Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

Sugar Bay: A dream holiday destination for children

Kids all over the world are ditching their cellphones, and switching off the TV in favor of spending a school holiday at Sugar Bay Kids Resort in KwaZulu Natal. But that’s not the surprising part, the real surprise is that kids are going on holiday for an entire week (or two) without their parents. That’s right, Sugar Bay is a kids-only resort where children 7-17 years old can enjoy a safe, fun and parent-free holiday. For the working parent, this eliminates the stress of trying to arrange supervision and entertainment for their kids when the school holidays approach. Sugar Bay provides 24/7 supervision and all-day entertainment. Simply book online or give them a call, and they will handle everything for you, even your child‘s transport!  Transport to the Resort Your kids can catch Sugar Bay‘s private bus service from Sandton, or catch a flight to King Shaka International Airport. The camp counselors, which are basically au-pairs also trained in Emergency First Response and Child Psychology, will escort your little ones safely to Sugar Bay – whether from their flight or during the bus trip. These transport options allow children from all over the world to enjoy a tropical beach holiday, and to make new friends from around the globe – without a cellphone in sight.  Safety and Security With the highest staff-to-child ratio in the country (1:3) and over 18 years of experience, parents can rest assured that their little ones are safe and supervised. All water activities are supervised by qualified lifeguards, the property is secured by electric fences, 24-hour armed response, 25 CCTV surveillance cameras, night watchmen and fire alarms. The resort boasts facilities like a sports field, 25-metre pool with waterslides, paintball arena, indoor sports hall, theatre, infirmary and a waterfront with private access to the lagoon and beach. Unique themes every holiday Each school holiday is guaranteed to be a unique experience with different themes informing the itinerary and décor. Children are welcomed by superheroes, cartoon characters (and more) in an entirely new and imaginative setting from their previous visits. Accommodation Sugar Bay is a three-star establishment graded by the Tourism Grading Council. Nestled among trees and surrounded by sugar cane fields, the children sleep in spacious wooden cabins with en-suite bathrooms which are allocated according to age and gender. Additionally, all bed linen is provided and laundry is done for guests who stay longer than one week. Activities for all interests: Unlike other holiday camps, there are no compulsory activities at Sugar Bay. The children are free to choose from over 100 activities. Some popular activities include: Paintball and Airsoft Zip Lining Waterslides Bungee Trampoline Surfing Dance Lessons Skateboarding Kayaking Rock Wall Climbing Bmx Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) Yoga Arts, crafts & baking. Kids deserve a great holiday break too – this is the concept behind Sugar Bay, which has created a winning formula for extraordinary fun and impeccable safety. Sugar Bay is an ideal getaway from today’s distracting technologies, and a perfect opportunity for kids to learn how to enjoy the outdoors. This children’s paradise is situated just 30 kilometers north of Ballito in a little seaside village called Zinkwazi Beach. The cost of a typical 7-day holiday includes accommodation, activities, three meals per day and 24-hour supervision. Naturally, parents may have concerns and questions before being convinced to send their kids away on a holiday alone. Sugar Bay’s friendly office will gladly chat to parents about their individual concerns for their children. Give them a ring on (032) 485 3778 or pop them an email at [email protected] . You can also watch this video for a preview of the camp’s facilities and the activities on offer. Get In Touch: www.sugarbay.co.za [email protected] (032) 485 3778

November 18, 2019
Parenting Hub

LITTLE WORRIERS

In today’s world anxiety is becoming more and more prevalent in children. While it is a normal and necessary emotion, designed to protect us, it can inhibit as well. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in children.

November 18, 2019
Parenting Hub

How to help kids deal with anxiety

No parent likes to see their child worried, stressed or anxious. The good news is that your response and support can make a big difference. Here’s what you can do to help.

November 14, 2019
Impaq

Life skills curriculum in the media: Where does Impaq stand?

The Sunday Times article, ‘Sex lessons for modern grade 4s in new life orientation curriculum’ (12 May 2019), drew strong reactions from educators and parents alike. The article discussed the Department of Basic Education’s proposed changes to the content for sex education as part of the life skills curriculum. According to the article, the revised content includes explicit details for learners as young as ten. The department argues that the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum is aligned to UNESCO’s international technical guidance on sexuality education. In response to the article, the Department of Education denied that explicit information will be included in new textbooks.

