Parenting - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Quanta Books

Quanta is your at-home physical science teacher. Top universities across the country use the Quanta Books series What makes the Quantaseries unique? The content is divided into bite-sized ‘quanta’; each quantum contains a crisp and to-the-point summary of a specific topic enriched with hints and tips, followed by an exercise containing numerous questions on the subject. The series addresses three essential aspects that are often overlooked when studying Physical Sciences: Practice: The series contains hundreds of exercises (mainly from national examination papers from 1990 to 2012), and examples from the Department of Education, to help learners practise their skills. Catering to all learners: The content targets both the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Many learners are ‘right-brained’ learners, who either get bored in Science class or who battle to understand the abstract concepts. The DVDs, which accompany the books, contain cartoons, animations, and demonstrations that enable the ‘right-brained’ learners to visualise difficult and abstract concepts. Detailed explanations: The back of the book includes a memorandum with step-by-step answers to all the questions. The answers to the multiple-choice questions are also fully explained! *All our books are available inboth Afrikaans and English. Get in Touch with Optimi Publishing [email protected] / 087 405 2244

July 14, 2021

Chicco We Black Travel System : Stroller & Car Seat Combo

At Chicco we understand that choosing a travel system for your precious bundle of joy is stressful! That’s why we take the stress out of the decision by offering you well rounded travel system options. The We Travel system is new to South Africa and is super stylish with leather details. The We stroller and Car Seat combo will ensure your little one is transported safely from birth to 15kgs. Super lightweight (no more breaking your back getting either the car seat or the stroller in and out your vehicle) the buggy-style travel solution is perfect for parents who like to be on the move. The stroller folds neatly and compactly and is capable of full recline. It is fitted with a UV50+ large canopy which keeps your little one protected from the elements. Matched with the Kaily car seat – Gro 0+, you now have the perfect travel system. The Kaily car seat comes with a base that is easily installed with seat belts, so that it remains in your vehicle, making transitions much easier – especially if your little one is napping. From only R9 999.99, this all-around lightweight travel system will fit perfectly into your new life as parents! More information can be found at www.chiccco.co.za

July 14, 2021

PARENT SURVIVAL KIT – ADHD

Most parents would never ignore their child’s broken bone or obvious signs of physical injury. Yet, when it comes to a child’s mental state and someone tells you that your child has ADHD or that your child needs medication! Panic sets in. You are not sure what all of it really means. However, what you do know is that you definitely are not keen to medicate your child. However, you are told that without meds your child is likely to make limited academic progress. So, where to from here? All is not lost Your child will be ok! There are many paths to follow, but having ADHD is definitely not the end of the child’s world. It is unfortunately a fact that if you take no action whatsoever, then your child is likely to battle more than they should at school and during their life. Courses of action The first port of call is to find a deep understanding of exactly what ADHD is? Well, it relates specifically to concentration and focus issues. The ICD-11 states that it is “a persistent pattern (at least 6 months) of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational or social functioning.” The ICD-11 further states that the onset of these symptoms occurs prior to age 12 years, typically by early- to mid-childhood. One of the questions that is often asked is: Is there a correlation between intelligence and ADHD? Research has shown that there is no major correlation between ADHD and intelligence, but children with ADHD are often more adventurous, more likely to be entrepreneurs…, more likely to “think out of the box”, but they will battle with formal, long-term study environments. Most adults work with their ADHD, whether they know it or not, they are likely to choose jobs where they have freedom of movement and don’t always have to rely on a structured environment in order to succeed. Symptoms The actual symptoms as observed by a teacher in the classroom are: Inattention Non-completion of tasks in the allocated time Loss of focus General problems with concentration Self-focused behaviour Interrupting Problems with patience Emotional turmoil Fidgeting Problems playing quietly Avoidance of tasks Daydreaming Trouble getting organized Forgetfulness Do we see these symptoms at home? Most of the time our children are playing or are involved in an activity which they want to be involved in: gaming inside, playing a game outside or doing something relatively passive like watching TV or a series or something similar. When we are able to observe our children attempting to complete a focused task like studying or homework tasks, that’s when we are likely to see some of the ADHD symptoms. If there was anything positive about the complete lockdown, we had in 2020, it was that we as parents we got to see our children’s actual classroom behaviour. If we were able to see their online behaviour, then we were extra lucky. In most instances many parents had the opportunity to observe that their children battle to stay focused and/or complete a task, even though their teacher may have advised them of the situation before. What about medication? Which meds should we use? “I have come to the conclusion over a number of years that the possible side-effects as discussed on the medication pamphlets are not always exactly the same for everyone. I believe that each child (person) reacts differently to medication in their systems. From absolutely no side-effects at all, to other debilitating side-effects.” Should we use stimulant medications? Should we use Long-Acting medications (8 hours)? Should we use alternative prescription medication? Should meds be part of the solution at all? “Well, my advice is to use whatever meds your Paediatric Neurologist or Paediatrician recommends, but to stay in close contact with the medical professional. They need to know how your child is reacting, and how to alter and possibly prescribe something else if necessary. Remember, medication is always a last resort, and when the time comes to use whatever medication, the medical professionals prescribe for a better and healthier way forward.” Toolkit A Parent Toolkit that could assist you along the way is as follows: A formal assessment by a Paediatric Neurologist (if possible, otherwise a Paediatrician), including questionnaires for the child’s teacher, as well as your input as a parent, and an assessment at some stage of the process by an Educational Psychologist. Understanding that it is a neurological condition. Creating structure, boundaries, and an appropriate environment for learning at school and home. Correct school placement if possible (small classes, and an understanding teacher). Close liaison with the child’s teacher, medical professionals, and all therapists. Medication if recommended by the child’s teachers and therapists, and prescribed by a suitable medical professional. Your child is exceptional and most likely will achieve great things throughout life. Your job as a parent now, is to understand your child and assist wherever you can to help them on their journey to greatness. By: Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School

July 13, 2021

The Do’s and Don’ts of Baby’s First Foods

Your baby is nearing six months and excitement starts to mount as you prepare to introduce solids for the first time. To help you navigate your way through this journey, here are a few top do’s and don’ts. DO: ● Even though milk alone may not meet your baby’s nutritional needs from 6 months, milk is still an important source of nutrients essential for healthy growth. This means that you will continue to offer your baby milk when you start with solid foods. Squish 100% fruit and veg purees are the perfect way to introduce solids to your baby – free from preservatives, flavourings, colourants and starch, the Squish range of fruit and veg purees offer a convenient solution to baby’s weaning needs. ● Look beyond cereal or porridge as a first food. Traditionally, starches like cereals and soft porridge (e.g. rice porridge or maize porridge) are preferred. While these are good options, you can also try other foods like puréed sweet potato, butternut, carrots, apples, pears, pawpaw, and peaches. ● For a convenient way to get your baby to try their first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. ● Prepare your baby’s first food with milk. Regardless of the food you choose, prepare it with baby’s milk to help your baby recognise a flavour that they have been used to for the past 6 months. Offer this food for three days before moving on to another food or changing the flavour in the food, to check that babyyour is not allergic to anything. The Squish range of single fruits like Squish 100% Apple puree or Squish 100% Pear puree are a convenient way to start baby on solids. ● Offer your baby a variety of flavours from early on. It is good practice as you progress on your solids journey, but continually offer baby’s tastebuds new flavours and taste dimensions. Blend starches, fruit, vegetables and flavours in interesting combinations e.g. beetroot and blueberry, cinnamon and pumpkin, oats and apple puree, cauliflower and peach, etc. Squish 100% fruit and veg purees offer a wide range of flavour choices, all ready for you and baby to try, no mess, no fuss. Like Squish Summer Berries, Squish Medley of Fruits, and Squish Mixed Veg, or why not try our NEW Squish apple, sweet potato and sweet corn, or NEW Squish sweet potato, apple and cinnamon puree. ● Let your baby play with food. The eating experience is about more than just taste and the other senses like sight, feeling and smell are equally important. Allow your baby to experiment with the food you are serving by adding some to the tray of the feeding chair or scooping into their little hands. This will encourage your baby to start moving the hand to the mouth to learn the important skill of self-feeding. DON’T: ● Do not introduce solids for the first time when your baby is sick. Illnesses, fever, teething, and runny stomachs are not a good time to try solids as your baby will not be in a happy space. ● Do not limit your baby’s exposure to other textures. While it is important to start with pureed options as your baby first experiences the change in texture from liquid milk, it is easy to get stuck here. Be sure to progress to lumpier foods over time. Go from fully pureed to leaving some lumps, and rather than using a blender roughly mash with the back of a fork. The ability to handle lumpier foods is important long term for your baby’s oral development for speech and can happen quicker than most parents realise. ● Do not prepare baby’s food with added salt and sugar. A baby’s kidneys are not mature enough to manage a lot of salt. There is no need to prepare food with added salt, and it is advised to avoid adding salt when preparing your baby’s meals. There is also no need to add sugar. Let your baby get used to the natural sweetness from foods like fruit and dairy. Rather use a variety of herbs and spices to excite your baby’s taste buds, such as cinnamon, cumin, mint, vanilla essence, etc. ● Do not avoid rejected foods. Studies have shown that it takes up to 15 exposures of a new food before a baby is likely to eat it. To help track this, make a list of foods like fruits, vegetables, protein and starches and place on the fridge. Every time you offer it to your baby, mark it off with a tick (if liked) or cross (if baby spits it out). Simply freeze the pureed food that your baby rejects and try (and try and try) again another time. ● Do not avoid fruit. There is no evidence that babies will not like vegetables if they have already had naturally sweeter fruit. Suitable fruits can be introduced early on, such as apple puree or mashed banana. You can also mix fruits with yoghurt and vegetables, such as carrot and apple puree or sweet potato and pear puree. Do not worry or stress too much, follow your baby’s lead and enjoy these special first moments watching your baby learn and find their way. Whatever it is, remember your baby will let you know when it is ready and you should enjoy the process.

