Advice from the experts
Impaq

Parenting tips for ADHD

At least one in 20 children in South Africa suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is according to research by Cape Town-based psychiatrist Dr Renata Schoeman. ADHD is characterised by three main sets of symptoms – poor concentration, hyperactivity and impulsivity – and, when left untreated, can be among the most debilitating disorders to live with. The risks include academic, social, and emotional problems in childhood, which may impact on job performance, relationships and mental health in adulthood. It is understandable why parents dread an ADHD diagnosis; not because the disorder is untreatable, but because they are unsure of how to help their child. Fortunately, all is not lost. There are many ways to help your ADHD child. Take a look at five parenting tips for ADHD below, but keep in mind that what works for one child may not work for another. Five parenting tips for ADHD Limit distractions In the 21st century, it is easy for anyone (especially children with ADHD) to get distracted if there is a smartphone, a television, video game or computer close by. Access to electronics should be monitored and limited.  Establish a routine Having a set routine in place can provide essential structure for children with ADHD. Have meals at the same time every day and have rituals in place before bedtime like taking a bath, brushing their teeth, and reading a bedtime story. Encourage exercise Exercise is the perfect outlet for built-up energy. According to an article in Healthline, exercise may help to improve concentration and stimulate the brain in healthy ways. Try to find an exercise that your child enjoys and make sure to join them, as you will benefit too. Understand your child’s thought process Children with ADHD often speak and act before thinking. Encourage your child to verbalise their thoughts and reasoning, as this can help you understand their thought process and hopefully help curb impulsive behaviours. Ask for help You don’t always have to have all the answers. It is okay to ask for help. Consult a psychologist who specialises in ADHD or consider attending an ADHD Parenting Course. And, remember that it is not only your child that can benefit from professional help – A therapist can help you manage stress and anxiety. Finding a support group in your area can also be beneficial. Home education can provide a nurturing learning environment for children with individual needs. Impaq Educationprovides all the necessary products, services and tools to enable your child to complete Grade R to 12 at home.

May 16, 2019
Parenting Hub

Surviving a Newborn

By Nicky Kyle – Good Night Sleep Consultant “It would be easy they said” “What is there to it? Just feed them and let them sleep” “I can’t wait to dress it up in cute little outfits and take Anne Geddes inspired photos ALL day long!” “They are so cute you just want to cuddle all day” “I am never going to wish the time with my newborn away!” I don’t know about you, but I definitely had a turn to say all of the above!  I was that girl who was born to have babies, who had wanted nothing more and literally couldn’t wait.  My 9 months of pregnancy floated blissfully by as I imagined all the fun I was going to have with my precious baby and then she arrived…… The brick wall I crashed into was so wide and high it seemed truly unsurmountable, I was shocked to my core when I took this darling little girl home and she did not one thing she was supposed to.  I tried to feed her, and when she wouldn’t latch, my husband had to stand over my exposed breast and spray gripe water from a syringe onto my very swollen and cracked nipple for her to feign interest and attempt a feed. I would eventually complete the feed and I’d wind her and put her into her cot and she WOULDN’T sleep. She stared around for a bit before breaking into a ferocious roar which made my already frazzled nerves want to leave my body entirely.  WHAT NOW? I’d then attempt to feed again or shove the latest silicone orthodontic friendly pacifier into her mouth (with the syringe of gripe water) and when she would calm I’d put her down again and she would have the equivalent of an atomic explosion from her rear end…… now I would be left with the biggest decision of my life thus far, “do I change her and risk waking her fully or do I pretend I never heard that and just leave it?” Then she would sleep for an entire day and decide to be awake for the entire night… It was on one such night as I lay curled on her floor mat watching my exhausted husband attempt sleep on a winged back chair that I thought to myself, “how did this happen and how the hell am I going to sort this out?” This little lightweight literally had us in a position of powerlessness, and we could not go on like this. I did find a way and it worked so well I even decided to do this newborn thing twice more!  So here is my list of things to do to not only survive them but to love and cherish the time you have with them.1. FEEDING:Hands down, this is your most important activity when you have a newborn. We need to make these feeds into EVENTS, they need to be long enough to sustain them for around 3 hours so take some time out to do this properly. Try to arrange these feeds at certain times of the day and the easiest way to do this is to start at the same time every day and go from there. I like to split the feed into two parts: the first course is in the lounge with Netflix, Facebook and a cup of tea. Feed for as long as possible, if they pull off the breast or stop drinking their bottle give them a little break before trying again. The second course takes place in the room, close the curtains, change the nappy and swaddle, offer the second half of the feed and when they are truly finished all you need to do is pop them into their bed. I know it sounds like a mission but if you think about it if you have 4-5 main EVENTS throughout the day and they sleep well in between because they are satisfied it really makes this the easier option. Give yourself around an hour for the full event and when this is over the feed is done and we move on until next time.  2. UNDERSTAND A NEWBORNS NEEDS: This is really important, especially when preventing severe outbursts which make a two-year old tantrum seem like a waltz on a Wednesday! No baby likes to feel exposed, which is why I have yet to meet a newborn who relishes a bath. Swaddling is your friend (they pretend to hate it but trust me and persevere… it helps!) Awake times for these little guys are no more than 1 ½ hours.Always stay calm and confident when handling a baby – “fake it until you make it”. Don’t let them smell your fear or anxiety.  They can’t filter stimulus so remove them from noisy, bright and chaotic places, especially when it is approaching sleep time. Be patient. If you have put them down and they start crying, pick them calm them and try put them down again. Even if you do this 10 times it will be easier than taking them out the room and dealing with the results of overtiredness and overstimulation! Sucking. Babies love to do this – it helps soothe them so if you have finished your feed and your baby is just not happy to use a pacifier to help them.3. MUM and DADTake care of each other. Remember that change is not easy on anybody so try and keep the communication open and be sympathetic and caring towards each other. A new baby means adjustments on all fronts.Mums, do your best to hand over some responsibility and don’t hover around when its dad’s turn; rather take the gap and have a long bath.  If you are trying all of the above and you feel you are not winning ASK for help; never ever suffer in silence!

May 15, 2019
Parenting Hub

How does one simple toy help your baby develop?

You would never believe the benefits that building blocks have… yes building blocks!  From problem solving, imagination, self-expression, mathematics, self esteem, emotional growth…. The list really does go on and on. When you pair building blocks with bright attractive colours you have the must have toy in any developing toddlers household. Then when you have building blocks that are also match up blocks, it really does make the toy rather exciting. Generally from around 18 months upwards this will really keep your toddler entertained.  The Oops Match Up! Cit Building Blocks provide a city theme match up sticker card and then the blocks for your little one to match their masterpiece to.  How this works is the match up card is a selection of stickers, you the parent stick them to the appropriate block and from there your little one can match the two parts together. How fun does that sound!  The Oops Match Up! City Building Blocks comprises of 14 pieces and is suitable for 18 months and up.  This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores

May 15, 2019
Toptots Head Office

Help my Toddler is abusing me

In our Toptots classes, a question that frequently arises is that of how to stop young children from hitting either their moms or their peers. This is often an embarrassing scenario for mothers, and they may feel unsure about how to address this type of behaviour. The first thing to remember is that hitting (or biting or pushing) is quite typical in the toddler years, especially while children are still learning to speak and are not yet able to clearly voice their needs or their frustrations. Hitting another child could occur from frustration if, for instance, one’s toy is taken, and hitting mom could be out of frustration of not getting a need or a desire met. However, it is something that needs to be addressed as soon as it starts to prevent the behaviour from continuing. Toddlers are learning all the time, but the question is are they going to learn appropriate behaviours or inappropriate behaviours, and the only people in a position to teach these skills are parents (and to a lesser degree the teachers who see the children on a regular basis). It is very important for children to learn that certain behaviours are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They are extremely smart and can learn very quickly to identify which boundaries they can cross, and which boundaries are firmly in place and cannot be crossed. It is a normal part of development to test boundaries and see what is tolerated and accepted, however, young children cannot judge for themselves what appropriate behaviour is, and thus they rely on their parents to set clear boundaries so that they can feel secure in the knowledge of what is expected of them in terms of good behaviour. Children who are consistently allowed to hit (or bite or push) are more likely to view this as appropriate behaviour for when they are frustrated, or angry or just don’t get what they want when they want it! This could ultimately result in them not having friends, because no one really wants to spend time with children who hurt them! It could also result in children engaging in bullying behaviour to get what they want. Here are some suggestions to assist with these types of behaviours: Remember who the parent is: You are not there to be your child’s friend and to give in to their every demand! You are there to set rules and boundaries to help your child feel secure in the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. This will help them to grow up to understand that certain things are not acceptable and to be able to manage their own impulses and behaviour. Be consistent in your expectations: This is so important. Your child needs to know that there are certain behaviours that are not acceptable, and they will not be tolerated at any time. Both parents (and anyone else who spends time with your child e.g. grandparents, care-givers etc.) need to have the same boundaries in place. Respond confidently and in a matter of fact way to your child’s inappropriate behaviours: Don’t be scared to reprimand your child. How else will they understand if something is not okay e.g. “I don’t want you to hit.” You don’t need to respond with anger, but just be direct about your expectation. If necessary, block your child: if they continue to hit, hold their hands in your own and physically stop them from hitting you/ their peer. Again, this doesn’t have to be done in anger, but just stopping them and again reinforcing “I don’t want you to hit”. Remember that it is okay for your child to get angry when you stop him from doing something: Anger is a normal response to not being able to do something that you want to do, and this is a typical emotional response. Children need to experience the full range of emotions in order to be able to learn how to process them and deal with them effectively. Praise good behaviour: Always remember to praise your child for good behaviour. This is so important in order to validate that they have made good choices and that their behaviour is acceptable and pleasing to you. Again, how will they know what good behaviour is, unless it is acknowledged and praised. Just remember, children are not innately naughty… but they do need to test boundaries and try out different behaviours in order to learn what is appropriate. A lack of routine, structure, discipline and boundaries can result in an increase in negative behaviours, making life more challenging for the child as well as for you as a parent. Setting boundaries early on can make life far easier as your child grows up and understands what is expected of him/her.

