Advice Column - Parenting Hub

Leading Expert Advice from Curro Online

Advice from the experts

Nursery Design to Grow with your Child

In accordance with the latest published data from medical aid schemes in South Africa, the average cost of a natural birth in a private hospital is around R25,000, including two to three days spent in hospital. If your baby is delivered by Caesarean section, the cost jumps significantly. On average, South African parents lay out somewhere in the region of R90 000 per year to raise their children. The good news is that you don’t need to compromise on costs to deck out your baby room. Baby and I have a wonderful selection of furniture and décor to choose from, that will grow with your baby, lasting from birth to early childhood. The question then is, how do you choose what will work best for you, your taste in décor and obviously what works best for your budget? Practical Decor The main thing you’re wanting to do is create a space that is warm, inviting, comfy and cosy and the easiest way to achieve this is through layering up and textures. In any nursery there are three main zones, sleeping, changing and feeding. So layer the nursery furniture to bring in more colour, texture, materials and patterns. For example, place a side table next to the nursery chair and an ottoman in front of the nursery chair. Something to consider is that you don’t have to choose colours that are traditionally associated with children. Earth inspired neutral coloured nurseries are trending right now and create the opportunity for you to throw in wonderful pops of colour with items such as pieces of art for the wall, cushions and curtains, that can easily be changed out over the years, but at minimal expense. Here again, curtains and cushion covers can add another layer through using texture. A great way to bring all three areas of the nursery together is through the use of a rug. Again, choose a colour that is practical but aesthetically pleasing and blends well with the rest of the neutral colours in the room. Rugs also add texture and can be used to add colour to compliment the neutral colours, but there is a possibility that they may need to be changed out a little sooner as baby grows, depending on your choice of colour. Make baby’s room feel lived in. An example is to keep the blanket that was just used, thrown over your rocking chair. A cute little outfit hanging on the doorknob of the cupboard rather than neatly packed away, says, this room is baby’s and it’s being used to the full! To create a baby’s room with longevity in mind, you will need to give some thoughts to whether or not to use baby-type themed sets for your décor. Whilst these are colourful and create a warm and fuzzy feeling, they tend to become outdated within the first two or three years. Baby and I have beautiful, wall compacta and shelves that add an aesthetically pleasing touch whilst being practical as well. These are all classical designs and can easily last through baby years and into early childhood. As example, our House Shelf, is such an elegant wall piece, it will make any little human happy. Our Hexagon Shelves are the best at transforming a boring wall and the beauty of these shelves is that they can be used in baby’s room as well as any other part of the house. Timeline for Preparation of Nursery Choose a theme and your budget by 18-20 weeks. Order your furniture by 21-23 weeks. Paint or wallpaper by 23-25 weeks. Choose storage solutions and get those installed by 25-27 weeks. Add all the extras to make it beautiful by 27-30 weeks. By 36 weeks have it all complete. Furniture Essential pieces of furniture for your nursery include a crib/cot, dresser and chair. Consider function when choosing a dresser – optimal storage is what you’re looking for. For extra storage, choose a simple design toy box, painted in a neutral colour, that can initially be used to store all baby’s necessities such as nappies, bum creams and the like and as baby gets bigger, it can be used for what it is originally intended. One of the biggest outlays for baby’s room will be baby’s cot. Choose a cot that can morph into a bed. Our Baby and I Deluxe House set is so versatile, consisting of a compactum, toy storage unit and a stylish cot that turns into a toddler bed. The Baby and I Flipper Cot will carry your little one from birth to seven years! Now that’s great value for money. When selecting a chair, at Baby and I, our Rocking Chairs, have a high-grade density foam seat and super soft A-grade foam for the backrest that makes these chairs so comfortable for the hours you will spend in it feeding and nurturing the baby. The wooden sleigh rocker provides gentle and relaxing rocking for mom and baby. The deep seat cushion provides comfort and support. The ottoman is traditionally rounded-shaped and great to rest your legs on. At Baby and I, we love our quality locally made furniture and are so proud to be of service to you! Extreme care has been taken in the manufacture of all our furniture. We strive to bring you quality, functionality, durability, and prettiness. Best of all is that all our furniture is proudly and locally manufactured in South Africa. Our locally manufactured furniture is produced with quality paints and hardwearing materials. As far as possible we have made use of rounded edges. Baby & I Melrose offers a unique experience as a Baby Boutique in South Africa. We hold a niche in the baby and children’s industry by providing the world’s premier shopping experience for expectant and new parents. From cots to travel systems to educational toys to nursery décor, we have an exclusive range to help you welcome your bundle into your life. As a Premier Baby Boutique in South Africa, we focus on offering exceptional

August 2, 2022

Hair trends to try this winter

Every season sees an influx of new hair trends that dominate the runways, red carpets and social media, offering endless inspiration for those of us who are keen to try something new. Winter 2022 is no different, except this year, we’re seeing the biggest trends coming from celebrities. After two years of Covid-19, the start of 2022 saw in-person awards ceremonies back in action, giving our favourite A-listers plenty of opportunity to show off new post-pandemic looks. Plus, new seasons of some of our favourite shows (hello, Stranger Things!) have also played a major part in shaping Winter 2022 hair trends. This winter, we’re seeing a major revival of past trends, giving 2022 real nostalgic energy. Think hairstyles from the 70s, 80s and 90s, but with a modern twist. Keen to try something new? Get ready to add these trends to your inspiration folder: Natural textures The inspo: Rihanna and Tracee Ellis Ross Texture is big this winter, and if you’ve thought about going natural, now is the time. Whether your hair is naturally curly, coily or wavy, it’s time to ditch the straightener and embrace your natural texture. Reminiscent of the 80s, it’s all about celebrating curls, coils and afros. Filled with the very best ingredients that nature has to offer, The Perfect Hair products are the ideal companion for your natural hair. The Mango & Marula range is specially designed for curly hair, adding and locking in plenty of moisture while nourishing, softening and adding shine. Try the Mango & Marula Silky Soft Shampoo (R100.00) and Detangling Deep Conditioner(R100.00) for an intense moisture boost. Copper brunette The inspo: Zendaya and Kendall Jenner Also referred to as “luxury copper”, this is the hottest hair colour of the season, and finally, it’s a colour totally attainable by brunettes! Warm and full-bodied, the colour is rich and luxurious – just what the chilly season calls for. Prolong the life of your copper colour and maintain its vibrancy with Marc Anthony Complete Color Care nourishing Hair Mask (R189.95), a nourishing hair mask that reduces colour fade, locking in nutrients and protecting against environmental damage, and Marc Anthony Complete Color Care Colour Bond Instant Colour Sealer (R179.95), a treatment products that seals the cuticles to lock in moisture, adds shine and prevents colour fade. Fringe benefits The inspo: Zoë Kravitz and Dua Lipa Fringes or bangs are a hit every winter, likely because they’re more manageable in colder weather. The two most popular fringe styles this winter are the blunt bang (straight-cut and thick) and the French fringe, a soft cut with rounded, textured ends that blend with the rest of your haircut. This colour won’t require a lot of maintenance, but you’ll need to switch up your hair care regime to ensure you use colour-protecting products to increase its longevity. Chances are your fringe will be heat-styled a lot more often than the rest of your hair, so it’s essential to spritz on a product to protect it from heat damage. Try Hask Biotin Boost 5-In-1 Leave-In Spray (R160.00) which thickens and adds body, provides thermal protection, controls frizz, adds shine, prevents breakage, and detangles and moisturises. Your fringe will also need to be washed more regularly than the rest of your hair. If you’re pressed for time, we recommend a few spritzes of Colab Dry Shampoo (R99.95). Not only does it leave hair looking and feeling fresh (without the dreaded white residue) but dry shampoo is known to add volume, too. Layers The inspo: Lily Collins and Georgia May Jagger 90s-era layers are back with a vengeance. Bouncy and fresh when styled and feminine and soft when left to air dry, this French-inspired style frames the face and adds dimension and texture to your cut. Plus, this is the perfect style for anyone wanting a new look while maintaining the length of their hair. Try OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Air Dry Cream (R215.00). This air-dry cream is ideal for style on the go – simply work through damp hair to reduce frizz as hair dries naturally for beautiful heat-free style. Sleek ponytail The inspo: Bella Hadid A versatile style for straight hair, the sleek ponytail is easy to wear, any time of the day or night. The key to perfecting it, is to use a fine-tooth comb to smooth out any bumps once your hair’s been pulled back. Use a gel or mousse over the top for a smooth finish and to flatten any flyaways. The Evolve Triple Edge Styler (R129.95) is a must-have for smoothing your hair and taming flyaways. This 3-in-1 pure boar brush can be used for smoothing and styling edges or sleek ponies, the fine-tooth comb can be used for shaping edges and the rat tail can be used to part your hair. Smooth edges and flyaways with Cantu Shea Butter Edge Gel Stay Gel (R150.00). It conditions and smooths frizz and flyaway hair for shiny, sleek styles with a long-lasting, flake-free hold. For a sculpted finish, we recommend applying a little bit of Cantu Shea Butter Styling Gel with Jamaican Black Castor Oil (R110.00). It smoothes frizz, protects against humidity and holds hair in place without it drying or flaking. The classic bob The inspo: Alexa Chung and Dakota Johnson The great thing about a bob is that it works with just about any hair type and texture. Cool and understated, it’s a youthful and fun hairstyle that never dates. The key to a modern bob is to not over style it, but rather to work with your natural hair texture. If your hair is wavy or curly, embrace the shape to keep it looking somewhat “undone”. If your hair is straight, allow it to air dry to get some movement and prevent it from looking too rigid. For a wavy or curly bob full of volume, we recommend Umberto Giannini Curl Whip Curl Activating Mousse (R150.00). This mousse helps you achieve weightless, flexible, frizz-free curls and waves with extra definition.

