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Advice from the experts

Treat adult acne on the go with Lamelle Clarity Active Spot Control

Paying your bills on time. Crushing that Zoom presentation. Ensuring the kids aren’t sticking their fingers into plug sockets. As an adult, the things you have to worry about seem endless and acne really shouldn’t be one of them. Thing is, the spotty skin phase isn’t exclusive to teens. Many of us still struggle with pimples well into adulthood. (And yes, that monstrous one is just waiting to pop up right before that Zoom meeting. Fun!) Something else that’s contributing to the rise of adult acne is the fact that we’re all wearing face masks. While they’re vital to our safety – so don’t stop wearing them – they do create a humid environment that encourages excess oil and a build-up of bacteria. The result? ‘Maskne’ – acne that’s caused or worsened by wearing a face mask. Fortunately, with the right treatment, you can clear problematic skin and keep it that way. You can also do it while you’re on the go and thank goodness for that. Grown-up life is fast-paced and when days fly by like minutes, you’ll want a fuss-free yet effective routine to keep you feeling confident. But first, before we share our tips on how to keep your skin clean and clear when you’re on the run, let’s take a closer look at problem skin so you can create the best plan of attack. Adult acne 101 Several things contribute to congested skin and the biggest is the overproduction of oil. This is largely dictated by your hormones and nope, just because you’re out of high school this doesn’t mean they’re automatically going to “behave”. Then there’s the improper shedding of skin cells. In short, if you’re not naturally exfoliating at a high enough rate – or shedding too much – your pores can become clogged with dead skin. Alas, a blocked follicle is the fast track to inflammation and that’s just a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Ironically, this bacteria causes yet more inflammation and – just like that – you’ve got a vicious cycle. Also, if left unchecked, this inflammation can rupture the follicle wall as well as extend into the lower layers of the skin causing an acne scar or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). A fuss-free solution Clearly there are a few things you want to keep in check. Oil production, exfoliation, bacteria and inflammation. This is where Clarity by Lamelle comes in. The entire range is streamlined to be targeted and fuss-free for and serves up exactly what problematic skin needs to cleanse, hydrate and treat. To start, Clarity Active Cleanse is soap-free so it won’t irritate your skin or over dry it in a way that causes it to produce yet more oil. It also contains exfoliating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients. You can then hydrate day and night using Clarity Corrective AM and Clarity Correctives PM Plus. Together, they serve up a potent blend of acne-busters including anti-inflammatories and safe yet very effective retinoid. The latter speeds up cellular turnover, reduces bacterial load and mitigates the hyperpigmentation that can occur in the wake of a pimple. Say hello to your secret weapon Like we said, when you’re on the move, you want a targeted treatment you can slip into your handbag, gym bag or glove box. This way, you won’t forget to use it and will always have it at hand. This way, you can take instant action the moment a pesky pimple dares to rear its head. In this case, your antibacterial action hero is Clarity Active Spot Control. Clarity Active Spot Control by Lamelle contains salicylic acid to exfoliates deep inside your pores while alpha hydroxy acids slough away dead skin up top. Panthenol and niacinamide act like super soothers while the latter helps reduce the look of hyperpigmentation. It also contains a skin-brightening version of vitamin C proven to reduce the secretion of oil while reducing inflammation. Last but not least, there’s the acne-fighting all-rounder azelaic acid. It can also tamp down inflammation, help minimise hyperpigmentation and even has antibacterial properties. To stop a pimple in its tracks, use it morning or night. However, if you’re spending a lot of time in a mask, you’ll want to change it every four hours, give your skin a good cleanse and re-apply the treatment. If you’re not near a tap to wash up using your Clarity cleanser, a facial wipe will do in a pinch. However, don’t re-use an old or dirty mask as they become magnets for the kind of bacteria, oil and dirt that can worsen a breakout. In short, when you’ve got a targeted treatment that fits into your life – as well as your handbag – you can effectively clear up acne and enjoy healthy, radiant-looking skin, even when you’re on the go! www.lamelle.co.za

March 18, 2021

Is Clubhouse safe to use?

The Clubhouse application has recently become very popular in various parts of the world. It appears to be a reflection of the growing interest in sound-based products with the recent rebound of the podcast. The Clubhouse has everything for people to find and interact with each other which is the basic dynamic of a social network. But it can create a false sense of security, privacy, and closeness, in part because of how its registration works (it’s invitation only at the moment). This creates several risks for the users, which are important to be aware of when using any public space on the Internet. One of the risks is privacy risks. This is often connected with the fact that people feel they are surrounded by like-minded individuals and friends, which allows them to behave more authentically than they would in front of strangers. This creates an opportunity for offenders who are always on the lookout to use any accidently mentioned information against the victim, yet in this particular instance a user wouldn’t be able to prove the phrase was, for example, taken out of context, unless the conversation is recorded in advance. Theoretically, such cases could lead even to blackmailing a targeted person by demanding to pay a ransom. Moreover, it’s important to remember that everything you speak or write within the app is not only heard and seen by those present but also collected and analysed by the service itself. The app collects content, communications, and other information that participants provide, including when you sign up for an account, create or share content, and message or communicate with others. To create and manage an account, a participant may provide personal data, including name, phone number, a photo, an email address, and a username. And the app temporarily records the audio in a room while the room is live. Also, the data collected about the participants may also be given to third-parties, albeit for temporary use, but as the app have seen from high-profile incidents no one is insured against leaks. “As a whole, Clubhouse’s Privacy Policy is relatively standard, but when you share something on such social networks, it’s very important to always remember that you actually can’t be 100% sure what will happen with your shared data, so you have to be prepared for the fact that one day it may leak to the general public – someone may simply record it” – says Alexey Firsh, security researcher at Kaspersky. Kaspersky experts warn that users must remember that the Internet, especially discussion and social platforms, are a public place and the behaviour conducted on them should be appropriate for the public.

March 18, 2021

How to make the best out of your Preemie’s NICU Journey during Covid-19

Let’s be honest having a preemie and ending up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is no place a mother dreams of being when she finds out she’s pregnant, and honestly, I would never wish this for any mother. But, the NICU does not have to be all bad, after all the NICU is the next best place other than your womb to help your premature baby grow stronger. The NICU tries to mimic a mother’s womb as best as possible for our tiny little miracles. So, let’s get straight to the point, as a NICU preemie mom myself I know how useless and helpless you can feel when the nurses do everything for your baby, especially now during the COVID 19 pandemic restricted visiting hours. The first few days, even weeks can be very daunting, and you might even be unsure and scared to ask or do anything. Let us look at some ways how you can get involved and make the best of the NICU journey for you and your preemie during the COVID 19 pandemic ASK QUESTIONS AND SPEAK UP: Giving birth to a premature baby can be incredibly stressful and it’s easy to feel disconnected. Most parents are unsure and do not even know where to start when it comes to asking questions. SOME GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK: What is your Kangaroo Mother Care – Skin to Skin policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and when may I start with KMC? How often may we visit our baby during the Pandemic? May I have a number to phone in to the NICU to hear how my baby is doing when I get discharged? What am I allowed to bring into the NICU for my baby? What other rules do you have in your NICU? GET TO KNOW THE STAFF: Get to know the nurse caring for your baby, it helps to have a friendship with the nurse looking after your preemie, this will make you feel more at ease and will improve your ability to ask questions and advocate for your baby. Remember that you are baby’s mom, and that you play an incredibly important role in also helping them through this experience. One thing to remember as a parent in the NICU is that you are your babies only advocate, you need to speak up if something is bothering you or ask questions when you are unsure. Something that will also help you navigate around the NICU is to learn the ‘’NICU language’’ This also comes from asking questions, this way you will learn to know what certain beeps and ‘’stats’’ on the machines mean and will make you more confident around your preemie, and gives you more freedom to bond with your baby, by understanding the environment they are in. BONDING: COVID-19 has forced NICU’s to implement extreme measurements and rules to keep the NICU safe from COVID, making it a bit more challenging for mothers to be with their babies to bond. Here are a few ways you can Bond with your baby during your visit: Skin to Skin – Kangaroo Mother Care has so many benefits, do as much skin-to-skin with your baby as possible. Studies have shown that skin to skin is not just amazing for bonding, but also improves milk supply and has MANY other advantages for premature babies. It helps them cope with stress More stable heart rate It regulates their body temperature It improves the nervous system functioning More stable sleep patterns Better cognitive control Regulates heart rate and respiration Reduces post-natal depression in mom Improves weight gain for baby THROUGH SMELL: Ask your NICU if you may place a NICU bonding heart with your baby. A person’s sense of smell is closely linked to memory throughout life, and these memories can often trigger certain emotions that provide relief. For a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), certain smells — like a mother’s — can provide comfort in more ways than one. Mom places one clean fabric heart on her skin for a few hours to absorb her unique scent. When mom must leave the NICU she leaves the NICU heart near her baby in the isolate to provide comfort and continue bonding even during times of separation. NICU BONDING HEARTS – https://www.littlelittleprem.co.za/product/nicu-bonding-heart/ ROUTINE: It is natural to feel like the nurses are taking over. A mother’s instinct is to provide and care for her new-born baby. In the NICU this might not always be possible. Ask the NICU staff to give you the schedule of when they will change baby’s nappy and feed baby. Try to be there to feed (hold the feeding tube) and, or change your babies’ nappy, Ask the nurse to show you how to reconnect the pulse oximeter as it can easily fall off and needs to be changed frequently. These are tiny things that you as a mother want to naturally do and can do for your baby and will help the bonding between you and your little miracle. READ AND SING TO YOUR BABY: Your little baby has been listening to you and your partners voice in utero and finds your voices comforting as it is familiar to your baby. Reading and singing to your baby can help soothe your baby and has many benefits for brain development. Singing and reading also improves the bonding between parent and baby. Unfortunately, with the COVID – 19 pandemic some NICU’s only allow short visits for one parent a day. Record your voice while you read a story or sing a song. You could ask the nurses to play the recording to your baby when you are not there or record your partners voice and play it to your baby when you visit. EXPRESSING MILK: Expressing your breastmilk for your baby has become something you do more than sleep at this moment, and it can be very stressful sometimes. Carey Haupt, a qualified lactation consultant and ex-preemie mom, thought of expressing

