Advice from the experts
Evolve Online School

Do the homework before choosing an online school

Parents and guardians considering online schooling for their children must ensure they properly vet the ability of a school to provide an holistic, meaningful educational experience coupled with excellent academic and emotional support, an education expert says. “There are a number of online schooling options on the market, and this offering has grown further as a result of Covid-19 and lockdowns,” says Colin Northmore, Principal of Evolve Online School, a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. “But just as parents would do their homework before enrolling their child at a contact education institution, they should also ask the right questions before deciding on an online learning institution,” he says. Northmore notes that many parents can attest to the frustrations experienced with online learning during lockdown, where the quality of offerings differed markedly. “Parents will by now have figured out that what their school offered was more or maybe less effective than what their friends’ children were getting, and clearly not all online delivery models are created equal. So, a first step before deciding on an online school, would be to enquire how efficiently current students of those schools who had to move from contact to online were able to continue their educational journey during lockdown,” he says. “Online schools have clearly differentiated offerings, and parents should take care to interrogate and clarify a school’s offering before enrolling, and in particular ensure that the curriculum is more than just ‘paper behind glass’,” he says. Northmore says that an online school focused on the developing the whole child while ensuring that academic excellence is maintained, must incorporate the following: Diagnostic testing to determine the exact level of proficiency of a student before placement, and during the educational journey; Asynchronous learning so that learners can move through content at their own pace and according to their own proficiency, with direct access to teachers who will facilitate extra activation classes; Synchronous learning where students will also be able to attend live interactive classes, and Socialisation opportunities with academies, studios and day camps so that students can mingle with their peers and balance their screen timewith green time. He says Evolve Online School has weekly webinars to allow parents to get a feel for the school’s offering, as well as ask the questions they need answered before enrolling. “It is highly recommended that parents attend such virtual events at any school they are considering for their child,” he says. Northmore adds that parents should ensure that substantial support is available for students and parents, because online schooling can be a very lonely and frustrating experience if such support is not available, particularly if an online school is merely copying and pasting physical classes into a virtual space. “Schools must have life coaches or the equivalent, who can help develop crucial 21st Century Skills and global competencies, in addition to the regular curriculum,” he says, “and each student’s learning experience must be tailored to their specific needs, so that they are encouraged to grow at a pace that suits their ability and enthusiasm.” It is not enough for an online school to simply focus on delivering a curriculum, he says. “For a rewarding and successful online schooling experience, there should be a strong focus on all skills – foundational, social and emotional. Our children are growing up in a world very different from the one in which we grew up. Things that we, as adults, deal with and take in our stride they are already facing at a very young age. Therefore online schools should offer substantial support to help teach students how to deal with issues such as stress and anxiety, while helping them develop important coping mechanisms, resilience and a growth mindset,” he says.

September 18, 2020
Mattel

Be a big kid yourself and play! – the science is finding it could be the best way to de-stress

Any adult, parent or grandparent can recognise the look of delight in a child’s eyes when they are fascinated by a favourite toy. Over the last few years, research has found that playtime is much more than fun for kids. Whether it’s playing ‘peek-a-boo’ with your baby, ‘let’s pretend’ with your toddler, or airplanes with your three-year-old, play has been found to stimulate their social skills, imagination and language development. But it turns out that playtime isn’t just important for little ones. A growing number of studies are finding that it’s surprisingly good for you too. In fact, as parents lead increasingly busy lives, entering your child’s imaginative world could be the single easiest thing you can do to de-stress. Dr Jacqueline Harding is a leading child development expert and a senior lecturer at the University of Middlesex.  She has just finished the first review of the evidence on the effects of playing with children has on grown-ups to coincide with the launch of Fisher Price’s new campaign, Let’s be Kids, which celebrates seeing the world as kids see it. And she says the science is finding it’s the ultimate two-way street. Indeed, Dr Harding, who has looked at more than 100 research papers, says that far from seeing playing with kids as a ‘guilty pleasure’, we should see it as an essential ‘antidote’ to adult stress. Dr Harding says: ‘There’s tons of research out there on the value of play to children. ‘But less is known about the mutual benefits.‘By looking at research across a range of disciplines around play, we are starting to join the dots and recognise that grown-ups reap huge advantages too.’ It seems the timing of the findings couldn’t have come at a better time. As a parenting author of ten books, many of which examine how stress can suck the joy out of parenting unless we take steps to mitigate it, this is welcome news. In books like ‘Mum Hacks’ and ‘What’s My Child Thinking?’, I have charted how economic uncertainty, long working hours and rising child costs, as well as the pressure to feel like the perfect parent, has made the parental balancing act feel tougher than ever. So Dr Harding’s conclusions that play can be as stress-relieving for adults as it is for kids, feel like the ultimate win-win. Dr Harding also believes the review is timely. She says: ‘It’s widely agreed that humans are carving out a way of life that is characterised by unprecedented levels of stress. The Mental Health Foundation found that 74 per of adults felt very stressed, that rose to 81 per cent in women. Until now, we had a hunch that play can also calm an adult’s physiological responses, but now we are seeing the big picture to show that more conclusively.’ So why is playtime such a powerful de-stressor for adults?  The secret is the feed-back loop that happens when you connect through play. Dr Harding says: ‘Entering a game with a child increases levels of well-being chemicals in both your brains – mood-enhancing endorphins and the bonding hormone oxytocin. This, in turn, reduces the levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, which can build up when we lead busy, stressful lives.’ ‘Playing with your child also seems to tap into adults’ memories, recalling times when for some perhaps life felt simpler and more joyful’. All play is good for you, but to get the best benefits, Dr Harding advises taking steps to really be in the moment with your child. ‘If you feel shy at first, try some practical steps to get going, like getting down on the floor with them. ‘That helps take us away from that adult world where we can sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. The other important thing is sit face-to-face so you have eye contact. Put aside your phone too so your child feels secure in the knowledge that nothing will interrupt your time together. When you are both on the same level, making eye contact and focussing on a third thing, like a toy, that sends out the message: “We’re both really interested in this together.’ This is a process Dr Harding calls ‘play triangulation’, or joint enjoyment of a plaything. ‘This can start as soon as between nine and twelve months when babies start to shift their attention for longer periods and enjoy sharing an interest in an object.’ While it may not happen every time, the best playtimes come when you and your child enter a state of ‘flow’, says Dr Harding. This is when you are both so engrossed that you lose track of time and it feels as if your imaginations are flying away together. Dr Harding says: ‘As your emotional states start to match, your brain network starts to get in synch too. When you are both completely in the moment, this evokes a fabulous sense of wellbeing in both of you. Your heart rate goes down; your breathing relaxes and that’s a good place for both of you to be.’ The research also uncovers benefits for older generations, which is a good reason to get grandparents involved in playtime as well. Positive interactions with others not only reduce social isolation of older adults but can promote health and well-being. In addition, active play has the potential to prevent cognitive decline that can happen as people age by activating processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate connections between neurons So next time life seems a little too rushed, don’t look for ways to speed up on the hamster wheel to try and things get done –and as the new Fisher Price research review suggests: ‘spend less time growing up and a little more time growing down.’ Instead, look for an on opportunity to step off it for a play session with your child. However long you have together, far from being a waste of time, picking out their favourite toy and inventing a game around it could be the best use of your time. Dr Harding says:

