leading expert advice from Dibber International Preschools
DIBBER SA

Attachment: A Heartfelt Journey from Theory to the Soul of Parenting

“Back in my psychology days, I poured over theories about attachment, eager to understand the science behind our earliest bonds. It was fascinating on paper, an exploration of how a child’s connection with their caregiver could set the stage for a lifetime of trust, love, and resilience. But the real power of attachment theory became clear when I became a mother, cradling my two boys, holding their little hands, and hearing their giggles and cries. Suddenly, what had once been concepts in a textbook transformed into a sacred journey that unfolded in our everyday together. Attachment theory, pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby, speaks of the ‘secure base’ a child needs—a haven that gives them the courage to explore the world, knowing they can always come back to someone they trust. Back in those study days, I understood it intellectually. But as a mother, it became so much more. I realised I was that secure base for my boys. I was the comforting arms they could run to after a fall, the steady eyes they searched for in a crowded room. Being their secure base wasn’t just a theory to me—it was an honour, a daily commitment to being their home in a world that could feel so big. Mary Ainsworth, who followed in Bowlby’s footsteps, demonstrated how children’s responses to separation and reunion with their caregivers reveal their attachment style: secure, anxious, or avoidant. I remember studying the labels and scenarios in class, finding it all interesting but a bit abstract. Now, as a mother, I see these attachment styles in real-time, every time my boys hesitate to leave my side or joyfully greet me after being apart. Every giggle, every tight hug, every time they run toward me, I see that trust we’ve built—the trust that makes them feel safe even in separation, knowing I’ll always return. And then there’s the idea that has come to mean the most to me: the ‘Circle of Trust.’ This idea illustrates a child’s natural cycle between independence and connection, a delicate dance of security and exploration. At the centre of this circle is the parent or caregiver, a steady presence. The child circles outward, stretching their wings, testing their limits, exploring their world. But when something startles them, or they simply want to share a moment, they return to the centre, seeking comfort and validation. It’s a rhythm that builds their confidence and courage while keeping the bond alive and thriving. As I watch my boys play and grow, I see this circle in action daily. They’ll venture off, excited by a new discovery—perhaps a fascinating bug or a funny sound. And they look back to find me, their faces lighting up as they seek my smile, my silent assurance that I’m here, that I’m proud. When they stumble, whether it’s a scraped knee or a disappointed heart, they come running, searching for my arms and a soft voice to soothe them. This circle of trust is more than a concept; it’s a shared heartbeat, a dance of closeness and independence. In each step, I see their resilience blossom, their sense of safety solidify. For parents, this Circle of Trust feels deeply rooted in our everyday lives. We’re raising our children in a land of vibrant diversity, where the world can be both breathtaking and, at times, uncertain. Our little ones, under six and still so fresh to the world, take in every sight, every sound, every feeling with wonder and sometimes with a bit of hesitation. In these early years, our role is to be their constant—to be the faces they search for when they feel a bit lost and the hands they reach for when the world feels a bit too big. In our everyday moments, this circle plays out. At the playground, I see them dashing off with boundless energy, pausing to glance back to make sure I’m still watching. During bedtime stories, they curl up close, seeking the warmth of familiarity before drifting into dreams. And when they’re overwhelmed—when frustration, fear, or a tumble catches them off guard—they run back to me, knowing I’ll catch them, steady them, and gently send them out again. In these moments, I realise that building a secure attachment is not about grand gestures or perfect parenting. It’s in the countless little acts—the quiet moments of holding, comforting, listening, and just being present. It’s when they look to us as if to say, ‘Are you still there? Do you still believe in me?’ And we respond with a steady gaze, a smile, and the assurance that yes, we’re here and always will be. These early years, these first steps in their journey, are precious. They’re about so much more than milestones or achievements. They’re about laying a foundation of love and trust that will carry them through a lifetime. What I once studied as theory has become the heartbeat of my family, a bond that grows stronger with every goodbye and hello, every tear and every laugh. As parents, especially of little ones, we may sometimes feel overwhelmed or wonder if we’re doing enough. But when we show up, day after day, with a gentle hand and a listening heart, we’re giving our children the most beautiful gift of all: a foundation they can always return to, a circle of love and trust that will hold them steady as they venture out to discover the world.” By Kelly Eyre, Quality and Pedagogy Lead, Dibber South Africa

January 8, 2025
DIBBER SA

Managing Temper Tantrums in Toddlers

Every parent has faced the challenge of managing their toddler’s temper tantrums. These intense emotional outbursts are not only common but also a natural part of a child’s developmental journey. Dibber International Preschools, known for its nurturing approach to early childhood development, shares insights into why tantrums occur and practical strategies to handle them effectively. “Temper tantrums are a form of communication for toddlers,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “While they may feel overwhelming in the moment, they present opportunities to teach children emotional regulation, patience, and effective communication skills.” Why Do Tantrums Happen? Toddlers, typically between 1 and 3 years, are learning to navigate their emotions and express themselves. Tantrums occur when they experience frustration, disappointment, or a desire for control. “At this age, children are still developing the language and emotional tools needed to convey their feelings,” explains Assis. “Tantrums are their way of processing big emotions when they feel overwhelmed.” Strategies to Manage Tantrums Assis advises parents to remain calm and empathetic during a tantrum, emphasizing that a parent’s response significantly influences the outcome. What to Do After a Tantrum Assis recommends using calm moments after a tantrum to guide your child toward better emotional awareness. Preventing Tantrums While tantrums can’t always be avoided, proactive strategies can minimize their frequency: “Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, loved, and understood,” Assis emphasizes. “Mutual respect and patience are key to helping children develop healthy ways to process their emotions.” Building a Strong Foundation for Emotional Growth At Dibber International Preschools, tantrums are seen as an opportunity to nurture emotional resilience and psychological growth. “Our goal is to create a supportive environment where children learn to channel their emotions positively,” Assis concludes. “With love and patience, we help them build the skills they need to navigate their world with confidence.”

December 23, 2024
DIBBER SA

Top Seven Advantages of Early Childhood Care and Education

The early years of a child’s life are filled with wonder, curiosity, and adventure. At Dibber International Preschools, we believe these formative years are the perfect time to nurture a child’s innate curiosity through early education and care, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and development. “Early childhood education is not just about preparing children for school; it’s about setting them up for success in all areas of life,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “When we engage young minds early on, we help them build essential skills, develop confidence, and foster a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.” The Benefits of Early Childhood Education and Care Research and experience show that early learning has a profound impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Here are seven key advantages: Creating Holistic Learning Experiences At Dibber International Preschools, our approach to early childhood education goes beyond academics. We provide children with opportunities to explore, create, and connect through play-based learning and carefully designed activities. “Every moment in a preschool setting is an opportunity for growth, whether it’s discovering new concepts, building friendships, or understanding the world more deeply,” says Assis. Dibber’s commitment to holistic development ensures that children receive the emotional, social, and intellectual support they need to thrive. “Parents can trust that their child is not only gaining knowledge but also developing the skills and values needed for a fulfilling life,” Assis concludes.

December 17, 2024
DIBBER SA

Preparing your Toddler for Preschool – Practical Tips

Starting preschool is a major milestone in a child’s early development, and for many families, it comes with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Dibber International Preschools is here to support parents through this transition with expert advice to help toddlers feel prepared and confident as they begin their preschool journey. “Preschool is often a child’s first step into the world outside the comfort of their home, and this transition is significant for both children and parents,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “By focusing on preparation and creating a sense of security, we can help young learners embrace this new chapter with enthusiasm and curiosity.” Building Confidence Through Play and Familiarisation Preparation begins at home, and playful activities can make a big difference. Assis recommends using pretend play to simulate typical preschool routines. “Take turns being the parent, child, or teacher, and act out scenarios like saying goodbye, singing songs, or playing with toys,” she suggests. “This role-play helps children feel more in control and eases the anxiety of stepping into a new environment.” Books about starting preschool are another effective way to spark conversations. Reading stories together can help children understand what to expect and provide an opportunity to talk about their feelings. “Ask your child how they think the characters in the story feel and relate it to their own emotions,” adds Assis. Practising Independence Preschool encourages independence, and parents can support this by teaching simple self-help skills. “Activities like hanging up their coat, unzipping their backpack, or opening a lunchbox can be turned into fun games,” says Assis. “These small practices build confidence and help toddlers feel capable on their first day.” Visiting the Preschool Visiting the preschool before the first day is crucial in familiarising children with the new environment. “A tour of the classroom and some time on the playground can go a long way in making a child feel comfortable,” advises Assis. “It’s about helping them see this new space as safe and welcoming.” Easing Separation Anxiety The first day can be emotional for both parents and children, but there are strategies to make goodbyes smoother. “Plan to stay for a short while, exploring the classroom together before saying goodbye,” suggests Assis. “It’s also helpful to create a special goodbye routine, like a secret handshake or a kiss on the palm to ‘hold’ throughout the day.” Assis emphasises the importance of maintaining a positive and confident tone during drop-offs. “Children take their cues from their parents, so staying upbeat and reassuring can make a world of difference,” she says. Supporting the Transition Even after the first day, some children may show signs of worry or regression. Assis encourages parents to be patient and understanding. “Acknowledge their feelings, offer extra support, and celebrate their small victories,” she advises. “This helps children navigate their emotions and adapt to their new routine.” At Dibber International Preschools, the team understands the significance of this transition and works closely with families to make it a smooth and positive experience. “Preschool is the start of a lifelong love for learning,” concludes Assis. “By preparing children with care and intention, we set the foundation for a successful and joyful educational journey.”

December 10, 2024
DIBBER SA

Raising Environmentally Conscious Children

As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, fostering eco-consciousness in young children has never been more critical. Dibber International Preschools is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of environmentally responsible citizens by instilling sustainable values and practices from an early age. “Children are the stewards of tomorrow,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “By teaching them to respect and care for the environment, we are not only empowering them to make a difference but also ensuring a more sustainable future for all.” Building a Connection with Nature One of the most impactful ways to raise environmentally conscious children is by fostering a connection with nature. Spending time outdoors, whether exploring a local park or planting a garden, helps children appreciate the beauty and abundance of the natural world. “Children who develop a bond with nature early on are more likely to grow into adults who protect and nurture it,” explains Assis. Teaching Resource Conservation Understanding the efficient use of natural resources is another key aspect of environmental education. Assis advises parents and educators to demonstrate how small actions—like turning off lights when not in use or conserving water—can collectively make a big impact. “Children are naturally curious and eager to learn. By involving them in simple conservation efforts, we can instil habits that last a lifetime.” The 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Introducing the concept of waste management through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle helps children understand their role in minimising waste. “At Dibber, we incorporate these principles into everyday activities, turning them into fun and educational experiences,” says Assis. “For instance, children can create art projects using recyclable materials, combining creativity with environmental stewardship.” Practical Activities to Inspire Eco-Consciousness Hands-on activities like gardening or planting saplings provide children with tangible ways to engage with nature. Caring for plants teaches responsibility and nurtures a sense of pride in contributing to the environment. “It’s through these small, meaningful actions that children begin to understand their role in nurturing the planet,” Assis explains. Additionally, fostering a love for animals helps children develop empathy and a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of life. Visits to conservation parks and safaris offer opportunities to teach children about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. Leading by Example Children learn by observing the behaviours of adults around them. “If we want our children to care for the environment, we must model sustainable choices in our own lives,” says Assis. Simple actions, like reducing plastic use or choosing eco-friendly products, demonstrate the importance of making thoughtful decisions. Dibber’s Commitment to Environmental Education At Dibber International Preschools, environmental education is a cornerstone of the curriculum. “We believe that by unlocking children’s creativity and curiosity, we can encourage them to think beyond textbooks and embrace the importance of sustainability,” Assis notes. Dibber’s initiatives focus on three key areas: “Our goal is to show children that small, everyday actions can lead to significant change,” says Assis. “By embedding these values early, we’re helping to shape a generation that will prioritise the health of our planet.” A Shared Responsibility Raising environmentally conscious children is a collective effort that involves families, schools, and communities. “Together, we can teach children that they have the power to make a difference,” concludes Assis. “It starts with simple, intentional steps—steps that not only protect the environment but also instil hope for a brighter, more sustainable future.”

