Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

goIT CHALLENGES SCHOOLS TO SOLVE WORLD PROBLEMS

South African learners, especially those attending under-resourced schools have precious little opportunity to engage with 21st Century tech learning.  While their counterparts in many other countries are engaged with coding and robotics from primary school years, South Africa is still currently battling with launching a curriculum.  In essence, this lack means that a generation of our children haven’t had the chance to develop the skills most needed by our changing 4IR world. However, learners from twelve schools in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces entered the country’s first goIT Challenge to come up with app ideas that could change the world for the better.  A technology awareness programme of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the goIT Challenge has been designed to inspire the workforce of the future.  Over more than a decade, the TCS goIT challenge has been rolled out in North and South America, Asia, Australia, the UK and Europe.  Partnering with STEM education specialist, Sakhikamva Foundation, TCS brought the innovative 21st Century learning programme to South Africa. 393 learners, from nine high schools and three primary schools engaged in the programme which involved teams coming up with ideas for apps that can help solve real-life problems.  Set in the context of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the learners, who are from disadvantaged communities, grappled with the question of how science and technology could help to solve challenges that have real impacts on their lives. The TCS goIT Challenge, ran from October into November, culminating in a virtual judging event which took place last week.  The winning high school team was made up of Grade 9 – 11 learners from Goodwood College in Cape Town. The team of four took top honours with their app called ‘Tech-U-cation’, under the SDG theme of Quality Education. Their app provides free textbooks, mathematics tutorials and career advice for those not sure which paths they’d like to pursue after school.  A team of four Grade 7 learners, from De Wavaren Primary in Ruyterwacht, won first place in the Primary School category, with their app called ‘Baunk It’. As part of the SDG theme of No Poverty, they created an app to help provide shelter to those in need, either who are about to be evicted from their homes or to assist the homeless. Anyone in need of a place to stay, can register on the app and Baunk It will provide shelter options, relevant to the user’s GPS location. Nikhil Dabhole, HR Head of TCS South Africa says, “As an IT service provider, the goIT Challenge is close to our hearts.  It’s an opportunity for these schools, which traditionally have had few resources to build 4IR skills, to get their learners, educators, parents and their community at large involved in an exciting, relatable and relevant tech education programme.  The goIT Challenge will strengthen their communities today, by empowering their own digital innovators of tomorrow.” Past goIT Challenges have resulted in the development of remarkable apps by students who see the challenges in their communities and grapple with how situations can be improved.  Examples include a helping hands location app that connects vulnerable people such as seniors to young people who can help them with shopping and chores; and a sustainable living app that enables a community to buy and sell more responsibly, rating the carbon footprints, ethical production values and resource use of a wide range of products. This was an opportunity for South African learners to unleash their creativity and ingenuity in the country’s first TCS goIT Challenge. Twelve teams of learners got to present their app ideas to a team of judges, who choose the top three in each category.The challenge included four in-depth training sessions and ongoing mentoring, which led up to a shark-tank-style entrepreneurial pitch event which was held via ZOOM.  As they progressed through the programme, learners developed prototypes of their ideas on paper and used the MIT App Inventor in a hands-on experience of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics intersect with our daily lives.   Founder of Sakhikamva Foundation, Fatima Jakoet says, “Children and young people are all natural-born scientists, full of curiosity and problem-solving abilities.  All they need is the chance; knowledge and resources to come up with world-changing solutions.  We are delighted that TCS has brought the goIT Challenge to South Africa, and we are thrilled to partner with them to launch the first programme in the schools where we work with fantastic educators and principals dedicated to 4IR learning.  If we want our South African communities to achieve the milestones of sustainable living, we must engage our school children now in the development goals, and let them be change agents while they are building their 21st Century skills.”

December 4, 2020
Parenting Hub

Start 2021 Smart with Smart Nutrition and a Great Education

Stand a chance to win a year’s worth of school fees FUTURELIFE®, in partnership with Pick n Pay Smart Shopper, are thrilled to launch their Start Smart Campaign, an opportunity for one lucky child to win a year worth of school fees for 2021. “FUTURELIFE® was built on the vision to improve the lives of South African families through Smart Nutrition, and this exciting initiative is merely an extension of that commitment so that we can help future leaders start smart,” says Mark Bunn, FUTURELIFE®’s Managing Director. He adds that education is key to unlocking future success, “Education empowers our youth with the knowledge, skills and values they need to build a better society, and it all starts with the foundation built during pre-, primary- and high-school. Much like Smart Nutrition, which also is fundamental for good health and development during the early years.” How Start Smart will work: 1. Buy any 2 FUTURELIFE® bread and/or FUTURELIFE® cereal bars at any Pick n Pay across South Africa between 16 November 2020 – 10 January 2021 and swipe your Smart Shopper card. 2. You will then automatically be entered into a draw to stand a chance to win school fees for your child in 2021. 3. Winner will be drawn within four weeks of the competition closure date and will be contacted directly. FUTURELIFE® has been using and leveraging the knowledge, expertise and experience, of a multi-disciplinary team of science and nutritional experts for over 13 years. This together with a proprietary manufacturing process, and a unique combination of essential nutrients and ingredients, in a specially formulated recipe, is of nutritionally superior smart food products. “Our vision all those years ago has made a real impact. We have witnessed how far a little can go and appreciate how even the smallest action can make a huge difference. So, purchase your two participating products today and help your child to start 2021 smart with Smart Nutrition and a great education!” Bunn concludes. Buy any two of the following participating products: Futurelife High Protein Low GI Brown Bread Futurelife High Protein Honey and Oats Bread Futurelife High Protein Ancient Grains Brown Bread Futurelife High Protein Bar 50 g Futurelife High Protein Lite Bar 40g Futurelife High Energy Bar 40g Futurelife High Protein Crunch Bar 40g Futurelife Granola Bar 40g Products are available from all leading Pick n Pay Retail Outlets. For more information on the Start Smart Campaign, please go to www.futurelife.co.za or https://www.pnp.co.za/campaign/win-with-futurelife

December 4, 2020
Evolve Online School

Discovering the delight of different

How do you take the next step when you suddenly discover that something you thought was abnormal is perfect for you? How can you properly evaluate the explosion of schooling options, especially in the online and homeschooling space? These are two of the questions I am going to try and answer for you in this article. I will attempt to give you some guidelines to use when trying to make sense of an education opportunity that you may have thought was only for unconventional families. Still, you may have discovered it seems perfect for your children. Remote learning has taken the limelight and has been a topic of discussion on television, radio, and online media since the Covid pandemic took hold of the world. With schools having to shut down and go online many children (and their parents) have had an experience of homeschooling and online schooling forced on them when they may not have tried to learn this way by choice. There has been a very mixed experience of this.  Some children have discovered that online learning meets their needs in ways that traditional education cannot. They can work at their own pace and spend more time on things that they find difficult. They are not faced with constant interruptions caused by having to change from class to class. Children are not distracted by the behaviour of other children or the lack of comfort of the classroom. Children also like to make more choices about what they learn and when they learn it, which means that they are more engaged with their learning. They are also not held back to the pace of the rest of the class when they find the work easy.  On the other hand, children can lose focus, be tempted to play games or waste time and can find themselves falling behind without the teacher being able to notice or keep them on track. The concept of ‘Zoom’ fatigue has also become an issue. People working from home and children learning remotely have found the challenge of being in online meetings for protracted periods mentally exhausting. Concentration slips and attention wanders. Teachers have had an immense struggle to keep their students engaged and often have no way of knowing if they are paying attention. Schools that pivoted to an online model during the lockdown made the mistake of trying to run a synchronous timetable. That is, they tried to follow the same schedule they would have if the students had been attending live lessons. Proper online schooling does not work this way. Being an online learner is like homeschooling with one significant difference: The student becomes more and more capable of learning without any adult assistance at home.  It is a feature of an excellent online school that we provide a process for children to learn the skills they need to be independent learners. This process includes self-pacing, time management and the ability to schedule their day. It also includes teaching children to work collaboratively with peers in remote locations. No parent should choose online learning for their children without expecting the learning process to be delightfully different.  So, with what should you be delighted? The school should engage with your child as an individual and tailor their learning to suit their needs and interest. Your child should be able to advance at a faster rate in areas where they have an aptitude and intense curiosity. They should be able to take their time and work deliberately when they need to.  Testing and assessment should also be significantly different from a traditional experience. Online systems offer the opportunity to use machine learning and data analysis to make learning specific to a child’s needs. Online learner management systems should collect data on everything a child is doing and learning and start to offer suggestions for improving their understanding and mastery. There is a story about a father with three young daughters. One is two years old, the second is four, and the oldest is seven. He sits down to tell them a story. “Mapule climbs up the stairs and opens the door; there is the Dragon!” The seven-year-old says, oooh! “Mapule climbs up the stairs and opens the door.” The four-year-old says, oooh! “Mapule climbs up the stairs.” The two-year-old says, oooh! Because climbing up the stairs is wonderful to a two-year-old. As our children grow, they lose their sense of wonder and curiosity.  Online schooling executed well, offers children an ongoingly engaging experience. Using, video, games, simulations, discussion platforms and immediate feedback in a way that traditional school models are unable to. It keeps children in the ‘Goldilocks’ zone, where the work they do is neither too easy nor too difficult.  When you are deciding if you want to enrol your child with an online school, ask yourself; how often will they start a lesson and say “oooh!” By: Colin Northmore, Principal of Evolve Online School, a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. Visit www.evolveonline.co.za

December 2, 2020
Parenting Hub

Sparking student curiosity through real-world experiences

The value of education is centred on making a significant and lasting difference in the way learners are grown, nurtured and prepared for both the present and the future. Sometimes the key to that difference is found in the classroom experience and sometimes it is found elsewhere. For some, this could be on the sports field among teammates, for others, alongside fellow speakers in a combative debating tournament, on the stage, during a particular assembly, in corridor conversations or at break time.  While student engagement is most-often teacher facilitated, it is sometimes the special occurrences where children are exposed to people that they admire, are inspired by, or even challenged by that can leave a lasting impression.  Great inspiration is often sparked when we are taken out of our comfort zones, and this is exactly why it is so important that students are given opportunities to learn in other ways, through exposure to people other than their teachers.  Take TED Talks for example, their platforms exist because they believe in the power of sharing knowledge and ideas to insight creativity and curiosity and ultimately to fuel the fire of the inquisitive to make a better world. Billion-dollar companies like Google are no longer asking for prospective employee degrees, but are rather offering internships and apprenticeships where students can “earn while they learn” and contribute to making a valuable difference by practicing real-world skills.  At HeronBridge College, our aim is to expose learners to experts who can fuel their fires, and is why each year we host events like HEARTists and our annual Grade 11 Cook-Off. This year’s HEARTists event saw students upload videos to renowned local and international talent like performer Jonathan Roxmouth, choreographer Bradley Shelver and actor Carl Beukes. The Cook-Off, in collaboration with Hirsch’s the Guvon Academy and the Custom Content Collective requires students to submit entries to top local chefs, the top ten of which are then selected to compete in the finals at the Hirsch’s Home store in Fourways. Local Chefs Leon Koch and Karen Blanche, as well as Margaret Hirsch are among the few experts to have provided unique Masterclass lessons to the students, andrenowned culinary Olympian Chef JP Ziegentaler will be sharing his skills at the final this Saturday. The top three contestants will win prizes to by Hirsch’s and co-sponsors, as well as internationally accredited food and hospitality workshops at the Guvon Academy. An additional Varsity hamper valued at R8,000.00 is also up for grabs to all HeronBridge Grade 11 students, helping them to get started and settled in the next phase of their learning journey.  Imparting skills as part of the broader curriculum is invaluable in a well-rounded educational offering. Learning isn’t confined to a classroom, and education isn’t only about being taught in a formal structure. Real-life engagement and a breadth of experience is what augments the bedrock of a first-class academic offering. The HeronBridge Cook-Off is only one example of what needs to be happening more often outside of the classroom, where students are exposed to challenging tasks, real-world presentation techniques, and placed in simulation environments as part of their preparation for future careers.

