Child - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

The benefits of 3D Brain training

There are many toys on the market that offers amazing educational value for children. With such a wide variety available it is often a hard decision for parents to decide into which toy lines to invest for their children. Magformers however aims to make this decision simple for parents. With fun and intuitive products, Magformers offers a lifelong learning, journey growing with your child from birth through to their teens. Magformers as a brand and play system has proven itself since its introduction to the world by winning an array of industry awards with new honours being added to the trophy case year after year. To further add to Magformers credibility as an educational toy, the product line was also awarded STEM Approved™ by STEM.org, one of the worlds most respected authorities in STEM and STEAM toys and products. Magformers’ ever-growing rise in the competitive world of educational toys can be attributed to its unique and innovative 3D Brain training model, which nurtures young minds and assist children to develop multifaceted thinking. 8 key areas of development are stimulated as children learn through play, organically interlinking and balancing the eight essential mental capabilities of sensory development, modelling, creativity, curiosity, mathematical thinking, imagination, scientific thinking and reasoning. Reasoning Improve reasoning faculties as children interpret two-dimensional pictures and build three-dimensional structures utilising one of several building techniques. Sensory Development Children can practice their fine motor skills and stimulate brain development by touching and assembling the geometric Magformers pieces. They also develop sensory abilities by interacting with various colours and sounds as Magformers pieces snap together with a satisfying “click”. Modelling Magformers enhance understanding of three-dimensional configurations allowing children to easily build complex geometric shapes. Curiosity With its intuitive magnetic building system, Magformers stimulate curiosity by encouraging children to independently explore and build during creative play. Creativity The revolutionary magnetic geometric shapes allow children to build complex structures and vehicles. Imagination is the only limit. Mathematical Thinking Children develops quantitative reasoning skills by exploring concepts such as space, portions and wholes, patterns, and two-dimensional shapes. All why simply playing. Imagination Children can express their limitless imagination through the versatile Magformers magnetic building system. They can follow the building instructions included in each set or let their imagination run wild and construct their own unique creations. Scientific Thinking Children will learn through play and improve their scientific reasoning as they explore the properties of magnets, the heart of the Magformers building system, to create various structures. Through Magformers’ 3D Brain Training parents can be assured that their children will stay entertained through an engaging learn-through-play experience that’s more than just fun. Magformers is the construction toy that truly brings the classroom to the playroom, allowing children to independently play and develop while having loads of never-ending fun!

October 12, 2021

Keto And Zuri Learn About COVID-19

Roche and the Kolisi Foundation today launched a children’s book, Keto and Zuri Learn about COVID-19, that will help parents and caregivers across Africa explain COVID-19 to children by sharing scientific facts in age-appropriate language. The book is available to download for free on both the Kolisi Foundation and Roche’s websites, and a limited run of free printed copies will be distributed throughout Africa in seven languages. “We recognize the confusion and concern that children may be facing as a result of the pandemic and the changed behaviors of those around them. Similarly, we know the difficulties many parents and caregivers share in explaining scientific facts and public health policies to their children,” said Bart Vanhauwere, Area Head Africa, Roche. “This book aims to present the realities of COVID-19 in an easily digestible, approachable manner to help children and adults alike understand the changes caused by the pandemic and continue taking action to stay healthy.” “We often notice that the families we meet need information in addition to more practical support. This is why the Kolisi Foundation is proud to partner on the creation of this book. It helps children understand COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of health and safety behaviours, to protect themselves and their family members and friends. The full-colour illustration is visually appealing and the book is published in multiple languages,” said Valerie Anderson, Kolisi Foundation Operations and Programmes Manager. In South Africa, Transnet, a 25-year partner of Roche, will be handing out a limited printed supply of the books through the Phelophepa trains. These two trains, of which Roche is the main external sponsor, are free, mobile healthcare clinics that are now dedicated to COVID-19 screening, testing and awareness for people living in rural communities. The One by One Target Covid Campaign is also a partner of Keto and Zuri Learn about COVID-19. The Campaign is proudly supporting the distribution of the new children’s book in Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To help spread further awareness, they announced the creation of the book to their AfricaCovidChampions, who they brought together in an effort to spread reliable information about COVID-19. AfricaCovidChampions is a new initiative that includes some of the most prominent African celebrities, media personalities, journalists, and influencers from the sports, entertainment, business, cultural and faith communities. Among many others, these prominent figures include Heritier Wanabe (Musician), Simon Mwewa Lane (TV Show Host), Joseph Kusaga (Media Owner), Jeff Koinange (Journalist/Talk Show Host) and Gift Ali (Ugandan Football player / Sports Personality). These influencers have committed to serve as powerful public health advocates and will help the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reach people with the essential information needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital copies of the children’s book can be downloaded here. It is available in multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa Setswana, Portuguese, French:https://www.roche.com/sustainability/philanthropy/covid-19-childrens-book.htm About Roche Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visitwww.roche.com. About the Kolisi Foundation Founded by Siya and Rachel Kolisi, the Kolisi Foundation has the vision to change the narratives of inequality in South Africa. Seeking to support people living in under-resourced communities in South Africa by providing relief resources, facilitating capacity-building and horizontal learning exchanges, and mobilizing and advocating for systemic change. Driven by their motto to ‘remember the one, one by one’, the Kolisi Foundation is invested in researching, piloting and developing projects centred around three programmatic areas: Food Security, Gender-Based Violence, and Education and Sports Development. For more information, please visit www.kolisifoundation.org.

October 12, 2021

Limiting Screen Time: Teaching Your Kids Healthy Habits

In a technology filled world, it’s easy to get carried away, and spend endless hours online. For youth, and especially young children, too much screen time negatively impacts them. Both development and life skills can be tampered with if kids have too much exposure to technology. Your relationship with your kids can also be at stake as well. To prevent these negative impacts from occurring, limiting overall screen time is a healthy habit you can teach your kids early on. Establishing Screen Time Duration: The first thing step when limiting your child’s screen time is setting a duration of time that they are allowed online. Talk with them, and ask what time of the day they would prefer for their screen time. As long as you both decide on a convenient and reasonable time, everything should work smoothly. To ensure your child doesn’t abuse their use of technology, install a screen time app. Screen time apps put a time limit on your child’s device so they can’t use it when they aren’t supposed to. When your child is older, you can extend their screen time when neccesary. Teaching your kid(s) young to watch how much time they spend online is a valuable lesson. “They will understand the importance of spending more time away from technology, which is a healthy habit to build. Unfortunately, even if you limit your child’s screen time, the online world is full of many threats,” says Christi T. McDavid, an educator at 1 Day 2 Write and Write My X. This is why you must monitor your child’s device until a certain age in order to protect them. Protecting Your Child No matter if you chose the apps and sites your child can visit online, scary things exist all over the internet. For example, predators often play child friendly games in hopes of finding a target. That’s why you should check all your kid’s apps each time after they use their device. Make sure there are no creepy messages or interactions on any of the apps installed. It doesn’t stop at apps though. Go to your child’s search history to see what they are searching. If there is anything non child friendly in their search history, talk with them about it. Inform them of what they are not allowed to look up. You can also put the safe search setting on your child’s web browser as well for maximum safety. If you find anything harmful on your kids device, then use it as an opportunity to teach them about safe internet use. After covering screen time and the potential dangers of the internet, pushing your child to find a hobby away from their device is important. Promoting Hobbies Don’t let your kid become sucked into the online world like many children are today. Introduce them to new activities on a regular basis to help them find a hobby. Enroll them into sports, clubs, and take them to new places. When your child finds their interest, then support them no matter what their hobby is. Your kid may love art, enjoy soccer, or want to be part of their school’s play. Continue to be by their side while they embrace what they love. Hobbies allow people to focus on something other than the internet. So put the effort in in order for your child to find an established hobby. A huge issue found in the current generation of kids today is neglect. “Many parents leave their children alone on their devices instead of spending more quality family time with them. Don’t neglect your kids, because family time is highly important, and helps prevent extra time online,” explains Stella C. Monk, a writer at Britstudent and Originwritings. Family Time Want to prevent your kid(s) from turning into an online zombie? Then don’t forget to spend some quality time with them! Building a healthy relationship with your kids is crucial. Take them to the park, treat them with their favourite candy every once in a while, or come watch their sports game. Show your kids the value of building strong relationships with their loved ones. This will decrease their online time, and help improve your child’s people skills. It’s recommended to spend around an hour of time with your kids a day. Don’t spend too much or too little time with your kids, and make up for missed time when you are available. Family time will not only strengthen your family bond, but it will also support your child’s healthy relationships with screen time. Your Child’s Habits Hoping that you passed on these methods to your child, they will likely know how to manage their own screen time when they are older. These management skills will be useful for your child later in their life. As long as you are responsible with your child, you should be able to help them have a healthy relationship with screen time.

