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Advice from the experts

Raising Money-Smart Children is Every Parent’s Responsibility

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” How often did you hear this saying when as a child you wanted a treat or a shiny new toy? As a parent, how many times have you responded with this very phrase to your own child? While the saying is an extremely common response to children’s demands, parents shouldn’t miss the opportunity to teach their children about basic money matters. Raising money-savvy children has been made easy by the many free resources and financial education tools now available. Lack of financial literacy and understanding can severely impact how South Africans manage their money. The 2018 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor found that out of a group of 10 metropolitan working South Africans, only six say they are satisfied with their current financial situation. Whether our children grow up to be business leaders, biochemists, architects, chefs or entrepreneurs, they’ll need to balance household budgets and plan financially for their goals and dreams. This is why it’s so important to lay a good foundation when it comes to money matters from a young age. With my own children – who are aged 10 and 12 – I always have honest conversations about our money, whether it’s planning big purchases like a new car or what kind of holiday we can afford. This teaches them an important lesson about living within your means. Here are four ways to get the money conversation going. Income vs expenses Speak to your child about the importance of making ends meet and explain the relationship between income and expenses. Highlight the importance of being realistic about your money situation and help them draw up a simple budget to manage their money. Make earning interest an exciting thing to do Help your children understand the advantages of saving for the things they want in life (rather than paying them off) by introducing them to the concept of earning interest. Explain how compound interest helps your savings to grow. Also explain the flip side of compound interest: how it can make borrowed money (debt) spiral out of control. Help them set money goals The next time your child asks for the latest Playstation or mountain bike, have a conversation about setting money goals and creating a plan to achieve them – and emphasise the importance of sticking to your plan! This will help them understand that good money habits matter. Teach them about real money The cashless world of credit cards and smartphone payment apps can make the act of paying very abstract and intangible. Next time you’re paying with your card or smartphone, talk to your child about basic banking concepts. Point out that paying with a credit card simply means you have to repay your bank later – probably with interest. Explain how technology has made it easy to pay for goods, but also easy to get into debt. Remember actions speak louder than words, and it’s your own money habits that will most influence your child’s relationship with money. Upskill yourself to stay in the know. Know better, and do better. The growing trend to sign up to open online courses like Old Mutual’s Moneyversity and free apps like 22Seven means we can all access information on how to manage our money responsibly and wisely – and then act on it.

September 10, 2018

Is technology destroying our humanness?

The world is spinning with new technologies and we, the human inhabitants, are the willing prey! Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says “With ever-increasing time spent on smartphones, iPads and in front of live-streamed TV, we are in danger of losing our humanness. Teeny toddlers, vulnerable teens, exhausted parents and even bored grandparents can be seen, heads-down, shoulders bent and disengaged from the real world as they spend endless hours scrolling through their devices. Losing a smartphone is a big deal and people often feel a loss which is akin to losing a much-prized body part!” Cindy highlights the following negative effects of too much screen time and says that they are serious enough for us, as parents, to STOP and take note! • It affects cognitive development in young children as it literally effects the way in which our children’s brains develop! • Too much screen time stifles creativity, imagination and playfulness which are essential to the wholesome development of children. • Concentration, critical thinking, memory and other learning skills are effected as children focus mindlessly on information (whether real or not) as it just pours effortlessly into their subconscious! • It affects mental and physical health as people become increasingly inactive and detached from the real world. • It will harm your relationship with your children. With parents and children spending too much time on their devices, they run the risk of losing the positive human connections that are key to happy relationships! Children feel unacknowledged, unheard and unnoticed and this leads to negative behaviours, anxiety, stress and depression. Cindy goes on to explain “We cannot ignore the dangers of too much exposure to the non-real world that the internet offers. We cannot afford to lose the beauty of life because we did not take a stand against the media (in all its forms)!” Consider the following tips in reducing the amount of screen time that you allow for yourself and your children: 1. You have to set the example. Your children are more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say. You cannot expect your children to reduce their screen time if you do not do the same! 2. Have dedicated no-go-zones for devices. Family activities, mealtimes and even when driving in a car can be cell phone free zones. 3. Get outside! Plan activities that involve getting into nature- it is great for the soul and it will increase all the happy-hormones in your bodies! 4. Encourage your children to get involved in activities beyond the school environment-sport, drama, music and art are great examples. 5. Very young children need to play with their hands and bodies, not on a device. Cindy closes by reiterating “Remember, as parents, we must set the example. REAL people, real love, real joy, real honesty and integrity cannot be experienced through the internet!”

September 10, 2018

New Parents’ Guide To Life Insurance

What to remember about life insurance when your a parent? When you hold your newborn baby in your arms, it’s hard to imagine he or she will someday be all grown up. And that day arrives sooner than expected. Before you know it your little baby is riding a bicycle, going to school, applying for universities and soon don’t need you to hold their hand every step of the way. But, when your children are young you’ll want them to feel protected at all times and enable them to be successful one day. One way is getting basic life insurance in place to make sure their dreams and futures are protected. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about getting life insurance cover for your family. The cost of raising a child and education According to News24 the cost of raising a child is approximately R90 000 per year. This may sound like a lot, but when you consider the costs of food, daycare, housing, clothing, education, and other activities, it makes sense. A good education is something that can really put a lot of financial strain on your wallet in South Africa. It is projected that in 2023 it will cost around R55 000 per annum for a child to go to a public primary or high school. The cost of sending your child to university also ranges from R30 000 to R60 000 a year. Would your partner be able to cover all these costs if you were no longer there? Unless you have a lot of savings or are a trust-fund-baby yourself, most people’s answer would be no. Life insurance is a smart way to ensure that your kids will be protected and get the education you intend them to get if the unthinkable should happen. To plan for sufficient cover, think about the monthly expenses your child (or children) would need covered until they are old enough to support themselves or just use our calculator to calculate the expected cost of their education and your other needs for you. As your life changes, the cover you need will change too Your life insurance needs will change over time. As you expand your family or when you take out a bond, your life insurance needs grow. As your kids become older, you pay off your debt and your savings grows, your life insurance needs become less. By actively managing your needs to pay for just the right amount of cover over your lifetime, you will save a lot of money. Most life insurance policies are not easy to change, but Hero Life your life insurance policy is flexible. When your needs change with time you can adjust your cover online with no extra hassle with just a few clicks – no agents and no paperwork involved. Life insurance can be very affordable for new parents While buying a life insurance policy might feel overwhelming, it’s really not. Or at least, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you’re a parent, Hero Life provides a simple and easy process with affordable rates. We designed a product specifically for young parents they are generally safer, more responsible and healthier individuals ensuring an affordable rate for all. But, we can also help other parents finding the best provider at the best price. Ready to consider your life insurance options? Follow these steps: Understand how much cover you need. The best way to estimate your cover is to use Hero Life’s insurance calculator the expected costs of your kids education and other needs you may have in less than 5 minutes! It is extremely important to be fully aware of your future needs. The only thing that is important with your life insurance cover amount, is that you have the right amount of cover at a given time. On our website, check the premium associated with the amount of cover chosen. It will show you how much you would expect to pay each month for cover. You can easily reduce the cover to fit your budget and you can always apply for more cover later. Get covered. If you are happy with the cover amount and the premium, the process to apply for cover can take less than 5 minutes, and you’ll get immediate cover. If you pay your first pro rata premium, cover will begin immediately and you can cancel your policy at any time, no questions asked. You can also change the cover amount at any time with no fees or penalties. You are also welcome to chat to the Hero team directly over the website or via WhatsApp at any time for any assistance or information required. Life insurance plays a significant role in the protection of your family. Taking you less than 5 minutes anyone has time to apply. Apply now to protect your family and become the Hero they need you to be.

September 7, 2018

Mind the gap- why you should think twice before taking a year off after school

Matrics who are tempted to take a year off after their school careers – whether it is because they feel they just need a break, or because they don’t yet know if or what they want to study – should think twice about their decision, an education expert says. “There are significant implications to taking a so-called gap year instead of directly entering studies,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education provider. Chief among these, is the fact that graduates who went to study straight after school, and who completed their qualification within the required timeframe, are significantly better off than matriculants who elected to enter the workplace right away or who opted for a gap year, particularly if that gap year is unproductive. “A gap year doesn’t necessarily mean that you take off a year to travel the world and pretty much do nothing as the term was understood in the past. The concept has evolved to include other activities, such as getting a job after Matric to earn some money or gain work experience, or volunteering or even undergoing a structured programme,” says Kriel. However, while these options are still better than just relaxing for a year before entering studies, they may still put you behind your peers in terms of studying and earning potential, he says. Another risk with taking a gap year, is that one loses one’s “study muscles”, says Kriel. “It is completely understandable that the idea of getting away from the books after the demands of one’s final year at school is a very attractive idea for many. However after that year, getting back into the habit of studying and focusing on academics are major challenges which are best avoided.” But Kriel adds that there are ways to make a gap year work, which will lessen its impact on a person’s long-term success in the workplace. And obviously, where a young person is really not sure what they want to study, a gap year as long as it is productive is a better investment than a failed year of post-school study. “If you do decide to take a gap year, it is crucial that you at least do something to improve your skills and competencies during that time. A great option in this instance, is to do some distance or part-time courses.” This is a particularly attractive option for those Matriculants who are hesitant to sign up for a full degree straight away because they are still uncertain of what they want to do with their life. “Doing some short or distance courses allows you to investigate your options and interests without the financial and time commitments required of full-time degree study,” notes Kriel. “This means that you can get a better idea of where your passion and talents lie, while at the same time earning some certification that will make your gap year less of a ‘hole’ in your CV. “And finally, staying with the books, even without the commitment of having to study full-time and the ability to study at your own pace, means that you keep your brain working and geared for when you do sign up for full qualification study later.” It is important to also note that some higher education institutions will not keep your “offer” warm for you, so if you get in to the qualification of your dreams it is rarely prudent to delay taking up the place, says Kriel. “But for those who have legitimate reasons for not going straight into further studies, our advice is definitely to ensure that you don’t lose sight of the long game, and that you keep learning even if you are already earning.” Kriel says the time should also be used to actively investigate future study options to limit time-wasting later. “Look at all the higher education institutions, whether it be a public university or private, and their offerings. Find a qualification that will make you employable – one that is recognised by employers and has a curriculum that is relevant in the workplace of today. “You must also choose an institution whose curricula and learning processes enable you to master work-ready skills so that you have a competitive ‘hit the ground running’ advantage. Having a portfolio of work at graduation, for example, allows you to instantly showcase what you have learnt and what makes you an attractive prospect to potential employers. “Finally, you must choose an institution that will give you the best possible chance of succeeding and completing your qualification in the minimum time. Every additional year of study leaves a long-term financial impact, so consider things such as student support, class sizes, and the quality of lecturing and facilities.”

