Recently - Parenting Hub

The Importance of Nurturing Play for Children

Play is an essential part of childhood, and it plays a significant role in a child’s development. Research has shown that play helps children learn and develop a variety of skills, including problem-solving, creativity, communication, and social skills. Additionally, play helps children develop physical strength, coordination, and balance, which are all essential for healthy growth and development. Nurturing Play and Its Benefits Nurturing play is a type of play that focuses on building relationships, strengthening communication skills, and encouraging social interaction. It involves activities that encourage collaboration, cooperation, and empathy, such as group games and role-playing. Nurturing play helps children develop important social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts. It also helps children build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. Preparing Children for the Future Play not only benefits children in the present, but it also prepares them for the future. As children grow and develop, they face increasingly complex challenges and situations that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. By engaging in play, children develop these essential skills, which will help them navigate the challenges of adulthood. Also, play helps children develop a love of learning and a sense of curiosity, which are essential for lifelong learning. By fostering a love of learning in childhood, we prepare children for a future where they will need to continuously learn and adapt to new situations and technologies. Play is an essential part of childhood, and it plays a significant role in a child’s development. One example of nurturing play is My Garden Baby, toys designed to encourage imaginative play and social interaction. With My Garden Baby, children can use these toys to create their own stories and scenarios, encouraging creativity and imagination. They also promote social interaction, as children can play together and collaborate to create their own imaginative worlds. Nurturing play, in particular, helps children develop important social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts, while also building confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. By engaging in play, children develop important cognitive and physical skills, as well as a love of learning and curiosity that will serve them well in the future. So, let’s encourage our children to play and explore the world around them, and let’s nurture their imaginations and creativity, as they prepare for the future.

June 2, 2023

What to consider when buying a child safety pool cover to prevent drownings

As a parent, you already know the importance of child drowning prevention and how quickly accidents can happen. What you perhaps didn’t know is that in South Africa, pool safety will become a regulatory issue, governed by the SABS through its building Standards. According to the Safety Standard (SANS 10134), pool safety will need to be provided on all properties. The most effective way to address this is with a solid safety cover. But not all safety covers are made equal and it is important to understand the criteria when choosing a safety cover. These are the questions to ask and the critical factors to get right if your safety cover is to perform as it should and keep unsupervised children (and pets) safe. After rain, does the water drain off within 15 minutes, leaving no water pooled on top of the cover? A compliant safety cover must have drainage holes. Could an object measuring 114mm fit under the edge of the cover? This represents the size of a small child’s head. Is the cover’s weight tolerance 220kg or more? Can two adults and a child walk on it without harm to themselves or damage to the cover? Are the batons supporting the cover manufactured for solid safety pool covers and able to carry the intended weight? Similarly, are the ratchets of adequate quality? Are the supplier and the installer accredited by SANS 10134? Does the supplier provide official certification with the safety cover? The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover is the leading child safety cover and complies with all the abovementioned requirements. Solid Safety Covers were first designed and introduced to the South African market by PowerPlastics Pool Covers. Many have tried to copy it but don’t always get the quality right. Cutting corners by using cheap components could result in a pool cover that is as unsafe as an uncovered pool if not even more dangerous, imagine being trapped under a defective cover! A Solid Safety Cover is a specialist product, and requires specialist design and installation methods. Go with the original and best in quality cover from PowerPlastics Pool Covers. You will be glad you went the extra mile when your quality safety cover stops a child or pet drowning in your own home. Learn more at www.powerplastics.co.za

June 2, 2023

Mattel Announces New Product Collection to Celebrate “Barbie™ The Movie”

