I have been assisting families with implementing sleep plans for many years and as it so happens that I am assisting the same families again with their second or third children. Often, the question comes up: “Why does the same plan of my first child not work with the other children? There is truth when I say: “Every child is different!”
“Emotions are important and can determine the kind of behaviour your child displays,” advises play therapist and Clamber Club Expert Anna Rodrigues. “A young child does not have the language to tell what he is feeling so his feelings come out in his behavior,” she adds. A child who feels angry for example could be defiant; a child who feels sad may cry continuously and a happy, content child may smile often and be compliant. A child who knows that there are many different emotions can name them and has a greater ability to be in control of those emotions. How can you help your child show his emotions? Start by looking at ways to help your child recognize his different emotions. “The first four emotions your child should recognise as a toddler is the happy face, the sad face, the angry face and the scared face,” says Anna. As you page through a magazine with your child or read him a story at night, point out the emotions the characters may be experiencing. As your child becomes familiar with those emotions highlight other emotions such as the excited teddy, the frustrated little boy or the nervous horse. Secondly, allow your child to experience these emotions through play. Children love to pretend and to fantasize. So, let your child pretend to be a mad dinosaur or a scared bird. Notice the expression on your child’s face as he plays out these emotions. There are also many negative emotions that your child may feel, he may feel annoyed, upset, confused, scared, angry or disillusioned. “These are all normal to experience, but when he starts to act out and misbehave or internalise these hard feelings it is important to help him to release these emotions in a playful manner,” advises Rodrigues. How high is your PQ when it comes to your child? There is so much importance placed on the child’s IQ and EQ, however we should add PQ – playful quotation, to this group. Here are our top playful activities to do with your child to help him release negative energy or negative feelings:
Pregnancy and the arrival of a new baby is a time of great excitement and joy for expectant parents. However, occasionally there can be complications, which is why pregnant moms should have regular health checks and be aware of any unusual symptoms that may develop. Over the past few years, there has been discussion around a condition known as HELLP Syndrome. It’s a life-threatening complication in pregnancy that can be difficult to diagnose. We reached out to Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund and his clinical team, to get some answers and advice about HELLP. What is HELLP Syndrome? HELLP (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count) Syndrome usually develops before the 37th week of pregnancy but can occur shortly after delivery. It’s a serious complication that affects the blood and liver. H = Haemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells that carry oxygen from lungs to the rest of the body. EL= Elevated liver enzymes. High levels of these chemicals in the blood can be a sign of liver problems. LP = Low platelet count. Platelets are little fragments of blood cells that help with blood clotting. A low platelet count can lead to serious bleeding. What causes HELLP? ‘We don’t know what causes HELLP syndrome,’ says Dr Mkhatshwa, ‘however, you are at risk if you have pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.’ About 1 to 2 in 10 pregnant women (10 to 20 percent) with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia develop HELLP. Pre-eclampsia is caused by high blood pressure. It usually starts after the 20th week of pregnancy or giving birth. Eclampsia is when pre-eclampsia is uncontrolled and causes seizures. Many women are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia before they have HELLP which is a more severe form of pre-eclampsia. What are the symptoms / signs of HELLP? You may feel tired, have pain in the upper right part of the belly, bad headaches and nausea or vomiting. You may also experience swelling, especially of the face and hands and blurry vision. Some women develop HELLP suddenly, without having any signs or symptoms. If you have any signs of HELLP Syndrome, call your medical practitioner, emergency services or go to a hospital emergency room for medical care right away. How is HELLP diagnosed? To find out if you have HELLP Syndrome, your healthcare provider will do a physical exam to check for: Belly pain or soreness, especially in the upper right side An enlarged liver High blood pressure Swelling in your legs Other tests could include: Blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels, lactate dehydrogenase and full blood and platelet count with a peripheral smear Urinalysis to check for protein in the urine A CT scan to see if there’s bleeding in your liver Non-stress test or ultrasound to check your baby’s health. A non-stress test checks your baby’s heart rate, in the womb, to see how the heart rate changes when your baby moves. This test is to make sure your baby’s getting enough oxygen. Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer screen to show a picture of your baby inside the womb Is HELLP painful? Symptoms of HELLP include serious pain just below the ribs, or the upper right side of the chest area (where the liver is), shoulder pain or pain when breathing. How is HELLP treated? You may be given medication to control your blood pressure and prevent seizures or you may require a blood transfusion to treat anaemia and low platelet levels. Early birth may be necessary because HELLP complications can get worse and harm both you and your baby – either through an induced labour or by C-Section depending on the health assessment results of the baby. How does it impact the baby? Infants born to mothers with HELLP Syndrome may have a variety of birth injuries: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or severe respiratory distress. Are there long term effects of HELLP? A history of HELLP Syndrome means you are at increased risk for recurrent pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome as well as increased long-term morbidities, particularly depression and chronic hypertension. Can HELLP develop after childbirth? Yes, up to 30% of all patients who develop HELLP Syndrome do so after giving birth, typically within 48 hours. Can I have another baby after HELLP syndrome? If you had HELLP in a previous pregnancy, regardless of the time of onset, you have a greater risk for developing it in future pregnancies. ‘The condition is serious but rare’, stresses Dr Mkhatshwa. ‘Throughout your pregnancy it’s important to understand the changes your body is going through and to discuss any unusual pain or symptoms with your medical practitioner. This will ensure you receive the right help especially if you develop a complication and make the pregnancy and birth the joyous event it should be!’
“Logic will get you from A to Z … Imagination will get you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein We all know from experience that music touches our emotions. Listening to a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” can leave us feeling nostalgic or melancholic; whereas listening to the “Imperial Stormtroopers March” from the Star Wars movies can suddenly make us want to enrol as a Jedi, and head into space! This emotional response can also affect our energy levels. For example, if you’re wanting to jog faster, you might listen to a more up-beat song. Wanting to boost your mood? You might pop on a dance song that reminds you of a fun experience in your past. Wanting to calm an unsettled baby? You might pop on some soothing instrumental music while you cuddle and reassure him / her. Emotions and imagination If music has such a profound effect on our moods and emotions, perhaps that is why it can be so effective in stimulating our imaginations. Author and Editor, Amy Fries thinks so! She’s written a book called “Daydreams at Work: Wake Up Your Creative Powers” where she talks about the power of music to activate our imaginations and spark creativity. She says, “Some people have auditory daydreams. In other words, instead of primarily visualizing a scene or creation, they hear the “sounds of music.” Apparently, both Mozart and Tchaikovsky wrote about how they would “hear” compositions as they took long walks or rides in the countryside. This is absolutely fascinating … but also makes a lot of sense. Imagine if we could harness the power of music to help children to stimulate their imaginations and ultimately their creativity! Imagine … Wriggle and Rhyme! Working with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, we harness the power of the imagination in our music programmes. In fact, our programmes have been intentionally designed to use music as a catalyst for imagination. For example, in our RHYMERS (18 months – 3 years) programme this term, the children are enjoying a musical adventure in a garden. They’re enjoying the sights, sounds and textures of a garden. They’re also meeting a bunch of little creatures that they’ll find in the grass, trees and flowers. While on this adventure, they’re building their own imaginary world, which they can then access during their own free play time. Parents often tell us that after class, the children do just that! Wriggle and Rhyme prompts free, imaginary play at home! Our 3-4 year old pre-schoolers are enjoying a musical adventure to the Kruger National Park to meet the Big Five. Once again, we create an imaginary world for them to explore, always using music as the catalyst. With children increasingly in front of screens, never before has the power of imagination been more important. We believe that as children grow and develop, we need to create: More spaces for them to grow their imaginations. More spaces for them to express themselves emotionally and creatively. More spaces for them to ultimately expand their horizons … into worlds that they can only imagine! Musical resources Wriggle and Rhyme has a range of musical stories which you can access on your favourite streaming service (Apple music, Spotify, iTunes, etc.) or take a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/our-music . We also have fun, musical episodes on our YOUTUBE channel “Wriggle & Rhyme SA”. Our baby and toddler music classes are available in Cape Town – RONDEBOSCH, CLAREMONT, MELKBOSSTRAND and MEADOWRIDGE. Our pre-school music classes take place at partner pre-schools across the Mother City. Find us at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za or on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme
Reading is a multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency and motivation. Reading in its fullest sense involves weaving together each of these aspects and each is important. Our brains were not wired for reading – therefore it needs to be taught. Dr Seuss put it quite simply – Reading opens the door to the world. It is essential to just about every aspect of life from cooking to driving and everything in between. One of the areas of reading that we incorporate into our teaching programme at Glenoaks Remedial and Vocational School is Paired Reading. What is paired reading? It is a simple technique that parents can use to improve their child’s oral reading and comprehension ability. It only takes ten minutes a day and it is a non-stressful way of supporting your child. The benefits include improved self-esteem and teachers often comment on an improvement in fluency and enjoyment in reading. We promote this method as it creates a bond between the reader (child) and the reading partner (adult). This bond enables the reader to develop a love for reading and books and encourages them to read with confidence and understanding. Paired Reading is like a child learning to ride a bicycle. In the early stages you give the child encouragement, confidence and control, by holding the bicycle. Your own instinct will tell you when to let go. So you can gradually disengage for longer periods until your child is able to ride without help. The same applies with Paired Reading. It is an ideal way of helping your child become an independent reader. It works on building up the positives and successes rather than concentrating on mistakes. In 2017, Glenoaks School partnered with Wits University to run a pilot project into the value of the Paired Reading method. A group of Wits students and a group of school staff underwent a training programme and then committed to a nine week commitment of reading three times a week with a class of Grade 2 children. In addition the children read the same books with their parents. Prior to the start of the project, the children underwent testing and they were also tested at the end of the nine week period. They were assessed in two aspects of reading; word recognition and comprehension. The results were very positive and on average the learners’ word recognition reading age improved by 5 months and their comprehension age by 2 years and 5 months. The positive results of this project have encouraged us to continue to promote this method of reading. The method for Paired Reading is so simple and you only need 10 minutes a day. Step 1 – Reading Together Read aloud with the child, both of you reading at the same pace The child can point to each word with their finger, and this helps to control the pace If a mistake is made allow 4 seconds for the child to correct If the word is not corrected, say the word and the child must repeat it correctly Use lots of praise! Ask questions and discuss what you are reading Step 2 – Reading Alone Start reading together. Child gives agreed signal when ready to read alone (can be a knock or tap, it shouldn’t be verbal) Child reads alone Give praise for reading alone If or when the child makes an error, give 4 seconds to self-correct If not self-corrected, say the word correctly which the child repeats Read again together until the child signals to read alone Reading together at home is one of the easiest but most important ways in which you can help your child. As you share books you are helping to improve your child’s reading skills and showing them how enjoyable reading can be. It is also the perfect way to spend quality time together! Glenoaks School offers Paired Reading training workshops to parents and schools. Please contact us for more information. Written by Margie Turner (Remedial Specialist at Glenoaks School)
