Parenting - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Holidays are going to look a little different this year

Here’s what you can expect… Since hitting alert level 1 of the lockdown, the travel industry breathed a collective sigh of relief. They could finally re-open their doors to guests and travellers again. But the jury’s still out – what exactly will leisure travel during a pandemic look like? Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group, says, “There is no doubt that the travel industry is in the process of bouncing back with a bang, but for guests, holidays won’t look or feel exactly the same as they did pre-COVID. Establishments are expected to prove they have taken every precaution to keep their travellers safe and this, combined with various legislation, makes for a very different getaway experience.” To help mentally prepare those who have booked time away during the pending October and/or December holidays, Shaun offers 4 things that you can expect on your next trip: 1. Masks: Usually reserved for Halloween exclusively, the Disaster Management Act states that face masks must still be worn in public places, except when undertaking vigorous exercise. This unfortunately includes if you are simply taking a stroll around a resort, sitting at a restaurant or are in the lobby of a hotel. 2. Sanitisers, thermometers and paperwork: For many, COVID screening has become part of our daily lives. Sanitising and temperature checks are the norm as is the paperwork that comes with it. As a traveller however, be prepared for reems more than usual. For example, if you are flying you are likely to be asked to fill in an extensive Traveller Health Questionnaire in addition to filling in an equally extensive COVID screening form (per guest) on check in. If you lucky, some hospitality establishments, like First Group, have downloaded the OPUS4Business app, the official app for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. It is easy, paperless and a much faster way to record compliance with industry protocols and seamlessly manage the required health screening of all persons entering an establishment. This still does take a little longer than usual though, so remember to leave ample time for checking into your accommodation as well as your flights. 3. Beach swimming – Whilst we’re allowed back on the beaches, many municipalities have still limited swimming to surfers and bodyboarders only, with no regular swimming permitted. It will be worth checking with your hotel or resort prior to arrival to ensure that your expectations are managed 4. Limited capacity: It is important to keep in mind that the number of people allowed in a space is still limited to 50% capacity in many cases, as per Government regulations (whether it’s the hotel restaurant, an event or visiting an attraction), so make sure you get there early to avoid the disappointment of being turned away. “While guests’ health and safety is a top priority, people are also longing for human connection and new experiences. As the world of travel reopens, First Group is ready to help guests do what they’ve been dreaming of during the lockdown – exploring new places, experiencing the joy of reconnecting with friends and family, de-stressing and re-energising. Our mission is to help people once again enjoy the benefits that travel brings, and to do so safely. There is nothing quite as magical as making lasting memories with friends and family, and time away from home is a great way to create these,” Shaun concludes.

November 5, 2020

Tips for keeping your pets safe during fireworks season

We’re officially in the fourth and final quarter of 2020. With that comes celebratory occasions, often along with fireworks season with many South Africans celebrating Guys Fawkes on Thursday November 5, and others observing Diwali on Wednesday, November 14, 2020. Pet parents needn’t fear the festivities this year as Canine and Co has you covered with these handy tips on how to keep your furry companion safe during this time. There are more natural alternatives to hardcore medication Some pets are more sensitive to noise than others. Thanks to modern science and an increase in natural alternatives, your precious fur baby needn’t go through a stressful fireworks season without help. Pet industry specialist Amber Jordan recommends planning ahead. “It is important to note that with the more natural options, they do not all work with immediate effect and pet parents should be administering these calming ingredients or using these tools for a few weeks before anticipated high stress scenarios for them to be fully effective,” she says. Jordan has compiled a handy list of tools and products that pet owners can consider and ask their local pet store or online retailer about: NurtureCalm offers effective calming collars for both cats and dogs. These should ideally have been worn for at least a couple weeks prior to the anticipated stressful situation. The Adaptil Range caters specifically to dogs and comes in collars and home diffuser options. Feline parents will love the Feliway Range which is available in spray and home diffuser forms. Zylkene contains casein, a protein naturally found in mother’s milk. It is well known to promote relaxation and is 100% natural. The Medico Herbs Calmer Spray is a homeopathic solution that is 100% safe for both canine and feline children. Like swaddling an infant, ThunderShirt applies a gentle, constant pressure to your dog or cat’s torso. Research on both humans and animals suggests that this type of pressure can release a calming hormone like oxytocin or endorphins (there is a reason we love hugs!). This calming pressure is helpful for over 80% of pets. Consider purchasing a Company of Animals Noise CD which is a proven technique for the treatment and prevention of sound phobias. And last but not least, Calmeze is a firm favourite with pet parents, and not only assists with all kinds of stressful situations, but is a nutritional aid too. It’s perfect for long term or short-term use. We’re helping you get ready to support your fur-kids during this busy, and often stressful time of the year, by offering 20% off Calmeze at Canine&Co for the month of October. Other handy tips to promote calmness in your fur child Exercise your dog early in the day and ensure they are kept inside in a safe place where they cannot escape if frightened by sudden loud noises. Keep the windows closed and curtains drawn, and turn on a radio or television to help mask the sound of fireworks. If they have to be let out into the garden after dark, it is best to place them on a lead and keep the outing brief. You may need to consider providing a litter tray so that your cat has a choice about whether they go out or not. Ensure there is a safe place for your pet to hide as this is a natural survival instinct. Ideally this would need to be a place where the noise is minimised but, your pet may already have a favourite hiding place that you should make available and comfortable for this time. If not, create a den with a box, in a cupboard, or under a table or chair and use blankets and bedding to protect this area from the noise as much as possible. Set this up in advance of the fireworks. Never try to lure your pet out if they retreat to this place during the fireworks, wait until they are ready. Some pets feel more secure if they can sit with you. This is fine and won’t cause the fear to worsen. Stay calm and offer your companionship support. Be ready to offer a toy or treat if they relax enough to engage in this way. Try not to react to the fireworks yourself. If they frighten you, your pet will feel more alarmed. Try to act normally, and where possible, engage your pet in a favourite game or reward them with treats just as the noises begin. Remember that wherever your pets are in the home, they will need access to fresh water. Anxious dogs often pant more and therefore, may be thirstier than normal. Do not try to make your pet drink if they are fearful, just ensure access to water is possible. Ensure that your pet is microchipped and the chipping company has a current address or phone number on their system. Also ensure they are wearing a collar with an ID tag, just in case they do accidentally escape, it will help to ensure you and your pet are reunited as quickly as possible. If your pet struggles to cope this year, do not leave it and hope that next year is better. Seek advice from an experienced professional as behaviour programmes can help your pet to reduce their sensitivity to noises and prevent the fear from escalating into something much more severe. We hope the caring team at Canine & Co have equipped you to confidently face fireworks season this year.

