Parenting - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Meet the ever so fun Linkimals!

Fisher-Price is synonymous with being an educational brand that many parents have trusted for years. With so much care and thought placed into each product it is no wonder that the new Linkimals are such a hit! As Emma is now 10 months old, it was the perfect time to introduce her to her very own Linkimals pal. This range is suitable for little ones from 9 months and up. Baby is able to engage with learning in a way that only Fisher Prices knows how to bring to children.. The Linkimals range introduces your baby to counting, colours, music, lights and phrases. With their easy design made totally with baby in mind, Emma was able to interact with…().. easily and with little to no assistance required from mom or dad. Of course Emma just loves pushing buttons so the Linkimals Smooth Moving Sloth was so engaging for her! Emma, and your little one, can easily develop Gross Motor and Fine Motor skills with the Linkimals collection. And when you get the entire gang together, a whole new world of learning is opened up. With 5 Linkimals in the collection and using the Linkimals amazing technology, they are all able to communicate with each other! e How cool is that? All the Linkimals friends want to play as well so when you synchronise them, the continuity between the range of Linkimals is fantastic. It most certainly seems like a bunch of toy friends are singing and encouraging each other all the way through. And their beautiful lights, dance and moving parts really helps to hold baby’s interest in the activity. Their songs are a little longer than would be considered normal for children of this age, but they all do have meaning and are not too long that baby gets bored. You’ll be surprised at the level of concentration your baby has! Having more than one toy from this collection is ideal. It allows children from a young age to experience support from another source, thus providing fun learning activities for your baby. Each unit in the collection teaches different things which is what makes the entire collection so special. The Linkimals collections includes: Linkimals Musical Moose The Linkimals Musical Moose is loaded with exciting interactive play that introduces your baby to counting, colours, and more with playful songs, lights, and phrases. Just press his belly to get the light-up learning party started! Plus, when Musical Moose recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Early Academics: Sung songs and phrases introduce your tiny dancer to colours and counting from 1 to 10! Sensory: The moose’s light-up belly, playful songs and sounds, and soft antlers engage your baby’s developing visual, auditory, and tactile senses. Curiosity & Wonder: Your baby can discover the fun of cause and effect as they press the belly button to activate music and lights or bat at the bobble head. Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth The Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth gets your baby moving and learning with exciting lights, music, songs, and groovy dance moves. Press the buttons on the sloth’s feet to hear all about numbers, colours and more, as the sloth claps its hands and bobs its head. Plus, when Smooth Moves Sloth recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Early Academics: The sloth’s playful songs and phrases introduce your baby to counting, colours, opposites, and the alphabet. Gross Motor: Sung songs and music encourage your baby to move and groove, giving their gross motor skills a great workout. Sensory: Bright, colourful lights, fun music, and soft arms engage your baby’s visual, auditory, and tactile skills. Fisher-Price Linkimals Counting Koala Climbing up a palm tree with their koala friend, baby makes a startling discovery: this tree grows squares, triangles and circles. The Linkimals Counting Koala from Fisher-Price is a musical learning friend for babies with exciting lights, songs, and phrases that introduce numbers, counting and shapes. And when Counting Koala meets up with other Linkimals friends, they light-up, talk, sing and play together! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately and subject to availability.) Hands-on play, including a bat-at roller ball, shape spinner, and push buttons help strengthen your baby’s fine motor skills, while the exciting interactive content helps introduce cause and effect. Fisher-Price Linkimals Happy Shapes Hedgehog The Linkimals Happy Shapes Hedgehog is packed with exciting play that grows along with your baby! Younger babies can spin, turn, toggle, and bat the activities on their buddy’s back, or press the light-up buttons to hear songs and phrases about colours, shapes, and numbers. Then older babies can push or pull the hedgehog along for more fun music and sounds. Plus, when Happy Shapes Hedgehog recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play : Early Academics: The hedgehog’s playful songs and phrases introduce your baby to shapes, numbers, and colours. Gross Motor: From sitting up to play, to crawling and pushing, to walking and pulling their pal along, this sweet hedgehog helps your baby’s gross motor skills keep going and growing! Fine Motor: Spinning the roller, turning the butterfly clicker, pressing the toggle, and batting the bead bar isn’t just super fun; these activities help strengthen your baby’s dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Fisher-Price Linkimals Lights & Colors Llama The Linkimals Lights & colours Llama takes classic stacking fun up a notch with colourful lights and exciting music, songs and phrases that introduce your baby to different colours. Just stack the rings on the llama’s neck or press down on the topper to get the party started! Plus, when Lights & colours Llama recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Fine Motor: Grasping and stacking the colourful rings helps strengthen

October 28, 2020

We love the Disney/PIXAR Toy Story – Emperor Zurg

Emperor Zurg (also known as the Evil Emperor Zurg or simply Zurg); is the sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance and the archenemy of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movies. He forms part of the gang that make up the “cool” must- have Toy Story toys. If your child loves Toys Story as much as my 4-year-old son, the Emperor, being one of the “bad guys” must be in their Toy Story collection. He is the perfect size for action storytelling play; recreating favourite movie scenes will not be the same without him. This figure’s head, arms, hands and elbows are able to bend and move and he is positioned on three wheels, making his movement across the floor look very realistic and intimidating to fellow toy story characters. Fantasy/make-believe play is something that comes naturally for young children when allowed and given the opportunity to set their imaginations free! When your child engages in pretend (or dramatic) play, he is actively experimenting with the social and emotional roles of life. … When your child pretends to be different characters, he has the experience of “walking in someone else’s shoes,” which helps teach the important moral development skill of empathy. One of the key reasons why children should play is to develop their imagination and cognitive strength and should always be encouraged by parents.

October 28, 2020

UNO Junior is so much fun

This junior version of the classic card game, Uno is perfect for families with young children who also want to participate in family game nights. With the year-end holidays around the corner what better way to spend quality family time together. The child-sized playing cards are illustrated with brightly coloured zoo animal motifs and is so fun and cute, not only will it get your younger children excited; but everyone will want to play! The awesome thing about these cards are that it has three levels of play to allow the game to grow with your child as they continue developing, guaranteeing that they will not get tired or bored of it when they grow older. Level One is simple matching; Level Two introduces action cards to the deck and Level Three adds penalty cards to the mix. With Uno Junior your children learn to recognize their skills in a fun way using colours and numbers. Each of the number cards (0-8) has a matching illustration so children who do not know their numbers yet can still play. My 4-year-old knows his numbers already, but he can still race to get rid of all his cards by matching them to the card show on top of the deck, either by colour or by animal. And when your down to only one card, the same rules apply, don’t forget to yell “UNO!” Playing card games gives you the opportunity to teach your child about rules, about integrity and honesty, and about luck. Card games play a major role in helping to increase your child’s ability to focus her attention. It is also a very social occasion. Game playing enables and encourages your child to practice important social skills that she will need to play well with other children. I love the fact that card games involve taking turns and waiting for your turn. This is something that every young child needs regular practise with, as It teaches young children patience and learning how to be a good sport.

October 28, 2020

Grade 11s: don’t leave the Matric focus until next year

The saying “don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today” has never been more apt for this year’s Grade 11s, as Covid-19, the lockdowns and their impact on education have shown. While many learners wait until their final year of school to put in the hard work, Grade 11 results can make an important impact on the future options of learners, an education expert says. “This has been a tremendously disruptive year for all learners, and in particular for Matrics,” says Nola Payne, Head of Faculty: Information and Communications Technology at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider. “Yet while most of the attention was focused on Grade 12s to ensure they can complete their last year of school and continue their educational journey thereafter, Grade 11 is a very important year – usually a year considered intrinsically linked to the final year of school – and these learners should attempt to do as well as possible during these last few months,” she says. Payne says it may be tempting to wait until next year to get back in the swing of things, particularly now after an unprecedentedly hard and tumultuous 7 months, but that it should be kept in mind that there is no guarantee that everything will just go back to the pre-pandemic normal as the clock strikes 12 on December 31. “Therefore Grade 11 learners must use their time optimally, and put in the hard work with dedication so that they can enter 2021 from a position of strength… And also to hedge against any other unforeseen disruptions that may in future impact their educational journey – whether they be personal or external,” she says. Payne says that doing well in Grade 11 serves as a kind of insurance for the future because many higher education institutions will make provisional offers based on a learner’s performance in this year. “Therefore, if you put in the work now, you will have something to fall back on next year if needed, even if only because you didn’t perform to the best of your ability in Matric,” she says. “There is still enough time left this year for you to counteract some of the impact the past year’s disruption had on your education and, indeed, to dramatically improve your academic performance.” In addition to having good marks to fall back on in Matric, performing well in Grade 11 also means that learners can apply to their higher education institution earlier in their Matric year, which takes at least one weight off their shoulders for the remaining part of Grade 12. “As things stand, the academic year for 2021 will already look different from previous years because of the delay in the release of Matric results and the later than usual start date of universities. With many logistics still needing ironing out across the board, having a solid bird in hand by way of Grade 11 results will only make these prepared learners’ road smoother down the line,” Payne says.