Does this sound familiar? “Joshua, it’s time for dinner…” No answer. Is he ignoring me? Or maybe he didn’t hear me…? Maybe I should get those ears checked… When is it worthwhile taking your child for a hearing test? Perhaps you recall your child had a hearing test at birth. Or perhaps there was so much going on that it seems like a distant memory. Most children do have their hearing screened at birth by an audiologist, but it depends on the hospital protocol. The test that is done at birth is a screening test to exclude significant hearing loss, but it is certainly worthwhile to repeat the hearing test several times as your child ages. Ideally, your child should have their hearing tested at birth, at one year, at three years and at five years of age. This should be done by an audiologist, as doctors cannot test your child’s hearing. Why is it so important to test my child’s hearing so frequently? At Birth –This is normally a screening done in the hospital at birth, within the first few days of life. Hearing is tested using a small probe which measures echo responses from the cochlea (inner ear). It is recommended that every child has a hearing screening test at birth. At 1 year – At this age your child should start producing one word utterances. Hearing is tested using the same test as at birth, but this time a diagnostic version is used, which tests a broader range of tones, and two different types of echoes can be measured. Your child can sit quietly and does not need to respond. We also look at their behavioural responses to soft speech in a sound proof booth, with rewarding stimuli like a Barney DVD which is played when they respond appropriately. Lastly, their middle ear health is tested using tympanometry, as many children have middle ear fluid which parents are not aware of. At 3 years – Your child should now be stringing short sentences together, which should be largely intelligible to both family and strangers. By age 3 and a half, your child can start responding more accurately to behavioural hearing tests. A combination of the testing described above, as well as play audiometry is generally used at this age to test your child’s hearing. Middle ear pressure tests and objective testing may be repeated if behavioural responses do not give enough information. At 5 years – By five years of age your child can attend for longer and give responses that are accurate. A full diagnostic hearing test is normally carried out. Results tend to be more specific to the pitch and intensities of your child’s hearing threshold. It is important that your child’s hearing is tested before they start school to ensure they can hear normally, which will allow your child the optimum learning capacity. Warning signs for potential hearing loss to look out for: Requests for the TV to be a little louder Ignoring or not responding when spoken to, especially from a distance (this can be inconsistent) Asking for repetition (saying ‘what?’ ‘huh?’) Difficulty learning new words Delayed speech or language development You feel concerned as a parent Teachers raise concerns Academic difficulties Attention or behaviour problems Complaints about sore ears, or frequent tugging of the ears Difficulty hearing on the phone with one or both ears If in doubt, rather have your child’s hearing tested routinely. Hearing loss can occur within the first few years of life, and children are at risk for middle ear infections, which are not always detectable by parents. To find an audiologist in your area, visit Audiology SA
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, warns that using laxatives for weight loss is ineffective and can also be dangerous. What Are Laxatives? Laxatives are substances that are designed to promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. While they are often used for medical purposes, such as treating digestive disorders or preparing for medical procedures, some people may also use laxatives to lose weight. However, the use of laxatives for weight loss is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous. Busting Laxative Myths The idea that laxatives can aid in weight loss is based on a common misconception about the role of bowel movements in the body. Some people may believe that if they can have more bowel movements, they will eliminate more waste and therefore lose weight. However, the amount of waste in the body is not directly correlated with body weight. In fact, most waste material comprises water, bacteria, and undigested food, which do not contribute to overall body mass. Furthermore, using laxatives for weight loss can have serious health consequences. 10 Dangers of Abusing Laxatives Laxative abuse is a growing problem, especially among those who struggle with eating disorders or body image issues. The dangers of laxative abuse include the following. Dehydration: Laxatives can cause the body to lose water, leading to dehydration if not enough fluids are consumed. Electrolyte imbalances: Laxative abuse can also cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, leading to serious health problems such as muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, and seizures. Intestinal damage: Overusing laxatives can damage the intestinal lining, causing chronic inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding. Nutrient deficiencies: Chronic laxative abuse can lead to nutrient deficiencies, as the body may not be able to absorb essential vitamins and minerals. Gastrointestinal disorders: Laxative abuse can contribute to developing gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, and even colon cancer. Dependence: Regular use of laxatives can lead to physical dependence on them, making it difficult for the body to have a bowel movement without their use. Weight gain: Laxatives do not help with long-term weight loss and can lead to weight gain as the body becomes dependent on them to have regular bowel movements. Kidney damage: Laxative abuse can damage the kidneys over time as they filter waste products from the body. Psychological effects: Laxative abuse can also have psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, and a distorted body image. Death: In extreme cases, laxative abuse can lead to serious health complications that can be fatal, such as electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and kidney failure. The Importance of Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Weight Loss Instead of relying on laxatives for weight loss, focusing on healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes is essential. This includes a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, regular exercise, and adequate hydration. “In some cases, constipation and digestive issues can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “If you are experiencing chronic constipation or other digestive issues, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying conditions and develop an appropriate treatment plan.” About Affinity Health Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading health insurance provider, offering you a range of options, including access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of medical insurance that meets your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Our healthcare products are designed to protect you and your family when it matters. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Eye-hand coordination, also known as hand-eye coordination, refers to the smooth, controlled and coordinated movements of the hand and eye together in order to reach a specific goal. While this may appear to be a fairly simple process to an observer, it is in fact an immensely complicated process that is dependent on your eyes ability to see, your brains ability to process, interpret and understand what is being seen by the eye and then based on that information plan and execute a smooth, coordinated, appropriate motor response. In the case of eye-hand coordination, the motor response relates to the use of the hands in order to achieve a particular objective. Fine motor control refers to the ability of small groups of muscles found in the hands, fingers and eyes working together in a coordinated manner. Good fine motor skills develop from good gross motor skills in children. This means that providing a young child with opportunities to move the large muscle groups in their bodies through engaging in activities such as climbing, jumping, running and crawling develops body awareness. This in turn enables the child to better understand where their bodies are in relation to their environment and other objects. This understanding of their bodies in terms of large movements will then also translate in to an understanding of their bodies in terms of small movements or fine motor skills should the child be provided with sufficient gross motor input. Kelly Westerman, Clamber Club franchisee and Occupational Therapist says, “It is very important to understand that our child’s eye-hand coordination is intimately linked to their fine motor control and both the importance of the eyes and the hands must be understood and acknowledged as being key role players in eye-hand coordination.” The role of the eyes is to see, follow moving objects, focus near and far, judge distances, observe details of objects and importantly, navigate the movement of the hands. The role of the hands is to feel textures, shapes, temperatures and weight. The hand will hold and manipulate objects, push and pull, catch and throw, clap, rub, grip, squeeze and point. All of which might be meaningless without the guidance of the eyes; thereby creating the eye-hand coordination. “If we consider how many of the things we do on a daily basis require the use of our eyes and hands, we realise how important it is that this process works effectively and efficiently,” adds Westerman. Fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination begin to develop from the time a child is born. An infant tracking a moving object with their eyes and then attempting to swipe at it, reaching for objects and moving those objects to their mouths as well as grasping and releasing objects are all the early activities that develop these skills. As the child gets older good eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills contributes to a child’s ability to learn essential self-care skills such as dressing and undressing, brushing their teeth and feeding themselves. In the school-going child, proficiency in these skills results in improved classroom performance as these skills are involved with a learner’s ability to write, cut, copy work from a board and read. “In light of the importance of eye-hand coordination, parents should ensure that they create opportunities for their children to learn and master these skills form as early as possible,” comments Occupational Therapist and founder of Clamber Club, Liz Senior. “We aim to provide children with comprehensive eye-hand coordination experiences in our classes, using equipment that is beneficial, and at the same time fun, while promoting the skills required to get their hands, fingers and eyes working together in a coordinated manner.” Clamber Club has put together these top activities and games that can help your baby develop their eye-hand coordination: Encourage your baby to follow moving objects or person with their eyes Provide opportunities for your little one to reach and grasp at objects Give your baby a variety of objects to hold so that they can practice difference grips and grasps. Watch as your little one transfers objects from one hand to another. This is a very important skill that they learn, so parents should watch out for it! Your baby will also play with their hands. This is a wonderful way for them to learn more about their hands, so make sure that there are times when their hands are free of objects and they can explore with their hands at their midlines Do not discourage your little one from bringing objects to their mouths; this is an important skill and by mouthing objects your little one learns about certain features of that object Provide opportunities for your little one to explore objects with their eyes. This can be done through suspending objects from frames that your baby lies under
Sometimes when Mom cannot be there, Dad’s need to step in and make a difference when it comes to caring, feeding, and soothing your newly born baby or young infant. Breast feeding your baby does not need to be scary, just organised, and we have a dad DIY baby plan for you and your tiny tyke to support you each step of the way. Aron, dad to nine-month-old twins Ihla and Summer says: “Have confidence and get involved with your children from day one. There is a tendency to sit back as a new dad and rely on other people. But I think the quicker you get involved, the quicker you build confidence and bond with your baby.” Dad Ways to be Helpful: Dads, you can step in and offer support to your partner by soothing, bathing, changing, dressing, cuddling, and burping your baby. You can also keep your partner company during breastfeeding time and make sure that she has plenty to eat and drink. Once your partner and baby have the hang of breastfeeding, help by feeding your baby expressed milk from a natural baby feeding bottle. Expertly designed to mimic mum’s breast, Vital Baby’s Nurture range gift set has teat flexes like mum’s nipple, providing easy latch on for your baby. With advanced triple anti-colic valves to reduce air intake, the silicone is soft and smooth against baby’s delicate face and its wide neck bottle is easy to clean and fill again with stored breastmilk. Give your partner rest and sleep breaks and take the time to discover ways to bond with your baby. Pick your child up and talk to them when they are awake and alert. At bedtime or naptime, you can rock your baby gently until they drift off to sleep. When sleeping, you can sit quietly and hold baby in your arms. If you are a dad bringing up a child on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. You may find that other single parents are a reliable source of support. Starting Solids Once your infant is ready to start solids, which is usually around the 6-month mark, you can bring your food pairing inspirations to nourish baby and support Mom in saving time. Steaming cooking vegetable and fruits and blending homemade meals is made quick and easy for you with the NOURISH prep & wean™ Steam Cooker. With three modes – sterilise, steam cook and blend – it is perfect for batch cooking and feeding later. With five blending modes, it allows you to tailor the consistency of food to your child’s stage of weaning from smooth purees to chunkier textures. Its 2-tier steaming system allows you to cook multiple foods with different cooking times all at once making it suitable for use with fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. Be sure to include the NOURISH Store and Wean Pots 120ml 4-pack set to store and freeze and take with you when you need to feed baby when out and about. After each feed, make sure all bottles, nipples and other utensils are clean and sterilized and ready for the next feed. Steps for steam sterilizing baby utensils: Wash all utensils thoroughly with soap and water before sterilizing them. The energy efficient HYGIENE Advanced pro UV sterilizer and dryer from Vital Baby safely destroys 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and mould in just 7 minutes using UV LED’s super-fast sterile and dry action in just 29 minutes. It is versatile to use too, from bottles, soothers and toys to cosmetic brushes, mobile phones, and keys. Using no water, chemicals or heat, its HEPA filter effortlessly removes dust, pollen other airborne pollutants. It is important to sterilise baby’s feeding equipment as it helps to protect your child’s developing immune system from potentially harmful bugs and bacteria. You can leave the sterilised contents inside the steriliser for 24 hours, but make sure the lid is kept closed for the duration. Ensure you re-assemble items with clean hands or sterilised tongs if you can and always on a clean surface too. Children are stimulated by bright colours, and they grow up fast. Soon enough they will want to mimic Dad at the dining table or when at a sports event or picnic outing. Toddlers can now enjoy their own version of adult cutlery with Vital Baby’s big kid cutlery. Hydration is just as essential as hungry tummies for the growth and development of your child, and you will want to ensure they stay always hydrated when at home or on the go for family car trips and day outings. Pack a favourite Sippy cup so they can hydrate themselves, and include NOURISH™ snack on the go™ travel snack bowls for treats such as fruit pieces or biscuits if they can manage finger foods on their own, or store porridge or formula in the travel milk formula dispenser designed so that the revolving lid can click accurately into position above each compartment, and the wide, easy pour spout makes it simple to dispense contents into the bottle, avoiding spillages. Dads! By feeding and helping your partners with your new-born infant you can make the transition to parenthood a joyful and rewarding experience for everyone. Consider these early chores as an opportunity to create lasting memories and connections with your little one that will last a lifetime. At the same time, by nurturing your baby’s growth and development you will be developing your own confidence and skills as a parent. Not only that, but you are also helping to set a positive example for your children and your community by showing that parenting is a shared responsibility and a source of joy, and that dads can be just as involved and loving as mums. At Vital Baby, we believe in real moms and dads parenting as best they can. Join other parents for articles & snippets from the vital baby® family https://vitalbabyshop.co.za/