November 27, 2020
RednBlack Studio

Not Just A Family Portrait – How Family Photos Help Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem

As a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself on more than one occasion how you can help your child with their sense of identity in the world. In all the research and brainstorming you may have done, almost certainly, photography wasn’t on your list.  In today’s modern world, our children are faced with all types of pressure. With different media influences and peer pressure – they always feel a need to look and act a certain way to validate their place in society. With academics, discovering themselves and creating a life routine, they can use a little help from mom and dad.  So how does family photography help with boosting your child’s self-esteem?  Here are 3 hidden but powerful aspects of family photography that help with your child’s self-esteem.  It provides a sense of belonging.  A family photoshoot tells your child that they are loved and cared for – it makes them feel important and the bonding time reiterates your love for them. They feel like they are part of something special and they’re contributors to it.  They formulate an idea of love.  During aphotoshoot, physical touch is the name of the game. From parents posing like it’s their matric dance, to moms giving their teenagers embarrassing kisses on the cheek – children see and feed off the love and affection shown during the shoot.  Memories for adulthood  According to Dr David Krauss, psychologist, PHD, Ohio, it is important for children to see a family portrait every day as they grow into their teenage years and eventually adulthood. Children need to see their family as a family unit, how they’re a valued and and how they’re an important part of that unit. This helps with their external relationships as it creates a benchmark for how they should be loved and treated.  Not only will you be getting amazing family images to put up around the house, but you’ll also be moulding your child into an emotionally independent human being from your family photoshoot.

November 26, 2020
Characterful

Embracing colour

Colour makes up the beauty of our world, but why is colouring in so good for children? We’ve taken a look at some of the reasons why embracing colour and art is just so good for your little ones.  An understanding of the world Children are born in a greyscale world, seeing colour only as their eyes develop. At the age of 18 months, a child starts to identify colours. At two years and older, they start to name them.  We don’t always see how much we link colour to the world around us. Knowing that the sky is blue and the grass is green may seem obvious to us, but to a child learning everything from the start, these are crucial discoveries. Colouring in helps your child to link colours to the world around them, and their understanding and mental growth will grow and grow.  Developing their creative identity  By colouring in, children develop their hand strength and motor skills, including colouring in between the lines. Their focus and ability will continue to grow and strengthen too.  We’re most interested in helping your child develop their individuality. Through using colours to bring pages before them to life, their self-expression will burst into life! You will see them understand colour, size and shapes like never before – and they’ll be having fun the whole time too.  Taking time for them  In today’s world, we have a greater understanding of stress and how it can affect our healthy minds and bodies. Taking time for yourself is a vital skill that can be learnt from a very young age. And while your child might not want to meditate or self-reflect, colouring in has been proven as a great way to reflect, relax and de-stress.  By focusing on the task of colouring, using one pencil at a time, they will find this time away from their busy lives to be healthy and healing, making sure they’re in the best place to tackle their adventures ahead.  Hanging out with all the family  Colouring in also helps you create quiet time with all the family together. You can sit with your child as they colour in their adventures, or get on with your own relaxation while still being together. It creates a great opportunity for social time without requiring high energy playtime, and you get to watch your child discover the thrill of creativity.  Just be ready to be the proudest parent as your child rushes to show you their work, full of pride – whether it’s a modernist masterpiece, or a cheerful scribble!  At Characterful, we believe in the power of colour to inspire our readers’ imagination. Pick up any of our books and you’ll step into a world of vibrant backdrops, exciting characters and an immersive atmosphere.  And now we want your children to have the chance to colour in our books too, by releasing a colouring in version of our epic story The Door in the Garden Wall. Thanks to our personalisation, your child will now be both the hero of the story and the illustrator. 

November 25, 2020
Impaq

A parent’s role in exam prep: the do’s and don’ts

I think we all agree that this year has been the most challenging yet for our children, especially when it comes to their education. It doesn’t matter what grade they are in; they have lost out on so much including socialising, sports and other fun activities. Learning has also been a whole new experience for them from online classes to an entirely different study schedule. Some children have thrived with the homeschooling experience, but most have found it difficult and stressful (not to mention parents of young children who have been ready to tear their hair out juggling their own work with their children’s). Furthermore, studies have shown that there has been a marked increase in learner’s anxiety and depression levels this year – it’s no surprise! So when it comes to examination preparation, what is the best way to help our children succeed especially if our child is in matric with more pressure and expectation than ever? Here are some do’s and don’ts: Don’t nag Ask any learner what they hate the most about their interaction with their parents during the examination period, and they will probably say the non-stop nagging of their parents to get on with studies. They know what they have to do and are well aware of it – so the nagging just increases pressure and creates more anxiety. Our nagging is because as parents, we are feeling anxious and we feel better when we are nagging. So what is the solution to this unproductive cycle? Firstly, we need to talk to our children and ask them the following questions: How do you feel about the workload? Which subjects do you find easy to understand? Which subject do you find more challenging? The questions should be asked in a curious way; your child should not feel like they are being interrogated. The message your child needs to hear is that you care about how they are dealing with their examination preparation.  Also read: Smart study hacks for the exams Do help them reflect Asking your child the questions listed above will also help them to reflect on things they may not have thought about and give them insight into their work preparation. Children like to feel that you are interested in them and what is on their mind. Asking them questions works much better than lecturing them. In this way, we can ask them what help and support we can offer and what would work for them, instead of us putting our needs and anxieties onto our children.  Do a reality check Another great way of assessing where our children are at is by doing some reality testing with them. This is especially helpful for a child who is less conscientious or diligent. For example, as my client’s son, who is in Grade 10, said while doing no examination preparation at all: “School is a waste of time and one day I’m going to own my own business and have people work for me”.  Reality testing is vital to talk them through the steps needed to own this business one day, starting from school, to university/tech/college, and so on. While they may feel that school is a waste of time, there is no choice in having to do it to get to the next rung on the ladder. An attitudinal change must take place. Don’t wait for motivation One of the other ways that I try to motivate my very demotivated child is by explaining that she is never going to feel like doing the work. So she has to stop waiting for that magical feeling to come as it just leads to further procrastination and ultimately, anxiety.  Instead, she needs to make the decision minute by minute and hour by hour that she is going to work, and that’s it. This manages to bring a halt to procrastination, faffing and all the other negative behaviours she indulges in around studying. Do create a conducive study environment Creating a conducive environment for our children to study is also essential. Some students prefer to learn in a quiet room, with a clear desk and all available stationery in sight. Others prefer to sit on the floor with music on, and their notes spread all around (most parent’s idea of chaos). Again, what is important is getting our child’s input as to what works best for them as opposed to dictating what we think is best. Also read: Homeschooling: the importance of having a dedicated study space Do find your child’s most effective study style Asking our children if they know what they need to do for the information to sink in and for them to understand it also helps them to reflect on what is the most effective study style for them.  It has been shown that interactive learning is one of the best ways for students to absorb information. This can be achieved by teaching the work to others and pretending to teach it using a whiteboard. As parents, we can set quizzes and questions for our children as this interaction with the work is one of the best ways for them to test their knowledge and understanding. At the end of the day, all they want is our compassion, support and understanding to make their examination preparation experiences as conducive to their learning as possible. by Lorian Phillips 

