Parenting Hub

Learning Through Play: Activities That Teach Without Tears

Children learn best when they’re engaged, curious, and having fun. For parents, this is great news—it means you don’t need to rely solely on worksheets or structured lessons to encourage growth and development. Everyday play can be a powerful way to teach new skills, build confidence, and strengthen your bond with your child, all without stress or tears. 1. Pretend Play for Social SkillsWhether your child is running a pretend restaurant, playing house, or setting up a doctor’s office with dolls, pretend play builds empathy, problem-solving, and communication. Kids learn to take turns, negotiate, and explore different perspectives. 2. Building and Construction for Problem-SolvingBlocks, LEGO, or even cardboard boxes help kids practice spatial awareness, creativity, and patience. As they test and rebuild structures, they also learn resilience and perseverance when things don’t go as planned. 3. Art and Craft for Creativity and Fine Motor SkillsPainting, drawing, cutting, and gluing might feel like “just fun,” but they develop hand-eye coordination and encourage self-expression. Kids also learn that mistakes can turn into new ideas, an important life lesson in flexibility. 4. Music and Rhythm for Memory and LanguageSinging songs, clapping to rhythms, or making simple instruments introduces patterns, boosts memory, and strengthens language development. Music also provides a joyful way to connect and release energy. 5. Outdoor Play for Exploration and ConfidenceClimbing, running, and exploring nature provide physical exercise while sparking curiosity about the world. Collecting leaves, spotting insects, or building sandcastles all support observation skills and a love for learning. 6. Games for Math and Literacy SkillsBoard games, card games, and puzzles help kids practice counting, matching, and critical thinking. Even simple games like “I Spy” or word hunts can sneak in literacy practice while keeping the atmosphere lighthearted. 7. Cooking Together for Practical LearningMeasuring flour, mixing batter, or reading a recipe teaches math, sequencing, and teamwork. Plus, kids feel proud of contributing to family meals, building confidence along the way. Learning doesn’t have to be a struggle. By turning everyday moments into opportunities for play, children gain essential skills while parents enjoy quality time free from stress and resistance. SourcesHarvard Graduate School of Education – The Importance of Play in LearningAmerican Academy of Pediatrics – The Power of PlayChild Development Institute – Play and Child Development

October 16, 2025
Parenting Hub

Simple Daily Routines That Reduce Stress for Parents

Parenting is a rewarding journey, but it can also be overwhelming when daily responsibilities pile up. Between work, household duties, and caring for children, stress can sneak in quickly. The good news is that small, simple routines can make a big difference in creating calm and reducing pressure throughout the day. 1. Start the Morning CalmlyHow you begin your day often sets the tone for everything that follows. Waking up 15–20 minutes earlier than your kids allows you to enjoy a quiet moment with coffee or tea, do a few stretches, or jot down a quick plan for the day. This calm start helps you feel more in control before the household gets busy. 2. Use Checklists and PlannersMental clutter is a big source of stress. Writing down tasks, meals, or kids’ activities in a planner or even on a whiteboard frees your brain from constantly remembering details. Kids can also benefit from visual checklists for things like morning routines or homework, which encourages independence and reduces constant reminders from you. 3. Plan Meals AheadDinner-time stress can be one of the hardest parts of the day. A simple weekly meal plan or even just prepping ingredients in advance (washing vegetables, marinating chicken, or making a big batch of rice) can take the pressure off. Involving kids in meal prep can also turn it into a fun family activity rather than a stressful chore. 4. Create Mini-Breaks for YourselfParents often forget to pause during the day. Taking even 5 minutes to step outside for fresh air, do deep breathing, or listen to a favorite song can help reset your mood. These small breaks add up and prevent stress from building to overwhelming levels. 5. Establish Evening Wind-Down RitualsEvenings can feel chaotic, but having a simple routine can bring a sense of closure to the day. This could be reading a story with your kids, preparing for the next day (like laying out school clothes), or doing a quick tidy-up together as a family. A predictable evening helps kids settle more easily, giving you a smoother path to some well-deserved downtime. 6. Prioritize SleepIt’s tempting to stay up late catching up on chores or scrolling on your phone, but good sleep is essential for stress management. Aim to stick to a consistent bedtime and create a wind-down ritual for yourself as well—like dimming the lights, avoiding screens, or reading for a few minutes. 7. Practice Gratitude DailyTaking a few moments each day to reflect on what went well can shift your mindset. Writing down one or two things you’re grateful for, or sharing them at the dinner table with your family, can lighten your mood and reduce feelings of stress. Incorporating even a few of these routines can create a more manageable, balanced flow to your day. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s building small, sustainable habits that protect your mental well-being while making family life smoother and more enjoyable. SourcesAmerican Psychological Association – Stress and ParentingMayo Clinic – Stress Management TipsChild Mind Institute – Building Routines for Families