While medication and therapy are often used to treat anxiety and depression, Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, highlights growing evidence to suggest that exercise may also be an effective treatment option. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 264 million people. Anxiety disorders are also common, affecting an estimated 284 million people globally. “While depression and anxiety are distinct conditions with unique symptoms, they often occurB together and share many common underlying factors,” says Murray Hewlett. “Research has shown that genetics, life experiences, and brain chemistry can all contribute to the development of these disorders.” Signs And Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Symptoms of depression may include: Feelings of sadness or hopelessness Loss of interest in activities Changes in appetite or weight Changes in sleep patterns Fatigue or lack of energy Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Thoughts of death or suicide Anxiety is a condition characterised by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Symptoms of anxiety may include: Excessive worry or fear Restlessness or irritability Difficulty concentrating or sleeping Muscle tension or headaches Fatigue or lack of energy Panic attacks Avoidance of certain situations or activities The Evidence for Exercise as a Treatment for Depression and Anxiety Research has consistently shown that exercise can positively impact mental health. A growing body of evidence suggests that exercise may be as effective as medication for treating depression and anxiety. “One meta-analysis published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that exercise was as effective as medication for treating depression in adults. The study analysed the results of 11 clinical trials involving 455 patients with major depressive disorder. The researchers found that exercise was just as effective as medication in reducing symptoms of depression,” adds Hewlett. “Another study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that exercise was an effective treatment for anxiety in college students. The study involved 60 college students randomly assigned to either a control or exercise group. The group participated thrice weekly in a 30-minute aerobic exercise session for eight weeks. The researchers found that the exercise group experienced significantly reduced anxiety symptoms compared to the control group.” Hewlett continues to say a review of 25 studies published in the journal Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice found that exercise was an effective treatment for depression in older adults. The review included studies of various types of exercise, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and tai chi. The researchers found that exercise was effective in reducing symptoms of depression in older adults, regardless of the type of exercise. Why Exercise May Be Effective There are several reasons why exercise may be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. First, exercise has been shown to increase levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which affect mood regulation. Exercise has also been shown to reduce inflammation, which is thought to contribute to depression. In addition to these physiological effects, exercise can also have psychological benefits. Exercise has increased self-esteem, improved mood, and reduced stress and anxiety. Is Exercise More Effective Than Medication? While exercise is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, it is not necessarily more effective than medication. The effectiveness of exercise versus medication may depend on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. For some people, medication may be a necessary component of treatment for depression or anxiety. For others, exercise may be an effective alternative or complementary treatment for depression and anxiety. “While exercise may not be the best option for everyone, it can be a valuable tool for managing symptoms and improving mental health. Suppose you are struggling with depression or anxiety. In that case, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider or mental health professional to determine the best treatment for your needs, ” says Hewlett. About Affinity Health Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading health insurance provider, offering you a range of options at affordable rates, including access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of medical insurance that meets your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Our healthcare products are designed to protect you and your family when it matters the most. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Have you ever considered that playing with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks is not only fun, but also a beneficial activity for your kids? Monster Trucks can be an excellent stress reliever for your child. The feeling of control they have over the truck and the power it possesses can be empowering and therapeutic. It can help them blow off steam and ease any pent-up frustrations they may be feeling. Monster trucks can also be a great way for your child to get some exercise and fresh air. Running around, pushing, and pulling the truck, and playing in the dirt can help them burn off some calories and improve their cardiovascular health. Plus, getting outside and soaking up some Vitamin D from the sun can boost their mood and immune system. The physical benefits of playing with monster trucks can also help your child develop problem-solving skills. As they navigate obstacles and create their own jumps and ramps, they’ll start to develop critical thinking and spatial reasoning abilities. They’ll also learn how to adjust and adapt their strategy as they encounter new challenges. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks can help improve your child’s hand-eye coordination. Manoeuvring the monster truck around obstacles and slamming it into things takes a lot of precision and control. Over time, they’ll develop better hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which can transfer to other areas of their life, like sports or playing musical instruments. Also, they can be a great way for your child to bond with friends and family. Whether they’re competing in races, creating obstacle courses, or just smashing things together, the stress relief, shared experience, and light mood around playing with monster trucks, in general, create connections that benefit everyone as they create lasting memories. So, why not consider adding monster trucks to your child’s playtime activities? Let their imaginations come alive and conquer any obstacles in their way while they get some exercise, improving problem-solving and hand-eye coordination skills. Sounds like the ultimate birthday gift.
Serves 4 Ingredients: For the mash: 6 large baking potatoes 6 Tbsp butter 125ml / ½ cup full cream milk, kept warm 1 medium white onion, diced 1 bunch / 200g swiss chard, roughly chopped For the mushrooms: 500g mixed cultivated mushrooms 2 Tbsp butter, melted 1 Tbsp lemon juice 2 garlic cloves, grated ± 6 sprigs of fresh thyme ½ tsp chilli flakes Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Micro herbs or baby greens, for serving Method: For the mash: Peel potatoes and cut into large cubes. Transfer to a pot of cold water and rinse until the water runs clear. Cover potatoes with clean cold water and season generously with salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are completely tender. Drain in a colander and let steam dry for a minute. Use a potato ricer, food mill or hand held masher to mash the potatoes in their pot. Add the butter and fold in using a spatula. Pour in the hot milk and fold it into the potatoes. Season to taste. While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the swiss chard. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until soft. Add the swiss chard and sauté until barely wilted. Season. Fold the swiss chard through the mashed potatoes and keep warm. For the mushrooms: Preheat oven to 200˚C, fan on. Place the mushrooms in a large bowl. It is great to use a mix of mushrooms but keep the sizes similar for cooking. Keep small portabellinis whole and slice large browns into quarters etc… Drizzle the mushrooms with the melted butter. Add the lemon juice, garlic, thyme and chilli. Toss to coat well. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet and spread into a single layer. Roast for 10-15 minutes or until mushrooms release liquid and are golden brown. Carefully pour off the excess mushroom liquid to keep them from going soggy. (You can keep this for a delicious broth or stock or drizzle over the dish as a sauce) Serve the roasted mushrooms on a bed of the swiss chard mash. Top with some fresh herbs or baby greens and serve!
Knowing how to speak more than one language is a wonderful gift – particularly when living in such a diverse country like South Africa! But how should you go about doing this? Well here are some tips on raising a bilingual child from Clamber Club Expert and Speech and Language Therapist, Savannah Senior: Start early. Children can pick up and absorb languages astonishingly fast. Before the ages of 3-4 years old is the best time to teach your child a new language. The earlier, the better!! Research shows that if we are not exposed to certain sounds early on, it becomes much harder to hear and pronounce them. Don’t mix languages i.e. use only one language at a time. Languages all have their own special characteristics – their own grammar, sounds, pronunciations and structure. When we mix languages, we mix all these characteristics and it will make it more difficult for your child to distinguish between them and learn them. Natural environments are best. You don’t need to use classroom-style teaching to learn a new language. The best way to teach your child a second, third or even fourth language is to use it in your everyday activities and play. Research has shown that children pick up languages faster in this way. Fluency is key. Your child will only really master a language when they are exposed to someone who speaks fluently, on a regular basis. Sometimes they will mess up! It is expected to sometimes confuse vocabulary or word order when learning multiple languages. Remember to not make this into a deal and to remind them it is okay to make mistakes. You can also repeat the phrase or sentence back to your child so they learn the correct vocabulary and word order. So, let’s get chatting! Bye bye; Totsiens; Uhambe Kahle; Sala hantle; Famba Kahle; Au Revoir; Auf Wiedersehen; Tchau Tchau; Ciao Ciao………
When looking after your and your family’s health, diet takes top priority. A healthy, balanced diet supports a stronger immune system, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol and a healthy heart. It’s important to include lots of fresh fruit and veggies, lean protein and fibre in your diet, and to minimise the amount of sugar, salt and processed foods consumed. Water is the number one healthiest drink to consume, followed by herbal teas, while sugary fizzy drinks and excess caffeine is best avoided. Even when we follow a balanced diet, it is still possible that our bodies are not getting all the nutrients we need to function at our best. This may be due to dietary restrictions (for example, a vegetarian or vegan might not always get enough iron) or the fact that some nutrients are not present in a big variety of foods. Then there’s also the factor of food quality. Because of modern farming practices, the foods we eat today do not have the same nutrient density as the foods our grandparents ate. This is where the importance of supplementation comes in. Good quality supplements support a healthy diet by filling in the gaps and ensuring you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, in the correct amounts. Supplements are not a “fix” for a bad diet – you can’t eat lots of unhealthy foods and take supplements to make up for it. Rather, they’re a complement to a balanced diet which may lack a few nutrients due to the various factors involved. When selecting supplementation products for you and your family it is important to choose products that don’t contain added sugar or unnecessary fillers. Choose a brand with a trusted reputation, that uses good quality raw ingredients and as many natural ingredients as possible. The type of nutrients you decide to supplement with is entirely up to each member of your family’s individual health concerns. Adults have a lot more health concerns than children do, and especially in older adults, it’s important to supplement according to individual health concerns. All adults will benefit from taking a multi-nutrient product (to build immunity and support general health) and a probiotic to ensure gut health and absorption of nutrients. NutriPure Multi-Vitamin Complete (R145.00) is packed with 12 essential vitamins and minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. I If you struggle with stress and anxiety, a supplement filled with stress-fighting nutrients like JSHealth Mild Anxiety + Stress Tablets (R649.00), which contains a special combination of rejuvenating adaptogens, herbs, antioxidants, and vitamins, may help reduce your symptoms and support your immune system. If you have skin concerns, you could supplement with JSHealth Skin + Digestion Formula (R649.00) to help heal and prevent breakouts, or with JSHealth Vitality X + Collagen (R999.00) if you’re concerned about the visible signs of aging like loss of elasticity and skin sagging. Did you know that herbal teas can also be taken daily to help improve health conditions? Not only are they an excellent source of hydration (to replace sugary or caffeine-filled alternatives) but they contain natural ingredients with a variety of health benefits. SELA teas are filled with the very best in African Traditional Herbs that have been used for many generations to help boost health and relieve the symptoms of many illnesses. Sela products are suitable for everyone from the age of 12 years old and older. The range contains a natural, affordable and effective solution for everything from sleeplessness (SELA Sleep Tea, R49.99, has calming and relaxing properties to promote restful sleep), to healthy and strong immune system (SELA Health Tea, R49.99, is formulated to support a stronger immune system and general health) to sexual health (SELA Strong Man Tea, R84.99, supports healthy male sexual function). Because children are growing, they need a lot of vitamins and minerals to ensure healthy bone development. Children are also prone to getting sick, so it’s essential to strengthen their immunity. A multivitamin is the first place to start. This should cover all the major vitamin and mineral requirements that children need. NutriPure Kids Multi Vitamin (R120.00) is a complete health supplement containing 11 essential vitamins and minerals including, among others, vitamins B6, B12, C and D. Formulated into a soft and chewy treat, it is free from added sugar and is made from natural ingredients. In addition to a multivitamin, it’s also important to improve your child’s gut health with a good quality probiotic. NutriPure Kids Probiotics (R170.00) is formulated with Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, two scientifically tested bacteria strains. Each NutriPure bear contains 1 billion live cultures to help your child boost their daily culture intake. Remember, you’ll get the most out of your supplements when they form part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep and rest.
