Advice from the experts
Impaq

How to handle angry feelings

Once there was a red balloon that lived in a house with a family. Every day the red balloon got bigger and bigger without anyone noticing. One day the balloon popped with a loud bang and everyone in the house got a nasty fright.  Anger is often like the red balloon in that it builds up slowly over time until it explodes over a seemingly small incident/event. Aggressive behaviour is learned through the modelling of significant others. If you handle your anger like the red balloon, your children might learn that aggression is the best way to deal with uncomfortable emotions. Eventually these emotions could cause school difficulties, anxiety and relationship problems.  Emotional control, however, creates a feeling of security and peace within a family. It is thus important for us as parents to ensure that our emotions and our reactions in response to our emotions are equal. For example, when you are angry, you do not have to express that anger by yelling or throwing things. Feeling angry is not wrong, but the way you express it might be wrong.  As parents we have the responsibility to teach our children how to deal with their emotions in effective and appropriate ways. The following tools can help you manage your emotions more effectively: If you realise that there are often outbursts among family members, write down your emotions and thoughts. Keeping a journal will help you gain perspective. Humour can help you feel more in control over stressful circumstances. Take deep breaths. This will help to not only relieve some of the tension but will also give you a few moments to think more clearly. Focus all your attention on something in your environment or something on yourself, like the garden outside your window or the pattern on your dress or shirt. This technique can help you gain control over your emotions. Research has shown that there is a close link between a healthy marriage and successful parenting. It is therefore a good idea to invest in building a healthy relationship with your wife/husband. A good way to do this is by going away for a weekend or having planned date nights, to help you reconnect with your partner. Build your self-knowledge. Who am I? What is my personality like? Self-knowledge can help you gain insight into your own behaviour and emotions. Be mindful of external factors that could contribute to your emotions. For example, are you eating healthy foods, exercising, getting enough sleep? Are you stressed and worried? 

September 29, 2021
Solarpop

Meet the Crew – The world of Snap Ships

The year, 2499. There is still good. There is still evil. Evil is winning. They came out of nowhere, an alien species wiping civilization one by one, stealing technology and making it their own, leaving nothing but chaos in their wake. We are all that stands between them and what is left of civilization.  Snap Ships is a versatile building system for creating multiple crafts with action play. A space themed toy with a strong emphasis on construction and interactivity, supported by a complimentary AR (Augmented Reality) mobile app, it is more than all these elements that makes this the must own toy. Behind it all lies a rich world of adventure for children to immerse themselves in. They aren’t just playing with a toy but will be living out an adventure alongside their favourite Forge fleet hero’s. Join us as we introduce you to the hero’s of Forge fleet! 2Bells has the heart of a lion, the strength of a military cargo plane, and is an incredibly picky eater who hates cramped spaces, small talk, and bad manners. 2Bells is the Forge’s muscle in any battle. His tough, rock crystal exterior can sometimes hide his more delicate quirks. 2BELLS – “…*alien sounds* …” Atam is a brilliant mind, an incredible multi-tasker and an avid lover of all forms of puzzles and games. His easy going, chill demeanor masks a driven focus that can see Atam work for days – fueled by his passion to solve complex puzzles. Subscribe to our channel to discover a surprising mystery about Atam! Atam – “I have a plan. It’s risky, but it just might work! …. Oorah! Oorah!” Although young by human standards, Dee La is one of the most accomplished, intelligent and qualified Snap Ships pilots in all of the Forge ranks. She knows this and always expects the best of herself. When faced with a challenge, she takes it head on – hard. Dee La comes from a race of incredibly strong and proud people known for their expert navigation and piloting skills. Dee La – “Since ancient times, my people travelled the waterways of our planet, natural explorers. We’re still renowned for our piloting skills. We’ve just gone from waterways to space lanes.” Dex is the Commanding Officer of The Forge – he is a leader, a warrior, and always willing, ready and able to stand on the front lines of space combat. Dex is tasked with leading forward operations, combat ops, as well as providing further training to the best-of-the-best Snap Ships. Dex – “… and we are the last chance. I’ve lost family, friends, home, but with your help we will not lose more.” Klik is one of the best pilots in the universe. Fearless, driven, and hungry to prove himself, Klik takes risks – sometimes against everyone’s better judgement. His ability to see Snap Ships transformations like no one else gives him a flying ability that borders on a superpower, but his humble upbringing forced him to become a Snap Ships technician instead of a pilot. Will his dreams of flying ever come true? Klik – “My father was a forge pilot, he was the best, fighting to protect us….”

September 29, 2021
Toptots Head Office

Tips to help make breastfeeding a breeze

If you have decided to breastfeed, it is a great way to give your baby the exact nutrients they need. But it’s not always easy. Here are a few tips and tricks that may help transition you into this new way of life.  Breastfeeding stations Being comfortable is a big part of successful breastfeeding. And being stuck in the same room every time you feed may do damage to your mental health. Try making breastfeeding stations around the house so you can join your family in experiencing life at home. Make sure you have a comfortable chair, a little table, a water bottle, wipes, burp cloths, and nipple cream available to you.  Include your partner If you find that you need help, or your partner wants to be more a part of the feeding experience than they are, get them to position baby, help burp, change and dress them. These can be bonding experiences themselves. Check if baby is getting enough milk Have a peak in their nappy. By day 5 they should have 6 or more wet nappies every 24 hours. You should also see about 3 to 4 stools a day by day 4. The colour of these stools should be transitioning from the dark, thick meconium poops right after birth to what is usually a yellow, seedy poop. Also make sure that they are back to their birth weight by no later than 14 days birth. After that, you’ll want to see them steadily putting on weight. Hold your baby skin-to-skin Holding your baby skin-to-skin will help your body to start making milk and will wake up your baby’s feeding reflexes. This means that your baby will start looking for your breast sooner and your body will make more milk.  Know the signs of a hungry baby: Besides crying, your baby may start rooting, licking their lips and putting their hands to their mouths.Babies need to eat often in the first few weeks: at least 8 or more times in 24 hours. This will help you to make more milk and will help your baby to gain back any weight they lose in their first few days. Some babies prefer many short feeds while others like fewer, longer feeds. Do not rush your baby – take your time. Keep up the night feeds Even though they are tough, know that these are important. Your body produces more prolactin (the hormone that promotes milk production) when you breastfeed at night, so night feedings help to keep up milk production. Also, mothers vary in the amount of milk they can store in their breasts, so for many women night feedings are essential to meeting their babies’ needs. What to wear PJs that open down the front (rather than one you have to pull up or down) will give your baby easier access, while keeping you warm during the night. This applies for day wear as well, try wearing breastfeeding tops (that can be easily pulled down) or button up ones. 

September 28, 2021
Toptots Head Office

How to parent a strong-willed Toddler

If you find yourself with a toddler who is outspoken, demanding and opinionated – you are probably trying to parent a strong-willed toddler. While this may not be the easiest job in the world, it is not only possible but having a strong-willed toddler is a blessing.  Firstly, most toddlers are defiant. It’s pretty normal. It is their way of exploring their boundaries and the world around them. If you have a toddler that is showing signs of stubbornness, it’s likely that they will grow up to be adults that know their own minds and can set their own boundaries – great, right? Let’s get you there first! Give them choices. The one thing that will set a stubborn toddler to dig their heels in is when they are completely controlled. Yes, as their parent, it is your job to tell your child what to do at such a young age. But you know what you can also do? Give them choices. Perhaps eating vegetables is the war in your house. Instead of forcing your child to eat broccoli, give them the choice between broccoli or butternut.  Let them learn by doing As long as their health and well-being are not at risk, let your strong-willed toddler learn by doing. This allows them to explore their world and learn from experience instead of things being told to them. The next time they demand to bite into a lemon, hand it on over.  Set rules for strong-willed toddlers Yup, strong-willed children are also in need of set rules and boundaries. The vital thing is to lay out all the rules from the start and stick to them no matter what. This gives your toddler a strong framework to work within and knowing the rules upfront will make it feel like you are ‘bossing’ them around at every point.  Dial down the punishment  Trying to punish a strong-willed child almost never works. No matter what you do, they will not give in. Sound familiar? That doesn’t mean your toddler mustn’t experience consequences, just that you may have to tailor the experience for them. The best way to do this is through using your words and trying to understand them. Saying something like, “that lemon wasn’t nice, was it – that’s why I said it wasn’t a good idea to eat it”.  Meeting your stubborn toddler halfway by using empathy will help immensely.  Be kind Often, strong-willed children will mirror the emotions that you are showing. If you are angry, so they will be too. If you are kind and understanding, you will find they mimic those emotions from you. Next time you are at your wits-end, take a breath and try to approach your child with kindness and see how they respond to you.

