Being a mom can be quite exciting. After all, you’re bringing new life into the world. However, this can also be a stressful time, with a whole bunch of emotions, the potential for strained relationships, and it can take a toll on you. But, here are some tips to stay sane as an expecting mom, and to help you have the happiest pregnancy possible.
Calling all NERF Nation fans, gear up and get ready as NERF FORTNITE hits South Africa. Hasbro has teamed up with Epic Games to introduce a range of officially licensed NERF and SUPER SOAKER blasters inspired by the FORTNITE Battle Royale video game. The NERF FORTNITE blasters immerse fans into the player-versus-player action of the game, allowing them to play out the Battle Royale in a real-world setting, complete with blasters and accessories that replicate the exciting onscreen battles FORTNITE is known for. The NERF X FORTNITE range include official NERF darts, designed for distance, tested and approved for performance and quality, and constructed of foam with flexible, hollow tips. The FORTNITE themed NERF blaster range is the only way to play FORTNITE In Real Life. The range isavailable from Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, ToyZone, Toy Kingdom, Game and Checkers. The full range includes: NERF ELITE FORTNITE AR-L Blaster features motorised dart blasting. Power up the motor with the acceleration button and pull the trigger to shoot one dart. It comes with a 10-dart clip and 20 Official NERF ELITE FORTNITE darts, enough to fully load the clip and give you 10 backup darts for reloading. Flip up the two sights on the top of the blaster to align your shot. Drop into indoor and outdoor FORTNITE action with this motorised, dart-firing NERF ELITE FORTNITE blaster! Batteries required – not included. NERF ELITE FORTNITE SP-L Blaster has a detachable barrel to customise for different ways to play. Attach the barrel for distance targeting; remove the barrel when you need a more compact look for smaller play areas or when you need to move fast and stay mobile. The FORTNITE SP-L blaster has an internal clip with a three-dart capacity, so you can load three darts in a row before it’s time to reload. Insert darts, prime, and pull the trigger to fire. NERF SUPER SOAKER FORTNITE TS-R Water Blaster. Extend the FORTNITE fantasy into the backyard and drench the competition with pump-action soakage. This NERF SUPER SOAKER water blaster holds up to one liter of water. It’s easy to fill and easy to fire. Open the cap to fill the tank, then move the pump-handle back and forth to overwhelm opponents with massive waves of water. Tag opponents with a powerful storm from the NERF SUPER SOAKER FORTNITE TS-R water blaster! Blast into big fun with the NERF MICROSHOTS FORTNITE series of collectible, mini-sized NERF toy blasters. Blasters in this assortment include replicas of the FORTNITE TS blaster, FORTNITE RL blaster and FORTNITE Llama blaster, inspired by the iconic purple pinata loot box used in the popular FORTNITE video game. Each MICROSHOTS blaster includes two official NERF ELITE darts and fires one dart at a time with hand-powered action. Look for the MICROSHOTS series of micro-sized blasters for collecting and playing. Each sold separately.N Join the Nerf Nation @NerfSouthAfrica on Facebook and @NerfNationSA on Instagram – check out the Nerf Nation Social Show (with Zach King) on YouTube for more exciting Nerf Nation fun. *Nerf and all related properties are trademarks of Hasbro. Use only official Nerf darts designed for this product. Epic, Epic Games, and Fortnite and their related logos are registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the USA (Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.) and elsewhere.
Independence is defined as freedom from the control, influence, support and aid of others. This is something that we all strive for, having the independence to live our lives free from being dependent on others. It is the knowledge that wherever we go and whoever we are with, we are capable and competent. We can trust our ability to make our own choices and plan our actions accordingly. The more successfully we negotiate challenges and succeed at tasks, the more self-confident we feel and the greater our self-esteem becomes.
Irrational decisions are made when they are the result of a knee jerk reaction and when you are at your emotional peak. It is a choice you have made and decided to act upon based on your feelings and usually clouded by misinformation. Decisions made on the spur of the moment and under emotional conditions have almost always been the wrong decision, which leads to one feeling embarrassed and the need to apologise followed by the necessary mending of the relationship.