September 7, 2018

What is the correct age to give a child a cellphone?

The modern-day child is being thrust into a rapidly expanding digital and cyber world, whether they are ready for it or not. The question that was posed to me was, “At what age should a child receive their first cell phone?” If only it were that simple and if only society had written rules on how to govern social media and its appropriate etiquette. Sadly, too many children and parents find themselves in a situation way over their heads when it is too late to reverse the precedent that has already been set. As parents, we should aim to be pro-active. In an ideal world, if parents could agree on unwritten regulations, then we could minimise the added cyber peer pressure that our children are experiencing. I find myself in the advantageous position of being a parent to a tween (pre-teen) as well as a high school teacher for twenty years, teaching Life Orientation, Social Sciences and English. Thus, I have made it a priority to try to best equip myself and to empower my own children and pupils. At the beginning of the year, I assigned a task to my grade 7 pupils to interview various age groups regarding cellphone usage. Based on their findings, they had to formulate their own cell phone etiquette policy. Their findings were astonishing. Many tweens had already encountered cyber bullying or inappropriate usage of social media. When conducting my own research amongst pupils, teachers, psychologists and parents, one thing became clear: Cellphones are unfortunately a necessary evil. While we do not have the choice to ignore the necessity of our children having a cell phone, we should be intentional in our navigation and set our own “terms and conditions”. When our children learn to drive, they first need a learner’s license and adult supervision. Why then, can we not create a similar platform with cell phones, before we just toss them the metaphorical keys and expect them to know how to drive? Cell phones are intriguing and as exciting as getting your first car. The sense of independence and freedom combine to make the user want immediate access and license. However, we never grant a child a license before they learn how to drive and pass the test. Receiving your first cell phone should be a significant rite of passage and an exciting phase in your teenager’s life. It could be likened to getting your first bicycle. Accompanied with the thrill, is the need to learn how to ride the bicycle as well. Most Parents and teachers agree that thirteen is an acceptable age to receive a cell phone, provided that the child is mature enough to abide by rules set at home and at school. The determining factor should not be a matter of convenience only, whereby parents simply hand down their old phones to their children in order to satisfy a desire and keep them occupied. Did you know that Facebook has an age restriction of 13? WhatsApp has now changed its age restriction in the European Union from 13 to 16 years of age. One can assume these age restrictions have been put in place for a good reason. Larian Botha, Teacher and Parent – Southdowns College

September 4, 2018

Ways to cope with generation me, me, me

By: Justin Kistan, Crawford College North Coast If we’re lucky, we’ve been told our whole lives that we’re special. Our parents said it to us, our friends, and even our teachers. And we are special? To them. To the world at large? Not so much. Don’t get me wrong. You are unique without a doubt. Your environment and experiences have carved you into something inimitable. Only you can do, what you can do. But is that special yet? Constant positive reinforcement is important in building our self-esteem. Too much of it though can make us a little entitled. Hey, if I’ve been told that I’m special my whole life, surely I deserve good things?! Don’t I deserve the accolades, awards, and applause? Maybe. But have we earned them? We want the standing ovation but have we delivered on the performance? Popular culture perpetuates this today. It’s all about me. I deserve all good things just for being the awesome individual that I am. It’s called a selfie for a reason. It’s you framing yourself as the centre of your own little world. Now imagine a child living in this world. Can you blame them today for being vain, egotistical and self-centred? Unwarranted self-esteem can lead to an entitlement which can lead to narcissism. Our EGO (unhealthy belief in our own importance) gets so big that it becomes a stumbling block on our path to real growth and development. Hedonic adaptation is also to blame. We very quickly get used to all the good things in our lives and therefore go looking for our next happiness ‘fix’, either from buying something new or basking in the attention of others through Instagram, twitter or negative behaviour. How can we fix this? Kids can learn to: Apply the meta-skill of the 21st Century, SELF-AWARENESS, which is the ability to see ourselves for who we are, appreciate how others see us and to begin to understand our place in the world. Self-awareness removes the blinkers from our eyes and allows us the vision to accurately tune into our current station in life. We will never get to where we want to go in the future if we don’t know where we are now. Practise GRATITUDE. Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement. It reminds us to appreciate what we already have and fosters greater happiness and empathy while discouraging depression, anxiety and envy. No more FOMO. Keeping a gratitude journal is a good way to start. Just write down three things (big or small) that you’re grateful for every day and you’ll start to feel the positive results soon. Deep introspection and appreciation can spur inspired action that will earn authentic admiration. Through their actions and interactions, children can learn to pause, ponder and then perform. Insight before Foresight. They will build their competence and with that, they will earn their confidence. Remember: Special is not who I am, it is what I’ll become. I will learn and earn it.

August 30, 2018

5 Tips for managing those financials of a Hero family

There is no doubt that by bringing a new little person into the world is an overwhelmingly amazing and wonderful thing to experience. But figuring out how to put strong, healthy financial management in place for a new family, is also an overwhelming but stressful experience. And let’s face it, not all of us are finance whizkids or want to be! But here are some easy tips to manage your family’s finances like a pro. Tip 1: SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN This tip is not just an important part of keeping your family’s finances in order, but it is also a crucial element of any financial plan. Spending less money than you and your partner earn is the first step to ensure more stability and more room to breath when it comes to finances. If you were the one screaming ‘Easier said than done!’ at the beginning of this section, you’re not wrong! But there are some relatively easy things you can do to ensure you’re not spending outside of your means. First, know your income. Knowing how much money you are bringing into the household will be the first step in understanding where the money comes from and where it’s going. Second, by knowing how much is coming in, helps you to draw up a budget (see below)! Third, use some handy money-saving apps to help to identify those items where you overspend. The great thing about these apps are that they are free & non-judgemental 🙂 Tip 2: KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SPENDING Drawing up a budget to track monthly spending can really be an eye-opening exercise that helps you to understand your financial habits (good and bad). Recording all of your receipts for a month can give you useful insight into how to budget. But if this sounds like too much work, there are a number useful budgeting apps that streamline the task for you – try out 22Seven or most South African banks have this online functionality available to their clients now – and it’s for free! Let them help you to take the slog out of keeping track of your expenses and help you give some insights in how to curb those bad spending habits. Knowledge is power and when you know exactly where your money is going, you’ll be better equipped to draw up a family budget that is realistic about your spending habits, that helps you to spend within your means and that takes your children’s needs into consideration. Tip 3 SET UP AN EMERGENCY FUND The only certainty is that life is unpredictable. And when you have a family to look after it is important to have contingency plans for those unexpected things. By setting up an emergency savings fund can really help to remove some of the stresses and anxieties for when your family faces unexpected income loss or more likely, unexpected expenditures such as medical bills or a car giving you trouble. It is recommended to have a minimum of three months’ worth of basic living expenses in your emergency fund, but the more is always the better. This safety net will help you to avoid accessing other sources such as withdrawing from your retirement fund (which is NEVER a good idea) or going into expensive debt (which is also NEVER a good idea). Wherever you decide to build your emergency fund, just be sure to invest it into a financial vehicle that is easy to access, low cost and that has low-risk of losing your capital. Your bank should have these types of accounts available. Ask around. Tip 4 USE TIME-SAVING MONEY TOOLS As a parent, you know best how precious time is which is why we understand that you don’t want to spend hours of your time dealing with money matters. Thankfully, you can save by doing a few simple things. First, sign up for mobile banking (if you haven’t already). This will allow you to check your finances, pay bills and manage your budget (if you bank have this functionality). Most banks also offer the option of setting up automatic deposits into a savings account for emergency purposes (see Tip 3 above). This takes the worry and management off your hands so that you can focus on other important family matters. Tip 5 COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE Be open about finances with your partner. This doesn’t just mean knowing how much each person is bringing home but also means discussing big purchases and expenses and how to manage your budget. As a family unit, you and your partner will need to establish the needs and priorities of the household and be talking about how to best implement your budget effectively. Being open about family finances will also help foster a healthy and trusting relationship between you and your partner. Last thoughts: as a new or young family, it’s important to get your thinking right when it comes to money and what your family needs (read our previous article here). By implementing these 5 easy tips will go a long way in putting a system in place that will remove the anxieties around finances. At Hero Life, we’re happy to help young South African families with their finances or point you in the right direction. Try us @ herolife.co.za or Whatsapp us at +27 73 916 9367 to ask any question. We bet you will love us. Author: Kosie Jansen van Rensburg, Co-Founder @ Hero Life #BeAHero #SuperSavvy #HeroParents This article is to provide general information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific advice or to serve as the basis for any purchasing decisions. Hero Life is underwritten by Guardrisk Life Ltd an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 76). Advise is rendered by representatives mandated by MMI Group Limited trading as Metropolitan (FSP 44673).