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today a new collection from across the portfolio of Mattel brands inspired by the highly anticipated “Barbie The Movie”. Created in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, Barbie The Movie debuts in theaters nationwide on July 21st.Fans can now take home a part of Barbie The Movie and play out even more stories with toys from brands including UNO®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, MEGA™, and Barbie. The line of “Barbie The Movie” dolls features look fans will see in the movie, reflecting the signature styles of Barbie, Ken, and new characters as they traverse through Barbie Land and beyond. The collection emulates the Barbiecore™ and Ken-ergy™ felt in the feature film, from their first-look outfits to the matching sets worn in the movie. The collection features several recognizable and must-have accessories, including a mini replica of Barbie doll’s iconic three-story Dreamhouse™ from MEGA and a stunning pink RC Corvette® from Hot Wheels. “Barbie The Movie is a monumental moment for the brand, and we cannot wait for fans to experience Barbie like never before on the big screen,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President, and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel. “The new line of Barbie The Movie Mattel toys perfectly captures the fun and joy of Barbie that is at the heart of the film. This collection allows fans of all ages to celebrate their favorite characters and scenes from the movie. What an incredible way to kick off the summer of Barbie!” Barbie The Movie doll line includes: Barbie The Movie Doll Pink Gingham Dress: Models a vintage-inspired pink and white gingham dress, complete with daisy chain necklace and pastel pink heart-adorned pumps. Barbie The Movie Ken Doll Pastel Stripe Matching Set: Wears a beachy, pink and mint green striped matching set with surfboard in tow. Barbie The Movie Doll Plaid Matching Set: Touts an impeccably coordinated three-piece matching pastel plaid set with puffy skirt, cropped jacket, and matching blouse. Barbie The Movie Ken Doll Denim Matching Set: Clad in an all-Demin look with an open vest and matching light wash jeans, featuring a glimpse of iconic Ken boxers. Barbie The Movie Doll Gold Disco Jumpsuit: Shines in a sequined disco jumpsuit featuring big disco hair, metallic jewelry and golden heels. Barbie The Movie Doll Pink Western Outfit: Wears an eye-catching, Western-themed matching pink denim vest and flare jeans with a cowboy hat and boots. Barbie The Movie Doll Gloria Pink Power Pantsuit: Looks fierce in a three-piece pink suit featuring satiny blazer, matching blouse, and pinstriped trousers with fashionably split cuffs. Barbie The Movie Ken Doll Gold and White Disco Tracksuit: Embodies luxe quality and casual style in a white tracksuit with metallic gold color-blocked sleeves and a shiny “K” accent to add star power to the ensemble. Barbie The Movie Doll President in Pink and Gold Dress: Wears a full, satiny gown that features a sparkly off-shoulder bodice and shimmery gold accents that trail down her skirt. Barbie The Movie Fashion Pack: Includes three iconic Barbie outfits from the movie: a blue and white sundress, gingham pink blouse and short set, and dreamy pajama outfit. Barbie The Movie Pink Corvette Convertible: Featuring a curvy retro silhouette and pink paint job, with film-inspired details like white wall tires and chrome rimes. Along with Barbie items inspired by the characters in “Barbie The Movie,” Mattel is also releasing a collection of products celebrating the live action feature film across the larger Mattel portfolio, including: UNO Barbie The Movie: Deck features graphics inspired by characters and scenes from Barbie The Movie – including a special “Played With Too Much” rule that will have players both discarding and drawing cards. Little People Collector Barbie The Movie: Bringing four of the film’s iconic characters down to Little People figure size and styled in memorable outfits including Barbie, President Barbie, Ken, and Gloria. Barbie The Movie MEGA Dreamhouse: Buildable replica of Barbie’s iconic 3-story DreamHouse as seen in the film, including spiral staircase, pool, and slide. Barbie The Movie Hot Wheels RC Barbie Corvette: Radio-controlled 1956 Corvette Stingray that can fit two Barbie dolls to create authentic road trips with Barbie. Barbie The Movie Hot Wheels Die-Cast Pink Corvette in 1:64 Scale: Features Barbie deco – in Barbie pink – as a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale die-cast car. The Mattel collection of “Barbie The Movie” products, available in collectible packaging, will be at selected South African retailers nationwide from Mid-June. In continued celebration of “Barbie The Movie,” Mattel will also be releasing an array of movie-themed products with over 100 brand partners across fashion, beauty, accessories and more starting this month.

