Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

How to help kids deal with anxiety

No parent likes to see their child worried, stressed or anxious. The good news is that your response and support can make a big difference. Here’s what you can do to help.

Impaq

Life skills curriculum in the media: Where does Impaq stand?

The Sunday Times article, ‘Sex lessons for modern grade 4s in new life orientation curriculum’ (12 May 2019), drew strong reactions from educators and parents alike. The article discussed the Department of Basic Education’s proposed changes to the content for sex education as part of the life skills curriculum. According to the article, the revised content includes explicit details for learners as young as ten. The department argues that the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum is aligned to UNESCO’s international technical guidance on sexuality education. In response to the article, the Department of Education denied that explicit information will be included in new textbooks.

Parenting Hub

Sleep and Your Pre-School Child

A lack of sleep is debilitating, and your pre-schooler’s disruptive sleep patterns can affect the whole family. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 need 11 to 13 hours of sleep a day, and also need a nap during the day. Establishing good sleeping habits as early as possible is recommended. One solution will not suit all children.

Parenting Hub

Spur Secret Tribe hosts Chief Cook Event

Working with unique South African flavour combinations, experimenting with different ingredients, measurements and cooking styles, but most of all family fun, were the highlights at the Spur Secret Tribe Chief Cook competition recently held at Prue Leith Chef’s Academy in Centurion, Pretoria.  15 family teams from across the greater Pretoria came together to create culinary delights and compete against each other to create the best Gourmet Burger and a Mzansi-inspired salad. The teams were made up of a variety of combinations (mother-and-son, mother-and-daughter and father-and-daughter), who went all out to win the top prizes in each category. The event was part of a competition for Spur’s loyal Secret Tribe members – an exclusive club for kids aged 12 years and younger. Each team was given two challenges. First challenge was to create a salad, focusing on freshness, flavour combinations and a salad dressing with a twist, using Spur Sauces. Butternut, biltong, feta cheese where the top favourite ingredients.  Next up each team had to create their version of Gourmet Burger, working with the famous Spur burger patty and sauces, as well as a variety of toppings to create the ultimate burger.  In each round the teams were judged on their ability to work together, as well as the taste of their food, what toppings they used, how well the flavours worked together and how they plated their food. The ‘Best Burger’ challenge was won by mother-and-daughter team, Anneke  Flower and 10-year old Yazzmin, who scored well in the taste category, using a delicious combination of sauces and toppings. Mother-and-daughter team, Funzani Shandukani and 6-year old Pfunzo came a close second. Mom-and-son team, Thobeka Skhosana and 8-year old Nkosikhona were awarded the first prize for their Mzansi-inspired salad, scoring high on the flavour profile and full marks for their excellent teamwork. The runners up were mom-and-daughter team Tshegofatso Motsei and 9-year old Gogontle.  “It was a pleasure hosting our eighth Chief Cook event in Pretoria. All the contestants were so enthusiastic and it was great to see how the teams worked together. Our lives are so busy and this event is an opportunity for families to slow down, spend time in the kitchen making great food from scratch and enjoy each other’s company. It was the first time we challenged contestants to make a salad, creating a delicious balance between the burger and the salad flavours!” says Joe Stead, Creative Director from Spur Steak Ranches. “Thank you also to Spur Sauces, Rhodes, Freddy Hirsch, KinderJoy, Plush and SunPick who partnered with us to bring families together in the kitchen”. 

Parenting Hub

A Positive Comparison Approach to Assist your Child

No two children are the same; they have different talents, interests, develop at different rates and have different strengths. As parents, it is essential to tread carefully as one can either build or break the confidence and self-esteem in one’s children.

Parenting Hub

Social exposure: examining the underlying insecurities in the future of robotics

The social influence of robots on people and the insecurities this can bring should not be underestimated. Research conducted by Kaspersky and Ghent University has found that robots can effectively extract sensitive information from people who trust them, by persuading them to take unsafe actions. For example, in certain scenarios, the presence of a robot can have a big impact on people’s willingness to give out access to secure buildings.