November 5, 2020

Introducing the ultimate in Nerf Dart Blasting

The future of NERF is here! Hasbro is revolutionising the blasting experience with the launch of the new NERF Ultra,an unprecedented new blaster segment joining the iconic franchise. Experience NERF Ultra blasters – the ultimate in NERF dart blasting! Featuring cutting edge technology and enhanced performance, NERF Ultra is the new gold standard in foam dart blasting! NERF Ultra blasters have advanced design and performance to deliver extreme distance, accuracy, and speed. They include ground-breaking NERF Ultra darts featuring an innovative flight tip, Aerofin technology, and NERF Ultra foam. Take your game to the next level with NERF Ultra blasters and darts! NERF Ultra blasters work only with NERF Ultra darts. The incredible distance, accuracy and speed of the new NERF Ultra blaster proves that’s its NERF OR NOTHIN’! NERF Ultra is aimed at kids age 8 years and older. Eyewear recommended (not included). NERF ULTRA ONE The NERF Ultra One motorised blaster has a high-capacity 25-dart dart drum and comes with 25 NERF Ultra darts. Fire over two dozen darts with the high-performance advantages of this NERF Ultra blaster. Send darts flying up to 25 meters. There’s on-board dart storage for quick reloading. You have the skills and the expertise as a NERF battler, now you have the blaster and darts for game-changing superiority! NERF ULTRA TWO The NERF Ultra Two motorised blaster features fast-back reloading. The six-dart cylinder is open in the back – so you can see how many darts are left to know when to reload. Hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor and press the trigger to fire one dart. Includes six NERF Ultra darts that are compatible only with NERF Ultra blasters. Gear up for battle with the all new NERF Elite 2.0 blasters that come with double the darts and feature built-in customising capabilities so you can upgrade them and seize the advantage in NERF competitions. Build your stockpile of NERF Elite 2.0 blasters to optimise your game strategy and bring tactical performance and flexibility to every mission and battle! NERF Elite is aimed at kids age 6 years and older. Eyewear recommended (not included). *NERF ELITE will be available in South Africa from end November 2020. NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 The NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 blaster features customizing capabilities that include three tactical rails, barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to optimise for battle. This pump-action blaster has a 15-dart rotating drum to swamp your targets. Pull the priming slide back and press the trigger to unleash one dart or hold down the trigger and keep moving the slide to slam-fire all 15 darts. Includes 30 Official NERF darts -15 for the drum, and 15 for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 metres. Barrel extension, stock, and eyewear not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 blaster includes a removable stock and removable barrel extension so you can customise the blaster multiple ways. Take advantage of five tactical rails to add other battle accessories (not included). The blaster has a 10-dart clip so you can fire a dozen darts in a row. Fire one dart at a time, or slam-fire all 10 darts rapidly from the pump-action blaster. Comes with 24 official NERF darts – load 10 into the clip and keep the rest nearby for reloads. The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster has three tactical rails, a barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to customise the blaster for every NERF game. The blaster has a six-dart rotating drum so you can fire multiple darts before reloading. Includes 12 Official NERF darts – enough to fully load the drum, and six darts to keep nearby for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 meters. Barrel extension and stock not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster has four tactical rails and a barrel attachment point so you can customise it for each mission or battle. This motorised blaster has an 18-dart clip and launches darts fast – hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor, then press the trigger for rapid-fire blasting. Includes 36 official NERF darts. Fires darts up to 27 meters. Barrel extension and eyewear not included. Batteries required (not included). Check out @NERFSouthAfrica on Facebook, @NERFNationSA on Instagram and NERF Nation on YouTube for more exciting NERF Nation fun. The latest NERF blasters (subject to availability) are available from Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, ToyZone, Game and Importatoy.co.za *NERF and all related properties are trademarks of Hasbro. Use only official NERF darts designed for this product.