September 27, 2021
Paper Video

8 Study Habits of Highly Effective Students

High school learners have a lot on their plate, especially during a time where everything has gone topsy turvy. Study habits have been broken new habits have crept in, and it can be difficult to get back to the way things were or even learn new ways of doing. Where do we even begin? Why are good study habits so important? It’s not always about having “smarts”, but rather studying smart. Ironically, intellectual ability plays a small part and developing effective organisational skills and good study habitsgo a long way. Having the right tools and resources is a great place to startand can make sticking to those habits easier. Paper Video is a platform that can help. High school learners from grade 8 to12 can accessresources and materials needed toget to grips with challenging subjects like Maths, Physical Science, Life Scienceand Accounting. The tutoring and video lessons, with expert teachers in each field, give learners the freedom to work through the material at their own pace with a progress tracker to help them stay on track and get into the study habit of things. Here are a few more tricks and traits highly effective studentsuse to develop new study habits and ditch the bad ones. What’s the secret recipe to becoming an efficient student? “They are passionate and love school.”Yes, we can hear your eyes rolling and it couldn’t be the furthest thing from the truth, in fact, passion and a love for school have no relationship with learners’ effectiveness or success.  People think, for example, you have to love math to be good at it, sure this helps, but success actually comes down to one surprising factor: Self-belief. According to Jihyun Lee, Associate Professor at the School of Education at the University of New South Wales, an almost 4-year study concluded that direct correlations between students’ academic achievement and their attitudes toward school were near zero. The factor that sets academically able and less able students apart is self-belief. Being able to believe in their own problem-solving abilities is far more important than their perception of school itself. 8 Habits of Successful Students So, “self-belief” is easier said than done. Doubting ourselves and our capabilities will always be an uphill battle. Along with a tutoring resource like Paper Video to really help students understand their work without any added pressure, good study habits for high school learners can slowly, but surely, build up the confidence to know “that we know” the answers. Time Management You don’t have to be Doctor Strange to understand and appreciate the vital element of time – so give yourself enough of it. Prioritise difficult content or projects first – things you know will take longer. Create a timetable, especially during exam season. Spelling out what you will be doing each day and a visual indication will help you avoid panic and fear. Cramming it all in tires out your brain. Contrary to belief, and to most of our studying ways, spacing out the workload gives your brain time to digest (Yes, like a stomach, if you eat too much in one sitting… let’s just say we know you know how Biology works) Set timers and scheduling, if you have an event coming up, work it into yourcalendar andcompromise: If you don’t do “X” you can’t do “Y”. Think bigger than “If I finish this chapter, I can have a cookie.”  Plan when and where. Routines help build good habits, so just like your set dinner and breakfast times have times reserved for studying. Be goal orientated We’ve spoken about thinking bigger than giving yourself a cookie after one chapter. Think of the bigger picture, what would you like to achieve? Whether it’s an A-plus or simply making sure you stick to your timing schedule, goals help you keep track of your progress and when you feel like you’re progressing, you feel confident in your abilities. #Self-belief Finding the best techniques You might already have a few study techniques up your sleeve, and some might work better than others depending on whether you’re left-brained (logic) or right-brained (creative) – a theory where one side of the brain is more dominant than the other. In the book Make it Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III and Mark A. McDaniel, the authors identify a few effective and ineffective techniques: Affective: Pre-test. Setting up mock tests to help you answer questions. Build on something you know. Connect new information to concepts you already understand. For instance, electricity streams, like a stream of water, slows down when there is resistance i.e. a resistor.   Visual diagrams. An oldie, but a goodie. Anything that generates active learning helps your brain absorb and retain information. Paraphrasing and reflecting. See the content from a different perspective, even something as simple as changing sentence orders around or saying the text in your own words helps you understand the work better. Ineffective: Re-reading can make work feel foreign and garner frustration because your brain isn’t retaining information Don’t cram, space out your study time If you get it right the first time, don’t assume you know it all. Don’t multitask here we don’t mean distractions, although that’s vital too. Try and keep the content and information topical. If you’re doing Trigonometry stick to it until you understand it and avoid jumping to another topic. Learning to focus and minimising distractions Distractions; social media, web browsing, game playing, texting. Make sure you create an airtight imaginary bubble to help you focus and cultivate those good study habits.Think PSP.No not in gaming: Prep, Setting and Pre-empt. Prep: Eat, drink, use your bathroom break and get all your materials ready, nothing breaks your focus like getting started and finding out you need a new pen. Setting the scene: a picture of your beach holiday or random titbits that can cause your mind to wander – remove them and declutter your desk. Pre-empt: Let friends know when you’re studying so they don’t text you and think of other factors that might creep up; noisy neighbours, mom’s Zumba time. Put boundaries in place to prevent

September 27, 2021
Wingu Academy

Wingu Academy – changing the face of online home schooling in South Africa

The on-going Covid pandemic has changed the schooling landscape in South Africa completely, especially the traditional schooling environment.  With very little notice, parents had to become teachers while still maintaining a full-time job. Learners’ routines were abrupted and remote learning became the “new normal”. This, however, also lead to homeschooling and especially online home schooling, becoming a contending alternative. Wingu Academy offers a distance, blended learning platform that provides educational support to home-schoolers all over Africa, offering live classes and tutorials along with interactive online content. It has been developed by teachers, UP alumni, and postgraduate students who are experts in their respective fields with additional collaboration with researchers from the Wits School of Education. Not only this, it is a by-product of collaboration between two innovative start-ups, TutCo Tuition and EduWingu Cloud Education Solutions. Their ever-evolving platform currently provides the internationally recognised British curriculum, but as of 2022 Wingu Academy will extend their high-school offering to include the South African CAPS curriculum.  Wingu focuses on student-led learning, utilising gamification and implementing constructive feedback providing a wide variety of choices to support individual learning at home along with alternative options through their tutoring centre. Mrs Becker who has both her children enrolled at Wingu Academy has the following to say about her experience as a “Wingu Parent” : “Wingu is passionate about learning. They saw what did not work, listened to parents and made the necessary changes. My children are happy. My oldest says, it is so nice to be able to ask a teacher a question when you don’t understand the work. If a student is shy, they have the option of asking in a classroom chat. The teachers don’t mention who asked, so the child is saved the potential embarrassment that would have prevented them asking in a traditional setting. The blended learning approach is fantastic. Teachers are available for consultations if students struggle. Teachers have a consultation session once a week in the afternoons and students can freely ask any questions. The students have experts in their fields as teachers. They hold Honours and Masters  degrees. There are even a few PhD candidates among the teachers. The feedback the students get on home work is very valuable. Mistakes become learning opportunities.” Many parents may be worried that their children will miss out on social interaction but they still get to meet friends and even form study groups as they are not bound by geographical borders.  In fact, Wingu also offers a variety of Club options to learners varying from fitness to chess to photography clubs and parents have the opportunity to become involved too. Furthermore, Wingu Academy’s flexible environment also caters for learners who would like to pursue their passions and professional aspirations in sports, music and other extra-curricular activities. Another “Wingu Parent”, Mrs du Preez says what she appreciates most about Wingu Academy is the positive and respectful attitude of support and patience. “They make the idea of home schooling worth it and a lot easier. If it was not for the Wingu platform, I would not have done it. Even more so with the help of the online coach to get them on track. My daughter had to catch up two terms in one and still managed to do very well.” Student well-being is at the heart of Wingu’s core foundation. Their Wellness Hub offers professional guidance to both learners and parents in areas of concern. Wingu’s innovative learning platform equips learners for the 4IR with a forward-thinking strategy of anywhere, anytime, staying connected and offering the future classroom today!

September 27, 2021
Paper Video

Why extra classes online can be the smarter option right now

There’s no doubt that “online” has become the new norm for almost everything. From business meetings and work to entertainment and socialising. School curriculums are also no exception to the rule and extra school lessons have had to move from in-person tutoring to a more digital realm. But here’s why extra classes online aren’t all bad, in fact with Paper Video you might even find them more engaging and favourable compared to traditional tutoring.  You decide when and where Flexibility has become one of the most important factors. Busy schedules can make it difficult to stick to set tutoring times and we’ve had to tailor our lives around them. Travelling around from one extracurricular to the next has also become a thing of the past, especially in our current climate. Online tutoring allows learners to catch up in the comfort of their own homes at convenient times that suit an entire household.  Paper Video gives learners instant at-home-access to the ultimate collection of revision resources with thousands of embedded video lessons, taught by experienced and engaging teachers. As a result, learners can simply log in, whenever, wherever, to get access to an extra teacher.  It’s not just one expert teacher on the line  Traditionally, personal tutors specialise in one or two subjects and learners might find that they would like to excel in or need help with more than one subject. Signing up for Paper Video gives learners access to Maths, Physical Sciences*, Life Sciences* and Accounting all on one platform (*covered in Natural Sciences for grade 8 and 9 learners). Not only that, an exceptional list of teachers from a selection of some of the top schools in the country, means that one platform gives you access to specialised experts in each subject.  You still get your one-on-one time  Many digital learning platforms do come with the perception that there’s not much room for one-on-one interaction. This may be a deal-breaker from some, but many e-learning, online tutoring and online schooling platforms are adapting and making sure their lessons are as engaging, animated and in-depth as possible to accommodate learners who need that extra personal touch. To ensure this, Paper Video has created over 11,000 video lessons that cover everything from individual past exam questions to entire topics in the syllabus. Each video follows a step-by-step approach to explain the required concepts, so the platform ensures that the resources cover any question learners might have. Find what you’re looking for, faster Convenience has become a key driver in the modern world and digital tutoring platforms are making it easier to not only get down to the specifics, but also finding answers fasters. Paper Video helps learners find what they’re looking for with their past exam questions and topics in each subject linked to searchable keywords. Learners can simply type in a word in the platforms’ search box and find a list of all related past exam questions and topic video lessons. Less pressure, more learning While participation is encouraged in many classes, it can often place a lot of pressure on learners and cultivate a competitive environment. Learners all engage and study differently, so while the typical classroom environment is stimulating for some, it does not work as well for others. Today, digital resources can give learners the option to study in a way that’s comfortable for them, and the more comfortable they are, the easier it is to retain information. With Paper Video, learners can study online in their own time and track their own progress. The platform also gives learners the freedom to study at their own pace and revisit concepts they might not have understood, all without the pressure of feeling left behind. Whether you’re a parent or a learner that’s still getting used to the idea of the online migration, the fact remains that online technologies have blown digital education and tutoring opportunities right open. It’s not only saving time but money. Its accessibility, individuality and flexibility are what’s making it more appealing by the day, especially with the unprecedented challenges being faced by learners at the moment.  Visit www.papervideo.co.za or contact Paper Video on 061 357 2304 for more information on how to get started.

September 24, 2021
Toptots Head Office

Children’s games that help development

Occupational Therapist, Megan Smith, suggests some age-appropriate games that your children will love to play. They have the added benefit of being fantastic for their development too. Development games for 0-12 months  Game: Peek-a-boo How does this game help development: During the end of your baby’s first year, they start to develop a cognitive concept called ‘object permanence.’ Ultimately, this is the brain’s ability to note that when an object is no longer within the visual field, it still exists. You will notice that your baby will start showing signs of separation anxiety around eight months of age. For instance, when you leave the room, your baby may begin to whine or make louder noises. This is their brains exploring the concept that when you disappear visually, you are not disappearing off the face of the earth.  Boost the gameplay: Play the game with various other objects, hide bears and toys under blankets or balls in boxes and tins and encourage exploration. Show your little one that the object exists even when it is covered and cannot be seen.  Use your voice when your face is hidden, this reinforces the concept that she cannot see your face, but because she can hear you, it is still there.  Development games for 1-2 years  Game: Finding objects hidden in the sand How does this activity help development? This is another great game to reinforce the concept of object permanence as the toddler’s brain develops. It challenges them on a higher level to search for an object when they do not know what it is. The game provides sensory stimulation through tactile (touch) and visual (sight) systems and challenges the brain to interpret this sensation and simultaneously execute bilateral hand coordination to dig through the sand and locate the objects.  Finding hidden objects in sand provides an opportunity for the toddler to start the early development of different visual perceptual skills. Some of these are: Visual Form constancy: to distinguish one similar object from another.  Visual figure-ground: the ability to identify an object from different backgrounds.  Visual Closure:  To identify an object when only half of the object can be seen.  Boost the gameplay: Make sure the objects you hide are brightly coloured and can easily be seen against the background of the sand, the objects should also be large enough to fit in the toddler’s palm, any smaller, and they may struggle to find them.  Use familiar toys, such as toy fish, flowers, pets and cars. This assists them with identification and will elicit feelings of success.  As the toddler ages, you can make the game more challenging and exciting by hiding smaller objects that are more difficult to find and hiding two of each object and encouraging the search for pairs. This can assist in the development of early number concept development.  Development games for 2-3 years old  Game: Throw the bean bag in the hula-hoop  How does this game help development? This game challenges the gross-motor developmental skills and visual perceptual skills, as it requires hand-eye coordination to work alongside visual perception to create success.  The use of bean bags provides the toddler with proprioceptive input (this is when the muscles and tendons provide input to the brain explaining where the limb is in space), which is very important information needed to plan and execute a movement appropriately.  Boost the gameplay: Put little treats in each hoop that they can win if they get the bean bag in – it will be like taking them to a carnival!  Development games for 4-5 years old Game: Hop-scotch How does this game help development? Hop-Scotch is a gross-motor based game. This means that the game itself focuses on developing and challenging gross motor skills, including hand-eye coordination and hand-foot coordination. These games also challenge the child’s bilateral integration, which is the ability to use both sides of the body, in different movement planes, at the same time. This is a skill that is later refined and needed for writing and cutting at school.  Boost the gameplay: Make use of bright colours and shapes which the child can hop and jump onto. This is a fun way to incorporate basic concepts (counting, colours and shapes) into playtime. 

