Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

A well-balanced child : Raising children who treat others with respect

Kindness is no easy task. In an attempt to facilitate their social and emotional development, we, as adults must stop thinking of the discomfort these discussions cause and become proactive in educating the youth.  Peer socialization and valuing each other’s space.  Children begin to form their gender identity around the age of three. Friendships between boys and girls are imperative in their social development. Girls inherently are more compliant and accepting during interactions, whereas boys are more active and physical. These relationships are valuable as they teach respect between the two genders and help form healthy attitudes towards each other. Children will encounter many challenging situations during their years at school.  Teach your child phrases to use during unfavorable situations at school. Such as “I don’t like what you’re doing. Please stop. ”  Perpetuating stereotypes and ideals of inequality  Adults often unintentionally teach children gender stereotypes. Even teachers, at some point in their careers have told their class to “ask mum to pack your picnic lunch” or “get dad to fix your bike”.  Stereotypes even appear at birthday rings when girls get pink cupcakes and boys get blue.  Have a look through your son’s or daughter’s toy collection. Do their cars and dolls outweigh their gender-neutral toys?  Teaching our little boys to “toughen up” and hide their feelings is no longer the approach to masculinity. Speak to them about what it means to be respectful and why it’s wrong to view others in preconceived ways. Be mindful of what you say. Our words leave lasting impressions on children.  Model good behavior Children learn through mimicking the behavior of the adults around them. When we convey manners and use good coping skills, so to do our children. Avoid emotional reactions, explain your decisions and admit your mistakes. Our actions leave indelible marks on children, make sure the ones you chose to leave are positive ones.  Foster Empathy Talk openly and honestly about feelings and how to identify them. Teach children that there are emotions other than “happy”, “sad” and “angry”. Children need to feel comfortable discussing things that bother them and to know that they can express themselves in a non-judgmental and safe environment. Reiterate that there is value in showing vulnerability and in communicating with those around them. Empathy is not a fixed trait and takes time to develop so ask questions and allow your child to open up to you from a young age.  Stand up for friends  As impressionable as our little kids are, they do have an understanding between right and wrong. Teaching them to discern between situations which constitute an emergency and situations which they can influence is a great starting point. We need to teach them how to be brave and defend their peers. During their early years, they can be taught to remove their friend from a situation and play elsewhere. Identify inappropriate behaviour and teach children problem solving skills and solutions to counter this behaviour.  Help us to raise kind, compassionate, respectful and capable little human beings. They need our guidance and we need them to be confident, strong and proud.  By Areeva Mahabir, Grade 00 Teacher at Crawford Village 

September 26, 2019
Parenting Hub

The Best Gear for Family Picnics

The weather is getting warmer and it’s time to get outdoors.  One of the most exciting outings is to gather the family for a picnic. You can picnic in your own garden or venture to some of the great picnic spots around South Africa.  Here are some tips to have a fuss free picnic: 1. Pack light Make sure you pack smart and light. You never know how far you are going to need to walk to find the perfect spot. Picnic Baskets are great but can be clumsy if you are balancing a toddler on your hip as well. Backpacks make the best picnic bags. Don’t forget a good lightweight foldable picnic blanket try not weigh yourself down with heavy blankets that get damp and dirty.  2. Stay Hydrated  Keep a bottle of frozen water in your bag in summer, this will slowly melt and keep the water cold. For something sweeter for the kids the new Miracle 360° Fruit infuser cup from Munchkin makes for a healthy choice. Add your child’s favourite fruit like strawberries, oranges, or blueberries into the fruit basket, twist it into the bottom, then fill the cup with water. The twist-on fruit extractor breaks up the fruit allowing it to infuse into the water and make a fun flavourful drink! Bye, bye juice and unhealthy cooldrinks! Hello, healthy flavoured water! Plus, your kids stay hydrated and clean (or at least cleaner!) while playing at parks and scenic areas. 3. Keep the hunger at bay When packing for a picnic, it seems like there are never enough bowls to accommodate all the different snacks everyone wants.  Once again Munchkin have an answer Munchkin Love-a-Bowl comes in a set of four bowls with interchangeable lids, these come in handy when your little ones have not finished all the snacks and want to eat later. With all the tossing around in your picnic bag the lids need to be leak proof. Munchkin Love-a-Bowl are 100% guaranteed to be spill proof, leak proof and break- proof. Now that’s the kind of bowl I need on a picnic. 4. Keep the Insects away Flies and bees can be a pest on a picnic! Our top tip for this is take along your Camp Cot Mozzi net. It can come in handy if baby falls asleep in a pram or for just keeping those bugs off the food. 5. Snacks on the go If your kids enjoy food on the run, consider the Munchkin Deluxe Snack Catcher. It is designed to keep up with your toddler’s active lifestyle. This cleaver little bowl teaches self-feeding with a bit more dexterity and a lot less mess. It’s a multitasking bowl with soft flaps that are gentle enough for fingers to get through but sturdy enough to keep messes at bay (and insects out.) 6. No Stress  Picnics with kids need not be a challenge so stick to what you know your kids like to eat and drink and don’t forget something special for Mom and Dad Picnics can be a cost-effective outing, so go out and enjoy a bonding time with your family. Don’t forget to enter the picnic hamper competition on the competition page. Thank you to Munchkin for generously donating our favourite products for the prize. 

