Advice from the experts
Cartoon Network Africa

Yogi Bear, Cindy, Huckleberry Hound, and a Universe of Hanna-Barbara Characters Welcome You to Jellystone! on Cartoon Network Africa

Original animated ensemble comedy series from Chowder’s C.H. Greenblatt and Warner Bros. Animation marks anticipated return of legendary characters to television after 30-year hiatus  Cartoon Network’s young audience won’t be the only ones delighting in the brand-new, animated series, Jellystone! – there’s something nostalgic for baby boomers and millennials in there too! From 15th of November, Africa’s #1 kids’ channel is bringing on the whacky, wonderful, and absolutely hilarious epic ensemble cast of Hanna-Barbera characters, created by acclaimed showrunner and executive producer C.H. Greenblatt (Chowder, Harvey Beaks) and produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  The series presents a reimagined take on these beloved characters, modernising them for today’s family audience and introducing them to a new generation of fans. Set in the charming town of the same name, Jellystone! follows the Hanna-Barbera characters as they live, work, play, and (often the case) destroy the town in some silly way together.   Huckleberry Hound proudly serves as the town’s mayor; Cindy, Boo Boo and Yogi are the town’s medical staff; Jabberjaw works at Magilla’s clothing store where they supply all the bow ties and hats to the town’s citizens. Every character has a specific role in the community, and their paths cross in fun and ridiculous ways, turning everyday activities into hilarious pandemonium.  “I grew up watching tons of Hanna-Barbera cartoons and have a deep love for these characters,” said Greenblatt. “The massive amount of both classic and not-so-classic characters we were able to use from the Hanna-Barbera library is what really makes the Jellystone! universe special. Rather than recreate the feeling of cartoons of the past, we wanted to have silly, weird fun with these characters and expand their personalities to give them more depth. Chances are, if there’s a character you love, you’ll see them somewhere in this world eventually. We hope long-time fans appreciate our take on this world, and we’re excited that parents get to introduce and enjoy their favourite Hanna-Barbera characters with their kids.” We’re re-writing history at Cartoon Network, so take a trip to Jellystone! from Monday, 15 November, on Cartoon Network Africa.

Parenting Hub

R20 million in bursaries available at The Knowledge Trust Education and Career Expo on WhatsApp

South African matriculants, school leavers and students can register now to attend The Knowledge Trust Career Expo, hosted for the first time entirely on the WhatsApp platform. Expo visitors who have completed the expo’s career guidance journey, unlock access to apply for the more than 140 bursaries, valued at over R20 million. They also have access to more than 20 education institutions, who will be hosting stands at the expo, as well as a wide variety of career guidance, learnership and job opportunities.   The expo, which runs for three months focusing on different topics each month, can be accessed for free by South African youth. For November, the theme is Education and participants can register to connect with educators, training providers and organisations who sponsor young talent.  The expo features a variety of pathways across six different expo halls: business and management; media and communication; science, technology, engineering and maths; health and wellness; tourism and hospitality; and arts, humanities and education.  For the current Matric cohort, the event’s ground-breaking use of the WhatsApp platform enables them to easily co-ordinate browsing the virtual education and employment expo halls with their study and exam timetables, from home, simply via their devices.  For school-leavers and students, it enables them to scout for serious study opportunities, bursaries and sponsorships without incurring any travel spend or major data costs. In addition to accessing the bounty of bursaries, participants have the option to apply for Standard Bank student loans via the WhatsApp bot. Young South Africans can register here to access The Knowledge Trust Career Expo on WhatsApp.   Jaryd Raizon, Africa Director of The Knowledge Trust says, “This expo was designed for youth as a free tool they can explore within the comfort of their homes. At a time when so many other events have been disrupted due to the pandemic, it was vital to provide youth with access to career guidance, education and job opportunities, at scale through affordable technology. At the same time, ensuring Matrics and school-leavers are not further compromised due to COVID-19.” JobStarter, a career coaching platform, is one of the partners at The Knowledge Trust Career Expo.  Executive Director, Marguerite van Niekerk highlights why learners and students should participate: Learners and Matrics – “Taking the first step to planning for your future can feel rather daunting, even frightening.  To know what your next step should be, you need to know what options are available to you because it is important to match your skills, interests and values to study and career pathways that work well for you.  Career Expos like this one are important tools for you to use to discover what’s out there in the world of work and to explore options that suit you.  You are likely to gain insights into careers you haven’t known about or considered.” School-leavers and Students – “The job market is constantly and rapidly changing, and so are the skills-sets that employers need.  The Knowledge Trust Career Expo will provide you with wonderful opportunities to gain insights into different industries and a deeper understanding about your interests, skills and values.  It’s an experience that helps you understand who you are and what you have to offer, which is a crucial first step in your job-seeking journey.  This, in turn, helps you create a better CV and stand out in interviews.” Van Niekerk concludes, “My top tip is to explore every booth in every hall.  Don’t follow your preconceived ideas about study or work that might interest you.  Keep an open mind and check out all the options.  You never know what you might learn about yourself or the world of work that could shift your career trajectory in more fulfilling and rewarding ways.” Unilever’s LevelUp initiative is an exciting feature of the expo this November. The youth empowerment programme will give expo participants access to training modules that will enable them to strengthen their CV as well as build their skills and experience.  LevelUp teaches the basics of personal branding, helps to develop digital skills and offers a range of activities that promote work-readiness. Lisa Andrews, HR Director Talent & Organisation at Unilever says, “Collaborations and partnerships are critical in growing and developing Africa’s youth and we are proud to partner with The Knowledge Trust on such an innovative and purpose driven initiative” Registration for The Knowledge Trust Career Expo via WhatsApp is free here

Parenting Hub

A holiday could be just what the doctor ordered

After enduring three waves of COVID-19, the vaccine programme now rolling out and the travel and hospitality industry re-opening, now might be the ideal time to plan a de-stressing, year-end family holiday. Many families are still getting over cabin fever, the stress and anxiety associated with the disruptions to work, education, anticipated social events that were cancelled, or at worst, the loss of someone close. A Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) study in 2020 found that during the first lockdown period 33% of South Africans were depressed. This is double the level of depression and anxiety that a 2018 study found.  The HSRC also reported that 45% of respondents were fearful and 29% experienced loneliness. Research supports the benefits of taking a holiday to counter depressive symptoms, with one study finding that getting away is far more effective than passive leisure activity. Scientists have also found that the psychological benefits of a holiday can last for up to a month after returning home. Besides finally having something to look forward to and the mental health benefits of a holiday, another consideration is the deals that are available as the hard-hit travel and hospitality sectors try to lure back customers.  Personal loan specialists, DirectAxis, canvassed some industry experts to find out how you might regain some sanity while getting the best value for your holiday budget. Be an early bird If you’re planning to fly to your destination, the good news is that with British Airways (operated by Comair), kulula.com and South African Airways all flying again, there’s increased competition and more seats to fill, which should keep airfares in check.  Even so, don’t wait too long before booking. Airlines sell different fare types within each cabin. Typically, the cheapest fares have conditions attached to them, such as penalties for changes to the booking or a limited baggage allowance. The more restrictions there are, the less you’ll pay. Airlines know these cheaper fares will sell quickly. To discourage customers from changing their minds at the last minute and leaving the airline with an unsold seat, they charge hefty fees for cancellations or changes. If you’re sure about your arrangements and book early, you can snap up these lower fares. The other tip is to try to fly during periods of lower demand. Although the year-end break is always going to be busier and fares are likely to be slightly higher than during quieter periods, most people want to be on morning or evening flights so they can make the most of their day. You may be able to save some money if you choose less popular flights during the day or fly on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve when demand is typically low. Avoid popular flights at the start or end of school holidays which are likely to be more expensive. Expand your horizons The successive lockdowns meant that international tourism all but dried up. While there is now some interest from North America and some European markets with less stringent travel restrictions, industry insiders think the international market won’t recover until after 2023.  This means that some top-end hotels, guest houses and private game lodges which had previously depended on international tourism over the South African summer peak season have had to re-think their sales and marketing strategy to attract local guests. The result is that some of these experiences which domestic travellers may have previously not considered are now much more affordable. With not all international flights having returned and some countries still restricting international travel, now could be the time you could enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, world-class experience in your own country at a fraction of what you would have paid pre-pandemic. Do your homework Shafeeqah Isaacs, head of financial education at DirectAxis, says the travel experts also provided some sound travel tips: Do some research before you commit. Compare airfares, hospitality rates and understand what is included and what the penalties are for changes or cancellations. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices double check that you’ll get what the website promises on review sites such as TripAdvisor. The internet is a valuable tool, but there’s no substitute for first-hand experience. If you know someone who has visited your destination find out everything you can, good and bad. That way you’ll know what not to miss and can avoid repeating any mistakes they made. Once you’ve booked your trip, plan what you’re going to do when you get there. If you can, pre-book. It could save you money and also avoid disappointment if popular activities are booked up on the day. It will also help you stick to your travel budget. Doing things on a whim can be expensive. When you’ve finalised your plans and booked your trip, consider what you have left of your budget to spend on your holiday. That way you’ll be able to savour the memories as you ease back into daily life, rather than anxiously waiting for January’s paycheque because you’ve over-spent. “A family holiday may not be as costly as you think and will help put the anxieties and stresses of the past 18 months behind you. You’ll also be supporting the recovering domestic travel and hospitality sector,” says Shafeeqah.