September 24, 2021
My Breastpump

Establishing breast milk supply after stopping breast feeding

There are many reasons as to why a mother may decide to restart breast feeding. This can be true for mother that had a good milk supply or mother that were barely able to produce milk can find herself in a situation there she needs to increase her milk supply. It may surprise you that even a post-menopausal woman can relactate successfully. Relactation requires time, patience, determination, and a co-operative baby Yes, it is possible to be able to relactate and produce enough milk to breastfeed you infant exclusively, while some mothers may still need assistance with supplementation.  Younger infants tend to be more willing to suckle than older infants, but there are reports of children over a year old who have been breastfed after relactation. Relactation may take several days (can be up to 2 weeks or longer) for the milk to start coming in and possibly a few weeks before she is able to meet the full nutritional needs of her baby with breast milk (2 to 6 weeks). How to get your milk supply started. Follow the tips below to help you get your milk to “come in” and to boost your milk supply.  Skin to skin helps to stimulate the release of the hormone Prolactin. Prolactin is especially important for the production of breast milk. Skin to Skin is when you have your baby naked except for a nappy. You place your baby directly on to your chest (no bra or any clothing should be between you and your baby. You can put a blanket over your babies back.  Try to latch your baby to your breast. It is important that you get a good deep latch to help you remove milk effectively. Remember to be patient and not to force your baby to the breast.  Stimulate your breast at least 10 to 14 times in 24hours, you can use hand expression, a breast pump of your baby. Each stimulation should last 20 to 30 minutes. It is important that you also stimulate the breast at night as this is when your bodies prolactin levels are highest.  Before you offer your breast to your baby or start expression. Encourage your milk to start flowing by using massage and heat. Circular motions towards the nipple stimulate the breast to make milk. Use heat to during message to help you with your let down reflex. You can use a warm bean bag, hot water bottle or warm water in a tightly closed bottle.  You may need to use a breastmilk supplementer. This is a device that helps you to provide extra milk to your baby while you are direct feeding. It has a container that you can put expressed breast milk into that has a fine tube that carries the milk from the contain to your nipple. It allows your baby to stimulate your breast while also getting milk form the container. This helps to encourage your baby to suckle. Please contact a lactation consult to assist you with this process.  Some mothers may need specific medications that can assist them with increasing their supply. This process needs to be done under supervision of a doctor that has experience in relactation.  • Supplementing while breastfeeding. A helpful method of re-establishing or inducing lactation is to feed the BMS to the infant while he/she is suckling. In this way the infant’s efforts are rewarded, and the infant’s suckling stimulates the production of milk. This method is useful if an infant is not interested or is too weak to suckle from a breast that does not produce milk yet. The supplement used can be artificial milk, pasteurised donated breastmilk or preferably the mother’s own expressed milk (if she is producing any). The supplement can be put into the side of the infant’s mouth using a syringe or dropper while the infant is suckling, it can be dripped onto the mother’s breast so that it goes into the infant’s mouth while the infant suckles, or, if cleanliness and sterilisation can be assured, then a “breastfeeding supplementer” can be used. This consists of a cup or bottle of supplement, with a fine tube which leads from the bottom of the container, along the length of the mother’s nipple (at the top or side) and into the infant’s mouth. Reference: Infant Feeding in Emergencies: Policy, Strategy and Practice (WHO; 1999; 41 pages) Annex VIII: Re-lactation, Hand Expression and Cup Feeding http://helid.digicollection.org/en/d/Js13434e/5.8.html#Js13434e.5.8 https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/relactation-and-induced-lactation

September 24, 2021
Parenting Hub

Why every woman needs a girls’ weekend away

“I love my husband, but there is nothing like a conversation with a woman who understands you. I grow so much from those conversations.” – Beyonce The last 18 months have been gruelling! As a result of juggling kids’ homeschooling, working from home, doing the mountains of laundry and cleaning the house so there’s a teeny semblance of organised chaos, your girl squad has been firmly relegated to the bench. With sanitising, social distancing and masks have become our new normal, now more than ever, women are craving the physical connection with their girl tribes for much-needed time out. There’s nothing quite like a girly get together to boost confidence, recharge your battery and create a safe space (AKA shoulder) to cry on. Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts admits, “It’s not a secret, all guys know that female friends fulfil a role that no man ever could.” In addition to ladies-only getaways being full of fun, connection and relaxation opportunities, Shaun says that studies show that they also provide a multitude of other benefits. It’s good for your health At least 22 studies have shown that having social support decreases the heart-racing, blood-pressure-boosting responses that humans and other social animals have to stress, and the hormones it sends surging. When oxytocin levels are high, reactions to stress are dampened, and stress is less likely to do the kind of damage that can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease and metabolic disorders. We even heal faster and better from wounds when oxytocin is high. It’s been proved that people with strong social support structures have more robust immune systems and are less likely to succumb to infectious disease – this is so relevant with COVID-19 all around us. Psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, who studies friendship and health, calls social support “the most reliable” psychological indicator of immune response that has been found to date. It’s good for your career When women support women, they’re more successful – collaboration over competition rules! The Harvard Business Review found that while both genders benefit from having a strong network to lean on, women with a close circle of female contacts are more likely to secure executive jobs with higher salaries. Why? People do business with those they like and trust, and women tend to spend time on building and nurturing relationships. Women also aren’t afraid to ask for advice and to praise, giving credit where credit is due. You’ll live longer Women tend to reach out to their girlfriends when stressed, whereas men generally internalise their stress, thinking it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help. But as the mortality stats will testify, this more often than not leads to fatal heart attacks. You’ll be happier Social connections truly are the key to happiness and positivity. Friends make us burst into raucous laughter when we are feeling down or raise a glass in celebration with us when we have good news. The need to belong to a girl tribe is quite simply, fundamental to happiness. Bottom line? “Road tripping with your mates is good for you. And whether you’re into long, leisurely, poolside naps, or taking hundreds of selfies; working up an appetite on a hike, or getting lost in a good book, you are guaranteed to make a bucketload of long-lasting, magical memories,” Shaun concludes. Visit www.firstgroup-sa.co.za for loads of girly getaway destinations.

September 23, 2021
My Breastpump

How to build up your breast milk stash!

Building up a breast milk stash is often why mothers buy a breast pump. A large milk stash can be top of mind once the baby has been born. Although this is a great way to make sure that you have enough breast milk to feed your baby once you start work again, does it need to be a worry? My Breastpump will share some tips on making sure you have a milk stash perfect for your baby. With all this information you will not ever waste a single drop of your very precious breast milk stash. When is the ideal time to start expressing? The answer to this question is dependent on when you are going back to work and need to leave your baby. For some mothers this can be as early as 6 weeks or as long as 6 months. You would need to start expressing before you go back to work. The longer your maternity leave the longer you have to establish your milk supply before you start expressing. If you only have 6 weeks, I recommend that you start 2 weeks before and increase your amount of pump sessions until you go back to work. If you have a longer maternity leave then you can wait until about 1 month before you start work. Use the first week getting to know how to use your pump and when the best times for you to express. For mothers that work and express at the office a Mya Joy double electric hospital grade breast pump that is ultra-quite and portable is recommend.  How to express to build up your breast milk stash? iI you understand how breast milk supply works it will help you to be able to express your milk with confidence. Breast milk is made on a supply and demand basis. The more you stimulate your breast and remove milk the more your breast will make milk. Now if you are direct feeding your baby and wanting to build up a breast milk supply you need to understand that your baby is already taking all the milk that they need and any milk that you express is extra. Therefore, in the first week you may only get a few drops of milk if you express directly after a feed. This will start to increase as you add pumping into your daily routine.  If you pump in between feeding your baby, you can expect to express about half a feed. So, you would need to express twice a day to have 1 full feed and four times a day to have 2 full feeds. This will change when you are back at work as you should be able to express one full feed at each expression because your baby has not drunk any milk.  It is also a good idea to try and pump at a similar time each day as you would once you start working. This way your body gets used to pumping and it will not be such a change once you go back to work. Expressing in the morning will also yield larger volumes of breast milk than in the afternoon.  What to store your expressed breast milk in? I am sure you have heard the horror stories of mothers finding that their breast milk has leaked while defrosting the milk. Let’s be honest that is heart breaking, to have worked so hard for the milk, stored it and then realized that you can’t use the milk is absolutely terrible. So how do you prevent this from happening to you? Use containers that are designed to hold liquid breast milk. Containers that are safe to store breast milk in are: Glass, plastic (food grade, presterilized and are BPA free) and hard plastic cups. All three suggested items have advantages and disadvantages. Glass containers are great because they are reusable, but they can break if dropped or over filled before freezing. Food grade plastic can either be breast milk storage bottles like our Hygieni breast milk bottles, they are reusable and you can pump directly into the bottle which is a great time saver as you do not need to cleaning extra bottles. The disadvantage is that they can take up a lot of space in your freezer. Breast milk storage bags are ideal for storing large volumes of breast milk in a freezer as they can be frozen flat to save space in the freezer. My Breast pump has two different options of storage bags. The first option is the Ameda Store’nPour which you are able to pump directly in your breast milk bag. The second is the My Breastpump breast milk storage bag which can hold 250ml and is medically sterilized before packing. Both can be found on our website’s storage page.  Storage containers that are not recommend to store breast milk in are: plastic that contains BPD, disposable bottle liners, steel containers and food ziplock bags (they have not been sterilized for breast milk storage and can split easily).  How to manage your breast milk stash The golden rule of storing breast milk is first in first out. This way you are more likely to use the breast milk before it has “expired” and not to waste a drop. It is important to store your milk in the volumes that you will be needing the milk. Once you go back to work you may need larger amounts of milk per day. It is really useful to freeze the milk with this in mind. It is less wasteful and time consuming to store milk in one or two bags rather than 5 smaller amounts. In order to do this, you may need to mix milk from different expression sessions. The golden rule here is to mix milk that is  the same temperature. If you know that you are going to need more milk to fill you bag. Store the milk in the fridge. Once you have expressed the next amount

September 23, 2021
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 and I am pregnant?