November 20, 2020
Parenting Hub

How an app can help you monitor your child’s growth Growth hormone deficiency

The growth of a child is a significant indication of the child’s health and irregular growth can be an early warning sign of medical problems.1 These kinds of medical problems first show themselves in a child’s irregular growth pattern.1 Growth hormone deficiency has been identified in about 1 in every 3,800 children.2 Therefore, it is important for parents to understand the significance of regularly checking their child’s growth development. This can be done during visits to your healthcare practitioner. For additional support and tracking, an easy to download growth app was launched this September 2020, in order to help parents to easily track their child’s growth. “Growth is one of the fundamental differences between child and adult health care. Physical growth is an indicator and predictor of both present and future health. Among the numerous measures of growth, height and weight are perhaps the most important measures in childhood. While weight may change in adult life, height changes from conception to shortly after the end of puberty.” Says Dr Kuben Pillay, a Paediatric Endocrinologist from Durban.  Human growth hormone is a chemical messenger that is vital for normal growth and development.3 Growth hormone is responsible for making us grow and in our bodies, growth hormone is produced naturally.  When a child is diagnosed as growth hormone deficient, it means his or her pituitary gland is not producing enough growth hormone.4This could be due to hereditary or genetic conditions. Without enough growth hormone, a child does not grow the way he or she should, to reach his genetic potential or height and to attain well-being. According to Dr Pillay “Changes in patterns of growth may occur during any of 3 different growth phases through childhood and may be due to numerous different causes. These phases are the period between conception and the end of the first year of life (the infant phase), from approximately 1 year of age until the start of puberty (child phase) and between the start and end of puberty. There are different causes that may change growth in these phases and thus, the timing of the change in growth may offer important clues to the underlying cause. For example, nutrition both in the womb and after delivery may result in changes in patterns of growth during the infant phase. Congenital abnormalities (particularly bone abnormalities) and genetic disorders may also be causes. During the child phase many more possibilities may influence growth including genetic disorders (e.g. Turner syndrome), severe chronic disease (heart disease, severe asthma, kidney, etc.), severe malnutrition and hormonal disorders. Growth in puberty is due to effects of the hormones of puberty viz. testosterone in boys and oestrogen in girls.” How to measure growth and treat a possible growth hormone deficiency The typical growth of a child, which would be considered normal, is as follows:4 From birth, infants grow about 20 cm in the first year of life From 1 to 2 years of age, babies and toddlers grow about 10 to 13 cm From 2 to 3 years of age, toddlers grow at a rate of about 7.5 to 10 cm From age 3 years to puberty, growth is stable at around 5 to 6 cm per year until puberty Most of a child’s growth occurs before puberty, but the pubertal growth spurt accounts for more than 20% of adult height.4 When puberty occurs, there is a fast phase of growth. With this guide, parents can easily notice whether their child reaches the growth requirements.  If, however, your child does not meet the growth requirements, he or she might need to consult with a healthcare professional, undergo tests and possibly undergo growth hormone therapy.  Growth hormones are also vital for the healthy development of essentially all tissues in the body, including muscle and bone.3 It is important that children who are growth hormone deficient are diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to aid their bones in growing and developing at a normal pace. Children with severe growth hormone deficiency show increased body fat, subnormal bone mineral density, and reduced lean body mass and could potentially develop lipid abnormalities.5 Once a child is tested for growth hormone deficiency related disorders such as short stature, a methodical approach is necessary.6 An evaluation of growth failure is needed and if there is no evidence suggesting growth hormone deficiency, then other tests are done. If there are abnormalities suggesting growth hormone deficiency, then growth hormone stimulation tests and an MRI of the brain could be suggested.6 If a child does not undergo treatment once diagnosed with growth deficiency, he or she might not attain a normal height etc., when becoming an adult.7 Once a child is on a treatment plan, strict adherence is important to achieve the maximal benefits of growth hormone therapy. Early initiation of growth hormone treatment in children with isolated growth hormone deficiency improves their chance of achieving their genetic height potential.8 Once a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency has been made, it is recommended that treatment with GH is initiated as soon as possible.8 The first year is a crucial indicator.8 Children who are on hormone treatment typically grow more over the first year of treatment, and further over the next 2 years.9 “Growth hormone continues to play an important metabolic role in adulthood long after the completion of linear growth, so growth hormone may become a lifelong therapy for children with childhood growth hormone deficiency whose condition persists into adulthood,” says Professor Thandrayen, Paediatric Endocrinologist at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. If effective, therapy should be continued for as long as there is a clinical benefit (defined as ongoing catch-up growth or maintenance of a normal growth velocity).5 The Growth Journey App To aid parents in checking their children’s growth, Novo Nordisk has launched an app for growth monitoring in September 2020 called the Growth Journey App.   The Growth Journey App is a free growth tracking app that uses a phone’s camera to help you track a child’s growth regularly.10 Parents can easily track their child’s growth as the app automatically measures a child’s height

November 20, 2020
Impaq

Teaching kids how to plan

As parents, we want our children to do well, succeed and be the best they can be. However, one critical question that we often leave out is, do they know the steps needed to accomplish this?  I spent a lot of time telling my children to study, and then they would go to their rooms for hours on end and produce something that I consider underwhelming at best. It was only after years of parenting in this no-win mode and assisting my children with their ADHD difficulties that I finally got it. The most important thing that our children need to learn to study is how to plan their work before going about it. This includes many skills including: time management,  goal setting,  future thinking,  prioritising, and  organising.  Only after these skills are in place can specific study skills be taught. Plan to succeed If children do not have a plan for how to go about their work or how to get started, how will they succeed? Planning can be taught in simple ways from a young age. When our kids are still young, we can start casually introducing the idea of planning by talking about how we would plan leisure activities. For example, if we were going to the beach, ask your child how they would pack the cooler box. It might look something like this: Fruit at the bottom Hotdog buns on top of the fruit Cooldrinks on top  The example given above is an example of poor planning. In essence, planning reflects the ability to think logically and sequentially to achieve a goal. Teaching this from early on equips our children for many aspects of life. Seeing as so much of life is about planning effectively, mundane as that may sound.  Set realistic goals Planning is the first step in goal setting and becomes more complex as the child gets older, and there are more responsibilities and less time. Your child needs to be equipped with the necessary skills to embark on their work efficiently. These vital skills include: planning,  prioritising,  organising, and  time management. The middle years of primary school, around the time Grade 4 begins, the workload increases, and new subjects are introduced. This is the ideal time to start teaching planning in a more structured way. At this stage, homework is no longer work that has to be completed for the next day, but there may be a test in a few days, a project or speech for the following week and so on, which requires adequate planning. Whatever we are trying to teach our children should ideally be done in a fun way to increase their motivation and get their cooperation. Also read: Encouraging your child to succeed the do’s and don’ts Stay organised Going with your child to the shops to buy a planner or personal organiser that looks appealing to them, or even making one together can be a fun activity to get started. The most important thing when teaching our children planning is not just about writing out what is due but showing them how to create the time to slot the work into the rest of their lives. They need to take the following into account: homework,  extracurricular activities,  appointments, and  social arrangements.  Too often I had heard the cry of “I have plenty time” only to find them in tears the day before because they didn’t realise how much work they had to do or how long it would take. Start with the due date Therefore, the first thing to write on the planner is the due date for the task, assignment, or test. Using a brightly coloured marker to draw attention to it is also a good idea. After that, start to work backwards, filling in their daily activities, extracurricular activities and so on. Remember to block out the weekends in which they should not have to do any work if your children are still young.  Write in the planner with your children by your side, giving their input to involve them as that is the best way for them to integrate it and show them how to have a realistic view of the time they have vs what they think they have. There is often a mismatch between the two! Plan backwards to move forwards Once the initial planning schedule has been done, which can be summarised by the phrase ‘plan backwards to move forwards’, then similar steps can be done daily. Sit with your child and see what homework they have for the day and decide whether they want to get that out of the way first before doing the work expected in a few days or vice versa.  Again, this starts to give them the concept of planning within the day, prioritising and finding out for themselves what works best for them. These are skills that will stand them in good stead throughout their learning journey. Also read: There’s more to life than academic achievement Develop a good work ethic What I have learned is that results truly do not count until Grade 11 BUT what makes a huge difference is our children developing a good work ethic from as early on as possible to carry them through and to make the final few grades as pain-free as possible. Planning is the beginning point of developing that work ethic and the sooner your child gets the concept of it, the better prepared they are for academic success. Who knows, it may help you, as the parent, to be better prepared too! by Lorian Phillips

November 16, 2020
Parenting Hub

Could your child have Type 2 diabetes?

It’s a question no parent wants to ask. But as with so many things in life, knowledge really is power. We’ve outlined all you need to know about the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes so you know what to look for. The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes used to be called ‘juvenile diabetes’ because it was most often diagnosed in children. It’s an auto-immune condition, unrelated to lifestyle or diet. If your child has Type 1 diabetes, you’ll know very quickly because they will get very sick. They’ll lose weight, eat a lot, constantly be thirsty and need to pee a lot – often at night. They’ll also be exhausted. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops slowly. Until recently, it was mostly seen in older people – one of the risk factors is being over 45 years old. But it is being diagnosed in children more and more. This is largely because our kids aren’t as active as they used to be – one of the main risk factors is a lack of physical activity. Another is being overweight or obese, particularly around the tummy area, and having a family history of diabetes.  What to do if your family is at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes If this is ringing a bell, there are a few simple things you can do. The easiest way to remember them is to think EEL: Eat healthy Exercise Lose weight if necessary Eating healthy means cutting out junk food, sweets and treats, juice and fizzy drinks. Also cut out refined carbs, which means white bread, white rice, pasta – all the white foods. Eat lots of green vegetables (half a plate with each meal), good quality protein and some wholegrain carbs. It might feel like a big adjustment, but your whole family will feel better if you can start eating healthier. Exercise doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. It can be as simple as a 30-minute walk, most days of the week. Or some stretching or yoga at home, or a game of soccer with the neighbourhood kids. It’s so important for kids to be physically active. Losing weight is important if your child is overweight or obese, but that doesn’t mean putting them on a diet. If they’re getting active and eating healthy, drinking lots of water and staying away from junk food, weight loss will be a natural result. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re at risk of Type 2 diabetes, check out our fun 1-minute diabetes risk test on www.sweetlife.org.za. We also have all the information you need on how to reverse Type 2 diabetes, and advice and tips on how to manage diabetes if you’re living with it. The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this! There is a whole community of Diabetic South Africans, all living our best lives. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes Very hungry Very thirsty Needing to pee a lot, especially at night Sudden weight loss Exhaustion Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes 45 years old (or older) OR Overweight or obese AND Physically inactive (not much exercise) High blood pressure Family history of diabetes High cholesterol Heart disease history High-risk ethnic group (Asian Indian, Coloured) Diabetes during pregnancy or a baby over 4kg PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) If this sounds like you, it’s important to go for a diabetes screening. There are free screenings at Clicks Clinics and many independent pharmacies during November (National Diabetes Month).  Bridget McNulty is a Type 1 diabetic and the co-founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community, SA’s largest online diabetes community. Find out more about how to live well with diabetes at www.sweetlife.org.za 

November 16, 2020
Characterful

Playing and fun: the most important parts of child development

We know that children all develop in their own way and at their own pace, and that it’s important not to rush them on their journey. In allowing them to grow at their pace, you help build confidence in who they are. It is important to provide an environment that supports a child’s development in a way that they respond well to. Fun facts!  At Characterful, we are passionate about keeping learning fun, and rooted in great stories. We’ve gathered some fun facts on child development, some of which might surprise you!  Take a look… Ouch! It doesn’t just sound like it – a three year old boy’s voice is louder than 200 adults in a restaurant. Read out loud: if you read aloud to your child, it will help stimulate their brain development, especially in their early years. They’ll also learn to speak faster if you respond to their gurgles and noises more than 80% of the time.  Learn another language: your child’s brain will develop more if they learn another language. You can help them learn it by letting them watch international television programmes like Dora the Explorer with smaller words from another language.  Not ignoring you: babies and toddlers have a hard time separating background noises from voices – sometimes they actually can’t hear you when you’re calling their name! Colour blind: Babies are born colour blind, seeing only black, white and grey. As the months go by, your baby will start to develop their colour vision. They also learn what’s important to look at by watching your gaze.  And – most importantly in our view…Playtime is everything! By playing, children learn heaps of useful information, including how to socialise, how to regulate their own behaviour, and how to imagine!  Having fun while learning  To aid in your child’s development, [Characterful] released an activity book with a child’s own character throughout. Your child will be challenged with everything from adding up groups of dinosaurs, to tracing the alphabet at the insistence of a unicorn!  They’ll colour in pictures of the famous South African wildlife, while spotting differences between pirates and spaceships, completing dot to dots to find a mermaid’s best friend, and even helping knights find their way back to their castles through deadly mazes!  Our activities are designed to test and strengthen your little one’s grasp of maths, logic, language, problem solving and instruction taking. And most importantly – they’re fun!  When a child is learning and having fun at the same time, they’ll begin to realise that these challenges – although difficult – can be enjoyable in the future too. You’ll be helping them grow a love of learning and puzzles, that will help them develop even further, ready for the challenges ahead. 

