Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

Working from home in South Africa

If you have been contemplating the idea of leaving the world of open-plan offices behind and embarking on a journey towards working from home in South Africa, you are not alone. 2017 stats from Dimension Data indicated that 42% of all South African companies had employees working from home on a full-time basis. Regus also reported that up to 75% of South Africans that work from home feel like they’re much more productive in a home office environment than they would be in an open office.  Working from home has many benefits, but it takes dedication and smart strategies to pull it off successfully. As a remote worker, you will need to figure out when to work, where to work, and how to set healthy boundaries between your work life and your personal life.  How to work from home in South Africa With the country’s economy on a downturn and the effects of corporate downsizing being felt across the board, more and more South Africans are considering the idea of working from home. But working from home isn’t as simple as it might seem.  It can be hard to manage expectations from your employer, and not to mention all the little home chores that can easily distract you. Some issues might not even have crossed your mind yet. Is the computer software you have at home up to the task? How will you network if you sit at home all day? Here are some practical tips to keep in mind when starting out on your remote working journey: 1. Start by setting up the right space The most essential element for any kind of creative work is to find a dedicated working space. If you share a space with a partner or have the kids home too, merely plopping your laptop down on the kitchen counter and thinking you’re all set isn’t going to work. You need to be able to get your job done without getting in the way of others that share the house with you. Try to find a space in your home (other than a bedroom) where you’ll set up your office.  2. Gear yourself with the right equipment Without the right equipment, you might as well head back to the office. You need the following to complete basic tasks in your home office environment: Laptop or computer Stable and reliable internet Secure remote access to your company’s internal network or intranet Access to corporate emails A company phone  3. Create some structure for your day You need to structure your workday by planning out which tasks need to take priority and how many hours you will spend on each job. You also need to schedule breaks so that you’ll stay productive and ready for the next challenge. There is a difference between efficiency and productivity, and without a set structure in place, it is easy to get distracted.  4. Use flexibility to your advantage If you are getting the work done and keeping up good quality standards with regards to deadlines, you should be able to work during your most productive hours, which is part of the beauty of having a flexible schedule. Unless your boss expects you to be able to communicate in real-time during company business hours, you should take advantage of the time you have on your hands and get as much as possible done during your most productive hours.  5. Ensure you are always online As a remote worker, your most important bills will not be for software upgrades or new computers; they will be for uncapped, unshaped fibre internet. Your smartphone and apps like Dropbox ensure that you’re always online and available when your team needs you most.  6. Be disciplined The amount of success you achieve by working from home really depends on how seriously you treat it. For all goals and purposes, you need to apply the same kind of discipline a traditional office setup demands. Although it might sound counter-intuitive, getting ready for work every morning Is very useful to help set the stage for discipline. Get dressed in something you would be happy to wear if you were working in an office, and ensure you are available between 8:30 am and 5 pm.  7. Stay active Once you have settled into a routine where you are successfully working from home, it can be easy to forget about some of the obvious benefits of working in a traditional office. As much as you hated the daily commute to work, the walk from your car to the office was still some form of exercise. Therefore, it is vital to get out of the house daily, even if it is just to go grab some lunch.  8. Remember: You are not a hermit Human contact is yet another benefit of the traditional office setup. While Facebook and other forms of social media are great tools for catching up on the news, it is still important to make time to spend some actual (face-to-face) time with clients, have lunch with friends and generally just get out of the house, so you see something other than the wall behind your computer screen every day.  The ins and outs of working from home in South Africa Before you start picking out your home office furniture, it is important to understand the pros and cons of working from home. If you are considering remote jobs, here are some potential advantages and pitfalls to think about before logging in from home: Advantages of working from home You are independent This goes far beyond the allure of getting to work in your pyjamas. Working from home means you will have to learn to rely on self-motivation, self-discipline, focus and concentration. It sounds simple and obvious, but time management and scheduling are super important skills for any employee working from home.  You get more done You can be much more productive in your home office – if you aren’t hitting the mall when you should

October 14, 2020
Bennetts

It’s Mozzie Season….

Although we absolutely love the summer months, it is also the time of year we have more mosquitoes. Not only do we hate the dreaded zzzzzzzzzzz sound all throughout the night, some people may have severe reactions to mozzie bites, especially children. Here is how to know if you or your little one is allergic The more times a person has been bitten by mosquitoes; the more likely they’ll become desensitized over time. That means adults typically have less serious reactions to mosquito bites than children do. Common symptoms of mosquito bites include soft bumps on the skin that may become pink, red, and itchy. Symptoms may occur up to 48 hours after the initial bite. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology contact with a mosquito must be six seconds or longer to produce a reaction. Symptoms of a more severe allergic reaction may include: large area of itching lesions bruises near the site of the bite lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymph system) hives (at or around the bite) anaphylaxis (a rare, life-threatening condition that results in swelling in the throat and wheezing and requires immediate medical attention) Allergic reactions aren’t the only concern regarding mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can also transmit serious diseases, such as: malaria dengue fever encephalitis (brain infection) yellow fever meningitis (brain and spinal cord inflammation) Signs that it may be something other than an allergic reaction include: fever severe headache body aches nausea or vomiting rash fatigue light sensitivity confusion neurological changes (such as muscle weakness on one side of the body) Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Mosquito bite allergies are rare, but the reactions can be serious enough to warrant immediate medical treatment. If you have this type of allergy, you may consider ongoing treatment from an allergy specialist — especially if you live in mosquito-prone areas. Mosquito bite allergies don’t cause any long-term illnesses or lifestyle intrusions when they’re properly managed. Just be aware of these pests and have the right tools on hand in case you get bitten.

October 14, 2020
Origin Skincare

Caring for your skin during pregnancy and motherhood

“Do I need to change my skincare routine now that I am pregnant?” For most this question will pop into your mind at some stage during pregnancy, whether it is before your next facial, eyebrow wax appointment; or when you start to suddenly breakout or have a dry skin episode. Pregnancy and early motherhood can wreak havoc on your face and body skin thanks to all the hormones flooding your system. Do I need to change the products I use? If the products you are using are unmedicated and still working for you, then there is no need to switch up your products. However, if you are using any products high in vitamin A (Retinol) or the products are medicated for your particular skin condition, it is best to check in with your doctor if your skincare products are not harmful and still safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Most women experience a variety of changes during pregnancy and early motherhood, which necessitates a change in the products they use. It is recommended to switch to products that are gentler on the skin. With the emphasis on gentle.  It is recommended to change from harsh soaps that can dry out the skin and cause breakouts, to nourishing or cream-based products, which do not strip the face and body of moisture. Ensure that you use a good facial moisturiser that balances your skin’s natural oils and nourishes your skin. Look for day creams that contain hyaluronic acid (a natural water retainer) that draws moisture to the skin and locks it in for a fresher, younger appearance. Invest in a good body oil or body butter to nourish your body’s skin, before you start expanding in your pregnancy, this will help reduce the impact of the harsh changes to your body, for example stretch marks and dryness. And remember your sunscreen! Sunny, rainy, summer or winter – the importance of applying sunscreen cannot be overstated – especially during pregnancy as your risk for developing hyper-pigmentation spots is very high. Even though these pigmentation patches are harmless (check with a doctor or pharmacist if unsure), they can appear on your face and can be hard to cover up if they are somewhere that bothers you. Exposure to the sun is not the only cause of these dark marks, but it can worsen or increase the likelihood of these marks’ appearance. There are various treatments available, including pigmentation serums, creams or laser treatment, however all of them take a long time to reduce the dark marks or can be very costly. Prevention is better than the cure when it comes to hyper-pigmentation. Keeping a facial mist or hydrating essence on hand, at your desk or in your handbag, is an easy way to freshen you up in the afternoon. Spray a few refreshing spritzes onto the face for a quick lift and onto your arms in the summer, to cool and hydrate. Adding a lovely serum or facial oil to your routine, or switching to a gentler formulation, is also a fantastic way to easily bring the motherhood “glow” back to your face, when you are feeling otherwise out of sorts or tired.  Body skin care is just as important during pregnancy. A good body oil or body butter is essential for your stretching tummy skin, applying daily helps keep the skin supple and can help relieve the itch associated with your growing belly. Remember to take care of the rest of your body too! What about motherhood? It can take up to a year for your hormones to settle after giving birth, be patient with yourself, your body and your skin. You may find that raising a tiny baby, together with the sleep deprivation and lack of quality time for yourself, is no longer accommodating of your “7 step night skincare regime”. Find quality products that pack a punch in one (or two) easy steps – quality skincare that is easy to use for you as a mother, while still caring for your skin as best as you can. There is plenty of time to go back to an elaborate regime on the days you have extra time for yourself or once your little one has grown. What about body care during motherhood? It is strange to say that as mothers, we neglect the biggest part of our body – our skin. We take good care of parts of it – our face, our hands and our feet (sometimes) – but the rest, we don’t take care of it as we should…  During pregnancy we religiously slather on oil or body butter on our bellies, mainly to calm the itch, but it felt good to be taking a little extra care of yourself.  As a mom everything needs to be quick and convenient. There are plenty of good body creams on the market that come with handy pump dispensers. Keep your favourite one where you get dressed, so that you can quickly moisturise just before dressing – it is amazing the difference this can make in your mood and confidence. Continue to take care of yourself, being a mom is a superpower! You owe it to yourself to take care of you as best as you can, so that you can be the best mommy you can be. 

October 13, 2020
Prima Baby

Chicco Smart2Play 2-in1 Stacking Cups & Sort & Beat Cube

Chicco has been revolutionising children’s play time for years with small, but effective adjustments to their toy-making thought process by incorporating actions that encourage children to use their cognitive skills to play helps develop the brain and help babies learn problem-solving skills fast.  The Smart2Play range is essentially a developmental range from Chicco that aims at bringing that little something else to children’s playtime. Two new items for 2020 include the 2-in1 Stacking Cups and the Sort & Beat Cube. Stacking Cups have been a firm favourite with children for generations and the basic learning skills that are applied whilst stacking from biggest to smallest, in correct numerical numbers helps baby learn early about puzzle-solving and numbers. With 2 games to play, the stacking cups will keep babies entertained from as young as 6 months, for a long time to come. The Sort & Beat Cube is a large cube puzzle that teaches children about shapes, and cause and effect. Suitable from 1 years of age, the cube has two games to play that will develop their cognitive skills, logical association and hand-eye co-ordination. An amusing and creative experience, the shape-sorting on the sides of the cube and hammering activity of the 2 coloured balls keeps baby laughing whilst learning. The Chicco Smart2Play 2-in1 stacking Cups and Sort & Beat Cube are both available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 13, 2020
Parenting Hub