September 19, 2019
Good Night Baby

ADJUSTING TO LIFE WITH TWO CHILDREN

The moment I found out I was pregnant with my second child I was in tears. These were tears of a combination of emotions: joy, happiness, fulfilment and panic. My husband and I always wanted two children, but we didn’t expect them to be 18 months apart. I knew it was going to be tough and that nothing can fully prepare you for a new human in your life, but being thrown into the deep end, for me, was the best preparation.

September 11, 2019
Parenting Hub

Teaching our children to have an attitude of gratitude

Have you noticed that we may be bringing up a generation of young people who feel so entitled to gifts, devices and whatever they desire, that gratitude is becoming a lost art? How often do you feel uncomfortable in choosing gifts for yours or other’s children because you know that the more affordable, ‘little’ things may result in a forced ‘thank-you’, or worse, a temper tantrum?

September 10, 2019
Parenting Hub

CELLPHONE FREEDOM

We have become addicted to and slaves to our phones. Liberate yourself and your children from the chains of cellphone dictatorship.

September 9, 2019
Impaq

To be, or not to be a homeschooling family: Our experience

Dené worked hard and obtained her National Senior Certificate through Impaq at the end of 2012. She got accepted to the University of Pretoria and started her BA Drama in 2013. Dené has passed her master’s degree in Drama and Film Studies from UP with distinction – with the feedback that she achieved the highest mark in the department’s history! She shares her advice to current and future Impaq learners, parents, guardians, and tutors:

September 6, 2019
Parenting Hub

The 5 best gifts that you can give your children, and they do not cost a cent!

parents have come to (unconsciously) rely on the buying of material gifts to let their children know that they love them while not fully understanding the negative implications of these well-meaning gestures.” She adds that joy in receiving material gifts and especially if the gifts are guilt-driven is most often short-lived and children are all too frequently left feeling confused, alone, miserable and frustrated and, in some cases, even a bit depressed. You see, it is not the receiving of many material gifts that they seek!

September 5, 2019
Impaq

Will your preschooler cope with the demands of school?

When your child turns 6 it usually means that it’s their last year in preschool. In a year, your child will need to start primary school, but how do you know that your child will cope with the formal demands of school? Or be able to function to his/her full potential? As a parent, you may have lots of questions about this new phase in your child’s life. You would want to know that your child is ready to start their learning journey. If your child is not ready, it could influence his/her academic performance.

August 28, 2019
LEGO South Africa

LEGO® Ideas Treehouse blooming with sustainable bricks

The Treehouse is one of the largest LEGO Ideas sets yet released, and is a challenging build that features more than 3,000 parts and includes more sustainably manufactured bricks than any other set released to date: all 185 plants and leaves are made from sustainable materials sourced from sugarcane. This includes the treetop canopy, which has interchangeable sets of green summer leaf elements and yellow and brown autumn leaf elements.