September 16, 2020
Mindscape Education

Resources – what to look for and how to choose them

In this article, we explore homeschooling resources, how to identify what you think you need versus what you actually need for your child, and how to be more cost-effective. A point to always remember is, just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s effective. Resources.  What a broad, generic term. Ranging in meaning from books to equipment, posters, manipulatives, electronic, cloud-based thingymagwadjee’s.  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need every resource known to man when homeschooling your child.  Firstly, resources can be rather costly and secondly, some of them are completely unnecessary! In the beginning, I would suggest buying a decent-sized whiteboard (because long division.  I’ll leave it there) and a laminator.  Both will serve you well, no matter whether you are homeschooling temporarily or as a permanent solution. Deciding on what you think you need versus what you really need versus what you really, really want can be a minefield.  There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding what to spend your hard-earned cash on: Is the item fit for purpose?  Is it age appropriate?  Can you use the same thing for more than one child if you need to?  Is it user-friendly?  Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s effective. Some resources, like printable worksheets, are cost effective and convenient only if you have a printer at home.  If you don’t, then off-the-shelf workbooks (like those found in our School-In-A-Box!)  would probably be a better option for you.  Your pantry also contains many interesting materials.  Rice or flour for working with weight and learning about mass.  Pretty much anything you can think of when learning about numbers and operations (jellybeans, Smarties, – division and subtraction are taught quite effectively with these, haha).  A few things are have-to-haves, like good grade-appropriate dictionaries, a thesaurus for older kids, quality reference books like a world atlas or encyclopedia. The CAPS teacher’s guides (available to purchase from Mindscape Education and learner books (in your School-In-A-Box) give an overview of materials needed to complete each lesson and it is worth having a leisurely page-through of these books when you first start out.  My suggestion is to begin with the minimum and carefully re-evaluate your needs as you continue your homeschooling journey.  Interested in homeschooling your child? Feel free to Mindscape Education, e-mail [email protected] or call (+27) 11-704-0687. Hadeda Promotion: Enrol your child with MindScape Education by 30 November 2020 and pay 2020 fees. Visit the Mindscape Education website to find out more about our curriculum options.

September 15, 2020
Wingu Academy

Motivating your primary or high school student – 5 tips to navigate the minefield

Concerned about your child’s lack of motivation when it comes to their schoolwork? Perhaps you’ve spent many a minute pondering how you can get your child to put as much effort into learning as they do into texting on their phones. You’re not alone. We’d venture a guess that there were even a few cavemothers back in the day who were probably just as concerned with their teen’s lack of motivation and seemingly rebellious attitude. Now here’s the thing that most articles like this one don’t tell you – there’s no silver bullet or magical motivation potion. Nothing you do or say will result in your child going to sleep a TikTok consuming zombie-bot one evening and waking up an industrious little Edison the next. You cannot force a child to be motivated – they have to realize the importance of learning themselves. However, there are some steps that you can take to help your child discover –or rediscover – his or her motivational mojo. 1: Instill discipline and accountability in your child There’s a very true quote – probably dreamt up by some self-help yogi on the internet, bless their wise soul – “You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined”. Discipline is what sets people apart. A naturally athletic person might have raw talent, but if they don’t have the discipline to get up and train at the crack of dawn, all that raw talent won’t book them a spot at the Olympics. But, if your child follows the pattern of ‘panic, breakdown, cram, cry, cram-some-more’ every night before a big test, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are lazy or undisciplined. Perhaps he or she has trouble managing their time. This is where you can help. By creating a structured learning environment, developing a regular schedule and allowing sufficient time to prepare, you can help your child manage his or her time better. As with all seemingly mundane things in life – such as parking within the lines or making your coffee just the way you like it – time management is a skill learnt through trial and error, and by repeating it every day until you become an expert. Importantly, don’t over compensate for your child’s demotivated attitude by doing their work for them. This will only end up compounding the problem, because what you are actually telling them is that it’s okay not to hold up their end of a bargain, someone will always come to bail them out. Motivated kids are also accountable kids, who accept their responsibilities and plan accordingly. 2: Be kind to your child, and to yourself Your child’s lack of motivation is not necessarily a reflection on you as a parent. Positively reinforce development and when they make mistakes – when, not if – don’t lie awake obsessing about the future and how you are going to take care of your son when he’s 40 and still lives in your basement with just a mini fridge and video game console. Mistakes are par for the course; fall down ten times and get up eleven times – so cliché, but true. In a culture that is obsessed with perfection, we often do not teach our children that it’s okay to make mistakes. If Junior has been steadily putting in more work and improving his grades only to fail the next test, don’t act like it’s the end of the world, threaten to put a hit out on the teacher or tell your child that his brain is the size of a pea. Identify the root cause of the problem, and put strategies in place to prevent a similar scenario in the future. Your child will learn how to handle crisis and disappointment by witnessing your own response to it. Lead by example. 3: Focus on development, not performance Developing a motivated student takes time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t expect them to magically start burning the midnight oil and getting straight A’s just because they started attending a tutor session two weeks ago. Set realistic goals and positively reinforce improvements in behaviour or outcome, even if it’s small or slow. Perhaps more importantly, don’t force your own expectations on your child. Even if you secretly dream that your child will become an astronaut and be the first human to set foot on Mars, their strengths and academic interests might not align with that vision. And that’s okay. If they do well in another subject that you might regard as less important, praise them for that, because it might be important to them. 4: Encourage honest conversation Oftentimes students become demotivated because they feel overwhelmed or stuck, and oftentimes these factors can be remedied. But you won’t know how to help your child, unless they talk to you about the problem. You cannot force your child to share his or her feelings, and the more you push, the more likely you are to receive a serious of grunts and sighs as a reply. However, you can let them know that you are there to talk, when they feel ready. When they do open up to you, validate your child’s feelings, even if you don’t agree with them on something. So for example, if Junior says “Mom, I hate mathematics, It just doesn’t make sense!”, don’t say something like “Nonsense sweetie, you were fine with math last year.” Listen to your child. Really listen. Let them know that their opinion matters and don’t put them down. 5: Get outside help If your child is demotivated because he or she is struggling with a particular subject or subjects, consider getting outside help, such as a tutor. If this is not financially viable, maybe reach out to a university student in the family, or a subject-savvy aunt or uncle, or try to come to an agreement with a reputable tutoring company to let your child be instructed at a reduced rate. Make a plan. Do not stick