November 5, 2020

When a baby comes too soon: Top 5 tips for NICU moms

If you have a premature birth let Ameda and My Breastpump join with you and support, you through your NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) stay. Most premature births are unpreventable. There is nothing that a mom or dad could have done differently. There is no-one to blame. Your baby comes too soon and all of a sudden your world changes to be hyper focused on the world of NICU, expressing breast milk and spending time with your baby. When you see your premature baby for the first time every single emotion runs through your entire body. You can be grateful and mad and at the sometime full of love ad fear. It is important to acknowledge the feelings that you are going through but at the same time also know that you are not alone in this journey. Seeing all the tubes and pipes and hearing the beeps and alarms of the machines can be scary. While the doctors and Nurses are focusing on your baby, let us help you with your parenting and breast-feeding journey. Even though the Medical staff are looking after and treating your baby, you are still the most important person in the world to your baby. Let’s explore different ways that you can increase your milk supply (with expressing) and also build up your bond with your baby: Try to see your baby as soon after birth as possible. You can be asked to be wheeled into NICU on your bed or wheelchair if you are not able to walk yourself. Even though you most likely will not be able to hold your baby, just seeing your child for possibly the first time is so important for you. There is security in knowing where you baby is and knowing that your baby is being cared for. Ask to kangaroo your baby as soon are your baby is medically stable. This means to have your baby (with just a nappy) directly on your chest. Skin to skin has many benefits. It can even help you to increase your milk production and keep your baby warm and comfortable so that she burns off less calories which can help her to maintain or gain weight Use a good quality breast pump. You can rent a hospital grade breast pump or buy a personal breast pump that has hospital grade technology. Click here for information on the Ameda Elite Hospital Grade breast pump rental If you have a baby in NICU you will need a pump that stimulates your breasts and helps you to make more breast milk. Ameda can assist you with both types of breast pumps. The Elite hospital grade breast pump is an approved multi-user hospital grade breast pump. The pumps are cleaned, sterilized and calibrated between every client so that you know that you have the best quality pump while renting. Ameda has conducted research on the strength and effectiveness of the Elite breast pump. What Ameda found is that if a mother used the pump at least 8 times a day she may be able to make 500ml of breast milk by day 5. The first two week after a premature birth is often critical to your long-term milk production. Ameda also has the Finesse Double electric breast pump that has hospital grade technology which means that the pump motor is strong enough to support exclusive pumping and maintain high suction. The Finesse has the bonus of having a 2-year warranty. For more information click here All Ameda breast pumps have the HygeniKit which is FDA approved as a true closed system. The true closed system not only prevents the back flow of milk into the tubes and pump 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, keeping the pumps ability to create the correct about of suction. Take as many photos as you can. Have your phone with you so that you can take a video or lots of pictures. The photos or videos can help you to prepare for expressing your milk by letting you focus on only your baby. It is also so special to be able to send pictures of your baby to the grandparents or close friends. They will not be able to visit so this is a great way to let them see how strong your little one is getting Make use of a bonding heart. Bonding hearts are fabric hearts that absorb your smell. You wear it under your bra and when you leave the NICU you leave your bonding heart with your baby. This way your baby can continue to smell you. Babies that are born prematurely are exposed to harsh chemical smells from the NICU and by leaving your smell they are able to focus on you. Find a support group of parents that have been through NICU. NICU moms can understand what you are going through and are able to comfort you. They have knowledge of the NICU and procedures that happens. They become your family in the NICU. They will cheer you on and celebrate each milestone with you when you and your baby reach them. This month is NICU awareness month and we want to celebrate how strong families that spend time in NICU are. It is not an easy start off being so small but babies that are born in NICU have the most amazing will to grow and be taken home. This month My Breastpump will be focusing on prematurity and sharing information around expressing exclusively to support your little one’s growth and development on our social media platforms. #PreemieStrong

November 4, 2020

The 3 Benefits of Camper-Counselor Relationships

Summer Camp is a great place for children to get some much-needed time out from mom and dad and form relationships with other authoritative, yet not as threatening, figures like camp counselors. The role of a counselor is not only that of a guardian and caretaker but a friend as well. Camper-counselor relationships provide long-lasting values for both parties; camp allows children the freedom to grow into independent individuals and teaches counselors teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Let’s take a look at the 3 benefits of camper-counselor relationships. 1. Counselors Show Campers That Being An Adult Can Be Fun Children have many adults in their life: Mom and dad, the family doctor and their teachers. A child is constantly surrounded by someone who either always has something to do, stressed out from work, or giving them instructions. A counselor is an adult that is also a peer to the camper. When they see an authoritative figure playing in the mud, it changes their perspective on what being an adult is like and allows them to be open-minded about growing up. 2. Campers Open Up More To Counselors Since counselors are looked at as peers, campers will often open up to counselors in ways that they might not do with their parents. This allows them to speak about issues they’re not comfortable with speaking to their friends or their parents. From career goals to the trauma they went through and how they believed in the tooth fairy till the age of 12. A counselor lends an ear from a friend’s perspective and gives advice like a parent. 3. Campers See Counselors As Role Models The relationship between a camper and a counselor is so important because it is a chance for children to be inspired by someone who is an authoritative figure and also a friend. When a camper sees their counselor making their bed every morning, they will make their bed without being asked. “The coolest person in the world is making their bed, let me make mine,” will probably be their first thought. If your child is inspired to make their bed by a counselor, the list is endless on how a counselor can positively influence your child. From stepping out of your comfort zone to facing your fears. The benefits of attending a summer camp are endless. If your child dreams of being a counselor one day, you should consider enrolling them for our Indigo Warrior Training Course. A unique certification program specifically designed for teenagers who want to spend one-week learning new life skills and challenging themselves. For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected] or visit our website www.sugarbay.co.za.