July 13, 2021

10 Notable People Who Were homeschooled

In an age where more students are receiving an education and graduating than ever before it is interesting to take note that education is finally evolving into something far more exciting. Along with the education of teachers, learning tools and teaching techniques have also changed significantly with the digital revolution. There is finally a drive to incorporate technology, mobile devices, and independent learning into the student curriculum. If the thought of homeschooling concerns you then perhaps reading about 15 notable people who were homeschooled will begin to change your view on independent learning and this revolutionary method of schooling. Thomas Edison Thomas Edison is one of the most famous and productive inventors of all time with almost 1000 patents in his name, including the electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera. He became a self-made multimillionaire even though he was considered a difficult child at the school he attended so at the age of 7 his mother removed him from school and taught him at home. Alexander Graham Bell Bell was homeschooled until the age of 11 before enrolling in a traditional school. Despite his poor grades at school Bell went on to be a noted inventor and held more than a dozen patents. Albert Einstein Although he was named time magazine’s “Man of the Century,” Albert Einstein was not an “Einstein” in school. The Nobel Prize-winning physicist, famous for his theory of relativity and contributions to quantum theory and statistical mechanics, dropped out of high school at age 15 to continue his education independently. Teddy Roosevelt The 26th US president, leader of The Rough Riders and inspiration for the teddy bear, Teddy Roosevelt was born to a family of fourteen children. Roosevelt and his siblings suffered from a variety of physical ailments, and as a result, were home-schooled. The children were taught by their mother, aunt, and a French governess, who did a fantastic job: Teddy was admitted to Harvard in 1878. Abraham Lincoln The remarkable 16th President of the United States known for leading the nation during the civil war and abolishing slavery is a product of homeschooling. History books did not lie when they said he was raised in a poor household by loving but unfortunately illiterate parents. Unlike the parent or private tutor-led homeschool method we know today, Lincoln had to teach himself how to read and write while also supporting his family. Proof that independent learning does rely on someone else teaching you. Leonardo da Vinci The artist behind the legendary paintings Mona Lisa and The Last Supper was a homeschooler! Da Vinci went down in history not only as a great painter but also a polymath with extensive knowledge in various fields like biology, math, architecture, and engineering. This renaissance artist was taught English, writing, and math by his father. Agatha Christie This famous mystery novelist was homeschooled by her father. She taught herself to read at just 5 years old. She wrote some 75 novels, including 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections. Christie is perhaps the world’s most famous mystery writer and is one of the best-selling novelists of all time Maria Sharapova Although she was enrolled in a prestigious school at the age of 9, Maria Sharapova and her parents decided that home learning was the best choice for the athlete t continue her journey to becoming a famous tennis star. Sharapova is a brilliant example that independent learners can become well-rounded and emotionally intelligent people. Emma Watson The bright and fearless Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter series, as well as one of the highest-paid actresses of all time, Emma Watson was homeschooled for most of her adolescent years. Watson had to be educated by a private tutor on set along with her co-stars as she started acting professionally at age 10. Watson earned her degree in English Literature in 2014 from Brown University. Taylor Swift Singer-songwriter and ten-time Grammy award winner Taylor Swift was homeschooled from the age of 14. She chose to learn independently to accommodate her touring schedule. Homeschooling has become a popular option for numerous celebrities to allot more time to grow their showbiz careers Choosing to homeschool your kids might feel like an all-too-eccentric route to take, but you’d be surprised to find that your child is actually in good company if you choose to set him/her off on this specific path of alternative learning.

July 12, 2021

The Goodness of Tomatoes – 5 simple meals

Winter is here, it’s the ideal time to spend with family by the fireside, wrapped up snuggly with deliciously warm meals. Winter is also a time to stay healthy and boost your immune system. Did you know? Tomatoes are rich in natural vitamins and antioxidants and perfect to fight off those nasty winter bugs! Rhodes Quality has a range of canned tomato and paste products that will have you making the tastiest, heartiest winter recipes with ease. With the goodness of mother nature sealed in every can, rest assured you will create nourishing and satisfying meals for your family prepared with love. Everything from lasagne to slow-cooked pulled pork, an easy pumpkin and chickpea curry, beef and veg pie or a lighter lunch with chicken parmesan wraps – these 5 simple meals all have the goodness of Rhodes Quality tomatoes in them. Mexican Baby Marrow Lasagne A delectable, spicy, Mexican-inspired no-carb lasagne that is perfect for a cosy Mexican themed dinner night in with the family. This dish uses Rhodes Quality Mexican Style Tomatoes, Onions & Chilies, which has been made by sealing in all the goodness of the spices in one can for your convenience – for an added Vitamin C boost serve the dish with a glass of pineapple juice. A delectable, spicy, Mexican-inspired no-carb lasagne that is perfect for a cosy Mexican themed dinner night in with the family. This dish uses Rhodes Quality Mexican Style Tomatoes, Onions & Chilies, which has been made by sealing in all the goodness of the spices in one can for your convenience – for an added Vitamin C boost serve the dish with a glass of pineapple juice. Ingredients (serves 6) 1 x 400g can Rhodes Quality Tomato Mexican Style 15 ml (1 Tbsp) 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 500 g lean beef mince salt and freshly cracked black pepper 400 g baby marrows, washed and thinly sliced lengthways 250 g plain cream cheese 2 eggs 60 g (½ cup) grated mozzarella cheese 60 g (½ cup) grated cheddar cheese 1 red pepper, seeded and diced Method Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion and fry until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a few minutes more. Add the can of Rhodes Quality Tomatoes, Mexican Style and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes and season to taste. In a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, layer up the mince alternatively with the baby marrow slices, ending with a layer of mince. Whisk together the cream cheese and the eggs until smooth and season to taste. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the top of the mince. Mix the cheeses and sprinkle over the cream cheese then sprinkle over the red pepper. Bake the lasagne in an oven that has been preheated to 180° c for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and set. Serve hot. Slow-cooked pulled pork Tender enough to pull apart with a fork, this slow-cooked pork can be served on buns, in wraps or over rice and mash and is a versatile meal for lunch or dinner and the sauce uses Rhodes Quality Tomato and Onion Gravy for your convenience. Pair with a delicious Rhodes Quality 100% orange juice to pack a vitamin C punch. Ingredients (serves 6) 2 x 400 g cans Rhodes Quality Tomato and Onion Gravy 500 ml (2 cups) Rhodes Quality Orange 100% Fruit Juice Blend 1.5 kg pork shoulder salt and freshly cracked black pepper 125 ml (½ cup) brown sugar 4 garlic cloves, crushed 250 ml (1 cup) prepared chicken stock Method Place the pork into the bottom of a slow cooker and season well. Pour the Rhodes Quality Tomato and Onion Gravy and the Rhodes Quality Orange 100% Fruit Juice Blend over the meat. Add the brown sugar, garlic, and chicken stock. Cook over medium heat for 5 -6 hours or until it shreds easily. Remove the meat from the sauce and shred using two forks. Pour any excess oil off the top of the sauce and whisk well. Season to taste. Serve the meat on buns or wraps with the sauce on the side. Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry An easy vegetarian curry, prepared in under and hour made with Rhodes Quality tinned Chickpeas for your convenience. Ingredients (serves 6) 1 x 400 g can Rhodes Quality Chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 x 115 g Rhodes Quality Tomato Paste Cup 500 g (2 cups) peeled and chopped pumpkin 30 ml (2 Tbsp) vegetable oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Pakco Curry Paste 1 x 400 ml can coconut milk 200 g broccoli, washed and cut into florets to serve: rice, poppadums and fresh coriander Pepper Steak Pie A South African winter favourite. Homemade conveniently with Rhodes Quality Tomatoes Chopped and Peeled. Deliciously saucy. Ingredients (makes 4 pies) 1 x 400 g can Rhodes Quality Tomatoes Chopped & Peeled 1 x 50 g Sachet Rhodes Quality Tomato Paste 1.5 kg beef steak, de-boned and cubed 125 ml (½ cup) cake flour salt & freshly cracked black pepper 30 ml (2 Tbsp) sunflower oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 10 ml (2 tsp) dried mixed herbs 500 ml (2 cups) prepared beef stock 20 ml (1Tbsp + 1 tsp) cracked black pepper 1 x 400 g roll ready-made puff pastry 1 egg, lightly beaten Method Place the beef cubes in a large bowl. Add the cake flour and season well with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Shake the excess flour off the meat and fry in batches until sealed on all sides and set aside. Add the onions to the saucepan and, over a low heat, fry until softened. Add the garlic and herbs and fry for a few

July 12, 2021

Unique Jobs that Offer Personal Growth Opportunities

When it comes to choosing a career, many variables motivate people to head into specific directions. While some seek job security and stable salaries, others are driven by their passions and interest. And then, some seek out unique jobs that are fuelled by their passions. If you’re also looking to land a role that produces the ‘wow’ factor, there are quite a few options to consider. Here’s online job aggregator Adzuna’s list of the most extraordinary roles for anyone that likes to live life on the edge! Sky Diving Instructor Skydiving is one of the most popular bucket list items in the world, which means there are more employment opportunities in this field too. Along with constantly jumping out of a plane, this is also one of the most scenic jobs in the world. But it’s a position that comes with tremendous responsibility. Yes, it might be one of the most unique jobs under the sun, but you have your client’s life in your hands. To land this opportunity, you’ll need to attend ground training classes and complete a static line jump. You’ll also have to bag the Accelerated Freefall Course (AFF) to comply with the regulations set out by the Parachute Association of South Africa (P.A.S.A) and complete ten more levels of training. Ethical Hacker You probably think along the lines of a kid on a computer, cooped up in a dark room when you hear the word ‘hacker.’ But ethical hackers are a world apart from this. These professionals get paid to test-hack the software that companies use to ensure it’s as safe and secure as possible. Also known as white hat hackers, ethical hackers are the good guys that figure out ways of breaking into networks so they can offer recommendations on how to secure the systems so real hackers can penetrate them in the future. Chief Listening Officer Chief listening officers are in charge of “listening” to conversations on social media about brands and companies. After ‘listening’ to what consumers are saying, CLOs use the information to help their companies improve business strategies and marketing campaigns. Although it’s a relatively new role, it’s a skill that’s becoming more in demand by the day as companies try to make the most of their social media marketing campaigns. To get into one of these unique jobs, you’ll need a degree in communication or marketing. You’ll also have to demonstrate a strong background in a variety of social platforms. Veterinary Acupuncturist Acupuncture is a Chinese practice that involves using needles to stimulate different parts of the body. Acupuncturists use this method to treat a range of ailments, including chronic pain, allergies, and fertility issues, to name but a few. Interestingly, many people now recommend it for animal healthcare. Many dog owners turn to veterinary acupuncture for canine problems. But many veterinarians use it for the treatment of symptoms and conditions in cats, cows, horses, ferrets, and rabbits. Soil Scientist You already know that there are biologists, chemists, and physicists. But do you know that some scientists earn incredible salaries just by looking at dirt? These professionals study the physical, biological, mineralogical, and chemical composition of the soil. And they earn pretty impressive salaries for doing so! Since it’s a scientific role, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in the field. But there are no hard and fast rules on what kind of experience or training you need to get into the field. It also pays to know that the field is growing. The demand for agriculture and food science is set to expand by 7% by 2028. This means there might be even more job opportunities for scientists in this field. Conclusion The world is home to many fascinating and unique jobs. And as you can see, all it takes is passion, perseverance, and a little luck to land them. Don’t have any experience in the jobs mentioned in this post? No sweat! Adzuna lists all the jobs in one place, making it easy for you to find a career you’re experienced in and qualified for!