We often tell the legacies of our fathers in the fond stories of what we learnt about life from them. Positive, involved fathers help us to live a life driven by values, and guided by tried-and-true principles. Many fathers adeptly play the roles of coach and motivator, encouraging their children to focus on goals and to develop persistence and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. In the modern world of working parents, fathers have broken out of the restrictions of being sole breadwinners, freeing them to make more contributions to childcare and development. Involved fathers tend to develop deeper relationships and have stronger emotional bonds with their children. They enjoy a more fulfilling parenting experience while children benefit in innumerable, long-lasting ways from their father’s consistent affection and attention. However, South Africa is a country with a systemic crisis of fathering that goes hand-in-hand with its high levels of gender-based violence. It is estimated that around 70% of South African children are growing up in single-parent homes, and 4 out of 5 boys are growing up without positive male role models in their lives. Jaco van Schalkwyk, Founder and Director of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit organisation offering a mentorship programme for fatherless boys says, “This Father’s Day it is important to celebrate all the amazing involved dads in South Africa, as well as to recognise that we are a society where broken masculinity is unfortunately, prevalent across our communities. Growing up without a healthy connection to a positive father or male role model has a staggering impact on too many of our boys. Fathers play an important role in helping their sons navigate masculinity and gender identity. Sons can learn emotional intelligence from their fathers and how to properly regulate themselves and constructively express their emotions. Direct exposure to adult men who act as wise guides can help growing boys develop a healthy sense of identity.” Research also shows that fatherless boys may be more vulnerable to: Fear of abandonment and sense of loss Sadness, anxiety and depression Poor social connections and relationship-building skills Behavioural issues Poor academic performance Substance abuse Exposure to crime and gangsterism Many of these impacts will change the course of a boy’s life, and the psychological effects may last a lifetime. Van Schalkwyk continues, “The cards are stacked against a fatherless boy. Of course, not all of them will under-achieve or take a wrong path to adulthood. There are many boys raised by single mothers who will turn out well and will one day become positive parents themselves despite the lack of a father’s love and involvement. But others will unfortunately, perpetuate the generational cycles of broken masculinity.” TCC harnesses the power of male volunteers for its activity-based mentorship programme which pairs fatherless boys with MENtors. Currently, 250 boys around the country are assigned to 55 vetted adult male volunteers. An outdoors focus helps to promote physical activity, life skills and healthy lifestyles. The boys benefit from exposure to living a values-based life and exploring life challenges and issues under the guidance of adult men in safe and contained spaces. Van Schalkwyk says, “The programme provides vital opportunities for boys to learn from men – about positive masculinity and the contributions of men to society. The programme’s strong values set high expectations and provides secure boundaries where the boys can gain skills, practice self-regulation and work towards self-mastery. In the absence of fathers in their lives, this chance to develop meaningful relationships with TCC MENtors empowers them by providing caring contact with male role models who are emotionally intelligent, consistent in their actions and true to their commitments. Our TCC MENtors step up and be part of ‘the villages’ that we need to raise all our children well. For South African men looking to make a difference to our country, getting involved in supporting and mentoring fatherless boys is a gift that is going to last a lifetime. They will never be forgotten by these boys. Even though they won’t be able to tell stories about what they learnt from their fathers, they will still have a heartfelt story to tell about what they learnt from their MENtor.” Find out how to volunteer as TCC mentor here Learn more about The Character Company
The Build and Tumble Table is an exciting new toy from MEGA that offers a unique and innovative way for children to engage in block-building fun. Little builders can get creative when they build on the table. Then, they can press the buttons to activate the tumble features, knocking down their creations. Designed for kids aged 1 to 5, this table is perfect for parents who want to share in the joys of building with their little ones. The MEGA Build and Tumble Table is Ideal for little hands, these blocks are easy to grip and easy to stack, helping to develop fine motor skills, creativity and imagination. Made with high-quality materials that are built to last, ensuring that it can withstand even the most energetic and enthusiastic builders, the Build and Tumble Table has a bright and colourful design, sure to capture the attention of young children, encouraging them to engage with the toy and explore their imaginations. Developing Fine Motor Skills The MEGA Build and Tumble Table is an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills in young children. By manipulating and placing the blocks on the table, children are able to develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor control, which are essential skills for their overall growth and development. Exploration of Critical Thinking In addition to developing fine motor skills, the Build and Tumble Table also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving in young children. By providing them with a variety of different shapes and sizes of blocks, children are able to explore different ways of combining and arranging them, developing their spatial awareness and critical thinking skills. Boosting Imagination and Stimulating Creativity Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of the MEGA Build and Tumble Table is its ability to stimulate creativity and imagination in young children. With its endless possibilities for building and exploring, children are able to let their imaginations run wild and create a wide range of different structures and designs. By allowing children to experiment with different colors, shapes, and sizes of blocks, the MEGA Build and Tumble Table encourages them to think outside the box and explore new and exciting ways of building and creating. This then helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem, allowing them to feel proud of their creations and eager to continue exploring and building. The Build and Tumble Table from MEGA is an excellent tool for parents who want to engage in block-building fun with their children while helping them to develop critical skills and is available at leading retailers nation-wide.
The first few weeks and months with your baby are a wonderfully weird mix of love-filled days and sleepless nights. Just remember, your baby’s new here (to the world) so it might take them a little while to figure out the whole sleeping-through-the-night thing. In the meantime, here are tips and tricks to try, along with some slumber essentials to help turn your baby into a Sleep Superstar. 1. It’s never too early for a bedtime routine. Maybe the first night at home is a little early (you’ll just be happy to see your own bed). But establishing your baby’s bedtime routine during their first month will help set up everyone for a better night’s sleep – maybe even two in a row. You see, routines are how your baby starts to figure out the difference between day and night (and which one is for longer snoozes). While your newborn is trying to figure out their schedule, you can help remind them it’s time to settle down with some simple sleep associations: Gently rock them to sleep Close the curtains in the room where they sleep If you talk, use a soft voice Turn on a soother that plays white noise or peaceful music Try working some of these calming tricks into your baby’s bedtime routine, which usually takes around 15-30 minutes. But if your little one starts fussing, you might want to speed things up to help them get to sleep quicker (and happier). Just remember, consistency is key. A predictable pattern that gives your baby a heads up that it’s time to wind down is BEST: B(ath), E(at), (S)tory Time, (T)ime for Bed 2. Jump on those sleep cues. Wouldn’t it be great if your baby could just say, “Hey, I’m sleepy!”? Well, they kind of do. Yawning is the most recognizable way, but not all babies yawn when they’re sleepy. Though most babies have their own unique sleep cues, here are some common ones to look for: Eyes turning red, Irritated skin around eyebrows, Red, blotchy cheeks, Breaking eye contact and staring off into space, Tense body, Fussier or Hard crying. An infant 0-3 months old has up to 15 minutes from the time they start showing sleepy signs to missing their sleep window. That’s the sensitive time right before they fall asleep. So, when you get the cue from your baby, start the soothing ASAP. This goes for naps too! When you see your baby’s sleep cues during the day it’s time to ready, set, nap. The Fisher-Price® Calming Clouds™ Mobile & Soother helps your baby settle down for sleep with overhead motion and calming music, sounds and lights. With a convenient sound sensor, the mobile automatically restarts the calming action when baby makes noise. This stylish crib mobile also converts to a tabletop sound machine with nightlight as your baby grows to help keep their bedtime routine consistent. 3. Don’t get up yet. Hearing your baby fuss or grunt during the night doesn’t always mean they’re ready for another feeding. Try to wait and see if they can self-soothe and settle back down on their own. (We know it’s not easy). A bassinet or soother, like the Fisher-Price SOOTHE & SNUGGLE OTTER, is a unique plush soother that helps comfort your baby just like you do. Its soft belly moves up and down in a rhythmic motion that mimics breathing to help soothe your baby naturally, along with up to 30 minutes of calming music, sound effects, and soft lights. 4. The art of self-soothing The more chances your baby gets to practice self-soothing, the quicker they’ll learn to fall asleep—and stay asleep—day or night. Naptimes count, too. Here are five self-soothing signs to look for: Clasping their hands Bringing hands & fingers to their mouth to suck on. When held facing you, your baby will snuggle their face into your chest, neck or armpit for comfort and settling. Beginning to roll onto their side or tummy The self-soothing cry: when your baby makes mild, fussing sounds for several minutes (this sounds different than a hard cry). 5. Teaching your baby to sleep longer If your little one is waking up every 30 minutes to 2 hours and needs to be rocked, fed or held to go back to sleep, now might be a great time to work on lengthening their sleep schedule. These episodes of waking up and needing attention are your baby’s way of letting you see their sleep associations and dependency on you. If they need to be fed or held to sleep, try these tips to help settle your little one into a pattern of self-soothing: Feed your baby 20-30 minutes before bedtime instead of right before they go down When baby gets sleepy (but not all the way asleep), place your baby in their sleep spot and pat and shush to help them settle in If baby begins to fuss, pick them up, rock them back to a drowsy state, and try again to pat and shush them to sleep in their sleep spot Repeat this cycle 3-5 times for around 20-25 minutes Try this cycle again the following night so you can start to introduce a consistent, gentle way to get your little one to sleep through the night. 6. What about sleep regression? It’s not as serious as it sounds, promise! Right around 6, 9 and 12 weeks, your baby will go through three big developmental phases. Good news: Your baby’s more alert as they focus on your face when you talk or laugh. Not-so-good news: These new developments will make it difficult for your little one to sleep. Even if they were getting into their sleep groove before, expect more waking and more feeding, too. (Reaching milestones builds an appetite!) That’s Sleep Regression. Take heart, it doesn’t last. Research shows that during this time, babies will be at their fussiest and may even need more help to settle, soothe and sleep. So, what can you do?