December 4, 2024
DIBBER SA

Tips for Potty Training Success 

Potty training is a milestone that brings both excitement and challenges for parents and toddlers alike. Dibber International Preschools offers practical, easy-to-follow strategies to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. “Potty training isn’t just about timing; it’s about building trust, consistency, and creating a positive experience for the child,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “By following some essential tips and remaining patient, parents can make potty training an enjoyable journey for their toddlers.” One of the key tips for potty training success is consistency. Toddlers thrive on routine, and establishing a regular potty schedule – such as after meals or first thing in the morning – helps them adjust to the idea more quickly. “The familiarity of a consistent schedule makes toddlers feel secure, making it easier for them to understand and embrace potty training,” explains Assis. Incorporating rewards can also be a powerful motivator. Simple incentives, like stickers, a small treat, or even a congratulatory high-five, reinforce the child’s success and make the process more enjoyable. “Using rewards teaches toddlers that each successful potty trip is an achievement worth celebrating. It builds a foundation of positive reinforcement, encouraging children to continue developing their new skills with enthusiasm,” says Assis. Making the potty-training process fun is another effective approach. By introducing a potty-training song, reading a favourite book, or creating a playful atmosphere, parents can make the experience feel more like an adventure than a task. “The goal is to ensure that children feel relaxed and comfortable,” says Assis. “When toddlers associate potty time with fun, they are much more open to engaging in the process.” Dibber also emphasises the importance of recognizing each child’s individual readiness. “Not every toddler will be ready at the same time, and that’s perfectly normal. If your child is showing interest in the potty, waking up dry from naps, or indicating they’re uncomfortable in diapers, these are signs they may be ready. But if they’re not, giving it a little more time can prevent frustration for both parent and child.” Potty training is a unique journey for every family. Dibber International Preschools encourages parents to approach it with patience, positivity, and a willingness to celebrate each small success. “Every child’s potty-training journey will look different, but with consistency and encouragement, you’ll reach that milestone together,” concludes Assis.

November 26, 2024
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DIBBER SA

UNLOCKING SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE – the critical role of quality Early Childhood Development and Education

In a world where investing in the future is paramount, no investment is more crucial than that in early childhood development. Research¹ has shown that the first one thousand days in a child’s life could hold the key to unlocking their lifelong potential. By age five, almost 90% of a child’s brain is developed, making these formative years pivotal in shaping their future. Ursula Assis, Country Director, Dibber International Preschools comments.  South Africa’s Alarming Literacy Statistic “Like many nations, South Africa faces the challenge of ensuring quality early education for its youngest citizens. Shockingly, an international report² reveals that 81% of Grade 4 learners in the country cannot read for meaning in any of the official languages. This stark statistic underscores the urgency of addressing early childhood development. The Impact of Quality Early Education “Early childhood programmes that are sustained and of high quality can have long-lasting impacts on children. These programmes prepare them for formal schooling and set them on a path to lifelong success. Benefits include: Improved Academic Performance: Quality early education lays a solid academic foundation, allowing children to excel in reading, math, and language skills throughout their school years. Enhanced Social and Emotional Development: These programs focus on building crucial social and emotional skills, such as cooperation, communication, and empathy, which are vital for positive relationships and emotional well-being. Long-Term Educational Attainment: Children who receive quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education, leading to better career opportunities and economic stability. Reduced Special Education Placements: Early childhood education identifies and addresses developmental delays or learning difficulties early on, reducing the need for special education services later in a child’s school years. Economic and Social Benefits: Quality early childhood education programs contribute to a more skilled and productive workforce, lower crime rates, and decreased reliance on social welfare programs, benefiting society as a whole. A Unique Approach to Nurturing Children’s Potential “Our approach goes beyond traditional education. The Dibber Childhood places an emphasis on not only a child’s learning achievements but also their future health, happiness, and growth. Through the Dibber Heart Culture and customised approaches to learning, children become keen explorers who love to learn and develop the competencies needed for everyday life. The emphasis is placed on developing all aspects of a child, from the cognitive and physical to the emotional and social. “A warm and inclusive atmosphere fostering positive and supportive relationships is also vital in early childhood development. Jack Shonkoff, Director of the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard, highlights the importance of these relationships, which are the roots that allow all children to thrive. Children need to feel valued, know how to form relationships and understand their role in a greater community and the world. Everyday Moments are Golden Opportunities “There is great importance in tiny everyday moments that leave lasting traces, influence relationships, and shape culture, so we strive to make every everyday moment “golden” by actively building trust with the children and nurturing their sense of self-worth. “Investing in early childhood development not only sets children on a path to success but also contributes to the overall well-being of society.”

May 28, 2024
DIBBER SA

WHY RESPONSIVE PARENTING IS THE NEW BUZZWORD IN MODERN CHILD REARING

A fresh parenting style has been capturing caregivers’ attention worldwide: Responsive Parenting. Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools, sheds light on this emerging trend, explaining its significance and its profound impact on child development. Understanding the Core of Responsive Parenting Assis describes responsive parenting as a holistic approach that focuses on the child’s needs, emotions, and developmental milestones. This style is distinguished by its sensitivity, empathy, and commitment to fostering a secure, nurturing environment. “Responsive parents are keen observers of their child’s behaviour. They engage in active listening, validate their child’s feelings, and provide guidance that is attuned to the child’s emotional state,” Assis explains. This approach is about being present and connected with the child, ensuring that the parent’s actions and responses are consistently supportive and encouraging. It’s about establishing trust and mutual respect, where the child feels valued and understood. The Four Pillars of Traditional Parenting Styles To appreciate the uniqueness of responsive parenting, Assis contrasts it with the four traditional styles: Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, and Uninvolved. Each style represents a different approach to discipline, communication, and nurturing. While Authoritative parenting shares some similarities with the responsive model, especially in terms of nurturing and communication, responsive parenting goes a step further by prioritising the child’s emotional and psychological needs. The Benefits of Adopting a Responsive Approach Research has shown that responsive parenting has a myriad of benefits. “Children raised in a responsive environment tend to excel in cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development,” Assis states. These children often develop secure attachments with their caregivers, which leads to better problem-solving skills, independence, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, responsive parenting fosters a peaceful home environment where children feel loved and supported, reducing the likelihood of behavioural issues. Practical Applications of Responsive Parenting Responsive parenting is actionable in daily interactions. It involves: Being sensitive to the child’s needs and responding warmly. Accepting and understanding the child’s emotions. Setting realistic expectations and helping the child achieve them. Engaging in meaningful conversations and reasoning with the child. Demonstrating consistent behaviour for the child to model. Embracing Imperfection in Parenting Assis emphasises that responsive parenting is not about perfection. “Even the most responsive parents have their off days. It’s about the effort and intention behind our actions,” she remarks. Mistakes and missteps are part of the parenting journey. Apologising and reconnecting with the child after a mistake teaches them about humility, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Responsive parenting represents a paradigm shift in how we approach child-rearing. It underscores the importance of a nurturing, empathetic relationship between parent and child, laying the groundwork for an emotionally healthy, secure, and capable future generation. As Assis concludes, “In the end, it’s not about adhering to a perfect parenting model but about being the loving, present, and responsive caregiver that every child deserves.”

May 21, 2024
DIBBER SA

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF HELICOPTER PARENTING

In the delicate balance of parenting, a fine line exists between nurturing and hovering too closely. Helicopter parenting, characterised by overprotection, micromanagement, and excessive involvement, while rooted in love and concern, can inadvertently hinder a child’s development. Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools, sheds light on this and its long-term effects on children, urging parents to find a healthy balance between support and autonomy. Understanding Helicopter Parenting As Assis explains, helicopter parenting stems from a deep desire to shield children from harm and ensure their success. However, this hyper-vigilant approach can impede children’s ability to develop crucial life skills, such as independence, resilience, and problem-solving. The Long-Term Impact on Children Assis outlines five significant long-term effects of helicopter parenting on children: Decreased Confidence & Self-Esteem: By constantly intervening and limiting their independence, helicopter parents inadvertently hamper children’s confidence and self-esteem, hindering their ability to navigate challenges with resilience. Inability to Cope with Emotions and Failures: Sheltering children from failure deprives them of valuable learning experiences and coping mechanisms, leaving them ill-prepared to handle setbacks and disappointments. Increased Anxiety: The constant pressure to meet parental expectations and the lack of autonomy can lead to heightened stress and anxiety levels among children, affecting their overall well-being. Sense of Entitlement: Children accustomed to having their every need catered to may develop a sense of entitlement, expecting success without putting in the necessary effort or facing adversity. Non-Existent Life Skills: Overprotected children may lack essential life skills, such as problem-solving and resilience, making it challenging for them to navigate the complexities of the real world independently. How to Avoid Helicopter Parenting Assis offers practical advice for parents on how to avoid falling into the trap of helicopter parenting: Empower Independence: Allow children to tackle challenges and solve problems on their own, gradually increasing their autonomy as they grow. Encourage Resilience: Support children in facing setbacks and disappointments, emphasising the importance of perseverance and resilience in overcoming obstacles. Promote Life Skills: Provide opportunities for children to develop essential life skills, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, through hands-on experiences and real-world challenges. Be the Net When They Fall Assis underscores the importance of being a supportive presence in children’s lives, offering comfort and encouragement when they encounter difficulties. Parents can help children build the resilience and confidence they need to thrive by serving as a safety net rather than a hovering presence. “It is important to balance support and autonomy in parenting, allowing children the freedom to explore, learn, and grow while providing a safety net of love and guidance. By avoiding the pitfalls of helicopter parenting and fostering independence and resilience in children, parents can empower them to become capable and confident individuals, prepared to navigate life’s challenges with courage and resilience,” concludes Assis.