September 11, 2020
Impaq

Smart study hacks for the exams

Examinations can be nerve-racking and stressful. And while a little stress can sometimes serve as a strong motivator, too much can affect your child’s ability to learn and perform during exams. One way to minimise – or at least manage – stress is to be prepared.  While nothing replaces hard work, some techniques can increase efficiency, boost productivity and improve concentration. While not every method will work for your child, it’s worth some trial and error to find the ones that do.   First, cover the basics Plan: Develop a timetable and study routine tailored to your child’s grade, learning style and peak learning time. Eat: Maintain proper nutrition by feeding your child healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. The brain needs food to function.  Sleep: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest while preparing for exams. Sleep affects cognitive function – it improves the ability to think clearly and logically and assimilates the information learned during the day.  Move: Science says that just 20 minutes of exercise can boost brainpower. Whether riding a bike or walking around the block, exercise will increase your child’s energy levels and reduce the effects of stress. Relax: It may sound counterintuitive, but all work and no play is a recipe for disaster. So, allow your child to relax and rejuvenate by watching a movie, listening to music, or playing a sport.  Also read: Cool ways to beat summer boredom Tried and tested Practice, practice, practice: One secret weapon when preparing for upcoming exams is working through past papers. Practising sample answers to past exam questions can help train your child’s brain to retrieve information. It also helps pinpoint weak areas. In addition, it shows what to expect in terms of the format/wording of questions, so your child won’t get confused or tripped up during the actual exam. Short sessions for the win: Taking a short break after 45 – 50 minutes of study helps the brain absorb more information while maintaining motivation and focus. Research suggests that for intense memorisation sessions – such as trying to learn names, dates and events, a foreign language or math formulae – sessions should be no longer than 20 – 30 minutes. Make use of memory aids: Let your child use mind maps to connect ideas, draw diagrams to visualise information, create flashcards to memorise key concepts, definitions, quotes and formulas, or try mnemonic devices – a song, rhyme, sentence or phrase – to help remember and recall material. Whichever aid your child chooses, make it simple, logical and colourful – colour helps heighten attention.  Something slightly different Speak up: If your child is struggling to grasp something, let them say it out loud instead of simply reading through it. You will be surprised how much more they retain when they have said it out loud.  Teach: The best way to test if your child really understands something is to ask them to try to teach it to someone else. This is a particularly good way to discover if they have a basic grasp of the concepts. If there’s no-one around, let your child teach a class of stuffed animals!  Listen to music: Listening to certain types of music while studying can enhance productivity, motivation and focus levels. Take note, though, that music should never be counterproductive or distracting.  Chew on it: Scientists aren’t exactly sure why, but the act of chewing gum is a brain booster. Chewing gum raises alertness and attention, but only for periods of around 20 minutes – so employ this technique when your child is studying particularly tricky or difficult concepts. What not to do  Don’t let your child study similar subjects one after another: Sandwiching History or Geography in between Maths and Science will help the brain absorb all three subjects much better. Don’t let your child stay up all night before an exam: Make sure your child gets adequate rest the night before an exam.  Don’t let children spend all their time making elaborate study notes: The more time they spend making mini works of art, the less time they have to study. Don’t let them leave studying until the last minute: Last-minute cramming is generally not the best way to approach an exam. Don’t let your child freak out: Do whatever you can to help your child stay calm. If their stress levels spiral out of control, the brain will stop functioning. Also read: Helpful tips for managing your child’s academic anxiety Finally, as your child prepares for upcoming tests or exams, remember the words of Thomas Edison: “There is no substitute for hard work”. By Danielle Barfoot

September 11, 2020
Playstation by Rush

Why play?

Research has shown that active bodies and active minds translate into happy children. It’s also important to limit screen time and technology and get children to interact with others, play and exercise.   This is how active play helps: It develops strong muscles and bones It develops gross motor control It controls weight It helps them sleep better It gives them more confidence and a better outlook on life It makes them more mentally alert and improves their likelihood of being academically motivated and successful. It lowers their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning Parents record a worrying obsession that children have with technology, including cell phones, tablets, television and gaming. The pandemic lockdown didn’t help either and, after five months of restricted movement, it’s time for kids to get active and play again. Perfect timing for Playstation by Rush to open its 600m2  interactive, indoor playpark for children aged 2 to 13.   It’s a safe space where ‘kids can be kids’ and parents can take some much needed time out! Play is so important for young children, it not only teaches them social skills but also promotes physical activity. Playstation is designed to provide multisensory experiences as children play and have fun. It is proudly tech-free and encourages active play. This is critical for developmental skills, including visual and tactile stimulation, agility, balance, hand-eye coordination, upper and lower body strength and cognitive thinking through problem solving. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle (whether voluntary or not) also increases the risk of obesity in children. South African statistics show an alarming number of children are overweight or obese. Very good reasons to get children moving and exercising, particularly in the fun form of play.  The earlier the better.  Although it’s a truism that, ‘We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing,’ when there is so much technology around us, we sometimes forget to play.  Damon Walmsley, general manager and father of twins, says, ‘We know that play time is essential for our kids, especially after the long lockdown and limited activity.  The equipment is similar to what we had when we were young – sort of old school cool.   ‘Some of the activities on offer at Playstation include an adventure maze with swing bridges and hidden areas to explore, a 4 metre rock climbing wall that will test children’s strength and co-ordination, 6 metre high slides, a bike pump track and the little kid’s city. What we think is a winner with parents is the fact that we have highly trained staff who will look after the kids. This means parents can take a breather, catch up on work, watch TV or sit in the restaurant and have breakfast lunch or supper knowing their children are safe, playing and getting all the benefits derived from active play.’  The halaal-friendly, 50-seater restaurant offers an à la carte menu plus daily specials and is open in the evenings for dinner.  ‘The Covid-19 lockdown rules mean we are limiting access and the number of children playing, so booking is essential,’ says Walmsley. He also explains that strict protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff.  This includes the taking of temperatures, sanitising and a daily deep clean of the playpark. Pricing varies for peak and off peak visits and are charged per hour of play.  Monthly and annual memberships are available and there are discounts offered if a family has a meal in the restaurant.  You’ll find Playstation by Rush at 10 Honeywell Road, Kirstenhof – turn at the Spotty Dog landmark. The playpark is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday and from 9am to 6pm on Sundays Playstation by Rush is brought to you by the team who successfully manage the Rush Indoor Trampoline Parks.   For more information go to: www.playstation.rushsa.co.za

September 9, 2020
Mindscape Education

Time management and timetables – how much is enough?

In this article, Clair a homeschooling parent, discusses time management and timetables and how to ensure your child is getting the most out of homeschooling while being able to recognise when your child has reached their limit for the day. I remember being so afraid.  Afraid for my child.  Afraid about what I was teaching her but importantly, about what I was not teaching her.  My initial reaction to this was simply to do more.  Start earlier, finish later.  Shorter breaks.  More structure.  Less flexibility.  Well, it goes without saying that for two or three weeks, our home wasn’t a very happy one.    With no assembly, no register class, no chapel, no physical education classes, so much time is freed up for you and your child.   However, when starting out on this journey, you simply have no way of knowing whether you are spending enough time on each subject.  Luckily, at the beginning of each CAPS teacher’s guide, the Department has set outguidelines for each subject in each phase, broken down by Grade.  Whilst not prescriptive, these give an outline as to how you could spend your school time. Instructional hours vary from 23 in the Foundation phase to about 27 hours in the Senior Phase and high school.  You can find out more by clicking on the link below: https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/CD/National%20Curriculum%20Statements%20and%20Vocational/CAPS%20IP%20%20HOME%20ENGLISH%20GR%204-6%20%20WEB.pdf?ver=2015-01-27-160412-720 We used to start the day with Maths, because my daughter was at her best then, so we would begin with the subject she struggled with the most and would take it from there.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to let your child work at their own pace.  If you end up doing only English for the day, that’s fine, just be sure to find a bit of balance over the following days by doing something else.   There are also many opportunities over the course of day for educating – many of which fall outside of “school hours”.  It takes time to fall into a rhythm, to find your own groove.  Try not to be too hard on yourself for not sticking to a rigid schedule.  You, and your child, might well be all the happier for it.  A happy child is a more productive learner, which makes for a happier parent, and that’s a win in anybody’s book. Interested in homeschooling your child? Feel free to Mindscape Education, e-mail [email protected] or call (+27) 11-704-0687. Hadeda Promotion: Enrol your child with MindScape Education by 30 November 2020 and pay 2020 fees. Visit the Mindscape Education website to find out more about our curriculum options.

September 7, 2020
Mindscape Education

Registering with the Department of Education – what are my rights and responsibilities?

This is a hot topic of conversation among homeschoolers and a complex issue to which MindScape Education recommends parents give considerable thought. There are three relevant pieces of legislation in SA regarding this question. One is the SA Schools Act, 1996. The other is the Children’s Act, 2005 and the third is the SA constitution. Yes, there is a law that stipulates that we must register our homeschooled children with the department of education. There is also legislation that says not doing so is punishable by a fine, or imprisonment, or both. But, as a parent, you have a constitutional right to choose the kind of education your children receive, the nature of the content they learn about, and you also have a legal responsibility to always act in your children’s best interests.  We are aware of stories about intimidating Department officials arriving unannounced, yet we have also heard the complete opposite – positively glowing accounts about how helpful and constructive Department staff and officials have been.  At MindScape Education, the choice is yours. Should you choose not to register your child with the department, we completely respect your decision. However, MindScape can efficiently assist you with the registration process, should you wish to register your child with the relevant education authorities.  In conclusion, do your research. Nobody can tell you what is best for your family and nobody can make a decision as important as this one on your behalf.  Require assistance registering your child for homeschooling? e-mail [email protected] or call (+27) 11-704-0687. Hadeda Promotion: Enrol your child with MindScape Education by 30 November 2020 and pay 2020 fees. Visit the Mindscape Education website to find out more about our curriculum options.