Koa Academy

WHY EDUCATION SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, NOT THE AVERAGE

Whenever we design one thing for many users, we rationalise that if we ‘design it for the average’, we’ll have a good fit for most users.  An example of this was in 1926, when the US Air Force was coming up with a design for their first fleet of fighter planes. They constructed the cockpits based on the average measurements of over 100 of their prospective Top Gun pilots.   After around 25 years of inexplicable crashes involving highly trained pilots, they decided to revise their cockpit design. They doubled down on their assumption about designing it for the average pilot, and this time they took many more measurements from over 4000 pilots, hoping to have ‘a better average’.  But the plane crashes they put down to ‘human error’ only increased. As Koa Academy CEO and Principal, Mark Anderson tells the story: “Then along came Lieutenant Gilbert S Daniels, a Harvard graduate who had studied the law of averages.  He had a firm belief that if you wanted to design something for an individual human being, the average was useless.  He went on to prove this by studying the data of the 4000 pilots and showing that not one of them fell into the ten most basic average measurements, even with a generous 30% margin of error. In other words, not one of the individual pilots was average in every way, and so none of them fitted into the cockpit with optimal access to all the aircraft’s controls.” Daniels concluded that in designing a cockpit for the average, they had effectively designed ‘a cockpit for no one’.  Anderson maintains that the same is true for our traditional education system. “Teaching to the middle is simply not a good way to educate individual human beings; it’s not a good way for any child to learn.  We’ve known this for a long time, and school leaders, teachers and parents have been yearning for a shift from teaching to the middle to teaching the individual child.” Finding the ways to individualise learning has been a passion for Anderson since his early days of teaching.  Technology has been a key to unlocking how one education system can individualise learning for many.  “We’ve finally solved the dilemma of teaching to the middle, where some are frustrated and bored, and others are frustrated and confused,” he says.  At Koa Academy, a high engagement online school, learners in close-knit Pods are working at their own pace on personalised pathways and engaging with content that is delivered optimally for them. Their progress is tracked and measured against targets that each individual child has set under the guidance of their teacher.   When the US Air Force finally introduced adaptable features in their cockpits and each pilot could fit optimally, crashes due to ‘human error’ became very rare.  In the same way, no child gets left behind, or gets left unattended out ahead, because their learning path is highly adaptable to their unique learning needs. Discover Koa Academy here

Sanlam Savings Jar

Saving Can Be Child’s Play

As South Africans, our experience with money is probably as diverse as our population. Unfortunately, the significant gaps in understanding basic financial concepts continue to be a barrier to living the lives we deserve. This makes taking a one-size-fits-all approach to financial education as effective as trying to build a house using only a hammer. While access to financial infrastructure is one way to broaden socio-economic inclusion, another is addressing the knowledge gap in ways that work.  This needs to be a nuanced approach that’s sensitive, sustainable, and accessible. It needs to empower people to live with confidence, go after their goals and believe they can build a better life. Ideally, it should start in childhood, but be an ongoing journey. In fact, the earlier in childhood we can start, the better. Starting Young It has long been known that play is one of the most powerful ways in which children learn. This is what makes the Sanlam Savings Jar app such an innovative and apt solution to the question of how to teach children sound financial lessons. In the app, which essentially gamifies the idea of saving, players become young dragon masters embarking on a fantastical quest. The more they save, the more their mystical dragon grows. Mariska Oosthuizen, Head of Brand at Sanlam, says, “We know that gamification is a powerful means to educate young people. The Sanlam Savings Jar breaks down basic financial concepts, like planning, goal setting, needs versus wants, and appreciation of money and how to earn it. It’s critical to teach children these concepts early on as habits are formed from as young as seven.” By making the idea of saving fun, whether for a rainy day or a sunny one, much of the stigma and discomfort is removed from conversations about money. A key first step in closing the financial literacy gap in South Africa involves families being able to talk freely about the subject. Turning it around An alarming finding comes from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which ranked South Africa the worst of 30 countries for financial competency in 2018. This worrying reality need to be addressed urgently and head-on. Teaching children how to plan, especially where money is involved, starts to empower them to live with confidence. Upskilling their financial literacy will do exactly this and help South Africa as a nation, move away from some of the troubling tendency toward over indebtedness.  Here are a few ways you can help improve your child’s financial literacy:  Teach them about managing debt: Debt is a tricky one to teach little people about. Offer to ‘advance’ your child the money they need for a desperately desired toy, but make sure they understand the ‘conditions’ upfront. Talk about what the toy is worth. Now, show them the impact of interest. By taking your loan now, they’ll have to ‘pay’ more for the toy in total. Work out a roster of chores they can do to ‘pay back’ the money. And make sure they know that if they don’t do the chores, they could lose their cherished toy! It sounds harsh, but it’s wise to teach these lessons to older children in the safe space of your home. Practice saving and investing for different goals: Ponies and Playstations don’t grow on trees but the money you need to buy them can be grown in a bank account. Through games like the Sanlam Savings Jar app your little one can take their first steps to becoming Baby Bezos. Give them financial confidence: Few things are as gratifying as the hands-on-hips confidence your mini me displays when they do something well. That confidence can be built with financial literacy too. Give them little savings tasks and reward them when they do these well. If it all goes according to plan then, in a few years’ time, they’ll have the financial confidence to start to build their best, independent lives.  

Stimulus Maksima!

Why does reading matter?

 Why do we tell children to read? Why do we always tell children that reading is beneficial for them? And is it even true in this digital age? Does reading novels actually help older children in any way? Does reading to younger children have identifiable benefits? And, finally, does reading really matter in any way? Yes – reading is vital, life-changing and stimulating for some very important reasons. Let’s take a look at how reading assists children in their everyday lives, and then look further to see how it can give them an overall fulfilling, rewarding life. Books help children develop vital language skills. In children, reading skills do exist, but they need to be developed. Learning in school, and later on at university requires advanced levels of reading. No reading SKILL equals no advancement in the university of life. Whatever path you want to follow in life, be it academia, sciences or even entrepreneurship and the arts, you need reading skills. And to cope with life as a normal functioning adult, reading skills are of utmost importance for everyday use. People studying futurology have hailed the death of the written word as imminent. However, the exact opposite has happened. With the advent of the internet and the overload of information that we are bombarded with every day, reading a vital skill that everyone wants to acquire as fast as possible. Skimming and searching through copious amounts of information as fast and as accurately as possible is a valued skill. Paperless does not mean without the written word. You can read the same report in many different ways, formats and presentations at the click of a button. A couple of written words today can cause an international uproar in minutes. In order to understand what you read, other skills are also necessary, such as critical thinking, evaluation, anticipation, and moderation. Without these skills, reading would not mean much at all. The more children read, the better they become at reading. Yes, it’s true. If children enjoy what is being read to them, the more interested they will become in doing as much as possible to fine tune and develop their reading skills. This means they will be fully capable adults with access to all information anywhere they choose. It is also important to enjoy the activity of reading. If it takes you out of your life and introduces you to other worlds, thoughts, places, and things, then you are the richer for it. When a child struggles to read, it will continuously be an emotional obstacle. So, it is important to forge a positive attitude towards reading as early as possible. Children who read frequently will develop enquiring minds and become more interested in becoming avid readers themselves. If you read out loud to children, they become familiar with grammatical styles and expression. Through this, they learn to speak better and develop a greater understanding of how to express themselves verbally. Through this they are also able to pick up on empathy as they read stories through the eyes of different characters. They learn to identify similarities and differences between themselves and various characters. The list goes on. Children who read a lot regardless of whether it is newspapers, the internet, books or magazines are exposed to a greater range of new and interesting vocabulary. They do not have to understand the actual word as most times they can work it out from the context of the sentence and next time they see it, they will have learned something without even realising it. Reading aloud also helps children with the pronunciation of words as they link the word on the page to the word that is being spoken – this is true even if they cannot yet sound out the word themselves. Reading is an amazing experience. It can open up a whole new world to children, enhancing their lives with places, things, and descriptions they have never heard of before. Reading also brings a completely new world to a child – whether it is factual, scientific or simply for self-interest. There are so many resources available from which children can read, that if they take to it and realize how useful it can be, then, literally, the world is their oyster – there is no end to what they can read and access. It would be a magical experience for them. Reading will open up a whole new understanding of humanity, and its history from all over the world. And nowhere is it more obvious that we live in a “global village” than when thinking of this in relation to children growing and developing their hungry minds. Aspects such as peaceful coexistence throughout the world and concern for humanity are all by-products of reading. Children will learn these things through the reading of non-fiction books, and other materials that are set in other periods of time, in other countries and cultures. Books bring a real live world into the life of a child. Through their imagination, they can go places and feel things without any consequences. They don’t have to answer to anyone. They can travel with their minds and meet all sorts of unsavory or popular characters who they can revisit, whenever they feel the need, by simply rereading the book. Discovering a sequel or other stories by the same author is even more exciting. Lessons in life skills such as problem-solving, cause and effect as well as conflict resolution and learning about accepting responsibility for your own actions are all explained and contained between the exciting pages of novels. Mystery stories or investigations into plots can all challenge young minds to solve theories – and then feeling terribly pleased when they do it correctly as it unfolds in the book. Furthermore, their confidence is given a great boost. Everybody knows that children copy what they see and hear from the world around them. There are plenty of children’s TV programs that leave much to be desired

Sinta Ebersohn

Are You Walking Away or Being Left Behind?