November 13, 2019
Parenting Hub

Spur Secret Tribe hosts Chief Cook Event

Working with unique South African flavour combinations, experimenting with different ingredients, measurements and cooking styles, but most of all family fun, were the highlights at the Spur Secret Tribe Chief Cook competition recently held at Prue Leith Chef’s Academy in Centurion, Pretoria.  15 family teams from across the greater Pretoria came together to create culinary delights and compete against each other to create the best Gourmet Burger and a Mzansi-inspired salad. The teams were made up of a variety of combinations (mother-and-son, mother-and-daughter and father-and-daughter), who went all out to win the top prizes in each category. The event was part of a competition for Spur’s loyal Secret Tribe members – an exclusive club for kids aged 12 years and younger. Each team was given two challenges. First challenge was to create a salad, focusing on freshness, flavour combinations and a salad dressing with a twist, using Spur Sauces. Butternut, biltong, feta cheese where the top favourite ingredients.  Next up each team had to create their version of Gourmet Burger, working with the famous Spur burger patty and sauces, as well as a variety of toppings to create the ultimate burger.  In each round the teams were judged on their ability to work together, as well as the taste of their food, what toppings they used, how well the flavours worked together and how they plated their food. The ‘Best Burger’ challenge was won by mother-and-daughter team, Anneke  Flower and 10-year old Yazzmin, who scored well in the taste category, using a delicious combination of sauces and toppings. Mother-and-daughter team, Funzani Shandukani and 6-year old Pfunzo came a close second. Mom-and-son team, Thobeka Skhosana and 8-year old Nkosikhona were awarded the first prize for their Mzansi-inspired salad, scoring high on the flavour profile and full marks for their excellent teamwork. The runners up were mom-and-daughter team Tshegofatso Motsei and 9-year old Gogontle.  “It was a pleasure hosting our eighth Chief Cook event in Pretoria. All the contestants were so enthusiastic and it was great to see how the teams worked together. Our lives are so busy and this event is an opportunity for families to slow down, spend time in the kitchen making great food from scratch and enjoy each other’s company. It was the first time we challenged contestants to make a salad, creating a delicious balance between the burger and the salad flavours!” says Joe Stead, Creative Director from Spur Steak Ranches. “Thank you also to Spur Sauces, Rhodes, Freddy Hirsch, KinderJoy, Plush and SunPick who partnered with us to bring families together in the kitchen”. 

November 12, 2019
Parenting Hub

Sleep and Your Pre-School Child

A lack of sleep is debilitating, and your pre-schooler’s disruptive sleep patterns can affect the whole family. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 need 11 to 13 hours of sleep a day, and also need a nap during the day. Establishing good sleeping habits as early as possible is recommended. One solution will not suit all children.

November 12, 2019
Parenting Hub

A Positive Comparison Approach to Assist your Child

No two children are the same; they have different talents, interests, develop at different rates and have different strengths. As parents, it is essential to tread carefully as one can either build or break the confidence and self-esteem in one’s children.

November 11, 2019
Caroline Syokao

Benefits of Music Therapy for Children on the Spectrum

Music is a good therapeutic tool for people with different abilities and ages. This is mostly so for children with autism. Medical experts have shown its calming effects and how it’s helped autistic kids integrate into society.

November 8, 2019
Parenting Hub

The Benefits of Outdoor Play

South Africans are fortunate enough to live in a country where the people are blessed with wide-open spaces and an abundance of wildlife. Many children in foreign countries are limited in the amount of time they spend outdoors.

November 6, 2019
Parenting Hub

How to study for Languages

Many learners place very little emphasis on studying for a language exam – after all, we use language every day so how difficult can an exam be, right? Wrong!

November 5, 2019
Impaq

How bullying can affect your child’s mental health

We’ve all heard the saying, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. But recent research shows that that is not the case. In their book Words Can Change Your Brain, Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman write: “A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” The saying would perhaps then be more accurate if changed to sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can change my brain.

November 5, 2019
Parenting Hub

No spanking, what now?

South Africa has just passed a law prohibiting the spanking of children as a way of punishment. The debate as to whether this is ‘right’ or not rages on, with parents on both sides of the argument expressing their points of view. In fact, Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centre says, “there is little that causes the intensity of emotions and opinions as that of whether or not spanking your child is helpful or whether it is simply something that has been passed down from one generation to the next, with little or no workable alternatives.”