August 29, 2018

Get your kids excited about brushing

By Philips Oral Health Every parent wants what’s best for their child’s health, but not all parents are experts in the dentistry field and let’s be honest, we can’t remember brushing our teeth at such a young age and the process is quite different now as an adult. What’s more, brushing your teeth as an adult is a routine activity – a dull process – so if we’re not that excited, how do we get our kids excited about it? Our challenge as parents is to promote good oral health and hygiene to our kids at a young age – rather than getting frustrated trying to convince them to brush properly. Good oral health goes beyond having a nice smile – its fundamentally intertwined with overall well-being. Dental practitioners have long been aware of the relationship between the mouth and the body and poor oral health and gum disease has been associated with several non-communicable diseases – so it’s important that while the kids are young, parents are focusing on instilling life-long good oral habits. Most parents are doing the brushing of their children’s teeth while they are young and until they have developed their motor skills. But demonstrating proper brushing techniques and making the process as fun and creative a possible is critical. Not only is it’s a good learning processes, but a bonding experience as well. So how do you kick start an exciting path to lifelong health oral habits? We have a few tips and tricks to take care of your little one’s oral health: Teach them the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth from a young age. Dental care for children should start as soon as they start developing teeth. Get the right size toothbrush – a long handle may be needed if they are a little reluctant to open their mouths wide – but funky toothbrushes can go a long way. Sing a song, tell a story or watch a movie/video to make tooth brushing fun – this also ensures that they brush for the recommended two minutes. Make sure that you know the right technique of tooth brushing because your child will follow your example When they are younger you can brush their teeth by standing behind them or having them sit on your lap. As they get older they will naturally want to brush themselves – just make sure that they are brushing properly Let them stand on a step or stool to face the mirror and do not forget to teach them to brush their tongue as well as it is a popular hiding place for bacteria Stick to a routine – make sure they don’t miss their daily teeth brushing routine twice a day – in the morning and before bed so there are no excuses. If your children are 6 years and older, alcohol-free mouthwash can be used after they have brushed their teeth as it flushes out any additional bacteria – but remember to get the flavour they like! Make brushing fun again by using an electronic toothbrush as these are more effective than they’ll ever be at removing plaque and bacteria, and will protect your children’s gums from aggressive brushing. An annual dental check-up is essential – so make sure to find a dentist that they like. It should never be a dreaded visit. Remember you are their role model of good oral hygiene – so the more fun you have, the more you use brushing time to bond – the more likely they get excited about brushing!

August 24, 2018

NASA Astronaut Returns for Living Maths Space Tour

Following the sold-out, three-city 2017 tour, former NASA astronaut Dr Don Thomas will be returning to South Africa, for the Living Maths Space Tour 2018, from 16 to 27 September. STEAM-based NGO Living Maths, will be giving South Africans the rare opportunity to meet a bona fide spaceman, during a series of public talks and school visits in Cape Town and along the Garden Route. If you have ever been curious about what it is like to be blasted into space and to live and work in a shuttle while orbiting the Earth, then the upcoming tour is not to be missed. During his twenty-year tenure with NASA, including four historic shuttle missions, Dr Thomas logged over 1040 hours of adventuring in space and completed 692 orbits of the Earth. His inaugural mission aboard the STS-65 Columbia in July 1994 set a new flight duration record for the US Space Shuttle program with 236 orbits of the Earth and 6.1 million miles travelled, in 353 hours and 55 minutes. Steve Sherman, Chief Imagination Officer at Living Maths says, “After witnessing the excitement and curiosity that Dr Thomas’ last visit sparked about space, we wanted to bring him back, to spread that enthusiasm to more parts of the country. This is a unique opportunity to inspire young South Africans about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and hopefully ignite lifelong passions in these subjects.” Dr Thomas’ “Living and Working in Space” presentation takes the audience on his journey to becoming an astronaut and allows them to share the fun and excitement of being in space. Focusing on the thrills of launch, how astronauts eat, sleep, and exercise, the infamous space ablutions, and sharing the beauty and fragility of our planet that he experienced and saw first-hand whilst orbiting the Earth. “From the age of six years old, I knew I wanted to be an Astronaut, but NASA declined my application to the space programme four times before I was accepted. I’m grateful to now be one of only 550 humans to have flown in space and feel a responsibility to share my story and experiences. My story is proof that perseverance pays off and I want to pass on the gift of big dreams to young people. With space tourism and travel to Mars becoming more of a reality, I hope to inspire South African youth to follow in my footsteps and perhaps become future Mars explorers”, says Dr Thomas on his upcoming trip to the Cape. Dates and Venues: Cape Town 16 Sep – Kirstenhof Primary 6:00-7:30 pm Franschhoek 17 Sep – Bridge House 6:30-8:00 pm Mossel Bay 19 Sep – Venue to be confirmed 6:00-7:30 pm George 20 Sep – York High 6:00-7:30 pm Knysna 21 Sep – Knysna Primary 6:00-7:30 pm Plettenberg Bay 25 Sep – Piesang Valley Community Hall 10:00–11:30 am Port Elizabeth 25 Sep – Victoria Park High School 6:00–7:30 pm Grahamstown 26 Sep – Victoria Girls High 6:00–7:30 pm Tickets can be purchased through Quicket, for R60 to R80. For more information on the Living Maths Space Tour 2018 visit www.livingmaths.com The Living Maths Space Tour is supported by Protea Hotels – Marriott.

August 23, 2018

NQF explained: What prospective students should know before they sign up

Terminology related to education in South Africa can often be very confusing, particularly when learners and prospective students need to consider the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and talk of accreditation and registration. It is however very important that prospective students get to grips with the terminology, as not doing so can have serious implications down the line, an education expert says. Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education provider, says one of the most important aims of the NQF is to protect the general public from abuse by bogus education providers. She also says that by developing an understanding of the NQF, you can make assumptions about registration and accreditation, which makes it all much easier to understand because a qualification that is not registered or accredited is not on the NQF, so it really is your shortcut to working out what is real and what is not. “South Africa has a register of all qualifications which is managed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and this register is referred to as the NQF,” she explains. “We are fortunate in South Africa to have some really strict rules that educational institutions and training providers have to adhere to, so if you want to study there are a few simple questions to ask to which there are very clear answers. If an institution is not clear with you on the answers, the chances are you should be cautious about registering.” Coughlan says that something can only be called a “qualification” if: 1) It has a credit value of 120 as a minimum, and 2) is registered on the NQF with an NQF ID (sometimes called a SAQA ID) number. “The shortest possible qualification is therefore normally one year as it takes about a year of study to do 120 credits. A degree is normally at least 360 credits and so on. Without these two being in place, what you are studying is considered a short course and not a qualification, so it cannot be called a diploma or degree. So, if a South African institution is offering you a diploma for three weeks of study, it is not legitimate and warning lights should start flashing about that institution.” Coughlan adds that if an education institution cannot provide a prospective student with a programme’s NQF ID, caution should be exercised as it is then not a South African qualification. However, even when an institution does provide an NQF ID, one should still verify it independently by searching for it on http://regqs.saqa.org.za/ . “Look up the qualification and check its level and credit value, as well as information about what it covers. You can then compare that information to the marketing material given to you by the training provider to make sure that the promises and reality match.” Coughlan says that qualifications will only get registered on the NQF if they have been checked for quality and accredited by the Quality Council with the statutory responsibility for doing this. South Africa has three of these Quality Councils, she explains. 1) Umalusi is responsible for “school level” qualifications which are on the first four levels of the NQF – Levels 1 to 4. 2) The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is responsible for higher education (post- secondary school) qualifications which are the ones on level 5 to 10 offered by registered private higher education institutions and public Universities. 3) The QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) manages vocational training and education from Level 1 through to level 6. The level overlaps with Umalusi and the CHE, but the area of focus is very much the trades and occupations, from plumbing through to being a chef or even some areas of accounting. These colleges are called TVET – Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges. (In the past called FET (Further Education and Training) Colleges. Coughlan says the level on the NQF gives one an indication of how complicated the subject matter is. Level 10 is where Doctorates are pitched, for instance, while Level 4 is the level of Grade 12. “Only registered private and public institutions can offer qualifications that are on the NQF, while both private and public institutions can offer on all levels and through approval from all the Quality Councils. This means that the only difference between public (University) institutions and private higher education institutions – which may as a result of regulations not refer to themselves as private universities – is that the public institutions get some subsidy from the government while the private institutions don’t.” Coughlan says when one has a clear understanding of the NQF, that information will assist you in deciding what to study and where. “If, for instance, you want to follow a trade or vocation such as becoming a Chef, you need to find a college (public or private) accredited by the QCTO and registered as a private or public TVET College with a qualification on the NQF. “If however you want to pursue a higher education qualification such as a Higher Certificate, Degree or Diploma, you can investigate your options among any of the country’s 26 public Universities or 116 registered private higher education institutions. “As always, it is crucial for prospective students to thoroughly investigate all their options, to ensure they find the best fit for themselves in terms of location, campus, and offering.” * Prospective students can find a complete list of all registered private colleges and higher education institutions at: www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx . ** GRAPHIC: NQF level breakdown Sub Framework NQF level Qualification types General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub Framework (GFETQSF) Occupational Qualifications Sub Framework (OQSF) 1 Grade 9 2 Grade 10/ National (vocational) Certificates level 2/ Occupational Certificates 3 Grade 11/ National (vocational) Certificates level 3/ Occupational Certificates 4 Grade 12/ National (vocational) Certificates level 4/ Occupational Certificates Higher Education Qualification Sub Framework (HEQSF) 5 Higher Certificate/ Advanced National (vocational) Certificates/ Occupational Certificates 6 Diploma/ Advanced Certificate/

August 22, 2018

Cosatto Zoomi

Cosatto has been saving the world from boring baby stuff with the coolest designs, funkiest concepts and all-round impeccable styling, making motherhood an aspirational time for many customers. The Zoomi Exclusive 5 Point Plus Anti-Escape System harness keeps children safer than conventional car seats and has been tested for the 9-36kg weight category, approximately 9 months to 12 years of age. Removable, washable covers keep the gorgeous fabrics of these car seats pristine – and you wouldn’t want it any other way when you see the designs. Retailing at approximately R5000, the Cosatto ranges are higher-end, stylish and exclusive and are available now at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 22, 2018