September 3, 2020
Evolve Online School

How to use a good crisis: COVID 19 and the turning point for education

In my previous blog, I concluded by quoting Winston Churchill saying, “never let a good crisis go to waste”. This pandemic has devastated the lives of millions and dealt a blow to the world economy. It has also had a profound impact on schools and the education journey of our children. In his book Stratosphere, Michael Fullan tells us that the time has arrived for schools to take the next step and move to a ‘future-relevant’ school model. We know as parents and teachers that the current way that we are doing school is not preparing our children for the kind of world they are living in and are going to have to find work in. Fullan says that there is now a perfect combination of technology, learning theory and change management. This combination will allow us to move forward if we are willing to change the way we teach. An important point that he makes about technology is that it must be “ubiquitous”, that is it must be everywhere and invisible. Think about the devices in your homes, especially phones and tablets. You probably do not even think about how advanced they are and how often you look at the screen or use it in your daily life. What Fullan is saying it should be expected for our children to do the same in their learning each day. One of the most common experiences of teachers trying to use technology in their classes is that technology often gets in the way of learning. You take your class into the lab, and everyone is excited because you are going to use the computers to learn about volcanoes using a simulation. Within seconds you see a forest of hands. “Mam my computer won’t switch on”, “I’ve forgotten my password”, “My mouse/keyboard does not work”. If we tell the kids to bring their own devices then you get; “My WiFi is not connecting”, “Mam the simulation won’t work on my device”, “I cannot access the app store?” The lesson process is disrupted. By the time all the problems have been solved, the lesson is nearly over.  These kinds of experiences have led to teachers avoiding the use of technology or only using it in shallow gimmicky ways. Technology should rather than as a tool to make students sit up and become entranced and excited about their learning.  iPads overcame many of these problems, they switch on immediately and are not likely to have software or hardware failures. This still left the issue of teachers lacking confidence and experience in using technology in their classes made worse by their early experience of frustration. You also need a proper system for managing devices at school to avoid many of the problems of using them  The pandemic has changed this. The technology implementation that took me six years to achieve as a leader in my previous school was achieved in two weeks in my current one. Teachers and parents have had enough positive experiences that the resistance to using technology has reduced. Parents have also experienced their children benefiting from asynchronous learning (where students do the work in their own time rather than at a set time with their peers). Parents are more willing to consider online schooling as a real option for their kids.  So, where does this leave us? Evolve Online School plans to take advantage of all benefits of technology to redesign the way children learn. We do not have to inherit any weaknesses from the existing system. Still, we can start from the ground up and build a new system that includes the latest advances in technology. We can embrace all the research that has been done into how children learn and build their confidence and skills. We can move away from one size fits all solutions. Most importantly, we have no buildings so we can make the costs much more affordable so that more parents can provide a quality education for their kids.  There is now a perfect opportunity for Evolve Online to make sure that the crisis we are experiencing can lead to improvements in learning. We can increase the number of children who can be properly prepared for their futures. Learning without limits can be a real experience and not just a slogan.

September 1, 2020
Playstation by Rush

Child’s play!

After five months of lockdown it’s time for your kids to play and it’s perfect timing for Playstation by Rush to open its 600m2 interactive, indoor playpark for children aged 2 to 13.   It’s a safe space where ‘kids can be kids’ and parents can take some much needed time out! Playstation is designed to provide multisensory experiences as your children play and have fun. It is proudly tech-free and encourages active play which is critical for developmental skills, including visual and tactile stimulation, agility, balance, hand-eye coordination, upper and lower body strength and cognitive thinking through problem solving. Play is so important for young children, it not only teaches them social skills but also promotes physical activity – a key factor in getting them moving and away from computer screens, tablets and sitting at desks. Research indicates that one of the benefits of indoor play is it encourages creativity and critical thinking and of course is not weather dependant.  ‘The aim of our playpark is to let kids just have a fun time, especially after the long lockdown and limited activity,’ explains Damon Walmsley, general manager and father of two toddlers.  ‘We want the venue to be old school cool.  To mimic the fun and adventure of when we were young, when we spent hours climbing and exploring – adapted to a safe indoor environment. ‘As an added bonus, we have highly trained staff who will look after the kids while they are  playing. This means parents can take a breather, catch up on work or sit in the restaurant and have a meal with a bird’s eye view of their children.’  Some of the activities on offer at Playstation include an adventure maze with swing bridges and hidden areas to explore, a 4 metre rock climbing wall that will test their strength and coordination as they reach for the high line course above, 6 metre high slides, a 40 metre bike pump track and the little kid’s city where they play at being what they want to be. There are two private rooms that can be hired for birthday parties for between 10 and 20 children.  There is an option for fully catered or bring your own.  The halaal-friendly, 50-seater restaurant offers a set menu plus daily specials. This area has wide screen TVs and free wifi. ‘Due to the current Government Covid-19 Level 2 rules, we do need to limit access and the number of children playing, so booking is essential,’ says Walmsley. He also explains that strict protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff.  This includes the taking of temperatures, sanitising and a daily deep clean of the playpark. Pricing varies for peak and off peak visits and are charged per hour of play.  Monthly and annual memberships are available and there are discounts offered if a family has a meal in the restaurant.  You’ll find Playstation by Rush at 10 Honeywell Road, Kirstenhof – turn at the Spotty Dog landmark. The playpark is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday and from 9am to 6pm on Sundays.  Playstation by Rush is brought to you by the team who successfully manage the Rush Indoor Trampoline Parks.  For more information go to: www.playstation.rushsa.co.za

August 24, 2020
Brainline

Brainline Junior School


New and Additional Classes for Gr R – 7 You have asked and we have listened! We have officially kicked off with additional classes for our Brainline Junior School for Gr R – 7 on Monday, 3 August 2020. Head of Brainline Junior School, Gerda Remmert, says the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has created added stress and anxiety amongst learners and the need for online classes has intensified. Online classes are now available for all junior grade subjects. ‘The classes will be used to discuss and dissect areas that learners usually struggle with and parents are more than welcome to attend the classes so as to ensure that their child are participating adequately. The classes are interactive and learners are therefore able to ask questions,’ she says. Remmert says the classes are recorded and will be made available for learners who are not able to attend classes on a specific day or timeslot. The recordings can also be used for revision.  Remmer says during the Grade R-1 and Grade 2-3 classes, learners have the opportunity to share news and tell friends about experiences. They also have the opportunity to practice reading and develop mathematic skills while discussing the topics according to the curriculum. She says other forms of support are also made available to learners and parents. “We support our parents via regular webinars with qualified clinical psychologist and general question and answer sessions to assist parents with planning their child’s schedules. Furthermore, we have started a weekly Afrikaans Elementary and Afrikaans Advanced class to assist learners who are struggling with Afrikaans.’ It should be noted that learners in Grade R to 7 achieve the best academic results with parent/ guardian intervention and continued support (as a computer screen can never replace the warm hands and heart of a human being who loves and cares for them). Some of the responsibilities parents may consider include: Ensuring that your child attends the live or recorded classes;  Ensuring that your child completes his or her tasks, tests and exams on time;  Reviewing feedback given by teachers on the assessment items completed;  Ensuring an optimal learning environment;  Identifying best learning methods to ensure that they reach their full academic potential;  Identifying barriers to learning and seeking professional advice;  Making use of all Brainline resources and support made available. Visit https://brainline.com/why-brainline/ for more information on our products. 

