Advice Column - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Dissecting Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a disability that is believed to affect 2 – 10% of the population. This disability can be defined as “a development disability of organisation of movement. It is caused by an immaturity of the brain resulting in messages not being properly transmitted to the body.” [1] In laymen’s terms, dyspraxia affects motor planning. Before looking further at how this happens, let’s first look at what motor planning is. ‘Motor planning is the ability to conceive, plan and carry out a skilled, non-habitual motor act in the correct sequence from beginning to end…. The child with motor planning difficulties may be slow in carrying out verbal instructions and often appears clumsy in new tasks.” [2] For motor planning to be effective, all sensory systems of the body need to be working correctly. With dyspraxia, the messages that are being sent from the brain are not being reliably transmitted to the rest of the body. Dyspraxia does not change intelligence, but it does change how the child learns. Children with dyspraxia are seen to be clumsy, accident prone and extremely messy. They will take time and repetition to master a new skill. Dyspraxia can hinder thought processes and these children will often experience difficulty with planning and personal organisation. Time management concerns arise, as well as difficulties in memory, perception and processing. Some other issues that arise are poor co-ordination, immature speech, poor attention and social and emotional difficulties. Self-belief and confidence are affected, and the child often experiences anxiety and stress. In order to help a child with dyspraxia, it is imperative that the teacher, school and parents work together in order to best facilitate the child to reach his or her full potential. Regular meetings must be held between teacher and parents in order to ensure that the child is receiving all the support needed and achieving the goals that he / she is capable of. As a teacher and in order to obtain optimal performance, it is imperative that the child’s confidence is developed. Always motivate the child and focus on what they can do. Goals must be within the child’s reach. The following steps can be taken in order to further benefit the child: Verbal instructions are to be given slowly and are to be kept short and simple. Ideally, only one instruction should be given at a time. Minimalise distractions for the child. The child should be placed close to the front of the class. When setting work, this child requires work of a shorter length, that he / she will be able to complete in the allocated time, thus feeling the success of completing a task. This can be done by creating worksheets for the child which require minimal handwriting (e.g. fill in the missing word) Work that needs to be written can be printed out for the learner beforehand, giving the child time to focus on the actual work, rather than the pressure of copying it down. In order to help with handwriting, it is suggested that the child is given books with larger lines to accommodate for writing, as well as larger quad paper, to facilitate in mathematics. During examinations, this child will require certain concessions, such as additional time, rest periods, a reader and perhaps amanuensis. Homework can be scribed by parents in order to take pressure off of the child. The optimal learning environment for a child with dyspraxia would be a one on one learning environment, but with the correct support and intervention, will thrive in a small, nurturing environment where he / she can reach his / her potential, as well as helping him / her with social skills and development. By Linda Langefeld, Grade 4 Teacher at The Bridge Assisted Learning School

April 12, 2022

What happens in the Play Lab doesn’t stay in the Play Lab!

Behind-the-scenes at Fisher-Price’s unique research space – including a huge treehouse, and eye-tracking goggles When Herman Fisher first started making toys in 1930, he knew that to put them to the ultimate test, he would need to call in the real experts: the kids themselves! Fast-forward to 1961, when the Play Lab developed from being half of Fisher’s office space, to having its own dedicated playroom-style environment, where researchers could observe children’s every move from behind a one-way mirror. Today, it has evolved into a unique and innovative 15,000sqft area in the Fisher-Price’s New York headquarters, where they host around 2,500 kids and 1,850 parents a year in various methods of research. Additionally, 450 toys and initial designs are tested each year in three inspirational, child-friendly rooms, by little ones aged 0 to five. Here, The Senior Director of Early Childhood Development Research, Deborah Weber, PhD, who oversees the Play Lab reveals what really goes on behind the scenes – and how taking part is like every child’s dream come true! What happens inside the Play Lab? Deborah says there is a real “wow” moment when children first walk into the Play Lab, which has four rooms; three for children and one for parents. Each is designed specifically for watching little ones play as naturally as possible, making sure it’s an environment in which they feel welcome and comfortable. The Right-at-Home Research Lab is designed to look and feel like an open-plan kitchen-dining-living room space with carpet, hardwood, linoleum and tile floors to test toys such as walkers and scooters. While the Pre-Cool Lab, for preschoolers, is like a classroom. There are comfy, cozy places with couches for content viewing and reading. And there are open spaces for running, riding and swinging. Everything is child-size, including the tables and chairs, and the toilets and sinks. Deborah says: “The first thing children do is climb the huge life-size treehouse! They can then pick and choose what toys they want to play with from the open shelves – books, toys, art supplies, dolls, and dress up clothes. “Development teams observe the children via one-way mirrors and video and audio systems. Inside the preschool and discovery labs there are 360-degree cameras and audio wired into the walls, floors and tables so the product development teams can watch the play patterns of children from all angles. “They’ll watch that hands-on play to see whether something about the toys isn’t working quite right, or whether certain things aren’t working right well or don’t resonate with the children.” What are the toy developers looking out for? Every Fisher-Price toy goes through a six-month cycle of testing, and improving, before it comes to fruition. Children can be brought in to test products as soon as the initial ideas stage – they might be shown photos or a prototype, so researchers can gauge their interest and thoughts. Deborah says: “During this time, the researchers will be looking at many different aspects. From what draws a child’s immediate attention, to the types of play features that are intuitive for them – do they know how to play with it, without being taught. How long the child plays with the toy, and the level of engagement. “Does it make them smile? Does it make them move? Do they sing along with the music? Do they want to try out all the different features?” Another key factor for researchers is whether children play with the toy as they intended, or perhaps they put their own spin on it. Why are parents’ views important? While the kids are the main testers, Fisher-Price is keen to have parents’ views too. This is carried out either in the Play Lab, or in homes, something that was carried out virtually during the pandemic. They’re asked for feedback on toys, including how children play with them around the home, and what interests they have. Deborah says: “We can then take their perspective into consideration and help design and develop toys that are first and foremost meaningful, relevant and developmentally appropriate for children, but also that resonate with the families and parents in regards to the experiences that they want to expose them to.” How is the Play Lab moving forwards? Just as toys evolved, how Fisher-Price observes children play is evolving too. This is the first year the brand has fully integrated face reader software analysis as well as eye-tracking research. Face reader software allows researchers to take videos of the children and then run through the analysis to see how they were feeling when they were engaged and playing with the toys. And with eye-tracking, there’s a camera pointing to each eye to see the features in toys or watching content that children are looking at that are a visual prompt to start playing or interacting with it. Deborah says: “Fisher-Price is also now working with TV show developers, using eye-tracking to see how kids watch that content, and then go to the toys and play. So how does the show inspire their play – or how does their play inspire new content? “We’ll put the goggles on the kids and play certain clips for the first time for them and just kind of take in what they are gravitating towards, what is really magical for them? Where are their eyes going? When are they losing interest and looking away? It’s surprising what they’re focusing on. “ How are the Play Lab findings beneficial to parents? Busy lifestyles mean adults simply don’t have the time to spend hours researching every toy their child wants. And this is especially true during the pandemic, which due to lifestyle changes, may have seen many little ones falling behind with their developmental milestones. So it’s reassuring that every toy Fisher-Price designs has the brand’s Early Childhood Development & Learning Framework at its core, upholding its commitment to babies’, toddlers’ and preschoolers’ physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Whether it’s the Steady Speed Walker for little ones who are

April 12, 2022

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR A FULFILLED AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE

In raising our children, most thinking parents instinctively focus on the essential elements that are required to prepare children for the opportunity to live a good life. Should we not also require a focus on these elements in the education systems we choose for our children? Diane Tavenner, author of “Prepared: What kids need for a fulfilled life”, believes that schools that are truly designed to prepare every child for the opportunity to live a good life, focus on three elements. In her Keynote at EDUtech Asia, 2021, she explains that: Preparing schools: 1. Nurture and develop a child’s curiosity Schools that prepare children for a full life, do several things to nurture curiosity. They create a curriculum and learning experiences that are real world and authentic. Their students ask and seek to answer big questions that are relevant to them, their community and the world around them. They intentionally teach and nurture skills such as inquiry, analysis, hypothesising, research and questioning. They reward original thinking and view failure as an opportunity to learn, and in doing so, they attract and engage students in a learning environment that feels rich and relevant, as well as social and active. 2. Actively support every child and young adult in developing a specific identity or purpose The core elements of a good life are community, relationships, and purposeful work. Young people who don’t engage in a journey to learn about themselves, what they value, what brings meaning to them and how that intersects with what they will do with their life, are often lost or asleep to themselves as they enter adulthood. In preparing schools, each child is valued as a unique individual with a contribution to make and everyone in the community benefits when each child can develop their own sense of self and civic identity. We know from the science of learning, that a key factor in that developmental journey is mentorship, and being exposed to lots of ideas and experiences, with the options to explore and deeply pursue those that feel real. 4. Create self-directed learners Preparing schools create self-directed learners. In many ways, this focus translates to one of the most dramatic changes in the schooling experience. Schools that are preparing students for life, know that people who live good lives make their own paths. They put themselves in the driver’s seat of their life. Learning schools know that learning the skills to be self-directed, takes years to practice and develop, and they: make learning accessible and transparent have taken advantage of modern technology and build interactive and engaging platforms that allow each and every student to learn anywhere, anytime and at a pace that maximises what they come to know and are able to do. reconceptualise the role of a teacher to be a mentor and facilitator of engaging experiences think about the entire learning journey of the student and how they can help them to foster the skills to ultimately own and drive that journey for themselves, so that when they do launch into adulthood, they are truly prepared to live a fulfilling life. SCHOOL AT HOME WITH GLOBAL VILLAGE COLLEGE We believe that, with appropriate resources and support, parents can give their children the opportunity to learn at home to prepare them to live fulfilled and successful lives. The delivery of the Cambridge curriculum by Global Village College is the complete educational solution to school at home. We want to give children the academic advantage and we also want them to develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We believe they can achieve all this by obtaining Cambridge International qualifications. These qualifications can open doors to South African and international universities and will get them future ready so that they can forge their own independent paths in the world. For matriculants, Cambridge offers an international qualification that is a less stressful option than the South African National Senior Certificate. Instead of writing all exams in one sitting, Cambridge offers IGCSE and AS Level exams (Grade 11 and 12) over 2 sittings. Your child could write some subjects in November, others the following June and still have a third opportunity to write subjects in the following November. In addition, once your child has written and passed a Cambridge subject, the certificate is issued by Cambridge International (UK) and your child will not need to write the subject again, unless they choose to. This means they can concentrate on their remaining subjects. There is no age limit to write subjects with Cambridge. Global Village College provides tutors and course material from specialists in each subject. We offer a variety of options to suit different home-schooling needs. We will recommend the one that best suits your child and your involvement as a parent. We advise and assist you every step of the way, ensuring your child is supported and challenged where necessary. Our courses include: Access to Google Classroom digital organising and communication system 30-week curriculum aligned course material with: Infographics and carefully selected internet links, including relevant video lessons Activities & Answers 5 Assignments & Memorandums Exam Papers & Memorandums We will help you design a custom-made educational experience for your child. A range of subject options is available and can be selected to meet the USAF minimum admission requirements for exemption for entry to South African universities. We have pleasure introducing you here to two of our subject offerings. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER STUDYING HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY History and Geography are possible subject options for learners to include to meet the USAF minimum admission requirements for exemption for entry to South African universities. They also provide a good foundation for navigating life. History gives us a time orientation – past, present, future. Geography gives us a spacial orientation – our place on earth, in the world. Dr Richard Chernis, one of our highly experienced tutors, explains why you might want to consider