Getting insight into bullying

Rita Niemann Bullying is an example of school violence, which mostly stems from aggression and poor self-image. Bullying can be defined as a conscious, wilful, and deliberate hostile activity and as it tends to happen at any point in time, it makes it very difficult to predetermine. Louw and Louw (2007:230) emphasise the need for humans to belong and states that social development is characterised by an increasing involvement with peers as that contributes towards satisfying emotional needs. Teachers and parents, therefore, must account for the various phases of relationship building during adolescence and must guide children towards sound social and interpersonal relationships. Because bullying cannot be contextualized by group, age or gender, any child can fall prey to a bully. However, children tend to follow the example of their parents and if parents condone acts of aggression or violence, children tend to emulate such acts, resulting in others feeling threatened and unsafe. Legislatively, every learner has the right to be educated in an environment that is “clean and safe” and is “conducive to education” (RSA, 2006). Unfortunately, bullying has become both a national and international concern. Most acts of bullying are related to an imbalance of power to ensure dominance, boosting the bully’s self-image and getting attention (even if it is negative attention). Barbara Coloroso (2005: 49-51) identified different kinds of bullies. Those who: have powerful personalities, are admired by others and are not easily recognised as being a bully. use gossip and verbal abuse to manipulate others. show little emotion, but is determined to continue the bullying. are hyperactive, struggle with schoolwork and have poor social skills. Any child can become a bully’s target depending on the bully’s inner insecurities. Bullies tend to prefer submissive children, but it could also simply be because the person is younger, smaller, thinner, fatter, or even because of his or her gender. Bullies also tend to choose targets who have characteristics they crave themselves, such as being clever and dedicated. Parents and teachers often wonder why victims do not report the bullying. Often, victims of bullying feel ashamed because of what is happening to them, or they feel that there must be something wrong with them. They also fear that the bullying may get worse if it is reported. Bullying must be dealt with swiftly and deliberately – see the follow-up article in this regard. References Coloroso, B. 2005: The bully, the bullied and the bystander. From pre-school to secondary school – how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence. London:Piccadilly. Louw, D., & Louw, A. 2007. Child and Adolescent Development. Bloemfontein: ABCPrinters. Niemann, R., Marais, N., Swanepoel, Z. & Moosa, M. 2016. Problem areas in schools In: Jacobs, M. Teaching-learning Dynamics, Johannesburg: Pearsons Republic of South Africa (RSA). 2006. Regulations for Safety Measures at Public School). Government Gazette No. 26663. Pretoria: Government Printers.

August 21, 2018

Parenting your star athlete

By Keri Gallan, Sports Co-Ordinator of Crawford Preparatory North Coast What do Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton have in common? Apart from dominating their sports, earning millions of dollars and producing world class performances over the years, all three of these elite athletes specialised in their particular sport when they were very young. They’re not alone. Many superstar athletes latch on to one unique code and run with it. They are often supported by parents and private coaches who push these child prodigies to heights few of us could ever dream of. Of course, we all want the best for our children and when we spot a bit of talent, either through our own rose-tinted glasses or with a little help from a learned tutor, we understandably might be tempted to narrow our child’s gaze towards one sport. This is perhaps the single greatest mistake one can make when it comes to youth development. In a 2011 study called ‘Late Specialisation: The Key to Success in Centimetres, Grams or Seconds (CGS) Sports’, Danish scientists examined the training hours of professional athletes in their chose sport through their development, starting at 9 and finishing at 21. They wanted to see if more training hours early on in childhood (as was the case for athletes such as Williams and Woods) had a direct correlation to success in adulthood. Athletes were divided into two groups: 148 Elite and 95 Near-Elites. Elite athletes were those who had achieved a top 10 placing in either World or Olympic competition, or a podium place in European competition. Near-Elite athletes had not achieved as well, but were still part of the Danish national sport programme. Between the ages of 9 and 15, Near-Elite athletes put in 158.32 more hours on average than those who would go on to reach European, World and Olympic glory. However, by the time they reached 21, the Elite athletes were putting in an average of 1 130.1 more hours than those who hadn’t reached the pinnacle of their sport. The Near-Elite athletes had a head start on the Elite athletes but flagged well behind at an age where professionalism and world recognition could be attained. Why is that? The answer it two-fold. One explanation is that the Near-Elite athletes were being driven by someone else; perhaps a pushy parent or coach who ignored the holistic well-being of the child. The other explanation is that the Near-Elites were responding more to what they were good at because of their early physical development. Both explanations are pertinent to our discussion. The first can be viewed as a cautionary tale against secondary parties (coaches, parents, peers) pushing young people down one path. The great tennis star Andre Agassi once admitted, “I play tennis for a living even though I hate tennis. I hate it with a dark secret passion and always have.” Like Woods and Williams, Agassi’s father pushed him in to the sport, ignoring his please to give it up. Agassi was the number 1 player in the world, earned over $31 million dollars and won 60 career titles including eight Grand Slams. How many people around the world followed a similar path as Agassi, betting all their athletic abilities on a single sport, and came up with nothing? When mentoring young children who display talent in a particular field, it is crucial to discourage them from ignoring all other avenues and instead open them up to pursuing different paths. That is not to say that a child who demonstrates talent in one particular code should not view that code as their primary sport, but by ignoring all others there is no telling what other avenues of enjoyment may be missed. You wouldn’t feed your child his or her favourite food every day of the week, would you? The same could be said with extra-curricular activities. That is not limited to sport. Your athletically talented child should be encouraged to explore drama, chess, art and debate. Their academic grades should of course be kept at a high standard and not dismissed as a branch of school life that simply gets in the way of his or her athletic exploits. A holistic upbringing will not only lead to the formation of a holistic adult but will inadvertently help with the athletic abilities in your child’s chosen sport. What was it about placing all of one’s eggs in one basket? This brings us to the second explanation. We all can think of that one child in primary school who hit a growth spurt early in his or her life and simply steamrolled the opposition. Be it swimming, athletics or any ball sport, natural athletic abilities are an obvious advantage to have. This can lead to parents mistakenly assuming that early dominance in a particular code will see their child emerge as the next Woods or Williams. Athletic talent is not linear and should rather be thought of as a stock market with ebbs and flows. What you’re seeing could be a small rise in an otherwise uneventful progression. Just as your broker would discourage you from investing all your money in a single stock, the same could be said for investing all your child’s abilities in a single code. In the fantastic book, The Sports Gene (2013), David Epstein shows how certain sports require a particular genetic composition in order to be successful at an elite level. Lionel Messi may be one of the greatest footballers of all time, but no amount of training would turn his diminutive frame in to the next 100m Olympic champion. That is why developing a holistic and well-rounded physical literacy is crucial in the training of young athletes. Early specialisation is a risk because you can only say with any certainty what body type a child will have once adolescence has been reached. If that is the case, it makes no sense to invest whatever talent the young athlete has in only one sport. Rather than looking at

August 20, 2018

Sports in Education: Core Skills Addressed

By: Zelda Varela (Crawford Preparatory Fourways Sports Coordinator) Can you remember that elated feeling of being part of a team, or maybe not making the A- team and then being so determined that you put in the extra hard work to improve to be selected? Can you remember being forced to run around the field five times, doing push-ups for days at end, because you thought the PE teacher disliked children and was trying to make you suffer? Whether you have good or bad memories related to sport or any physical activity, one thing is for sure, that physical activity promotes not only your health but instils good personal attributes required throughout life. Team sports boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Being part of a team helps children to find a sense of belonging. It teaches acceptable ways to interact with others and how to be considerate and respectful of teammates. Physical activity promotes agility and coordination. It supports healthy growth of muscles and bones, which is critical in schooling years while children are still growing and can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, especially with the highly pressurized society that we find ourselves living in. Through participation in sport your child will gain five different skills including research skills; social skills; thinking skills; communication skills and self-management skills. Social & Communication skills: it teaches acceptable ways to interact with others and how to be considerate and respectful of teammates. Thinking Skills: In a team sport situation, children learn to think and perform under pressure, critical basic thinking skills are promoted, which in turn can help in coping with everyday life. (http://thinkingforsuccess.com/cognition-sports.html) Self-management & Research skills: Be on time for practises/matches. Remember sport clothes and equipment needed for a sport. Children build self-confidence by participating and feeling good about themselves and their achievements. Physical activity helps children set goals for themselves which leads to learning how to deal with failure and success, and to have a positive attitude no matter what the outcome of an event. Encourage your children to get active and uncover any potential opportunities and skills that young people may find useful not only in the sport sector but other sectors of their lives.

August 17, 2018

Cooing over Communication

One minute they are crying, the next they are conversing! Communication development begins at birth. From the time your precious newborn gives their first cry, they start learning all about language, communication, and connecting with the world around them. Babies have “conversations” through their cries, facial expressions and body language long before the arrival of their first words. The development of language takes place through the encouraging and loving interactions young children have with the people in their lives. It is through responsive and repetitive processes that young children learn how to communicate. Why do baby’s communication abilities matter? Communication skills that are learnt in the first year of life are what set the bar for success in many learning areas. Communication development is directly linked to the development of reading, writing (spelling) as well as building social skills and forming relationships later on in life. Language skills are divided into three main areas – RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE, EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE, and PRAGMATIC LANGUAGE. Development of all areas is vital for effective communication, and begins developing after birth. Receptive communication involves the ability to receive and understand information. Listening and reading fall into this category. Expressive communication is the ability to convey a message to another person. Speaking and writing fall into this category. Expressive skills are more difficult to develop than receptive skills. Pragmatic communication refers to social language abilities or the “rules” of language. These are vital for communicating our personal thoughts, feelings and ideas. It includes what we say, how we say it, our body language and whether the communication interaction is appropriate to the given situation. Language Acquisition Guidelines By Maureen Wilson (Speech Language Pathologist) Age Receptive Expressive Pragmatic 0-3 months Moves in response to sound or voice Shows interest in caregiver Briefly looks at people Quiets in response to sound Excites when caregiver approaches Smiles and coos Quiets when picked up 3-6 months Fixes gaze on face Responds to name Vocalizes to expressions and sounds 6 months Enjoys being played with Initiates vocalizing with another person 7 months Responds to name Responds to ‘no’ most of the time Listens when caregiver is speaking to them Uses hands to request Different vocalizations for different moods Anticipates actions 9 months Babbles Vocalizes to toys or pets Dances to music Intentional two way communication Recognizes familiar people Makes physical contact to gain attention Shouts to attract attention 10 months Plays peek-a-boo Points to request Shakes head ‘no’ Waves ‘bye’ when cued 11 months Recognizes familiar people and objects when named Looks at named pictures or objects Pushes and pulls others to direct them Reaches to request object 12 months Identifies two body parts when asked Gives objects upon request Imitates words to best of ability Uses 5-10 words (typically names and preferred objects) Alters behaviour based on others reactions Vocalizes to respond 14-18 months Follows 1-step instructions without cue Uses gesture + word combinations Uses exclamations – ‘uh oh’ Uses ‘Hi’ and ‘Bye’ Can roll toy back and forth Points to desired objects Comments Protests Acknowledges speakers with eye contact / response 18 months Nod/shakes head for yes/no Identifies 3 body parts on self or doll when asked Understands IN and ON Vocabulary at least 50-100 words (50% nouns) Words are understood outside of routine activities Names familiar objects on request How can I help? Communication skills can be stimulated and elicited from birth. It is so important to provide opportunities for your babies to “talk” to you from birth. Conversations with your baby might feel very one sided initially but your baby will still try to join in! You can encourage communication development by smiling, talking, playing, and reading with your baby. It will help them develop the communication skills needed to build meaningful relationships and succeed in school. Use a high-pitched, sing-song voice. This helps get and keep your baby’s attention while you talk. Play with sounds. Get silly while playing and make sounds that connect with what your child is doing. Use facial expressions and gestures to communicate the meaning of words. Describe your actions throughout the day while performing daily routines such as changing nappies, dressing, feeding, and bathing your child. Pairing the same words with routine activities is a great way to develop language. E.g. “I am changing your nappy, this wet wipe might be cold!” Describe the objects your child walks by when walking around the house / shop / outside. Encourage two-way communication. When your child communicates with you using sounds, words, or gestures, be sure to respond and take turns in the “conversation”. Read with your child. “Reading” can simply mean describing pictures without following the written words. Choose books with large, colorful pictures, and encourage your child to point to and name familiar objects. Expand your child’s vocabulary by building on the words they already know. For example if your child says “dog” you could say “Yes, that’s a big brown dog!” Reword your child’s phrases. If your child makes a speech or language error, respond with the phrase in the correct form. This helps them learn proper pronunciation and grammar. For example, if your child says “Doggy big” you can respond with “Yes, the doggy is big”. Remember to respect your child’s need to disengage when they become tired. Observe and end the conversation when they let you know it’s time to move on to something else. When should I worry? It is important to remember that language development occurs at different rates and all children develop at their own pace. Guidelines are there to show you the averages, when these skills should be present and observable, but do not have to be necessarily mastered. Having a general guideline for milestone development can help to determine whether there is a language delay present. Often, parents want to “wait and see” how things turn out. However, if there is a language delay present, early intervention is the most ideal form of intervention. Early intervention can change a child’s developmental trajectory