March 18, 2021

Hospital Plans vs Hospital Insurance: Knowing the difference

In times of economic pressure we all relook our monthly expenses to see where we can save on costs but having access to quality healthcare remains a priority – even more so during a global pandemic. Hospital insurance may be cheaper than medical aid hospital plans but is definitely not the same product. We asked the Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, Lee Callakoppen, to help us understand the two different products offerings. Regulation ‘Firstly, before I take you through the benefits and possible shortfalls of hospital plans as opposed to hospital insurance, it is important to point out that hospital plans are part of the offerings provided by medical aids. This means the product is regulated and overseen by the Council of Medical Schemes and in accordance with the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998. Hospital insurance (or medical insurance) is part of the umbrella term, health insurance and includes hospital insurance, hospital cash back plan and gap cover. Hospital insurance is not part of a medical aid but is governed by the Financial Services Board (FSB) and the Long-term and Short-term Insurance Act,’ explains Callakoppen. Medical Aid Hospital Plans A hospital plan provides you with basic, yet important medical cover. The product differs from scheme to scheme but in essence this plan is offered by a not-for profit medical scheme and will cover you in hospital for emergency and planned procedures In the case of Bonitas – you also get access to some additional benefits for wellness and preventative care The hospital plan ensures that when you are admitted into hospital for a procedure or due to an accident or illness, your expenses are covered – within the limits set by your particular plan There are 27 chronic conditions that all medical aid plans must cover, so the hospital plan also covers these which are known as Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) This type of plan does not cover you for other day-to-day medical costs like visits to the doctor, specialist or medicine It is tax deductible Hospital Insurance Hospital insurance is not a medical aid, it pays you for the time you spent in hospital but not for the treatment you receive It provides cash benefits depending on the number of days you are in hospital due to illness or an accident The insurer pays the money directly to you, you are able to use the money however you please – to pay for daily household costs or the hospital, doctor and specialist bills This often seems more attractive than a hospital plan and has a cheaper monthly premium however, the daily amount you receive is often way below the medical expenses incurred while in hospital It is governed by the Short or Long-term Insurance Acts Does not cover Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) May include Personal Accident risk cover such as disability and loss of limbs, inability to work, salary protection, death and/or funeral covers Is not tax deductible The limitations of hospital insurance It is a set amount which might not cover your hospital or medical bills, leaving you financially short and, in some cases, has a waiting period New regulations state that pay-outs are limited per insured life, per hospital stay with an annual limit Typically people buy the policy that pays less than R1 000 per day If you have one of the top plans, the daily pay-out during your stay in hospital may sound like a lot of money however, it usually falls short of actual costs charged by hospitals, doctors and specialists For example, a caesarean birth costs around R30 000. This can be much more if complications occur. Remember that hospital insurance companies are ‘for profit’ unlike medical schemes who are ‘not for profit’. The recommendation by most financial advisors is that a hospital insurance product should be used in conjunction with medical aid, or hospital plan, as income replacement rather than medical aid cover. And what is GAP cover, how does it work? Callakoppen provides an update. Minding the gap At times there may be a shortfall between what the medical scheme pays and what the hospital or specialist charges. You are responsible for paying the difference There is an insurance policy called gap cover which you can take out to pay for this shortfall The amount you receive depends on your policy but there is an overall annual limit Some gap cover policies have a waiting period for certain conditions Most people usually take gap cover together with a medical aid hospital plan It is important to know that gap cover, like hospital insurance, is an insurance ‘policy’ and is registered as Short-Term insurance policies Gap cover premiums are not tax deductable ‘There has been a growth in health insurance products over the past few years and they appear to provide medical cover, but actually don’t,’ says Callakoppen. If you choose to take out health insurance, do so as complementary to medical aid, not a substitute. ‘My advice: Shop around to find the best plan that covers your health needs and suits your pocket. A number of Low Cost Benefit Options have been introduced by Medical Schemes – these offer more affordable plans that give you peace of mind in terms of access to quality healthcare. Interrogate the benefits you receive on the plan you are considering versus the monthly contributions but, above all, never compromise on your health.’

March 18, 2021

World Down Syndrome Day: What to expect parenting a child with Down Syndrome

Finding out that you will be a parent is an exciting time for many. But finding out you will be a parent to a child with Down Syndrome, is often met with shock. If you will be raising a child with Down Syndrome, it can be challenging, so make sure you have a good medical team who can support you. 18 March 2021: With the world observing World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on 21 March, it is a good time to demystify what parents can expect from the first few months of life if they are expecting a child with Down Syndrome. This is especially so given that there are many cultural taboos around talking about, or having a, child with Down Syndrome. “The most important thing to understand is that raising a child with Trisomy 21 is challenging, given that the entire family dynamic will be affected. High levels of support and understanding are essential,” says Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine, a trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond. Down Syndrome is caused by the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and affects approximately 1 in 800 newborns. According to Dr Karbanee, it is the commonest chromosomal abnormality. He says that there are many features of Down syndrome that can be picked up during pregnancy and screening is readily available. The screening is offered mostly in high risk cases of which the commonest is an older expectant mom. “If you are pregnant and are diagnosed, it can be a major shock and parents have to face the choice of carrying on with the pregnancy or not. This is an intensely personal decision and should be carefully considered after discussion with all involved, and importantly, also the medical team.” Babies affected by Down Syndrome have a higher risk of abnormalities affecting multiple systems of the body. Parents will need to understand that the newborn will require a cardiac assessment as well blood tests to ensure the body’s systems are functioning normally. Feeding can be a problem as low muscle tone is associated with Trisomy 21. “The best way to approach this is to ensure the medical team is involved often as regular follow-ups and check-ups will be important. You need to make sure you can trust your medical team; this will be essential to getting the help your baby needs,” says Dr Karbanee. He adds that if you already have other children in the family, the needs of the child with Down Syndrome will be different to other children and will require everyone to adjust accordingly. “Developmental milestones will be delayed so expect the baby to sit and crawl much later than normal. Special schooling will be necessary as well as ongoing visits for physiotherapy and possibly Occupational and Speech Therapy,” says Dr Karbanee. “Having said that, while having a child with Down syndrome may be a huge adjustment for the entire family, the good news is that children with Down syndrome tend to have a pleasant personality and parents report that they are a delight to the family. “Speak to your paediatrician about all of your concerns, fears, or expectations, as it is her or her role to co-ordinate the care of the child and ensure that the health of the child is optimised,” concludes Dr Karbanee. About Paed-IQ BabyLine Paed-IQ BabyLine is a trusted, telephonic medical helpline for pregnant moms and new families. With healthcare advice given by qualified, experienced and medically trained nurses, we aim to improve health outcomes during the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond. We are there for mommies-to-be at all stages of their maternity journey as well as new parents or caregivers to young children. By offering early and appropriate medical intervention through advice, we have helped to safeguard the health of over 10000 children, and helped moms and families successfully navigate the medical concerns of their young children. Visit https://paediq.com/ for more.

March 18, 2021

Video games: good, bad, or both?

Although lockdown restrictions have been eased, many parents are still choosing to keep their children at home for safety reasons. Consequently, many children have turned to playing video games (also known as ‘gaming’) as a source of entertainment to cope with boredom. And while some parents might argue that it is a waste of time or that violent video games contribute to bad behaviour, others believe that gaming may have a few positive attributes. We take a closer look at whether video games are good, bad, or a combination of both. Benefits of gaming Studies have shown that video games have many benefits and that playing games can help children develop high-level cognitive functions like logic and problem-solving. Other benefits include: Increasing a child’s concentration and attention span – many children can get easily distracted when asked to sit still for prolonged periods. They often fiddle and fidget with nearby objects and ‘zone out’ quickly. But with gaming, they have an entirely new world to discover. They will pay close attention to the smallest details to ensure they don’t mess up their progress. When they have to restart a level or section of the game, they concentrate even more to ensure they don’t make the same mistake twice. This is a worthwhile real-life skill – paying attention is a skill they will need throughout their lives. Having to replay certain parts of a game also teaches resilience as children are taught not to give up when they have to attempt a challenge again. Teaching problem-solving and effective resource allocation – when playing various games, children are teaching themselves how to manage their ‘resources’ in games like the number of coins they have to spend, the number of bullets they have left to fire, amount of time they have to wait before launching an attack, etc. Managing their resources not only helps children execute the best and most creative outcome in the game but implementing these strategies also teaches them how to budget and save. Developing communication and teamwork skills – while playing in ‘multiplayer’ mode, players have to work together to achieve a common goal. They learn how to delegate duties amongst themselves carefully to achieve said goal. Co-operation like this develops both social interaction skills and motivation that can contribute to leadership and managerial roles and collective team efforts when working within an organisation in the future. Making learning fun – video games make learning fun. Through animation, an exciting storyline, and interactive challenges, children often don’t even realise that they are learning. Gaming is beneficial when it comes to moredifficult subjects such as Mathematics because children use the same logic and analytical thinking to solve problems in games that are used when solving mathematical equations. Having fun while practising their skills will motivate children to keep practising. Cami Web programs are an excellent example of how learners can have fun while practising their skills. Cami offers parents and learners a 14-day free trial to try their educational programs. Also read: Parents, here’s how screen time can work in your favour Problems caused by gaming There’s always a downside to everything, and gaming is not exempt from this. While gaming has many benefits, there are also a few cons that parents must be aware of before allowing their children to play video games. Here are a few factors to consider: Poor physical health – When children spend more time being sedentary behind a computer or TV screen, it stands to reason that the lack of physical activity will have an impact on their physical health. In fact, the negative impacts of gaming on physical and mental health are often related. Negative impacts of gaming include: impaired sleep, poor posture, and unhealthy or inappropriate weight gain. Inadequate sleep has been linked to other cognitive issues like impaired concentration and poor memory retention, both of which are likely to have a negative impact on a learner’s performance at school. Poor posture (hunching over a computer or playing console) can result in musculoskeletal issues like tension headaches and muscle knots. Weight gain from inactivity can be a problem because it can sometimes lead to medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Dysfunctional behaviour – Excessive time spent gaming may cause a child to become dependent on the game, which can contribute to dysfunctional behaviour in daily life. Like physical health, an unhealthy amount of time spent gaming can affect a child’s mental health. Too much time spent in solitude playing games can make children dependent on gaming as a source of pleasure and, consequently, they can become irritable or even violent when they are not spending as much time playing as they’d like. It can be difficult for parents to spot the difference between unhealthy gaming and a healthy enthusiasm for and enjoyment of a game. Some of the symptoms of unhealthy gaming to look out for include: bad grades in school, negative or non-existent relationships with family and friends, a decline in attention to personal hygiene, and adverse mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. It’s advisable for parents to be involved in their children’s gaming and to set healthy limits for how much time children are allowed to spend gaming. Parents should also consider balancing time spent gaming with other activities not dependent on technology, such as: socialising with friends, playing outside, participating in sports or cultural activities, playing board games, or drawing and painting. Reinforcing harmful mindsets – The over-representation of male characters is pervasive in video games. Stereotypically masculine behaviour and traits in characters in video games such as aggression and vengeance are praised and earn the player a higher ranking, while other more stereotypically feminine behaviours and traits such as negotiation or forgiveness do not earn players points and are often not even given as playing options for the characters. Games also rarely have women as main characters. A study carried out by the University of Southern California found that only 10% of

March 18, 2021

Insider tips that will help you advance your career

When it comes to our jobs, we could all use some solid advice from time to time. From how to “pick the right job” to tips that can help you excel in what you do for a living. That being said, Adzuna gathered our all-time best advice that’ll help you advance your career. Here are five lesser-known tricks that can help you climb the ladder of success, regardless of which position you’re currently in! #1 – Think about your career If you want to advance your career, it’s essential to do a little analysis of where you are and what you’re doing every year or two. Reconnect with contacts in your network, see if there are any new and exciting opportunities on offer, and do some research on the salaries other professionals like yourself are earning. Hard facts and data will help you make smarter decisions. If you feel scared to explore your options, it’s a hint that you’re moving in the right direction. Fear helps you grow out of your comfort zone, and once you make that move, the sky is the limit. #2 – Speak up If you have something on your mind in a meeting, don’t be afraid to say it. When it comes to getting your ideas across, never underestimate the power of face time and in-person communication. #3 – See criticism as a gift Use criticism (or feedback) as a means to help you improve yourself and what you bring to the table. The person or method of delivery might catch you off guard but try not to take it personally. Take the nuggets of wisdom on offer and move on from there. #4 – Always dress the part You’ve heard this one a thousand times before. “Dress for the job you want, not the one you’ve got.” But the message actually goes beyond just your office wear. It’s about the way you present yourself in meetings and at office events. It is about how you interact with your co-workers and how seriously you take your job. #5 – Get yourself a mentor Having a mentor is very valuable, especially if it’s someone within your company. This person can help identify opportunities to help you advance your career. They can also guide you through challenging projects and help you build relationships with more senior employees. If your mentor is influential, they can earn you some recommendations for projects or teams that you might not otherwise have been considered for. All of these factors can help pave your way for success and career advancement! Final Thoughts We’ve provided you with five powerful yet simple tips that can help you advance your career if you’re set on climbing the ladder of success within your company. If you’re not going anywhere in the job you currently have, you can always start checking out career opportunities that provide room for growth. Adzuna, and online job aggregator, lists all the jobs in one place, you don’t have to hop back and forth between numerous job boards to find something that matches your skills and qualifications!