November 3, 2020

What is Nappy Rash?

Nappy rash refers to a diffuse rash on the area of skin that is covered by the nappy. Nappy rash is a very common condition. It is seldom harmful and provided the cause is recognised and treated correctly, it is also easy to manage at home. At least 1 in every 2 infants will suffer from nappy rash at some stage. Some babies will suffer repeatedly from nappy rash and others may only develop the rash once or twice. What causes Nappy Rash? A nappy rash can usually be attributed to a combination of factors. Moisture: Young babies urinate frequently, and their stool is often soft. This combined with infrequent nappy changes results in prolonged exposure to moisture. Irritation: Ammonia from the urine, soaps, creams and powders, residual chemicals on washed nappies Friction: The baby’s skin is very delicate and constant friction against the nappy can cause chaffing. This, combined with moisture and exposure to irritants, causes an uncomfortable rash. Infection: If there is no improvement in the rash within 5 days after implementing corrective measures and treatment, then consider an infection as a cause. Signs and Symptoms: Red rash that is usually well demarcated and raw. Skin erosion and scaling may occur. Itching and stinging may occur. Consult your doctor if the following signs or symptoms appear: Bright red, well demarcated rash. Extends to the folds of the skin and presents with tiny, white pustules. Skin is warm to touch. Fever. Advice and Management of Nappy Rash: Remember that the damaged and raw skin is very sensitive. Soaps and other chemicals are therefore likely to sting the affected area. Wash with warm water and soft cotton wool. If soap is required, then make sure that it is not an irritant. Ensure that the baby’s bottom is dried properly before putting on the new nappy. Gently dab the area dry using a soft towel or cotton wool. Areas where the damaged or raw skin is exposed to bacterial infection, it is important to keep these areas clean and apply a gentle antiseptic cream if necessary. Prevent prolonged exposure to wetness and irritants by changing the diapers frequently. It is also important to expose the skin to fresh air. Leave the diaper off as often as possible and for as long as possible. Remember that a baby’s skin is very delicate and will burn easily under the harsh South African sun. Don’t let the baby crawl around uncovered outside between 10am and 4pm. The application of a barrier cream, Bennetts Baby Bum Crème, on the skin before putting on the diaper helps to reduce contact with the irritants found in the urine and faeces. Don’t fasten the nappy too tight. Babies with diarrhoea are more likely to develop a nappy rash and should therefore have their nappies changed more often.

November 3, 2020

Chicco Smart2Play Transform-a-Ball and Smart2Play Ring Tower

Chicco’s Smart2Play to brand is designed with your baby’s brain development in mind. As babies develop, so does their natural curiosity and therefore puzzle solving, building and creating becomes second nature to them. The Smart2Play Transform-A-Ball is a 2-in-1 creative toy that can help stimulate logical association, creativity, fantasy and transform amusing creative experiences into fundamental cognitive achievements. Let baby explore the multitude of ways to transform the ball into other shapes and even animals. Perfect for both children and even grown-ups as the addictive nature of the puzzle-solving keeps one occupied for hours. Smart2Play Ring Tower is smartest version of the classic stacking toy, that helps develop cognitive skills, logical association, and hand-eye coordination. With two games to play, ‘Stack & Learn’4 helps younger babies learn to stack the rings according to decreasing sizes. The ‘Sort’ game allows babies to sort 4 different coloured shapes into the right hole, and the rocking base makes the game even more fun. Turn amusing creative experiences into fundamental cognitive developments. Items available online at Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Online Home Store, Baby Boom, Babanino.co.za and TheKidZone.co.za

November 2, 2020

Connecting Through Creativity

The Importance of Creativity in Children There have been multiple studies conducted to show that creativity and well-being are positively linked. Psychologist Bernice Castle agrees, saying that art and creativity help the development of children in various ways. “Art can be a powerful tool among children and adults alike. If children engage in hands-on art activities, they learn much better in all disciplines.” Castle continues, “Art helps children apply their gross and fine motor skills to something meaningful and tap into their problem-solving skills through visual cognitive responses. Art has been proven to stimulate imagination, improve observation skills, boost self-esteem, provide a sense of accomplishment and reduce stress. “Finally, art creates opportunities for them to communicate how they see and experience the world and allows them to give expression to their feelings about the situations they encounter in their daily lives,” she concludes. Getting creative together Here are some ways you can tap into your kids’ creative outlets and keep them engaged in meaningful ways: Set up an art station – Dedicate a small section of your home to art projects. BIC has a wide range of high-quality stationery perfect for art projects with the kids. They’re made to last, and widely available at your favourite grocery or stationery store. Set daily challenges – Give your kids a challenge for the day. This will help them meet daily goals and provide a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Keep everything – Don’t throw anything away. Display the really good art pieces and keep the rest in storage. Not only are these great keepsakes, but they show kids their work is special and deserves attention. Find online resources – There are thousands of resources online, from blogs to Youtube tutorials and more, like https://bickids.com/en. Make use of these resources to add a creative spin to things. Follow the #BICStayInspired tutorials on – https://www.facebook.com/BICSA/ where new tutorials will be released weekly until 22 November 2020. Submit your child’s artwork for a chance to win a BIC Stationery hamper.