Caroline Syokao

Benefits of Music Therapy for Children on the Spectrum

Music is a good therapeutic tool for people with different abilities and ages. This is mostly so for children with autism. Medical experts have shown its calming effects and how it’s helped autistic kids integrate into society.

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

When you have a pain in the neck or back

Back pain is a common problem – 80% of us will experience an episode at some point in our lives. It is associated with many factors that vary from person to person but can be caused by an injury, a disc or joint problem, an irritated nerve root or poor posture. The pain might be acute or chronic but living with either can be debilitating.

Parenting Hub

Discover the future of Safe Sleeping

Babies spend the greater part of their first 12 months sleeping up to 16 hours per day. It is therefore essential to protect your baby’s sleep space from unwanted bugs and insects.

Parenting Hub

The Benefits of Outdoor Play

South Africans are fortunate enough to live in a country where the people are blessed with wide-open spaces and an abundance of wildlife. Many children in foreign countries are limited in the amount of time they spend outdoors.

Parenting Hub

Financial preparation for prospective parents

Having a baby can be wonderful. It can change your life in so many positive ways. You will love more deeply than you thought possible and moments like your child’s first words will become treasured memories.

Impaq

How bullying can affect your child’s mental health

We’ve all heard the saying, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. But recent research shows that that is not the case. In their book Words Can Change Your Brain, Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman write: “A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” The saying would perhaps then be more accurate if changed to sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can change my brain.

Parenting Hub

How to study for Languages

Many learners place very little emphasis on studying for a language exam – after all, we use language every day so how difficult can an exam be, right? Wrong!

Parenting Hub

No spanking, what now?

South Africa has just passed a law prohibiting the spanking of children as a way of punishment. The debate as to whether this is ‘right’ or not rages on, with parents on both sides of the argument expressing their points of view. In fact, Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centre says, “there is little that causes the intensity of emotions and opinions as that of whether or not spanking your child is helpful or whether it is simply something that has been passed down from one generation to the next, with little or no workable alternatives.”

Parenting Hub

Top tips for travelling with a stroller

Make travel days easier and still have the holidays you want with Thule Travelling with a baby or toddler can be overwhelming. The sheer amount of stuff you need just to get your bundle of joy from A to B seems never ending. You need to pack for every eventuality… and then some. Cot, clothes, bottles, blankets, car seat, stroller… the list goes on. Luckily, the latter doesn’t need to cause you any more headaches, if you stick to these top travelling tips from premium Swedish product maker, Thule. With over 75 years of product engineering, the focus for every item they make is on durability, reliability and ease of use – the trifecta you are looking for on both travel days and holidays.  Top things to consider when travelling with a stroller: 1.     Your travel needs Think about the type of travelling that you and your family will do over the next few years, as this has an impact on what kind of stroller will work best for you. Do you often travel to Europe (and beyond), so need to think about cobblestones and uneven terrain? Will you ever need a double stroller, to hold a slightly older child and a newborn, while you are sightseeing? Is exercise a non-negotiable on your priority list? What kind of pram would make your holiday (and everyday life) easier? Thule Sleek is a smart and stylish pram, which is ideal for active parents. Lightweight and easy to handle, it allows you to bring everything you need for a big day out, plus adjust as you go, as there are various combinations and configurations to suit your needs. Add a bassinet or a sibling seat to make it a double stroller or car seat stroller. Thule Sleek is easy to manoeuvre anywhere you go, thanks to its compact size, front wheels and lightweight construction. 2.     Size and weight When travelling with a baby, the idea is not to add awkward-to-carry, bulky luggage, but instead to keep all luggage stream-lined and space efficient. The best strollers for holidays (and everyday) are considerably lighter and a lot smaller than their heavier counterparts, so that your hands are kept free, plus small enough to store – whether it is in a car or in the plane.    A great option with travelling is the Thule Sleek Travel Bag that protects your stroller Compatible with the Thule Sleek, much like a bike bag, the padded bag protects your stroller from scratches and dirt during transport. It is custom fitted for maximum protection and includes a separate wheel bag to keep the pram clean, plus there are wheels for easy transport. 3.     Ease of folding and flexibility If you are flying or travelling solo, a stroller with an easy folding function is a must. Some of the best foldable strollers can quickly and easily be folded up using just one hand – incredibly convenient if you need to carry your baby with the other arm. An easy-to-fold stroller is particularly useful if you fly around the country often to visit family and friends, or if you are travelling overseas with lots of luggage – especially if you are the outdoor-adventure type who chooses their holiday destination based on trail runs and other sporting activities around a certain area. The Thule Chariot Sport 2 is small, slim, light and easy to fold – a lifesaver when travelling with other sporting gear.  It transitions from jogger mode to biker mode with just two additional pieces, which means that a ‘biking’ holiday (with a pram) in France or the Netherlands can still be ticked off your bucket list… even with a pram in tow. The Thule Chariot Sport 2 is the ultimate all-in-one trailer, jogger and stroller, made with athletes and their kids in mind, as it offers all-round comfort and performance. The extra comfortable fully padded seats are removeable and easy to clean. There are even removable windows and clips to increase ventilation, a rain cover, and a mutli-position sun cover, to deal with all types of weather that you might encounter on your travels. For more information about Thule’s products and stockists, please visit: https://www.thule.com/en/za