May 14, 2024
DIBBER SA

FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN YOUNG CHILDREN IS VITAL TO THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT

How do we do this? Nurturing resilience in young children is paramount for their growth and development in a country and world filled with challenges. Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools, sheds light on this crucial aspect of parenting, teaching, and early childhood education and development. As Assis explains, resilience refers to a child’s ability to respond positively to adverse events. While some may perceive resilience as an innate trait, she stresses that it can also be cultivated through cognitive, emotional, and social skills. “Resilience is not just about bouncing back from setbacks; it’s also about equipping children with the tools to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence and adaptability,” says Assis. Here are nine practical ways parents can foster resilience in their young children, according to Assis: Setting Boundaries: Assis advises parents to set boundaries and encourage independence in their children. Saying ‘no’ when appropriate and allowing children to tackle tasks independently instils a sense of self-reliance and responsibility. Avoiding Overprotection: While ensuring safety is essential, she cautions against overprotecting children. Allowing them to explore, experiment, and occasionally experience failure is crucial for their growth and resilience. Building Strong Family Bonds: A supportive and loving family environment lays the foundation for resilience. Spending quality time together, fostering open communication, and nurturing emotional stability contribute to a child’s ability to cope with challenges. Asking Empowering Questions: Assis suggests asking ‘how’ questions to encourage problem-solving skills and a positive outlook instead of focusing on mistakes. This approach helps children develop resilience by shifting their perspective from dwelling on failures to finding solutions. Embracing Mistakes: Making mistakes is a natural part of learning and development. Assis advocates for allowing children to make and learn from mistakes, emphasising that resilience is built through overcoming challenges. Encouraging Healthy Risk-Taking: It is key to highlight the importance of encouraging children to take calculated risks and step out of their comfort zones. Providing guidance on assessing risks and taking appropriate precautions empowers children to explore new opportunities confidently. Storytelling and Inspiration: Sharing stories of resilience and perseverance inspires children to believe in their own abilities. Assis recommends storytelling as a powerful tool for instilling values of determination, passion, and resilience in young minds. Positive Communication: The tone of communication plays a significant role in shaping children’s perceptions and responses to challenges, with parents encouraged to communicate positively and emphasising encouragement and support rather than fear or negativity. Providing Unconditional Support: While fostering independence, the importance of maintaining a supportive presence in children’s lives needs to be stressed. Knowing they have a reliable source of love and guidance gives children the confidence to navigate obstacles and seek help when needed. In conclusion, Assis reiterates that parents play a crucial role in modelling resilient behaviour for their children. By incorporating these strategies into parenting practices, parents can empower their children to thrive in the face of adversity. Dibber International Preschools is dedicated to supporting parents in this journey of fostering resilience and nurturing the next generation of confident, resilient individuals.

May 7, 2024
Junior Colleges

SCREEN TIME AND ITS’ EFFECT ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Technology has become part of our daily life. Living in a time where everything is rushed and screen time opportunities are growing, children are exposed to screens for increased periods. What is the effect of increased periods of screen time on my child’s language development? According to recent research, screen time may have some positive effects if your child is exposed to screen time, as the World Health Organization (WHO) set out. Some positive impacts include expanding your child’s vocabulary, exposing them to cultural diversity, and keeping them occupied in a safe environment. However, suppose a child is exposed to screen time for long periods. In that case, it may negatively affect their language development as screen time may not encourage your little one to participate in a conversation actively. The WHO encourages parents not to expose their children to screen time between birth and two years and to limit screen time to less than 1 hour per day between the ages of three- and five years.  Recent studies have suggested that the adverse effects of screen time appear to outweigh the positive influences thereof. During the first three years of life, the brain experiences rapid growth due to neural plasticity. The first three years of life are crucial for language development; therefore, as the parent, you will be advised and encouraged to spend as much one-on-one time with your little one to expand their vocabulary and limit screen time as much as possible. In addition, remember to read a book daily; this will expand their vocabulary, increase sentence length, and create a love for books that will be important for later learning, and create time for you and your little one to spend together. Written by Michelle McDonald (Speech-Language Therapist)

March 15, 2024
Junior Colleges

Is your child a bully?

Causes and possible solutions! As a parent, it is devastating news to learn from the schoolteacher or principal that your child is a bully. Thinking that your child could harm others is a painful thought. Children’s friendship skills are essential indicators of your child’s general mental health level. If your child participates in verbal or physical bullying, it could signify severe distress. Your child might be experiencing depression or anxiety and is struggling to regulate his emotions and behaviour.  Time to highlight a few examples of why a child may act unfriendly towards other children: He wants to fit in with the group that bullies a particular individual in the classroom. He is often bullied at home or school and tries to regain a sense of power by acting aggressively towards others. He wants to seek the attention of his class peers, teachers, or parents and feels he cannot get it any other way. He tends to be more assertive and impulsive than others. He is inclined to view the behaviour of others as hostile, even when it is not. He does not fully understand how his behaviour makes the other children feel (this is especially applicable to young children). Let’s have a look at valuable tips you can do as a parent to ensure your child harbors respectful relationships with others: Communicate  Be open and listen to what others have to say about your child’s behaviour and your own.  Set the example at home Parents must realise that their behaviour could influence their children, including how they speak to their children and spouses, and how they deal with anger and other challenging emotions. So make sure your homelife reflects the behaviour you would like your children to adopt. Put meaningful consequences in place. Punishment is only effective when it is meaningful and restricted. A privilege that is withheld for too long, for example, when you take away your child’s phone for cyber-bullying, loses its validity. Instill positive reinforcement and not negative reinforcement. Once your child has regained his privileges, you should explain the situation to him and allow for him to apologise. Monitor the situation Those surrounding him should always be on the lookout for problematic behaviour and praise him when he shows kindness towards others. Stay connected You should keep an open communication channel with your child, talk to him daily, and ask open-ended questions. Communication will place you in a better position to recognise signs of bullying. Children who share their news with their parents willingly feel comfortable speaking to them, which is an accomplishment. Therefore, you need to stay connected with your child in a supportive, non-judgmental manner. Connection is key to reducing aggressive behaviour in your child. However, if you are continuously working on your child’s friendship skills but the bullying continues, you should seek help. Your child might need a therapist’s help to work through underlying problems. 

March 12, 2024
The Turning Point Education

Unlocking the power of reading

READING … It has been said that in Grade 0 – 3 a child learns to read and from Grade 4 up, they read to learn. Learning to read is different from learning to communicate. Children are born with the inherent ability to learn to communicate, but they are not born with the inherent ability to learn to read. As such, teaching reading needs to be systematic and intentional.  Sadly, for many of our children, they miss out on the foundations of learning to read which impacts negatively on their ability to learn throughout life. Although accurate statistics are hard to come by, the evidence is conclusive that South Africa’s rate of illiteracy in our schools it frighteningly high. In 2021, the Progress of International Literacy (PIRLS) study reported that 80% of students in South Africa, in Grade 4 were illiterate! This is beyond frightening and we need to systematically and intentionally intervene to turn the tide of growing illiteracy.  In a world dominated by screens and soundbites, the art of reading seems to be fading into the background. Yet, it’s importance remains as crucial as ever. Learning to read properly isn’t just about deciphering words on a page, it’s about unlocking a world of possibilities, expanding horizon and empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and insight. The Gateway to Knowledge Reading is a key that opens countless doors to knowledge, wisdom and imagination. From textbooks to literature, news articles to scientific papers, reading with comprehension allows a person to access to a wealth of information. Mastering the skill of reading is paramount! It takes a child beyond the doors of their classrooms into a world of possibilities.   Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass   Empowering Critical Thinking Reading isn’t merely about absorbing words. It’s about engaging with ideas, analyzing perspectives and challenging assumptions. Proper reading comprehension cultivates critical thinking skills essential for navigating an ever increasingly complex world. Student who can read effectively are better equipped to evaluate information critically, discern fact from opinion, and form their own well-informed judgments. Fostering Empathy and Understanding Literature has the power to transport readers into the lives of others, which fosters empathy and understanding. Through the pages of novels, short stories and poems, children encounter diverse characters and perspectives, gaining insights into different cultures, experiences and emotions. These literally journeys broaden children’s worldview and cultivate empathy, which is a vital attribute for building harmonious relationships and thriving in a multicultural society. Enhancing Communication Skills Reading also extensively is a cornerstone of success in both academic and professional realms. Reading extensively exposes students to various writing styles, vocabulary and sentence structures, which enhances their own language proficiency. Furthermore, exposure to well-written texts serves as a model for developing coherent arguments, articulating thoughts clearly and communicating ideas persuasively. These are skills which are invaluable in academic essays, presentations and other everyday interactions.  “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.” -Emilie Buchwald Fuelling Imagination and Creativity Books are portals to boundless worlds limited only by one’s imagination. Through the pages of fiction, students embark on fantastical adventures, explore distant galaxies and immerse themselves in richly imagined landscapes. Reading stimulates creativity, igniting the imagination and inspiring individuals to think innovatively. For students nurturing creativity through reading fosters a sense of possibility and fuels their aspirations for the future. Building Resilience and Grit The journey of learning to read proficiently is often fraught with challenges – encountering unfamiliar works, grappling with complex concepts and overcoming moments of frustration. Through perseverance in the face of these obstacles that resilience and grit are forged. Students who persist in honing their reading skills develop the confidence to tackle academic challenges head-on and the resilience to navigate setbacks with determination. Cultivating Lifelong Learning Reading is not merely a skill to be mastered in school but is lifelong companion on the journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Students who cultivate a love for reading are more likely to become lifelong learners, continuously seeking out new knowledge and experiences beyond the confines of formal education. Whether delving into non-fiction to expand the expertise or losing themselves in the pages of fiction for pure enjoyment, the habit of reading enriches their lives immeasurably. In an age dominated by rapid technological advancements, the ability to read properly remains a timeless and indispensable skill. For children, mastering this skill is not just about meeting their academic requirements but about equipping them with the tools needed to thrive. By unlocking the power of reading, children embark on a journey of discovery, a journey that transcends the confines of the classroom and shapes the course of their lives.   And all this begins by parents developing a love of books in their children!

February 15, 2024
Wingu Academy

Wingu Academy Unveils the Early Years (Stage R) Oxford International Program: The evolution of learning in South Africa

In a groundbreaking development for the Wingu Academy, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Stage R Early Years Program, scheduled to commence in 2024.  This transformative educational initiative promises to usher in a new era of learning, providing our students with a world-class educational experience designed to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Learn more about the Stage R Oxford Program and sign up for this exciting journey by clicking here. Stage R Implementation: South Africa’s educational landscape is undergoing a transformation, marked by recent legislative shifts such as the proposed BELA Bill, which mandates an additional 1-2 years of schooling and makes Stage R compulsory for children. Under these new regulations, Wingu Academy’s Early Years (Stage R) program gives South African children the best possible Stage R education. This groundbreaking program sets a new standard in home education, incorporating the internationally respected Early Years program from the Oxford International Curriculum.  The Oxford International Curriculum is recognized globally for its impeccable standards and comprehensive approach to education, making it the perfect choice to support our young learners on their educational journey. Implementing the prestigious Oxford Curriculum at Wingu Academy will open the door to a myriad of benefits for our Stage R students: Enhanced Learning Opportunities: The Stage R Oxford Program will provide our young learners with access to a more enriching and challenging curriculum, enabling them to realize their full academic potential. Preparation for the Future: In an ever-competitive and increasingly globalized world, the program will equip Stage R students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive and succeed. Personal Growth: Beyond academics, the program will focus on character education and extracurricular activities to foster essential life skills, including leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Global Citizenship: Exposure to diverse perspectives and cultures will broaden our Stage R students’ horizons, making them more informed and compassionate global citizens. As we embark on this new chapter in our school’s history, we eagerly anticipate the endless possibilities it holds for our Stage R students.  The Early Years (Stage R) program will undoubtedly shape the future of education at Wingu Academy, enriching the lives of our Stage R students and preparing them for a bright and promising future.