October 30, 2020

NEW GR 12 MARITIME ECONOMICS VIDEOS TO BOOST FINAL EXAM PREPARATIONS

A new series of Grade 12 Maritime Economics videos has been launched to assist the more than 600 matriculants across South Africa who, despite significant disruptions to their education by the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, will sit down to write their final NSC/IEB Maritime Economics examination on 25 November 2020. The Gr 12 video series – which was specifically produced to assist the Class of 2020 prepare for their final exams – can be viewed free of charge via the website www.maritimesa.org. Applications have been made to the Department of Basic Education to zero-rate the website to assist students gain access to this important resource without the need for data or an internet connection. These videos represent a new partnership between renowned maritime educator, Mr Brian Ingpen – one of the pioneers of high school-based maritime education – and the Bahamas-based TK Foundation (https://www.tkfoundation.bs/), which funded the video project in its entirety. According to the TK Foundation’s Managing Director, Susan Karlshoej, “The TK Foundation’s mission is to fulfil the legacy of J. Torben Karlshoej, the founder of the Teekay Corporation, one of the world’s largest marine energy transportation companies. “One way the TK Foundation carries out his legacy is by supporting maritime programs that give underserved youth an opportunity to succeed in the maritime field. “These videos, produced by a long-serving and now retired educator from the award-winning STS Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon’s Town School (www.lawhill.org), are the perfect avenue for delivering The TK Foundation’s mission. “We have long been supporters of Lawhill’s Maritime Studies program and are pleased to expand our investment into a broader audience by supporting this project led by one of its most respected educators. We are delighted that Brian Ingpen, who taught Maritime Economics for 23 years, has agreed to share his maritime passion, knowledge and expertise to the benefit of youth and maritime educators in South Africa and around the world. “The creation of these videos means that more individuals will have access to quality maritime education materials, thus broadening the impact of J. Torben Karlshoej’s legacy.” The intention is to produce Maritime Economics subject videos for all three grades (Grades 10 to 12) in order to boost to maritime education and overall maritime awareness in South Africa. Here is a link to one of the videos: https://maritimesa.org/grade-12/incoterms-especially-in-the-context-of-container-shipping-2/ The new Grade 12 video series was completed, in full, within only three months by Studio Zafari Productions. The aim is to complete the Grade 10 and 11 videos by the end of the year and to launch them ahead of the school year, in January 2021. In addition to the above, the TK Foundation also funded the production of a Grade 12 Nautical Science ‘’Final Exam Video Tutorial’’ featuring Professor Dr Captain Ed Snyders. http://maritimesa.org/nautical-science-grade-12/2020/10/12/how-to-tackle-your-final-grade-12-exam-papers-video-tutorials/

October 30, 2020

Bursary to empower the next generation of marketing professional

A successful applicant will be awarded a Nnete Modise Bursary, to study at The AAA School of Advertising. The AAA School of Advertising is proud to partner with Alumnus, Abey Mokgwatsane and The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) to empower the next generation of marketing professional. Abey Mokgwatsane is a very successful communications and business professional. He is currently the Managing Executive of Brand, Communications and Sponsorships at Vodacom. He believes in revolutionising the industry as we know it, by taking a stand to bridge the gap of inclusivity and equality opportunities for women in the communications industry. The contribution and role of African women in the development of the marketing industry is visibly missing. Multiple conversations are had about bridging this gap and giving opportunities to women of colour within the industry, but not much is being done about it. Thus, inspired by his late grandmother, an extraordinary woman, Nnete Modise, the Nnete Modise Bursary was born. This bursary will provide funding for a young talented and driven African female towards a marketing degree at the AAA School of Advertising. “AAA was my ad school of choice because of its combination of theory and practical approaches to teaching marketing. The bursary on offer is for study from first year through to completion of the marketing degree. This is part of my personal commitment to be a light in the fight against Gender Based Violence as I believe the economic emancipation of women can go a long way in the fight against GBV,” adds Abey Mokgwatsane. “Having our alumni thrive and contribute to empowering talent makes us as an institution so proud. Abey is working in the industry that sees first-hand the potential of an amazing career path. He is very passionate about developing young people’s potential, and together our aim with this bursary is to facilitate the empowerment and talent of young people to succeed and grow in this industry”, says Dr. Ludi Koekemoer, Acting CEO of AAA School of Advertising. The requirements of the bursary for applicants include the following: the successful applicant needs to reside outside of the main commercial centres of South Africa. A written motivation of 500-words from the applicant’s educator accompanied by their matric prelim results. Also, to be included is an additional motivation letter from the student detailing their economic status and proof of residence. The bursary will also cover accommodation, ensuring that the prospective bursar’s ability to register and complete the three-year degree is further supported. It is important to note that The ACA will coordinate the applications, short-listing of the students and administer the entire process on behalf of the Nnete Modise Bursary. All submissions must be sent to: [email protected] Closing date for applications is 13 November, 2020.