April 11, 2022

A Practical Way of Teaching Children about Money

Here is an easy-to-manage tool to help your children learn about money? Each time they receive money from chores, holidays or gifts, they should break up the money by percentage and place the amounts into envelops. Here’s how to do it: Purchase 6” x 9” yellow mailing envelopes and place them in a 2 or 3-ring binder. Soft plastic zip-up pencil cases that are made to go into a binder also work well. The exact size doesn’t really matter, as long as they are big and strong enough to contain notes and coins. The first envelope should be titled TITHING or DONATIONS and should have 10% written on it. Making this the first envelope will teach your child that giving money away to others in need comes before satisfying personal desires. Any nonprofit organisation could qualify to be the recipient of this money and it works best if your child can make that choice (with your guidance of course). Allow them to decorate this envelope with images that represent the organisation that will receive the money. The second envelope should be titled SPENDING or MAD MONEY and should be marked with 20%. Money in this envelope could be designated to be used anytime that the child wants to spend money, for example, when going on shopping trips with an adult or when the ice cream truck is in the neighbourhood. The third envelope should be titled SHORT TERM SAVINGS and should be marked with 40%. Money placed into this envelope can be designated for more expensive items the child would like to purchase within a year or two. Examples might be: a new toy, a game cartridge, a bicycle or even set aside as money to be spent on a school trip. Allow your child to draw or cut out a picture of the item he or she is saving for and put the price of this item on the envelope to act as the target amount. The fourth and final envelope should be titled LONG TERM SAVINGS and have 30% written on it. Money saved in this envelope should be removed and banked on a monthly or quarterly basis. I suggest there be no target for this except to save and record the deposits as they are made. You may even want to make a rule that this money can only be withdrawn with the parent’s permission. It also works best to allow your child to physically make the deposits at the bank with your help. Implementing and maintaining the process needed to manage this new savings book can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the parent and the child. Every time the child receives money, it should be broken down by the percentages and deposited into the four envelopes. At the very start, you’ll want to build a cash box and store it away, ready for making change for the child each time he or she receives money. The parent should be responsible for keeping the book at all times.

April 8, 2022

Talking about TB

Ten people die in South Africa every hour from Tuberculosis (TB). It is and has always been, a serious public health issue that needs to be brought under control. Even though effective treatments are available and there has been considerable progress in fighting the disease – about 450 000 people develop TB every year. Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund, talks about the state of our nation in terms of TB, the leading cause of death in our country. Of the 450 000 people who develop TB every year, just over half are living with HIV. Although most cases are drug-sensitive and respond well to standard treatment, failure to complete the full course encourages the development of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB), which is difficult to treat and has poor outcomes. Is TB a pandemic like Covid-19? TB is considered an endemic but arguably has the criteria to be given pandemic status. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a pandemic is when: The disease causes death There is persistent transmission between people It spreads in multiple countries An endemic is when the disease is still circulating but at a lower, more predictable rate. The only plausible reason is that the levels of TB are consistent and predictable, rather than the ‘boom and bust’ waves of Covid-19. That said, just because it’s endemic doesn’t mean to say it’s not serious. Smallpox, for example, was endemic for thousands of years and a third of the people who were infected, died. Malaria is also endemic and causes around 600 000 deaths a year. Dr Thandi Dlamini-Miti, senior technical advisor: TB at health NGO Right to Care says, ‘Undiagnosed TB is driving transmission of the disease. Many people with TB don’t know they have it because they don’t have symptoms but they are infecting those around them with this potentially deadly disease.’ Is there enough research and development for TB drugs? The short answer is no. Countries with resources, funds and technical capacity (developed countries) have not invested in the field of TB because the disease has not affected them. It is a disease that flourishes in developing countries, where living conditions are often poorly ventilated and over-crowded. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries. Another factor to consider is that, although the poor bear the brunt of the burden of ill-health (up to 13X greater incidence of TB), they also have access to far fewer services compared to the rich. Some good news recently came from Right to Care though. Dlamini-Miti says, ‘Since July 2020, a TB prevention treatment called 3HP has been piloted. It is considered a game changer because treatment is shorter, less toxic, promotes better adherence, has a higher barrier to resistance and is safe with first-line antiretroviral therapy.’ Latent TB, HIV/AIDS and immunity TB can be ‘latent’, in other words you have TB in your body but it is not active. You aren’t ill and you can’t spread it. However, if your immune system becomes weak for some reason, the TB becomes active and will make you ill. Having HIV/AIDS is a key factor in the TB epidemic which is why it’s imperative that the almost six million people living with HIV are screened and treated. Latent TB treatment is fairly low cost and can be taken together with anti-retroviral drugs. Despite this, the number of people on medication is only a fraction of those who are eligible. Diagnosing TB Diagnosis is quite complex (particularly for those living with HIV) since many symptoms are similar to those for other common diseases. South Africa has moved towards more intensive and active methods of identifying cases, for example by screening all those attending primary health clinics. The aim is to move from identifying fewer than 70% to 90% of all cases. Currently the process of testing most of the population is a protracted one. The TST (skin test) and blood tests do not differentiate between latent and active TB which means a sputum sample needs to be taken or a chest X-ray. This is both costly and time consuming. A quicker, cheaper method of testing would certainly assist to diagnose TB. Treating TB Current treatment for TB still includes many of the original antibiotics that were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. While newer antibiotics have been introduced, they are still used in combination with the originals whose side effects cannot be ignored. Similarly, BCG is still the only known TB vaccine administered to children in developing countries. Is there a vaccine that can protect adults? Unfortunately not, there is only the BCG for babies, which has become the most widely used vaccine and provides protection to children against miliary and meningeal TB. It provides limited protection against pulmonary TB, which is the most common form of TB. Has TB been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown? Yes, it has reversed years of global progress in tackling TB and, for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the WHOs 2021 Global TB Report. How is TB contracted? It is transmitted through the air, not by surface contact. Transmission occurs when a person inhales droplets with TB nuclei and it travels though the mouth or nasal passages via the respiratory tract into the lungs to reach the alveoli of the lungs. Each person with TB can spread the disease to another 15 individuals over a year. Who is most at risk of contracting TB? People living with HIV (especially those newly diagnosed or not virally suppressed), living in the same house as someone who has had or has TB, anyone who has had active TB in the last two years, those with diabetes, residents of informal settlements, children under five, the undernourished, alcoholics, smokers, mineworkers, prisoners and pregnant women. How prevalent is TB amongst medical aid members? Protocols required by the National Department of Health dictate that all TB positive patients must be referred to the state for treatment. This means

April 8, 2022

From “below average” to CEO

Meet Claudia Swartzberg, co-founder and CEO of CambriLearn and Top Dog Education. We sat down with Claudia to hear about how she went from “a below average” learner in primary school to graduating top of her class with a degree in actuarial science. Not every child fits the mould of traditional schooling, and Claudia explains why… Traditional schooling looks at achievement in terms of test scores, in a very limited number of academic areas. The problem with this approach is it doesn’t take into account problem-solving ability, motivation levels, perception or social intelligence. A child who couldn’t cut straight When I was five years old, the school that I was at didn’t want to progress me to grade one because I couldn’t cut straight. Coming from a family of rocket scientists, my father wouldn’t hear any of it and put me straight into grade one – despite the advice of my teachers. I wasn’t a great performer in primary school and this led me to become very anxious. I began doubting my academic abilities and started to dislike school. My father recognised this and started to spend his evenings taking me through my coursework, creating practice material in a way that felt relevant to me. Soon my grades began to pick up and that feeling of success became addictive. My goals grew not only to wanting to perform but wanting to be the best. I had a new sense of confidence and purpose. In high school, I graduated top of my class I went on to study actuarial science specialising in data science. Breaking the mould of average One of the first things we teach people in stats is how to eliminate the outliers so that we can find the average. This is fantastic if I’m trying to find out the average amount of sugar a person consumes, but when I am looking at a child’s true potential then this approach falls short. If I asked the question, how fast can a child learn to read in a classroom? Scientists would change this question to how fast does the average child learn to read in a classroom? If we study what’s merely average, we are going to remain merely average. So instead of trying to fit all students into the mould of average, at CambriLearn, we try to deeply understand what makes each student perform and we nurture that. In a typical classroom environment, with a 1:25 teacher to learner ratio, a teacher isn’t able to tailor-make each lesson to suit each individual child. Most teachers will pitch the coursework to the average student. This approach can lead to many children feeling left behind as they struggle to keep up with the coursework. It can also lead to many students feeling bored and disinterested as they may comprehend the lesson quickly and feel frustrated at the pace of average. At CambriLearn, we provide an intelligent learning system that makes it possible for an educator or parent to teach individuals and not classes. This approach not only moves students above average but moves the entire average up. It’s about perspective It is not reality that shapes learning, but the lens through which your brain views information that shapes your reality. In other words, it’s about perspective. We optimise a child’s perspective by promoting social and emotional intelligence in every class that we teach. Most people think that the more gifted you are academically, the more successful you’ll be in life. Studies have shown that only 25% of your success is determined by IQ, whereas 75% of your success is determined by your perception, your optimism levels, your social support and your ability to see stress as a challenge rather than as a threat. This is why we put a lot of focus on social and emotional intelligence. The absence of failing is not success If your child is getting good grades, it’s not a guarantee they will be successful. If they have the right perception, not only will their performance improve, but they will harness an essential lifelong tool – resilience. At CambriLearn, we focus on driving positive perception, self-regulation, and confidence in our students. I often hear from parents, “I’m sending my kids to the best schools in the country with the best teachers, how can they still not be doing well emotionally or academically?” Embedded in that question is the key to understanding the science of learning. What the question assumes is that our external learning environment is predictive of our academic success. When in reality 15% of your long term academic success is determined by your external environment. 85% is determined by the way your brain processes information. According to the World Economic Forum, some of the skills a child needs in order to be successful in the future include; judgement and decision making, active learning, evaluation, deductive reasoning and complex problem-solving. The fear of isolation The number one concern that we hear from parents who wish to move away from a physical school is the fear of less social interaction. They worry that their child will be at home all day with no outdoor activities or group interaction. What they struggle to realise is that our students actually have more time and energy to participate in a schedule that is flexible and more effective. We have top athletes studying with us and the very reason why they study with CambriLearn is so that they can optimise their day. Also, not one of our sports stars did sports at school as the schools were simply not specialised enough and they needed more specialised training and support. Another contributing factor to success is your network and your support system. Our students form part of a powerful global network, they are able to connect and interact with students from across the world through our online forums or through face to face interactions at one of the planned events. CambriLearn has students in over 50 countries and almost all