Given today’s current global COVID-19 pandemic, worrying about the potentially harmful viruses’ effect on your pregnancy and baby is a valid concern. You’re probably wondering the best ways to avoid the virus when pregnant, and what to do if you think you may have caught it. How can I protect myself and my baby from catching the corona virus? Protecting yourself from COVID-19 while pregnant, is similar to that of anyone else avoiding the virus. Minimise contact with others through social distancing, frequently wash and sanitise your hands, and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Don’t be tempted to skip important prenatal visits in lieu of avoiding the virus – chat to your doctor about the best way forward with regard to this. Although slightly disappointing, cancelling events such as baby showers is a good idea, as the risk of exposure and infection becomes bigger with larger groups. Being pregnant, it’s a good idea to be extra precautious where possible. However, the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) states that pregnancy doesn’t increase your risk of becoming unwell from coronavirus, and the majority only develop mild to moderate symptoms. What should I do if I think I have COVID-19 while pregnant? If you think you may have COVID-19 or have tested positive for corona the first thing you should do is contact your doctor. However, it’s best to avoid travelling to the doctors office as you may come into contact with someone positive for COVID-19 in these spaces. As the virus is new, this means that the studies that have been conducted are limited. Because of this it’s essential to follow social distancing guidelines to try and protect yourself, however, if you do contract the virus there is no immediate need for stress, as pregnancy doesn’t increase your risk.

September 23, 2021
Toptots Head Office

6 ways to boost your relationship after having a child

If your marriage is taking strain since having children, you are not alone. One of the most stressful times in a relationship is when children enter the equation, and often your bond with your partner is put on the backburner. Work your way through these steps and try put the spark back in your relationship. Know it is normal While social media might not show the negative side of relationships, going through a rough spot with your partner when you have a baby is absolutely normal and common. People just don’t like to speak about it. The first step to fixing the problem is trying to shed the layers of blame. Yes, you may be struggling, but don’t blame yourselves. The transition into parenthood is all kinds of rewarding, but it is filled with stressful situations and responsibilities that you didn’t have before. This applies to second children too.  Communicate One of the biggest breakdowns in a marriage can come from building resentment. This happens when you experience unhappiness or irritation and don’t let your partner know how you are feeling. These emotions build up, and eventually overwhelm you. You can end up lashing out over a small thing, with emotions coming out that have been building over time.  Being able to calmly tell your partner when something bothers you as it happens can circumvent this. Try phrasing your words in a way that is not inflammatory, “I would really appreciate more help around the house. Like last week, when you cleaned up while I was feeding, that was amazing”. In this way, instead of fighting about something that is bothering you, you are calmly suggesting an alternative that will make you happier.  Make lists This may sound basic, but do you and your partner both know what is expected of each other? Sitting down and making a list of who does what around the house and with the baby can really help your relationship grow. All of a sudden, you won’t be irritated because you have to ask your partner to do something all the time. They won’t be annoyed because you expect certain things of them without telling them. If you both know that while you cook dinner, they bath the baby. Or while you are feeding, they are tidying the kitchen – then each of you have agreed to your responsibilities and they are fairly spread out. Take turns to sleep in on a weekend, alternate who feeds and who baths. Give each other a break on a regular basis and resentment will start being replaced with gratitude. Make the time for each other  This can be one of the most difficult things to master, especially when your child is small, or you have more than one child. While everyone’s circumstances are different, try implementing a date night once a month. If you can’t get someone to babysit, then make sure your date night is after you have put your child to bed. Watching a movie with some popcorn or eating a nice dinner with a glass of wine can be just as good at home as going out to do it.  But more important than scheduled date nights is making time for each other every day. This can be a 10-minute chat in the kitchen while dinner is being cooked, or a catch-up call during your lunch breaks. Making the effort every day to find a moment to connect verbally will do wonders for your relationship. Try to remember that these moments don’t have to be about your children, but rather about each other. This reinforces that while you are both parents, you are also two people in a relationship with each other.  Don’t sweat the small stuff Ask some couples who have been married for years and have grown children how they managed to get through it all, you will probably get a variation of this. Letting go of the small things that bother you doesn’t mean internalising the irritation (see step 2). But it does mean that there are certain things about your partner that you may not like but can accept as it is a part of who they are. Besides, no one is perfect, and there is a very good chance your partner is also accepting things about you that they don’t like. We are talking about shoes lying around the house, a wet towel on the floor, or clothes on top of the washing basket. Yes, these things may annoy you. But if your partner is helping you in other ways, or putting in the effort to make you happy, these small things can be overlooked for your own sanity. When something like this irritates you, try taking a deep breath and saying, “It will take me 30 seconds to hang this towel, but an argument may ruin my entire day”. If you find your partner is not overlooking your small flaws, talk to them about this step and how it will help you both.  Don’t forget the intimacy One of the first things to take a dip in a relationship after a child comes along is intimacy. Of course, when one of you have given birth, are breastfeeding, and both of you are exhausted, sex may be the last thing on your minds. Again, that’s pretty normal. But intimacy doesn’t have to only be about sex. It is remembering to give each other a kiss hello and goodbye. It’s holding hands when you go out or draping your legs across their lap while watching TV. When those small intimate moments are alive and well, then getting back to a healthy sex life after having a child becomes a natural progression over time.

September 22, 2021
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Redefining healthcare in 2022

As South Africa moves to Covid-19 adjusted Level 2 and vaccination numbers increase, access to quality healthcare remains a priority.  Today, Bonitas Medical Fund announced its 2022 product line up offering. This includes the use of reserves to keep contribution increases lower, a Benefit Booster to stretch day-to-day benefits, a revised international travel benefit with payment for Covid tests and a contribution towards quarantine costs. There is also a renewed focus on preventative care, virtual consultations and plans that enable more South Africans to have access to affordable, quality healthcare.  Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas said, ‘The Scheme performed well in a volatile market, attributable to proactive risk management and prudent board decisions. A positive offshoot of the pandemic was an increased appreciation of medical aid cover that resulted in better-than-expected member retention and a 2.3% membership growth since January.’ Top line changes ’We have taken a strategic decision to utilise approximately R600m of reserves to ensure that 82% of members receive a below CPI contribution increase for the 2022 benefit year. The innovative Benefit Booster equates to an increase in day-to-day benefits for members ranging from 16% to 32%, depending on the members’ plan. We believe it is the largest increase in benefits ever seen in the medical aid industry.’  The average weighted contribution increase across all plans is 4.8% with the BonStart premium decreasing by 7.9%, which can be attributed to the low cost versus benefits ratio and the younger membership profile on the plan. The decrease in contribution is an industry first – as was the decision to offer BonFit Select at a 0% increase in 2020. New offerings include an additional virtual plan, BonStart Plus, a renewed focus on Managed Care with an oncology management programme as well as an enhanced member app, powered by AMP, which includes a personalised wellness programme to encourage healthier behaviour. Plans There will be a total of 15 plans for the year ahead comprising traditional, savings, hospital, edge (virtual), network and income-based plans, each carefully crafted with a specific mix of benefits to appeal to various target markets. Increases range from minus -7.9% to 6.5%. Bonitas has opted to increase its options which are currently in a growth phase – BonSave, BonFit and BonEssential – by only 3.6%. Sustainability and affordability The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) recommended increases in line with CPI of 4.2% with the caveat that financial stability and sustainability of schemes must remain a priority. We feel that the use of part of our reserves to cushion members against increasing costs is an appropriate strategy. Other recommendations by the CMS include: Driving innovation from a pricing point of view; exercising caution in terms of utilising reserves to help cushion increases and adopting innovative pricing models – a directive Bonitas took to heart. Boosting benefits The Benefit Booster is the most innovative change in the healthcare industry since the advent of the savings account. It stretches value and equates to an increase in day-to-day benefits ranging from 16% to 100%, depending on the plan. This covers all out-of-hospital claims including acute medicine, GP consultations and non-surgical procedures such as wart removal. Members simply need to complete a wellness assessment (which can be done online), to tap into the Benefit Booster. Claims will pay from this benefit first – helping to preserve savings and day-to-day benefits for members. Managed Care At the launch, Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa,Head of Operations said, ‘Lifestyle diseases have reached epidemic proportions in South Africa. 80% of these Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are caused by lifestyle risk factors like smoking and obesity.  Managed Care is designed to help members with chronic conditions by using the best clinical and treatment protocols. This is achieved by analytics and continuous research, alignment to the latest technology, market trends and member needs and leveraging this data for enhanced treatment.   Oncology Cancer prevalence is increasing alarmingly. As a result, coordination of care is critical for oncology. Bonitas is introducing a new Oncology Management Programme that utilises a partnership between Medscheme Managed Healthcare and the South African Oncology Consortium (SAOC), to improve the coordination of care of oncology patients. Back and Neck Programme ‘Our back and neck programme has seen a 93% success rate. In 2022, we introduce the eDBC app.  This technology-driven channel offers digital coaching solutions and home-based care to help improve pain and mobility. It includes a self-assessment, baseline progress checks and outcomes’ evaluation.’ The GP is key ‘The Scheme believes that the GP is at the heart of the Managed Care model. Care coordination is essential in ensuring that members get the right level of care and support in managing their conditions. Our GP network has a broad national footprint and 98% of members are within a 10km radius of a network GP.’ Virtual Care BonStart, the inaugural Edge plan introduced in 2020, proved very successful – using virtual care as its base. For this reason, the Scheme is introducing an additional Edge plan, BonStart Plus for 2022, aimed at attracting a new profile of member through this diversified distribution channel and attractive pricing. Virtual care has proven a sound and reliable solution, locally and internationally, for improving access to quality healthcare and is now offered across all 15 Bonitas plans.   Digital Covid-19 spurred progression of digital enhancements with innovations such as a mobile app and WhatsApp channel being swiftly created. The Member Zone is being enhanced allowing members to manage their medical aid more effectively.  Amalgamations Callakoppen says, ‘Bonitas’ track record for amalgamations is excellent and we are currently awaiting approval from the Competition Commission to our proposed amalgamation with the Nedgroup Medical Aid Scheme. The amalgamation will fortify the size of Bonitas as well as decrease the average age and pensioner ratio while bolstering the reserves.’  Travel benefits  ‘We wanted to ensure that our members are covered should they need to travel and noted that testing and enforced quarantine could be expensive. The Scheme is therefore offering a Covid-19 PCR test pre-

