Advice from the experts
Advtech Group

How to choose Pre-Primary School

Choosing a school for your little one should not be a last minute, hasty decision. Start looking at least three months before you need to enter your child, if you are looking to place a baby. If you want your child to join a good school when they turn three, you should start looking at birth. This may seem ludicrous but the top Pre-Primary schools have waiting lists several years long! The first decision is whether to place your child in a school near home or near your place of work. Small children suffer from many little illnesses and most schools want a sick child to go home as soon as possible. Choose a school that is close enough for someone to fetch them promptly if they fall ill. No matter how loving the care at school, a sick child just wants the comfort of home. Choose a school whose hours suit your schedule. If the school closes at 5.30pm, you must be able to reach it with time to spare, regardless of the traffic. Does the school open early enough for you to get to work? You cannot leave a small child outside the gate and assume that someone will take responsibility! There are so many places of care to choose from at the moment that you may be bewildered by the choice. Take the time to visit the school unannounced. Check the security first, it should not be possible for you just to drive in. Are there cameras at the door and an entrance procedure? Next, how are you greeted and dealt with by the receptionist? This should be efficient, friendly and with an offer to show you the school, either then or by appointment. An appointment does not mean they have anything to hide; good schools have to allocate time and staff to deal with parents effectively. Is the reception clutter free and efficiently run? Are the admittance forms neatly printed and requesting sufficient background detail on your child? When you look around, watch the children. Under-fives should be playing freely and busily with clean, unbroken toys that are well displayed to enable choice, or engaged in activities that are stimulating creativity or enhancing number or literacy skills. There should be no worksheets or cloned art work. Is the classroom clean and attractive, with good natural light and ventilation? Is there sufficient space for the children? Crowded rooms lead to fights and stress. Has the teacher (who should be SACE registered) an assistant to manage bathroom visits, messes and to support play? Is there evidence of an overall theme that the children are investigating? Are there good quality books in a comfy spot for reading? Are the carpets and floors clean? Beware of schools that are too tidy and immaculate as this could mean that the equipment is for display, not the children’s use. Children should be aware of your presence but not clamouring for your attention. What is your language policy for your child? If they are to attend Primary school in a specific language, they will be at an advantage if their early years are spent in the same language. This does not mean that you should forsake your home language. Bi-lingual children have a cognitive advantage, but do not confuse your child by subjecting him/her to a constant mixture of languages. Choose a school that will help your child enter grade 1 with a strong vocabulary and comprehension, as well as an ability to engage in their intellectual education with understanding. What do you require in the way of meals? Not all schools serve breakfast, lunch and snacks and the price should reflect what is provided. Check out the kitchen, the kitchen staff and the certificates from the local authority indicating that the school is licenced to provide meals. Look at the menus. Is there sufficient variety and fresh fruit and vegetables? Ask about who feeds the little ones and how meals are conducted for the older ones. Are the children forced to eat their meals? Can the school cater for genuine allergies, (Not fussy eaters!) If your child is still a baby, check the policies on formulas, nappies, wet wipes etc. If the school supplies everything, it may be a little more expensive but well worth your while in terms of convenience. Look at the nappy changing areas, where everything should be neatly labelled and the area safe and well ventilated, with proper disposal facilities. Potty training areas should be bright and welcoming, with small toilets for children aged two plus.  Are the baby rooms warm enough for the babies to play and crawl on the floor and not be kept in a cot all day. Who provides the cot linen and how often is it washed? There should be a nursing sister available for very young babies, as well as well-trained carers who will talk to and stimulate your child. The outdoor area should have grass, sand, water, shade and wheeled toys, as well as safe climbing and swinging equipment, appropriate for the different age groups. Children are stimulated by their environment so the garden should be attractive, bright and well supervised. Gross motor development underlies all other development at this age so there should be a minimum of an hour per morning and afternoon set aside for active, outdoor play. Last but not least, the atmosphere of the school should be welcoming and child friendly. Do not be swayed by the latest technological devices and lessons if the staff seem aloof and uncaring. With proper research your child should be happy and well stimulated in the chosen environment until it is time for Big School. Written By: Barbara Eaton (Academic Development Co-ordinator of ADvTECH Pre-Primary Schools)  

June 18, 2019
Toptots Head Office

Milestones – are they important?

I had a call from a concerned parent yesterday and I realised again how hard it is to bring up a baby in today’s world. As first-time parents you are so afraid of doing the wrong thing and not getting it right that we forget to trust our instincts when raising our children.   Remember milestones are an indication that all is well developmentally.  It’s not a list to be rushed through. A child must spend time in each phase in order to develop all areas of his intellect. The less time he spends playing with gadgets, the better for him.   So, ask yourself the following question: Is someone or something allowing him to be able to do this?  (Sit/ walk/jump/ draw etc.) If you get a YES, then you know it might hinder him developmentally.  Support seats, walkers and jolly jumpers are all allowing him to be in a position that he should not be able to be in at this stage. If he could sit/ walk/ jump he would be able to do it on his own.  Help him strengthen his muscles to be able to do just that.   Put your baby on the floor and less time in constraints or in mom’s arms.  Your child needs to be working on those large muscles so that he can control the small muscles later on. Yes, we are living in a world where you have to be technologically savvy and our children are exposed to IPads and other electronic devices, but at what expense?  It’s now even more important than ever before that we limit the use of electronic devices in the early toddler years.   Toddlers need to spend most of their day playing, using their imagination, running, jumping and drawing. All these experiences help them to sit still later at school. His “job” is to strengthen his gross motor muscles so that the fine muscle control (to hold my pen and read across a page) will work optimally later. Pushing a child to perform is not the answer.  A child that can use the IPad/ computer / cell phone at three is not a genius.  He is a child who might have problems later on at school with midline crossing/ fine motor control/ reading etc.  Limit devices/ gadgets to 30 min a day and let him be a child.  It is the only time he has to be carefree.

June 17, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

The Upspring High Waist C-Panty Review

The Upspring High Waist C-Panty is a great product for any women who has recently undergone a Caesarean. This is a must have for moms in recovery as it aids in this process. Read on below now to get the full scope of this product and why we recommend it to all C-section moms. Why This Product Is A Must Have The C-Panty line by Upspring has been designed to specifically aid women in the recovery of a caesarean. Firstly, it will aid in reducing both scarring and swelling to your cut. The panty is designed to be comfortable, using a gentle waist band which sits directly beneath the rib cage. This ensures you do not experience an uncomfortable, tight panty line. Furthermore, the materials used in the design of this product actually aid your incision recovery. There is a specific section which will cover your cute, made specifically out of silicone. This will help your skin to recover as well as minimalize scarring.  The Pros Of The Upspring High Waist C-Panty The construction of the panty will help you both slim down, and recover post surgery The panty will promote abdominal compression, which will slim down that post baby belly, reduce swelling and shrink the uterus The design of the panty includes the promotion of compression around incision, which will reduce your pain and id moving around post surgery The silicone panel which covers the incision area will help with reduced scarring, and aid the recovery of your cut You can wear this product directly after giving birth, for up to 12 months post delivery This product was designed by a surgeon and is highly recommended by OB/GYNs The Construct Of, And Caring For Your Upspring High Waist C-Panty 92% Nylon, 8% Spandex Machine washable as delicate, line dry

June 17, 2019
Parenting Hub

The wonderful gift of boredom in children

Never in the history of mankind have we been so bombarded by technology in the form of cellphones, tablets and computers. Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres say,” We are a species with highly addictive personalities and we seem quite oblivious to the effects that this is having on our ability to learn and retain new information, concentrate on tasks, engage in creative, imaginative play and enjoy healthy human relationships. Our children spend many hours watching screens, hopping between apps and only needing to focus for seconds at a time, if at all. We are, quite literally, losing our minds!” She adds that we are born with an innate ability and need to explore, learn, design, imagine and engage with our physical world. “We have bodies that can move and minds that can dream of the impossible and make it possible. There is no technology on earth that can replace the brilliance of a human mind, if it is allowed the opportunity to be used effectively.” Children are born wanting to play and learn, but, even before they are able to express this genius, we put a screen in front of them.  Screen-time has become the new nanny of the 21st century and studies have shown that ‘she’ is the least effective way to encourage the wholistic development of a human being. Cindy explains that in order for our brain to learn the essential skills of creativity and imagination, it needs to have space! Research has shown that too much screen time causes the human brain to become over-stimulated.  It does not have to do any work to receive the images and activities that are available at a touch of a button. Few, if any, critical thinking or problem-solving skills are required to mindlessly hop between apps, videos and games.  The mind is a muscle that needs exercising and engagement in order to develop and grow. At the same time however, we know that Technology is here to stay. So. How do parents ensure that it is used wisely?   What would happen if you deliberately restricted the amount of screen time that your children were allowed to use? Many parents would flinch at the thought! ‘My child will be angry and worse, bored!’ Cindy recognises that this would be most parents concern but adds that it would only be for a week! “Children are so addicted to their screens that it may take a few days to adjust to finding other ways to engage with their world more effectively BUT, once boredom kicks in, the mind begins to wake up! The brain seeks to stimulate itself and looks for ways to create new scenarios in which to work. This is where imagination and creativity and new ideas begin. Art, music, reading, climbing the tree outside, having real human conversations, dancing, running, laughing, writing and designing are some of the essential life skills that will start developing as a result of being bored for a moment. The brain is forced to focus for longer periods of time and concentration skills are greatly enhanced!” “As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that we give our children opportunities to be without the world of addictive technology so that their minds, bodies and emotions can develop to their full potential. It is our responsibility, to take responsibility for how much time is spent in front of a screen. Do not fear boredom.  Allow it. You may just be surprised at the outcome!” Cindy concludes.