March 17, 2021

The ADK Drama & Film Fourways

The ADK Drama & Film offers film, acting and drama classes for all ages. Fully accredited at Cathsseta, we offer a 3-year professional licentiate certificate, for adults, in drama, as well as a Junior Certificate in drama for teenagers. The ADK also offer a radio course, movie making course and a stage make up course. Advantages of Drama: Builds confidence Helps concentration Develops language and communication skills Encourages children to co-operate Develops creativity Encourages relaxation Nurtures friendships Teaches emotional control “BY GIVING CHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED IN DRAMA, THEY START TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF BELIEVING THEY CAN’T DO THINGS” – GILL BRUNINGS GENERAL: All courses consist of one hour’s class a week. We focus on small classes for individual attention. Classes run according to school terms and may differ from branch to branch. FOUNDATION PHASE (GR.0- GR.3) At this age, drama helps in developing creativity, movement, and speech, amongst other things. These classes focus on relaxation, exploring communication, and interaction with other children. The Junior classes are simply ‘fun’ classes, where your child gets the opportunity to relax while learning valuable life lessons. These classes also form the basis for an understanding of drama, as we start focusing on some of the most important points. Optional exams which help to boost confidence are available. In the foundation phase class, group activities, as well as basic drama skills are the focus. In classes we deal with the following: Relaxation exercises Exploring emotions Poetry Improvisations Stage performances Articulation Poems Cost: R390/month JUNIOR (GR.4 – GR.7) These classes are for older children who can now pay attention to more technical details of drama. We do activities that help with building public speaking skills, refining technical acting skills, as well as improving confidence. Any skill level is welcome. In this class, group activities, as well as refining drama skills are the focus. In classes we deal with the following: Poetry Prose Monologues Acting for camera Improvisations Stage performances Articulation Reading Movement Cost: R390/month THREE -YEAR CERTIFICATE (HIGH SCHOOL) (GR.8– GR.12) A three-year, part-time drama course for high school students. The course is a practical course. The course aims to develop basic skills that will form the basis of stage-, radio-, film-, television and all other forms of public performances. All years also include a theoretical element. As is the case with all part-time courses, it is vital that the preparation is regularly done at home. From grade 10 upwards, students have the option of doing additional theoretical work to obtain a Catthsseta certified NQF level 4 qualification. THE COURSE CONTENT: Voice training on stage and for radio Poetry and Prose Theatre training Camera training The course content is practically applied with the studying of: Monologues Poetry and Prose Improvisations Stage performances Camera courses Camera acting training in class Cost: R410 per month At the end of the three-year course a Junior Certificate in Drama is issued to the students who passed. GENERAL: At the ADK students are expected to attend classes regularly and to do regular preparation. FILM-MAKING COURSE (GRADE 5-12): In this course students get the opportunity to create their own short films. From writing, to filming. The course covers a wide range of film theory, as well as practical elements. It takes place one Saturday a month over a period of 10 months, and includes the following: Basic acting for camera skills Creating ideas that work for film Scriptwriting Shot composition Storyboarding Set and prop design Casting Basic lighting techniques Planning a shoot day Creating an advert Aim and result: By the end of the year, each student will have written, directed, and filmed their very own short film. (ranging between 3-5 minutes), which will then be professionally edited and shown at a special ‘red carpet film-premiere’ where students will get to dress up in their fanciest red-carpet outfits and be the stars of the evening. Cost: R450/month (Existing weekly students receive a 10% discount) NB: Space for this course is extremely limited. Contact Information: Petroné van der Merwe: www.adk-drama.co.za [email protected] 0729414308 Instagram: @adk_drama_fourways Facebook: ADK Drama Fourways

March 16, 2021

THE INSPIRATION OF FAIRY TALES

Albert Einstein once said: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Developing a child’s reading proficiency and igniting their passion for literature is a priority for parents all year-round, however awareness days like the upcoming International Children’s Book Day on 2 April, are beneficial in putting children’s books and authors into the spotlight and further encouraging children across the globe to develop a regular reading habit. International Children’s Book Day is celebrated on the birthday of prolific children’s author Hans Christian Andersen who, with over 150 fairy tales to his name alone, has certainly helped inspire a love of reading in children, past and present. To mark the dual occasion of International Children’s Book Day and Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, we have looked at his favoured choice of medium, fairy tales, and considered why it is important for you to tell and read fairy tales to your child. Fairy tales help develop a range of academic skills As a young listener your child will observe your storytelling skills and learn to mimic these as their own reading ability develops. They will learn how to captivate an audience using tone, accents, acting, dramatic pauses etc., as well as the components of effective storytelling like chronology and attention to detail. In listening to you reading fairy tales and then learning to read from the books themselves, a child will develop strong memory skills; I’m sure as an adult you can still recall the details of your favourite fairy tales. From the actual fairy tale plots they will develop in critical thinking skills, as they will follow the actions of the characters carefully and see the consequences of these actions, boosting their understanding of the world. Through any sort of fictional reading a child will develop in creativity, but the fantasy, myth and magic of fairy tales offers even greater scope for them to think outside of the box. Fairy tales are full of fantastic adventures, enchanting lands and exotic creatures, all of which fuel their imagination beyond the ordinary and every day. Fairy tales teach important life lessons Of course the primary function of fairy tales is to be entertaining, but they also contain valuable and moral lessons for a child to learn. According to The Telegraph, Goddard Blythe, director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, said: “Fairy tales help to teach children an understanding of right and wrong, not through direct teaching, but through implication.” Of course the real world isn’t a fairy tale but a child can take the over-arching messages of these tales and apply them to their own lives, for example fairy tales teach great lessons in friendship and kindness as well in individuality and staying true to oneself. Fairy tales encourage emotional development Usually you would tell or read your child a fairy tale before bed to settle them into a peaceful slumber; this is important as it creates intimacy, routine, and a bonding experience between you and your child. The majority of fairy tale plots and the messages they convey can resonate directly with a child, and can help them to deal with an anxiety they can’t yet fully explain. Fairy tales can teach them how to better handle and deal with their emotions. Professor Yvonne Kelly of UCL said: “Children who listen to stories show better results in measures such as literacy tests and SATs – but also in terms of social and emotional development“; however, putting the research and studies aside, fairy tales are simply a wonderful way to add a bit of extra sparkle to your child’s day and encourage their love of reading. Why not pick out one of Hans Christian Anderson’s wonderful fairy tales and read it together, act it out, or watch the related movie to celebrate International Children’s Book Day this April? Thumbelina The Ugly Duckling The Emperor’s New Clothes The Little Mermaid (Disney’s version is an all time classic) The Snow Queen (Disney’s Frozen is inspired by this story) For more information about International Children’s Book Day, visit: https://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/activities/international-childrens-book-day/ Source for article: https://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/if-you-want-your-children-to-be-intelligent-read-them-fairy-tales-if-you-want-them-to-be-more-intelligent-read-them-more-fairy-tales-albert-einstein/

March 16, 2021

Trimester two overview

Your second trimester begins in week 13 and ends at week 28. During this time your morning sickness will ease off, and initially your baby will be small enough that your body won’t be in too much discomfort, earning this trimester the nickname of the honeymoon period of pregnancy. During this trimester you’ll probably tell your family, friends and employees you’re expecting and your tummy will begin to show – time to upgrade your wardrobe! Your body during your second trimester During the second trimester the pregnancy you’ll hopefully notice that your morning sickness is easing up and your energy levels should begin to rise. While you will be feeling better don’t put pressure on yourself to exercise or socialise more than you’re comfortable with. This trimester your baby bump will go from barely noticeable to one that you may struggle to hide. Embrace your changing body and adapt your exercise plan to accommodate your baby, prenatal yoga and pilates classes are a great way to stay in shape, meet other moms-to-be and prepare for labour and delivery. A growing belly and breasts, Braxton Hicks contractions and leg cramps are all common pregnancy symptoms you may experience during this trimester. Not only this but you may experience dental issues, sore and swollen feet, and an achy back and/or pelvis. Your baby’s growth during the second trimester Your little one does lots of growing during your second trimester, and during this time you’ll begin to feel them moving around inside your belly (this is also known as quickening). Not only this, but during trimester two your baby’s ears develop to the point that they can hear your voice and other external sounds. During the second trimester your baby’s eyes and ears become more developed and you’ll soon be able to find out their gender on an ultrasound (if you want to!). Your baby’s muscle tone is also improving, they’ll be swallowing amniotic fluid and their sucking reflex will develop – they may even suck their own thumb. Important things to note during the second trimester At week 19 to 20 you’ll have an anatomy scan. In this scan your doctor will be able to see how your baby is developing, and if there is anything unusual that would be cause for concern. During this scan the doctors will also be able to tell you the gender of your baby – if you decide to be told you can start thinking of baby names! This trimester is also a good time to decide how and where you’d like to have your baby. Decide on if you like a hospital or home birth, and start putting together a birth plan.

March 16, 2021

NEW Clean ID Range

Meet the new CLEAN ID range! It consists of beautiful beauty products that have a maximum percentage of natural ingredients and are as eco-friendly as possible. They are free from parabens, silicones, micro plastics, mineral oil, pure palm oil, exotic ingredients, camphor, declarable fragrances and acrylic compounds – true to the motto “everything you need and nothing else”. Of course, the products are – like all CATRICE products – cruelty free and made without any animal testing. In addition, they are 100 percent vegan. The products are made out of paperboard and recyclable materials. The packaging has been made using as little plastic as possible. CLEAN ID – LIP BALM Treat your lips! A product that is highly caring and contains carefully chosen ingredients like oils and butters is the best you can wear on your lips. The new lip balm includes 98 percent natural ingredients such as macadamia and coconut oil as well as shea and cacao butter. These ‘natural beauties’ make this lip balm extra nourishing, hydrating and revitalizing. The transparent texture melts on the lips – for a wonderfully nurturing feeling and moisturized lips. The paper packaging picks up on the sustainability aspect of the vegan Clean ID range. Around R79,95 CLEAN ID – LIP OIL How about shiny and smooth lips? This lip oil delivers the cushiony feel of an oil, the shine of a gloss and the comfort of a balm. It is highly nourishing and revitalizes as well as moisturizes the lips. The non-sticky oily texture comes in three different aromas per shade – violet-rose, sweet berry and a fresh grapefruit aroma – and in three wearable colours (light rosé, dark pink, warm red). 84 percent natural ingredients like avocado oil and watermelon seed oil make this lip oil part of the vegan Clean ID range. Around R99,95 CLEAN ID – EYESHADOW PALETTE The Clean ID Eyeshadow Palette’s textures include 80 percent natural ingredients. The four eyeshadow shades feature wearable colours in rose, terracotta, bronze and dark brown that offer multiple combination options. With three pearly and shimmery shades as well as one matt eyeshadow, it’s easy to create everyday looks. The travel-friendly size makes the palette an ideal fit for the handbag. Around R124,95 CLEAN ID – MINERAL BRONZER SPF A feel good product for the skin. The pressed texture is talc free and made with 90 percent natural ingredients. The powder has a soft touch velvet feeling when applied to the skin and is the first CATRICE bronzer with an SPF of 15. Most importantly, it gives the face a sun kissed look. Around R99,95 CLEAN ID – MINERAL SWIRL HIGHLIGHTER This baked multicolour mineral powder in two different shade variations – gold-bronze and rosé – ensures a natural healthy glow on the face. The soft touch formula with 96 percent natural ingredients perfectly fits into the eco-friendly Clean ID range. Around R109,95 Available at Takealot, Dischem Pharmacies and Zando

March 15, 2021

What is Perinatal Distress… and what does it really look like?