How do you feel about your divorce – are you ready to get on with it or are you resisting the process? Upon his return from a business trip, Sean greets Rachel with a nonchalant brush on the cheek. “We have to talk” he whispers in her ear as he pushes past her to tuck the kids into bed. While she listens to the laughter from the bedrooms, Rachel wonders whether his work will take him away from home again soon. She boils the kettle and starts to prepare his coffee, just like she has always done for the past twelve years that they have been together. “Leave the coffee. Let’s sit down.” he says. He is going away again soon, she sighs. “Rachel, I am not happy. I want a divorce.” What? It seldom happens that two people agree to get divorced at the same time, for the same reasons. What normally happens is that one spouse announces the wish to get divorced, to the surprise and devastation of the other. We go through a lengthy process of weighing our expectations, emotions and fears before making such a life-changing decision. By the time we make up our minds, we have mourned the loss of our marriage to a degree and come to terms with the reasons why the union did not last. When Sean was ready to announce his intentions to Rachel, he had a fairly clear picture of the way he wanted to go forward. Rachel, however, literally has the carpet pulled out from under her and has to deal with an overwhelming array of emotions – utter surprise, disappointment, feelings of rejection, fear, anger etc. It is little wonder that conflict ensues. Traditionally, Sean, who is eager to dissolve the marriage and get on with his life, would employ an attorney to start litigating the process of divorce. On the other hand, Rachel, might consult a counselor in an effort to figure out what went wrong and appeal to Sean to join her, in a desperate attempt to save her marriage. All the while, because they find themselves in two completely different places in their lives, they are drifting further apart and the situation becomes untenable for both of them. If they opted for a mediation process, they would be able to get together with a skilled professional and ascertain their individual needs, which are quite different at this stage, as well as the needs of their children. Getting a clear picture of what everybody wants and needs, helps to establish empathy and insight while laying a safe foundation for negotiating the specifics of a divorce settlement. If, however, it becomes apparent that one or more parties involved need support such as therapy for Rachel and/or Sean or play-therapy for the children, decisions and arrangements can be made to ensure the well-being of the whole family. In some cases, couples might even realise that they would rather make an effort to resolve their differences and reconcile, which could also be facilitated by mediation. Furthermore, if Rachel and Sean discover that they require some legal or financial input, it can be acquired as part of a collaborative process. This applies to any assistance or service relevant to a civilised separation. Read this article for more information about the Ownership and Collaborative Management of your Divorce. In order to reach an amicable and fair divorce agreement, everybody has to be satisfied that they are being heard and their interests are being protected. Where litigation is designed to argue and win the fight, mediation is designed to communicate and compromise. That is why it is of the utmost importance that both Rachel and Sean not only grasp where the other person is at in their divorce process, but also have compassion for each other’s perspective on the situation, depending on who is walking away and who is being left behind. It reminds me of that Kenny Rogers song “I’m running and she wants to walk…” If you’ve had it and want out pronto like Sean, be patient with your partner who desperately needs to make sense of what is happening first. On the other hand, if you’re devastated and wish that you could wake up from this nightmare, try to understand that your partner might be way beyond any desire to make amends.

Prima Baby

Keep little ones protected from mosquitos and bugs this summer with Chicco Anti-Mosquito Spray and Anti-Mosquito Roll On

Summer brings lots of fun, warm nights and days spent in nature – unfortunately, it also comes with insects.  Keep your little ones protected from mosquitos and bugs this summer with Chicco Anti-Mosquito Spray and Anti-Mosquito Roll On and get the gentlest, most natural solution to all-round cover. Made with naturally effective ingredients such as Eucalyptus and Citrodiora, the lotion is available in either a convenient spray and rub or a roll-on. Unlike most mosquito repellents the Chicco Anti-Mosquito range leaves a great smelling, natural fragrance, reminding you that every time you protect your baby you are doing the least possible harm to their gentle skin. Available at Baby City, The Kid Zone, Loot, Takealot and other participating retailers.

The Lily Rose Collection

Style, function, exclusivity: new luxury bag range launches online in South Africa

Born in South Africa in 2020 – Luxury Neoprene Bags. For fashionistas, workaholics, party girls, super moms, sweat addicts, baby mammas & YOU! The Lily Rose Collection was created to allow fashion-savvy women to easily switch between casual weekend style and glam working executive mode, without having to swap out her handbag.  Crafted for stylish women who value practicality and convenience, every bag in the Lily Rose Collection is made from neoprene – a hardworking material offering no-snag protective cushioning that’s also weather-, water- and heat-resistant so it will last for ages. The added bonus? The entire bag is plastic- and latex-free.  The Lily Rose Collection bags are washing machine-friendly, extremely durable yet lightweight and with just the right amount of stretch to fit in that little something extra – because you can never have enough space in your handbag. With limited signature prints – photographed in Cape Town using locally-grown blooms – reminiscent of luxe Victorian fabrics, it’s apt that the brand name is the Lily Rose Collection. With lilies representing devotion to oneself, family or career, and roses known to signify love and passion, who better to turn to for a statement piece to carry all your daily essentials?  But you’ll love your Lily Rose Collection bag for more than just its good looks, because the designers really have thought of everything. A wide opening with a roomy main compartment, two zipped pockets, colour-matched canvas hand- and shoulder straps for ease of use, built-in elasticated mesh storage pouches for a water bottle or your wallet – plus, there are thoughtful details like zip stoppers, protective feet and a gorgeous, branded puller to secure everything inside.  Whether you opt for a soft, neutral colour palette like the Tranquillity bag, something bold like the Passion bag or attention-grabbing like Abundance, there’s a feminine print to suit every taste because a Lily Rose Collection bag is a style statement.  What’s new?? The Lily Rose Collection will be launching an all-new range of Neoprene beach bags just in time for the December holidays. Locally designed, locally manufactured in gorgeous new prints. Every beach bag will come included with a PC lotion bag to store your sunblock and the like – so keep your eyes peeled for the Launch! Currently available in South Africa, visit www.lilyrosecollection.co.za for more information or to start your collection today. 

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Keep your kids moving

Winter is here and with it comes colder weather, making getting outside to play and exercise more of a challenge. But it’s still important. Bonitas Medical Fund suggests you try and keep your child active throughout the year and provides some suggestions to get them moving, exercising and having fun.

FYI Play it Safe

Good news for concerned parents using iPhones – FYI play it safe now available in web browser

FYI play it safe, the app that alerts parents when their children are in potential online danger can now also be used by parents with iPhones.  “In our first release of FYI play it safe, we had the ability to provide the application only to Android-families. We have received many requests from parents who use iPhones to develop a version that can be accessed from their devices. We are excited to announce the release of FYI safe web, making the monitoring of children’s activities available to parents from any web browser on any device. This means that parents with iPhones or iPads will now also benefit from the protection of FYI play it safe for their children,” said Rachelle Best, CEO and Founder of FYI play it safe.  “Although we are continuously updating the words, phrases and emojis we include in our monitoring mechanisms, this release also includes a significant expansion in any drug-related activity, which we believe strengthens the level of comfort FYI play it safe gives to our parents,” continued Best. Privacy remains a top priority and the relevant measures have been put in place and are continuously strengthened for both parents and their children who subscribe to the app. FYI play it safe is not a parental control app, but rather a complementary layer of added security for parents of children between the ages of 8 and 16.   “While tweens and teenagers are focused on having fun and meeting new friends online, parents need to balance the tension between respecting their children’s privacy and navigating the risks presented by social media platforms, gaming, anonymous chat rooms and search engine content.” concluded Best.  Download the app at www.fyiplayitsafe.com and follow the easy three-step sign-up process to start your free 7-day trial.

Prima Baby

Chicco Polly Progres5 highchair

Welcome to the world of stylish baby feeding. The champion of all highchairs is back with the brand new, most versatile option yet – the Polly Progres5. As advanced as a highchair can get, this bold and daring red polka dotted high-fashion baby product is designed with convenience in mind so you can #parentmore as you give them the best possible feeding and weaning experience. Allowing you to start feeding with ease from newborn, the Polly Progres5 grows with your child until they are ready to join their family at the big table. And even then, the Polly can come along. The fully-reclining seat is a first for Chicco highchairs. Bottle feed from newborn and allow the chair to continue supporting as your child grows. The  Polly Progres5 has all the convenience of an everyday highchair with superior adjustability and functionality. 4 recline positions with one-hand adjustment and 8 height positions make it easy to bring growing children up to the table. Snap-on highchair with booster tray includes removable liner and stores on rear legs. The highchair seat easily detaches from frame to create the booster and stool configurations.  When it’s time to grow up the fold-away foot rest swings out of the way to create stool configuration. Highly space-saving, the highchair is only 11.5 inches when folded for storage in between meals. And with an extra padded cushion, the Polly Progres5 is the most comfortable seat in the house. Modes: Baby: Reclining seat mode and fully upright mode for baby feeds. Toddler Booster: Highchair seat detaches from frame to create high-back booster. Big Kid Booster: Zip-off extension panel and fold-away arm rests convert booster to a more portable seat. Youth Stool: Highchair frame converts to height-adjustable stool with snap-on seat. With a 12-month guarantee you can rest assured that the Polly Progres5 is the only highchair you will ever use again. Grab them on special for a limited time at www.shopchicco.co.za for R4499.