October 28, 2020

The benefits of block play & young children

In my opinion blocks are one of the most important toys any young child should have in their playroom. Blocks are a teacher’s best friend and every classroom should have an endless supply of blocks in every colour, shape and size. There are a host of possibilities and benefits to be gained from it! 1. Imagination – Through block play children are free to follow their own ideas as they embark on a voyage of discovery or share in the development of their friends’ creations. 2. Self-expression – Children can express themselves through their play, creations and discoveries, a form of communication that’s particularly valuable for bilingual or non-verbal children. 3. Problem-solving – Blocks offer a great platform to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills. This can be deliberate, with children consciously working to develop a solution, or as a natural consequence of play, as they learn first-hand what does and what does not work. 4. Mathematics – Due to the many shapes, sizes and colours on offer, blocks offer ample opportunity for children to practise important maths skills, covering measurement, number, symmetry, balance and estimation. By comparing shapes and sizes, creating patterns or providing measuring and weighing tools, we can can extend play and exploration. 5. Physical development – Block play promotes the development of spatial awareness and develops hand-eye coordination and mid-line crossing as children reach for, lift, move and build with blocks, strengthening their fingers, hands and arms. 6. Creativity – Blocks are loose parts, meaning children are free to combine and recombine them in countless ways. Parents or teachers can add alternative resources such as dough, small world characters or paint and pencils to further extend opportunities for creativity. 7. Science – Through the exploration of cause and effect and experimentation, children are able to develop their problem-solving skills, test hypotheses and practise scientific reasoning. Blocks help them to become familiar with balance, weight, spatial awareness and gravity. 8. Self-esteem – Children can take risks in their block play, helping them to discover that they have independent ideas. Children experience a sense of achievement as they ‘have a go’, creating and developing something new and unique. 9. Problem solving – Block play allows children to co-construct and negotiate. They take turns, share materials and cooperate with others, forging new friendships. It also encourages self-reliance, increases attention span and develops their sense of self. 10. Communication & literacy – As children encounter new experiences through block play, there are countless opportunities for discussion and the development of new vocabulary. Social interaction with adults and peers unlocks further benefits, while using blocks can support story creation and collaborative storytelling. So what does mom have to say? My inquisitive one year old is learning at such an incredible pace, it’s amazing to see how much she takes in every day. Building blocks are a classic tool that helps children work on spatial reasoning, motor skills, hand-eye coordination and creativity, so I really wanted her to be exposed to them as early as possible. Mega Bloks toys are always made with good quality materials, so these blocks have a lovely feel. The vibrant colours keep my daughter engaged. She’s a bit too young to put the pieces together by herself, but her dad enjoys helping her, and I love watching the dad-daughter bonding as they play together. Cleaning up is quick and easy, and Emma has great fun throwing the blocks into the storage bag that comes with the set. If you are looking for a gift for your young child, look no further than a set of Mega Bloks! They stand the test of time; they are durable and are easy to disinfect and sanitise. Mega Bloks are available to purchase from Takealot so don’t delay – add them to your cart or Christmas wishlist

October 28, 2020

Learning Series – Let’s learn our shapes …. with Play Dough!

Children learn best when all their senses are engaged. Learning our shapes can be taught not only through the visual and auditory senses, but also through touch, creativity and movement. Play Dough is a wonderful tactile activity, and a great way to teach little ones their shapes. Below is a great playdough activity as well as some awesome ideas for shape learning.

October 28, 2020

Why we love the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price®

We love any toy that can strengthen a young child’s developmental skills and the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price® does exactly that! Once again Fisher-Price® have outdone themselves! Not only is the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl super cute to look at but it is really fun too! Let’s dive straight into the features: The Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl knows when your little baker places the ingredients that comes with the set, into the bowl and rewards each movement of the child. This works both ways, either putting the ingredients into the bowl or taking them out. What a delightful feature! With six removable ‘ingredient’ play pieces, two buttons that activate more fun songs and sounds, and an adorable light-up face, this sweet baking toy is deliciously fun! Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Magic Color Mixing Bowl introduces everyday items to your little one whilst encouraging interactive play, they are introduced to important educational concepts like shapes. Colours and numbers. With each action, colourful lights, music, sound and learning phases will keep your toddler really engaged. From new phrases being introduced, the alphabet and learning numbers, your toddler will be baking for hours with this new addition to the Fisher-Price® family. Strengthen your toddlers fine motor skills through grasping and moving pieces in and out of the mixing bowl whilst introducing them to fun cause and effect skills as they figure out how to activate the bowl and music. Where development comes into play™ Early Academics: Sung songs and phrases introduce your baby to the alphabet, colours, numbers, and more! Fine Motor Skills: Grasping and moving the play pieces in and out of the mixing bowl helps strengthen your baby’s dexterity and hand-eye coordination The Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price® comes with 6 removable play pieces, the items are BPA-free and suited for babies ages 6-36 months old. So does this get Emma’s Parents Approval… oh yes it does! Here is what mom had to say about it: Emma has reached the age where she loves trying to put things into containers and boxes, rather than just pulling things out. The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl is perfect to keep her engaged with fun items and rewarding sounds. The toy plays the jazziest “ABC” song I’ve heard in a musical toy, I love watching my little dancer tap her feet to the beat! I did find that she had put her shoes, comb and oversized plush toy into the bowl as well, so I’m sure it’s sparking her creativity as she learns what fits!

October 28, 2020

Restoring Hope everyday

‘Do your little bit of good where you can. It’s the little bits of good together that overwhelm the world.’ [Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu] It is said that volunteers don’t get paid, because they are priceless. Volunteering is about caring, empathy, selflessness, generosity, leadership, humanity and fortitude – attributes needed to help rebuild communities. There are so many organisations who rely on volunteers to keep them going, to help make a difference in the lives of the people and communities in which they serve. One such organisation is Restoring Hope based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. This group of young men and women have made it their mission to give back and they say the rewards make it all worthwhile. Humble beginnings Restoring Hope is a non-profit organisation established in 2015 by Devin Frans, Mikhail Kroutz, Kelly Jacobs and Marlon Saaiman, all young and optimistic about the future and determined to bring about positive change and hope to previously disadvantaged communities. The group now has seven core members, who are working and studying but manage to juggle a schedule around everyone’s ‘free’ time. They carry out a feeding relief scheme and other intervention programmes within the Victoria Lodge and Cafda Village communities in Southfield, assisted by an additional 30 volunteers who help them tackle challenges that face this community on a daily basis. From unemployment and hunger through to drug and alcohol abuse, lack of youth development and gender based violence. The organisation is not formally funded but relies on the generosity of local businesses, organisations, community members and kind hearted Capetonians to keep them going. ‘We make use of whatever donations we receive to support and run our outreach initiatives,’ explains Dale Hendricks, director of Restoring Hope. He says without the key role players, such as the volunteers, Red Cross Disaster Relief, the TFG Group, Blue Ribbon Bread, Peace Jam South Africa, Ocean View CAN, Premier Foods, Pie in the sky Bakery, St. George Home for Girls, Help A Girl South Africa and Rush Extreme Sports (Playstation by Rush) this would not be possible. Covid’s impact The Covid-19 lockdown highlighted and brought about additional challenges for the organisation, especially in terms of feeding the community who were unable to finance a daily meal due to economic challenges. ‘We launched a feeding relief kitchen in the community, providing lunch for 1 500 hungry children and residents each week day during the initial three months of lockdown. This has now been reduced to three meals a week for 100 adults and 40 children,’ says Hendricks. Kids Fellowship One of the greatest needs within the community is the support, mentorship and education of children which is why the ‘Kids Fellowship Program’ was started. This to provide development structure to children ages 2 to 18. ‘The program provides a platform for kids to understand how they can reach their full potential through learning, engagement and expressing themselves through various life skills and recreation activities,’ explains Hendricks. An important part of the Program includes a meal for the 40 children and afternoon clubs held twice a week. Play becomes a plate of food Local children’s indoor playpark and restaurant – Playstation by Rush – has become an important part of the team helping to give children a hand up. ‘We met Devin at Rush, our indoor trampoline park and were so impressed with his passion and vision for helping the local community that we decided to try and help where we could. With the opening of our indoor playpark, aimed at children ages 2 to 13 and located close to the communities Restoring Hope work with, we decided to turn some of the profits from play into plates of food,’ explains Damon Walmsley, GM. ‘Now every Wednesday, our restaurant staff prepares a warm and hearty mince and vegetable stew with rice to help feed the community. ‘Month after month, these guys have been champions for the community and although we are helping in one small way, we want to salute them for the personal sacrifices they make to help others.’ Doing more Restoring Hope have also put other programmes in place to assist the community, some are seasonal, such as the blanket and clothing drive during winter. ‘During the harsh winter we were able to provide over 300 vulnerable and struggling citizens with blankets and food parcels. ‘The Toiletry and Sanitary Pack drive, which formed part of Women’s Month, was aimed at helping women and children who have been victims of abuse and gender based violence,’ says Hendricks. While Playstation continues to provide a weekly meal they are also planning a fun ‘play date’ for the children on the Kids Fellowship Program. The children will be hosted at the venue where they will enjoy two hours of play exploring the adventure maze with its challenging levels, swing bridges, nooks and crannies. Or tackling the 4m climbing wall, cycling on the 40m bike track and sliding down the 6m long slides. For the younger children there’s a little kids’ city and mini-slides. ‘We look forward to opening our play park to Restoring Hope and hosting these kids to some well deserved fun time,’ says Walmsley. If you’d like to assist Restoring Hope in any way contact 078 008 9331 or go to www.restoringhope.co.za.