Most of us have heard of perinatal distress, also known as postnatal depression or PND, but why is this common and treatable illness often misunderstood and underdiagnosed? I was propped up in bed trying to feed my one-week-old infant staring at a pamphlet titled: “Postnatal Depression”. I thought to myself, “oh that’s when a new mother lies in bed all day crying. I definitely don’t have that. I’m not even going to open this pamphlet. I’m exhausted, I have my hands full with a fussy baby, I don’t have time to read this and besides, I don’t have PND anyway.” Two months later, I was hospitalised for nearly two weeks, followed by months of therapy and medication. You guessed it: I had PND. This medical condition had gone undiagnosed long enough for it to ravage my body and mind, as well as tear a hole through our entire family. When I look back at that dark and difficult time, I often think to myself that if only I had understood then what PND truly looked like, this illness would never have been able to take such a powerful hold on my life. The jaw-dropping reality is that PND affects well over 10% of women within the first year of giving birth. Many of those women are never diagnosed and treated because they don’t know what PND is or may be too ashamed to seek help. Why do we know so little about PND? Let’s rewind a little. PND used to stand for Postnatal Depression, a mental health condition in which mothers would experience depression and anxiety after their baby’s birth. Fast forward to present day: PND now stands for Perinatal Distress, because experts now understand that this mental health condition can occur both before and after giving birth (yes you can have PND when you are pregnant!) and that mothers can experience a wide range of symptoms. These may include depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive behaviours, sleep disorders, anger and more. In the most extreme cases (postnatal psychosis – a medical emergency) a mother may experience hallucinations or voices. The full list of symptoms is a long one, but may include some or all of the following: Feeling low, sad, tired, hopeless, alone, scared, angry, bored, irritable, guilty, on edge. Changes in appetite (either eating more or less than usual) Weight loss or gain Loss of interest in enjoyable activities; not looking forward to things. Lack of interest in the baby Panic attacks Overwhelming, scary thoughts. Even thoughts of harming yourself or the baby Changes in energy levels, sleep patterns or tiredness (hard to gauge with a new baby when you’re sleeping less anyway, but if you are unable to sleep when you are exhausted, there may be a problem) Mood swings, crying more often, restlessness and irritability Brain fuzz or racing thoughts Herein lies the Problem These symptoms cover most of the common emotions experienced by mothers in the perinatal period. Some of these symptoms are completely normal and result from extreme hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy and birth. However, these symptoms should only last for a couple of weeks after the baby is born (The Baby Blues). So how can a mother tell what is normal, and what is PND? A good rule is that if you feel like you’re not yourself, or you are not coping, have a chat to your healthcare provider. If you don’t feel like you can talk to your GP, obstetrician or clinic nurse, then turn to a trusted friend or family member. You do not have to suffer in silence. There are various treatment options available to you which are perfectly safe, both before and after giving birth. With the correct treatment, PND can be completely resolved. Left untreated, it may be fatal, to both a mother and her child. Why do most women have only a vague idea of what PND can actually look like? Because we don’t talk about it! Even in todays’ open-minded world of acceptance, there is still a heavy burden of societal stigma attached to a mother’s mental health. When a woman is pregnant or has a baby, she is expected to be happy! “You’ve been so blessed!”; “Enjoy every minute, they go by so fast!”; “You’ve got what you always wanted – you must be thrilled!” These are all phrases that most mothers have heard at some point. If she is struggling inwardly, she may feel guilty that she is not happy. Mothers are often wracked with insecurity, which they can keep well hidden. She may worry that she will be seen as ungrateful, or even unfit to be a mother. PND survivor Hayls Lieberthal wanted nothing more than to have a child, but as her pregnancy progressed, so did her self-doubt. “I was told all the time, ‘you are carrying life, you’re very blessed’ and ‘You have nothing to feel sad about!’” She vividly recalls a woman saying to her “look at you, you must be so excited!” and found herself lying behind a false smile: “I am so excited I can’t wait!” Meanwhile, on the inside all she could think was “I can’t do this.” From the moment your pregnancy is confirmed, healthcare professionals typically focus intensely on a mother and baby’s physical health, but less on a mother’s mental health. Even when a healthcare provider is aware of PND and asks the patient all the right questions, a mother may not divulge how she truly feels because she feels ashamed. After I had my first baby, I was overwhelmed by my new life and role. There were times that I thought I had made a terrible mistake, and that maybe I wasn’t cut out to be a mother after all. These feelings were shameful to me, and I didn’t feel like I could tell anyone. Little did I know that those feelings are incredibly common among new mothers, even mothers who do not have PND. The Truth about PND PND is not

March 15, 2021

Chicco Ohlala2 Stroller

Chicco, a 63-year old leader in baby products, has tirelessly committed to ensuring that all strollers and prams have optimal comfort and functionality for children. On top of this standard promise, Chicco looks after the needs of parents, allowing mom and dad to #parentmore – the Chicco catchphrase for stress-reduced parenting. The Ohlala2 stroller is one of the lightest strollers on the market. Weighing in at just 3.8kgs, it is known as the stroller you can lift with one finger. Perfect for busy modern parents, the Ohlala folds down into the square book-fold and takes up minimal space in the boot of your car or the home. In a deep black colour with white graphic details, the Ohlala is on-trend and historically has been one of Europe’s best-selling Chicco strollers due to convenience and level of functionality for baby. It is also available in twin format (Ohlala Twin). Complete with large canopy, full recline, large storage basket and bumper bar, the Ohlala2 provides a safe and comfortable journey for your little one from birth – 15kgs. Grab a Chicco Ohlala2 at participating retailers such as Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Thekidzone.co.za, Babanino.co.za, Brand Hubb, Little Kingdom online and others.

March 15, 2021

Rent vs Salaries – Here are SA’s most affordable destinations

Despite consumer inflation being at a 16-year low, the prices of most basic goods are still higher than they were a year ago. With new restrictions set in place to combat the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, South African families are anxious about how the economic climate will affect their incomes and purchasing power over the next year and beyond. Along with food prices and the fuel cost, which is continuously on the rise, it appears as though the cost of accommodation is also still on the rise. In October 2020, Adzuna analysed income data and compared it to average rental prices in the country’s leading hubs. It was found that the average South African family spent as much as 28% of their salaries on rent. At the start of February 2021, Adzuna analysed the same statistics and was able to pinpoint where some of the most cost-effective destinations for South Africans to live and work in. The PayProp Rental Index (Q1 2020) indicated that rental growth was at 3.2% year-on-year by the end of 2020. With these figures in mind, Adzuna drew a comparison between the average rental price and average salaries offered in South Africa’s main city centres. The findings indicated that South African families spend anywhere between 17% and 32% of their wages on rent every month. Cheapest places to rent in South Africa After comparing income and rental prices in South Africa’s ten biggest cities, the most affordable cities to rent in were Rustenburg, Polokwane, and Port Elizabeth. All three towns see renters spending less than 20% of their salaries on rent every month. City Average Rent Average Salary % of Salary Spent on Rent Rustenburg R6 100 R36,000 17% Polokwane R5 500 R32,000 17% Port Elizabeth R5 500 R30,000 18% Bloemfontein R6 500 R32,000 20% Nelspruit R6 200 R31,000 20% Kimberley R5 000 R25,000 20% Johannesburg R8 700 R40,000 22% Durban R9 000 R35,000 25% Pretoria R8 000 R30 000 26% Cape Town R13 000 R41,000 32% Salaries have remained unchanged since October 2020 while rental costs have increased across the board. In cities like Cape Town, families are spending as much as 32% of their monthly income on rent. Cape Town is still the most expensive destination in South Africa. Capetonians that choose to reside just outside the city centre might spend between 25% and 27% of their income on rent. However, these costs are still much higher than average rental prices in other main hubs like Pretoria and Johannesburg. One of the most significant changes Adzuna noticed was the increase in rental cost in Pretoria. In October 2020, Pretoria residents spent roughly 18% of their monthly salaries on rent. This year, residents are forking out almost 10% more than they did in 2020, with the average family now spending up to 26% of their salaries on rent. Cheapest province for renting in South Africa Although rental prices vary from one city to the other, there is also quite a dramatic difference in the amount a family in the Eastern Cape, for example, must spend on rent compared to a family living in KwaZulu Natal. Province Average Rent Average Salary % of Salary Spent on Rent North West R5,000 R31,000 16% Free State R6,500 R36,000 18% Gauteng R8,000 R39,000 20% Limpopo R7,000 R33,000 21% Northern Cape R8,000 R35,000 22% Western Cape R9,000 R40,000 23% KwaZulu-Natal R8,000 R32,000 25% Mpumalanga R7,500 R30,000 25% Eastern Cape R8 500 R32,000 26% Even though rent in the city of Cape Town is sky high, the province has a significantly lower average rental cost. In 2020, the Western Cape was one of the most expensive areas to rent in, but this year, the Eastern Cape is one of the most expensive destinations for families to live and work in. On the other side of the scale, the North West and Free State are still two of the most cost-effective destination for South Africans looking to strike a balance between rental costs and their monthly income. Final Thoughts Lower rental prices can no longer be the only deciding factor for considering where to rent a property. Since salaries have remained unchanged since the end of 2020, it is now essential to consider job availability and average salaries before blindly making a move. Even though salaries offered in Polokwane and Rustenburg seem incredibly high, these stats are affected by the technical and mining sectors, which means that job competition could be fierce here and landing a job in these destinations might not be easy. Western Cape, for example, has much more on offer as far as job opportunities are concerned, and salaries tend to be very high, but one also has to consider the fact that you could be spending up to 32% of that hard-earned salary on rent. *Adzuna’s analysis was also compared to average property prices provided by Property24 and Numbeo*

March 12, 2021

How important is it to revise your work regularly?