June 14, 2019
Speech and Audio Inc

Dangerous Decibels, Noise induced hearing loss in children

It has become increasingly more common to see children using tablets, portable gaming devices and smartphones with headphones. Certainly these days our children are wired for sound, but does this increased use of headphones and the potential damage inflicted by them mean that they will be more wired for hearing aids in the near future?  Loud noise and sounds can be very damaging to a child’s hearing. Both the level of noise and the length of time exposed to it can put your child at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB); the higher the decibel number, the louder the sound/noise. Research has shown that sounds louder than 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. However, it’s not a linear relationship. Eighty decibels is twice as loud as 70 decibels, and 90 decibels is four times louder. Exposure to 100 decibels, about the volume of noise caused by a power lawn mower, is safe for just 15 minutes. Noise at 108 decibels, however, is safe for less than three minutes. Most of the hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds can happen very slowly and take years to be detected by the person who has it. Sound Level Length of exposure, before damage to your hearing 50 – 70 dB No damage 85 dB 8 hours 90 dB 2 hours 100 dB 15 minutes 110 dB  1 minute 120 dB and upwards Instant damage One of the most common ways young children are exposed to excessive noise is via noisy toys. Many toys are designed to be played at a distance from the body, but a young child will bring the toy close to his/her face and ears. By bringing the toy closer to his/her ears, the resulting sound is louder and therefore more damaging. Some toys can reach 100dB  or more if placed close to the ear. Research has shown that there has been an increase in hearing loss in adolescents during the past three decades. What is even more frightening is that a loss of hearing may go undetected for many years after chronic exposure to high levels of noise. This means that the hearing loss caused by the noise teenagers are exposing themselves to today might not surface for many years. A recent study suggests that children who listen to headphones may be at greater risk for a noise-induced hearing loss. The study further claimed regardless of how long they wore headphones or how high they set the volume, kids who used headphones just one or two days a week were more than twice as likely to have hearing loss as children who didn’t use headphones at all.  A noise-related hearing loss is classified as a hearing loss in the high frequencies (high pitched sounds). A child with a noise related hearing loss may struggle to hear soft or faint sounds, speech may sound unclear or muffled and it may be accompanied by ringing in their ears.  Noise-induced hearing loss generally comes about gradually and is not painful. However, the damage caused to the inner ear is irreversible.  A loss can be temporary after a loud event but it can become permanent with repeated exposure to noise. How can I tell if I’m listening to dangerous noise levels? You or your child is listening to dangerously loud sounds/noise if: You must raise your voice to be heard even when you’re 1 meter from the person. If you can clearly hear what your child is listening to through their headphones, then it is too loud If a parent is arm’s length away, then the child should be able to hear if the parent asks a question.  You are listening to music or a game at more than 50 percent (half) of the maximum volume. Speech around you sounds muffled or dull after you leave the noisy area. You have pain or ringing in your ears (“tinnitus”) after exposure to noise. What can be done? You cannot limit every sound that a child hears, you can take some preventive steps to minimize potential damage The best option is to avoid the loud sounds or noise whenever possible. If that is not possible, use hearing protection like earplugs and/or earmuffs. Cotton will not protect your hearing. If you don’t have any hearing protection available, try to limit the amount of time you or your child is exposed to the loud sound. When purchasing toys for infants, look for ones with a volume control or an off/on button. Limit the amount of time that children are exposed to sound or remove the batteries from young children’s toys. Another option is to cover the loudspeaker with tape to lower the volume. Keep personal-listening devices set to no more than half volume. Don’t be afraid to ask others to turn down the sounds from speakers. Encourage children to take breaks from their headphones in order to give their inner ear hair cells time to rest  Instead of the in the ear headphones, let your child use headphones that fit over their ears.  Purchase sound limiting and noise cancelling headphones for your child but continue to monitor the level that they listen at Look for noise ratings on appliances, sporting equipment, power tools, and hair dryers. Purchase quieter products Life is loud so lead by example! YOU can also lose your hearing with noise exposure, so use hearing protection when needed and listen to music, the T.V., and other sounds at a softer level. Remember to test your child’s hearing on an annual basis to monitor their hearing abilities.

June 14, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

What You Need To Know About C-Section Recovery

C-Section recovery is a much needed practice after welcoming your bundle of joy into the world. But where do you start? How can you begin to heal as a mom who’s jut delivered via Caesarean?  How Long Can You Expect A C-Section Recovery To Take? Generally, the expected recovery time for a C-section is around 6 weeks. However, you may feel as though you need a bit longer. This is particularly true for moms who already have children. If you feel you need more down time, just continue to consult with your doctor regularly to keep check on your recovery. Looking after Your Wound You will need to follow your care instructions given to you by your midwife or doctor post-surgery. After the first few days of surgery, your bandaging will be ready to come off and your stiches removed. you should consult your doctor if at any time you feel: As though you are developing a temperature You are experiencing strange sensations such as tummy cramps or you are just not feeling well Your cut begins to act up in any way – swelling, discharge or becomes painful Pain Relief At Home Know that you are bound to experience a bit of pain and discomfort. You did just undergo surgery after all. As such, you will most likely be prescribed pain medication during your recovery time. You will also be able to make use of various products to help your recovery, such as the Upspring C-Panty range. 

June 13, 2019
Parenting Hub

Plan to stay warm and save money this winter

Thinking ahead will often save you money. Last-minute decisions or leaving things until they become a crisis generally don’t. It’s why prepping your home for winter is usually time well invested. While winter weather isn’t the same across South Africa – wet and windy in the Western Cape, dry and bitter in Gauteng – it’s cold just about everywhere. DirectAxis spoke to some experts about how to prepare your home for winter. We asked that their tips had to be things that most home owners can implement without too much expertise. Unsurprisingly, keeping out the cold topped the list. Although insulating your home is a good idea anyway, doing so at a time when the electricity supply is under pressure is doubly beneficial. Not only will you save electricity, which is going to get more expensive, but it’ll be easier to keep warm if there is more loadshedding.  Check your doors and windows for draughts. It’s relatively easy to fit self-adhesive rubber seals to the bottom of doors which are letting cold air in. Alternatively, you can make or buy a sausage-dog draught-stopper to block the gap.  Do the same with windows. Repair glass that isn’t fitted properly or where putty or seals are damaged, fix windows that don’t seal and replace any worn or missing weather strips. Although these seem like small steps, sustainability websites claim that you can lose up to 15% heat through draughty doors and 10% though unsealed windows. Curtains are better than blinds for keeping out the cold and retaining heat. When there is a bit of warmth and sunlight you can keep them open to warm the house and close them at night to keep the warm air in.  Once you’ve finished at ground level move to the ceiling. If you don’t have insulation, consider getting some. It’ll keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. It’s not difficult to fit, but if you have doubts about your DIY abilities, call in the experts. Every house differs, but expert opinion holds that an average house will lose about 25% of heat through the roof. While you’re up there, check if you have a geyser blanket. Heating water requires a lot of energy, up to 40% of household electricity usage, so insulating your geyser will save you money in the long run. Geyser blankets aren’t very expensive, around R300 on average.  When you’ve finished insulating the inside of your house, check the outside. If you live in a winter rainfall area, clear your gutters of leaves and other debris. Water in clogged gutters can break the brackets that support them. The water also needs to go somewhere. If you’re lucky it will pour harmlessly over the side, hopefully not above an entrance. If not, it can blow up under the tiles and damage ceilings and fittings. While you’re up there look for loose, broken or missing tiles or ridge tiles. These can cause leaks or allow wind in, potentially causing more damage. Also check that seals around chimneys or other fittings such as skylights are intact. Take a walk around to see if there are any trees that might blow over or branches that could break and damage the house or installations such as satellite dishes. You may be able to trim them yourself, but if the tree is too big, you don’t have the right equipment or aren’t sure about what you’re doing, it’s best to get in a professional. Bear in mind some indigenous trees are protected, so if you’re not sure ask an expert. Pack away or cover garden or stoep furniture that you aren’t going to use. Winter weather can damage wooden and metal furniture and even plastic perishes when exposed to the elements. If you live in a region prone to high winter winds, consider that outdoor furniture which gets blown around could be destroyed and can also damage anything it hits. While you’re looking around outside, check the lighting. It gets darker earlier in winter, so this is a sensible security precaution. Well-lit paths and approaches will help deter criminals. There’s also the practical benefit that it will prevent you or any of your family or friends tripping and falling in the dark. DirectAxis’ chief marketing officer, Marlies Kappers, says the experts agreed that preventing problems is always less expensive than fixing them afterwards. “Thinking ahead and spending a little on some basic household maintenance will save money in the long run. Small improvements to your home will also help retain or even increase its market value.” For more information on home improvements visit: https://www.directaxis.co.za/imagine/loan-for-home-improvement

June 13, 2019
Prima Baby

CHICCO COMFORT QUICK INFRARED THERMOMETER

Winter is coming in South Africa and flu, colds and fevers may become a reality in our home.  A parent of young children need an ally when it comes to looking after sick loved ones and nothing gives the confidence that a practical and intuitive thermometer can. Chicco’s Comfort Quick ear thermometer takes temperatures in roughly 1 second from the ear canal, providing fast an accurate measurements either in Celsius or Fahrenheit. With a small, soft probe it provides minimum annoyance or discomfort whilst taking the reading. Comfort Quick reveals a possible pyretic episode with an acoustic signal that indicates a fever alarm.  Clinically tested, comfortable and practical, the Comfort Quick also comes with its own handy storage case.  Suitable for use from birth. Pick one up today at www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and selected Kids Emporium stores for R999.