August 17, 2018

Ways to get rid of the monsters in the dark

By Caroline Miller Principal of Crawford Pre-Primary Lonehill To your toddler, the oddest things can suddenly become frightening. Some are easy to understand, while others can leave you wondering. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a magical story that no childhood should be without. This journey of a mouse through a deep, dark wood captures the imagination. The little mouse shows that even a small animal can outwit predators and a fantastical creature in order to have some peace and quiet to enjoy a delicious snack. It is interesting to explore the fact that the Gruffalo (big, powerful and strong) is still able to be frightened and even frightened of a small thing and that is ok. Even big brothers or sisters, Mummies and Daddies can be frightened sometimes and sharing that fear or talking about it with someone can help – perhaps if the Gruffalo had a friend to walk with then they could have discussed the fear of the mouse and the end of the story might have been very different. Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult, experiences anxieties and fears at one time or another. Feeling anxious in a particularly uncomfortable situation never feels very good. However, with kids, such feelings are not only normal, they’re also necessary. Dealing with anxieties can prepare young people to handle the unsettling experiences and challenging situations of life. Many anxieties and fears are normal. Anxiety is defined as “apprehension without apparent cause.” It usually occurs when there’s no immediate threat to a person’s safety or well-being, but the threat feels real. Anxiety makes someone want to escape the situation — fast. The heart beats quickly, the body might begin to perspire, and “butterflies” in the stomach soon follow. However, having fears or anxieties about certain things can also be helpful because it makes children behave in a safe way. For example, a child with a fear of fire would avoid playing with matches. The nature of anxieties and fears change as children grow and develop: Babies experience stranger anxiety, clinging to parents when confronted by people they don’t recognize. Toddlers around 10 to 18 months old experience separation anxiety, becoming emotionally distressed when one or both parents leave. Kids ages 4 through 6 have anxiety about things that aren’t based in reality, such as fears of monsters and ghosts. Signs of anxiety Typical childhood fears change with age. They include fear of strangers, heights, darkness, animals, blood, insects, and being left alone. Children often learn to fear a specific object or situation after having an unpleasant experience, such as a dog bite or an accident. Separation anxiety is common when young children are starting school, whereas adolescents may experience anxiety related to social acceptance and academic achievement. If anxious feelings persist, they can take a toll on a child’s sense of well-being. Apart from the usual signs of becoming clingy or nervous and tummy aches, parents can usually tell when their child is feeling excessively uneasy about something. Lending a sympathetic ear is always helpful, and sometimes just talking about the fear can help a child move beyond it. What is a phobia? When anxieties and fears persist, problems can arise. As much as a parent hopes the child will grow out of it, sometimes the opposite occurs, and the cause of the anxiety looms larger and becomes more prevalent. The anxiety becomes a phobia, or a fear that’s extreme, severe, and persistent. A phobia can be very difficult to tolerate, both for kids and those around them, especially if the anxiety-producing stimulus (whatever is causing the anxiety) is hard to avoid (e.g., thunderstorms). “Real” phobias are one of the top reasons kids are referred to mental health professionals. But the good news is that unless the phobia hinders the everyday ability to function, the child sometimes won’t need treatment by a professional because, in time, the phobia will be resolved. Helping your child Parents can help kids develop the skills and confidence to overcome fears so that they don’t evolve into phobic reactions. To help your child deal with fears and anxieties: Recognize that the fear is real. As trivial as a fear may seem, it feels real to your child and it’s causing him or her to feel anxious and afraid. Being able to talk about fears helps — words often take some of the power out of the negative feeling. If you talk about it, it can become less powerful. Never belittle the fear as a way of forcing your child to overcome it. Saying, “Don’t be ridiculous! There are no monsters in your closet!” may get your child to go to bed, but it won’t make the fear go away. Don’t cater to fears, though. If your child doesn’t like dogs, don’t cross the street deliberately to avoid one. This will just reinforce that dogs should be feared and avoided. Provide support and gentle care as you approach the feared object or situation with your child. Teach them how to rate fear. A child who can visualize the intensity of the fear on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the strongest, may be able to “see” the fear as less intense than first imagined. Younger kids can think about how “full of fear” they are, with being full “up to my knees” as not so scared, “up to my stomach” as more frightened, and “up to my head” as truly petrified. Teach coping strategies. Try these easy-to-implement techniques. Using you as “home base,” your child can venture out toward the feared object, and then return to you for safety before venturing out again. Children also can learn some positive self-statements (such as “I can do this” and “I will be OK”) to say to themselves when feeling anxious. Relaxation techniques are helpful, including visualization (of floating on a cloud or lying on a beach, for example) and deep breathing (imagining that the lungs are balloons and letting them slowly deflate. So back

August 16, 2018

CAM Regolo

Let baby travel in style with the Cam Regolo Car Seat! CAM, Italian leaders in baby travel, are famous for their impeccable design and style, with matching technology to ensure only the best for your child, whether it be travel products, furniture or décor. The Cam Regolo Car Seat is approved for babies and children in the 9- 36kg weight category, which is approximately 9 months old to 12 years of age. This luxury car seat has various special features to ensure that your child travels safely and comfortably. It has anti-shock side impact protections for the head, a soft head hugger, a headrest adjustable in height with side protections, adjustable backrest in 5 positions as well as an easy mechanism to adjust the height of the harness. To ensure ultimate safety, it has a 5-point harness with padded non-slip harness protectors and crotch strap and an integrated belt guide. It can be fitted on the vehicle’s seat – always in a forward position – by using the standard 3-point safety belt provided in the car. Furthermore, the covers are removable and washable. An excellent higher-end investment that retails at approximately R5000 and can be found at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 16, 2018

Why nutritional supplements taste so good

Taste is highly personal. Think back to the last beverage you ordered. Maybe it was tea – and you were asked if you would like it served hot, iced, sweetened or unsweetened; with lemon or milk. In general, such decisions are influenced by your culture, your location, past experiences and even by your current state of health. “Nutritional products such as Ensure® have important health benefits however the taste of the product plays a critical role in the delivery of the nutrition,” explains Monica Tortorice, a senior flavour scientist at Abbott. We all know that sometimes making healthy food taste great is not as easy as it sounds, same as balancing the nutrients consumers need with the taste they want is a process on its own. This is exactly why Abbott puts flavor, texture and aroma first in every product it makes but also ensuring that products meets the therapeutic nutritional needs of their consumers. “The more nutrient-dense a product is, the more challenging it is to make the aroma and taste appealing,” says Tortorice. “Important ingredients like HMB (also known as beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is found in Ensure® NutriVigor, which helps in supporting muscle health. HMB on its own doesn’t taste that great however we need to include this ingredient to provide consumers with the muscle health support they need. These are primary considerations we take in our development process.” “It’s even trickier making products for people who are ill,” says Normanella DeWille, PhD, a research fellow and product developer at Abbott. “People who have cancer often have their sense of taste impacted. Everything tastes or smells different. At Abbott it’s our job to intensify certain flavour elements and sweetness levels to ensure our nutritional supplements are enjoyed by patients whilst they get the critical nutrition they need.” Starting with the best ingredients and processing techniques Behind every one of our products is a great recipe and quality ingredients. That’s why the Abbott team first sources the best ingredients by partnering with high-quality farms and trusted suppliers. “We look at each ingredient closely for its quality and the benefits it brings to our products,” says Normanella DeWille, “For example, our years of research tells us that combining proteins from milk as well as those from plants gives our products the smoothest mouthfeel possible, which has a huge effect on overall taste and experience.” The processing of these ingredients also matters. For example, exactly how protein is extracted from milk to produce milk protein concentrate affects taste and texture. We find that milk protein concentrate is a key ingredient in a wide range of complete nutrition products including Ensure® and PediaSure®. “If the protein is extracted in a harsh manner, for example through the use of excessive heat, there can be an impact on overall taste and texture,” said DeWille. Therefore, our scientists only work with suppliers that use gentle methods of extracting that protein. Minimizing undesirable tastes If you’ve ever turned up your nose at a piece of pungent fish, you’ve smelled exactly the sort of obstacles flavour technologists are up against in making nutritional products taste great. After all, some of Abbott’s products, include fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids, which play a valuable role in overall health and healing. And while fish oil can taste and smell fishy all on its own, once it oxidizes (reacts to oxygen), that smell gets even stronger. “Fortunately, through a lot of research, we’ve been able to find an antioxidant blend that prevents fish oil from oxidizing,” says DeWille. She explains that, when combined with rosemary extract through Abbott’s pending patent on the technology, those antioxidants help scientists get fish oil into their nutritional drinks and still taste great. The end benefit; your loved ones get all the nutrition they need and a great taste.Tapping into favourite flavours around the world Once a product’s nutritional base is made, it’s up to flavour scientists to turn that base into a nutrient-laden treat, so to speak. Fortunately, Abbott scientists have been perfecting their flavour technology talents for 30 years. While some flavors are universally appealing – chocolate, strawberry and vanilla are popular worldwide, whereas some countries have their own unique flavour preferences. So how do those global tastes play out within Abbott products? For example, mushroom and chicken soup are popular flavours for Ensure® in the United Kingdom. Also, wheat and green tea are loved in China and a special saffron almond flavour is popular in India. Once Abbott identifies preferred flavours and flavour combinations, Abbott scientists are able to dig into them to determine the best way to apply them to nutritional products for that specific market. The products then provide the nutrients that children, moms and adults need daily with different flavours that make drinking the nutritional shake exciting and delicious. Ensure® NutriVigor, Similac Mom® and PediaSure® are available at major retail pharmacies and retail outlets nationwide.