The link between storytelling and empathy

How we can create more empathetic children by reading to them Bedtime stories. Day time stories. Life time stories. However you tell them, storytelling with your children can be an incredibly powerful tool to helping them gain new perspectives and create shared understanding with those around them. But why is it that stories drive our empathy up and why should we care? As the world struggles through a thirty-year decline in empathy levels, impacting our emotional health, levels of bullying in schools and even frequency of violence, we can’t help but look to the next generation to drive a far deeper sense of empathy between all of us. Deep down we know that our world demands this of us and that we have no choice but to rebuild the connections that evolution bound us to as a pro social society. Studies have now shown that from two years of age, children start to show genuine empathy; understanding how other people feel even when they don’t feel the same way that they do.  When it comes to bringing up empathetic young humans, there are many ways we can empower our children to truly develop the emotional intelligence our world needs.  At its core, the empathetic role modelling we apply at home is probably the most important of these. However, beyond this our commitment to frequently reading stories to our small people has a far deeper relevance than the tales within the books we choose.  Emotional simulation and imagination through storytelling is the foundation for our children’s ability to evolve their capacity to empathise and truly understand others. It allows them to make the leap from their own beautifully self-centered world to recognising that others may feel distinctly different to them – and that recognising this is well within our reach and role. Academic research now shows that reading, or being read to, actually changes the neuro pathways in our brain – it quite literally alters the way we process and think. Our ability to instigate children’s’ imaginations and help them ‘feel’ how others experience the world is a superpower us parents have. And all it takes is a few books to get this started. The reality is that storytelling is extremely powerful for all social creatures and for all of modern civilisation we have been sharing and learning through this medium. From drawings on cave walls to the first religious texts and the first children’s tales homed in books for children in the 1740’s, we have always known that stories positively impact society. Telling our children stories allows them to rapidly understand people’s emotions and realities, bringing the brains of a generation of our children together.  3 compelling reasons why you should read more to your children: Stories transport us and allow children to imagine how another sees the world by feeling as the character does. Stories foster children’s understanding of prosocial behaviours and our ability as humans to work together as part of a group. Stories can be used to break down bias, and foster inclusivity. The power of storytelling in building our humanity and society shouldn’t ever be denigrated to a pre-bedtime routine alone. In April 2020, mid the world’s worst global pandemic in recent history, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, made the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy qualified ‘Essential Workers.’ As this news story unfolded across the planet we saw the belief in the power of storytelling for our children at an unpreceded level.  When the leaders of entire countries are imapacting policy to ensure that storytelling and imagination remain at the top of the national agenda – and that our children remain connected to the power of empathising with others (fictional or otherwise) we know that we are onto something that can truly change the face of our, and our children’s, future. By Mimi Nicklin. Mimi Nicklin hosts Empathy for Breakfast, a weekly breakfast show, and a podcast, Secrets of the Gap. She is also a mom and an author, and you can pre-order her debut book, Softening the Edge here. 

October 12, 2020
Parenting Hub

New Study Shows That Playing With Dolls Allows Children To Develop Empathy And Social Processing Skills

Today, Barbie®, and a team of neuroscientists from Cardiff University, announces findings of a new study conducted using neuroscience for the first time to explore the positive impact doll play has on children, bringing to light new evidence that doll play activates brain regions that allow children to develop empathy and social information processing skills, even when playing by themselves. Over the past 18 months, senior lecturer Dr. Sarah Gerson and colleagues at Cardiff University’s Centre for Human Developmental Science have used neuroimaging technology to provide the first indications of the benefits of doll play at a brain level. Through monitoring the brain activity of 33 children* between the ages of 4 and 8, as they played with a range of Barbie dolls, the team found that the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), a region of the brain associated with social information processing such as empathy, was activated even when the child was playing on their own. These benefits of solo doll play were shown to be equal for both boys and girls. Dr. Gerson explains: “This is a completely new finding. We use this area of the brain when we think about other people, especially when we think about another person’s thoughts or feelings. Dolls encourage them to create their own little imaginary worlds, as opposed to say, problem-solving or building games. They encourage children to think about other people and how they might interact with each other. The fact that we saw the pSTS to be active in our study shows that playing with dolls is helping them rehearse some of the social skills they will need in later life. Because this brain region has been shown to play a similar role in supporting empathy and social processing across six continents, these findings are likely to be country agnostic”. To gather the data for the study, the children’s play was split into different sections so the Cardiff team could capture the brain activity relating to each other kind of play separately: playing with the dolls on their own; playing with the dolls together with another person (the research assistant); playing with the tablet game on their own and playing with the tablet game along with another person (the research assistant). The dolls used included a diverse range of Barbie dolls and play sets, with all Barbie dolls and sets returned to starting positions before each child began their test to ensure consistency of experience. Tablet play was carried out using games that allow children to engage with open and creative play (rather than a rule or goal-based games) to provide a similar play experience to doll play.  The findings of the study show that when children played alone with dolls, they showed the same levels of activation of the pSTS as they do when playing with others. Another finding of the study is that when children were left to play tablet games on their own, there was far less activation of the pSTS, even though the games involved a considerable creative element.  To understand the relevancy of these neuroscience findings, Barbie independently commissioned a global survey** that asked more than 15,000 parents of children in 22 countries. Results of this showed 91 percent of parents ranked empathy as a key social skill they would like their child to develop, but only 26 percent were aware that doll play could help their child develop these skills. During this time at home, parents are increasingly worried about ensuring their child is developing social development skills, with more than two-thirds (70 percent) saying they are concerned about how this isolation might affect their child and how their child interacts with others. Similarly, 74 percent of parents are more likely to encourage their child to play with a toy if they knew it was proven to help their child develop social and emotional skills, like empathy. “As leaders in the dolls category, we’ve always known that doll play has a positive impact on kids, but up until now, we have not had neuroscientific data that demonstrates these benefits,” says Lisa McKnight, SVP and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “The findings of this research highlights that playing with dolls, such as Barbie, offers positive benefits in preparing children for the future through nurturing social skills like empathy.  As we continue to inspire the limitless potential in every child, we are proud to offer dolls that encourage skills we know are highly valued by parents and are determinants in children’s future emotional, academic, and social success.” Barbie will be supporting these findings with an online hub, Barbie.com/Benefits, featuring resources for parents, caregivers, and children, to assist them in enhancing and applying their social processing skills. These resources have been developed alongside leading empathy expert, writer, and educational psychologist, Dr. Michele Borba. Michele Borba says: “The latest scientific findings from Cardiff University and Barbie are extraordinary and so relevant to the times we are living, given the limited social interaction our children can have. It’s been shown that children who have developed empathy and social skills early in life can have better grades, stay in school longer and make healthier choices overall. Empathetic children might also be more likely to stand up for a child being bullied and try to engage and resolve the conflict. Understanding that kids can help develop these skills through playing with dolls like Barbie, is remarkable and a helpful tool for parents.”  The results of the study are published today in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience as ‘Exploring the Benefits of Doll Play through Neuroscience.’ Recognising that this study is a first step towards understanding the positive impact of doll play with further research required to build on these initial findings, Dr. Sarah Gerson and the Cardiff University team along with Mattel, have committed to further neuroscience studies in 2021.

October 12, 2020
Impaq

How to change a learner’s perception of difficulty to achieve success

In the days of old, children were expected to go to school, do their homework, study for tests and do okay. There didn’t seem to be the issues of today where children struggle to focus and concentrate, where the psychological needs of the child must be attended to and taken into consideration. Where the way we, as parents, encourage our children is put under the microscope.  In the days of old, the odd child may have had dyslexia or some learning issues, but these were certainly not common or if they were, were indeed not widely known by other learners. Raising 21st-century kids Parents today must deal with far more, so it seems – firstly we are in the middle of the technological revolution so that our children are already distracted by the lure of the smartphone, tablet, etc. Today, knowledge about ADHD, ADD, processing issues and so on is vast. It is not uncommon for many children to be receiving some additional therapy and to be on medications to help them focus. The good part is that there is no stigma with this, and instead, children often happily compare their different meds with each other.  Also read: Parents, here’s how screen time can work in your favour Awareness is huge, and with that comes the next area of ‘how-to’. How do we encourage our children to succeed at school, without damaging their self-esteem? How do we motivate them and not discourage them though incorrect parenting practices?  Defining success I believe that an important question to ask ourselves before we even start with our children is what we, as parents, value and consider to be important in terms of their academic success. Also read: there’s more to life than academic achievement Parents often fall into these three categories: Some parents are not concerned about their children’s marks and place more emphasis on sporting achievements.  Some parents are not particularly worried about results and want their children to be happy.  Some parents are very concerned, and even sometimes pushy, with their children achieving the very best, no matter what. Developing a strong work ethic In my years of parenting children at school and especially being the mother of ADHD children and having many moments of despair along the scholastic road, what has been the most important goal for me is for my children to have a decent work ethic. Children must learn from an early age to do the following:  study in advance prepare their work in good time use planners and calendars to coordinate their study time, leisure time and extra murals Planning their time prepares children for high school and university where there is an increased workload and often more extracurricular activities. Planning their time also helps with their perception of difficulty as the tools of planning, organising, and prioritising cannot be underestimated. Understanding how children learn What also helps children to succeed is if they know their learning styles. We each have a different type of learning that makes work easier for us to access. The VARK analysis refers to these four different learning styles, namely: V – verbal  A – auditory  R – reading  K – kinaesthetic  Learners who can understand how they learn from an earlier age, be it through having to learn aloud, using visual images, highlighters or having to carry out projects, science experiments and so on, learn how to integrate the information into their memories.  As parents, we can observe our children from the primary school years and see the most effective ways they learn and access the work. Providing them with this information also helps to give them ways to approach the subject in the best way for their brains, which improves their perception of difficulty. It is all about having tools and feeling confident in being able to use them effectively. Also read: Encouraging your child to succeed – the do’s and don’ts Defining learners’ perception of difficulty Children’s’ perception of difficulty and ease of work affects their attitude towards the work. A recent study showed that what people think ease and difficulty means for them is very important. If learners are given work that they deem as easy but trivial, i.e. meaningless and beneath them, they are less motivated to carry out the work. If the task is perceived as easy but meaningful, i.e. leading to positive outcomes, learners are more motivated to carry it out.  At the same time, work that is perceived as difficult and impossible to achieve lowers learners’ motivation. In contrast, work that is perceived as difficult but challenging and worthwhile motivates learners to try harder. Therefore, the way the work is presented to the learners is important. It would be a good idea for facilitators to get an idea of this to motivate learners better.  Emphasising effort  Another essential key to this is emphasising effort as opposed to results. Learners can get demotivated and demoralised if they see the work as beyond their capabilities. The aim is to create children with a growth mindset. This concept was developed by Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist who distinguished between two different mindsets – a growth one and a fixed one.  Fixed mindset – people with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities are fixed and can’t be changed or improved upon. Growth mindset – people with a growth mindset believe that with effort and practice, they can improve and change their outcomes.  The growth mindset is the one we want to instil in our children. Suppose they believe that with effort and practice, they can make a difference in their understanding and accessibility to the work. In that case, they will be more motivated to try harder and put that effort in so that the focus is not on difficulty but effort and input. This, in turn, brings about results. There are many ways to help our children with their perception of difficulty to achieve success, whatever that may mean to each parent. The most important