We talk about learning sciences as something that has appeared recently or is new to the educational world – this cannot be further from the truth. In this article, we look back to the 1880s, specifically at Hermann Ebbinghaus’s work. Ebbinghaus was a German psychologist who specialised in memory and learning. His most famous experiment is the ‘forgetting curve’, which we will use to reflect on the importance of regular revision of your work. The forgetting curve In developing the forgetting curve, Ebbinghaus noticed a correlation between memory retention, the strength of a memory, and the passing of time. To test this correlation, he taught himself ‘gibberish’. In other words, he created phrases made up of a sequence of random letters and taught them to himself. He performed multiple tests to see how well he could remember the information after different time periods, e.g. one day, two days, etc. had elapsed. He found that retention of information decreases rapidly after the first day of having learned the information. To counter this loss of memory, he revised some of the nonsense phrases at regular intervals both after and on the first day of learning them. He then found that the more he revised the phrases, the less frequently he had to revise them, and he could remember them for longer periods of time after he had learned them initially. While this is an old experiment, modern science confirms the findings, and the forgetting curve is still an important theory in the learning sciences today. The real question, though, is what this story means for your learning journey. Also read: The importance of practice in your learning journey Important things to remember when revising The most important thing we can learn from Ebbinghaus’ experiment is that your memory and retention of information decreases rapidly after the first day of learning something. Therefore, revise the most important parts of the information you learned within 24 hours of learning it. Revise your work multiple times – Ebbinghaus’s work also helps us understand that you will need to revise your work multiple times before you can remember it well. There is, unfortunately, no magic number of revisions, but the more you can review the work, the more easily you will be able to remember it. This ability to recall information may seem less important while you are actively learning the work for the first time, but the more information you can remember, the easier it is to prepare for examinations as you can focus on and review the most important areas instead of all the information. Avoid using the ‘oh yeah’ method of revision – We have all been there, paging through your textbook, and as you recognise the information, you mutter, “oh yeah, I know this” in your mind. When you get to the test or examination, that ‘oh yeah’ turns into ‘oh no’ when you can’t remember the information. There is a big difference between recognising the information while reading, watching, or listening to it and being able to recall it from your memory when you need to. When you revise, try to remember the information actively instead of just looking at an answer or solution presented in the information. Some tools to help you As we just mentioned, we don’t want to recognise our work – we want to remember it; otherwise, the time we spent on revision is wasted. Here are some tools that can help you: Flashcards – a flashcard is a simple piece of paper on which you write the problem or the question on the front of the card and the answer on the back. When you use flashcards, you challenge yourself to remember the answer before turning over the card, which means you are using your brain’s pathways to retrieve the information from your memory. Using flashcards is fantastic for learning and, if you can, you should make yourself a deck of flashcards for all your subjects. They work very well when you have to learn vocabulary and definitions in particular. They can also work in other subjects like Mathematics if you have to learn facts, such as when to use sin, cos, or tan (ratios of the sides of a right-angled triangle). It may take some time and effort to create your flashcard decks, but your brain will thank you when exam times arrive. Mnemonics – a mnemonic device is a learning technique that helps you retrieve information from your memory using certain cues. One of the most famous ones is the knuckle mnemonic, where each knuckle represents a month with 31 days, and the spaces between the knuckles represent a month with 30 days. Another example is using the phrase ‘never eat sour watermelons’ to remember the points of the compass, where each word in the phrase stands for north, east, south, and west, respectively. There are many mnemonics devices, but the advantage of mnemonic devices is that you can create your own. Just remember that you should not re-use a mnemonic device; otherwise, you might forget what it is helping you remember. Also read: Smart study hacks for the exams Benefits of revision Ebbinghaus shows us that it is vital that we review our work regularly. Besides remembering your work better, revision will also reduce stress and anxiety before tests and exams because you will already know a lot of your work. Tutors and parents can also help identify the most important parts of the work to ensure that flashcard decks don’t become too large and impractical or that the number of mnemonics created doesn’t become unfeasible. Learning doesn’t need to be stressful – if you are disciplined in your revision, your efforts will bear fruit. Dr Nicolaas Matthee

March 12, 2021

#StillNotFound ‘Age-Progression

Missing Children South Africa is currently running an ‘Age-Progression’ Campaign called #StillNotFound. Age progression is the process of modifying a photograph of a person to represent the effect of aging on their appearance. Digital image processing is the most common technique today, although sometimes artists’ drawings are used. Age progression is most often used as a forensics tool by law enforcement. Please keep a lookout for these 3 children, who went missing many years ago (and all adults now) who have just never been found, and whose families are still hoping and praying for their safety and safe return. MCSA Identity Kit Missing Children South Africa has developed an Interim ID Kit, and this is a great way to document all the important information about your child. Download it here https://missingchildren.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Interim-Kit-2020-1.pdf. Print and complete one for each of your children and keep it in your bag, just in case you might need it. Losing a child is one of the most traumatic experiences and this will relieve a lot of stress, having the information with you, when you need it most. Our website www.missingchildren.org.za acts as an emergency report facility, as well as being MCSA’s platform for informational and educational material with regards to Child Safety. The service MCSA offers to the community and government is invaluable and as you can imagine we certainly have our work cut out for us. We provide our services free of charge to anyone who needs us. Sadly we don’t necessarily enjoy the same privilege for our needs and our financial requirements quite often outweigh our resources! We rely solely on the goodwill of individuals and corporations for financial support – funding remains MCSA’s biggest challenge. You can assist us now by clicking here https://missingchildren.org.za/donate/ and donating – this will be deeply appreciated and is much needed. Education plays an incredibly vital role in the life of Missing Children South Africa, and all funds received is utilised to further MCSA’s educational program; ‘Tips for Children’ and ‘Tips for Parents’ which promotes Child Safety. The education is targeted to all the vulnerable and orphaned children, and also children with disabilities. The education is also shared with parents, guardians and the families who take care of these children. The education focuses on not only the dangers, but also the solutions with regards to what to do to keep children safe, and especially what not do. Missing Children South Africa’s social media platforms are: FB: https://www.facebook.com/MissingChildrenSouthAfrica/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/072MISSING Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missingchildrensa/ What To Do When A Child Goes Missing Try not to panic and DO NOT WAIT 24 hours to report your missing child. Get a responsible person to stay at your house while you’re at the police station or searching for your child. This person can take messages if someone calls about the child’s disappearance or if the child returns home. Go to your nearest police station and take a recent photograph of your child with you. Make sure that the photograph is of good quality so that your child will be easily identifiable. Give a good description of what your child was wearing, their last whereabouts and any information that may help the police. Complete a SAPS 55 (A) form which safeguards the police against false or hoax reports. This form also gives the Police permission to distribute the photos and information of the missing child. Make sure the police give you a reference number and a contact name and number of the SAPS officer(s) assigned to the investigation. Click on our Report Now button, and complete the form: https://missingchildren.org.za/report/. Remember that if your child returns home, you should go to the Police station to report that your child is safe and let MSCA know that your child has returned home safely.

March 10, 2021

Collab weaning

Excerpt from Weaning Sense Weaning your baby onto solid foods can be daunting. As busy working mums, Meg Faure and Kath Megaw saw a need for better guidance on creating meals that are suited for little ones as well as expert advice on weaning your child at all stages of their development. Meg, an occupational therapist, and Kath, a paediatric dietician, went on to author one of South Africa’s most successful parenting books, Weaning Sense [Quivertree], the ultimate guide to making decisions around your baby’s weaning. It’s firmly grounded in science and packed with advice, expertise and over 50 easy recipes that you can make at home. Is it time to wean your baby onto solids? Transitioning your baby from an exclusive milk diet onto solid food brings with it many questions – When is the right time? How will I know when my baby is ready? And exactly what should I be offering my baby as a first food? You will find there is a lot of advice available, which ranges from ‘introduce at 4 or maybe even 6 months’, to ‘wait until your baby can embark on Baby-Led Weaning when a little older’. We believe that weaning in its ideal form should not be a case of following rigid advice but rather be a collaboration between the advisors who guide you, your own self, wishes and personality and of course, your baby. And that’s where COLLAB weaning comes in. “Collaboration is the process of two or more people working together to realise something successfully.” It is very similar to cooperation and is the opposite of competition. Collaboration requires leadership but this leadership should be social leadership – a working within a team. COLLAB weaning is an approach that considers your baby as central in the weaning process – his age, development and sensory personality. It encourages moms to guide their babies in the context of these factors as well as science and what we know about healthy eating. So, while you may manage the choices, it is in the context of your baby himself. Very importantly, COLLAB weaning takes the pressure off you and your baby, allowing you to write your own weaning journey. COLLAB is an acronym that will become a way of parenting for you. It stands for: CUES – Recognising and respecting your baby’s cues for readiness will guide you as to when your baby is ready to wean. Your baby will also give very clear cues within each feeding session (for hunger and fullness) and respecting these cues, interpreting them for your baby and offering food (or stopping a meal) in the context of these cues is the most critical contribution you make to ensuring your child has a healthy relationship with food and in the long term, preventing obesity. It is only by understanding your little one’s cues that you can wean collaboratively. OWN PERSON – Your baby is his own person and will not wean like the baby next door. Some babies engage with new textures with gusto and others need to have a blander and slower route to whole food. Knowing your baby’s sensory personality is the secret to weaning happily. LOW PRESSURE – There is simply enough pressure on moms to follow a pattern, conform and achieve. Weaning is not a race. Weaning is not a competition. Weaning is a journey, not a destination. Take the pressure off you and off your little one. LED BY SCIENCE – While it would be wonderful to entirely ‘wing’ parenting, in the face of decades of valuable research we have to consider the science to be sensible. Sensible feeding involves filtering noise and opinion and understanding what dietary science tells us about early infant feeding. This does not create rules for weaning but safe boundaries to work within. AGE APPROPRIATE – Research can and does guide us towards the age at which babies are best weaned. It is certainly not a certain week of life – e.g. week 17 or 24, as is commonly presented as fact. It is rather a window of around 4 months in which sensible weaning should begin. BABY FRIENDLY – As your little one grows, he develops self-regulation, which is the ability to manage his own physiology, emotions and behaviour. Feeding is one area where self-regulation is mastered. Being baby-friendly is all about facilitating his own self-mastery in all areas, including feeding, right through the toddler years. It is the best way to prevent fussy toddler eating. COLLAB weaning will change not only the way to wean your baby but so many aspects of your parenting journey, making parenting your little one a sensational journey, a respectful nurturing of a life for long term physical and emotional health. The Weaning Sense team is proud to partner with UCOOK to help demystify weaning so you can rest assured that your baby is getting what they need, when they need it. For more info visit UCOOK or follow UCOOK.baby on instagram