June 12, 2019
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

What you need to know about Pneumonia

Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund talks about pneumonia: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a child dies from pneumonia every 30 seconds. Which means that around 1.1 million children, under the age of five, die each year. This is more than malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis combined. What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is a lung inflammation caused by a bacterial or viral infection, it’s when the air sacs in the lung fill up with pus and can affect or one or both lungs. The flu shot and pneumonia  Having a flu vaccine is the first line of defence when it comes to protecting yourself, with studies showing it reduces the risk by about 50 to 60%.  The vaccine trains your body to recognise flu and fight it. Pneumonia is a relatively common and serious complication of flu.Supporting evidence from randomised clinical trials indicates that fluvaccines are effective in preventing influenza-associated pneumonia. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Chest pain when you breathe or cough Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults aged 65 and older) A cough, which may produce phlegm Fatigue Fever, sweating and shaking chills Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems) Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea Shortness of breath How are flu and pneumonia different? Bonitas explains that pneumonia symptoms are similar to flu but last longer. The severity of the pneumonia depends on your age and overall health.  In the case of newborns and infants, sometimes they show little or no infection and other times they may vomit, have a fever and cough, have difficulty breathing and eating.  Pneumococcal vaccine  There are a total of 80% Community Acquired Pneumonias (CPAs). These streptococcal bacteria can spread from the nose, throat and ears to cause pneumonia – a severe infection of the lungs.  The vaccine protects you against: Infection that can result in Pneumonia, infection of the blood (bacteremia/sepsis), middle-ear infection (otitis media), or bacterial meningitis. Pneumonia is by the most common of these infections.  Is it an annual vaccination? The pneumococcal vaccination is suitable for those over 65 years of age or immune compromised members a pneumococcal vaccination once every five years.  Who should have the pneumonia vaccination? It is recommended for all individuals aged 65 years or older plus individuals aged 2-64 years with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition. In fact for anyone with an  increased risk, from a  chronic disease, immune-suppressed people particularly those who are HIV positive, cancer sufferers and smokers who are more prone to respiratory illnesses.   The cost of pneumonia In severe cases of Pneumonia, the estimated cost of spending a night in intensive care is R15 000 whereas a Pneumococcal vaccine costs around R1000. Most medical aids do cover the cost. Bonitas offers a free flu vaccine annually to members as well as a once off pneumococcal vaccine for people over 65 years of age. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), ‘In addition to reducing the risk of hospitalisation for an influenza infection itself, the flu vaccinations appear to reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation for influenza-associated complications such as pneumonia.  When to see a doctor? See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of (39 C) or higher or a persistent cough, especially if you’re coughing up phlegm. 

June 12, 2019
Impaq

THE POSITIVES OF ADHD

So far, I have written about some of the difficulties experienced in raising and parenting one’s ADHD/ADD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit disorder) child. Right now, it’s time to look at the many positives that ADHD children have – but please bear in mind that every child is different – they may all have the same diagnosis but they are all still their own people with their own temperaments, characteristics, personalities, etc. so the list that follows is a generalisation, and not necessarily applicable to all. Firstly, the ADHD symptom of hyperfocus is incredibly useful. When our children are interested in something, we all know how difficult it is to tear them away. When this is something important for their wellbeing and development such as a wonderful hobby, a subject they are incredibly interested in or learning a new skill, this hyperfocus is a total gift and keeps them on track for hours on end. Secondly, we often hear how adventurous, curious and hyperactive the ADHD child is – these are very positive qualities when channelled constructively. If one reads any book about entrepreneurs, successful businesspeople, etc. these are the qualities that are often used to describe them. Being curious means wanting to find out about things and pushing for more knowledge, the sense of adventure will direct the curiosity to exploration and experimentation and the busyness means that the person has the energy to do so. Within the context of work and life, these are very positive qualities when used effectively. Thirdly, the resourcefulness, innovativeness and inventiveness of these kids can be incredible. I have watched my one son use his artistic talent to sell his works online, get commissions from others and therefore earn money on the side (this was at 16 years old). This is a good example of using these characteristics to think out of the box, in a lateral way. And lastly, our children are often incredibly forgiving, good-hearted and gregarious. I believe that this stands them in good stead in their dealings with others. I can only be grateful for these qualities when I think back to my early struggles with my eldest son and how awful I was at times, and how close and connected we are today. Thank goodness for his forgiving, good-hearted nature! It’s important to be aware of the positives of these ADHD/ADD symptoms when we are caught in the morass of frustration and sometimes despair.  We only need to think of Albert Einstein who was repeatedly seen as a poor student by his teachers and who only began to talk after the age of two. Today, he is recognised as having been ADHD. One of my favourite quotes by him is, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”. This is often what happens with the ADD child in the school environment and it is often only after school that all of the so-called negative characteristics of ADHD are viewed in the positive light I have described above.  Remember too Richard Branson, Walt Disney, Justin Timberlake, Michael Phelps as beautiful examples of ADHD people, and then go and give your child a big hug!

June 11, 2019
Advtech Group

START YOUR CHILD ON THE CODING PATH, EVEN IF THEIR SCHOOL ISN’T THERE YET – EXPERT

There is a lot of talk in South Africa about the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the need for education in the country to start preparing learners for the future world of work from a young age. Unfortunately in South Africa, resources are often lacking and many teachers are not yet equipped to teach coding. However this shouldn’t stop parents from encouraging their children to start with the basics of coding from a young age, an expert says. “As we teach our children to read and speak our mother tongue language so we should start with coding at an early age,” says John Luis, Head of Academics at ADvTECH Schools, a division of South Africa’s largest private education provider. “Parents who are not tech savvy may find this daunting, so the easiest way to start the children off will be to download some apps to their mobile devices which will use games to kick off the coding thought processes. Learning to code is like learning how to speak, read and write in a different language. Children are very good at learning a variety of languages from a young age so teaching them coding will be no different,” he says. Luis says that the importance of preparing children for a technologically-enabled future cannot be overstated. “Technology changes rapidly and our children must be able to adapt, be agile minded and most importantly prepared for the future working world. The 4IR should not be dismissed as a buzzword – it is real, and it is here where our lives will become intertwined with technology, the edges between reality and virtual worlds will blur and we need to ensure our children will be effective workers in this rapidly changing environment.  “This means that in the future world of work, coding will be a fundamental digital skill which our children will need to be literate in much the same way we prepare our children with language, numeracy and physical skills. Coding is no longer a skill reserved for scientists, engineers and IT geeks.” Luis explains that the fourth industrial revolution is characterised by a rapidly developing technological environment in which disruptive technologies, the Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality, robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the way we exercise, play, study, live and work. “Behind this technology, functionality is achieved using code. It is how we communicate with computers, build websites, mobile apps, computer games and instruct robots. The Internet of Things (IoT) is already becoming more integrated into our homes. Smart TVs and watches, automated home management and security are only some of the examples where IoT is already used.” Like mathematics, becoming competent in the language of coding has many advantages beyond the obvious, he says. “Coding also helps with maths skills, it fosters creativity, improves problem solving abilities and can improve language and writing skills,” he says. Internationally coding has long been recognised as a future life skill and is offered as part of the normal primary school curriculum.  In South Africa, high schools have had the subject from Grade 10 to 12 as a subject choice (Information Technology) for many years, but it was mostly offered to select learners based on their mathematics marks. Still, only a small percentage of schools have been able to offer the subject as it requires dedicated infrastructure and highly competent teachers. The situation looks better at progressive private schools, where coding has been introduced as part of the mainstream offering, from as early as pre-prep, where children are introduced via simple techniques and readily available software. “While many schools are still in the starting blocks, and most haven’t even arrived for the race yet, parents must realise that academic excellence and individual competitiveness in future will require a solid grasp of the language of technology. So the question of a school’s offering in this regard should be one they take very seriously before enrolling their child. “And where they do not yet have the option of enrolling their child in a school that incorporates coding as part of the mainstream offering – which is the reality for the majority of the country – they should ensure that their child isn’t left behind, by assisting them independently,” says Luis. One of the options available to these parents, is to search for holiday camps in their area. And where those are not offered, parents can start by helping their child download some of the various free mobile applications and software (listed below) which help young children to start coding, he says. * Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/educators) is a very effective free coding language that is designed specifically for ages 8 to 16 but can be used by people of all ages. * Alice (https://www.alice.org/) is a block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D. *Microsoft Minecraft Education an educational version of Minecraft, the game popular with children all over the world. (https://education.minecraft.net/) . * Roblox (https://developer.roblox.com/resources/education/Resources) caters for children from the ages of 8 to 14.