April 8, 2022

Win the war against acne with NEW ACleo

Are you battling with breakouts? Many things contribute to the formation of acne but, for the most part, we can thank our fluctuating hormones. These can cause our skin to become oily and shed in clumps as opposed to cell by cell, forming bumps and pimples. Fortunately, this type of inflammatory acne can be dramatically improved with Acleo. The hormone connection When we’re in our teens our body is challenged with having to adjust to changing hormone levels. While these should eventually stabilise in time, in both males and females, the fluctuation can result in oily skin. In many, this might lead to skin that’s congested by blackheads and whiteheads. However, around 30% of teenagers, due to their genetics, will experience inflamed, painful red bumps called papules or those with yellow heads called pustules (pimples). While you’d think we’d leave acne behind by the time we reach adulthood, this isn’t always the case. For example, there are many times when a female will experience a hormonal flux that can trigger the increase of the male hormones that cause acne. Men will have the same trigger – an increase in their male hormones. ACleo to the rescue! Struggling with acne, be it in your teens or as an adult, will always be distressing. Fortunately, the new ACleo kit can help you win the war against breakouts and put you on the path to clear and radiant skin. Each kit contains an oral supplement and a topical spot treatment. The supplement’s ingredients – zinc and vitamin B – will help calm the inflammation in your skin; allow existing pimples to heal faster and prevent the formation of further breakouts. This winning combination also helps regulate your body’s oil production. As far as the topical spot treatment goes, this calms inflammation, kills the bacteria that causes acne and prevents your skin from becoming congested. When used in conjunction, the oral supplement and spot treatment will result in: Quicker healing of acne A lessening in the formation of scars and dark marks Prevention of more acne forming Clearer skin with constant use How do I use ACleo? Acleo supplement Take two capsules each morning after breakfast. ACleo Spot Treatment Twice a day: Cleanse and dry your skin. Apply a drop of the ACleo gel to every pimple or to the area of skin that has pimples. Massage lightly to assist in absorption then apply your moisturiser and a sunscreen during the day. Do I need to use a specific skincare range to use ACleo? No. Acleo can be used in combination with any skincare range. It is important to cleans and moisturise your skin twice a day every day. Don’t forget your sunscreen. This can also help to prevent the formation of dark marks as well as the worsening of those that exist. Will ACleo affect my hormones? Not at all. It’s important to note that ACleo won’t affect your body’s hormone levels. For this, you’d need to visit a doctor and get a script. What ACleo will do, however, is change how your skin reacts to the fluctuating hormones in your blood and the result will be an improvement in acne.

April 7, 2022

Enhance Your Child’s Potential

If it were possible to enhance any aspect of your child through genetic intervention, what would it be? Most parents would probably choose genes that tend to increase intelligence, strengthen immune systems and lengthen lives. Others might be more inclined to choose genes that will engineer a piano-playing prodigy like Mozart, an Einstein, a world champion athlete, or maybe a blue-eyed, blond-headed brood. This begs the question: what enhancements would it be morally acceptable for parents to choose to make in their offspring if biotech innovations become available? Sounds like science fiction, doesn’t it – but if biotechnologist’s get their way, these possibilities may not be too far off. Getting back to reality, and assuming we agree that it is a parent’s responsibility to enhance their child’s potential, when is the best time to start and what means or tools do we currently have at our disposal? Pre-conception and Pregnancy The chances of giving your newborn a good start in life begins at least three months before conception, when both parents should take a serious look at their own nutrition. Healthy dads produce healthy sperm, and mom needs to ensure she accumulates a store of nutrients before baby starts leaching them out of her. A well-balanced diet supplemented with a good multivitamin for both parents, with extra zinc for dad and additional folic acid and omega-3 DHA for mom, is recommended in the months before conception. During pregnancy, talk to your unborn child. Play classical music, especially baroque music, which according to numerous studies may stimulate the brain, contribute to mathematical and other logical abilities, and possibly even stimulate overall mental development. Children have emotions too Enhancing a child’s potential is most definitely not all about raising a child’s intelligence: an unhappy child cannot achieve despite having inherited ‘intelligence genes’. Children need to feel secure within a caring, concerned and loving environment. Be sure to find at least one thing to praise in your child every day. Children love earning their parents’ approval, and praise reinforces and builds confidence and hence more positive behaviour. Avoid criticism, which instils feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem and negativity – traits common in children who are performing badly at school or have behavioural problems. It is not suggested that you spoil your child, because discipline is important too – as long as it’s sensitive, thoughtful and appropriate. For a child to feel secure and to grow into a successful adult, he or she needs to know what is and isn’t acceptable in present-day society. Creating the right environment Whereas previously it was commonly thought that inherited genes were solely responsible for intelligence, it is now recognised that a child’s brain grows in power and intelligence when stimulated by the environment. Just as a bodybuilder exercises his muscles to make them larger and stronger, the very young human brain grows in power when stimulated or exercised: there is no limit to brain growth and intelligence! This is not a new discovery – Mozart’s father discovered it almost two hundred and fifty years ago when he turned his young son into a musical prodigy. Brain building is not the role of the educator alone. In fact, parents can probably do it better. They alone have the love, the patience, and the one-on-one time that’s so necessary. Furthermore, a mother does not need a university degree to teach her child – in fact that’s probably the last thing she needs. Thinking provides a catalyst for learning, and children are stimulated to think by being read to, learning how to read, conversing with family members and engaging in games and activities with them. Nutrition The influence of nutrition on a child’s brain power is no longer disputed. Food affects how a child learns, behaves and feels. In The NDD Book Dr William Sears states: ‘You put junk food into a child’s brain, you get back junk behaviour, junk learning and junk mood. It’s as simple as that!’1 As he has raised eight children of his own, I think we can safely bow to Dr Sears’s superior knowledge. Improve your child’s diet by avoiding all junk foods and increasing the number of servings of fruits and vegetables (French fries don’t count!), whole grains, good dairy, fatty fish, lean meats, eggs, unprocessed nuts and beans.Foods that had to grow themselves will also make your child grow. Proteins and omega-3 essential fatty acids are the best ‘growth foods’ for the brain. Never send your child off to school without breakfast. Skipping breakfast means decreased attention span and learning ability. A smart breakfast would be oatmeal porridge or muesli, plain yoghurt sweetened with fruit and honey, and a handful of nuts or seeds. Proteins perk up the brain by feeding neuro-chemicals that foster focusing and learning, so ensure that there is protein in every meal or snack you feed your child. To be avoided Foods that are aggressively marketed to kids have the worst nutritional quality of all foods. Cereal boxes depicting colourful cartoons and other cheery tricks are designed to stimulate your child into wanting these ‘fun’ foods, but the damage they can do to your child’s health is no laughing matter. Some may contain up to 40 g of sugar to 100 g of cereal. Kiddies’ yoghurts in tubs beautifully decorated with pictures of colourful fruits usually contain not a gram of fruit: just colourants and flavourants which were never meant to go into a child’s body. No child, especially one with learning or behavioural problems, should be taking in any colourants, MSG or aspartame. In the UK and Europe there is a voluntary ban on six colourants, and manufacturers who still choose to use them display the following warning on their products: ‘May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’. In South Africa these six are still freely used, especially in foods targeted at children. Obesity If you really want to enhance your child’s potential, don’t send him or her to school overweight! The 2007

April 6, 2022

Medela launches two new breast pumps

When it comes to feeding baby, mom knows best. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another and the saying “fed is best” rings true. Human breast milk is biologically designed to meet all baby’s nutritional needs and being so valuable, it’s often referred to as “liquid gold.” But not all moms can or want to, breastfeed. Some may struggle with a steady milk supply, some may produce no milk at all, and some may not enjoy the experience. There are pros and cons to all manners of feeding, and at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that your baby is healthy. For moms whose bodies can supply milk, and who want to breastfeed, the journey might still not be easy. Sometimes baby won’t latch, or mom is required to travel or work from an office during the day, making it impossible to breastfeed. For moms in this position, breast pumping is an excellent way to make sure that their baby benefits from getting breast milk. Some of the benefits of pumping include: Feeding time can be shared Pumping breastmilk and feeding it to baby via a bottle means that feeding times can be split between mom and dad, and baby’s grandparents, nanny, or other visitors. Not only does this relieve mom, but it also allows family and friends to spend some one-on-one time with baby. It offers control over timing Pumping allows moms and caregivers to control the timing of feeds, and to follow a schedule that works for them. It gives mom more freedom Some moms have to return to work shortly after giving birth, some are required to travel and some lead busy lifestyles that leave them permanently on the go. This means that baby might be left in the care of a nanny, grandparent, or day-care from a young age. Pumping means baby can reap all the benefits of breastmilk while mom can fulfil her other obligations. It could assist with milk supply issues If your breast milk supply is not steady, pumping may help to solve the problem. Some moms pump after breastfeeding to naturally increase their supply. If you’re concerned about periods when your supply is low, a frozen stash of breast milk will go a long way in easing stress. Whether you’re pumping exclusively, or only on occasion, Medela has a breast pump suited to your needs. They’ve recently launched two new products: Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump (R5999,99) The new Swing Maxi is a compact and easy-to-use double electric breast pump with improved mobility to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Key features include: Double pumping for up to 18% more milk in less time. **need a ref 2-Phase Expression™ technology mimics your baby’s natural sucking rhythm. PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield for increased comfort and 11% more milk (2 sizes included). **need a ref Improved mobility: built-in rechargeable battery for up to 6 pumping sessions on one full charge. Faster charging with USB type C port, compared to micro-USB port. Easy to use: 4-button intuitive interface and 9 pre-programmed settings. Easy to assemble and clean thanks to fewer parts. Noticeably quieter compared to the previous generation, only 45 dB at the Maximum Vacuum Level. Closed system prevents breast milk from entering the tubing. Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump (R4099,99) Medela’s Swing Flex breast pump has been reborn as Solo. Solo is a compact, effective and easy-to-use single electric breast pump with a rechargeable built-in battery, 2-phase Expression technology, and PersonalFit Flex breast shield. Key features include: Easy to use: 4-button intuitive interface and 9 pre-programmed settings. Easy to assemble and clean thanks to fewer parts. Lightweight and compact design. Improved mobility: built-in rechargeable battery for up to 6 pumping sessions on one full charge. Faster charging with USB type C port, compared to micro-USB port. 2-Phase Expression technology mimics your baby’s natural sucking rhythm. PersonalFit Flex breast shield for increased comfort and 11.8% more milk. **need a ref Noticeably quieter compared to the previous generation, with less than 45 dB at the Maximum Expression Level. A closed system prevents breast milk from entering the tubing. Visit https://www.medela.co.za/ for more info.