March 10, 2021

Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School

Remedial vs Special Needs There is often some confusion regarding the meaning of remedial and special needs and how schools adapt to the students’ different needs. A remedial program is for learners who have average or higher intellectual abilities but who are not performing well in school. At Glenoaks, learners in the remedial stream sometimes have intellectual test scores below average, but we find that they have the capability to cope in an academic program. Thus our admissions process looks at overall ability and not simply a test score. Typically, remedial students are not struggling because of their intellectual abilities but instead with one subject area like reading, writing or mathematics. Learners may experience various barriers to learning, or learning challenges, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, visual difficulties, ADHD, mild autism, dyscalculia, language delays etc. Remedial programs usually focus on narrowing or closing academic gaps, to the extent that the learner can be re-introduced to a mainstream schooling system. Our remedial stream follows the Grade 1 – 7 CAPS curriculum with accommodations, differentiation and adaptations depending on learners’ needs. The majority of the learners in our remedial stream enter mainstream schools or supportive high school environments and successfully achieve good grade 12 results. Many have continued to further their studies at universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions. We are particularly proud of our past pupils who have become high school prefects and head prefects. Special education differs from remedial education because the learners in these programs lack the intellectual ability to perform in a class that teaches standardised concepts and subjects. The students in these classes may lack social maturity, emotional maturity, physical ability or the analytical skills that are needed to perform in a remedial or a mainstream classroom environment, in addition they may experience global developmental delays. Special needs programs are often individualised with the aim of helping the learner to become a functional, employable adult. In our special needs streams we focus on functional subjects in literacy, numeracy, life skills, and world knowledge, and offer learners exposure to a variety of practical and project-driven vocational subjects such as hospitality, IT and enterprise. At Glenoaks we have two special needs streams; namely the GOAL stream and the Oak House Vocational Academy. Glenoaks Assisted Learning (GOAL) Stream The GOAL Stream caters for learners from the ages of 6 to 14 who have special educational needs which inhibit them from learning in the ‘traditional classroom’. Often our learners’ chronological and developmental ages differ significantly, and it’s important that they learn according to their abilities and at their own pace. GOAL Stream learners have differing areas of strength, often exhibited in practical tasks. They benefit from repetition, positive reinforcement and reduced time pressure; aiming at functional skills of daily living within their levels of ability. We work on individualised numeracy and literacy programs with each learner. Other subjects include: life skills, activities of daily living, cooking, supported reading, home management, basic administration skills, computers, library, sport, social and emotional skills, Occupational Therapy group, Speech, Language and Communication group and art. Older learners have opportunities for project-based learning in preparation for in-house work experience. Oak House Vocational Academy Oak House Vocational Academy was conceived from the need to provide an appropriate setting for specific learners with special needs from our school, and from the broader community, whose abilities and needs are not met in an academic setting. After intense research and planning both locally and abroad, a blueprint was formulated for our vocational academy – highly particular, uniquely crafted and finely tuned to Glenoaks’ vision. The Academy provides learners with a sense of purpose and self-worth, continued applicable academic input, emotional and academic support and an incremental exposure to the expectations and realities of the world of work. This culminates in a learner being more employable with practical work skills and experience in specific industries. If further training or employment opportunities exist for a graduate, those are facilitated and supported by Oak House Vocational Academy. Our Academy program is designed to expose students to a variety of vocational settings aligned to each individual’s strengths, abilities and areas of interest. Students learn the skills required for entry level jobs, and also focus on critical social skills, appropriate behaviours and attitudes required in the workplace. Prior to this, our students are taught a creatively crafted curriculum which includes academics, life skills, business skills, entrepreneurship, IT and admin skills, world knowledge, home management, hospitality, gardening, woodcraft and enterprise. Learners in the work experience program are gaining exposure to a variety of industries and businesses including retail, IT, hairdressing, production line, garden nurseries, schools, sport, robotics and many more. In 2019 the first group of students graduated from Oak House Vocational Academy and successfully commenced with further training, part time or permanent employment. Our School The school’s journey began over forty years ago in 1969 with Dr Lorna Swartz. She started a small school in Melrose for her daughter, who was then regarded as ‘learning disabled’. As word spread, other parents brought their children to Dr Schwartz, and Glenoaks School was born. Glenoaks School at this time was also one of the few schools who included learners of differing racial groups. In 1976 the school moved to Orange Grove. In 1981 Glenoaks expanded and moved to our current premises in Kensington. Dr Swartz’s vision has lived on through the leadership of Ms Peacock, Ms Patt, Mr Barnes and currently Mrs Caldeira. Many who visit the school remark on the friendly and nurturing atmosphere that permeates every aspect of Glenoaks School. The small class settings, individual and group therapies and the unwritten curriculum of care and concern help us to grow our learners socially, emotionally and academically. We strive to ensure that our students are intrinsically motivated and happily engaged in their own learning. We also strive to develop a sensitivity to and an understanding of academic, cultural and religious differences. Glenoaks has a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychologists, occupational, speech & language, remedial and learning support therapists, as well as

March 10, 2021

When the stomach turns .. tummy bugs or COVID-19?

As South Africa nears the end of the second wave of Covid-19 and braces for a third, a stomach bug is circulating and spreading in schools and the community. Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, head of operations at Bonitas Medical Fund, discusses the signs and symptoms of a stomach bug and common gastrointestinal (GI) viral infections versus the GI symptoms from Covid-19. He says, ‘Although the period between November and May usually coincides with an increase in diarrhoea and pneumonia cases, according to the MMC: Community Services and Health, Zahid Badroodien, it is significantly reduced with a 29% decrease in cases and a 15% decrease in hospital admissions. The decline is partially attributed to the increased adherence to health protocols for Covid-19 like hand-washing, sanitisation and wearing masks.’ However, the recent tummy bug that is circulating, is proof that the virus is still around, Dr Mkhatshwa talks about common GI viral infections and GI symptoms associated with Covid-19. What are the symptoms of a tummy bug? Stomach bugs (or stomach flu) are known as viral gastroenteritis and are characterised by the following symptoms: Diarrhoea Abdominal cramps Nausea Vomiting Fever Thirst Joint aches Headache General malaise How long does a stomach bug last? People typically develop stomach bug symptoms within 24 to 72 hours of being exposed to the virus. While most cases resolve in three to four days, it’s not uncommon to feel unwell for up to a week. How do I know if it’s food poisoning or a stomach virus? The symptoms of food poisoning and a stomach virus are very similar. However, food poisoning symptoms develop in as little as a few hours. Most people suspect food poisoning when symptoms develop shortly after eating food which may seem questionable. Covid and gastroenteritis Research consistently shows that approximately 10% of adults with Covid-19 report GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Typically, patients will also have the more common upper respiratory symptoms that accompany Covid-19, such as a dry cough or difficulty breathing. How do you tell the difference between Covid-19 symptoms and ‘stomach flu’? So, how do you know which one you’re dealing with if you’re experiencing, for instance, a fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea? ‘Unfortunately, it is not always easy,’ says Dr Mkhatshwa, ‘if you have respiratory symptoms, (particularly chest pain) and loss of smell or taste, it is pretty clear cut. However, GI symptoms can occur on their own with Covid-19. A stomach bug also typically lasts only 72 hours while GI related symptoms with the coronavirus can last much longer.’ What should you do if you suspect the GI symptoms are in fact, Covid-19 related? Consult your doctor – via phone or virtually – to discuss your symptoms and if he/she feels you are displaying signs of the coronavirus infection, they will refer you for a Covid-19 test. How long are you contagious with a stomach bug? Stomach viruses are highly contagious and can spread quickly. People infected with a stomach virus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill and also for the first few days (up to 72 hours) after they recover. A stomach virus can spread in several different ways: Eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus Having direct or indirect mouth contact with an infected person or surface with the virus on it Unhygienic behaviour, such as not washing hands after toilet use, not washing fruits and vegetables before consumption The virus also inhabits the vomit and stools of people who have the infection How do you treat or get rid of a stomach bug? Supportive therapy that includes increased hydration, rest, electrolyte replenishment and medication for fever is usually all that is needed for viral illnesses. This is because viruses do not respond to antibiotics and simply need to run their course. If the infection is caused by bacteria, like Salmonella, an antibiotic may be prescribed. Viral gastroenteritis will typically resolve within a few days or less without medication. However, hydration is vital to a speedy recovery and prevention of complications. Here are a few steps you can take at home to aid recovery from a stomach virus or food poisoning: Try not to eat any solid foods until you feel better Suck on ice chips or take small sips of water to prevent dehydration Avoid juices or other beverages with a lot of sugar or sweeteners that can make diarrhea worse Ease yourself back into eating. Start with bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as toast and rice. Stop eating if a feeling of nausea returns Avoid dairy, caffeine, fatty foods and sugar until you feel better You should be cautious of taking over-the-counter medications, unless advised by a healthcare provider, as some can worsen the infection When to treat it seriously and consult a medical doctor? Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms: A bloody stool or vomit Are unable to keep liquid down for 12-24 hours Feel dizzy or light-headed Have a fever above 40°C Are experiencing severe, unrelenting abdominal pain. Fortunately, thanks to the Covid-19 protocols which include wearing masks, social distancing and the washing and sanitising of hands the incidence of stomach bugs has been reduced. However, it is a virus and you may still be susceptible but remember it will run its course and you will recover. During the time you are experiencing symptoms rest, stay hydrated and stay away from others while you are still contagious.

March 10, 2021

3 Brisk Activities That You And Your Child Can Enjoy Together

“Come have some tea with Miss Bubbles and me” – said your 7-year-old, as they pull you in to sit on a miniature chair. It’s 9:30 PM, you’re bushed and you’re about to have tea with a teddy bear and the Queen of England herself. Spending uninterrupted time with your child has its infinite benefits and rewards, so what happens when you’re swallowed by your work and life responsibilities that quality time with the Queen of England is unintentionally put on the back burner? Let’s face it – life is busy, finding moments in your life to spend intentional quality time with your child is definitely a hard task as a working parent. And if not having enough time wasn’t hindrance enough, you have to find something that you’d both like to do. Doubling the guilt for our poor parents. Creating childhood memories, formulating the idea of love with your child and getting to know each other a little better, are only a few of the amazing benefits of quality time with your offspring. Don’t despair, at Sugar Bay we have over 100 free-choice activities and we have given you 3 of our best time- effective activities that both you and your child can enjoy. Adventure / Explore Our campers go on adventures on the beach and around camp, where they’re always discovering and learning something new about the environment around them. The beauty in this activity lies in how it’s physically active and educational simultaneously. Whether you’re going on an adventure in your backyard or looking for things to recycle around your neighbourhood, you’ll always find out something new about each other and maybe lose half a kilo in the same breath. Splatter painting In our arts and crafts classes, campers discover that something can always be made out of nothing. All you need is a blank wall or a large piece of white cloth. This is where you let loose! You both get to get as dirty as possible and laugh at how you became Picassos overnight. This activity allows your child to see your free-spirit, fun side; a side that shows that you’re not only their parent, but you can also be their friend. Who knows: you could create the 21st century Mona Lisa. Skits and Stunts Lights, camera, action! Costumes, mom acting silly, dad mimicking mom after taking a dose of helium and a whole lot of laughter; this is the memory that can be created with your child with this activity. Skits and stunts allow your child to build their self-esteem and gives them the confidence to be themselves in the world. Give your child & teen the holiday of a lifetime! Sugar Bay is an American-style camp offering over 100 activities, 24-hr supervision & professionally trained staff. Covid compliant. Call 032 485 3778 or email here [email protected].

March 9, 2021

Play has the power to help address kids’ anxiety

As restrictions around COVID-19 continue, parents continue to feel anxious – as do their children, who are facing yet another year of limited extra murals and social activities. Even though schools are open for the 2021 academic year, it’s under limiting conditions, which in turn is likely to increase anxiety among children. Anxiety manifests in various ways in children, including poor appetite, getting angry or irritable, worrying or having frequent negative thoughts, being fidgety, being clingy, or complaining of tummy aches or headaches. With the last year or so having thrust families into very different situations, with parents working from home and children kept distant from friends and teachers – whose facial expressions are hidden behind masks – anxiety is being seen in children as young as two years of age. This could be because they’re picking up on the stress their parents have experienced during the pandemic, or it could be that they’re accustomed to passive and isolated screen-bound activities, and they’re struggling to acclimatise to new interactions and activities on returning to school after a long break. “Children communicate and express themselves through play, which is a useful tool, both therapeutically and at home, to provide children with an arena in which to explore and express some of their emotions,” says Colleen Johnson, a Johannesburg child psychologist. “Playing with a child helps not only to connect with them on their level, but offers an opportunity to defuse power struggles, unearth some of their fears and insecurities, and to offer positive resolution through the medium of play. Playing with your child encourages secure attachment, connectedness and fun, which reduces feelings of anxiety.” Cape Town-based occupational therapist Anine van Schalkwyk suggests letting children play through scenarios that make them feel anxious. “Let them play through a situation after it’s happened, rather than asking them direct questions, like ‘how was your day’,” she suggests. “Give them the cues to build a situation, and let them allocate ‘roles’ to you and themselves. In creating the scenario, using their favourite toys, chances are that they’ll tell you the story of their day and what caused their anxiety – and you can help them talk through it.” Johnson adds that the type of play to help resolve anxiety depends on the child’s personality and specific needs at the time – children who are disorganised may benefit from structured play, such as building a LEGO® set together, following the visual instructions. Those that enjoy a less-structured type of play have the freedom to use LEGO® bricks to create builds that express their imaginations – or the issues that may be on their mind. “This helps reduce anxiety as the child feels safe by being able to follow specific guidelines towards a predictable outcome,” she explains. “However, allowing the child to engage in free play or fantasy play has tremendous benefits too, as the child feels in control of their environment, taking the lead and determining their own outcome.” The LEGO® Play Well Report, based of research conducted among children and families in multiple countries, including South Africa, found that parents believe that play develops a wide range of benefits, for their child, for themselves, and for the family unit as a whole. The research highlighted that 91% of respondents felt that play was important to help the family stay entertained, with 88% confirming that play helped them stay emotionally healthy. Van Schalkwyk emphasizes that parents should prioritise close contact play with their children – perhaps even more intensely than they would have before the pandemic, given that children are not getting the sensory and social input needed for appropriate development, because of rigorous social distancing in schools. “Hug your children tight, and often,” she says. “It’s a tough balancing act when you’re tired from working all day, but intense play is good for parents as well – it lowers adults’ anxiety too!”