October 27, 2020

Improve Your Intimate Experience Naturally

Let’s start talking about vaginal dryness. You’re not alone and there’s a lot you can do about it Meet up with a group of women and chances are you’ll leave with some great recommendations. The best hairdresser in town. Where to find the plumpest avocados at a price that won’t break the bank. But what about a solution for vaginal dryness? It’s something we aren’t quick to talk about and yet it affects so many us. In fact, 63% of women over the age of 30 will experience some form of sexual discomfort or problem. Fortunately, thanks to brilliant strides in medical innovation, we’re beginning to understand what causes it as well as how to treat it. The stress connection When Taylor Swift said “You need to calm down” she might as well have been dispensing medical advice. Too much stress has a massive impact on every aspect of your health. Still, booking that online yoga class can only do so much. Modern living is a stressful business and not just in the psychological sense. Every day, we’re exposed to an onslaught of oxidative stressors that range from environmental toxins such as air pollution to the result of making poor food choices. These create damaging free radicals that trigger a chain reaction of havoc that affects all your organs, including your sexual ones and those that control your sex drive. One of the main ways this oxidative stress wrecks damage is by depleting your body’s nitric oxide supply, a substance that’s vital for the health of your vessels. This messes with your blood circulation and has a negative impact on your sexual health. The result? Vaginal dryness, discomfort, lower sex drive and diminished satisfaction. Bump up that blood flow Clearly, oxidative stress and a lack of blood flow is a real problem. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to mitigate it – including using a supplement that specifically targets the issue – Lamelle Research Laboratories Lady Prelox (R500 for 60 capsules). Lady Prelox is an all-natural estrogen-free supplement clinically proven to boost sexual function and satisfaction in women between 37 and 45 by 88% within one month and by up to 126% in two months! It’s even proven to boost sexual satisfaction in menopausal (45–55) and even post-menopausal (50+) women by 60% and more. A brilliant blend Ever heard of the powerhouse antioxidant Pycnogenol? Derived from French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, it’s a brilliant oxidative stress-buster that can help improve circulation. This makes it the star ingredient of Lady Prelox, along with Rosvita, a rosehip extract that’s a great source of vitamin C essential to healthy psychological function. Lady Prelox also contains L-Citrulline and L-Arginine, two non-essential amino acids that work together to increase your body’s nitric oxide production. This regulates blood flow to your sexual organs to enhance their function. Expect an improvement in the vaginal dryness department, the easing of discomfort, a higher sex drive and a lot more satisfaction. The latter is because, as nitric oxide increases blood flow to the clitoris, it creates an increase in pressure that’s essential to orgasm. What’s not to love? To learn more about Lady Prelox, visit https://lamelle.co.za/lady-prelox. You’ll find it at leading pharmacies and can even buy it discreetly from Lamelle’s Pharmastore online at https://lamelle.co.za/health-store www.lamelle.co.za Tel: 011 465 2264

October 27, 2020

Imaginext GKG77 Mega bite shark

My 4-year-old and I were both super excited when we received a big box containing the Mega bite shark! I knew I was going to love what was inside just by looking at the beautiful sturdy packaging. His face lit up as soon as we opened the box. Inside, a mega shark with big teeth and a fierce expression! Included in the box is a shark cage and a diver with a detachable air tank and a harpoon. It was clear that this was not your ordinary shark toy! When the shark is rolled back and forth on the wheels underneath its body, the shark literally comes alive! The neck rocks from side to side, the mouth opens and close and the flippers move, mimicking a real shark’s movement! This feature is super cool and left my son and myself, absolutely mesmerised. He immediately started assembling the diver and attached the diver’s feet to the sharks back and rolled the “swimming” shark all over the house. Later he had the diver inside the shark’s mouth and had fun opening and closing its big teeth chomping away at the diver. He continued creating all sorts of action-packed scenarios and invented stories and ideas, later adding seashells and sand to create an underwater scene. The only disappointing thing is that the shark is not intended for water use. I am super excited about the thought that went into this toy as it inspires creativity, grows imagination and helps children to develop their storytelling skills. This set also encourages social interaction for older toddlers and children who begin playing with friends or siblings and sharing ideas. It provides an opportunity for children to practice and develop social skills simply by being with and talking to each other about their game. It boosts development of problem solving and self-regulation skills, learning to share and respect ideas of others. A really awesome gift idea for young toddlers and children! Product Available for purchase: https://www.toysrus.co.za/catalog/product/view/id/67127/s/webname/category/5498/

October 27, 2020

FISHER-PRICE INVITES YOU ON A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THE POP ART-NOSTALGIA-PACKED ‘FISHER-PRICE TOY MUSEUM’

Fisher-Price, the leading baby and infant pre-school brand across the world, is throwing open the virtual doors to its brand new Fisher-Price Toy Museum – the first-of-its-kind experience which digitally showcases classic Fisher-Pricetoys from the past nine decades in a colourful and fun exhibition especially created and curated for Instagram. In what is being dubbed the ultimate trip down memory lane for people of all ages, the grand opening of the Fisher-Price Toy Museum will be on 16October where visitors to the official Fisher-Price Instagram page will be able to rekindle their relationship with some of their favourite Fisher-Price toys through a colourful and interactive exhibition of images and videos. Today, the world-famous toy company has released 9 images to select press outlets to preview what visitors to the museum can expect to see when they log on. At the museum, the legacy of Fisher-Price toys will be on full display. In honour of the brand’s anniversary year, the museum will feature more than 90 different exhibits that will be organised by decade, enabling visitors to easily locate the vintage toys from their childhood. The launch collection will include a variety of classic products creatively designed by artist and designer Leila Fakouri, who focused on keeping the toys as the star of each environment while incorporating dimensions and textures to create an authentic museum feel. Specific exhibits include Snoopy Sniffer, which launched in 1938, and sits atop a fabricated slice of blueberry pie, the iconic Roller Skates, which were first introduced in 1983, and are showcased in a miniature roller skating rink complete with the wood paneled flooring and carpeted walls, and the Soothe & Glow Seahorse, which launched in 2008, and is displayed underwater in an aquarium setting. Artist and designer Leila Fakouri says: “These toys were designed and created in a variety of time periods spanning almost a century. Each decade has its own style, colours, vibe and nostalgic memories. I focused on bringing this to life by curating a beautiful and complex variety of installations that reflect the visual language of each time.” “The Fisher-Price Toy Museum was inspired by the idea that, whether you were born in the 1950s, 1980s or 2000s, everyone has a memory of their favorite childhood toy, and many of those are from Fisher-Price,” said Chuck Scothon, SVP and Global Head of Infant and Preschool, Mattel. “The intent of this museum is to take visitors back to their unique childhood experiences, and give them the opportunity to relive their youth, even if just for a few moments.” Fisher-Price are partnering with Time Out across Europe for the launch of the Virtual Toy Museum. Creative content will be produced for 7 markets including London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, Athens encouraging parents to visit the Fisher-Price Toy Museum on Instagram and revisit the decade they grew up in. The content hosted on Time Out will include digital features and social campaigns. Celebrating a 90-year milestone since its early founding in June 1930. The pioneering US based company, which has been a staple in millions of happy childhoods and has a rich history of innovation, was the first to use and term the phrase ‘Preschool Toys’ (1934), the first to create licensed toys and one of the first companies to make coding available to preschool kids with the introduction of the award-winning Code-A-Pillar (2016). In 2020, during the global COVID pandemic, Fisher-Price released a special edition line of collectible action figures and Little People Community Champions called the #ThankYouHeroes where all net proceeds go to charities supporting COVID efforts. The company recently launched a new multi-year, 360-degree marketing campaign titled, “Let’s Be Kids,” that celebrates seeing the world as kids see it, with optimism and humour whilst also extending an open invitation to grown-ups to grow-down and rediscover the joy of playtime.