October 30, 2020

Five fun and educational activities that you can do with LEGO® bricks

As school holidays are upon us, many parents are looking for ways to not only keep boredom at bay but also ensure that their kids are learning and mindfully engaged in the process. And while screen time can be a great way for kids to keep busy and entertained, it’s also a good idea to find balance between digital and real-life play. Here are five fun activities that kids, parents and siblings can try out together as a family using LEGO® bricks and sets at home. Perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers LEGO® DUPLO® bricks are ideal for toddlers, and thankfully there are a number of games and activities they can safely enjoy using these sets. Little ones will likely get a kick out of the ‘where’s the brick?’ game. Grab three plastic cups and hide a LEGO DUPLO brick under one of them. Now, swop them around and see if your little one can find which cup the brick is hidden under. To make it more challenging add in a few more cups and LEGO DUPLO bricks of different colours. This is a great way to help train your child’s visual memory. Help little ones to hone their observation skills with a game of ‘spot the difference’. Simply build two LEGO DUPLO towers, with a few small differences in one of them, and see if your toddler can spot what’s different. Now, take the first one away and see if your little one can remember all the differences. You can also create more differences and use more bricks once they’re comfortable with the game and understand how it works. Fun for ages four and up Kids aged four years and older will be able to tackle slightly more technical activities but, remember to keep it light and fun so they don’t lose interest. Build a LEGO maze using LEGO bricks from your collection at home or using the LEGO® Classic Creative Brick Boxes on a LEGO Baseplate, and toss in a small round object to see if it will make it through the maze. Encourage healthy competition by getting each family member to build their own maze and see which rolling object makes it through the maze the fastest. Another fun challenge for kids of this age is to build a boat made of LEGO bricks and load it up with coins to see which one floats the longest. This is a great way to challenge a child’s imagination and encourage them to get as creative as they would like with their boat structures, while developing fine motor skills too. It’s also a great way to incorporate water and teach kids the science behind buoyancy. Older children (six years and up) would of course need a little more stimulation and more of a challenge to keep them interested. The Ziploc Challenge, where kids need to try to build a LEGO brick structure through a sealed plastic bag, is a great way to keep playtime stimulating and fun for the whole family. Decide on an object or character that each player needs to build, add a time limit to make it more exciting, and include friendly penalties for players who open their bags, for example. Remember to keep the mood light and positive, and to make sure that the rules are flexible. It’s a good idea to give toddlers a little more time to complete their activities too, and to make time to engage in playtime with the kids, which has been proven to be tons more fun for little ones (and moms and dads, too!). These are just a few of the many ideas out there designed to keep little ones busy at home, but you can find more super-fun activity ideas and challenges at www.lego.com, as well as by searching the #letsbuildtogether tag online.

October 30, 2020

Time for your teen to start earning their own income? Here are some options

Teenagers are a breed in their own right. As parents, all we ever want to do is protect and care for our kids, but we also need to ensure they get some “real world” experiences so they’ll mature into responsible adults. Although your teen might consider it “boring” to start working when they’re “just a teen” there are so many great reasons them to start earning their own cash. Aside from just saving for what they really want, they’ll also begin building valuable skills and expertise, which essentially sets them up for a successful career later on in life. Here in SA, we have quite a lot of easy-to-land jobs for teens that can help develop skills while never being too dull. If you’re helping your teenager find a holiday or part-time gig, here are some options to consider. Best jobs for teenagers Animal shelter If your kid has a knack for dealing with animals, then a job at an animal shelter can be one of the best part-time opportunities. Animal shelters are always in need of cleaners, plus if they’ve got their eye on a career in veterinary services, this is the ideal place to start gaining some hands-on experience. Keep in mind that it can be a sad and dirty job at the worst of times, but the rewards far outweigh the negatives of this job. Dog Walker Again, if your kid loves animals, this is something they can do in their spare time to start earning their own cash. If they’re keen on the idea, they’ll need to be reliable and trustworthy. They can get a foot in the door by offering their services to neighbours before advertising on a community board or Facebook group. Babysitting This is an excellent job for South African teenagers because it’s a super flexible part-time job and something that’s almost always in demand. While some folks pay per hour, most of them pay a daily fee, and it’s always in cold hard cash. Obviously, they’ll mainly be working on Friday and Saturday evenings. To ensure they earn a better pay rate, help them get certified in first-aid because most people don’t want to leave their kids with someone who doesn’t know how to handle an emergency situation. Swimming instructor If your teenager is good at swimming, this can be a cool way to earn some extra cash. Of course, they can only land a job like this if they have training in CPR and basic first aid. They might just have to save someone’s life one day, so it’s super important that they know how to do it! Final Thoughts There are loads of jobs for teens in SA, and all you need to help your teenager land one is a little initiative and a willingness to learn and work from their side. Yes, the pay might not be excellent for all these jobs, but they are surefire ways to get a foot in the door for the future of their career in a few years. Not sure where to start looking? Head over to Adzuna right now. Your opportunity might be just a few clicks away!