August 12, 2020
Evolve Online School

COVID19 could be a turning point for education

The definition of insanity is ‘to do the same thing again and again and expect a different outcome.’ With this in mind, we need to ask; what outcome are we expecting to get when we send children to school? The business sector complains that their new employees lack essential skills when they arrive from school. They are expecting a person who can think critically, solve problems, work in teams and learn from their mistakes. The universities also complain. They want students who can learn independently, express an opinion in an essay or discussion and know-how to distinguish a good source from a bad one.  I am astounded that these two sectors have these expectations. These expectations are not the designed outcome of our schooling system. We reward compliant children. We give them marks for being able to tell us when the 1820 settlers landed and knowing the atomic weight of potassium. We tell them that if they learn definitions off by heart, they will be prepared for the future. Worst of all, we create the impression that there is a correct answer to all questions, and we always know what it is. The point I am making is that the “institution we call ‘school’ is what it is because we made it that way.” (Postman & Weingartner, 1972 p5)  Postman and Weingartner go on to say that education is not doing what needs to be done if “it is irrelevant, as Marshall McLuhan says; if it shields children from reality, as Norbert Wiener says; if it educates for obsolescence, as John Gardner says; if it does not develop intelligence, as Jerome Bruner says; if it is based on fear, as John Holt says; if it avoids the promotion of significant learning’s, as Carl Rogers says; if it induces alienation, as Paul Goodman says; or if it punishes creativity and independence, as Edger Friedenberg” says.” (Postman & Weingartner, 1972 p5)  I was once asked if children could cheat in an exam by using an Apple Watch. Apple had just released these devices in South Africa, and I was sitting in a meeting of the IEB (Independent Examination Board) curriculum advisory committee. My short answer was “Yes!” “A better question to ask”, I went on to say, was “why are we still asking children questions in exams that they can look up the answers to?” We are giving marks and matric certificates to students for the wrong reasons.   I came across a remarkable technology recently that could transform how we interact with the world around us. (https://www.mojo.vision/) (It is a contact lens with a screen the size of a grain of sand and the ability to connect to your phone via Bluetooth.) Wearing one of these would make it possible to get real-time information about the objects, people and text you are looking at. The use of these lenses will include being able to look at a word or picture and get a definition or explanation of the thing we are looking at. Soon there is going to be an interesting collection of items sitting on a desk in front of the class during a traditional test. Now imagine how a child might earn an income in a situation where we are all wearing one of these. A student who learned to code at school may develop an app that shows you the prices of a product that you are wanting to put into your shopping basket at the two nearest shops selling the same thing. You would save a fortune by only buying the items at the lowest price. (Now I wish it was possible to patent an idea). Ask a teenager you know or live with to consider this technology and come up with three different uses for it. You will be astonished by their replies.  I am not arguing against the teaching of facts and core knowledge. Daniel Willingham points out that: “Research from cognitive science has shown that the sorts of skills that teachers want for students—such as the ability to analyze and to think critically—require extensive factual knowledge.” (Willingham, 2010). The problem is that we mostly assign marks for knowledge and not the skills.  The way we have had to respond to the challenge of C19 in the education sector has created a situation where all teachers are having to rethink their teaching strategies and are having to focus on the core. The Department of Basic Education is distributing materials and allowing schools to reduce their content and testing. The implication of this is that there is a lot of content and testing that is not significant enough to the progress of children that we cannot do without it. Suppose we decided only to teach this revised curriculum next year. In that case, we could spend the rest of our time developing the skills that our students will need in the workplace or to succeed at university that would be a seizing of the moment.  As Winston Churchill was working to form the United Nations after WWII, he famously said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. We should apply this maxim and do all we can to ensure that, when our schools can operate fully once more, we do not simply revert to what we were doing before we went into lockdown. We have exposed the creativity and resilience of our teachers. “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Tom Bodett. C19 has given us the test. We need to learn the lesson. Colin Northmore – August 2020 References: Postman, N. & Weingartner, C., 1972. Teaching as a subversive activity, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, Eng.: Penguin Books. P5 Willingham, D.T., 2010. Why don’t students like school?: a cognitive scientist answers questions about how the mind works and what it means for the classroom. Kindle Edition, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

August 12, 2020
Parenting Hub

Camp: Kids to Explore, Challenge and Conquer Obstacles

At Sugar Bay holiday camp, your kids can explore, conquer the unknown, and challenge themselves in a trustworthy and supportive environment. BMX’ing  Whether your child wants to race or is simply looking for a creative way to explore Zinkwazi, BMX’ing at holiday camp combines the zing of a fast-paced sport with the beauty and serenity of exploring nature. Equipped with all of the proper protection and the guidance of experienced counselors, campers can feel freedom at their backs and summer breeze in their faces as they zip through Zinkwazi roads. Kayaking  If your child loves being on the water, there are a variety of camp activities that are be suitable for a holiday adventure. Kayaking activities are more slow-paced in the lagoon and very safe. Campers certainly learn to navigate some environmental elements. High Wall Climbing Wall climbing activities at camp offer a more intimate setting of smaller groups of dedicated campers. The activities are tailored to specific age groups and demand high levels of respect, responsibility, and commitment. They also have certificates and rewards for campers that surpass camp records. With wall climbing, campers learn to depend on one another to solve routes of varying degrees of difficulty and attain their climbing goals. Benefits of Holiday Camps Your kids will return from their holiday camps with a higher level of discipline and a stronger sense of self. Among all of the options for this summer, holiday camps have arguably the most effective opportunities for freedom and personal growth coupled with high-quality outdoor education. Holiday camps are a great place for kids to discover themselves, make friends, learn to face challenges, and go after their dreams. Adventure means many things to many people, so it’s essential that children attend a professional camp with a strong reputation, a great location, and a supportive staff such as Sugar Bay.  Sugar Bay holiday camp focuses on three main principles: 1. Safety First –Protect Campers and Staff There is a wide variety of activities; our programs include extreme sports and other exciting outdoor activities. Sugar Bay staff is properly trained and they know all standard safety procedures. The staff makes safety a top priority ensuring that both campers and camp employees have a wonderful time. Everyone involved has, learns, and makes long-lasting social connections. 2. No Fear – Conquer What Holds You Back Holiday camp is about fun while learning and having an adventure. Sugar Bay staff understands that it is important that the kids know they will be encouraged to face their fears and to challenge themselves, in order to grow. Experience shows that children who want to expand their world view, learn to cooperate with others, and have an unforgettable time are guaranteed to find what they want. Campers learn that fear and insecurity are simply natural challenges to overcome in life. They see that if they have the right support, encouragement, planning and skills, they can make it through the greatest adventure – life. 3. Healthy and Strong – Stay in Shape While Having Fun Holiday camp is not only about facing challenges; it is also about spending time outdoors and being physically active. Time in the sun and at the beach all help the developing minds and bodies of children of all ages grow. Sugar Bay holiday camps are the perfect way to ignite a child’s passion about being in nature and teach them to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Trained counselors teach kids to participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Kids also learn to appreciate nature, be responsible, and to work together. Holiday camps allow kids to create lifelong memories and friends. The activities teach kids to be independent and overcome fear, while also helping them learn to be team players and good communicators. These skills will make them more successful in the future.  For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website sugarbay.co.za. 