September 22, 2021
Solarpop

Toy to Screen and Back Again – Augmented reality encouraging real world play

It is every child’s dream to see a toy they love come to life before their very eyes. Although the Snap Ships line of construction toys already offer real world active play, Snap Ships goes even further with the Augmented Reality (AR) app available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. With the introduction of AR games, children now have access to advanced forms of technology. The virtual world develops rapidly, and gamified apps can act as an important catalyst to enhance play time and so improve children’s imagination while teaching vital digital skills at the same time. AR technology is a great way to bring digital learning lessons into a real-world situation, turning screen time into a sensory experience where what’s behind the screen is just as important as what’s on the screen. The Snap Ships Augmented Reality experience is not just a simple partner app to the physical product, but a world building experience immersing children into the Snap Ships universe and the heroic characters that exist within it. The Snap Ships app offers several amazing features including: AR – summon ships in Augmented Reality allowing the user to scan and test systems EXPLORE – Experience the Snap Ships universe and learn about the fleet BUILD – 3D instructions for core ships, plus endless custom and combination ships BATTLE – Choose your favourite ship and participate in quick combat flights against the Komplex JOIN – Users gets draw into the imaginative world by joining the Forge as a new recruit. Rank up and unlock awesome ships COLLECTION – Track your collection and discover new builds to create with your kits UNIQUE SHIPS – Check back daily for new unique ships builds, an always evolving supply of new building ideas for your toy fleet! AR creates a link between the real and digital world, offering children an added sense of wonder through the app, while ultimately still leading children back to the physical toy. Interacting with an app such as this also increases a child’s confidence and independence as they learn valuable digital skills while playing. In other words, children from an early age become more independent in handling tasks which also boosts their confidence levels. The advantage of AR is its openness. It offers the freedom to constantly change, update and create. Leading experts are also of the opinion that augmented reality would also assist to nurture a child’s inner creative. Additionally, it can be said that the learning experience of a child can be improved to significant levels.  Motivation and concentration are two main components that further boost the creativity of a child. The AR games used by kids can holistically make sure that they learn new ways of interacting and dealing with technology. AR applications also improve cognitive skills and memory through the interactions between child and the app. With the use of AR technology in real world toys, children learn the value of utilising technology to enhance their lives but to not be a slave to the screen. In the case of the Snap Ships AR app. the rewards offered by the app is focused on the real-world Snap Ships toy in the form of imagination stimulating world building activities, additional creative ideas for custom Snap Ships toy builds and more. 

September 22, 2021
Parenting Hub

SHARE THE MEMORIES WITH HASBRO’S CLASSIC GAMES COLLECTION

For so many of us Hasbro’s classic games collection are the building blocks of our childhood.  They’ve taught us simple fundamental life lessons like sharing and teamwork while enjoying quality family time together, creating memories to last a lifetime. When the time comes to pass some of these memories down to the next generation, we realise there’s so much more to games night.  Hasbro’s board games provide a great opportunity to get together as a family and share the fun – memories included! Especially now in an environment when we may not be able to spend time with all our loved ones. This Winter, what better way to remind us to reconnect and encourage positivity than by spreading the joy that time spent together with a classic Hasbro Game and a mug of hot chocolate brings. Hasbro, one of the world’s largest toy, game and entertainment experience companies, has you covered with a wide range of fun to play and fun to share board game options including: It’s the Twister game, the classic game that ties players up in knots! This action-packed group game is fun for parties or a game night with the family. See where the spinner lands and make a move. Left hand red, piece of cake! Right hand yellow, no problemo! Hilarity ensues as players twist, turn, tangle — and struggle to keep their hands and feet glued to the mat. Right foot blue … uh oh, this is getting tough! Who can do it? Once a player topples over, or their knee or elbow hits the mat, they’re out. The last player standing wins!  Bounce ’em in for the win! The Connect 4 Shots game is fast-paced, rapid-fire fun in a race to get 4 shots in a row! Countdown to start 1-2-3…bounce! Two players bounce the lightweight, colourful balls into the grid at the same time. Remember, the balls must hit the table before going in. Keep bouncing balls, trying to fill the holes in the grid vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Once a player gets 4 in a row of their colour, they win the game! Then when the game is over, fold the grid into a handy storage case. Select a favourite Monopoly Classic token, place it on Go and roll the dice to own it all! This edition features classic Monopoly gameplay: it’s all about buying, selling, and trading properties to win. Chance or Community cards can be a game changer. Will they make a player richer — or send someone to Jail? The Monopoly game is a Family Game Night favourite, and it’s a fun indoor activity for kids. It’s the block-balancing, tower-tumbling classic Jenga game! How will you stack up against the laws of gravity? To begin, stack the genuine hardwood blocks into a sturdy tower, using the handy stacking sleeve. Then slide out the blocks one by one and place them on top of the stack. Is your hand steady enough to slide out the last block before the tower collapses? Quick and easy to set up, playing the Jenga game is a fun thing to do while staying at home. It’s also a favourite game for parties and game night. Play it solo, with friends, or in teams! How do you Jenga? Battleship is the classic game of naval combat that brings together competition, strategy, and excitement! In head-to-head battle, players search for the enemy’s fleet of ships and destroy them one by one. With convenient portable battle cases and realistic looking naval crafts, Battleship game puts players right in the middle of the action. Players command a powerful fleet that includes an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a submarine, a patrol boat, and a battleship. Each player announces the coordinates of each strike and sees if it hits. Position ships strategically to survive opponent’s relentless strikes, and track hits and misses with red and white pegs on the ocean grid. No ship is safe in this game of stealth and suspense. CLUE, the classic murder mystery game. Six suspects. One murderer. One weapon. One location. And, of course, one winner. Play the game CLUE and use your super-sleuthing skills to detect whodunit, where, and with which weapon. Was it Mustard in the Library with the Rope? Play CLUE the board game and figure it out. *Hasbro Gaming and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.

September 21, 2021
Parenting Hub

Introducing My Garden Baby- every girls dream

Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly, Scented Doll with colour Change Accessories, Assortment These My Garden Baby Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly dolls (30cm ) are full of sweet surprises! Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and yummy berry scents. “Feed” My Garden Baby doll with the cup and spoon — just add cold water for colour-change fun! For dress-up play, these dolls wear removable onesies with berry adorable prints. Plus, the packaging folds into a crib for even more nurturing play. Choose from My Garden Baby with raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry themes. Little ones will love tending to and caring for their My Garden Baby ! Each sold separately, subject to availability. Colours and decorations may vary. Features and Benefits: ​My Garden Baby Berry Hungry Baby Butterfly dolls are full of sweet surprises! ​Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and yummy berry scents. ​”Feed” the doll with the spoon and cup — just add cold water for colour-change fun! “Feed” the doll with the spoon and cup — just add cold water for colour-change fun! ​The dolls wear berry-printed onesies that are removable for changing fun. ​Plus, the packaging box folds into a crib where My Garden Baby can flutter into sweet dreams! RRP: R399,90 My Garden Baby – My first baby soft swaddle butterfly doll Bring home a bundle of joy with these My Garden Baby My First Baby Butterfly dolls! Little ones will flutter over their adorable wings, fantastical hair, and sweet jasmine scent. Wrap the plush wings around the doll for a snuggly swaddle! With a soft body and 23- cm tall, these baby butterfly dolls are perfect for little arms to snuggle and hold. “Soothe” the doll with the tethered pacifier! Plus, the packaging folds into a crib for even more nurturing play. Tuck My Garden Baby in so she can flutter into sweet garden dreams! Each sold separately, subject to availability. colours and decorations may vary. Features and Benefits: Bring home a bundle of joy with My Garden Baby My First Baby Butterfly dolls! Born with sweet jasmine scents, fantastical hair, and plush wings that wrap into swaddles. With soft tummies and 23- cm tall, they’re perfect for snuggles or take- along play. Plus, the packaging box folds into a crib where this baby butterfly can flutter into sweet garden dreams! Whimsical, soft, and cuddly – – these My Garden Baby dolls make the perfect first dolls for little ones! Choose from blue, purple, and pink dolls. RRP: R299,00 Available at leading retail outlets!

September 21, 2021
Wingu Academy

How to raise a confident teen with a positive identity

Helping your teen to navigate through difficult challenges and still come out resilient, knowing they will recover after a set-back, is an important part of parenting. When a teen has confidence, they are equipped to make decisions. When they have a better understanding of the world around them it’s easier to risk opportunities which helps them exceed in life. A study by Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child found that: Resilience requires supportive relationships and opportunities for skill-building. Resilience results from a dynamic interaction between internal predispositions and external experiences. Learning to cope with manageable threats to our physical and social well-being is critical for the development of resilience. Some children respond in more extreme ways, therefore individual traits need to be acknowledged. Individuals never completely lose their ability to improve their coping skills, and they often learn how to adapt to new challenges. Research has identified a set of factors that help children achieve positive outcomes in the face of significant adversity. Individuals who demonstrate resilience in response to one form of adversity may not necessarily do so in response to another. Yet when communities and families strengthen these factors, they optimize resilience across multiple contexts. Factors include: Providing supportive adult-child relationships; Scaffolding learning so the child builds a sense of self-efficacy and control; Helping strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities; and Using faith and cultural traditions as a foundation for hope and stability. Good self-esteem activities that parents can apply according to Dr Serahni Symington, Child and Adolescent Counselling and Play Therapist, include the following: Encourage independence to make their own decisions about how they dress, for instance. Having responsibilities at home like walking the dog or making dinner. Enable problem-solving by assisting your child in making choices in a safe space.  This will help equip them to make good decisions when they find themselves in less protective situations. Encouragement is good, but over-praise can do more damage than good if they lack the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Praise effort not outcome. Your teen can control their effort, but not always the outcome. Set realistic bars for outcomes. Emotional expression is crucial. TALK about emotions and feelings. Explore all aspects of anger, grief, fear, joy and happiness in a thoughtful and logical way. Help develop positive self-talk. How teens talk about themselves says a lot about how they see themselves. Help them identify thoughts that aren’t true by pointing out how being overly harsh can be detrimental. Teach them to reframe the irrational with something more realistic. Lead by example. It’s important to model self-confidence and resilience during challenging times as children look to their parents as role models. “Identity is grounded in feeling safe in your environment. Nurturing growth and believing in yourself, is an important stepping stone to raising a confident teen with a positive identity, “ Dr Symington concludes. Wingu Academy realises the importance of encouraging a positive identity.  This is why they established a Wellness Hub that assist both students and parents with guidelines and counselling to find a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance.

September 21, 2021
Lamelle Research Laboratories

The superior way to treat hyperpigmentation? It’s from the inside-out!