July 11, 2021

Disappearing Jobs: Professions that Won’t Exist in 10 Years

Tech is moving at a breakneck pace and disappearing jobs are becoming a bigger threat by the day . Our world is becoming more digitised by the day. We’ve already lost numerous jobs. And in just under ten years, millions more could become obsolete. A 2015 study by the Foundation for Young Australians found that up to 60% of young individuals were training or studying for jobs at risk of becoming automated within a decade. So which jobs are likely to disappear by 2030? Join Adzuna as they explore disappearing jobs and found out if your profession is at risk! Fast Disappearing Jobs Travel Agent The COVID-19 pandemic shook the travel and hospitality industry to its core. Once upon a time, booking a summer holiday was something your local travel agent bid on your behalf. But now, the abundance of comparison websites makes it easy for anyone to make their own travel plans. All you need is an internet connection and some spare time. The likes of Skyscanner and Trivago make it easy to tailor flights and hotel searches to your budget and date. The good news is that although travel agents might soon become a thing of the past, there are still plenty of jobs available in the travel industry. Bank Teller We know that banks won’t disappear altogether, but many branches will. The convenience and user-friendly nature of online baking put bank teller jobs on the risk list of disappearing jobs. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to transact and manage your bank account from the comfort of your own home. People still need to consult with financial advisors and experts, though. This means the banking sector will always be around, employing highly qualified financial staff. Textile Worker The number of employees in the textile industry has been declining for years. And this isn’t due to a lack of demand for the products. It’s due to the process changes in the way textiles are manufactured. Machines do most of the manufacturing and production these days, which means fewer opportunities for textile workers. On the upside, the move towards automation requires the input of specialist operators to work the machines. Sports Referee FIFA, soccer’s governing body, is focusing on introducing more tech into the game. Goal-line technology is now a standard in the game, and video assistant referee systems are being deployed in the European leagues. Other sports, like tennis, cricket, and rugby, have also started widely implementing the use of tech to make real-time decisions during matches. Like textile machine operators, the move to automation requires the skills of trained tech professionals to manage the tech. Telemarketer Most people (apart from telemarketers) will be relieved about this one. Unwanted sales calls aren’t being forced down the public’s throat with human voices anymore. They’re becoming more and more automated by the day. Many telemarketing companies have adopted the automated approach to reduce hiring costs and engage with customers at any time of the day. The good news is that there are still plenty of other sales-related jobs out there. Even though these roles might not be the same as telemarketing, there are still opportunities. Legal Secretary Technology has already led to the automation of more than 30,000 professions in the legal sector. Roles, including that of legal secretaries, are now classified as disappearing jobs. A Deloitte report suggests that they expect more than 114,000 legal jobs to be lost to automation over the next two decades. As the industry adopts new technologies and deploys artificial intelligence, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for entry-level admin roles in the sector. In order to stay relevant and employable, legal secretaries might have to upskill and retrain in order to work with AI and thrive in the new digital era. In Conclusion Although the disappearing jobs we mentioned here might leave you feeling a little grim, it’s not all doom and gloom. Tech giant Dell claims that 85% of the jobs that will exist in the future haven’t been invented yet. And with the tech landscape set to become unrecognisable over the next few years, the future of work might just be abundant with all kinds of new and exciting opportunities!

July 10, 2021

TikTok, Roblox and game videos: What kids were looking for in 2020-2021

A new Kaspersky Safe Kids study has revealed what children were interested in during 2020 – 2021. Over the past year, their interest has grown in the categories of ‘software, audio and video’ and ‘e-commerce’, while ‘Internet communication media’ and ‘computer games’ have slightly decreased. TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp are at the top of the most popular applications. At the same time, TikTok overtook Instagram with almost double the level of popularity. 2020 turned out to be one of the most unusual years for modern children. The pandemic has changed many common life situations across the globe, including education, meeting friends and family, recreation, and entertainment. Kaspersky analysed anonymised data, such as search queries, the most popular Android applications and website categories requested voluntarily provided by Kaspersky Safe Kids users, to explore how the interests and needs of children have changed under the new conditions. The most popular website categories among children in South Africa were ‘software, audio, video’ (52%), ‘Internet communication media’ (14%) and ‘computer games’ (9%). Among the most popular apps, YouTube leads by a wide margin – the service remains the most popular video streaming service among children around the world. In second place is the messenger WhatsApp, and third is the popular social network TikTok. The top list also includes games, such as Brawl Stars, Roblox, Among US and Minecraft. Children globally are very active in listening to and watching music videos on YouTube – its share is 17.35% in searches for music genres and videos. A number of ‘trend’ videos were also visible in the statistics – ‘pop it and simple dimple’ and ‘ASMR’ account for 4.43% of the queries. This year, requests related to the video game maker Gacha Life also stood out in the top ratings of children from all over the world with a share of 4%. When it comes to music tastes, alongside traditional leaders like K-POP bands BTS and BLACKPINK, singers Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Travis Scott, another musical genre, like ‘phonk’ became popular. There is also a trend towards ‘creative’ videos – more and more requests for beats, samples and lessons on creating music in various programmes began to appear at the top of the list. At the same time, TikTok remains the main musical trendsetter for children. Cartoons account for half (50.21%) of all video searches by children around the world. The most popular ones are Lady Bug and Super Cat, Gravity Falls and Peppa Pig. In second place were various TV shows – the most frequent search in English was The Voice Kids. In movies and TV series, the most popular trailers were Godzilla vs Kong, Zach Snyder’s recent Justice League and the Disney+ mini-series WandaVision. Netflix also continues to attract the attention of more kids – the most frequent requests via the platform were for Cobra Kai and the now iconic Stranger Things. TikTok remains the undisputed leader among children, but at the same time, the perception of the social network has begun to transform. Now it is no longer only a social network for clips and lip syncs, as more educational and creative content has begun to appear on the platform. At the same time, to create TikTok videos, one person has to do the work of the operator, actor, director, and the entire film crew. All this develops skills that can not only be useful for children in the future, but could lead them to choosing it as a profession. For video games, those trending the most with children globally include Minecraft (22.84%), Fortnite (6.73%), Among Us (3.80%), Brawl Stars (6.34%) – which recently captured the attention of children and is very popular – and the much-loved Roblox game (3.82%). At the same time, the most frequently played game in the top 10 for almost all countries is Roblox. Of all the regions, it was children from Kazakhstan who became leaders in visiting sites devoted to computer games – 26.01%. In second place were children from the UK (19.40%). But we see a very different picture in India, where children hardly ever visited sites dedicated to video games from a PC (just 5.08%). “Modern children grow up with gadgets in their hands from a very young age, so they adapt to the digital space and master new technologies much faster. We see how TikTok has become one of the main trendsetters among children in a short time and continues to keep their attention. At the same time, YouTube hasn’t lost ground and remains the leader in popularity among children, in part due to the huge variety of videos, ranging from ‘let-plays’, documenting the playthrough of a video game, to educational lectures and clips. Understanding and analysing the interests of children on the Internet helps us to pay attention to the issue of safety. By knowing what kind of music a child listens to, who their favourite bloggers are or what games they play, parents can strengthen their trusted relations with kids. For instance, they could film a TikTok video together. This will also let parents help their kids to protect themselves from potential hazards online,” comments Anna Larkina, web content analysis expert at Kaspersky. To ensure children have a positive online experience, Kaspersky recommends that parents: Learn more about your children’s interests. Surf and learn together. See where children spend their time online and explore how to best keep them safe. Explain that sensitive information should only be shared via messengers and only with people they know in real life. Consider downloading parental control apps and discuss this topic with your child to explain how such apps work and why they need them to stay safe online. Spend more time communicating with children about online safety measures. Tell your children what must not, under any circumstances, be published on the Internet and why.

July 9, 2021

Easy Ways To Encourage Your Children To Draw

Research published in Psychology, Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts found that drawing boosts your mood, making you feel happier. Not only that, but it encourages penmanship, helping with fine motor skills and muscle memory. Drawing is also an excellent way of stimulating the imagination, and provides children with a sense of accomplishment, helping them to boost their self-esteem. Encouraging your child to draw is easy, and you don’t need expensive equipment – you don’t even need a pen or pencil: you can draw in sand or soil if you’re on the beach or in the backyard. Children will enjoy spending time expressing themselves, both indoors and out, having fun with art. Drawing family pets The pets in your home make the ideal art subject, and will give your child the opportunity to add texture to their drawings. Think about sketching fur on a cat’s face – the lines go in many different directions to create contour and help give the face a sense of dimension. It is easy to achieve the effect of fur just with a pencil when you’re drawing a cute cat face. One of the best times to draw a pet is when they’re asleep. You can then focus on small details, like the spotty dimples of a dog’s nose, or how large their ears are in comparison to the rest of their head. Your child can also have a go at drawing some colourful paw prints. Finger painting You don’t need to use a pen and paper to be able to draw: get your child to try using different parts of their body. Finger painting is a good start, and a fun activity for pre-schoolers and toddlers. You can use coloured paints, or even make your own art materials from plants and flowers. Finger painting is only the start though – what about elbow painting? Or using your feet to create different shapes? By making drawing a tactile experience, you can engage your child and help them to improve their coordination and motor skills. Doodling and Zentangle Drawing is a wonderful way to express yourself, and doodling in particular can be a great way of freeing the mind. It shows children that you don’t always have to draw a certain subject: even the simple act of putting pen to paper and starting with some flowing squiggles can be good fun. Those squiggles may become something unexpected entirely, or you can use them as a starting point to create imaginary creatures, aliens and landscapes. For older children, the Zentangle method can be fun, creating structured and sequenced patterns to create larger images. It helps the mind to focus and relax, easing stress and making you feel happy. Zentangle is also a great way of drawing botanical pictures, filled with trees, leaves and flowers. Drawing is extremely beneficial for children, and helps them to develop their fine-motor skills in a creative way. Drawing is also an essential tool for helping children to express themselves, boosting mood so they feel happy.