August 5, 2020
Evolve Online School

NEW ADvTECH SCHOOL OFFERING SET TO REVOLUTIONISE ONLINE EDUCATION

Opening its virtual doors to learners from Grade R to Grade 9, from January 2021, ADvTECH’s new online offering, Evolve Online School (Evolve) will change the face of online schooling in South Africa. “In this rapidly changing society, the one-size-fits-all method of teaching no longer makes any sense,” says Principal Colin Northmore. “Evolve starts by answering the question how we can make learning an adventure for each child?” Evolve combines a user-experience focus with a trendsetting curriculum mapping system, developed at MIT, to personalise each child’s learning experience. Using the latest research, each child’s learning journey will be designed based on exclusive subject and skill maps. Students will be placed within subjects according to their abilities, letting them progress faster where they are gifted and work at a more deliberate pace to master content they find more challenging. The result is that each student’s learning experience is tailored to their specific needs, and they are encouraged to grow at a pace that suits their ability and enthusiasm. The ADvTECH online model uses Apple/iOS technology, and will incorporate:  Learning Architects drawn from master teachers across the country to develop curriculum content.  Learning Activators who will ensure a holistic digital learning journey as opposed to simply copying and pasting the physical class into a virtual space.  Life coaches who will help develop crucial 21st Century skills and global competencies in students.  “There will be a strong focus on foundational, social and emotional learning skills. Our team of life coaches will focus exclusively on these skills. Our children are growing up in a world very different from the one in which we grew up. Things that we, as adults, deal with and take in our stride they are already facing at a very young age. Our life coaches will play a very important role in teaching students how to deal with issues such as stress and anxiety, and help them develop coping mechanisms, resilience and a growth mindset,” added Northmore. Evolve will make use of the following: Diagnostic testing to determine the exact level of proficiency of a student before placement, and during the educational journey. Asynchronous learning so that learners can move through content at their own pace and according to their own proficiency. Students will also have direct access to their teachers who will facilitate extra activation classes. Synchronous learning where our students will also be able to attend live interactive classes, making this a true online school. Socialisation opportunities with academies, studios and day camps monthly so that students can meet other “Evolvers” and get green time to balance their screen time. “If we have learned anything from this crisis it is that we need to rethink how we approach our children’s education. Evolve aims to bring together current best practice with trailblazing features to ensure that the online educational journey is focused on academic excellence,” concluded Northmore. Registrations open in September. The school will cater for Grade R-9 from January 2021. Grade 10-12 will be phased in from 2022. ADvTECH is Africa’s largest private education provider. Its schools division includes iconic brands such as Crawford Schools, Trinityhouse and Abbotts. Visit www.evolveonline.co.za for more information or mail [email protected] .

August 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

Mattel Unveils #ThankYouHeroes Program From Barbie® supporting the Children’s Hospital Trust (CHT)

Mattel South Africa announced today that, as part of its Barbie #ThankYouHeroes programme, it will donate a Barbie doll for each eligible career doll purchased from ToysRUs stores nation-wide. This initiative taking place from the 3rd of August 2020 to the 31st of August 2020, is aiming to donate about 1500 dolls to the Children’s Hospital Trust (CHT). The CHT is an NPO that raises funds to advance child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. From upgrades to its buildings and facilities, to the implementation of several projects and programmes and upskilling of medical professionals from across Africa. The Barbie #ThankYouHeroes programme is part of Mattel’s broader “Play it Forward” platform, which focuses on leveraging Mattel brands to give back to communities in times of need.  The ‘buy a doll, donate a doll’ initiative will see dolls handed over to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital will then be distributed to patients diagnosed with the corona virus. The aim is to bring joy and encourage children to aspire to become whatever they would like to be in the world. “As Barbie highlights role models to inspire the limitless potential in the next generation, we are proud to launch a programme celebrating the real-life heroes working on the frontlines and supporting their families,” said Lisa McKnight, SVP and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. With 200 careers and counting, Barbie celebrates inclusivity and diversity through its dolls which show girls that they can be anything that their heart’s desire”. “We want to do our part to give back and inspire today’s kids to take after their heroes one day”, she adds. “The children who receive care at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital often remind us the value of resilience and no matter how awful they feel, they will share a smile and find a way to crawl into our hearts. Several children have been through a very tough time and receiving a gift will bring joy to their lives. We sincerely appreciate the support and cannot wait to share the gifts with them”, says CEO of the CHT, Chantel Cooper.  About Mattel Mattel is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends™ and MEGA®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com. About The Children’s Hospital Trust The Children’s Hospital Trust was established in 1994 to fundraise for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and in 2011 expanded its reach to fundraise for paediatric healthcare in the Western Cape and beyond. Since 1994, the Trust has proudly assisted the Hospital to upgrade its buildings and equipment and to develop its professional staff. 100% of all donations go directly to the Hospital and prioritised paediatric healthcare needs, and not a single cent is spent on administration costs. The Trust is a non-profit organisation that relies on the benevolence of donors to realise its aims and objectives. It enjoys a record of sound financial administration and good governance, but whilst it has raised funds to address many pressing needs, much has yet to be done. www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za. About The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital  The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital was built in 1956 and remains a cornerstone of child healthcare in Southern Africa. The Hospital is the first stand-alone tertiary hospital in sub-Saharan Africa, dedicated entirely to children and manages 250 000 patient visits each year. Most of these patients are from poor and marginalised communities and one third are younger than a year. The Hospital’s patients are referred from the Western Cape, the rest of South Africa and our continent. The Hospital provides training to paediatric healthcare professionals from the entire sub-continent and does important research into the illnesses of childhood, which has global impact.

August 5, 2020
Evolve Online School

Evolve Online School

The time has come for education to evolve.  Evolve is designed to take each child on a journey of personal mastery, using trend setting curriculum mapping systems developed by MIT, where they progress at their own deliberate or accelerated pace. Our mission at Evolve Online School is to provide your child with an education like no other. We are committed to guiding your child through an educational adventure of self-discovery and subject mastery. Our goal is to help them quickly excel in areas of interest and strength, and progress steadily in areas where they need more time and focused attention to succeed. What ages does your online schooling cover? Grade R-9 Grade 10-12 will be phased in from 2022 Are you taking new learners at this time? Yes we enrol throughout the year How are your online classes conducted? Online Classes will take place via Blackboard Ultra Are lessons conducted in groups or one on one? We have group lessons and when needed students will have one on one or small group sessions. Is your school able to mark and report on students work submitted? Yes, our child’s learning activator (teacher) will instruct each student on the required submissions that form part of our assessments and contact you to discuss assessment requirements. We can also monitor progress in the proficiency level of each student on our mapped Learning Management System. We use a mastery system that tracks the performance of each student in detail and this feeds into our AI and machine learning system to improve their success. Contact Details Email: [email protected] Contact: 010 005 5551 Click here to visit the Evolve Online School Website Click here to find Evolve Online School on Facebook Click here to find Evolve Online School on Twitter Click here to follow Evolve Online School on Instagram

July 31, 2020
Happy Family Organics

Easy tomato soup with cheesy bread dippers

This comforting tomato soup can be made in less than 20 minutes and enjoyed by both you and your toddler. Don’t forget to make the cheesy bread dippers – sure to be the most fun part of the meal for your toddler! This meal is suitable for toddlers 12 months+. Makes four small and two adult servings. What you’ll need Ingredients for soup: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tin diced tomatoes 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth / vegetable stock 1/2 teaspoon dried basil Pepper to taste (optional) 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt Ingredients for cheesy bread dippers 4 slices of whole wheat bread 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 teaspoons Italian spice mix How to make it: In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender, roughly 4 minutes. Add in the tomatoes, broth, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, you can make the cheesy bread dippers. Heat the oven to a broil and line a baking sheet with tin foil. Butter or oil one side of the bread and place it (butter side up) on the baking sheet. Broil until golden brown. Remove from oven, carefully flip the bread over and sprinkle the non-cooked side with cheese and Italian spice mix. Place back under the broiler and heat until cheese is golden brown. Let cool and then cut into 2-inch strips. When soup is done, add in the yogurt and using a blender or hand immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Let cool slightly and then serve the soup with the cheesy bread dippers. Always check with your child’s doctor first if you have any questions about introducing new foods and textures. Launched on Mother’s Day 2006, Happy Family Organics is one of the largest and fastest growing organic food brands to offer a comprehensive line of nutritious foods for babies, toddlers, kids and their mothers. Constantly innovating, Happy Family strives to offer families the right nutrition for every stage of development, and is on a mission to change the trajectory of children’s health through nutrition.  Happy Family Organics products are available at all Baby City stores, Babies R Us, Wellness Warehouse, Selected Clicks, Selected Spars, Selected Pick N Pay stores, Selected Baby Boom, selected Dis-Chem and selected Medicare pharmacies, and online from Takealot.com, Babiesafrica.com and Faithful to Nature.