March 9, 2021

Your second trimester – making the most of it

Your second trimester is from the beginning of week 13 until week 28, during this time your pregnancy will begin to show. However, you should feel like you have more energy than you did in trimester one. This is why this trimester is also nicknamed the honeymoon period of pregnancy – your baby isn’t big enough to make you uncomfortable and your pregnancy hormones should have eased up. During this time there are one or two things that you can keep in mind to make the most of this time while you’re feeling better, and to ensure that your baby (and you) are kept healthy and happy. Childbirth classes, preparing your mind and body Even if this isn’t your first baby, childbirth classes can help prepare you for what is to come. If you’re feeling anxious about labour and birth, these classes will help ease your worries, by informing you what is to come and how best to manage your mind and body coming up to, during birth and after birth. Prenatal exercise and a healthy lifestyle Stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy is important to both you and your baby. What you eat and regular exercise are both ways in which you can provide needed nutrition to your baby and keep yourself healthy. Low impact exercise, such yoga, swimming, walking and prenatal pilates can help improve your sleep, and increase your strength and muscle tone. Keeping active can even have the added benefit of helping prepare your body for labour and birth. Maternity wear and staying comfortable Not only is learning about your pregnancy and staying healthy essential but staying comfortable is also important. The second trimester is generally when your tummy will start looking and feeling bigger, so invest in some trousers that have more give in the waistline. Luckily certain fashion items, such as flowy dresses and layered knits, may even mean you can still keep using your pre-pregnancy clothes.

March 9, 2021

NEW CATRICE True Skin Foundation NOW available in SA!

Any beauty enthusiast knows that a good foundation can literally make or break your face beat. Your choice of foundation should melt into your skin, smooth over acne, redness, uneven texture and hyperpigmentation. However, it can be tough to find the right foundation for your skin, especially one that succeeds in making you look dewy, luminous and honestly all-around radiant all day long. But don’t fear – CATRICE has just launched its NEW True Skin Hydrating Foundation to provide moisture like no other. Come in a little closer, let’s chat about this absolutely magical product in a little more detail. FEELING THIRSTY? HYDRATE YOUR SKIN WITH CATRICE TRUE SKIN Say goodbye to foundations that make your face look and feel “cakey”. The CATRICE True Skin Hydrating Foundation with hyaluronic acid and watermelon seed oil provides INTENSE moisture. Bonus: It photographs beautifully and never feels heavy. NO ANIMAL CRUELTY – VEGAN ONLY Vegan beauty products are cruelty-free, better for the environment and better for YOU! Literally, avoid animal tested products like a plague, generally, these products contain a bunch of questionable ingredients that you wouldn’t want anywhere near your face. There’s no question that vegan foundation is the way to go – and you can’t choose better than the True Skin Hydrating Foundation. COULD THIS FOUNDATION GET ANY BETTER Not only is the CATRICE True Skin Hydrating Foundation SUPER moisturising and 100% vegan, but it also provides an even complexion, allowing you to create buildable coverage according to your preference. The True Skin Foundation allows you to cover minor imperfections and makes redness disappear all while feeling totally feathery light on the skin for an incomparable “real skin” finish. FIND YOUR SHADE MATCH There’s no reason to struggle to find the correct shade for your skin or have to deal with the frustration of going home with the wrong colour for your tone. The CATRICE True Skin Foundation is available 21 diverse shades and you’ll be able to find your ideal True Skin Foundation shade on the CATRICE shade finder here: https://catricecosmetics.co.za Enjoy finding your perfect match! WHEN AND WHERE TO FIND IT The CATRICE True Skin Hydrating Foundation can be found at multiple retailers online and in-store. Choose from your favourite retail outlets like Dis-Chem, Takealot, Superbalist, Skinmiles and House of Cosmetics. Once you’re glowing and taking the perfect selfie with your new foundation on your face… WE WANT TO SEE IT. Remember to tag us in your pics online! @cosmetix_sa

March 8, 2021

TRANSITIONING TO A NEW NAP PATTERN

What to Know Just when you think you’ve mastered your baby’s nap schedule, it will change. In fact, your child’s daytime sleep needs and patterns will change multiple times from the newborn phase through infancy and then again into toddlerhood. Nap changes typically occur at predictable ages and stages, but of course each baby is unique so watching your baby for signs that he’s ready for a new nap schedule will help you and him make a smooth transition. No matter what the current schedule, naps are hugely important for children. Naps support optimal growth and development because they provide great mental and physical restorative effects. Naps also help to improve your child’s coping skills and to avoid that all-too-familiar “overtired” state, which can lead to crankiness and sleep disruptions at night. Homeostatic pressure (or sleep pressure, the buildup of the need for sleep) drives our requirement for sleep and naps. This pressure builds up quickly in newborns and gradually lessens as babies grow older which is why their sleep and nap needs change over time. So when do these nap schedule changes typically occur? Here are some examples of nap needs for children of varying ages: Newborns 0-4 months: unpredictable nap pattern Newborns have a low tolerance for long periods of wakefulness and nap at irregular times and durations. Naps anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours in length at this age are typical. Infants 4-6 months: 3 to 4 predictable naps per day The first time you’ll likely see an obvious change in your baby’s daytime sleep is between 4-6 months of age. During this stage, a regular morning nap will likely occur 1.5-2 hours after a predictable morning wake time, after which 2 or 3 more naps will occur throughout the day as necessary. Total daytime sleep at this age averages 4 hours. Infants 6-9 months: 3 predictable naps per day At about the 6 month mark, you will begin to see your baby’s naps lengthen in duration and a more predictable 3 nap per day pattern typically emerges, with a morning nap 2 hours from wake-up averaging 90 minutes in length, a second nap about 3 hours from the wake of his first nap averaging 90 minutes in length and a third catnap in the late afternoon or early evening averaging 15-45 minutes. Total daytime sleep at this age averages 3-4 hours. Infants 9-15 months: 2 predictable naps per day At around 9 months, your baby will be able to stay awake for longer periods of time and will likely shift to a 2 nap per day schedule. To accommodate this change, eliminate the late afternoon catnap and shift your baby’s bedtime 15-30 minutes earlier. Total daytime sleep at this age averages 2.5-4 hours a day. Toddlers 15-18 months: 1 predictable mid-day nap At around 15-18 months of age, your child will likely be ready for just one nap a day. This one nap should be at about the midway point of the day and will average 3 hours in length (so the total amount of daytime sleep your child requires may lessen only by 15-30 minutes, if at all, but his sleep will be distributed differently throughout the day). Many families report the transition from 2 naps to 1 nap a day is the most challenging, as your child may have trouble staying awake in the morning all the way until his single midday nap. To help his body adjust to the new nap pattern, you can start the nap a little earlier and then slowly push your child’s naptime later and later over several days until the nap begins at midday. Or you can try a rotating schedule of offering 2 naps and then 1 nap every other day, until he becomes comfortable with 1 nap every day. Total daytime sleep at this age averages 1.5-3 hours a day. What to Do Watch for signs that your child is ready for a new nap pattern If your child has trouble falling asleep, either at bedtime or during one of his regular daytime naps, it’s likely time for a new nap pattern. Long periods of unexplained wakefulness in the middle of the night can also indicate a need for a change in the schedule. Create an optimal sleep environment for naps – a cool, dark, quiet and safe space A cool sleeping space – experts agree that a cool room (around 18,5’C) makes for the best sleep, as the body’s temperature naturally falls during sleep. Overheating can disrupt the sleep process, so don’t over-bundle your child. A dark sleeping space – the room should be dark enough that you are unable to read. Avoid using cell phones, TV’s or computers in your child’s sleep space, as these devices all have LED lights (pure blue hued lights) that negatively impact the circadian rhythm. If you have a toddler, nightlights are a common addition to a growing toddler’s room to allay any sleeptime fears. If your toddler needs a nightlight, place it behind a piece of furniture, so he is not looking directly at it. Use a warm colored light bulb that mimics the warm glow of a candle and be sure to leave the nightlight on during the entire nap so the sleep environment remains consistent. A quiet sleeping space – offer a white noise source to block out extraneous sounds, but remember your child’s sleep environment should remain consistent. If the white noise is present at the start of naptime, it should remain on for the entire nap. Avoid playing music that changes in pitch or tone, such as thunderstorms or ocean waves. A safe sleeping space – if you have a baby, place him on his back on a firm mattress (such as in a bassinet or bedside co-sleeper) free of any loose bedding or clothing. If he is younger than 8 weeks (or, more importantly, has not yet started to roll), you can swaddle him to encourage sleep and calm. Just remember not to swaddle him

March 8, 2021

Chicco Liteway3 Stroller

Chicco, a 63-year old leader in baby products, has tirelessly committed to ensuring that all strollers and prams have optimal comfort and functionality for children. On top of this standard promise, Chicco looks after the needs of parents, allowing mom and dad to #parentmore – the Chicco catchphrase for stress-reduced parenting. The Liteway is a well-known brand of stroller from Chicco that just keeps getting better. Created for modern mothers that may require a smaller stroller in their car boots, the Liteway3 has the traditional umbrella fold, seeing it broken down into a thin package that fits comfortably in boots and car seats. In a stylish Titanium silver colour, the Liteway3 is the perfect stroller for moms who live in urban settings. With full recline for nap time, an extendable canopy, bumper bar, shopping basket and safety harness, it is designed with sick characteristics and a modern finish for parents who like to make a statement. A birth – 15kgs stroller, baby can enjoy a comfortable outing in the Chicco Liteway3 stroller. Look out for the Liteway3 stroller at participating retailers such as Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Thekidzone.co.za, Babanino.co.za, Brand Hubb, Little Kingdom online and others.