June 2, 2023

7 Vital health checks for women

When it comes to healthcare, the focus has moved to preventative managed care and particularly, health checks and screenings. These include tests carried out by a medical doctor to check for diseases and health conditions, even before you may have any symptoms. By detecting diseases early on they are often easier to treat. Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Clinical Executive at Bonitas Medical Fund, talks about the most important check-ups for women. Breast cancer From the age of 18 you should do regular self-examination of your breasts, if you see or feel any changes, consult your doctor immediately. Early detection increases the chance of survival and can save your life. Some doctors recommend having a mammogram every two years from the age of 40 , others believe you only need to start at 50 years of age. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray which radiologists analyse to look for changes in breast tissue. Although the greatest risk for breast cancer is age, women can get breast cancer from a very early age, genetics also play a role in determining if you are at risk for breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer almost doubles a woman’s risk. Having 2 first-degree relatives increases her risk 3-fold. Breast cancer can affect men too, so women with a father or brother who has had breast cancer have a higher risk of breast cancer. Cervical cancer South Africa has a high rate of cervical cancer which has been attributed to the fact that not enough women are screened regularly. Screening can detect early changes in the cervix which can be treated and save your life. These include: Pap test (pap smear) which looks for cell changes (pre-cancers) in the cervix that may progress to cancer if not treated. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test. Looks for the virus that causes most cervical cancers It is recommended that between the ages of 21 and 65, women should have a pap smear every two years and, from the age of 30 onwards, a pap smear and HPV test can be done every 5 years. A vaccine has been developed to protect women from getting HPV. It is administered free of charge, annually, to girls between Grade 4 and 7 (9 to 12 years of age) in all government schools. The HPV vaccination can be a cost-effective strategy in lowering the cervical cancer risk among women in South Africa. HIV/AIDS It is a misconception that men predominantly become infected with HIV/AIDS. Studies show that women are getting infected at a faster rate, particularly in developing countries and are both infected more and suffer more, than men. It is advisable for women to have an HIV test annually. Bone Density As you age, your bones become thinner and weaker. Over time this can lead to a condition called osteoporosis. If you’re aged 65 or older a bone density test is recommended, which is covered by Bonitas. Called a DEXA scan, the frequency of this screening varies depending on your bone density and other risk factors. Your doctor may suggest you have this test earlier if you: Broke a bone in the past Have taken steroids for a long time Have rheumatoid arthritis Are underweight Have a parent who has broken a hip after a minor injury Treatment for osteoporosis is readily available, ask your doctor. Colorectal cancer screening These tests look for cancer in the colon or rectum by checking for tissue growths, called polyps. If you don’t have an elevated risk for cancer, then you should start having these tests when you turn 45. A colonoscopy, where the doctor looks at your entire colon, should be done every 3-10 years depending on what is found during your exam. A Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) should happen annually. The FIT is also a screening test for colon cancer which tests for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. Skin checks Skin cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of skin cells – usually on the skin that has been exposed to the sun but not always. There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Examine your skin carefully at least once a month and, if you are prone to getting lots of moles, go to a dermatologist and have the moles ‘mapped.’ If skin cancers are found early and treated, they are almost always curable. If you have a history of skin cancer in your family, have your skin checked regularly by a doctor. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Known as lifestyle diseases, NCDs pose some of the biggest threats to the health of South Africans. They are a result of the way we live, combined with genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The most common are hypertension (or high blood pressure), diabetes, mental health and obesity. It is imperative to have regular or annual checkups as recommended by your doctor. Weight and BMI Almost 70% of women in South Africa are overweight or obese. The Body Mass Indicator (BMI) is used to check if you are a healthy weight. To calculate your BMI: Divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m) Then divide the answer by your height again Underweight is less than 18.5 and over 30 is considered obese Diabetes With over 4.6 million people in South Africa living with diabetes, it’s important to check your blood glucose. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. They are different conditions but are both serious and need to be treated and managed properly. One of the biggest problems with diabetes is when it remains undiagnosed. This can lead to blindness, heart attackstroke, kidney failure, impotence and amputation, so it’s vital to be checked frequently. Blood pressure Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when blood pressure stays elevated over time. It is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ since nearly 33% of people who have it,