May 15, 2019
StudyChamp

Tutors – Trend or Necessity?

Children these days are expected to perform in every aspect of their lives from a very young age. Academic pressure has definitely increased and with many moms working and not always being available to help with test preparation and homework, the logical option is to appoint a tutor.  StudyChamp spoke to Tracy Hoyer, a tutor from Pretoria on all the pitfalls and pleasures of helping children (and parents) to take the agony out of homework and test preparations.  About Tracy  Tracy is a qualified teacher and taught for eight years. While teaching she was continuously asked by parents if she knew any tutors who could help their kids. She quickly realised that there was a huge demand. That was four years ago. Today she runs a successful tutoring business with clients from all over Pretoria.  SC: What are the benefits of a tutor?  TH: Many parents work full-time and don’t always have the time (nor the energy) to sit with their children and tackle the massive work load that they come home with. They often end up fighting with the children and it is unpleasant for the whole family. This is where a tutor comes in. I help children with homework, classwork and test preparation. I take the pressure off the parents, and the children are happy to learn more.  SC: What should one look for in a tutor? TH: It all depends on what type of assistance you are looking for. I do mostly one-on-one tutoring and honestly prefer this type of tutoring as children work at different paces. Questions that you should ask are: How many children are there in a session? Does the tutor do work customised specifically for your child or is it general work? What experience does the tutor have? Are they qualified teachers with previous knowledge on the specific subject your child needs help with?  Tutors need to be able to help the child without having preparation time. Children arrive at my lessons and say “Ma’am I have a test next week on exponents.” And I need to be able to help them right there and then.  SC: Extra lessons vs Tutoring? TH: I view extra lessons as something the class teacher would maybe give a few kids after school or during break time. Tutoring for me however is more individualised and specialised for the learner.  SC: Is tutoring only for struggling students?     TH: Definitely not! I have 90% achievers coming to me for lessons. Firstly they enjoy the lessons, but more importantly they want to keep on achieving excellent results. I have to make sure though that these learners don’t get bored, so I often give them work of a much higher standard than what is expected of them.  My learners range from the 40% achievers striving for their 50/60% all the way through to the 80/90% aiming to keep their results at the top.  SC: Should parents be involved in the tutoring process? TH: Parental involvement is crucial to tutoring being a success. Firstly, as a tutor I need to be aware of any areas of concern that needs to be worked on, as well as being kept in the loop about what is happening with classwork, tests, assignments etc. It is very frustrating if parents do not communicate, because as a teacher I know that tests count quite a lot towards the term mark.  I always say tutoring cannot be a success by itself. I can only do as much as I can in the short amount of time I see a child. The child and parents still need to put in effort at home when it comes to tests and exams. The child must also pay attention in class and have a good attitude, otherwise there will not be a significant improvement.  SC: What resources do you use? TH: In the past, I always had to make my own worksheets and tests for my learners, but recently I was introduced to StudyChamp. What a breath of fresh air this website is! It has made my job a hundred times easier. There is something for all my learners, all the grades and all the subjects. It is so applicable to what my children are doing in class, I am blown away every time I download a workbook or test. I have also introduced StudyChamp to my learners’ parents and they are also loving being able to do extra work with their children at home.  If you are in need of a tutor in the Pretoria East Area:  ContactTracy HoyerfromTracy’s Tutoring [https://www.facebook.com/tracystutoring427/]  in Lynnwood Glen. She teaches Grade 4-7s in all the subjects.  Contact Ingrid Stokes from Growing minds [https://www.facebook.com/growingmindseducation/]. She teaches Grade 4-7s in all the subjects. 

May 15, 2019
Meg Faure

Baby Wearing – The power of Snuggling Close

Baby wearing is defined as “the practice of keeping your baby or toddler close and connected to you as you engage in daily activities through the use of one of a variety of types of baby carriers”It is practised with higher frequency in more traditional cultures and with the advent and marketing of prams went out of vogue in the western world. In the past 30 years, a trend towards promoting baby wearing as a convenient as well as beneficial method of transporting and nurturing babies has been seen. In line with this trend, there has been an increasing body of research showing the positive benefits of KMC and of wearing babies in a carrier or sling. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a well-documented method of nurturing a newborn (usually premature) infant naked on a mother’s (or in some research a father’s chest). Significant research has looked at the positive effects Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) on prem babies. Since there is much similarity between KMC and baby wearing in terms of positioning (upright), proximity to parent and sensory input (vestibular and tactile and smell) there is a strong argument that the KMC research has relevance with babies carried in baby carriers (baby wearing).  In this article we to look at the evidence for why carrying a baby has positive long term and short-term benefits.  These are a few reasons that it’s the best we can do for our little ones: Babies carried in carriers are calmer  Being held in a snug carrier takes newborns and prem babies back to the nurturing womb world and limits crying and fussing. The transition from the womb to our busy world can expose little babies to overstimulation, which results in fussing in the first few months. Being nurtured in a soft carrier against mom or dad’s body soothes the immature sensory system. Bonding and trust is enhanced  Held against your body, your baby has the benefits of your touch. Human touch is not only comforting but also wonderful for the development of body awareness.  Improves brain development  Moving with your body, your baby will benefit from vestibular information too, which not only calms your little one but also enhances muscle tone and motor skills in time. Baby wearing promotes confident parenting Carrying a baby has positive effects on feelings of self-efficacy of new parents. Parents who carry their babies are more likely to pick up on signals of hunger and irritability sooner. Babies who are worn are more socially adept as they have loads of experience meeting other people at mommy’s level.  A baby carrier is a fabulous solution for transporting as well as soothing new babies. Our carrier is recommend for parents looking for a comfortable carrier that is soft like the womb world, fully adjustable and can be worn so your baby can see out or face inwards. 

May 14, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

Tips For Pumping On the Road

If you are a pumping mother, and are planning a trip in the near future, you simply must read on below. This blog is dedicated to helping all travelling moms survive a long distance road trip. Get ready for the journey of your life with our help now! Plan Ahead Firstly, you need to consider whether you will need to stop or if you can pump on the go. Some moms may be able to express in their car – obviously only if they are a passenger. however, if you need to feed your baby, we strongly advise against feeding whilst in a moving vehicle.  So, if pumping whilst in the car is not a viable option for you, you will need to plan your trip accordingly. Know which stopping stations will coincide with your pumping schedule. This is important as you do not want to interrupt either your pumping or feeding times. Therefore, plan out your trip, make note of what times you will need to express or feed and ensure there is a good stopping station somewhere in that period. Ensure You Have The Right Equipment When traveling, you will need to ensure you have three things to pump successfully: A portable pump: a breast pump such as the Medela Mini Electric is great for travel. It is small enough to fit into a handbag and is light weight.  Cleaning Supplies: you will need either sterilization spray or cleaning wipes to help you clean your pump on the go. Storage Supplies: these are essential. You will need two sets of storage supplies: Storage for your milk: you will need either transportable milk bottles of something like the Medela storage bags Storage for the stored milk: here you will need a cooler bag. You will need to keep your milk chilled until you reach a fridge. Whilst milk can survive at room temperature for a few hours, it is not wise to risk this whilst travelling in a hot car.

May 14, 2019
Prima Baby

BRING FANTASY AND FUN TO MEAL TIMES WITH THE FANTASTIC LOVE RANGE OF BOTTLES.

Chicco, global leaders in nursing care, bring trendy babies a funky new look for 2019 in the form of the Fantastic Love range of nursing gear. As leaders in bottle feeding, Chicco’s Well-Being range of bottles has been given an overhaul for the Fantastic love campaign – for a limited time only, in the form of unicorns ‘uni-ponies’ and cute ‘uni-frogs’. Rest assured knowing your child is drinking from an anti-colic, 100% silicone teat that is designed to prevent air swallowing, helping to reduce irritability, regurgitation and colic after feeding.  Available in 150ml, 250ml and 350ml, the Well-Being Fantastic Love feeding bottles are suitable from newborn upwards. All products retail at R129 and are available at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores, www.takealot.com and other retailers.  Limited units in SA.

May 13, 2019
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

Choose to be the role model your child wished to be

Many people will easily argue that the greatest gift to children is an education. Whilst most agree with this statement, some may disagree with the many references to education meaning a matric, and or, a degree. Without playing down the importance of a qualification, there is so much more to education. Education is about life.

May 13, 2019
Parenting Hub

10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT KIM POSSIBLE!