March 8, 2021

Buy a prenup, get a free divorce

The Savvy Woman’s Prenup Package: buy a prenup and get a free your divorce, if you end up needing one. A prenup involves planning ahead – for things you can predict, and things you can’t. DIYLegal, the SA company that makes it as easy as possible to be prepared, has just launched the world’s first prenup and divorce package to safeguard your future. SA women 57% more likely to initiate divorce The facts: Women in South Africa are 57% more likely to initiate a divorce than men. 64% of DIY Legal prenups are bought by women. 44% of South African marriages last less than 10 years. South African marriages decreased by 23% between 2010 and 2018 while divorces increased by 10% This package empowers women to take decisive action, and softens the blow of a divorce – both emotionally and financially This product is exclusively for women Prenup + divorce insurance Think of The Savvy Woman’s Prenup Package as divorce insurance. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but if you do its best to be prepared. COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on employment and revenue in South Africa. By May 2020, 8.1% of South Africans had been made redundant or had to close their companies as a result of COVID-19. The numbers have not improved in the months since then. The pandemic has also made people re-evaluate their lives; looking at work, life and love in a more practical manner. One in five South African marriages lasts less than five years: this package is designed to protect you if the odds aren’t in your favour. Evaluating and planning for the future You might think that The Savvy Woman’s Prenup Package sucks all the romance out of marriage, but a pragmatic approach at the beginning can save you some heartache if the marriage ends. A prenuptial agreement already examines the couples finances and provides a logical window to evaluate and plan for a potentially uncomfortable future. Divorce is difficult and painful, and you may not be in the right state of mind to be able to manage it if you are suffering from heartbreak. Having this already planned gives you some much needed emotional breathing room. As DIYLegal focuses on getting your documents drawn up in 48 hours, it is possible to make a quick and speedy exit. For full information on this offer, please visit the DIY Legal Savvy Women’s Prenup page. DIYLegal provides low cost professional fast legal services for all South Africans.

March 5, 2021

The benefits of art therapy for children

“Art is a place for children to learn to trust their ideas, themselves, and to learn what is possible.”– MaryAnn F. Kohl Art has been a source of communication and recreation for centuries. Art therapy, which emerged as a distinct health discipline in the 1940s, is a form of therapy where creative materials and methods are used to help children explore their thoughts and feelings. Performed by art therapists and related professionals, it is particularly effective in helping children suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. It has also been shown to help children who struggle with learning disabilities, behavioural issues, or developmental delays. Also read: ADHD: Setting the record straight The benefits of art therapy include: Helping children express their thoughts and feelings. Enhancing executive functions such as attention, memory, and spatial orientation. Improving language and communication. Encouraging exploration. Enhancing creativity. Promoting self-awareness and boosting self-esteem. Improving motor skills. Encouraging creative and constructive problem-solving. Art therapy encompasses visual arts, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and music and movement, with each component offering specific benefits. Music, for example, can connect us to our deepest emotions, making it a wonderful therapy tool. Not only does it enhance attention and memory, but it also strengthens creativity, encourages socialisation, and helps children structure language. Through movement, which includes theatre and dancing, children can integrate the emotional, cognitive, and physical, which helps with spatial orientation and strengthens creativity. Being physically active also does wonders for their mood! Also read: Why exercise is important for good academic results Ten things to try at home Although art therapy is only considered actual therapy when directed by an art therapist, doing art projects at home can still be beneficial. Here are a few guidelines for practising ‘art therapy’ at home: Clay: Make or buy clay and let your children make a ‘monster’ to express their feelings or simply let them pound and mould the clay. Collage: The physical sensation of handling different materials and textures is very comforting. In addition, the creative process of putting things together in a new and different way helps organise and calm the brain. Dancing: Dancing has incredible therapeutic powers because it helps children channel their emotions. Through dance, body awareness is created, which allows children to connect to themselves. Drawing: Allow your children to draw what they are feeling, even if those feelings are negative. This allows free expression, especially for children who cannot verbalise their feelings. Also read: Can homeschoolers take part in extracurricular activities? Mandalas: Drawing figures with repeated patterns, such as mandalas, is good for regulating emotions and the nervous system. It can also help children focus their attention and calm down. Masks: Creating or decorating a mask can lead to discovering different aspects of our personality. Give children preformed masks or make some out of paper and let them decorate it however they like. When they are finished, let them tell you the story of the mask. Nature: Working with natural materials is soothing, and there are myriad items you can make. An added bonus is that children have to walk around outside to find useful materials, which is a natural mood booster. Painting: Children’s paintings offer a window into their world without them realising it. Finger painting, especially, is a great way to stimulate different parts of the brain at the same time. Puppets: Make puppets from old socks or paper bags, and let children use the puppets to tell you about their feelings and fears. Singing: Through song, children can express what they are feeling in a fun and creative way. Keep in mind that the goal is not necessarily to make something that is pretty because our feelings and emotions aren’t always pretty. Instead, try to focus on the benefits of being creative. *Please contact a professional art or related therapist if your child is unable to share his or her feelings or becomes behaviourally out of control. by Danielle Barfoot

March 5, 2021

Keep on and power up immunity and antioxidants

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to teach us tough lessons and it’s an ongoing fight. The bigger picture is that whether we are travelling, at work, home or school, our bodies are continuously responding to tiny organisms that can cause disease. Germs like viruses and bacteria are everywhere, and it is our immune system which protects us. While there is no magic “healthy pill”, there are proven ways to boost our immunity superpowers. Proper face masking, frequent handwashing and sanitising and social distancing are a good start. But there’s more we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones against threats to our health and wellbeing: Support your immune system with good nutrition that is packed with immune boosting nutrients and a variety of antioxidants. Eat at least two fruits and four portions of veggies a day. The deeper the yellow, orange, red or purple colours of fresh produce the better. Move more, especially if you are in a sedentary job. It has been shown that fewer sick days are taken by people who do regular aerobic exercise. Even 20 minutes of brisk walking for five or more days a week boosts our immunity. Sleep is essential for good health. Quality sleep helps us to be more resilient to everyday stress and, improves energy and moods. Supplement with protective antioxidants. A one-a-day, every day, immune boosting nutritional supplement like Nativa Immune Complex® contains a powerful combination of antioxidants, vitamins, mineral and herbals. These provide antioxidant protection and help strengthen natural immune defences. Around R126 for a month’s supply. Power up with extra Vitamin C when health needs or stress levels increase, if smoking, or during a change of season. High dose Vitamin C supports immune function and offers antioxidant protection to help maintain good health. Have a look at Nativa’s new Vitamin C range. It is suitable for children from 4 years old. 500 mg Vitamin C (from 4 years of age). 1000 mg Vitamin C (from 9 years of age). Around R80. Add in some sunshine power with Nativa Vitamin D3 which is essential for immunity, bone and brain health, and muscle function. Vitamin D3 is of value particularly for those who get little sun exposure or who have dark skins. 1000IU Vit-D (from 6 years of age) around R100. All products are available from Takealot, Dis-Chem, Clicks and selected pharmacies nationwide. WIN! Stand a chance to win a R500 Takealot voucher.

March 4, 2021

Enjoy an Eggciting New Range of #CadburyEasterEggs to Hide With Love This Easter

Cadbury is back with an eggciting new Easter range, filled with all the delicious treats that chocolate eggthusiasts have come to love! There’s the melt-in-your-mouth Cadbury chocolate covered Fluffy Mallow Eggs and Cadbury chocolate Hollow Eggs filled with Whispers or Astros. New to the range are the scrumptious candy coated Cadbury chocolate Hens Eggs and the delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk 170g Top Deck Bunnies slab. Cadbury is also introducing delectable Cadbury Mini Eggs as well as the popular Creme Eggs into the local market. Generosity is at the core of everything Cadbury does and what could be more generous than making the time and effort to find that perfect hiding spot for your #CadburyEasterEgg, creating special moments for consumers and excitement for the family within the home when you Hide Them With Love. “This year, Cadbury wants to help create these special moments for fans. Traditionally Easter has always been about the ritual of the Hunt,but because Cadbury lives and breathes generosity, we wanted to highlight the thoughtfulness that goes into the Hide. It’s this generous act of seeking out special hiding spots, knowing the excitement it will bring to our loved ones, that truly expresses our love. And with lots more #CadburyEasterEggs in store for chocolate lovers this year, the opportunities to Hide Them with Love are endless,” says Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate. To celebrate the new Easter range and showcase the Hide Them With Love sentiment, Cadbury has released an emotive ‘’Easter Homecoming” TVC centred around the special relationship between a father and daughter and the opportunity Easter brings to make lifelong memories though the simple act of hiding #CadburyEasterEggs with love. To get you started – Cadbury’s most trusted eggspert Fluffy has some tips on how to find those special hiding spots to Hide #CadburyEasterEggs with Love: Let the kids pay it forward and get in on the fun of finding the perfect hiding spot to hide #CadburyEasterEggs with love for their parents, siblings or anyone they love. Plot your route and make sure you Hide Them With Love where they won’t get squashed, melt and safe from critters Among a pile of their favourite books is an eggcellent place to Hide Them With Love for the family storytellers! Pick special places or items around the house that have meaning for different family members and hide #CadburyEasterEggs with love in these spots! Egg-hiding is eggshausting! Always have eggtra #CadburyEasterEggs on hand to keep you going Last year, you helped Fluffy find the missing Easter Eggs – this year he’s taken the fun up a notch! You can learn more from him when you join the action on Facebook. Fluffy will be sharing more of his tips throughout the Cadbury Instant Eggperience where you stand a chance to win cool prizes and meet great characters along the way with loads of eggcitement at every turn! The Cadbury Easter range is available from all major retail stores countrywide. For more #CadburyEasterEggs news join the conversation at Instagram and Twitter @cadbury_sa and Facebook @CadburyDairyMilk andwww.cadbury.co.za/easter. *T&C apply

March 4, 2021

WORLD BOOK DAY: CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF BOOKS WITH THE READ INSTITUTE!

As soon as your child opens a book, something magical happens. From wondrous journeys through lands unknown and epic adventures, to lessons on kindness, courage and compassion. Inside every book’s cover is a whole new world just waiting to be discovered! Beyond the tales of bravery, enchantment, hopes and dreams, reading develops your child’s imagination, boosts their confidence, increases their vocabulary, supports healthy brain development, and helps them cope with stress and anxiety. Reading has so many benefits and The Read Institute is encouraging all South Africans – big and small – to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, 5 March. Every year, this much-loved annual event sends a powerful and positive message about books and reading. In 2021, the power of books rings even louder in the face of a global pandemic that has turned our daily lives topsy-turvy. Despite these crazy times, it’s always the perfect time to read! Curious to know where, how, and why World Book Day originated? Read on! This auspicious day stems from Spain, where writer Vicente Clavel Andres wanted to honour author Miguel de Cervantes (best known for his novel Don Quixote) on his birthday and anniversary of his death. When the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heard of World Book Day, they took the idea on and spread the word worldwide, with the first World Book Day taking place on 23 April 1995.1 Today World Book Day is celebrated in all corners of the world, in more than 100 countries. It’s not just a day to indulge a love of books, but also a day where children and young people can gain access to books. Sharing in the love and value of books, accredited training provider The Read Institute offers invaluable learning courses that will empower ECD caregivers with the tools required to teach little ones how to read with confidence. As part of the READ Group, The Read Institute is built on the foundation of READ Educational Trust, a proudly South African NGO working tirelessly in teacher training and school resource provisioning and actively promoting literacy through successful programmes, since its inception in 1979.2 This year, The Read Institute is spreading the message that reading is fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has the power to transform lives. Throughout March, The Read Institute is rolling out an exciting competition on social media platforms with six classroom Set-Up Packs up for grabs until 26 March. To find out more and to enter the competition, join the conversations on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheREADInstitute, Twitter: www.twitter.com/READEInstituteSA and Instagram: www.instagram.com/thereadinstitute. For more information, about The Read Institute, visit http://www.thereadinstitute.co.za/.

March 3, 2021

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