August 27, 2019
The Papery

Our Planet. Our children’s future!

In this day and age, people in general are becoming more and more aware of the impact that we are having on the environment. This doesn’t only mean doing things within your own home, but also being aware of what businesses are doing to slow down the damage. It is vitally important that pressure is put on any business that is not doing enough.

August 23, 2019
Parenting Hub

3 Tips to manage homesickness like a pro

When you introduce the idea of camp to your children, the first reaction expected is of excitement, looking forward to making new friends, being away from home and new experiences. For some children, however, the idea of being away from home might be frightening and a cause of anxiety.

August 19, 2019
Parenting Hub

Teach your children to have self-respect

Imagine holding a big juicy orange in your hand. The fruit feels heavy and cool and you excitedly anticipate enjoying what it has ‘inside’. You know for sure that the orange, when squeezed, will only produce orange juice. You do not expect, nor will you receive, apple, pear or even grape juice, right? This is, of course because an orange only HAS orange juice inside to ‘give’.

August 15, 2019
Parenting Hub

Don’t forget to have FUN!

Sometimes. Moms and Dads get so bogged down with the routines of the day that they forget to have fun with their children.

August 8, 2019
Impaq

Impaq helps learners prepare for the real world

Home education (or homeschooling) helps learners prepare for the real world as homeschool learners learn the art of self-study. Ravon Venter, an Impaq alumnus, says that studying through Impaq helped him develop better self-discipline. He also credits Impaq with giving him the qualifications he needed to find a job he is passionate about.

August 6, 2019
OneAid

Does Your Child Need a Tetanus Shot or Not?

I’ve had parents often come into the emergency room after their child has taken a tumble asking for a Tetanus vaccine, which is why I felt the need to write a post explaining what Tetanus is and why we need to vaccinate our kids. WHAT IS TETANUS? Tetanus is a disease commonly known as lockjaw. It is caused by the bacteria, Clostridium tetani and can be fatal. The toxin from the bacteria affects the nervous system and causes severe painful muscle spasms, which can interfere with the ability to breathe. Currently there is no cure for Tetanus and treatment is mainly symptomatic until the effects of the toxin wear off. Complete recovery can take up to several months. WHERE IS THE BACTERIA FOUND? Clostridial spores can be found everywhere. They are found in soil, dust and animal faeces (including humans). Once the spores enter a wound they grow into mature bacteria, which produce the powerful toxin. Clostridium tetani is found worldwide. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TETANUS? Signs and symptoms of tetanus can appear anytime from a few days to a few weeks from infection: Spasms and stiffness of jaw muscles (hence the name lockjaw); Spasms and stiffness of the neck muscles; Difficulty swallowing; Spasms and stiffness of other body muscles, commonly the abdominal muscles; Other constitutional symptoms such as fever, sweating and palpitations. TETANUS VACCINATION I won’t go into too much detail regarding the various combination vaccines as there are many and every country has its own recommendations. A copy of the latest South African immunisation schedule can be downloaded from my resources page. The WHO recommends an initial 6-dose schedule to achieve tetanus immunity. 1. Primary vaccination Three primary doses of the vaccine are recommended in childhood starting from 6 weeks. 2. Booster vaccination Three booster doses are recommended prior to adolescence. Booster vaccines are then recommended every 10 years thereafter. TETANUS-PRONE WOUND This is any wound that has been contaminated with material that could contain tetanus spores; This is any wound that is deep; This is any wound that is dirty; This is any wound that contains a foreign body. Note: any wound can be tetanus-prone – cuts, scrapes, burns, animal (including human) and insect bites. WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR It is recommended you see a doctor if: Your child has a tetanus-prone wound and has not had a booster vaccine in the last 5 years; Your child has a minor, clean wound and has not had a booster vaccine in the last 10 years; Your child has a wound and you cannot remember when their last booster vaccine was. RESOURCES CDC (2018) Tetanus. [online]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html#contraindications [Accessed 30 August 2018]. WHO (2018) Tetanus vaccines: WHO position paper, February 2017 – Recommendations. Vaccine. [online] 36 (25). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.02.034 [Accessed 30 August 2018]. WHO (2018) Tetanus. [online]. http://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/tetanus/en/ [Accessed 30 August 2018].