Becoming pregnant is one of the greatest gifts a woman could ever experience. Yes, you may have to give up a few things like sushi, your addiction to caramel macchiatos, and your occasional dirty martini, but once you hold that bundle of joy, you realize those small sacrifices are nothing in comparison to the life you just brought into the world. Speaking of sacrifices, there are also sacrifices pregnant women make that they don’t necessarily have to. One of those unnecessary sacrifices that women tend to make is giving up traveling. Air traveling while pregnant is one of the biggest misconceptions in the pregnancy world. The American Pregnancy Association statesthat as long as you are not having any complications or concerns with your pregnancy, it’s perfectly safe for women to travel during their pregnancy. Now, in knowing the pain and discomforts that come with pregnancy, it’s understandable for pregnant women to be wary about traveling. One of the worst things that could happen is to be thousands of feet in the air and experience morning sickness! What You Need to Know The symptoms and discomforts that come with pregnancy can be very mild up to unbearable at times but they aren’t necessarily factors that can prevent you from traveling (unless you’re having complications in your pregnancy). Here are some tips to follow to travel safely and comfortably while pregnant. Air Travel: Pick an Aisle Seat When it comes to air traveling, an aisle seat would be ideal for a pregnant woman. The aisle seat allows you quicker and easier access to the restroom and it also gives you more room to stretch your legs out. [sc name=”Google Ad In Article Ad”] Air Travel: Consider Wearing the Oh-So-Gorgeous Compression Socks Majority of the time, compression socks have been worn by older adults to help with blood flow, and on planes, blood clots are a high risk for not only pregnant women but for people in general, especially those with circulation problems. They’re not the most fashionable type of socks but they are helpful! Some doctors even recommend pregnant women to get up ever so often to do a small walk of the aisle to aid in circulation to the legs and feet. This is another added perk of why that aisle seat will come in handy. ***Big Group Road Trip Consideration: Comfort is Key*** If there is a special occasion coming up that requires you to travel for an extended period of time on the road with a large group of people, you need to have the same type of safety and comfort level in mind as you would on a plane. So let’s say you’re going to your family reunion and everybody really wants to see you now that you’re pregnant. Well, you couldn’t be happier to come but you just need to check on the travel arrangements. You need to let whoever’s in charge of the planning know that in order for you to go, you need to be comfortable. You can even suggest that renting a couple of minibuses would be the best case scenario for not only you but for everyone in attendance as well because those types of buses provide passengers with ample spaceplus, everyone would be able to enjoy each others company on the ride without one person having to worry about navigating through the city. Air Travel: Have Your “Morning Sickness” Kit On Hand They call it “morning sickness” but the truth is that this alleged “morning sickness” can strike at any moment during the course of a day, so when you’re booking your flight be conscious that some flights can trigger nausea with the slightest bump in turbulence. To remedy the nausea that can be associated with flying, you can always ask the steward or stewardess for a clear, caffeine-free soda; the bubbly carbonation is what helps to settle your stomach. You can also keep peppermint oil in your purse or pocket. According to everydayhealth.com, simply smelling peppermint oil can ease nausea. It has that calming and “tingling” effect that actually relaxes your stomach muscles so that the bile in your body can easily break down fats easier. If all else fails, most airlines have those paper (sometimes plastic) bags at each seat in case someone does get sick.