July 28, 2020
ChildSafe

Keeping children safe from burn this winter

Winter is the time when children are most at risk to burns. Again, now, during Lockdown families are mostly at home and parents, grandparents and adults in the family will need to take special care of the children to prevent burns and other injuries. There is a lot hotter food and drink around and generally trying to stay warm with heaters and fires. All potential risks for burns in children. Young children can be burned very quickly, and this often happens when an adult is present, so it is important to be alert. Last year, the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital alone, treated 880 children for burns, the most common (715 children) was caused by hot liquids (such as hot water, drinks and food), followed by flames (55 cases), which are caused by fires. A further 57 children were treated for touching or coming into contact with very hot surfaces such as heaters and hotplates on stoves. “Most burn injuries can be avoided. Most of the burns happen in the home, specifically the kitchen. A first step to preventing burns is to make sure that the home environment is safe. Children are not always able to know when something is dangerous, so parents can start by checking every room in the house for possible burn risks to children. In the kitchen eg making sure that hanging kettle cords are properly secured and out of a child’s reach. Kettles are a major cause of hot water burns, which is traumatic and can be debilitating for the child.” said Yolande Baker, Executive Director of ChildSafe. Here are a few safety tips to keep ourselves and our children safe while staying warm during the winter season. Kitchen area  The family kitchen is a high risk area for child injuries, where hot drinks and food are prepared. Kettles need special attention and should be placed at the back of the counter, with kettle cords behind the kettle, close to the electricity socket. The kettle cord should not be left hanging over the edge of the counter top. Pulled kettle cords and fallen kettles with boiling water are the cause of up to 12 child burn admissions per month to Burns Unit. A Kettle Strap can be used to prevent pulled kettle cords. Also, we discourage holding a child while cooking. Instead, we urge you to rather move a high chair in the kitchen within reach or sight before you start or place them in a playpen. Then talk to your children so they know what is going on. It is a great way to spend time together. Matches and lighters are not toys; please place them out of children’s reach.  Most hot water burns occur when toddlers grab hot tea and coffee mugs, especially when sitting on mother’s lap, or when sitting at the table. To prevent hot water burns from tea/coffee mugs, parents should not drink hot liquids and hold a child on their laps at the same time. These injuries happen in a flash and should be anticipated to be prevented.  Test the temperature of food heated in microwave before feeding children. The stove and electrical hot plates are high risk areas – hands and little fingers are easily burnt if children are given access to stoves in use. Pots on the stove should have handles turned to the back at all times to prevent being pulled over.  Toasters are potentially dangerous, and should only be used by adults. Recently, a 12year old boy was burnt when he stuck a knife in a toaster to release bread. Put clothes irons out of reach after use – we cannot see when the iron is hot – rather shake the creases from your washing than use an iron. Never leave children unsupervised in the kitchen. Living room  Plugs should not be overloaded; heaters and open grate fires need to be guarded. Electrical burns and electrocution can occur whenever exposed wires and open plugs are accessible. To prevent electrical burns, electrical installations must follow legal guidelines. Illegal connections and exposed electricity wires can be hazardous. Bathroom Baby bath and buckets used for washing are also high risk for burns. Most toddlers enjoy bathing and may climb into the bath ahead of mother being ready for bath time. To prepare a bath, cold water should be poured into the bath first, and then hot water added to comfort level. The water temperature can be tested with an elbow to indicate safety of the water.  Children should never be left unsupervised in the bath, drowning can occur in shallow water. Teach children which taps are for hot water, and which for cold. The bath, baby bath tub and buckets should be emptied immediately after use. Outside The braai area is the most common at risk area for burns. After cooking is finished, the braai fire should be put out with water. Frequent burn injuries of the feet occur from ground-level fires, which are extinguished with sand, when coals remain hot but flames have died down – now children play in the area and run over the coals without recognizing the danger.  Also outside, storage of swimming pool chemicals, paraffin and paint thinners, all need lock-up space for safety. Petrol, paraffin and oil fires can be put out with sand, or a fire extinguisher. Teach your children to stop, drop and roll if their clothes have caught alight. Fireworks can be hazardous and should only be lighted in a designated controlled area under adult supervision. Finally, always use candles safely. We recommend using a recycled large glass, with dry sand and a household candle cut in half. Never leave candles burning when you go to bed, or leave the room. When there is a fire inside your home: Warn people inside the house to get out safely. Help people to get out and stay out of harm’s way. If there is a lot of smoke, crawl out below the smoke to escape the fire. Where possible,

July 17, 2020
Parenting Hub

Four healthy money habits to teach your kids

Beyond getting your child’s own savings started, teaching your children age appropriate lessons about handling money is important. It better equips them, and you, to accumulate and maintain a steady growth on investments, particularly if everyone is on the same page about the family’s long-term saving goals.   A good example is education. Though online education opportunities have become quite popular recently, school fees remain a reality, and they can really add up over time.  Although COVID-19 brings up a lot of uncertainty, now is a great time to teach your kids some valuable financial lessons, so here are four healthy money habits to pass along.  Make money child friendly As your children get older, explore ways to teach them ‘adult’ money lessons in practical and memorable ways. One way could be to pay them ‘performance bonuses’ for spotting opportunities that save money in the home and in their schooling. When you do annual uniform shopping and they find a cheaper deal on school shoes elsewhere, invest the difference into savings.  You might consider opening a tax-free savings account on behalf of your child, or a unit trust account if your investment horizon is a little shorter. A formal way to save can make your children cognisant of the cause you are saving towards, and aware that their efforts are actively making a difference. You can also mimic the discipline of saving by paying pocket money on a specific date each month. This demonstrates that money isn’t available on tap and things, just like their education, need to be planned and saved for.  Allow trial and error Talk to your children about questions that they may have about money. By helping them understand what’s confusing them, it opens their mind to creative ways to work with it. Once your teenagers understand the concept of compound interest, the excitement and devotion to growing the initial amount might kick in.  Additionally, although the (weekly or monthly) pocket money you give them might be the same, their personal expenses will change. One month, your child might ask for an early withdrawal to buy a camera for photography class, and the month after, a book. By providing ‘statements’, your child will be less intimidated by personal financial planning and have a realistic idea of what it looks like to budget, review expenses and be conscious about using their money. More importantly, they will learn to plan ahead for what they need and want.  In this time, allow for mistakes so that they know not to panic when the environment or costs change. Intuition combined with your lessons are key to them navigating their newfound financial responsibility.  Check twice before clicking once The newer generation is growing up with the internet, but it is never a bad idea to teach them to shop safely and wisely while online.  Begin by teaching your kids the difference between a credit and debit card and which one you will be allowing for the online buying responsibilities you might give them from time to time. Emphasise that transactions should only be made on trusted sites and to make it easier, provide a list of places where you will allow the card to be used. You can also suggest they place an item in their virtual shopping cart for a day or two before buying, as this could result in realising the item isn’t necessary to buy, or some retailers may even send a discount for that item, hoping it will conclude the sale.  By giving older children the occasional responsibility of doing their own stationery shopping (with your supervision) not only will they learn how to compare prices and stick to the budget, but they will also learn to become familiar with the cost of things (and how they can change over time). Hopefully, your child will learn that financial planning is based on needs first, then wants. Textbooks? Need. New PlayStation? Want.   Play the role of an adviser Financial advisers are qualified professionals who commit to evaluating your current situation and help you build a realistic strategy toward reaching your ideal financial goals.  As your children gain more understanding, find out their financial goals. You want them to understand the role of a financial adviser in their personal financial planning journey when the time comes, but more importantly, to be honest with their adviser. You might consider including them in conversations you have with your adviser. Small lessons amount to big, well-informed decisions and as a parent, the ongoing lesson of being financially prepared is a gift that will reap many rewards in the future. Ronald King, Head: Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs at PSG