July 9, 2021

Grade R – 12 textbooks and teacher’s guides

Optimi Publishing provides lesson material and books to over 150 schools. Here’s how Optimi Publishing can help you save time and money. Our books include the outcomes for each lesson. Our teacher’s guides include the annual planning for the year. Our assessments have already been moderated and can be used as is. Our lesson material allows learners to complete the work in their workbooks, saving money on printing costs and buying extra workbooks. Optimi booksfor Grades R to 12 Optimi Publishing develops lesson material for the Optimi Group including study guides, workbooks, and additional aids, with thorough teacher’s guides to facilitate learning. Our range of books are suitable for use in school or at home and covers a wide range of CAPS-aligned subject content for the Foundation-, Intermediate-, and Senior Phases, as well as further education. Development Over the years, we have refined our development processes and learned what works best for our learners. Our benchmark study- and teacher’s guides are based on the latest insights from the learning sciences. A team of education specialists, teachers, moderators, editors, and designers ensures that every aspect of the learning journey is considered. Our material provides learners and teachers with individualised guidance and empowers them to achieve their learning goals. What makes our books unique? Year plans to guide and track individualised learning, which allow learners to work at their own pace Easy-to-each daily lessons for the whole year, with easy navigation through lessons Comprehensive explanations of concepts in simple language Strategic use of colour, pictures, and graphs to reduce cognitive load Relevant content with real-life examples Learning activities are aimed at making progress visible and mastering content Interactive and practical activities that make use of everyday objects to help learners master concepts Exercises to test learners’ knowledge application and reasoning Activities during and at the end of each lesson to prompt reflection and recall Activity types are mixed to include both recent and older subject matter Language subjects include texts for comprehension exercises, speeches, and reading The teacher’s guides for Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy include step-by-step calculations and answers Get in Touch with Optimi Publishing [email protected] 087 405 2244

July 8, 2021

Chicco WE Black Stroller

INTRODUCING THE NEW CHICCO WE STROLLER The Chicco We stroller is a lightweight, versatile buggy-style stroller that is perfect for parents who travel a lot or for parents who like to be on the go. This stroller has an extremely compact fold which makes it easy to travel with and of course the fact that it is light makes life much easier when on the move too. Suitable for use from birth to 15kgs, this stylish stroller with leather details will fit right into your busy lifestyle. Capable of a full recline, your little one can safely have a nap whilst being protected from the weather with the large canopy which has UV50+ protection. The We stroller has an ample storage basket at its base. This edgy, stylish stroller is the ultimate stroller for your little one on the go! You can find the Chicco We Stoller at participating baby outlets from only R5 999.99. For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

July 7, 2021

Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School A look into our Assisted Learning Stream

In the heart of Kensington, lies a hidden gem. This gem is Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School. As a strong establishment of 52 years in remedial and special needs support, Glenoaks offers a unique and comprehensive educational experience for any child who presents with wide-ranging barriers to learning. The school has a specific stream dedicated to learners with special educational needs. This stream is run by a team of dedicated teachers and therapists who are passionate about special needs and strive for each child to reach their true potential. The GOAL (Glenoaks Assisted Learning) Stream caters for learners from the ages of 6 to 14 years, who have special educational needs which inhibit them from learning in the ‘traditional classroom’. Our learners are unique, inspiring and present with a variety of different and individualistic learning styles. Even though they cannot cope with the pace and complexity of an academic curriculum, neither in a mainstream nor in a remedial classroom, they are able to learn within our supported environment – this is because we focus on what our learners CAN do! Each of our learners have differing areas of strengths. Some have promising potential in one or two subject areas but demonstrate functional abilities in other areas and some of them demonstrate strengths with tasks of a practical nature. A placement in the GOAL stream allows for teachers and therapists to work on enhancing the learners’ strengths whilst developing their skills in areas they find difficult without having to abide by a pre-determined curriculum that may not be suitable to their learning style or needs. Our learners all benefit from repetition, positive reinforcement, and reduced time pressure, aiming at developing skills within their levels of ability. At present we have a Junior, an Intermediate and a Senior GOAL Stream class. These classes are divided according to a child’s age and ability. Our class sizes are between 5 – 7 learners, and the younger classes have a classroom facilitator. This allows for individual attention and support throughout the day. We also have a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychologists, occupational, speech and language and remedial therapists, as well as facilitators, all working together to ensure that no stone gets left unturned when it comes to your child’s educational needs. Subjects in the GOAL Stream include life skills, activities of daily living, cooking, supported reading, home management, current events and world knowledge, basic administration skills, computers, drumming, library, sport, social and emotional skills, Occupational Therapy groups, Speech-Language Therapy and communication groups, social skills groups, work experience groups, and arts and crafts. We also work on individualised numeracy and literacy programs with each of our learners. Our classroom themes are all-encompassing themes and many of our activities are ‘out of the box’ to best support learning needs and styles. Older GOAL Stream learners have many opportunities for project-based learning in preparation for in-house work experience. Our core focus for these learners includes developing their life skills, and functional mathematical and literacy skills so that they can be productive and contributing members of society, whether it be within independent or sheltered working environments. Our school has a warm and nurturing environment. Please spend some time looking at our website, and make an appointment if you wish to come and see our gem of a school! The staff at Glenoaks take inspiration from each child as well as their families, and this poem written by a mom who was asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability, has made us look at special needs differently. It’s like this… Welcome to Holland Written by Emily Perl Kingsley When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Colosseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.” “Holland?!” you say. “What do you mean, Holland?” I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy. But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to some horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place. So you must go out and buy a new guidebook. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It’s just a different place. It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.” The pain of that will never, ever, go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

July 7, 2021

Can we solve SA’s malnutrition problem?

South Africa has constantly teetered on the edge of food insecurity and Covid-19 has officially pushed us over. While food security was highlighted during the pandemic, as the pandemic recedes it will likely become a major social and political issue as the coming year unfolds. And rightfully so. The 2020 Child Gauge identified food insecurity as one of the main reasons why South Africa remains stuck in a low-growth trajectory. The report points out that not only are 25% of South Africa’s children stunted through insufficient nutrients for healthy growth and development but that most South African children now live in communities where healthy foods are no longer available or affordable. Above inflation food prices are one reason for this especially if we consider that a food basket for the poor has increased by 15.3% over the past year, costing R4 051,20 on average. And the impact is certainly being felt. An increase in destitution Some of the NPOs we support report a dire situation on the ground. For instance, Sue Wildish, MD of The Lunchbox Fund reports that the collapse of the tourism and hospitality industry throughout the pandemic has pushed large swathes of population into poverty, with serious consequences for childhood development. It established a downward spiral in which parents were unable to pay fees into Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDCs) and consequently keep their children at home. Those ECDCs that were able to stay open suffered from reduced capacity and teachers in turn could not be paid. With more jobs lost, even more households were pushed into food-insecurity. Schools need to be encouraged to stay open and to accept children regardless of cost so they can be in a place of safety and be fed. People working in NPOs further note that queues at Department of Social Development and Home Affairs have increased by 50% in most areas. This increase in destitution means children are eating low quality, low-price foods with little nutritive value. Wildish reports the impact of this as being “children who are stunted, undernourished and overweight – a triple impact”. Anecdotally, she says, 25% of ECDCs that are unfunded by the Department of Social Development or who are not receiving support from NPOs have closed permanently, and two million children will no longer have access to pre-school educational stimulation and the meals they receive at school. One meal a day, if that Feedback from Kelvin Glen, Executive: Stakeholder Relations, Afrika Tikkun, is that its teams of social workers, educators and community development officers have reported an increase in the incidence of malnutrition throughout their communities. The meals served at their centres are often the only meal the children/youth receive. He believes that poverty and suffering, as well as a lack of opportunities in already overpopulated areas, lead to a rise in crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and violence. Afrika Tikkun believes that this is due to rising food prices, which has resulted in a lack of access to healthy, nutritious meals, as well as high levels of unemployment and poverty. He is convinced that the solution lies in upscaling feeding schemes by the NPO industry and government in the short term. Recognizing that battling fires all the time is impractical, Glen proposes a two-pronged long-term strategy: “We must solve the structural inequality in our society through long-term growth and mobilization of the youth to achieve economic independence.” Secondly, South Africa has an abundance of fertile land and unemployed unskilled youth, the solution is ‘agripreneurship’ training in agriculture and entrepreneurship.” Empowering the unskilled and unemployed youth to become entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector will dually address the issue of poor nutrition and create employment in the production of fresh vegetables and livestock. Worryingly, Afrika Tikkun believes that those who are poor have already hit their breaking point. In turn, the non-profit sector is overburdened in attempting to help what has been described as a “tidal wave of need.” Poverty: a hidden problem Noting a reduced media coverage around food insecurity in SA – HOPE worldwide South Africa’s Dr Marc Aguirre says his organisation continues to see many families that are suffering, caused mainly by to food insecurity and hunger and that are living lives of ‘quiet desperation’ HOPE argues that food insecurity will continue to debilitate our society by increasing illness, child stunting and mortality. It increases the direct economic costs of coping with the health impacts of malnutrition and enormous reduction in human potential and economic productivity. Aguirre offers his ‘wish list’ of what could be done in the longer term of combat malnourishment: Increase the child support grant amount to levels that will allow families to put adequate quality food on the table Reduce the cost of staple foods through mechanisms such as price subsidies Promote local food production closer to communities Continue to raise awareness through media channels about the massive and growing plight of families and children facing food insecurity and hunger Continue to raise funds through mechanisms such as the Solidarity Fund and funding for NGOs to continue to enable them to reach the most vulnerable While KFC’s Add Hope has provided 360 million meals to date – supporting more than 140 different non-profit organisations (NPOs) and feeding 150 000 children daily since inception, we are only too aware that much more needs to be done. Rising food prices has a devastating impact on impoverished communities. It means less food purchasing power both in terms of quantity and quality. This has an impact on health, child development, and social and mental well-being and given that South Africa produces enough food to feed the entire population it begs the question, why can’t we solve South Africa’s malnutrition problem? Andra Nel, CSI and sponsorship manager at KFC Africa