November 12, 2020
Impaq

How to help a child manage depression

Coping with emotions is part of life. Everyone feels happy and sad at different times. Feeling sad can be a natural and appropriate response to what is happening in our lives. Time, life changes and the support of those around us help these feelings go away. Depression is when sadness doesn’t go away; when they overwhelm a person and stop them from doing the things they would normally do. Depression affects thoughts, mood, behaviour and how we see ourselves and our future. Along with feeling sad or irritable, it may seem that nothing is worthwhile and that things will never get better. It can also stop children from enjoying the things they had previously enjoyed.  What to expect from your child? Children and adolescents are not mini-adults. Irritability, feeling overwhelmed, and outbursts are common in depressed children. They are developing and changing at a rapid pace, even when they experience a depressive episode. As such, you might find that the depression seems to improve, only to notice a relapse a few days later. Depression is a serious medical condition that can negatively affect a child’s ability to connect with friends and family, enjoy normal daily activities, attend school and concentrate, as well as enjoy childhood. Also read: How to help a child struggling with coronavirus anxiety What to expect in terms of academics? It’s difficult to perform well in tasks and tests when thinking and concentration abilities are impaired by depression. Some homeschooling accommodations might benefit your child during this time, such as: Allowing extended time for lengthy assignments and tests Breaking down assignments into manageable pieces (this is particularly helpful for children who appear ‘overwhelmed’) Helping to create study or homework schedules Taking tests in a quiet and distraction-free environment Also read: How to change a learner’s perception of difficulty to achieve-success What can the parent do? If you have noticed that your child does not seem themselves, the first step is to talk about what’s going on and how they are feeling. As hard as this can be for the parent on the receiving end of these behaviours, you must remain calm and focus on active listening. It’s a natural tendency to want to ‘fix it’ or somehow put a stop to it, but mental illness is complicated. It cannot be fixed or stopped. It can, however, improve. With proper treatment and support systems in place, your child can thrive and enjoy childhood once again. Here are some ideas on how to help a child manage their depression: Let your child know that it’s okay to ask for help and that you’re ready to listen to whatever they want to say. If they are distressed about a particular situation, you can help them to solve the problem or find solutions to improve the situation.  Quality time is also essential. You can do something fun, go outside and get some exercise, or do something special together.  Also read: Why exercise is important for good academic results Seeking professional support Children, especially teenagers, go through various phases. Often a lot of mood swings and emotional episodes occur, which is associated with adolescence, and it can be hard to know when their behaviour is a part of growing up and when it is more serious.  If your child’s change of mood is very severe or goes on for a few weeks without improving, it is time to act. Do not leave it and assume things will get better on their own.  Some children also have suicidal thoughts. If your child talks about taking their own life or hurting themselves, it is important to take this very seriously. Children occasionally use this as a way of describing their distress rather than an intention to harm themselves – either way; they need urgent support.  Seeking help early for your child is the best thing you can do. Proper diagnosis and treatment are vital but working through depression requires time and patience as it could include relapses. It helps to know what to expect during the process and when to seek additional help. The first step towards helping your child battle depression is to learn how to spot it. Become familiar with the warning signs: Low self-esteem Social and emotional withdrawal Lack of interest Hopelessness A decrease in marks Changes in behaviour (irritability) and acting younger than their age (regression)  Drastic changes in eating habits (too little or too much) Feeling guilty and ashamed Lack of energy and motivation Feeling tired all the time (fatigue) for no medical reason Suicidal thoughts and thoughts about death If your child is experiencing one or a combination of these symptoms, they may need professional help. Consult a counsellor or psychologist to help your child work through this difficult time. Dr Jeanné Roux

November 6, 2020
Characterful

Why are Personalised Stories Great for Children

What child doesn’t love being the star of the show? Besides making the child the hero in their own story, personalisation is more than a gimmick. Here’s what putting your child front and centre in their own special book can do… Improving literacy and language skills The more a child reads, or is read to, the better their communication and literacy skills will be. Children’s minds are inquisitive and curious to learn, and they can absorb new words, grammar and spelling at a magical pace, just by reading with you! By personalising a book, your child is put straight into the action as the hero of the story. This will encourage them to read more, and learn to read so they can share their special story with others. By reading more, they will cultivate and grow a love of language that will live with them their whole life long. Learning how to make decisions Characterful’s personalised stories stem from the age-old story tradition of fairytales and quests. As your child reads through the story, they will be faced with challenges and choices they have to make. These might be mathematical or moral, or even a political concept presented in an age-appropriate way. As the main character, your child is immediately encouraged to engage with the challenge personally, perhaps more than if they were learning in a classroom. Readers are encouraged to think laterally, take points of view, make decisions from the evidence, and make positive choices in the story. This will influence how they make decisions in their real lives. Education isn’t just academic. It’s also about developing social skills to prepare them for the future. Empowering our readers Many children shy away from new challenges due to the fear of failure and lacking confidence in themselves. Through personalised stories, children are encouraged to find solutions to get through these difficulties, teaching them to be proactive, and to take a chance. By solving problems in the safety of the fictional world, our young readers can feel empowered to use this same decision-making approach in the real world too, going out into the world with a more confident, courageous presence. Feeling included It’s more important than ever that children see their race, sex, gender, religion, or disability represented in stories that they read, to know that they are valid and take up a deserved space in the world. Through personalised stories, you can ensure your child’s own demographics take front andcentre. Children who might not usually be represented in fiction, can now see themselves on adventures, making friends and ultimately saving the day! A treasured keepsake Children love stories, but they’re not always so careful with the books themselves! Our books are made from sturdy, responsible materials to survive the roughest of loving! Our books are also bound to become treasured keepsakes, with your child seeing themselves as the hero of the story. When they grow up and set off on their real life adventures, you’ll be able to keep these personalised story books as a treasured memory of when they were just starting out in the world. Characterful create immersive and absorbing stories for children, full of adventure and educational elements. Our books are brimming with pirates, mermaids, elves and astronauts. And the best part is – you get to choose exactly who the stories are about! 

November 6, 2020
Parenting Hub

Introducing the ultimate in Nerf Dart Blasting

The future of NERF is here! Hasbro is revolutionising the blasting experience with the launch of the new NERF Ultra,an unprecedented new blaster segment joining the iconic franchise.   Experience NERF Ultra blasters – the ultimate in NERF dart blasting! Featuring cutting edge technology and enhanced performance, NERF Ultra is the new gold standard in foam dart blasting! NERF Ultra blasters have advanced design and performance to deliver extreme distance, accuracy, and speed. They include ground-breaking NERF Ultra darts featuring an innovative flight tip, Aerofin technology, and NERF Ultra foam.  Take your game to the next level with NERF Ultra blasters and darts! NERF Ultra blasters work only with NERF Ultra darts.   The incredible distance, accuracy and speed of the new NERF Ultra blaster proves that’s its NERF OR NOTHIN’!   NERF Ultra is aimed at kids age 8 years and older.  Eyewear recommended (not included). NERF ULTRA ONE The NERF Ultra One motorised blaster has a high-capacity 25-dart dart drum and comes with 25 NERF Ultra darts. Fire over two dozen darts with the high-performance advantages of this NERF Ultra blaster. Send darts flying up to 25 meters. There’s on-board dart storage for quick reloading. You have the skills and the expertise as a NERF battler, now you have the blaster and darts for game-changing superiority!  NERF ULTRA TWO The NERF Ultra Two motorised blaster features fast-back reloading. The six-dart cylinder is open in the back – so you can see how many darts are left to know when to reload. Hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor and press the trigger to fire one dart. Includes six NERF Ultra darts that are compatible only with NERF Ultra blasters.  Gear up for battle with the all new NERF Elite 2.0 blasters that come with double the darts and feature built-in customising capabilities so you can upgrade them and seize the advantage in NERF competitions. Build your stockpile of NERF Elite 2.0 blasters to optimise your game strategy and bring tactical performance and flexibility to every mission and battle!  NERF Elite is aimed at kids age 6 years and older. Eyewear recommended (not included). *NERF ELITE will be available in South Africa from end November 2020. NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 The NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 blaster features customizing capabilities that include three tactical rails, barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to optimise for battle. This pump-action blaster has a 15-dart rotating drum to swamp your targets. Pull the priming slide back and press the trigger to unleash one dart or hold down the trigger and keep moving the slide to slam-fire all 15 darts. Includes 30 Official NERF darts -15 for the drum, and 15 for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 metres.  Barrel extension, stock, and eyewear not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 blaster includes a removable stock and removable barrel extension so you can customise the blaster multiple ways. Take advantage of five tactical rails to add other battle accessories (not included). The blaster has a 10-dart clip so you can fire a dozen darts in a row. Fire one dart at a time, or slam-fire all 10 darts rapidly from the pump-action blaster. Comes with 24 official NERF darts – load 10 into the clip and keep the rest nearby for reloads.  The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster has three tactical rails, a barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to customise the blaster for every NERF game. The blaster has a six-dart rotating drum so you can fire multiple darts before reloading. Includes 12 Official NERF darts – enough to fully load the drum, and six darts to keep nearby for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 meters.  Barrel extension and stock not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster has four tactical rails and a barrel attachment point so you can customise it for each mission or battle. This motorised blaster has an 18-dart clip and launches darts fast – hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor, then press the trigger for rapid-fire blasting. Includes 36 official NERF darts. Fires darts up to 27 meters. Barrel extension and eyewear not included. Batteries required (not included). Check out @NERFSouthAfrica on Facebook, @NERFNationSA on Instagram and NERF Nation on YouTube for more exciting NERF Nation fun.  The latest NERF blasters (subject to availability) are available from Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, ToyZone, Game and Importatoy.co.za  *NERF and all related properties are trademarks of Hasbro. Use only official NERF darts designed for this product. 