October 26, 2020

Smartick launches free online assessment to detect the risk of dyscalculia amongst children

First online e-learning programme to design dyscalculia early detection online resource tool Smartick, an AI-based maths, coding and logic e-learning programme for kids aged 4 – 14, has launched a free standardised online assessment that allows for quick and easy identification of children at risk of dyscalculia. Dyscalculia (pronounced dis·cal·koo·lee·a) is a mathematics learning disorder characterised, among other things, by the difficulty in acquiring number sense and calculation. In other words, a relative of the more commonly known and researched learning disorder dyslexia, which involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and how they relate to letters and words. Smartick global research suggests that approximately 5-7% of a country’s population may suffer in silence from dyscalculia and that in a class of 25 students, it is likely that at least one child has the learning disorder. For a population of 57+ million in South Africa, and if similar percentages are anything to go by, it could equate to around four million people potentially being misdiagnosed. Smartick co-founder, Javier Arroyo says that dyscalculia is a disorder with serious consequences and high prevalence, but unknown among many children, parents and educators. “Dyscalculia tends to be confused with other disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), low IQ or even study laziness. While it can result in failure in the mathematics subject, although not always the case, it can translate into real life difficulties that cause frustration and low-self-esteem,” says Arroyo. On a day-to-day basis, it can translate into misreading the time on a watch or car license plate, as well as having difficulty memorising phone numbers, number sequences or calculating the return on a purchase. Available to South Africans from 1 September 2020 with the aim of helping to detect the ‘dyslexia’ of the numbers, Smartick’s designed* free standardised online assessment takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes tasks around three fundamental areas of mathematical learning: comparison and recognition of numbers, arabic numerals and numbering and arithmetic. “The exercises for each evaluate the ability to recognise and manipulate numerical quantities without counting, and numerical processing that use verbal symbolic code, such as number recognition and comparison. Children with dyscalculia often have severe and persistent difficulties in learning arithmetic,” says Arroyo. At the end of the assessment, a report is immediately generated and sent with the child’s strengths and weaknesses in each of the evaluated areas. If, according to the results, a child is at risk of dyscalculia, it is recommended that parents and / or guardians go to a professional for a complete evaluation, which includes psychological tests for intelligence, attention and reading, in addition to specific tests for maths. Arroyo says the e-learning programme wanted to provide the educational community and parents with an instrument with which to identify early on one of the mathematical learning disorders as common as unknown. “Children with dyscalculia need adapted, daily training based on a deep understanding of concepts and procedures. Your child might be the next Bill Gates and can help change the world, but he’s misdiagnosed and misunderstood,” he says. *The standardised dyscalculia assessment needs to be completed on a tablet and is aimed at children from first to fourth grade. It was developed in collaboration with the Universities of Malaga and Valladolid in Spain, with more than 800 students in different areas of Spain participating in the initial assessment validation study.

October 26, 2020

Chicco First Dreams Next2Moon Night-light & Projector

The Chicco First Dreams range is one of the most beloved sleeping aid, nursery toy lines in the world – more especially because they are toys that serve multi-functional purposes and really work when it comes to relaxing babies. All tested in the Chicco Observatory sleep laboratory in Como, Italy, the products are customised to soothe babies and let them drift off to a gentle sleep, as well as turn the nursery into a relaxing environment. Brand new to the line is the First Dreams Next2Moon night-light and projector. Unique and exclusive to Chicco, the night-light works either with, or without a canopy. Easily attachable to most cots, or stand-alone on a bed-side table, the nightlight plays classical and jazz music, whilst projecting soft light onto the canopy which creates a magical environment in the nursery. Available in either pink or blue, the Next2Moon is a beautiful way to get baby to relax at night, as well as fill them with wonder whilst awake. The perfect baby shower gift. The Chicco First Dreams Nest is available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 26, 2020

How to reward your kids the right way

In an age of materialism and instant gratification, it can be tricky knowing how to reward our children appropriately for a job well done. How do we reward them for tidying their rooms effectively or performing well at a particular task? There are a few ways in which you can reward your child and build their self-esteem. Develop your child’s internal locus of control Naturally, we would love our children to do something well purely for the satisfaction that it brings them in doing so. This is what we, as parents, aim for eventually and is called developing the child’s internal locus of control – in other words, doing something from within because the result feels good. If we build our children’s internal locus of control, they will be more motivated to succeed as they will attribute their success to their own efforts and abilities. However, we all know that to eventually inculcate an internal locus of control in our children, it starts with an external locus of control – in other words, children doing things for rewards. Also read: Encouraging your child to succeed – The do’s and don’ts Praise specific behaviours The most basic form of reward starts early and is one that is easily forgotten, and that is praise. When we praise our children for doing something well, it motivates them to continue trying in that area. There are different forms of recognition, but the most effective is those that describe the behaviour that we want to see the child doing more of, for example: “I love how you started doing your homework without me asking you to.” “I love how you put away all your Lego blocks.” One of the best ways to shape a child’s negative behaviour is by ‘catching them being good’ and then commenting on it as the child starts to try harder to gain more of that positive feedback. Praising the child’s efforts and not the result is an essential part of praising – as again, this motivates children to try harder. Avoid arbitrary praise It is crucial that we don’t just praise willy-nilly, for instance, just telling our children that they are pretty, talented, smart, etc. as that can create a subconscious pressure always to be that way and to become scared of failure if not achieving on that level. That is why praise that describes specific behaviours is so much healthier and more motivating and gives them the positive concept of someone who always tries and, in that way, achieves results. We want our children to learn that rewards are not something that just happens but require some form of input and effort to gain them. Also read: Don’t tell your kids they are smart! Reward desirable behaviour The aim for the parent is to mould a desirable behaviour; the aim for the child is to get something they want, so everybody wins when we reward desirable behaviour. There are several ways in which to do this, including: Star charts are an age-old form of giving rewards as the child must do something consistently to achieve the reward. For younger children, star charts should not go on for longer than five days before the child gets the reward they are working towards, as it can be difficult to sustain the effort. When children are given stars, tokens, or stickers to get to the final goal, it motivates them to continue working towards the goal. Contingency rewarding is also helpful such as the child being allowed to gain or do something when they have done something we require. For instance: “Mom, can I go on my iPad now?” “As soon as your homework is done, you can use the iPad with pleasure.” Quid pro quo rewarding like this is just a shortened form of star charts and teaches children to prioritise by first doing what must be done before doing what they would like to do. This starts to prepare them for the higher grades where there is often far more work and more things to fit in. Extra time on various activities is an easy, useful way to reward our children. Sometimes it can be challenging to think of rewards for our children but giving them extra time in addition to what they may be allowed per day doing something they love like soccer, technology, or screen time is a good incentive. Again, this can work in a quid pro quo way of motivating them to push a little harder to get a little more of what they want. Decide on appropriate rewards The most important thing is to know your child’s currency as that gives you leverage as the parent. Rewarding them with things they already have free access to is not motivating but rewarding them with something they really want is a useful form of motivation. If they hate marshmallows, promising them marshmallows when they have finished the task is useless, so make sure you know what your child loves but be rational. You are not promising a trip to Disney Land for tidying up their room or finishing their homework successfully. However, after successive efforts at doing their homework effectively, they may earn a trip to get ice cream or go to see a movie. Rewards must be appropriate and attuned to your child’s desires, for example: Screen time, special activities or outings are ideal for younger children Airtime or data might be more appropriate for older children Simple rewards can also include: Getting their favourite treat in their lunch box Choosing their favourite dinner Choosing a movie to watch with the family Going somewhere with mom or dad, e.g. the war museum, a skateboard park, taking the dogs for a walk, etc. The rewards listed above are all easy, healthy rewards. The important lesson is that they are working to gain something worthwhile. Also read: Cool ways to beat summer boredom Eventually, our children will move to an internal locus of control where they want

October 23, 2020

Practical Tips to Stimulate Your Baby – 0-3 Months

Wondering how to stimulate your baby from the moment he or she arrives in the world? Stimulation plays a crucial role in your baby’s early development. Basic senses such as touch, hearing and talking are especially important at this age. Although over-stimulation is never a good idea, you can gently stimulate your baby in ways that help stimulate vision, hearing, touch, and motions with a few simple activities. These can be done during feeding, changing, bathing, playtime or bonding time. Stimulating Your Baby – 0-3 Months Some of the ways that you can stimulate your baby during his or her first three months include the following: Touch is extremely important at this age, helping to increase awareness of your baby’s body and their sense of movement. Massage is highly effective, not just for sensory awareness but also to help calm your baby. Floor play is essential for movement skills. Gently cycle your baby’s legs in a kicking motion, encourage reaching towards objects and let your baby make natural movements to gain strength. You can slowly introduce your baby to textures by gently placing your baby’s hands over a variety of textiles. It helps the tactile sensory system develop as well while using hands and fingers at this help will help with fine motor development later down the line. Babies response to sound right from birth and recognise their parents’ voices very quickly. Talking to your baby is one of the easiest ways to encourage hearing development from the start. It will also help your baby develop vocal skills as they grow. Singing to your baby, playing familiar music often and reading to your baby will all help your baby start to process rhythm and sound. Reading is especially good for introducing language to your baby. It’s a great bonding activity, too and soothes your baby with the sound of your voice. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to stimulating your newborn, our 0 to 3 Months Stimulate Your Baby Full Movie is sure to be an invaluable resource that will help you bond with your baby as he or she learns new skills.