June 11, 2019
Toptots Head Office

Setting your child up for success

Being a parent of an eighteen-year-old that has just started university, I again realise how important it is for us as parents to set them up for success but also allowing them to fail along the way.  Now I am sure you are saying – why set them up for failure?  To be able to function in an adult world one day we need to have learnt that life in general has consequences.  If as an adult, you don’t meet deadlines etc. you will ultimately be fired!  We all want what’s best for our children but sometimes we lose the plot a little and forget that we are training them to be independent, well-functioning adults one day. At 18 months we can start to teach them about life. It’s very easy to start giving your child the incorrect message very early in life – Its fine – mom will do it if you can’t cope!  But remember mom won’t always be there and can’t go into the workplace to sort out her child’s life for her. I am sure we have all heard parents praise their children excessively.  Mia picks up her toys and is such a clever girl!   Mia was not “clever” when she put away her toys, she did what you would expect her to do and the more appropriate praise is to thank her for putting away her toys.  Do you do the hoopla when your husband puts his coffee mug into the kitchen sink? Teach your children about choices very early on in life.  Do you want an egg, or do you want cereal for breakfast?  Be careful of not saying what would you like for breakfast …?  as the answer might be chocolate!   Giving them the opportunity helps them to be able to make choices one day when they are older.  Don’t fret when she wants to wear the pink dress over orange pants.  Everyone will know you did not dress her. More importantly does it matter.  She feels great and confident in her choice. Life has consequences.  If you don’t pick up your toys I will, but they will go into a black bag not to be seen for at least a few weeks.  If you choose the summer dress and it’s raining you will get cold. I can guarantee next time she will take your advice and take a jersey and NO she will not get sick, you get ill from viruses not just a few goose bumps. Consequences learnt! Lack of discipline can impact on a child reaching his full potential and will most probably contribute to a lower self-esteem, as he thinks he can’t do this without help.  Raising a confident, well-adjusted child takes guts from you as a parent to allow them to face the consequences of their choices.  It’s too late to start at 13 you have by then lost the window of opportunity.  How can you expect a teen to make the right choices if she has never been allowed to make any choices in her life?  She has to be confident that she can choose and cope with the consequences of a wrong choice.  It’s not easy but I know you can do it!  After all you want what’s best for your child.

June 10, 2019
Parenting Hub

GRADE 9 SUBJECT CHOICES – MORE OPTIONS REQUIRE GREATER THOUGHT

Grade Nine learners will soon have the exciting task of selecting the subjects they want to pursue for the next 3 years, on which they will be tested during the final exams. Because of the withdrawal of the designated subject list by the Department of Basic Education last year, they are truly spoilt for choice, but this also means they need to be more focused than ever, because their decision now can have far-reaching and even life-altering consequences, an education expert says. “It’s a tough ask of teenagers to make a commitment now which will affect their ability to gain access to higher education and potentially their qualification of choice in four years’ time, when many are not even yet sure what they want to study after school,” says Dr Gillian Mooney, Dean: Academic Development and Support at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education provider. “It is therefore very important for them to firstly realise the gravity of the potential consequences of the choices they make now, and then, to really consider the strategy which will keep as many doors as possible open down the line,” she says. Mooney explains that Grade Nines are required to select at least seven subjects on which they will be tested in Matric, four of which are compulsory: Home Language, Second Language, Maths or Maths Literacy, and Life Orientation. The balance then, are elective subjects, and should be chosen carefully. “Because there are no longer so-called designated subjects, learners may be tempted to choose subjects they envision will be comparatively easier than others, in order to gain the best possible Matric marks,” she says. “However they need to consider not only which subjects will ensure they get admission to higher education, but also which subjects will allow them admission into their chosen qualification. If they don’t yet know what they want to do, they need to make sure that their choice positions them well to access a wide range of qualifications. Their selection must also ensure they can claim a well-rounded education upon completion of their schooling.” Mooney says Grade Nines – with the help of their parents or guardians, and ideally even with the help of career and student counsellors from a respected higher education institution – need to carefully weigh up their various options, and the various combinations of subjects that are suitable for them. “The aim is to choose those subjects that will leave you with a wide range of options, while at the same time also positioning you optimally to perform well in your last three years of school,” she says. “Your subject choice must enable you to demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and numeracy, and particularly important is the choice between Maths and Maths Literacy, as many university courses still require core maths,” she says. Choosing three relatively easy subjects as electives might help a learner achieve good aggregate marks, but their options will be limited if their education doesn’t incorporate those subjects that teach logic and argumentation, and scientific and reasoning skills as found in for instance History, Accountancy and Maths, and Physical and Life Sciences, says Mooney. “So it would not be wise to go for the short-term gain of spectacular marks, instead of implementing a long-term vision which will support an holistic academic development, as the impact on the future student’s studies – which require higher reasoning than what is expected at school – will be significant, even if they do qualify for study,” she says. “The best way to future-proof your study options and therefore career choices, as well as your ability to be resilient and adapt to currently unpredictable changes in the world of work –  is to get as solid a grounding during your last three years of school as possible, even if it is going to be more challenging. “Before making your choice, make an effort to gain as much information about admission requirements for potential career paths from a wide range of higher education institutions, and then to work back to ensure that your subjects will enable you to enter those fields. Very importantly however, ensure that your choices reflect a wide enough range to develop an extended skills base which will serve you well into the future.”

June 10, 2019
Parenting Hub

Life After Camp: 3 tips for a smoother re-entry home

There are a gazillion articles with tricks and tips on sending your child to camp; how to pack for your child like a pro, how to choose the correct camp for your child, the benefits of camp and so forth. But what happens when they come home from camp? What can you expect? All children are different and the re-entry home from camp can range from never wanting to go back  to instant talks about plans for the next trip.  Here are 3 tips for a smoother re-entry back home from camp. Listen  You may need to prepare yourself for an eventful ride home. They’ll sing every camp song, tell you all about the new friends they made and mimic their favourite counselors. This is their way of processing and reliving their camp experience, and share their adventures with you. On the other side of the coin, you may get one-word answers and periods of silence. When this happens, don’t push for more information; sometimes kids just need to settle down in order to get comfortable to tell you about their adventures. Whatever the circumstance, the key is to listen.  Let them sleep  You may be graciously well-rested from flying solo or with less kids while your children were at camp, but your campers may be a different story. With physical exhaustion from all the activities coupled with the emotional exhaustion of dealing with less personal space, excitement and constant human interaction; expect them to be walking zombies. Whether they have been away for one week or four, your little camper will need all the rest they can get.  Don’t be too grossed out Oh they will be dirty, things will be missing and clothes will be muddy. Believe it or not, these are signs of a good holiday camp. Don’t give them a hard time for coming home with brown socks that were formerly white, or 2 sweaters when you packed 3. Don’t expect that your perfectly packed bag will return home as you had packed it or they used soap every time when they took a shower while at camp. Let it go. Recover what you can and move on.

June 7, 2019
Parenting Hub

How to build a relationship of trust

Trust is at the core of all positive human relationships.  This is according to Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres. She says, “Trust, when nurtured and honoured within a family system can lead to happier, more fulfilling experiences, greatly reducing stress and anxiety., Mistrust, on the other hand, inevitably leads to hurt, tension and misery. Many believe that trust can be something one demands of another: ‘You must trust me!’ Research, however, has shown that trust is earned, in small gestures and in moments in time.” International speaker, Brene’ Brown says that actions demonstrating trustworthiness are likened to marbles. Every time one demonstrates or actions a trust behaviour, you can put a marble in a jar. However, when a behavior demonstrating mistrust occurs, you can remove a whole handful of those marbles and it will take a lot of hard work to replace the marbles of trust again. Trust is earned.  It cannot be demanded of anyone. Parents want their children to trust them and children want the same of their parents. Cindy explains that it is up to parents to make the first move in modelling the behaviours that create relationships of trust within the family. Nurturing trust requires action. Cindy gives 5 actionable behaviours that you can implement to help create and nurture trust within your families: Learn to listen to understand: There is a difference between hearing and listening.  Listening entails eye contact and a genuine, sincere interest in what the other person is saying. Strive for non-judgemental parenting: Children who hide their challenges and negative behavioural choices (creating a sense of mistrust) most often do this because they are fearful of their parent’s reactions! Keep the lines of communication open by assuring your children that you do, indeed, have their back. Seek positive solutions to challenges together. This does not mean that you must overlook or justify behaviours. It simply means that your children will fall from time to time and they need a safe, trustworthy place to seek solutions. Be your word: Do what you say and say what you do, consistently and sincerely. Be the person your children can rely on: Keep your promises. Consistently tell the truth. Establish boundaries and accountability: Just as you are accountable for your own behaviours, teach your children to own theirs. “Your children will most likely model what you do rather than what you say. With patience and love, you can learn to trust each other, despite the difficulties and challenges that you will face as a family. Remember that each action that creates trust is like a marble being put into the ‘trust jar’. Breaking that trust is like taking a handful of marbles out of the jar. It is way better to consistently build trust than to have to try and regain trust that has been broken,” Cindy concludes.