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund, talks about the causes of asthma, preventative steps to reduce the chances of an attack and treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation, production of extra mucus and tightening of the muscles around the small airways. This causes asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. These symptoms can be intermittent, are often worse at night and can be triggered by exercise. It affects approximately one in 10 children and one in 20 adults and can occur for the first time at any age, even in adulthood, although asthma usually begins before the age of five. A few children affected will ‘outgrow’ it during their teenage years but it usually persists if contracted in adulthood. Asthma tends to run in families. Signs and symptoms Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated and this can lead to disturbed sleep, tiredness during the day and poor concentration. If you fail to recognise and avoid triggers that lead to your tightened airways, you may have an asthma attack, feel respiratory distress or experience a life-threatening situation. It’s important to avoid the triggers and recognise the signs of this condition to enjoy a better quality of life. What causes asthma? There are various types of asthma including allergy-induced asthma. Research shows that the risk factors include a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposure, to inhaled substances and particles that may cause allergic reactions or irritate the airways. These include indoor allergens – such as dust mites, particles of cockroach waste and pet dander and outdoor allergens – such as seasonal pollen, mould as well as tobacco smoke and air pollution. Smoke and strong soaps and perfume can also be triggers. Other triggers for asthma can include cold and dry air, physical activity, stress, certain medications, such as aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine) viral infections and occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust. Factors associated with asthma prevalence or disease severity in South African children include the adoption of an urban lifestyle, atopy (a genetic predisposition to having allergies), obesity, respiratory infection or exposure to industrial pollution or tobacco smoke. Treating asthma Asthma can be life threatening when left untreated and cannot be cured but, with the right treatment most asthmatics will lead completely normal, active lives. The aim of treatment should be to make the lungs and breathing tubes as normal as possible so that there are minimal symptoms and as little disruption to ordinary life as possible. People with asthma may need an inhaler. Their treatment will depend on the frequency and severity of symptoms and the different types of inhalers available. There are two main types of inhalers: Bronchodilators that open the air passages and relieve symptoms Steroids that reduce inflammation in the air passages. This improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death It can sometimes be difficult to coordinate breathing using an inhaler, especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier and helps the medicine to reach the lungs more effectively. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as a commercially manufactured inhaler. Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers The best way to reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy triggers is to avoid them. Avoid activity in the early morning when pollen levels are at their highest Stay indoors on dry, windy days as the pollen counts surge in these conditions The best time to go outside is after a good rain, rain washes pollen away but beware, pollen counts can also soar after rainfall Delegate gardening chores like mowing the lawn to others Wear a pollen-filtering mask if you must do chores outside. When back indoors, shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair and put on clean clothes Keep windows shut or use an air conditioner if you know that pollen counts are going to be high Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner Wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week Don’t hang laundry outside during this time as pollen can stick to sheets and towels Cover your bedding and pillows with allergen-proof covers Remove stuffed toys from your children’s bedrooms Dr Mkhatshwa says, ‘If you are experiencing asthma symptoms or think you might have asthma, it is important for you to talk to your GP. This will help you establish if your symptoms are linked to asthma or whether something else is causing them.’
Most parents agree that they want their children to reach their full potential – whatever that may be. They won’t enjoy and celebrate a child any less if it turns out that his fullest potential doesn’t involve straight A’s and being hugely successful in the sports arena. In fact, most of us will be more than pleased to see our little ones grow up to be truly happy and successful in their own unique way. As long as they live their best life – everything else is a bonus. However, ask any adult about their happiness level and whether they think they are living meaningful lives and you will soon realise that “living your best life” is not as easy as it sounds. It’s so difficult, in fact, that any practical advice to parents about things that can be done during the early years to increase a child’s chances to be happy and content as an adult one day is extremely valuable. In this post we’ll be looking at what research teaches us about cultivating social skills in our children. It is, after all, impossible for a person to be happy and successful without being able to get along with people. Here are five things that parents can do to help lay a solid foundation with regards to social skills. 1. Talk about thoughts and emotions. Studies show that children, whose parents often talk about what they and their children are thinking and feeling, are more popular, more comfortable in social situations and better able to cope with anger and disappointment. [1] 2. Deliberately work on having a sunny outlook on life. Children with the most developed preschool social skills are the ones who experience more positive emotions at home. It’s not necessary or even realistic to be constantly happy, but practice a “can-do” attitude towards setbacks and frustrations. Researchers say children suffer when parents – and particularly mothers – tend to give in to anger or despair when things don’t go according to plan. The more often children see their mothers display negative emotions, the less likely they are to view their mothers as people who can comfort them and give them advice. [2] 3. Create special opportunities for “pretend play” and join in the action every now and then. One of the most important ways in which children develop friendships during the pre-school years is by playing pretend games together. Researchers have found that children who pretend together are less likely than other children to quarrel or have communication problems. They also develop self-control and the ability to “put themselves in somebody else’s shoes”. [3] Parents who play along from time to time are doing their children a huge favour. Children are found to play for longer and at a higher level when parents encourage them. But, remember to keep the experience upbeat and don’t take over; allow your little one to take the lead. 4. Use words wisely when you discipline your child. Peggy O’Mara said, “The way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice”. What’s more, research shows that children, whose parents take the time to explain rules and discuss consequences of bad behaviour, are popular amongst their peers and they have more self-control and less conflict with peers. [4] 5. Be sensitive to your child’s emotions. One study, done by Suzanne Denham in 1997, asked children to say what they think their parents would do when they experience strong emotions in various situations, for instance when they wake up from a bad dream. The very same children who reported that their parents would comfort them and not ignore their emotions or get angry were the ones who were pointed out by teachers to be more socially skilled when they are with their friends. These children were also better able to relate to other children’s feelings and they were generally more cooperative. [5] What much of the research boils down to is that positive parental involvement is very important to their children’s social development. What’s more, discussing thoughts and emotions, whether positive or negative, helps our children to understand their own thinking and feelings, and therefore other people’s, so much better. This article is written by: The Practica Programme is a comprehensive research- and play-based home programme. This unique system has stood the test of time since 1993, and it comprises of a wooden box with specialized apparatus, parents’ guides, an advisory service and educational newsletters. From birth to 23 months of age, parents choose from a balanced selection of more than 1000 activities to develop the 14 fundamental skills age-appropriately. For children between 2 and 7 years, the 50 school readiness skills are divided into 6 groups and tackled systematically, year by year, with 10- to 20-minute games that can be adapted to a child’s level of functioning. References: Tompkins, V., Benigno, J.P., Lee, B.K., Wright, B.M. (2018). The relation between parents’ mental state talk and children’s social understanding: A meta-analysis. Social Development, 27(2), 223-246. Valiente, C., Fabes, R. A., Eisenberg, N., & Spinrad, T. L. (2004). The relations of parental expressivity and support to children’s coping with daily stress. Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 18(1), 97–106. Goldstein, T. R., & Lerner, M. D. (2018). Dramatic pretend play games uniquely improve emotional control in young children. Developmental science, 21(4). Moreno-Ruiz, D., Estévez, E., Jiménez, T. I., & Murgui, S. (2018). Parenting Style and Reactive and Proactive Adolescent Violence: Evidence from Spain. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(12), 2634. Denham, S. (2010). “When I have a bad dream, Mommy holds me.” Preschoolers’ conceptions of emotions, parental socialisation, and emotional competence. International Journal of Behavioral Development, Feb. 301-319.