October 7, 2021

The Power of Play for children with special needs

“It’s a happy talent to know how to play” – Ralf Waldo Emerson Why play? As therapists we are often asked by parents, “What can we do at home to support our child’s learning?” Without a doubt, play is one of the most effective learning and therapy tools available to children and their families, and it is the “homework” we are the happiest to prescribe. Play is of benefit to not only the children in a family, but to the adults too, with the result that it is a win-win situation all round and it leads to happier children and families. When one considers the following quote from Dr Karyn Purvis it is difficult to think of any valid reasons not to be playing with our children: Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain. Unless it is done with play, in which case it takes 10-20 repetitions. Physical and mental health benefits In our current state of uncertainty and world-wide stresses, physical and mental health are our primary concerns. Healthy brain development and maintenance relies on stimulating the brain to make efficient and effective connections between nerve cells. These connections apply to ‘visible’ skills (such as motor skills) and more abstract skills for language, cognition, social and emotional development. Play is a ‘safe’ way to experience the world and test our skills. Games that require movement are excellent for stimulating physical health and motor skill development. This may be through the use of large movement e.g. jungle gyms, trees and open spaces like parks, or through the use of small movements with hands and fingers e.g. moving pieces on a board or building Lego. Cognitive benefits While all play facilitates brain development, some activities are more directed towards cognitive skills like reasoning and planning. These activities are not limited to board games. The child who enjoys re-enacting Star Wars or My Little Pony uses imagination, memory, reasoning and planning but perhaps to a different degree than the child playing Checkers or Monopoly. Social and communication benefits Games like 30 Seconds, Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary require cognitive skills but focus the ability to communicate clearly using memory, recall, understanding and explaining. Again, imitation and re-enactment activities develop similar communication skills but also have a greater element of socialisation opportunities, including a different type of trial-and-error problem solving, negotiating and understanding social cues. All play requires an element of impulse control which is developed through experience but social play also requires a higher degree of emotional regulation and empathy, leading to a safe place to practice life lessons. Playmates teach each other skills needed for game play and learn to use direction and explanations. A vital role of social play is the development of interpersonal relationships. Friendships and positive experiences relieve stress and provide pleasure. What to play? Many things influence the play chosen by children and adults – some practical and others adapted from traditional rules and experiences. The number of players and their ages are important for appropriate game selection, as is the need for teams or individual play. Will the play be structured (rule-bound and directive) or unstructured and creative? What interests the players and is the necessary equipment available? Remember that games needn’t be bought and creating a game can be fun in itself. Play is only fun if it is appropriate for the players, so it is sometimes necessary to adapt games for physical, cognitive, linguistic and social differences. Developing skills mentioned before, occur during the pleasure of play, so forcing a child with extremely diverse needs to play in the same ways as others in order to ‘teach’ them, is neither productive nor pleasurable. How can I adapt games? If mobility is a challenge e.g. cerebral palsy affecting movement or the use of a wheelchair or crutches: Size up by using bigger balls for ball games e.g. a plastic soccer ball to play tennis. Lighten up by using lighter balls for ball games e.g. volleyball with a balloon. Adjust rules e.g. if a child in a wheelchair is playing basketball that child can carry the ball in his/her lap instead of dribbling. Adjust pace e.g. balloon volleyball. Use accessible areas e.g. flat, open spaces. Buddy up – find a friend to push the wheelchair or assist with mobility – it’s ok to ask for help. If fine motor control is a challenge e.g. hand grips: Use a universal cuff – usually for holding eating utensils, but can be used for play as well. Use a card holder for card games. Non-slip mats under game boards (from most hardware stores). Prestik under game tokens/pieces. Size up e.g. use larger playing pieces or garden size games; build up tools and playing pieces with foam. If vision is a challenge: Texture components using velcro, glitter glue or craft foam from stationery stores. Use games with sounds/sound activated. Include as many senses as possible. Use garden size games. Prestik under game pieces. If language, speech or literacy is a challenge: One-on-one play initially. Subjects of interest with predictable language. Use clear, short sentences/explanations. Emphasise important words e.g. nouns, verbs, prepositions. Slow down and use repetition Model correct responses for your child at just above your child’s current language level. Allow the child to lead too. Use signs, gestures or pictures if they are effective. Shorten the duration of the game. Help if necessary. Remove some steps of the game if it is too complex. Types of play Understanding play may be limited to our own experiences, but the diversity of play activities is massive, from something like a stick imagined as a wand, sword or conductor’s baton, to a complex and strategic game of Risk or Chess played for days. Different types of play develop different skill sets and variety provides more holistic development and more opportunities to develop interests and sources of pleasure. Play can be unstructured and creative or rule

October 6, 2021

Emotional Intelligence: The most important gift you can give your child in this post-pandemic world

EQ. Two simple letters that wield such a determining influence in our children’s lives. Emotional Intelligence (or EQ as it’s more commonly known) is not a novel concept. For years the importance of developing children’s EQ and IQ in tandem, has been discussed and promoted in scholarly articles and mainstream media alike. The question being asked now (and louder than it’s ever been asked before) is – were we paying attention? The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the calling upon of resilience, empathy, confidence, adaptability to unpredictability, embracing of change and countless other skills that the emotionally intelligent child possesses. And in doing so, it has shone a spotlight on the vast difference in the coping capacity of the high-EQ child versus the not-so-high. But does this matter? Yes. Yes it does. It matters because the pandemic has demonstrated that being emotionally intelligent is an outlook, an approach to life and a determinant of success that will be more important than ever in the aftermath of multiple levels of lockdown and the severe restrictions that were and still are being placed on our children’s complex socialisation needs. The socio-emotional consequences of 2020’s school closures and mandatory isolation are manifesting fast and furiously. Increased cases of childhood anxiety, depression, peer-related issues and behavioural challenges are presenting at schools and in homes…And it’s only through increased efforts in EQ Education that we can hope to offset these consequences for our children in the long-run. But where do we even begin? At the very beginning, ofcourse. Much like learning the basics of reading and writing requires first learning the alphabet – children should be taught emotional awareness and expression (the basic principles of EQ) by first being taught to identify their feelings accurately. Too few children are able to differentiate their feelings and the feelings of others beyond “happy”, “sad”, “scared” or “angry”. But “sad” is not the same as “guilty” and “angry” is not the same as “rejected”. Storybooks like those in the “Game Ranger Grace & The Big 5 Feelings” series have been specifically created to expand the emotional vocabulary of young children. To expand a child’s emotional vocabulary is to help them take their first step on the road to emotional intelligence, because the ability to accurately identify an emotion directly impacts the ability to effectively regulate and express it. And the good news is that the younger the child when EQ Education efforts start, the greater the long-term benefits will be. So start at the very beginning…it’s a very good place to start! Visit www.tjtrainingsolutions.co.za to order copies of the first book in the “Game Ranger Grace & The Big 5 Feelings” series or email [email protected] to query available EQ resources and workshops.

October 5, 2021

Boomerang lives it up in New York with Tom and Jerry!

Brand-new show launching this October… Winning the hearts of millions is no easy feat, but after more than 80 years and countless accolades, the iconic duo, Tom and Jerry, are back, better than ever, leaving the suburbs behind for new escapades in New York City. To say Tom and Jerry have been around the block would be the understatement of the century! This pair, who love to hate each other, have been around the globe, gone through time travel, into outer space, down every nook and cranny imaginable, and are now running wild in Manhattan. From Monday, 04th of October, Boomerang Africa will premiere Tom and Jerry in New York, the show parents have been waiting for to introduce their kids to. Follow our favourite cat and mouse as they settle into their new digs at the Royal Gate Hotel and unleash mayhem across The Big Apple, inciting hilarious chaos uptown, downtown, and everywhere their manic escapades take them. So, best believe, Central Park, giant museums, department stores, and even subway cars will be turned upside down, inside out or just be totally annihilated in this brand-new Tom and Jerry series! All these chases and games have not been in vain; in fact, with their lengthy history on the small and big screen, Tom and Jerrycontinue to bring on the childhood nostalgia and fresh memories with equal measure. The two have also been over-achievers in their own unique way, having garnered 13 Oscar nominations for best short subject cartoon and winning seven of them in the franchise’s history. Plus, they did all that without even saying much; legend has it that the first time Tom and Jerry spoke at length was in their 1992 feature film. It does not get any more iconic than that! Get excited for the hilarious return of everyone’s favourite frenemies, as Tom and Jerry in New York premieres on Monday, 4 October at 07:25 CAT on Boomerang Africa! Watch. Play. Laugh.

October 4, 2021

The Basic Principles of Magformers

Magformers is a three-dimensional magnetic toy that develops children’s creativity and aids in their brain development. The Magformers Magnets The neodymium magnets inside Magformers pieces allow every piece to attach to each other regardless of their north or south pole. Not only do Magformers pieces stack like normal building blocks, but they can also connect three-dimensionally and in any direction. Magformers for Creativity and Brain Development Magformers is the foremost three-dimensional magnetic educational toy for nurturing child creativity and brain development. Children can create their own original structures by connecting and assembling various geometric figures. Children can observe how two-dimensional shapes become three-dimensional structures, and by doing so, understand the principles of magnets and expand their limitless imagination and creativity. The Six Ways to Use Magformers Six very simple methods can be used to create any shape or figure Magformers is a world-leading manufacturer of magnetic children’s toys. Recognized with multiple awards and educational accolades, our tile sets stimulate critical abilities across age groups with years of safe, quality play time. Your only limitation will be your imagination and with so many different colours you’ll have a hard time picking your favourite. Unlike some other construction toys, which limit children to building only specified models, Magformers pieces can be used freely and with imagination, allowing children to build any shapes they like – as well as following the building guides contained within each set. Magformers magnetic construction sets encourage 3D Brain Training through fun and education. The free-spinning magnets are safely encapsulated within all the edge surfaces of each toughened ABS plastic Magformers piece. And because they can rotate in any direction, they always connect and never repel when two Magformers are brought together. Internationally, Magformers has received more than 50 global educational and toy awards. Children can use basic Magformers geometric shapes to create 2D ‘flat’ plans (known as nets), but also 3D figures. It’s very easy to lay Magformers flat, forming a mathematical net, and pull them up to form 3D towers, cubes, and other shapes. SCIENCE Improves scientific thinking while creating a variety of models using the principles of magnetism. Science gives children an in-depth understanding of the world around us. It helps them to become better at research and critical thinking. – need to flesh science out TECHNOLOGY Develop designs from 2D planar figures to 3D models.Fosters the infinite imagination of children while they make geometric shapes as well as unique models ENGINEERING Developing modelling skills through building blocks by hand. Enhances intelligence for 3D configurations while making 3D shapes. ART Encourage the combination of technology skills with artistic activities, like creating an animated story MATH Develops mathematical thinking while combining and connecting blocks to understand and utilize concepts of space and principles. Spatial concepts, parts and wholes, patterns, principles of shapes etc Children as young as 18 months can start playing with products from the Magformers My First Line. The combination of shapes, colours and, in some sets, more technical accessories, will give your child the tools to create unlimited designs! Imagine how happy and excited your child will be when they show you their latest creative design! Imagine how proud you will feel when your child has mastered the art of 3D modelling, all the while being conscious that your child is learning and developing their brain while having fun! Imagine having the colourful pieces in your hands right now! What would you and your child build together? A vehicle (Plane? Helicopter? Car? Bus? Truck? Bike? Boat?) An animal? A building? One of the seven wonders? A castle? A bridge or other structure? Furniture? A robot? A dinosaur? A tree, flower or plant? Fruit? A unique geometric design? The possibilities are endless!