November 21, 2023
Parenting Hub

Creating a good self-esteem with your preschooler

Healthy self-esteem is like a child’s armour against the challenges of the world. In the early years a child is still developing ideas about himself. These are largely based on his interactions with others. These opinions that a child has about himself forms his self-esteem. Lynn van Jaarsveld, Principal of Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Little Falls, gives some guidelines to help build a positive self-esteem: make rules that are reasonable praise accomplishments—rather than ignore and punish remember the value of positive statements be neither over-protective nor under-protective help your child to deal with failure in a constructive manner show your child that you love them affirm your child’s worth spend time, plenty of time with your child pray with your child encourage independence teach your child responsibility never make comparisons between children don’t expect perfection Most important of all, is to have fun with your preschooler.  Kids who know their strengths and weaknesses and feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic. Taking responsibility and pride in who you are as parents is a sure sign of healthy self-esteem and the greatest gift you can give to your child. By Lynn van Jaarsveld (Principal of Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Little Falls)

November 20, 2023
Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School

Does your child have Visual Perception challenges?

Visual perception is a fundamental aspect of human experience. It is the brain’s ability to make sense of what the eyes see. It allows us the ability to interpret, filter, organise and make sense of the world around us, from recognising faces, to reading words, to judging distances and perceiving colours. During development, good visual perceptual skills are important and make up part of the foundation of learning. Difficulty with visual perceptual skills can lead to problems with learning. In this article we explore what visual perception is, the various aspects of it and highlight some key red flags that parents should be aware of.  Visual perception can be divided into the following complex processes: Visual Memory – Record and store information to be recalled and accessed later. Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Memory include: Recalling site words Spelling – especially remembering how words are spelled Reading fluidly – each word read seems brand new Writing – recalling letter formation Drawing – remembering what an item is supposed to look like from past experiences Math skills – remembering how the problem is supposed to look, graphing, or using a calculator Completing life skills such as following a recipe, reading a map, shopping, using the internet, and typing Visual Sequential Memory – Similar to visual memory but helps us remember and recognise people, places we have been, and a series of events, equations, and procedures. This helps us to work through, plan and prepare for our days, and to access necessary stored information for engagement with all our daily tasks. Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Sequential Memory are the same as for Visual memory. Form Constancy – Distinguish one shape from another which is similar. This can include difference in size, colour, or shape. For example, the difference between b and d. Red flags that indicate challenges with Form Constancy include: Difficulty completing worksheets/puzzles, and sorting items that are slightly different Slow or delayed learning to read, especially with different fonts, or writing styles Unable to effectively read other people’s handwriting Figure Ground – Filter, sort and extract the most important information from a busy background, which is important when organising your environment, including your room, your workspace, your work book etc.  Red flags that indicate challenges with Figure Ground include: Difficulty locating objects in competing environments such as a drawer, folder, or crowd Loses their place when reading, copying from the board, or writing from a model Struggles to find personal items in a crowded space Slow to complete work Unable to effectively sort items from a large pile Spatial Relations – Process and organise visual information from our environment and decipher where it is in relation to ourselves. Spatial relations include laterality and directionality. Laterality is the ability to distinguish between left and right on oneself.  Directionality is telling the difference between right and left on objects or someone else. Red flags that indicate challenges with Spatial Relations include: Knowing their left and right Reading similar letters such as b/d p/q without errors Forming letters/numbers correctly Following directions involving space, such as “go right” Moving around their environment without bumping into objects Learning social skills involving body language and spatial distance from others Copying written work, staying inside the lines, or writing within certain confines Completing puzzles – knowing which way to place a piece Visual Closure – Detect, differentiate, select, draw conclusions, and understand information when we are only given certain pieces of information, rather than the entire account, story or explanation. Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Closure include: Difficulty completing puzzles Challenges with dot-to-dot activities Refusal to engage in tasks such as puzzles, dot-to-dot and colouring activities Slow reading fluency Visual Discrimination – Identify detail, determine similarities and differences in shape, colour, position, and orientation. The other six skills require some level of visual discrimination.  Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Discrimination include: Difficulty sorting similar items such as coins, socks, silverware, especially those with subtle differences Difficulty effectively read maps Challenges with reading words that are similar such as “cat” and “cap” Difficulty completing puzzles or spot the difference pages Visual Motor Integration – Integrate the visual information received in the brain with fine motor skills. It involves interpreting and responding to visual information accurately and effectively, typically using precise motor movements.   Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Motor Intergation include: Difficulty with fine motor skills  Messy handwriting  Poor hand eye co-ordination  Inaccurate cutting  Avoidance of activities  Difficulty with spatial awareness Visual Attention – Attend to visual information, while filtering out unnecessary details. Red flags that indicate challenges with Visual Attention include: Bumping into things, clumsy movements Not being able to find items Difficulty with reading and writing    What If my child has poor Visual Perception? If your child has poor visual perceptual skills, this can affect their participation in daily tasks and specifically in their school environment with reading, writing, organisation, and other executive functioning skills.  Visual perception plays a crucial role in a child’s development and learning. Whilst some variations in visual development are normal, parents/care givers and teachers/therapists should be attentive to red flags that may indicate potential issues. If you notice any red flags in your child’s visual development, it is essential to consult with an eye care professional such as a Behavioural Optometrist for a comprehensive assessment of the eye and its behavioural response to its environment. An Occupational Therapist, a Remedial Therapist or an Educational Psychologist can carry out the necessary assessments to determine the areas where your child is struggling and is able to provide appropriate assistance where necessary.  Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s visual development and overall well-being.  Written by Nicky Forssman – Occupational Therapist Glenoaks School

October 30, 2023
Junior Colleges

Emotional and Social Milestones of a 6-year-old

Why it’s important to nurture empathy in kids? Parents should consider teaching empathy and nurturing emotional intelligence in their children for several reasons. In its most basic form, empathy is the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes and comprehend their emotions and experiences. Empathy can also be useful in teaching children about bullying and how to avoid it. Thus, teaching empathy is an important factor in preventing bullying at school. How can parents encourage emotional intelligence and empathy in their children? Make sure your child’s emotional needs are met – To be able to feel and express empathy for another person, a child’s emotional needs must first be satisfied. Before she can help someone else, she must be able to rely on her parents and caregivers for emotional support. Teach your child how to cope with negative emotions – Negative emotions like anger and jealousy are common in children and adults. A child with good emotional intelligence and empathy is more likely to be taught how to handle these feelings positively in a problem-solving manner by sympathetic parents. Ask, “How would you feel?” – When a pre-schooler smacks a sibling or a friend or takes away a toy they’re playing with, a parent should explain that such action might hurt a person. “How would you feel if someone took your toy away?” or “How would you feel if someone smacked you?” are some examples of questions to use. Name that feeling – Identify and categorize feelings and emotions as much as possible to assist your child in understanding them. If your child behaves kindly toward someone, you can say: “That was very good of you to be so worried about your friend; I’m sure it made him feel much better when you were so kind to him. If your child behaves unpleasantly, you can say: “I understand you may be angry, but it made your friend sad when you stole his toy from him.” Talk about positive and negative behaviours around you – In real life, as well as in books, television, and movies, we are always exposed to instances of good and bad behaviour. Discuss with your child any behaviour you notice, such as someone making another person upset or acting like a bully, or someone helping others and making them feel better about themselves. Set a good example – By watching you and other adults in their lives, your child learns how to interact with others. Show them what it is to be helpful or kind and loving. You can teach your child to be sympathetic by helping family members and neighbours and supporting friends and those in need or going through a difficult time.

October 17, 2023
Parenting Hub

The power of play-based learning in preschool

For many parents, play seems frivolous. However, there’s a method in the madness –  in it lies the freedom to think, express, interact, and explore As adults, we forget what it’s like to lose ourselves in play. Yet, from an early age, it’s a critical part in how we develop into well-rounded people. Several studies show why play is important in animals and humans alike. A study involving young rats found that play triggered lasting changes in parts of the brain used for thinking and processing social interactions, while adults who play are more productive at work, cope better with stress, and can find original solutions to problems. We need play at any age, but it’s hugely consequential in early childhood development (ECD). A preschooler messing around in a sandpit, fumbling with building blocks, or scribbling on a blank piece of paper doesn’t appear to be learning anything – but look closer. See them digging, then using a spade to transfer the sand into a bucket. Look at them carefully creating a mini-city on the carpet. Watch their little wrist and fingers intently clutching a crayon, making swirling, repetitive circles. “There’s a method in the madness,” says Janet Beyrooti, Preschool Curriculum Manager at independent education provider Curro Holdings. “A child playing in a sandpit with a bucket and a spade, putting the sand in with precision and speed, doesn’t start like that – there’s more sand out of the sandpit than in it. However, children who master something as ‘simple’ and playful as putting sand in a bucket, master hand-eye co-ordination. They can look up at the whiteboard in primary school, quickly look down and copy what they see, and write at speed.” A 2019 academic paper entitled Toward a South African Pedagogy of Play talks about the “paradox of play”: how it’s messy and chaotic, yet a school is a place of rules and order; how play can feel timeless yet schools run on timetables. To address these contradictions, the authors argue that an intentional approach to play – that leverages its power – is needed. With this in mind, Curro takes a play-based, child-initiated learning approach in their enriched preschool curriculum, where young children are allowed to play freely indoors and out, and where they can learn through doing, at their level, in a safe environment. Through child-initiated learning, Curro’s ECD practitioners guide children through skills development, but the children take the lead, and everything happens through play. “You and I have life experience,” explains Beyrooti. “We may want to tell a child not to mix all the paint colours because it’ll make a brown picture – that’s adult-initiated. The child needs to experience what happens if they mix everything. Or, if you tell them they’re building something too high it’ll fall, those are just words. We need children to experience these skills, through play, and that’s what we’ve created as a school.” According to Beyrooti, a young child thinks creatively first because they don’t yet have enough verbal skills. If they don’t have the freedom to do this, there can be delays when entering primary school. This creative thinking is fostered through play: the child stacking building blocks is practising planning where the date should go in an exercise book, and the child making big, circular scribbles is learning how to write by building an automatic response to go ‘over the top’. They can’t form letters yet, but, says Beyrooti, letter formation is an ‘over the top’ movement with the wrist and fingers. Every alphabet letter, even if it’s not a circle, begins as a circular movement at the top, anticlockwise – and it all starts with a scribble, she emphasises. “By the time a child reaches primary school, you can see who has played enough,” says Beyrooti. “Those exposed to play-based learning are the children who can now put their creative thinking into words, they’re physically agile with well-toned muscles and tendons, they have seamless hand-eye co-ordination, and soft skills like communication and problem-solving already have a strong foundation. Research also supports the idea that children with well-developed soft skills tend to excel professionally. This is possible because they’ve been given the freedom to think, express, interact, and explore from the very start – all through play,” she concluded.