August 15, 2018

Foppapedretti Dinamyk

Foppapedretti is one of Europe’s leading baby travel brands, having creatively and technically mastered the market with over 70 years of dedication to baby products under their belt. Trusted by moms around the globe, Foppa (as it’s affectionately know), is now a go-to name when it comes to child travel, not to mention their furniture and baby décor. The Dinamyk 9-36 car seat is approved for groups 1, 2 and 3 (children from 9 to 36 kg). The anatomic seat has the innovative side protection system SPS (Side Protection System) so that every child can travel safely and comfortably and available in a variety of colours. An incredibly stylish way to travel for your little one! A higher-end car seat, the Dinamyk Retails at approximately R4300.00 and is available at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 15, 2018

The importance of Art in an assisted learning environment

By: Melodie Artingstall, Grade 3 Teacher at The Bridge Assisted Learning School Art is an unstructured subject, with only a few guidelines, where children can explore different mediums and make mistakes. When it comes to learning subjects in the classroom, there is often a right and wrong answer and children can become fearful of making mistakes. Art allows children the freedom to make a mistake, plan and problem solve around it and turn it into masterpiece. There is no right or wrong way of expressing yourself. One of the biggest challenges as a teacher is encouraging students to trust in their ability, to express themselves and embrace their uniqueness. During an Art lesson a student can create under their control and present a piece that has only been created by them. Handing over the control of a lesson to a child can have an impact on their socio-emotional process. Children can willingly create expressions of their emotions, safely communicate with others and develop their self-esteem positively. There are numerous areas that art holds importance in an assisted learning environment. Early Childhood development in an assisted learning environment Art plays an important role in a child’s early development and will continue to influence their development. There are many life skills in art that assist children in becoming well-rounded adults. These include decision-making, problem-solving skills, confidence building and development of fine motor skills. Problem solving and critical-thinking According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills (Lynch, G.H. 2012). One of the main concerns in the classroom is that children tend to experience difficulties in problem solving. It is all too easy for the adults in a child’s life to step in and solve a problem for them. Art allows a child to explore different options and ideas to reach their end result. While exploring and experimenting with mediums and new ideas, decisions and problem-solving take place. Creating can only begin when the child is given the opportunity to think through their ideas and come up with solutions for their creation independently. Gaining confidence in acquiring these skills can be carried over into other areas of their academics as well as becoming a part of their daily routine. Self-expression and creativity Art encourages self-expression and gives a child the platform to express themselves in various ways, be it visual art or performing arts. When children are able to express themself and receive recognition for their efforts, their identity and confidence begins to develop. As stated in an article titled Creative Art Helps Children Develop across Many Domains, “when we value children’s creativity, we help them feel valued as people, raising their self-esteem”. Development of fine motor skills Participation in different arts and crafts activities assists with the development of fine motor skills. When children manipulate different tools such as pencils, paintbrushes and scissors; the muscles in their hands are strengthened. The more these tools are used and manipulated, they become stronger and accurate in their use. “When your child paints or draws, they’ll be using their hands to manipulate objects, and they’ll have more success as they gain more control”, (Art for Kids: How Art Plays a Role in Early Childhood Development). In summary, it is important to remember that art gives children the opportunity to express who they are, engage in their interests and develop their abilities. This needs to be recognized and celebrated in a safe and nurturing environment. As art can often be overlooked, it has shown improvement in the growth and development of children in an assisted learning environment. The benefits of art carry over into other areas of the child’s developmental stages, enriching a child’s learning and academic experience.

August 14, 2018

What to consider when searching for a school

By Yandiswa Xhakaza Choosing a school is no small feat. Parents often undertake this task under enormous pressure and in a hurry to find a school on their way to or from work. However, I would urge parents to invest more time in finding the right school for their child because, while convenience is often the driving force, it’s important to remember that your child is potentially going to be in that space for up to 12 hours nearly every day. As such, the environment must be conducive for your child to feel secure, to be happy and to thrive. Below are a few practical things that all parents should look for when in search of a good school. While these are biased towards pre-school and primary school, many of these considerations can also be applied to high school. The school environment and general aura of fun, excitement and vibrancy. Look for colour, flowers, trees, jungle gyms and outdoor play equipment. You should get a sense of security, love and warmth. Classroom design and layout is a big indicator of whether the school offers a forward-thinking, 21st century approach. Look for learning stations with different learning activities in each station, as well as the availability of appropriate educational toys that incorporate sensorial skills, fine and gross motor skills, etc. In a pre-school environment, look for the dramatic play area, big wooden blocks, a reading corner etc. Classrooms that still force all children to strictly sit at a desk for more than 8 hours a day are concerning, so look for beanbags, couches, benches, comfortable carpets, balance balls etc. This not provides variety, it also allows children to learn in the ways/positions that they are most comfortable in. Wi-fi powered schools are no longer those with a computer room and designated computer classes once or twice a week. Schools that are innovative and digitally advanced are easy to spot. Look for visible gadgets inside the classroom, including laptops/tablets, headphones, white boards, projectors etc. Digital learning shouldn’t happen in isolation, it should be infused with day-to-day learning. Child happiness is the most genuine measure, so listen for the buzz of laughter and look for happy smiles. Well mannered and polite children who greet and make way for you to pass is symbolic of the school culture. A great set of extra-curricular activities that children can choose from speaks directly to whole child development. Consider how the school harnesses all aspects of the child, not just academic ability. Effective teacher-parent communication that happens on a regular basis regarding the work being covered at school that week, fun activities that took place in class, occasional photos of the children, classroom messages etc. Find out how parents are engaged so that they feel like they are part of the learning experience. A diverse team of dynamic and passionate teachers always makes for a great school. The school can have state of the art facilities and resources, but without amazing teachers who inspire children and make them feel like they are doing an incredible job, then it’s all for nothing. Teachers can make or break a school, so be sure to meet the educators.

August 14, 2018

How much time does your child spend playing?

Play is an integral part of a child’s development. This is how they build relationships, learn to trust and explore their environment. Children do not need cupboards full of toys, they need your undivided attention. They need to know that they are more important than work or household chores. How do they learn this? It is very simple, through playing with you. So put away your laptop, put aside your phone and forget about those dirty dishes for 20 min a day and have fun with your child. In this time you will learn more about your child than you would spending 2 hours talking to them. I know, it is difficult. There is a lot of stress in your life and you have too much on your plate already, but the reward that you will receive will be well worth it. Not only will you build a healthy attachment with your child, this will last into adulthood. Start by setting an example today where family time means fun, no screen time. Thus, when our children are teenagers the same will happen. You might be a working parent or even be a mommy who spends all day with your kids but don’t know how to actively engage in play with them. Well, that is where Skidz comes in. The Skidz Clever Activity Boxes are age appropriate and contain over 100 activities each. All these activities are play based. The idea is to take the work out of it for you as the parent and to spend quality time with your child in active play, which translates into active learning. The box is great for working and stay at home parents alike, as it contains more than enough activities and games to do at home. The boxes are divided into the following age groups: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months and 2-5 years. To get your box go to www.skidz.co.za or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/skidzsa