April 6, 2022

SACAP BOOSTS SCHOOL LEAVERS’ VOCATIONAL OPTIONS

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) has announced the 2022 launch of two new Higher Certificate educational programmes in its Management and Leadership faculty offering school leavers a vocational pathway into the South African business sector. The SACAP Higher Certificates in Business Management and Human Resources Management are accredited, one-year programmes that include industry-oriented content and applications so that graduates are fit to enter the workplace. While a Higher Certificate qualification can make up for a Matric without a Bachelor’s pass and serve as a bridge into a degree educational program, it is also relevant to those who want to make a career change or update their skills-set. The new SACAP Higher Certificate programmes builds on the success of their popular Higher Certificate in Communications and Counselling, and augment SACAP’s overall portfolio of Higher Certificates, Bachelor’s and Honour’s degrees. Lee-Ann Drummond, SACAP’s Head of the Management & Leadership Faculty says, “The new Higher Certificate programmes are a form of bridging into the B.App.Soc.Sci providing a certain number of transferable credits. However, they are distinct from the first year of the B.App.Soc.Sci and are NQF5 qualifications with a distinct purpose and learning outcomes. As such, they are independent, coherent and academically credible as a qualification focused on vocational skills-building.” What can you do with a Higher Certificate in Human Resources Management? This programme with its real-world focus equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide administrative support to HRM services in industry and to execute various human resource functions in the workplace. The qualification is a gateway for further higher education but is also relevant to those wanting to enter the workforce, and those needing to upskill in the field of HRM. Drummond says, “With SACAP’s strength in Applied Psychology, this programme emphasises putting ‘human’ back into HRM through understanding people and the value of human capital in the workplace. It’s ideal for those returning to the workplace and needing to update their skills; for entrepreneurs who need to build HR capacities in their start-up companies and for school leavers who want to acquire vocational skills and begin building their careers in business.” What can you do with a Higher Certificate in Business Management? This qualification is aimed at building foundational business management skills based on an understanding of basic business management theories. It’s a comprehensive programme to acquire the skills needed to competently assist and support a variety of business management functions in the workplace. Drummond says, “Once again the design of the Higher Certificate educational programme is based on providing highly relevant, industry-oriented content and to help students develop practical skills so that they are work-ready and capable of building careers, upskilling or taking a pathway to further studies.” The full-time CHE-accredited SACAP Higher Certificates in Business Management and Human Resource Management are available at SACAP’s Online campus and each comprise of nine modules and 120 credits over one year. Registrations for 2022 are open now. To find out more or enrol SACAP Higher Certificate in Human Resources Management To find out more or enrol SACAP Higher Certificate in Business Management

April 5, 2022

When to buy a breast pump

Mothers often ask me when should I buy a breast pump? The answer to this really depends on why you would need a breast pump. Many moms have one ready in their hospital bag and others wait until they are ready to go back to work to purchase a breast pump. Many mothers are given the advice that they should not start pumping for the first 6 weeks. This is good advice if the mother can get her baby to latch and breastfeed directly, which many mothers are able to do. If the direct breast feeding is working, then there is no need to add pumping. However, if the mother is having difficulties with direct breastfeeding or is separated from her baby, using a double electric breast pump like the Ameda Mya Joy, is recommended. Therefore, my recommendation is based on the reason why you would need the breast pump. To give more context, I had both my babies early. The first birth was an emergency. I was not prepared, I had nothing packed and definitely did not have a breast pump ready. It was very difficult for me to get a breast pump as I was in ICU, I was helped by a friend that brought me one. However, with my second baby I was ready and had a pump waiting even though she also came even earlier than her brother. The difference in stress levels of having a breast pump and not was massive. So, for mothers of twins or high-risk pregnancies, I would recommend that you have a breast pump ready at the birth of your baby/ies. The reason for this is if your baby needs to go to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) then you can start stimulation of your breasts and pumping with in the 1-6 hours as recommended. This will help you to increase your milk supply and provide milk for your baby/ies as they need it, while also building up a milk stash for when they start needing more. When a mother is separated from her baby like with having a baby in the NICU, she still needs to stimulate her breasts as often as if the baby was drinking directly from her. So, this generally works out to 10 to 12 times in 24 hours. That is a lot of stimulation! Many moms many find it overwhelming to hand express or to use a manual or single pump. In the case of a premature infant the use of a hospital grade double electric breast pump like the Ameda Mya Joy is ideal. It is such a time saver because you express both breast at the same time, effectively halving the time that you need to pump at each session. Which also makes it more possible to pump more often. By using the Ameda Mya Joy hospital grade breast pump your pump’s motor is strong enough to pump as often as needed and it will be better able to empty your breast as needed. It also has a 2-year warranty which will cover you during your breastfeeding time. Other mothers may wait to buy a breast pump for when they return to work. In this case I would recommend that they give themselves at least a month to get used to pumping and how they respond to the pumps different settings. This way they can build up a breast milk stash and be confidant with pumping before they go back to work. It is also a great idea to get a few boxes for the My Breast Milk Storage Bags (https://www.mybreastpump.co.za/product/MBPSG), so that you have them ready and are able to freeze any extra milk. There are some instances where a mother may need a breast pump in her early days- before the 6-week suggested time. This would be if she is struggling with getting a deep latch and her nipples are very sore or damaged. Pumping during this time would help the mother to protect her milk supply while her nipples healed. This would also give her time to practice getting a deeper latch or solving her breast-feeding issue. If this is the case the mother does not need to wait for 6 weeks before she starts to pump because pumping is indicated and will protect and support, her milk supply. Another time to get a breast pump is if they are on special. If you know that you will be needing a breast pump, then why not get it as a discounted rate. Look out for the Ameda Mya Joy specials on Takealot, our website www.mybreastpump.co.za and also at baby shows like Mama Magic and The Flair Mother and Baby Show. We continually look to make new and interesting promotions including extra useful items for moms.

April 5, 2022

Party Time! How to plan a successful kids party

Many of us go to great lengths to plan the ‘perfect party’ for our children. Whether you enjoy planning a lavish complicated affair or a small simple one there are a few pointers you can keep in mind to ensure that it’s a huge success. Firstly remember the party is for the children!!! Don’t go over the top on the food, décor and drinks to impress the adults at the party – its not about them. Get creative! You don’t need to stick to themed character plates and napkins or available party décor in the shops. There are many ways in which you can throw a great party for your child without breaking the bank. Chat to your child and find out what type of theme they want.Your son loves Dr Seuss but there is no themed decor available. Work on the decor and food using the colours instead. Plastic or tin buckets, paper plates and napkins come in loads of different plain colours. Look for images and ideas according to your theme on the internet that you can printout and include in your decor. Make the birthday child feel special Thinking of my own children, they live for their birthday and start counting down the days till the next one from the time their last birthday finishes. Let them wear a special birthday badge or birthday crown or a special outfit which they have picked out for their day to make them feel that extra bit special. Keep them entertained Children will remember a birthday party in which they had fun – not how clean your house was. (Refer to my first point about the party being about the children). The way to ensure this is to make sure there is plenty to do and keep them entertained. Again, no need to break the bank. Bring out the old school party games like pass the parcel, musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey. Children still loves these games and its a great way to keep the kids entertained and an opportunity for them to win their own little gifts as well. Snack attack There is no need to go crazy on the food. Keep it small and simple. It is a much better idea to spend more time and money on the entertainment than the snacks. Offer some healthy snacks such as fruit, small muffins and sandwiches. I would advise a party for children three years and younger, keep the snack table a bit higher so parents can control what their little one eats. Don’t forget the manners Your child’s birthday party is a great time to remind them to say their please and thank you’s and waiting their turn. Discuss this with your child before the party starts and they get caught up in the excitement of the day. A good idea is to discuss the matter of gifts with your child before guests start arriving. If you would prefer gifts not to be opened during the party, you and your child should arrange a safe spot where gifts can be kept.

April 4, 2022

Four Tips to Support Kids Hygiene in Post-Covid School Life

With the country finally opening up, businesses, entertainment venues and schools will see more people than ever coming into contact with each other since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. While grown-ups should have the presence of mind to adhere to healthy hygiene protocols, children may need a bit of extra help in staying safe from viruses and bacteria at school, especially when using high-traffic areas like toilets. Nobuhle Ngubane, Senior Brand Manager at Domestos South Africa, offers parents the four following tips on protecting their children from germs during this crucial time of transition. 1. Educate Them Knowledge is power, and you might be surprised at how much informationchildren, even those as young as two years old, can retain. Make sure to talk to them, repeating terms like germs, cleanliness, washing hands, water, soap, sanitising and so on. Make it fun – use songs and pictures – to each them about social distancing and how to clean up thoroughly. 2. Ask Teachers Do not be shy about engaging with teachers on the hygiene protocolsinside the school, particularly where toilets are concerned. It’s important to be aware of how frequently cleaning takes place – especially considering that the facilities are used by hundreds of learners throughout the day. Aim to be helpful rather than confrontational – share information and resources and express understanding for the load educators have to bear. 3. Equip Them While your child’s school may already have thorough cleaning protocols you can always help your child further by packing a safe and mild sanitiser spray bottle and a small pack of wipes that they can use to wipe their hands after coming into contact with surfaces that may have germs. 4. Keep them Healthy As much as you can keep external surfaces clean, your child’s bestdefence is a healthy diet and even supplements, where necessary. As always, reinforce the need to wash hands before and after eating, using soap or sanitiser, and wiping with clean paper towels. The reality is that millions of learners around the country attend schools without adequate ablution facilities. This not only affects their health but their ability to learn due to the proven negative psychological impact of poor sanitation. Over the past 10 years, Domestos has led the charge on addressing unsafe sanitation and poor hygiene in schools, impacting over 5 million children through school refurbishments, school toilet maintenance programs, as well as participating in an educational program that educates learners on good hygiene and sanitation habits in over 15 000 public schools around the country. You can also get involved in this fight against the sanitation crisis.Purchase a 750ml Domestos bleach bottle, and R1 will be donated towards helping over 1 million learners gain access to clean and safe toilets.

April 4, 2022

RIGHT ON TRACK! AS THOMAS & FRIENDS FIND A NEW HOME ON BOOMERANG

World-famous children’s animated show brings its fourth major revamp, in its illustrious 75-year history, to Boomerang Africa. Climb aboard for a series of all-new adventures with Thomas the Tank Engine! Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go is set to premiere on Boomerang Africa on Monday, 4 April 2022. The brand-new series, with an entirely new storytelling approach, promises to bring even more fun-filled adventures with vibrant 2D animation and compelling new characters while visiting exciting new locations and learning about teamwork and friendship! The Island of Sodor is home to the biggest, silliest, most musical and toot-ally awesome-est adventures with your number one pal, Thomas the Tank Engine. He is joined by some familiar friends, including Percy, Diesel, Gordon, Nia, a tank engine from Kenya in Africa, and Sir Topham Hatt, along with fresh faces like Kana – the first electric train in Sodor, and the best fix-it crew, Carly the Crane and Sandy the Rail Speeder. But it doesn’t end there. This new series sees a one-hour movie special offering viewers an action-packed adventure with new characters and a collection of new songs in Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup, which premiers on Sunday, 17 April @ 06h30 CAT. “Thomas and his stories have held a special place in the hearts of children across the globe, and we are proud to make Boomerang Africa the new home for Thomas &Friends: All Engines Go. Thomas will be centre stage in the brand-new series. We will see the world through his young eyes,” says Ariane Suveg, VP Kids’ Channels France, French-speaking territories, Africa & Israel. “More playful and relatable than ever before, his competitive spirit will be readily apparent as he strives to be the Number One Tank Engine through more physical comedy and music, play, trial and error, all while just enjoying being a kid!” Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go is the fourth major revamp ever of the world-famous children’s animated show in its illustrious 75-year history. Brand-new to Boomerang Africa, the show incorporates 26 fun and entertaining social-emotional, cognitive, and physical learning moments throughout the series, including friendship, taking turns, teamwork, self-help, and empathy, a perfect show to entertain and engage the little ones whilst moms and dads enjoy the nostalgia brought on by the show! Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mattel Television, says: “This new creative direction for the classic Thomas & Friends franchise is crafted to appeal to contemporary audiences, yet still maintain the beloved characters’ core ethos: the value of friendship. Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go features stories that are both timeless and timely, with themes that will resonate with children, parents and caregivers alike.” Mattel also gives the gift of playtime fun where kids can make their favourite moments from Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go come to life with a new range of Thomas & Friends toys. Don’t miss out on all the abso-toot-ly, off-the-rails fun with Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go on the new Cartoonito morning block on Boomerang Africa from Monday, 4 April at 06h50 CAT.