October 12, 2020
Parenting Hub

Get total protection for everyday oral hygiene with Biorepair®

The health of your mouth is important at every stage of your life and there’s no better time to pay extra attention to your dental routine.  With two of the world’s most common health problems affecting the mouth – cavities and gum disease, it really is in your best interest to practice good oral hygiene. Not only does it ensure a beautiful smile, but it is good for your health. Just like adults, it is important for little ones to look after their teeth too.  Children’s tooth enamel is thinner and more vulnerable than an adult’s. It is important to remineralise it to defend it from the acid attacks caused by sugar. Another important step to maintaining good oral hygiene is daily flossing.  Both interdental brushes and floss penetrate the places your toothbrush cannot reach, protecting against the formation of the dental plaque that causes cavities and inflamed gums. Biorepair®, the first and only toothpaste in the world that repairs tooth enamel based on the patented microRepair® technology (zinc-substituted-carbonate-hydroxyapatite crystals) offers total protection for everyday oral hygiene. It repairs the enamel surface and protects it from cavities plaque and tartar build-up.  What are microRepair® particles? A MicroRepair® particle is very similar to the composition of tooth enamel. This similarity gives microRepair® a biomimetic property, allowing the micro-particles to integrate permanently with tooth enamel and dentine, no matter the condition of the mouth, thus repairing enamel and dentine evenly and naturally. The microRepair® particles form an even coating on the tooth surface, penetrating cracks in the enamel and chemically binding to it, thus repairing and remineralising them. From total protection, and sensitive teeth to gum protection and teeth whitening, the Biorepair® range of oral care products will take care of all your oral hygiene concerns. Biorepair® Gum Protection Mouthwash (R129.99) is the only high-density formula with microRepair® that provides greater adhesion to the teeth. It helps fight gum disease, preventing bleeding and inflammation of the gums, promotes tissue healing and strengthens gums thanks to its hydrating and protective properties. It also prevents plaque and tartar build-up, provides an antioxidant and protective function for the oral mucosa and offers relief for gums thanks to the astringent and soothing properties of the natural ingredients.  Biorepair® Fast Sensitive Repair Toothpaste (R79.99) reduces dentinal sensitivity immediately. It closes the tubules, preventing thermal stimuli from reaching the tooth, prevents enamel erosion and the loss of natural tooth whiteness. Biorepair® Total Protective Repair Toothpaste (R74.99) repairs the enamel surface, protecting against plaque, tartar build-up and cavities. Biorepair® Pro White Toothpaste (R74.99) returns the natural white of your smile. It protects the enamel from the daily erosion process, restores the natural whiteness of teeth and uses an innovative PVP whitening technology. Biorepair® Gum Protection Toothpaste (R74.99) protects and strengthens sensitive gums. It repairs and regenerates gingival tissues, allows for antibacterial and anti-plaque action and has astringent and soothing properties. Biorepair® KidsToothpaste (R49.95) contains MicroRepair®, which strengthens tooth enamel and promotes the proper development of healthy permanent teeth.  Biorepair® Junior 7-14 Toothpaste (R49.95) contains MicroRepair®, which strengthens and protects tooth enamel from cavities while they are developing and is ideal for remineralising the erosion caused by braces. With the addition of the antioxidant Vitamin E, it helps to maintain healthy gums. Biorepair® Interdental Brushes (R79.99) are made with the innovative SELFCLEANING POLYMER technology and microRepair®, particles made up of the same substance as enamel, which penetrate into places toothbrushes cannot reach. Biorepair® Floss (R69.99) reaches where brushing cannot. The floss features microRepair particles, which are made from the same substance as tooth enamel, helping maintain tooth integrity. Exclusive to selected Clicks stores.

October 9, 2020
Wendy Offer Designs

Planning a party on a budget

Trust me it can be done, and you can still have lots of fun! I need to add a disclaimer here – I am all for people having large and lavish parties for their kids if they can afford it and all power to them, so if you are one of those parents you can stop reading and move on.  I am a mom who is very chilled when it comes to parties and I always try and keep things to a minimum while my kids still have a lot of fun, in fact they talk about their parties for days afterwards which is basically all I ever want as a parent, happy children who felt very special on their birthday and I promise it does not have to break the bank. I have 2 boys and their birthdays are less than 2 weeks apart, although there is a 4-year age gap between them. During lockdown this year James turned 12 and Connor turned 8 but we unfortunately could not have a party, but they were completely fine with that and I am very proud of them. In general, as a family we have always kept our parties low key mainly with a family braai in the afternoon while having a small party of maximum of 10 kids in the morning. Having both the braai and the party on the same day means the family gets to enjoy the excitement of the party and you do not have to spend extra money on party food etc on 2 different days – bonus for your budget if you ask me! As you can see, practicality wins the day when it comes to celebrating in my household. My kids sit down with me and together we choose a party theme (they must both agree on 1 theme which sometimes does take a while). They each get to choose 5 friends to invite and we go from there. With the exception of one year we have always had our parties at our house which again makes it more budget friendly. I am also lucky enough to be a graphic designer by trade, so I design all my own invitations and decorations, but I still normally keep things simple. Although I do have a confession to make – I do splurge on balloons because what is a party without lots of balloons! Right, enough about me and my kids, let us get down to how YOU can plan your own party on a budget. I am not going to go into hectic detail just give you quick rundown on what to think about. First rule – before you even start chatting to your kids about their party or planning anything you need to decide how much money you can afford to spend on your party. NEVER promise your kids anything before you know you can afford it because that is when disappointment happens, smaller kids won’t understand why you promised them a clown or a magician and then when their party comes around there isn’t one they will be very disappointed… and trust me they WILL REMEMBER… kids remember everything that you promise them whether you want them to or not! So, you have sat down and worked out how much you can afford for your party, now onto the next step – the venue.  Are you going to have the party at home? Can you have a party at your home, or do you live somewhere where you need to have the party elsewhere? Obviously if you are not able to hold the party at your home then your first big decision has been made for you. A budget friendly tip is if you cannot afford a venue why not ask if you can hold the party at a friend or family member’s house to keep your costs down. If you are still stuck for a venue how about using a local park, the beach or even the local public swimming pool. I am not going to go into details about actual party venues as there are so many options available and the cost can go from reasonable to extravagant so all I am going to say about it is this, do your homework on the different venue options you have available to you, find out if they offer any sort of discounts or extra’s before making your final decision. Right, so you have your budget sorted, your venue sorted and by now you have decided how many kids are being invited… now it is time to think about your actual party. How much money have you got left to spend on invitations, party food, party décor etc? Invitations  Nowadays invitations can be as expensive or as budget friendly as you like. In fact, they could even cost you nothing. If you are on a very tight budget how about using your computer and creating your own simple invitation to send out electronically via email or whatsapp. I cannot remember the last time I printed invitations for any of my parties. If you do not want to or can’t design your own invitation there are graphic designers (like myself) who will design a personalised digital invitation especially for your child’s party. I am not sure how everyone else works but I create invitations and then I just whatsapp them to all the parents of the kids invited. I find that a lot less hassle than printing each out and then sending them to school with your child and hope he/she hands them out and doesn’t forget them… and then of course making sure the person it was intended for actually received their invitation. A few years ago, I was emptying out my son’s school bag and found an invitation to a party that was a month past… he had completely forgotten about it! Décor Again, décor can also be as budget friendly or as expensive as you like. I found a great

October 8, 2020
Prima Baby

Chicco First Dreams Nest

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. A new favourite from First Dreams is the Nest.  Available in either soft pink or baby blue, the padded cushion nest is the perfect nursery item to cuddle baby during nap time from 2 months old. As the baby grows, the item can be used for tummy time activities and abdominal strengthening, and eventually a firm back support during sitting.  The padded sides safely prevent baby from rolling over, while the toys, teethers and mirror on the sides provide stimulation for the senses. It also has a musical box to play soft classical music, as well as shining lights for your little ones amusement. All in all, the Nest provides baby with a comfy, cuddly playpen that can be used in their crib, on your bed, or on the floor. The Chicco First Dreams Nest is available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 8, 2020
Parenting Hub

Modern children and where to find them: 73% of South African parents do not track their children’s location

Parents have always managed to set geographical boundaries – where their children could go and where they could not – back in time. Nowadays there is another opportunity to monitor the child’s whereabouts – to track the location of them using special software. Yet, according to Kaspersky’s special survey for parents, not many parents in South Africa realise this. According to the “Responsible Digital Parenting” survey*, 73% of South African parents do not track the location of their child. The reasons for this vary: 37% have never thought of tracking the location, while 31% do not know how to do it. There is an option to have the software, which lets parents locate their children on a map and set a safe area for them to stay in, installed on their children’s devices. However, 41% of parents in South Africa claim they do not have it installed on any of their devices. “Modern times offer a wide range of tools which can help in preventing accidents in real or digital life. It is crucial to know how to use them, what their benefits are, and, actually, use them. Tracking your child’s location can definitely save you a lot of trouble – its advantages lie also in the fact that it allows to control not only digital, but also real life of the child,” commented Andrey Sidenko, Head of Child Safety at Kaspersky Network. To secure and protect your child both in digital and in real life, Kaspersky strongly recommends following this advice: Learn more on the topic of children’s cybersecurity: explore modern trends, apps, the way of behavior that has to be adopted in order to safeguard against dangers (for instance, the basic security rules while on the Internet); update your network security knowledge periodically, use the Kaspersky blog https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/ to do this. Communicate with your child and define the borders which are not meant to be crossed: discuss with them safe locations both real and webpages. Install a reliable security solution such as Kaspersky Safe Kids to monitor your child’s activity successfully.  Reference: *The “Responsible Digital Parenting” survey was implemented in conjunction with Toluna research agency in the end of 2019 – beginning of 2020. 5000 respondents from META region and Baltic states participated in the survey.

October 8, 2020
Parenting Hub

Everything a new mom needs to know about claiming maternity benefits in South Africa

It’s not cheap to have kids in SA. The time you’ll take off work to care for your newborn might be yet another unexpected expense you’ll have to recover in some way. But that’s where maternity benefits come in. You just have to know when and how to claim it! About South Africa’s Maternity Benefits In SA, working moms get up to four months of paid maternity leave. In order to take care of your newborn without too many financial worries, you’ll need to fill in a few documents and pay a visit (or three) to the Department of Home Affairs. But here’s a rough guide for new moms looking to claim UIF maternity benefits: You can claim UIF Maternity Benefits if: You are a South African citizen in possession of a valid green barcoded ID Book Are a foreign national with a valid passport and meet basic UIF Maternity Benefit criteria You pay UIF contributions every month You are adopting a kid under the age of two years old Are self-employed, and you are a member of a Closed Corporation or a Company You can NOT claim UIF Maternity Benefits if: You work less than 24 hours a month for any given employer You are a student You work as a public servant You receive a monthly state pension You only earn commission Documents you’ll need to claim UIF Maternity Benefits After the birth of your baby, you will need a total of 8 documents in order to apply for and claim maternity benefits in South Africa. These include: Two recent payslips A bank statement An original ID or passport or a certified copy of either one of these documents Banking details and a completed form UI-2.8 A completed UI-2.7 form, completed by your employer, stating a record of all the funds you received as an employee during your time of employment A completed form UI-2.3, which is the UIF Maternity Benefits application form A medical certificate or your baby’s birth certificate as proof that you actually had a baby A completed form UI-4 (follow up form), which ensures the continuation of payment of maternity benefits Where to claim maternity benefits in South Africa New moms will have to go to their nearest labour centre in order to submit the documentation before they can receive maternity benefits. You can expect compensation of between 38% and 58% of your gross monthly salary when applying for your UIF Maternity Benefits.  New moms are entitled to between one and four month’s compensation for every six months they have worked. Are you looking to start a new venture? Now that your baby is part of your life, you might be looking for a more flexible job opportunity. Why not head over to Adzuna’s career listings and start searching for your dream job today?