June 7, 2019
Parenting Hub

Prepare now to study abroad in 2020

Matrics who want to study in the United States and United Kingdom next year need to start preparing for their applications now. According to a study conducted by the Institute of International Education, 90% of employers believe that students with international accreditation possess desirable traits and skills, such as maturity, superior communication skills, flexibility, cross-cultural awareness and independence.  “When it comes to applying to study in the US or UK you should ideally give your application an 18-month lead time,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager for Crimson Education. The global company offers a plan of assistance and mentorship to students who wish to gain admission into top-ranked universities. “Matrics still have a chance of gaining admission, but they haven’t left much room for error.”  On top of juggling Grade 12, making decisions on future careers and universities and managing deadlines, the application process for studying abroad takes up a lot of time. “With high expectations and low acceptance rates, applications can’t be left to the night before,” says Pretorius. “While applications for international universities open in October, you need to plan well in advance to make sure that you’ve got all the areas of your application covered, not just academics. The earlier you start preparing, the better”.  Pretorius breaks down the admissions roadmap for US/UK admissions in 2020,for those who haven’t started yet:  May 2019 to September 2019 – Familiarise yourself with the application process and the universities you want to apply to. You should have a good idea of the various financing, accommodation and deadline requirements for each of your shortlisted universities.  June 2019 to December 2019 – Start preparing for the required admission tests like the Scholastic Aptitude Test, more commonly known as the SAT, for the US, this is throughout the year. Programme and / or university admission tests for the UK run from July to October.  July 2019 to September 2019 – Prepare for October/November applications. Contact teachers and counsellors for reference letters. Give yourself enough time to write, edit and proofread your application and essays before sending them through.  November 2019 to January 2020 – Prepare for personal/video interviews which take place between January and March. You should start hearing back from universities during this time. Make your decision as soon as possible. May 2020 to July 2020 – Search for possible scholarships and student loan options if necessary. Gather your paperwork for a student visa and apply as soon as you can.  July 2020 to August 2020 – Book your flights, arrange for an international debit/credit card and photocopy all important documentation before you set off! Pretorius and her South African team regularly host information evenings for parents and learners interested in studying overseas. For more information, visit www.crimsoneducation.org, email [email protected]. or join the Crimson Education Facebook community.

June 6, 2019
Breastpumps and Beyond

Get The ABC’s On C-Section Births

C-section births are a hot topic within the parenting world. Some mother’s may elect to have these for various reasons, and schedule their caesarean. This is known as a planned (or elective) C-section. Other moms may need to have this procedure done, even though they have elected to give natural birth. This is commonly known as an emergency C-section. We will take a look at this procedure and all topics surrounding it below. What Are Elective C-Section Births? Elective, or planned caesareans take place generally when there is a medical complication involved causing the mother to be at risk giving natural birth. A mother will be guided towards this operation on advice from either her midwife, or obstetrician. Common reasons for elective C-section births are: Problems surrounding the mothers placenta placement, such as placenta praevia (a low-lying placenta) The baby’s position in the womb will compromise the natural birth, such as a breech baby Twins, or multiple babies What Are Emergency C-Section Births? Emergency tends to send chills down one’s spine, particularly when your children are involved. However, emergency C-sections are not as ominous as they sound. They are neither rushed nor mean you or your baby are necessarily in danger. Reasons for an emergency C-section birth include: Your labour is not progressing You do not go into labour after being induced by your doctor and you are already over your due date You experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy or birth Your baby or your health becomes a concern to your physician You go into labour before a scheduled elective C-section Experiencing A C-Section Birth If you have been a C-section mom – planned or not – know that there are means to help you through both the preparation for, and recovery after having the procedure done. 

June 6, 2019
Prima Baby

CHICCO THERMO DISTANCE INFRARED THERMOMETER

Winter is coming in South Africa and flu, colds and fevers may become a reality in our home.  A parent of young children need an ally when it comes to looking after sick loved ones and nothing gives the confidence that a practical and intuitive thermometer can. Chicco’s Thermo Distance is one of the most multi-functional thermometers on the market and allows you to take readings of not only your children’s foreheads, but also of their food and bath water – all at a distance of 4-6cm away. With a 1 second reading time, either in Celsius or Fahrenheit, this clinically tested tool is accurate, has a fever alarm that can reveal a possible pyretic episode with an acoustic signal and has 10 memory slots for long term sickness recording. Other functions such as the large backlit display, low battery indicator and the Chicco 12 month guarantee makes this a valuable asset to any home. Suitable for use from birth. Pick one up today at www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and selected Kids Emporium stores for R999.

June 5, 2019
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Five facts about ‘flu

Gerhard Van Emmenis, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund gives five facts about flu: Flu strains, like fashion, change every year The latest flu strain South Africa can expect is nick-named ‘Aussie Flu’. This particular strain – H3N2 – is a subtype of influenza A. The virus has, in fact, been around for a whilebut unfortunately the flu strains have a built in survival mechanism, they mutate or change so they outwit the body’s immune response. Which is why each year flu vaccinations are updated, meaning last year’s won’t necessarily protect you this year.  The symptoms of flu? These include high temperatures, body pain, sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite and are the same year in and year out. However, some flu strains may cause the symptoms to last for a longer time and be more severe. The flu can also bring on headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In people with weaker immune systems, the flu is even more serious.  The flu shot doesn’t gives you flu According to the Centre for Disease Control, ‘A flu shot cannot cause flu and serious allergic reactions to the flu vaccine are rare. However, if you are allergic to eggs you need to notify your doctor. Flu vaccines are currently made either with flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are not infectious or with no flu viruses at all. The most common side-effects from the shot are small amounts of soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling around the injection site.  Protecting yourself and your family The flu vaccine reduces your chances of getting flu and, if you do get it, it will be milder.The vaccine trains your body to recognise flu and fight it. More importantly, if you are vaccinated you will protect others, via what is called ’herd immunity’. This includes vulnerable members of the family such as such as small babies and the elderly as well as those who are immune-compromised. Some of the reasons people don’t vaccinate Every year there is a debate about flu injections yet up to 11 000 people die from flu in South Africa every year, despite the flu vaccination being readily available and paid for by most medical aid schemes.  There are a number of reasons, including the notion that:  ‘I don’t get flu’, ‘the vaccine doesn’t work’, ‘it will hurt my arm’ or ‘the vaccine will give me flu’.  However, according to Bonitas, there are very good clinical reasons why you should. Bonitas covers one flu vaccine for all members. Members can go Clicks, Dischem or Pick n Pay pharmacies for the vaccine at no cost, or attend a Bonitas Wellness Day.

June 5, 2019
Parenting Hub

New Research on the Importance of Learning through Play

The LEGO Foundation and Sesame Workshop Highlights the Importance of Learning through Play in Parent-Child Relationships in South Africa in Celebration of World Play Day The ‘Play Every Day’ program empowered caregivers to effectively guide children in learning through play in South Africa In celebration of World Play Day, the LEGO Foundation and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organisation behind Takalani Sesame, announced the results of a multi-country research evaluation of Play Every Day, a program designed to shift parent and caregiver perceptions about the educational value of play and to encourage play that contributes to children’s early development and learning outcomes. The impact evaluation, conducted by an external evaluator, found significant changes in parents and caregivers’ perceptions of play and play-related behaviour, as well as improved confidence of parents and caregivers as play mentors for their children. Over the course of a 12-week intervention in low-resource communities in South Africa, India and Mexico, Sesame Workshop conducted weekly in-person play workshops or home visits, in addition to reminders utilising WhatsApp and other digital platforms and community events. The research in South Africa was conducted in IsiZulu, IsiXhosa and Sesotho in the communities of Orange Farm, Alexandra, Diepsloot and Braamfontein. Caregivers participating in the Play Every Day program in South Africa reported:  Increased frequency of play by 15% Increased confidence as “play mentors” for their children through quality play time, with an increase of 18% Increased confidence using recycled materials such as plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard rolls as play objects, with an increase of 19% in South Africa An increase of 19% in the ability to make everyday activities playful An 11% increase in the link between pretend play as a foundation for academic learning The research findings will inform the upcoming Takalani Sesame ‘Learning Through Play’ Initiative, which will reach millions of children and caregivers across South Africa through television, digital media, and targeted community engagement. The findings will also inform a USD $100 Million Humanitarian Play Programto support children affected by the Rohingya and Syrian refugee crises. The Play Every Day program empowered caregivers and children to learn together, rather than in parallel, providing valuable insights for the development of caregiver-child programming. “With such a large portion of the South African population being in low-resource settings, this research is invaluable and will guide Takalani Sesame programs in South Africa. We continue to educate caregivers and teachers on the benefits that Learning through Play provides, as one of the most powerful ways for children to learn, develop and overcome setbacks,” said Innocent Nkata, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop South Africa. The facilitated workshops, implemented through local community partners, provided primary caregivers with content that is easy to replicate at home to improve caregiver confidence in playful learning techniques and provide new ideas for engagement with children, such as building toys with recycled materials and playing pretend using everyday household items. To ensure culturally relevant and effective interventions, the 12-week intervention was preceded by three pilot phases between November 2016 and May 2018 that tested a variety of play activities, materials, and methods of facilitation for each country. “The LEGO Foundation is working to build a future in which learning through play helps all children grow into creative, engaged, life-long learners. Parents and other primary caregivers are fundamental to this aim as they are children’s first teachers and playmates. We are excited about the positive results from the Play Every Day program. We hope that these insights will inspire and empower primary caregivers in in South Africa to harness the power of learning through play,” said Kerry Kassen, LEGO Foundation Initiatives Lead for South Africa. The findings have been announced as we celebrate World Play Day on 28 May. To mark this important day, Sesame Workshop and the LEGO Foundation are partnering with Cotlands and Kagiso Trust to host an event at the Multipurpose Centre in Sasolburg on 1 June 2019. Takalani Sesame Muppets Zuzu and Kami will join over 300 children to highlight this year’s World Play Day theme, “Play is a right.” The event will feature songs, dancing, and play activities for children. “We’re deeply committed to bringing learning experiences to children across South Africa through Takalani Sesame, and we too believe that play is a right for all children,” adds Mr. Nkata. “This World Play Day, we have a lot to celebrate; with the new research findings, we will be able to build upon our work to ensure that every child has access to positive, playful experiences.”  Additional highlights from the Play Every Day impact evaluation can be found online here.