There have been many studies that focus on the importance of infant stimulation. It is a well-known fact that impoverished environments, under stimulation and the lack of rich and varied experiences can impair children’s development in all areas. Thus, there are many projects that focus on helping these communities and giving them the tools through training and equipping them to be able to change the cycle. But what about over stimulation? It has been shown that environments that overwhelm children with stimulation beyond their current capacities interfere with the brain’s potential, much in the same way that under stimulation does. Our society has become increasingly focused on stimulation. Expensive early learning programs, competitiveness and early achieving have become the norm. We have so over scheduled our children with activities that they do not have time to simply be kids and play. We do not expect a 5 month old to walk or run, why do we then expect a 5 year old to read and write? Many children have not developed or practiced their creativity one should through boredom, as they have not had the chance to be bored. There is actually no evidence that any of this has yielded smarter, better, super babies. In fact, priming infants with stimulation that they are not ready for may cause them to withdraw, thereby threatening their interest in learning and creating conditions much like stimulus deprivation. In addition to this parents may become disappointed when despite the excessive stimulation, their children do not become little geniuses. This creates the danger that parents may view their children as failures at an early age. This in turn could result in infants being robbed of a healthy psychological start while also depriving parents of pleasurable and relaxing interactions with and participation in their children early years. The question this leaves us with is, what would the best conditions be? Let kids be kids. Do not put too much pressure on them or expect them to do things that are not age appropriate. The ideal is to provide age-appropriate moderate stimulation in a loving environment with lots of social interactions. This has proven to be much more beneficial than expensive toys and gadgets. The Skidz Clever Activity boxes provides a program focusing on this exact finding. Each set contains all the equipment needed to complete over 100 activities in each box. The age ranges are as follows: 0-6 months 6-12 months 12-18 months 18-24 months 2-5 years. For more info or to purchase your box go to www.skidz.co.za or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/skidzsa
Garbage in – garbage out? What are we feeding them? Good nutrition is of paramount importance for teenagers. Teens who do not eat correctly are more likely to be overweight, lack energy and enthusiasm and perform poorly at school.
This time of the year Grade 9 learners need to make their subject selections for next year, but parents often do not know how to guide them. Educational psychologist, Lizette Erasmus, share some insightful guidelines on subject selections and how they will guide your child’s career choices in South Africa.
Oh so crafty has brought upon the newest and improved form of art for children, diamond painting! Diamond painting is as easy as sand art. There’s sticky fun of matching shapes and colors to make up a complete picture. There are little patterns and numbers for every different colour to follow. It’s as easy as that. Diamond painting has the same benefits as puzzle building. This product helps develop emotional skills, such as the ability to learn patience and to be rewarded when they complete the puzzle. This product helps grow physical skills, such as hand-eye coordination. You will develop a relationship between what they see, hand movement and the brain relates to this information. This product was a lot of fun to make according to children, tweens, teens and even adults. This product is highly recommended from all age groups. Certainly the best boredom reliever on the market right now! Get your own at https://ohsocrafty.co.za
Creative expression allows children to express their feelings and emotions. It allows them freedom to articulate and express their thoughts – to think critically. Creative expression can be many things – it can be painting, dancing, fantasy play, drama, singing, crafts, building with blocks and making music.
Fold & Go is the brand new car seat that folds up into a compact unit and can be stored in the boot of the car when not in use. An Isofix-installed car seat, the new iSize regulation no longer categorizes children according to weight but rather to height now, and puts significant new safety demands on high back booster seats, making the Fold & Go one of the safest car seats on the market.
One need only watch a young child spending a day at the beach to realise how fundamental curiosity is as a core trait in natural learning. Feeding the desire to delve into discovering things should be at the centre of all of our planning as teachers of learners of all ages. In a constantly changing world, preparing individuals for future careers is a moot point so we re-focus our efforts on skill, creativity and versatility in a yet unknown landscape in which they will spend their lives.
As you watch your baby develop into a toddler and their personality starts to take shape, you might want to change a few things in their room. Changing a baby’s room to a toddler’s room can be easier than starting afresh. Let your toddler’s personality guide you in choosing a theme and then decorate accordingly.
The number of children presenting with Sensory Integration Difficulties is increasing significantly. It is important that these difficulties are identified early and dealt with timeously as they have a large impact on a child’s functioning in the classroom, at home and in social settings.
From the start, kids are faced with the need to achieve. There are waiting lists to get into pre-school and from there, pressure to not only do your best, but rather ‘be the best’ throughout formal schooling. This all leading to tough competition for the limited spots available at a university. To address this, ambitious parents, who want what’s best for their offspring, are investing huge amounts of time and money to ensure their child has every advantage.
What Every parent should know about…creating a safe sleep environment
Do you find yourself constantly asking your child to get off their phone? Or delayed responses because they need to answer a text? Welcome to a world where toddlers have tablets and teenagers are iMessaging on the latest iPhone. A break from the digital world is the goal of our camp, to be able to revel in adventure, friendships, and personal growth. Most camps do not include cellphones on their packing list, and the reason is simple: cellphones take away from the camp experience.