October 23, 2020

Introducing the Thomas & Friends™ Cassia Crane & Cargo Set

Did you know that Thomas & Friends™ is an exciting spin-off of Thomas the Tank Engine which was first published in 1945?! Who doesn’t love the Thomas & Friends™ TV show?! Fisher-Price just have that special knack for bringing fun learning activities to children of all ages. With their history of introducing fun learning activities to babies and children, you can’t go wrong with purchasing Fisher-Price toys for your kids. Their superior quality has seen many Fisher-Price toys being passed down through the generations. Now your preschooler will get the chance to relive some of their favourite moments from the Thomas & Friends™ TV show with this exciting train set from Fisher-Price. Thomas wants to be a Really Useful Engine and help deliver a load of avocados to the docks, but he needs help from his good friend, Cassia. Preschoolers can use the toy crane to grab and load the barrels onto the engine’s cargo car, then flip the switch to send Thomas racing around the railway tracks to make the delivery! This TrackMaster™ battery-powered motorised engine, toy crane, and track pieces are all compatible with other TrackMaster™ track sets for limitless adventures. What’s really cool is that you buy additional track sets which are sold separately and your little train-driver can expand his delivery route. Special Features of this set include : Cassia the crane gets to help Thomas load up and deliver his cargo with this Thomas & Friends™ play-set Crane spins 360 degrees with real-working claw for grabbing, lifting, and loading cargo Send the battery-powered train racing around the railway track to deliver the barrels of avocados to the docks (Motorised engine compatible with all TrackMaster™ and Wood tracks; additional tracks sold separately) Includes Cassia, Thomas motorised engine with cargo car, dock pieces, barrels, and 7 track pieces (Compatible with all TrackMaster™ tracks; additional tracks sold separately.) For preschool children ages 3 years and older

October 23, 2020

The Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers

When you think of educational toys, Fisher-Price® is the first name that comes to mind. Fisher-Price® have been around for 90 years, it’s not surprising that they lead the way in developing educational toys that children around the world just love! As part of the Laugh & Learn® & the Smart Stages™ from Fisher-Price® come the fun learning Puppy & Zebra Walkers. Usually babies start pulling themselves up on furniture at around six months and up. Through their interactions with you, they show you when they just want to be up on two legs walking around. Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers are the perfect toy to buy for them at this time. With exciting hands-on activities that encourage phrases and support your little one whilst they take their first steps. These walkers will have your toddler booming with confidence in no time! Let the Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers introduce your toddler to the alphabet, shapes, colours, counting and so much more! Build those muscles and perfect balance! The Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra walker will encourage your baby to reach for and interact with various entertaining activities thus building enough strength to get them to pull themselves up to stand and eventually walk behind the walker.. what a fun way to help them learn to balance themselves perfectly! Be delighted as your little one learns how to activate the music and phrases by pressing buttons or pushing the walker along. They see that their actions can make fun things happen—hey, that’s cause & effect! 2 ways to play as baby grows: sit & play or stand & walk! Push Puppy along for fun music & encouraging phrases 7 hands-on activities! Light-up piano keys & nose, roller, spinner, flip page & more! 75+ songs, sounds & phrases introduce the alphabet, shapes, colours, numbers & more Learning content changes with baby’s age & stage with Smart Stages™ technology

October 22, 2020

What to expect on D-Day

With nine months to prepare yourself for the day your little one arrives, it is still hard to wrap your head around everything that the day brings with it. The tremendous occasion of bringing a life into the world, often makes mothers-to-be forget the tiny details that essentially make the day go that much smoother. Whether you are having a home birth, a natural birth in hospital or a caesarean, there are definite checklists that you can have to make sure you don’t forget a thing. If you are booking into a hospital for the birth, make sure that you have done the pre-authorisation with your medical aid. Find out what documents the hospital will need from your medical aid and put them in a folder in your handbag ahead of time. When you arrive at the hospital, whether it is after your water has broken or for a scheduled delivery, go straight to the reception and give them these documents. Some hospitals will require your ID book, and all will need your medical aid card. Hopefully, by the time D-Day has arrived for you, you will have a bag packed for both you and the baby. Depending on whether you are going to a private or government hospital, find out ahead of time if you need to provide your own bedding. Here are some essential items that should be in your hospital bag: Mom’s bag: Feeding bras High-waisted cotton panties One or two comfortable sets of pyjamas (with the top being a button down especially if you plan on breastfeeding) A nipple cream A nipple shield (in case you battle with breast feeding) Slippers Comfortable clothes to go home in (stick to your maternity clothes for this) Personal toiletries A good book or something to occupy you while you are waiting Thick maternity sanitary pads A camera with spare batteries Cell phone charger and adapter for the plug Hand sanitiser Baby’s bag: Babygros chosen according to the season Vests Newborn nappies Wetwipes Bum cream Baby lotion Baby soap Surgical spirits (to clean the umbilical cord) Cotton wool buds Soft face cloth A sterilised dummy (if you intend to give one) Baby bottles (depending on whether you can/want to breastfeed) Newborn formula (depending on whether you can/want to breastfeed) Now that you have your bags packed, it is important to know what to expect once you have been admitted. Remember that your doctor or midwife is not just there to deliver the baby, you should ask them any questions you need to regulations on what can and cannot be done, but remember that this is one of the most important days of your life, so don’t be scared to ask for what you want. Things you should find out beforehand: Are you allowed to have personal items in the delivery room or theatre to make you feel more comfortable? How many people are allowed with you during the birth? Can you do things such as play music during the procedure to relax you? Who do you need to talk to, to ensure that your birth plan is carried out to your wishes (a birth plan stipulates what you would want to happen medically, if you want pain intervention, etc) Who do you need to talk to, to ensure that your newborn care is how you want it (latching immediately after birth, umbilical cord cutting, having baby in the room with you, not having baby bottle fed by nurses etc). If you are having natural birth, make sure you chat to your doctor about what pain relieving procedures you want, if any.

October 22, 2020

Get Ready for #SummerOfNerf 2020

Ready.. Aim.. Blast! This year’s summer is going to be an absolute blast with #SummerOfNerf. Four action packed weeks. Four epic weekly challenges you can do in your back yard. Weekly prizes and ONE Giant GRAND PRIZE. Kicking off from 26 October until 27 November #SummerOfNerf promises four Nerf-tastic weeks of exciting challenges with awesome prizes up for grabs all done from the comfort of your own home! How to get in on the virtual #SummerOfNerf action Step 1: visit www.summerofnerf.co.za to register Step 2: purchase a Nerf Box, which contains all challenge elements and instructions – you could also be one of the first to own the NEW Ultra 2. Step 2: purchase a Nerf Box, which contains all challenge elements and instructions – you could also be one of the first to own the NEW Ultra 2. Step 3: Nerf Box will be delivered to your home before the 26th October and the blasting fun can begin! The weekly challenges include: The DIY Target Challenge The Bottle Cap Challenge The Box-It Challenge The Ultimate Obstacle Challenge Follow the conversation with #SummerOfNerf @NerfSouthAfrica on Facebook – @NerfNationSA on Instagram – www.summerofnerf.co.za This summer it’s NERF OR NOTHIN’

October 22, 2020

The best jobs for near-perfect work-life balance

Work-life balance is and probably always will be a hot topic for all South African families as more and more of us strive to hit the sweet spot between our personal and professional lives. How are you dividing your time and focus between the office and your time with your family? As more and more people start searching for jobs suitable to their lifestyles, there seems to be a growing demand for roles that separate professional from personal. We did some digging to find out which jobs offer the best of both worlds, and here’s what we found. Roles with the most promising work-life balance Game Designer The guys (and girls) behind the creation of your favourite video games also have some of the best work-life balance perks. Unlike game developers – who implement the operation of games – game designers sketch and implement the user experience and interface of games. This role calls for a lot of creative skills but rewards employees with having a hand in tech innovation and workplace wellbeing that can’t be matching in many industries. Average salary – R530,000 per year Social Media Manager Social Media Managers ensure that a company’s digital marketing efforts are as effective as can be. This is a role that has evolved from a part-time tole to a full-fledged career because social media platforms are now the main point of interaction between brands and their target audiences. Because this job is very digitally focused, there are a bunch of fantastic telecommuting opportunities on offer out there, all of which offers excellent work-life balance. Average salary – R300,000 per year Investment Advisor Financial advisors ensure that their clients have the best possible investment portfolio. These professionals have a deep understanding of the markets, financial levels of their clients, and their specialities, which is why they can help their clients make the most financially-sound decisions. Although deadlines might keep them on their toes from time to time, investment advisors generally have a generous amount of “off-time” in which they can bond with their families. Average salary – R490,000 per year Tour Guide Tour guides make use of their skills and knowledge they have of a particular location, escorting guests around points of attraction and providing guidance when needed. Although the schedule of tour guides ultimately depends on the industry they choose, some roles are busier during specific seasons of the year while others are busy year-round. Average salary – R200,000 per year Real Estate Agent Jobs in real estate vary a lot depending on your role, industry, and the demand. From finding and showing houses to brokering, real estate agents do a bit of everything. While real estate investor duties have high requirements to ensure a positive ROI, these careers often come with a lot of flexibility too. Average salary – R300,000 per year Final thoughts If finding a role that offers the best work-life balance is a high priority to you, it’s time to make it happen! There are thousands of jobs out there that can provide the best of both worlds so you can still have a life outside of work. Why not head over to Adzuna’s online listings right now and start browsing? The job of your dreams could be just one click away!