August 10, 2018

Empower your child

Notice your feelings when your child challenges you. We live in a different world today. What may have worked then may not be relevant today. “With the increase of mental health problems, higher occurrences of suicide amongst the tweens and teens and more depression and anxiety experienced by children it goes without saying that parents feel overwhelmed and not always on top of their game,” says Anna Rodrigues Clamber Club Expert and Play Therapist. Playing is a child’s language and can be interesting. As much as they learn from us we too can learn from them. “Children live in the moment, they live in the here and now and the time you spend with them makes a difference to their overall well being,” says Anna. “By playing with your child you are connecting on a physical level and when you start mentioning feelings, connection on an emotional level happens,” adds Anna. During play stating to your child that you are feel happy playing with him and that you are feel excited when you are jumping, dancing and crawling with him makes him feel special and important. When you smile at him, give him a hug and tickle him – you make him feel worthy in that moment. As the parent you become more attentive to your child and realise the time together is magical! There are reasons why children present with challenging behaviour. They may be looking for your attention. They may want to control you and enter into a power struggle with you or they may want you to feel sorry for them or make you feel guilty. This is the moment to notice your feelings. Scene 1: Your child refuses to feed his dog but with a bit of encouragement he gets in and does it. But on another occasion your child persists relentlessly and does not cooperate. Be conscious of your feelings. If you get irritated or annoyed your child could be looking for attention. A way to deal with this would be to reflect on content and feeling. For example: “I see you continue to play and you seem to ignore what I am asking you to do. (Reflect on the content). Perhaps you are feeling a bit tired?” Reflecting on what your child is doing or on what he may be feeling makes him feel he is being understood and this is calming for your child. “This approach may influence him to cooperate,” advises Rodrigues. Scene 2: Your child makes a noise while you and your husband are trying to watch TV. Take note of what you are feeling, you may be getting cross and a power struggle may start to form. The technique to use is to present your child with choices. For example: “You are making a noise and we can’t hear the TV. You can stay and play quietly or we can take you to your bedroom where you can play loudly.” If he continues to make a noise then take him to his bedroom and let him return when he is able to play quietly. Providing your child with choices is empowering for him as it allows him to choose. It also builds a sense of responsibility, as how he chooses to behave will determine whether he stays in his bedroom or plays besides his parents. Scene 3: You are a single parent reading a bedtime story to your 5 year old. Your child says “ Dad reads nicer stories.” You feel this is hurtful and your child may want you to feel bad or guilty because she may be angry being away from her dad. Reply by reflecting on her feelings, “I bet you wish dad were here, I feel sad for you. Maybe you can help me choose a bedtime story every night.” To recap: Your feelings Intention of your child’s challenging behaviour Technique to use You feel annoyed/irritated. Your child looking for your attention. Reflect on what your child is doing and feeling. You feel cross. Your child is looking at controlling or entering into a power struggle. Provide your child with choices. You feel hurt. Your child is wanting to take revenge or make you feel guilty. Reflect on your child’s feelings. In managing your child’s challenging behaviour you are building his character. You want your child to have a sound moral make-up, to be able to love, be responsible and have empathy for others, to be able to solve problems, deal with failure and perform under pressure. William A Ward once said: “ The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates and the great teacher inspires” “You that you are your child’s first teacher, so be the AMAZING teacher,” says Anna.

August 10, 2018

Bullying: What parents and schools can do

ARTICLE BY PROF RITA NIEMANN, NALIZE MARAIS, ZENDRÉ SWANEPOEL AND MONIERA MOOSA Bullying is a great concern for both parents and schools. Here we outline a number of measures that can help them both parties deal with bullying. Parents When parents notice that their child is behaving differently – not wanting to go to school, using illness as an excuse, suddenly performing poorly at school or enuresis – and suspect bullying, they need to act immediately. Firstly, they must determine where this is happing (at school, at a sports club, on social media, etc.) and who the perpetrator(s) are. Secondly, if the bullying is taking place in an organised environment such as at school or sports club, the authorities need to be informed and requested to step in. They are legally bound to protect the rights of the child. Thirdly, parents have the responsibility to equip their children to cope by: Instilling the knowledge that children must take a stand and that they have a choice in allowing someone else to victimise them. Assisting children to terminate relationships that are potentially harmful, such as blocking a person on social media. Helping them to identify bullies and the different forms of bullying. Creating a safe space for children to speak about what is happening to them. Emphasising assertive verbal communication if threatened. Building children’s self-concept. Getting the help of a psychologist, if necessary, to counsel the victim. Emphasising that respectful behaviour is always the best option and thus preventing retaliation. Fostering problem-solving and conflict resolution skills with the focus on restoring damaged relationships. Working collaboratively to solve the problem with their children so that they can feel reassured. Schools As bullying is a deliberate act to hurt someone, there must be consequences for the bully. Once teachers are aware that a bullying incident has taken place at school, the matter must be dealt with by: Asking the victim to provide the names of the perpetrator(s), as well as the names of friends of the victim, as soon as he/she has calmed down. Counselling the victim and finding out whether he/she has been injured and what effect the bullying or harassment has had on him or her. Cultivating a “no blame” approach towards bullying or harassment. Establishing punitive sanctions for both the bully and for any bystanders. Developing a bullying code of conduct/bullying policy and informing learners of this. Having designated teachers to deal with incidents of bullying. Facilitating mediation and discussions with the victim and the bully, depending on the severity of the bullying. Passing the responsibility to the bully or group of bullies to make sure that the problem is solved. Ensuring that potential bystanders understand that they have a vital role to play during bullying incidents. Letting the victims feel protected after they have reported the incident. Encouraging learners to make suggestions on how they can contribute to alleviating the negative experiences of the victim. Scheduling follow-up meetings to monitor the situation where each party has to share how things are going. Informing the parents of both the bully and the victim about the incident/s. The principal and teachers have a crucial role to play in directing learners towards becoming responsible citizens. They should create a safe and secure environment, establish a non-violent culture, and be good role models for all learners. Reference Niemann, R., Marais, N., Swanepoel, Z. & Moosa, M. 2016. Problem areas in schools In: Jacobs, M. Teaching-learning Dynamics, Johannesburg: Pearsons

August 9, 2018

Six easy-to-implement ways of being an inspiration to your children

To become inspired, we need to inspire others. Remember that what we teach others, we teach ourselves. Imagine, then, the benefits of being an inspiration to your children! It is a win-win in that what you give, you will receive!! Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says “Parents tend to forget that they wish to be happy, joyful and inspired as much as they wish this for their children-and yet, who could be a greater source of inspiration to your children than you, the parent?” Cindy goes on to explain “As a parent, you are your children’s first and longest-lasting teacher. When you are inspired you will find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. You will want to become a source of inspiration for others – and most especially – for your children. Living from a place of inspiration will result in a life where there are no limitations to what you could achieve. Love, joy and peace will become the building blocks on which you create possibilities, meaning and purpose! You do not need any qualifications to become an inspiration to your children (or others). You need only be human, with a willingness to give to others the inspiration you wish for yourself!” Inspired people: Stay detached from the negative opinions of others Seek positive solutions to inevitable life-challenges Are self-aware, self-motivated and are able to positively manage their emotions Are more productive, enthusiastic and passionate Seek ways to be of service to others-joyfully and without expectations of reward Inspire others Cindy gives the following, easy-to-implement steps to inspire your child by being the inspiration: Inspiration through kindness. Random acts of kindness- a gentle word of encouragement, helping someone in need, a friendly greeting to the car guard, helping an animal-will inspire you and your children in ways you cannot imagine! Inspiration through gratitude. Make it a daily habit to voice what you are grateful for. Take a look at your life—yes you have difficulties, hurts and challenges—but look deeper. Teach your children the powerful gift of gratitude. It will change your life! Inspiration through generosity. Find ways to be generous. It does not have to be monetary. Giving of your love, joy, time and compassion are beautiful ways to inspire your children to do the same. Inspiration through listening. Listen to understand, without having the need to interrupt or negatively impact the trust you want to build with your children. Inspire your children to listen, without judgement to others as you do with them. Inspiration through being peaceful. Find ways to teach yourself to seek peace in your life. Yoga, meditation, exercise, reading uplifting books—whatever it takes. There is no greater gift than peace! Inspiration through passion. Being excited about life is infectious. Voice your excitement for positive progress in your children’s lives-no matter how small- and seek to find positive growth points in your own. Cindy concludes by saying “You need to BE inspired to inspire others. What you teach your children, you teach yourself. It is a win-win for all!”

August 7, 2018

What Summer Camp Mom Are You?

We all know there are different types of moms around the world, but when moms send their children to summer camp, moms turn into summer camp moms. From the rookie, to the veteran and everything in between. Here are the different types of moms we get to see on arrival day at summer camps. The Helicopter Mom Like helicopters, a helicopter mom hovers over her child on every little detail when sending them to camp. From which set of clothes he should wear for the camp evening program, to having an extra pair of socks in the event that the extra packed pair gets lost too, to packing “just in case” medication, to pulling out a two-page set of questions based on information she gathered from the camps website, to requesting interval reports from the camp on how her child is doing. The list is endless. We love our helicopter moms, they keep camp standard on the ball. The Worrisome Mom With similar characteristics to the Helicopter Mom, this mom is an over-thinker. The slightest scratch on her child would need paramedic support. She has multiple scenarios lined up of what could go wrong, asks her child if they’re going to be okay seven different ways before letting them go during their goodbye hug.”Mooooooom”, this is what you usually hear from a child with a Worrisome Mom.” Better safe than sorry” is this mom’s mantra. The Over-Sharer No kid enjoys being dropped off or picked up by this type of summer camp mom. “Jonathan hasn’t passed his stage of wetting his bed yet”, as she pulls out Jonathan’s luggage from the back seat of the car. This mom will make sure Jonathan’s life story is put out into the world before he steps a foot out of the car, the extreme case of this type of mom would be the old-age tradition of taking out baby photos accompanied with story-telling. But how adorable our ‘over-sharer’ moms can be. Doting on their children, who should have a day dedicated to reminisce over their children. The Free Range Mom This is any summer camp’s favourite type of mom. Dubbed “The Zen Mom”, this mom believes in the spirit of letting their child experience camp independently. As you may have picked up, this is the total opposite of the helicopter mom. She’s all about having fun. She has the counselors and the other campers eating out of her hands with her charming personality and free spirit. The Girl Scout Mom Another mom camps love. This mom is all about camp spirit! She has camp culture so embedded in her that she would fit right in with the counselors. Armed with hand sanitizer and a first aid kit, she’s ready for anything. She’s prompt and thoughtful, and is always ready to help. With this mom by your side, one would be tempted to be a camper for the day. We love it when moms become summer camp moms, what summer camp mom are you?