August 1, 2022

Philips Avent support and empower parents to feed their babies anytime, anywhere

Two thirds of moms would be more confident and comfortable breastfeeding in public if it was considered ‘normal’* Let’s support and empower parents to feed their baby anytime, anywhere. Breastfeeding has been around for as long as we have existed. We are also more aware than ever of the health benefits of it for baby and mom. And yet, in many parts of the world, there are still a lot of taboos around breastfeeding – signalling a need for more support for moms and dads to parent and feed their way. This World Breastfeeding Week (1 – 7 August), to understand some of the challenges breastfeeding parents face when feeding their babies, and support and empower them to parent and feed their way, Philips asked more than 6000 women across 25 countries* what holds them back from breastfeeding their babies anytime and anywhere they want to. Breastfeeding in public – still not considered ‘normal’ The results show there’s still work to be done to support and empower moms in their choice to breastfeed in public. Around two thirds (66%) of moms globally say they would feel more confident and comfortable breastfeeding in public if it was considered ‘normal’. Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable to breastfeed around people they don’t know, is the key reason (52%) of women feel to hesitant to consider breastfeeding in public. The results also reveal many moms (40%) would not consider pumping in public, rising to 69% in France and dropping to 17% in the USA. The results vary across cultures and countries and breastfeeding and expressing in public is not something every mom wishes to do. At Philips, we recognise every breastfeeding journey is unique and personal to parent and baby; there is no right or wrong way. Parents may choose to feed their baby directly from mom’s breast, with expressed milk, or both, or between formula bottles. Some may choose to feed in public or in the comfort of their own home. Whatever their choice, Philips wants to empower and support all parents with solutions that support each of these choices. Moms should feel they have the ‘right’ Added to this, many moms say greater overall support from others would help them feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public, with this being true for almost a third of moms in the USA (33%), Spain and Mexico (both 30%). Meanwhile, greater partner support would help for many in Colombia (41%), Mexico and Chile (both 40%), compared to fewer in Austria (17%) and Germany (13%). These figures go a long way to indicate many moms would love to see society’s overall understanding and perception of breastfeeding shift from something inappropriate or unnecessary to one of the most natural, fundamental acts of care in the world. This shift can only happen by educating more people on the value of breastfeeding, starting more conversations about it and championing parents’ choices to feed however best suits them – something that lies in all of our hands. The results go on to reveal that while the biggest motivator for moms globally to breastfeed in public is being able to feed their babies as soon as they need it (59%), almost half (47%) globally say having the ‘right’ to breastfeed in public would also motivate them to do so, rising to 57% in Austria and Canada and dropping to 31% in South-Africa. Only through greater breastfeeding awareness, encouraging breastfeeding policy change, and creating more supportive communities around moms that empower them to feed their way, will more people start to recognise and promote breastfeeding as the basic human right it actually is. Moms deserve greater support Added to this, many moms say greater overall support from others would help them feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public, with this being true for almost a third of moms in the USA (33%), Spain and Mexico (both 30%). Meanwhile, greater partner support would help for many in Colombia (41%), Mexico and Chile (both 40%), compared to fewer in Austria (17%) and Germany (13%). These figures go a long way to indicate many moms would love to see society’s overall understanding and perception of breastfeeding shift from something inappropriate or unnecessary to one of the most natural, fundamental acts of care in the world. This shift can only happen by educating more people on the value of breastfeeding, starting more conversations about it and championing parents’ choices to feed however best suits them – something that lies in all of our hands. BreastStories: supporting and empowering parents Through our online platform, BreastStories, parents from around the world can share their breastfeeding stories, tips, and tricks via Instagram and Facebook, as well as find breastfeeding information and advice from healthcare professionals. By downloading the Philips Baby+ app on their mobile device, parents can also log feeding information, as well as track their baby’s development, such as their weight, height, and head circumference during the first year. Breastfeeding can be wonderful but it’s not always straightforward or easy for moms. Feeling comfortable is key to a positive breastfeeding experience as it makes it easier to release milk. Let’s unite in supporting parents to parent their way and empower them to feed their baby anytime, anywhere. We believe parents should feel supported and empowered throughout this journey, and parent their way. This includes feeding their baby and expressing milk whenever and wherever they need and want to – in restaurants and bars and in parks and on public transport. That’s why, during this World Breastfeeding Week, we are highlighting the conversation around breastfeeding by creating a supportive online community for moms and dads, so they never feel alone in their experiences. There’s great power in talking about your experiences with healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, at antenatal classes, via apps and online communities, and with family, friends, and other moms. Through our online platform, BreastStories, parents from around the world can share their breastfeeding stories, tips, and tricks via Instagram and Facebook, as well as find breastfeeding information and

August 1, 2022

DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “LIGHTYEAR” BLASTS ONTO DISNEY+

Today, Disney+ revealed plans to stream Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” beginning August 3, 2022. A new spot celebrating the upcoming launch is now available. “’Lightyear’ looks amazing on the big screen, of course, but we are so excited to bring it to Disney+,” said Angus MacLane, who helmed the film. “We devoted years of our lives to this film and we are so proud of it. We want to share it with as many people as possible. Disney+ not only gives more fans an opportunity to see ‘Lightyear,’ it gives us all the means to see it again and again.” ABOUT THE MOVIE A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda. The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Díaz, Keira Hairston as Young Izzy and Tim Peake as Tim/Mission Control (in U.K. release). Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is in theaters now. The film streams on Disney+ beginning Aug. 3, 2022.

August 1, 2022

“PLAY” The best teacher your child can have!

What is “play”? Well, think of it this way, play is a medium that all children use to explore and experience the world around them. It is the best teacher your child can have. The best “play” is motivated, spontaneous, and focuses on the process rather than the product. The idea is for them to have fun even if there is a specific outcome you are trying to accomplish. Children love to use their imagination, and to get creative, “play” should be free of rules so that they have the freedom to create their own games, experiences, and ideas. This helps them create a new world in which their reality experience can be reflected. The main goal is to learn; all children learn best when having fun! During “play,” children are constantly thinking, problem-solving, developing memory, planning and investigating, concentrating, and developing language and social skills. “Play” contributes to your child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development throughout their lives. This is why play is so important. As parents and teachers, we must ensure that our children have stimulating environments that encourage play and creativity and allow them to use their imagination throughout their day. There are many different stages of play that a child will go through and experience from birth through early childhood. These stages of play are based on and refer to the levels of social interaction during play or the main characteristics of the types of play a child can use or take part in based on their already developed skills. Some examples of these stages of play include: Unoccupied play is your baby’s random movements with no purpose or thought. This is the first initial form of play a child will experience. They will rely on their parents to create different stimulation. Solitary play is when children play alone and independently without noticing other children playing around them. Onlooker play is when children watch and observe others play and perhaps ask questions but do not join in. In parallel play, children play side-by-side but without interacting directly. This is the first step of socialization. They will begin to play together and interact in associative play, but there will be no coordination in the game or activities. Cooperative play is when children start interacting and participating in group games and activities with specific goals like “hide and seek.” This is vital for team and future leadership skills. There are different types of play that can be identified. The types of play are based on and refer to the specific type of activity involved and skills being learned, such as language or construction. Types of play can include: Constructive play is play that involves building and creating. This type of play supports visual, spatial, fine motor, and math skills. Physical play is any play with physical activities that support muscle development, healthy exercise, and coordination. Expressive play is any play that allows children to express feelings. This can be through art, music, and writing or telling stories. This is vital play to inspire creativity. Competitive play is play that will help children learn about rules, fairness, and taking turns. These can be games, and activities like Simon says or races on the playground. Fantasy play is when children have the freedom to use their imagination and think beyond their world. This is good for learning creative problem-solving. Digital play this type of play would involve modern-day technology such as tablets, cell phones, or laptops. Children are growing up in a digitally influenced world, so it is important to teach them these skills. This would be considered solitary play but will still impact their social skills like eye contact and attention. It is important to remember that your child needs to experience all types of play to learn the necessary life skills needed to grow into independent thinking adults.

August 1, 2022

Preparing your child for the 4IR

The on-going impact of a pandemic, looming price increases and unstable markets might have parents wondering what they can do to prepare their children for an unknown future work environment. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are many new opportunities, and the future is bright if your child is properly equipped to take on the challenge. Where do we start? In this modern and ever-evolving world, careers can be made out of almost anything. The world really is filled with opportunities at every turn, however the first lesson you should probably help your child learn is that a career does not have to be static. You no longer choose one job for life, then retire from that industry 40 years later as was the norm in past generations. There is great value in teaching your child the importance of being flexible, and that the working world is dynamic and changing so they need to be too if they are to survive and thrive. That said, your child, just like you, will sometimes have to do things they don’t like. Help them get used to that concept too from a young age. Like every adult, every child has inclinations, skills and interests that vary. It’s important to teach your child to explore their interests. The ideal time to start encouraging them to do this would be during middle school (Grades 7 to 9). Encourage your child to participate in various extra murals and holiday clubs, to learn and develop their interests in a variety of different things. It’s important to invest in your child this way. By experiencing many different sports, clubs, activities and interests, you’ll give them a better perspective on what the world has to offer. A tip for parents: Take an interest in what your child is interested in. This will help them feel supported and excited (a child who is engaged and excited will learn skills quickly). Remote and international learning/work has opened up exciting opportunities The traditional ‘South African dream’ of leaving school, going to university, getting a job, buying a house, having two kids and retiring is an outdated ideation. Most members of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and most certainly Generation Alpha kids (born 2013-2025) are unlikely to follow the life path their parents had anticipated or hoped for. What we’re seeing in education is that students are looking at international learning opportunities once they have completed their secondary and, in some instances, tertiary education. They are even considering remote study opportunities where they can receive certifications from the comfort of the sofa in a chosen location around the globe. There are many programs that support South African students and gear them towards applying to international universities. Organizations such as NCUK facilitate these options which mean that students now have more opportunities than ever before to learn in new and exciting parts of the world. Young Generation Z adults who’ve already graduated recognize that traditional jobs aren’t necessarily for them. With remote work opportunities and the ever growing “Gig Economy”, we see skilled individuals choosing to consult and work on a freelance basis over full-time regular positions. It is not uncommon to become your own boss from a young age, work when you need money and prioritize enjoying and experiencing youth. Skills, skills, skills… Although I am tempted to write the word ‘skillz’ as the sort of skills your children should be developing might not necessarily be in line with anything you understand right now, or particularly value as a traditional skill. Digital content creation, editing skills and personal branding are some of the areas where we see young people ‘sharpening their sticks’. With more than one million students enrolled in South African universities in 2022, how does your child stand out from the crowd? While this may only recently have been a thought in your mind, it’s been a thought in their minds for years thanks to social media. Standing out from the crowd, developing unique and sought-after skills, talents and abilities is critical for young people to rise above their peers. Skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are often not necessarily learnt at all schools. This is where support from parents is crucial, the need to facilitate, encourage and support unique skill development in the home cannot be stressed enough. Practical things you can do right now One thing that has come up time and time again is the need for young students to develop business savvy and entrepreneurial skills. Help your child start a small business – by doing so they will learn a few harsh lessons such as, how tough it is to make money, managing your money = success, selling and developing a product or service people actually want or need, the importance of reinvesting into your business and saving money rather than spending it. Teach your children to repair things. Now, you yourself might not be so ‘handy’ and that’s okay. Let’s say your fan stops working. Encourage your children to take it apart and watch a few YouTube videos on how to problem-solve and possibly fix the fan. This might be a strange example, but it’s the sort of thing that you may throw out rather than repairing, so if it can be fixed, you just saved the cost of replacing the fan. That’s a valuable lesson for a child. Take risks. Encourage your child to sign up for things they might not have been inclined to do. The thing about risks, is that they are associated with failure. This is not a negative thing; in fact, it is quite positive! When children are making mistakes, it also means they are learning to fix those mistakes as early as possible. Failure and learning to deal with failure are some of the most important lessons young people can learn. The reality is that our children are stepping into an unpredictable world. Failure helps children develop confidence and identity if handled and supported correctly. An old teacher

July 29, 2022

DINO RANCH

Being a rancher is for every-Dino-one Head down to the Dino Ranch and shout your loudest “yee-hah!” to the Cassidy family, where there’s never-stop work to be done to keep your favourite dinosaur sanctuary spick and span. Follow the stories of Clover, the loyal young brontosaurus who learns the value of his work as a dino doctor and how Rebel, a baby stegosaur, struggles to fit in with her peers. You’ll be able to rally with the Ranchers this month as they protect their homestead and dino friends from troublesome prospectors. There are always new and exciting adventures on this ranch so remember to tune in to Boomerang, where you’ll find yourself all kinds of life lessons that are real gems! PREMIERE: Monday, 01 August 2022 TUNE IN: Everyday @ 06:45 CAT Also available on DStv Catch Up

July 29, 2022

Education Vs Teaching – What is the difference?