July 31, 2019
Parenting Hub

Bringing art to life- 3 Traits every art teacher should have

How do we create the next generation of innovative artists? Through all our amazing art teachers across the globe!  It’s not easy being a kid today; facing chunks of homework and a seemingly never-ending quest for achievement, it appears to be harder being a kid than a CEO of a large corporate company. It’s even harder for creative children; to discover and nurture their talent with different social pressures and numerous inconsistent daily requirements. Listed below are 3 key qualities every art teacher should have. Cultivating these principles assists our aspiring Picassos, aka your students, in finding their role in the creative world and how to play it. Curiosity Curiosity builds a desire for a greater understanding and learning more. Besides innovating your student’s creative talent by gaining more intel, curiosity develops awareness and attention to detail for their craft. It is of utmost importance to motivate them to consistently ask questions and to dig deeper. This fosters growth and matures their expertise. Passion  Tony Wagner, a Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute, states that one of the key principles to strengthen a student’s innovative framework, is the passion passed from the teacher to student. Wagner further explains how the best teachers always support what the student’s natural passion is, and make an effort to connect what needs to be learnt to satisfy the passion. This creates a sense of purpose with their craft and longing to better themselves.  Purpose  Having a purpose is imperative for any human being. Great art teachers know the importance of creating art that will add value to the world, rather than creating for the sake of creating. When students pick up this sentiment, it develops their creative problem-solving skills. Finding solutions is more urgent and pushes the student to take greater risks and look for new ways of solving challenging issues to fulfil their purpose.  With these 3 principles implemented into your art class, who knows, you could be grooming the next Da Vinci. 

July 25, 2019
Parenting Hub

The importance of reading at home

Of all the important learning activities we can do with young children, reading probably trumps the rest. The importance of elementary literacy skill development has been well documented. In reality, early literacy influences every aspect of learning and thinking. As the organization, ProLiteracy states, “Every important social issue is impacted by low literacy.” Decades of research shows the direct correlation between early literacy skills and long term student success. Shockingly it is said that “students not reading well in third grade are four times more likely to drop out” (Students First, Statistics about Education in America). In most curricula, children learn to read and receive reading instruction in the foundation phase. Hereafter they are expected to read to learn. Therefore, it is imperative that children be afforded every possible support to ensure early reading success.

July 23, 2019
Kaboutjie

Parenting Through Grief

Facing the death of a loved one can be a monumentally difficult emotional hurdle to overcome. Tragedy and grief have a way of seeping into every aspect of your life. Your favorite tv show can remind you of the loved one who passed away. Your favorite food reminds you of the meals you shared with the recently deceased. A hobby you once enjoyed can be a chilling reminder of the loved one who is no longer with you. The heartache you feel will lessen over time. The old adage, ‘Time heals all wounds’ holds truth. Unfortunately, you cannot drop all of your responsibilities and obligations. First and foremost, your responsibility to take care of your child. You are still a parent and must navigate the already complicated journey of parenting while dealing with grief. Even if the grief you are experiencing is debilitating you still must provide for your children. You cannot check out.