August 7, 2018

Happy marriage, happy munchkins

Marriage is the bedrock of the family. If this foundation is crumbling, so will the entire household that is built upon it. As busy and exhausted parents, we often tend to prioritise our children when it comes to our time, energy, resources and emotional capacity. While giving your best to your kids is surely important to their optimal development, we should never forget that “the best” includes having them grow up in a stable home with the example of a flourishing marital relationship. Prioritising your children and prioritising your marriage are therefore not competing interests, but two sides of the same coin. Yet, we understand that with small, really needy children in the home it is not easy to keep the romantic fires burning. Marital sacrifices (like drastically reduced alone time) are inevitable. However, these restrictions could luckily be mitigated by the mutual joys and suffering created by co-parenting – provided that you keep connected during this season. Staying sweethearts under stress A useful way to nurture your bond with your spouse and avoid becoming mere colleagues in the job of raising children is to make sure you prioritise dating. This entails quality, face-to-face time without being hindered by those continuous parental pauses. Dating during the era BC (“Before Children”) is undoubtedly way less complicated than it is during the AD (“After Delivery”) years. However, with some dedication and proper planning, it is not out of your reach to connect as a couple after the two of you have multiplied. The first step in accomplishing this is often to adapt your expectations. You will probably need to lower your “standards” without lowering the bar for the anticipated outcome. Keeping the bells and whistles at a minimum will take loads of pressure off during a time when your energy and the family budget are probably already stretched into the danger zone. Fancy dinners, rose petals and dressing up are not the things that will keep the two of you close (although they are still wonderful on special occasions). Rather, keep the actual goal in mind: to connect meaningfully and to fill your spouse’s love tank with the right fuel. Furthermore, if spontaneity is synonymous with romance to you, you will need to ease this perception for a while, lest you be constantly disappointed. When trying to fit everything into busy family life, scheduling is the key. If your love life is dependent on grabbing an ice cream or climbing a mountain or “getting down to business” on a whim and to your hearts’ content, well… very little might happen in that department until the kids grow up! Practicality might need to trump passion as you become parents. Diarising dates (as unromantic as it might seem to certain temperaments) is the way to go. Make a point of reserving time for weekly stay-in date nights and monthly child-free dates. Weekly stay-in date nights Pick a night in your week to prioritise each other as spouses – not as co-parents. On these nights, spend time together in whatever way you prefer after the kids are put to bed. No babysitters or money are required; the point of these “dates” is simply to touch hearts. Therefore, you need to have strict rules: no catching up on work, no chores, no phones, no kid talk, no TV, etc. Home-bound dating ideas: Have dinner alone – or even just post-dinner cheese and wine or coffee and dessert. (Now is the time to “get naughty” with all the nibbles you forbid your children to eat!) Play a board game or build a puzzle Read a book together Work on fun projects or hobbies If you prefer, vary your activities to keep it interesting, but have a go-to strategy to reduce planning and performance pressure. Monthly kid-free dates Organise a babysitter once a month and go on a “proper” date to do whatever the budget, the clock and your energy levels allow: Maybe it is the standard dinner-and-a-movie or the theatre; perhaps ice skating, hiking or biking. Or simply dropping the kids off and going home alone to do… anything you feel like! This does not need to be an evening out – with very small children who need more intensive care at night, mornings or afternoons could work just as well. Lastly, now is the time to realise the importance of community. It takes a village to raise a child – and keep a marriage afloat – so make use of your willing villagers! Reliable parents, siblings, family friends, fellow congregants… all of these people suddenly have a new potential title: free babysitter! Remember, no family is an island.

August 3, 2018

Parents, let’s get our thinking right when it comes to money and what our kids need.

Figuring out what is important, allows us to focus and live the lives we really want. When we think about money and being young parents, we often get stuck in the “stuff I think I need” mindset: “I now need a new car and bigger house, a good running pram and all of these new tech toys for my kids… “. You probably also say to yourself: “It’s helluva expensive and stresses me out as I am not sure that I can afford it, but I want the best for my kids, so let me just bite the bullet.” This narrative can introduce a lot of financial stress into our lives and could easily enslave us to our paychecks, causing us to live from month-to-month paying bills and debt for “stuff we got told we needed” instead of what we really wanted. And before we know, it will affect our frame of mind and happiness, stealing from what we really wanted to do with our lives and who we wanted to be for our kids. Something to remember about money is that no one actually wants money for the sake of it. We want the things that money allow us to do. And when it comes to your kids, we should understand what trade-offs we will be making when we spend money the way we do, and the impact that may have on our kids. Take a little bit of time and think back to your own best childhood memories with your folks… Then think about what it had to cost your parents to create those memories… Often our most impactful childhood memories and what they cost are quite disconnected. Some of my fondest memories are of playing card games while camping with the family, or going on an epic hike with my dad. Or just having my dad next to the rugby field when I scored that try. We all know this and have heard it before: children crave those simple experiences and time with their parents, not the stuff we buy them or where we stay or what we drive. It always comes down to the time we spend with them and the experiences we share where they are the focus point. More than anything else, money allows us to spend our time how you want to. And often, your kids need it to be with them. We should be very careful to give that up for “stuff that doesn’t really matter” in the end. Life is actually quite awesome in that the best things in life is often free when it comes to experiences, as long as we can create the time to experience it. So, stop thinking that you need to be less emotional about money. Money should feel emotional as it is connected to what we can “afford” to do with our time. It’s super important to be smart and structured about it. Know the enemy: every business in the world wants you to buy the things they’re selling. They spend billions each year on marketing and advertising. Their job is to make you believe you want a bunch of stupid stuff you didn’t want before they told you that you want it. These people are extremely good at their jobs. They shape culture, they make you believe ideas like “cars mean freedom” and “your kids will be left behind if they don’t get exposed to this technology” and “expensive means quality”. But these ideas are not your own. They have been implanted in your brain to sell you things. They distract you from the things you really do care about. Remember, life is about trade-offs, and we need to focus our minds and behaviours to be smart when it comes to our money and what we want it to do for us. Making the wrong decisions when it comes to debt and lifestyles can really steal from our families. Debt in particular can ruin us quickly, and it can steal years from you where you need to stress to get back ahead. So, don’t let yourself get trapped. Don’t let people or businesses tell you that you “need stuff”, when it will steal from the things you really want — like awesome adventures with your family, lower stress levels and time to be there when it matters. I know very well everything isn’t for free and that things like education can cost loads and that you may need a big car to get around. The point is just to understand that we need balance things. We need to decide what is important to us, and we need to know that there are smarter ways to do things. This is quite mouthful and does not give you a lot of answers in terms of how to manage your money better, but we will get there. The first step is to make sure we understand what drives our decisions, to make sure we understand that money has trade-offs and to help us think clearly about what we want for our families and for ourselves. And if you still believe it is having a very big, expensive new car, that’s also fine. We just need to become more conscience of what we are giving up for that. Take some time and make your own list of things you want your family to experience and the memories you want to build. Also add opportunities you want your kids to have and what you are passionate about. If our goals are clear, and we know what we are working for, the execution becomes easier. The next step will be to put our plans into action to free ourselves and to focus on the stuff that matters to us and our families. At Hero Life we are happy to help young South African families with their finances or point you in the right direction. Try us @ herolife.co.za or WhatsApp us at +27 73 916 9367 to learn more (on your

August 2, 2018

Let your child fail – it’s okay

Facing challenges and making mistakes can help your child grow. By Danielle Barfoot As parents, we want to protect our children – from danger, from upset, from things not turning out how they had hoped, and especially from failure. But we need to realise that it’s not just okay, but essential, for our children to fail and make mistakes. As difficult as it may be to accept, we cannot shield our children from defeat, sadness, anxiety, or regret. But we can help them experience it safely. Providing opportunities for children to make mistakes and face the subsequent consequences is vital to raising adults who can meet life’s challenges with confidence. In fact, research has shown that children who don’t have opportunities to struggle and recover have lower self-confidence and a less developed self-concept. They tend to be more fearful of failure and less willing to try new things. Here are four benefits of allowing your child to make mistakes: Develop self-confidence: When children are allowed to make decisions on their own, they develop self-confidence. This self-confidence helps them to not be so afraid of failure that they are unwilling to try new things. Build life skills: Children develop important life skills when they are allowed to go through challenging situations. They learn how to bounce back, handle negative emotions, develop self-control, and how to apologise. Take responsibility: Allowing children to make their own decisions creates an opportunity for them to also deal with the consequences. Sometimes they will make poor decisions, which will teach them to take responsibility for their actions. They will learn from the natural consequences and will (hopefully) make wiser decisions in the future. Solve their own problems: Too often, either because it’s easier or because we hate to see them struggle, we rush in to help our children figure something out. But letting your child try and try again – and eventually get it right on her own – will teach her more about herself and her abilities than when you rush in to save the day. Life doesn’t always go as expected From getting a low grade or fighting with a friend to losing an important game, life can be riddled with disappointments and failures. But instead of focusing on a fixed marker of success, consider what your child has learned. Instead of the mistake or perceived failure, the focus should be on personal growth and development. So, when things go wrong – and they will – show your acceptance and support. Let her know that it’s okay to make mistakes and that failure isn’t fatal… even if she feels as if she might die of embarrassment. This article was contributed by Impaq Education (previously known as Impak Onderwysdiens). At Impaq we know that personal growth and development is an important part of any child’s educational journey. We provide innovative and accessible education solutions to help learners prepare for life in a modern society.

August 2, 2018

School’s back – time for a refresher on being safe at home, on your way to school, and on the WWW

With the second half of the school year about to start, a local private security company has reminded parents of the safety measures their children should follow when walking to and from school. Verena Hulme, District Manager for Fidelity ADT (Cape Town North), has some advice that can help increase peace of mind. “We could look at the start of the second part of the year as the perfect chance for a refresher course, to make sure our kids know what to do and what to avoid.” She suggests the following tips are shared with the kids, and that they are encouraged to practise them every day: Children must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. If your child walks alone, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher or other parents if they know of other kids from the area who do the same. Stick to streets you know and never take short cuts through unfamiliar or quiet areas. If you get picked up at school, always wait inside the grounds for your lift to arrive; do not leave the premises to go and look for them in the street. Remember, your parents would never send someone you don’t know to fetch you. Never get into a stranger’s car even if they claim that someone you love is hurt and that they are supposed to pick you up. If a stranger approaches you, do not talk to them no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab you, fight, kick and scream that they are not your mom or dad. Hulme recommends that parents also talk to their children about being safe when they are alone at home: It is important that they know to always keep entry and exit doors locked, and that nobody is to enter the property without your permission. If you have a home security system installed teach them how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use other security devices like panic buttons. It is a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts – including the 10111 number – near the telephone and to explain to children when and how it must be used. Any conversation about safety should also include a talk about online safety, says Hulme: Never post any personal information online – like an address, email address or mobile number. Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore. Keep your privacy settings as high as possible. Never give out your passwords. Don’t befriend people you don’t know. Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Your child should always tell you if an online contact they have never met suggests they meet up. Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are. Think carefully about what you say before you post something online. Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude. If a child sees something online that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: they should leave the website, turn off their computer and tell someone immediately. “Safety should ideally be something we talk about all year long. Let’s not waste this chance to again have this important talk with our kids,” says Hulme.

August 2, 2018

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