In this article, we explore these differences and how both play a role in moulding our children’s learning experience. “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child” – George Santayana 1863 – 1952, philosopher and Harvard Professor. Ponder that for a while. What about this one – attributed to Albert Einstein (who?) but in fact, its true origins are unknown. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”. These are rather deep statements, and the reason I say this is as follows. I find that many parents often think that if their child is not actively working i.e. reading or writing or learning things off by heart, then they cannot possibly be learning. We ourselves are products of a schooling system that was one size fits all. Everybody sat in a classroom, which had been arranged neatly in rows, and the teacher Presented material, and we Practiced the material until it was Perfect. There is so much more to an education than what a child is taught in the classroom or the space inside your home that you have dedicated to home schooling. The opportunities for an education are endless and present themselves on a daily basis. An education is something whereby a child is offered far more than only content and material. An education is also about common sense (although I don’t know why it’s called common sense. If it was indeed common, more people would have it). Having self-awareness and awareness of others, being kind to one another. Having empathy, compassion and respect – that’s an education. Teaching is the imparting of facts, the transference of subject matter from a teacher to a student after which the student is tested to see how well the teacher delivered the subject matter and whether the student retained it. We need to break out of this traditional mould and review what we value more – our kids simply being taught, or the education they receive. Both have their place, indeed, but I’ll leave you with one more quote from the already-mentioned Mr. Einstein. “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think”. Disclaimer – The views expressed are that of the author C. Wickham Interested in homeschooling your child? Feel free to Mindscape Education, e-mail [email protected] or call (+27) 11-704-0687. Visit the Mindscape Education website to find out more about our curriculum options.

July 28, 2022

Little kids, big feelings – helping young children manage anger

The past couple years have had a tremendous impact on the mental and emotional wellbeing of most people, and young children have not escaped the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdowns in this regard. Parents may have seen a change in their children, including increased instances of anger outbursts, sometimes of the explosive kind. “There has definitely been an increase worldwide and in South Africa of children struggling to manage anger and anxiety – outbursts that are quite distinct from run of the mill so-called tantrums which some children exhibit under normal circumstances,” says Educational Psychologist Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School, a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s leading private education provider. The Bridge, which opened its doors in January 2018, has filled a niche demand in education, catering to students of average to above average ability who face certain learning barriers and social or emotional challenges. Pienaar says that parents whose children exhibited out-of-character anger outbursts, with an increase in frequency or intensity, may have been left baffled by these incidents. “The first thing to note is that, given the unusual circumstances of this year, this behaviour is relatively normal. However, having said that, parents definitely need to address the situation to ensure it is resolved, and seek help should they struggle to do so,” he says. A September report by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), noted that Covid-19 affected children directly and indirectly beyond getting sick or the threat of them or their loved ones falling ill. “Many children’s social, emotional, and mental well-being have been impacted by the pandemic. Trauma faced at this developmental stage may have long-term consequences across their lifespan,” the report said. Listed as contributing factors to this impact were: Changed routines Breaks in continuity of learning Breaks in continuity of healthcare Significant life events that were missed Loss of safety and security “All the above factors, and many others, mean that children have had to deal with a major and historical life event at a very young age, when they are still learning to process feelings and emotions. Unusual behaviour may have arisen as a result,” Pienaar says. “This includes anger outbursts, simply because children often don’t know, or don’t have the tools, to express their feelings effectively when they are young. Anger is their way of communication, their way of telling you there is a problem.” Essentially, the misbehaviour is the language the child has available to express themselves. So, parents and teachers need to respond appropriately to meltdowns and not immediately react with harsh punishment, arising from their own anger. It is important to model calm and considered behaviour at this point, Pienaar says. “The most important first step is to understand that there is a reason for the meltdown, and then to determine what that reason is. This involves spending time with the child, and communicating as effectively as possible,” he says. “Remember we as adults have the ability to understand what is going on, even in our uncertainty. But our children were faced with a tremendous amount of unexpected and immediate changes, ranging from wearing masks, having to social distance, giving no hugs or not seeing important people in their lives. Children had to learn to grow up and face fear of death, uncertainty and the fallout from their parents’ fears and anxieties before they were mature enough to handle these big changes and big feelings. So it is not reasonable to expect all children to just have absorbed these changes and coped forthwith.” Pienaar says to bring the situation back to normal, parents should ensure they: 1. GET ALL ROUTINES BACK TO NORMAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Try to get life at home back to a predictable routine, explain why it is necessary and why everyone is going to stick to it. Children need predictable routines, boundaries and restrictions to give them the parameters in which they can explore and thrive. 2. HARNESS ‘IN THE MOMENT’ SITUATIONS Under normal circumstances, an anger tantrum may call for a timeout. However instead of timeouts, try time-ins. Sending children away and into isolation may sometimes worsen the situation. Rather take the child for a walk, or sit in a park, and be there for them. Discuss the feelings the child is having, and discuss how the child can manage those feelings in an alternative way. Listen and learn. “Remember that there is a difference between a tantrum and an outburst of anger, although they may seem similar on the surface,” Pienaar says. “A tantrum occurs when a child doesn’t get his way. The way to address this is to consistently not indulge the demands of the child, which ultimately allows the child to learn that the parent will be consistently enforcing rules and boundaries, and that tantrums are pointless.” Anger issues however point to larger problems outside of the child’s control. “Developing a close connection with the child, spending quality time and developing language around emotions, is the best way to empower a child to manage their anger effectively. If this does not help, and the outbursts continue or escalate, it is advisable that parents seek additional intervention to address the matter early and before greater emotional trauma develops.”

July 27, 2022

4 EASY WAYS TO ADD MATHS TO YOUR EARLY LEARNER’S DAILY ROUTINE

Whether you realise it or not, we use maths concepts to solve real-life situations every day. From cooking with recipes to figuring out the correct money to give at the store, maths is everywhere. Teaching your children fundamental maths skills at a young age is easier than you think! With research stating that 80% of a child’s brain develops by age five, it’s important for parents to take advantage of the critical early years. The great news is that children are naturally curious and often question the world around them, so there are many chances to naturally weave in learning opportunities. By just adding a little maths to your everyday routine, you can help your toddler or preschooler begin to recognise numbers, learn the proper number sequence and eventually develop the ability to count. Here are four easy ways to add maths into the everyday routine for early learners: 1. Play simple card games Learning about numbers is the first step in a preschooler’s maths journey. In addition to using number flash cards, playing card games using regular playing cards is another great way for children to learn about numbers up to 10. The cards between two and ten not only have the numbers on them, but also the amount of symbols that represent the quantity. The pattern on the cards helps children to conceptually understand what the number represents. 2. Count outdoors or with items you use each day To help your preschooler learn to count, start by heading outdoors. Find items in nature that can be easily counted, such as the petals on a flower, the leaves on a branch, or even trees in the yard. Ask questions such as: “How many flowers have pink petals in the garden?” “Which flower has more petals than the others?” “How many red leaves are there?” These questions will spark their curiosity to explore the answer. If needed, help your child by pointing and counting with them. By modelling how to do it, your child will feel encouraged and motivated to count with you before doing so on their own. You can also count items you use each day such as different foods or toys. 3. Sort and understand groupings Look for teachable moments during everyday play. While playing with their toys, ask your children to sort by colour, or by similarities, or by differences. You can even introduce sorting during clean-up by asking them to put toys into the right bins. One great place to start with sorting is by using different coins. These all vary in size which makes sorting by their differences simple without introducing the values of each coin. Once you show the differences of each coin, help sort these out into different groupings. For example: “Can you count the ten cent pieces? Let’s put them into groups of 10.” Once you master sorting out the ten cent pieces and setting aside the groupings, then you can count the total. Repeat this with the various other coins. 4. Cook to teach measurements and shapes Not only is cooking useful, it’s a great way to learn maths. Begin by finding an easy and fun baking recipe. Some will call for measurements such as “two cups of flour” or “three teaspoons of baking powder.” You can have your child help with counting these measurements out with you. Next, work with your child to form shaped cookies and count as you lay them on the baking sheet. Young children tend to notice the different sizes, for example, one giant cookie versus 24 mini ones. You can then get different sized plates and ask questions like “Which plate holds the most cookies?” or “How many cookies fit on the blue plate?” This will encourage your child to think through this by experimenting and counting different groupings. Maths is something we turn to for everyday tasks. With these simple tips, your child will begin learning some maths concepts without even really knowing they’re learning. It is great to start teaching these skills at a young age to get them prepared for Grade R and ensure they are on the right track for their academic future! This article is from the KUMON NORTH AMERICA website: https://www.kumon.com/resources/4-easy-ways-to-add-math-to-your-early-learners-daily-routine/

July 27, 2022

Melcura Balm and babies

Medika SA, creator of the brand Melcura™ known for the medical-grade honey-based range, Melcura™, is part of The Southern Medical Group, a leader in medical devices. We are a proudly South African company that started in 2002 with expertise in advanced wound care products. Our Melcura™ products are the go-to products in trauma and burn wards within South Africa. Our Melcura™ HoneyBalm is a skin-protecting ointment that will soothe and moisturise baby’s delicate skin and help to treat diaper rash on little bums, minor bites and itches, cradle cap, and other minor skin irritations. It can treat chins from drool at teething time and little scratches from those tiny finger nails. It will even work wonders on mommy’s cracked nipples or dry hands from all the constant hand washing between nappy changes. Formulated with medical-grade Fynbos honey, avocado oil, and beeswax to nourish and protect sensitive skin, this product will treat skin rashes, irritations caused by eczema and dermatitis, sunburn, small skin wounds, chapped skin, and nappy rash. Benefits of Melcura™ HoneyBalm The medical-grade honey has wound-healing properties The avocado oil is moisturizing and nourishing and is quickly absorbed into the skin The beeswax forms a protective barrier layer on the skin and locks in moisture The product moisturises and helps to replenish and protect dry, damaged, chapped, cracked and irritated skin Soothes dry skin and promotes healing, keeping skin soft and supple How to use Apply liberally for nappy rash, cradle cap and dry and irritated skin areas Caution Always do a patch test first to ensure your baby does not react to any of the ingredients however unlikely this may be Discontinue use if reaction occurs Did you know? A baby’s skin is more susceptible to chemicals, artificial fragrances and other nasties found in conventional baby products and may cause a reaction. We only use 100% safe ingredients in our Melcura™ HoneyBalm, to ensure your baby’s skin stays soft, smooth and allergy-free. The medical-grade Fynbos honey is specially treated to sterilise the honey, but keep the healing enzymes active. This is to make sure no bacterial spores or pollen and other contaminants are introduced onto your baby’s skin or wound which can cause infection. The formulation is alcohol-free, fragrance-free and free from petroleum, mineral