Parenting Hub

Toddler Fun In The Sun: Safety First

Even though South Africa is in the midst of a heatwave, there is still a lot of fun to be had in the sun. If you are planning on spending time sun-soaking or swimming with your toddler, there are two things you need to keep in mind: taking care of your toddler’s skin while he / she is playing in the sun, and taking care of his / her skin afterwards. It is important to always moisturize and take care of your toddler’s skin, but it is absolutely vital when they are exposed to the sun. This article will highlight two products you can use to ensure your toddler’s safety when they play outside.

Prima Baby

V-Tech Baby Pull & Pop Aeroplane

Time flies when you’re having fun with V-Tech baby! A highly interactive toy, the Pull & Pop Aeroplane provides hours of fun for curious children from 6 months upwards. Cute songs all written for adventures in the sky create a sing-along environment ,while small challenges given by the toy will keep little minds working hard whilst having the most fun ever.  With over 70 songs, melodies, sounds and phrases controlled by 3 large colourful buttons, the plane also has a bead popping function and a rotating propeller. An all-round excellent motor skill development toy. With an automatic shut off, baby won’t waste batteries if they fall asleep during play. All V-Tech Baby toys are available at Babies R Us, Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone and selected Kids Emporium stores.

Parenting Hub

Why climbing a tree is better than watching a screen…

It is all over the news! How much screen time is too much for young children?  What is it about this age of technology and the need to understand the dynamics of our changing world? Are we bringing up a generation of children who are comfortably able to live in a world of humans and computers? Are we allowing little bodies to develop fine and gross motor skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, imagination and creativity? Or are we choosing to remain blind to the negative effects that screen time is having on the physical and cognitive development of our children?  Or is it just easier to give in and ignore the very real possibility that too much time on electronic devices is stifling our children’s ability to learn effectively?” According to Cindy Glass, Founder and Owner of Step Up Education Centres these are critical questions and, unfortunately, the answers are not particularly favourable. She offers the following important points for consideration: Children learn by doing, not by having things done for them. Building puzzles, creating imaginative games, playing in the sand or climbing a tree require active involvement from children.  They need to think, solve problems and use their innate creativity to enjoy these activities. Furthermore, they develop important motor skills. In a nutshell, children learn how to use their bodies and minds effectively. Sitting for hours in front of a screen involves mindless pressing of ‘buttons’ and instant gratification. This is clearly not ideal for growing and developing children. We live in a world of other human beings. Playing games with other children, be it siblings or friends, involves learning essential emotional intelligence skills. Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills are learned to a great extent, through interactive play. Parents who spend time playing games or making things with their children enjoy positive relationships and wonderful connections that cannot ever be experienced on a computer. Children who spend time outdoors enjoy the benefits of natural light, the warmth of the sun, exercise and heartfelt laughter. Their developing bodies can enjoy the freedom of running, climbing, riding bikes or sitting in the shade of a tree observing the little creatures that make up their world. There is no computer- generated game or activity that can mimic these essential, healthy lifestyle activities. We live in a world of increasingly demanding technology – that is a fact that we cannot ignore. But Cindy argues that it does not mean that we should deprive young children of essential life and developmental skills by allowing technology to override their natural and innate need to learn through active engagement with their world and all that it offers. “In short, little children do not need devices; they need trees and building blocks, puzzles and crayons,” Cindy concludes.