July 22, 2019
Kaboutjie

Tips For Teaching Kids About Dogs

There are numerous benefits linked to having a family dogas a pet and teaching kids how to take care of dogs. Young children can learn valuable life lessons when they are taught from an early age how to take care of an animal: 1. Responsibility Younger children can help by participating in feeding, exercise, playing, grooming and showing affection. 2. Trust Pets make trusted companions for children and this could be the first step towards teaching your child how to build relationships. 3. Compassion Caring for an animal entails showing understanding, compassion and empathy, all valuable lessons on how to take care of others’ and their basic needs. 4. Bereavement When a family pet passes away your child will experience the pain of losing a beloved pet, but it also teaches them how to cope during the bereavement phase. 5. Respect Children learn how to have respectfor others by learning how to touch a pet gently, learning not to disturb them while eating or sleeping and tending to their daily needs. 6. Self-esteem Dogs love you unconditionally and this can have an immense effect on a child’s self-esteem accompanied with the satisfaction of sharing responsibility of taking care of an animal’s needs. 7. Loyalty There is no match for a pet’s loyalty and in turn the child learns how to have loyalty towards their furry friend 8. Physical activity Taking the dog out for a walk and playing with themenables a child to be more physically active than a child without a dog. 9. Patience It takes time to bond with a new pet and through this the child learns to have patience. 10. Social skills Taking a dog out for a walk and interacting with other pet-lovers can be a wonderful ice-breaker and improve your child’s social skills. How do you know the time is right for teaching kids about dogs? Younger children can not be expected to take care of a family pet without assistance, especially children under the age of five years old. They can help of course, but most of the caring will be done by you. Young children are often too rough and doesn’t really understand yet how to handle a pet gently and they may end up injuring the dog and become injured themselves when the pet reacts. Children from the age of 3-4 years old must be monitored when spending time with a pet and even children under the age of ten must not be expected to take care of a pet on their own. When an older child expresses the need for a pet, it is the perfect opportunity to discuss the responsibility of taking care of a pet as well as setting up expectations before the time about what their pet-care responsibilities is going to be. When you do decide to get a pet, make sure you include your child in the process of getting a dog and let them help with choosing the right pet for your household. Tips on how to teach your child to interact responsibly and safely with their dog companions: Introducing the puppy to the child When a new puppy is brought into the home it is essential to teach a child about the rule of “no touch, no talk, no eye contact”. The introduction between the child and the puppy must be suspended until the child’s excitement has blown over and he is in a calm state of mind and capable of focusing on adult instruction. Avoid allowing the child to make the first move. Ensure that your child’s energy levels are stable and keep an eye on the puppy’s reactions. Once you are happy that the situation is under control and safe, you can teach your child how to show affection. Playtime Ground rules must be set for off-limits playing for example, the child must understand that its not ok to pull the puppy’s tail or ears. Be vigilant for signs of rough play and immediately correct the child or redirect his energy when the need calls for it. Always keep an eye on the body language of the puppy and step in when you think the puppy had enough playtime. Never leave a young child without supervision with a puppy. Cleanliness and health issues Children are more susceptible to pet-related illnesses than us grown-ups. Here are a few tips that can help keep your child healthy: Make sure the puppy has regular visits to the Vet. Teach your child to wash his hands thoroughly before and after playing with the puppy. Avoid playtime near areas where the puppy relieves himself. Dog excrement must be picked up and disposed of regularly. Other safety tips relating to dog interaction Children should never approach unfamiliar dogs. Not all dogs are used to young children, therefore it’s better to practice caution beforehand. Dogs that are restrained or behind fences are often more likely to attack. Children should be taught that it’s never ok to tease or reach for a dog that seems harmless because they are “out of reach”. Children should not approach a stray dog without adult supervision. The right way is to call an adult to assist with a dog that looks injured or lost. Teach your child the right body-language for child-dog interaction: Teach them how to be calm, allowing the dog to approach first. They should never back a dog into a corner. When they are touching the dog, they must stroke under the chin or on the cheek. Discourage young children from trying to hold a dog. An innocent hug may be perceived as a threat. Dogs have sensitive hearing and an unexpected squeal from your little one may overwhelm them or startle them. A soothing voice will make the dog feel at ease and allow you child to have a calm mindset. Be on the look-out for signals that the dog is displaying that his had enough of play. Look for pacing, flattening of the ears, tucking their tails, retreating, bearing teeth, growling