If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, you’ll know that treating it can feel a lot like doing a country line dance – one step forward and two steps back. After all, you can be as diligent as you like about treating it but spend just one day outdoors without sunscreen and unravel all your progress in minutes. This is why a high SPF protection sunscreen such as Lamelle Helase 50+ is always your best weapon in the war against hyperpigmentation. But what are you doing to beat it? As it turns out, in this case, a multipronged approach is your best form of attack. Invest in the best  Many of the lotions and potions you’ll find promising to help treat pigmentation simply don’t contain the right ingredients to do it, nor are they using them in the right concentration. This is why, switching to a hyperpigmentation-focused medical-grade skincare brand like Lamelle Luminesce is a must.  Luminesce Brighter Day, the day cream, contains a recently updated mix of pigmentation-inhibiting superstars that include a triple peptide complex, a resorcinol derivative and DKK 1 gene agonist. The latter can help normalize your skin’s production of melanin, the pigment that gives it its colour. As far as the peptides are concerned, these do a great job of inhibiting tyrosinase – the enzyme that helps create excess melanin as well as transfer it from the depths of your skin up to the surface where it creates the uneven, dark parts we know as hyperpigmentation.  Our night hyperpigmentation-beating night cream, Luminesce Evening Glow, contains similar actives to the day but includes an anti-inflammatory turmeric extract as well as Arbutin, Niacinimide and a form of retinoic acid with proven hyperpigmentation-minimising benefits. Get your glow back  Another way to bolster your quest for a more radiant, evenly-toned skin is to take an inside-out approach by using Lamelle Ovelle 3D. A twice-a-day, easy to swallow gel capsule, our bestselling supplement is clinically proven to reduce the look of pigmentation by 37-percent in as little as 28 days!  What’s in the mix? Tried and trusted vitamin D3 and Pycnogenol, a mega-antioxidant botanical extracted from pine bark. Together, they help boost your skin’s natural resistance to the damaging effects of the sun. Better yet, Ovelle 3D will also help preserve your skin’s collagen stash while improving hydration so firmer, plumper-looking skin can be yours to enjoy!  At the end of the day, we get it – treating pigmentation can be tricky. But it’s not impossible – especially if you’ve got the right products scientifically proven to help you get your glow back! Get that glow  Waging a war against pigmentation can feel like a losing game. But if you’ve got highly advanced skin brightening products in your artillery, a more evenly-toned, radiant-looking complexion can be yours for the taking. www.lamelle.co.za

September 21, 2021
Parenting Hub

It’s All About the Hass

Did you know that the Urban Dictionary defines the word Hass as “anything kick ass”? We’d say that with the Hass avocado’s rich, nutty, addictive taste, they got that absolutely right!  Named after California postman Rudolph Hass, who grew the first tree of its kind from a seed he bought in the 1920s, the Hass avocado cultivar has a thick, pebbly skin and a creamy, slightly nutty tasting flesh. The skin colour of Hass avocados assists in telling whether the fruit is ripe: they usually turn from green to a dark purple-brown as they ripen.  But enough of the biology and history lessons; Hass is actually the world’s most popular avocado cultivar, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Besides the fact that the Hass a wonderfully luxurious taste, its thicker skin allows for a longer shelf life. And luckily for us South Africans local Hass avocados are available all the way from March until November. Recent research conducted by SAAGA, revealed that South Africans are very traditional when it comes to eating avo and prefer it with bread, in a salad or simply on its own. Try a Hass the way we all like it – on bread – but with a twist and a bit of extravagance. For further information and avo recipes, visit www.avocado.co.za , like us on Facebook iloveavocadoSA and follow us on Instagram iloveavossa AVOCADO BAGELS WITH FURIKAKE SEASONING  Furikake seasoning is a Japanese seasoning of dried seaweed, toasted sesame seeds and spices, usually used on rice; it is also delicious with avocado!  Serves 4  Preparation time: 10 minutes  Ingredients: 4 Bagels 2 large ripe avocados Toppings of your choice; strawberries, radishes, micro greens, pickled red onion,  pomegranate seeds, toasted seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower For the Furikake: ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds  1 sheet nori, torn into pieces Pinch of sea salt flakes  Pinch of chilli flakes (optional) Pinch of sugar  Method: To make the Furikake: In a mini food processor or spice grinder, whizz the all the Furikake ingredients for a few pulses to break up the nori, take care not to over blend. Assemble the bagels by slicing the avocado or cutting into interesting shapes (with  miniature cookie cutters), top with toppings of your choice and sprinkle with the Furikake.  Remaining Furikake will keep stored in an airtight container for up to a month. 

September 20, 2021
Prima Baby

Chicco Mosquito Perfumed Clip and Bracelet

Mosquitoes are arguably among the most dangerous animals on the planet accounting for millions of deaths every year. These flying parasites have the ability to carry and transmit diseases to humans.  For the most part, mosquito bites are nothing more than an itchy nuisance that will go away on its own after 24 hours. But prevention is WAY better than any cure! INTRODUCING THE CHICCO ANTI-MOSQUITO RANGE: Our Anti-Mosquito Natural bracelets are perfectly designed to keep mozzies at bay.  Lightly perfumed with a delicate lemongrass flavour, their active ingredients are natural and harmless to your child. A cute accessory for wrists, ankles and even in ponytails, these handy bracelets are great for holidays and summer nights.  Alternately you can use this safe-to-wear perfumed clip keeps mozzies at bay without having to apply any product to your babies skin.  With natural effective ingredients, the clip easily sits on clothing and has a pleasant, light smell. The perfumed Chicco Natural perfumed clips allows you to customise kids garments like t-shirts, hats and backpacks offering easy protection from mosquitos. Suitable for use from 3 years on, this anti mosquito range will give you peace of mind. From R39.99 at participating outlets.  For more information head to www.chicco.co.za 

September 20, 2021
Ali Samuels

Easy Ways To Teach Your Kids To Conserve Energy

Some parents think that their children don’t pay much attention to social issues, such as the state of the environment. But the truth is, kids care a lot about these things as a global survey indicates that 95 percent of Generation Alpha – children born after 2010 – believes that taking care of the environment should be a priority. It’s encouraging that children have such strong opinions about the environment, but it’s important to teach them how they can actively do their part to save the earth. By teaching kids how to save energy, parents can help their little ones develop good habits and reduce their impact on the planet. Here are some easy ways to teach your kids how to conserve energy at home. Close the drapes and blinds A simple way to conserve energy during the hot months is to close the drapes and blinds during the hottest part of the day. Direct sunlight that comes through windows can raise the temperature of your home, and this means that your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy to cool your living space. Assign this easy task to your child and remind them to do this every afternoon. You can also give your air conditioner a break and turn on the fan to keep the cool air circulating inside your home. Remind your child not to open the doors or windows, since doing so would let the hot air in from outside and make your home feel uncomfortably warm again.  Ditch the TV and gaming console Studies reveal that children spend almost three hours a day watching TV. Too much screen time not only affects a child’s physical and mental wellbeing, but it also can result in costly utility bills. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, encourage your child to unplug for at least three hours. During this time, your little one can read a book, play board games, or go outside for a walk or a bike ride.  Go for timed showers South African households use about 250 litres of water a day, which is more than the world average of 185 litres. To conserve water and reduce your energy bills, encourage your child to have a timed shower. Teenagers and young adults usually take long showers, so this may be a good idea if you have older kids at home. Put a timer in your bathroom and ask them to set it every time they shower. They can have a 10-minute shower if they’re washing their hair, and a 5-minute shower if they just want to feel refreshed.  Have rules for using the fridge Young kids have a habit of repeatedly opening and closing the fridge, even if they’re not getting anything inside it. Some even leave the fridge door open, which can let warm air in and make the appliance work harder to restore its normal interior temperature. Place a sign on the fridge to remind them not to leave the door open. To prevent them from constantly opening and closing the fridge, pour ice cold water into a large insulated jug and leave it on the table so they can get a cool drink as often as they want without having to open the fridge. You can also leave fruits and crackers on the table so they don’t have to open the fridge to hunt for snacks.  Teaching your kids how to conserve energy at home enables them to do their part to save the planet. Try these easy ways to teach your children to save energy, and help them develop good habits as they grow. 

September 20, 2021
RediscoverDairy

Why yoghurt is a healthy eating gateway for kids

As parents we are always looking for healthy eating routines for our children – not only to ensure they get the best nutrition for growing bodies but to help set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.  It turns out that yoghurt is a special ally for concerned parents.  Rich in protein and vital nutrients such as calcium and potassium, as well as beneficial probiotics that promote gut health, yoghurt is a wonderfully versatile and delicious kid’s food. “Yoghurt plays a positive role in a healthy diet and research has shown that children from 8 to 18 years who eat yoghurt at least once a week, tend to have healthier diets overall.  Studies show that children who enjoy yoghurt consume 10% more milk, 23% more fruit and 30% more wholegrains, demonstrating that it is gateway to healthy eating choices”, says Registered Dietitian at Rediscover Dairy, Maretha Vermaak.  A big advantage is that most kids like yoghurt, and it is not challenging for parents to include it in many different meals and to have it on hand as a convenient and satisfying snack. All the ways that yoghurt is good for healthy growth Growing bodies and developing minds mean that children have particular nutritional needs.  Childhood is also a high energy time, and children’s diets must cater to their daily activity levels.  The unique nutritional profile of yoghurt meets a range of child nutrition needs, including: High quality protein for a developing body and sustainable energy Calcium for strong bones and teeth Probiotics for gut health and immune system support Potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and Vitamins A and B12 for overall health and growth South African families are lucky to have a wide choice of yoghurt ranges.  If child weight management is a concern, parents can easily choose low- and no-fat options.  As yoghurt helps a child feel fuller for longer, it is a useful component of a weight maintenance eating regime that can help to avoid unhealthy snacking.  Some parents may feel concerned that there are yoghurt ranges that include added sugar.  However, it should be noted that the levels of added sugar in some yoghurts is minimal, far below the sugar content in sweets, chocolates and fizzy cold drinks. Children enjoy yoghurt in so many ways As versatile, good food, yoghurt can be a convenient staple in your household, consumed in many ways.  Adding yoghurt to oats and other cereals brings balance and nutritional punch to the all-important breakfast which sets your child up for success each day.  Individual yoghurts and yoghurt drinks are excellent lunchbox foods.  Yoghurt can be used as toppings for desserts, fruits and as the basis of tasty dips at snack time.  A dollop of yoghurt adds delicious creaminess to everything from pancakes to soups, wraps to stir-fries and curries.  Easily made from scratch at home, frozen yoghurt never fails as a healthy icy treat and yoghurt smoothies are ideal for families-on-the-go. The 22nd World School Milk Day, celebrated on 30 September 2021, is a reminder that other food and health concerns should never eclipse the need for meeting our children’s needs for daily eating regimes that promote their healthy growth. Through its Consumer Education Project (CEP), Rediscover Dairy partners with National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to highlight World School Milk Day. The NSNP includes dairy once a week in their school  feeding programme to support South African children most vulnerable to stunting and wasting.  The CEP makes fun information and teacher resources available for Grades R to 7 at http://www.dairykids.co.za/ Parents who are home-schooling due to COVID-19 can download curriculum-aligned interactive posters, worksheets, fact sheets and teaching guides.  Children learn all about the healthy eating, SA’s food-based dietary guidelines, the role of dairy in healthy eating and the farm-to-table processing of dairy. For more dairy ideas join the Rediscover Dairy Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RediscoverDAIRY