July 26, 2022

WHY CHILDREN’S GAMING DOES HAVE BENEFITS

The warnings about letting your children become video and digital gamers can be overwhelming. The list of risks is a litany of parental fears – addiction, social withdrawal and isolation; stunting in the development of empathy and numbness in the face of violence; disinterest in healthy enjoyments such as playing with a variety of toys, reading books and physical activities. In response to the pervasive fearmongering, some parents ban gaming outright, others uneasily make it possible but keep fretting about whether they’ve done the right thing. Gaming has been around long enough for there to be a substantial body of research that points to an array of benefits and debunks many of the common myths about the negative impacts on children and youth. Rachelle Best, CEO and Founder of FYI play it safe, an AI-powered monitoring app used by families across the world to keep kids safer online, says, “As with anything in life, gaming is all about balance and how you manage this possible form of skills-building entertainment. Age-appropriate gaming for children can also be a way of making social connections rather than fostering isolation. Parents setting and enforcing sensible ground rules for safe, family-centred gaming can ensure that their child can get the best out of it.” Some of the important benefits of gaming include: Brainpower – There are many studies that show that gamers may experience an array of cognitive boosts when it comes to developing visual-spatial skills, logical thinking skills, problem-solving capacities and eye-hand co-ordination. US Researcher and author of Free to Learn, Dr Peter Gray unpacks a range of this research on cognitive impacts in three articles published by Psychology Today, which you can find linked here. Improved basic mental processes – Gamers shine when it comes to attention, memory, perception and decision-making thanks to video games that require them to make rapid decisions, move fast, keep track of multiple of things and retain a lot of information at once. Social inclusivity – The gaming world is undeniably social. It is estimated that there are more than 3.2 billion gamers in the world. Multi-player games are amongst the most popular. For some kids, gaming opens up to them a community where they can feel like they really belong. It may give them an opener to make in-person friends with other gamers at their school or in their neighbourhood, as well as give them the opportunity to enjoy supportive online connections. Instead of being a solitary activity for your child, you can consider gaming together as family. This helps parents keep track of the games your child plays, who they interact with online and the time they spend gaming. The feel-good factor – Gaming is fun; it can enable the release of endorphins and promote physical and mental relaxation. The key here is gaming in moderation and that there’s a balance with other off-screen activities. Digital literacy – Our kids are growing up in a world with a significant and ever-expanding digital realm. They will make their living one day in an even more digital-driven world. Gaming technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality are already being incorporated in many other aspects of life and commerce. Gaming elements are also increasingly being used in both school and tertiary educational curricula. Children who game are getting a particular and valuable experience as digital citizens. All of these benefits of gaming are not to say that there are not real risks. One of most common parental fears is that gaming can certainly open the virtual doors to your child being exposed to cyberbullying and online predators. If your child does game then you do need to ensure that you are aware of who your child is engaging with, and that they understand the difference between the actual person and the avatar representing them. Parents also need to set the limits and ensure their child is gaming in moderation. Warning signs are social withdrawal, secretive behaviour and mood swings when they have to stop gaming and transition to other activities. Rachelle says, “The question for parents of a child who wants to start gaming isn’t should I or shouldn’t I let my kid play video games? But rather, how can I enable safe and responsible gaming so that they can experience the benefits? It’s important that the games you provide or allow are age-appropriate; that the screen time limits are adhered to, that gaming doesn’t lead to sleep deprivation or skipped meals, and that you have safety measures in place if your child is playing multi-player games and interacting in chatrooms.” As a mother of a teen, and the provider of an advanced tool in the online safety ecosystem, Rachelle is acutely aware of risks of children encountering cyberbullying, inappropriate content and online predators. “These, of course, are dangers that any child or teen with a connected device might face, not just those who are gaming,” she says. “It’s important for parents to take a healthy interest in their children’s gaming activities and keep up to date by having ongoing, open conversations with them about what they enjoy, how they are doing and who they are interacting with. Your child needs to know about the risks of participating in in-game chats or interacting on gaming related messaging platforms, and together you need to agree on the best ways to keep them safe while gaming.” Drawing on AI and ML, Rachelle and her team developed the FYI play it safe app which monitors all the content of children’s online activity across mobile devices in a non-intrusive way. All apps and online interactions are monitored, including in-game chats, and FYI play it safe provides parents with alerts of potential signs of danger. New accounts and apps are included by default without the need for your child’s account credentials. Yet, the app is not spyware and it is not clandestine. Instead, it provides parents and children with the opportunity to mutually agree on the best way to stay safe in

July 26, 2022

Nutritious packed snacks and lunches for a day out with your toddler

With a little careful planning – and an extra change of clothes! – heading off for a day out with your toddler in tow needn’t be daunting. Packing a variety of nutritious single-serve snacks and treats is essential to keep hunger at bay. These recipes are tasty and packed full of natural goodness – your little one will love them! FRUIT CRUNCHIES These treats are full of sweet fruit which means less cane sugar. We used Squish 100% Apple Fruit Puree in the recipe, but you can switch it for any flavour you choose, or use a combination of leftover Squish Purees from your fridge. All Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees have a screw-on lid, which means you can just pop the lid back on and save leftovers for later. Ingredients: 230 g (1 cup) rolled oats 60 g (½ cup) desiccated coconut or ground almonds 125 g (¾ cup) cake flour 2.5 ml (½ tsp) baking powder 1 ml (¼ tsp) bicarbonate of soda 60 g (⅓ cup) dried apricots, finely chopped 65 g (¼ cup) butter 55 g (¼ cup) brown sugar 1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Apple Fruit Puree Method: Place the oats, coconut (or nuts) and cake flour into a bowl and stir to mix. Add the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Add the apricots. In a small saucepan melt the butter and the sugar together. Whisk in the Squish Puree and leave to cool. Add the apple mixture to the dry ingredients and stir well until evenly blended. Press the mixture into a baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray and lined with baking paper. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 160°C for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and slice into bars in the pan. Leave to cool. TIP: Use a frozen Squish 100% Pressed Fruit Juice as an ‘ice pack’ in your cooler bag. Your little one can drink it later in the day once it has melted. CREAM CHEESE DIP AND CRUDITÉS This snack is so quick and easy to make and travels well. Plus, it provides a perfect combo of protein, dairy and healthy fruit and veg. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are made from quality fresh fruit and veg and are free from preservatives, colourants and flavouring, which means they’re just like homemade. And there is no added sugar or starch. Ingredients ½ cup plain cream cheese ½ pouch of Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree Fresh veggies or fruit, for dipping. Method Place cream cheese in a bowl and add your child’s favourite Squish 100% Fruit + Vegetable Puree. Stir well to blended. Serve with washed and cut fruit and vegetables. TIP: Switch the cream cheese for cottage cheese for a different taste and texture. POTATO POPS These filling and delicious pops are mess-free and easy to serve. You can switch the regular potatoes for sweet potato if you like. Ingredient 500 ml (2 cups) mashed potato 1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Veg Butternut + Carrot Puree 250 ml (1 cup) grated cheddar cheese 1 egg 295 ml (1 cup + 3 Tbsp) breadcrumbs salt and freshly cracked black pepper 30 ml (2 Tbsp) sunflower oil Method In a large bowl, combine the mash, Squish Puree and cheese. Add the egg and 45 ml (3 Tbsp) of breadcrumbs and mix well. Season to taste. Shape into balls and roll in breadcrumbs. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Fry the potato pops in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. These can also be cooked on a baking tray in the oven at 180°C for 15 minutes. TIP: These pops freeze well. Make a double batch and keep a stash in the freezer for lunchbox fillers. For more delicious delicious toddler-friendly recipes, visit www.squish.co.za

July 25, 2022

6 Simple ways to live greener (and use more Earth-friendly products!)

Let’s face it – even if you’ve implemented greener habits in your home, we can all do more when it comes to protecting the environment. We can all do better at recycling, reusing, supporting local businesses, and making greener choices. Some may argue that in reality, we need major corporations, the public and private sectors as well as government on board for real, transformational change. And while that’s true, we as individuals are not powerless. When united with other like-minded individuals, we can create a movement that is powerful and impactful. While it’s important to support larger initiatives that work with government and corporations to initiate change on a large scale, it’s also important that each and every one of us do our bit to make a positive difference. And guess what? It’s much easier than you might think! What can we do in our day to day lives to make a positive change to the environment? Recycle Glass, paper, cardboard and aluminium are all recyclable materials. Keep a separate bin in which you throw your empty glass bottles, tins, old newspapers and cardboard packaging, and drop it off at your local recycling depot. Many types of plastics are also recyclable. Check the back of plastic items like milk bottles, toiletry packaging and food packaging. If it has the recycling symbol on it (three arrows pointing towards each other in a triangular shape, also known as the “chasing arrows”), you can add it to your other recyclables. Choose cruelty-free products Testing household and cosmetic products on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Be part of a positive change by actively supporting cruelty-free brands. Check product packaging for a cruelty-free stamp, Beauty Without Cruelty endorsement or PETA-approved logo. Because the demand has increased, more and more cosmetic companies are going cruelty-free. Whether it’s makeup, skincare or haircare, there is a variety of cruelty-free options available for you to try. wet n wild prides themselves on offering fantastic quality, cruelty-free makeup products at affordable prices. Every item under the brand is 100% cruelty-free and they are endorsed by PETA. In fact, a lot of their products are vegan too. Shop wet n wild makeup at Clicks online here. For a cruelty-free haircare range rich in high quality botanical ingredients, try Hask. Formulated without nasties like sulphates, parabens, phthalates and gluten, Hask is a favourite among hairstylists on films and TV show sets! Shop Hask haircare at Clicks online here and at Dis-Chem online here. Cruelty-free skincare on your mind? NIP+FAB offers regime-based skincare solutions and products of purpose to help you achieve your clearest, healthiest and most radiant skin yet. And best of all, they’re cruelty-free and vegan! Shop NIP+FAB skincare on Dis-Chem online here. Support local brands We will always have our favourite international brands that we love and support, but one of the best things you can do for the local economy and the environment, is to support locally-produced products too. Not only does this support local entrepreneurs and drive job creation, but it also means that your products travelled a shorter distance (thus using less fuel!). Local haircare brand The Perfect Hair was created by a local female entrepreneur, and has grown from a small start-up to a big player in the natural haircare market. Not only are the products filled with nourishing natural ingredients and effective at treating and maintaining healthy hair, but they’re also affordable. Shop The Perfect Hair haircare products at selected Clicks, Spar, Checkers; Pick ‘n Pay & Foschini stores as well as Take-A-Lot. Say no to single use plastic Not all plastics are bad. Many are designed to last. We manufacture furniture, appliances, homeware and industrial products from plastic instead of valuable natural resources. Many types of plastics are recyclable. But one of the biggest challenges facing the planet is single use plastic. This is the type of plastic that gets thrown away after one use. Things like drinking straws, plastic packets and food packaging, that are only used once, or used for a very short period of time, is considered a single use plastic. It takes about 1000 years for plastic to decompose, and every year the world produces around 380 million metric tons of plastic. Limit your use of single use plastic whenever possible. Use a refillable water bottle and fill it at the tap instead of buying water, take fabric bags for shopping, avoid using straws and balloons and choose glass alternatives whenever possible. Embrace vegan options We can’t all follow vegan diets, but we can all do our part to consume less animal products. Start small by introducing “Meat-free Monday” in your home. Try plant-based food alternatives and introduce them into your eating plan gradually. Before you know it, you’ll be consuming a lot less animal products. Next up is cosmetic, personal care and household items – switch to vegan alternatives, it’s a lot simpler than you think. While not all brands are 100% vegan, a lot of them have vegan options within their ranges. wet n wild has a wide variety of vegan makeup products within their ranges. Umberto Giannini, an award-winning haircare brand from the UK offers transformational haircare products for every hair type, and you’re in luck, as the entire range is 100% vegan! Now you can get the hair of your dreams without the guilt. Shop Umberto Giannini haircare at Clicks online here. Say yes to sustainability When taking ingredients from nature, it’s important to give back to the environment, to ensure the supply runs strong. Sustainability is key when sourcing natural and organic material. Support brands that do their part to manufacture products containing ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. EcoTools manufacture exceptional makeup brushes and sponges from recycled and renewable materials like bamboo and eco-foam. They’re a sustainable alternative to the plastic makeup brushes and synthetic sponges we find on the market. Shop EcoTools at Clicks online here. And what about botanical ingredients? Curls in Bloom, a local haircare brand, knows a thing or two about two about sustainable ingredient sourcing. They source their precious botanical ingredients from is a small pro-active farming community,