June 1, 2023

JADE ARMOR

Lan Jun is still learning the secrets of Jade Armor – and thankfully, she has her friends, Theo and Lin, and the mystical Beasticons that accompany the armour, to help her contend with an evil array of supervillains and the very real trials of teenage life. A spur-of-the-moment decision by Blue Lynx renders her and Jade Armor unable to fight. A Shard plays havoc with social media and sets the virtual world on a collision course with the real world. Lan Jun learns some heart-breaking news and must journey into the Elemental Fields to find meaning and strength to help her prepare for an epic battle. PREMIERE: Monday, 5 June @ 17:00 CAT TUNE IN: Mondays – Fridays @ 17:00 CAT Available on DStv Catch Up

June 1, 2023

NINJAGO: DRAGONS RISING – Dragons in Danger

Worlds collide, sixteen Ninjago realms combine – and chaos is unleashed across the universe. Spinjitzu Ninja Master Lloyd must train a new generation of heroes to help find Elemental Dragons who can save the planet before the Imperium forces of evil use the same dragon energy to destroy this new, unstable world. Two teenage heroes from different worlds must work together to use their newly discovered Ninja powers to defend the dragons. The outcome of their quest will either unite their world forever – or destroy it completely. PREMIERE: Saturday, 24 June @ 08:05 CAT TUNE IN: Weekends @ 08:05 CAT Available on DStv Catch Up

June 1, 2023

Support Healthy Brain Development by Connecting with Your Child

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for learning and development since the brain is at its most flexible. The brain creates up to one million neural connections every second. First, however, our little ones need our help. Scientists refer to it as ”Serve and Return” This is to interact, converse, and engage in play with your child. Every time we engage with them, make them laugh and play with them, we help develop and enhance their relationships and mental health while teaching them some of the most crucial life lessons. In collaboration with Minderoo Foundation, Molly Wright, aged seven, presented a TED talk as a resource for parents and caregivers worldwide and was supported by UNICEF. In her talk, Wright highlights what happens when a connection is taken away, just for a moment. I know it’s essential for adults to use their devices sometimes, but kids are hardwired to seek meaningful connections. Not receiving them causes confusion and stress. What if that small moment of disconnect lasted a whole childhood? How challenging it would be for a young child to feel secure, protected, and capable of putting their faith in others, not to mention the long-term effects. Having positive relationships with the adults in their lives gives kids the confidence they need to try new things, explore, grow, and be kids. Additionally, as your child discovers the world, they learn how to reason, comprehend, speak, act, express emotions, and build strong social skills. Here are some ideas to help you keep building this kind of relationship with your little one: Commit to Connection Set aside 10-15 minutes each day with your child. Taking time out from everything else to interact with your child shows how important they are to you. For example, play a game, talk, or go for a walk. Rather than structuring the time, make it a time for you to connect. Play Games Taking the time to play with your child by doing things they love shows that you take an interest in what excites them and build their confidence. There are also many benefits to using structured play. Copycat games develop empathy and imagination. Naming games improve vocabulary and attention. Peek-a-boo games help build memory and trust. Snuggle Time Before Bed Nothing is more effective for fostering a stable connection than a nightly ritual. Reading, discussing your child’s day and snuggling give your child a sense of belonging and stability. We cannot connect every minute, every day, but a little bit goes a long way. Plus, you will capture beautiful memories that will bind your connection together for a lifetime. Happy connecting! by Danika Wolmarans (Junior Colleges Raslouw)