July 7, 2021

Ready, Set, Go! Top Tips and Tricks to Starting Solids with Your Baby

Your baby is nearing six months and excitement starts to mount as you prepare to introduce solids for the first time. This is often called first-foods (weaning) or complementary feeding, implying that foods complement milk at this stage of the weaning journey, instead of replacing it entirely. Even though milk alone may not meet your baby’s nutritional needs anymore, it is still an important source of nutrients and minerals essential for healthy growth and this means that you will still offer baby milk when you first start with solid foods. Ready… The best food to start with is one that is culturally acceptable and familiar to the family. Traditionally, this may be a soft porridge like rice porridge or maize porridge, but other options may be single flavours like puréed sweet potato, or butternut, carrots, apples, pears, pawpaw, or peaches. Regardless of the food you choose, prepare it with breast milk (or formula) to help your baby recognise a flavour that they have been used to for the past 6 months. Offer this food for three days before moving on to another food or changing the flavour in the food. For example, if your baby likes pumpkin, mix with pureed apple or a sprinkle of cinnamon next time as you can mix foods together from early on. It is good practice to continually offer baby’s tastebuds new flavours and taste dimensions as you progress on your solids journey. There is no evidence that babies will not like veggies if they have already had naturally sweeter fruit. It is also suggested that you try a food that is not an allergen for now, avoiding for example a wheat-based cereal (gluten), yoghurt (cow’s milk) or egg at first. For a convenient way to get your baby to try its first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and juice flavours give parents a broader range of taste options for even the fussiest of eaters, right from the first introduction of solids through to a full meal, or tasty snack. Set… Time to stock up on baby-friendly spoons, bowls, and bibs. Think about where you want to feed your baby. Choose an appropriate feeding space, one that will help promote sensory stimulation and the social aspect of mealtimes. Remember, meals do not need to be limited to the feeding chair and you can feed your baby on the lap. Meals also do not need to be limited to the kitchen or dining room. When age appropriate, sit on the floor with a blanket or outside under the trees on a warm day. Regardless, it is important to ensure however that your baby is always well supported and sitting upright when being fed. Invest in different sized bowls with fun colours (silicon cups work great) and a fun mini cooler bag for when you’re out and about. Squish 100% fruit and purees and pressed juices offer convenient meal solutions whether at home, on the go, right from the start of the weaning journey. And because Squish purees are free from preservatives, flavourants, colourants, you can rest assured you are offering your baby a meal that is pretty much the same as making it yourself. Go! It’s go time which means it’s time to choose the right time of day, ideally when both you and your baby are calm, relaxed, and not in a rush. This may be the weekend for working parents, or a weekday for stay-at-home moms. You may also want to include other family members for this memorable milestone. The best time of the day to start offering solids to your baby is when your baby is most alert and awake, and in a happy mood. This may be after waking from a midmorning nap and between milk feeds so that your baby is not too tired, too hungry, or too full. During the beginning stages, do not worry too much about the formality of mealtimes as we know it, like offering cereal for breakfast at 8am or a vegetable with lunch at 1pm. Follow your baby’s lead and enjoy these special first moments watching your baby’s taste buds get excited about solid food. You can then start to add other tastes and eventually other textures when your baby is ready, and Squish 100% fruit and veg purees offer a meal solution for every occasion.

July 6, 2021

Say Cheese!

Cheese contains a unique combination of valuable nutrients. It is not only nutritious but also delicious and versatile. Add it to dishes for flavour, eat it in moderate amount by itself or on a sandwich, or put it in a lunch box as a convenient snack. There are many varieties of cheese. Some of the well-known ones are Cheddar, Gouda, Mozzarella and Feta. Cheese Packed with protein, calcium, zinc and other essential nutrients, cheese deserves its place as a healthy food item in your family’s diet – whichever one you choose. Here’s why cheese is good for you: Cheese is an excellent source of good-quality protein. It contains all the essential building blocks (amino acids) you need to build strong bones and muscles. With one portion of cheese per day, that is two slices of cheese or 2 tablespoons of grated cheese (40 g), you get: 15% of your daily vitamin A needs – for good eyesight and to fight against disease 30% of your daily calcium needs – for strong, healthy bones and teeth 27% of your daily needed zinc – to support your immune system and help protect you against disease. Cheese fills you up with a unique combination of valuable nutrients and makes you feel fuller for longer, preventing unnecessary snacking. You can have a portion of cheese daily even if you have high cholesterol. Research shows that cheese has a neutral or even protective effect on heart disease. Hard cheeses such as Cheddar and Gouda contain little to no lactose, which makes them good choices in case of lactose intolerance. Protein, calcium and phosphorus in cheese help to protect your teeth against decay. Research shows that eating hard cheese directly after a meal is a good way to protect your teeth and keep them healthy. To make cheese an affordable option in your diet, buy it in bulk when it is offered at a good price. Grate everything and then store it in smaller amounts in an airtight container or plastic bag in the freezer. This way the cheese will last long. You can use it directly from the freezer as needed. Choose cheese as a snack or part of a meal to: Help you reach your goal of 3 servings of dairy a day so that you get enough calcium for healthy bones Keep your teeth in tip-top shape so that you can keep smiling Help you regulate your appetite and feel fuller for longer. For more cheese tips, visit www.rediscoverdairy.co.za

July 5, 2021

I work from home: can I claim tax benefits?

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it a shift towards long term workplace flexibility no one could have predicted. Some parents see it as a blessing, others find it distracting and long for the ‘good old days’ of canteen coffee and conference room catch-ups. Whatever your views, if you are an employee who finds themselves with a newfound level of workplace flexibility, there is a benefit you might not have thought about. Did you know SARS offers tax benefits for work from home and remote working employees? And if you read the word ‘tax’ and your mind went to a dark place filled with thoughts of deductibles and deadlines then fear not, we’ve broken it down into four easy steps for you. Do I qualify for tax benefits? If you are a freelancer or independent contractor working from home in South Africa, then yes, you absolutely do qualify for various income tax benefits. In addition, people who are employed on a fixed term contract or as a permanent employee, who work from home for all or part of the year can claim expenses from their income tax but the requirements are a little more stringent. This includes employees who work partly in office and partly at home in a more hybrid working manner, and would require that you keep a log of the amount of time spent in the office versus at home in order to see if you qualify for the work-from-home tax savings. What kind of costs can be deducted from income tax? If you own your own business (even as a sole proprietor), you can track any costs related to operating your own business from home as it can reduce your annual income tax bill. If you are employed and work from home, track any costs you need in order to do your job, such as telephone bills, internet costs, office equipment, stationery, cleaning, rent, bond interest, repair costs to your office premises and other expenses in connection to the wear and tear of your operating equipment and working space. Bear in mind the working space needs to be specifically dedicated for the purpose of work, e.g. a home study set up as an office, it cannot be your kitchen counter or a communal space in the home. How do I claim income tax back from SARS? Start by retaining all invoices and slips for expenses incurred. This way you can substantiate that the expenses claimed relate directly to working from home. For hybrid office and home workers, it’s best to keep a running spreadsheet of days worked from home, and days at the office. Then collate your statements and relevant documentation to the days worked at home so you have a complete record of all your work from home activities for tax purposes. Are permanent and fixed term contracting staff liable for tax deductions? With Covid-19 making it fairly mainstream to work from home, it is welcome news that all employees are liable for tax deductions for home office expenditure, provided they have worked from home for at least six months of the tax year. This is in line with the ‘Section 11(a) as part of the South African Income Tax Act (58 of 1962).’ As remote working becomes more and more the norm, it’s important to keep track of the Income Tax Act as it is sure to evolve and reflect the ever expanding population of remote workers.

July 5, 2021

Type A Personality Jobs Ideal for Anyone Who Likes Organising

Perhaps you know all about the Type A personality. Do you love living by a regiment to-do list and stand out for your planning skills, tidying up, and organising? Chances are high that you’re a Type A! Your organisational skills keep your life running smoothly, and when put to good use, they can also help you achieve career success. Your personality might be the ideal fit for managerial roles where processes must be followed and things need to get done without hiccups. While there are many career avenues where Type A personalities can thrive, Adzuna compiled a list of the most rewarding career paths for people that love organising. Embrace your inner anxiety and try the following picks on for size! Best Roles for Type A Personalities Data Entry Data entry roles are great ways of earning extra income in your spare time, but you can also pursue a full-time career in this niche. This job involves using a computer for various tasks like transferring information from one place to another or transcribing audio files. A role in data entry is very detail-oriented. But this is where your keen eye for paying attention to the tiniest bits of information is a huge bonus. Editing or Proofreading Editing and proofreading are all about picking up minute mistakes in the written word and improving the content to appeal to readers. It’s a perfect role for Type A personalities with impeccable grammar skills. PR Specialist It takes a great deal of dedication and patience to become a public relations specialist, but it’s a great challenge for people that like organisation. PR specialists usually liaise with influencers and publicists, ensuring the company’s presence is presented in the right light. These professionals also do a lot of administrative work that includes filing and spreadsheets. PA Personal assistants are responsible for managing their boss’ schedule. They create and organise calendars, arrange business trips, and run errands as required. Pas typically supports senior managers by offering administrative help like email management, drafting communications on their behalf, and organising meetings. Project Manager Project managers work within every industry imaginable. These professionals ensure that ongoing projects run smoothly. They’re also responsible for creating and delegating tasks. Project managers plan, organise, and direct the completion of projects. They also ensure these projects get done on time, on budget, and within scope. Logistics Management Logistics managers plan, direct, and coordinate departments such as purchasing, distribution, forecasting, and customer service. As detail-oriented professionals, logistics controllers ensure that operations between various departments run smoothly. LMs also supervise the movement, distribution, and storage of supplies and materials. They plan routes, analyse budgets, and process shipments, and form part of middle management. Training and Development Specialist Training and development experts spend the majority of their time ensuring that staff is up to date with company procedures. They also train teams to ensure they perform well in their jobs. These professionals can work in-house with various teams, or they can work as contractors within a variety of companies to help with training issues. Conclusion As you can see, there are many great jobs for Type A personalities that love organising and planning. Essentially, these personalities are determined to succeed in their personal and professional lives and don’t accept failure as an option. Jobs that require them to keep their eye on the prize are ideal for these personalities. After reviewing the list of opportunities, it is clear to see that Type A personalities thrive in managerial roles.