October 7, 2020
Parenting Hub

Birthday fun!

Kids love birthdays.  Not only because it usually signals spoils and presents but they adorably cannot wait to get older.  With each year comes more opportunity and freedom.   Unlike adults they often ‘round up’ their age, proudly saying ‘I’m nearly 5’, when they are still quite a few sleeps away from the actual day.   For adults, these birthdays can be a little more daunting, especially parents who try hard to make their child’s birthday a special and memorable event.  It’s the stress of deciding who to invite, what food to serve, the party games, a theme and cake, decorations … not to mention budget. A starting point for any party planning is deciding on a date and then setting a budget.  Remember, that there are plenty of fun and inexpensive ways to make a party entertaining.  Once you know your budget you can decide on a venue, the number of children you can invite, set a theme, design invitations and sort out entertainment. Catering can be tricky, especially with allergies and dietary requirements, so it’s best to make sure the guests let you know if they have food preferences. If you have a child’s birthday approaching and are finding even the prospect of this ‘to do’ list too overwhelming, perhaps you should consider using a venue that offers a comprehensive party service.  There are loads of child-friendly venues that host kiddies parties. One of the newest on the block in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs is Playstation by Rush – an indoor adventure park for children aged 2 to 13.  Playstation has a dedicated event organiser and also allocates a party host to make sure things run smoothly and the kids have the best time. Why not opt for the simple, no-fuss but full of fun birthday party at a suitable venue …without feeling guilty? Fuss-free fun Playstation has two private party rooms that can accommodate from 5 (minimum) to 20. It’s about more than just good food, cake and fun.  It’s about family and friends sharing special moments without having the worry of organising the party!  It’s simply a case of showing up and enjoying the occasion. There are three party plan options, either catered or self-catered. This includes two hours of play, party packs for the little guests and a gift for the guest of honour. The team sort out everything from the setup to the fun and catering.  And of course they clean up afterward.  No mess, no fuss, for you!  Entertainment galore  And to keep the kiddies busy there is loads of action and something for everyone.  The adventure maze is a world of challenging levels, swing bridges and lots of nooks and crannies. There’s a 4m climbing wall and a 40m bike track – you can bring your child’s own bike or borrow one from the park so they can race around and try to beat the clock.  For younger children there’s the little kids’ city and mini-slides.  But one of the highlights, which even adults enjoy, are the super 6m long slides, definitely for the brave hearted!  A thumbs up Recently the playpark received a high five from a mom who hosted a party and posted her FB review: ‘What a wonderful 5th party at Playstation by Rush. The kids had a ball. They took care of everything from start to finish.  Hassle free and you return to a clean house.’ General Manager, Damon Walmsley, who is a father of 3-year old twins says that the party offering is designed to allow parents time to enjoy their children’s parties.  ‘My kids are only just three but I know how stressed my wife and I were hosting their first two parties. We were so busy keeping an eye on everyone, making sure the kids were having fun, that there was enough food,  we hardly got to share in the experience.   ‘But their 3rd birthday was held at Playstation and what a difference.  We were able to enjoy the time with our kids and their friends.  Parents of the friends didn’t ‘drop and go’ but stayed to enjoy some good food in the restaurant while their kids enjoyed the party.’ So, end those sleepless nights about party planning … as a parent you too can tap into your inner child and count down the sleeps knowing everything is under control! For more information on the party plan options available from Playstation go to www.playstation.rushsa.co.za

October 7, 2020
TGRC

TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO GO GREEN

– The importance schooling children to recycle and care for their environment –  From a tender age, we’re filling our children’s absorbent minds with need–to-know information. As parents, our goal is for perfect manners to become second nature, and for important habits to be instilled as early as possible – like brushing teeth, packing away toys and putting on seatbelts.  As parents, we have the opportunity to help develop a generation of eco-warriors. We teach our children to say please and thank you, we tell them not to talk to strangers, not to litter, and so many other small yet essential life skills that we don’t even consciously think about. Why then should lessons in environmental protection and recycling be any different?  The future of recycling lies in the hands of our youth, and these are also the individuals who will carry the burden of higher carbon footprints if it is not reduced. The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) consists of a team dedicated to increasing glass recycling in South Africa. TGRC is passionate about ensuring every South African realises the value of recycling glass and actively embraces this practice. It’s up to us to empower our children by educating them as to the positive effect that recycling will have on our environment, and how they can make a difference.  To ensure that your family gets as green as possible this month, the following tips will help to keep you on top of your ‘green game’: To find a glass bank in your area, visit the Glass Recycling Company website www.tgrc.co.za or you can also follow TGRC on Twitter (@TGRC), or on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheGlassRecyclingCo Recycle all glass containers – not just beverage bottles. Containers which hold food and are made of glass are all recyclable Explain to your family what is recyclable and what is not.  For example, light bulbs and cookware such as “Pyrex”, light bulbs, laboratory glass, windshields and window pane glass are NOT recyclable. They have different properties that can contaminate a recyclable load of glass Reuse old containers – they are great for storing paint, crayons, buttons and arts and crafts tools such as paint brushes, rulers and much more Plan your trips to the bottle banks to fit into your daily schedule – it will become part of your routine rather than a chore! Take your children along with you and show them how and where to put their bottles In South Africa, it is not necessary to wash glass before placing it into glass banks and in addition to this, we don’t need to separate different coloured glass into separate banks.  All in all – recycling is very easy Encourage your child’s school to participate in TGRC’s Schools Competition by completing the application form on the website – Entry form There’s no excuse – once you’ve decided to do it, recycling glass is easy and should leave you with a spring in your step! The benefits of glass recycling There are many reasons to love glass; it’s the healthiest packaging solution as it is inert, it preserves the flavour of food and drink, can be recycled over and over again, and is a beautiful, natural substance. The benefits of using glass packaging are endless.  Glass is synonymous with quality and its many characteristics, from the different textures, its clarity and striking colours, have led to the beautiful packaging becoming iconic and even collectable. The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) has a heart for glass and so should you! To better convince South Africans of this, TGRC showcases five reasons to have a heart for glass: Glass is made of natural substances and does affect quality of the contents it contains. Glass bottles can be returned and refilled repeatedly Returnable glass bottles are sterilised and refilled. Certain returnable glass bottles can be taken back to your retailer, after which they are refilled by the beverage manufacture. Returnable bottles include quart beer bottles, glass cool drink bottles and even many of the bottles used for spirits and liquor.  Glass is easily reused   Jars and bottles are great as vases or décor items, and can be cleverly crafted as creative candle holders; Glass is also ideal for storing food items and your arts and crafts supplies. Glass is 100% recyclable  This means glass can be recycled endlessly, in fact every new glass bottle and jar made in our country contains over 40% recycled glass! Glass is timeless and elegant Ever since the first glass bottles and jars were handcrafted, glass has become the only packaging type that inspires consumers to showcase it in their own homes for its aesthetic appeal.

October 6, 2020
My Breastpump

Breast pumps that protect from Bacterial and viral contamination of your breast milk.

Ameda breast pumps have been designed for your comfort and safety and are the only FDA approved closed system breast pumps available in South Africa. Ameda developed the first truly closed system breast pump which prevents bacterial and viral contamination of your breast milk. Ameda is committed to the safety of mothers and their infants and has made expressing breast milk safer a priority, this commitment goes back a many years resulting in Ameda leading way of the breast pump industry with closed system breast pumps.  Ameda is dedicated to making sure babies are safe and mothers are confident that their breast pump is a proper closed system. For mothers of NICU this is incredibly important because premature infants need to be protected from any possible infections. Did you know that the difference between an open and closed system breast pump is, and why it is so important when considering buying a new breast pump?  Before you decide on the brand of breast pump find out if the brand has open system, a back-flow protector or is a closed system. True closed system breast pumps are the gold standard of breast pumps because it prevents not only the back flow of milk but is also clinically proven to prevent the movement of bacteria and viruses. Closed system breast pumps are designed in such a way that your breast milk, bacteria, and viruses are prevented from moving into the tubing and getting in the motor and casing of the pump. Once the milk is in the tubing or pump case it is exceedingly difficult to clean, if not impossible, and allows for the growth of the bacteria and viruses. This is all made possible without compromising the suction ability of the pump. Ameda developed the HygieniKit (the parts of the breast pump that collects the milk and attached to the motor of the pump, including the tubing) which can be used with all its pumps both private and Hospital Grade rentals. The HygieniKit has been tested and approved by the FDA as a true closed system pump. How it works is simple but very clever. The HygieniKit has a silicone diaphragm at the top of the flange (part that touches your breast) just before the tubing starts. This means that your milk stays in the flange and does not enter the tubing at all. The FDA tested the diaphragm to confirm if it is an effective barrier for milk, bacteria and viruses’ milk and does not allow any movement between the milk collection and the pump side. In the first part of the test, milk was contaminated with bacteria and viruses and the pump was then run, when they tested the tubing and pump side no traces of milk, bacteria or viruses was found in either. In the second part of the testing, bacteria viruses and milk were placed inside the pump and tubing and then the pump was run. Once again, the silicone diaphragm had prevented the movement of milk, bacteria and viruses from the pump and tubing into the breast milk. The result is that your milk stays where it is meant to be, and your pump stays clean. The tubing lasts longer because you never need to clean the inside or replace it because of milk build up, your pump motor lasts longer because it is kept dry. To learn more about the Ameda closed system breast pumps see the My Breastpump website: www.mybreastpump.co.za Open system breast pumps are not able to protect your pump or the tubing from milk build up or the growth of bacteria or viruses. As we all know breast milk is full of nutrients and if left uncleaned it is the perfect medium for bacteria and viruses to grow. This can happen if you have breast milk stuck in your pump tubing or in the motor. If you have this growth,  spores or viral particles can be pumped back into your newly expressed breast milk. Another problem with having milk in your motor is that as it dries the milk becomes sticky. This can damage your motor and result in your pump having less pressure. Although open system pumps are popular, they have become antiquated because they do not protect your baby from contaminated breast milk.  If you would like to see what it looks like when there is mould in a breast pump just run a google image search of breast pumps with mould. Sometimes the mould growth is so much that you can smell it coming from the pump. If this happens it is time to get a new pump and consider changing to a closed system pump.  Back flow protectors are relatively new in South Africa. What this means is that the pump has a valve between the flange (the part that touches your breast) and the motor of the pump. They help to protect against milk traveling backwards into the tubing and the pump motor but have not been tested against bacterial and viral contamination or movement around the pump. Another point to consider is where the backflow protector is placed. Research has shown that the first 4 cm from the flange is most likely to have the most bacteria and growth if the pump is not a proper closed system. If the back-flow protector is placed along the tubing, it is not protecting all of the tubing from the milk entering it.  There are so many different breast pump brands available in South Africa and it can make choosing a breast pump difficult. Ameda has made the choice so much easier for you because you know that with Ameda your breast pump has been tested and approved as a true closed system breast pump, which protects you and your baby from milk back flow and contamination of bacteria and viruses. The Ameda difference is all about mothers’ comfort and confidence that her milk will always stay purely hers.  If you would like to learn more about the