April 4, 2022

DJ Zinhle and Cici team up with Pampers over a R 1 million ECD boost

Pampers South Africa has teamed up with celebrity moms DJ Zinhle and Busisiwe “Cici” Thwala to donate 1000 scholarships to SmartStart to support early childhood learning in South Africa. The celebrity partnership with Pampers was launched last year through #MamaUyindlovu campaign which celebrated single moms in South Africa and the role that all parents played in their children’s lives during the lockdowns, especially single moms who had to do it all alone. Pampers created a special video where Cici shared how she created special moments and brought the world home to her son during lockdown. “My son spent most of the first year of his life in lockdown so I was worried about him not being able to learn through exploration because we couldn’t step out. Children learn through play and spending time with other children. So, I’m very excited now that the world is now opening up and he can attend playgroups and playdates to help his growth and development.” said Cici. In South Africa, it is estimated that, in the poorest 40% of households, only 20% of birth to four-year-old children attend some form of out-of-home care. Pampers hopes that through their partnership with SmartStart they can provide learning opportunities to more children to provide support to families, especially single mom-headed families and help little ones unlock their potential in our post lockdown world through access to quality learning programmes. SmartStart’s franchised programme is delivered through playgroups, day mothers and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres that all seek to improve children’s readiness for learning, school performance, and overall life success. “Forming relationships with an organisation, such as Pampers, is very important to address inequality and access to education at an early age,” Grace Matlhapi said, Smart Start CEO. “We look forward to driving this partnership even in years to come to help to unlock South Africa’s potential,” concluded Rajat Gupta, Senior Brand Director at Pampers.

March 31, 2022

HOW WEIGHTED BLANKETS AND TOYS HELP WITH SLEEP, ANXIETY AND CONCENTRATION IN CLASS

Weighted blankets and toys are designed to help children and adults with difficulties such as anxiety, hyperactivity and sleeplessness to attain a calm and relaxed state. The added weight provides deep pressure input, which is interpreted by the proprioceptive system. Our proprioceptors are sensory receptors located in our muscles and joints. This system helps us feel the position of our bodies in space. Proprioceptive or ‘deep pressure’ input is calming and organising to our bodies. For the same reason, we like firm hugs when we are in distress, bite our nails or chew gum when we are anxious, and why babies suck dummies and fingers. All of these activities are using the proprioceptive system for calming. Deep pressure is also an essential part of child development. It is present for the entire period in utero and helps keep baby content in the womb. When the baby is born, they are no longer held within the tight cocoon of the womb space. Providing the same kind of pressure to their bodies helps them feel comforted and secure. It also helps to carry them over during sleep cycles, meaning they won’t need to wake up for comfort when moving from one sleep cycle to the next. Weighted blankets also provide what is called a ‘grounding effect’. They help children and adults to feel safe and secure at night, by helping them feel more grounded. There is also less chance of rolling over and the blanket slipping off, or your child kicking it off at night and then crying to be recovered. For toddlers and children, the extra weight when carrying the toy or blanket stimulates the proprioceptors, giving them more opportunity to learn about their body position in space. Heavy muscle work by carrying these items is also calming and organizing. Weighted items also provide input to the tactile system-our sense of touch. While light, unexpected touch is alerting and can be irritating, deep, constant touch is calming and comforting. Children often need this constant deep touch to remain calm, and stay asleep. Weighted items can also be very effective within the school environment. Weighted lap pads are designed to be worn over the lap in class by the restless, fidgety or anxious child. The weight helps the child remain seated for longer periods, and can benefit concentration. CleverMe lap pads are made with a plush surface for extra touch input for the child to feel and stroke for a calming input. Feely tags are also an added option, which allows children to ‘fidget’ without disrupting others. Our weighted toys are fun and colourful monsters, that can be carried around for ongoing calming input. They are great for ‘safe spots’ where children learn to regulate themselves by calming down during melt downs. They are also popular among therapists!

March 31, 2022

KOA ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS THE ADVANTAGES OF AN IEB EDUCATION IN A GLOBALISED WORLD

The pandemic years shut down a lot, but also created unexpected openings and many digital escalations. For instance, school choice has been irrevocably changed across the world. Online school may not be the solution for every child, or every family, but many got a taste for the greater flexibility and wider scope in education that can be offered in the digital realm. When it comes to decisions about school, geography has ruled supreme, but this is no longer the case. Going the digital school route, parents can place more emphasis on other considerations such as the different curriculum and assessment systems that can help set your child up for success. Koa Academy, a high engagement online school is IEB-accredited. The Independent Examinations Boards (IEB) governs the curriculum and assessment standards of private educational institutions in South Africa. Koa Academy’s Principal, Mark Anderson says, “The IEB offers internationally recognised qualifications which are becoming increasingly important to today’s South African parents who are raising kids likely to become global workers, or who may want international study options available to their children once they have finished school. Many see the advantages in their children achieving an IEB National Senior Certificate that is well-recognised as equivalent to the UK’s AS Level.” Proudly South African, the IEB has an impressive track record with many of their NSC and Advanced Programmes in Mathematics and English graduates going on to study at elite international universities. While that might not be an aspiration of all parents, the benefits of an IEB qualification have come into focus in this era of globalization. Parents do want their children to have an education that opens doors for them when it comes to further studies and employability. Anderson says, “Opportunities for remote working are increasing vastly and we want our children to be able to join the pool of global workers so that use their talents wherever and however they can in a world of work that is rapidly changing and radically evolving. There’s no doubt that solid international recognition for your school qualification can be a significant enabler of modern careers, which is one of the reasons that Koa has opted for the IEB system. However, it is important to note that the IEB also has a particular style and system of teaching and assessing that is also a significant advantage. It’s less about memorisation and more about the application of learning which sets kids up better for success at university which has a similar approach.” Discover Koa Academy here.

March 31, 2022

Cognitive Development Activities for Primary School Kids

A child’s primary school years are some of the most important in terms of their cognitive development. If developmental foundations are not established at this crucial age, then it will become very difficult to harness these skill sets later on in life. A child’s physical, social and emotional development has a direct impact on the adult they will become. In order to maximise a child’s future well-being, it is vitally important to practice developmental activities at a primary school age. Whilst an effective primary education will give a child a significant developmental boost, children will further benefit from a home environment that also focuses on stimulating these essential skills. In this article, we will look at the different stages of cognitive development and provide practical ideas to help harness essential skills at each stage. Cognitive Development When we refer to development areas we aren’t just talking about academics. Cognitive development refers to how a child thinks, how they understand concepts and their problem-solving abilities. John Piaget’s theory of cognitive development highlights four key stages that a child progresses through in their developmental years. As a child develops and engages with the world around them, they continually build their knowledge base and adapt these learned concepts to accommodate new information. Piaget defined the four stages of cognitive development as: Sensorimotor stage: birth to 2 years Preoperational stage: ages 2 to 7 Concrete operational stage: ages 7 to 11 Formal operational stage: ages 12 and up The Sensorimotor Stage From birth until around the age of two a child undergoes dramatic physical and sensory developmental changes. As infants and toddlers interact with the world around them, they continuously learn new skills and begin to understand how the world works. Most of a child’s experience at this early stage occurs through basic reflexes, their senses and motor responses. From crawling to walking to learning to talk and expressing their emotions, the cognitive development that occurs during the infant to toddler years involves a great deal of noticeable growth. There are many activities that parents can engage their children in at this early age based on their developmental progress. A six-month-old baby will enjoy different activities to an 18-month-old so it is important to engage in age-appropriate activities that are stimulating to the child. The Preoperational Stage Piaget refers to the age of two until around seven as the preoperational stage. In these years, children begin to think symbolically and learn to use words or visuals to represent objects. At this age, a child has not fully developed empathy and they often struggle to see things from the perspective of others. Whilst they are beginning to communicate and comprehend concepts more effectively they still tend to think about things as very “black and white” and struggle to find exceptions to situations. The most notable and important developmental milestones that occur in this stage are language and imagination. Whilst they may be able to communicate and understand basic concepts at this stage, children between the ages of two and seven may still struggle with basic logic and understanding the idea of constancy. Parents who want to stimulate their child’s preoperational development can engage in activities that encourage language development, listening skills and creativity. The Concrete Operational Stage Piaget referred to the age between seven and eleven years as the concrete operational stage. During this stage, a child’s thinking becomes more logical and organised. While children are still very concrete and literal in their thinking at this point in their development, they do begin to use logic in their decision making and they begin to develop empathy and consideration for others. Whilst IQ was previously considered as a benchmark in a child’s educational success, studies in recent years have shown that developing a child’s EQ can have a direct correlation to academics and long term success. Children at this stage of development would benefit from enrolling in activities and courses that stimulate social-emotional learning. The Formal Operational Stage From the age of around twelve, a child begins to think more abstractly and is able to apply reason to hypothetical problems. At this age, children also begin to think more about moral, philosophical, ethical, social, and political issues that require theoretical and abstract reasoning. They start seeing multiple potential solutions to problems and think more scientifically about the world around them. This abstract thinking ability allows a child to systematically plan for the future and hypothesise potential outcomes. Online courses that teach principles of robotics and coding will be beneficial as they teach children how to solve complex problems through trial and error. Children at the operational stage will also benefit from developmental activities like playing board games, baking and volunteering activities. It’s a qualitative process… Piaget did not believe that each stage of a child’s development was a quantitative process. In other words, he did not believe that each stage simply added more information to their existing knowledge base. Instead, he believed that the process was qualitative and that there are fundamental changes in how a child thinks. It is not simply a process of adding more information but rather the changing of thought processing patterns and abilities to comprehend the world around them. How can parents aid in their child’s development? Many parents might be daunted by the idea of adequately equipping their child during the early development years. It is important to note that whilst most children will develop these essential life skills in a natural progression, there is a direct correlation between education and cognitive development. Ensuring that your child’s education provides a platform for them to learn according to their unique personality and strengths will further aid their cognitive development.

March 30, 2022

HOW TO AVOID BREAST LEAKAGE MISHAPS

Breast leakage is something which many mothers fear. Whilst this is not a sure fire expectation for all moms who choose to breastfeed, it is more common than one would think. But fear not, there is absolutely nothing to worry about, if you know how to be prepared. Read on below to see how you can prepare for breast leakage easily. When You Can Expect Breast Leakage Many moms only expect their milk to come in once their baby is born. However, your breasts will begin lactating during your third trimester of pregnancy. Whilst you will not actually physically express milk, your breasts will begin to produce it. This could lead to a leakage problem when you least expect it. Leaking breasts can be expected from then until you decide to stop breastfeeding your child. How To Treat The Problem Breast leakage can’t be cured, but it can be helped. One of the best things a mom can have in her pre-baby birth arsenal is a set of breast pads. You can pick up either disposable or reusable pads, both of which have their own merits. However, having a pair such as the Medela machine washable re-usable breast pads can end up saving you a lot of money overall. All you need to do is wear these pads over your nipple, under your bra throughout the day. If your breast begins to produce milk, the pad will soak it up, meaning you don’t need to face any unsightly spills. Never Give A Second Through To Breast Leakage Again With comfortable breast pads in tow, you never need to worry about a spill again. Better yet, the Medela pads were designed in a discrete, comfortable easy to wear shape. Be sure to pick up a pair of these incredible pads today and never worry about breast leakage again.