October 4, 2021

How to handle angry feelings

Once there was a red balloon that lived in a house with a family. Every day the red balloon got bigger and bigger without anyone noticing. One day the balloon popped with a loud bang and everyone in the house got a nasty fright. Anger is often like the red balloon in that it builds up slowly over time until it explodes over a seemingly small incident/event. Aggressive behaviour is learned through the modelling of significant others. If you handle your anger like the red balloon, your children might learn that aggression is the best way to deal with uncomfortable emotions. Eventually these emotions could cause school difficulties, anxiety and relationship problems. Emotional control, however, creates a feeling of security and peace within a family. It is thus important for us as parents to ensure that our emotions and our reactions in response to our emotions are equal. For example, when you are angry, you do not have to express that anger by yelling or throwing things. Feeling angry is not wrong, but the way you express it might be wrong. As parents we have the responsibility to teach our children how to deal with their emotions in effective and appropriate ways. The following tools can help you manage your emotions more effectively: If you realise that there are often outbursts among family members, write down your emotions and thoughts. Keeping a journal will help you gain perspective. Humour can help you feel more in control over stressful circumstances. Take deep breaths. This will help to not only relieve some of the tension but will also give you a few moments to think more clearly. Focus all your attention on something in your environment or something on yourself, like the garden outside your window or the pattern on your dress or shirt. This technique can help you gain control over your emotions. Research has shown that there is a close link between a healthy marriage and successful parenting. It is therefore a good idea to invest in building a healthy relationship with your wife/husband. A good way to do this is by going away for a weekend or having planned date nights, to help you reconnect with your partner. Build your self-knowledge. Who am I? What is my personality like? Self-knowledge can help you gain insight into your own behaviour and emotions. Be mindful of external factors that could contribute to your emotions. For example, are you eating healthy foods, exercising, getting enough sleep? Are you stressed and worried?

September 29, 2021

Meet the Crew – The world of Snap Ships

The year, 2499. There is still good. There is still evil. Evil is winning. They came out of nowhere, an alien species wiping civilization one by one, stealing technology and making it their own, leaving nothing but chaos in their wake. We are all that stands between them and what is left of civilization. Snap Ships is a versatile building system for creating multiple crafts with action play. A space themed toy with a strong emphasis on construction and interactivity, supported by a complimentary AR (Augmented Reality) mobile app, it is more than all these elements that makes this the must own toy. Behind it all lies a rich world of adventure for children to immerse themselves in. They aren’t just playing with a toy but will be living out an adventure alongside their favourite Forge fleet hero’s. Join us as we introduce you to the hero’s of Forge fleet! 2Bells has the heart of a lion, the strength of a military cargo plane, and is an incredibly picky eater who hates cramped spaces, small talk, and bad manners. 2Bells is the Forge’s muscle in any battle. His tough, rock crystal exterior can sometimes hide his more delicate quirks. 2BELLS – “…*alien sounds* …” Atam is a brilliant mind, an incredible multi-tasker and an avid lover of all forms of puzzles and games. His easy going, chill demeanor masks a driven focus that can see Atam work for days – fueled by his passion to solve complex puzzles. Subscribe to our channel to discover a surprising mystery about Atam! Atam – “I have a plan. It’s risky, but it just might work! …. Oorah! Oorah!” Although young by human standards, Dee La is one of the most accomplished, intelligent and qualified Snap Ships pilots in all of the Forge ranks. She knows this and always expects the best of herself. When faced with a challenge, she takes it head on – hard. Dee La comes from a race of incredibly strong and proud people known for their expert navigation and piloting skills. Dee La – “Since ancient times, my people travelled the waterways of our planet, natural explorers. We’re still renowned for our piloting skills. We’ve just gone from waterways to space lanes.” Dex is the Commanding Officer of The Forge – he is a leader, a warrior, and always willing, ready and able to stand on the front lines of space combat. Dex is tasked with leading forward operations, combat ops, as well as providing further training to the best-of-the-best Snap Ships. Dex – “… and we are the last chance. I’ve lost family, friends, home, but with your help we will not lose more.” Klik is one of the best pilots in the universe. Fearless, driven, and hungry to prove himself, Klik takes risks – sometimes against everyone’s better judgement. His ability to see Snap Ships transformations like no one else gives him a flying ability that borders on a superpower, but his humble upbringing forced him to become a Snap Ships technician instead of a pilot. Will his dreams of flying ever come true? Klik – “My father was a forge pilot, he was the best, fighting to protect us….”

September 29, 2021

Children’s games that help development

Occupational Therapist, Megan Smith, suggests some age-appropriate games that your children will love to play. They have the added benefit of being fantastic for their development too. Development games for 0-12 months Game: Peek-a-boo How does this game help development: During the end of your baby’s first year, they start to develop a cognitive concept called ‘object permanence.’ Ultimately, this is the brain’s ability to note that when an object is no longer within the visual field, it still exists. You will notice that your baby will start showing signs of separation anxiety around eight months of age. For instance, when you leave the room, your baby may begin to whine or make louder noises. This is their brains exploring the concept that when you disappear visually, you are not disappearing off the face of the earth. Boost the gameplay: Play the game with various other objects, hide bears and toys under blankets or balls in boxes and tins and encourage exploration. Show your little one that the object exists even when it is covered and cannot be seen. Use your voice when your face is hidden, this reinforces the concept that she cannot see your face, but because she can hear you, it is still there. Development games for 1-2 years Game: Finding objects hidden in the sand How does this activity help development? This is another great game to reinforce the concept of object permanence as the toddler’s brain develops. It challenges them on a higher level to search for an object when they do not know what it is. The game provides sensory stimulation through tactile (touch) and visual (sight) systems and challenges the brain to interpret this sensation and simultaneously execute bilateral hand coordination to dig through the sand and locate the objects. Finding hidden objects in sand provides an opportunity for the toddler to start the early development of different visual perceptual skills. Some of these are: Visual Form constancy: to distinguish one similar object from another. Visual figure-ground: the ability to identify an object from different backgrounds. Visual Closure: To identify an object when only half of the object can be seen. Boost the gameplay: Make sure the objects you hide are brightly coloured and can easily be seen against the background of the sand, the objects should also be large enough to fit in the toddler’s palm, any smaller, and they may struggle to find them. Use familiar toys, such as toy fish, flowers, pets and cars. This assists them with identification and will elicit feelings of success. As the toddler ages, you can make the game more challenging and exciting by hiding smaller objects that are more difficult to find and hiding two of each object and encouraging the search for pairs. This can assist in the development of early number concept development. Development games for 2-3 years old Game: Throw the bean bag in the hula-hoop How does this game help development? This game challenges the gross-motor developmental skills and visual perceptual skills, as it requires hand-eye coordination to work alongside visual perception to create success. The use of bean bags provides the toddler with proprioceptive input (this is when the muscles and tendons provide input to the brain explaining where the limb is in space), which is very important information needed to plan and execute a movement appropriately. Boost the gameplay: Put little treats in each hoop that they can win if they get the bean bag in – it will be like taking them to a carnival! Development games for 4-5 years old Game: Hop-scotch How does this game help development? Hop-Scotch is a gross-motor based game. This means that the game itself focuses on developing and challenging gross motor skills, including hand-eye coordination and hand-foot coordination. These games also challenge the child’s bilateral integration, which is the ability to use both sides of the body, in different movement planes, at the same time. This is a skill that is later refined and needed for writing and cutting at school. Boost the gameplay: Make use of bright colours and shapes which the child can hop and jump onto. This is a fun way to incorporate basic concepts (counting, colours and shapes) into playtime.

September 24, 2021

Why extra classes online can be the smarter option right now

There’s no doubt that “online” has become the new norm for almost everything. From business meetings and work to entertainment and socialising. School curriculums are also no exception to the rule and extra school lessons have had to move from in-person tutoring to a more digital realm. But here’s why extra classes online aren’t all bad, in fact with Paper Video you might even find them more engaging and favourable compared to traditional tutoring. You decide when and where Flexibility has become one of the most important factors. Busy schedules can make it difficult to stick to set tutoring times and we’ve had to tailor our lives around them. Travelling around from one extracurricular to the next has also become a thing of the past, especially in our current climate. Online tutoring allows learners to catch up in the comfort of their own homes at convenient times that suit an entire household. Paper Video gives learners instant at-home-access to the ultimate collection of revision resources with thousands of embedded video lessons, taught by experienced and engaging teachers. As a result, learners can simply log in, whenever, wherever, to get access to an extra teacher. It’s not just one expert teacher on the line Traditionally, personal tutors specialise in one or two subjects and learners might find that they would like to excel in or need help with more than one subject. Signing up for Paper Video gives learners access to Maths, Physical Sciences*, Life Sciences* and Accounting all on one platform (*covered in Natural Sciences for grade 8 and 9 learners). Not only that, an exceptional list of teachers from a selection of some of the top schools in the country, means that one platform gives you access to specialised experts in each subject. You still get your one-on-one time Many digital learning platforms do come with the perception that there’s not much room for one-on-one interaction. This may be a deal-breaker from some, but many e-learning, online tutoring and online schooling platforms are adapting and making sure their lessons are as engaging, animated and in-depth as possible to accommodate learners who need that extra personal touch. To ensure this, Paper Video has created over 11,000 video lessons that cover everything from individual past exam questions to entire topics in the syllabus. Each video follows a step-by-step approach to explain the required concepts, so the platform ensures that the resources cover any question learners might have. Find what you’re looking for, faster Convenience has become a key driver in the modern world and digital tutoring platforms are making it easier to not only get down to the specifics, but also finding answers fasters. Paper Video helps learners find what they’re looking for with their past exam questions and topics in each subject linked to searchable keywords. Learners can simply type in a word in the platforms’ search box and find a list of all related past exam questions and topic video lessons. Less pressure, more learning While participation is encouraged in many classes, it can often place a lot of pressure on learners and cultivate a competitive environment. Learners all engage and study differently, so while the typical classroom environment is stimulating for some, it does not work as well for others. Today, digital resources can give learners the option to study in a way that’s comfortable for them, and the more comfortable they are, the easier it is to retain information. With Paper Video, learners can study online in their own time and track their own progress. The platform also gives learners the freedom to study at their own pace and revisit concepts they might not have understood, all without the pressure of feeling left behind. Whether you’re a parent or a learner that’s still getting used to the idea of the online migration, the fact remains that online technologies have blown digital education and tutoring opportunities right open. It’s not only saving time but money. Its accessibility, individuality and flexibility are what’s making it more appealing by the day, especially with the unprecedented challenges being faced by learners at the moment. Visit www.papervideo.co.za or contact Paper Video on 061 357 2304 for more information on how to get started.