Good Night Baby

Through the eyes of a parent

There are very few parents that embark on the sleep training journey without some level of fear, misconception, nervousness, or uncertainty. The whole concept of sleep training and possibly imagining your child in distress can often paralyse a parent from acting. I have seen it either delay or prevent sleep coaching or interfere in the process once it has already begun. One thing that is vividly apparent to me as a parent, is how hard it is for me to watch my children struggle through challenges that I know I could easily step in and fix for them. I sleep trained my firstborn son when he was a little over a year old, prior to my journey as a sleep consultant. I got up to feed him back to sleep, every hour on the hour and I did this for many months, feeling as though it was my rightful duty as a mother. I wore the badge with honour, and it took me a full year to realise that my self-sacrificial attitude was not benefiting anybody in our home. Once my second child was born, I was far more knowledgeable and determined to do things right from the start, yet this dream was crushed as she suffered with unmanageable colic. Here I was in the optimal position, having an abundance of knowledge at my disposal. Yet here I sat, feeling and thinking the thoughts I so commonly hear expressed from my clients- that they are not sure their child is ready, or that they know the process has worked for many children, but they are just doubtful it will work for their child. Sometimes as parents I think we are too close to the situation and our children, to see the situation from a neutral perspective. When it came to my daughter, I constantly delayed implementing sleep training fundamentals because I continually told myself that she could not possibly do it. She was not ready and I had the ultimate excuse: colic. I knew something needed to change. The day she turned 16 weeks I had finally built up the courage to try and she responded immediately. On night two she slept straight through the night for 13 hours. Miraculously, the following day her colic instantly disappeared. I do not think that was coincidental. For months I was bouncing her, rocking her, using either the dummy or breast to appease the crying and yet none of it worked. Looking back, I think my daughter was crying, telling me to just stop what I was doing. But the more she cried, the less I stopped. The moment I chose to pursue sleep training, was the first time I actually did stop. I stopped doing everything I had been doing up until that point and she breathed a huge baby sigh of relief. My daughter just wanted to soothe herself. I do not think that this is an uncommon scenario. As parents we are often too close to the problem and this narrows our thinking. I want to believe my child is different, that he is not ready, he is genuinely hungry at night, or that he will crumble under the notion of being put in his cot to put himself to sleep? Yet have you ever stopped, simply taken a step back and wondered whether your child might just surprise you? There is an expression “you can’t see the forest for the trees”. It suggests that when you are too close to a situation, it is difficult to see it as it is. If you have been uncertain, or have been delaying the process, I encourage you to step back and think of where you want your family to be in 2 years from now.  When you are able to build up the courage to see the bigger picture, you will be in the position to gift your child with something invaluable, the gift of independent sleep. The guidance of a sleep trainer can be a wonderful way to gain an unbiased and a new perspective on your sleep issues. This is a valuable way to gain a fresh set of eyes and a clear mind. We have worked with many children and know what they are capable of, we have worked with countless nervous moms and walked them through the process. We not only support you through the journey, but we also empower you with knowledge. Give it a shot, you will be grateful that you did. By Tammy Buitendach – Good Night Consultant References: www.cnbc.com www.linkedin.com www.mentalhealthandhappiness.com

Sinta Ebersohn

12 Reasons Not to Change Your Last Name After Divorce

Traditionally, women used to take their husbands’ last names when they got married and children born from these unions, got the father’s last name. In certain parts of the world it has been customary for generations to use both parents’ last names in hyphenated form for children. Another growing trend is for women to keep their birth names, especially when they are established professionals or business people. Lately, there have been instances where men even took their wives’ last names for various sensible reasons. In any event, name-changing for the sake of marriage seems to be a rather common occurrence and because our chances of divorce are so high these days, multiple name-changes are in the cards for many. Here are 12 valid reasons to re-consider your desire for a change of name: 1. Too much With divorce comes many traumatic changes apart from the loss of the marriage and family dynamics, such as moving house, scaling down to a lower standard of living, re-entering the work force etc. You might not be ready to lose your identity on top of all that, just yet. However, you might want to get it all over and done with as quickly as possible, so that you can move on and build a new life. 2. Privacy Changing your name will turn a private event which you could choose to share at your own discretion, into public knowledge as colleagues, clients and acquaintances will notice and conclude that you are divorced. Although you might feel the need to control who knows what and how much, people talk and everybody is bound to find out at some stage anyway, so perhaps you might as well go ahead and change your name. 3. Children It makes perfect sense for you to keep your married name if you want continuity and avoid confusing your children, although basic concepts like these are fairly easy to explain on an age appropriate level to most children. If you find yourself wishing that your ex would change back to her birth name, consider for a moment, how you would feel if your children’s names were also changed and they no longer had the same last name as you? Read Don’t Burn Your Wedding Photographs 4. Professionalism Women form a substantial part of the workforce and many build their careers and reputations on their names. It would be detrimental for you to suddenly change your last name and literally disappear from your industry because you have become a stranger. On the other hand, some women might be returning to work after years of absence because of raising a family. In that case, it would be wise to have the same last name that you had when you were still working.  5. Identity The longer you were married, the more accustomed you would have become to being called by a certain name and the stronger you would have developed your identity around that. It would be very unpleasant to lose that suddenly. You can actually call yourself whatever you wish. Decide whether the name means anything to you? Whether you keep it, rid yourself of it or reclaim a previous name, is entirely up to you. 6. Motives What are your reasons for wanting to change names? If your need for a different name from your ex is fueled by anger and resentment, rather take some time to come to terms with those emotions. You might find that your last name holds a lot less significance when your wounds have healed. If you think changing your last name and pretending to be someone else would be a brilliant way to avoid paying debt or bankruptcy, think again because you’ll be guilty of fraudulent intent. 7. Effort Spending hours filling in paperwork and queuing to get your new identification documents, might not be worth the effort, just to get rid of your last name. Especially if the numerous phone calls, e-mails and online updating of your personal details prove to be time-consuming and frustrating. However, getting a new photograph taken and the chance to update your profile everywhere, might be an exciting ritual for new beginnings. The lengthy list of important updates to be done include your identity document, passport, driver’s licence, voter registration, ownership of all movable and immovable property, banks, health services, schools, employers, insurance, tv licensing, utility accounts, loyalty cards, memberships, subscriptions, tax authorities, all internet login details, friends, family and colleagues – everyone you know. 8. Grammar If you grew up with a last name that evoked ridicule or a spelling challenge which took you years to overcome and a pronunciation that still requires pulling funny faces to demonstrate to every new person you meet, you might not be keen to revert back to it after divorce. Some difficulties might also arise with hyphenated or double-barrel names, when it comes to online registrations which do not allow special characters or symbols and filing systems which cannot accommodate two last names. Bonus points to the weird and wonderful among us who persevere and just love standing out from the crowd, though. 9. Travelling Having made travel arrangements prior to your separation, might pose several problems, as names cannot always be changed on flight bookings and refunds are not necessarily paid out for cancellations. Ensure that the name on the flight booking corresponds with the name on your passport. Come to think of it, making reservations for accommodation in one or the other could either cause havoc or priceless amusement… 10. Financial Changing your last name on bonds, hire-purchases and leases, might very well impact your credit ratings and interest rates, because a divorced person is apparently regarded as a higher actuarial risk than a married person. The benefit of such changes would still be new-found independence and privacy.  11. Social Networks Not all social networks allow you to change your last name without having to re-create your profile and re-invite all your connections, but it could be an easy

Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School

The Power of Play for children with special needs

“It’s a happy talent to know how to play” – Ralf Waldo Emerson Why play?  As therapists we are often asked by parents, “What can we do at home to support our child’s learning?” Without a doubt, play is one of the most effective learning and therapy tools available to children and their families, and it is the “homework” we are the happiest to prescribe. Play is of benefit to not only the children in a family, but to the adults too, with the result that it is a win-win situation all round and it leads to happier children and families. When one considers the following quote from Dr Karyn Purvis it is difficult to think of any valid reasons not to be playing with our children: Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain. Unless it is done with play, in which case it takes 10-20 repetitions. Physical and mental health benefits In our current state of uncertainty and world-wide stresses, physical and mental health are our primary concerns. Healthy brain development and maintenance relies on stimulating the brain to make efficient and effective connections between nerve cells. These connections apply to ‘visible’ skills (such as motor skills) and more abstract skills for language, cognition, social and emotional development. Play is a ‘safe’ way to experience the world and test our skills. Games that require movement are excellent for stimulating physical health and motor skill development. This may be through the use of large movement e.g. jungle gyms, trees and open spaces like parks, or through the use of small movements with hands and fingers e.g. moving pieces on a board or building Lego.  Cognitive benefits  While all play facilitates brain development, some activities are more directed towards cognitive skills like reasoning and planning. These activities are not limited to board games. The child who enjoys re-enacting Star Wars or My Little Pony uses imagination, memory, reasoning and planning but perhaps to a different degree than the child playing Checkers or Monopoly.  Social and communication benefits Games like 30 Seconds, Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary require cognitive skills but focus the ability to communicate clearly using memory, recall, understanding and explaining. Again, imitation and re-enactment activities develop similar communication skills but also have a greater element of socialisation opportunities, including a different type of trial-and-error problem solving, negotiating and understanding social cues.  All play requires an element of impulse control which is developed through experience but social play also requires a higher degree of emotional regulation and empathy, leading to a safe place to practice life lessons. Playmates teach each other skills needed for game play and learn to use direction and explanations. A vital role of social play is the development of interpersonal relationships. Friendships and positive experiences relieve stress and provide pleasure. What to play? Many things influence the play chosen by children and adults – some practical and others adapted from traditional rules and experiences. The number of players and their ages are important for appropriate game selection, as is the need for teams or individual play. Will the play be structured (rule-bound and directive) or unstructured and creative? What interests the players and is the necessary equipment available? Remember that games needn’t be bought and creating a game can be fun in itself. Play is only fun if it is appropriate for the players, so it is sometimes necessary to adapt games for physical, cognitive, linguistic and social differences. Developing skills mentioned before, occur during the pleasure of play, so forcing a child with extremely diverse needs to play in the same ways as others in order to ‘teach’ them, is neither productive nor pleasurable. How can I adapt games? If mobility is a challenge e.g. cerebral palsy affecting movement or the use of a wheelchair or crutches: Size up by using bigger balls for ball games e.g. a plastic soccer ball to play tennis. Lighten up by using lighter balls for ball games e.g. volleyball with a balloon. Adjust rules e.g. if a child in a wheelchair is playing basketball that child can carry the ball in his/her lap instead of dribbling. Adjust pace e.g. balloon volleyball. Use accessible areas e.g. flat, open spaces. Buddy up – find a friend to push the wheelchair or assist with mobility – it’s ok to ask for help. If fine motor control is a challenge e.g. hand grips: Use a universal cuff – usually for holding eating utensils, but can be used for play as well.   Use a card holder for card games. Non-slip mats under game boards (from most hardware stores). Prestik under game tokens/pieces. Size up e.g. use larger playing pieces or garden size games; build up tools and playing pieces with foam. If vision is a challenge: Texture components using velcro, glitter glue or craft foam from stationery stores. Use games with sounds/sound activated. Include as many senses as possible. Use garden size games. Prestik under game pieces. If language, speech or literacy is a challenge: One-on-one play initially. Subjects of interest with predictable language. Use clear, short sentences/explanations. Emphasise important words e.g. nouns, verbs, prepositions. Slow down and use repetition Model correct responses for your child at just above your child’s current language             level. Allow the child to lead too. Use signs, gestures or pictures if they are effective. Shorten the duration of the game. Help if necessary. Remove some steps of the game if it is too complex. Types of play Understanding play may be limited to our own experiences, but the diversity of play activities is massive, from something like a stick imagined as a wand, sword or conductor’s baton, to a complex and strategic game of Risk or Chess played for days. Different types of play develop different skill sets and variety provides more holistic development and more opportunities to develop interests and sources of pleasure. Play can be unstructured and creative or rule

TJ Training Solutions

Emotional Intelligence: The most important gift you can give your child in this post-pandemic world

EQ.  Two simple letters that wield such a determining influence in our children’s lives.  Emotional Intelligence (or EQ as it’s more commonly known) is not a novel concept. For years the importance of developing children’s EQ and IQ in tandem, has been discussed and promoted in scholarly articles and mainstream media alike. The question being asked now (and louder than it’s ever been asked before) is – were we paying attention? The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the calling upon of resilience, empathy, confidence, adaptability to unpredictability, embracing of change and countless other skills that the emotionally intelligent child possesses. And in doing so, it has shone a spotlight on the vast difference in the coping capacity of the high-EQ child versus the not-so-high.  But does this matter? Yes. Yes it does.  It matters because the pandemic has demonstrated that being emotionally intelligent is an outlook, an approach to life and a determinant of success that will be more important than ever in the aftermath of multiple levels of lockdown and the severe restrictions that were and still are being placed on our children’s complex socialisation needs.  The socio-emotional consequences of 2020’s school closures and mandatory isolation are manifesting fast and furiously. Increased cases of childhood anxiety, depression, peer-related issues and behavioural challenges are presenting at schools and in homes…And it’s only through increased efforts in EQ Education that we can hope to offset these consequences for our children in the long-run.  But where do we even begin? At the very beginning, ofcourse. Much like learning the basics of reading and writing requires first learning the alphabet – children should be taught emotional awareness and expression (the basic principles of EQ) by first being taught to identify their feelings accurately. Too few children are able to differentiate their feelings and the feelings of others beyond “happy”, “sad”, “scared” or “angry”. But “sad” is not the same as “guilty” and “angry” is not the same as “rejected”.  Storybooks like those in the “Game Ranger Grace & The Big 5 Feelings” series have been specifically created to expand the emotional vocabulary of young children. To expand a child’s emotional vocabulary is to help them take their first step on the road to emotional intelligence, because the ability to accurately identify an emotion directly impacts the ability to effectively regulate and express it.  And the good news is that the younger the child when EQ Education efforts start, the greater the long-term benefits will be. So start at the very beginning…it’s a very good place to start!  Visit www.tjtrainingsolutions.co.za to order copies of the first book in the “Game Ranger Grace & The Big 5 Feelings” series or email [email protected] to query available EQ resources and workshops. 

Boomerang

Boomerang lives it up in New York with Tom and Jerry!

Brand-new show launching this October… Winning the hearts of millions is no easy feat, but after more than 80 years and countless accolades, the iconic duo, Tom and Jerry,  are back, better than ever, leaving the suburbs behind for new escapades in New York City. To say Tom and Jerry have been around the block would be the understatement of the century! This pair, who love to hate each other, have been around the globe, gone through time travel, into outer space, down every nook and cranny imaginable, and are now running wild in Manhattan. From Monday, 04th of October, Boomerang Africa will premiere Tom and Jerry in New York, the show parents have been waiting for to introduce their kids to. Follow our favourite cat and mouse as they settle into their new digs at the Royal Gate Hotel and unleash mayhem across The Big Apple, inciting hilarious chaos uptown, downtown, and everywhere their manic escapades take them. So, best believe, Central Park, giant museums, department stores, and even subway cars will be turned upside down, inside out or just be totally annihilated in this brand-new Tom and Jerry series! All these chases and games have not been in vain; in fact, with their lengthy history on the small and big screen, Tom and Jerrycontinue to bring on the childhood nostalgia and fresh memories with equal measure. The two have also been over-achievers in their own unique way, having garnered 13 Oscar nominations for best short subject cartoon and winning seven of them in the franchise’s history. Plus, they did all that without even saying much; legend has it that the first time Tom and Jerry spoke at length was in their 1992 feature film. It does not get any more iconic than that! Get excited for the hilarious return of everyone’s favourite frenemies, as Tom and Jerry in New York premieres on Monday, 4 October at 07:25 CAT on Boomerang Africa! Watch. Play. Laugh.

Impaq

How to handle angry feelings

Once there was a red balloon that lived in a house with a family. Every day the red balloon got bigger and bigger without anyone noticing. One day the balloon popped with a loud bang and everyone in the house got a nasty fright.  Anger is often like the red balloon in that it builds up slowly over time until it explodes over a seemingly small incident/event. Aggressive behaviour is learned through the modelling of significant others. If you handle your anger like the red balloon, your children might learn that aggression is the best way to deal with uncomfortable emotions. Eventually these emotions could cause school difficulties, anxiety and relationship problems.  Emotional control, however, creates a feeling of security and peace within a family. It is thus important for us as parents to ensure that our emotions and our reactions in response to our emotions are equal. For example, when you are angry, you do not have to express that anger by yelling or throwing things. Feeling angry is not wrong, but the way you express it might be wrong.  As parents we have the responsibility to teach our children how to deal with their emotions in effective and appropriate ways. The following tools can help you manage your emotions more effectively: If you realise that there are often outbursts among family members, write down your emotions and thoughts. Keeping a journal will help you gain perspective. Humour can help you feel more in control over stressful circumstances. Take deep breaths. This will help to not only relieve some of the tension but will also give you a few moments to think more clearly. Focus all your attention on something in your environment or something on yourself, like the garden outside your window or the pattern on your dress or shirt. This technique can help you gain control over your emotions. Research has shown that there is a close link between a healthy marriage and successful parenting. It is therefore a good idea to invest in building a healthy relationship with your wife/husband. A good way to do this is by going away for a weekend or having planned date nights, to help you reconnect with your partner. Build your self-knowledge. Who am I? What is my personality like? Self-knowledge can help you gain insight into your own behaviour and emotions. Be mindful of external factors that could contribute to your emotions. For example, are you eating healthy foods, exercising, getting enough sleep? Are you stressed and worried? 