10 secrets you NEVER knew about the making of Disney Channel’s mega new movie, Kim Possible. Head behind the camera as the movie’s stars reveal the hottest secrets direct from the set of the action-packed adventure…  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER ONE…  SADIE STANLEY TACKLED TONS OF AUDITIONS TO WIN THE LEAD ROLE!  It was no quick and easy task to win the iconic lead role of Kim Possible in Disney Channel’s new live-action movie. “I auditioned about eight or nine times in total,” admits American actress Sadie Stanley. Before this, the only role I’d played on television was ‘Giggling Girl Number One’, so it was a huge deal for me. I’m the luckiest girl around to be playing this amazing movie character!”   BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER TWO… EXPECT OODLES OF AMAZING ACTION IN THE MOVIE!  “Kim Possible follows the adventures of a high school girl who tries to balances her life at school with saving the world,” explains Sean Giambrone, who plays Ron Stoppable in the movie. “You can expect to see a lot of action in Kim Possible. We worked closely with an amazing stunt team to bring these adventures to life, so you’ll see a lot of grappling action and hand-to-hand combat. You’ll see Kim take down villains that are twice her size! My character isn’t involved in many of the stunts, but I did have to do some wire-work for the movie. On my first day, they had me doing flips on the wires. I’ve never had my feet above my head before, so it was really intense!”  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER THREE… SOME OF THE SCENES WERE SHOT IN REAL HIGH SCHOOLS! “We had a lot of fun shooting the movie in Canada,” reveals Sadie Stanley. “We shot in a number of different locations around Vancouver, including two real high schools. The schools were super cool! Most of the time, I believe we shot our scenes after the students had finished for the day – but not every time. I remember shooting scenes on a school’s football field when all the kids came out for their break. It was really funny because they started to watch us and cheer. In another school, we shot a lot of interior scenes – but there were no students around. The colour scheme in the school matched the colours from the cartoon, so it was the perfect location.”  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER FOUR… THERE’S AN AMAZING ANIMATED ANIMAL IN THE STORY!  “In the movie, Ron Stoppable is best friends with Kim Possible – but he’s also good friends with a mole rat named Rufus,” admits Sean Giambrone. “Want to know a secret? Rufus is completely CGI! There was no mole rat on the set of the movie. During rehearsals, there was a wax statue of Rufus. That helped me figure out his height in each scene, but there was no animal used during the shoot itself. Instead, Rufus was digitally added to the story afterwards. When I saw the movie for the first time, I couldn’t believe how cool Rufus looked. They did such a great job with the character.” BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER FIVE… THERE ARE HEAPS OF GROOVY GADGETS IN KIM POSSIBLE! “Make sure you watch out for all the cool gadgets in the movie,” giggles Sadie Stanley. “Kim Possible has an amazing jet pack, as well as a grappling hook and a holographic communicator. In the Kim Possible cartoon series, her communicator was a watch and a mobile phone – but it’s a necklace in the movie. When Kim taps her necklace, a hologram pops up of her friend, Wade. He’s a tech genius who’s one of her best friends. Wade often gives her information that she uses to help save the world!”  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER SIX… THE CAST DARED ONE OF THE DIRECTORS TO JUMP INTO A GROTTY TANK!  “There weren’t many pranks on the set of Kim Possible, but there was one day when I dared one of the directors to jump into a tank with Sean and me,” admits Sadie Stanley. “In the scene, the tank was filled with murky water and mulch. It was pretty gross! Sean and I had been in the tank for a couple of hours when I decided to make the dare. I didn’t think the director was going to do it, but he jumped in with us as soon as they yelled, ‘Cut!’ We all splashed each other and threw the mulch around. It was really funny.”  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER SEVEN…  SADIE STANLEY SINGS THE MOVIE’S MARVELOUS THEME TUNE!  “Call Me, Beep Me is the name of the cartoon’s theme tune, but we’ve updated it for the movie and I get to sing it,” reveals Sadie Stanley. “It was such a cool opportunity for me. I was really excited because I love singing, but I was also a little nervous because I didn’t want to mess with anything as iconic as the theme song. We’re not taking anything away from the original song; we’re just creating a brand new version. It’s a remix that’s a little more pop and modern. I was super honoured to be involved.” BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER EIGHT… PREPARE FOR SOME VILE VILLAINS IN THE STORY!  “If you know the cartoon, you’ll know the villains in the movie,” admits Sadie Stanley. “Dr Drakken and Shego are the names of the main villains in our story – and they are amazingly evil! Dr Drakken wants to take over the world, but he would be nothing without Shego. She is the brains and the muscles, so she’s a fantastic, empowering female character. Even though she’s evil, she’s awesome – although Drakken is so much fun to watch, too. Both of the actors who play the evil villains are hilarious.”  BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRET NUMBER NINE…  THE CAST MEMBERS EACH HAD A TRENDY TRAILER ON SET!  “Everyone in the cast had a trailer behind the scenes where they could go and relax between scenes,” explains Sadie Stanley. “I loved my trailer. I decorated it

May 12, 2019
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Deciphering Medical Aid Speak

It can be rather daunting trying to understand the terms in your medical aid plan and all the detailed information about your benefits.  Medical Schemes and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) use certain terms in reference to benefits.  They can be tricky to fathom. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, as highlighted by the Bonitas Medical Fund call centre.   Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) PMBs are confusing even to those in the medical industry but simply put, it is a list of 26 chronic diseases and 270 treatments which have to be covered by all medical aid schemes as outlined in the Medical Schemes Act.  PMBs are in place to make sure all members have access to certain minimum health services, regardless of their benefit option. The aim is to provide members with continuous care to improve their health and well-being and to make healthcare more affordable. Above Threshold Benefit Medical Schemes set an annual limit for day-to-day claims. Once you have reached this limit – or threshold – then your claims are paid from the ‘Above Threshold Benefit’. The amount available depends on the plan you are on as well as the number of dependants.  Day-to-day limits Members and their dependants are given a pre-determined maximum amount of money for out-of-hospital expenses during a year. There is a limit to what you can spend after which you move onto the above threshold benefit. Pre-authorisation Unless there is a medical emergency, members are required to obtain pre-authorisation from their schemes before being admitted to a hospital for a procedure. If you do not organise pre-authorisation, the scheme can refuse to pay.  Quotes for procedures Bonitas advises members to not only obtain pre-authorisation but to also ask for a detailed quote from the hospital and medical practitioner prior to being admitted to hospital (if it’s not an emergency).  It means you can submit it to your medical aid ahead of the procedure to find out if co-payments will be required and if so, how much they are. Co-payment Medical practitioners and hospital often charge more than medical aid rates. This means medical schemes seldom cover the entire bill.  A co-payment refers to the outstanding portion of the account, for which you will be responsible.  A co-payment varies from one medical aid scheme to another and is sometimes not necessary if you use a designated service provider or network hospital.  The medical aid can pay from 100% – 300% of the medical aid tariffs, depending on the plan you are on. ICD codes This is a coding system developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that translates the written description of medical and health information into standard codes.  It means every medical treatment and diagnosis has a specific code – called an ICD 10 code.  These are important as it allows the scheme to identify the code of the healthcare service you require and to make sure payment is made. The correct ICD Code must be included on every claim to ensure you are paid for the correct benefit and t the healthcare practitioners are paid for their service.   Claim After you have seen a doctor or been in hospital, you can either pay the bill directly and claim the amount back from your scheme or your doctor can submit the claim on your behalf.  Remember to ensure that all the correct information is on your claim, including your membership number and the ICD 10 Code. Chronic Medication Is medicine prescribed by a medical practitioner for an uninterrupted period of at least three months. This medicine is used for a medical condition that appears on your scheme’s list of approved chronic conditions. Payment of chronic medication is usually a separate allowance on your medical aid plan. Formulary Medical Aids have a list of medicines on what they call their formulary – or list – that are recommended to treat different diseases.  If you opt for medication not on the formulary there might be a co-payment. Generic medicine There are a number of generic medicines on the market that are cheaper than the original, patented brands however they contain the same active ingredients and are just as effective.  Most medical schemes encourage the use of generic medicines to save costs and help you stretch your benefits. Check with your pharmacist. Private healthcare in South Africa is not cheap and the best way to make the most of your medical aid or hospital plan is to understand what is and isn’t covered as well as the terms and conditions. Make sure you get to grips with the various terms used by your Scheme and Dr and if you are unsure … ask!

May 10, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

Tips For Flying Whilst Breastfeeding

With the Easter holidays having come and gone, many South Africans may have utilized that time for a much needed break. If you found yourself flying, but had no idea how to handle your breast pumping schedule with that, this is then the blog for you! We will take a look at a few key pointers to keep in mind when flying as a breast feeding mom.  Before You Set Off Know Your Rights: read up on what you’re allowed to carry on whilst flying. As a rule, you should be allowed to transport over the standard 100ml of breastmilk. Get In Touch: contact the airline with whom you will be flying and let them know you are a breastfeeding mother. They may even make special arrangements for you to ensure your pumping or feeding on the flight is made easier. Furthermore, they may be able to give you tips on flying and breastfeeding. Pre-arrangements: If you will be staying in a hotel, ensure that your room comes equipped with a fridge. You will need this to store your pre-pumped milk.  Whilst At The Airport If You’re Travelling With Your Milk: if you have already pre-pumped your milk, and intend on travelling with it, declare It at the security station and agree to let it be inspected. Not Allowed: Please note, not security office may taste your milk, they can ask you to remove the lid of your storage bottle or open the storage bag.  Travelling With Your Pump: if you are travelling with your pump, you may take this with you on-board and stow it in the usual hand luggage section.  Now That You Know How To Get Around Flying Whilst Breastfeeding No that you have your guide to flying whilst breastfeeding, you’re ready to take flight! Having a portable pump such as the Medela Mini Electric, can make pumping whilst traveling that much easier for you.