September 24, 2021

Toy to Screen and Back Again – Augmented reality encouraging real world play

It is every child’s dream to see a toy they love come to life before their very eyes. Although the Snap Ships line of construction toys already offer real world active play, Snap Ships goes even further with the Augmented Reality (AR) app available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. With the introduction of AR games, children now have access to advanced forms of technology. The virtual world develops rapidly, and gamified apps can act as an important catalyst to enhance play time and so improve children’s imagination while teaching vital digital skills at the same time. AR technology is a great way to bring digital learning lessons into a real-world situation, turning screen time into a sensory experience where what’s behind the screen is just as important as what’s on the screen. The Snap Ships Augmented Reality experience is not just a simple partner app to the physical product, but a world building experience immersing children into the Snap Ships universe and the heroic characters that exist within it. The Snap Ships app offers several amazing features including: AR – summon ships in Augmented Reality allowing the user to scan and test systems EXPLORE – Experience the Snap Ships universe and learn about the fleet BUILD – 3D instructions for core ships, plus endless custom and combination ships BATTLE – Choose your favourite ship and participate in quick combat flights against the Komplex JOIN – Users gets draw into the imaginative world by joining the Forge as a new recruit. Rank up and unlock awesome ships COLLECTION – Track your collection and discover new builds to create with your kits UNIQUE SHIPS – Check back daily for new unique ships builds, an always evolving supply of new building ideas for your toy fleet! AR creates a link between the real and digital world, offering children an added sense of wonder through the app, while ultimately still leading children back to the physical toy. Interacting with an app such as this also increases a child’s confidence and independence as they learn valuable digital skills while playing. In other words, children from an early age become more independent in handling tasks which also boosts their confidence levels. The advantage of AR is its openness. It offers the freedom to constantly change, update and create. Leading experts are also of the opinion that augmented reality would also assist to nurture a child’s inner creative. Additionally, it can be said that the learning experience of a child can be improved to significant levels. Motivation and concentration are two main components that further boost the creativity of a child. The AR games used by kids can holistically make sure that they learn new ways of interacting and dealing with technology. AR applications also improve cognitive skills and memory through the interactions between child and the app. With the use of AR technology in real world toys, children learn the value of utilising technology to enhance their lives but to not be a slave to the screen. In the case of the Snap Ships AR app. the rewards offered by the app is focused on the real-world Snap Ships toy in the form of imagination stimulating world building activities, additional creative ideas for custom Snap Ships toy builds and more.

September 22, 2021

How to raise a confident teen with a positive identity

Helping your teen to navigate through difficult challenges and still come out resilient, knowing they will recover after a set-back, is an important part of parenting. When a teen has confidence, they are equipped to make decisions. When they have a better understanding of the world around them it’s easier to risk opportunities which helps them exceed in life. A study by Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child found that: Resilience requires supportive relationships and opportunities for skill-building. Resilience results from a dynamic interaction between internal predispositions and external experiences. Learning to cope with manageable threats to our physical and social well-being is critical for the development of resilience. Some children respond in more extreme ways, therefore individual traits need to be acknowledged. Individuals never completely lose their ability to improve their coping skills, and they often learn how to adapt to new challenges. Research has identified a set of factors that help children achieve positive outcomes in the face of significant adversity. Individuals who demonstrate resilience in response to one form of adversity may not necessarily do so in response to another. Yet when communities and families strengthen these factors, they optimize resilience across multiple contexts. Factors include: Providing supportive adult-child relationships; Scaffolding learning so the child builds a sense of self-efficacy and control; Helping strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities; and Using faith and cultural traditions as a foundation for hope and stability. Good self-esteem activities that parents can apply according to Dr Serahni Symington, Child and Adolescent Counselling and Play Therapist, include the following: Encourage independence to make their own decisions about how they dress, for instance. Having responsibilities at home like walking the dog or making dinner. Enable problem-solving by assisting your child in making choices in a safe space. This will help equip them to make good decisions when they find themselves in less protective situations. Encouragement is good, but over-praise can do more damage than good if they lack the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Praise effort not outcome. Your teen can control their effort, but not always the outcome. Set realistic bars for outcomes. Emotional expression is crucial. TALK about emotions and feelings. Explore all aspects of anger, grief, fear, joy and happiness in a thoughtful and logical way. Help develop positive self-talk. How teens talk about themselves says a lot about how they see themselves. Help them identify thoughts that aren’t true by pointing out how being overly harsh can be detrimental. Teach them to reframe the irrational with something more realistic. Lead by example. It’s important to model self-confidence and resilience during challenging times as children look to their parents as role models. “Identity is grounded in feeling safe in your environment. Nurturing growth and believing in yourself, is an important stepping stone to raising a confident teen with a positive identity, “ Dr Symington concludes. Wingu Academy realises the importance of encouraging a positive identity. This is why they established a Wellness Hub that assist both students and parents with guidelines and counselling to find a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance.

September 21, 2021

SHARE THE MEMORIES WITH HASBRO’S CLASSIC GAMES COLLECTION

For so many of us Hasbro’s classic games collection are the building blocks of our childhood. They’ve taught us simple fundamental life lessons like sharing and teamwork while enjoying quality family time together, creating memories to last a lifetime. When the time comes to pass some of these memories down to the next generation, we realise there’s so much more to games night. Hasbro’s board games provide a great opportunity to get together as a family and share the fun – memories included! Especially now in an environment when we may not be able to spend time with all our loved ones. This Winter, what better way to remind us to reconnect and encourage positivity than by spreading the joy that time spent together with a classic Hasbro Game and a mug of hot chocolate brings. Hasbro, one of the world’s largest toy, game and entertainment experience companies, has you covered with a wide range of fun to play and fun to share board game options including: It’s the Twister game, the classic game that ties players up in knots! This action-packed group game is fun for parties or a game night with the family. See where the spinner lands and make a move. Left hand red, piece of cake! Right hand yellow, no problemo! Hilarity ensues as players twist, turn, tangle — and struggle to keep their hands and feet glued to the mat. Right foot blue … uh oh, this is getting tough! Who can do it? Once a player topples over, or their knee or elbow hits the mat, they’re out. The last player standing wins! Bounce ’em in for the win! The Connect 4 Shots game is fast-paced, rapid-fire fun in a race to get 4 shots in a row! Countdown to start 1-2-3…bounce! Two players bounce the lightweight, colourful balls into the grid at the same time. Remember, the balls must hit the table before going in. Keep bouncing balls, trying to fill the holes in the grid vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Once a player gets 4 in a row of their colour, they win the game! Then when the game is over, fold the grid into a handy storage case. Select a favourite Monopoly Classic token, place it on Go and roll the dice to own it all! This edition features classic Monopoly gameplay: it’s all about buying, selling, and trading properties to win. Chance or Community cards can be a game changer. Will they make a player richer — or send someone to Jail? The Monopoly game is a Family Game Night favourite, and it’s a fun indoor activity for kids. It’s the block-balancing, tower-tumbling classic Jenga game! How will you stack up against the laws of gravity? To begin, stack the genuine hardwood blocks into a sturdy tower, using the handy stacking sleeve. Then slide out the blocks one by one and place them on top of the stack. Is your hand steady enough to slide out the last block before the tower collapses? Quick and easy to set up, playing the Jenga game is a fun thing to do while staying at home. It’s also a favourite game for parties and game night. Play it solo, with friends, or in teams! How do you Jenga? Battleship is the classic game of naval combat that brings together competition, strategy, and excitement! In head-to-head battle, players search for the enemy’s fleet of ships and destroy them one by one. With convenient portable battle cases and realistic looking naval crafts, Battleship game puts players right in the middle of the action. Players command a powerful fleet that includes an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a submarine, a patrol boat, and a battleship. Each player announces the coordinates of each strike and sees if it hits. Position ships strategically to survive opponent’s relentless strikes, and track hits and misses with red and white pegs on the ocean grid. No ship is safe in this game of stealth and suspense. CLUE, the classic murder mystery game. Six suspects. One murderer. One weapon. One location. And, of course, one winner. Play the game CLUE and use your super-sleuthing skills to detect whodunit, where, and with which weapon. Was it Mustard in the Library with the Rope? Play CLUE the board game and figure it out. *Hasbro Gaming and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.