October 22, 2020

Sunburn in babies, how to prevent and treat it

Living in sunny South Africa, worrying about your baby being exposed to the sun’s rays is a valid concern. Too much unprotected time in the sun can be harmful to your baby, leading to painful sunburn and, even skin cancer later in life. Here’s how to prevent and treat sunburn if your little one has spent too long outside. How to treat sunburn Babies and toddlers are more sensitive to the sun as they have less developed skin than adults. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to sunburn, however, if your baby has spent too much time in the sun, the reddy, painful burn will only show up a view hours later. Those who have darker complexions tend to be less sun sensitive, however, everyone has some risk of sunburn. Redness, swelling of the skin (warmth) and pain are all symptoms of sunburn. If the sunburn has caused fever, chills, blisters and headaches its best to consult your local health practitioner. You can treat mild sunburn with a cooling bath, moisturiser or aloe gel – all of which will help cool irritated and inflamed skin. Giving your baby extra fluid in the days following the burn should prevent dehydration. It is recommended that you keep your baby out of the sun until the burn has healed.x Tips for preventing sunburn Sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm so limit your little one’s sun exposure during this time. When your baby is spending time outdoors in the sun, be sure that they are wearing a hat and sunblock with an SPF of higher than 30, if your baby is older than 6 months (if they are younger you will need to find alternative protection for them). Try to find sunblock that is formulated for kids (as this will work best for sensitive skin) and do a patch test on their skin before using it. If your child doesn’t like the feel of sunscreen (or is younger than 6 months), sun protective clothing is the better option.

October 21, 2020

Ten tips for choosing the right medical aid

The medical aid landscape can be tricky to navigate so it’s best to compare all the available options and schemes to find a medical aid that works for your budget and your family’s health. Bonitas Medical Fund helps guide you through choosing the best plan. Analyse your healthcare needs No two people or families are alike, medical needs differ so do a quick personal healthcare needs’ analysis to determine what cover you need. If you have dependants, factor in their healthcare needs too. Factors to consider include: How often you visit your family visit a doctor or specialist Over-the-counter medication or chronic medication required Chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes Specific conditions like cancer, HIV or renal failure Dentristy Optometry This will help you decide on whether you need a comprehensive medical aid or a hospital plan. Read the small print Benefits vary from plan to plan, so establish what is and isn’t covered and look at whether the option offers additional risk benefits which can save on day-to-date expenses. Such as free wellness screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI measurements) through to mammograms, pap smears and prostate screening. In some cases this extends to maternity programmes, dental check-ups, flu vaccinations and more. Managed Care options Managed Care programmes help members manage severe chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. What about savings? Medical savings are a fixed amount a medical scheme gives you at the beginning of the year. There are ways to maximise your savings but first you need to know what you annual allocation is. The day-to-day detail Look at what the scheme suggests as a way to make your benefits last, bearing in mind the following: Some plans require you to use a specific GP, hospital network and have a list of Designated Service Providers (DSPs). These keep costs down because the scheme will have negotiated special rates with these services providers. Check the network in your area before making a final decision. Must you be referred to a specialist by your GP? Does your medical aid offer additional GP consultations, which they will pay for, after you have exhausted your day-to-day benefits? Virtual Care and technology Technology and virtual care is being embraced by medical schemes and members. Check what is offered on the plan you’re considering and whether it you want access to your benefits 24/7. Age impacts your decision As parents of young children, ensure the option you select provides sufficient child illness benefits If slightly older, select a plan that covers chronic conditions and provides sufficient in-hospital cover in the event of hospitalisation Ensure the affordability Consider all the costs involved before you make your final decision, such as: Monthly contributions: The rule of thumb is that contributions should not exceed 10% of your monthly income. A medical aid co-payment is a fee that the member is liable for when making use of certain medical services. These co-payments usually apply to specialist or elective medical procedures and will differ from one medical aid scheme to another. Waiting period and exclusions The Medical Schemes Act and the specific scheme’s rules determine this. Bonitas recommends that you enquire with the relevant scheme about their exclusion list and waiting periods. Brokers Using a broker doesn’t cost you anything. An independent broker will help you work your way through the different options and help choose the medical aid plan best suited to your and your family’s needs. For more information on the product offerings from Bonitas go to www.bonitas.co.za

October 21, 2020

Chicco Move & Grow XXL Fantasy Play Mat

Chicco is committed not only to developing senses, cognitive skills and good sleep in their toy ranges, they also have taken fitness and movement into consideration when it comes to babies. Many babies live a sedentary life for the first year and ultimately we as parents would like to see our kids move more and grow healthily. The Chicco Move & Grow range of toys is especially designed to get babies as young as 3 months moving around – at a rate that compliments their personal growth. One of the best ways to get babies moving and discovering their bodies early is with a play mat. A simple mat has been used for generations to allow babies to wriggle and crawl around on whilst either playing with toys or practising tummy time, play mats are a safe and comfy way for baby to learn how to use their bodies. Chicco now introduce the first extra-large playmat so that baby can take up as much space as they like, either at home or outdoors on picnics. The Move & Grow XXL Fantasy play mat is 140x90cm in size and has two rings to conveniently pack up and store after play time. The pattern has been designed by child psychologists in the Chicco Observatory in Como, Italy to help engage, stimulate and entertain baby as they come to realise their colours, animals and numbers. The mats are available in a bright primary coloured pattern or a pink-dominant pattern. The Chicco Move & Grow XXL Fantasy Play Mat is available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 20, 2020

Convenient and Nutritious Food Pouches for Your Little One When You’re on The Go

For busy parents, there are always those times when you’re on the go, or pressed for time, and you don’t have any homemade baby food on hand. It’s at times like these, when baby food pouches can be a quick and convenient snack for your little one! With no plates, spoons or glass jars needed, you can satisfy your tots appetite on the go whilst being rest assured your little one is getting all the good nutrients they need. Organix has been cooking up scrummy, nutritious baby and toddler meals and snacks since 1992. Making sure little ones eat a healthy varied diet, full of texture and taste from real fruit and veggies is at the core of the brand. When Organix make their foods, they think about little ones growing up to be healthy, independent food explorers. They also set their own standards based in their experience in children’s nutrition, from what goes in the food, to the portion sizes they recommend, so everything is just right for little ones as they grow and develop. Organix pouches, suitable for little ones between the ages of 6 months – 36 months, are a convenient way for babies to explore food on the go – just simple combinations of fruits and grains for a fun taste adventure! When little tums are filled with tasty food you can trust, that’s when the wonder starts. The pouches retail for R32, 49 and are available in six delicious flavours; Just Apple, Pineapple & Coconut, Just Apple, Sweet Potato & Pineapple, Just Mango, Pear & Granola, Just Oat, Apple, Banana, Raspberry & Blueberry, Just Apple, Strawberry & Quinoa, Just Oat, Apricot & Banana. Their No Junk Promise is their stamp of reassurance that you will always find in all of their foods – Always Organic – We promise to only use organic ingredients. Nothing unnecessary – We promise to only use recognisable ingredients that serve a purpose. Setting Standards – We promise to set the best standard in what good food for children should be. Organix pouches are available at Clicks, www.takealot.com and www.babiesafrica.com. Facebook: Organix South Africa Instagram: @organixfoodsa #organixsouthafrica

October 20, 2020

Level 1 & warmer days….