September 20, 2021
Parenting Hub

Soothe Operator

BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS, 6-12 MONTHS Picture this: You spend nine months in the cosiest of cocoons, digging the darkness and white noise, when one day with zero warning – boom! – you’re thrust into a big, noisy, unfamiliar new world. It’s no wonder your baby might be a teensy bit teary (or full-blown bawling!) as she adjusts to life on the outside. She’s turning to you, the close comfort of your baby-warming arms, and your newly minted sh-bounce moves to feel calm and content. No pressure or anything! The good news: There’s more than just one way to soothe your wee one. Here, we’ll show you tricks that’ll help you help him learn to calm himself – a beautiful lifelong skill we can all appreciate. Cuddles, please! Your touch, from soft caresses to gentle strokes, makes your mini-me feel safe. It also releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which helps you two bond. So try some “Kangaroo Care.” Simply lie down and place your baby on your bare chest; drape a light blanket over her back to keep her nice and toasty. During bathtime or nappy changes, gently massage her head, tummy, arms, legs, hands, and feet, and follow her cues, from coos to body language that says “More, please!” Physical touch releases happy neurotransmitters in you, too! Win, win. You’re getting very sleepy… Mellow music, a good book, Netflix in bed – the need to wind down before drifting off is real. Your baby craves a similar comforting routine. Sure-fire winners: Reading her a board book, singing a lullaby, or giving a gentle massage. When it’s time to say goodnight, she’ll be chill. Night, night. Up, up and away! When you’re not carrying baby in your arms or a sling, you can recreate that magic movement with a swing. It’s fun to discover what your baby digs: Does he like to shimmy side to side, or rock forward and back? A few minutes at a time in a swing, or a vibrating rocker, can be the dose of womblike movement he loves. Plus, you get some much-deserved hands-free time. All by myself Your baby’s favourite spot is near you (obviously), but you don’t need to spend every moment interacting with him. Like us, kiddos need some alone time, too. If he’s yawning, arching his back, or simply seems zonked and needs a break, give him a safe space (like on a cushy playmat) to peace out. Bring the noise Make a ruckus to calm your cutie? It works. Think about it: The womb isn’t exactly a serene sanctuary, between the pounding of Mom’s heartbeat and other pleasing background noise. Those sounds are home to your baby, and you can recreate them with a fan, a vacuum, shushing, or a white-noise machine (Think waves, rain, and waterfalls!). Walk this way Can’t stop your cutie’s tears (and maybe even your own)? When in doubt, head out! A walk can be a (literal) breath of fresh air for both of you. Nature offers all kinds of soothing sounds and feels, from warm sunshine on her face to the rustle of the trees. Bonus: There’s an excellent chance she’ll see other babies out in the wild (always a welcome sight). So, strap on a carrier to keep her close and take a stroll. You can find baby buddies via a playgroup at your local library or a neighbourhood meet-up. Time with your people is magic – and you’re never too young to learn that. Product Features Include: The Fisher-Price® Baby Bear & Firefly Soother starts as a tabletop sound machine for your nursery with customizable music, sounds, twinkling lights or overhead light projection to help settle your baby for sleep. As your baby grows, the cuddly plush bear detaches for your convenience. The Fisher-Price® Baby Bear & Firefly Soother starts as a tabletop sound machine for your nursery with customizable music, sounds, twinkling lights or overhead light projection to help settle your baby for sleep. As your baby grows, the cuddly plush bear detaches for snuggle time while the take-along lantern becomes a comforting nightlight for toddlers. Don’t worry, Bear, the fireflies will light the way! Tabletop light-up sound machine that grows with baby from newborn to toddler Sleep expert-approved Ready, Settle, Sleep™ playlist of gentle music, sounds and lights helps baby fall and stay asleep Lantern’s twinkling lights and light projection options becomes comforting nightlight for toddlers Snuggly plush bear toy detaches from lantern for take-along cuddles For use from newborn baby and beyond Available from leading retailers

September 17, 2021
Parenting Hub

Why adopting a green beauty regime matters

When we first started using the word “green” to describe beauty products, very few brands came to mind. There were a handful of options available, some completely natural and others cruelty-free. It was a niche market with a small following.  Today, a lot has changed and globally, a major mind-shift has taken shape. Gone are the days when shoppers chose products mindlessly: today’s consumers want to know what’s in their products, how it was manufactured and what brands are doing to offset their carbon footprints… And rightfully so. Mindfulness is the new black, with a major global uptake in vegan lifestyles and minimalist living.  These movements paved the way for new and existing “green” beauty brands to grow, and major international brands have also come to the party. We are seeing more and more mainstream or “mass” brands do their bit to be kinder to the Earth, be it adopting a cruelty-free policy, changing their packaging or re-formulating their products.  While this is fantastic news, it can be quite difficult to navigate the realm of green beauty products if you’re not certain what to look for. A couple of popular terms to look out for are: Vegan: If a product is labelled “vegan,” it means that no animal products, or animal-derived ingredients have been used in the manufacturing of that product. Vegan products are also cruelty-free.  Cruelty-free: If a product is “cruelty-free” it means that it has not been tested on animals, and that no ingredients used in the manufacture of that product has been tested on animals. Cruelty-free products are not necessarily vegan. Plant-based: These products are made only from plant ingredients, such as such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, whole grains, legumes and nuts.  Natural: Natural products refer to products that are made from ingredients found in nature. The term sometimes suggests that the product is free from synthetic chemicals that may be linked to health problems or that many people get irritated by such as fragrance, dyes, and certain preservatives such as parabens. Organic: Organic products refer to items which contain organically grown ingredients: it must be prepared and grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, sulphates/parabens or antibiotics. Why does it matter? Taking a greener approach to life and making sustainable choices is not just a fad – it’s crucial in slowing down the process of global warming and protecting nature and our natural resources. A small act like changing your shampoo might seem insignificant, but every bit helps.   Sunpac boasts a number of beauty brands making a difference: Skincare ZERO skincare is a 100% natural, plant-based, vegan skincare brand from the UK. Made from the highest quality botanical ingredients, all ZERO products are sustainably packaged and fully recyclable. Try: ZERO Natural Face Wash (R299.00) and Face Scrub (R299.00). This gentle duo is highly effective in removing makeup, dirt and impurities, leaving skin thoroughly cleansed and smooth. Get an all year round glow with St Moriz – this award-winning self-tan brand is vegan and cruelty-free. Try: St Moriz Fast Tan Mousse (R149.95) for a quick tan where you determine the intensity of the shade, or St Moriz Golden Glow Moisturizer (R149.95) for a soft and natural golden glow.  Makeup Not only is wet n wild known for their high quality makeup products at affordable prices, but they’re also known for being 100% cruelty-free! Try: wet n wild Dewy Foundation (R119.95) for all day, glowy skin, wet n wild Mega Length Mascara (R92.95) for extra long lashes and wet n wild Megalast Matte Lipstick (R99.95) for long-wearing lip colour. When it comes to makeup brushes, you’re spoilt for choice. Real Techniques, one of the world’s leading makeup brush brands, is vegan, cruelty-free and PETA-certified, meaning that all products have not and will not be subject to animal testing, regardless of where the product is sold. Try: Real Techniques The Everyday Essential Set (R599.99) – a must-have brush kit that will allow you to achieve a flawless daily look with ultimate convenience. This set includes four brushes and a sponge to cover every need from foundation to eyeshadow. Eco Tools is known for their quality selection of environmentally-friendly makeup brushes. The brushes are made from sustainable bamboo and recycled aluminium and the bristles are cruelty-free. Try: Eco Tools Flat Foundation Brush (R152.00) to evenly apply liquid or cream foundation, and Eco Tools Precision Blush Brush (R233.00) for fantastic blending of powdered foundation or blush. Hair care Hask hair care products are not only cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified, but their products are also formulated without the bad stuff (including: Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten and Aluminum Starch). Try: the new Curl Care collection by Hask, a range of products developed to help support smooth, defined and bouncy curls, without the stiff and crunchy feeling sometimes associated with curl products. Quench and restore your curls with the HASK Curl Care Intensive Deep Conditioner (R189.95). This rich, luxe formula (a miracle blend of coconut oil, argan oil & vitamin E) adds strength, softness and shine, whilst resisting humidity to help lock-out uneven stands and lock-in moisture to help maintain your natural curl pattern.  Give your curls long-lasting control with the HASK Curl Shaping Jelly (R189.95). This flexible, non-sticky formula sculpts waves and curls without leaving them stiff or crunchy. Colab dry shampoos are not only vegan and cruelty-free, but they’re also highly effective at refreshing hair and soaking up grease without leaving any white residue behind. Try: newly-launched scents Colab Boho Rose (R89.99) and Black Violet (R89.99).  Blessed with curly hair? The Perfect Hair’s Mango & Marula range is vegan! Enriched with nourishing mango butter and marula oils, this range is designed to treat and protect natural hair of all curl textures. Try: The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Detangling Deep Conditioner (R89.99) for an intense moisture boost and The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Soap-Free Silky Soft Shampoo (R89.99) for a soft and gentle cleanse. 

September 17, 2021
Paper Video

Keeping education on track in the disruptive school year

After a school shutdown of more than two months, teachers, parents and students are all gearing up to save the 2020 academic year. However, as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the Department of Basic Education kickstart their phased approach there are still many questions around the ramifications of the disruptive year and how parents and teachers can help limit its effects on our children.