It all starts with a scratchy throat and before long you have headache, fatigue, fever, an onslaught of snot or a dry niggling cough… and no energy to get out of bed. Winter colds start slowly while flu viruses set in quickly with the change of season, and with similar symptoms, colds and flu can lead to more serious illness including bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, asthma, strep throat, or ear infection. Over 200 viruses cause the common cold and there are multiple strains of the flu, which contagiously circumnavigate the globe each year affecting between 5 to 20 percent of the population. Flu germs spread up to three feet when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks and can easily enter your body through touching eyes, nose or mouth with viruses surviving up to 24 hours and spread across commonly touched door handles and staircase balustrades. Stay fighting fit and prepare ahead for winter by boosting you and your family’s immunity against germs and viruses with your own naturally occurring, organic apothecary of pure healing essential oil aromatherapy kits for home and office to provide everyday immune support, remedies and relief from colds, flu, cough, and congestion. Protection & Prevention with SOiL’s Natural Essential Oils Children and the elderly are most affected by the flu as their immune systems are still developing or as in the latter, declining with age. Research shows that stress and a lack of adequate sleep (at least 7 hours per night) also heightens your risk of catching a cold. As a natural alternative to medication, pure essential oil aromatherapy includes properties that can fight viruses, alleviate flu symptoms, increase comfort during illness, treat symptoms like congestion, reduce fever and shorten the duration of your illness. Benefit from the best emotional and physical support with essential oils when you diffuse them, this is also the easiest way for young children and the elderly to get the best effect, and when you want to clean the environmental air in an office, retail store, schoolroom, or community. A diffuser neutralises airborne pathogens, supports your respiratory system, quietens, and sedates your nervous system and triggers positive emotional states. Clean the Air: To cleanse the air and promote clear breathing and healthy respiratory functioning use eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and lemon. Sleep Deeply: To support sleep diffuse lavender, chamomile, bergamot, and sandalwood essential oils. Build Immunity: SOiL’s Immunity Blend 10ml R85.00 offers a pre-blended oil of Lemongrass, Benzoin, Tea Tree, and Thyme oil to guard against illness. Shield: SOiL’s Shield Blend 10ml R75.00 is a spicy citrus mint blend that creates a barrier against unwanted germs and bacteria to support a healthier environment, immune and respiratory function. SOiL AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSERS: The SOiL Ceramic Aroma Burner R150.00 is the perfect size for essential oil use as a scented room aroma for ambiance or therapeutically with your favourite SOiL essential oils or aroma wax melts. The SOiL Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser R600.00 disperses the essential oils into the air via a fine mist. Low on energy, this cold mist diffuser uses water and ultrasonic vibrations to disperse the molecules of the essential oil into the air via a fine mist. Easy to use and clean, it offers a full power, timed and intermittent setting of 15 second intervals. For 200ml of water, add between 6-10 drops of SOiL essential oil depending on the desired strength of aroma and the size and ventilation of the room. The Ultrasonic Diffuser holds a one-year guarantee. You can also inhale essential oils by sniffing the bottle directly or adding a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief. You can also dilute oils in a carrier oil and massage them into your skin, head, neck, and feet, or add them to steamy bathwater or large bowl of hot water for steam inhalation. The BIG FIVE of Flu Remedy & Relief with SOiL #1 SOiL Eucalyptus – South African grown Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Smithi) essential oil R30.00 protects against colds, reduces fever, fights viruses, clears breathing passageways, and soothes muscular aches. Pleasant in a massage blend or as a steam inhalation, it is a popular decongestant, helping to loosen phlegm and treat coughs. The Eucalyptus tree is native to Australia and the Aboriginals see it as a symbol of strength, protection, and abundance. They have used it for centuries to purify and negate negative energy and with its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, a cool compress will reduce a fever. #2 SOiL Chamomile – Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to humankind according to the National Library of Medicine, with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and while it relieves cold and flu symptoms it is also used for hay fever, inflammation, insomnia, muscle spasm, menstrual disorders, ulcers and much more. There are two types available, both with calming properties: German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) R350.00 offers anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and is known to relieve skin disease and stomach distress, and severe skin problems like allergies, eczema, psoriasis and healing and tissue regeneration. Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) R200.00 is distilled from the flowering tops of the plant with a pleasant apple fragrance. It is a gentle oil, which makes it suitable for children. With relaxing and pain-relieving properties use it to treat complaints of the digestive and nervous systems, sooth teething in infants, colic, and indigestion and nervous system with sedative and anti-inflammatory effect. #3 SOiL Lemon Tea tree oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial, making it ideal for not only treating cold and flu symptoms, but also preventing illness. The SOiL Lemon Tea Tree oil 10ml (Leptospermum Petersonni) R50.00 is perfect for a respiratory essential oil blend to help combat coughs and colds. #4 SOiL Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita) R60.00 has antiviral and antibacterial properties, kills airborne germs and acts as a natural decongestant and fever-reducer. Containing menthol, it soothes sore throats and quiet coughs, sinusitis, and infection #5 SOiL Easy Breathe Blend 10ml R80.00 Expertly formulated by SOiL’s certified aromatherapist, this blend of essential oils
Your child’s introduction to oral care should actually begin soon after birth. By gently cleaning a baby’s gums after feeding with a soft, damp washcloth, parents can get the child accustomed to oral hygiene which is an important, everyday routine. Your child’s first dental visit is as important as those first words or first steps; it’s a social and developmental milestone. By starting dental habits at an early age, you will help your child develop a lifetime of good dental habits. A child’s introduction to professional dental care should take place by the child’s first birthday. The earlier you begin, the better chance there is to prevent problems. During the first dental visit, your child’s mouth, teeth and gums will be examined for any signs of tooth decay and other problems. Depending on the age, X-rays may be taken to see whether facial bones and teeth are developing properly and to find any hidden decay. The teeth may also be cleaned and any adverse habits such as thumb sucking can be evaluated. Also you could be taught to effectively clean your child’s teeth at home. Regular fluoride treatment is helpful; I recommend it be done every six months. Let your dentist do it, so that regular visits to the dentist become the norm for your child. A good time to schedule your child’s first dental appointment is in the morning, when he or she is rested and more cooperative. Morning appointments also don’t conflict with mealtimes or naps. If your child enjoys the first dental visit, future visit will be anticipated rather than feared. These early experiences will influence your child’s attitude towards dental health, and can help start him or her on the path to a lifetime of good dental health. Before the first dental visit Here are some important tips for your child’s first dental visit: Don’t: Bribe your child into going to the dentist Use dental visit as a punishment Let the child know that you feel any anxiety about going to the dentist Let anyone tell your child scary stories about dental visits Do: Talk about the upcoming appointment with the child in a positive, matter-of-fact way Try to make dental visits enjoyable for your child Set a good example by caring for your own teeth
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industry in unprecedented knots. Education is no exception. And while the use of AI technologies like ChatGPT has the potential to improve the quality of learning, increase teaching efficiencies and provide personalised experiences for students in the classroom, it is vital that parents and teachers learn to navigate what AI can and cannot do, as well as the potential benefits and challenges associated with its implementation, says Sizwe Nxasana, Founder and CEO of Future Nation Schools (FNS). “With the rise of AI, we’re finding that students are increasingly utilising these tools to streamline and enhance their learning experience. From automating tasks to accessing personalised study resources and even writing essays and helping with homework, AI is empowering students to tackle schoolwork and homework with greater efficiency and effectiveness. As AI continues to evolve, students will have even greater opportunities to leverage its capabilities and that means parents and teachers need to stay ahead to ensure that learners are assimilating and demonstrating knowledge in the way that they should.” From a teacher perspective, AI can solve many of the everyday pain points and challenges that they experience. Teachers can use AI to fast track tedious tasks such as lesson planning and classroom management, so that they can spend more time on skills that humans perform better in such as teaching creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as providing emotional support and building relationships with students. For example, one of the areas where AI really excels is pattern matching, explains Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology at FNS. “This is a great innovation for teachers as pattern matching can assist with tasks such as the marking of assessments as well as providing immediate and meaningful feedback to students.” “AI can also be used for adaptive learning, where students receive guided instruction based on their current skill level. Test preparation, plagiarism detection and exam integrity checks are some of the other potential uses that teachers can benefit from when it comes to adding AI into their daily practices.” However, like with all things, the use of AI in education must be guided by very specific objectives to ensure that its potential is harnessed effectively. It is vital that teachers work to strike a balance between the legitimate use of AI tools in the classroom as well as helping their students achieve the desirable educational goals. With the very real risk that students may become over reliant on AI systems to provide answers without fully comprehending the underlying concepts, teachers must mitigate this by spending more time on tasks that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom. By encouraging more creativity and collaboration in the classroom, teachers are also able to enhance education beyond AI’s ability to ensure that students are truly learning. Parents, similarly, need to get a grasp on the way their children use these technologies. Parents, for example, should be cautious of excessive reliance on AI technologies, as they may inadvertently hinder the development of important social skills, empathy and emotional intelligence in their children. Parents must also encourage a balanced approach where their children know how to leverage the power of AI tools, but do not rely on them as the sole source of learning. Ultimately, what this translates to is that both teachers and parents need to come to adopt new teaching and learning pedagogies as the world of education shifts into the realm of AI. One pedagogy leading the pack in this regard is project-based learning (PBL). “PBL offers a powerful counterbalance to AI’s challenges because it fosters essential skills and qualities that go beyond what AI can offer and empowers students with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven world,” explains Nxasana. “By emphasising critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, adaptability and ethical awareness, PBL offers a holistic approach that transcends the limitations of AI. Through PBL, teachers can ensure that students are both prepared to leverage AI as a tool and harness their uniquely human abilities to innovate, problem-solve and make meaningful contributions in an ever-evolving technological landscape.” At 6pm on 28 June 2023, FNS will hold an online discussion on “The impact of AI on education and the world of work,” where Dr Joshua Tshifhiwa Maumela, Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Vodacom and FNS’s Xoliswa Mahlangu will equip parents, students and teachers for success. Register here for this complimentary FutureTalk webinar.
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, explores the phenomenon of cybersickness, which has emerged as a notable concern in the digital age. Cybersickness, or virtual reality sickness or simulation sickness, is a term used to describe symptoms that can occur when there is a disconnect between what someone sees on a screen and how their body feels. “Have you ever experienced light-headedness or nausea while scrolling through social media or browsing the web? If so, you may have had an episode of cyber sickness,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “Similar to motion sickness, which is common on boats, in cars, and on amusement park rides for many people, cybersickness can happen when your senses send conflicting signals to your brain. This phenomenon can occur while using multiple screens, attending virtual meetings where someone else controls the screen, or simply scrolling on your smartphone or computer.” What Is the Cause of Cybersickness? The exact cause of cybersickness is unknown, but it is thought to be related to a mismatch between visual and vestibular (balance) cues. When the brain receives visual information that suggests motion or movement, the body does not feel it (such as playing video games or using virtual reality headsets). It can cause disorientation and other cybersickness symptoms. Signs And Symptoms Symptoms of cybersickness can include: Nausea Dizziness Headaches Eye strain Fatigue Sweating A Word on Mental Wellness In addition to the physical symptoms, cybersickness can also harm mental health, as physical symptoms can lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and even anxiety. The constant stimulation and information overload that technology provides can also contribute to feelings of burnout. How To Prevent Cybersickness Fortunately, several strategies can help to prevent or manage cybersickness. Some of these strategies include: Taking Frequent Breaks Taking frequent breaks from screens, or virtual reality environments can help to reduce the risk of developing cybersickness. Experts recommend taking breaks every 20-30 minutes to give the brain a chance to adjust. Limiting Exposure Limiting exposure to screens or virtual reality environments can also help prevent cybersickness. This may mean limiting gaming time, using virtual reality headsets, or using screens or devices in moderation. Adjusting Settings Adjusting the settings on screens or virtual reality devices can help reduce cybersickness symptoms. This may include adjusting the field of view, reducing the screen’s brightness, or adjusting the motion sensitivity. Staying Hydrated Staying hydrated can help minimise cybersickness symptoms, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms like nausea and headaches. Managing Stress Stress can aggravate symptoms of cybersickness, so managing stress levels through activities like exercise, meditation, or deep breathing is essential. Using Medication In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication to manage cybersickness symptoms. This may include anti-nausea medication or medication to manage symptoms like headaches. “As technology continues to advance, more people will likely be exposed to screens and virtual reality environments, and the risk of cybersickness may increase,” adds Hewlett. “It is important for individuals to be aware of cybersickness symptoms and to take steps to prevent or manage it. Researchers also need to continue studying cybersickness to understand its causes better and develop effective strategies for prevention and management. By working together, we can minimise the negative effects of cybersickness and make technology a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.” About Affinity Health Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading health insurance provider, offering you a range of options at affordable rates, including access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of medical insurance that meets your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Our healthcare products are designed to protect you and your family when it matters the most. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hearing loss is an under-diagnosed medical condition that significantly impacts the physical and mental health of those who have any degree of hearing difficulty. Disabling hearing loss is being called the ‘invisible epidemic.’ It affects more than three million South Africans and over 1.5 billion people globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in just two more decades, this number will exceed 2.5 billion. To help create more awareness, Bonitas Medical Fund is offering free online hearing screening for all South Africans. One of the biggest concerns associated with hearing loss when it is not treated properly is the long-term impact it has on the quality of life. Prevention and early detection are important, after all, hearing is the foundation for speech and language development, as well as learning and communication. Which is why Bonitas Medical Fund has introduced an online hearing screener on its website www.bonitas.co.za. ‘We have partnered with hearConnect to make this functionality available to all South Africans,’ says Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas. The online, validated speech-in-noise hearing test uses the latest in audiological technology. This is combined with the highest standards of clinical expertise and available on the website. In just two minutes you can test your hearing status. All you need is access to a computer or your mobile, headphones or ear plugs, a quiet area and then you’re all set to take the test. If the screening test indicates you are experiencing hearing loss, hearConnect is available to guide you through the next steps. ‘Our partnership with hearConnect includes a full audiology benefit management programme for our members. This includes a follow up with ongoing treatment steps if hearing loss is detected.’ The introduction of this programme has also improved audiology benefits for Bonitas members – offering full cover all consultations, tests and treatment needs without any unwanted co-payments. This is subject to the use of an audiologist on the hearConnect Audiology Network, hearConnect treatment protocols and clinical pathways. There are many challenges associated with hearing loss. These include language development that impacts our ability to read, write, spell and concentrate. It affects social skills resulting in isolation, depression, loneliness, cognitive impairment, unemployment and an increased risk of dementia. Hearing loss also has a direct impact on healthcare costs. ‘As a medical scheme we know that patients with untreated hearing loss experience more inpatient stays compared to those without hearing loss,’ says Callakoppen. This has a direct impact on healthcare utilisation costs. There is a 17% increased risk of emergency department visits, readmissions and rate of hospitalisation as well as longer hospital stays.’ What causes hearing loss Hearing loss can come about as you age or as a result of loud noises, illnesses and disease, genetics and trauma (contact sport) can also cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, also reduce your ability to hear. Don’t blast your eardrums Overexposure to loud music – or any loud noises – can be harmful. Research indicates that hearing loss results from a combination of sounds being too loud, listening to loud sounds over an extended period and the frequency of exposure. A BMJ Global Health review recently reported that pumping tunes, listened to via ear buds or even live, could be placing up to 1.35 billion young people at risk of hearing loss worldwide. The gift of hearing ‘Our new ABM programme, with hearConnect, supports our initiative with Gift of the Givers and sponsorship to test over 15 000 learners this year. The learners are from Grade R to Grade 12 at schools in in six areas within KZN,’ explains Callakoppen. ‘This project uses a South African manufactured portable audiometer, called the Kuduwave. It’s a state-of-the-art, medically certified device that has revolutionised the testing and diagnosis of auditory related deficiencies. It combines a headset, audiometer and sound booth into a single, lightweight device, which can be used in just about any location. ‘The combination of the online testing through hearConnect and the Kuduwave means we are able to offer a comprehensive hearing testing solution in South Africa,’ says Callakoppen.