September 21, 2021

Introducing My Garden Baby- every girls dream

Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly, Scented Doll with colour Change Accessories, Assortment These My Garden Baby Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly dolls (30cm ) are full of sweet surprises! Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and yummy berry scents. “Feed” My Garden Baby doll with the cup and spoon — just add cold water for colour-change fun! For dress-up play, these dolls wear removable onesies with berry adorable prints. Plus, the packaging folds into a crib for even more nurturing play. Choose from My Garden Baby with raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry themes. Little ones will love tending to and caring for their My Garden Baby ! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Colours and decorations may vary. Features and Benefits: My Garden Baby Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly dolls are full of sweet surprises! Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and yummy berry scents. ”Feed” the doll with the spoon and cup — just add cold water for colour-change fun! “Feed” the doll with the spoon and cup — just add cold water for colour-change fun! The dolls wear berry-printed onesies that are removable for changing fun. Plus, the packaging box folds into a crib where My Garden Baby can flutter into sweet dreams! RRP: R399,90 My Garden Baby – My first baby soft swaddle butterfly doll Bring home a bundle of joy with these My Garden Baby My First Baby Butterfly dolls! Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and sweet jasmine scent. Wrap the plush wings around the doll for a snuggly swaddle! With a soft body and 23- cm tall, these baby butterfly dolls are perfect for little arms to snuggle and hold. “Soothe” the doll with the tethered pacifier! Plus, the packaging folds into a crib for even more nurturing play. Tuck My Garden Baby in so she can flutter into sweet garden dreams! Each sold separately, subject to availability. colours and decorations may vary. Features and Benefits: Bring home a bundle of joy with My Garden Baby My First Baby Butterfly dolls! Born with sweet jasmine scents, fantastical hair, and plush wings that wrap into swaddles. With soft tummies and 23- cm tall, they’re perfect for snuggles or take- along play. Plus, the packaging box folds into a crib where this baby butterfly can flutter into sweet garden dreams! Whimsical, soft, and cuddly – – these My Garden Baby dolls make the perfect first dolls for little ones! Choose from blue, purple, and pink dolls. RRP: R299,00 Available at leading retail outlets!

September 21, 2021

Easy Ways To Teach Your Kids To Conserve Energy

Some parents think that their children don’t pay much attention to social issues, such as the state of the environment. But the truth is, kids care a lot about these things as a global survey indicates that 95 percent of Generation Alpha – children born after 2010 – believes that taking care of the environment should be a priority. It’s encouraging that children have such strong opinions about the environment, but it’s important to teach them how they can actively do their part to save the earth. By teaching kids how to save energy, parents can help their little ones develop good habits and reduce their impact on the planet. Here are some easy ways to teach your kids how to conserve energy at home. Close the drapes and blinds A simple way to conserve energy during the hot months is to close the drapes and blinds during the hottest part of the day. Direct sunlight that comes through windows can raise the temperature of your home, and this means that your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy to cool your living space. Assign this easy task to your child and remind them to do this every afternoon. You can also give your air conditioner a break and turn on the fan to keep the cool air circulating inside your home. Remind your child not to open the doors or windows, since doing so would let the hot air in from outside and make your home feel uncomfortably warm again. Ditch the TV and gaming console Studies reveal that children spend almost three hours a day watching TV. Too much screen time not only affects a child’s physical and mental wellbeing, but it also can result in costly utility bills. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, encourage your child to unplug for at least three hours. During this time, your little one can read a book, play board games, or go outside for a walk or a bike ride. Go for timed showers South African households use about 250 litres of water a day, which is more than the world average of 185 litres. To conserve water and reduce your energy bills, encourage your child to have a timed shower. Teenagers and young adults usually take long showers, so this may be a good idea if you have older kids at home. Put a timer in your bathroom and ask them to set it every time they shower. They can have a 10-minute shower if they’re washing their hair, and a 5-minute shower if they just want to feel refreshed. Have rules for using the fridge Young kids have a habit of repeatedly opening and closing the fridge, even if they’re not getting anything inside it. Some even leave the fridge door open, which can let warm air in and make the appliance work harder to restore its normal interior temperature. Place a sign on the fridge to remind them not to leave the door open. To prevent them from constantly opening and closing the fridge, pour ice cold water into a large insulated jug and leave it on the table so they can get a cool drink as often as they want without having to open the fridge. You can also leave fruits and crackers on the table so they don’t have to open the fridge to hunt for snacks. Teaching your kids how to conserve energy at home enables them to do their part to save the planet. Try these easy ways to teach your children to save energy, and help them develop good habits as they grow.

September 20, 2021

Keeping education on track in the disruptive school year

After a school shutdown of more than two months, teachers, parents and students are all gearing up to save the 2020 academic year. However, as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the Department of Basic Education kickstart their phased approach there are still many questions around the ramifications of the disruptive year and how parents and teachers can help limit its effects on our children.

September 17, 2021

The New Toy on the Block

What is Snap Ships? Snap Ships is an award-winning space themed construction toy line, making use of a unique core cube building system which combines to create multiple, posable, action play toys. This versatile building system will ensure hours of fun as children can build and rebuild as they choose with their imagination being the only limit. What’s in the box? Each building set of Snap Ships includes an instruction manual, core cubes, decorative pieces and a pilot figurine. Depending on the size of the model the instruction manual will contain up to three different models to build. Snap Ships feature a unique building system which is based on cubical blocks (core cubes), each with a stud which can connect with ports on the other five sides of the cube. The core cubes serve as the base for assembling a ship. These cubes can even connect at a 45 degree rotation from one another allowing for even more creativity and unique structures. Once the base has been built, then decorative pieces snap into the ports of the cubes. These pieces include wings, fins, engine intakes and exhausts, thrusts, and a variety of weapon systems. Each Snap Ship also includes a secret UJU tech system unique to that set. In fact, it is sealed separately in the packaging to add to the mystery. Sets includes a cockpit piece with an opening canopy into which the pilot can be placed. The box lid can be used as a stand for displaying your Snap Ships making the already unique packaging multi-purpose. Finally, each set comes with a tool for helping to separate parts during disassembly. When look at the cubes which form the base structure of the ships, they look unremarkable at first glance. However, they snap together easily and stay together. Snap Ships aren’t just built to look at, they are meant for kids to play with them. The blocks do not rotate once they are snapped together. However, you can rotate them before you snap them together so they connect with 45 degree rotational offset which allows for some unique designs. Once you have all the blocks forming the general shape of the ship you are building, it is time to add the decorations. Snap Ships as a construction toy is great for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) development as they teach kids to follow steps, they encourage free play when finished, and also allow their creative minds to develop when kids build their own creations. There are 10 Snap Ships sets at various price points, from stocking filler to large, special birthday gifts. The two factions in the Snap Ships world also offer to unique looking craft build styles while still being 100% interchangeable with one another to make for truly creative craft creation. There is also a corresponding Snap Ships app which allows users to generate ships in the real world through AR (augmented reality), explore the functions and various alternative build instructions for each ship, as well as allowing users to take a Snap Ship for a virtual flight. Each Snap Ships set contain its own cockpit, weapon system and UJU tech which is unique to that set. This makes the range highly collectible and with all parts being interchangeable there is no shortage of unique build opportunities and for your child’s imagination to take flight. After completing building the base ship you will find left over pieces which are needed for one of the other builds included in the set. This means that even the various builds inside of the same set is unique to one another. Snap Ships are available nationwide from Toy Kingdom, Hamleys and C.N.A. as well as online from Takealot and other fine retailers.

September 15, 2021

How do I help my child cope with exam stress?

Exam time is usually a dreaded and stressful period for parents and children alike, but a little support and motivation can go a long way in reducing stress levels. Here are some guidelines of what you can do to make life a bit easier on your child (and in effect you too!): Create a consistent study environment. According to parentinfo.org it’s best to set up a study corner that is comfortable and inviting to work in, with as few distractions as possible. Everything should be close at hand so they don’t have to spend time searching for things like highlighters, post it notes, paper, etc. Keep communication open. It’s important to show that you are interested in your child’s studies. Ask them how they are doing, do they need any help, how did the exam go. Sometimes a child just needs to vent or know you care about their well-being. Encourage relaxation and taking part in other activities to unwind, like exercising, listening to music, painting and interacting with friends. These can aid significantly in stress management. When it comes to studying and breaks the Pomodoro Technique is the most effective in the world. Study for 25 minutes with 5 minute breaks in-between each study session. After four cycles of 25 minute studies, take a longer 30-minute break. Help your child stay focused with following a well-structured study schedule. According to brainbuxa.com discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. It’s important to enforce restrictions, but don’t micro-manage. Show your child that you trust him/her enough to take responsibility. If your child prefers being quizzed to prep for exams, put in the effort and make it a time of bonding rather than a time of frustration. Stay calm, do flash cards and reward accomplishments by sneaking in a favourite snack. Ensure that your child eats healthy and gets enough sleep. These are very important factors for the brain to recharge and function properly, especially during exam time. Always remember to use words of encouragement. Whether the exam went well or not. Help your child to stay positive. Most children are less worried about the exam itself than about disappointing their parents or losing the respect of their fellow classmates if they do badly. So if it didn’t go well, instead of dwelling on the mistakes, which they cannot change, rather help them relax and prepare for the next exam. “The role of the parent is very important in this online teaching journey. Parents should create and promote a positive learning environment for the student. Parents should also encourage the student to follow a routine to stay focussed and to develop responsibility, self-discipline and independence. Our teachers, student mentors and tutors all have one goal in mind and that is to see our students succeed and prosper,” says Belinda van der Westhuizen, Wingu-Academy’s Director of Education and Assessments. “Most importantly, celebrate your child’s accomplishments and enjoy the journey with him/her.”

September 14, 2021

Prevention of Falls

From the moment a baby starts to crawl, the world is a magical place filled with new adventures and discoveries. From their perspective, everything is a potential mountain to climb (that giant bookshelf), obstacle to overcome (those pesky stairs) or mysterious place to investigate (anywhere beyond the safety gate). Little bumps will happen, but ChildSafe is here to help so these brave expeditions do not result in something more serious.