Wow, level 1. We never thought that we would see the day, but here we are. Now that we are in level 1 and the weather is starting to warm up, things are starting to look up for us. A new season brings new beginnings, lazy beach days & spending more time with family. Taking the kids to the beach always seems like an amazing idea until you actually get there and 1 kid needs to potty, the other insists on venturing too far into the water and the other is screaming blue murder because they are hungry and you end up spending most of the day on your feet instead of under the umbrella with a good book while the kids are occupied. It does not all have to be bad though if it is carefully planned: Make a list of things that you need so you do not forget anything. I like to use the notes app on my phone, as it is always easily accessible. Choose to have an early start so you can find the best spot for the kids. Sunscreen along with beach hats is an absolute must. Do not overpack. Just a bucket, spade and beach ball will keep them entertained for hours. Remember to carry along a bag for rubbish and lots of wet wipes. Hydrate. It is easy to let these simple things get away from you on beach day. Pack lots of snacks. More importantly sand proof snacks like fruit, pretzels, sandwiches, cookies etc. Do not forget the umbrella and towels. You do not need chairs. Leave them at home. Baby powder for the end of day to remove sand easily. Full proof method to keeping your car clean. Do not forget a little first aid box with band aids and antiseptic. Accidents can happen at any time. Summer holiday makeup essentials I thought this would be a perfect topic as this is the time that everyone including myself, starts to plan their December vacation even if it is just around your own province. Be a tourist in your own city. When packing for a vacation, every inch of your suitcase is like prime property. It can be a pain trying to decide what makeup to take with you when traveling so hopefully this will help you narrow down your list. I have made a list of my top products in no particular order. 1. CATRICE Tensational Primer: This is a favourite! The ultimate quick fix for your skin. It moistens, freshens, and boosts the look of dull, tired-looking skin. I love mixing it in with my foundation to give my skin a dewy finish or I just apply it on my face as it acts as a great base too and it fills in any fine lines and wrinkles which is perfect. Also, it has an SPF! 2. CATRICE Matt Bronzer: It is a matte bronzer, so it is perfect for contouring as well as warming up the skin. Sweep across chin, cheeks, and forehead. An absolute travel essential! There’s also the CATRICE Glow Illusion Loose Powder. It has a little shimmer in it so it’s ideal for those beach days. Skip the blush and highlighter and just sweep this across the cheekbones. 3. CATRICE Sun Glow Highlighter: This is a brush-on highlighter that gives skin the appearance of being lit-from-within. It brightens and highlights the face and décolletage for a glowing look. Light, compact and perfect for travelling! 4. CATRICE Glam & Doll Waterproof Mascara: This waterproof mascara saturates from root to tip and it enhances volume and extends length. These defined lashes are clump-resistant, non- flaking and non-smudging – and can withstand moisture of any kind. Ideal for those pool days! 5. CATRICE HD Active Freeze Setting Spray: With a setting a spray your makeup is going to last all day or night with fading or melting. It is also ideal to keep in your purse as a spritzer to refresh you. 6. CATRICE Precise Slim’matic Eyebrow Pencil: It does not budge so it is perfect for wearing in the sun and when you are swimming in the pool. This is one of my favourite brow products. For extra strength, set it in with a brow gel. 7. CATRICE Neon Earth Eyeshadow Palette: This palette is perfect as it has earth tones like the browns and taupe’s, perfect for any outfit and it is not dramatic. The best part is that it is compact and will not take up space. 8. CATRICE Translucent Powder: This is great because it is compact with a mirror which you can throw in any bag. You can set and touch up your makeup and because it is translucent, you do not have to worry about what colour you are, it is there to take away any shine. 9. CATRICE Kohl Pencil in black and brown: I do not like to use a liquid liner on vacation as it can smudge. To create definition, I prefer to use a kohl pencil and smudge it into the lash line. The CATRICE pencils are super soft and creamy and easy to blend. I will take brown for daytime and black for that extra spice at night. 10. CATRICE Poreless Mousse Foundation It gives an amazing natural finish and still covers any imperfections. Lastly with all these great makeup products, there are a few non makeup essentials you should take as well: Sunblock Sun hat Lip balm – CATRICE Clean ID Balm Moisturizer Disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer – this goes without saying especially now. I love to use VirocClean A good book Power bank Summer is really my favourite season of the year. However, with the heat, humidity and extra sun, our beauty regime is really tested. Here are some of my summer beauty hacks: Dry shampoo is a girl’s best friend in summer when hair get oily and sweaty. It also saves you between washes. Applying a mascara with tinting properties, will help tint your

October 19, 2020

Practical Tips to Stimulate Your Baby – 3-6 Months

As your baby continues to grow, you will start finding new ways to stimulate your baby. From the age of three months, your baby will start to have a better idea of the world around them. They will form deep attachments to parents, smiling and looking directly into your eyes. At this age, babies will start to notice your expressions and they will start to ‘communicate’ with you and with strangers. There is more control over the body and more awareness of the body – especially when it comes to hands and feet. Over-stimulation is never ideal but you can find gentle ways to stimulate your baby that will help with development without overwhelming of the senses. Stimulating Your Baby – 3-6 Months Some of the ways that you can stimulate your baby of 3-6 months include the following: Spend time watching your baby to see what they are interested in or what they are doing. You can then repeat these actions or activity to give your baby more of what they seem to like. Talking to babies is important right from birth. At this age, you can continue to talk. The more words a baby hears, the more words they will be able to grasp later. You can give your baby a running commentary of what you’ve been up to do or have a conversation to encourage your baby to ‘talk’ back. Sensory play is great during this age. Continue to provide textures for your baby to touch. Try a fabric tactile book or try using tummy time to introduce your baby to water splashes or other supervised sensory play. Including toys in various sizes and textures is important at this age. Aside from fabric textures, include other types of tactile toys and place them in the palm of your baby’s hand. This is also a good way to encourage grasping motions. Wriggling is important for free movement, helping babies to kick, wiggle and look around. You can include things to look at, such as mobiles or dangling toys to encourage reaching. Baby classes are excellent at this age to help parents and babies. At this age, babies are starting to develop more awareness of other people and being around babies and strangers can help with social development. Try the Clamber Club 3 to 6 Months Stimulate your Baby Full Movie for more advice on keeping your baby stimulated.

October 19, 2020

How to help a learner prepare for university

University presents learners with a range of challenges whether they will be moving out or staying at home, so prepare well ahead of time to avoid any nasty surprises! When living in residence or off-campus accommodation Living away from home can be nerve-racking for even the most adventurous of learners. Here are some tips on how to prepare for living away from home: If the student accommodation doesn’t provide food, learners should learn how to cook easy, nutritious meals if they don’t know how to do so already. Also, very rarely does student accommodation offer laundry service, so learners should make sure they know how to do their own laundry if they’ll be doing it for the first time. Read more about teaching children life skills. Ensure the accommodation has a working internet connection. While Wi-Fi is widely available on campus and most campuses have 24/7 libraries, having internet access at ‘home’ will make completing your studies a lot easier. Learners should try to get to their new home well ahead of time to familiarise themselves with the surroundings, particularly places like grocery stores and bookstores. Also find a local GP and hospital – if there is an emergency, better to be safe than sorry (and invest in a first aid kit)! Arriving early will also give learners time to buy any things they may need, like cutlery, crockery, and so on. If the student accommodation is shared, learners should set boundaries with their new roommate(s) regarding socialising hours, cleaning up, quiet time, and so forth. Also, invest in a pair of shower slippers as communal showers are often a breeding ground for nasty fungal infections. Make a list of things to pack, and tick them off as you pack. Most critical will be paperwork, legal documentation, and a bank card. If necessary, learners should ensure they have all the necessary medication they need and make sure they have a new prescription ready for when refills run out. When living at home Living at home as a varsity student might be even more challenging than living away from home for the first time. Here are some tips on how to survive: Join societies to help make friends. If a learner is not living in student accommodation, it will inevitably be more difficult to socialise and meet new people. University sports and cultural clubs are a great way to socialise with fellow students outside of lecture halls. Learners and their family members absolutely must set boundaries well ahead of time. These boundaries include: Leisure time: it is vital to give learners some time to rest when they have come home after a long day of lectures. Don’t harass them as soon as they set foot in the door, they’re tired and need rest. Decide on agreeable ‘relaxation time’. Socialising: agree on rules like curfew, staying over at friends’ houses, keeping in contact with parents while out on the town, and so forth. Attending lectures and tutorials: while not ideal, often students will need to skip one or two to study for a test or complete an assignment. Start managing expectations surrounding class attendance ahead of time. These boundaries must be seen as compromises rather than forced stipulations. Your child is an adult now – treat them as such. Keep the lines of communication open and have regular open and honest conversations. Learners need to know that they can count on their parents if something goes wrong, whether academically or in their personal lives. Making mistakes is a part of growing up, and if your child is staying at home for the duration of their studies, you are on this journey with them. Read more about managing failures. General tips Irrespective of whether a learner will be living at home or not, there are some general guidelines to prepare learners: Take a tour of the campus and make notes of where different buildings are – this will make navigating them easier when lectures begin. Have a look at the orientation week programme as soon as you receive it. Choose which events you would like to attend, or which you think will be helpful. Participating in ‘O-week’ is a fantastic way to get to know the campus and new people. Purchase your learning material as soon as you get your book list and get stuck into the recommended reading before lectures even start. University involves a lot of self-studying, and often, having done the reading ahead of time is a prerequisite for attending the class, so get into the habit now. Read more about how Impaq learners have achieved success at university. Varsity is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience for students. With the parents’ help, support, and guidance, these can be some of the best years of a learner’s life! Read more on how to help prepare your child for life after matric. by Jacqui Smit

October 19, 2020

Only 36% of users in South Africa have unique passwords for each account, Kaspersky study shows