October 16, 2025
Vital Baby

Can Moms Really Afford to Breastfeed?

Let’s face it—new parents already juggle a million things, and the idea of breastfeeding on top of work, finances, and life can feel completely overwhelming. In South Africa, the laws say mums should get support. But do the laws match reality? And can moms genuinely afford to breastfeed?  South African law gives new moms four consecutive months of maternity leave—usually starting around one month before the due date and extending to three months after the birth. It’s illegal to return to work within the first six weeks, unless a healthcare provider says you’re ready.  However—here’s the kicker—employers aren’t required to pay salaries during this time unless it’s in your contract or a company policy. Instead, moms can apply for benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).[1] UIF payouts range between 38% and 60% of your salary, depending on how much you contributed before leave[2]. Meanwhile, the application process can take 3–8 weeks, and you must reapply every month while on leave.  The law also entitles mothers to two paid 30-minute breastfeeding or expressing breaks per day—on top of lunch or tea breaks—for the first six months of a baby’s life. And employers are encouraged to provide a private, hygienic space for this purpose[3].  But the reality often falls short. Many women return to work within three months due to financial strain. The lack of proper lactation facilities, supportive workplace policies, or even awareness of these rights means many stop breastfeeding entirely. Even worse, domestic and informal workers—who often need the most support—are the least likely to access maternity protections.[4] South African moms are advised to exclusively breastfeed for six months, in line with WHO guidelines. Yet the statistics tell the real story: only around 32% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed, averaging less than three months of breastfeeding overall[5].  These low rates are linked to higher risks of malnutrition, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and even infant mortality.  Even in the system’s imperfect current state, here are some practical tips from Sr Londe – independent midwife and Vital Baby’s trusted advisor – to help moms make breastfeeding work: Breastfeeding isn’t just about health—it benefits business too. Breastfed babies are generally healthier, meaning less absenteeism, more productivity, and better staff retention. Plus, it contributes to broader goals like gender equality, economic inclusion, and improved child development outcomes.  Here’s the bottom line: Can moms in South Africa afford to breastfeed? Legally, yes—but practically, it’s often an uphill battle. Gaps in pay, awareness, infrastructure, and enforcement mean many moms return to work too soon. But with proactive planning, workplace conversations, and community support, breastfeeding while working is absolutely doable.  [1] https://www.news24.com/Life/What-the-law-says-about-maternity-leave-UIF-and-going-back-to-work-20150826 [2] https://www.bbrief.co.za/2025/08/05/employee-maternity-leave-pay/ [3] https://www.news24.com/Life/What-the-law-says-about-maternity-leave-UIF-and-going-back-to-work-20150826 [4] https://www.saffarazzi.com/news/no-proper-maternity-pay-or-leave-for-domestic-workers-in-south-africa/ [5] https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-024-00634-z