Many parents wonder why they should teach their children ‘respectful’ behaviour before the age of 7-8, which is when they really only start to understand the concept of ‘respect’. For example, why force a two-year-old, who is at a very difficult stage socially, to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when they don’t understand the words? Is that not being unreasonable? Surely, children who grow up in an environment where other people are being considerate to them will eventually choose to turn into considerate human beings – when they are good and ready to do so? It’s a case of which came first, the chicken or the egg? In other words, does a child have to understand respect in order to behave respectfully? Well, in our research we have found three important reasons to strive to teach our children to be as well-mannered as is reasonably possible from early on. Firstly, acting respectfully leads to being respectful; secondly, good manners help pave the way to a higher EQ; and thirdly, manners teach self-control which leads to success. 1. Acting respectfully leads to being respectful Parents who put manners on the back burner until their child is old enough to develop his own convictions about the matter, usually find themselves in a rather precarious situation. The reality of the situation is that it becomes difficult for the parents and others in their child’s life to act as if their child is a blessing and a joy to be around if he’s running around like a self-centered mini-dictator … no matter how understanding they try to be. On the other hand, approving smiles, appreciative looks, and positive comments from parents and other people can have an almost miraculously positive impact on a child’s developing self-concept. It therefore makes sense to teach a child to be pleasant and courteous to people, even if he doesn’t really yet understand the concept underlying this behaviour. Then, by the time a child is old enough to truly understand what respect means, he will be used to thinking of himself as a ‘nice boy’. Then, acting in a way that is contrary to this will be unthinkable to him. 2. Good manners help pave the way to a higher EQ Just like a child can be born with an amazing aptitude of music or sport, which may never be realised due to lack of opportunities, a child can also be born with the potential to develop a high emotional intelligence (EQ) and never reach this potential due to lack of guidance. One of the most important components of EQ is a person’s ability to effectively ‘read’ what other people are feeling and respond accordingly. Since having good manners is in essence about being sensitive to the needs and feelings of other people, teaching manners is a wonderfully practical way to help your child develop his emotional intelligence. 3. Manners teach self-control which leads to success Dr Walter Mischel, a psychologist specialising in personality theory and social psychology, led a study between 1968 and 1974 at Stanford University that involved more than 600 children, who were on average 4½ years old. Each child was filmed as he or she was left alone in a room with a one-way-mirror for 15 minutes … with a marshmallow on a plate in front of them. Before leaving the room ‘to run an errand’, the doctor explained that the child was allowed to eat it, but if they could wait for him to return, they would be rewarded with a second marshmallow. Only one-third of the children were able to wait for his return and the reward of an extra marshmallow. Those who demonstrated the greatest capacity to wait ended up, in subsequent years, with better outcomes. Follow-up studies revealed that these children scored higher in achievement tests and were more likely to finish college. They also dealt with stress better, were more popular with their peers and less likely to develop substance abuse problems. In light of this, it is critically important for a child to develop the ability to delay gratification and control his impulses during the early years. Instead of leaving it up to our children to figure out for themselves how they should behave, parents should be present to direct and influence their child’s behaviour from early on. Self-discipline doesn’t spring up overnight, so we need to start early. Our expectations will naturally change as our children grow older, but the basics stay the same: consistently say ‘no’ to your child when he does something undesirable or oversteps boundaries, encourage him to try again when he is frustrated by a challenging task and remind him to mind his manners in various situations. This article is written by: The Practica Programme is a comprehensive research- and play-based home programme. This unique system has stood the test of time since 1993, and it comprises of a wooden box with specialized apparatus, parents’ guides, an advisory service and educational newsletters. From birth to 23 months of age, parents choose from a balanced selection of more than 1000 activities to develop the 14 fundamental skills age-appropriately. For children between 2 and 7 years, the 50 school readiness skills are divided into 6 groups and tackled systematically, year by year, with 10- to 20-minute games that can be adapted to a child’s level of functioning.
What is Phonological Awareness? Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds or phonemes in spoken language. Having good phonological awareness skills means that a child can ‘play’ with sounds and words. For example, a teacher or speech therapist might ask a child to break the word ‘dog’ into its individual sounds: d-o-g. Phonological awareness includes the following skills: Why is it important? Phonological awareness is a crucial component of early literacy development. It is considered an important precursor to reading and writing skills because it helps children develop an understanding of how sounds and letters are related. Children who have strong phonological awareness skills are more likely to learn to read and write quickly and accurately, and to become proficient readers and writers in the long term. Phonological awareness helps children to understand the sound structure of words and how to decode them. When children can recognize the sounds in words, they can sound out unfamiliar words and read them accurately. Phonological awareness also helps children to spell words correctly, because it allows them to understand the sound structure of words and how letters correspond to those sounds. Phonological awareness is also important for the development of vocabulary and comprehension skills. When children have a strong foundation in phonological awareness, they are better able to understand the meaning of words and make connections between words that share common sounds. Phonological awareness warning signs There are several signs you can look out for if you suspect that your child may have phonological awareness difficulties. Here are some common signs that may indicate challenges in this area: Difficulty with rhyming: Your child may struggle to identify and produce words that rhyme, such as cat, rat, and mat. Trouble segmenting words: Your child may have difficulty breaking words into individual sounds or syllables. For example, they may struggle to separate the sounds in the word “cat” (c-a-t). Challenges with blending sounds: Your child may find it hard to combine individual sounds to form words. For instance, they might have trouble blending the sounds /d/-/o/-/g/ to make the word “dog.” Difficulty identifying beginning or ending sounds: Your child may struggle to isolate the initial or final sounds in words. For example, they might have trouble identifying the starting sound in the word “sun” or the ending sound in the word “cat.” Problems with manipulating sounds: Your child may find it challenging to substitute, add, or delete sounds in words. They might struggle to change the sound /r/ in “rat” to /b/ to make the word “bat.” Slow progress in learning letter-sound correspondence: Your child may have difficulty connecting letters with their corresponding sounds. They might struggle to recognize the sounds associated with specific letters or letter combinations. Struggles with spelling: Phonological awareness difficulties can often lead to challenges in spelling, as your child may have trouble identifying and manipulating the sounds in words. It’s important to note that these signs alone do not provide a definitive diagnosis of phonological awareness difficulties. If you notice several of these signs or have concerns about your child’s language development, it’s recommended to consult with a qualified speech-language therapist who can assess your child’s skills and provide appropriate guidance and support. How can I help develop my child’s Phonological Awareness skills? There are many fun and engaging activities that parents can do with their children to help develop phonological awareness skills. Here are some ideas: Rhyming games: Play games that involve finding words that rhyme. You can start by saying a word, such as “cat”, and ask your child to come up with a word that rhymes, such as “bat”. You can also play rhyming bingo, where you call out a word and your child marks off a picture of a word that rhymes with it. Sound matching: Play games that involve matching words with the same beginning or ending sounds. You can start by saying a word, such as “cat”, and ask your child to come up with another word that starts with the same sound, such as “cup”. You can also play sound scavenger hunt, where you go around the house or outside and ask your child to find objects that start with a certain sound. Syllable counting: Play games that involve counting the number of syllables in words. You can start by saying a word, such as “butterfly”, and ask your child to clap or tap the number of syllables in the word. You can also play syllable sorting, where you give your child a few objects and ask them to sort them into piles based on how many syllables they have. Sound segmenting and blending: Play games that involve segmenting words into their individual sounds and blending sounds together to form words. You can start by saying a word, such as “cat”, and asking your child to say each sound in the word, such as “c-a-t”. You can also play sound hopscotch, where you draw a hopscotch board on the ground and your child jumps on each square while saying a sound, then jumps on the last square while saying the whole word. Phonological and Phonemic awareness is the foundation upon which all other layers of literacy are built and, unless it is solid, the other layers will most definitely suffer, and the child will struggle to read. It is however important that parents and educators continue to motivate children to view reading as a positive experience despite their challenges. Kate Dicamillo expressed this beautifully when she wrote “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, or a duty. It should be offered as a gift”. Written by Angela Pouroullis (Speech-Language Therapist at Glenoaks School)