June 4, 2019
Toptots Head Office

About the TopTots Healthy Plate, Healthy Me

An innovative way of encouraging young children to eat healthily  This product is the brain child of Claire McHugh a Paediatric Dietician who has written a colourful story book that teaches your child about the roles of the different food groups in your child’s diet.  The plate encourages them further by putting healthy eating into practice.  Book and plate are part of the set.

June 4, 2019
Impaq

Don’t tell your kids they are smart!

The school report can elicit many feelings among parents and students; feelings of failure or feelings of achievement. As an educational psychologist, I often get asked the question: “How should I respond to my child’s school report?”. Carol Dweck’s work on how praise impacts a child’s academic performance has a fascinating answer to this question: Don’t tell your kids they are smart! The way we praise our children about their academic achievements shapes the way they view intelligence, which impacts their performance. Let me elaborate. In their study Blackwell, Trzesniewski and Dweck[1] studied Grade 7 learners and measured their school marks for two years. The students that believed that intelligence is malleable showed an upward trajectory in their marks going into high school. Contrastingly, the students that thought intelligence is fixed showed a flat trajectory. In other words, the students that believed their intelligence is something that is flexible and that can be developed were able to improve their marks. Those that believed their intelligence is unchangeable did not increase their scores. Therefore, it is essential to make our children believe that they can raise their intelligence and that intelligence is malleable. So, what role does praise have? Mueller and Dweck[2] discuss this and points out that the way you praise your child impacts their attribution and goals about their performance. Stated differently, the way you praise your child affects what they want to get out of an activity and the reasons they provide for their success. For instance, if you praise your child’s ability or intelligence (telling them they are smart), they may want to continue to prove that they are smart by receiving high marks. In the short term, this may be useful but becomes unsustainable as the workload and academic demands increase. As the work difficulty increases students that were praised for their ability will often not take on challenging learning opportunities in fear of not looking smart. This limits their learning opportunities which make the marks go down and affects their self-confidence. Furthermore, praising intelligence after your child gets good marks will make them believe that intelligence is a stable or fixed trait determined by genetics. They will believe their success is directly related to an attribute that is outside of their control. If you think about this carefully, when you praise your child for being smart, then you take their control away. Their successes and failures will be linked to something outside of their control, which in the long run can cause a sense of helplessness. I see this often in my practice where parents tell me, “I don’t know what happened. My child is so smart and is struggling to pass Mathematics. In Grade 6 his/her mark was in the eighties, and now he/she is barely passing”. By this time, I find that their child is already in the cycle of believing they are not smart enough and avoids any reminder of it, in the form of tests and homework activities, which logically will make the marks go down.   So, what should parents do? Praise effort, persistence and the process of learning. Make the goal of their schoolwork to learn and not to achieve. Make your child believe their brain is a muscle that can be exercised by seeking out challenges. Don’t tell your child they are smart, instead say, “I am so proud of you for demonstrating the ability to learn, reflect and persevere this year, I can’t wait to see what challenges next year will bring”.   ——- Hannes is an educational psychologist that provides therapy, assessments and career counselling in Johannesburg. He aims to enable his clients to make their highest contribution despite the obstacles and pain they might experience. Therefore, he works closely with his clients and applies life design counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy principles to help his clients live productive and meaningful lives. Sources: [1] Blackwell, L. S., Trzesniewski, K. H., & Dweck, C. S. (2007). Implicit Theories of Intelligence Predict Achievement Across an Adolescent Transition: A Longitudinal Study and an Intervention. Child Development, 78(1), 246–263. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00995.x  [2] Mueller, C. M., & Dweck, C. S. (1998). Praise for Intelligence Can Undermine Children’s Motivation and Performance (Vol. 75). Psychological Association, Inc. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/25ab/297c17a87c8a0f79e109be531fe9c7da97b8.pdf 

June 4, 2019
Toptots Head Office

Encouraging Meaningful Play

Play time is so important for our children as a foundation for learning: Here are some tips to encourage meaningful and purposeful play, to maximise your child’s learning opportunities through play: LET YOUR CHILD HAVE SOME UNSTRUCTURED PLAY TIME EVERY DAY – don’t make their days so full of activities that they don’t have any time to create, explore and experiment. Give them free time to play! (And don’t let them choose to watch TV in this time). DON’T INTERFERE IN THEIR PLAY – don’t criticise, plan, direct or correct the way they are planning. Let them guide their own learning. Research tells us that the more motivated we are to do something, the more meaningful the experience.  DON’T SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS FOR THEM IMMEDIATELY – if they want to do something in a certain way, but have difficulty with it when they are playing, give them the time and opportunity to try and solve the problem for themselves; if they can’t, give them some clues and guidance, but don’t do it for them. The more they learn to solve minor problems, the more able they will be to cope with larger, more complex challenges. GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAY DATES – playing with peers is important for emotional and social development. Arrange regular play dates with some of your child’s friends. If they have disagreements, give them some space to work it out, don’t step-in unless you see it’s necessary. These are great opportunities for learning to compromise and resolve conflict. SCREEN ACTIVITIES ARE NOT PLAY – TV games, computers games and games on an iPad or phone have been proven to often hinder development of social-emotional and language skills, rather than stimulate it. You don’t need to cut these out completely, but researched guidelines suggest that the developing brain should not be exposed to more than about 30 minutes a day (for children under 4) and not more than 45 minutes a day for children under 7. Follow the principle that when it comes to screen time – Less is more! BASIC TOYS/ ITEMS ARE OFTEN MORE BENEFICIAL THAN EXPENSIVE TOYS – some of the toys that children love the most are very basic things e.g. cardboard boxes, bicycles, Tupperware, blocks, balls, spades, old tyres etc. These provide for so many different play options, rather than an expensive toy that can often only be used in one way. TAKE YOUR CHILDREN OUT AND ABOUT WITH YOU – give your children the chance to explore different environments and experiences as these all offer different learning opportunities e.g. playing on the beach versus playing in a park versus playing in a fun play centre with other children. Talk to them about what they are seeing, touching and hearing. Let them organise their own picnics when you go to a park or let them organise campouts in the garden.  PLAY WITH YOUR CHILDREN – follow their lead, encourage their ideas, build on their themes and just enjoy spending this precious time with your children. Not only are you the perfect person for them to practice their skills on but playing together will make them feel much closer to you and it opens doors for communication. ENCOURAGE IMAGINARY PLAY BY BUYING OPEN-ENDED TOYS e.g. arts and crafts supplies (which could be toilet rolls, cardboard, tinfoil, paint, glue, scissors, leaves, flowers, ice cream sticks etc); items for dressing up; things like farm yards and soldiers and dolls and cars etc. Also, when they are younger encourage symbolic play by buying toys like pretend lawnmowers, brooms, cooking utensils or gardening tools.  HAVE AN ORGANISED, FREE SPACE IN WHICH YOUR CHILD CAN PLAY – your child should be able to find the toys they need and should have space to spread them out and go “wild” for a little while. A disorganised, chaotic play space is often over-stimulating and limiting.  LET YOUR CHILDREN GET DIRTY – it’s normal for children to get dirty and its part of what makes play time so fun! Don’t let your dislike of dirt ruin their enjoyment!