September 17, 2021
Parenting Hub

Play & Social Development

If you ask any 4-year-old what he does in preschool, he will probably say something close to, “I do my work and I play with my friends”. Of course, that 4-year-old’s ‘work’ includes painting, listening to stories, carrying out suggestions made by teachers – ‘play,’ in most of our vocabularies. But we all know what is meant by ‘play with my friends.’ It involves the interaction between and among children by which they learn how to get along with one another, to be helpful and share, and to understand the consequences of their own behaviour. In short, in their social play, they are full participants in the laboratory of life. Although cognitive development tends to be stressed in today’s world, many parents enroll their children in early childhood programs primarily because of the unparalleled opportunity it provides for social play. Just as is true for muscular advance and cognitive development, social play in young children goes through several stages. One classification that teachers find helpful is as follows: Onlooker The child remains at the edge of the group, possibly playing half-heartedly with a toy of her choosing, but merely watches the other children at their play. Solitary Play The child plays intently with available materials but remains totally alone. Parallel Play The child does the same things that a group of children is currently doing but does not interact with them to any extent. Cooperative Play The child truly plays ‘with’ other children—takes roles (‘You be the mummy and I’ll be the daddy’), gives instructions (‘No, that chair belongs in the corner’), offers and asks for help. During the early childhood years, the social play goal of parents and teachers is to help children move through these different levels until they become successful at cooperative play. This is not to suggest that the earlier levels are inappropriate, as children will switch from one level to another on the same day. But, in general, they move toward true interaction with one another, recognizing the needs and interests of all the children in the group. Although I am descoting social play as consisting mainly of interaction between children, much of it also involves interaction with adults. For example, it has been shown that if an adult occasionally joins in the play, the level of complexity and creativity can be sharply increased. Children often engage in repetitive activities in their play with one another—pouring coffee, putting bread in the toaster, putting hats on and taking them off. A participating adult (who should not take over as director of the play) can enrich the level of play by commenting, ‘Watch that coffee; it’s hot.’ Soon the ‘pouring’ child will be cautioning the other children not to burn themselves. Or, ‘I think you look better in the red hat’ can launch a search among the play hats requiring identification of the correct colour. And the parent or teacher can help establish an awareness of the excluded or ignored child. ‘I think Heather would like to join your group. Do you have a cup for her?’ In their social play, children develop an awareness of their own effectiveness with others and have an opportunity to try to improve it. The girl who is listened to as she assigns roles to the other children gets a boost as she strives to develop a positive self-concept. A child who refuses to sit in the circle next to a classroom bully can exert influence to help the bully learn more constructive ways of dealing with anger and frustration. Parents and teachers need that kind of ally. Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition. A perfect product to help a child develop like their social skills & play at the same time with their friends would be the Fisher-Price® Little People® Load Up ‘n Learn Construction Site™ available at retailers nation wide.  Suitable for ages 3 and up! By Dr. Bettye M. Caldwell Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics in Child Development and Education

September 16, 2021
Parenting Hub

Braai Day: Lekker Braai Sides for Any Occasion

Heritage Day, also fondly known by South Africans as National Braai Day (24th September) is a great time to fire up the flames and rustle up some quick and easy braai side dishes to share with family and friends.  Savour the goodness of our unique food heritage by dialling up the braai menu and special family times, this Braai Day. Rhodes Quality has a range of ideal braai sides like corn, chakalaka, beetroot, gherkins and beans that that will have you making the tastiest braai recipes with ease. Not to mention sticky finger-licking jam marinades and refreshing Rhodes Quality juices to compliment any braai. With the goodness of mother nature sealed into every product you can create nourishing and satisfying meals for your family prepared with love. Gather your family around the patio table and make memorable mealtimes. From a crunchy mixed bean salad, to the ultimate chakalaka and cheddar cheese braai broodjies, a beetroot and red cabbage salad with feta, and much more this braai day. Crunchy Mixed Bean Salad:  An easy salad, as a side dish with your favourite meat or perfectly filling on its own. INGREDIENTS (Serves 6) 1 x 400 g can Rhodes Quality Black Beans, drained and rinsed 1 x 400 g can Rhodes Quality Whole Kernel Corn, drained and rinsed 1 x orange pepper, seeded and chopped 1 x red pepper, seeded and chopped 1 x small red onion, finely chopped 65 ml (¼ cup) flat leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 x 410 g can Rhodes Quality Baked Beans 10-15 ml (2-3 tsp) fresh lemon juice] Salt and freshly cracked black pepper METHOD Place the Rhodes Quality Black Beans and the Rhodes Quality Whole Kernel Corn into a large bowl and toss to mix. Add the peppers, onion and parsley and mix again. Stir in the Rhodes Quality Baked Beans. Season to taste with the lemon juice and salt and pepper. Chill until serving. Beetroot & Red Cabbage Salad with Feta:  This beetroot and red cabbage salad with feta is quick and easy to prepare. Try this crunchy and colourful salad at your next braai. INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4) Rhodes Quality Sliced Beetroot 30 ml lemon juice 5 ml Dijon Mustard 90 ml olive oil Cabbage Apple sliced Feta cheese 1 clove garlic, finely crushed 5 ml sugar salt and freshly ground pepper METHOD Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until well blended. Season the dressing with the salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and set aside. In a large bowl toss the cabbage and the apple slices together. Pour enough of the dressing over the salad to lightly coat the cabbage and apple. Add the Rhodes Quality Sliced Beetroot and toss gently to mix. Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad. Serving suggestion: Sprinkle over some fresh parsley and nuts over the salad and serve. Chakalaka and Cheddar Cheese Braai Broodjies:  A twist on the traditional broodjie, with added Rhodes Quality Chakalaka, you’re sure to win your family over with these lekker braai broodjies. INGREDIENTS (MAKES 6) 1 x 400 g can Rhodes Quality Mild & Spicy Chakalaka 1 farm style loaf Butter for spreading 200 g (2 C) grated cheddar cheese Salt and black pepper METHOD Remove the crusts and slice the loaf lengthwise into 4 even slices. Butter two slices of bread on 1 side and place buttered side down on a board. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over both slices. Spread a generous layer of the Rhodes Quality Mild & Spicy Chakalaka down the centre of each slice. Cover with the 2 remaining slices of bread and butter the tops. Place the sandwiches inside a braai grid and slowly toast them over warm coals until golden brown. Serve hot off the fire. Boerewors Pita Pizzas:  Need pizza in a hurry? Using leftover braaied boerewors, these South African Pita Pizzas can be on the table in under 15 minutes. INGREDIENTS (MAKES 4) 4 pita breads 1 x 400g can Rhodes Quality Tomato Braai Relish 200 g cooked boerewors, sliced 65 ml (¼ cup) fruit chutney 250 ml (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, grated METHOD  Place the pita breads on a baking tray. Spread the pitas with a generous helping of Rhodes Quality Tomato Braai Relish. Toss the sliced boerewors in the chutney and arrange on top of the relish. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Bake in an oven preheated to 190°C for 4-5 minutes, or until the pitas are crisp and the cheese is melted. Slice and serve. Apple and Kiwifruit Salad Dressing:  This quick and easy dressing is packed with a Vitamin C punch and is a tasty additional to a fresh leaf salad. INGREDIENTS (Makes dressing for 1 medium sized salad) 125 ml (½ cup) Rhodes Quality Apple Fruit Juice Blend 30 ml (2 Tbsp) apple cider vinegar 15 ml (1 Tbsp) olive oil 15 ml (1 Tbsp) water 3 ripe Kiwifruit, peeled and chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed salt and freshly cracked black pepper To serve: fresh salad greens, sliced cucumbers, sliced avocado, sliced spring onions. METHOD Place the Rhodes Quality Apple juice into a blender along with the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth and well blended. Season to taste. Chill until serving. Mix together all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over the desired amount of dressing. Toss lightly to mix. Orange Tahini Dressing:  This salad dressing it packed with Vitamin C and makes for a fresh addition to your side salad or vegetables. INGREDIENTS (Makes dressing for 1 medium sized salad) 65 ml tahini 125 ml Rhodes Quality Orange 100 % Fruit Juice Blend 30 ml (2 Tbsp.) apple cider vinegar salt and freshly cracked black pepper 15 ml (1 Tbsp) honey METHOD Place all the tahini paste, Rhodes Quality Orange 100 % Fruit Juice Blend and vinegar into a blender. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Add honey. Process for 1-2 minutes until well blended and creamy. Thin with a little water if desired. Serve chilled over salad or vegetables. For more #RootedInGoodness inspiration visit: www.rhodesquality.com/recipes or follow Rhodes

September 16, 2021
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Covid-19 Information for Moms-to-Be

Pregnant women do not appear to be more severely unwell if they develop Coronavirus than the general population. As this is a new virus, how it may affect you is not yet clear. It is expected the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms.

September 16, 2021
Parenting Hub

Deciphering thread count with Linen Drawer

Good quality bedding goes a long way in promoting a good night’s rest. Soft, warm, luxurious sheets that caress the skin offer better relaxation and comfort, which is bound to aid a better night’s sleep. Considering we spend up to a third of our day in bed, it is essential to invest in quality bedding that keeps you warm without overheating, and that offers superior comfort. The term “thread count” comes up a lot when we talk about bedding. For those in the know, thread count is an important factor to take into consideration when purchasing new bedding. Even if you are unfamiliar with the term, you would have found yourself comparing bed sheets, and been able to identify which feel softer and of better quality. Thread count refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads present per square inch of fabric. In general, the higher the thread count, the better quality and more luxurious the fabric. However, lower thread count bedding also has its place in the home, as these items are often practical, easy to care for options. Great quality sheets range anywhere from 200TC (thread count) to 600TC, and on the rare occasion you may also see sheets with up to 1000TC. When seeing it on paper, thread count may not seem like much of a big deal. Some may say it’s a case of soft, softer and softest, and that “soft” is sufficient. This assumption is not entirely wrong, however, the difference between a 200TC sheet and a 600TC sheet, for example, it remarkable. Though both may have a lovely texture and be of great quality, the 600TC sheet offers a luxurious feeling that simply cannot be replicated. Once you’ve experienced a higher thread count, there is no going back.  Thread count is an important factor to consider when buying bedding, however, it’s not the only thing to take note of. It’s important to look at the overall quality of the item. In many instances a 200TC sheet that is well constructed and made from good quality cotton may feel like it has a higher thread count. To ensure you’re investing in overall quality, purchase your bedding from a trusted manufacturer, and take note of the make-up of the fabric. Cotton is always the better choice as it is breathable. It keeps the body warm in winter and cool in summer, and does not cause overheating like many acrylic alternatives. Your budget will likely be the deciding factor when it comes to selecting a thread count. We recommend selecting the highest thread count your budget allows, as purchasing higher quality sheets pay off in the long-term. Not only do they last much longer, but they also retain their crisp appearance for longer.  Linen Drawer offers superior quality bedding in the following thread counts: Quality range (200TC) This range is manufactured from pure combed cotton in a 200 thread count percale construction, resulting in an exceptionally smooth, crisp and luxurious handle to the fabric. Superior range (300TC) This range is manufactured from brilliant white, crisp, plain weave, pure combed cotton in a 300 thread count percale construction. It has a smooth, yet crisp handle (or feel) due to the fact that it is produced from long staple fibres and the weave type.  Cool, fresh and extremely comfortable to sleep on.  Egyptian Cotton range (400TC) Manufactured from brilliant white, sateen weave, pure combed Egyptian cotton in a 400 thread count percale construction, this range is a must-have for all Egyptian cotton fans! It has a smooth satiny surface and a soft fabric drape that is inviting to the touch.  Premium range (600TC) This range is the ultimate in luxurious bedding. It is manufactured from brilliant white, pure combed cotton in a 600 thread count sateen percale construction giving an exceptionally smooth, lustrous and luxurious handle to the fabric.  Linen Drawer bedding is manufactured by expert seamstresses in Paarl, South Africa, to ensure the highest level of quality craftsmanship is maintained.  Available on www.linendrawer.co.za (free delivery in SA).

September 15, 2021
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