September 10, 2021

OAK HOUSE VOCATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNERS

Glenoaks is a private remedial and special needs school in Johannesburg that unleashes potential! We nurture academic, functional, social and emotional growth for learners and personalise support according to the needs and strengths of each learner. We create a nurturing and inclusive environment for our learners which is supported by our dedicated, passionate and professional team. We achieve this through innovative adaptation, accommodation, differentiation and individualisation for each learner. Oak House Vocational Academy, part of Glenoaks School is aimed at learners between the ages of 12 and 18 who have special needs and the potential to eventually be more independent and enter the open labour market. What the future holds for learners with special needs Learners in South Africa with special needs experience significant barriers in terms of their education and future prospects as adults. Many of these learners will not achieve a Grade equivalent education, which in turn prevents them from entering tertiary institutions or the workplace. This can be a difficult fact for parents to accept considering that society still perceives academic excellence as the ultimate achievement and determinant of success. At Glenoaks we believe that some learners are academically inclined, and others are functionally or practically inclined, which is simply an indication that a different way of learning is needed, and that more practical outcomes can result in the kind of success that is required for life and for many jobs. We believe in unleashing a learner’s potential, encouraging them to persevere through the challenges and focus on the possibilities! Many parents comment that our curriculum should be taught in all schools to all children because life and work skills are critical for survival, and seriously lacking in learners who are leaving the traditional school system. Oak House Vocational Academy Oak House Vocational Academy was conceived from the need to provide an appropriate setting for specific learners with special needs from our school, and from the broader community, whose abilities and needs are not met in an academic setting. After intense research and planning both locally and abroad, a blueprint was formulated for our vocational academy – highly particular, uniquely crafted and finely tuned to Glenoaks’ vision. Our Curriculum Life Skills Our students are taught a creatively crafted curriculum which includes functional English and Maths, social skills; business skills; entrepreneurship; IT and admin skills; world knowledge; home management; hospitality; gardening; crafts and enterprise. Learning across subject areas is practical and integrated, so that learners understand the purpose of the skill, can transfer that skill to other tasks, and experience an end goal which is tangible. When learners can see and participate in a process from start to finish, they tend to retain skills far better, they get excited about learning and start demonstrating more independence and maturity at home. An example of this approach is that learners will create a shopping list for a recipe; they will learn to purchase those items from a shop and understand the costs; they will plant and harvest some ingredients; make the recipe, sell the food to customers, and explore concepts such as profit and loss. This holistic style has exposed learners to relevant skills in English; budgeting and money management; shopping; growing produce; food preparation; packaging; admin (stock take, order forms); teamwork; customer service; understanding deadlines and appropriate social skills for different environments. Work experience Oak House Academy learners are exposed to the concept of work from the beginning of their journey with us. Younger learners participate in internal contract or project based work, and older learners benefit from external work experience placements aligned to their strengths, abilities, and areas of interest, culminating in years of work experience by the time they graduate. All learners gain the skills required for entry level jobs, and focus on critical social skills, appropriate behaviours and attitudes required in the workplace. Learners in the external work experience program are gaining exposure to a variety of industries and businesses including retail; IT; hairdressing; production line; garden nurseries; schools; sport; robotics and many more. If further training or employment opportunities exist for a graduate, those are facilitated and supported by Oak House Vocational Academy. In 2019 the first group of learners graduated from the Academy and successfully commenced with further training, part time or permanent employment. Here are just a few of our very capable learners at work experience. These young men and ladies, who would inevitably have very limited opportunities to gain meaningful employment, are using their strengths to add value to their work experience sites, learn important workplace skills, explore their strengths and change perceptions about people with special needs in the workplace. Keila is gaining experience with the merchandising team at Moishes unpacking stock, restocking and organising shelves, packing orders for customers and pricing stock. Qhawe is doing work experience at Lesco on the production line, assembling various electrical products for large retailers. James is hosted by Tumbling Tigerz where he assists the coaches to set up and pack away equipment for obstacle courses, demonstrates activities to the children, and encourages them during sessions. On her work experience days, Sabrina assists the operators at Blue Door Hair Salon to clean, straighten and dry foils. She folds towels and cleans basins, brushes and the hairdresser’s work stations. Jack is a tech wizard and is gaining experience at Stem Dynamics, a robotics company. He is learning programing and coding and using resistors and transformers to build working circuits. He also assists younger students in their weekly coding lessons. Khotso has an artistic flair and loves his work experience at Greens Vintage Lane where he uses special paint techniques to assist with refurbishing small pieces of furniture and décor items which are sold in their shop. Aligning with local and international standards / programs From 2022 the Academy will integrate the ASDAN programs and courses into the curriculum. ASDAN is a UK based organisation offering a variety of accessible and practical courses for learners with special needs focusing on personal, independent living and employability

September 8, 2021

How can parents encourage entrepreneurship at home?

It has become increasingly important for children to hone their entrepreneurship skills, not just in the classroom, but especially at home. It’s important for parents to encourage their children to succeed and by applying the following guidelines by Sue Scheff, author and parent advocate, it’s easier than you think! Kids earn an allowance for chores, not for existing: Instil a good work ethic in your children by requiring that they earn their allowance. Emptying the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, and washing the family dog are all ways that kids can learn how to earn money. Take it a step further by encouraging them to do similar tasks for neighbours as a way to earn additional money. Create a bank account for your child: Lay the foundation for earning money by giving it a place to go. When your child earns money, have fun helping your kids do the math and figure out how much they’ve put away in the bank for all their hard work. Share opportunities for extra earning: Teach your children that going above and beyond leads to increased earning. Give them the opportunity to do more difficult chores that go above what they’re normally expected to do. Encourage good personal finance skills: Kids begging for items at the store might be annoying, but it’s a teachable moment. When your child asks for something that’s out of budget or not really necessary, make it a goal to earn enough money to buy it. Encourage your child to come up with ideas on how to buy it themselves. Encourage them to follow their ideas: Whether your kids want to start a blog or sell vegetables from your garden, give them your time and encouragement. Let them learn by doing, and find opportunities for lessons along the way. Ask them to consider how they’ll fund their start-up, where to get supplies, how much to charge, how to find their customers, and of course, what to do with the money they earn. You should of course set some limitations for time, legality, and safety, but be open to let your kids explore their own ideas. Allow them to fail, and turn failures into learning moments. Teach good teamwork: Rarely do entrepreneurs succeed completely independently. Even if they’re in business alone, they’re networking, getting others interested, and meeting with people that can help get their business off the ground. Learning how to work with others is essential for success, so be sure to encourage group work in school, in your home, and beyond. Encourage team sports: Team sports are a great way to teach kids to work with others, and they’re also great for learning business lessons. Chances are, they won’t win every game, but the setbacks and hard work that are a part of playing sports can teach kids how to work toward success. Be available: Every great entrepreneur needs a mentor, and for your kids, you are that person. Although you should encourage your child to operate independently, always be there to answer questions or offer helpful suggestions. If you don’t know how to solve a problem, learn how to do it together. Teach your kids to be self-starters: Doing what they’re told is easy for most kids. Asking them to complete certain chores is simple and straightforward. But if you want them to start thinking creatively, encourage their initiative. Ask them to come up with ideas for chores that need to be done, or encourage them to plan a meal and cook for the family once a week. Encourage adventure and observational skills: Some of the best entrepreneurs found success simply by filling a need that no one else even knew existed. The world is full of business opportunities, if only we could notice them. Parents can help their children learn to recognize these types of opportunities by developing observation and creativity. Walk around your neighbourhood with your kids and consider which needs are not being met. Do you have neighbours that need lawn care? Businesses that need a website? Teach kids to recognize and anticipate the needs of others. Teach problem-solving: Entrepreneurship can be a bumpy road full of obstacles and challenges to overcome, even for the best-laid plans. Show your children that problems are just solutions that have not been solved yet. Give them small challenges to overcome, and nudge them in the right direction to find a solution. Play business games: Many games exist to teach kids the basics of business. Make learning about entrepreneurship fun by engaging your children in these games. Read the full article here: http://www.suescheffblog.com/15-ways-parents-can-promote-entrepreneurship/

September 7, 2021

Revolutionary Construction Play

Welcome to the future…where humanity is under constant attack from a brutal alien threat. The Komplex spreads through the galaxy and growing stronger with each species they defeat and assimilate. To fight them, humanity relies on an elite team, the Forge, who pilots their own armada of spacecraft known as Snap Ships. Does your child have what it takes to become an ace pilot and join the Forge fleet in their stand against the Komplex? Now children can experience the heroic world of Snap Ships and prove their smarts with quick thinking custom builds to give their fighting force the advantage over the Komplex. Throw in some mysterious UJU tech to their Snaps Ships build and the day is as sure as won! Snap Ships is a versatile building system for creating multiple crafts with action play. With all sets and pieces being interchangeable, children have endless possibilities of the unique ships they can create. Snap Ships is a toy built for longevity with a broad universe with narrative-driven repeat builds. Snap Ships are fun and simple to put together with easy to follow, clear instructions. The interlocking core cubes snap together securely with each kit containing a separate tool to help take your builds apart in minutes, ready to build something new and exciting. Each Snap Ships set contains unique weaponry and other defining pieces. This, coupled with the pocket friendly price, makes this an amazing toy line that can grow as your child’s imagination and build ambition grows. Regardless of the collectability of the range, each set is a unique and amazing craft in its own right, making them ideal stocking fillers or gifts. In addition to being a sophisticated real world construction toy, the range comes paired with an amazing Augmented Reality (AR) mobile app. When you first enter the app you’re presented with a very easy to navigate user interface. The main attraction, augmented reality, is immersive and amazingly rendered. It’s really fun to just play around with and children are sure to love it. Overall Snap Ships is a great product and sure to be on top of every child’s wish list to Santa this festive season. Since all Snap Ships pieces from all 10 sets are interchangeable, it invites a lot of creativity for children to create their own ships. Take a closer look at what the range has to offer.