July 4, 2021

Excellent Remote Volunteering Opportunities for 2021

Volunteering opportunities aren’t only for individuals with a lot of free time on their hands. They allow you to contribute to important causes while helping you grow on a personal and professional level. Furthermore, they make you more employable. Obviously, many of us have hectic schedules and personal responsibilities that leave little room for volunteering. But luckily, online volunteering offers a solution. Similar to in-person volunteering, they enable you to do your part. But from the comfort of your own home. And in just a couple of hours per week. Ready to add some experience to your resume? Adzuna recently did a little digging and found an impressive collection of opportunities to help you gain volunteering experience. Check out the list of options and see which one resonates with you! United Nations Volunteers The UN Volunteers Programme offers a plethora of volunteering opportunities worldwide that all strive to boost sustainable development. It’s super easy to find an option you’re interested in on the UNV website. Simply select the sector you’d like to participate in and navigate through the opportunities until you find something that suits your skills and experience. Create the Good Create the Good was established to enable people to share their skills and passions within their communities. Depending on your skillset, there are numerous causes you might be able to contribute to. With options to work with veterans, the elderly, children, and the youth, there’s something here for everyone. Catchafire Catchafire is a skills-based volunteer-matching platform that allows you to connect with nonprofits in need of your professional skills. By volunteering your expertise, you’ll be contributing to meaningful projects and initiatives. They also have one-hour phone call opportunities where you’ll have the chance to consult and brainstorm with nonprofits even if you’re really short on time. Translators without Borders Translators without Borders aims to bridge the language gap by offering translation and language services to nonprofits and humanitarian groups. You can apply for their volunteering opportunities if you’re fluent in two or more languages and would like to make a difference in humanitarian crisis response as an interpreter or translator. TechSoup TechSoup empowers nonprofits with mission-critical technology resources and skills. For instance, if you’re particularly tech-savvy and looking for a way to do your part, this is a terrific way to use your IT expertise for a good cause. As a remote volunteer, you can offer your services by writing for TechSoup’s blog or answering some questions on their online forum to help NGOs. Grow Movement Grow Movement enables you to work with entrepreneurs in developing countries. If you’ve got commercial experience, any kind of mentoring experience, and experience with improving business performance, this is the ideal volunteering opportunity. After completing 12 mentoring sessions, you can teach an entrepreneur new skills and help them improve their business performance. Amnesty Decoders If you’re passionate about human rights and have a trusty computer or smartphone, joining Amnesty Decoders as a volunteer might be the right move for you. The organisation investigates human rights violations and relies on volunteers to get the job done. Once you register, you can join various projects through Amnesty Decoders’ website. Essentially, volunteers help Amnesty International further its efforts for equal human rights. Learning Ally Learning Ally’s Volunteer Nation offers excellent volunteering opportunities for anyone passionate about education. Their volunteers assist with producing audiobook versions of textbooks and literature so students with dyslexia and other disabilities like visual impairment can stay engaged and independent. Volunteers have the option of recording audiobooks as narrators. They can also offer feedback to other narrators, or work in quality assurance to ensure the audio is of high quality. In Conclusion You can tweak your resume, polish your LinkedIn profile, research companies, and brush up on your interview skills until you’re blue in the face. But there’s one thing that will always make you appear more employable than the rest of the crowd. Volunteering experience. All things considered, volunteering is the best way to give back. Ultimately, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Online volunteering opportunities are great ways to put your free time, professional expertise, and talents to good use.

July 3, 2021

The Tell-Tale Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Solids

The first bath. The first sleepover at granny. The first giggle. And now, the first taste of solid food. Initially babies only need milk (breast or formula) but as your baby grows the more proteins and minerals as well as thicker textures are needed, which is why the introduction of solid foods is crucial in baby’s development. Starting solids is an exciting milestone for the family but can also bring about some distress as to when to start. The World Health Organisation, supported by the South African Department of Health, encourages that babies start solid food from 6 months. This is an optimal time when your baby’s gut and kidneys are physiologically mature enough to handle solid food. Another reason is that your baby is born with only enough iron and certain other mineral stores to last about 6 months, after which your baby will need to start getting iron and other necessary minerals from food. Your baby will also start to show physical and developmental signs that they are ready to start eating solid food. Baby will sit without support and can hold their head steady. Baby will watch as you or a family member moves food to your mouth. Baby may try to grab your food and put it in its mouth. Baby will instinctively open the mouth when a spoon approaches. Baby may start to wake up more frequently for night feeds than before, indicating hunger. If your toddler starts to show these signs, in addition to the age consideration, it may be time to consider introducing solids. During this time it is important to continue to offer your baby milk. It is a good idea for the first solid meal to be offered during the day after a mid-morning nap and milk feed and when your baby is not too tired or too hungry. Your baby needs to be in top form to learn this new skill and to start its first food journey. It is always a better time to start when your baby is happy, healthy, and well, and not when ill, has a fever or any rashes. For a convenient way to get your baby to try its first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees, perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. Squish convenient puree pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and provide delicious tasting convenience, whether at home or on the go. Even better is that Squish purees are preservative free, colourant free and flavourant free with no added starch. Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and Squish 100% fruit and veg pressed juices flavours give parents a broader range of taste options for even the fussiest of eaters, right from the first introduction of solids through to a full meal, or tasty snack. For individualised professional advice for premature babies or any health or nutritional concerns, contact a healthcare professional such as a registered dietitian, paediatrician, or paediatric nurse. Brought to you by Squish 100% fruit and veg puree meals for babies, toddlers and beyond

July 2, 2021

The Myths and Facts about socialisation and homeschooling

The socialisation myth was born out of a misconception of what it means to be homeschooled. Many critics, educators, and parents still believe that homeschoolers hit the books at 9 am do schoolwork until 4 pm, and spend the entire day alone and isolated from the rest of the world. This notion, of course, is quite uninformed! This topic of the effect homeschooling has on socialisation has been one of the most heavily researched issues for years now. People still have trouble conceiving how or if a child can develop optimal social and emotional skills when homeschooled. These concerns are almost always goodhearted but usually said from a position where people assume that the conventional way of schooling is the only way, and have done very little research on the subject. These assumptions arise from a variety of misconceptions and If you’re thinking about homeschooling, this article can help you understand the myths and facts about socialisation and homeschooling. Let us first understand the definition of socialisation. Socialization is (1) the activity of interacting with other people through which (2) the process of internalizing occurs. We internalize norms, rules, appropriate behaviors, values, ideologies, basic attitudes, self-image, and everything else that’s culturally dependent. Children do not always respond well in large groups of 20 or 30, where peer pressure is high and kids feel the need to look and act the same way as their counterparts. Learners find themselves surrounded by rivalry, competition, and ridicule. Large groups of children become noisy and result in kids becoming nervous and over-excited. Learning becomes difficult and this is when behavioral problems develop. Does this sound like an environment for healthy socialisation? Dr. Raymond Moore, an author of over 60 books and articles on human development, who has done extensive research on homeschooling and socialisation says this in his book, The Hurried Child, “The idea that children need to be around many other youngsters to be ‘socialized, is perhaps the most dangerous and extravagant myth in education and child-rearing today.” After analyzing over 8,000 early childhood studies, Dr. Moore concluded that, contrary to popular belief, children are best socialized by parents – not other children. A homeschooler knows she is part of a family unit that needs, wants, and depends on her. She does not have to follow the crowd or continuously be compared to her peers. By interacting with her parents and siblings she has a greater opportunity to build confidence, self-respect, and self-worth. The result is an independent thinker who isn’t influenced by peers and is self-directed in her actions and thoughts. Children need time to dream and grow and find out what it is they love to do. This is something few children enjoy today as they spend the majority of their time at school trying to fit into the same mold as every other student, never given the freedom to be an individual with their own set of needs. They are never alone at school, and their after-school lives are packed full of activities, as well. Homeschoolers have a wonderful opportunity to spend more time on the things that drive them and by joining sports clubs and group programs in their community they can enjoy all forms of socialisation. Socialization, like learning and life, takes place every day. How you interact with your kids – and how they watch you interact with the outside world – teaches them all the social skills they’ll need to know. Stop worrying about socialization. It’s a “problem” that never existed!

July 1, 2021

Play Sense launches winter holiday program for pre-schoolers

South Africa has a long winter school holiday over July, when the harshest, cold weather is usually at its peak. With SA’s third wave of the pandemic on the rise and more lockdown restrictions, families are mostly planning to batten down the hatches at home. That’s going to be a particular challenge for parents of pre-schoolers who have to adapt to a homebound, indoor existence. Having your little one home for the entire holidays can be daunting when the opportunities to ramble and play outside are so limited, and many parents are wondering how they are going to cope. Award-winning early childhood education specialists, Play Sense are coming to the rescue this winter with a free four-week holiday platform, Play Box, which will guide South African parents and their pre-schoolers through an enriching, connected time. The winter holiday program, aimed at two- to four-year-olds is easily accessible on-line, so parents around the country can sign up and tap into an array of professionally developed resources that will give them structure for their day and loads of fun content. “The winter holiday program artfully blends on and off-line so parents can choose what works best for them,” says Play Sense CEO and Co-founder, Meg Faure. “Each holiday week has a lovely learning theme, and every day there are two fresh activities that ignite imaginations and enable sensory play, which is so important for this age group. We have also included optional zoom sessions with our best-loved online teachers who are experts at engaging interactively with little ones on-screen.” The beauty of Play Box is that parents are empowered to proactively share in their child’s development, and it gives them unique opportunities to experience their child learning through play like they do in their pre-school environments. Lara Schoenfeld, Play Sense’s Co-founder and Director of Education says, “It’s a simple, straightforward way for parents to access early childhood education content this holiday. It’s a simple free registration to Play Box with no need to access any additional platforms or go through a range of logins. It’s so interesting for parents to get these first-hand insights into how their child responds to different learning materials and activities, and the whole experience fosters deep parent-child bonds.” Play Sense is a SA trailblazer of a unique home environment micro-playschool model based on the development of super-skills, such as creativity, self-regulation and executive function, through imaginary play. Play Sense learning programs are developed by occupational therapists and qualified pre-school educators to meet the specific needs of toddlers, who are arguably, in the most exciting development stage of human life. Play Sense offers both off and on-line playschool programs and are adept at getting the best out of both high-touch and high-tech. “What many parents will appreciate in the Play Box holiday program is that it gives them a structure,” says Faure. “Week by week they will journey through the fun worlds of the Jungle, MyTown, Dinosaurs and Bugs. This is the answer to parents wondering what they are going to do to keep their little ones occupied. As parents ourselves, we know how to make it easy for others to access well-developed activities and to be smoothly guided through a learning by play experience. The real spin-off benefit is that your child is going to delight at connecting with you this way, and day by day, your heart will fill up as you see how you are making a wonderful difference for your child.” Here are some activities you and your little one can expect from Play Box this school holiday: Imaginary play ignites your child’s language, social and emotional skills development The Jungle-theme week includes going on a safari. Using language and props that are easily found around the house your toddler will be engaged in an imagined scenario. Imaginary play is one of the most powerful ways toddlers learn, and by facilitating this activity, parents will improve their skills to facilitate other fun games to play with your child around the house. Sensory play develops your child’s motor skills, cognitive reasoning, language, creativity, and imagination The Bug-theme week includes creating the amazing butterfly lifecycle using play dough, one of Play Sense’s favourite toys. This extra sensory activity will spark other ideas of the magical worlds and scenarios you can create together at home using simple and inexpensive materials. Creative play encourages your child’s cognitive and language development, as well as motor skills The My Town-theme week will explore different human roles and includes engrossing art activities. Your toddler’s creative activities from working with paint to create pictures to building Lego walls is more about the creative process than the end product. Movement play develops your child’s language and gross motor skills while having so much fun The Dinosaurs-theme week includes lots of enriching music and movement play. Movement play activities are not only designed to develop your little one’s body sense but is perfect for setting off fits of giggles and having silly fun together. The Play Sense Winter holiday Play Box is available from 28 June to 28 July 2021. The program is accessible for free, and you can register here.