July 22, 2022

5 indications that your period is not ‘normal’

Every girl at a certain time in their life will start her journey into womanhood through a natural and necessary physical development known as menstruation. Sadly, despite this being a normal and natural phenomenon that every female experiences monthly until often in their 50s – menstruation and periods have a pretty negative stigma attached to them. This stigma often results in periods not being spoken about openly and a further unfortunate reality of many women being misinformed or simply clueless about what constitutes a ‘normal’ period. And herein lies the source of many common women’s reproductive health problems. 3Sixty Biomedicine’s CEO, Boitumelo Sebambo, shares these basic warning signs that every woman should look out for when having their menstrual cycle that could be an indication that their period is not ‘normal’ and they should seek advice from a medical practitioner. A normal period lasts four to seven days, you can start getting worried if you have periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart If you miss three or more periods in row If your menstrual flow is much heavier or lighter than usual Severe pain during your period or between periods that interferes with normal day to day activities Unusually heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary pad or tampon every hour for two to three hours) or passing large clots. These abnormal period indicators can be caused by stress and underlying medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) that affects approximately 8 – 13% of women, and that can cause infertility in addition to hirsutism, acne, irregular periods and even hair loss. These conditions can be managed but diagnosis by a gynaecologist is important. Parents are encouraged to take their teenage girls to visit the gynaecologist and be on the lookout for irregular symptoms in their cycles to avoid long-term effects on their health. According to Sebambo, part of their mission this youth month is to help educate and empower women throughout their journey of womanhood so they can manage and overcome common women’s reproductive health conditions. “We believe that every woman’s journey matters. No matter what stage of life they are at, we want to help other South African women live quality lives uninhibited by common health issues that could be limiting to their success”. For more information about the Salome range and to be part of the conversation, visit www.salome-range.co.za. The full Salome range of products that helps to manage menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, infertility in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and menopause are available to the public from pharmacies nationwide or online at Takealot.com and Salome’s website and can be reimbursed from medical aid savings. Facebook: Salome Range Twitter: SalomeRange Instagram: SalomeRange

July 21, 2022

How teachers can manage diversity in the classroom

South African teachers grapple with diversity each day as they implement methods and strategies to deliver the curriculum in ways that inspire all the young minds in their classrooms. From schools to workplaces there are clear all-round benefits in engaging fulsomely with diversity, appreciating it and drawing on its systemic strengths. The concept of neurodiversity promotes the recognition that cognitive differences are to be understood and respected as accepted human variations and are not grounds for exclusion from general school life and classroom participation. Neurodiversity in the classroom may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the autistic spectrum, amongst others. As a result, teachers may need to optimally manage students experiencing specific learning disorders and presenting impairment in reading, written expression or mathematics. However, when it comes to the classroom, diversity is always inherently present because children’s brains are growing and changing. They follow unique learning paths and develop different styles of learning. While we organise classes by fixed age groupings, learners demonstrate a notable variability in their capabilities which can impact on reading, motor skills, mental processing, word retrieval, telling the time, arithmetic, executive function, memory, estimating, social skills and more. Teachers need classroom strategies that help them keep a diversity of learners altogether inspired to learn while keeping their curriculum delivery on track. This is the topic of an upcoming SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) webinar – Diversity in the classroom on Saturday, 23 July 2022 from 09h00 to 10h30. Free for teachers, SACAP’s professional panel will unpack the impact of diversity in the classroom and the role of educators in managing it. Natalie Donaldson, SACAP’s Head of Teaching and Learning says, “Over the past two decades, we have seen South African classrooms become more and more diverse. This is not just about the cultural backgrounds of the learners but also the ways that they engage and learn. In order to ensure a quality learning experience for all, educators need to find ways to meet the unique needs of all learners in their classrooms.” The webinar will also include a presentation by Educational Psychologist and SACAP educator, Juan-Pierre Moller who will deep-dive into the five areas of cognitive functioning and the diverse levels that a teacher can face in one class. Juan-Pierre will include practical ways teachers can apply inclusive education in and outside of their classroom. Other presenters include SACAP’s School Liaison Co-ordinator, Kiara Parsuram and Dr Diana De Sousa, Educational and Research Psychologist, and Chair of SACAP’s Research and Ethics Committee. Teachers are invited to join the conversation and discover new inclusive education strategies. Registration is free here SACAP webinar – Diversity in the classroom: Date: Saturday, 23 July 2022 Time: 09h00 to 10h30

July 20, 2022

Value of an international Education in a world where working borders have fallen

International education has existed throughout time and in those times, people have sought education elsewhere in order to better their lives, equip themselves and contribute in their societies and communities. International education provides a comprehensive approach to education that intentionally prepares students to be active and engaged participants in an interconnected world. Having an education that transcends borders is essential in order to participate in a global economy. An International qualification helps build understanding and respect among different people and enhances constructive leadership in the global community. International skills and education can help graduates to gain the traits required to move on to more senior positions or management roles in their chosen fields. However, it’s also as basic as being to communicate with global peers whether for work or studies, and to benefit from such interactions. One cannot underestimate the importance of global networking. Internationally or locally. International education provides students with opportunities to network with peers around the world. This often leads to collaboration on projects, which leads to gaining exposure to different cultures. Students that have an international education gain intercultural skills in the process. By enrolling in an education that gives you access to Universities locally and internationally, you’ll be exposed to a lot of things that you don’t see every day. The benefits of an International education can be seen on several levels. One is simply achieving international education and the benefit to pursue a further higher international education. When you’re done studying and you have an international education, opportunities open up for you and you can apply for work anywhere in the world. You get to have a global perspective of what happens in the workforce in other countries. You also get to have an international alumni network, and this could help with finding jobs internationally. Ready to tackle the demands of tomorrow’s world? Cambridge International helps students become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. The Cambridge Pathway allows students to build more than just a deep understanding of their subject. They importantly develop higher order thinking skills so that they can apply their skills and knowledge so they can be capable of shaping a better world for the future. Over 1,400 universities worldwide recognise Cambridge qualifications. They are accepted by every UK university, by 600 universities in the US (including all the Ivy League universities) and in many other major student destinations, such as Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Germany and the Netherlands. Universities and employers recognise our qualifications as evidence of academic achievement. They understand that the demand of our curricula and the rigour of our assessments give students what they need to flourish in higher education. Look to a global future with Cambridge.

July 19, 2022

Ameda Mya Joy- The NICU mom’s preferred breast pump

Producing enough breast milk for a baby in Neo Natal intensive Care (NICU) is a major concern for a mom. In fact, sending milk to you baby is sometimes the only practical thing and first thing you can do to help you baby. Some mothers send milk to their baby before they are able to see their baby. Later skin-to-skin and holding the baby starts to play an important role, but breastmilk is continually needed and in increasing amounts. When a baby is born too soon it puts the mother’s breast milk making ability at a disadvantage. The disadvantage is that the mother may not herself be well after the delivery, she may need some time for recovery from surgery or illness. This time is also very stressful which can also affect her milk supply. However, a women’s body is so amazing, from the beginning of the pregnancy her body starts to prepare for making breast milk by increasing the number of ducts and glands in the breast. From the second trimester her body is already making colostrum, the first breast milk. When her baby is born too early the mother needs to start to stimulate her breasts and get her body making as much breast milk soon as possible. She will need a breast pump that is strong enough to empty her breasts, be comfortable and convenient to use- this helps significantly with milk production. Stimulation of her breasts at this early stage is critical. The sooner after birth the best, ideally within 1 – 6 hours. This stimulation helps the body to release the hormones necessary to increase and build her milk supply. In the beginning the baby does not require large amounts of breast milk, but this can quickly increase as the baby grows and breast milk needs increase. In order for the mother to reach her full milk supply she will need to pump between 8 to 12 times a day. The goal is to stimulate and empty her breast, which signals to her body that she needs to continue to increase her milk supply. The sooner the mother can reach her full milk supply of about 1 litre a day the better for her breast milk supply and it will help her once her baby starts to latch directly on her breasts. This is where the quality and strength of the breast pump is highlighted. The best pump to exclusively pump with is a hospital grade pump- so that a mom can increase her milk supply and maintain it. In order for the pump to effectively increase the mothers milk supply it needs to be able to drain the breast, this can only be done efficiently with a breast pump that has a high suction capacity of above -180 mmHg and below -250 mmHg. These levels are only found in hospital grade breast pumps like the Ameda Mya Joy. Most pumps that are bought online or off the shelf are not hospital grade pumps. These pumps need to be used in conjunction with a baby that has a effective latch, so that the breasts can be stimulated and drained correctly by the baby. This is because the baby is able to drain the breast when the pump is not able to. These pumps may also be the cause of a decreased supply of breast milk due to the incomplete draining of the breast. Another important aspect for mothers that are pumping exclusively is to use a double breast pump. This means that you are able to stimulate and drain both breasts at the same time. Effectively cutting the mothers pumping time in half. The double expressing also results in increased release of hormones which helps to increase the milk supply. Dual phase pumping like that found in the Ameda Mya Joy is also essential in draining the breast well. Dual phase pumping has a stimulation and an expression phase which is able to mimic how a baby sucks. The stimulation phase is quick which helps with the let-down (release) of the milk in the breasts while the expression phase (longer higher suction) helps with draining deep within the breast. The combination of these phases being repeated about 3 to 4 times increase the number of let downs which effectively drains the breast. The comfort of the breast pump is critical as no one wants to use breast pump that hurts you. An incorrect sized flange (the part that touches your breast), which is too small can cause friction and pain. If the flange is too big too much of the breast can be sucked into the flange and cause discomfort. The Ameda Mya Joy has 7 different sized flanges. The different sized flanges helps the mother to be able to fit her pump comfortably which increased the amount of milk that is expressed from the mother. Another part of the comfort of a pump is how much noise it makes. The repetition of noise can be come very irritating and also prevent the mother from talking the phone or being able to multitask while she is pumping. The Ameda Mya Joy, the pump is very quiet and cannot be heard when a mother uses the phone. This makes it so easy to use the pump at your baby’s bedside, while watching T.V or at work without disturbing others. Portability and being able to use batteries is also so important with load shedding and being able to take your pump with you to the hospital. This way you never miss a pumping session. The Ameda Mya Joy even has a back clip that allows you to clip your pump to your belt and gives you the freedom to move around, while pumping. All these benefits of the Ameda Mya Joy helps mothers to exclusively express and build their milk supply. These benefits are also available for mothers that are pumping at work as you can empty your breast quickly and quietly. This pump allows

July 19, 2022

Neurodiversity: How to support a Dyslexic child?