Each season has its own set of unique challenges when it comes to our hair, but none are quite as harsh as winter. The drastic drop in humidity means the air will draw moisture from wherever it can – including your hair and skin – and icy temperatures outside can be particularly harsh on hair. Throw in some indoor heating and you’ll probably find your hair crying out for help. It’s common for all hair types and textures to experience breakage and split ends during winter. During this time you’ll need to take some extra precautions to protect your hair from the elements, keep it hydrated and give it that extra bit of nourishment to keep it looking its best. Try these simple tips to maintain your hair’s health and keep it looking great this winter. Choose moisturising ingredients When temperatures drop your hair will need extra moisturisation and the best way to achieve this is by using hair products rich in moisturising ingredients. Coconut oil is considered one of the best ingredients to moisturise and strengthen hair as it is naturally rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, making it a great ingredient to incorporate into your winter hair care regime. Try Two Oceans Coconut Oil & Argan Curl Quench Shampoo and Conditioner (R109.95 each) which contains Coconut Oil and Argan to moisturize, add luster and shine, soften hair and increase its strength and manageability. Commit to a weekly hair treatment A weekly hair mask or treatment has the ability to take hair from “good” to “great.” It helps replenish lost moisture, restore hair and prevent damage. Try Two Oceans Moroccan Argan Oil Intense Conditioning Mask (R99.95). This mask is an intensive treatment that may help improve the look and feel of dry, damaged hair. It’s a great addition to your winter hair care regime. Tackle frizz head-on We often associate frizz with high humidly and hot weather, but in reality it’s a very common problem in winter too. In fact, when humidity drops and the air becomes very dry, our hair is likely to get frizzy, dry and even unruly. If this sounds like you, we recommend switching over to a frizz control hair care range like the Two Oceans Castor Oil & Argan range. The Shampoo and Conditioner (R109.95 each) is infused with African Castor Oil that helps de-frizz hair and Argan Oil which is naturally rich in vitamin E, F, A & C, thereby increasing the hair’s moisture levels and making it less prone to frizz. Follow with Two Oceans Castor Oil & Argan Anti Frizz Serum (R109.95), which is naturally rich in antioxidants and deeply conditions and revives hair for superior frizz control and soft, glossy results. Never dry your hair without applying a heat protectant product If possible, try to cut back on heat styling during winter as heat combined with dryness is almost certain to lead to damage. However, if you can’t go without styling, or if you simply can’t bear to air dry your wet hair in the cold, be sure to apply a heat protector before blow-drying / styling. Two Oceans Moroccan Argan Oil Heat Defense Spray (R79.95) is infused with Keratin and Moroccan Argan Oil which is naturally rich in vitamin E, F, A & C and high in antioxidants. This heat defense spray helps to protect hair from damage when heat styling at temperatures up to 220˚C. It is suitable for all hair types and can be applied to wet or dry hair. Lock in moisture with a hair serum During winter we apply a richer night cream to our skin to boost its moisture levels while we sleep, and the same should be done for our hair in the form of a serum or oil. Two Oceans Moroccan Argan Oil Intense Hair Serum (R109.95) has a concentrated formula rich in Keratin and Moroccan Argan Oil which not only improves the look and feel of dry and damaged hair but it also nourishes hair to keep it healthy and shiny. Don’t go outside with wet hair Did you know that our hair is super vulnerable when it’s wet? In extremely cold temperatures wet hair can actually freeze outside. When you go outside with wet or damp hair you increase its risk of breaking, so it’s best to ensure your hair is 100% dry before heading outdoors. About Two Oceans Haircare Expertly formulated with Africa’s finest ingredients, the Two Oceans collection provides solution-focused products to treat all hair types. Offering a value range of 1L argan-infused products, as well as a professional range with more targeted formulations for colour treated hair to restore and maintain healthy colour and hair, the brand is vegan, uses up to 90% naturally derived ingredients in their products and offers clean formulations. Two Oceans Haircare is available at Dis-Chem, Pick n Pay, www.twooceanshaircare.com and Takealot. Learn more at: www.twooceanshaircare.com Follow Two Oceans Haircare on social media: Facebook: Two Oceans Hair Instagram: @twooceanshair
Just as you get it all right and think you are on the track to having a baby who sleeps through the night, you get one disturbed night of sleep and it sets you back big time! The question is: are there typical times that you should expect nighttime hiccups? 4-6 months old – From birth your baby will slowly and steadily begin to sleep for longer and longer stretches at night and you will have the satisfaction of the occasional longer period of sleep. But just as your baby pieces it together and is almost ‘sleeping through’, he will start to wake more frequently again. This happens as your little one begins to require extra nutrition at night, the milk feeds that used to sustain him are no longer doing so and you have three choices: Breastfeed on cue and meet his demands at night to stimulate your milk supply. In this way your little one will go back to sleep and wake again in 4 hours for another feed. This is a good idea if Your baby is less than 17 weeks You or your baby have confirmed allergies (in which case you should delay introducing a formula or solids) Offer a top up bottle at bedtime or if he wakes shortly after going down Introduce solids – absolutely fine to do any time between 4 and 6 months 8 months old – At around 8 months old, your baby will start waking due to separation reasons or plain ol’ habits. At this age your baby is working hard to establish object permanence – the awareness that you exist when he can’t see you. To decrease the effect of this milestone on sleep: Encourage a sleep soother such as a ‘doodoo blanky’ (Taglet) or dummy that can be used independently. Play separation games during the day – ‘peek a boo’ or hide and seek. Listen to your baby at night before going to him and see if he resettles on his own. If he cries, go to him, give him love and help him settle on his own with a doodoo blanky. Do not be tempted to feed him at night before 2am as this can lead to habits developing. Toddler years – Toddlers are notorious poor sleepers. Your toddler will wander at night and come through to your room. In fact more toddlers co-sleep than newborns, according to recent research! Toddlers call for their parents at night due to night fears and boundary issues. To address this, leave a night light on and encourage your toddler to use a comfort object instead of coming to you. If your toddler repeatedly wanders into your bed at night you have three choices: Repeatedly walk him back to his bed – while this will be exhausting initially, your toddler will eventually learn that night wanders brings no joy. Let him climb into your bed and share a bed with him Find the sense-able middle ground – have a mattress under your bed that he can pull out and sleep on at night – this means your bed remains your own but your toddler has access to you at night.
High cholesterol levels go hand in hand with a number of other factors which fall under chronic conditions. It is often as a result of lifestyle factors. According to the South African Heart and Stroke Foundation, one in four adults in South Africa has high total cholesterol, while 30% have a high LDL level and 50% have low HDL Levels. What does this mean? Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Clinical Executive at Bonitas Medical Fund takes a look at cholesterol: What it is and why it is used, together with other factors like lifestyle and medical conditions, to estimate your risk of cardiovascular disease. And why knowing your LDL and HDL numbers is important in managing your health. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol [kuh·leh·stuh·rol] is a waxy fat-like substance, made in the liver and found in the blood and cells of your body. We all have cholesterol, it is made naturally and helps to form cells, hormones, vitamin D and bile acid (that helps us digest food). What is the difference between bad cholesterol LDL and good cholesterol HDL? LDL is low-density lipoprotein: It is called the ‘bad’ cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries which leads to a greater chance of developing a heart disease HDL is high-density lipoprotein: Is the ‘good’ cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. However, if someone has high levels of bad cholesterol it means they have too much of this fatty substance in their blood and, over time, this could cause arteries to block and result in a heart attack or stroke. Unfortunately, unlike most medical conditions, high cholesterol can go unnoticed and often doesn’t present any symptoms, unless it’s serious enough to cause problems. What test is used to determine the levels of cholesterol in your body? Called a fasting lipogram, it measures the exact amount of different types of cholesterol you have. The SA Heart and Stroke Foundation maintain that healthy cholesterol levels should be: Total cholesterol: Less than 5.0 mmol/l (millimoles per litre) LDL cholesterol: Less than 3.0 mmol/l HDL cholesterol: Greater than 2.0 mmol/1 If your triglycerides (fat stored in the body) are higher than 1.7mmol/l, this is also indicative of a possible cholesterol problem Dr Mkhatshwa cautions that these are variables for the optimal LDL(bad cholesterol) count, according to your risk profile. ‘If you are very high-risk or high-risk the LDL-C goal is 1.8 mmol/l and 2.5 mmol/l respectively. Your doctor will explain these to you, what they mean and the steps you need to take to reduce your LDL count,’ he says. ‘You can then begin to play an active role in managing your own health.’ How often should you be tested? Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. People who have heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol, need to get their cholesterol checked more often. What diseases or conditions result from high cholesterol levels? When you have too much ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, it can cause narrowing and blockages of the arteries – the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart muscle and to other parts of your body. In time, this narrowing can lead to a heart attack, while blockages in the arteries of your brain can cause a stroke. What kind of illnesses or diseases can cause elevated levels of LDL? People with high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes often have high cholesterol. Some other health conditions that can also cause raised levels of cholesterol include kidney disease and liver disease. What role does genetics play in high cholesterol levels? The medical term for high blood cholesterol is Familial hypercholesterolaemia. It is an inherited condition characterised by higher-than-normal levels of LDL blood cholesterol. It causes up to 10 per cent of early-onset coronary artery disease – heart disease that occurs before the age of 55 years. The cause is a mutation in a gene. Can I lower my genetically high LDL cholesterol? There is no cure for familial hypercholesterolaemia. Treatment aims to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack and may include Dietary changes, including reduced intake of saturated fats and cholesterol-rich foods, and increased intake of fibre. Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes and you usually need to take them for life. What lifestyle changes can help to lower cholesterol levels? Losing weight Eating a heart-healthy diet: Focus on plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains Exercising regularly Not smoking Did you know? One third of adults have high cholesterol No one can live without cholesterol High cholesterol could be genetic Even children can have high cholesterol Sweating can raise your good cholesterol levels Supplements may work to lower cholesterol — but slowly
Self-esteem stems from a sense of competence — or, to put it another way, children gain confidence due to their successes, not because of the recognition they receive from family and friends. As a preschool teacher, I saw many children gain trust and self-assurance as they learned and achieved new tasks and objectives. As parents, it’s normal to want to instill trust in your children. Here are some suggestions for how to do that: 1. Make time to have fun Playtime is one of the most significant investments you can make in your child. Playing with your children for hours demonstrates to them that they are important and worthy of your attention. 2. Give them small tasks to do Children deserve opportunities to show their talents and believe their efforts are respected. At home, this means enlisting their assistance with tasks such as: Putting the table together for dinner or lunch Organising their toys Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping Dishwashing Performing laundry sorting or folding Car washing Gardening Remember your child’s passions and allocate them a job that helps them feel useful. 3. Always pay attention I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to set aside time to give your child your undivided attention. It boosts your child’s self-worth by sending the message that you think they’re important and valuable to you. 4. Frequently encourage your child Consider the last time anyone complimented your efforts and told you they believed in you. This kind of motivation gives people the trust boost they need to keep going and helps children develop the best type of confidence possible. But remember that too much praise can pressure you to succeed and generate a constant need for other people’s approval. It’s preferable to teach your child that the effort—and seeing everything through to completion—is what matters most.