March 29, 2022

BABY FEEDING MYTHS DEBUNKED

There are a few baby feeding myths in circulation, which will definitely be forced on you as a new parent. However, this is where we step in to help you separate the fact from the fiction. Take a look below to see our top baby feeding myths and how we have debunked them for you! #1 Baby Feeding Myth: Fruit Juice Is A Healthy Hydration For Your Baby This is a common mistake made by parents. Fruit juice – especially highly processed kinds – contain massive amounts of sugar. This can lead to unnecessary tooth decay in your baby. Babies younger than a year should not be given fruit juice at all and children should be limited to their intake. #2 Baby Feeding Myth: They Don’t Know When They’re Full Many parents tend to over feed their children in fear of them not having enough to eat. However, this is a dangerous practice. Force feeding your baby is never a good idea as this will cause them to develop unhealthy relations with food later on. if your child turns away from their meal and are hesitant to eat trust them that they are full. #3 Baby Feeding Myth: Honey Is A Healthy Sweet Treat No, no and no. giving honey to a baby under 12 month old can lead them to develop an illness called botulism. Rather avoid this sweet treat until they are much older. #4 Baby Feeding Myth: Avoid Allergenic Foods Whilst Breastfeeding This is also is a common mistake amidst breastfeeding moms. Did you know that you are encouraged to eat high allergen foods whilst breastfeeding? This actually helps your child develop anti-bodies against allergies, making them stronger to them at a later stage. This was proved as per the following study; Pitt et al. Reduced risk of peanut sensitization following exposure through breast-feeding and early peanut introduction. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(2):620-625.e1.

March 29, 2022

Ready, steady, go make a success of your 2022 academic year!

At the start of a school year there is much to consider and for high school students the start of a school year is just the time to start afresh, where need be, or continue their strong trajectory towards academic success at the end of Grade 12. The release of the results of the Class of 2021 serves as a tangible reminder to the Class of 2022 that they will either be celebrating their results in early 2023, or face some tough decision making when less than desirable results are achieved. Academic performers are seldom “born”, they are created through hard work, determination and the development of a mature work ethic over a number of years. Students in the various grades have different important considerations and habits that need to be developed. Grade 8s: You are settling into the rhythm and excitement of high school. This is the year to immerse yourself in the subject content of all your subjects and explore which you truly enjoy and which you will probably (happily) be leaving behind at the start of Grade 10. You should be cultivating and developing a mature work ethic from the get-go, which will lead to great success in your final school year and beyond. Grade 9s: This is such an important year for you. You should be considering your interests and exploring the various career options, as well as researching what is required for the degree you wish to pursue post Matric. Very importantly, consider all your options – not just public universities – because private higher education institutions often have exciting new work-focused qualifications not offered at the public universities. You need to be working hard at the subjects you may require for your desired degree course, which you may find challenging – Mathematics and Physical Sciences come to mind. This is the year you make subjects choices that need to align with your considered tertiary studies and your future career. Don’t panic though, your teachers and Academic Heads are there to assist, and interest and aptitude tests will help guide your decisions. Grade 10s: You have FINALLY entered the last phase of your high school career. You will be getting used to the increased workload and pace in your chosen subjects, a higher level of difficulty and learning and practicing the methods needed to answer questions in your Grade 12 final examinations. It’s practice time! Make it count and Grade 11 and 12 will not be as daunting. Remember to account for the much-increased volume of work when preparing for tests and examinations. Grade 11s: This is it! You will be applying to universities in 2023 for your 2024 1st year of tertiary study. This is not the year to take it easy. You must ensure that you meet the requirements to be provisionally accepted into your desired course with your Grade 11 final results. You need to have a strong work ethic from the start to ensure that you achieve your best possible marks. This is not a drill, this is the real deal! You can do it, just remain focused. Grade 12s: You are entering the stadium after a gruelling marathon. The crowds are cheering you on (your family, friends and teachers)! Finish STRONG! It is vital that you put in your best effort and work hard from the start of the year. You will be applying to universities for your desired courses (have a few alternatives ready in the wings) – make sure of the deadlines and entrance requirements. Those of you who did not achieve the results you needed to apply for specific courses or did not achieve a bachelor’s degree pass, must not dwell in the past. Rather look to the present and the future. Get the help you need (in the form of tutors or extra lessons) and consider and research your options for 2023. What can you study in 2023 to put you on course for the degree you want to study? Have you considered doing a Higher Certificate first, which allows access to degree study? If Grade 11 was a bust, don’t let Grade 12 be too. Set realistic goals and develop good habits around your academics. Although a cliché – your future is truly in your hands! All the best for the 2022 academic year high school students! Written by: Mignonne Gerli, Principal: Abbotts College Pretoria

March 28, 2022

Ten tips for flu and Covid-19 vaccines

The seasons are changing and with winter on its way, which heralds the start of the ‘flu season’. We chat to Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund on why a flu vaccine is recommended, not just by the Scheme but also the World Health Organization (WHO). 1.Why should I get a flu vaccine? Although the flu vaccine will not eliminate your risk of developing flu, it helps reduce your chances of severe infection. Annually, seasonal influenza (flu) kills around 11 500 people in South Africa which is why it is a good precautionary measure to take. 2.How are Covid-19 and flu viruses similar? WHO says that Covid-19 and influenza viruses are similar in disease presentation. ‘Firstly, they both cause respiratory disease, which presents a wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and death. ‘Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and any material that can carry infection. As a result, the same public health measures such as hand hygiene and social distancing is recommended.’ 3.What are the essential differences between Covid-19 and flu? Flu is an acute viral respiratory infection, transmitted by the influenza virus. There are three types of influenza, namely Influenza A, B and C. Covid-19 and influenza are essentially different viruses with SARS-CoV-2 being a newly discovered coronavirus that causes Covid-19. 4.Why do I need a flu shot every year? The flu virus changes every year, this means last year’s vaccine will not keep you safe this year. The vaccine helps your immune system fight off the virus by producing antibodies – the soldiers in your body that battle the flu virus. 5.What vaccines have been developed for 2022? The flu vaccines available for this year are: The Vaxigrip Tetra, Influvac and Influvac Tetra. 6.Can I get the flu vaccine and a Covid-19 vaccine together? As per the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Circular 3 of 2022, the answer is yes. However, it is recommended that if you decide to have both vaccines at the same time, then one should be on the left arm and one on the right. 7.Who should get a flu vaccine? It is recommended that anyone in the High-risk groups including: Healthcare workers Individuals over 65 years of age Individuals with chronic diseases – or comorbidities – for example: Cardiac disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney diseases, etc. Pregnant women People living with HIV/AIDS 8.Who should NOT have the flu vaccine? Individuals who are allergic to eggs or egg proteins as the manufacturing process for the vaccine involves the use of chicken eggs Infants under 6 months of age – the vaccines are not licensed for use in such young children Individuals who may have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past – if you are unsure discuss with your healthcare provider Individuals who may be suffering from flu symptoms already 9.Will the flu shot give me a mild flu? According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), ‘A flu shot cannot cause flu. Flu vaccines are currently made either with flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are not infectious or with no flu vaccine viruses at all. The most common side-effects from the vaccine are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare.’ 10.Still not convinced? Flu viruses spread very quickly from person to person. Even if the flu vaccine is not 100% effective against the current flu strain, it will reduce your risk of getting flu and, if you do get it, it will be a great deal milder. More importantly, by having the flu vaccine you protect others, who may be vulnerable family members, small babies, the elderly or those who are immune compromised. As with Covid-19, the more people vaccinated the closer we can get to ’herd immunity’.

March 25, 2022

How to Adjust from Traditional school to Independent Learning

Thinking about making a change to your child’s method of education? Or perhaps you have already decided to change to homeschooling, or what we prefer to call Independent Learning? This could be due to various reasons, some of which may include wanting to remove your kids from a negative school environment, to protect them from bullying, or giving them the freedom to learn in a progressive way that may be more appropriate for them. An environment where creativity is nurtured and celebrated, a method of schooling that better prepares your child for his or her future. Let us offer you peace of mind as you transition to what we believe to be a brilliant way to educate your kids. Here are some valuable tips to ease the transition from traditional school to Independent Learning: 1. Include your kids in the conversation Talk about this decision with your whole family, share your goals with your children and listen to their excitement and concerns. Identify what your education goals are, and the endless possibilities you can achieve by them learning independently. 2. Legalities Homeschooling is legal in South Africa and only grade1 to 9 are required to be registered for homeschooling with the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Withdrawing your child from school and registering him or her as a homeschooler with the DBE is a relatively easy process and a Syllabis consultant will guide and help you with all the necessary steps once you have purchased a Syllabis curriculum. 3. Try not to mimic school at home Trying to recreate the school environment for your child is a trap that many parents easily fall into. Consider this in your schedule or approach and try not to separate your role of teacher and parent. It helps to integrate your learning and teaching into your parenting and lifestyle. 4. Give yourself time to adjust and de-school Realize that it may take some time for your children to find their feet so give them some room to breathe. Every child is different so make decisions and schedules that fit with your child’s needs. Some kids take a few weeks to adjust, and some may take a few months, try enjoying being together as a family again and work slowly into new routines. 5. Set up a daily schedule You will want to create a basic schedule for your new homeschool day. Having a basic plan in writing will aid in the transition process. It will also help you stay on track and feel like you are getting the necessary things accomplished. Even if you do not stick to your schedule like glue, having something basic in writing will greatly aid your organization. 6. Decrease the time spent in “official” school Mainstream school requires 6-8 hours of schooling while if your child focuses, he or she will soon realize that school can be done in 2-3 hours a day, leaving hours to be spent doing extra-curricular activities or spending time on hobbies or playing. 7. Increase the breaks in-between subjects Who says school must take place in 8 hours? A lot of independent learners have found shorter study times, interspersed by frequent breaks, can boost productivity. 8. Adapt as you go Observe your family as you go and continue to adjust to what works best for you. You’ll be amazed at how much you learn about your children’s personalities and abilities and how best they learn. 9. Sign up for extra-curricular activities Sign up for sporting and extra-curricular activities, to stay active and social. We can aid with extra-curricular activities like Online Music School, Life Coaching, English Pronunciation and Reading Skills program, Golf instruction, Marshall Arts, video Gaming, 3D Printing, Medical School, and Driving School. 10. Take advantage of a support network While you are transitioning from traditional school to homeschool you may have questions, take advantage of the support your curriculum provider provides. Syllabis will guide you through the full transition and provide in-depth support and guidance. One of the fundamental services we offer is our tutoring service- Syllabis Tutoring has been a leading provider of tutoring services in South Africa since 2014. While our focus at that time was 1 on 1 personalised tutoring, we have expanded to offer the following products and services around tutoring: 1 on 1 in-person tutoring 1 on 1 online tutoring Group tutoring – online or in-person Study skills course – online or in-person Learners License K-53 Language tutoring Why Choose Us? All our tutoring packages come bundled with our world-class e-books, and progress reporting system. We offer a pricing option on average 20% less than our competitors. Independent Learning teaches learners to become independent and allows them the space to become more creative thinkers and doers. It gives them the freedom to learn by their own rules and work by their own schedule, as well as the freedom to soar ahead academically! Syllabis Tutoring Solutions: Cutting Edge Home Based, Group and Virtual Tutoring Solutions in South Africa. Contact us on 087 150 9461 Today.