July 3, 2020
Parenting Hub

Sugar Bay and COVID 19

The Bad News We are still at Stage 3 so Sugar Bay holiday camp is not allowed to open for holidays. The GOOD NEWS There is NO Covid-19 at Sugar Bay holiday camp. Sugar Bay is using this valuable time to further improve facilities: Newly renovated bathrooms Re-tiled and designed big swimming pool Re-furbished land and water toys Counselor in Training Camps can and will open soon (check out the end of November camps now). Meanwhile the whole camp is regularly sanitized as it always has been and all visitors are screened before entering. Sugar Bay holiday camp is fortunate to be in a very low risk area in a year round, warm climate with plenty of fresh sea air – ideal for healthy living! We have already moved from Stage 5 to Stage 3. Sugar Bay is alive and well and they are already taking bookings for December. For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively you can send an email to [email protected] or check out their website sugarbay.co.za. 

July 1, 2020
Parenting Hub

Four ways to boost your academic portfolio during lockdown

Schools across South Africa opened on June 1 in a phased approach, starting with grades 12 and 7. However, strict social distancing measures will prevent most sporting and cultural extracurricular activities from taking place, and some parents may decide to keep their children at home altogether. Students who have set their sights on top universities, both locally and overseas, must demonstrate innovation in order to stand out and build impressive application portfolios.

June 30, 2020
Parenting Hub

7 things for our children to consider in preparing for a post-Covid world

As parents, especially of young adults in their final years of high school or university, it has been an anxious time witnessing how the Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted their lives. Crucially, the crisis is disproportionately affecting their generation and driving up our already dire youth unemployment rate.  South Africa’s future relies on the collective contribution that our children are going to make to business and society, so it is critical as a parent to address issues related to their education, inclusion and futures right now. To get South Africa to a place they would want it to be, they need to be enabled to be part of the conversation and the journey to get there. So what can our children do to navigate the future amid the unknowns?It turns out, quite a bit.  This question was tackled by more than 60 university students from Cape Town (UCT), the Western Cape (UWC) and Stellenbosch (US), Coronation bursary holders, and CEO of Coronation Fund Managers, Anton Pillay, in a recent Youth Month webcast. The students had a chance to share their views and concerns with Pillay, and he in turn gave them support and advice on how to manage their studies and careers to navigate through this stressful time of lockdown and uncertainty. Pillay’s message to students is simple: It is easy to fall behind during lockdown. But the time can also be used to get ahead. The choice is theirs. In every crisis in history, people have had a choice between becoming victims of their situations, or taking control of their destinies. As parents, we can help by instilling the right qualities in our children that will be of value to them in future. It all comes down to tapping into the right skills. Pillay talked to seven qualities, which could stand our children in good stead, in navigating the unknowns during times of adversity: Resilience – resilience is about mental fortitude and managing risk while looking for opportunities Adaptability – only try to control what you know and don’t succumb to anxiety about the unknowns Resourcefulness – think differently and stretch your mind in terms of how you approach activities Self-discipline – maintain some structure in your life and never stop learning Empathy – be caring and responsible in the way you deal with those around you Curiosity – curiosity is absolutely key to success – it encourages you to learn, respond and thrive Optimism – nothing comes easy, but if you remain committed and you seek out the possible, you will succeed. You must have the courage to follow through on what is necessary and to adopt meaningful changes.

June 30, 2020
Delite Foods

Raising an independent child

Teaching your kids how to be independent will not only make life easier for you but it will also put them on a path towards becoming responsible adults one day.

June 29, 2020
Parenting Hub

ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE THIS YOUTH MONTH

Metropolitan’s Three Word Stories campaign has South Africa talking about mental strength, with motivators giving easy to follow steps for life in the “new normal”. The same way we take care of our bodies, we need to take care of our minds. Having mental strength does not mean that one is immune to hardship. Rather, it’s about developing habits to build the mental muscle that enables the ability to bounce back from setbacks. The saying ‘Knowledge is Power’ couldn’t be more relevant as people navigate this new reality. Unfortunately, times of crisis often give birth to a flood of false information, which has far-reaching consequences. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we consume and share reliable and accurate information. This will help us respond to new situations more confidently and knowledgeably, helping build mental strength. The Toolkit to Spread Awareness and Take Action on COVID-19 by Voices of Youth and UNICEF recommends a set of actions to ensure that the right information and knowledge is shared, while promoting togetherness, community support and spirit. The actions are organised according to the approximate amount of time they should take a person to complete. 2-MINUTES: SHARE social media messages and graphics from reliable sources such as the National Government website, which helps ensure that correct information is disseminated to your social community – avoiding unnecessary panic, stress and anxiety.  5-15-MINUTES : TEST your knowledge. Regularly check your knowledge on what is happening around you and how you should respond to it. STEP IN when you hear or see friends or family sharing misinformation in person, on social media or even in a WhatsApp group. MORE THAN 15-MINUTES: ACT! If you have family who don’t have regular access to reliable news sources, pick up the phone and give them a call. This is especially true for grandparents and others who are more vulnerable. HELP WITH LEARNING – Offer to help younger siblings or family members with learning. TAKE ACTION IF SOMEONE IS SPREADING MISINFORMATION PRIVATE APPROACH – in person or via direct message. They are more likely to be receptive if they don’t feel publicly embarrassed.  DON’T ACCUSE them of spreading misinformation. Instead point out to them that the story or advice they shared doesn’t look like it came from a trustworthy source OR that it is inaccurate.  REDIRECT them to reliable and trustworthy sources. By following these tips, South Africans can keep themselves informed with reliable information, while helping curb the spread of false information. Make knowledge your weapon of choice, and develop habits that contribute towards building mental strength. *Source:  Toolkit to Spread Awareness and Take Action on COVID-19 powered by Voices of Youth and UNICEF.

June 23, 2020
OneAid

Face masks in children: how safe are they?

If you follow me on social media you would have noticed me going on a lot about face masks recently. It’s very important for the public to know how to use them correctly because otherwise it’s such a wasted effort.

June 22, 2020
Advtech Group

Teaching remotely: less is more

The temptation to do it all as if it is possible to maintain the pace and volume of contact education remotely must be resisted, an education expert says.

June 19, 2020
Impaq

Why sleep is important for better academic results

When we think of a learner getting good results in tests and examinations, we usually picture that learner cramming until the early hours of the morning, or “burning the midnight oil”. Many people think that sleepless nights are the way to achieve good academic results, because sacrificing sleep means working hard, right? Well, no, not at all – research has shown that depriving one’s self of sleep to cram information the night before a test is not a good way to achieve better academic results. In fact, the opposite is true – sleep is essential for a student to get good results in tests and examinations for a variety of reasons. Let’s have a look at a couple below:

June 19, 2020
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