October 6, 2020
Bennetts

Massaging Your Baby

Massage is a lovely way of expressing your love for your baby; it is a time to bond with your little bundle of joy. Benefits of Baby Massage Massaging your baby has many benefits; it can help your baby to develop mentally, physically and socially. It helps your little one to relax, cry less and sleep better. As a parent it can help you feel more empowered as you learn to handle your baby with more confidence. It is special times set aside to bond with your little one, talk to him/her, and have plenty of eye contact. A regular message with dad also helps your partner to connect with your little one and bring them closer together. Best Time To Massage Baby: Ideally try and massage your baby between feeds, when he/she is not too hungry or full. It is best to massage your baby when he/she is awake but content. Massaging your baby as part of a bedtime routine, ideally just after a bath, will help your baby wind down and be calm and ready for sleep. Have everything you need ready before you start the massage. Ensure the room is warm and that baby will be comfortable with the temperature. Have massage oil (Bennetts Bath Drops is ideal for baby massage as it is colour and fragrance free and suitable for your little one’s sensitive skin), a towel to dry or clean afterwards, clothes to dress your baby and everything you need for a nappy change at hand to ensure your little one stays calm after the massage.

October 6, 2020
Parenting Hub

Forward to matric: getting your head in the game, in a game changer year

The clock is ticking for an estimated 1.1 million Matrics from the Class of 2020, who will sit for their final exams in two months’ time after arguably the most challenging year they would have faced during their school careers. With uncertainty still lingering about much of what is to come, these students now have to ensure they get in the right frame of mind to perform to the best of their ability despite the unprecedented circumstances and novel logistical arrangements they will face, an education expert says. “Learners must now take stock of where they are academically, and determine what ground still needs to be covered so that they are fully prepared,” says Wonga Ntshinga, Senior Head of Programme: Faculty of ICT at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education institution. “On top of this, they need to work through any concerns around the rest of the year, exam logistics, and their future plans so that they can put aside those issues causing anxiety and focus solely on their revision,” he says. Ntshinga says while this year’s Matrics face additional stressors on top of the regular challenges associated with Matric finals, they should know that there are more additional resources than ever before to ensure they complete their final year of school as well as possible. “Now is the time to assess your performance to date – possibly based on your preliminary exams if your school wrote them – and see how much ground you still need to cover before exams start. And very importantly, learners need to draw up a comprehensive study schedule and stick to it. Don’t just get up every morning and wing it. You have to keep track every day to ensure you stay on schedule, and if you are not, you need to adapt your approach.” Ntshinga says Matrics need to come to terms with the fact that things will feel strange in the exam room, so that they are fully prepared and not distracted by the logistics, such as writing while wearing a mask. “Taking control now for your own performance is the most powerful approach to take. And remember that there are many people and organisations out there from where you can obtain additional support if you need it. By claiming your focus, you can and will make a positive difference to your results,” he says. It is also worth remembering that the way learning happens now is the way it is likely to be for some time still. “Even when going into higher education next year, there is likely to still be restrictions and safety precautions in place, so don’t waste precious energy fretting about the unusual nature of things, and rather embrace the situation and hone your independent learning skills.” Ntshinga says learners can access additional help and resources quite easily in the following places: WEBSITES OF PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS “There are some excellent resources available in the public sector, including study and revision advice, past papers, exam dates and concept lists for specific subjects. Remember that it doesn’t matter where you live, you can access the advice on the websites of other provincial departments as well.” HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS “Institutions such as The IIE’s Varsity College, Rosebank College and IIE MSA have gone all out to ensure they provide additional assistance to Matrics, such as through bootcamps, subject revision, past paper provision and so forth. Contact an institution near you to hear about any additional Matric support they provide, or follow them on social media to receive regular updates and support.” GENERAL ONLINE RESOURCES “There is a wealth of advice freely available on the internet that can help you with your studies. Just be sure to access information from a reputable and credible source.” Ntshinga says that while everyone must remain vigilant about the virus by maintaining the necessary social distancing and safety protocols, learners must push on with positivity and work toward the future.  “Everyone is aware of the unique challenges facing this year’s Matrics, so it is important not to panic but rather to exert control within your sphere of influence – your own mindset. Even though the current circumstances are difficult, there is a wealth of support available, and even if you are not yet on track, you have enough time if you start right now to make a success of your final year.”

October 6, 2020
Cleverdon Preschool

Play Based Learning in the Heart of Bryanston

Why Play based learning?  Simply put, children (and adults) learn through play, developing the whole child holistically.  Play based learning is a type of early childhood education based on child-led and open-ended play. This provides a framework for learning where children can organise and make sense of the world around them.  It is a voluntary and enjoyable activity with no purpose or end goal. If you are thinking ‘mud kitchens’ or fantasy play or finger painting, you are on the right track. Children engage in play on their own and explore different materials; they play with each other and use materials to represent other objects (symbolic play) which holds great value in developing imagination, cognitive skills and social competence. One of the elements of play based learning is it encourages the development of language skills. By interacting with their peers they develop their vocabulary and comprehension skills.  The context of play allows this to happen in a natural way and learning is amplified as it is enjoyable and relevant to the child’s interests. Music and rhyme supports the development of pre-literacy skills such as listening skills and sound recognition, laying the foundations for reading and basic literacy. It also helps to develop their memorisation skills and their ability to differentiate sounds. The development of social and emotional skills is crucial to the development and learning of a child.  Engagement in play is closely associated to the development of these skills as children share social experiences and play co-operative games.  Think team work and cooperation, collaborative planning, expressing ideas. It develops a sense of belonging.  Emotional competence and empathy are developed through play as they learn about feelings, emotions and motivation of others.  Engaging in dramatized play demonstrates ways of caring and showing empathy. Fantasy play is a vehicle for a child to make sense of the world around them and to try to understand their emotions. It fosters creativity and imagination, traits that are vital in the modern world.  Using their imagination, they are able to problem solve and find solutions to a variety of problems.  This in turn develops a natural curiosity and improved potential for learning in later life.  Imagination is all about symbols; laundry baskets become a car or a stick a sword and so on. Understanding symbols is key to reading and writing as letters are symbols. The same would apply to mathematical concepts and numbers.  Playing in the mud kitchen or baking; imagine all the measuring and filling and emptying, too much or too little, how many, too thick or too thin, too big or too small and so on;  Thus developing all the pre-maths skills. Basic scientific concepts are developed through play, for example, what happens when you stack block on top of another or  balancing one side with the other to make it stand or what does the feather or a bird feel like or the shell of a tortoise. Physical development refers to both fine and gross motor development and how a child uses their body.  Through play children build physical strength, coordination, balance, position of their bodies in space, fine motor coordination and manipulation, hand eye coordination and foot eye coordination. Running, jumping, climbing, swinging, ball games and so on.  They get a healthy amount of exercise. Children are exposed to so many different tactile experiences through their play; The feeling of wood, sand, soft toys, water, paint and more.  These sensory experiences are important for the development of the neural pathways and their sensory integration system. Art and play also include many sensory experiences.  Creative activities which are process focused, have no rules to guide the children as there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to create thereby allowing them to express their ideas in a way they want to and they feel successful no matter what they make. During this process there is problem solving, sequential organising, logical thinking visual perceptual and many more skills being developed. “A considerable amount of research in the field of play-based learning is indicative of the profound importance of play on the overall development of a child.  Playing helps the brain develop cognitive abilities, establish new neural connections, and make us more intelligent in multiple aspects at once.  It improves the ability to perceive others emotional states and adapt to ever changing circumstances” It’s important that when a child gets to school they are comfortable in a school setting, comfortable engaging with other children and excited to learn.  Emotional learning is as important, if not more, as academic skills learning.  This is what they will acquire in a play-based program.

October 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

RUST-OLEUM LAUNCHES LOCKDOWN EBOOK TO KEEP KIDS CRAFTING

Crazy Cool Kid’s Crafting is a digital showcase of inspired, fun and absorbing DIY projects for kids. Each idea uses commonly found items at home – illustrating how to easily reuse and repurpose them with spray paint. From rocks, bottles and jars to tin cans – each idea will get children to engage with their creative brain; allowing them to express themselves through art while also having fun.  Commenting on the launch of the free eBook, Rust-Oleum® marketing manager, Lani Carstens says that now more than ever children need positive input in their lives and some happy distraction. “It would be irresponsible to think little people are not feeling the effects of the lockdown this year and they too need to keep their minds off what’s going on. Routines have been disrupted and for those still at home or only partially back at school – it’s a strange time. They miss their ‘normal’ activities, parties and playdates. We are hoping that these pages of inspiration will add some colour and joy to their day – and help parents keep their kids busy,”  adds Carstens. From zombie pet rocks to stationery caddies and tin can lights – each project from yesteryear has how to step by step instructions. Although simple in their execution – some ideas are more advanced and will require adult input or at least some supervision. “Several different images have been included per project page. They are not meant to be prescriptive just a guideline; we hope our eBook will spark creativity and stoke imaginations so they run wild,” says Carstens. “The possibilities of spray paint are endless and we have an extensive range of colours and products for different substrates. You can quite literally reinvent anything in your home. We want children to reimagine and recreate with our paints so they can see colour in their lockdown world and beyond.” The 10 projects in this the first issue of Crazy Cool Kids Crafting, include: Carnival Hit and Miss – using tin cans Pen and Pencil Stationery Holders – using glass bottles, jars and tin cans Magical Stone Magnets – using stones Perfect Piggy Banks – using glass preserve jars and plastic bottles Tin Can Stilts – using tin cans Tin Can Lights – using tins cans Pet Pocket Rocks – using stones Stone Photo Holders – using stones Pretty Pots – using cement, terracotta and plastic Tic-Tac-Toe – using stones “We hope South Africans will take pleasure in Crazy Cool Kids Crafting – activity that’s not digital and keeps them off screens. Aside from keeping busy, it’s a great opportunity to teach children about sustainability and the value of reusing and recycling. That and it’s empowering to create something to play with that doesn’t come out of a toyshop. 

