedule prevents them from finding time to read to their children daily and as a result, their children miss out on the opportunity to gain the benefits of this much-loved past-time that will shape the future of their development and their school careers. However, today there are many options available for parents to engage their children in storytelling on their own. For example, audiobooks provide entertainment value to children while engaging them in stories and providing many of the benefits of reading to children. According to Scholastic[4], many audiobooks include interesting sound effects, music, and multiple narrators, that embellish their storytelling with silly voices and dramatics which are especially motivating and fun for young children. These stories reinforce the pleasure of reading rather than the skill while helping children to understand narrative structure, language use and how to convey meaning. To provide a safe listening environment for young children the Yoto Player is a screen-free device that gives children control of their listening experience and access to a range of well-known and loved stories from various authors as Yoto has secured partnerships and content deals with trusted household names such as LEGO and Disney as well as licenses with Penguin Random House, Abbey Road Studios, Sony Music, HarperCollins, Hachette, Pan Macmillan and more to bring children stories from Julia Donaldson, Enid Blyton and more. The Yoto Player is available from selected Toys R Us and iStore stores or online from istore.co.za and takealot.com. By Jonathan Drake, Head of Accessories at The Core Group

October 13, 2021

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