November 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

The 3 Benefits of Camper-Counselor Relationships

Summer Camp is a great place for children to get some much-needed time out from mom and dad and form relationships with other authoritative, yet not as threatening, figures like camp counselors. The role of a counselor is not only that of a guardian and caretaker but a friend as well. Camper-counselor relationships provide long-lasting values for both parties; camp allows children the freedom to grow into independent individuals and teaches counselors teamwork, communication, and responsibility.  Let’s take a look at the 3 benefits of camper-counselor relationships. 1. Counselors Show Campers That Being An Adult Can Be Fun Children have many adults in their life: Mom and dad, the family doctor and their teachers. A child is constantly surrounded by someone who either always has something to do, stressed out from work, or giving them instructions. A counselor is an adult that is also a peer to the camper. When they see an authoritative figure playing in the mud, it changes their perspective on what being an adult is like and allows them to be open-minded about growing up. 2. Campers Open Up More To Counselors Since counselors are looked at as peers, campers will often open up to counselors in ways that they might not do with their parents. This allows them to speak about issues they’re not comfortable with speaking to their friends or their parents. From career goals to the trauma they went through and how they believed in the tooth fairy till the age of 12. A counselor lends an ear from a friend’s perspective and gives advice like a parent.  3. Campers See Counselors As Role Models The relationship between a camper and a counselor is so important because it is a chance for children to be inspired by someone who is an authoritative figure and also a friend. When a camper sees their counselor making their bed every morning, they will make their bed without being asked. “The coolest person in the world is making their bed, let me make mine,” will probably be their first thought. If your child is inspired to make their bed by a counselor, the list is endless on how a counselor can positively influence your child. From stepping out of your comfort zone to facing your fears. The benefits of attending a summer camp are endless.  If your child dreams of being a counselor one day, you should consider enrolling them for our Indigo Warrior Training Course. A unique certification program specifically designed for teenagers who want to spend one-week learning new life skills and challenging themselves.  For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected] or visit our website www.sugarbay.co.za.

November 3, 2020
LEGO South Africa

Five fun and educational activities that you can do with LEGO® bricks

As school holidays are upon us, many parents are looking for ways to not only keep boredom at bay but also ensure that their kids are learning and mindfully engaged in the process. And while screen time can be a great way for kids to keep busy and entertained, it’s also a good idea to find balance between digital and real-life play. Here are five fun activities that kids, parents and siblings can try out together as a family using LEGO® bricks and sets at home. Perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers LEGO® DUPLO® bricks are ideal for toddlers, and thankfully there are a number of games and activities they can safely enjoy using these sets. Little ones will likely get a kick out of the ‘where’s the brick?’ game. Grab three plastic cups and hide a LEGO DUPLO brick under one of them. Now, swop them around and see if your little one can find which cup the brick is hidden under. To make it more challenging add in a few more cups and LEGO DUPLO bricks of different colours. This is a great way to help train your child’s visual memory. Help little ones to hone their observation skills with a game of ‘spot the difference’. Simply build two LEGO DUPLO towers, with a few small differences in one of them, and see if your toddler can spot what’s different. Now, take the first one away and see if your little one can remember all the differences. You can also create more differences and use more bricks once they’re comfortable with the game and understand how it works. Fun for ages four and up Kids aged four years and older will be able to tackle slightly more technical activities but, remember to keep it light and fun so they don’t lose interest. Build a LEGO maze using LEGO bricks from your collection at home or using the LEGO® Classic Creative Brick Boxes on a LEGO Baseplate, and toss in a small round object to see if it will make it through the maze. Encourage healthy competition by getting each family member to build their own maze and see which rolling object makes it through the maze the fastest. Another fun challenge for kids of this age is to build a boat made of LEGO bricks and load it up with coins to see which one floats the longest. This is a great way to challenge a child’s imagination and encourage them to get as creative as they would like with their boat structures, while developing fine motor skills too. It’s also a great way to incorporate water and teach kids the science behind buoyancy. Older children (six years and up) would of course need a little more stimulation and more of a challenge to keep them interested. The Ziploc Challenge, where kids need to try to build a LEGO brick structure through a sealed plastic bag, is a great way to keep playtime stimulating and fun for the whole family. Decide on an object or character that each player needs to build, add a time limit to make it more exciting, and include friendly penalties for players who open their bags, for example. Remember to keep the mood light and positive, and to make sure that the rules are flexible. It’s a good idea to give toddlers a little more time to complete their activities too, and to make time to engage in playtime with the kids, which has been proven to be tons more fun for little ones (and moms and dads, too!).  These are just a few of the many ideas out there designed to keep little ones busy at home, but you can find more super-fun activity ideas and challenges at www.lego.com, as well as by searching the #letsbuildtogether tag online.

October 30, 2020
Parenting Hub

Connecting Through Creativity

The Importance of Creativity in Children  There have been multiple studies conducted to show that creativity and well-being are positively linked. Psychologist Bernice Castle agrees, saying that art and creativity help the development of children in various ways. “Art can be a powerful tool among children and adults alike. If children engage in hands-on art activities, they learn much better in all disciplines.”  Castle continues, “Art helps children apply their gross and fine motor skills to something meaningful and tap into their problem-solving skills through visual cognitive responses. Art has been proven to stimulate imagination, improve observation skills, boost self-esteem, provide a sense of accomplishment and reduce stress. “Finally, art creates opportunities for them to communicate how they see and experience the world and allows them to give expression to their feelings about the situations they encounter in their daily lives,” she concludes. Getting creative together Here are some ways you can tap into your kids’ creative outlets and keep them engaged in meaningful ways: Set up an art station – Dedicate a small section of your home to art projects. BIC has a wide range of high-quality stationery perfect for art projects with the kids. They’re made to last, and widely available at your favourite grocery or stationery store. Set daily challenges – Give your kids a challenge for the day. This will help them meet daily goals and provide a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.  Keep everything – Don’t throw anything away. Display the really good art pieces and keep the rest in storage. Not only are these great keepsakes, but they show kids their work is special and deserves attention.  Find online resources – There are thousands of resources online, from blogs to Youtube tutorials and more, like https://bickids.com/en. Make use of these resources to add a creative spin to things. Follow the #BICStayInspired tutorials on – https://www.facebook.com/BICSA/ where new tutorials will be released weekly until 22 November 2020. Submit your child’s artwork for a chance to win a BIC Stationery hamper.

October 30, 2020
Parenting Hub

Another Must-Have Card Game- UNO FLIP!™

Who doesn’t love UNO… well if you are a fan then certainly UNO FLIP!™will grab your attention and keep the whole family entertained!  As some of you may already know, card games are a big thing in our house. We can spend hours as a family playing a variety of games together. Not only is this important bonding time for us but  regularly playing card games creates an opportunity for us to all interact with each other and challenge each other’s skills.  What I have found is that it encourages my younger children to focus better on their decision-making in terms of what hand to play, figure out how they can outwit the older children and which card will give them the better opportunity of winning.  It also creates a space where we can all be competitive but within a safe environment where we all laugh with each other and does not feel like an educational opportunity at all! . UNO FLIP!™ is very much like the UNO that we all know and love – but with a twist! The cards are double-sided and this new and exciting deck includes a special FLIP card that gives classic gameplay a competitive edge. Players take turns matching a card in their hand with the current card shown on top of the deck either by colour or number. In a race to deplete their hands, players can play special cards to slow their opponents down, like Skips, Reverses and colour-changing Wild cards. UNO FLIP!™ also includes new Action cards that really shake things up, like Draw Five and Skip Everyone cards.  Play the special FLIP card and all cards in your hand, the draw pile and draw deck are flipped over to reveal an entirely new set of numbers and colours on the opposite side! Talk about shaking things up! The holder of the FLIP card then determines whether or not you play on the “light” side or “dark” side of the deck and when you switch it back around. Strategise to rattle your competition and be the first to get rid of your cards to win. This is another educational opportunity for players, no matter what age, encouraging them to hone their planning skills. When you’re down to one card, don’t forget to shout “UNO!  UNO FLIP!™ comes in a pack of 112 cards and includes detailed instructions.  UNO FLIP!™ is perfect for families and players ages 7 and up. UNO FLIP!™ is available at your favourite toy store today!

October 29, 2020
Impaq

How our childhood personality affects us as adults, and why it’s important

Much research has been done into how our experiences during childhood shape both our personalities as children and, later in life, as adults. This is an important area of research as it has many implications for parents when it comes to child-rearing, for teachers when it comes to teaching, and for many other people working with children. How is ‘personality’ defined? ‘Personality’ can be defined as a person’s ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and interacting with other people. Multiple researchers have determined that there are five primary personality characteristics, known collectively as the Big Five personality traits or the OCEAN model: Openness: a person’s appreciation for art and adventure, as well as their imagination and curiosity. Conscientiousness: a person’s ability to discipline themselves, fulfil their duties, and strive for success. Extraversion: a person’s tendency to experience positive emotions and to seek out the company of other people. Agreeableness: a person’s inclination to be compassionate, co-operative, and socially harmonious. Neuroticism: a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and anger. How are our personalities shaped? Our personalities are shaped not only by our genes but also by our environments and personal experiences as children and adolescents. These factors include parenting styles, culture and religion, education, access to resources, and adverse life events such as a parent’s divorce or death.  Read more on helping children cope with divorce The development of our personalities begins with our temperaments as infants, which refers to an infant’s mood, energy and activity levels, and emotions. Although temperaments are primarily determined by genetics, they can be affected by other environmental factors, especially an infant’s attachment style, which is the way infants bond with their caregivers. Attachments are secure when caregivers are supportive and insecure when they are neglectful. Children who are securely attached have better life outcomes than children who are insecurely attached. Our personalities are also shaped by our childhood experiences with friendships and other social interactions. Do our personalities as children affect us as adults? In short: yes. Research has shown that our personalities as children remain relatively fixed throughout our lives. Four childhood personality traits have been identified as being good predictors of a child’s adulthood personality and life outcomes. These are: Mastery motivation: This trait refers to a child’s tendency to approach tasks with enthusiasm and confidence, to strive for success, and to persist in the face of failure. Children who exhibit high levels of this trait go on to be socially competent, rule-abiding academic achievers as adults.  Read more on how to cope with failure. Academic conscientiousness: Similar to mastery motivation and conscientiousness as described by the OCEAN model, this trait assesses a child’s tendency to approach schoolwork seriously, thoroughly, and responsibly. Children who display high levels of academic conscientiousness go on to achieve success both at school and in the workplace. Surgency: Similar to extraversion, surgency measures a child’s tendency to be socially involved with others. Children who display high levels of this trait are outgoing, expressive, and self-reliant, and go on to be extremely socially competent as adults, enjoying numerous healthy platonic friendships and romantic relationships. Agreeableness Much like the Big Five personality trait, agreeableness in children refers to the generosity, kindness, and consideration they display as children, as well as their co-operation with adults. This trait positively predicts social cohesiveness and career success in adults. Read more on nurturing good values in children. Why is any of this important? The fact that so many factors influence our personalities as children, combined with the fact that our personalities as children persist well into adulthood, means that there are multiple implications for children’s caregivers, whether they be parents/guardians, teachers, or babysitters. Firstly, a child’s primary caregiver during the first year of their life must be aware that the way in which they care for the child will affect the child later in life. It is vital that such caregivers educate themselves on attachment styles, and how to provide for a child in a healthy, nurturing way without being obsessive or overbearing, which can be as detrimental to a child as a caregiver who is cruel or neglectful, or both. Secondly, knowing which childhood personality traits are predictors of good life outcomes in adulthood is crucial in setting up a child for success later in life. When a caregiver is aware that a child is displaying behaviour that is not a predictor of good life outcomes, measures can be taken to help the child. Caregivers can enlist the assistance of child psychologists and occupational therapists to help set the child on the right path. Lastly, caregivers who are conscious of healthy personality characteristics in children can work to nurture those and to reinforce beneficial behaviours. As crucial as corrective measures are for curbing unhealthy behaviour, positive reinforcement is equally as important – if not more important – for promoting healthy behaviour in children. Read more on rewarding good behaviour. By being aware of our children’s early childhood needs and their behavioural patterns, we can set them up for success, both in their childhoods and throughout their lives. By Jacqui Smit