October 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

Give your child the holiday of a lifetime

Located in the tropical KZN North Coast, Sugar Bay is the first and only American-style summer camp located in South Africa. We have over 19 years of experience in providing a safe and fun holiday destination for children.  We strive to host the best adventure holiday camps for kids and teens. For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively, you can send an email to or visit our website www.sugarbay.co.za. We offer over 100 activities and have a free choice system, in which children may choose what activities they want to participate in. There are no compulsory activities. Our 1:3 staff to child ratio is the highest in the country, and 24-hour supervision​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ensures that your children are kept extra safe while having the time of their lives. Click here to view all the activities we offer at Sugar Bay.  Our camp counselors are specifically trained and experienced in the growth and developmental needs of the different age groups, as well as Emergency First Aid & CPR. We also have our own qualified lifeguards who accompany the children to the beach, lagoon, and swimming pool. Give your child the holiday of a lifetime this December! Spaces are filling up fast, book now to avoid disappointment. At Sugar Bay, each holiday camp is given its own unique theme to add to the excitement of camp. The Sugar Bay entrance, reception and hall are decorated according to the weeks’ theme so campers can feel the excitement from the moment they enter our gates. Here are the themes to the upcoming Holiday Camps for December 2020 and January 2021: Spiderwick Chronicles Week: 5-11 December 2020    Join us as we go into a spell-casting and unbinding adventure! Who’s going to unbind the spells from the Spiderwick    Chronicles in the Sugar Bay Kingdom? Escape into a mythical world of Unicorns, Trolls and Fairies Make Goblin Snot, find the hidden unicorns and escape being sprinkled by fairy dust Creative kids can escape into a fantasy of Mythical Creature Design, Magic Spell Classes, Fairy Garden Creation and Symbolic Bracelet Making Compete and Defeat the Ogres, Spirits and Griffins with daily Dance offs, Show-offs, Tongue Twisters and Rhyme offs Collect (and ripen) your fruit and Tackle the Trolls in a Tomato Explosion (Camp Food Fight!) A sylphs’ realm reserved for Seniors, complete with Card Games, Ultimate Frisbee and Magical Bonfire circles Sign up for the excursion and take a magical journey to the Kingdom of Camp Out where you sleep at the edge of a mythical river under the sprinkling stars Plants vs Zombies Week: 11-17 December 2020 Get ready to soil your plants as a mob of fun-loving zombies is invades Sugar Bay.… Zombies will be jumping, running, dancing and swimming to join the fun. Fire projectiles on the horde of advancing zombies (Capture the Plant) Find the treasure armed with dozens of zombie-zapping plants Create new zombie characters Think fast and plant faster in the tree-planting ceremony Gather defending powers “ice cubs, flames and sunflowers” during daytime hours Visit the Zombie Carnival, Dine out at Crazy Dave’s Diner and Show your defensive dance at the Zombie Party Stop Zombies dead in their tracks in Tag, the water balloon fight and the Tick Challenge The Adults Almanac is reserved for seniors, with water polo, devious Bingo and Never Have I Ever Discover your unique offensive or defensive capabilities at the exciting excursion to Lazer Tag Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, obstacles like a setting sun, creeping fog, and a swimming pool add to the challenge. So many other unique games and new events to dig into. The fun never dies! Wanderlust Week: 17-23 December 2020 For those with the innate desire to rove or travel about, or a desire to escape the mundane, this week is your ticket to travel! Discover unfamiliar cultures, adventures, ways of life and behaviours. Free your inner hippie and free spirit! Perform in, or earn VIP tickets to watch, an international talent show Show off your dance moves at our Universal Party Night. Confront unforeseen challenges and learn fun facts about different nations For those willing to explore new senses, you can look forward to: A Feast of Foreign food and drinks to taste, International sports and games like martial arts and Scottish Olympics, and a Festival of music, songs, dances, clothing and traditions from around the world Get in touch with your Hipster Side with tie-dying, Flower Headband making, Henna classes or display your work at the Wanderlust Art Festival Seniors take their journey to adulthood, with Monte-Carlo casino, South American wine tasting and a Hawaiian Beach After-Party Tie up your skates and join the freezing expedition to the Northern Hemisphere (An ice skating excursion!) The Greatest Showman Week: 27 December 2020 to 3 January 2021 Celebrate the classic rags-to-riches story in this enthusiastic week of Fun, Friendship and Inclusivity. Misfortune is turned into a world of mystique and magic as we welcome in the New Year in a Fantasia of song and dance. Be entertained by counselors showing their skills in acting, mystique and magic Delight in the special guest performance by our own acclaimed Boys Ballet. Dance, sing or act in a production of The “Greatest Show on Earth. A celebration of pure entertainment, difference and creativity. Move with the Infectious soundtrack and join the all-camp Flash Mob A life-affirming theme of self-love and empowerment Learn Circus games like magic tricks, illusions, oddities, circus flow arts (poi, spinning, hula hoops and juggling) Try the Media Classes and conduct interviews and write feature stories Sign up for one of the tune-filled classes of Djing singing, dance and acting There will be heaps of Drama games aimed at giving campers confidence to let go of their inhibitions Irresistible Backstage art classes in stage makeup, hair, tattoos a, airbrushing, Escape from the real world into the glitz and crystal. A slick red carpet Formal dinner kicks off the glamorous New Year Eve party Spectacular. A Circus Carnival to

October 2, 2020
ChildSafe

Child Pedestrian Safety

The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) annually treats approximately 7500 children for injuries such as burns, falls and transport-related injuries. For every child death as a result of injury, hundreds more are hospitalized, thousands of emergency department visits and unknown numbers of clinic and doctors’ visits. Many children survive their injuries with temporary or permanent, life changing disabilities.  Head injuries are far more common than we think, with children often experiencing the consequences long after the injury occurred. There is little focus on these injuries despite injury being the number one killer of young children in our communities in South Africa.  The majority of these injuries are preventable.  During 2019, approximately 6568 children were treated at the RCWMCH Trauma Unit, on average 18 children per day. 771 children were treated for traffic related injuries. Pedestrian injuries accounted for 72% of all traffic injuries. 71% of these pedestrians were aged between 5 and 12 years, and 39% under 4 years. ChildSafe recommends teaching children the following tips:

October 2, 2020
Parenting Hub

4 Travel experiences to explore in South Africa

With interprovincial travel now allowed, and hotel groups like First Group opening their doors for the first time since March, it is the perfect opportunity to explore our beloved country, while connecting to the rich history, cultural diversity and heritage that South Africa has to offer.  “We officially re-opened our doors on 4 September 2020 and we’re excited and eager to welcome guests as they visit First Group resorts around South Africa. Our country is not short of experiences — from coastal getaways and mountain retreats to fun-filled family holidays and bush adventures — we truly do have it all,” says Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. He adds that exploring your home country will not only allow you to escape the lockdown fatigue but also contribute to the economy and job creation. “We encourage people to support local. It enriches suppliers while sustaining the job market, which is especially critical at the moment. Various industries continue to face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but your support can make a difference,” he says.  Shaun offers 4 travel experiences to explore in South Africa:  Sandy Beaches: From Cape Town to Durban, to the Eastern Cape, South Africans can take a journey to discover some of the most picturesque scenery, while escaping the stresses of modern-day city life. Depending on your preference, you can visit the remote Wild Coast’s Hole in the Wall for excellent birdwatching, nature walks and hiking trails. For something closer to the city, the KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape coastlines offer trendy beaches that are sure to refresh your mind and body. The Drakensberg and KZN Midlands:  The evergreen KZN region has some of the most unspoiled foothill, waterfall and mountain views, to captivate your imagination and quench your thirst for outdoor adventure. It allows one to truly embrace slow life with exhilarating activities ranging from canopy tours and candle dipping, to horse riding and much more. It also brings a whole new meaning to supporting local with an abundance of arts and crafts shops along the Midlands Meander route.  Magaliesberg Nature Escape: The understated Magaliesberg has one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, rich with bushveld savannah. It offers an ideal escape for friends and family to spend time surrounded by the tranquility of nature. There are various leisurely activities to take part in, including riding up the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cable for a first-class view of the Magaliesberg Mountains. The Garden Route: The Garden Route is well known for its verdant and diverse vegetation, stretching from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. It’s perfect for a long drive to explore forests, beaches, lagoons and farmland surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Although there are many places to visit along the route, the coastal village of Mossel Bay makes for the best all-year-round holiday destination with exceptional weather. “Our country is abundant with wildlife, stunning scenery and renowned vineyards, making it one of the world’s big long-haul travel destinations, establishing tourism as a pillar of the economy. The international travel restrictions will give South Africans a chance to develop a deeper sense of our heritage while ploughing back into our local communities,” Shaun says. He adds that although many people are reluctant to visit destinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can rest assured that they will have a pleasant experience as health and safety protocols are being adhered to at First Group. “As leaders in the hospitality industry, First Group transformed every resort and hotel into a COVID-safe zone so that guests can enjoy an even cleaner, safer, germ-free holiday from check-in to check-out,” Shaun concludes.

October 2, 2020
Bethwel Opil

Kaspersky registers growing interest in PlayStation 5 among cybercriminals

Kaspersky experts have recently detected a growing interest among phishers and scammers in the popular game console PlayStation, the new version of which is going to be launched in November. In the period of July – September 2020, there was discovered almost 150 suspicious web resources around the world with the word ‘playstation’ in their names. So far in September alone, Kaspersky experts found more than 60 such sites. However, in reality there may be a lot more. The phishing websites were mainly offering the chance to pre-order PlayStation 5 by leaving a prepayment or personal information. On some sites it was supposedly even possible to purchase a console at a reduced price. There were also resources where the previous version of the console – PlayStation 4 – was on offer for much lower prices, with the major discounts attributed to the release of PS5. “We want to remind users that if something looks too good to be true on the Internet, then it’s most probably a scam. Sales and pre-order messages are worth checking with reliable sources. You should not follow links in suspicious emails or messages sent via messaging services or social networks. It’s also a good idea to install a security solution with up-to-date databases of phishing and spam resources”, comments Tatyana Sidorina, Lead Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky. Kaspersky experts advise the following tips to protect against phishing threats: Always double-check the URLs of links shared in unexpected messages or those from an unknown sender, to make sure that they are genuine and do not cover another hyperlink that leads to a malicious page or download. If you are not sure that a website is genuine and secure, never enter your credentials or personal information. If you think that you  may have entered your login and password on a fake page, immediately change your password and call your bank or other payment provider if you think your card details may have been compromised. Always use a secure Wi-Fi connection, especially when visiting sensitive websites. Do not use public Wi-Fi without a password. If you are using an insecure connection, cybercriminals can redirect you to phishing pages without your knowledge. For added security, use VPN solutions that encrypt your traffic, such as Kaspersky Secure Connection. Use a security solution with behaviour-based anti-phishing technologies, such as Kaspersky Security Cloud or Kaspersky Total Security, which will warn you if you are trying to visit a phishing web page.