Parenting Hub

Environmental Education

Education in any realm is important for changing oneself as well as the community in which we live. Education is the only way that people can build the knowledge to affect any change. I am not merely referring to the learning of facts and theorems but more critically, learning how to effectively question, explore and think about issues, change one’s mind (and the minds of others), innovate and create.

Parenting Hub

Review: Thule Sleek Changing Bag

We love the Thule Sleek Changing Bag. Every mom to be feels that they have purchased the perfect changing bag until they have to fit everything that baby needs into the bag… The Thule Sleek Changing Bag is larger than most and moms believe me, you are going to need it. The bag has a sleek design with every consideration being taken into account.  With inside and outside pockets it is easy to keep things organised. The changing mat is perfectly padded PLUS it has handy storage compartments as well, ensuring that those nappy changes are comfortable for mom and baby in the mall. I certainly found the best feature to be that this bag converts easily from a shoulder bag to a backpack. With the loads that mom has to carry when going out, this option really does help make life just that little bit easier.  Available from leading retailers and a must buy today! 

Parenting Hub

Brands on-board to help SA families build bursaries for school

As any parent knows, when it comes to affording quality education for our children, we need all the help we can get. Escalating school fees, continual costs of uniforms and many extras make educating our children a significant, long-term family expense. Quality education features high on the UN’s list of 17 sustainable development goals, and South Africa is a signatory to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which recognises the vital role that education plays in improving lives.

Parenting Hub

HELP YOUR TEENAGER TO ADOPT POSITIVE ATTITUDES

Positive attitudes in your teenager will help him to feel better about himself and his world. Help your teen to develop a positive and healthy attitude towards himself and those around him. You can do this by being optimistic yourself. Avoid making negative or pessimistic comments. Surely there must be something good in most situations? Don’t openly criticize yourself or other people. It sounds judgemental and negative. Constant criticism of everything becomes a bad habit. Try to be cheerful. You probably have a lot for which to be thankful!

Parenting Hub

Review: Angelcare Bath Support

The perfect bath support for your little one!   The Angelcare Bath Support cradles your baby during bath time. Baby is not only comfortable when gently cradled in their ergonomic shape, but the unit is compact enough that you could easily have your older child in the bath at the same time or mom could jump on in to have some bonding time with baby.  It certainly leaves parents hands free to wash and play! The Angelcare Bath Support also has two suction cups to ensure watertight stability throughout bath time. The silicone back rest keeps baby firmly in place but does not irritate gentle soft skin. The Bath Support is hygienic as it has soft material which allows water to drain through ensuring that no mould forms when you hang it up after use with its handy loop. Suitable from 0-6 months or until baby reaches 9kgs.  Please do remember as with all bath support systems to not leave your baby unattended.  Available from leading retails Don’t forget to follow @angelcaresouthafrica on instagram for their handy tips and to learn more about all their products.

Good Night Baby

HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP DESPITE THIRD-TRIMESTER DISCOMFORT?

Sleepless nights are often associated with the new-born baby phase, but the reality is that often, a mommy lacks proper sleep even before baby has arrived. Some people laughingly say that this uncomfortable third trimester prepares parents for the lack of sleep that parents will experience once baby arrives.

Parenting Hub

Sensory Play and the importance in brain development

We may not realise but our little baby starts to use their sense of touch to explore their world around them even from inside the womb. They do this by touching Moms womb, sucking their fingers and playing with their toes. Don’t forget the sound your voices were their first introduction to the sense of hearing.

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