October 29, 2020
Hartskind

The benefits of block play & young children

In my opinion blocks are one of the most important toys any young child should have in their playroom.  Blocks are a teacher’s best friend and every classroom should have an endless supply of blocks in every colour, shape and size.  There are a host of possibilities and benefits to be gained from it! 1. Imagination – Through block play children are free to follow their own ideas as they embark on a voyage of discovery or share in the development of their friends’ creations. 2. Self-expression – Children can express themselves through their play, creations and discoveries, a form of communication that’s particularly valuable for bilingual or non-verbal children. 3. Problem-solving – Blocks offer a great platform to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills. This can be deliberate, with children consciously working to develop a solution, or as a natural consequence of play, as they learn first-hand what does and what does not work. 4. Mathematics – Due to the many shapes, sizes and colours on offer, blocks offer ample opportunity for children to practise important maths skills, covering measurement, number, symmetry, balance and estimation. By comparing shapes and sizes, creating patterns or providing measuring and weighing tools, we can can extend play and exploration. 5. Physical development – Block play promotes the development of spatial awareness and develops hand-eye coordination and mid-line crossing as children reach for, lift, move and build with blocks, strengthening their fingers, hands and arms. 6. Creativity – Blocks are loose parts, meaning children are free to combine and recombine them in countless ways. Parents or teachers can add alternative resources such as dough, small world characters or paint and pencils to further extend opportunities for creativity. 7. Science – Through the exploration of cause and effect and experimentation, children are able to develop their problem-solving skills, test hypotheses and practise scientific reasoning. Blocks help them to become familiar with balance, weight, spatial awareness and gravity. 8. Self-esteem – Children can take risks in their block play, helping them to discover that they have independent ideas. Children experience a sense of achievement as they ‘have a go’, creating and developing something new and unique. 9. Problem solving – Block play allows children to co-construct and negotiate. They take turns, share materials and cooperate with others, forging new friendships. It also encourages self-reliance, increases attention span and develops their sense of self. 10. Communication & literacy – As children encounter new experiences through block play, there are countless opportunities for discussion and the development of new vocabulary. Social interaction with adults and peers unlocks further benefits, while using blocks can support story creation and collaborative storytelling. So what does mom have to say? My inquisitive one year old is learning at such an incredible pace, it’s amazing to see how much she takes in every day. Building blocks are a classic tool that helps children work on spatial reasoning, motor skills, hand-eye coordination and creativity, so I really wanted her to be exposed to them as early as possible. Mega Bloks toys are always made with good quality materials, so these blocks have a lovely feel. The vibrant colours keep my daughter engaged. She’s a bit too young to put the pieces together by herself, but her dad enjoys helping her, and I love watching the dad-daughter bonding as they play together. Cleaning up is quick and easy, and Emma has great fun throwing the blocks into the storage bag that comes with the set. If you are looking for a gift for your young child, look no further than a set of Mega Bloks! They stand the test of time; they are durable and are easy to disinfect and sanitise.  Mega Bloks are available to purchase from Takealot so don’t delay – add them to your cart or Christmas wishlist

October 28, 2020
Hartskind

We love the Disney/PIXAR Toy Story – Emperor Zurg

Emperor Zurg (also known as the Evil Emperor Zurg or simply Zurg); is the sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance and the archenemy of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movies. He forms part of the gang that make up the “cool” must- have Toy Story toys.  If your child loves Toys Story as much as my 4-year-old son, the Emperor, being one of the “bad guys” must be in their Toy Story collection.  He is the perfect size for action storytelling play; recreating favourite movie scenes will not be the same without him.  This figure’s head, arms, hands and elbows are able to bend and move and he is positioned on three wheels, making his movement across the floor look very realistic and intimidating to fellow toy story characters.  Fantasy/make-believe play is something that comes naturally for young children when allowed and given the opportunity to set their imaginations free! When your child engages in pretend (or dramatic) play, he is actively experimenting with the social and emotional roles of life. … When your child pretends to be different characters, he has the experience of “walking in someone else’s shoes,” which helps teach the important moral development skill of empathy. One of the key reasons why children should play is to develop their imagination and cognitive strength and should always be encouraged by parents. 

October 28, 2020
Hartskind

UNO Junior is so much fun

This junior version of the classic card game, Uno is perfect for families with young children who also want to participate in family game nights. With the year-end holidays around the corner what better way to spend quality family time together.  The child-sized playing cards are illustrated with brightly coloured zoo animal motifs and is so fun and cute, not only will it get your younger children excited; but everyone will want to play!  The awesome thing about these cards are that it has three levels of play to allow the game to grow with your child as they continue developing,  guaranteeing that they will not get tired or bored of it when they grow older.  Level One is simple matching; Level Two introduces action cards to the deck and Level Three adds penalty cards to the mix. With Uno Junior your children learn to recognize their skills in a fun way using colours and numbers. Each of the number cards (0-8) has a matching illustration so children who do not know their numbers yet can still play. My 4-year-old knows his numbers already, but he can still race to get rid of all his cards by matching them to the card show on top of the deck, either by colour or by animal.  And when your down to only one card, the same rules apply, don’t forget to yell “UNO!”  Playing card games gives you the opportunity to teach your child about rules, about integrity and honesty, and about luck.  Card games play a major role in helping to increase your child’s ability to focus her attention. It is also a very social occasion. Game playing enables and encourages your child to practice important social skills that she will need to play well with other children.  I love the fact that card games involve taking turns and waiting for your turn. This is something that every young child needs regular practise with, as It teaches young children patience and learning how to be a good sport. 

October 28, 2020
Parenting Hub

Restoring Hope everyday

‘Do your little bit of good where you can. It’s the little bits of good together that overwhelm the world.’ [Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu] It is said that volunteers don’t get paid, because they are priceless. Volunteering is about caring, empathy, selflessness, generosity, leadership, humanity and fortitude – attributes needed to help rebuild communities.  There are so many organisations who rely on volunteers to keep them going, to help make a difference in the lives of the people and communities in which they serve.  One such organisation is Restoring Hope based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.  This group of young men and women have made it their mission to give back and they say the rewards make it all worthwhile. Humble beginnings Restoring Hope is a non-profit organisation established in 2015 by Devin Frans, Mikhail Kroutz, Kelly Jacobs and Marlon Saaiman, all young and optimistic about the future and determined to bring about positive change and hope to previously disadvantaged communities. The group now has seven core members, who are working and studying but manage to juggle a schedule around everyone’s ‘free’ time. They carry out a feeding relief scheme and other intervention programmes within the Victoria Lodge and Cafda Village communities in Southfield, assisted by an additional 30 volunteers who help them tackle challenges that face this community on a daily basis.  From unemployment and hunger through to drug and alcohol abuse, lack of youth development and gender based violence. The organisation is not formally funded but relies on the generosity of local businesses, organisations, community members and kind hearted Capetonians to keep them going.  ‘We make use of whatever donations we receive to support and run our outreach initiatives,’ explains Dale Hendricks, director of Restoring Hope.  He says without the key role players, such as the volunteers, Red Cross Disaster Relief, the TFG Group, Blue Ribbon Bread, Peace Jam South Africa, Ocean View CAN, Premier Foods, Pie in the sky Bakery, St. George Home for Girls, Help A Girl South Africa and Rush Extreme Sports (Playstation by Rush) this would not be possible. Covid’s impact The Covid-19 lockdown highlighted and brought about additional challenges for the organisation, especially in terms of feeding the community who were unable to finance a daily meal due to economic challenges. ‘We launched a feeding relief kitchen in the community, providing lunch for 1 500 hungry children and residents each week day during the initial three months of lockdown. This has now been reduced to three meals a week for 100 adults and 40 children,’ says Hendricks. Kids Fellowship One of the greatest needs within the community is the support, mentorship and education of children which is why the ‘Kids Fellowship Program’ was started. This to provide development structure to children ages 2 to 18. ‘The program provides a platform for kids to understand how they can reach their full potential through learning, engagement and expressing themselves through various life skills and recreation activities,’ explains Hendricks. An important part of the Program includes a meal for the 40 children and afternoon clubs held twice a week. Play becomes a plate of food Local children’s indoor playpark and restaurant – Playstation by Rush – has become an important part of the team helping to give children a hand up.  ‘We met Devin at Rush, our indoor trampoline park and were so impressed with his passion and vision for helping the local community that we decided to try and help where we could.  With the opening of our indoor playpark, aimed at children ages 2 to 13 and located close to the communities Restoring Hope work with, we decided to turn some of the profits from play into plates of food,’ explains Damon Walmsley, GM.  ‘Now every Wednesday, our restaurant staff prepares a warm and hearty mince and vegetable stew with rice to help feed the community. ‘Month after month, these guys have been champions for the community and although we are helping in one small way, we want to salute them for the personal sacrifices they make to help others.’ Doing more Restoring Hope have also put other programmes in place to assist the community, some are seasonal, such as the blanket and clothing drive during winter. ‘During the harsh winter we were able to provide over 300 vulnerable and struggling citizens with blankets and food parcels. ‘The Toiletry and Sanitary Pack drive, which formed part of Women’s Month, was aimed at helping women and children who have been victims of abuse and gender based violence,’ says Hendricks. While Playstation continues to provide a weekly meal they are also planning a fun ‘play date’ for the children on the Kids Fellowship Program.  The children will be hosted at the venue where they will enjoy two hours of play exploring the adventure maze with its challenging levels, swing bridges, nooks and crannies. Or tackling the 4m climbing wall, cycling on the 40m bike track and sliding down the 6m long slides.  For the younger children there’s a little kids’ city and mini-slides.   ‘We look forward to opening our play park to Restoring Hope and hosting these kids to some well deserved fun time,’ says Walmsley. If you’d like to assist Restoring Hope in any way contact  078 008 9331 or go to www.restoringhope.co.za.