October 2, 2020
Parenting Hub

Goat milk provides nutritional and immunity benefits for the whole family

Goat milk is a rich source of protein, fat, oligosaccharides, essential vitamins and minerals, and micronutrients linked to immunity. When budgets are stretched tight and food costs are on the increase, shopping choices often change– for the worse. However, it is important to follow the basics of healthy eating to look after your immune system. One simple way to get an advantage is by adding goat milk to your trolley. Goats are among the oldest domesticated animals, and their milk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. Goat milk offers numerous benefits for the whole family and is abundant in nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.  Nutritional benefits of goat milk While fresh full-cream goat milk can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, it is also available in powdered form as a base for infant formula where breastfeeding is not possible. Goat milk provides a complete protein with all essential amino acids7, making it an approved option for infant formula. The unique protein composition of goats’ milk allows it to form a softer curd during digestion, which may support a baby’s digestive health and comfort. The fat content of goat milk is similar to that of cow milk; however, the fat globules are up to 75% smaller in size, which may make them easier to digest., Fat is important in the diets of young children especially, as it aids in the development of the brain and nervous system. The most abundant saturated fatty acid in human milk is palmitic acid, present in a structure named ß-palmitate. In infant formula, ß-palmitate may positively influence gut health, growth, sleep and comfort of infants.Goat milk-based formula contains high levels of ß-palmitate.  Research shows that South Africans have a low intake of calcium. Calcium is essential for the development and maintenance of bones and teeth, to help prevent osteoporosis, and to help the breakdown of body fat as part of a calorie-controlled diet.,, , Full-cream goat milk has 6% more calcium than full-cream cow milk. (See table 1.)  Next to calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body. It works with calcium to build strong bones and teeth, plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats, and is also needed for the body to grow, maintain and repair cells and tissues. , Goat milk is also a good source of phosphorus. One serving of goat milk (200ml) provides 11% of the daily requirement of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid),,, which is needed for the release of energy from food, and 23% of the DRI for biotin,,, a B-vitamin that is important for a healthy nervous system. TABLE 1: Nutritional Comparison between different types of milks , (adapted) Composition per 100g Human Cow Goat Soy Almond Rice Energy (kcal) 70 62 66 32 56 47 Total protein (g) 1.0 3.3 3.4 2.9 1.3 0.28 Total fat (g) 4.4 3.3 3.9 1.9 3.3 0.97 Lactose (g) 6.9 4.7 4.4 n/a n/a n/a Calcium (mg) 32 112 118 13 14 11 How goat milk in the diet supports immunity and boosts gut health  The microbiome in the human body consists of trillions of microorganisms (also called microbiota or microbes) of thousands of different species.Each person has an entirely unique network of microbiota, which they are exposed to for the first time as a baby, during delivery in the birth canal and through breast milk. In a healthy person, these ‘bugs’ coexist peacefully, with the largest numbers found in the small and large intestines (gut), but also throughout the body.Diet is considered as one of the main drivers in shaping the gut microbiota, and intestinal bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining our immune system. Prebiotics help to stimulate, grow and maintain beneficial gut bacteria. Human milk contains an abundant supply and diverse array of oligosaccharides, which possess prebiotic properties. For breastfed infants, these oligosaccharides help to establish and maintain a healthy gut, support the immune system, and protect against gastrointestinal infections.  Amongst all the domestic animals, goats have milk with the highest amount of oligosaccharides. Studies continue to show that oligosaccharides present in goats’ milk-based infant formula have strong prebiotic and anti-infection properties, helping to maintain the health of the digestive tracts of babies.  Why it’s important to understand food labels Reading food labels helps you to make healthier choices when shopping. Focus on what’s in the ingredient list and the nutrition information table. Ingredients are listed in order of weight, so what’s first on the list is present in the largest amount, and what’s last, the least. Keep an eye out for fat, oil, lard, shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil/fats; salt or any mention of sodium; and sugar, glucose, sucrose, corn syrup and molasses. If any of these words are in the first few ingredients, this isn’t a food you should eat often. When it comes to sugar, rather than obsessing over grams, focus on reducing ‘added sugars’ by limiting products that contain them. Next, the nutritional table tells you the quantity of various nutrients a food contains per serving, as well as per 100g or 100ml. Use the 100g column when comparing foods with each other, because the size of one ‘serving’ may differ between manufacturers.  The nutritional table shows ‘glycaemic carbohydrates’, which are carbohydrates available to the body for energy. The total sugars mentioned includes all sugars, both those found naturally in the food (not listed separately in the ingredient list) as well as those sugars added to food (listed). The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) column is a recommended daily intake for a nutrient. It gives us a percentage for a certain nutrient, mainly protein, vitamins and minerals, which may be found in a food.   Foods containing possible common allergens such as egg, cow’s milk, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts and gluten, should also be indicated.  Start making a habit of carefully reading labels to help you decide on healthier options when you shop.    Delicious and nutritious goat

October 2, 2020
Parenting Hub

Rent vs Salaries – Can South Africans afford the new cost of accommodation?

In the wake of destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of some goods and services may have increased beyond what salaries in average South African households can now afford. Families are left wondering how the economic climate and the aftershock of the national lockdown might affect both their salaries as well as purchasing power.  Thousands of locals have already suffered under salary reductions and retrenchments. It appears that the cost of accommodation in the country’s major cities is still on the rise.  In May 2019, Adzuna, an online job aggregator, established that South Africans were spending roughly 28% of their salaries on rent. This year, after comparing average rental prices and wages of more than 100,000 online job listings, they were able to point out areas where it would be most cost-effective for South Africans to live and work.  According to the latest PayProp Rental Index (Q1 2020), rental growth stands at 3.2% year-on-year. South Africans already have to juggle price increases on everything from medical care to fuel and rent.  A comparison was drawn between the average salary and the average property value in each of the country’s main city centres. The findings were indicative of the fact that most households spend anything between 16% and 27% of their monthly income on rent.  Most affordable cities for South Africans to rent property After looking at income and rental prices in 10 of the country’s major cities, the most affordable cities to rent in came out as Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Nelspruit, and Pretoria.  City Average Rent Average Salary % of Salary Spent on Rent Pretoria R6,500 R33,000 19% Johannesburg R8,000 R37,000 20% Cape Town R10,000 R38,000 27% Durban R7,500 R31,000 24% Bloemfontein R4,500 R30,000 15% Nelspruit R5,600 R29,000 19% Port Elizabeth R5,000 R28,000 20% Rustenburg R5,500 R32,000 17% Polokwane R5,000 R30,000 16% Kimberley R4,500 R22,000 20% With more and more remote jobs in South Africa, where you stay is less and less connected to where you work. Even though salaries in Cape Town are higher, renters in the Western Cape fork out as much as 27% of their wages on rent every month. On the opposite end of the scale, Cape Town is still the most expensive city for renting a property in the country, unchanged since May 2019. Capetonians spend an average of 27% of their salaries on rent every month if they choose to live just outside the city centre. Rental costs within the city’s centre are even more expensive and can easily demand up to 35% of a renter’s monthly earnings.  Rental cost breakdown by province Rental costs vary tremendously from one city to another, as is evident in the case between Pretoria versus Johannesburg. But aside from price differences between one city and another, there is also a dramatic difference in the price families pay to rent property in one province compared to another.  Province Average Rent Average Salary % of Salary Spent on Rent Eastern Cape R6,000 R30,500 19% Free State R6,500 R36,000 18% Gauteng R8,000 R39,000 20% KwaZulu-Natal R8,000 R32,000 25% Limpopo R7,000 R33,000 21% Mpumalanga R7,500 R30,000 25% North West R5,000 R31,000 16% Northern Cape R8,000 R35,000 22% Western Cape R9,000 R40,000 23% The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal came in as the most expensive provinces for renters to settle in. On the other side of the scale, the North West province along with the Free State and the Eastern Cape were the most affordable provinces for renting a property in South Africa.  Final Thoughts When considering where to rent property in South Africa, low rental prices should not be the only factor that South African families base their decisions on. It is also essential to consider how many jobs are on offer in the area you intend to live in and what the average salary demographics look like. The average salaries in areas like Polokwane and Rustenburg, for example, is affected by the mining and technical sectors, which pay higher than average wages. Still, not everyone will be able to secure employment in this field.  Cities like Nelspruit and Pretoria tend to provide excellent value for renters, offering enough job opportunities and rental costs at or below 20% of monthly earnings. Destinations like Cape Town will see renters forking out the most significant chunks of their earnings towards rent every month.  *Adzuna’s analysis was also compared to average property prices provided by Property24 and Numbeo*

October 1, 2020
Impaq

There’s more to life than academic achievement

While a degree is still considered as a measure for skill and talent by many, employers – including some of the largest companies in the world – are increasingly realising that academic achievement measures only one type of intelligence and that marks don’t even begin to represent a person’s talent, abilities or emotional quotient. Of course, academic success is necessary in certain fields – think physics, medicine, or teaching – but it doesn’t form the core of the skill set required to perform most jobs. That is because academic success alone cannot tell an employer much about a person’s resilience, their interpersonal skills, how they work alongside others, or any of the other skills required to be successful in the 21st century. A certain level of academic achievement is undoubtedly required for life after school. Still, for children to become well-rounded adults, they require more than perfect report cards – they need a concrete set of non-academic skills and abilities. C = success Here are some of the most important non-academic skills children can learn from a young age to help set them up for success after school. Character: Character is who we are and what we do and guides our responses to the issues (both good and bad) we face in life. Helping children build character is important because it will ultimately be this trait – a combination of their thoughts, values, words, and actions – that will determine how successful they are in life. Parents who exhibit qualities such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect will transmit these values to their children.  “The true measure of your character is what you do when nobody’s watching.” – Charles Caleb Colton Compassion: Compassion is the ability to understand someone else’s situation and the commitment to place someone else’s needs above your own. It is what drives us to be inclusive and what compels us to care about and help one another. Compassion is a skill that can be learned, so it is within parents’ power to raise children who are kind, caring and tolerant. “Compassion is the basis of morality.” – Arthur Schopenhauer Confidence: Children develop healthy self-confidence by experiencing mastery and rebounding from failure. While it is parents’ job to support their children so they can flourish and develop, doing things for them instead of with them robs them of the opportunity to become competent and confident. In fact, constant parental intervention undermines children’s self-belief and prevents them from learning for themselves.  “Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing being wrong.” – Peter T McIntyre Also read: Encouraging your child to succeed – The do’s and don’ts Creativity: Creativity is not an inborn talent, but rather a skill that parents can help their children develop. It is also not limited to artistic and musical expression; creativity is an essential ability that applies to most aspects of life as it promotes problem-solving and critical thinking. Children who are taught to think creatively and to approach problems from different perspectives turn into adults who are flexible, who are open to new opportunities, and who are better able to deal with uncertainty.  “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook By Danielle Barfoot

October 1, 2020
Vital Baby

Why it’s important to sterilise your baby’s bottles

Sterilising baby bottles may seem like a tedious job, and let’s be honest, it can be! But although it’s not the most exciting chore, it’s one of the most important ones. It’s really important to sterilise baby’s feeding equipment as it helps to protect your baby’s developing immune system from potentially harmful bugs and bacteria. A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, and babies are more susceptible to infection and illness than older children and adults are. Sterilising baby’s feeding equipment for the first 12 months is of the utmost importance to protect their developing immune system from potentially harmful bacteria. A lot of mothers ask if it’s really necessary to sterilise feeding equipment in areas where tap water is safe to drink. The answer to that, is yes. Although your baby will be at lower risk, the risk is not eliminated. Because of your baby’s immature immune system, water that is safe for an adult, will not necessarily be safe for them. It is also important to remember that harmful bacteria does not just come from water – it can be transferred by your hands or even from milk remains in the bottle. It’s better to be safe than sorry.   To sterilise effectively, you should make sure that all bottles, teats and accessories are disassembled and washed thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinsed clean before sterilising. You can leave the sterilised contents inside your steriliser for 24 hours, but make sure the lid is kept closed for the duration. Ensure you re-assemble items with clean hands or sterilised tongs if you can and always on a clean surface too. The inside of the steriliser lid is perfect for this. Time with your baby is precious. The vital baby® NURTURE™ 2 in 1 combination steriliser is designed to make the sterilising process as quick and simple as possible. The vital baby® NURTURE™ 2 in 1 combination steriliser has been designed to give you ultimate convenience and peace of mind, killing 99.9% bacteria to keep your baby healthy and happy. This microwave and cold water steriliser combination offers total flexibility depending on your needs. It keeps contents sterile for a full 24 hours when the lid is kept closed. This is really useful, so you can always have a sterile bottle close to hand. You can choose to sterilise in either the microwave with only water using steam for a chemical-free clean, or using the cold water method with sterilising solution added. The large capacity holds up to 4 wide neck bottles, teats, collars, caps and tongs. This steriliser is also suitable for standard neck bottles and accessories such as breast pumps and their components, soothers and teethers. It can be easily stored in the microwave when not in use and can be easily transported when travelling with baby. Sterilising time is just 4 minutes in the microwave (based on an 850W microwave). RSP: R390.25 Vital Baby products are available at: Clicks, Babies R Us, Baby City and online at Babies Africa, Loot and Takealot.  Learn more about Vital Baby on www.vitalbaby.co.za or follow them on social media @vitalbabysa.