May 10, 2019
Toptots Head Office

The Benefits of Play

A commonly used phrase these days is: “Play is the work of children”. Some people may wonder how play can be classed as work when the two terms have totally different connotations. However, when it comes to children, play is the way that they learn and without play, their learning is compromised. Thus, just in the same way that we need to work, and study, and be mentored and develop greater proficiency in our roles at work, so too do children need to play to develop greater competency in life. The longer they engage in one play activity or theme, the more they develop the ability to concentrate for longer periods, and this is in fact a large reason why many children find it difficult to concentrate – they never have the opportunity to lose themselves in one thing – they often flit from one task to another or engage in passive tasks like watching TV. When they encounter challenges in their play, they have the chance to work through their frustrations and they have the opportunity to problem solve. When they set up and structure their own games and environment, they learn to plan and organise. When they invite someone else to play with them, they learn to communicate, take turns and compromise. When they concoct complicated stories, they develop their vocabulary and imagination, and will become better essay-writers when they are older. When they are able to act out difficult situations that have happened in real life, they are able to work through the feelings that they experienced in the situation. Not only does play improve their social and emotional skills, it can also improve their future scholastic performance. If their games involve climbing, swinging, swimming, rolling and jumping, their core muscle strength will improve, which will improve their endurance for sitting and working at a table. The more endurance and stability they have, the better their focus, and the better their fine motor skills. If they play with things like play-dough, sand, pegs, tongs and finger paint, it can help develop their fine motor skills. This in turn sets up a foundation for legible and efficient writing later. If they build puzzles and play with Lego and blocks, their spatial skills will develop, which will help with reading at a later stage. Play builds the foundational skills for academic learning, and this foundation allows children to feel skilled and competent, which leads to confidence when entering a formal learning environment. As we all know, a house with an unsteady and poorly-built foundation is not nearly as stable as one with a solidly-built foundation and this is just as true for our children. If they are not equipped for the expectations they are faced with as they get older, their self-esteem suffers, and many children nowadays suffer from anxiety.

May 9, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

The Medela Mini Electric Breast Pump Review

If you are in the market for a breast pump, but looking for something that will not break the bank, the Medela Mini Electric is for you! This amazing little pump packs similar innovative technology as the larger pumps but comes at a much smaller fee. Furthermore, you can win this little pump for yourself this month with Parentinghub! Read on below now for features of the Mini Electric and more. Things That Make The Medela Mini Electric Stand Out Compact The Mini Electric is an incredible compact little pump. Its motor is housed on top of the actual breast shield. This makes it incredibly easy to carry and transport. Furthermore, the pump is incredibly light-weight, thus adding to its transportable appeal even more.  Minimal Parts The Medela Mini Electric is only comprised of five various parts. This makes assembly incredibly easy. furthermore, it makes cleaning and maintaining the pump an absolute breeze. Tubeless Another pro of the Mini Electric is the fact that it is tubeless. There are no complicated tubes going from your pump to your bottle. Since the Mini Electric’s pump is located on top of the breast shield, this allows milk to flow from the shield straight into your bottle.  Who Would Benefit From The Medela Mini Electric? There are certain moms who would benefit hugely from the Mini Electric, and others who would find no use for it. There are two main groupd of moms who would find huge use from this little singular pump. Moms Who Travel Mothers who find themselves traveling a lot for work or other reasons will benefit hugely from this pump. Thanks to its size and weight, taking it around with you is easy. The pump is small enough to fit into a conventional handbag and is a dream to use on the go. Moms Who Don’t Pump a Lot If you do not plan on pumping regularly, and mainly feeding your baby by breast, this pump is ideal for you. It will deliver everything you need and expect from a breast pump and allow you to express whenever you have to. 

May 9, 2019
StudyChamp

Never do tomorrow what you can do today…

“Or is this always true?” asks many a procrastinator. Most children, especially teenagers have mastered the art of procrastinating – a big word for putting off everything that seems like work and rather spending time on electronic devices. According to Tim Pychyl, a Procrastinating Researcher at Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada, it is quite simple: People procrastinate to do tasks that they find aversive. Tasks are generally considered aversive if they are: Boring or mundane  Children will usually find tasks boring if it is below their level of skill or not challenging enough. Frustrating  A child with poor fine motor skills who for example have to lace small beads on a string will most probably resist. Difficult   Just as tasks should not be below a child’s level of skill, it should also not be too difficult. “Fear of Failure” is a powerful form of procrastination. “I will rather not start than show you that I cannot do it.” Not interesting or fall within their specific interests Children have different talents and we all like doing the things that we like and are good at. A child will happily prepare for the exams for a subject that they find interesting, but will avoid the subjects they don’t like.  Unstructured  This one is for the teachers and parents. Children thrive in structured environments where they feel secure. They are therefore more likely to complete tasks that are well structured. Having said all of this, we all know that unfortunately, some tasks just need to be done, whether you find them boring, too difficult or are not interested in them. Studying for exams comes to mind… Don’t despair. Here’s a few tips that you can use to help your children (and yourselves) to “grab the bull by the horns” and get it done. 1. Just start  The most important thing is to start. No wonder Nike chose ‘just do it’ as their payoff line. A child that is not willing to start studying will do anything to delay the start, from cleaning their own rooms to sharpening pencils …  A good rule to help your child start is to select the task that takes the least time to complete. If your child for instance has to write an essay on Global Warming (boring!) and have ten math sums to complete, rather start with the math. Completing a task gives a sense of achievement.  “When you start entertaining thoughts such as: ‘I’ll feel more like doing this tomorrow,’ ‘I work better under pressure,’ ‘There’s lots of time left,’ I can do this in a few hours tonight’, let that be a flag or signal or stimulus to indicate that you are about to needlessly delay the task, and let it also be the stimulus to just get started.”  David Allen “Getting things done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity” 2. Turn a boring task into a little competition or game Practising mental math, for example, can be boring for someone who only likes to do problem solving.  Compete against your child to make it fun. For example: How many times tables sums can be done correctly in two minutes? 3. Break challenging tasks into smaller chunks That essay on Global Warming is quite challenging as it involves research, drafts, searching for images, actually writing or typing it and making a list of references.  If you break this one task into five more doable tasks, it will not seem that daunting. For this method to be successful though, you have to start in advance and then complete only one or two of these tasks per day. 4. Make a “To-Do” list Ticking off a task that has been completed gives an enormous sense of achievement.  With exams approaching, the “To-Do” list will be the study schedule, with small tasks for every day, that can be ticked off.  5. Remove all distractions Nothing distracts from a task at hand as interruptions. We are all guilty – checking the phone every time it peeps, constantly checking new emails, having the TV on in the background and the list goes on … Allow breaks after every 20 minutes for “distractions”, but be careful to break for too long. After a ten-minute break the enormity of the task at hand will return and the vicious cycle of procrastination will start again. It is true that some of us work better under pressure (i.e. an excuse for procrastination), but if a child understands the value of tackling tasks head-on early in their lives, they will be saved from many stressful hours meeting deadlines later in life. So, before you put off another task – remember what Anthony Robbins said: “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” Information adapted from: http://alifeofproductivity.com/why-you-procrastinate-10-tactics-to-help-you-stop/

May 7, 2019
Prima Baby

KEEP PACIFIERS CLEAN WITH THE FANTASTIC LOVE RANGE OF NURSING ACCESSORIES

Chicco, global leaders in nursing care, bring trendy babies a funky new look for 2019 in the form of the Fantastic Love range of nursing gear. Available for a limited time only, the Fantastic Love range is a great start to nursing for young moms that not only have style and flair, but also care about the best quality items for her little one. One of the most important parts of soothing with your child is ensuring the basic hygiene of pacifiers.  Babies have a knack of dropping everything and it’s not uncommon to see moms dipping pacifiers in glasses of water whilst at a restaurant or even more common, having a cleansing suck on it herself before popping it back in baby’s mouth. With the Fantastic Love range of products, the unicorn pacifier holder provides an egg-shaped haven for the pacifier when baby has had enough.  Also, a pacifier clip can safely and conveniently clip the dummy onto the child’s clothes and keep it off the floor when they inevitably decide to spit it out. Both items come with gorgeous non-scratch, animated unicorn designs on them in either pink or blue and can be matched up with any of the other items in the Fantastic Love range. All products retail at R129 and are available at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores, www.takealot.com and other retailers.  Limited units in SA.

May 7, 2019
Abbotts Colleges

Avoid the Procrastination

Having a plan is always a good idea, however not everything goes according to plan, therefore considering the everchanging world we live in, adaptability becomes more important every day. The need for planning remains imperative to avoid procrastination, discourse and discouragement. The 6 steps below can provide guidance on creating a plan that suits your lifestyle: Step 1 – Organise your living/working space This will not only with assist with decluttering your space but also your mind. Having an organised space will motivate you to accomplish other tasks.  Step 2 – What needs to be done? Write down all the tasks you need to complete. At this stage the focus is the end game, what you want to achieve.  Priority of tasks, scheduling and resources needed to accomplish these tasks are not important at this stage.  Step 3 – Prioritise your tasks and resources Assign a deadline to completing each task, this will assist with prioritising your attention to what needs to be accomplished first.  Be aware of what resources are needed to accomplish these tasks efficiently and effectively. This will also assist with prioritising the completion of tasks.  Display your tasks as a reminder of what needs to be achieved.  Example: Matriculate Cum Laude Step 4 –  Set SMART goals Creating SMART goals will assist with achieving every goal set. Below is a framework of what should be included in a goal. Specific Don’t generalise what needs to be achieved, the more specific the task the easier it is to achieve. Measurable  How can a task be completed if there’s nothing to measure it against? Including a measurement aspect to a goal assists with knowing how much you’ve achieved. Attainable  Is this goal physically and mentally attainable? Do you have the capabilities to achieve this goal? Relevant The goal created needs to assist with achieving the ultimate task mentioned in step 2. Time Include a period as to when this goal needs to be completed. This assists with scheduling and integrating other tasks that must be achieved.  Write your goals down and display it as a reminder of the tasks ahead.  Example: To Achieve 90% in English every school term. Step 5 – How to achieve your goals? Create as many tactics that work together needed to achieve the set goal.  Example: Read over English work covered in class as homework.   Read over work that will be covered in the next class.  Step 6 – Visual schedule Create a visual schedule to look at as a reminder of what needs to be done and to tick off tasks to create a sense of accomplishment. Include free/leisure time into your schedule and ensure that enough time is planned to complete a task incase the “unpredictable” happens and you need to adapt your plan to suit these changes.  Technology has blessed us with applications that provide some of these steps however the act of writing your tasks down and displaying it in your working space can be more motivating to complete these desired tasks. It creates a greater sense of order and achievement.  Remember to always enjoy what you do as there is no point to doing something that creates stress and unhappiness. This however goes hand in hand with a good plan that balances your time fairly and realistically.  Written by: Abbotts Colleges