October 27, 2020
Hartskind

Imaginext GKG77 Mega bite shark

My 4-year-old and I were both super excited when we received a big box containing the Mega bite shark! I knew I was going to love what was inside just by looking at the beautiful sturdy packaging. His face lit up as soon as we opened the box. Inside, a mega shark with big teeth and a fierce expression!  Included in the box is a shark cage and a diver with a detachable air tank and a harpoon.  It was clear that this was not your ordinary shark toy! When the shark is rolled back and forth on the wheels underneath its body, the shark literally comes alive! The neck rocks from side to side, the mouth opens and close and the flippers move, mimicking a real shark’s movement! This feature is super cool and left my son and myself, absolutely mesmerised. He immediately started assembling the diver and attached the diver’s feet to the sharks back and rolled the “swimming” shark all over the house. Later he had the diver inside the shark’s mouth and had fun opening and closing its big teeth chomping away at the diver.  He continued creating all sorts of action-packed scenarios and invented stories and ideas, later adding seashells and sand to create an underwater scene.  The only disappointing thing is that the shark is not intended for water use.  I am super excited about the thought that went into this toy as it inspires creativity, grows imagination and helps children to develop their storytelling skills.  This set also encourages social interaction for older toddlers and children who begin playing with friends or siblings and sharing ideas. It provides an opportunity for children to practice and develop social skills simply by being with and talking to each other about their game. It boosts development of problem solving and self-regulation skills, learning to share and respect ideas of others.  A really awesome gift idea for young toddlers and children! Product Available for purchase: https://www.toysrus.co.za/catalog/product/view/id/67127/s/webname/category/5498/

October 27, 2020
Parenting Hub

Smartick launches free online assessment to detect the risk of dyscalculia amongst children

First online e-learning programme to design dyscalculia early detection online resource tool Smartick, an AI-based maths, coding and logic e-learning programme for kids aged 4 – 14, has launched a free standardised online assessment that allows for quick and easy identification of children at risk of dyscalculia. Dyscalculia (pronounced dis·cal·koo·lee·a) is a mathematics learning disorder characterised, among other things, by the difficulty in acquiring number sense and calculation. In other words, a relative of the more commonly known and researched learning disorder dyslexia, which involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and how they relate to letters and words.  Smartick global research suggests that approximately 5-7% of a country’s population may suffer in silence from dyscalculia and that in a class of 25 students, it is likely that at least one child has the learning disorder. For a population of 57+ million in South Africa, and if similar percentages are anything to go by, it could equate to around four million people potentially being misdiagnosed. Smartick co-founder, Javier Arroyo says that dyscalculia is a disorder with serious consequences and high prevalence, but unknown among many children, parents and educators. “Dyscalculia tends to be confused with other disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), low IQ or even study laziness. While it can result in failure in the mathematics subject, although not always the case, it can translate into real life difficulties that cause frustration and low-self-esteem,” says Arroyo. On a day-to-day basis, it can translate into misreading the time on a watch or car license plate, as well as having difficulty memorising phone numbers, number sequences or calculating the return on a purchase. Available to South Africans from 1 September 2020 with the aim of helping to detect the ‘dyslexia’ of the numbers, Smartick’s designed* free standardised online assessment takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes tasks around three fundamental areas of mathematical learning: comparison and recognition of numbers, arabic numerals and numbering and arithmetic.  “The exercises for each evaluate the ability to recognise and manipulate numerical quantities without counting, and numerical processing that use verbal symbolic code, such as number recognition and comparison. Children with dyscalculia often have severe and persistent difficulties in learning arithmetic,” says Arroyo. At the end of the assessment, a report is immediately generated and sent with the child’s strengths and weaknesses in each of the evaluated areas. If, according to the results, a child is at risk of dyscalculia, it is recommended that parents and / or guardians go to a professional for a complete evaluation, which includes psychological tests for intelligence, attention and reading, in addition to specific tests for maths. Arroyo says the e-learning programme wanted to provide the educational community and parents with an instrument with which to identify early on one of the mathematical learning disorders as common as unknown. “Children with dyscalculia need adapted, daily training based on a deep understanding of concepts and procedures. Your child might be the next Bill Gates and can help change the world, but he’s misdiagnosed and misunderstood,” he says. *The standardised dyscalculia assessment needs to be completed on a tablet and is aimed at children from first to fourth grade. It was developed in collaboration with the Universities of Malaga and Valladolid in Spain, with more than 800 students in different areas of Spain participating in the initial assessment validation study.

October 26, 2020
Parenting Hub

FISHER-PRICE INVITES YOU ON A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THE POP ART-NOSTALGIA-PACKED ‘FISHER-PRICE TOY MUSEUM’

Fisher-Price, the leading baby and infant pre-school brand across the world, is throwing open the virtual doors to its brand new Fisher-Price Toy Museum –  the first-of-its-kind experience which digitally showcases classic Fisher-Pricetoys from the past nine decades in a colourful and fun exhibition especially created and curated for Instagram. In what is being dubbed the ultimate trip down memory lane for people of all ages, the grand opening of the Fisher-Price Toy Museum will be on 16October where visitors to the official Fisher-Price Instagram page will be able to rekindle their relationship with some of  their favourite Fisher-Price toys through a colourful and interactive exhibition of images and videos.  Today, the world-famous toy company has released 9 images to select press outlets to preview what visitors to the museum can expect to see when they log on. At the museum, the legacy of Fisher-Price toys will be on full display. In honour of the brand’s anniversary year, the museum will feature more than 90 different exhibits that will be organised by decade, enabling visitors to easily locate the vintage toys from their childhood.  The launch collection will include a variety of classic products creatively designed by artist and designer Leila Fakouri, who focused on keeping the toys as the star of each environment while incorporating dimensions and textures to create an authentic museum feel.  Specific exhibits include Snoopy Sniffer, which launched in 1938, and sits atop a fabricated slice of blueberry pie, the iconic Roller Skates, which were first introduced in 1983, and are showcased in a miniature roller skating rink complete with the wood paneled flooring and carpeted walls, and the Soothe & Glow Seahorse, which launched in 2008, and is displayed underwater in an aquarium setting.  Artist and designer Leila Fakouri says: “These toys were designed and created in a variety of time periods spanning almost a century. Each decade has its own style, colours, vibe and nostalgic memories. I focused on bringing this to life by curating a beautiful and complex variety of installations that reflect the visual language of each time.” “The Fisher-Price Toy Museum was inspired by the idea that, whether you were born in the 1950s, 1980s or 2000s, everyone has a memory of their favorite childhood toy, and many of those are from Fisher-Price,” said Chuck Scothon, SVP and Global Head of Infant and Preschool, Mattel. “The intent of this museum is to take visitors back to their unique childhood experiences, and give them the opportunity to relive their youth, even if just for a few moments.” Fisher-Price are partnering with Time Out across Europe for the launch of the Virtual Toy Museum. Creative content will be produced for 7 markets including London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, Athens encouraging parents to visit the Fisher-Price Toy Museum on Instagram and revisit the decade they grew up in. The content hosted on Time Out will include digital features and social campaigns.  Celebrating a 90-year milestone since its early founding in June 1930. The pioneering US based company, which has been a staple in millions of happy childhoods and has a rich history of innovation, was the first to use and term the phrase ‘Preschool Toys’ (1934), the first to create licensed toys and one of the first companies to make coding available to preschool kids with the introduction of the award-winning Code-A-Pillar (2016).  In 2020, during the global COVID pandemic, Fisher-Price released a special edition line of collectible action figures and Little People Community Champions called the #ThankYouHeroes where all net proceeds go to charities supporting COVID efforts. The company recently launched a new multi-year, 360-degree marketing campaign titled, “Let’s Be Kids,” that celebrates seeing the world as kids see it, with optimism and humour whilst also extending an open invitation to grown-ups to grow-down and rediscover the joy of playtime. 