November 4, 2019
Parenting Hub

Environmental Education

Education in any realm is important for changing oneself as well as the community in which we live. Education is the only way that people can build the knowledge to affect any change. I am not merely referring to the learning of facts and theorems but more critically, learning how to effectively question, explore and think about issues, change one’s mind (and the minds of others), innovate and create.

October 30, 2019
Parenting Hub

Brands on-board to help SA families build bursaries for school

As any parent knows, when it comes to affording quality education for our children, we need all the help we can get. Escalating school fees, continual costs of uniforms and many extras make educating our children a significant, long-term family expense. Quality education features high on the UN’s list of 17 sustainable development goals, and South Africa is a signatory to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which recognises the vital role that education plays in improving lives.

October 28, 2019
Impaq

What bullying looks like and what to do about it

Bullying has three defining characteristics – it is deliberate (a bully intends to hurt someone), it is repeated (the behaviour continues over time), and it is power imbalanced (bullies pick on those they perceive as weaker).  While bullying takes many forms – verbal, physical, emotional – the results are always destructive. Recognising the warning signs is an important first step in taking action. The following signs may point to bullying:  Unexplainable injuries. Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics or other valuables. Feeling sick or faking an illness, and frequent head or stomach aches.  Changes in eating habits, such as binge eating or suddenly skipping meals.  Being unusually anxious, nervous, upset, teary, angry and withdrawn.  Difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares or bedwetting. A sudden and significant drop in marks, loss of interest in schoolwork or not wanting to go to school. Avoidance of social situations and other activities. Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem. Running away from home, self-harming or talking about suicide. What to do if you’re being bullied Tell someone If you or someone you know is being bullied the first thing you need to do is tell someone you trust (a parent, sibling, friend, uncle/aunt or a teacher) about the bullying. Tell them to stop Bullies often prey on individuals they perceive as weaker. Try acting confident and assertive and tell the bully to stop. Bullies might also be caught off guard if you brush their comments off with humour or say nothing and walk away.  Find safety in numbers  Keep yourself surrounded by people and always find a friend to walk with or to eat lunch with. To read more about what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied, click here. Remember that home education allows parents to offer their children emotional reinforcement, to help boost their confidence and self-esteem so they can learn and grow in a safe, supportive and loving environment.  By Danielle Barfoot

October 21, 2019
Parenting Hub

How To Get Your Child To Love Healthy Meals

If there’s anything that a parent would nod their head yes to, it’s the fact that their children would rather have them rip the hair off their heads, than to eat healthy and nutritious food.

October 18, 2019
Parenting Hub

Why Screens Make Bad Childminders

“Computer games don’t affect kids, I mean if pac-man affected us as kids, we’d all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pink pills and listening to repetitive music.” Unknown According to research, middle and upper class South African children spend about five hours a day in front of a television, computer or smartphone screen. That makes screen time the leading activity for young people after sleep. Due to the limited South African research available. I used the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) research. They have found that too much screen time negatively affects child development. They recommend no screen time at all for children under the age two, and no more than two hours per day of high-quality programming for older children. The AAP also recommends keeping televisions, computers and video games out of children’s bedrooms.  How does this screen time affect your child on a day to day basis?  Obesity, Advertising and Body Image  Studies have shown a link between childhood obesity and media exposure. Watching television and playing video games are passive activities that take time away from the exercise children should get from active play. Additionally, the more television a child watches, the more junk food commercials that child is exposed to. Children are more easily influenced by advertisements than adults because children don’t always understand their persuasive intent. Media consumption can also contribute to negative body image in children and adolescents. Movies, television and magazines depict unrealistic standards of beauty that can encourage eating disorders and other unhealthy behaviors in both males and females.  Media and Violence  Violence is pervasive in television, movies and video games; even the nightly news and children’s cartoons can contain violence. Children with emotional difficulties might be especially affected by violent images. Playing video games is a popular pastime among children and adolescents, but parents should be aware that many of the bestselling games are violent, and often feature killing as their primary focus.  Media and Sexuality  Children are easily influenced by what they see and hear, and studies have found that children who see sexual material in the media tend to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age. Parents of primary school children are urged to keep all sexual content out of their children’s media diet. Parents should also take care to set up search filters on their internet search engine so that children do not accidentally stumble across sexually explicit images.  Tips for parents  If your child is not old enough to watch a programme or play a game due to age restrictions, don’t give in! This could harm your child.  Be sensitive to each child’s emotional state. Teach your child that it is okay to leave a movie or to turn the TV off, if they become uncomfortable.  Be careful of the advertisements when watching sport, or in between children’s programmes. They often play trailers of programmes or movies you would not want your child to watch.  Children are more easily influenced by advertisements than adults because children don’t always understand the persuasive intent of adverts. Advert can be scary! Giving a child too many options can be as negative as allowing them none. A child thrives in an environment that has boundaries, structure and consequences. This can be proven by the games they play, television they watch and even their interaction with their peers. The same rule should be applied at home. The bottom line is to power off regularly to help your child understand the clear boundaries between the virtual world and the real one. By Ben McCarthy, Principal of Pinnacle College Copperleaf