July 19, 2019
OneAid

Emergency Numbers Every Parent Should Know

It occurred to me the day I went back to work after my maternity leave that I didn’t know any other emergency number besides 10111. Thankfully I have never had to use this but I couldn’t risk leaving my daughter at home with her caregiver without leaving a more comprehensive list of important numbers by the phone. The last thing you want to do in an emergency is dial the wrong number. In the US, the UK and Europe there is only one toll-free number to call from any landline or mobile phone. In South Africa, things are not as simple. Unfortunately there isn’t one single number for an emergency. I spent a really long time searching the web and making a couple of phone calls but I finally managed to put together this simple list. It is vital that you as parents and/or caregivers know what number to dial when and it is perhaps even more important that your little ones know this too. USING YOUR CELL PHONE: Any emergency nationwide – 112 (this number will still work even if you have no airtime) USING YOUR LANDLINE OR CELL PHONE: Police/Fire – 10111 Nationwide ambulance (public EMS) – 10177 Netcare 911 (private EMS) – 082 911 ER 24 (private EMS) – 084 124 Poison Information Centre – 0861 555 777 Remember, before making that emergency call, try to stay calm. You also need to have important information ready such as, the type of emergency, details of any injuries and the exact location of the emergency needing attention. A list of Emergency Numbers can be downloaded for free from my resources page. It may be a good idea to stick this on your fridge or somewhere nearby the phone.

July 18, 2019
Parenting Hub

21st Century Teaching – A Gateway to Curiosity

Lifting students learning in a school is a collaborative effort. It requires team effort, both at school and at home. It has become evident that with the current economic demands, parents find themselves overcommitted, not by choice, but the need to provide for their families. Hence, social growth is neglected and thus the school environment becomes the essential feeder of the curious minds.

July 17, 2019
Parenting Hub

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Creative expression allows children to express their feelings and emotions. It allows them freedom to articulate and express their thoughts – to think critically. Creative expression can be many things – it can be painting, dancing, fantasy play, drama, singing, crafts, building with blocks and making music.

July 10, 2019
Parenting Hub

WHAT IS INQUIRY BASED LEARNING?

One need only watch a young child spending a day at the beach to realise how fundamental curiosity is as a core trait in natural learning. Feeding the desire to delve into discovering things should be at the centre of all of our planning as teachers of learners of all ages. In a constantly changing world, preparing individuals for future careers is a moot point so we re-focus our efforts on skill, creativity and versatility in a yet unknown landscape in which they will spend their lives.

July 9, 2019
Parenting Hub

BE A SMART PARENT AND RAISE VICTORIOUS KIDS

From the start, kids are faced with the need to achieve. There are waiting lists to get into pre-school and from there, pressure to not only do your best, but rather ‘be the best’ throughout formal schooling. This all leading to tough competition for the limited spots available at a university. To address this, ambitious parents, who want what’s best for their offspring, are investing huge amounts of time and money to ensure their child has every advantage.

July 8, 2019
OneAid

Is It A Cold Or Is It The Flu?

Winter is here and so are coughs, colds and flu. Common colds and flu are both caused by viruses and share many of the same symptoms however colds are usually milder and do not cause any serious complications. More than 200 viruses can cause a cold whereas the flu is caused by the Influenza virus. This is why there is no vaccine available for the common cold.

July 5, 2019
Parenting Hub

10 smart ways to empower your daughter

We want our girls to have every opportunity to become strong, successful women. How we treat them in childhood has a huge role to play. Find out how you can boost your daughter’s confidence and empower her to be amazing!