Children each learn and develop at their own pace, and reading is no different from any other skill. However, for some children they find it challenging at one point or another. They battle to build, recognise and manipulate the sounds in language. They also have difficulty in decoding words. Often children battle with barriers to learning, which may include dyslexia. Studies show that dyslexic children face many difficulties in their academic and social surroundings. Also, they suffer from a low self-esteem because of the lack of accomplishments, particularly in academics, which may affect their long-term life opportunities. Therefore, parents’ awareness about dyslexia and the impact it has on their child is imperative in ensuring support as well as a sustainable development of their child. At the Bridge Assisted Learning school we aim to work with our parents to create environments both at home and school that will be conducive to learning. Much can be done to alleviate this by utilising the following interventions, both at school and at home, in order to develop processes to support a comfortable confidence and self-esteem within children battling with dyslexia. These include: Explicit direct instruction in phonological and phonemic skills. The intervention also needs to include ‘The Big 6 of Reading’: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Font style: The most commonly referred to fonts for people with dyslexia are: Comic Sans, Verdana, or Arial. It does not matter which font is used, it is more about using the particular font exclusively, so that the person becomes accustomed to the font used. A specific font developed for dyslexic people can be found on the Open Dyslexic website (www.OpenDyslexic.org). Open Dyslexic is a free font to use for the children who are battling with dyslexia. The letters are spaced out and wider in some instances. Also, when you use any font for a child with dyslexia, always justify left: it spaces the words out evenly and makes it easier for the child to read. Time constraints: Always provide extra time for students with dyslexia, especially for reading tasks. Always allow additional time in test or exam situations. Lowering the stress when learning is taking place: Create a learning culture where making mistakes lead to learning. Provide adequate time for thinking. Don’t place too much stress on children to read aloud in front of other people. Children with dyslexia should be aligned with an empathic teacher mentor. Building reliance and self-esteem: Dyslexia impacts on the social and emotional well-being of the child. Use terms of encouragement when talking to your child. Parent activities: Try to nurture children’s love for stories. Encourage them to collect books and build their own library and practice reading their favourites with them. Also invest in audio books that you can listen to while driving to school that gives phonetic sounds to practice. Showing them that you care and that you are just as invested to help them succeed. Children don’t outgrow dyslexia, and their troubles with reading can affect how they behave in school. However, with the right teaching and support, children can overcome reading challenges and learn coping mechanisms to make them thrive in school and throughout their life. By: Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School

July 18, 2022

Did you know?

Pain can be hard for a child to describe, especially if your tot’s vocab is limited to “mama”, “dada”, “woof”, and “nana”. However, fever and pain occur together frequently in childhood conditions.1 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets, contain paracetamol, an effective option for treatment of pain and fever in children.2 The Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets, are great for on-the-go parents and super convenient for when you’re travelling! Make pain and fever care easy by shopping for Panado products from independent pharmacies and selected Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Pick ‘n Pay stores. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations onFacebook. #Panado #ADoseOfCare 2022042510198726 References: 1. Clinch J, Dale S. Managing childhood fever and pain – the comfort loop. Child Adol Psych Mental Health 2007;1:7. doi:10.1186/1753-2000-1-7. [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1971248/ 2. De Martino M, Chiarugi A. Recent advances in paediatric use of oral paracetamol in fever and pain management. Pain Ther 2015;4:149–168. DOI 10.1007/s40122-015-0040-z. [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1971248/

July 15, 2022

How to choose an online high school

South Africa has seen a proliferation of online high schools over the past two years – but not all of them offer the same standard of learning. For parents of ambitious students, who have their sights set on top universities or international jobs, choosing the right online school is a critical step in their child’s academic and work career. From class size and participation, to extracurriculars, and subject and curriculum choices, there are a number of factors to consider when making the leap to digital schooling. “The key to choosing an online high school is to think about what you want for your child when it comes to their education. If studying at a top university is one of their goals, then you’ll need to find a high-engagement school that offers international curricula and prepares them for the academic rigour of those institutions,” says Executive Principal of Crimson Global Academy (CGA), John Morris. Morris is the former head of Auckland Grammar School, founding Chairman of the Association of Cambridge schools in New Zealand, former goalkeeper for the New Zealand national football team, and an appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education. With over 40 years of experience in education, he heads up the international team of CGA educators, based across five different countries. “Before you finalise your decision, do your research to find out what your child’s lessons are like; how experienced their teachers are; what the school’s results are, and even what extracurricular opportunities are available to your child to ensure that they are actively engaged in their passions and interests, both inside, and outside the classroom,” says Morris. Students from more than 30 different countries, including South Africa, are currently enrolled at CGA. The online high school is built on Crimson Education’s vision of empowering students to unlock their potential, through personalised education to support students getting into top ranked universities abroad. CGA is registered to offer International GCSEs, International A-Levels, Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge Assessment, International Examinations (CIE), and the United States High School Diploma. As an international school, the next CGA classes begin 5 September 2022. Morris advises parents to consider the following when deciding whether an online high school gets a passing grade: Live versus pre-recorded lessons: Live lessons offer more opportunities for classroom-based discussion, which improves student engagement and allows them to ask questions, make comments and create meaningful personal connections. Class size: Smaller class sizes help students feel more comfortable to ask for help and ensure they receive individualised support. Small classes foster greater interaction between students and teachers. International curriculum: Graduating with globally recognised qualifications improves your child’s options when it comes to applying to university or finding work internationally. Leading technology: Online learning works best when it’s facilitated via purpose-built platforms that are designed with learning principles in mind. Avoid schools that simply use existing video conferencing technologies for classes. Experienced teachers: Teaching staff should be trained to provide instructions virtually, and have extensive experience in teaching both on and offline. International online high schools provide access to subject specialists from all around the world. Extracurriculars: Teacher-led clubs, group activities, and leadership positions are critical to a full high school experience, and a well-rounded university application. Crimson Global Academy is a fully registered online high school delivering live, real-time teaching to students in their own homes. By providing internationally recognised, academically rigorous qualifications, including the International GCSE and A-Levels, the school aims to give ambitious local students the opportunity to achieve their full potential. For more information, visit www.cga.school/za or email [email protected].

July 15, 2022

How to brighten blonde hair

Whether you’ve gone platinum, golden, ash or honey blonde, you’re bound to love the effects of your fresh new colour. But while newly-coloured blonde hair looks great, it requires a fair bit of maintenance and TLC to keep it looking that way. Blonde hair tends to lose its shine and is prone to brassiness and colour fade. The truth is that even when you’re diligent about your blonde hair care routine, dullness and brassiness (when shades of silver or platinum take on a yellowish tinge) can creep in and steal your shine. This is because blonde hair is vulnerable to sun damage, the effects of hard water (tap water that contains colour-stripping minerals like copper and chlorine), pollution and using the wrong hair care products. But while blonde hair may require a bit of maintenance, the reward is truly worth it. Brightening your blonde need not be difficult or stressful – follow these simple tips and product suggestions to enjoy your best blonde yet. Go sulphate-free Sulphates are present in the majority of soaps, shampoos and household cleaning agents. They are responsible for that foamy lather we’ve all come to love, and they are extremely effective at removing dirt and impurities. However, this also makes them very drying on the skin and hair, as they strip moisture along with dirt. This can lead to dehydration, damage and breakage, plus, using sulphate products on coloured hair may also strip the colour. To preserve blonde hair’s moisture, colour and strength, it is essential to go sulphate-free. Try: Marc Anthony Complete Color CarePurple Shampoo (R179.95) and Conditioner (R179.95) for Blondes & Highlights. Formulated with violet pigments, this duo helps neutralise unwanted brassy tones, while nourishing and providing a boost of moisture to your blonde locks. Embrace purple Purple and violet shampoos are a great choice for blonde hair, as they can neutralise brassy and yellow tones in the hair by colour-correcting them. How? It all comes down to colour science. Purple and yellow are opposite one another on the colour wheel, which means they have the ability to cancel each other out. You know how you’d use a green concealer to cancel out redness on the skin? This essentially works the same way. Try: Pro:Voke Brightening Shampoo Touch of Silver (R130.00) neutralises brassiness and brightens colour in coloured, natural or highlighted platinum, blonde, white, or grey hair with a toning violet pigment. Follow with Pro:Voke Colour Care Conditioner Touch Of Silver (R130.00). Its creamy, protective formula strengthens and helps repair damaged hair by infusing extra moisture for an improved smooth and silky texture. It also contains optical brighteners to instantly boost shine and retain rich hair colour. Correct brassiness As with all things, prevention is better than cure, however, if you are struggling with brassiness, it’s not too late. Invest in colour-correcting products to remove unwanted brassy tones and restore your original colour. Try: CreightonsSunshine Blonde Silver Intense Brightening Shampoo (R89.95) And Sunshine Blonde Tone Correcting Conditioner (R99.95). These products help correct unwanted brassy tones brought on by sun exposure. Formulated withviolet pigments and UV filters, the shampoo helps brighten your hair from the very first wash. Rinse with lukewarm water Avoid the temptation to use hot water when shampooing and conditioning your hair. Not only is hot water drying on your skin (think an uncomfortable and flaky scalp!) but it also opens the hair’s cuticles which can result in faster colour fade. Cold water seals the cuticle rather than opening it, which helps preserve colour and increases shine. Hydrate All hair colours need added hydration in winter, but for blonde hair, it is particularly important to use hydrating or moisturising hair care products. The process of lightening one’s hair can be very drying and sometimes even damaging. That’s why it is essential to replenish moisture with conditioner and hair masks or treatments. Use a generous amount of a nourishing conditioner for blonde hair after every shampoo, and apply a hair mask to strengthen blonde hair at least once a week. Try: Creightons Sunshine Blonde Brightening Silver Treatment Masque (R74.95). Quick and easy to use, this product is formulated with nourishing argan oil and violet pigments to protect and brighten blonde hair, while also repairing damaged hair. Protect against breakage Because blonde hair is prone to dryness and damage, it is also at risk of breakage. While taking all the necessary steps to preserve your colour, don’t forget to also pay some attention to increasing your hair’s strength and resilience. Gently pat your hair dry with a towel rather than rubbing it dry, as the friction can damage wet strands. Wait for your hair to dry before you brush it as wet hair is vulnerable and can snap easily. Apply a nourishing hair mask like Marc Anthony Complete Color CareNourishing Hair Mask (R189.95). This mask reduces colour fade while locking in nutrients and protecting against environmental damage. It is rich in fatty acids and castor oil which helps keep your scalp hydrated and nourished, resulting in stronger, shinier, and healthier hair. Follow these simple steps to keep your blonde hair in its best shape yet.