Winter is here and so are coughs, colds and flu. Common colds and flu are both caused by viruses and share many of the same symptoms however colds are usually milder and do not cause any serious complications. More than 200 viruses can cause a cold whereas the flu is caused by the Influenza virus. This is why there is no vaccine available for the common cold.
In a world where life seems to keep us spinning in a never-ending vortex of fast-paced, pressured parenting, crushing bills and overwhelming expectations, Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centre says, “Parents, it seems, have lost their ability to see themselves as also worthy of happiness, peace and fulfillment. Parents seem hard-wired in continuing old patterns of parental-martyrdom (yes, there is such a thing) and parenting is tougher than ever. Parents tend to be their own biggest critics with feelings of not being good enough, not having enough time, not being organized enough, not having as much energy as one another – the list, unfortunately, does go on and on!” She adds that parents have all but forgotten that they are deserving of all the things that they want for their children – love, purpose, acknowledgment, happiness, fulfillment and peace!
As tourism is such an integral part of any country’s marketing strategy, it has become vital to offer it as part of our learning package. Not only do learners discover the “treasures” of our country, but also how to manage and use these “treasures” responsibly to the benefit of all. Tourism teaches learners to promote South Africa locally and internationally, and to ensure that tourists experience, appreciate and value our country.
Lifestyles or Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – such as diabetes – have become an epidemic in South Africa which is why preventative and managed healthcare has become all important. Whether you rely on the public or private healthcare system it is critical that you manage your health and lead a healthy lifestyle, to prevent long term illness. Cardiovascular (heart attacks and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes are on the increase and responsible for the high cost burden of healthcare. For the around 20% (just under 8.9 million) South Africans who are on private medical aid schemes, managing their medical expenses correctly is important if they want to avoid unnecessary out of pocket expenses and make their medical benefits last longer. It also helps them understand the cost associated with the healthcare services they receive and the benefits associated with the plan they have elected. Here are the five tips from Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund on how you can stretch your medical benefits. 1. Use Designated Service Providers or networks Medical schemes negotiate preferential rates with providers – known as Dedicated Service Providers (DSPs) – who have partnered with them. This allows schemes to ensure that members get the best quality services at the most cost-effective rate so that the benefits are optimised and the scheme at large is sustainable. So if you use a network hospital, doctor or pharmacy you will not be charged more than the agreed rate. This will help you avoid co-payments and make your medical aid last longer. So, to reduce co-payments and even avoid them altogether, find a healthcare professional on your schemes network. 2. Go generic Use generic medicines which have the same active ingredient, strength and dosage as the original brands and are as effective. Most pharmacists offer a generic option, especially for chronic medication. Medical schemes are more likely to pay in full for generic medicine. Pharmacists are also able to provide sound medical advice on problems such as rashes, colds or illnesses that are not severe, simply ask and buy the recommended over-the-country medicine to save on a visit to the doctor. 3. Managed Care benefits Some schemes offer programmes to help you manage severe chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. These programmes are usually covered from the risk portion of your medical contribution and are not funded from your savings account. They help you use your benefits to maximum advantage while ensuring you receive quality care by using specific providers. Other benefits – such as maternity consultations, wellness benefits, preventative care and dentistry – are also paid from risk by some schemes. Again giving you more value for money and are in addition to your savings and day-to-day benefits. Carefully read through what your plan offers and choose wisely to make sure you find the right plan to suit your specific healthcare needs 4. Know the facts If you do need to be hospitalised and it’s not an emergency ensure that it’s on your medical aid’s DSP list. Talk to your doctor or specialist to find out all the facts in terms of what they will be charging and compare this to what your scheme will cover. If the difference is substantial, negotiate. Approach your doctor and ask if they are prepared to adjust their fee. Alternatively, you can also check if there are other healthcare providers on your scheme’s network that will charge you a better rate. You can also avoid the unwelcome surprise of a co-payment or sub-limits by: Making sure you obtain pre-authorisation Making sure the medical practitioner uses the correct ICD-10 codes Checking what additional costs will apply (if any), what costs will be covered and how you can avoid these. 5. Keep moving One of the best ways to manage your health and the associated costs, is to live a healthy lifestyle and this includes getting enough exercise. Try different exercise routines and find one that works for you. Whether it is a regular short power walk, playing tennis or soccer, riding a bike or attending a yoga or pilates class, it will be beneficial to your mental and physical wellbeing. ‘Be informed and make good and less costly healthcare decisions,’ says Callakoppen. ‘Your health is important, so take time to research and understand the medical aid plan you are on. Read the information sent to you by the scheme or your broker, including the fine print and, if you don’t understand some of the terms, speak to your broker or phone the customer care line. Understand and know your rights in terms of healthcare cover, this will go a long way in helping you make the most of your benefits.’