October 11, 2023
Bennetts

How to Develop Early Maths Skills (Number Concept)

Learning to count from one to ten, and later to a hundred, is an important milestone in early math development.  However, it is equally important for young children to learn to understand the “how many-ness” or the value that every number represents. Teachers and therapists refer to this important school readiness skill as number concept.  Grade R’s typically count to a hundred, but few truly understand the quantities that different numbers describe. In other words, many children freeze when you ask: “If you have six balls and your friend has eight balls, who has more?” Children who don’t understand the value of numbers will naturally not be able to conjure up a mental image of two sets of objects (in this case, a set of six balls and a set of eight balls) and then compare the sets against each other to determine which one of the two is bigger or smaller. And, as a result, they won’t be able to add and subtract with understanding.  It’s important to play games with your child on three levels if you want him to develop a clear understanding of the value of different numbers. Firstly, use body movements to demonstrate numbers. Secondly, provide many opportunities for him to use his hands to handle and count off certain numbers of objects. And thirdly, make sure to include games that encourage your child to visualize different numbers of objects in his mind’s eye.  You can, for instance, teach a three-year old to do the following: To include body movements, ask him to move (e.g. clap, jump or twirl) one, two or three times. To incorporate the handling of objects using his hands, you can ask him to hand you one, two or three of something whenever the opportunity pops up. To involve the mind’s eye, you can place a pile of single Lego blocks, 2-block-towers and 3-block-towers in a bag and then take turns with your child to use your sense of touch to find one of each number without looking. Then arrange your towers from one to three.  Games should naturally become more challenging as a child grows older.  However, the basic prerequisite for success remains unchanged throughout the first seven years: the more concrete (hands-on and tangible) the experience, the easier it is to learn. Children progress from concrete functioning to abstract reasoning as they enter primary school. Children function on a concrete level up to Grade R (where they still need to touch and handle tangible objects to discover and understand ideas about those objects) before moving on to being able to fully grasp unseen ideas on an abstract level in Grade 1.  Most importantly, they need time and playful practice or else they won’t grow into being comfortable in the world of representations and symbols. It’s crucial for every Grade R learner to reach the point (by the end of the year) where he or she is able to picture an image in the mind’s eye of a number line. After throwing two dice, he should be able to name the number shown on any one of them at first glance (without counting), before shifting his attention to the second dice to “count on”. In other words, if the dice landed on three and four, he could look at one and say, three”, before pointing to each of the dots on the second dice as he counts on: “four – five – six – seven … it’s seven!” (Alternatively, he could choose to start with four, and then continue with “five – six – seven” on the second dice.) He should be able to arrange the numbers 1 to 10 in order, with each of them in its proper place, based on the value that it represents. When you point to any number from 1 to 9 on the number line, he should be able to name the number that is “one bigger” or “one smaller”. As he enters Grade 1, he can learn to do this without looking. What can I expect from my child at every age along the way? Toddlers discover the meaning of “one and many” during the second year of life. Two-year olds usually learn to rote count to three and you can teach them to hand you either one or two toys. Three-year olds can be expected to count to five and they understand the concepts of one, two and three well enough to be able to hand you that many of an object.  Well-developing four-year olds can be expected to rote count to 10 and count off any number of objects from 1 to 5. Most five-year olds can count to 20 and have a real understanding of numbers up to 10. Finally, a six-year old should be able to count to 100 (also in tens), count off any number of objects between 1 and 20 and arrange the numbers from 1 to 10 in order to build a number line.  Learning to work with numbers is much like learning to speak a special kind of language. Learning the language of mathematics is largely about getting better at understanding the properties of numbers and recognizing relationships and patterns ever more quickly.  Naturally, acquiring these skills takes time simply because learning a new language always involves building new brain wiring. Ultimately, you want your child to reach a point where navigating around in the world of numbers will become second nature to him – like a golfer’s swing. Any kind of math play is better than none, but if you want your child to benefit optimally, you’ll need to play as many age-appropriate games as possible at home from toddler stage, and repeat them often. This article is written by: The Practica Programme is a comprehensive research- and play-based home programme.  This unique system has stood the test of time since 1993, and it comprises of a wooden box with specialized apparatus, parents’ guides, an advisory service and educational newsletters.  From birth to 23 months of age, parents choose from a balanced selection of more than 1000 activities to develop the 14 fundamental skills age-appropriately. For children between 2 and 7 years, the 50 school readiness skills are divided into 6 groups and tackled systematically, year by year, with 10- to 20-minute games that can be adapted to a child’s level of functioning. 

September 20, 2023
Junior Colleges

Sensory, Sensory, and again Sensory

Why do you always hear Sensory play so much in Pre-school? Sensory play forms part of playing. It plays a big role in a child’s development from an early age. That is why we, as teachers, always say that children learn through play. It helps children to develop neuropathways and better comprehend classroom subject matter such as language and motor skills Throughout the world, there are four different ways to learn things, which is also called the VARK method.  1. V for Visual learner (eyes/sight),  2. A for Auditory learner (ears/hearing),  3. R for Reading and Writing learner (eyes/hands) and  4. K for Kinesthetic learners (whole body/physical/hands-on) or a combination of these Our five senses are used when we take part in sensory play, which stimulates the neuro system. This is very important because having different senses stimulated allows children to learn and figure out through which sense they learn best. How can you, as a parent, make a sensory bin at home? You will need a large container where children can explore space, measurement, and textures (www.himama.com) and use their five senses. You don’t always need to add all five senses at once. Fun, interactive, and messy are a must. The messier, the better (sorry, Moms!). You can include the following items in your sensory bin: beads, cotton, cups, feathers, flour, flowers,measuring tools, play dough, raw and cooked spaghetti/pasta, rice, wool, etc. What does a sensory bin look like? https://i.pinimg.com/236x/5f/3d/d2/5f3dd2c9fb56d0fcf60b7a1465a3330c.jpg

August 10, 2023
Future Nation Schools

Unlocking literacy: 5 simple strategies parents can use to give pre-schoolers a head start

South Africa faces a significant literacy crisis in children under the age of 10. Despite efforts to improve educational outcomes, a new report from the 2030 Reading Panel has found that most children leave grade one without knowing the alphabet, while 82% of children cannot read for meaning by the time they reach Grade 4. While teachers are essential in imparting knowledge and nurturing academic skills, parents possess a unique advantage of being intimately involved in their child’s day-to-day life. By actively working on literacy with their children, parents can create a supportive learning environment that complements the efforts of teachers.  “The first five years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring the speech and language skills necessary for literacy later in life. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. It is for this reason that pre-school forms such a crucial part of your child’s developmental journey. But it is not the responsibility of teachers alone to help children develop these skills,” says Mampho Langa, Head of Schools at Future Nation Schools (FNS), “parents play a crucial role in this too. In this article, we share some of practical steps, inspired by ta combination of project-based learning, learn-to-play and Montessori pre-school teaching methodologies we use here at FNS, that parents can use to boost literacy rates during the pre-school years and set their children up for lifelong academic and personal success.” 1. Nurture your child’s curiosity Project-based learning (PBL) promotes curiosity and prompts learners to gather information, analyse it and arrive at conclusions based on evidence. This makes it an effective approach to engage children in meaningful, hands-on activities that promote literacy buy encouraging your child to explore topics that they are interested in and create projects around them. For example, if your child loves animals, you can help them research different animal species, create a mini zoo with toy animals, ask them questions that prompt them to think about animals differently (like why zebras have stripes) and then read books to them that answer those questions. In so doing, these PBL techniques will develop your child’s comprehension skills while nurturing their curiosity and creativity. 2. Make learning tangible and multisensory PBL emphasises a child-centred approach to education that empowers children to take an active role in their learning journey. One of the key ways this is done at a pre-school level is by incorporating a wide range of materials that promote language development. For instance, use textured materials for tracing letters, engage in sensory play with letter-shaped sand, or encourage your child to write words in shaving cream. These multisensory experiences reinforce letter recognition, fine motor skills and memory recall, making the learning process more engaging and effective. 3. Foster a love for independent reading Independent exploration and self-directed learning is a key component of project-based learning. By simply engaging with books, your child embarks on a journey of appreciating literature and narratives, igniting their imagination and nurturing their curiosity. Encourage your child to engage in independent reading by creating a literacy-friendly environment. Set up a cosy reading nook with a bookshelf containing a variety of age-appropriate books. Encourage your child to choose their own books in order to foster their independence and personal preferences. Describing pictures in the book, explaining the meaning of the story and encouraging the child to talk about what has been read to them and to ask questions will not only improve their understanding of the world and their social skills but it will enhance their literacy skills as well.  4. Encourage collaboration and language development: Collaboration and effective communication are essential skills emphasised in PBL education. Encourage your child to engage in group activities that promote language development and social interaction. Set up playdates with peers, engage in shared storytelling sessions, or organize mini-group projects where children work together to create a story or a book. Collaboration enhances language skills, vocabulary development and critical thinking abilities. 5. Connect literacy with real-life experiences PBL education emphasise the importance of connecting learning with real-life experiences. Help your child make meaningful connections between literacy skills and their everyday life. For example, while grocery shopping, ask your child to help you find items on a shopping list or read labels to you. Encourage them to illustrate their own recipes or create a menu for a pretend restaurant. By linking literacy to practical experiences, children develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for reading and writing. “There you have it”, concludes Langa, “five simple ways that you can incorporate aspects of project-based learning, learn-to-play and Montessori pre-school teaching into your child’s day-to-day activities that can greatly enhance their child’s literacy skills during the preschool years. By embracing hands-on projects, promoting independent reading, utilising multisensory approaches, fostering collaboration, and connecting literacy with real-life experiences, you can create a vital foundation for your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning.” Literacy skills are one of the five areas that schools test for when assessing whether a pre-school child is ready to go to primary school. At 6pm on 29 August 2023, Future Nation Schools will be hosting a free virtual talk about School Readiness Assessments for parents and guardians interested in finding out more about this vital step in their child’s education journey. Book your seat for this talk here.  About Future Nation Schools Founded in 2017 by Sizwe Nxasana and Dr Judy Dlamini, Future Nation Schools are a network of independent schools that aim to lead the African Education Revolution through relevant, futuristic, Africa-focused and technology-enabled education. Future Nation Schools, which has campuses in Fleurhof and Lyndhurst, offers quality, affordable, African-centred education for Pre-School, Primary and High School. The curriculum comprises an enhanced National CAPS curriculum, delivered through Project Based Learning, and an IEB examination in Grade 12. 