July 15, 2022

Nilotiqa welcomes a fresh new look

Nilotiqa, a proudly South African hair care brand known for its nourishing, plant-based formulas, has a fresh new look. The local favourite, which celebrates natural hair in all its forms, aims to keep hair as healthy as possible, and offers products suitable for natural hair, hair in protective styles and hair that is undergoing transition. What can you expect from the new packaging? Inspired by the incredible ingredients sourced in South Africa and Africa, Nilotiqa utilises rich African colours of orange, brown, gold and green in the new packaging. This unique colour combination is bold and unlike anything else you might find on the shelves, making it instantly recognizable. To celebrate the use of African ingredients, the new packaging features the words Shea & Coco written in a free-flowing font, which alludes to the natural ingredients in the products. The products now also feature certification logos on the back, not only to reinforce their efficacy-driven ethos and science-driven claims, but also to offer consumers transparency. The luxurious new packaging is true to the luxurious nature of the products. Keep an eye out for the new-look range on shelves from mid June 2022. Nilotiqa founder and all-round natural hair care enthusiast, Thokozile Mangwiro, gives us some insight into the brand’s journey thus far: You have an impressive resume, and plenty of corporate experience. What made you decide to leave the corporate world to create your own hair care brand? “Creating Nilotiqa was more of a necessity than just starting a brand. I had struggled with my natural hair, which I started growing from high school, for 14/15 years. While working in corporate, I started looking for solutions for my very dry hair. There were no hair products that were made for my type of hair; products that could nourish and really moisturise my hair. Noticing that there was a huge gap in the market, I met up with a formulator to start formulating products that would ‘work’ on my hair. This process started in 2014 and in 2016 I launched beautiful products that were so moisturising and really worked! I knew that I had to get these products into as many hands that struggled with dry hair as I did.” Can you tell us a little bit about the process of creating the Nilotiqa brand? “I started researching ingredients that would moisturise my hair, when I quickly realised that raw ingredients were not penetrating my hair strands. I worked with a formulator for about two years to create products that felt and smelled good. I then sourced the packaging (travelling all over JHB to find bottles and lids) and created the label designs myself and found a labelling company to print the labels. I eventually launched Nilotiqa through a Shopify website and registered with a delivery service.” How far into the journey did your partnership with Sunpac come about? “We partnered up with Sunpac a few months before Nilotiqa turned 6. We had been in the retail space for 4 years. The back story to this partnership is that we met Sunpac a year before we partnered up. I would say, the stars had not quiet aligned yet. When we met again a year later, it was definitely perfect timing and the perfect fit for both businesses.” Who is the typical Nilotiqa customer? “I typically split the Nilotiqa customer into two: a. A busy working mom who loves to give her hair all the TLC, but does not have time to take the whole day for hair wash day. She wants products that work fairly quickly and make her feel amazing without too much effort. b. A very educated consumer, who wants clean ingredients in her products. They do not want chemicals in their products and are aware of #greenbeauty as being part of their regimen.” What sets Nilotiqa apart from other hair care brands? “As black women with natural hair, we’ve all come face to face with the uncomfortable and often embarrassing question of ‘So when will you do your hair?’ Because our hair is not considered ‘done’ when it is in its natural state. This is a perception that has formed a huge part of our relationship with our hair. Where most products aimed at black women speak to how to curl and style your hair, and offer you many ways to alter the structure of your hair, I wanted to create a product that was specifically suited for my type of hair; not to change it but to keep it in its healthiest form. Through our research we found that African hair is characterized by kinky curls and grows closer to the scalp. It is the structure of the hair that makes it challenging for the hair’s natural oils to travel down the hair strands to its tips. Nilotiqa is the solution to maintaining hair’s natural moisture. Nilotiqa isn’t selling black women dreams about how it’ll change their hair to something so different they won’t recognize themselves. It is offering a solution which allows them a way to retain the moisture that their hair requires for healthy maintenance and growth, which is often tarnished by the use of inorganic products and many years of use of harmful products aimed at altering the form of our already beautiful hair. Whether you wear a weave or braids, Nilotiqa is aimed at keeping what is beneath, which is your natural hair, in its healthiest state.” What have been some of your biggest challenges and your biggest successes? “Biggest successes: First purchase of a Nilotiqa product online Launching into Clicks in 2018 Partnering with Sunpac Biggest challenges: A lack of resources (staff and funds) and knowledge of how retail works, can kill your business. You could be spending money ineffectively and watch your business fall apart. Surrounding yourselves with people that know better than you is a game changer. Trying to run the business with a small team proved to be more challenging that ever expected. Expanding to the other retail houses was

July 15, 2022

Internet safety tips for kids of all ages

During school holidays your children’s social media or interactive game time online may kick up a notch. As a parent, you want to make sure that they have a safe experience. Though the Internet can be a wonderful place to play and socialise, parents need to be aware of what their children see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves. Every age group – from toddlers to teens – comes with its own parental concerns. But there are some general guidelines that are good to keep in mind for children of all ages. Keep usernames and passwords safe Many of the websites your kids use require usernames and passwords. Make sure they know not to give this information to anyone – even their friends. Teach them to keep usernames and passwords private and change their passwords if you suspect they’ve been compromised. In fact, it’s best to change passwords intermittently as a matter of online hygiene. Every 3-6 months, or if accounts or platforms report hacking or data breaches, is a good habit for children to get into. Don’t give out personal information Children should never tell anyone their full real name, address, neighbourhood, or phone number online. They should never share any information that could lead a predator to find them. Even small details like their school’s name or sports team are enough to give away their identity. Be discerning on social media The Internet is vast, yes. But embarrassing pictures, rude comments, and personal information can leave a lasting, even permanent, mark. Remind your children that anything they post online immediately becomes public property and anyone can view it. Check age requirements Many apps and websites have age restrictions to set up accounts, browse, or join them. But they seldom actually have age verification in place. For instance, Facebook and Snapchat only allow users 13 and up, but signing up is as simple as filling in a false age. Explain location sharing Most apps and websites these days have some kind of geo-tagging or location-sharing feature. Children need to know the dangers of sharing their location – from online predators who can find them to identity theft – so they don’t agree to it or unknowingly click the pop-up boxes that allow it. Create a list of Internet rules Sit with your children and make a list of Internet rules together. You can introduce them to kid- and teen-friendly sites, talk about why Internet rules are important, and encourage them to tell you if they feel uncomfortable or threatened by anything they find on the Internet. Set boundaries but be realistic. Use the golden rule online, too Teach your children that the golden rule applies just as much online as it does face-to-face. Children should be kind and polite to people online and should say nothing over text they wouldn’t say to someone’s face, even if they are posting anonymously. Explain fake ads Talk to your children about Adware and similar scams they might encounter on the Internet. Often, these look like real offers to entice children to download a fake app, sign up for a sweepstake, or offer personal information in exchange for free products. They can be links to share with friends or post on social networks. If children know that these scams exist, they’ll be less likely to fall for them. Educate children about meeting strangers in person Children should never meet up with strangers they met online unless you are there to supervise the meeting. Teach them not to interact with people they don’t know offline. Online predators or cyberbullies can disguise themselves so your children might not know they are talking to someone who found them online. Monitor Internet history For all ages, it’s a good idea to spot-check your browser history to get a sense of what sites your children are visiting. Be completely transparent about checking their usage so they don’t feel spied on. Enable history tracking and check it across all Internet-enabled devices. If you come across any untoward sites, ask your children about them. Set parental controls Set up and review parental controls on all your devices at age-appropriate levels to protect children from accessing inappropriate content online. You can also use them to set usage times, monitor activity, and prevent the sharing of personal information. Run antivirus program Run antivirus software on all your devices to protect them from incoming threats. It can also seek out, destroy, and warn of threats to the system. Antivirus software keeps up with the latest threats and stays on top of new viruses, which come out all the time. Use a trusted cybersecurity solution Cybersecurity tools, like Kaspersky Safe Kids, help you safeguard your children’s activities, monitor their behaviour and protect them when they are online. Choose one you can use on all your child’s devices, and that is flexible enough to change with them as their needs change and as they get older. Most importantly, talk with your children about how to use the Internet safely, the tools you use to protect them, and how and why you monitor their online activities. To support parents and guardians in keeping their children safe online, Kaspersky and Parenting Hub are giving 5 lucky readers a chance to win a license code to Kaspersky Safe Kids – a parental control software that helps to safeguard children’s activities online. You can enter this amazing give-away when you click here By Bethwel Opil, Enterprise Sales Manager at Kaspersky in Africa