May 7, 2019
Parenting Hub

Puzzles are important for early childhood development

We all know that there is a lot of research on how puzzles help young minds develop. When your child is alone with a simple puzzle from an early age the following basic skills are being built: Physical skills – from holding the puzzle pieces to turning them until they fit  Cognitive skills as this a problem solving exercise Emotional skills as puzzles teach patience and reward after completion  We have found the Oops Range of puzzles to be an absolute must for all our readers. Old school wooden puzzles really are easier for young child to grasp and best of all, you are able to keep them clean.  The Oops Range of puzzles play an important role in the development of spatial awareness which proves to be beneficials once your little one heads off to school. Would you believe that by introducing puzzles to your little one that this provides over all better muscle-growth and provides a full brain workout for your child. The reason for this is that puzzles force your little one’s brain to work on both sides thus increasing their cognitive function. The Oops Range of puzzles are also cut at different thicknesses therefore helping your child to start understanding proportion.  The Oops Build a House comprises of 20 pieces and is suitable for 12 months and up.  This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores

May 6, 2019
Impaq

Mother tongue education matters

Your husband is transferred to a small town and you have some difficult choices to make – one of which is where your children will be going to school. Your eldest is in Grade 1 and your youngest in Grade R. There are two schools in town. You head to the first school – it is your first choice as it offers education in your native language. When you arrive, there is no-one in sight. You eventually find someone to show you around. The school is neglected… The classrooms don’t have tables or chairs, the paint is peeling, and the gardens haven’t been tended in some time.  There are more than 40 children per class, you are told, and they sit on the floor. It’s definitely not what you had in mind for your children. You greet politely and leave, hoping that the other school will be better.  Upon your arrival you are greeted warmly. Everything is neat and tidy, the buildings and gardens are well maintained, and everyone you pass is friendly. This is exactly what you had in mind! There’s just one problem… the language of tuition.  After careful consideration you decide that, as your children are still young, they should have no trouble learning a new language. But things turn out to be harder than you anticipated. As parent you can still handle the phonetics and grammar, but trying to understand Maths in another language is a nightmare, not to mention Life Skills!    Your children often tell you that they don’t understand the teacher and you realise that, if you continue on this path, they may be held back. The worst part is that you can’t really help them with their schoolwork. You consider your children to be quite smart, but both fail their first term.  Native language teaching In South Africa, there is a struggle over schools that want to protect their native language. This is understandable. After all, children’s best chance at a successful education is being taught in their mother tongue. It is what they know and are comfortable with.    Unfortunately, many children are disadvantaged – and end up failing – when they are educated in a different language. While schools are increasingly offering a variety of languages in the Foundation Phase, the main languages of instruction from Grade 4 to 12 remain English and Afrikaans.  The development of all the official languages of South Africa is one of the most important factors in ensuring all children having a fair and equal chance at educational success.  By Hilda Erasmus, Foundation Phase specialist

May 6, 2019
Parenting Hub

10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT STAR WARS RESISTANCE

Want the inside scoop on Disney’s stellar new animated series, Star Wars Resistance? Look no further! Here are our top 10 intergalactic facts on the high-flying space adventure…  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER ONE…  THE CREATOR’S HIGH-FLYING FAMILY HISTORY INSPIRED THE SHOW! “The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots,” reveals the show’s creator, Dave Filoni. “My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.” STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER TWO…  THE STORY OF THE NEW SERIES TAKES PLACE BEFORE THE FORCE AWAKENS!  Iconic characters from the Star Wars universe appear in the ace new animation, including fan-favourites such as Captain Phasma, General Leia Organa, Poe Dameron and BB-8. Executive producer Athena Portillo explains: “Because this story takes place six months prior to The Force Awakens, it makes sense to see some of the characters people know and love. That’s why we’ve included Leia, Poe, Phasma and BB-8. In Star Wars Resistance, we’re talking about the rise of the Resistance and the rise of the First Order, so it’s important to bring these characters into the story.” STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER THREE…  THERE ARE PLANS TO INCLUDE MORE ICONIC STAR WARS CHARACTERS!  The executive producers remain tight-lipped about the names of any other legacy characters scheduled to appear in the animated series – but it’s definitely a possibility that fans will see more. “There’s always potential for more, but we don’t want to spoil any surprises,” admits executive producer and head writer, Brandon Auman. “We want people to come back and watch Star Wars Resistance, so there will be lots of surprises – but we won’t spoil the fun. You’ll definitely see lots of cool elements in the show.” STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER FOUR…  THERE WILL BE LOTS OF NEW ALIENS AND WORLDS IN STAR WARS RESISTANCE! “It’s really cool to bring characters into the story that already exist, but it’s lots more fun to create new worlds, new aliens and new heroes,” reveals Brandon Auman. “That’s the most fun aspect of creating a new show like this. We get to create all these new pieces of the galaxy, and they can all spin off into other media. Hopefully, we’ll see them again in other novels and other movies!”  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER FIVE…  IT’S A TEAM EFFORT TO COME UP WITH THE CHARACTER NAMES! “It’s a mammoth effort to come up with the names of the new characters,” explains Athena Portillo. “I think Dave Filoni already had a couple of names in his head when we started work on the project, but it was a group effort to come up with the rest. I remember creating a list of everybody’s thoughts on what these characters should be called. It was huge! People from Disney and Lucasfilm would send over their top five selections, or their top three, and we’d eventually decide on one.”  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER SIX…  SOME OF THE NAMES HAVE CHANGED ALONG THE WAY! Tons of animated action of Star Wars Resistance takes place on a refueling station called Colossus, but the iconic new location didn’t always have the same name. “It took us a really long time to come up with the name of Colossus,” recalls Brandon Auman. “Originally, it was just called The Platform – but we knew we wanted to come up with something better than that. Every once in a while, someone will still refer to it as The Platform or The Station – but it wasn’t until deep into season one that we finally landed on Colossus.”   STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER SEVEN…  THE BACK-STORIES OF THE CHARACTERS WILL SOON BE REVEALED IN THE SHOW!  Keep your eyes peeled for secret hints to the characters’ back-stories in Star Wars Resistance. “As the series moves forward, you get more insight into the main characters,” reveals executive producer and supervising director, Justin Ridge. “More and more information is uncovered as we go along, so you’ll soon start to see the core of who they are and their motivations. You’ll also see how these factors impact their decisions and their relationships with other characters. We reveal who they are, why they’re there and what they’re doing, which ultimately affects the larger storyline, too.”  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER EIGHT…  THE SHOW EXPLORES NEW AREAS OF THE GALAXY! Most of the story of Star Wars Resistance takes place on a water planet called Castilon, which is a brand new addition to the Star Wars universe. “It’s a whole new world, which is really cool,” explains Brandon Auman. “However, we’re not always on the water planet. We do go off and see other places to get a glimpse of what else is out there, especially in the Outer Rim. It’s exciting to see more and more of the galaxy uncovered.”  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER NINE…  TAM RYVORA WAS THE FIRST NEW CHARACTER CREATED FOR THE SHOW! The first new character designed in the eye-catching cartoon style of Star Wars Resistance was Tam Ryvora; a hotshot mechanic at the heart of the story. “There was a lot of exploration when we were coming up with the design of the new characters in the show,” reveals Justin Ridge. “It takes a lot of time to create something from scratch, but Tam was the first.”  STAR WARS SECRET NUMBER TEN…  IT TAKES UP TO A YEAR TO CREATE EACH EPISODE OF THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE! The creation of a new Star Wars series is no easy feat. “From start to finish, it takes about a year to create an episode,” admits Brandon Auman. “That’s how long it takes from the very first writers’ conference – where we discuss stories ideas – through to post production.

May 4, 2019
Parenting Hub

To honour the one who raised you is a gift

This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, 12 May. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to give the person who raised you and played the role of mother in your life something nice to uplift their spirits. It’s a day to honour a nurturer who raised you, your children, or other children in the community with a meaningful gift. It is never too early to get a Mother’s Day gift; thoughtful gifts make the rest of the week all the more enjoyable for the recipient. Mothers have great influence in society and in the absence of our biological mothers, we find that our guardians, aunts, grandmothers, sisters and sometimes brothers end up playing the role of mother in our lives. These non-biological mothers also deserve to be celebrated on Mother’s Day and that is why NetFlorist has dedicated Mother’s Day 2019 to thanking all the people who raise children, nurture others, and take people under their wing. Apart from Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day is NetFlorist’s biggest occasion of the year. All mothers should be acknowledged and thanked often, but especially on Mother’s Day! The online florist and flower delivery site is getting ready to help South Africans from all walks of life celebrate mothers.  Every year, there are thousands of Mother’s Day gifts sent by friends, family, and partners to brand new moms whose children are a little too young to send gifts. Mother’s Day is a time to honour all the women in your life who have supported and nurtured you, so while you’re choosing the perfect gift for your own mom, don’t forget about your grandmother, mother-in-law, and all the other influential women in your life.  Mom’s don’t always have a wishlist of what they want for Mother’s Day, luckily NetFlorist created gifts to suit all kinds of moms, from the working mom, the perfectionist mother, home-schooling mom, the unpredictable mom, to the best friend mom, the sister-mom, the brother-mom and the gogo-mom. 