September 7, 2021

Thomas & Friends™ 2-in-1 Transforming Thomas Play-set

Young conductors can create their own Sodor adventures, at home or wherever they travel, with the Thomas & Friends™ 2-in-1 Transforming Thomas Playset from Fisher-Price®. This awesome train set features a large push-along Thomas, which stores die-cast engines inside, and Young conductors can create their own Sodor adventures, at home or wherever they travel, with the Thomas & Friends™ 2-in-1 Transforming Thomas Playset from Fisher-Price®. This awesome train set features a large push-along Thomas, which stores die-cast engines inside, and large passenger cars Annie & Clarabel, which open to reveal all the pieces kids need to build out a full track set! The 2-in-1 Transforming Thomas Playset comes with a die-cast, push-along Percy engine, a working Cranky the Crane™, and cool elevated track pieces for gravity-defying railway play. Large Annie & Clarabel cars transform to a Thomas & Friends™ push-along train and track set with large Thomas for die-cast engine storage Annie & Clarabel open up to reveal track and play pieces for kids to build out Working Cranky the Crane™ lets kids load and unload cargo Comes with 20+ pieces, including die-cast Percy engine and 8 track pieces. Compatible with all Thomas & Friends™ track, except wood. (Additional track sold separately.) For preschool conductors ages 3 years and older Take the railway play anywhere The Thomas & Friends 2-in-1 Transforming Thomas Playset lets young conductors take their favorite engines wherever they go and create their own exciting railway adventures. The large, push-along Thomas engine and Annie and Clarabel cars open up to transform into a full-size train set with elevated track and lots of fun cargo loading action. Push to send Thomas, Annie & Clarabel racing around, no track required Thomas conveniently holds up to 5 die-cast engines (Additional engines sold separately and subject to availability.) Turn the dials on Cranky the Crane to lift and load cargo Everything stores inside the car for take-along play All aboard for adventure and fun! Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends trains and track sets let young conductors live out their own Island of Sodor stories with all their favorite characters from the show. As kids race from Brendam Docks to the Blue Mountain Quarry and beyond with Thomas, Percy and the rest of the Steam Team, they’re practicing important skills like taking turns, working together, and how to make the perfect train whistle. Don’t forget to watch Thomas & Friends on Netflix!

September 6, 2021

Meet the Jurassic World Mega Destroyers Dinosaur!

Get ready for big thrills and adventure with Jurassic World Dino Escape! These larger-sized Mega Destroyers™ dinosaurs include carnivores and herbivores and have an advanced attack feature. Activate the dinosaurs’ attacks to break out of their restraints and prepare for battle. With movable joints, realistic sculpting and authentic decoration, they’re ready for dinosaur action play or mega displays. Learning and excitement doest stop there because there are OVER 200 DINOSAURS TO COLLECT and engage with on the Jurassic World Facts App! Scan the marker under the foot of your Mattel Jurassic World dinosaur figure to see that dinosaur come to life! Hear your dinosaurs roar, stomp, and see their iconic moves! Check them out in observation mode for a full 360° view and watch canon footage of your dinosaur from across the Jurassic World franchise (on select dinosaurs). It’s the perfect gift for ages 4 years old and up especially Jurassic World fans and those who love dinosaurs! Download the Jurassic World Facts app (Android and iOS) for more dinosaur fun! App lets you scan your dinosaur and watch it come to life, zoom in on dinosaurs up close, hear dinosaur roars, learn fun dinosaur facts and more. Enjoy IN APP VIDEOS and Stay up to date with our newest videos in the Jurassic World Facts App! Explore 7 ZONES on the the Jurassic World map and make sure to collect dinosaurs in all 7 different habitats, including the new Dino Escape section. LEARN FUN FACTS, answer Trivia questions and don’t forget to tune into the Seson Three of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous on Netflix. Enjoy the action packed excitement as six teens are invited to attend a state-of-the-art adventure camp on Isla Numlar and they must band together to survive when the dinosaurs break out of captivity. Colours and decorations may vary.

September 2, 2021

Preparing our children for school or preparing school for our children?

“What if we prepared schools for children, instead of preparing children for schools? What would that look like?” I resonated with this question popping up on my social media feed the other day — many others did too. Who wouldn’t, right? Yes, why don’t we redesign our schools around the needs of our children? Consider some of the intrinsic needs a child may experience during school: physical and emotional safety, time to play, physical movement, creative expression, agency, inspiration, meaningful conversations, respect from adults and classmates, authentic human connection, empathy — indeed, how about simply a pervading celebration of life? Imagine a schooling system designed to meet such needs. Human beings are social animals: what we learn happens in community — by engaging with each other. With classmates, with teachers: internal shifts of a student’s understanding are stimulated through exploring and sharing ideas (and feelings about them). Imagine an educational ethos that conceives of learning as collaborative inquiry being normal in our society? Instead of conceptualising education around the individualised acquisition of facts and concepts, imagine purposefully acknowledging the broader reality that learning occurs across a multiplicity of “intelligences” or “literacies” Even if we don’t intend learning to happen that way, it always will. We are holistic beings, and learning is a whole-body, whole-brain experience. And this means learning will be most effective when multiple literacies are valued and celebrated. Multimodal learning is more enjoyable, helping achieve genuine understanding (rather than simply getting the correct answers), self-motivation (instead of the external motivation of tests) and self-initiative (instead of passive reproduction of facts). When education is done well, a child excels across multiple literacies — both where he/she is customarily strong as well as weak. The issues that hit the media — like high school initiations, intense exam stress, a pervasiveness of bullying, incidents of racism or sexism, and so on — are mere sirens of a deeper problem. At its core, there is a covert violence within the mass schooling system, as we know it. How can it not be so when “the child is being prepared for school” and not the other way around? Imagine a network of schooling communities that commit themselves to exploring ways of infusing empathy into our schools. Marshall Rosenberg, founder of the Centre for Non-Violent Communication, alerted his students to the covert violence that lies concealed in the way we relate to each other, including the way we have been accustomed to being educated. Rosenberg alerted us to various examples of covert violence in the way we communicate. Hiding or suppressing our true feelings and needs, neglecting to genuinely listen to the feelings and needs of others, making demands instead of requests, imposing rules and punishments instead of making agreements with others … Most of us have been schooled in this violent sort of communication culture: much unlearning is needed for a school community to acquire an ethos of empathy and non-violence. The democratic ethos of mutual respect between adults and children can be an adjustment for many teachers. But imagine a movement across schools where this is the case. Where we agree to remember the importance of listening to each other — properly. To hear everyone’s feelings and needs, and for everyone to be invited to express their own. An ethos where everyone remains open to what is alive in each other and themselves, from moment to moment. So let’s change the system, yes? Not so easy! Unfortunately, there is invariably a profound resistance to changing the system. Established schools struggle to meet these needs as it would require escaping the established conceptions of a “good school” within those communities . The communities of these schools are accustomed to ideas of a good school that go back generations. Established schools need their traditions. While I understand the inertia of well-established schools, I find it tragic how brand new schools fail to leapfrog over the intrinsic problems in the system. In South Africa, the public companies have created an abundance of new, for-profit schools that are invariably reproductions of the conventional system. Clearly our society colludes in the problem. We want what we know. We know the system is dated. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has alerted us to the new requirements for employability in the 21st Century — “character qualities” of curiosity, initiative, persistence, adaptability, social & cultural awareness and leadership, as well as “competencies” like critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration. This constitutes a new curriculum. Parents are beginning to recognise the need to create opportunities for their children to achieve these requirements outside school if the school doesn’t teach them, or to seek out a school that does. So much about the conventional school system emerges from a mindless obedience to traditional school rituals. Frequent testing with punitive consequences; a competitive win-lose ethos in both the classroom and the sports field; isolated archipelagoes of classrooms; rigid silos of schooling grades; disconnected school subjects that discourage cross-context learning: none of these are necessary to achieve the academic outcomes needed for a child’s future. None of them are intrinsically educational. None of them serve the WEF’s character qualities and competencies for the twenty first century. None of them serve to satisfy a child’s intrinsic needs mentioned above. And all of them are integral to the conventional schooling system. In Ancient Greece, people had three conceptions of time, and each represents a different sort of schooling system. We have Kronos (the time of the clock), Aeon (the time of eternity) and Kairos (the time of the moment). The conventional school orients itself firmly around Kronos: the timetable, the school calendar, the lesson plan. Then there are the deschoolers — the dispersed community of parents homeschooling (and “unschooling”) their kids. They orient themselves around Aeon time. And then there are those schools that endeavour to achieve the seemingly impossible, (and Madiba reminds us it always “seems impossible until it’s done”) and orient themselves around Kairos. That is: remain constantly adaptable to the moment: play the Kronos

September 1, 2021

Welcome Snap Ships

Snap Ships are coming to Parenting Hub this September! Be sure to check back soon to learn more about this exciting toy on the market just in time for Christmas!