July 1, 2021

Have you had your Vit D3 sunshine shots?

Here’s a winter health fact. Our bodies need Vitamin D for many important processes including supporting the immune system, bone and muscle building, and to promote better sleep and mood. We can even produce enough vitamin D ourselves. That’s if we bare our arms, legs, back, chests or faces to the sun for a limited period of time, because the sun’s UV rays produce Vitamin D in our bodies. Scientists reckon that five to 15 minutes, or five to 30 minutes for darker skinned people, of sun exposure two or three times a week will do it. But during winter, just when we need this immune boosting and stress relieving sunny gift to help us through the season of colds and ‘flu, the days are short, we stay indoors, and are usually covered up head to toe for much of the time. But, fun tip ladies: if you wear a cami under your warm clothing, you can head for a sunny spot at a warm time of day, strip off the top layers and you’re all set for a short spot of winter sunbathing. You may not wish to try this at the office! For those of us who can’t do the sun thing, vitamin D is also available in some foods, mainly in fatty fish like pilchards, tuna and salmon. Milk, yogurts and cereals are often fortified with Vitamin D too. Still, there are good reasons why many of us can’t get enough Vitamin D from sun or food (being elderly, covered up clothing for religious reasons, no time to go outside, being darker skinned…). In those cases, a one-a-day Nativa Complex® Vitamin D3 https://www.nativacomplex.co.za/immune-health/#nativa-complex-vitamin-d3 can fill the gap. It’s the newest addition to the well-established Nativa Immune Complex® range. Nativa Complex® Vitamin D3 supplies 1000 IU of Vitamin D and can be administered from 6 years of age. Cost is around R100 for a month’s supply, from Takealot, Dis-Chem, Clicks and selected pharmacies nationwide. Read about this well formulated immune boosting range at https://www.nativacomplex.co.za/immune-health/#immune-complex-product, and then enter our competition for a chance to win one of two R750 vouchers from Cotton On . Their stylish men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing can see you through winter, and (yay) into Spring. #VITAMIN D3 #sunshine vitamin

July 1, 2021

MARIO GOLF: SUPER RUSH TEES OFF ON NINTENDO SWITCH!

Join your favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters on the fairway for a super speedy round of golf. With Mario Golf: Super Rush, the Mario Golf series makes its return in its speediest instalment yet. Players can join a variety of Mushroom Kingdom characters in different multiplayer modes or start your own Golf Adventure now that the game is available on the Nintendo Switch. Watch the latest trailer here: Simple button controls make it easy for new players and seasoned pros alike to get their game on. It’s as simple as taking aim, choosing the shot strength and sending the ball flying. Players can curve their shot to avoid hazards and put spin on the ball to affect how it rolls after landing. Several features are on hand to help players conquer the course, including a shot gauge that adapts to the angle of the slope and a scan that lets you read the terrain. Additionally, it’s possible to use motion controls by holding a Joy-Con controller like a golf club*. Players can choose from a cast of 16 Mushroom Kingdom characters, each featuring different strengths and equipped with their own unique special moves. Pauline, Chargin’ Chuck, and King Bob-omb will make their first appearance in the series. Players can hit the fairway with up to three others, both locally and online**, in a variety of modes. With a selection of six lavish courses to choose from, including standard courses and courses with special hazards, every round of golf is different and there is still more to come from the Mushroom Kingdom-infused golf game. Free updates to the game that include additional courses and playable characters will be released in the future. Modes range from Standard Golf to the energetic Speed Golf, Battle Golf – a more frantic variation of Speed Golf – and an RPG-like story mode in Golf Adventure. In Golf Adventure, players can enrol their Mii character in golf training at a prestigious country club and go all the way from rookie to pro. They’ll be able to interact with familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters, learn how to play and take on a variety of challenges. Players can even bring their Mii character – and their customised stats – into other modes, too. Mario Golf: Super Rush is now available only on Nintendo Switch. Swing over to store.nintendo.co.za and take advantage of their Star Bundle offering, where you can build your own unique Nintendo Switch bundle including Mario Golf: Super Rush and get a free carry case and Nintendo Labo Kit with your purchase. * Motion controls cannot be used during Golf Adventure. ** Internet connection required. To use online services, you must create a Nintendo Account and accept the related agreement. The Nintendo Account Privacy Policy applies. Some online services may not be available in all countries. Online play requires paid online membership. Find out more about the paid membership service.

June 28, 2021

10 reasons to download the all-new MiVoice app

We’re so fortunate in South Africa as many of us have domestic employees to help us raise our children right and keep our homes and gardens in tip-top condition. Unfortunately, less than half of those domestic employees have the security of a formal work contract. This means that they could be unfairly disciplined or dismissed, and may be underpaid or given less leave than they’re due because these factors rely on the memories of both the domestic employer and employee. Fortunately, there’s now an app to manage your domestic employees from start to finish. The MiVoice app is the world’s first fully mobile HR management solution for domestic employees and offers everything you need to simplify your life and improve the way you work with these valuable helpers. Read on to discover ten reasons why you should download the free MiVoice app today. 1.Oh-so-easy sign-in MiVoice’s GPS-enabled sign-in and sign-out feature is not only invaluable when pay day rolls around, but lets you raise an early alarm if someone you rely on doesn’t arrive as expected. 2.Keep Covid compliant It is now law for all employers, even domestic, to screen workers for Covid-19 symptoms on arrival at work. MiVoice ensures you’re Covid-compliant, with screening questions built into the app’s sign-in feature. 3.Protection under the law Falling foul of the CCMA is the last thing you need in your busy life. Yet if you don’t have a formal contract with your domestic employees, signed proof of leave requests, and detailed records stretching back for three years, that’s exactly what you might one day face. MiVoice puts you on the right side of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, while giving your valued home helpers the legal workplace recognition they deserve. With MiVoice, you get compliant app-generated employment contracts, pay slips and leave requests, all safely stored for future reference. 4.Get smart with task management No more scrawling notes on scraps of paper and taping them to the fridge. With MiVoice’s daily task lists, you can plan tasks in advance and clearly communicate what you expect from your domestic helpers. Employees check off tasks as they do them, leave comments where needed, and alert you if anything is preventing a task’s completion. 5.Leave the leave calculations to MiVoice No more forgetting who’s on leave when or scrambling to find a fill-in at short notice. MiVoice’s leave application feature lets your employees formally request leave in advance, covering you legally and making future-planning that much easier. Formal records also ensure your employees get the full quota of leave they’re entitled to. 6.Take the hassle out of month-end Pay day is a breeze with MiVoice. Thanks to the sign-in feature, MiVoice knows exactly when and for how long your employees worked. It automatically calculates and generates compliant pay slips for each employee, based on their specific remuneration package and structure. 7.Safe, effortless payments Top up your MiVoice account, and the app seamlessly deposits the wages into your employees’ MiVoice wallets, keeping appropriate records of course. All MiVoice’s systems are protected by the same security measures already audited by its sponsoring bank and as required under its Third-Party Payment Processer license; so you can rest assured that your employees’ wages are in secure hands. 8.Easy, secure, zero-cost wallet Use of the MiVoice wallet costs employers a minimal R49 per month per employee. With bank fees subsidized by their employer, domestic employees can use their MiVoice wallet to make five free transfers per employer to their bank account, free payments to any account, and withdraw cash from selected major retailers (charges are levied for this by retailers). The MiVoice wallet also offers charge-free airtime, data and electricity purchases, as well as digital vouchers for everywhere from Boxer to Wimpy that they can use themselves or send via text message to a child or caregiver back home. 9.Help when they need it most With a quick tap of a button, your child-minder and domestic employees get immediate medical and security help when they need it. MiVoice instantly connects with Response24’s control room which coordinates ambulance and armed response dispatch if required. Less critical situations like a child-minder running out of fuel on the school run can also be handled through the emergency function, connecting your staff to a chatroom of contacts for quick and easy problem resolution. 10.Keeping employees covered A MiVoice subscription includes commuter accident insurance that pays out R10 000 to your employee’s beneficiaries in the event of accidental death. Accidents leading to a hospital stay pay out R250 daily for up to 20 days to both employee and employer, to cover expenses like transport costs for family visits, or temporary help while a carer is out of action. So download the MiVoice app from the App Store or Google Play today and make the way you manage your household employees easier, better, safer and legally compliant. Because sometimes, the best thing and the right thing are the same thing.

June 25, 2021

Review: REMY – A Book About Believing In Yourself

REMY is a short story revolving around the everyday life of a school boy named Remy. This young boy has very own battles to face and conquer. Along the way, comfort characters not only come to give him comfort but some guidance which would really love to master. Naidoo has written an encouraging story to help and direct others in conquering their own battles. I enjoyed the journey of Remy going through bumps and realistic fallbacks as the lessons throughout the story can be applied in other scenarios. I feel that not only would young children, tweens and teens relates to this book but to many adults who lack self confidence in themselves and what they would like to achieve. Remy’s character was developed in a way I do not often see or read about. I think that everyone would benefit from taking a page out of his book. The story makes sense and gave a simplified view on growth at a well written flowing pace that replicates a natural journey for someone to go through. Overall, I highly recommend this book. I found Remy’s story to be quite heartwarming, enjoyable and encouraging in my own story. This book is perfect for parents who are encouraging self growth and the understanding of emotions. You can grab yourself a copy at www.mayurinaidoo.com. This lovely story was written by Mayuri Nadioo

June 25, 2021

“No One Can Live on Just One Food”. Toddler: “Challenge Accepted!”