July 2, 2019
Parenting Hub

Art is Fundamental

What is art? Art is the “expression or application of human creative skill and imagination” thus may be brought through in a child in many forms: Music, Dance, Literature or Visual Creative Arts. Art is a fundamental; this could almost be considered part of a vital milestone in the pre-school child’s learning. In my experiences with visual arts, the atelier is a place of research and experimentation where the child can express themselves through the stimulation of their own creativity. The experience is one of enjoyment and plays a role in shaping their own sense of personal, social and cultural identity.  The art activities set out are of great importance as: They help develop fine motor, gross motor and hand-eye co-ordination skills. Problem solving abilities develop as they explore a huge variety of new materials and tools around them. Art is one of the many languages of the world, discussions and conversations lead in different directions building on vocabulary and then where children of a limited vocabulary also have an outlet to express themselves. The stages of art from scribbling to consciously drawing shapes, form a foundation for school readiness. They teach children about cause and effect appealing to the child’s sense of curiosity. Therefore, open–ended art is essential as it helps children not to be afraid of change and allows for a higher order thinking. A sense of pride is developed, through the planning of an activity to the final outcome, it all has a purpose. The child’s self-esteem develops through activities where they can express their own thinking through the freedom of choice. Independence is encouraged and taking responsibility for an activity boosts self-confidence. Working in groups at times, spark collaboration, socialising and compromise, which are all life skills that are crucial for development. Cultural identity and differences are built on through the introduction of various artists and their art works. Art should no longer just take on the form of using only some or other mark-making tool onto paper. Art is the discovery of building, fitting, fixing, breaking and composing of loose parts, using old things to become new things. Thus, repurposing and upcycling. Our mind sets have been shifted from the traditional ridged and somewhat constricted views of what constitutes art or an artist. I think we as teachers are only scrapping the tip of the iceberg of the possibilities available worldwide.  So, when teaching, we should then take on the opportunity to explore and expose our children to the wealth of resources available. Once we take on this ‘new age’ way of thinking we can then understand the full rich meaning of why art is so fundamental in learning, in the classroom and beyond. By Charlene Lang (Teacher at Maragon Ruimsig Pre-Primary) 

June 26, 2019
Parenting Hub

ALLOWANCE AND BUDGET FOR TEENS

Children and teenagers have to be shown and taught how to deal with money. We are advised that, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The source of this wisdom is the Book of Timothy in the Bible. This well-known adage is often mis-quoted as, “Money is the root of all evil,” which does not mean the same at all. It is greed and corruption and the misuse of the currency which can cause trouble for us, not the cold, hard cash or credit cards in your wallet. In accordance with your family’s wishes and beliefs, it is a good idea for children to learn to manage small amounts of money and experience having to budget for desired items. We know that we are living in a world and society where many young people feel entitled to have everything they want, or least everything their friends have. Not every family has the same financial means and children should be taught to understand that fact. Teach your children not to show off with money. Decide, as a parent, with your teenager, what would be a reasonable weekly allowance. Receiving a weekly amount to begin with may be better than a monthly sum, which may seem large and be squandered initially. Just like all adults, all children are different, so watch, without interfering, how your teenager manages money in the early stages. The amount to give depends on you as a parent and also on what you expect your teen to buy with this allowance. Do you give your teen a separate budget for cellphone usage or to buy family gifts? Those details need to be negotiated between you and your teenager.  The teenager is still at school and either living at home or in the boarding house at school. He should not have to pay for his daily lunches at the tuckshop at school from his allowance. To avoid this expensive trap, pack an interesting and healthy lunchbox and provide a water bottle for school every day. If the child, sometimes, wants to buy something at the tuckshop, then that item should come from his allowance. Many parents believe that children should do chores around the home in exchange for an allowance. These chores could include cleaning the house, taking care of the garden or swimming pool or feeding the family’s pets. A lot of teens also do the cooking at home if a parent is busy at work or with younger siblings.  Some parents are stricter than others and will deduct from an allowance for tasks not performed satisfactorily. Doing work in exchange for an allowance can teach responsibility and give your teen a taste of what the real world will be like. Everyone needs to learn to perform basic tasks like ironing a short or polishing school shoes. It is reasonable to expect a teenager to budget for non-school clothing and entertainment, such as movies or treats with friends. Should she wish to buy more expensive items of clothing, she should learn to save her allowance and budget. This is good training for when she is an adult and working and earning her own money for the first time. Teach your teenager to work wisely with money and save a small amount every month. Allow him to learn the value of money whilst still in the safety of your home. Encourage him not to be extravagant or to waste money unnecessarily. Enjoy and use your money carefully, but don’t LOVE it! By: Mrs Tracy Freemantle (Teacher at Pinnacle College Kyalami)

June 25, 2019
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