June 3, 2019
Abbotts Colleges

Dealing with different personalities in a classroom

One of the first lessons every teacher learns is that, in every classroom there is a kaleidoscope of different personalities present. At any one moment, the teacher is navigating a minefield of different characters, each of which requires specific attention and handling. No two students are the same, and a good teacher is skilled enough to bounce from one student to the next, to tailor their delivery and approach to suit individual character types while remaining uniform and neutral across the board. It is not easy to accomplish and requires a lot of patience. While the individual personalities can fall anywhere on a broad scale, there are a few traits that are bound to be in every classroom. You will not fail to pick out the naturally gifted child in a classroom, or the popular kid, the shy one, the bully, the attention seeker. In this regard, teaching becomes a lot like diplomacy; it calls for a skilled and patient juggling of complex personalities that must somehow coexist together in one setting. For most teachers, dealing with most students is easy enough. There is often no need to even single out specific personalities as you teach, however there are a few personalities that are especially challenging to handle. These test the teacher, push them to the limit. The question now is, how do you deal with the bully who says mean things about other children and even to you? How can you reach that little girl who never wants to be called upon to answer a question? Here are a few tips on how to survive and indeed master the complex characters in your classroom. Put yourself in their shoes It is a universally accepted truth that interpersonal relationships are important, especially between a teacher and their student. Once a good relationship is established, barriers are broken down. Not only can the personal touch help in teaching, but it allows for the relationship to go beyond the classroom. Getting to know your students will help reveal their character to you. Subsequently, you will be able to determine what works for them. Knowing you have a genius on your hands for example, you will know to tweak the material so that they, too, feel challenged and not bored. This is why Abbotts college relies so much on the mentoring system. This enables teachers to give their own personal touch in getting to know students as individuals and to know what their future aspirations are and how we can help with them achieving their goals. If a student is acting out, the immediate reaction is anger and resentment. They are interrupting your class after all and making your life more difficult. But try and think about what it must be like for them. Put yourself in their shoes. Maybe they have problems at home and are lashing out at school. Maybe the reason Mary is not participating is because she is being bullied. Take the time to understand your students. It will help you deal better with their behavior. Master your poker face When dealing with a difficult student, try and keep a cool head. Put away the extreme emotions you are undoubtedly experiencing like frustration and anger. This will help you see the situation clearly, helping you handle it effectively. Students are very smart; they will pick up subtle indicators of your response to their actions. Often, they are testing you and pushing your buttons. They will do so until they determine your breaking point. You must therefore remain composed throughout. Speak in a soft voice that reflects your demeanor but communicate clearly and firmly. Focus on dealing with the issue at hand, and when it’s done, move on. Do not linger over it or hold a grudge. This way, your students learn a thing or two about handling conflict which will be an attitude they themselves will apply in future.  Be firm, but fair Always remember that you are their teacher and guardian first, never their friend. It is a fine line to walk, having them respect you but letting them know they can approach you if they need anything. In case of doubt, it is better to stumble on the side of certainty. Your students understand that there are rules, which you must enforce. Do not let anyone get away with rule breaking, no matter how insignificant it seems. If you let just one slip, you lose control over the classroom, and you become infinitely less effective. This will not endear you to them, but they will respect you, and they will do what is right. This does not mean, however, that you adopt a hard, unyielding stance. To err is human. Let your students know that it is okay to make a mistake, because it is a learning opportunity. This way, the punishment won’t feel like a personal slight. You should expect manipulation and bargaining and know how to deal with it. In return, reward good behavior. Be fair in your application of the rules. If you must, enlist the help of another teacher or even their parent. At the end of the day, the objective is to teach them to be responsible adults. It is important to remember that with students, no shoe fits all, so approach each student as a unique individual. Listen to them, empathize with them, and you can discipline them. Written by: James Messian, Life Sciences teacher at Abbotts Colleges Centurion

June 3, 2019
Parenting Hub

OVERWHELMED BY VOLUMES OF DIGITAL PHOTOS?

The average person uses digital photography as a way to document their life. Most people do this because it’s a memory that in 40 years’ time they will be grateful for.   By taking a picture you make a souvenir, and 1000’s of these souvenirs land up on cell phones, tablets, computers, cameras and SD cards, as well as on an array of social platforms like facebook and Instagram. And let us not forget cloud storage also. If you’re not finding the time to look through digital archives now, you’re not going to have time in the future either!  Also think how much more you’ll have accumulated by then; you’ll have loads more to sift through. Images sometimes get lost when you only have them on digital. You’ll take 300 pics and then forget about them. However, if you backup your digital photos by printing the best pictures out in a tangible format, you tend to treasure them and of course, really enjoy them more.   Technology never stops changing.  That means what is around now, might not be around in 20 years or so from now.  This is why it’s important to save irreplaceable memories and precious mementos of life, in a protected format that works for now, and the future. Backup your digital photos by printing them out in a tangible format.  Display these highlights together with other valuable and touchable irreplaceable mementos like keepsakes, achievements and art, creating a comprehensive overview of every year. Combine all these most valuable traces of childhood, then arrange them easily in an exquisite MY FILE ABOUT ME presentation that can be viewed and enjoyed regularly.  With digital technology it’s so easy to take over 30 photos or more at one special event. Over a month you can easily capture 120 photos. That means in a year its highly possible to collect over 1,500 photos or more, depending on how much of a happy snapper you are.  Multiply 1,500 photos by ten years and that gives you 15,000 (fifteen thousand) photos.  That’s an insane number of digital photos to get through in a few minutes, or in a day, in a week, a month or even in a year! With that crazy thought, my suggestion is to select at least 16 to 32 of your child’s most cherished digital photos from every year.  Doing so will allow you to create a summary of the most important events and memories for each specific year. Now print them out and keep them together.  It’s easier and more time efficient to view a small number of printed photos in one place rather than being overwhelmed by thousands and thousands stashed in the clouds, SD cards and mobile phones. More photos mean it is more time intensive to view. And seriously, do you know what photo you’ve filed where and are they in yearly order? Do you even remember what photos you have taken? If you print 32 photos per year over 10 years, you’ll have 320 photos to view. This is very much more manageable and of course more time effective to look through than 15,000 photos dotted all over the place. There’s a solution I’d like to introduce you to that will allow you to browse, in 5 minutes, 320 printed photos (150 x 100mm), chronologically in only 20 pages. That is an impressive 16 jumbo photos per page that save incredible space in a tangible way.  This breath-taking presentation reruns 18+ years of memories in less than15 minutes of active browsing. More impressive, is that this solution is refillable, expandable and totally customizable for your particular needs. It offers the opportunity to obtain additional refills that also accommodate A5, A4 and even A3 photo enlargements. And that’s all without cutting or gluing anything. More impressive, is that this revolutionary solution is multi-purpose. It not only links your yearly printed photos together, it also combines your digital photos too, along with all other keepsakes, mementos and valuables from the same year.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can keep your child’s yearly stash of precious memoirs and valuable souvenirs of childhood. You’ll be super impressed at how orderly, neat, compact and effectively you can preserve at save physical keepsakes and memories.  One compact solution provides an entire childhood at your fingertips to revisit regularly as often as you wish.  It beautifully and effectively links tokens of an entire year together, centralizing them in a unified and truly impressive way. It further delivers a comprehensive outline of each year in a storybook fashion. Thereafter, it links each year sequentially, transporting you through an all-inclusive childhood from birth to adulthood (or pre-school to adulthood) in a very quick and accessible way.  Get all your most cherished touchable keepsakes out from piles, boxes and hidden places. (Remember: out of sight is out of mind). Now combine up to larger than A3 school art, certificates, badges, medals, CDs, DVDs, birthdays, family holidays and more with your printed photos. Then preserve and display an annual collection of memories in the all-in-one My File About Me system.  This instant overview of life’s amazing journey is an exceptionally effective and beautiful way to summarize your child’s entire life in one pleasing and space-saving patented format. I love using Forever Child. I love how it’s instant:  That instant gratification of having captured a moment with a token or two to go with it: Memories that can be made then put away and then brought out and shown to someone, not only now, but far into the future also.  It’s a lifetime investment that continues to grow in value as time moves on. .  It is a life story that can be enjoyed over and over and celebrated for generations and forever. Remember precious memories may fade and valuable mementos can get lost, but MY FILE ABOUT ME… is forever! Click here to discover a world of convenience. About the Author Eleni Korfias is a wife, mother of three

May 31, 2019
Kaboutjie

Why Your Child Should Be Getting An Allowance

If your child has just started learning the difference between bills and coins, it won’t be long till they’re asking for their own share. And while that might be a little scary for you – they grow up so fast – there are lots of really good reasons to start giving your children an allowance. So if you’re on the fence about whether you think your kids are ready for some responsibility, here are four reasons why an allowance might be a good idea. Reason #1 – They learn how to budget When your child starts receiving an allowance, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to introduce them to budgeting. Because they’re now dealing with their own money, kids learn how to start prioritising where it goes – how much goes towards lunch money or after school treats, toys or video games. By teaching them to work to a budget you’ll be giving them a lesson in self control. That’s not always an easy lesson for kids to learn, but making the effort to curb bad habits when they’re young can prevent a lifelong habit of impulse spending. And that’s becoming increasingly important these days. Mozo conducted research into Australia’s obsession with post-pay layby service, Afterpay and found that 1 in 4 shoppers using the service experienced financial stress. That points to a worrying trend of overspending in Aussie adults and high personal debt, which appears to be a global trend. So the sooner your child gets into the habit of spending within their means, the better they’ll become at managing expenses later on in life. [ads2] Reason #2 – It’ teaches them how to set financial goals Budgeting goes hand-in-hand with setting financial goals, which for kids, usually means saving up to buy something they really want. And although owning the latest Mickey Mouse Play Doh set requires a little less work than buying a home, setting small goals builds good habits, like dedication and commitment. Knowing that you won’t just be buying them things they want and instead, when they want it, they’ll have to save their allowance starts kids on the path to thinking about their money long-term. It also means they’ll learn the skill of prioritising their spending and making hard decisions, like whether they want a treat right now, or extra spending money when your family goes on holiday at the end of the year. Let them pick their own short and long term goals, whether it’s the latest video game or a new toy, that way, the payoff will be meaningful to them. And as they inch closer to their goal, they’ll see the value in putting money away. One fun way to keep them on track is to design a motivation board. Grab some glue and stick pictures of their ‘goals’ onto cardboard, before hanging it in their bedroom where they can see it everyday. And if your child isn’t one for arts and crafts, many savings accounts offer virtual planners and activities to help kids manage their money online. The other thing to keep in mind is to make sure that if you’re encouraging your child to set savings goals, their allowance is enough to let them actually reach that goal within a reasonable amount of time. For instance, while a teenager might be willing to wait to buy their first car, a child in elementary school hoping to land a new LEGO set might not stay interested after a couple of months. So do the math and make sure that they’re not setting their expectations higher than your wallet can afford. Reason #3 – They’ll reap the benefits of saving If there’s one virtue that’s lost on many children, it’s patience. But by keeping your child from running to the lolly aisle at the first chance they get, they’ll enjoy one of the long-term benefits of saving – compound interest. The longer kids have savings stashed away, the more time there is for compound interest to work its magic and grow their funds. So give them a place to stash their new ‘income’ by opening up a savings account, so they can make regular deposits and start earning interest today. Then, by the time they finish high school, they’ll have a nice little stash to take away to college, go travelling or just to keep in case of emergencies. If you really want to give them a head start, it might be a good idea to match their savings to help them stay focused, like adding an extra $10 a week. Because if you did this from the age of 5, they’d have a whopping $6,240 by their 18th birthday – not too shabby of a gift! [ads2] #4 – It’ll give them a taste of independence Many kids just can’t wait to be treated like an adult and having their own money, especially if they’re taking out the trash every night or keeping their room tidy to earn it, is a great first step towards that kind of independence. Having their own money means they can start to make more independent decisions about how they want to use it, which can keep them motivated to continue saving. They might even decide to try a new hobby or learn a new skill with their newfound wealth which gives them a chance to work out who they are as a person. Financial independence can be addictive! If you’re the parent of a teenager, you could make things interesting by giving ‘salary negotiation’ a go. Sit down with them and talk about the quality and quantity of work they do around the house, then discuss whether their current allowance reflects this accurately. Even though they’re a long way away from doing this with an actual employer, it does give them the chance to test drive their negotiation skills and put their own price on their time and effort. Just don’t be surprised if they get too clever and start organising monthly negotiations! The next step –