Is your toddler going through a [insert latest favourite food craze here] phase? Think about how they want to hear the same song on repeat and play with the same toy, all day, every day. Eating the same foods every day is just another version of this. So, while we can helplessly blame this on a toddler’s love for routine and repetition, as parents, there are few things we can do to make these phases as healthy as possible. Up the Nutrition Bread, cheese, potatoes: whatever the food, be sure to always offer up the most nutritious option or version of that food. For example, leave the skin on the potatoes, a valuable source of nutrients and fibre, offer up wholewheat pasta or whole grain bread, or choose sugar- and salt-free peanut butter (may contain allergens). A good tip for starches like pasta, bread or cereal is to be guided by the food label. Aim to choose a starch product that has more than 6g of fibre per 100g, as this is defined as a high fibre food. Feeding your little one Squish 100% Fruit and Veg purees you can rest assured you are giving your little one the best. Squish is preservative-free, colourant free, flavourant free and contains no added starch, what’s more, they come in a convenient pouch perfect for meal-times or on-the-go-snacks. Texturize It is a good idea to offer up the favourite food in a variety of textures, as and where possible. This will at least allow for your little one to be exposed to various textures of foods at this time, which is important for motor and oral development. For example, bread can be toasted and cut into fingers or triangles or offered as a softer, round bread roll. Potatoes can be cut into chunks or mashed, and you can mix small, diced pieces of banana or strawberries into yoghurt. Try adding a Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree to a small dish and get your little one to dip their finger foods into it. Good news for moms with slightly older babies and toddlers – Squish 100% fruit and yoghurt purees now come in a new, bigger toddler-friendly 200ml pack for growing babies with growing appetites. The bigger pouch size means you can serve your toddler a full meal or snack in one handy serving, as their appetites increase, in a convenient pouch format. The Squish 200ml bigger pouch range comes in 6 delicious fruit and yoghurt flavours, are free from colourants, flavourants and preservatives, and are ideal for your little one’s growing needs. Flavour Focus Focus on a variety of flavours with this food, both to challenge the taste buds and offer a nutrient variety. For example, if the bread is your toddler’s current favourite you could dip in egg to up the protein and make French Toast or serve up peanut butter and banana sandwiches with added healthy fats. You can mix pureed veg like carrot into mashed potato or try different types of cheese, from softer Mozzarella to stronger Cheddar. Make them scrumptious fluffy and warm breakfast flapjacks filled with sweet, hidden fruits and yoghurt: https://squish.co.za/quick-easy-recipes/sweet/apple-banana-flapjacks/ Patience makes Perfect Throughout this time, keep presenting your toddler with other healthy foods at mealtime, as well as the favourite food. According to research, between 8 and 10 exposures to food may be needed before a child is willing to try it. This means that patience is key when getting through these phases of food obsessions. Like all things, it is comforting to know that this too shall pass, and it is unlikely that your little human’s current food obsession will have any long-term negative health effects. If you are concerned, speak to a registered dietitian or pediatric nurse for more helpful advice.

June 24, 2021

14-year-old mental health advocate Jess Robus shines a light on youth mental health in her inspiring debut book

A FEW SLIVERS OF LIGHT A collection of poetry By Jess Robus With a maturity that belies her 14-years, vibrant Jess Robus is already a singer, songwriter, debater and musical theatre aficionado. On 3 June 2021, she added ‘published author’ and ‘published poet’ to those accolades, with the release of her debut book A Few Slivers of Light, now available for purchase online on Amazon, on her own website or via PayStack. A Few Slivers of Light is a beautifully-written, vulnerable and emotive collection of poems of a teenager’s journey with anxiety and depression. Author Jess Robus hopes she will inspire other teens and young adults to speak up about their struggles and to reach parents who might have children experiencing these challenges. With May having just been Mental Health Awareness Month and June being Youth Month, there is no better time for Jess to release her poetry collection for the world to see. Starting to write poetry at the tender of age 8, Jess chose this medium as a means for her to process the world around her. Jess explains; “I’ve always loved writing, and poetry in particular I’ve found to be a very engaging medium both from the perspective of the reader and the writer. It’s an art form that can so eloquently capture emotions and thoughts and enables me to deal with them and process them constructively. Publishing this book is a way for me to share my struggles and recovery and hopefully show others that they are not alone.” Award-winning author & poet, Raashida Khan has written the Foreward to the book. An excerpt of that Foreward captures the essence of the book; “A few Slivers of Light is more than a collection of beautiful and evocative poetry. It is a revelation. An insight into the psyche of a young woman walking her journey of life while dealing with challenges, both internal and external. Jess Robus displays insight and talent that belie her young age. Her writing journey mirrors her personal journey so that as readers, we are drawn in and are captured by the turn of phrase, use of words, and interesting take on writing style. The imagery used in her descriptions are sometimes startling, but always concise and targeted. Jess fearlessly invites us to experience her thoughts, feelings and emotions in the most intimate way. That takes courage and is inspiring to see in one so young. As readers, we are more than observers being given a glimpse of the depths of despair and heights of triumph. The poems speak to the heart, mind and soul of the reader, taking us into deep recesses of our own consciousness.” Mental health and awareness around it is very important to Jess. She went through a two-year depressed anxiety spiral and has witnessed the struggles that her friends and fellow teenagers have experienced with their own mental health. Her poetry book as well as some of her music, chronicles her own journey of accepting and constructively dealing with the challenges she has faced. With A Few Slivers of Light, she gets to share her story and reassure others that whatever they may be going through, they are not alone. Jess is often asked what motivates her to put her thoughts into poetry; an unconventional medium for teenagers. She responds; “In terms of self-expression, poetry is honest, raw and real. It can truly capture the emotions of a moment and in doing so helps me to recognise them, express them and deal with them.” Jess had her guests captivated at her book launch held in Johannesburg on 3 June. Family, friends and members of the media were mesmerised as she shared her poetry with the group. This captivating teenager showed maturity beyond her years as she answered question after question by convenor Raashida Khan and then the audience. Says Jess; “It was really such a wonderful experience to get to share the book and my thoughts with people and to see how many are passionate about normalising discussions about mental health. If I can reach just one person and let them know that their feelings are real and valid and that they are not alone, then this book will have accomplished its purpose.” Jess concludes; “I’m so excited for my poetry to be out in the world and for people to have the opportunity to read it. I’m hopeful they’ll find some meaning from it.” A Few Slivers of Light is self-published, and now available for purchase online on Amazon, via Jess Robus’s website or via PayStack Follow Jess Robus on Social Media Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Wattpad JCDuValier For interview and photo requests, please contact Collett Dawson from The CoLab Network on [email protected] Publicity Photographs courtesy of Vivid Images Photography

June 23, 2021

It’s all about control

As parents, we all want to protect our children. The question for many parents is how you can monitor what games your children are playing in order to avoid exposing them to content you might deem unsuitable depending on their age. Luckily, most consoles have some kind of parental control system in place, and the Nintendo Switch is no different. The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls supports a safe and fun environment for your child’s gaming experience So what kind of functionality can you restrict with the parental controls and how do you do this? To begin with, there are the obvious reasons – you think some of the games on your console, which might be appropriate for you as their parent, are just too violent or with too many adult themes for children to understand. You might want to restrict what your children can buy on the eShop, which is likely loaded with your credit card details. Or perhaps you might want to restrict the amount of online time your child has every day. There are a number of ways you can do this – either directly on the console, or via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, which you can link to your Nintendo account (which you will need in order to be able use this feature). The app also offers a few more features if you’re looking for additional levels of control. On the console itself you go into System Settings, and scroll down to Parental Controls, which will encourage you to download the app. You’re not required to do this but it really is the more comprehensive and the easier option, especially if you have kids who might be able to circumnavigate the parental settings. You can set the age level of your child in order to be able to control what kind of age-appropriate content they’re exposed to, select the rating board of the country in which you reside, disable voice communication so your child can’t speak to others online, and disable VR controls which is recommended for children under the age of seven. Make sure you choose a PIN that your child isn’t likely to be able to guess! Setting up the controls on the app is likewise very easy. You’ll need to sign into your Nintendo account, and once you’ve linked your Switch to the app via a registration code (remember where I told you it would tell you to download the app earlier?), and now you’re ready to set up things like daily play limits. You’ll be asked to enable push notifications so you can monitor your kids’ activity. If you want to restrict access to the Nintendo eShop, there are a separate set of restrictions for those as well which will ensure your child doesn’t make unauthorised purchases, whether those are games or add-ons you might not want your child spending your money on! Ultimately you can remove the parental controls as well if you feel you no longer need to monitor your child’s activity – for whatever reason – but it’s comforting to know that Nintendo is equally as invested in protecting your child as you are. Feel free to read more about how Nintendo is supporting a safe and fun environment for your child’s gaming experience here. By Pippa Tshabalala on behalf on Nintendo Distributor SA

June 22, 2021

Why sMOOthies can make your breakfast seamless

About one in three people tend to skip breakfast. Breakfast is undeniably one of the most important meals of the day and smoothies are a quick and easy way to provide you with all the important nutrients you need to start your day. Why smoothies for breakfast? They can be prepared with as little as three simple, nutritious ingredients that are part of a healthy eating pattern. MILK contains a powerful combination of 9 important nutrients, such as high quality protein, calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B12 and B2, as well as magnesium, phosphate and zinc. Milk is a versatile ingredient, because in a single product you get a variety of nutrients, that are easily absorbed and ready to be used. YOGHURT, like milk, is a source of high quality protein, which helps to keep you satisfied and at the same time builds and maintains your muscles. Yogurt is a fermented dairy product that is a vehicle of friendly bacteria and contributes to good intestinal health. These friendly bacteria are used during the manufacturing process to acidify the milk. Similar bacteria also occur naturally in the human digestive system to ensure that nutrients are absorbed efficiently from food. By eating yogurt, you help maintain the bacterial population in your intestinal tract so that you can get the best possible nutritional value from food. FRUIT is packed with important nutrients, which complement milk and yogurt. It is a rich source of folic acid, vitamin C and fiber. Together with milk and yoghurt, it makes a perfect combination for your smoothie. You can also add nuts, seeds, peanut butter, vegetables or oatmeal for texture and flavor. Smoothies are so easy to make! Try this delicious Peanutbutter Whip With Apples smoothie created by the team at Rediscover Dairy. Make it at home with a regular whisk or in a food processor. You can make it in advance and freeze it and then use it to keep your lunch box cool. It is advisable to use plain, unflavoured yoghurt because in this way you can limit unnecessary sugar. Milk and yoghurt are also available in different options. From full-cream, low-fat, medium-fat to fat-free milk which means there is an option for everyone. Alternate the type of fruit and vegetables you add to ensure variety and to give it a new, interesting flavor every day. Smoothies are a quick, easy and “trendy” breakfast option, packed with nutrients. They are a delicious, easy grab-and-go meal. Make sure you give your body the support and nutrients it needs. Try to include 2-3 servings of milk and dairy in your diet daily. Milk and dairy are good for the whole family – young and old! For more dairy tips and recipes visit the Rediscover Dairy Facebook page.

June 18, 2021

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