May 3, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

5 Key Tips For All Moms Who Need To Practice Pumping On the Go

5 Key Tips For All Moms Who Need To Practice Pumping On the Go If you are a busy lady (and let’s admit it, in the 21st century who of us aren’t!) and need to practice pumping on the go, all you need to do is follow these five simple tips. For whatever reason, you may not always be able to express in your place of comfort. Whilst you may feel most at ease on your couch or in the confines of your own home, this isn’t always possible. Therefore, here is a quick guide to how to handle pumping on the go! #1: Get Yourself and Electronic Breast Pump Which Is Portable  The last thing you need is a cumbersome pump with multiple pieces and the need for a plug point. If you travel frequently, finding yourself a compact pump with a rechargeable battery is key. The Medela Mini Electric is perfect for these situations. It is light weight and small enough to fit into a hand bag. #2: Privacy Is Key Even though breastfeeding is a natural, beautiful thing, some moms feel more at ease in a secluded pumping area. If you need to pump in your office, have a chat with your employer before hand and arrange a private room with a door which closes dedicated to you. If you’re out and about, and find yourself in a pinch, a place such as a family change room is great. Another thing to look out for internationally are breastfeeding pods. Many international airports and malls are beginning to place pods for moms to be able to feed their babies/ express. #3 Find Something TO Stimulate Your Senses Let’s be honest. Pumping away from your usual place of comfort can be difficult at first. Therefore, you may need to find a stimulant to encourage your let down. Pictures of their baby have been found to help a mom with this quite easily. Keep a blanket which smells like them, or better yet, record videos of your baby to have their cries and coos encourage your let down! #4: Keep Cleaning Products At Hand You will need to ensure that you have things such as disposable nursing pads, cleaning wipes and even possible a pumping bra available to streamline this process. Anything that will help you during and after your pump is essential for pumping on the go. #5: Make A Plan To Store your Milk After If you will be pumping away from your home, you need to make a plan to store your milk. Firstly, have the right storage materials on hand. Something like a portable milk bottle or the Medela milk storage bags would be ideal in this situation. Be sure that you will have access to a fridge, as well as a cooler bag to transport your milk when you leave your destination.

May 3, 2019
Parenting Hub

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS: LOOK BEYOND BANNERS & BALLOONS TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE

In coming weeks, public universities and private institutions across South Africa will host a series of Open Days – events meant to showcase their offering to prospective students from the Matric Class of 2019. An education expert says it is essential that learners intending to study next year attend as many Open Days as possible to ensure they make an informed study choice, but more than that, they need to go with a strategy in hand to ensure they look beneath the surface to understand what their likely experience may be at a particular institution or campus. “This is a very exciting time for Matrics, who for the first time will be able to get some real-life insights about life on campus and what their future might be like in coming years after school,” says Wonga Ntshinga, Senior Head of Programme: Faculty of ICT at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education institution. “So we advise Grade 12s to determine without delay when various institutions will be hosting Open Days – an online search will suffice – and then make the effort to attend as many as possible.” Ntshinga says there are many benefits to attending an open day, including 1) to get greater clarity on an institution’s offering 2) to visit different faculties at an institution 3) to speak to representatives of the institution who will be able to help you determine which qualification is a good fit if you are still uncertain 4) to get a feeling of life on a specific campus and 5) to weigh up the offering – academic and otherwise – of different institutions. But he says there is one thing that prospective students must remember when attending Open Days, and that is to keep a level head and not get too starry-eyed by the fanfare of the day. “Open Days are the perfect opportunity to get first-hand experience of a campus and its students, staff and academics. But the first rule of Open Day is to remember that Open Day might not be representative of every other day. Universities put their best foot forward to impress and attract future students, but you have to be savvy and ask the right questions, as well as make the observations that will help you with this major decision.” Ntshinga says prospective students should spend enough time on a campus to get a good look around, and listen to their gut feel while doing so. “Look at the campus grounds, visit the library and the IT lab, note the condition of sports facilities, lecture rooms and even the toilets. If, for instance, an institution’s restrooms are questionable on an Open Day, chances are that they will be the same or worse during the rest of the year. “If lecture rooms and the general environment look tired, dilapidated and unkept on this day, it is unlikely they will look better any other day of the year.” If you get a good feeling about what you observe on campus, the Open Day then presents an opportunity to ask the important questions of university representatives, to gauge whether your degree will help you make a smooth transition to the workplace post-graduation, Ntshinga says. To make that determination, learners should ask the following: 1)    WORK-READINESS: How much practical, work-integrated experience is incorporated into the curriculum? Any good institution, whether public university or private, must have adequate practical learning integrated into the curriculum, and not focus purely on academics. 2)    INDUSTRY-RELEVANCE: Is there close cooperation between the faculty and lecturers, and is current industry practice reflected in the curriculum? Employers look for graduates who they know will be able to make a contribution from the first day on the job, which is why they recruit at those institutions that best prepare students for the real world of work. 3)    STUDENT SUPPORT: What can you expect in terms of support – administratively, academically and post-qualification? Good institutions will have excellent student support from before you sign up until after you graduate, and this support can make a real difference in your higher education experience as well as your career. “Doing your groundwork in the coming month, by identifying and attending Open Days at institutions you’ve been considering, as well as others you may not yet have considered but which  may well turn out to be the right fit, will make a huge contribution to your ability to evaluate your options properly,” Ntshinga says. “Additionally, you may be exposed to opportunities and qualifications you have not considered before, and which may resonate with you. Open Days are essential to making the best choice for your aspirations and provide insights that desktop research rarely does, so make the best of this limited window of opportunity.”

May 2, 2019
StudyChamp

Helping your child prepare for exams

Start early, make a schedule, get enough exercise (and sleep!) and review past papers. These are all great tips to prepare your child for writing exams. But sadly these are most of the time only applicable in theory. As a mother of two sport-crazy boys, I’ve learnt that preparing your children for exams and assessments require far more. Because writing exams are by default stressful, I’ve decided to share a few techniques and great apps to help you and your kids study smarter and to take the stress out of writing exams.  Many studies have proven that, especially for younger children, formal assessments are stressful and the results are not necessarily a fair reflection of the child’s understanding of the work. While starting early and drafting exam schedules sound like great techniques, in reality it can become quite tricky to implement with young, not-so-eager-to-study kids who would rather play xBox, sport or even clean their rooms than actually sit and study. So let’s make it more practical: How should a child actually study? If this is your child’s first exam, he or she will need guidance, but sometimes an older child, who has written many exams, may benefit from a new approach.  These are some ideas to make studying easier for you and your child. Encourage your children to use as many of their senses as possible when studying to ensure maximum retention: Read through all the pages allocated for that day’s studying – preferably out loud. If you child is an auditory learner, let him or her record themselves while reading the text. This exercise of reading with meaning is crucial as it helps to give a bigger picture of the topic that has to be studied. Not all children study with notes, but it is definitely advisable to encourage your child to make notes in some form or another. Some children make lists, some make mind maps, some may write down only key words. Children making notes for the first time will need help as they tend to write down everything at first. Something that I found worked very well is helping your first-time-note-maker by writing simple questions which they then must answer by searching for answers in the text. These questions and answers can then be used as notes to study from. Just beware of the ‘perfect-notes’ trap. Do not spend so much time making perfect notes that there is no time left to actually study the notes!  Allow your child enough time to memorise and understand the notes just made. It should take an average Grade 4 child about 30-45 minutes to memorise one page of notes (which should represent about 3 to 4 pages in their books). Break this into two 20/25 min sessions with a 10 min break in between. Test retention immediately, if possible. Up to Grade 7 your child will definitely benefit if you are available to take a few minutes after a day of studying to check if they have retained the information studied. This will give you an indication if the study time was spent productively or not, and also if the study load (as set out in the schedule) is too little or too much for your child. The day before the exam, study only from the notes or listen to the recordings of your notes. Then do a past paper or mock exam paper to highlight any areas that still need attention. Super study schedules A schedule is an important part of exam preparation as it gives you a complete overview of exactly what needs to be done and how much time you have left. A schedule also give you a sense of accomplishments when you are able to draw a line through a day and know that you have achieved your goal. Your help will be needed with compiling the schedule, maybe even for your older child. Planning is an advanced skill that some children only learn a lot later in life. A few tips and ideas on schedules: Start by studying the subjects first that you write last in the exam. Effectively this means that at least your child would have gone over the work he or she writes at the end of the exam, when they would not be that eager to study anymore. Schedule time to makes notes and to study the notes. It is advisable to only make the notes for the topic or pages allocated for that day and then to study those notes. If possible, break each subject into topics and study a topic in a session. This will give a more coherent picture and understanding of the work. Do not over-estimate your child’s ability to study a lot of work in a short period. Rather allow for more time and more breaks than you think are necessary. Remember that normal school activities like sport and cultural activities will continue and should be factored into the schedule. The schedule should be updated and amended when necessary. The schedule should end two days before the exams start. The day before, only the subject/s written the next day should be revised. Download these brilliant apps to help you set up a schedule: My Study Life  This app provides a complete schedule and calendar solution and has a separate section where exams can be scheduled. It is relatively easy to use and reminders can be activated or de-activated for classes, exams or tasks. 30/30 30/30 allows you to set timers to complete specific tasks. The interface is sharp and innovative, allowing users to control the app easily with swipes and gestures. 30/30 Can also give you a better understanding of how long it really takes to do certain things. This is less of an exam planner and more of a timer that ensures you do not spend more time than planned on a specific task. myHomework myHomework is simple, reliable and works even without an Internet connection. Like the other apps, you can set tasks