August 31, 2021

The devastating effects of cyberbullying in South Africa

The devastating effects of Cyberbullying in South Africa and how Wingu Academy protects and supports Wingu students. Did you know that South Africa has the fourth highest rate of cyberbullying worldwide according to a global survey by YouGov? The survey found that one out of every five teens fall prey to cyberbullying and 84% of classmates know of someone who have been victimized. Sadly, with the rise of the digital age becoming a necessary part in our lives, it’s no surprise that this form of bullying has become one of the biggest concerns for both parents and students who suffer and have to deal with the devastating, often life-long effects. But what exactly is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that takes place online including on platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and gaming chat rooms. Young people today are increasingly exposed to many different tools and apps. Thus, it is very easy to produce videos, memes, manipulated photos, or even simple text messages with degrading comments and name calling. Trolling and cyberstalking of online profiles is also rapidly on the rise. According to the South African College of Applied Psychology victims feel isolated, ashamed, hopeless and depressed wondering if the situation will ever change. They are desperately looking for a way out which often leads to thoughts and attempts of suicide. This form of abuse influences a child’s identity, self-worth and often leads to long term effects like the inability to form meaningful and sustainable relationships. Not to mention trust issues and even mental health issues. Parents often don’t know because the victims don’t tell them. They feel ashamed and don’t want their parents to get involved as it would worsen the abuse. What are the main signs parents should look out for if they suspect that their child is a victim of cyberbullying? If a child’s mood or behavior suddenly changes drastically, from being socially interactive to being depressed, anxious and isolated. If they start hiding their devices and/or no longer allow you access to their social media accounts. If their academic performance drastically decreases. If they avoid any form of social interaction. What can parents do to help and support their children? According to Dr Serahani Symington, Child and Adolescent Counsellor and Play Therapy Specialist, the following approach is recommended. It’s critically important to have an open relationship where your child feels safe to express their feelings, concerns and problems. Don’t overreact and stay calm during the discussion. Don’t tell your child to simply ignore the situation as it’s very real to them. They have the need for the abuse to be acknowledged. Ask your child what their immediate need is. Is it to provide comfort or a solution? Co-create a solution with your child to make them feel safe, secure and empowered to handle the situation. Don’t retaliate. Rather address the issue with the school and not with the bully or his/her parents. Never invite the bully into your home, your child’s safe space, to resolve the issue. Monitor and spot check your child’s devices with the narrative that it’s for their own protection and not because you don’t trust them. Look at the ratings, age-restrictions and if possible, experience the games and apps your child interacts with for yourself to look for possible pitfalls and warning signs that could put your child in danger. How does Wingu Academy protect and support parents and students against cyberbullying? “At Wingu Academy we have a zero-tolerance policy against any form of bullying. Our Wellness Hub offers counselling and support to students and parents. By following a holistic approach of creating a culture of inclusivity and high moral values we teach our students to respect their fellow students,” says Managing Director Ian Strydom. Wingu Academy’s Cyberbullying Policy also offers guidelines to students to protect them. Some of the recommendations include: Do not answer abusive messages but save them and report them to the Student Mentor. Do not delete anything until it has been shown to your parents/carers or a member of staff at Wingu Academy (even if it is upsetting, the material is important evidence which may need to be used later as proof of cyberbullying). Do not give out personal details or contact information without the permission of a parent/guardian (personal data). Be careful who you allow to become a friend online and think about what information you want them to see. Protect your password. Do not share it with anyone else and change it regularly. Always log off from the computer when you have finished or if you leave the computer for any reason. Always put the privacy filters on to the sites you use. Never reply to abusive messages. Never reply to someone you do not know. Always stay in public areas in chat rooms. Article by Melanie Foxcroft from MF Consulting. Mobile: +27 82 650 3414 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mfconsulting.co.za

August 31, 2021

Do Children Need Multi-Vitamin Supplements?

In an ideal world, children’s supplements would not be necessary as most of their nutrients would come from the food they consume on a daily basis, such as fruit, vegetables, grains and dairy. Today, with busy schedules and fussy eaters, often our children fail to eat enough of the right foods to obtain the necessary amount of nutrients per day. Given the reality of time-crunched parents, those well-rounded, home-cooked meals aren’t always possible. As such, multivitamins are becoming a non-negotiable requirement to maintain our children’s general wellbeing. NutriPure’s Multivitamin Complete is formulated as a soft gummy that makes taking vitamins quick and easy. NutriPure Vitamins are perfect for children of 3 years and older and provide an easy and delicious solution to replenish essential vitamins and minerals daily. Vitamins, taken properly, won’t do any harm as long as they don’t take the place of a healthy diet, which all children need for good growth. Always follow the “rainbow diet” that includes a colourful variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure your children get the nutrients they need and give them a multivitamin as a bonus! Many children struggle with medical conditions, allergies or aversions to certain foods, and miss out on the essential nutrients that well-balanced meals would provide. Very often, children who are lactose intolerant, have inflammatory bowel syndrome or gluten intolerances would have a deficit of vitamins such as A, D and K, and would benefit greatly from a multivitamin to replenish these nutrients. Each NutriPure MultiVitamin Complete contains 11 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin that helps to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health (be sure to talk with your child’s doctor before starting a supplement if your child is on medication). NutriPure’s gummy vitamins are a quick and painless solution to taking supplements and are tasty too. As a parent you can confidently give NutriPure gummy vitamins to the whole family, yes, they are available in adults variants too. All variants are 100% vegan friendly, have no sugar coating, are fruit pectin based and contain no artificial colourants, flavours, sweeteners, GMO ingredients or preservatives. NUTRIPURE RANGE FOR KIDS: MULTIVITAMIN Complete (60) – R109.95 NutriPure Multivitamin Complete gummies have been specially formulated into a soft and chewy treat, making vitamins fun and easy for children 3 years and older. Multivitamins help promote the normal functioning of a child’s immune system and promote general well-being. Each NutriPure Multivitamin Complete contains 11 essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin D, B6, B12, C, biotin, pantothenic acid, and niacin. These help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, an outcome key to the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN C (60) – R109.95 Research shows that in the winter months, children are at a higher risk of colds and flu due to the weakening of their immune systems. NutriPure Vitamin C is a tasty and effective solution to help strengthen their immunity during these periods. Vitamin C also helps children maintain a functioning nervous system, a normal energy-yielding metabolism, and reduces fatigue. One NutriPure gummy contains 80mg of vitamin C which is 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). PRO BIOTICS (60) – R153.95 At any age, a balanced intestinal micro-flora is important to keep the body in healthy working order. NutriPure Probiotics are formulated with Bifidobacterium infantis and lactobacillus rhamnosus, two scientifically tested bacteria strains. Each NutriPure gummy contains 1 billion live cultures to help your child boost their daily intake of these beneficial bacteria. They also provide immune support when children are taking antibiotics. IMMUNE SUPPORT + (60) – R109.95 NutriPure Immune Support + contains a unique blend of 6 essential vitamins and minerals that all contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C, B6, and B12 help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, an outcome key to the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN D Gummies (60) – R109.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth and is known to aid in the fight against viruses. Extra soft so suitable for even the fussiest eaters. Vitamin D also contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, the maintenance of normal muscle function, and the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. NUTRIPURE RANGE FOR ADULTS MULTIVITAMIN Complete (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Multivitamin Complete has been specially formulated for adults. Each NutriPure Multivitamin gummy contains a balanced dosage of 12 essential vitamins and minerals: vitamin D, B6, B12, C, biotin, pantothenic acid, and niacin. These help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins, an outcome key to the maintenance of good health. IMMUNE SUPPORT – Vitamins C, D, B6 & B12 (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Immune Support has been carefully formulated with 6 essential vitamins and minerals: vitamin C, D, B6, B12, zinc, and selenium are vital for strong immunity. VITAMIN D – High Strength (60) – R134.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth and is known to aid in the fight against viruses. Vitamin D also contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, the maintenance of normal muscle function, and the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – Gummies (60) – R159.95 Boost your immune system by taking great-tasting apple cider vinegar gummies. Nutritional highlights: 500mg of apple cider vinegar per serving for immune support and metabolism, vitamin C for immune health, vitamin B6 for energy-yielding metabolism, and vitamin C & B6 to reduce fatigue. A delicious array of vitamins and minerals for every occasion. Stock up, eat up, and stay healthy. Stockist: Dis-Chem & Yooper – limited items available on Takealot, PNP, Spar and Clicks Website: www.nutripure.co.za

August 30, 2021

Delicious Vitamins – A treat for daily maintenance

In today’s world, more people are in need of food supplements to support their diets, but do not enjoy taking pills. That’s why Nutripure fruity chews make vitamins easy and painless to take. The delicious tasting Nutripure fruity chews are specially formulated with natural fruit pectin for adults and kids. Here are a few reasons why fruity chew vitamins are so popular: They are easy to take, especially for adults and children who struggle to swallow tablets. They are very convenient, you don’t need to have a glass of water with you, you can take them anytime and anywhere. They are easily digested. They are delicious and come in a variety of fruity flavours. Gelatine Free No Sugar Coating Vegan Gluten Free No Artificial Colours or Sweeteners No Preservatives No GMO Ingredients FOR KIDS: MULTI VITAMIN Complete (60) – R109.95 NutriPure Multi-vitamin Complete have been specially formulated into a soft and chewy treat, making vitamins fun and easy for children 3 years and older. Multivitamins contribute to the normal function of children’s immune systems and the normal function of many other systems in the body contributing to general wellbeing. Each NutriPure MultiVitamin Complete contains 11 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN C (60) – R109.95 Contributes to the normal function of the immune system* Research shows that in the winter months children are at a higher risk of colds and flu due to the decline in their immune system. NutiPure Vitamin C is the tasty and effective solution to compensate for the deficiency of this vitamin and to contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C also contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal energy- yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. One Nutipure bear contains 80mg of Vitamin C which is 100% of the EC RDA. PRO BIOTICS (60) – R153.95 With 1 billion live friendly bacteria. At any age, a balanced intestinal micro-flora is highly important in keeping the body in healthy working order. The healthy bacterial micro-flora in the gut is a key element for overall well-being. NutriPure Probiotics is formulated with Bifidobacterium infantis & Lactobacillus rhamnosus, two scientifically tested bacteria strains. Each Nutripure bear contains 1 billion live cultures to help your child boost his daily culture intake. Ideal to use every day. Important to take when children are on antibiotics. IMMUNE SUPPORT + (60) – R109.95 A factor in the maintenance of good health* NutriPure Immune Support + contains a unique blend of 6 essential vitamins and minerals that all contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C, B6 and B12 help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN D Gummies (60) – R109.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth plus is great for the immune system and is known to aid in the fight against viruses. Extra soft so suitable for even the fussiest eaters. Vitamin D contributes to: The normal function of the immune system, the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, the maintenance of normal muscle function, normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. FOR ADULTS MULTI VITAMIN Complete (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Multi vitamin Complete has been specially formulated for adults. Each NutriPure Multivitamin chew contains a balanced dosage of 12 essential vitamins and minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. IMMUNE SUPPORT – Vitamins C, D, B6 & B12 (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Immune Support has been carefully formulated with 6 essential vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Selenium are all a factor in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN D – High Strength (60) – R109.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth plus is great for the immune system and is known to aid in the fight against viruses. Vitamin D contributes to: the normal function of the immune system, the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, the maintenance of normal muscle function and the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – Gummies (60) – R159.95 A great natural Immune Booster. At last taking apple cider vinegar has been made easy and great tasting. Nutritional highlights: 500mg of Apple Cider Vinegar per serving for immune support and metabolism, Vitamin C for immune health, Vitamin B6 for energy yielding metabolism and Vitamin C & B6 to reduce tiredness and fatigue. A delicious array of vitamins and minerals for every occasion. There is now no excuse not to stock up and maintain your health.

August 25, 2021

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