October 15, 2025
PowerPlastics Pool Covers

Interactive learning to promote water safety among children

Water Safety Charts – interactive learning to promote water safety among children With 250 children drowning in pools every year, teaching water safety at home is of paramount importance. A drowning child makes no noise. There are no cries for help, no splashing, no waving arms. You have mere seconds to get to the child in time, and more often than not, an adult won’t get there in time. A tried and tested method is to adopt different layers of safety to protect children. Make the primary layer a safety cover such as SA’s leading safety cover, the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover, which creates a childproof barrier over the pool and comes with certification. Another layer is child-friendly education, and it is an opportunity to create new games and interactive play. Creating a water safety chart that children will love involves combining engaging visuals, simple language, and interactive elements. Here’s a structured approach to designing such a chart: Design elements – bright and colourful graphics Use vibrant colours and fun illustrations to capture children’s attention. Images of children swimming, wearing life jackets, or playing safely near water can make the chart visually appealing. Simple and clear messages Include straightforward safety rules written in large, easy-to-read fonts. Examples of rules to feature: “Always swim with an adult.” “No running near the pool.” “No playing on the pool cover” “Cover the pool after swimming.” Essential water safety rules List fundamental safety tips in a way that’s easy for children to remember. You might consider using rhymes or catchy phrases to enhance recall: “Look before you leap!” “Stay where you can see!” “Mom, swim with me!” “No buddy, no swim.” Illustrative scenarios Create sections that depict various water environments (like pools, lakes, and oceans) with specific safety tips relevant to each setting. Always show a pool with a solid safety cover on it, so a pool cover becomes as normal as seatbelts in cars.  Ask them questions about what characters should do to stay safe, making the learning process fun and relatable. This helps children relate the rules to real-life situations and understand that a pool cover should always be a part of everyday life. Child participation Engage children in the chart creation process by allowing them to contribute their drawings or ideas for rules. This involvement fosters ownership and makes them more likely to remember the information. Strategic placement Place the chart in visible areas such as bathrooms, playrooms, or near swimming pools, ensuring it is at the child’s eye level for easy reference. Incorporate storytelling Use storytelling techniques alongside the chart by creating stories that illustrate water safety scenarios, making learning more relatable and memorable. Games and activities Develop games related to water safety that can be played alongside using the chart. (See the other articles in this series for a full list of games.) By combining these elements, you can make the lessons enjoyable for children, helping them learn essential safety practices effectively while having fun. It is not a once-off exercise. Reinforce learning by revisiting water safety lessons through discussions, games, or story time to ensure that the information remains fresh in their minds. Be open and honest with children about drowning and what happens in just seconds. Let PowerPlastics Pool Covers watch your child when you can’t. Learn more about the bestselling safety pool cover at https://powerplastics.co.za/product-category/pool-covers/safety-covers/ 

October 15, 2025
Parenting Hub

How to Talk to Your Kids About Tough Topics

Talking with children about sensitive or difficult topics—like death, mental health, bullying, divorce, or world events—can feel daunting. Yet, approaching these conversations with care, clarity, and empathy helps children develop trust, emotional resilience, and understanding. Here are practical ideas, grounded in expert guidance, for how to have those hard but important conversations. Why These Conversations Matter Children pick up on tension, confusion, or secrecy whether or not adults speak. Honest dialogue helps them feel safe and supported. Keeping communication open empowers them to ask questions, share their feelings, and trust that they won’t face confusing or scary topics alone. Strategies for Talking about Tough Topics Prepare Yourself FirstDo some research to make sure you have accurate information. Think through your own feelings, what you want to say, and anticipate questions your child might ask. Being prepared helps you stay calm and clear. Choose the Right Time and EnvironmentFind a private, calm place where both of you feel safe. Avoid times when the child is tired, distracted, or stressed. Having the conversation when you’re both emotionally available helps. Use Age-Appropriate LanguageAdjust your explanations to fit your child’s maturity. Younger children need simpler, concrete terms. Older children can handle more detail. Be clear, avoid euphemisms that might confuse, and use examples they understand. Be Honest but SensitiveHonesty builds trust. If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to admit that and offer to find out together. At the same time, give reassurance: for example, that they are not to blame, that you are there to support them. Encourage Questions and Listen ActivelyLet the child ask questions, and give them time to respond. Use questions that are not yes/no so they can express more deeply. Listen without interrupting, show empathy, and validate their feelings—even confusion, fear, or sadness. Stay Calm and ReassuringChildren often take cues from you. If you remain composed, it helps them feel more secure. Be mindful of your tone and body language. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel upset or confused, and that you’re there for them. Break It Into Smaller ConversationsOne big talk might overwhelm both you and the child. Instead, have several shorter conversations over time. Let the child absorb, reflect, and come back with more questions. Use Books or Visual Aids to Begin or Support DiscussionUsing children’s books, stories, or relevant media can introduce the topic in a less direct way and help make abstract or difficult ideas more concrete. This also invites children to share what they understand and what they’re still wondering. Check UnderstandingAsk the child what they understood, what worries they have, or what they think. Misunderstandings can cause anxiety. Clarify things gently. Follow Up and Be AvailableThe first conversation is rarely the last. Let them know you’re available to talk anytime. Revisit the subject as needed. Their thoughts or feelings may change or deepen over time. Sample Phrases You Might Use Sources:

October 15, 2025
SA Diabetes Advocacy

Every child deserves a safe night’s sleep: 10 000 voices for life-saving diabetes technology for South African children

Parents of children with Type 1 diabetes understand the anxiety of waking their sleeping children to perform finger prick tests to check their glucose levels all too well. And while no parent wants to wake their sleeping child, the alternative is life threatening diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 1 diabetes is a difficult illness to manage, especially for children who are subjected to finger pricks, insulin injections and interrupted sleep. But Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), could change and save lives. A campaign calling on the National Department of Health to include CGM devices in South Africa’s public healthcare system to children under 18, is gathering steam. CGM devices are internationally recognised as the standard of care, tracking glucose levels around the clock, and without the need for painful finger pricks. “This continuous glucose monitor not only aids in checking glucose levels but has saved my daughter’s life on multiple occasions from dangerous glucose events. The warning alarm gives us enough time to act in the midst of being on the road and in our busy lives,” says Monique Abrahams whose six-year old daughter lives with Type 1 diabetes. Using the CGM, they’ve been able to bring her HbA1c level down from 14 to six, a dramatic turnaround. HbA1c (short for haemoglobin A1c) is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, doctors usually aim for a result below seven to reduce the long-term risk of diabetes related complications. “The sensor has taught my 6-year old how to make meal choices when I am not present and also takes the burden off the educator. The use of the sensor should not be optional – it is mandatory,” she says. “A CGM means that children and parents can enjoy peace of mind, and don’t have to interrupt play, learning, or sleep, which is so important to cognitive development and well-being,” says Kirsten de Klerk, Co-Founder of SA Diabetes Advocacy.  Director of SA Diabetes Advocacy, Shiara Pillay was diagnosed with diabetes as a child. Her CGM has changed her life and she says that its impact would have been monumental in her childhood. “My conversations with my doctors have improved so much because they have more data on my trends and reactions. Using a CGM has allowed me to focus on other things happening in my life without worrying so much about where my blood sugars are heading – I can exercise more freely, explore what foods work best and just be present in my daily activities.” “I was diagnosed with diabetes just before my 10th birthday – a CGM then would have helped take away the pressure of getting every single decision I made (as a 10 year old) right!  The benefit of a CGM as a child would have been really impactful in the journey we all go through to find acceptance and confidently manage our condition,” she says. The #CGMAccess petition: Earlier this year, SA Diabetes Advocacy, in partnership with Diabetes SA, Sweet Life, Kids Powered by Insulin, YT1, SEMDSA, Paeds-SA, Diabetes Alliance, and FIND, launched a petition to compel the government to act. It has garnered just over 6800 signatures so far. The petition will be handed over at the 2025 Diabetes Summit on 11 November and the partners are rallying to get it to 10 000 signatures before then. CGM technology is not just life-changing for families, but is a smart investment for the Department of Health. Research by Discovery Health in South Africa found that members who claimed for CGM devices had better blood sugar control and went to hospital less than those who didn’t claim for a device. That study found that 64.9% of children using the devices had normal HbA1c results, compared with 39.2% of children who did not claim for a device. “Better management of diabetes also translates into fewer complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss and heart disease- all of which carry significant treatment costs for the state,”De Klerk says. 100 signatures a day: With the handover date about a month away, the petition needs over 100 new signatures per day to reach the 10 000 signature target. To be one of the 100, go to https://www.diabetesadvocacy.org.za/cgm-access-petition to sign.  “Every child deserves the chance to thrive, to go to school without fear, and to sleep safely at night. CGM makes that possible,” De Klerk says.

October 14, 2025
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