August 9, 2023
Junior Colleges

Meal prep for busy families

Who knew that being a mom or dad meant you would have to come up with delicious meals every day for the rest of your days? Dinner time can be very stressful, yet it can be super easy if you are prepared and organised. What do we know about children’s nutrition? A balanced diet consisting of fruit, vegetables, protein, and grains is the best way. That means that if planned right, you never have to feel guilty by pulling out a pizza from the freezer because your child eats healthy food most nights and days. Here are the steps to weekly meal preparation: Plan a menu It is important to choose things that your family likes. For example, if Spaghetti Bolognaise is a hit, make a batch enough for 3-4 meals.  Planning the menu will also ensure that you can shop for the right ingredients so that you don’t have to stop at the shop every couple of days and save money in the long run. Ensure that you have enough containers This is a once-off purchase that you can use time and time again—choosing containers that are freezer friendly. Portion out your meals  Make sure that you can take out your meals, and they feed your family with just enough. You will only be able to reheat food that has yet to be reheated.  Variety Children love variety, though they don’t mind having the same or similar foods on a specific day. For example, Mondays could be beef day, Tuesdays could be chicken days, and Fridays could be pizza day. While they love variety, they also love predictability.  Get the children to help. Children love to assist in the kitchen. They can do age-appropriate chores like mashing potatoes or mixing ingredients. This is a great way to teach your child about healthy eating habits and allow them some bonding time with you. Remember to have fun! Dinner times can often be a time of stress and anxiety, let’s choose to create great memories for our children. 

July 18, 2023
Parenting Hub

DOES DAYCARE BUILD YOUR BABY’S IMMUNE SYSTEM?

You’ve probably heard that children who attend daycare get sick more frequently, but according to Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, there is a silver lining to sniffles and colds. “Exposing your child to more children at a young age helps your child develop better immunity,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “A baby’s immune system is immature at birth. Your baby does have some natural immunity, thanks to antibodies they were exposed to in utero. Breastfed babies benefit from antibodies in their mother’s milk as well. However, when a baby is exposed to bacteria and viruses in the environment, its immune system begins to strengthen. Yes, these pathogens can sometimes make your baby sick, but they also stimulate the production of natural antibodies, allowing them to fight off infections more effectively in the future. That means that children exposed to more germs at a young age will have stronger immune systems by the time they start school.” What Research Suggests The idea that children in daycare get sick more frequently when they’re young but benefit from improved immunity later in life isn’t just a theory; there’s plenty of research to back it up. For example, a Canadian study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who began group child care before the age of two and a half had fewer respiratory and ear infections between the ages of five and eight than those who had not been in daycare. According to University of Arizona College of Medicine researchers, the protection may last even longer. Children who had attended daycare as toddlers had fewer colds up to the age of 13 in their study. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, daycare may also reduce a child’s risk of developing asthma. Researchers discovered that children predisposed to the condition due to their mothers’ asthma or allergies had lower IgE antibodies (an indicator of allergic sensitivity) when they attended daycare. Interestingly, there is also a link between group care and a lower risk of leukaemia, although the reason for this is unclear. Good to know: Despite these benefits, parents may want to wait until their child is three months old before enrolling in daycare. Contagious infections that are normally minor in adults can be much more serious in newborns, and your child may need to be hospitalised if they develop a fever of above 38 degrees Celcius or higher before the age of three months. How To Naturally Boost Your Child’s Immune System While research supports the hypothesis that immunity acquired in daycare protects a child from colds later in life, no parent wants their child to be sick. As such, Affinity Health offers these top tips to boost your child’s immune system: Probiotics Probiotics aid in immune system regulation by balancing the good bacteria (flora) in the stomach. These “beneficial” microorganisms may help to reduce the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections. Serve your child live-cultured products like organic yoghurt and Gouda or cottage cheese. Nutrition A healthy immune system is built on a nutritious diet. Ensure your child eats a healthy diet and avoid serving processed foods containing chemicals and toxins that compromise their ability to fight illness and stay healthy. If your child has food allergies or requires a special diet, consult a nutritionist or paediatrician. Increase Their Uptake Of Vitamin C Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, and with so many options, adding more Vitamin C into your child’s diet is simple. Good sources of Vitamin C that most children enjoy include oranges, strawberries, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, potatoes, green peas, and tomatoes. Encourage Your Child To Exercise Physical activity may aid in the removal of bacteria from the lungs and airways. This may lower your child’s chances of contracting a cold, flu, or other airborne illness. Ensure Your Child Gets Adequate Sleep If your child is 12 or younger and gets less than 10 hours of sleep per night, or if your tween or teen gets less than eight and a half hours, they are at risk of having a weakened immune system. Make good sleeping habits a priority in your household. Allow Your Children To Be Kids, Get Dirty Outside, And Play With Friends Not all germs and bacteria are harmful to your child’s health. Exposing children to the everyday microbes found outside in nature – including dirt – can help a child develop a strong, healthy immune system.

July 17, 2023
Parenting Hub

UBUNYE EDUCARE CENTRE’S LEARN THROUGH PLAY PROGRAMME ENHANCES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

We recognise the importance of play in a child’s development and are excited to make this programme part of Ubunye Educare Centre’s curriculum. Ubunye Educare Centre, a registered Non-Profit Education Organisation providing early childhood development opportunities in the poorer communities of Cape Town, has successfully included a ‘Learn through Play’ programme in its curriculum, incorporating play-based learning into the children’s daily routines to enhance their learning experiences.  “We are committed to providing quality education to our children and we believe that a Learn through Play approach to learning helps us to achieve this goal,” says Esther Cupido, Director of Operations at Ubunye Educare Centre. “We recognise the importance of making this programme part of our curriculum and have already seen the positive impact it is having on our children’s learning journeys.” With Learn through Play, the children at Ubunye Educare Centre engage in fun and interactive learning experiences that foster their overall development. Research shows that children learn best through play, and play-based learning has been found to support the development of essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and social-emotional learning.  Key benefits of Learn through Play are briefly summarised below:  encourages active engagement with the environment, as well as curiosity and motivation, allowing children to become active participants in their own learning and to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills;  supports holistic development of cognitive, social, emotional, physical and creative skills, enhancing language and communication skills, developing motor skills, fostering creativity and imagination, and improving interaction and cooperation with others;  provides opportunities for children to use their imagination and creativity, whether inventing scenarios, exploring different roles and perspectives, or experimenting with ideas and concepts, to promote cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking and new ideas;  promotes social interaction and emotional development as children learn to navigate social situations, express and manage their emotions, negotiate, share, take turns, have empathy and develop resilience;   sets a strong foundation for long-term learning and helps develop a positive attitude towards learning and lays the groundwork for later academic subjects such as math, science and literacy by building essential skills and fostering a love for learning;  creates deep and meaningful learning experiences by encouraging children’s natural intrinsic motivation to play in a positive and enjoyable learning environment;   allows for individualised learning experiences as children pursue their own interests at their own pace, make choices, and set their own goals within the context of play, supporting diverse learning styles, strengths, and abilities and enabling each child to progress and develop their unique talents. Teachers at Ubunye Educare Centre are trained and equipped with resources to incorporate play-based learning into their lessons, and parents are also encouraged to support their children’s learning through play at home.  “Learn through Play at Ubunye Educare Centre reflects the centre’s commitment to providing quality education to young children. This will help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond, while also promoting a love for learning that will last a lifetime,” concludes Cupido.   Ubunye Educare Centre provides quality early childhood education, paediatric health check-ups and nutritional needs for 120 children aged 5-6 from Dunoon Township enrolled in its care every year. We invite you to join us in making a lasting impact by either donating to fund a child or make a sponsorship contribution. A contribution can ensure that a child has access to education, enabling them to pursue their dreams and build a better future. For more information on Ubunye Educare Centre and the Learn through Play programme or becoming a donor, please call 0826897128 or visit the website at https://ubunye-educare.co.za.

July 7, 2023
Parenting Hub

WHY ARE TOYS AND PLAY IMPORTANT?

Many parents fear that giving toys to their children is spoiling them but it has been proven many times that play contributes directly to a child’s education and development. The important thing is to give them the right toys that stimulate and prolong play and learning. If children are to discover what they are good at, what they like, and what they are like, then they will need variety in their play, and a broad assortment of toys to make it possible. Fun Fact #1: In one study the availability of toys in infancy was related to the child’s IQ at 3 years of age Fine Motor Skills / Hand Eye Coordination: Lacing Beading Puzzles Arts and crafts Large Motor Skills (fitness & balance) Pool toys Balls/outside games Gardening sets Baking sets Language Skills: Talking toys Sound puzzles Matching words and object games Books, activity books Fun Fact #2: A review of more than 40 studies concludes that play enhances early development by at least 33% Cognitive Skills  (thinking through problems): Sorting, sequencing, counting , memory, puzzling games Bead mazes Stacking toys Puzzles Construction sets Imagination Skills (pretend play) Dress up Finger puppets Props (kitchens, trolleys, dolls) Artistic Skills (arts and crafts) Drawing Painting Sand art Art and craft activities Emotional Skills Group play Stickers Dolls Dress up sets Books Auditory Skills: Musical instruments Sound enhanced puzzles Listening games Co-operative games Fun Fact #3: Children play longer and learn more when a wide variety of toys are available

June 28, 2023
Junior Colleges

Developing confidence in young children

Self-esteem stems from a sense of competence — or, to put it another way, children gain confidence due to their successes, not because of the recognition they receive from family and friends. As a preschool teacher, I saw many children gain trust and self-assurance as they learned and achieved new tasks and objectives. As parents, it’s normal to want to instill trust in your children. Here are some suggestions for how to do that: 1. Make time to have fun Playtime is one of the most significant investments you can make in your child. Playing with your children for hours demonstrates to them that they are important and worthy of your attention. 2. Give them small tasks to do Children deserve opportunities to show their talents and believe their efforts are respected. At home, this means enlisting their assistance with tasks such as: Putting the table together for dinner or lunch Organising their toys Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping Dishwashing Performing laundry sorting or folding Car washing Gardening  Remember your child’s passions and allocate them a job that helps them feel useful. 3.  Always pay attention I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to set aside time to give your child your undivided attention. It boosts your child’s self-worth by sending the message that you think they’re important and valuable to you.  4. Frequently encourage your child Consider the last time anyone complimented your efforts and told you they believed in you. This kind of motivation gives people the trust boost they need to keep going and helps children develop the best type of confidence possible. But remember that too much praise can pressure you to succeed and generate a constant need for other people’s approval. It’s preferable to teach your child that the effort—and seeing everything through to completion—is what matters most.