October 26, 2020
Parenting Hub

Introducing the Thomas & Friends™ Cassia Crane & Cargo Set

Did you know that Thomas & Friends™ is an exciting spin-off of Thomas the Tank Engine which was first published in 1945?!  Who doesn’t love the Thomas & Friends™ TV show?!  Fisher-Price just have that special knack for bringing fun learning activities to children of all ages.  With their history of introducing fun learning activities to babies and children, you can’t go wrong with purchasing Fisher-Price toys for your kids.  Their superior quality has seen many Fisher-Price toys being passed down through the generations. Now your preschooler will get the chance to relive some of their favourite moments from the Thomas & Friends™ TV show with this exciting train set from Fisher-Price. Thomas wants to be a Really Useful Engine and help deliver a load of avocados to the docks, but he needs help from his good friend, Cassia. Preschoolers can use the toy crane to grab and load the barrels onto the engine’s cargo car, then flip the switch to send Thomas racing around the railway tracks to make the delivery!  This TrackMaster™ battery-powered motorised engine, toy crane, and track pieces are all compatible with other TrackMaster™ track sets for limitless adventures. What’s really cool is that you buy additional track sets which are sold separately and your little train-driver can expand his delivery route. Special Features of this set include : Cassia the crane gets to help Thomas load up and deliver his cargo with this Thomas & Friends™ play-set Crane spins 360 degrees with real-working claw for grabbing, lifting, and loading cargo Send the battery-powered train racing around the railway track to deliver the barrels of avocados to the docks (Motorised engine compatible with all TrackMaster™ and Wood tracks; additional tracks sold separately) Includes Cassia, Thomas motorised engine with cargo car, dock pieces, barrels, and 7 track pieces (Compatible with all TrackMaster™ tracks; additional tracks sold separately.) For preschool children ages 3 years and older

October 23, 2020
Parenting Hub

Get Ready for #SummerOfNerf 2020

Ready.. Aim.. Blast! This year’s summer is going to be an absolute blast with #SummerOfNerf. Four action packed weeks. Four epic weekly challenges you can do in your back yard. Weekly prizes and ONE Giant GRAND PRIZE.  Kicking off from 26 October until 27 November #SummerOfNerf promises four Nerf-tastic weeks of exciting challenges with awesome prizes up for grabs all done from the comfort of your own home!  How to get in on the virtual #SummerOfNerf action Step 1: visit www.summerofnerf.co.za to register Step 2: purchase a Nerf Box, which contains all challenge elements and instructions  – you could also be one of the first to own the NEW Ultra 2.  Step 2: purchase a Nerf Box, which contains all challenge elements and instructions  – you could also be one of the first to own the NEW Ultra 2.  Step 3: Nerf Box will be delivered to your home before the 26th October and the blasting fun can begin! The weekly challenges include: The DIY Target Challenge The Bottle Cap Challenge The Box-It Challenge The Ultimate Obstacle Challenge Follow the conversation with #SummerOfNerf  @NerfSouthAfrica on Facebook – @NerfNationSA on Instagram – www.summerofnerf.co.za  This summer it’s NERF OR NOTHIN’

October 22, 2020
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

Coping with Anxiety

What could happen if we gave each person the tools to diminish their anxiety, reduce their fears and build a toolbox to achieve true resilience? Anxiety is a normal part of life, but during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many people are more worried, concerned and/or depressed than in normal circumstances. In order to find the ways to move forward and manage the stresses that recent circumstances have thrown at us, we need to better understand what anxiety is.   “I’ve always described it as a gnawing, tightness in your stomach and even in your whole body. It’s a weird feeling, because you can’t really pin it down. You know you feel worried, but you’re not sure about what. For me anxiety is: an underlying fear of not knowing what the future holds, or what the outcome of a situation will be”, says Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal of The Bridge School for Assisted Learning in Beverley, Sandton.  Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, the body’s automatic fight-or-flight response that is triggered when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a challenging situation  An overwhelming number of questions may resonate with us during these circumstances and the pandemic that causes an anxious feeling in the pit of our stomach. They include: What does the future hold? Will we ever get beyond the Coivid-19 virus? What will life be like after… Will we go back to “normal”? What if we get sick? What if a loved one gets sick? What if a lot of people get sick? Will we survive? Am I safe at school? “I want to give you some ideas about coping with anxiety”, Dr Pienaar continues. There are many models out there which refer to methods of coping with anxiety. One of the most famous models is the ‘Three Basic Coping Styles model’ (Endler 1997, and Folkman and Lazarus, 1986): Task-oriented (time-outs, eat well-balanced meals, count to ten slowly, limit alcohol and caffeine, take deep breaths, humour, enough sleep and other similar tasks). Emotion-oriented (meditation, distracting oneself, releasing pent-up emotions). Avoidance-oriented (staying away from triggers where possible, drug or alcohol abuse, severe procrastination). (psychologytoday.com) Many models contain similar ideas but might not be the most suitable for everyone. Thus, consult an expert that could work with you on the different methodologies to find the best practice for you. In the meantime, we look at the following steps that may assist you in this pressurised time One of the best ways of coping with anxiety relates to music. Listening to music, finding appropriate songs for a specific mood. It is really strange that sometimes when you’re feeling down, to listen to sad songs can actually make you feel better. Or hearing a particularly “up” song can make you feel worse? Although at other times listening to particular songs or a specific playlist can make you feel better? For example, here is a “Coping with Covid top 5” playlist. These are songs which currently resonate with me: “I’m Not Over” Carolina Liar (Actually about not being over a girl in a relationship, but for me it’s about not being over The World and all the beautiful things in it, just yet). “Carry the Weight” (acoustic version) Denison Witmer (About “carrying the weight of anybody who needs help, especially at the moment). “Times Like These” (acoustic version) Foo Fighters (Who knew there would be times like these). “What a Wonderful World” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Just love this version of how beautiful the world could be…) “Beautiful Day” U2 (Just a reminder about this fact is sometimes required). “Listening to music can definitely make us feel better about the world. The ugliness of the world can melt away, and the important things can rise up: friends, finding beauty in different places or things, sharing, closeness. Especially during Covid 19, having to look at what is really important in life”, says Dr Pienaar However, everybody will have their own songs, or music. Part of the journey will be finding the songs of your life, or the music which is soothing to your soul and assists with anxiety. Enjoy the music. Exercise: If you love running or riding or swimming, this is easy and really helps. However, what if you don’t like exercising? The last thing you want to do when you feel anxious or depressed is to exercise. It’s strange, but that’s when it is the most effective. To force yourself to exercise in those moments will be highly beneficial to you. Walking, jogging, riding, swimming, dancing, stretching, yoga, any exercise. They talk about the release of “endorphins” (feel good hormones) when you exercise, often these can help with easing anxiety. However, be mindful that it won’t help you, if exercising makes you feel bad, frustrated and/or unfit. Another way of coping is to develop a mantra A mantra is a positive saying, expression or motto to live by, that you can use to inspire or motivate yourself. Just by saying it often enough can help with coping with anxiety. “My personal mantra has become ‘I’m Not Over the World’, says ….  My mantra used to be “Never, ever, give up”. Develop your own mantra, or use somebody else’s if it fits your world: “It’s going to be ok”, “This is completely understandable”, “The sun will come out tomorrow, or even “I’m doing the best I can”, and  possibly in these times: “It is, what it is”.  It’s amazing but just the act of talking to someone else is extremely important to assist you to organise your thought processes and help alleviate anxiety. It was once said: “A problem shared is a problem halved…”. It’s almost as if by sharing an issue, someone else hears it, and even if they don’t have answers, they are at least hearing and understanding your anxiety. Drawing, writing, painting, colouring, being creative and innovative can help with calming the anxieties that you are feeling. No-one has to see what you paint or write. It’s more about being

October 15, 2020
Parenting Hub

New Study Shows That Playing With Dolls Allows Children To Develop Empathy And Social Processing Skills

Today, Barbie®, and a team of neuroscientists from Cardiff University, announces findings of a new study conducted using neuroscience for the first time to explore the positive impact doll play has on children, bringing to light new evidence that doll play activates brain regions that allow children to develop empathy and social information processing skills, even when playing by themselves. Over the past 18 months, senior lecturer Dr. Sarah Gerson and colleagues at Cardiff University’s Centre for Human Developmental Science have used neuroimaging technology to provide the first indications of the benefits of doll play at a brain level. Through monitoring the brain activity of 33 children* between the ages of 4 and 8, as they played with a range of Barbie dolls, the team found that the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), a region of the brain associated with social information processing such as empathy, was activated even when the child was playing on their own. These benefits of solo doll play were shown to be equal for both boys and girls. Dr. Gerson explains: “This is a completely new finding. We use this area of the brain when we think about other people, especially when we think about another person’s thoughts or feelings. Dolls encourage them to create their own little imaginary worlds, as opposed to say, problem-solving or building games. They encourage children to think about other people and how they might interact with each other. The fact that we saw the pSTS to be active in our study shows that playing with dolls is helping them rehearse some of the social skills they will need in later life. Because this brain region has been shown to play a similar role in supporting empathy and social processing across six continents, these findings are likely to be country agnostic”. To gather the data for the study, the children’s play was split into different sections so the Cardiff team could capture the brain activity relating to each other kind of play separately: playing with the dolls on their own; playing with the dolls together with another person (the research assistant); playing with the tablet game on their own and playing with the tablet game along with another person (the research assistant). The dolls used included a diverse range of Barbie dolls and play sets, with all Barbie dolls and sets returned to starting positions before each child began their test to ensure consistency of experience. Tablet play was carried out using games that allow children to engage with open and creative play (rather than a rule or goal-based games) to provide a similar play experience to doll play.  The findings of the study show that when children played alone with dolls, they showed the same levels of activation of the pSTS as they do when playing with others. Another finding of the study is that when children were left to play tablet games on their own, there was far less activation of the pSTS, even though the games involved a considerable creative element.  To understand the relevancy of these neuroscience findings, Barbie independently commissioned a global survey** that asked more than 15,000 parents of children in 22 countries. Results of this showed 91 percent of parents ranked empathy as a key social skill they would like their child to develop, but only 26 percent were aware that doll play could help their child develop these skills. During this time at home, parents are increasingly worried about ensuring their child is developing social development skills, with more than two-thirds (70 percent) saying they are concerned about how this isolation might affect their child and how their child interacts with others. Similarly, 74 percent of parents are more likely to encourage their child to play with a toy if they knew it was proven to help their child develop social and emotional skills, like empathy. “As leaders in the dolls category, we’ve always known that doll play has a positive impact on kids, but up until now, we have not had neuroscientific data that demonstrates these benefits,” says Lisa McKnight, SVP and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “The findings of this research highlights that playing with dolls, such as Barbie, offers positive benefits in preparing children for the future through nurturing social skills like empathy.  As we continue to inspire the limitless potential in every child, we are proud to offer dolls that encourage skills we know are highly valued by parents and are determinants in children’s future emotional, academic, and social success.” Barbie will be supporting these findings with an online hub, Barbie.com/Benefits, featuring resources for parents, caregivers, and children, to assist them in enhancing and applying their social processing skills. These resources have been developed alongside leading empathy expert, writer, and educational psychologist, Dr. Michele Borba. Michele Borba says: “The latest scientific findings from Cardiff University and Barbie are extraordinary and so relevant to the times we are living, given the limited social interaction our children can have. It’s been shown that children who have developed empathy and social skills early in life can have better grades, stay in school longer and make healthier choices overall. Empathetic children might also be more likely to stand up for a child being bullied and try to engage and resolve the conflict. Understanding that kids can help develop these skills through playing with dolls like Barbie, is remarkable and a helpful tool for parents.”  The results of the study are published today in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience as ‘Exploring the Benefits of Doll Play through Neuroscience.’ Recognising that this study is a first step towards understanding the positive impact of doll play with further research required to build on these initial findings, Dr. Sarah Gerson and the Cardiff University team along with Mattel, have committed to further neuroscience studies in 2021.

October 12, 2020
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