Toptots Head Office

Tips to help make breastfeeding a breeze

If you have decided to breastfeed, it is a great way to give your baby the exact nutrients they need. But it’s not always easy. Here are a few tips and tricks that may help transition you into this new way of life.  Breastfeeding stations Being comfortable is a big part of successful breastfeeding. And being stuck in the same room every time you feed may do damage to your mental health. Try making breastfeeding stations around the house so you can join your family in experiencing life at home. Make sure you have a comfortable chair, a little table, a water bottle, wipes, burp cloths, and nipple cream available to you.  Include your partner If you find that you need help, or your partner wants to be more a part of the feeding experience than they are, get them to position baby, help burp, change and dress them. These can be bonding experiences themselves. Check if baby is getting enough milk Have a peak in their nappy. By day 5 they should have 6 or more wet nappies every 24 hours. You should also see about 3 to 4 stools a day by day 4. The colour of these stools should be transitioning from the dark, thick meconium poops right after birth to what is usually a yellow, seedy poop. Also make sure that they are back to their birth weight by no later than 14 days birth. After that, you’ll want to see them steadily putting on weight. Hold your baby skin-to-skin Holding your baby skin-to-skin will help your body to start making milk and will wake up your baby’s feeding reflexes. This means that your baby will start looking for your breast sooner and your body will make more milk.  Know the signs of a hungry baby: Besides crying, your baby may start rooting, licking their lips and putting their hands to their mouths.Babies need to eat often in the first few weeks: at least 8 or more times in 24 hours. This will help you to make more milk and will help your baby to gain back any weight they lose in their first few days. Some babies prefer many short feeds while others like fewer, longer feeds. Do not rush your baby – take your time. Keep up the night feeds Even though they are tough, know that these are important. Your body produces more prolactin (the hormone that promotes milk production) when you breastfeed at night, so night feedings help to keep up milk production. Also, mothers vary in the amount of milk they can store in their breasts, so for many women night feedings are essential to meeting their babies’ needs. What to wear PJs that open down the front (rather than one you have to pull up or down) will give your baby easier access, while keeping you warm during the night. This applies for day wear as well, try wearing breastfeeding tops (that can be easily pulled down) or button up ones. 

Toptots Head Office

How to parent a strong-willed Toddler

If you find yourself with a toddler who is outspoken, demanding and opinionated – you are probably trying to parent a strong-willed toddler. While this may not be the easiest job in the world, it is not only possible but having a strong-willed toddler is a blessing.  Firstly, most toddlers are defiant. It’s pretty normal. It is their way of exploring their boundaries and the world around them. If you have a toddler that is showing signs of stubbornness, it’s likely that they will grow up to be adults that know their own minds and can set their own boundaries – great, right? Let’s get you there first! Give them choices. The one thing that will set a stubborn toddler to dig their heels in is when they are completely controlled. Yes, as their parent, it is your job to tell your child what to do at such a young age. But you know what you can also do? Give them choices. Perhaps eating vegetables is the war in your house. Instead of forcing your child to eat broccoli, give them the choice between broccoli or butternut.  Let them learn by doing As long as their health and well-being are not at risk, let your strong-willed toddler learn by doing. This allows them to explore their world and learn from experience instead of things being told to them. The next time they demand to bite into a lemon, hand it on over.  Set rules for strong-willed toddlers Yup, strong-willed children are also in need of set rules and boundaries. The vital thing is to lay out all the rules from the start and stick to them no matter what. This gives your toddler a strong framework to work within and knowing the rules upfront will make it feel like you are ‘bossing’ them around at every point.  Dial down the punishment  Trying to punish a strong-willed child almost never works. No matter what you do, they will not give in. Sound familiar? That doesn’t mean your toddler mustn’t experience consequences, just that you may have to tailor the experience for them. The best way to do this is through using your words and trying to understand them. Saying something like, “that lemon wasn’t nice, was it – that’s why I said it wasn’t a good idea to eat it”.  Meeting your stubborn toddler halfway by using empathy will help immensely.  Be kind Often, strong-willed children will mirror the emotions that you are showing. If you are angry, so they will be too. If you are kind and understanding, you will find they mimic those emotions from you. Next time you are at your wits-end, take a breath and try to approach your child with kindness and see how they respond to you.

Toptots Head Office

Children’s games that help development

Occupational Therapist, Megan Smith, suggests some age-appropriate games that your children will love to play. They have the added benefit of being fantastic for their development too. Development games for 0-12 months  Game: Peek-a-boo How does this game help development: During the end of your baby’s first year, they start to develop a cognitive concept called ‘object permanence.’ Ultimately, this is the brain’s ability to note that when an object is no longer within the visual field, it still exists. You will notice that your baby will start showing signs of separation anxiety around eight months of age. For instance, when you leave the room, your baby may begin to whine or make louder noises. This is their brains exploring the concept that when you disappear visually, you are not disappearing off the face of the earth.  Boost the gameplay: Play the game with various other objects, hide bears and toys under blankets or balls in boxes and tins and encourage exploration. Show your little one that the object exists even when it is covered and cannot be seen.  Use your voice when your face is hidden, this reinforces the concept that she cannot see your face, but because she can hear you, it is still there.  Development games for 1-2 years  Game: Finding objects hidden in the sand How does this activity help development? This is another great game to reinforce the concept of object permanence as the toddler’s brain develops. It challenges them on a higher level to search for an object when they do not know what it is. The game provides sensory stimulation through tactile (touch) and visual (sight) systems and challenges the brain to interpret this sensation and simultaneously execute bilateral hand coordination to dig through the sand and locate the objects.  Finding hidden objects in sand provides an opportunity for the toddler to start the early development of different visual perceptual skills. Some of these are: Visual Form constancy: to distinguish one similar object from another.  Visual figure-ground: the ability to identify an object from different backgrounds.  Visual Closure:  To identify an object when only half of the object can be seen.  Boost the gameplay: Make sure the objects you hide are brightly coloured and can easily be seen against the background of the sand, the objects should also be large enough to fit in the toddler’s palm, any smaller, and they may struggle to find them.  Use familiar toys, such as toy fish, flowers, pets and cars. This assists them with identification and will elicit feelings of success.  As the toddler ages, you can make the game more challenging and exciting by hiding smaller objects that are more difficult to find and hiding two of each object and encouraging the search for pairs. This can assist in the development of early number concept development.  Development games for 2-3 years old  Game: Throw the bean bag in the hula-hoop  How does this game help development? This game challenges the gross-motor developmental skills and visual perceptual skills, as it requires hand-eye coordination to work alongside visual perception to create success.  The use of bean bags provides the toddler with proprioceptive input (this is when the muscles and tendons provide input to the brain explaining where the limb is in space), which is very important information needed to plan and execute a movement appropriately.  Boost the gameplay: Put little treats in each hoop that they can win if they get the bean bag in – it will be like taking them to a carnival!  Development games for 4-5 years old Game: Hop-scotch How does this game help development? Hop-Scotch is a gross-motor based game. This means that the game itself focuses on developing and challenging gross motor skills, including hand-eye coordination and hand-foot coordination. These games also challenge the child’s bilateral integration, which is the ability to use both sides of the body, in different movement planes, at the same time. This is a skill that is later refined and needed for writing and cutting at school.  Boost the gameplay: Make use of bright colours and shapes which the child can hop and jump onto. This is a fun way to incorporate basic concepts (counting, colours and shapes) into playtime. 

Paper Video

Why extra classes online can be the smarter option right now

There’s no doubt that “online” has become the new norm for almost everything. From business meetings and work to entertainment and socialising. School curriculums are also no exception to the rule and extra school lessons have had to move from in-person tutoring to a more digital realm. But here’s why extra classes online aren’t all bad, in fact with Paper Video you might even find them more engaging and favourable compared to traditional tutoring.  You decide when and where Flexibility has become one of the most important factors. Busy schedules can make it difficult to stick to set tutoring times and we’ve had to tailor our lives around them. Travelling around from one extracurricular to the next has also become a thing of the past, especially in our current climate. Online tutoring allows learners to catch up in the comfort of their own homes at convenient times that suit an entire household.  Paper Video gives learners instant at-home-access to the ultimate collection of revision resources with thousands of embedded video lessons, taught by experienced and engaging teachers. As a result, learners can simply log in, whenever, wherever, to get access to an extra teacher.  It’s not just one expert teacher on the line  Traditionally, personal tutors specialise in one or two subjects and learners might find that they would like to excel in or need help with more than one subject. Signing up for Paper Video gives learners access to Maths, Physical Sciences*, Life Sciences* and Accounting all on one platform (*covered in Natural Sciences for grade 8 and 9 learners). Not only that, an exceptional list of teachers from a selection of some of the top schools in the country, means that one platform gives you access to specialised experts in each subject.  You still get your one-on-one time  Many digital learning platforms do come with the perception that there’s not much room for one-on-one interaction. This may be a deal-breaker from some, but many e-learning, online tutoring and online schooling platforms are adapting and making sure their lessons are as engaging, animated and in-depth as possible to accommodate learners who need that extra personal touch. To ensure this, Paper Video has created over 11,000 video lessons that cover everything from individual past exam questions to entire topics in the syllabus. Each video follows a step-by-step approach to explain the required concepts, so the platform ensures that the resources cover any question learners might have. Find what you’re looking for, faster Convenience has become a key driver in the modern world and digital tutoring platforms are making it easier to not only get down to the specifics, but also finding answers fasters. Paper Video helps learners find what they’re looking for with their past exam questions and topics in each subject linked to searchable keywords. Learners can simply type in a word in the platforms’ search box and find a list of all related past exam questions and topic video lessons. Less pressure, more learning While participation is encouraged in many classes, it can often place a lot of pressure on learners and cultivate a competitive environment. Learners all engage and study differently, so while the typical classroom environment is stimulating for some, it does not work as well for others. Today, digital resources can give learners the option to study in a way that’s comfortable for them, and the more comfortable they are, the easier it is to retain information. With Paper Video, learners can study online in their own time and track their own progress. The platform also gives learners the freedom to study at their own pace and revisit concepts they might not have understood, all without the pressure of feeling left behind. Whether you’re a parent or a learner that’s still getting used to the idea of the online migration, the fact remains that online technologies have blown digital education and tutoring opportunities right open. It’s not only saving time but money. Its accessibility, individuality and flexibility are what’s making it more appealing by the day, especially with the unprecedented challenges being faced by learners at the moment.  Visit www.papervideo.co.za or contact Paper Video on 061 357 2304 for more information on how to get started.