May 2, 2019
Prima Baby

CHICCO PRESENT THE FANTASTIC LOVE NURSING RANGE

Chicco, the 360 degree approach to all things baby, was recently taken over by Prima Baby and launched on a larger scale into South Africa. With that, comes a whole new exciting range of products that are accessible for every moment and milestone of your child’s first years. Introducing Fantastic Love – a fun approach to nursing from newborn and up that brings the fantastic to life through ponies, pandas and unicorns. Unique, top quality products with gorgeous designs will now be available for a limited time only. Perfect for baby showers, baby gifting and just for that mom who wants to spoil their little one. Included in the range are: Physio Soft pacifiers that each come with their own unique clear case with a soft satin heart on it, either in pink or blue.   Well-being Feeding bottles in 150, 250 or 330ml, all with gorgeous designs of ponies, pandas or unicorns on them (non-scratch).  All available in either pink or blue. Soother holders – compact and handy little soother holders that keep baby’s dummy clean and safe when traveling – also available in pink or blue. Pacifier clips – in small unicorn shapes.  Keep baby’s soother attached to their clothes with this cute little convenient accessory. Teethers – a yummy gummy soother in a unicorn shape, these pink or blue teethers will be your child’s best friend through tough teething times. All products retail at R129 and are available at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores, www.takealot.com and other retailers.  Limited units in SA.

May 2, 2019
Abbotts Colleges

What to do if you’re child is the bully

Bullying at school is common and the source of much misery and discomfort for many students and their parents in turn. The effects can be long lasting for the victim’s health and wellbeing, sometimes even having fatal consequences. Teachers are trained to help combat this anti-social behaviour and parents as well as students have access to many outside support structures that give guidance on how to overcome the effects of bullying.   Parents, often, only see their child as a possible victim and therefore, guide their child on how to avoid being bullied. It is rare for parents to consider that their child might be the bully. This is understandable; after all, acknowledging that your child is a bully, is possibly an indictment on you as a parent. Sadly, we are well aware that bullying at schools is rife; someone is doing it. Frighteningly, it could very well be your child. One should recognise and acknowledge this possibility and remedy such behaviour patterns immediately. Your child could see denying the occurrence or ignoring the problem as acceptance of this anti-social behaviour. The long-term consequences of being a bully are scary. Bullies are prone to mental illness later in life. They continue to be aggressive and even violent. According to stopbullying.govbullying is a risk factor for depression and thinking about suicide. Children who bully others, are bullied, or both bully and are bullied are more likely to think about or attempt suicide than those who are not involved in bullying at all. Therefore, if you notice some of the following signs, it is time to step in and get help for your child as mentioned by Sheeri Gordon on Tips for addressing bullying by your child(2019): Your child is often in the company of other bullies Your child is constantly criticising and insulting other children to the extent that they feel belittled and offended Your child is regularly violating the school’s code of conduct and in trouble at school  Your child actively invites kids over but turns down a couple that used to be included Your child is obsessed with being popular Your child is aggressive physically and/or verbally Your child is uncompassionate and has no concern for those that suffer  Your child avoids you and spends too much time alone at home Address the bullying without delay; don’t hope that it will stop. Your child must know that you explicitly disapprove of the behaviour and that they will be disciplined. It must be clearly understood that bullying is inexcusable. However, the appropriate disciplinary measures can only be taken if you know why your child is bullying someone else. Identify the reasons, for example, your child may be bullying others because they want to be part of a popular group. You should address the importance of keeping the right company and not succumbing to peer pressure. Remember to let the punishment fit the crime. A knee jerk reaction is likely to make matters worse.   Taking away privileges is a tried and tested form of discipline for teens and is very effective. For example, you can take away electronics, watching TV and the privilege of attending parties or special events. The list is endless. Ensure that that you don’t give in at any point and stick to the length of time that the privilege will be revoked.  Collaborate with the school and show full support for the school’s code of conduct.  Don’t attempt to rescue them from the consequences of their actions. Once this is done, your child will expect that you will always do so and will not take responsibility for their actions.  Determine the details of your child’s bullying behaviour. Are there skills your child is lacking that may prevent future bullying incidents like anger management and impulse control? Seek professional assistance if required. Don’t dispel the value of a session or two with a psychologist if need be. Avoid humiliating or shaming your child, especially not in front of anyone else. Letting family members and friends know about what is going on, will not help. In fact, it could prove only to worsen the behaviour. Keep it private and the solution will be more easily achieved. Remember, praise may be public; but punishment, always private. Talk about the consequences of bullying; be sure your child takes the time to really think about how he would feel if he was on the receiving end. When children learn to see things from a different viewpoint, they are less likely to bully again. Raising your child’s emotional intelligence and instilling empathy will go a long way in preventing bullying. So consider carefully, your own actions and utterances as a parent; children most often, unwittingly emulate their parents.  When bullying is identified early and addressed appropriately, it usually won’t happen again. However, don’t automatically assume that this is the case. Instead, monitor your child’s conduct and continue to discipline him if necessary. If given the right skill set, most children who bully others can change. Stopping your child from bullying others can take some time, it’s not an overnight solution. Written by: Sedhoorajan Padayachee, Principal at Abbotts College Northcliff

May 2, 2019
Parenting Hub

There’s Always More Than Meets the Eye with New Transformers BotBots

Not long ago, and somewhere close by, a glowing mist filled with Transformers power called ENERGON came down from the sky and covered a shopping mall. The objects inside were brought to life as little Transformers robots. These bots can hide in plain sight as everyday objects, meaning no one knows what a bot is and what’s not! Mischievous, funny, and super silly, say hello to new Transformers BotBots!   Hidden BotBots characters are little mystery figures with big personalities!  2-in-1 Collectable BotBots charactersare around 2-cm tall and have two fun modes converting from totally normal items you’d find in a shopping mall – like a backpack, football or a doughnut – to adventurous little robots. BotBots convert between modes in three to five simple steps and have movable parts to imagine fun stories and adventures. Each bot belongs to a themed team based on the type of store they belong in. Meet the Backpack Bunch, Sugar Shocks, Techie Team, Jock Squad, Greaser Gang, Shed Heads, Toilet Troop, and Lost Bots.  Enjoy an exciting unboxing surprise with the BotBots mystery blind bag – pop them out to see what’s inside.  BotBots are also available in a five-pack assortment.   Look for all the BotBots Series 1 assortments (each sold separately, subject to availability) and start building your BotBots collection!  There are over 190 BotBots to collect in 2019 – these sharable, swappable, tradable BotBots are great fun for everyone.  Find hidden BotBots at Checkers, Toy Adventures, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, Toy Zone and Takealot.com    @TransformersSouthAfrica   #FindTheBots Meet the Transformers BotBots: Greaser Gang is a team of greased up and chilled out rulers of the food court who put the fast in fast food.  Series one Greaser Gang characters include Shredder Jack, Duderoni, S’up dawg, Spud Muffin, Angry Cheese, Hawt Diggity, Fottle Barts, and Twerple Burple Jock Squad is crew of super sporty bots who love to win and are always ready to gear up and get their game faces on. Series one Jock Squad characters include Laceface, Batsby, Kidd Klobber, Pucksie, Fitness Monster, and Arctic Guzzlerush.  Techie Team is a cutting-edge crew of got-to-have-it phones, gadgets, electronics, and gamer gear. Series one Techie Team characters include: Screen Fiend, Chilla Gorilla, Skillz Punk, S.A. Cheez, Raddhax, Fomo, Goob Toob, and Dr. Moggly Toilet Troop is a clean-up platoon of bathroom defenders who take care of business by cleaning the bathroom and beyond. Series one Toilet Troop characters include: Sergeant Scrubadub, King Toots, Sudsbeard, Nobeeoh, Stinkosaurus Rex, Poo Sham, and Frohawk. Sugar Shocks are a squad of sweet treats who share their own unique sugar rush and kick things into overdrive. Series one Sugar Shocks characters include Sippy Slurps, The Plop Father, Waddlepop, Lolly Licks, Remorsel, Sprinkleberry D’uhnut, Unilla Icequeencone, Cocoa Crazy, and Nrjeez. Also discover the Backpack Bunch, Shed Heads and Lost Bots with even more exciting characters to find.   Download the BotBots series one collectors guide and start collecting! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.