June 9, 2023
Junior Colleges

The sensitive period of a child

A sensitive period is a block of time in a child’s life where they show intense interest in particular objects and experiences surrounding them in their environment. Children go through many sensitive periods for a certain time. They don’t all peak, develop or end simultaneously but can overlap each other. Sensitive periods urge the child to focus on specific aspects of their environment, creating a need for interest to develop characteristics. They do not happen by chance, and they cannot be recaptured again, causing a disruption in the learning process. Once its purpose is fulfilled, it disappears, leaving the child refreshed and content. Sensitive period learning is spontaneous, joyful, and easy learning.  Co-ordinated movement appears in the womb and continues throughout life. The developmental aim is to explore the environment and to perfect personality through exploration. The inner work focuses on the child’s attention on learning to move and balance. The signs are each milestone of the child’s motor skills. The help they require from adults around them understand the desperate need to move, handle, and manipulate objects, space, and opportunity to explore their environment.  The rhythm and flow of the sounds of words without necessarily understanding what they mean from the human voice stimulate the sensitive period for language. The child is exposed to at every given opportunity. The signs we see are each milestone in language development, watching the mouth, babbling, syllables, and love for songs stories, and poems. The child will listen carefully to sounds around them and try to copy them. The child will learn new words easily. The child will try to read and write long before they have the skills to do so. Once this is fulfilled, the child loves to talk and contributes to groups and activities. If this is not fulfilled, the child withdraws, finds it difficult to settle to work and concentrate may not join in activities. Rich exposure to language and seeing adults talking, singing, reading, and writing is the best exposure for the child to gain access to this. The more exciting this is made, the more interested they will be. It is as if a particular time has been set aside for exploring and appreciating the mysteries of creation and nature, which an adult often overlooks. The child needs this time to explore the world. Attention to detail is this particular time. The child will focus on the finest details in every aspect of life. They notice and are highly interested in tiny objects and the fine detail in objects, pictures, movements, and sounds. The aim of this is to develop attention and concentration. The child may sit for hours in joyful contemplation and be very observant of the fine details that an adult may miss. The child will sometimes point this fine detail out. For example, the child may see a chip on a mug and not use it or become distressed if something is replaced and does not match. Respect for this need needs to be given time to look at. Allow the time to stop and explore something they have noticed with the child. The need to see, touch, taste, smell, hear and manipulate everything around them is the block in time for the refinement of sensory impressions. This is the need to explore the surrounding environment with all the senses. The child learns only through their senses and personal experiences being hands-on. This aims to gain information, order impressions, pair and classify, grade or categorise, and consolidate knowledge. The signs we see daily are an overwhelming interest to touch and manipulate everything. This should be encouraged at every given moment. Refinement of sensorial impressions lays a firm foundation for future learning.  The child attempts to learn the manners and customs of their environment and to serve others and themselves; therefore, it is food to involve them in daily life as much as possible. The child is intensely interested in the customs, habits, and culture of the surrounding community, which is known as an interest in social relations. Mothers usually recognise the child’s need for more comprehensive social experiences, and this is typically the age children start playgroups or daycare. The child is acutely observant of the social group, especially in the family unit. The child is also sensitive to fine detail at the same time, so this period is an extra spotlight on the detail of family and social experiences. The child observes all aspects of social life, how we greet each other, respect and treat each other, how we dress, habits, beliefs, how we speak, gestures and attitudes, and outlooks on life. They try to imitate what they see and hear.  The child depends on loving and trusting relationships designed to meet their developmental needs to realise their full potential. In conclusion, the child learns from repetition; during these times, repetition is very important for the child to perfect their needs and wants.

June 6, 2023
Junior Colleges

Support Healthy Brain Development by Connecting with Your Child

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for learning and development since the brain is at its most flexible. The brain creates up to one million neural connections every second. First, however, our little ones need our help. Scientists refer to it as ”Serve and Return” This is to interact, converse, and engage in play with your child. Every time we engage with them, make them laugh and play with them, we help develop and enhance their relationships and mental health while teaching them some of the most crucial life lessons.  In collaboration with Minderoo Foundation, Molly Wright, aged seven, presented a TED talk as a resource for parents and caregivers worldwide and was supported by UNICEF. In her talk, Wright highlights what happens when a connection is taken away, just for a moment. I know it’s essential for adults to use their devices sometimes, but kids are hardwired to seek meaningful connections. Not receiving them causes confusion and stress. What if that small moment of disconnect lasted a whole childhood? How challenging it would be for a young child to feel secure, protected, and capable of putting their faith in others, not to mention the long-term effects. Having positive relationships with the adults in their lives gives kids the confidence they need to try new things, explore, grow, and be kids. Additionally, as your child discovers the world, they learn how to reason, comprehend, speak, act, express emotions, and build strong social skills. Here are some ideas to help you keep building this kind of relationship with your little one: Commit to Connection Set aside 10-15 minutes each day with your child. Taking time out from everything else to interact with your child shows how important they are to you. For example, play a game, talk, or go for a walk. Rather than structuring the time, make it a time for you to connect. Play Games  Taking the time to play with your child by doing things they love shows that you take an interest in what excites them and build their confidence. There are also many benefits to using structured play.  Copycat games develop empathy and imagination. Naming games improve vocabulary and attention. Peek-a-boo games help build memory and trust.  Snuggle Time Before Bed Nothing is more effective for fostering a stable connection than a nightly ritual. Reading, discussing your child’s day and snuggling give your child a sense of belonging and stability.  We cannot connect every minute, every day, but a little bit goes a long way. Plus, you will capture beautiful memories that will bind your connection together for a lifetime. Happy connecting! by Danika Wolmarans (Junior Colleges Raslouw)

May 30, 2023
Junior Colleges

The Importance of Emotional self-regulation in Children

When it comes to children of any age, parenting is tough. One might think they know the answer, and then the question is changed.  Like us, children sometimes find it challenging to regulate their emotions which often leads to meltdowns and the inability to problem-solve.  Emotional self-regulation is as follows: Emotional self-regulation refers to the ability to control and be aware of one’s emotions to take on tasks more effectively. Although this may seem impossible in little humans, it is vital for ongoing development. Children learn to self-regulate over time – some benefits include the following:  Improvement in emotional intelligence  A sense of self-discipline may develop  Becoming more independent  Adapting better to environmental changes As adults, we often find it difficult to control and manage our emotions and behaviours, so the question you may be asking yourself now is, “How am I supposed to get my screaming child to manage and control their emotions?” Well, here are a few simple ideas to get you started. Number 1:  regulate your own emotions and body before approaching the situation and trying to help your child handle it. It is often said that children feed off of their parent’s emotions and behaviours. As hard as it may be – try to sound calm. It would help if you also let them identify how they may feel. (Feelings chart can assist) Number 2: Participate in regulation strategies with your child. This may be things like spending time in a calm and quiet place; the critical component is a connection or tense and release activities (ball up your fists as tightly as you can while breathing in and releasing your fist or exhaling). There are many more effective strategies, but this step’s primary focus is establishing a calmer environment. Number 3: Make use of a problem-solving wheel with different strategies. Visual aids may benefit your child as they can act as a reminder of regulation strategies. Number 4: Verbal reminder: talk your child through each strategy. Allow them to choose which method they would like to use. Giving your child choices is always an excellent technique to establish independence.  Number 5: Listen to your child and ensure that you allow them to express their needs, working collaboratively to find solutions that may be helpful.  These simple suggestions make it easier for you as a parent to connect with your child’s emotions and allow them to establish and regulate their feelings. We tend to forget that our little people are people and sometimes require a helping hand to navigate life.

May 26, 2023
Junior Colleges

Is playdough therapeutic for our children?

Today we will be covering the topic – of playdough. It has a wide array of developmental learning and sensory benefits for children.  What can playdough teach children, and what skills does it develop? Fine motor skills It helps the children`s hand development, strength, dexterity, and controls the need to manipulate everyday items such as scissors, pencils, zippers, and buttons. Social emotions skills Children explore abilities, life experiences, and emotions and learn about cooperation, collaboration, self-control, and making friends. Language and literacy Children discuss what they are creating or their sensory experience; while doing that, they are expanding their vocabulary words like (poke it, squeeze, pull, put and squish it) Science and Maths They create shapes, comparing sizes (small, big, empty, full, etc.) This exercise exposes children to a vast array of Maths and Science concepts. Children can also learn about colours, textures, and shapes as they learn how to manipulate the play dough. It is a fun activity for all children Your child can benefit from using play dough, and these are some benefits Enhances their fine motor skills Improve their pre-writing skills. Develops their creativity and imagination. Enhances Social skills Increases curiosity and knowledge. Develops hand and eye coordination. Sensorimotor, tactile and olfactory. As parents, we always ask ourselves whether play dough is safe for our children. It is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-allergenic except as noted. Children who are allergic to gluten may have an allergic reaction. Lastly, tips for parents and teachers on how to extend playdough activities Mixing different food colouring. Add glitter. Create monster playdough by putting googly eyes. Stick candles as a birthday cake. Use silver wear for cutting, tooth pics, cups, bowls, wine cork, pine corns, bottle tops, strainers, pipe cleaners, and rolling pins. Playdough is therapeutic for children of all ages.  Please encourage your children to play using it. Start today. By Tessa Masilo (Teacher at Junior Colleges Sunninghill)

May 26, 2023
Junior Colleges

WALKING RINGS… YES OR NO?

There is much discussion and debate on whether walking rings are beneficial or dangerous to babies. Once very popular and widely used, there has been a strong debate on their usefulness in recent years. We will take a closer look into these reasons and decide whether it is worth the risk. 1. Walking rings can cause a risk of serious injury; The risk of falling down stairs or tripping over can result in head injuries, concussion, skull fractures, and or soft tissue injuries to the head and neck. The raised height of the baby means they are in closer reach to hot drinks, kettle and iron cords, stoves, cleaning products, etc. Walking rings make it easier for babies to reach up and pull things down. 2. Walking rings may result in delayed motor development. The natural process of walking includes babies learning to roll, sit, crawl, scoot and stretch. These pre-walking skills help a baby strengthen their muscles and learn to balance. Walking rings may visually appear as though they are helping your baby to walk. However, they can delay their motor milestone development, and in fact, they can hinder your child’s mental and learning development as well. Walking rings prevent your baby from viewing their limbs and feet, which help babies visually guide their legs across the floor. The visual-motor skills are critical for a child’s development of depth-perception and visual processing needed for tracking words across a page, moving their eyes from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. Walking rings limit eye and foot coordination, which is necessary for motor planning and sequencing (praxis)– generating an idea of what you want to do (ideation), figuring out how you are going to do it (organisation), and then carrying out what you want to do (execution). Children with poor planning and sequencing may find difficulty when needing to think harder to complete new physical tasks due to poorly integrated information from the sensory systems. Under-developed planning and sequencing skills impact a child’s ability to organise themselves and learn new routines. It also prevents your baby from using the natural movement needed for cross-laterality, which is important for right and left-hemisphere brain development, fine and gross motor skills, balance, posture, and language skills. The advantages of using a walking ring are as follows: Providing your baby with a source of entertainment Allows parents the opportunity to do some household tasks while babies keep themselves busy. Given the high risk of injury and the possibility of delaying development and milestones, you have to ask yourself whether it is worth taking the risk. I raised my babies in an era where walking rings were very popular, and our babies spent much of their day rolling around the house in them. However, now being able to make an informed decision with the experience I have through witnessing the injuries and delays involved in walking rings, I would recommend baby learn to crawl and walk on the floor. I honestly believe that the risk is too high, and our babies are far too precious to take that risk. Teacher Natalie Early Childhood Educator The importance of Breastfeeding

May 19, 2023
Junior Colleges

The benefits of imaginative play/role play

Not only is this a fun and exciting game to play, but it can benefit a learner in so many aspects of their life, such as fostering creativity, being able to express and act out in a situation, and manipulating different tools into an object such as using a block as a phone. By this, they tap into that creative side of their brain. It promotes physical development: For example, dressing and undressing a baby doll’s clothes helps develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.  It helps them develop their language and social skills: by conversing with others and expressing themselves while playing a game of Mommy, daddy, and baby. They learn how to have conversations, take turns when talking, ask questions, and make gestures. It also helps them develop their listening skills.  This helps them develop problem-solving and self-regulation skills: If there is a situation where children cannot get what they want, for example, they are playing a game, and all the children want to play the role of mommy, they learn to solve the problem and manage their emotions for the game to continue.  Role play change is a great way to develop positive behaviour: Swap roles with your children; you be the child and allow them to be the parent in the game. Create a scenario for the child to decide what to do in this situation, for example, getting ready for school and what all needs to happen before going to school. We must make the bed, get dressed, have breakfast, brush our teeth, etc. See how the child reacts in this situation. This is a great way to promote that positive behaviour.  Here are a few tips on how to encourage imaginative play  Have all sorts of different props for the children to play with. Allow children to explore and play as much as they can. Play lots of dress-up games, and have different outfits for them to dress into to play different roles. Always involve your children in your everyday lives, make them part of your chores and, allow them to help you put the washing in the machine, stand alongside you while you cook or bake. Promote many conversations and help them think creatively, such as bedtime, and let them pretend to sleep in a rocket ship.