Are you planning to decorate your baby’s room? Is that a YES? Here are a few pointers to help make your experience enjoyable.
“Core strength” has been a buzz word in the health industry the last few years, but its importance cannot be undermined especially in children. “The core muscles consist of the abdominal, hip and back muscles who work together to stabilize and align the trunk and pelvis during static and dynamic movements,” explains Clamber Club Expert and Biokineticist, Shehnaaz Bhabha.
We want our girls to have every opportunity to become strong, successful women. How we treat them in childhood has a huge role to play. Find out how you can boost your daughter’s confidence and empower her to be amazing!
One of the sturdiest and most popular car seats on the market, the Seat Up is the rock solid Isofix-installed car seat that parents have been raving about around the world. The perfect combination of safety, comfort and practicality, Seat Up cocoons the newborn baby with a mini reducer and then gets adjusted at the headrest and sides as the child grows. Also rear and front-facing depending on age group, the seat will be your child’s companion on their journeys until about 25kgs in weight, making it a logical solution in terms of longevity and savings. The 3-reclinning positions will keep comfort a priority too. A definite all-rounder in terms of car seat stars.
Mfundo (not his real name), a grade 1 learner, was struggling at school. His distraught parents explained that he was acting out in class and fighting with his classmates. His teacher did not know how to handle his angry tantrums and aggressive behaviours. His parents admitted that they were experiencing similar behaviours at home and they were confused. You see, Mfundo was an achiever. He was top of his class in academics and a champion on the sport’s field. He seemed unbeatable. So, why was Mfundo’s behaviour out of control? On further investigation, it became clear that Mfundo was an exemplary young man when he was on winning, but whenever he made a mistake or did not come first, he became angry and aggressive. He was known to punch children who dared stand ahead of him in a school line, or who ran ahead of him in a race. His parents were surprised that it was concluded that Mfundo suffered from a low self-esteem! How could this be, they wondered? You see, Mfundo defined his self-worth on winning. He ONLY felt worthy of love, acknowledgement, purpose and joy when he was on top. In his mind, when he was not number one, he was nothing and that was a dangerous place for him to be! Nobody can always be number one. We are hard-wired to experience challenges, failures and disappointments. It is at these times that we learn our greatest lessons. Mfundo, like so many children, had to learn to love and appreciate himself in all circumstances. He had to learn that NOT being number one, did not mean that HE was less. He had to learn the value of falling and being willing to rise again. So, what do you do if your child is like Mfundo? Teach them: To always try their best: Striving for non-existent perfectionism is self-destructive. Their time, effort, skills and attitude count more than the win: Only one person can be number one, but EVERYONE can feel a sense of accomplishment when they have a can-do mindset! Making mistakes and failing from time-to-time is normal and expected: The very fact that your child is human guarantees this! It is the lessons that are learnt and how they choose to rise again that will ensure consistent success in their lives! That YOU, as their parents, are not perfect: Model tools and attitudes that will assist your children in loving themselves through their challenges, just as you do the same! Be happy for themselves when they win, but, to be happy for others who do the same. Being happy for others is a sign of positive self-esteem! Help your children grow and learn as they embrace successes and failures in an environment which encourages them to believe in their capabilities and talents. Help them to strive to be the best version of who they were born to be and perfect is not it!