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 and I am pregnant?

Given today’s current global COVID-19 pandemic, worrying about the potentially harmful viruses’ effect on your pregnancy and baby is a valid concern. You’re probably wondering the best ways to avoid the virus when pregnant, and what to do if you think you may have caught it. How can I protect myself and my baby from catching the corona virus? Protecting yourself from COVID-19 while pregnant, is similar to that of anyone else avoiding the virus. Minimise contact with others through social distancing, frequently wash and sanitise your hands, and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Don’t be tempted to skip important prenatal visits in lieu of avoiding the virus – chat to your doctor about the best way forward with regard to this. Although slightly disappointing, cancelling events such as baby showers is a good idea, as the risk of exposure and infection becomes bigger with larger groups. Being pregnant, it’s a good idea to be extra precautious where possible. However, the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) states that pregnancy doesn’t increase your risk of becoming unwell from coronavirus, and the majority only develop mild to moderate symptoms. What should I do if I think I have COVID-19 while pregnant? If you think you may have COVID-19 or have tested positive for corona the first thing you should do is contact your doctor. However, it’s best to avoid travelling to the doctors office as you may come into contact with someone positive for COVID-19 in these spaces. As the virus is new, this means that the studies that have been conducted are limited. Because of this it’s essential to follow social distancing guidelines to try and protect yourself, however, if you do contract the virus there is no immediate need for stress, as pregnancy doesn’t increase your risk.

Toptots Head Office

6 ways to boost your relationship after having a child

If your marriage is taking strain since having children, you are not alone. One of the most stressful times in a relationship is when children enter the equation, and often your bond with your partner is put on the backburner. Work your way through these steps and try put the spark back in your relationship. Know it is normal While social media might not show the negative side of relationships, going through a rough spot with your partner when you have a baby is absolutely normal and common. People just don’t like to speak about it. The first step to fixing the problem is trying to shed the layers of blame. Yes, you may be struggling, but don’t blame yourselves. The transition into parenthood is all kinds of rewarding, but it is filled with stressful situations and responsibilities that you didn’t have before. This applies to second children too.  Communicate One of the biggest breakdowns in a marriage can come from building resentment. This happens when you experience unhappiness or irritation and don’t let your partner know how you are feeling. These emotions build up, and eventually overwhelm you. You can end up lashing out over a small thing, with emotions coming out that have been building over time.  Being able to calmly tell your partner when something bothers you as it happens can circumvent this. Try phrasing your words in a way that is not inflammatory, “I would really appreciate more help around the house. Like last week, when you cleaned up while I was feeding, that was amazing”. In this way, instead of fighting about something that is bothering you, you are calmly suggesting an alternative that will make you happier.  Make lists This may sound basic, but do you and your partner both know what is expected of each other? Sitting down and making a list of who does what around the house and with the baby can really help your relationship grow. All of a sudden, you won’t be irritated because you have to ask your partner to do something all the time. They won’t be annoyed because you expect certain things of them without telling them. If you both know that while you cook dinner, they bath the baby. Or while you are feeding, they are tidying the kitchen – then each of you have agreed to your responsibilities and they are fairly spread out. Take turns to sleep in on a weekend, alternate who feeds and who baths. Give each other a break on a regular basis and resentment will start being replaced with gratitude. Make the time for each other  This can be one of the most difficult things to master, especially when your child is small, or you have more than one child. While everyone’s circumstances are different, try implementing a date night once a month. If you can’t get someone to babysit, then make sure your date night is after you have put your child to bed. Watching a movie with some popcorn or eating a nice dinner with a glass of wine can be just as good at home as going out to do it.  But more important than scheduled date nights is making time for each other every day. This can be a 10-minute chat in the kitchen while dinner is being cooked, or a catch-up call during your lunch breaks. Making the effort every day to find a moment to connect verbally will do wonders for your relationship. Try to remember that these moments don’t have to be about your children, but rather about each other. This reinforces that while you are both parents, you are also two people in a relationship with each other.  Don’t sweat the small stuff Ask some couples who have been married for years and have grown children how they managed to get through it all, you will probably get a variation of this. Letting go of the small things that bother you doesn’t mean internalising the irritation (see step 2). But it does mean that there are certain things about your partner that you may not like but can accept as it is a part of who they are. Besides, no one is perfect, and there is a very good chance your partner is also accepting things about you that they don’t like. We are talking about shoes lying around the house, a wet towel on the floor, or clothes on top of the washing basket. Yes, these things may annoy you. But if your partner is helping you in other ways, or putting in the effort to make you happy, these small things can be overlooked for your own sanity. When something like this irritates you, try taking a deep breath and saying, “It will take me 30 seconds to hang this towel, but an argument may ruin my entire day”. If you find your partner is not overlooking your small flaws, talk to them about this step and how it will help you both.  Don’t forget the intimacy One of the first things to take a dip in a relationship after a child comes along is intimacy. Of course, when one of you have given birth, are breastfeeding, and both of you are exhausted, sex may be the last thing on your minds. Again, that’s pretty normal. But intimacy doesn’t have to only be about sex. It is remembering to give each other a kiss hello and goodbye. It’s holding hands when you go out or draping your legs across their lap while watching TV. When those small intimate moments are alive and well, then getting back to a healthy sex life after having a child becomes a natural progression over time.

Wingu Academy

How to raise a confident teen with a positive identity

Helping your teen to navigate through difficult challenges and still come out resilient, knowing they will recover after a set-back, is an important part of parenting. When a teen has confidence, they are equipped to make decisions. When they have a better understanding of the world around them it’s easier to risk opportunities which helps them exceed in life. A study by Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child found that: Resilience requires supportive relationships and opportunities for skill-building. Resilience results from a dynamic interaction between internal predispositions and external experiences. Learning to cope with manageable threats to our physical and social well-being is critical for the development of resilience. Some children respond in more extreme ways, therefore individual traits need to be acknowledged. Individuals never completely lose their ability to improve their coping skills, and they often learn how to adapt to new challenges. Research has identified a set of factors that help children achieve positive outcomes in the face of significant adversity. Individuals who demonstrate resilience in response to one form of adversity may not necessarily do so in response to another. Yet when communities and families strengthen these factors, they optimize resilience across multiple contexts. Factors include: Providing supportive adult-child relationships; Scaffolding learning so the child builds a sense of self-efficacy and control; Helping strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities; and Using faith and cultural traditions as a foundation for hope and stability. Good self-esteem activities that parents can apply according to Dr Serahni Symington, Child and Adolescent Counselling and Play Therapist, include the following: Encourage independence to make their own decisions about how they dress, for instance. Having responsibilities at home like walking the dog or making dinner. Enable problem-solving by assisting your child in making choices in a safe space.  This will help equip them to make good decisions when they find themselves in less protective situations. Encouragement is good, but over-praise can do more damage than good if they lack the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Praise effort not outcome. Your teen can control their effort, but not always the outcome. Set realistic bars for outcomes. Emotional expression is crucial. TALK about emotions and feelings. Explore all aspects of anger, grief, fear, joy and happiness in a thoughtful and logical way. Help develop positive self-talk. How teens talk about themselves says a lot about how they see themselves. Help them identify thoughts that aren’t true by pointing out how being overly harsh can be detrimental. Teach them to reframe the irrational with something more realistic. Lead by example. It’s important to model self-confidence and resilience during challenging times as children look to their parents as role models. “Identity is grounded in feeling safe in your environment. Nurturing growth and believing in yourself, is an important stepping stone to raising a confident teen with a positive identity, “ Dr Symington concludes. Wingu Academy realises the importance of encouraging a positive identity.  This is why they established a Wellness Hub that assist both students and parents with guidelines and counselling to find a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance.

Paper Video

Keeping education on track in the disruptive school year

After a school shutdown of more than two months, teachers, parents and students are all gearing up to save the 2020 academic year. However, as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the Department of Basic Education kickstart their phased approach there are still many questions around the ramifications of the disruptive year and how parents and teachers can help limit its effects on our children.