May 30, 2019
Parenting Hub

Natalija’s 20th camp anniversary at Sugar Bay

In 2015, we saw Natalija Bozovic walk through our gates on our Thailand themed holiday camp, and as we celebrate her 20th camp anniversary, she shares her journey at Sugar Bay and how camp has become her second home. “I always felt like a little bit of an outcast at school, but when I came to camp I just blended in, I was welcomed by the warmest and kindest counselors that I still hold close to my heart to this day.”  With Walnut being one of the camp counselors that helped her push through her insecurities, Natalija dreams of being a camp counselor so she can help other kids come out of their shell. “I already have a camp counselor name! That’s how serious I am. In 2 years I will be doing my C.I.T (Counselor-In-Training) course and I’m pretty excited about it.” Quick Q&A  1. What has been your favourite themed holiday camp and why?  “Definitely Thailand week! It was the start of me finding my voice. I found a place where I could be myself fully.”  2. If you could travel anywhere in the in the world where would it be and why?  “This is going to sound a little cliche, but it would have to be Hawaii. I mean who wouldn’t want to go there? The beaches are so gorgeous.”  3. What’s the one thing people don’t know about you?  “I’m into science. I won first place in a science fair, and I went on to compete nationally where I got a silver medal. My experiment was on how fruit juices and soft drinks affect your teeth. I think I changed a lot of perceptions on fruit juices and soft drinks. Hahahahahaha.”  4. What’s your favourite party-starter song for the weekend?  Believe it or not, I’m into Abba. So Dancing Queen by Abba. Mama Mia put me on!  South Africa’s first and only American-style summer camp, Sugar Bay provides children of ages 7-17 with the most fun and memorable holidays imaginable. With over 100 activities, the latest equipment and first-rate facilities, Sugar Bay gives children the freedom to enjoy themselves within a safe and secure environment. If your teen would like to become a professional instructor in one of Sugar Bay’s certified activities, you should consider enrolling them in a Counselor-In-Training course. For more information, contact Sugar Bay on (032) 485 3778 or email [email protected]. You can also read more about Sugar Bay’s certified activities on their website.

May 30, 2019
Parenting Hub

Connecting to the new world of learning

For Johannesburg-based coach, Penny Castle, who is a speaker at the SACAP Festival of Learning in Johannesburg on 31st May, induction into our new world of learning was as harsh as it could be.  Two years ago, her teenage son, Josh, was diagnosed with an extremely unusual, aggressive and terminal cancer of the bile duct.  Known as Cholangiocarcinoma, this is a geriatric cancer so rare that less than 7000 cases are diagnosed globally a year; and of the documented patients so far, only five have ever been children or teenagers.  Josh and his family needed urgent information, professional help and advice; and they did what we all do in the ‘top-down’ world– they turned to the experts.  Penny says, “In the course of one week everything I thought I knew about learning from an expert was turned on its head as doctor after doctor turned my son away not knowing how to treat the case. In desperation, I turned to the internet and stumbled across a couple of Facebook groups run by cancer warriors and their caregivers. In just a few more weeks, Josh had gained a ton of new ‘grandparents’ and I’d gained vital fellow travellers as we sought treatment options, shared information, celebrated triumphs and grieved our fallen comrades together. The world of learning, I realised, had changed, and I was in a circumstance where I instantly changed with it.” Eventually, the Castle family did also connect with a flexible oncologist who was prepared to listen to the advice of elderly patients and caregivers from all over the world in terms of treatment options, genetic testing, and Yttrium 90 Radiology.  “In the paradigm of ‘expert oncologist’, our son would not have been accepted as a patient of an adult oncologist, nor would the advice of so-called strangers from across the world, delivered via social media ever have been considered,” says Penny. In the world of learning from the expert; we find one and then listen, process their information cognitively and take what we need to know.  In the new world of learning, Penny realised that we need a different skills-set.  We need to be able to truly connect, stripped of our personal brands and other artifices.  We can’t access the wealth of experience and information from a sufferer of an extremely rare cancer on the other side of the world if we can’t begin to share our own vulnerability.  Since, Josh passed, Penny, clad in Batman t-shirts, has comfortably called this ‘living your weird’. “If you think about all the people who inspire or motivate us, there is always something a bit weird about them,” she says.  “But it’s that weird that allows for connection because when you show me your weird it does two things. The first, is that I might see a bit of my own weird in you; and the second, is that it gives me permission to show you more of my weird. We can connect and we can belong.” This opens up the world in entirely different way to pretending there is nothing weird about being you so that you can fit in.  One is a whole-hearted option, and the other can only be half-hearted at its best.  Penny shares that before Josh’s diagnosis, she was caught up in fitting into the coaching world.  Her perceptions of other coaches’ expectations shaped her choices in clothes and activities.  At Josh’s memorial service last year, none of the coaches she had looked up to were available to attend.  Penny says: “It wasn’t so much hurtful as a data point. What was I doing trying to emulate people who were too busy when it came to a friend’s true moment of need?  It gave me permission to stop pretending I liked highbrow Eastern philosophy or yoga or any of the other things I’d been trying to do to fit in.     Eighteen months later, my life, except for the grief part, is happier because I can just be the weird woman who always wears a Batman shirt.  Today, I save my mental, cognitive, emotional and physical energy for activities that truly interest me.” The world of learning has changed. As soon as we are trying to work with something that is rare or has never been done before by far the most useful learning method is through connection – and specifically connection with people who are grappling with the same subject or issues. You can learn more about Penny Castle’s story at the upcoming SACAP Festival of Learning in Johannesburg. The 2019 Festival of Learning hosted by SACAP: Johannesburg, 30-31 May  Venue: SACAP Campus, Rosebank Times: 30 May from 17h30 to 20h30 and 31 May from 09h00 to 17h00 Human Library: 31 May from 11h00 to 15h00 Tickets for the 2019 Festival of Learning are available through Webtickets. Tickets are R250-00 for the full-day programme, and R200-00 for the short-talk evening programme. There is a special offer for students and alumni at R80-00 per ticket. For further information please visit: https://go.sacap.edu.za/psychology-festival-2019

May 29, 2019
Parenting Hub

The ideal baby shower gift!

We have all been there…. We stand in the store trying to find a suitable gift for a baby shower that afternoon. Well recently we found it!  Chicco recently released their Fantastic Love Range which is amazing. Not only is this range a limited edition but there is limited stock as well! Imagine walking in knowing that mom will fall in love on the spot!  The Fantastic Love Range by Chicco comprises of: 150ml Special Edition Bottle 250ml Special Edition Bottle Unicorn Special Edition Dummy Chain Unicorn Special Edition Teether Unicorn Special Edition Pacifier Holder And then their signature pacifier … the Special Edition Physio Soft Pacifier. If nothing else, get this life saver! The Physio Soft Pacifiers have a smaller neck ensuring that that orthodontic teat sits perfectly with the correct amount of pressure being applied to the palette. A lot of effort has gone into perfecting this pacifier with the moulding being ultra soft and perfected so that baby is able to lie comfortably and the pacifier will not leave any marks on the face This range comes in both blue and pink  This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores

May 29, 2019
Prima Baby

FANTASTIC LOVE PHYSIO SOFT PACIFIERS AND TEETHERS

Chicco, global leaders in nursing care, bring trendy babies a funky new look for 2019 in the form of the Fantastic Love range of nursing gear. Already a go-to choice for mothers around the globe, the Chicco Physio Soft pacifier is famous for being the perfect soothing companion.  Made from 100% soft silicone, these soft dummies are perfect for face-sleeping babies and come with an extra thin neck to avoid mouths being unduly open whilst sucking.   The teat is orthodontic and fits snugly into the palette area, avoiding lolling around in the mouth. The Fantastic Love Physio Soft dummies are available from newborn upwards and come in a gorgeous clear heart shaped box with satin ribbon, making it a gorgeous gift. Another one of the products in this range that babies are loving is the pony shaped teether. With ribbed legs and special mane made in textured plastic, it’s the perfect gummy companion and even has a heart shaped area for small hands to grasp. All products retail at R129 and are available at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores, www.takealot.com and other retailers.  Limited units in SA.

May 27, 2019
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