March 25, 2022

WHY YOU REALLY, REALLY SHOULD NOT BUY OR BORROW A SECOND HAND PERSONAL BREAST PUMP!

With the cost of living these days, life can be stressful. We have been forced to cut back where we can and remove things we really don’t need, just to survive. There are certain things that are great to get second hand. We got out cot and compactum from a lovely friend for free. What a score, that saved us about R10 000 and all they both needed was a clean. Second hand clothes are also fantastic, especially with them outgrowing those cute little outfits every couple of months. So, why not Breast pumps? I am sure as tempting as it may be to save money in this department after knowing the facts, you will feel the same way I do. First, not all breast pumps are the same. Hospital grade pumps like the work on a “closed system” meaning the milk never touches the working parts of the pump. You buy your own Kit for these pumps and you take that home with you and sterilise it as per instructions.With personal use pumps the pump motor is open to contact the mother’s milk particles. The motor cannot be sterilised. The scary part is that milk particles may be inside the pump without them being visible. So what’s the big deal? Your milk is perfect for your baby but before giving your milk to another mom, it would need to be pasteurized to kill any dangerous viruses. These viruses can be passed on to your baby and make the baby seriously ill. A mom may have a virus in her milk without even knowing that she is a carrier. You may think a virus is no big deal but we are talking out HIV, CMV and more. These diseases can go undetected for a long period of time so the mom sharing or selling the pump may not even know she is infected yet. Another difficult thing to clear are fungal infections like thrush. Make sure to follow guidelines by manufacturers on hygiene and sterilisation to avoid this. Sore nipples are no joke and neither is a sore and unhappy baby. Don’t put your baby’s life at risk, it is not worth it. Either rent a hospital grade pump with your own kit or purchase your own personal use pump. Tips for purchasing a Breast pump: Always buy from reputable stores Make sure your box is sealed Follow all hygiene and sterilising instructions inside the box. Not sure what the best fit is for you? Every breastfeeding mum has different needs. Step 1: Decide how often you are going to be expressing? If this answer is more than twice a week then a double pump is necessary. Double pumping compared to single pumping has many scientifically proven benefits: You may get 18% more milk in a 15 minutes pumping session. Your milk has a higher energy content, which is especially beneficial for preterm babies. Last but not least, high energy content indicates increased breast drainage, thereby it is assisting in the maintenance of lactation. Double pumping is twice as fast as single pumping. If you will be feeding twice a week or less a manual or electric pump will suit your needs. This is perfect for the stay at home mom that plans to breastfeed her baby. She can express breastmilk occasionally when planning to be away from her baby. Step 2: Are you going back to work? Most moms have no choice and need to go back to work after the 4 month maternity leave time period. What happens if you would continue to feed your baby breastmilk? You would need to pump for every feed you will miss. This means pumping 3-4 hourly. Most moms work 8 hours a day and would need to pump between 3 and 4 times a day. In my opinion, if you are pumping so often, you would need the most effective and easiest option. Step 3 : Is baby premature or multiple Births? Twins? You would need to start off with renting a hospital grade pump to have the best results. This is it! If your baby was born too early or is ill. You are both still in the hospital and you need help to establish your milk supply the symphony is really the best option. This is a critical time and your breast milk could make all the difference to your baby’s well-being. Once you and your baby have both been discharged from the hospital and neither of you is experiencing any breastfeeding challenges, then you can decide on which breast pump to use depending on your needs. Well done to all the mommy’s that have persevered and continued to breastfeed and express even when it has been tough. Your baby will not only receive optimal nutrition but also protection from infection

March 24, 2022

Preparing children with ADHD for the new school year

The new school year is an exciting time – new experiences, new learning, and new friends. Yet, for a child with ADHD, it typically spells academic pressure and school stress. Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics says the transition back to school can be fraught with anxiety, for both children and parents. “If your child is at school full-time, on the hybrid model or doing online schooling exclusively, structure, routine and predictability is key to making the transition back to school as smooth as possible.” Here she cites essential tips to get the school year off to a flying start: Resume or review medication. Some children go on a medication vacation over the holidays or they adjust their dosage. Therefore, ensure that your child’s medication is resumed, readjusted or reviewed for the school year. Collaborate with the teacher. Meet your child’s teacher as soon as you can to discuss your child’s needs, and any challenges that they may have experienced last year. Help your child get organised. With impaired executive function and poor time management, prioritise getting your child organised. For younger kids, this can be in the form of a visible calendar where they can see their schedule for the day and week. For your older child or teen, develop an organisational system together; set up binders, folders and diaries before school starts. If your child forgets the steps for getting ready in the morning, for example, put up visual prompts to jog their memory. Work out a method with your child for checking homework completion, e.g. sitting down to tell you about the homework and to show you when it’s completed or listing homework tasks on a whiteboard and marking them off when they have been done. If your child finds assignments daunting, break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks, and work out a plan of action with them. Then, let them diarise the dates for delivery. 4.Organise your home environment. Set up a study area and an organisational system to make your home conducive for studying. Keep their school bag and stationery supplies in a set place. Let them lay out their school and sports uniforms before going to bed, for example. 5.Settle your child into their weekday morning and bedtime routine. Children with ADHD generally struggle with falling asleep and waking up early, so make sure they get enough sleep. As the school year progresses, let them review their work before bedtime as this technique helps with processing and retaining information. 6.Plan your child’s extra mural activities. Understand your child’s interests and hobbies and encourage extramural activities that will boost their confidence and give them an opportunity to excel. Regular exercise is particularly important for your child, considering its role in managing ADHD symptoms, so either include sport as part of extra mural activities or schedule time for your child (and yourself) to exercise on a regular basis. 7. Start developing your child’s metacognition. Metacognition, defined as “thinking about your thinking,” is an important tool for developing self-awareness and self-regulation around one’s cognitive ability. With metacognitive practices, you become aware of your strengths and weaknesses. As a learner; you recognise your knowledge and abilities; you know what your weaknesses are, and adapt your learning strategies and resources accordingly. This is an excellent tool for ADHD-diagnosed children, of all ages, and parents can guide their children in developing these practises. Here are a few points to start the coaching process: 8.1. Ask open-ended, process-oriented questions about their thinking process, such as: What are you thinking? Why did you do it that way? Why did you react the way you did? How could you handle that differently? How do you intend to study? How do you know when this (task) is finished? 8.2. Have conversations with your child about learning, strategies and resources they intend to use, and how to determine what’s working well or not. 8.3. Model the practise to your child by explaining to them how you monitor your learning, how you adjusted your thought processes, and what the outcome was as a result. 9. Build confidence and morale. School is challenging for the ADHD- diagnosed child and their self-esteem will take a knock. Parents and caregivers can also be very critical at times and point out weaknesses. Remember to focus on your child’s strengths, and use positive reinforcement tools to build their self-esteem. 10.Create calm and connection. A child’s development is significantly impacted by their parents’ stress levels. While parenting an ADHD child is stressful, it’s important that you don’t transfer your own stress onto your child. Creating low stress environment by practising self-control during stressful situations will give your child the security they need to thrive. As a trusted provider of central nervous system medication and understanding the difficulty parents face when raising children with ADHD, Pharma Dynamics has partnered with leading health tech company, Augmental Technologies, to launch an innovative app, geared at empowering parents. “The Tracto app allows parents to invite teachers, healthcare professionals and other caregivers of a child’s care team to monitor symptoms and side-effects collaboratively, stay on track by setting reminders for medication, activities and assessments and to keep a digital history of their child’s care journey and response to different stimuli. “Beyond medication and behavioural therapy, a well-coordinated care team is at the heart of an effective treatment plan for children with ADHD,” says Jennings. Pharma Dynamics’ Tracto app can be accessed via either Google or Apple app stores or downloaded here.

March 24, 2022

SYMPHYSIS PUBIS DYSFUNCTION (SPD) AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

Symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD is pain in your pelvis, which is caused by the relaxing of ligaments in the pelvic bones too early before birth. Many aspects of pregnancy can cause discomfort, and SPD is one of them. Here are the signs of SPD and what you can do if you think you to alleviate your discomfort if you are suffering from it. What is SPD and what causes it? Not all moms-to-be will experience SPD but it is thought to be fairly common in pregnancy. SPD is a pain in the symphysis pubis (which can range from moderate to serve) caused by the relaxing and stretching of the ligaments around the pelvic bone. Pain can be brought on by opening your legs, walking up stairs or even turning over in bed, and this may be accompanied by a clicking/grinding sensation in the pubic area. The cause of SPD in pregnancy is the hormone relaxin, aptly named as it relaxes your joints and ligaments to make it easier for your baby to come out at birth. SPD happens when these hormones come into play too early. Not only that but you’re shifting centre of as your baby grows, which can cause main in your lower back and pelvis as your body shifts to accommodate your little one. What can I do to relieve SPD Living with SPD can be uncomfortable at best, so you may be wondering what you can do to help alleviate some pain. Being fit before pregnancy can help, as stronger glute and abdominal muscles can help support your pelvis. Physiotherapy can help manage SPD pain, as a physio will be able to work with you as your pregnancy and pain levels change. Speak to your doctor first, as they may have recommendations for you. Your pelvis should return to normal between 4 and 12 weeks after birth