May 1, 2019
Parenting Hub

DISNEY CHANNEL MAY 2019 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

KIM POSSIBLE – THE MOVIE Disney Channel Original Movie premiere Friday 3rd May at 16:00 Kim Possible is back! May sees the premiere of a great new Disney Channel Original Movie, based on the much-loved animated series, which is airing on Friday 3rd May at 16:00.  In this comedic action-adventure, a live-action transformation of the original series, newcomer Sadie Stanley stars as the iconic teen hero, Kim Possible, along with Sean Giambrone (ABC’s The Goldbergs) as her best friend and sidekick, Ron Stoppable. The friends embark on their freshman year at high school, while also saving the world from evil villains. DCOM Kim Possible – The Movie premieres on Friday 3rd April at 16:00 on Disney Channel PENNY ON M.A.R.S Season two premiere episodes Weekdays from 6th to 17th May 2019 at 15:35 Penny on M.A.R.S returns to Disney Channel this month, with the launch of season two on weekdays from Monday 6th to Friday 17th May, at 15:35.  Penny is the 16 year old secret daughter of a famous female pop star. She auditioned for a prestigious performing arts school with her best friend Camilla, who knows her secret. They were both accepted, and looked forward to a new life. But things got complicated when they both fell for the same boy. In the season two launch episode, entitled A New Friend (Monday 6th May at 15:35), Seb has just found out the truth about Bakia and the stolen song, and he doesn’t want to see Penny any more.  Premiere episodes of Penny on M.A.R.S. season two air on weekdays from Monday 6th to Friday 17th May, at 15:35, on Disney Channel. MIRACULOUS TALES OF LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR Premiere special Friday 3rd May at 15:10 Fans of Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir have a special treat in store this May – a double episode length special entitled Heroes’ Day. (Friday 3rd May at 15:10) It’s Heroes’ Day in Paris and everyone must do a good deed. But Marinette hasn’t had time to take care of hers, overwhelmed by her missions as Ladybug – and the nightmare is just beginning. Hawk Moth puts the plan he’s been preparing for so long into action by re-akumatizing all his former villains! To face them, Ladybug and Cat Noir end up at the head of a team of superheroes. Will they manage to defeat the incredible army of super-villains? Or will Heroes’ Day become Villains’ Day? Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Heroes’ Day premieres on Friday 3rd May at 15:10 on Disney Channel. RAPUNZEL’S TANGLED ADVENTURES Premiere episodes  Weekdays from Monday 20th May to 6th June at 06:25 Rapunzel is back! May sees further premiere episodes from the second season of Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures, on weekdays from Monday 20th May to 6th June at 06:25. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprise their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (Flynn Rider) in the fun-filled animated series based on the hit Disney movie and the famous fairy tale. In the episode entitled The Brothers Hook (Tuesday 28th May at 06:25) Rapunzel tries to lift everyone’s spirits by taking them to see Hook Hand in concert, but the reunion of the Hook Brothers brings up bad memories for Hook Foot. Premiere episodes of Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures air on weekdays from Monday 20th May to 6th June at 06:25 on Disney Channel. BUG JUICE: MY ADVENTURES AT CAMP Series premiere episodes Weekdays from 27th May to 7th June at 17:15 Disney Channel’s brand new series Bug Juice: My Adventures at Camp launches this month, with premiere episodes from 27th May to 7th June at 17:15. Follow a group of kids at summer camp as they experience life away from home, make new friends, learn new activities from archery to drama, and create memories. In the episode entitled Tacos For Breakfast (Wednesday 29th May at 17:15) Opposite Day turns Wazi on its head! The kids eat dinner for breakfast and get filthy in a food fight. P4 gives Guido a makeover that causes him to miss the boys. Premiere episodes of new series Bug Juice: My Adventures at Camp air from 27th May to 7th June at 17:15 on Disney Channel.

May 1, 2019
Parenting Hub

DISNEY JUNIOR MAY 2019 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

P. J. MASKS                                                         Premiere short episodes                                                                Weekdays until Friday 3rd May at 16:25 PJ Masks is one of the most popular shows on Disney Junior, so fans will be delighted to hear that premiere short episodes will air in May on weekdays until Friday 3rd May at 16:25.  In the first of these episodes, entitled Space Race (Wednesday 1st May at 16:25), when Luna Girl steals a Moon Crystal from the PJ Masks, the race is on to get it back! Premiere P.J. Masks shorts will air in May on weekdays until Friday 3rd May at 16:25 on Disney Junior.  MUPPET BABIES                                   Premiere episodes                                                    Weekdays until Friday 10th May at 10:00 The Muppet Babies continue their adventures on Disney Junior this month, with premiere episodes until Friday 10th May at 10:00. The youngsters have fun solving problems in their imagination from the safety of their nursery. Premiere episodes air on weekdays until Friday 10th May 29th at 10:00. In the episode Card Shark (Thursday 2nd May at 10:00) after Piggy keeps cheating at a board game, Rizzo gives her a run for her money. Premiere episodes of Muppet Babies air on weekdays until Friday 10th May at 10:00 on Disney Junior. GIGANTOSAURUS                                  Premiere episodes                                                                  Weekdays until 17th  May at 16:00 Disney Junior’s brand new series, Gigantosaurus, launched last month, and continues this month with premiere episodes on weekdays until 17th May at 16:00.    In this great new show four curious young dinosaur friends explore the mystery of Gigantosaurus, the largest, fiercest dinosaur of all, as they face their individual fears and work together to solve problems. In the premiere episode entitled The Island/Don’t Cave In (Wednesday 1st May at 16:00) timid Bill and brave Rocky end up stranded on an island, however Rocky suddenly becomes the scared one! Then Trey warns the little dinos about a cave monster named Shriekasaurus. Premiere episodes of Gigantosaurus air on weekdays until 17th May at 16:00 on Disney Junior.  CLAUDE                                                      Premiere episodes                                                                    Weekdays Monday 6th to Friday 24th May at 13:00 Beret-clad dog Claude returns to Disney Junior this month, with further escapades in the seaside resort of Pawhaven, on weekdays from Monday 6th to Friday 24th May at 13:00. In the episode entitled Welcome to Pawhaven/Home (not quite) Alone (Monday 6th May at 13:00) Claude interrupts the making of Pawhaven’s tourist video. Claude and Sir Bobblysock deal with a squatting squirrel.The voice cast for this show includes Simon Callow, Jane Horrocks, Shane Richie and Su Pollard. Premiere episodes of Claude air on weekdays from Monday 6th to Friday 24th May at 13:00. VAMPIRINA                                                  Season premiere episodes                                                                Monday 27th to Friday 31st May at 17:30 Season two of Vampirina swoops onto Disney Junior this month, with premiere episodes from Monday 27th to Friday 31st May at 17:30. In the season launch episode, entitled Franken-Wedding (Monday 27th May at 17:30) Vee has the most important job at Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein’s wedding!  Premiere episodes from season two of Vampirina air on weekdays from Monday 27th to Friday 31st May at 17:30 on Disney Junior.  FANCY NANCY CLANCY                        Premiere episodes                                                    Monday 13th to Friday 24th May at 17:30 Fancy Nancy Clancy is back on the channel this month, with premiere episodes on weekdays from Monday 13th to Friday 24th May at 17:00.  Nancy is a girl who loves anything fancy, including extravagant clothes, tutus, fairy wings and Christmas lights. She uses fancy words, some French, and thinks her family is rather ordinary! In the episode entitled Vive La Revolution/Million Dollar Minnow (Monday 13th May at 17:00) a neighbourhood climbing tree is declared off-limits, Nancy and friends protest. Nancy dreams of becoming a synchronized swimmer, but is afraid of water.  Premiere episodes of Fancy Nancy Clancy air on weekdays from Monday 13th to Friday 24th May at 17:00 

May 1, 2019
Parenting Hub

Educational opportunities for brilliant young minds

This time of the year is an exciting period for learners who have dared to dream of studying in the United States of America. From December to March, universities like Yale, Princeton and Duke send out feedback to hundreds of thousands of students who have applied for a spot on their prestigious campuses. Harvard alone received a record 42 743 applications this year, of which it typically accepts less than 5%. More and more South Africans are setting their sights on an exclusive overseas education. The internet has broken down many of the barriers to information that previous generations faced, while the desire for diverse student pools has made top-ranked campuses increasingly cosmopolitan. The trend is also in part due to the arrival in the country of educational mentoring companies such as Crimson Education, who assist high school students to navigate unfamiliar and rigorous applications processes successfully. “The key to a strong application is to prepare well, understand what makes a great application, and to demonstrate passion and initiative. Understanding what makes you unique will help you stand out,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager of Crimson Education in South Africa. The company employs strategy consultants, tutors and mentors, who are graduates and students from top-ranked universities, to help gear a student’s high school years towards landing a spot at their dream campus. Top-ranked universities offer excellent facilities, educators, alumni networks and opportunities to work on cutting-edge research projects, or intern at global companies. They also have the resources to provide substantial financial aid to those who need it. Some universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton, use a need-blind acceptance system. They send out acceptance letters without knowing the financial resources of the applicant; “All accepted candidates are seen as deserving of a spot, and the institution undertakes to help fund them,” says Pretorius. “Young people are very pragmatic about education in this globalised world. They realise that a top-ranked degree is a great launching pad for achieving their career goals – which are often entrepreneurial and geared towards solving a problem back home that they care about,” says Pretorius. For Crimson Education, a big name is less important than finding the right fit for each learner. Their consultants use a specialised algorithm developed in-house to help students to successfully navigate a pool of over 4 000 institutions, the top 100 of which are all considered world-class. “We create a balanced shortlist of universities for each student to apply to, maximising the chance of acceptance to your dream school, while minimising the risk of rejection,” says Pretorius. The company itself has unexpected roots that explain its reverence for youthful ambition and brilliance. It was founded in New Zealand in 2013 by two high school students, Jamie Beaton and South-African born Sharndre Kushor. Now, aged 23 and 24 respectively, they oversee operations in 24 cities worldwide. Beaton is a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, having completed his undergraduate and a double masters at Stanford Business School in a mere four years. Kushor studied Population Health while steadily growing the company and honing its model for team-led mentorship. “The model developed by Jamie and Sharndre, with its focus on individual interests and passions, has achieved a 100% success rate – with all of our students landing a spot at least one of their top eight university choices,” says Pretorius. The company has helped to secure over 330 offers to the top 50 universities in the United States, 133 of which are Ivy League. Over the years, their students have secured $45.7-million in scholarships. South African students and parents who are inspired by the idea can attend one of the company’s information sessions by emailing [email protected].

April 30, 2019
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