Parenting Hub

Home Office: How to up your productivity levels

South Africa’s economic climate, along with the global health pandemic, has forced many of us to work from home. Luckily, most of us have the technology we need to get our jobs done in the safety and comfort of our own homes. But besides the tech you’re already using, what else can you equip your home office with to make it easier to work remotely? Join Adzuna as we explore some of the best tech tips, tricks, and hacks that can help increase your productivity levels and make it a little more fun to work from home! #1 – Explore Apps in Depth You’ve likely been using Slack if you have a home office. But aside from streamlining text-based communication, many of us don’t use it for much else. Did you know that Slack is great for online meetings? When you set up a video call with the app, you can easily switch between chats and video calls while the chat window stays open for easy note-taking. It also has an excellent screen share function that can help minimize misunderstandings. #2 – Create Insightful Training Videos Loom is a great app for building how-to, training, and FAQ videos. Tools like these are lifesavers in a time like this when in-person training sessions are nearly impossible. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Loom made their tech much more accessible. You can now do much more with the free version, and the reduced package prices are much more attractive than they were two years ago. As a bonus, they also offer free functionality for anyone working in the education sector! #3 – Get Your To-Dos Done Asana is a wizard of tools that easily integrates with Google Suite to boost productivity further. In the tool’s free version, you can integrate with Google Calendar to stay on track of everything you need to get done. Obviously, the premium version of Asana is much more resourceful, but for helping you ensure you get the basics done, this tool comes highly recommended! #4 – Brainstorm Like a Boss PinItToMe is an excellent digital post-it board that provides teams with the perfect environment to collaborate. It’s also free, which just makes it that much better. All team members can drag and drop post-its across the virtual corkboard, and it’s ideal for scheduling, retro meeting, and pretty much any other team-oriented activity. Once you’re done for the day, simply save the corkboard’s unique URL and revisit it whenever necessary! #5 – Create a Central Focus Point If you’ve been using a plethora of accounts, apps, and workflows, we feel you. The frustration is real. But so is Shift. This desktop app streamlines all your accounts. Shift’s logical approach just makes managing everything in the home office a little easier. The tool lets you toddle between multiple Gmail, Outlook, and Office 365 accounts with ease. It also connects all your email accounts, your favourite web apps, and tools, and then gives you the option to customise your workstation. In Conclusion The home office setup isn’t for everyone. You might even miss the traditional office setup. But when the need calls for it, the tips and tricks we’ve mentioned here today will help you be as productive as possible when working from home!

Sanlam Savings Jar

MONEY LESSONS FOR LITTLE ONES FROM HOUSE KOLISI

7 year-old Nic Kolisi is saving for a car. Not just a remote control one; a real car as well! Although, having done the maths with mom, Rachel Kolisi, on how long he’ll need to save for him to reach his R100 000 target, he’s now having a slight crisis in confidence and focusing on the remote control one instead. The Kolisi family has been using the Sanlam Savings Jar app to get the kids to set goals and save for these. Rachel Kolisi says it’s never too soon for little people to learn these lessons. There’s a rule in House Kolisi. If you don’t work, you don’t earn. Kolisi says she knows that life is crazy, but it’s critical to schedule time to talk money with children. “Time is going and kids keep growing; the sooner they’re conscious of finances and spending, the better! Even if you just spend an hour a week talking about what they’re saving for and how, it makes a difference. I’ve found the Sanlam Savings Jar app really incredible for this. It helps parents have these conversations and it’s so interactive and fun for the kids as well.” Money talk is tough in our times Kolisi says that teaching kids about finances is a different ballgame today. “We used to get pocket money in our hands. Now, it gets deposited into a bank and you’re working with EFTs and cards… it’s much tougher to teach children the value of money. I’d get R5 a week, which used to be enough to buy a Chelsea bun back in the day. These days, it’s totally different. Which is why I think talking about money is more important than ever. It’s scary to see how few children – even adults – have any kind of financial savvy. Talking about money as a family  Kolisi says that the family talks about money and sets shared financial goals often, “We’re underway with a big move and there’s a lot of financial change in that. So, we’ve had to sit down and have a conversation about what the next couple of year’s looks like. We’re in our thirties, but we’re responsible for four children. One of our kids is changing schools and our older one is going into a hostel, which is another expense. So, every year we look at our income and expenses to make sure we’re always on track. “Siya and I both grew up in financially-strapped homes and we never wanted finances to be an issue. I do believe that finances can be a breaking point for a lot of relationships and it’s scary to me that money can have such a toll on people. I think, often, it’s just a lack of knowledge, which really comes back to the fact that if you do have financial knowledge, it’s important to share it and pass it on to your kids. There’s a lot on the line for us and Siya’s career is short as well. So, that’s also something we take into consideration on a yearly basis.” Practical ways to teach children finance lessons Kolisi takes the children grocery shopping and they compare the prices and look for the cheapest brands and deals. “We compare the weight of the products and the value we’ll get from buying them. The kids help me a lot with the groceries, and I try and let them be independent with the choices they make. I like to focus on things they eat daily, so they understand the value of the money that’s spent on these products. She says the Sanlam Savings Jar app has been a great way to start conversations and build excitement around saving. “As soon as we downloaded the app, Nic pulled out every money box he’s ever had, and we were counting all the 10c and 5c to put towards his goal. We managed to grow his dragon to adult size for his remote-control car (the more coins saved, the bigger the dragon grows). “Then we also set a goal to help someone else, which I think brings another important conversation up about how you can have goals for yourself, but how are you thinking about others? So many important conversations came from the app; I think the fact that it brings about a discussion between a child and parent is the most important thing.” Work to earn Kolisi says, “We have the non-negotiable daily chores like doing dishes, making the bed, etc. Then we have what we call the ‘extras’. The older kids know that when they want money to go out or whatever, they’ll tell us how much they need and then we give them the list of extra chores to earn the money. Nic has done a good car clean! We have a running list of things like picking up the dog poop, sorting the Tupperware in the cupboards, cleaning the bathrooms… “I believe the reason I work as hard as I do is because it’s stuck in my mind you cannot earn money without working. And I think the sooner a child understands that the better. Anything can change at any moment, but you can always manage because financial knowledge can never be taken away.” Realness and reward It’s also important to make money talk fun. “It can be super daunting, especially for teenagers, when you start talking about how much their education is going to cost. Then if they get a job, how much rent will cost, plus petrol, food, and all of these things. So, I think it’s important to use things like the Sanlam Savings Jar app to open up these difficult conversations in a fun way.” Lastly, it’s important that the conversations are continuous. “Kezzie doesn’t really care about goals yet. Nic is just starting to. Then you have my teenagers who want to go to parties and buy their friends gifts. Then it’s about going into adulthood and starting university and first jobs. Each phase of life needs

ChildSafe

Prevention of Falls

From the moment a baby starts to crawl, the world is a magical place filled with new adventures and discoveries. From their perspective, everything is a potential mountain to climb (that giant bookshelf), obstacle to overcome (those pesky stairs) or mysterious place to investigate (anywhere beyond the safety gate). Little bumps will happen, but ChildSafe is here to help so these brave expeditions do not result in something more serious.

Parenting Hub

A Roundup of the Best Social Media Jobs

Social media jobs are on the rise. Giving way to new fields of endeavor and creating new avenues for professional development, there’s never been a better time to profit from being social online. As social media evolves, so do the professional standards and certifications associated with the roles it creates. But what do these jobs entail, and what does it take to get a foot in the door? From managing social communications to creating digital content, the sky is the limit! Join Adzuna as we explore the best social media jobs! Growth Opportunities for Social Media Jobs Social media careers and the potential surrounding them are booming. Every business in every industry needs to connect with its audiences, and social media is one of the best ways to do just that. CNNMoney added social media jobs to their Top 100 careers, and according to LinkedIn, there are 1357% more social media jobs on the platform today than in 2010. And since social media has changed the way businesses interact with their consumers, the boom in the industry won’t be temporary. There will be a growing and permanent need for social media experts for the foreseeable future. A Note on Salaries in Social Media Careers Several factors influence social media salaries. These include: Experience Whether you work for an agency, private company, or as an independent contractor Your location Your position and role Naturally, chief marketing officers for major brands make much, much more than entry-level social media employees that curate data for client feeds. However, social media jobs do pay well. Compared to most other marketing roles, social media opportunities tend to offer much more earning opportunities. To give you an idea of what each kind of social media role generally offers regarding salary, Adzuna compared its stats to those of PayScale.  4 Popular Social Media Jobs Social Media Director Social media directors are responsible for SM (social media) strategies and the management of SM teams. If you land this role, you might have to post content to various social channels and work with a set schedule. Creating content and overseeing editors is also part of the job of an SM director. These roles are suitable for professionals that can create a “voice” for their brands. They’re expected to know more about social media than most other people within the organization. Average Salary: R170,000 per year Social Media Influencer Influencers typically have large online followings and are highly engaged with their audiences in order to impact their purchasing decisions. To get your foot in the door, you’ll need to prove that you’re established on the web. You might also need some expertise on a particular platform like Instagram or Facebook and have the ability to create unique content. Interpersonal skills are also highly beneficial in these roles. Average Salary: Highly dependent on follower base and activity on social media channels. Social Media Strategist Also known as SM specialists, strategists watch social media trends and integrate them into their business strategies. You’ll need a year or more of experience in the field to land a role as an SM strategist, along with other core skills like knowledge of algorithms and analytic processes. Unlike influencers, strategists need expertise on almost all social media platforms, not just one. You’ll also need to create SM strategies for different online platforms, develop promotions and interact with audiences, and analyse analytics to discover the efficacy of marketing campaigns. Average Salary: R342,000 per year Community Manager Social media savvy individuals with an edge and a robust and loyal following can help brands build a presence online. Community managers are passionate about driving audience engagement and assisting brands in succeeding in the digital realm. These professionals essentially become the face of the company their work with. They oversee everything from social media marketing to content creation and even customer relations. To get into this role, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to develop intelligent strategies. You’ll also need to showcase your ability to create content and handle communications for the company. Average salary: R267,231 per year In Conclusion Who says the internet doesn’t do one good? If you’ve got social media skills, you can turn them into a profession. With a bit of practice and patience, you can turn your passion into an income by simply showing off your social media savvy! The field is growing at a breakneck pace, and if you’re adaptable and agile, the room is abundant for growth within it. If you’re quick on your feet and have a good understanding of human behaviour along with a passion for the latest marketing trends and tech, a career in social media can be your ideal match.

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