Internet users across the globe are yet to master how to use passwords effectively to protect themselves online. Research from Kaspersky has shown that people are putting their online safety at risk by making bad password decisions and simple password mistakes that may have far-reaching consequences. According to the latest Kaspersky report*, only 36% of local Internet users surveyed create new passwords for different online accounts and a worrying 16% use the same password for all their online accounts. Should one password be leaked, these people are therefore at risk of having every account hacked and exploited. The study also shows that people are mistreating their passwords – by using insecure methods to remember them. Almost a third locally (23%) admitted to writing their passwords down in a notepad to help remember them, 18% let the browsers to store password, while one-in ten (10%) store them in a file on the computer or even write down on a piece of paper near the computer (7%). Even if a password is strong, this leaves the user vulnerable because other people may see and use it. “We are now living in a high-tech world where IDs are no longer physical materials, but logical and represented by user accounts. These user accounts are protected with passwords; passwords where consumers use them to manage online accounts for everything from mobile banking, online shopping, checking the weather or booking a taxi. So, they should be taking better care to protect themselves with effective password security as these passwords represent their IDs. This seems obvious, but many might not realise that they are falling into the trap of making simple password management mistakes. These mistakes, in turn, are effectively like leaving the front door open to emails, bank accounts, personal files and more,” says Maher Yamout, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky. To ensure the safety of personal data, Kaspersky recommends users: Minimise the number of people you share account login information with and never leave passwords where others might find them Try Kaspersky Secure Password Check. The service allows you to check how strong your password is, and how long it will take to crack it. Use strong and robust passwords generated by a reliable security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager. This will produce secure, unique passwords for each account every time and help you resist the temptation to re-use the same password more than once. Change your passwords as frequent as possible to avoid the associated risks with Internet leaks, password guessing or phishing attacks. For more advice on how to keep your personal information protected and to read the report in full, visit the link. Reference: *Kaspersky Global Privacy Report 2020: https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/global-privacy-report-2020/

October 16, 2020

Enjoy the great outdoors with your kids in style

Summer is in the air and If you love all things nature-inspired, why not spend a weekend with the family exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. Swedish brand, Thule creates a range of premium products so that you and your family can fully immerse yourself in your given outdoor activity and get your kids involved too, from hikes, to cycling trails and running trails. The most important thing is to be organised and prepared, and of course have the right gear to make things efficient and easy on the day. For trail runs, Thule’s Glide is a must, as this all-terrain pram has a sleek, lightweight design and is all about comfort for you and your little one. The front wheel swivels for easy maneuverability, plus locks into place for jogging for increased stability, when moving at a fast pace. The extra comfortable handlebar moves to different heights, which means that every jogger in the house is comfortable ― and it provides enough space for a generous kick stride. For added safety, the hand-activated front brake increases braking control on steep terrain, while the rear suspension and padded seats provide a comfortable ride for your little one. The vented top reclines, so that no naps are missed, and the peekaboo window allows you to check on your precious cargo, without disturbing them. In addition, the multi-position canopy protects your little person from any type of weather you might encounter. There’s no need to take an extra bag, as there’s a large storage compartment with a water-resistant cover for all the essentials for you and baby. When you’re all done, simply use one hand to collapse the lightweight sport stroller into a sleek, compact position to lift it into your car. If you prefer hiking with your kids, then the Thule Sapling Elite is an innovative child carrier backpack that at once gives your little one a great view and a comfortable, secure ride. Much like Thule’s hiking backpacks, these carrier backpacks are all about comfort and smart features. The plush, height adjustable, ergonomic seat distributes the child’s weight, while the back panel and hipbelt are quick and easy to adjust and effortlessly transitions between parents – a lifesaver on longer hikes. For added on-the-move flexibility, you can place your child in the carrier from the side or the top. Once they are in, there are even stirrups for them to rest their legs and a sunshade to protect them from the sun. For you, the breathable back panel provides padding and support at critical points, allowing air to circulate around your back, keeping you cool. For hot days, you’ll love the convenient water reservoir pocket, plus you can use the zippered compartment to store other essentials. For added peace of mind, you might want to consider the Thule Sapling Elite, which comes with a mirror and allows you to keep an eye on your precious cargo every step of the way; there’s also a rain cover (sold separately) to ensure that your little one stays dry no matter what the weather. For cycling enthusiasts, your little one can join you on your bike (quite literally) for cycle trails, with Thule’s Yepp Next Mini, a lightweight and stylish front-mounted child bike seat. Ticking boxes for safety, durability and usability, this carrier features of plethora of smart designs. It has rubberised shoulder pads to prevent the straps from sliding down your child’s arm, while foot straps keep the child’s feet and legs out of danger. There’s also a two-handed childproof safety buckle, which means that your clever little munchkin will never be able to unbuckle the straps by accident. The shock absorbing materials in the padded seat ensure a safe and comfortable ride for your little one – and for extra comfort, there’s a handlebar for them to place their hands on. If needed, the carrier can be equipped with a windscreen too. Besides being the easiest way to get your toddler excited about bikes and cycling from a very young age, this child bike carrier is also an investment, as it comes with adjustable footrests and straps to use during those years when newly sized clothes are a given every few months. Best of all, the seat is easy to clean and quick to mount and dismount from your bike. https://www.thulestore.co.za

October 15, 2020

Coping with Anxiety

What could happen if we gave each person the tools to diminish their anxiety, reduce their fears and build a toolbox to achieve true resilience? Anxiety is a normal part of life, but during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many people are more worried, concerned and/or depressed than in normal circumstances. In order to find the ways to move forward and manage the stresses that recent circumstances have thrown at us, we need to better understand what anxiety is. “I’ve always described it as a gnawing, tightness in your stomach and even in your whole body. It’s a weird feeling, because you can’t really pin it down. You know you feel worried, but you’re not sure about what. For me anxiety is: an underlying fear of not knowing what the future holds, or what the outcome of a situation will be”, says Dr Greg Pienaar, Principal of The Bridge School for Assisted Learning in Beverley, Sandton. Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, the body’s automatic fight-or-flight response that is triggered when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a challenging situation An overwhelming number of questions may resonate with us during these circumstances and the pandemic that causes an anxious feeling in the pit of our stomach. They include: What does the future hold? Will we ever get beyond the Coivid-19 virus? What will life be like after… Will we go back to “normal”? What if we get sick? What if a loved one gets sick? What if a lot of people get sick? Will we survive? Am I safe at school? “I want to give you some ideas about coping with anxiety”, Dr Pienaar continues. There are many models out there which refer to methods of coping with anxiety. One of the most famous models is the ‘Three Basic Coping Styles model’ (Endler 1997, and Folkman and Lazarus, 1986): Task-oriented (time-outs, eat well-balanced meals, count to ten slowly, limit alcohol and caffeine, take deep breaths, humour, enough sleep and other similar tasks). Emotion-oriented (meditation, distracting oneself, releasing pent-up emotions). Avoidance-oriented (staying away from triggers where possible, drug or alcohol abuse, severe procrastination). (psychologytoday.com) Many models contain similar ideas but might not be the most suitable for everyone. Thus, consult an expert that could work with you on the different methodologies to find the best practice for you. In the meantime, we look at the following steps that may assist you in this pressurised time One of the best ways of coping with anxiety relates to music. Listening to music, finding appropriate songs for a specific mood. It is really strange that sometimes when you’re feeling down, to listen to sad songs can actually make you feel better. Or hearing a particularly “up” song can make you feel worse? Although at other times listening to particular songs or a specific playlist can make you feel better? For example, here is a “Coping with Covid top 5” playlist. These are songs which currently resonate with me: “I’m Not Over” Carolina Liar (Actually about not being over a girl in a relationship, but for me it’s about not being over The World and all the beautiful things in it, just yet). “Carry the Weight” (acoustic version) Denison Witmer (About “carrying the weight of anybody who needs help, especially at the moment). “Times Like These” (acoustic version) Foo Fighters (Who knew there would be times like these). “What a Wonderful World” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Just love this version of how beautiful the world could be…) “Beautiful Day” U2 (Just a reminder about this fact is sometimes required). “Listening to music can definitely make us feel better about the world. The ugliness of the world can melt away, and the important things can rise up: friends, finding beauty in different places or things, sharing, closeness. Especially during Covid 19, having to look at what is really important in life”, says Dr Pienaar However, everybody will have their own songs, or music. Part of the journey will be finding the songs of your life, or the music which is soothing to your soul and assists with anxiety. Enjoy the music. Exercise: If you love running or riding or swimming, this is easy and really helps. However, what if you don’t like exercising? The last thing you want to do when you feel anxious or depressed is to exercise. It’s strange, but that’s when it is the most effective. To force yourself to exercise in those moments will be highly beneficial to you. Walking, jogging, riding, swimming, dancing, stretching, yoga, any exercise. They talk about the release of “endorphins” (feel good hormones) when you exercise, often these can help with easing anxiety. However, be mindful that it won’t help you, if exercising makes you feel bad, frustrated and/or unfit. Another way of coping is to develop a mantra A mantra is a positive saying, expression or motto to live by, that you can use to inspire or motivate yourself. Just by saying it often enough can help with coping with anxiety. “My personal mantra has become ‘I’m Not Over the World’, says …. My mantra used to be “Never, ever, give up”. Develop your own mantra, or use somebody else’s if it fits your world: “It’s going to be ok”, “This is completely understandable”, “The sun will come out tomorrow, or even “I’m doing the best I can”, and possibly in these times: “It is, what it is”. It’s amazing but just the act of talking to someone else is extremely important to assist you to organise your thought processes and help alleviate anxiety. It was once said: “A problem shared is a problem halved…”. It’s almost as if by sharing an issue, someone else hears it, and even if they don’t have answers, they are at least hearing and understanding your anxiety. Drawing, writing, painting, colouring, being creative and innovative can help with calming the anxieties that you are feeling. No-one has to see what you paint or write. It’s more about being

October 15, 2020

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