October 30, 2020

How our childhood personality affects us as adults, and why it’s important

Much research has been done into how our experiences during childhood shape both our personalities as children and, later in life, as adults. This is an important area of research as it has many implications for parents when it comes to child-rearing, for teachers when it comes to teaching, and for many other people working with children. How is ‘personality’ defined? ‘Personality’ can be defined as a person’s ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and interacting with other people. Multiple researchers have determined that there are five primary personality characteristics, known collectively as the Big Five personality traits or the OCEAN model: Openness: a person’s appreciation for art and adventure, as well as their imagination and curiosity. Conscientiousness: a person’s ability to discipline themselves, fulfil their duties, and strive for success. Extraversion: a person’s tendency to experience positive emotions and to seek out the company of other people. Agreeableness: a person’s inclination to be compassionate, co-operative, and socially harmonious. Neuroticism: a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and anger. How are our personalities shaped? Our personalities are shaped not only by our genes but also by our environments and personal experiences as children and adolescents. These factors include parenting styles, culture and religion, education, access to resources, and adverse life events such as a parent’s divorce or death. Read more on helping children cope with divorce The development of our personalities begins with our temperaments as infants, which refers to an infant’s mood, energy and activity levels, and emotions. Although temperaments are primarily determined by genetics, they can be affected by other environmental factors, especially an infant’s attachment style, which is the way infants bond with their caregivers. Attachments are secure when caregivers are supportive and insecure when they are neglectful. Children who are securely attached have better life outcomes than children who are insecurely attached. Our personalities are also shaped by our childhood experiences with friendships and other social interactions. Do our personalities as children affect us as adults? In short: yes. Research has shown that our personalities as children remain relatively fixed throughout our lives. Four childhood personality traits have been identified as being good predictors of a child’s adulthood personality and life outcomes. These are: Mastery motivation: This trait refers to a child’s tendency to approach tasks with enthusiasm and confidence, to strive for success, and to persist in the face of failure. Children who exhibit high levels of this trait go on to be socially competent, rule-abiding academic achievers as adults. Read more on how to cope with failure. Academic conscientiousness: Similar to mastery motivation and conscientiousness as described by the OCEAN model, this trait assesses a child’s tendency to approach schoolwork seriously, thoroughly, and responsibly. Children who display high levels of academic conscientiousness go on to achieve success both at school and in the workplace. Surgency: Similar to extraversion, surgency measures a child’s tendency to be socially involved with others. Children who display high levels of this trait are outgoing, expressive, and self-reliant, and go on to be extremely socially competent as adults, enjoying numerous healthy platonic friendships and romantic relationships. Agreeableness Much like the Big Five personality trait, agreeableness in children refers to the generosity, kindness, and consideration they display as children, as well as their co-operation with adults. This trait positively predicts social cohesiveness and career success in adults. Read more on nurturing good values in children. Why is any of this important? The fact that so many factors influence our personalities as children, combined with the fact that our personalities as children persist well into adulthood, means that there are multiple implications for children’s caregivers, whether they be parents/guardians, teachers, or babysitters. Firstly, a child’s primary caregiver during the first year of their life must be aware that the way in which they care for the child will affect the child later in life. It is vital that such caregivers educate themselves on attachment styles, and how to provide for a child in a healthy, nurturing way without being obsessive or overbearing, which can be as detrimental to a child as a caregiver who is cruel or neglectful, or both. Secondly, knowing which childhood personality traits are predictors of good life outcomes in adulthood is crucial in setting up a child for success later in life. When a caregiver is aware that a child is displaying behaviour that is not a predictor of good life outcomes, measures can be taken to help the child. Caregivers can enlist the assistance of child psychologists and occupational therapists to help set the child on the right path. Lastly, caregivers who are conscious of healthy personality characteristics in children can work to nurture those and to reinforce beneficial behaviours. As crucial as corrective measures are for curbing unhealthy behaviour, positive reinforcement is equally as important – if not more important – for promoting healthy behaviour in children. Read more on rewarding good behaviour. By being aware of our children’s early childhood needs and their behavioural patterns, we can set them up for success, both in their childhoods and throughout their lives. By Jacqui Smit