July 14, 2022

Neurodiversity – We don’t all think the same

In the same way that every person has their own unique set of fingerprints, each person has a unique brain. We all process information and think about things differently. If we didn’t, we’d be robots who all acted the same and were interested in the same things. What a boring world that would be! You may have read the book or watched the movie, Divergent (if you haven’t, spoiler alert!). In the story, the society is split into five factions. The people in each faction share common traits. Most of the people in the society happily fall into one of the five factions and fit into the system. Although, not everyone fits into these rigid categories, they are called the Divergents. Initially, the Divergents are hounded or forced to fit into one of the factions. However, in end the Divergents are actually necessary to save the society. Similarly, many people in society fall into our factions/norms, in terms of how they think, process information and behave somewhat uniformly. They are considered to be neurotypical. People who don’t fit these factions/norms are considered to be neurodiverse. As a disclaimer, the story is a dystopian romance, so we shouldn’t take the metaphor too seriously. What is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is the idea that certain differences in brain function are not disorders (as previously considered) but actually normal variations in human development. Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for a range of differences in the way some people think and process information. These differences may occur in their social interactions, attention, mood, and/or the way they learn. Neurodiverse people may identify with labels such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Tourette’s syndrome, among others. Biodiversity is crucial for the health of the natural world, in the same way, neurodiversity is essential for a healthy, functional human society. It is not surprising then that an estimated one in five people may be neurodiverse. Despite this, many neurodiverse people may experience negativity or stigma. Students who are neurodiverse may struggle in the classroom and be labelled as lazy or stupid. This shouldn’t serve as a prediction of lifetime failure though. Being neurodiverse doesn’t mean you can’t succeed and achieve your dreams. There are many famous and successful neurodiverse people, such as Albert Einstein, Billie Eilish, Emma Watson, Simone Biles, Richard Branson, Daniel Radcliff, Steven Spielberg and Steve Jobs, to name a few. In fact, Richard Branson has many positive things to say about dyslexia. In one statement he said: “Don’t be discouraged. Dyslexia is just a different way of seeing the world, a different way of processing information, and a different way of coming up with great ideas. And many of you will discover that it’s actually a superpower that can take you to great heights”. Neurodiverse people may face struggles, but remember it’s not about comparing yourself to others, it’s about being proud of what makes you unique. Strengths of someone who is neurodiverse may include problem-solving, vivid imagination, excellent memory, creativity, and an eye for detail. There are many advantages to being neurodiverse and workplaces that welcome such people are often more successful. This being said, we must remember that every person is an individual, thus we should be careful not to stereotype. Just because you know one person who is neurodiverse, doesn’t mean you know or understand everyone else. Remember to ask someone about themselves and be willing to learn about who they are and how they function, don’t assume you already know. Things to be mindful of Here are some things to be mindful of when engaging with someone who is neurodiverse (or just anyone really): Respect and communicate boundaries. If someone gets overwhelmed, let them leave the situation. If someone tells you they don’t like/want something, stop e.g. touching their fidget toys Realise that behaviour isn’t about you. For example, if someone is struggling to make eye contact or is silent, this may be related to what’s happening internally with them and has nothing to do with you. Don’t fuss over tics or stimming. Tics are sudden and repetitive twitches, movements, or sounds, which are involuntary and uncontrollable. Stimming is repetitive movements or sounds performed to cope with emotions. We all stim (e.g. twisting hair, tapping feet and hands, etc.), but this may be more pronounced in someone who is neurodiverse. Drawing attention to tics or stimming can increase the movements and make the individual feel embarrassed. Every day is different. We all experience mood and energy changes daily. Therefore, we should be mindful that things that were ok yesterday may not be so today. Don’t make fun of someone for being different. Be polite, respectful and patient. Making fun of someone won’t get you ahead in life. Treat others as you would like to be treated Key take away Everyone is different; our uniqueness is important and valuable. Some people have more notable differences, and that’s ok, in fact it can be a great asset. We humans often don’t like things we don’t understand or are different, leading us to judge it. However, just because something is different or unknown to us, that doesn’t make it wrong. Let’s challenge this human instinct and strive to approach people with an open-mind and try to understand things from their perspective. Imagine if we could create a world where we are all free to become the best versions of ourselves. To aid us in achieving this we should heed the words of Gandhi: “if you want to change the world, start with yourself”. If we want a happier and more inclusive society, change has to start with us and the way we choose to interact and learn from those around us. At Wingu Academy we realise that schooling isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For this reason we have developed our own unique, research-based teaching methodology to accommodate the every student’s different learning style. Coupled with this approach, we also offer a curriculum enriched with subjects that equip our students with 4IR, soft and life skills to prepare them for

July 14, 2022

Brace yourself for Minions: Rise of Gru

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain. In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. Based on (characters) by Cinco Paul. Genre: Animated, Comedy, Children’s Cast: Steve CarellTaraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Alan Arkin Directed by: Kyle Balda Music: Heitor Pereira Produced by: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud Language: English Running time: 88 (1h28′) Age restriction: PG V

July 13, 2022

DC League of Super-Pets

All pets have secrets. Theirs are super. Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle, and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes. Based on ‘Superman’ (characters) by Jerry Siegel, Joe Schuster. Genre: Superhero, Animated, Action, Comedy, Family Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves Directed by: Jared Stern Screenplay: Jared Stern, John Whittington Music: Steve Jablonsky Produced by: Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Jared Stern Language: English Running time: 106 (1h46′) Age restriction: PG L V

July 13, 2022

Prevent leakage by applying your baby’s nappy correctly

Hi everyone, I’m Jessica from Growing Hearts. Today’s vlog is going to be about finding the right nappy size for your baby. It’s something that moms always struggle with because babies change so much. Their weight changes, their height and length changes and with that their body changes. So, it’s a good thing to talk about because if a nappy isn’t sized correctly you are going to struggle with leaks.

July 13, 2022

Value of flavoured milk for children – choose smartly!

Think about the role of your milk children’s diet. Are they getting enough of the essential nutrients needed to grow and stay healthy? When choosing a drink for your child, you should consider both hydration and nutrient content. A sweetened drink that provides nine essential nutrients, like flavoured milk, is a wiser option than a high sugar, low nutrient beverage. Flavoured milk is a tasty, nutrient rich choice for a growing child! Did you know? Flavoured milk contains the same essential nutrients as unflavoured milk, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A and B12, riboflavin and niacin. Flavoured milk is liked by children and helps them achieve the requirement of three dairy servings daily. Studies have shown that consuming low-fat or fat-free flavoured milk can boost adolescents’ intake of nutrients without adding unnecessary energy to their diets. Flavoured milk helps meet nutrient needs: Maretha Vermaak, registered dietitian at Rediscover Dairy, says: “During adolescence, children often decrease their milk consumption while increasing their intake of soft drinks. Scientific evidence shows that bone fracture risk is three times higher in girls who drink carbonated beverages and seven times greater in physically active girls who consume both carbonated and noncarbonated drinks.” Some parents are reluctant to offer children flavoured milk because it is sweetened. However, according to the American Dietetic Association increasing the palatability of nutrientdense foods and beverages by sweetening can promote diet healthfulness. Flavouring and sweetening milk does not take away its nutrients. When you compare a glass of low-fat milk to that of flavoured milk, the nutrients are still present and the differences between the two are not significant: Comparison of low-fat flavoured and unflavoured milk Facts Flavoured milk is rich in nutrients, meaning it contains many nutrients in relation to its energy content. Although it is sweetened, it does not add empty kilojoules to the diet. Milk – flavoured or unflavoured, full-cream, low-fat or fat-free, provides three of the five nutrients that fall short in children’s diets, namely calcium, potassium and magnesium. Studies showed people who drank flavoured milk had higher calcium and nutrient intakes compared with those who did not drink flavoured milk. Flavoured milk can increase children’s overall milk consumption. The protein in flavoured milk increases satiety, contributing to the feeling of fullness. Research has shown flavoured milk to be a good rehydration and recovery drink after sport. For more information visit www.rediscoverdairy.co.za or follow Rediscover Dairy on Instagram (rediscoverdairy) or Facebook (RediscoverDAIRY)

July 13, 2022

When the ENT comes to the rescue

Sleep is so essential for our children’s overall development and health, but we cannot address sleep habits if there are medical reasons for a child’s restless nights. There are a few ear, nose and throat (ENT) related conditions that can contribute to poor sleeping – let’s look at the two most common causes amongst infants and toddlers: Adenoid hypertrophy or enlargement Any form of a blocked nose causes difficult, uncomfortable and noisy breathing while sleeping. The most common cause for a chronically blocked nose that an ENT specialist diagnoses are enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Adenoids are lymphoid glands that form part of your immune system. They are located behind the nasal cavity where they trap viruses and bacteria or allergens that try to enter and infect the upper respiratory tract. When they are constantly exposed to viruses or bacteria (for example at creche or school) or even to allergies, they enlarge and block the passage where air needs to pass from the nose to the airway. Adenoids are often enlarged in children, but shrink as we grow older and our immunity improves. Adenoid hypertrophy causes snoring, a blocked and runny nose, nasal voice, mouth breathing and postnasal drip with night-time wet coughs. Severe cases can even lead to obstructive sleep apnoea where your child stops breathing for a few seconds at a time. Your child will snore loudly and wake sporadically during the night due to these pauses in breathing and will not be able to enter the deeper part of sleep. In the long run this is detrimental to their sleep and overall health as essentially, they are not getting enough oxygen to their bodies and their hearts and lungs must work extra hard. It can lead to failure to thrive and poor growth, behavioral problems, poor school performance due to lack of concentration, enuresis (bed wetting) and even heart failure. Middle ear infection or effusion The middle ear has a natural drainage pathway to the back of the nose called the eustachian tube. Any fluid build-up in the ear from inflammation or an ear infection is supposed to drain naturally via the eustachian tube. When the adenoids are enlarged and block the eustachian tube’s opening, this cannot occur and fluid builds up and becomes stagnant in the middle ear. This leads to recurrent infections or chronic fluid build-up called an effusion. You know the feeling you get when your ears need to pop when landing in an aeroplane? That is the pain a child has almost constantly when there is pressure build up in their middle ear, especially when lying down and there is increased blood flow to the head. That is enough to keep anyone awake at night. Not only is it painful for children, but it can cause difficulty in hearing and eventually delay their speech development because of the muffled sounds. In severe cases it can even affect their balance. Some mothers notice how their infants walk differently when their ears are acting up. These conditions are very common in infants from around 6-8months of age into toddlerhood and if the above symptoms are present, it’s best you visit an ENT specialist. There are certain medications that can be prescribed if caught early to try and reverse the inflammatory process and essentially shrink the adenoids, but often it requires surgery. The surgery is a low-risk, quick procedure where the adenoids are removed through the mouth (often combined with a tonsillectomy) and grommets can be inserted into the eardrums to drain the fluid. Once these medical conditions have been resolved there will be a marked improvement in their sleep and a child that already had well-stablished sleep habits, will often return to sleeping well once they are feeling better. What can you expect from their sleep once they have been treated? Waking early: Suffering from any of these conditions affect both the quality and quantity of your child’s sleep. Some children become so accustomed to poor quality sleep that once they finally get helped, they find themselves waking up at the crack of dawn refreshed and ready for the day. They’ve never slept so soundly before, and it can take your child a while to adjust to sleeping more appropriate hours. White noise: Once ears are cleared of fluid, some children become hyper-sensitive to the white noise in their room. You can temporarily reduce the volume and remember to never exceed 50 dB once you turn the volume back to normal. Discomfort: This will need to be addressed and you should offer your child comfort and reassurance. Once they are feeling better go back to your plan and ensure that they don’t become reliant again on any unsustainable sleep associations. Short term-use is often not the problem, it is allowing the bad habits to creep back in permanently that becomes an issue. Once your child is feeling better and has recovered, go back to their normal routine. Often sleep concerns after a procedure are easily resolvable and your sleep-trained child will undoubtedly surprise you with how well they bounce back. If your child slept poorly prior to the procedure, look at contacting a sleep consultant for some assistance. Quality sleep is vital to your child’s health and well-being and they certainly deserve a good night’s rest after what they’ve been through. By Dr Nina du Toit – ENT and Tammy Buitendach – Good Night Consultant www.drninadutoit.co.za

July 11, 2022

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