October 16, 2019
Parenting Hub

Sun cream for kids with sensitive skin! The lowdown on keeping your little ones safe in the sun

Covering a wriggling child in sun cream is tricky enough, but when your little one has sensitive skin it can be even trickier– you don’t want to use anything that’s going to irritate. That’s why Childs Farm sun protection products don’t containparabens, SLSs, mineral oils, artificial colours or anything that might make sensitive skin flare up. Plus if you have a super-wriggler on your hands, our spray and roll-on sun lotions make everything easier.

October 11, 2019
Parenting Hub

The importance of constructive play in early childhood development

Not only is constructive play fun and entertaining for children, offering them endless hours of creative play. It has great benefits to early childhood development. Constructive play can start from a young age and as the child’s confidence grows, more blocks and shapes can be added.

October 9, 2019
Impaq

A day in the life of a homeschooling family

So, you want to know what a typical day is like for a homeschooling family? That’s one of the best things about home education (also known as homeschooling) – there are no typical days! When educating your children at home, a “typical day” is as unique as each of the families choosing this education option.

October 7, 2019
Parenting Hub

SACAP DURBAN TO HOST RESILIENT PARENT EVENT

SACAP (the South African College of Applied Psychology) will be hosting a special parent morning at its Durban Campus on Saturday, 12October.  Aimed at promoting family well-being, the theme of the event is ‘Resilient Parenting’ and the programme features Mom & Author, Gabi Lowe who will be giving a compelling, inspirational talk after the release of her memoir ‘Get Me to 21’.  A tour de force when it comes to authentic resilience, the book rocketed to number 3 on the Exclusive Books Bestseller Chat within three weeks of its launch. In times of deep uncertainty and relentless change, resilience is one of the most important qualities we can nurture in our children, but not many of us know what this is and how to do it.  Gabi Lowe’s experience of raising a beloved daughter, Jenna Lowe, who developed a rare lung condition and became a unique champion of organ donation in South Africa, has been at the harshest coal-face of resilient parenting.  As a Life Coach, Gabi expertly makes the lessons she has learnt accessible and relatable for everyone no matter what situation they are facing.  The SACAP ‘Resilient Parenting’ event also includes an important session with Psychologist, Elizabeth Campos whose work is focused on how young adults can increase their resilience through attitudes and skills to impact positively on academic, social and emotional functioning.  Elizabeth helps parents understand their children’s behaviour as communication.  She will present the steps that young people can take to improve their resilience and share practical advice for parents on how they can support their child’s journey. The SACAP ‘Resilient Parenting’ event will take place from 09h00 to 13h00 at the Durban Campus on the 5th Floor, 199-203 Peter Mokaba Road, Morningside on 12 of October 2019. Durban parents can RSVP online at https://www.sacap.edu.za/events/resilient-parenting/

October 2, 2019
Parenting Hub

Head lice – they’re not inside they’re on top!

Moms love it when their little ones come home from school buzzing with knowledge. Sometimes though, the activity isn’t inside their heads but on top! Head lice populations rise in summer, and girls with longer hair pick them up easier than boys.

October 1, 2019
Parenting Hub

Help! My Child is in the wrong crowd

‘All negative behaviours stem from fears rooted in negative self-belief. We cannot control the behavioural choices of others but we can do something to assist our children in making better friendship choices.’

September 30, 2019
Parenting Hub

When your teen wants out of summer camp

Teenagers have different reasons for not wanting to go to camp anymore, from feeling like they have grown out of the annual excursion to wanting to invest time in things that interest them outside of camp.

September 27, 2019
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