October 29, 2020

Another Must-Have Card Game- UNO FLIP!™

Who doesn’t love UNO… well if you are a fan then certainly UNO FLIP!™will grab your attention and keep the whole family entertained! As some of you may already know, card games are a big thing in our house. We can spend hours as a family playing a variety of games together. Not only is this important bonding time for us but regularly playing card games creates an opportunity for us to all interact with each other and challenge each other’s skills. What I have found is that it encourages my younger children to focus better on their decision-making in terms of what hand to play, figure out how they can outwit the older children and which card will give them the better opportunity of winning. It also creates a space where we can all be competitive but within a safe environment where we all laugh with each other and does not feel like an educational opportunity at all! . UNO FLIP!™ is very much like the UNO that we all know and love – but with a twist! The cards are double-sided and this new and exciting deck includes a special FLIP card that gives classic gameplay a competitive edge. Players take turns matching a card in their hand with the current card shown on top of the deck either by colour or number. In a race to deplete their hands, players can play special cards to slow their opponents down, like Skips, Reverses and colour-changing Wild cards. UNO FLIP!™ also includes new Action cards that really shake things up, like Draw Five and Skip Everyone cards. Play the special FLIP card and all cards in your hand, the draw pile and draw deck are flipped over to reveal an entirely new set of numbers and colours on the opposite side! Talk about shaking things up! The holder of the FLIP card then determines whether or not you play on the “light” side or “dark” side of the deck and when you switch it back around. Strategise to rattle your competition and be the first to get rid of your cards to win. This is another educational opportunity for players, no matter what age, encouraging them to hone their planning skills. When you’re down to one card, don’t forget to shout “UNO! UNO FLIP!™ comes in a pack of 112 cards and includes detailed instructions. UNO FLIP!™ is perfect for families and players ages 7 and up. UNO FLIP!™ is available at your favourite toy store today!

October 29, 2020

MATRICS 2020, NOW IS YOUR TIME TO THRIVE!

“Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.” (Nelson Mandela) Final examinations can be a significant time of stress for any student, no matter what school year they are in. For Matrics, the 2020 year has been especially challenging in many ways, including having to adapt to new modes and methodologies of teaching and learning, at a time when marks really count. To the Matrics of 2020, spending too much time worrying about your studies and exams, having feelings of low confidence, low self-esteem and experiencing depressed and anxious thoughts, will ensure that you will not be in a good learning space. These troubled feelings and symptoms in relation to your studies and writing your exams are caused by stress. It is a warning sign that your wellbeing needs attention. Don’t let the pressure of the final examination period affect your performance now. Be optimistic, keep moving forward and choose to thrive in your quest to conquer your final examinations! Draw up a study timetable and stick to it Time management is key to helping you feel focused and in control. Create a plan and stick to it. Include a routine that you can manage, focusing on the times of day that you are most alert. Put up your study timetable for everyone in your household to see. It is important for them to support you in your studies and you to learn effectively. Eat well and feel wellThe food that you put into your body can have a huge impact on how your brain works. As tempting as it is to eat the local takeaways or even worse, skip a meal, it is not the way to supercharge your brain. Make a point of taking in foods that can improve your memory, fuel your brain, and help you master your studies. The best way to feed your brain is to eat a wide range of foods from all food groups and to drink lots of water. Take regular breaks and reach out to those you can talk to Learn to recognise when you are stressed out. Don’t be afraid to take a break and have a conversation with someone who knows about the pressure you’re under. This will allow you to put things into perspective. Sleep routine is important Ensure that you get eight hours of sleep every night over the period of the examinations. Wind down completely before you go to bed and don’t revise under the duvet on your bed – your bed is your sanctuary, not your desk. Limit social media and build rewards and treats into your study timetable Incorporate small rewards and treats that you can look forward to, for sticking to your study timetable. You need to ditch all social media while you are studying. Put your phone out of sight and on silent when you are studying. Once you have met your study goals for each day, treat yourself to just 30 minutes on your phone to catch up on what you missed out on. Access free online resources to enhance your preparation Ensure that you capitalise on and use the many free, excellent online resources created by national education departments, higher education, and corporate institutions. Visit their websites to access academic and other forms of support. During these unusual times, extra help will go a long way. The AAA School of Advertising has put together a sound, online matric revision programme which will enhance the already excellent work being done by Matric Educators in secondary schools. Students can register on https://www.aaaschool.ac.za/matric-revision-courses-2 for the following subjects: Date Subject Mon 26 Oct Business Studies Tues 27 Oct Life Sciences Wed 28 Oct English Home Language Wed 28 Oct Afrikaans Home Language Thurs 29 Oct English Additional language Thurs 29 Oct Afrikaans Additional Language Friday 30 Oct Accounting Ultimately, don’t lose sight of the fact that there is life after your examinations. Things might seem intense right now, but it won’t last forever. “We wish all Matrics huge success for the 2020 end year exams!” By Debbie Lees: Foundation Programme Manager, The AAA School of Advertising

October 29, 2020

UNO Junior is so much fun

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

October 28, 2020

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

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

October 28, 2020

The benefits of block play & young children

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

October 28, 2020

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

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

October 28, 2020

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

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

October 28, 2020

Meet the ever so fun Linkimals!

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

October 28, 2020

We love the Disney/PIXAR Toy Story – Emperor Zurg

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

October 28, 2020

Improve Your Intimate Experience Naturally

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

October 27, 2020

Imaginext GKG77 Mega bite shark

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

October 27, 2020

Restoring Hope everyday

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

October 27, 2020

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

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

October 26, 2020

Chicco First Dreams Next2Moon Night-light & Projector

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

October 26, 2020

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

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

October 26, 2020

Practical Tips to Stimulate Your Baby – 0-3 Months

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

October 23, 2020

Introducing the Thomas & Friends™ Cassia Crane & Cargo Set

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

October 23, 2020

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