October 1, 2020
Parenting Hub

Family games night just became fun again!

We are a family who loves spending time together and generally this involves a good games night!  So we were thrilled when Skip-Bo arrived for us to try. Skip-Bo is the ultimate sequencing card game from the makers of UNO! Skip-Bo from Mattel Games is a fun sequencing card game for the whole family. The game is easy to understand with pretty straight-forward rules and your kids will surely catch on quickly. Provided your kiddo’s know their numbers, you are good to go.  The game can be played with up to 6 players but watching our 4 kids laugh and play through the entire game made our day!  Talk about a game that gets you thinking, this fast-paced game can have you lose track of time as you become lost in the game! Number and sequencing games provide a super foundation for math skills. Through the introduction of having to have your child keep the order of the cards, it strengthens their ability to count ahead which will come in handy when looking for a new way to help your children learn addition and up their math skills! Because counting is a conceptual idea on which all other number concepts are based, children often benefit from games that promote having to build a sequence of numbers.  So there you have it, a fun game to get your kids (especially the young ones) learning while they play or get your older kids getting faster and faster at creating a sequence of numbers.  Card games in general are really good for your kids to play on a regular basis. They promote strategic thinking and build confidence in young children. Studies have shown that card games help promote good brain health as well so no better reason than to start your set of games off with Skip-Bo! So how do you play?  Played from youngest to oldest.  Each player is given a stockpile of cards. (this is dependent on how many players you have) 2 – 4 Players = 30 cards each and 5 or more players is 20 cards. The first card at the top of your pile always faces up so everyone can see the number that you are starting with.  In the centre of the table you have two piles : One is the building pile and the second is the draw pile. Your first card can be added to the building pile in the centre of the table. No more than 4 piles can be running at once.  Consistently playing in numerical order from 1 – 12.  There are a maximum 4 discard piles per player. These are placements for you to place cards that you are not ready to use at that time but would possibly want to use later in the game. However you can only use the top card should you choose to bring it back into play.  Before you end your play,  you will have to discard one card in the discard pile. Playing in number order from 1 -12 and if you make a stack of 12 cards, you can place this stack into the draw pile. Repeat the process until someone’s stock pile is finished.  The bonus wild card is the Skip-Bo card and can be used to substitute any number. The pack includes 162 cards and instructions. Colours and Decorations may vary on box.  Where to purchase?  Available to purchase from TheKidZone.co.za or takealot.com #MattelGamesSA #Skip-BoSA

October 1, 2020
Twinkl

Lockdown teaching tips

At the moment, some of us are stuck at home, some of us are choosing to be and quite a few of us seem desperate to get out. But if, even with the term starting up again, your kids are staying home from school for lockdown, then it’s essential to take your role as de facto teacher seriously. Here are some tips for how to get the most out of their lockdown learning: Make a plan & stick to it There are multiple parts to this but ultimately they all come down to think like a teacher. Think about how long you’re going to be doing this, work out what work they can be doing each day and importantly, keep them in the sort of routine they’d be used to at school.  Start and finish at the same time each day, try to keep the same subjects at the same time week-on-week, with younger kids this can be almost a fun roleplay of the ‘school day’ to keep them in the moment. Create a dedicated learning area Make a space that is just for ‘school’ work and keep all their activities there. By having a location that is purely for work, it can help to reinforce the learning plan and make the day feel more structured. Stick to the curriculum It seems obvious but if you’re keeping their work in line with what they were being taught in school, it’s going to make it not just more rewarding but also make your life easier as there are a lot of great websites full of resources, such as Twinkl, to keep you along these lines. Also by keeping the work relevant, you can make sure that everything they do is going to benefit their future work. Take advantage of the change in scenery For kids, taking them out of the classroom can enhance their learning. If you have nearby access to outdoor environments like forests, parks or the water. Giving children access to the world around them can help to make learning feel more interactive and show them practical examples of their learning. But even if you don’t have anywhere to go, you can use your home in ways that a classroom can’t always do. You can build work around their favourite films as a Friday treat, or decorate their room with themes around that day’s work. Making an immersive environment will mean that learning goes beyond the start and end of the school day and becomes an all-round enhancing experience. Establish methods for gauging results/progression/rewards Establishing proper methods for gauging results & progression is going to make not just your life easier but also their teachers as when they do return to school full-time, having a record of what each child has learnt is going to save time going over information they’ve already covered. Of course, an important part of keeping track of these successes is making sure to celebrate and reward them.  Positive reinforcement is going to be more effective than negative punishment so making sure to celebrate those little victories all the way up to those major achievements is going to incentivise them to work their hardest but also if you make the rewards scaled to individual attainment, there’s not going to be a feeling of trying to push beyond limits. Ultimately, what you’re teaching isn’t going to be as important as the hours you put in. So use this time not to stress the importance of work but to really get some quality time with your kids. If nothing else, it might be that some good can come out of this whole situation.

September 30, 2020
ChildSafe

Preventing falls in children

The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) annually treats approximately 7500 children for injuries which are preventable. For every child death as a result of injury, many more are hospitalized, hundreds of emergency department visits and thousands of clinic and doctors’ visits. Many children surviving their injuries sustain temporary or permanent, life changing disabilities. There is little focus on these injuries despite injury being the number one killer of young children in our communities in South Africa.  Children are naturally curious and while exploring the world around them, they will fall. Not all falls require treatment; however, many children sustain injuries so serious that it requires treatment or hospitalization. Falls are the number one cause of childhood injury seen at RCWMCH, accounting for nearly half of all injuries. Over 2 819 children were treated for serious falls, a 5% more than 2018.  Falls accounted for 60% of head injuries. Head injuries are far more common than expected. The RCWMCH treated 763 children for head injuries. Often it is ignored and children suffer the consequences later in school and later in their work lives.  Children aged 0 to 5 years were at greater risk of fall-related injuries. 64% of these falls took place at home, 17% at playgrounds and 16% at schools. Children 0 to 4 were at greater risk of falls at home and age group 5 to 12 years was at greater risk of falling at school and on playgrounds. “From the moment your baby starts to crawl, the world is a magical place filled with new adventures and discoveries, says Yolande Baker, Executive Director of ChildSafe. “From a child’s perspective, everything is a potential mountain to climb (that giant bookshelf), obstacle to overcome (those pesky stairs) or mysterious place to investigate (anywhere beyond the safety gate). Little bumps will happen, but ChildSafe is here to help so these brave expeditions don’t result in something more serious”. The most common causes of falls are: Tripping and falling at ground level,  Falling off furniture, stairs, beds, walls and trees at higher level;  Falling out windows and balcony doors Falling from baby walkers and mobiles,  Falling off scooters, roller blades, bikes and skateboards are mobile risks;  Falling in the playground off swings, jungle gyms, see saws, slides and trampolines; Falling from arms, especially from arms of siblings, or if mother should fall asleep when feeding or holding baby Children are vulnerable to falls and other injuries because their growing brains do are not fully yet able to recognize and assess their own risk to injury. Degrees of dependence, activities and risk behaviors all change substantially as they grow older  As children develop, their curiosity and wish to experiment are not always matched by the capacity to understand or to respond to danger. Due to this lack of experience, children need to be shown and helped at every stage of their development, whether it’s crawling, walking or running. Supervision is key to child injury prevention. A challenge for parents is how to make their homes, including yards and gardens safer to prevent falls. Stages of child development      From the first days of life, we need to protect children from serious injuries. The different developmental stages need to be understood and considered when thinking about the level of supervision and care needed. For the first few years, children need 100% supervision by parents and adults. From about six months of age early signs of motor development appear with sitting up, rolling over, and crawling, and pulling to stand. When baby is awake and moving about careful supervision is necessary at all times. Children under 11/12yrs should not be left in charge of baby because they lack experience and easily lose concentration. A cot, play pen or a safe enclosure is best for safety when mother is busy. Safe cots, car seats, play areas & traditional back-carrying Mother needs to be confident that baby is safe in bed, and for this a cot with sides is recommended. The cot can be used as a safe place at other times too, when mother visits the bathroom, hangs washing, or is busy in the kitchen. Falls at this early stage need to be prevented as head injuries are highly dangerous and can cause permanent developmental and physical injury. As baby grows, time needs to be set aside for playing together so that falls can be anticipated and prevented. High chairs for meal times are safe zones and prevent falls from heights when baby is strapped in. Using a high chair can remove a baby from other dangers at the table like hot food and drink.  On trips in the car, however short, baby should be strapped into a car seat which is correct for size and age. Falls from car seats occur on route to the car and inside the car if baby is not carefully strapped in at all times. Baby walkers can be dangerous and are not recommended. They place the baby in situations of risk, by increasing height and mobility. From the walking ring baby can reach knobs and switches and kettle cords, stairs and steps. Traditional back-carrying is a safe zone for babies both in the home and outside.  Development stage 1-2 years To prevent falls at 1-2 years when baby is starting to move about and explore, homes need to be cleared of obstacles such as loose carpets and slippery floors, stairs need gates and windows bars. A play pen at this stage is a safe zone for play to continue when mother is busy and to prevent falls. Prams and pushchairs may be used for outings and shopping, but to prevent falls baby needs to be strapped in at all times.  Development stage 2-3 years The risk of falls increases as a child becomes more mobile. Children are quick and unpredictable. Climbing onto furniture and beds should be anticipated and prevented. Children are not ready for bunk beds at this stage. Development stage 3-6years By now

September 30, 2020
Load More

Sidebar Image

Scroll to Top