Process art is all about the experience children have when they are creating. We encourage it at Toptots to enable the child to explore and be exposed to different mediums. Process art needs to be open ended and the child should be left alone to explore and create without any adult interference. Children learn through play and open-ended activities – this gives them the chance to explore and ask questions and see how things work. Process art is all about the actual process and not the end product.
Helping your child to understand their emotions and what emotions are from a young age is imperative to the healthy development of emotional intelligence. These skills can be introduced from as early as 3 years of age. Often times parents do not take the time to teach this vital skill to their child, which results in a child not being able to effectively understand or express themselves. The Happy Yosh Book by Pauline Gerson is an easy and interactive book targeted for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years. It is easy to understand as well as beautifully illustrated. The book is aimed to allow your child to firstly understand the basic emotions such as: Sad, Happy, Scared and Angry. Once a child is able to understand what these emotions are, you can explore further into topics such as “What makes you happy?”, “What makes you scared?”. This certainly is an easy way to open conversations and then to start adapting these into general daily life. A child that has a greater understanding of their emotions and how to handle them, provides a good foundation for when they get older. We would highly recommend purchasing this book from Smart Emotions. You can do so by visiting www.smartemotions.co.za emailing [email protected] or Give them a call on 083 556 8684 The book is available in both English and Afrikaans.
Parents often struggle with knowing the correct temperature of their baby’s bath water. Whilst it is safe to say that bath water is often best at 37 degrees Celsius, how do we know the water is that exact temperature? Chicco introduce two cute bath time favourite toys that act as thermometers and read bath water temperature. Throw them in before placing baby inside the water and rest assured the water is fine for baby’s delicate skin. The floating fish thermometer (both in pink and blue) is a cute bath toy that reads temperature with a sensitive thermo-strip that changes colour with water temperature. Also available is the digital whale in orange colour. Chuck the whale in the bath and watch as it digitally tells you the exact temperature of the water while he bops about and makes a great bath time toy. Fish thermometer available at Baby City, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores and Whale Digital Thermometer available at www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores.
What is art? Art is the “expression or application of human creative skill and imagination” thus may be brought through in a child in many forms: Music, Dance, Literature or Visual Creative Arts. Art is a fundamental; this could almost be considered part of a vital milestone in the pre-school child’s learning. In my experiences with visual arts, the atelier is a place of research and experimentation where the child can express themselves through the stimulation of their own creativity. The experience is one of enjoyment and plays a role in shaping their own sense of personal, social and cultural identity. The art activities set out are of great importance as: They help develop fine motor, gross motor and hand-eye co-ordination skills. Problem solving abilities develop as they explore a huge variety of new materials and tools around them. Art is one of the many languages of the world, discussions and conversations lead in different directions building on vocabulary and then where children of a limited vocabulary also have an outlet to express themselves. The stages of art from scribbling to consciously drawing shapes, form a foundation for school readiness. They teach children about cause and effect appealing to the child’s sense of curiosity. Therefore, open–ended art is essential as it helps children not to be afraid of change and allows for a higher order thinking. A sense of pride is developed, through the planning of an activity to the final outcome, it all has a purpose. The child’s self-esteem develops through activities where they can express their own thinking through the freedom of choice. Independence is encouraged and taking responsibility for an activity boosts self-confidence. Working in groups at times, spark collaboration, socialising and compromise, which are all life skills that are crucial for development. Cultural identity and differences are built on through the introduction of various artists and their art works. Art should no longer just take on the form of using only some or other mark-making tool onto paper. Art is the discovery of building, fitting, fixing, breaking and composing of loose parts, using old things to become new things. Thus, repurposing and upcycling. Our mind sets have been shifted from the traditional ridged and somewhat constricted views of what constitutes art or an artist. I think we as teachers are only scrapping the tip of the iceberg of the possibilities available worldwide. So, when teaching, we should then take on the opportunity to explore and expose our children to the wealth of resources available. Once we take on this ‘new age’ way of thinking we can then understand the full rich meaning of why art is so fundamental in learning, in the classroom and beyond. By Charlene Lang (Teacher at Maragon Ruimsig Pre-Primary)