March 23, 2022

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BREAST CHANGES DURING (AND AFTER) PREGNANCY

Breast changes within a pregnant woman are truly incredible. The topic of breast development is one which is grossly misunderstood. Most women have an incorrect knowledge of how their own body develops. For most of ladies, it is assumed that by the time they have gone through puberty, that their breasts are fully developed. But this is wildly incorrect. Puberty is actually just the beginning of breast development. Within this article, we will discuss the actual development cycle of a woman’s breasts and what changes she can prepare herself for both during, and after pregnancy. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet! How Breasts Develop After Puberty Many people link breast development to size. Simply put, this is the wrong measure to take. Whilst a woman’s breast size will remain relatively the same from puberty up until pregnancy, the real development happens within the tissue itself. Breasts actually continue to develop every time a woman menstruates. When it is that time of the month, a lady’s breasts begin to produce small amounts of secretory tissue. This is the tissue that allows milk production to take place. This cycle will go on until a woman either reaches the age of about 34, or she falls pregnant. Naturally, another question arises in light of this knowledge. If a woman is consistently creating additional tissue, why do the breasts not get bigger as she gets older? Well, the breast actually replace the older cells within them when creating the new ones. As such, the old cells are replaced by the new. This is also why a lady’s breasts become incredibly sensitive during this time. In a nutshell, the body only begins to develop a woman’s breasts from the end of puberty onwards. But, what happens when you fall pregnant? Breast Development During Pregnancy Pregnancy is truly a miraculous time for a woman. Multiple changes begin to happen within your body. Your hormones sore, your bodily functions begin to change, but above all, a tiny being begins to grow within you. This period can be seen as your breast development heyday. During this time, your breasts will grow into full maturity. And it all begins after month one of falling pregnant. The first notable thing a woman will experience is the sensitivity of her breasts. This is actually one of the most common first signs of pregnancy. This is caused by the sudden change in hormones within her body. Within the first four to six weeks, the breasts will be particularly sensitive – similar to how they feel during a period. For the first trimester of her pregnancy, a woman’s breasts will remain sensitive. Visible Physical Changes The next change is one you will physically be able to witness. During pregnancy, breasts may go up by a cup size. This change happens particularly in first time mothers. Some ladies even go up by two sizes during this time. You will start to see the beginning of this growth from about six to eight weeks into pregnancy. Breasts may also begin to feel particularly itchy during pregnancy. This is due to the tightness of the skin within the area as the breasts grow. Some women have even developed stretch marks on their breasts during pregnancy from the sudden growth. Areola Changes Another physical indication of breast change during pregnancy are prominent veins. When pregnant, a woman’s breasts may begin to show large, blue veins running through them. This is attributed to the act that the veins will expand to accommodate extra blood flow of the growing breast tissues. Don’t be alarmed if you notice this on yourself – it is completely natural and will fade once you have given birth and stopped breastfeeding. Additional colour changes to expect occur within the areolas. During pregnancy, it is common for a woman’s areolas to become slightly larger, and darker in colour. Your areolas will also develop pronounced bumps, known as Montgomery’s tubercles. These are oil producing glands which are common within pregnancy, and help lubricate the nipples during this time. Tissue Changes As far as changes are concerned, the first thing which begins to change in the tissue structure are the amount of milk ducts within the breast. The hormones released during pregnancy send messages to the breast structure informing it of the need to increase the number of ducts – as feeding will soon begin. As such, a burst of ducts begins to develop within the breast tissue. Lactocytes are another tissue addition within the breasts during pregnancy. These are actually the milk production cells. Naturally, the body will need to develop these as they are the power houses behind breastfeeding. Other Changes The next set of changes do not necessarily happen within all women. Firstly, there is the possibility of the breasts leaking. During the third month of pregnancy, a woman’s body begins to produce the liquid substance known as colostrum. This is also known as liquid gold, as it contains nutritional value second to none for babies. However, during the last few months of pregnancy, the breasts may actually leak a tiny bit of colostrum. This happens frequently in some women, may start earlier in others, and may not occur for some moms. If you experience a breast leakage, don’t be ashamed. Invest in a few disposable breast pads and wear these during this time. Another pregnancy change could be that of lumpy breast tissue. Some ladies may develop umps within the breasts during pregnancy. This can commonly be associated to milk-filled cysts beginning to appear. These should subside once the woman begins to pump r breast feed. How to Deal With Breast Changes During Pregnancy Breast changes can be uncomfortable for some women. Even if they are not causing discomfort to you, there is something every pregnant woman needs to invest in; nursing bras. Nursing bras or apparel is a must have for all moms to be. These are designed to optimize comfort both during pregnancy and after. They also allow for easy feeding when your little one

March 18, 2022

4 THINGS TO DO WITH AN EXPLOSIVE OR ANGRY TEEN

Before I go any further on this topic, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help with a child or teen who frequently becomes explosive and angry when told no. Keep in mind that this column is not a substitute for psychotherapy or family counselling. The advice that I offer is supplemental parent coaching that can help in many situations. The subject of today’s article is a common issue that many parents bring to me in my parent coaching practice. Generally, the child is usually anywhere from 7 to 14 years of age and often explodes at the smallest of problems, especially when they are told they can’t have or do something. The child is also likely to take out their anger on the parent or a sibling. So while you’re waiting for the appointment with your therapist regarding this problem, here are four things you can do immediately. Help them find their place in the family. A large majority of these children tend to be first born. For many years, they enjoyed being in the family ‘spotlight’ and getting all of their parents’ love and attention. But as other children joined the family, they lost their place and don’t like it. By getting angry with limits and boundaries, they found a new and inappropriate way to fit in by becoming vocal and angry. Help them regain their position as the oldest child by seeking their help, their advice, and their assistance. Find purposeful ways for them to be in charge of activities that helps with the other children, such as reading to them, teaching, or mentoring. Allow them to have a few more privileges than the others so they will feel special and valuable to you. Stop doing too much for your child. The triggers that cause the explosive episodes are sometimes over the parent trying to get the child to wake up in the morning, dressing them, controlling laundry, or getting them out of the house in the morning. If you’re trying to control the outcome of everything, stop. Some parents struggle with turning some responsibilities over to their children and many children or teens don’t like being controlled. Acknowledge good behaviour more often. It’s unfortunate that it’s normal for many parents to point out when their children aren’t doing what they should, more often than pointing out when they ARE doing something good. Make it your mission to make a bigger deal of when your children are behaving or doing as you’d like them to do. Spend more time with the explosive child. His behaviour may be his way of telling you that he doesn’t feel loved by, or important enough to, you. Schedule a date with each of your children (especially the explosive child) every week, even if it means for just a few minutes. Avoid taking him or her out to buy them something. The date should be about the experience of being together, not showering them with material things. Finally, when the anger comes out, don’t give it value by trying to stop it or by fighting back. Remain calm, stay quiet, and be ready to listen.

March 18, 2022

HOW DO SCHOOLS DEVELOP SKILLS FOR THE UNKNOWABLE FUTURE?

At a recent Koa Academy & Fully Alive webinar for parents, Koa Academy Principal, Mark Anderson took a deep-dive into what schools need to be doing now to prepare our kids for a future of work that is ever-changing and deeply uncertain. He says, “As parents and grandparents, we were schooled in times when the world of work changed gradually and mostly, predictably. It’s a different, rapid-paced, and uncertain world for our current digital natives, who may in a few years’ time find themselves job-seeking or job creating in the metaverse. This very different future of work demands different skills and qualities, and schools today need to be adaptive in helping them develop the characteristics and having youthful experiences that will set them up for fulfilment and success in their adult lives.” Fully Alive founder, Meg Bruyns was the guest co-presenter at the webinar, and she works regularly with teens and parents to support the development of personal skills that help each of us get what we need and want from life. Meg says, “Having purpose and clarity around our strengths, interests and passions is a vital roadmap, and school education can play an important role in fostering this in individual children. Different skills have come to the fore in the digital age, such as reflective thinking and critical thinking. Employers have very different needs from today’s employees – and young people have very different expectations and demands of work.” Once regarded as ‘soft’ skills which were not necessary but nice to have, the capabilities to solve problems and create solutions, to communicate, collaborate and work as a team now feature at the top of the lists of essential 21st Century skills. Mark says, “For businesses, the abilities to be flexible and agile are superseding characteristics such rule-following and acquiescence. So, the question is how do schools provide environments where children have varied opportunities to develop these important competencies?” To find out about some of the practical ways that Koa Academy has implemented to enable kids to develop skills for the unknowable future watch the Koa Academy and Fully Alive Future of Work webinar here

March 18, 2022

The Basic Guide to Meal Prep for Busy Moms

Every busy mom has had this moment at some point in their lives – the fantasy that plays out in their head where the picture perfect world exists and all they have to do on a busy weekday night is to open the freezer, pull out a pre-packed meal, heat and eat. This isn’t the perfect world, though and reality tends to be a LOT different. For the majority of us, the real world looks like unwashed dishes, hangry kids and half the ingredients for tonight’s dinner still sitting on shelves at the nearest supermarket. The stress truly is enough to warrant popping open a bottle before Wine O’Clock (which according to a recent survey is 6:59pm, by the way). But there are options! You could: Hire a full-time live-in chef Order takeout every night. Learn how to Meal Prep. Now before you throw in the proverbial towel and start looking through your options on UberEats, take a minute to read through this guide to make dinner time a whole lot easier for next time. Let’s start with the basics… What is meal prep? Meal prep is the process of preparing food ahead of time so that it’s readily available at mealtime and can be easily assembled to create full meals. Meal prep differs from meal planning in that one requires making a decision about what meals will be served versus the other, that requires the actual preparation of ingredients for the meal. Either way, both processes are required steps in this guide. What are the benefits? For busy moms, it can be a real juggling act to get good, healthy food on the table. By planning your meals out and prepping them beforehand, you can help ease your ‘mental load’ while preparing more nourishing meals, freeing up more time and saving money in the process. How to begin meal prepping Let’s face it – efficient meal prepping can be overwhelming and won’t happen overnight. It’s a process that takes a lot of work but this is what I’ve found works for me: 1.Meal Plan Use an app, a piece of paper or a printable template to outline what meals you want to prepare for the week. Top tip: Don’t feel the need to have a different meal at every interval. Oats three times a week for breakfast is perfectly okay. In fact, it’s encouraged, seeing as oatmeal can be prepared and covered with a dish cover overnight until it is ready for serving the next day. 2.Go through your pantry / cupboards Once you’ve laid out your meals, you may be tempted to hit the grocery store right away. PAUSE. First take a look at what you have in your kitchen. You might find that you already have all the items needed for a full meal. In that case, simply adjust your meal plan accordingly. This also presents a perfect time to clean out your fridge 😉 3.Head to the grocery store I highly recommend making use of a list here! Ensure that you’ve listed down everything needed to create the meals on your meal plan and get to shopping. Top tip: If possible, try to shop during off-peak hours to avoid long lines and hoards of humans. 4.Prep your storage containers If you plan on meal prepping consistently, you’ll want to invest in reliable containers that are durable and easy to clean. I prefer glass to plastic. You’ll also want to invest in some reusable homeware, such as cotton dish covers, in order to keep food protected as it cools and also keep condensation at bay. These dish covers come highly recommended. Top tip: Pull these out shortly after grocery shopping to remind you to begin your meal prep as soon as possible. Chop veggies, prepare grains and prep your food for the week Now it’s time to get into the real work! This can look different each week but the basic premise is to make sure that all the chopping, dicing and boiling is done. Top tip: Don’t be reluctant to use frozen fruits and veggies as these can go a long way. Soak grains overnight and cover with a dish cover to allow for easy cooking the following day. Avoid preparing grains more than four days from the time you plan on serving them as they tend to degrade pretty quickly. If you are preparing potatoes ahead of time, plan to eat them within the first few days of cooking. 5.Bake, cool, store If you are baking and roasting food, make sure that these items have cooled completely before putting them in the fridge. This is where dish covers really come in handy, as they allow food to cool without condensation and eliminate harmful toxins that may be absorbed into your food from plastic wrap. 6.Place your meal plan on the fridge and enjoy your week Having a meal plan and food prepped can truly be life changing. And guess what? You won’t have to answer the question of what’s for dinner? anytime soon, because it’s posted on the fridge! Everyone wins! Being a mom can mean a lot of things but being a magician when it comes to food doesn’t have to be one of them. By putting in the necessary effort and planning ahead, you can save time, money and be a lot less overwhelmed.

March 18, 2022

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