May 18, 2023
Junior Colleges

The importance of learning to tie your shoelaces

In the age of velcro straps and slip-on shoes, the skill of tying shoelaces has been forgotten. As children enter their foundation phase schooling years, they become more independent with self-dressing. Children should begin to learn to tie their shoelaces between the ages of5 and 7 years old. Tying shoelaces requires strong fine motor skills, including; finger isolation, hand-eye coordination, and hand strength. As well as promoting self-confidence and independence. Learning to tie shoelaces for the first time can be rewarding yet frustrating as children become overwhelmed. To avoid tears and foster a positive learning experience, follow these simple tips: Let your children pick their own shoes; this makes it more exciting and attractive. Start practicing with the shoe NOT on their foot. Place it either on a table or on their lap. Choose a time during the day when you won’t be rushed. After school as opposed to during your morning routine and do this daily! Show your child your own shoes while they practice along with their own shoe. To avoid confusion, practice one step at a time. Master the first step before moving into the next. Choose a method and stick to it. Whether it be the traditional method or the ‘bunny ear.’ Method. Avoid using left and right unless your child is aware of and is adept at using these terms. Instead, use stickers or different coloured laces, then use the terms sticker or nonsticker,or red and blue lace. Most importantly, have patience and remain calm. Tying shoes requires many advanced. Skills. Enjoy this learning experience with your child. This is an important milestone in their lives and a life skill they will never forget.

May 17, 2023
Junior Colleges

The importance of Sensory Play

From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses to explore and try to make sense of the world around them.  It is critical to provide children with opportunities to use all their senses to explore their world through “sensory play” as each new sensory experience helps to build neural pathways in the brain, which assist with brain development and the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks in later years. A variety of sensory activities allow children’s brains to create stronger connections to be able to process and respond to sensory information. Any neural pathways which are not established will eventually die off. Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates a young child’s senses of touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing as well as anything that involves movement and balance. I will explain this now.  We are all familiar with the 5 basic senses of Taste, Touch, Smell, Sight, and Hearing.   But there are two other very important senses people are not always aware of: Proprioception (Body Awareness) – When a baby or child moves, information from the muscles and joints are sent to the brain. The receiving and interpreting of this information is proprioception. This enables us to gain a sense of where our bodies are in space – Body Awareness. Vestibular system – The stimulation of the vestibular system of the inner ear tells the baby where their body is in relation to gravity. It helps to orientate the baby, It is important for the development of balance and postural control, and for the development of spatial orientation and perception.  It strengthens the eye movements necessary for reading. It also promotes emotional stability and encourages pleasure in movement. Babies and children need to be exposed to different kinds of movement to ensure the proper development of the Vestibular (Balance) system. These different movements should include forwards and backward ( Like walking, running, swinging), Sideways  ( rocking side to side, running sideways), Up and down ( lifting up and down, jumping up and down), Rotating head  ( rolling from point A to B along the floor,  somersaulting),  Spinning  ( going round and round, winding up a swing and then letting it unwind). Stimulating the Senses While it is important to stimulate all the senses in early childhood, The Tactile and Vestibular Systems are the most important systems in early development as they are the first systems to develop in Early development. (The baby was exposed to tactile and vestibular stimulation while in the womb). I have covered some ways to stimulate the vestibular system above. Now I would like to discuss more ways to stimulate the Tactile (Touch) system.  Fine nerve endings found throughout the skin enable the sense of touch.  The skin needs to be exposed to a variety of different textures and materials to enable children to discriminate between different sensations like rough, smooth, hard, soft, hot, cold, heavy, light etc. Because the receptors are found throughout the skin it is important to expose as much of the skin to a variety of different textures. But remember all stimulation must be offered in a play and fun environment and we must ensure we do not overstimulate babies and children. Just offer opportunities for them to explore and touch a variety of textures in a fun, playful environment and allow your child to explore at their own pace. Play with your child and describe the different textures – wet, dry, hot, cold, rough, smooth, etc.  Simple things like walking bare feet, rolling across the grass with as little clothing as possible, and playing in a sandpit or in water with as little clothing as possible.  Playing with a variety of textured materials and ideally letting your child feel the textures over their entire body – feathers, beans, polystyrene chips, rice, spaghetti, playdough, leaves, sand, etc. Playing with messy textures is also important. Like mixing cornstarch with water, playing in mud and water, playing with shaving foam, soapy bubbles, dry flour or flour and water, finger paints, etc. As mentioned children learn through ALL their senses – so here are a few points on the other sense too.: Auditory sensory play  – let your child listen to different sounds while sitting in the garden  – birds, airplanes, cars, trees rustling. Imitate animal sounds. Experiment with making different sounds – loud and soft, high and low.  Tap out different rhythms using kitchen utensils.  Read out loud together often. Listen to Nursery rhymes and fun songs. Visual sensory play – use torches in the dark and create interesting shapes, watch shadows on the wall, let them chase their own shadow, watch leaves blowing in the wind, exposing them to a variety of colourful lights, and help them identify objects in pictures, encourage them to track moving objects like balls, etc. Taste and smell – expose your child to a variety of food items to taste and smell – so they learn about sweet and sour, bitter, salty and spicy. Describe the tastes and the smells.  Expose them to flowers, perfumes, fresh bread, etc. Sensory Play has many benefits.  As discussed above children learn about and explore their environments through their senses. In this way, sensory play establishes neural pathways in babies’ and young children’s brains, which are important for all later learning. There are also many opportunities for developing fine motor skills by picking up different textured objects, and squishing and squeezing things – which develops pre-writing skills. There is potential for early maths skills by discussing size, weight, height, shape, counting, etc.  Messy activities are excellent for encouraging vocabulary and language development. Always make the sensory play and the exploration fun and allow your child to explore at their own pace.  You can play alongside them at times to describe the different textures, tastes, sounds, etc – but never bombard your child with information – allow them just to play, explore, figure their world out for themselves and most importantly have fun.

May 16, 2023
Junior Colleges

How to assist your child in developing their language of learning

Mom is strolling around the supermarket with a six-month-old infant in the baby seat. Not once does she engage in eye contact, talk to the child or even smile. When the baby becomes restive, a dummy is thrust in his mouth without a word spoken. Contrast this with a dad in a fruit and veg store, with an infant of similar age. At every display he picks up a fruit, lets the baby touch and smell it and talks about the name of it, the colour and how good it tastes. Not hard to know which of these babies will develop a good language as he grows. Babies develop language through constant face to face engagement with a trusted care giver. These days many infants are left in the hands of untrained nannies who are too busy listening to music on their earphones or talking on their cell.  The foundations of language are laid in utero and beyond. Two-year old’s who have been deprived of stimulating language are already developmentally behind their peers and the gap grows, requiring expensive therapeutic intervention before formal school entry. Adding to this language gap, we now place the child into a school where the language of learning is different and expect that the new language will be acquired rapidly-because that’s what we pay fees for! What is not understood is that a second language is based on the first. Almost like making a photocopy. If the original is poor, the copy will be too. Home language is important, but make it rich by talking, singing and reading to the baby/toddler. TV and tablets do not teach language, it is a reciprocal process. If someone in the home is fluent in the proposed language of learning, they should be doing all the above in that language, from day one. Babies are pre-programmed to learn as many as 4 languages simultaneously, AS LONG AS EACH LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN BY THE SAME PERSON. Granny can speak Sotho, Mum isiZulu and Dad English, but they must stick to their language until the child is at least 3. Don’t mix languages, this just results in language soup! Besides talking, singing and playing with the child, using a rich vocabulary, you should be reading to the baby from a very early age. Initially use board books with clear pictures that relate directly to the child’s home environment. Talk about the pictures, relate them to real objects if possible and let the baby touch them when you name them. Expand the range of books as the baby grows and by two, join the local library. A weekly visit in search of a new book will become a highlight. You will of course have taught the child how to handle books respectfully! Yes, you can use a tablet, but these are too heavy for young babies to handle and hold. Books in many of our official languages are scares, but you can translate! But what if my child is only speaking one language when he enters school? In this situation, parents will have to work hard to support the school. Here, a tablet can be useful as you can find good apps for simple songs that will help your child acquire the rhythm of the new language. Find books that have a picture with details of familiar rooms at home, animals, toys etc. to help your child learn as many new words as they are capable of, revising them daily. Use full sentences: “Look at the big red car. Let’s count the wheels. Let’s drive your car across the floor Does your car have four wheels? Your car can go fast. Can you make it go slowly?” Young children learn by doing and including plenty of action as you talk will help the learning process. If possible, enrol you child in language enrichment classes, or form groups and engage a good tutor. Find out what theme/inquiry your child is doing at school and link your support to it. Ask the teacher for a list of important vocabulary to practice. In order to cope well in Grade 1, a child needs a cognitive and perceptual vocabulary. Colour/number/shape/size/position in space/sounds in words etc. etc. School curriculums are available on line, which will help you keep pace. Playing with peers is a great help in learning a new language. Children can play without language, and for a couple of months they may just listen but will soon be joining in and may talk more in play than they do in class. If your child has difficulty acquiring the language of learning, talk to a speech and language therapist and get advice. Therapy before the age of six will pay dividends and results will be much faster than if you wait until troubles loom in Grade 1 and negatively affect learning to read. Lastly, make your child’s life as interesting as possible. Visit the zoo, animal parks, farms etc. as often as possible. Be with your child, not in the restaurant taking you ease, and talk, talk, talk. After the visit encourage your child to draw a picture and tell you what he saw. Going to one of our numerous eating venues and handing the child over to the resident nannies is wasting precious language time. Sitting together, talking about the food and having family conversation is making the most of the outing. By Barbara Eaton (Academic Development Co-ordinator for Junior Colleges)

May 10, 2023
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