May 30, 2023

International Burger Day on 28 May

Burgers have always been and will always be a firm favourite. And we’ve put together some awesome recipes to help you celebrate the yummiest of yummy “any time meal”. Our added twist is burgers that work for carnivores, flexitarians and vegetarians. So whether you’re thinking local, Asian, Greek or Plant-based, we have just the burger for you. ASIAN-STYLE MUSHROOM BLENDED BURGER Makes 4 burgers FOR THE BURGERS: 400 grams Beef Burger Mince (80/20 fat ratio) 400 grams mixed Portabella and Portabellini mushrooms, finely diced ¼ Cup Panko Bread Crumbs 2 tablespoons Oyster Sauce 3 tablespoons Ketjap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce) 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon white pepper ½ teaspoon salt 1 large egg A little oil for frying FOR SERVING: 4 Burger Buns, toasted (Sesame Seed buns are great for this burger) Asian Slaw Mix (green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots & coriander) PREPARATION: For the Burger Patties: Combine all burger patty ingredients in a large bowl and mix by hand ensuring spices well distributed Form 4 burger patties and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes Grill or Fry burger patties (suggest medium) ensuring caramelization on searing BUILD YOUR BURGER: Toast Burger Buns on grill Place a little of the Asian Slaw mix onto your toasted Burger Bun base Top with Mushroom Blended Burger Patty Drizzle with Sriracha Mayo Top with Red onion Pickle & Burger Bun lid Enjoy!!!! Chef’s tips Great served with Asian Slaw Salad, Atjar Tjampoer (Sweet & Sour Vegetable Pickle) and hand-cut potato wedges tossed in rosemary salt Beef mince can be replaced with Ostrich mince for a leaner, healthier option GREEK STYLE MUSHROOM BLENDED BURGER 2 x BIFTEKIA (PATTIES INGREDIENTS: Fresh Tomato – 40g Fresh Parsley – 12g Beef Mince – 300g Button Mushrooms – 300g Stale White Bread – 1 slice Large Onion – 1/2 Dry Oregano – 3ml Ground Cinnamon – 1ml Ground Cumin – 1ml Olive Oil – 12ml Baking Powder – 1ml Salt – 1ml METHOD Drench the slice of bread in water – put aside Grate the tomato & finely chop the parsley – put aside Roughly chop the mushrooms and flash fry – put aside Fry onions in olive oil until soft – put aside Add the cooked mushrooms, onion, bread, spices, herbs, baking powder, chopped tomato and parsley to the raw mince. Add seasoning to taste Mix by hand ensuring ingredients are well distributed Form the burger patty and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Grill or fry patty FOR SERVING: Two toasted Sesame Seed buns A side salad and zucchini fries 2 x tablespoons of tzatziki to spoon over the patties Lentil & Mushroom Burger with Mushroom Bun Serves 4 Ingredients: Patty: 400g white button mushrooms 2 x 400g tin brown lentils, rinsed and drained ½ red onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, grated 1 Tbsp smoked paprika ¼ cup flour ¼ cup breadcrumbs Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Avocado salsa: 1 large ripe tomato, diced (or use a handful of colourful cherry tomatoes) ½ red onion, diced 2 small – medium sized avocados ¼ cup fresh coriander leaves Juice of ½ lemon Freshly ground pink peppercorns, to taste Salt, to taste To serve: 8 large portabello mushrooms 2 large carrots, peeled & peeled further into ribbons 2 cups mixed lettuce Sesame seeds Side suggestion- Sweet potato fries & mayo Method: For the patty: Blitz mushrooms in a food processor until finely diced. Add mushrooms to a hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook out all of their water. Work in batches if necessary to not overcrowd the pan. Scrape mushrooms into a large bowl. Add the lentils to the dry hot pan and toast them until dry. Add to the bowl of cooked mushrooms. In the same pan add a fresh drizzle of olive oil and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and paprika and cook for a minute until fragrant. Add to the bowl of mushrooms and lentils. MUSHROOM AND BEAN BURGERS Serves 4 – 6 Mushroom and Bean Burgers: 15ml odourless coconut oil or avocado oil 1 small red onion, finely diced 1 clove garlic crushed 250g white button mushrooms, finely diced 5ml miso paste 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 45g fresh parsley, chopped salt and pepper 2ml cayenne pepper 60g Parmesan cheese*, finely grated (or vegan cheese) 1 cup – 1 ½ cups mashed potato, cooked and mashed 1 cup panko crumbs or rye bread crumbs 2 eggs odourless coconut oil or avocado oil, for shallow frying To serve: steamed spinach, lemon zest roasted vine tomatoes in balsamic vinegar avocado wedges, grilled red tomato-based chutney a few rocket leaves Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Place the mushrooms in a food processor and blitz until fine. Add the mushrooms to the onions and fry for 3 minutes. Mash the beans with a fork or blitz in a food processor. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the miso paste, mashed beans, parsley, salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese, mashed potatoes, bread crumbs and eggs. Mix well together and shape the mixture into patties and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Heat some coconut oil or avocado oil in a shallow pan and pan fry the patties for 3-4 minutes per side. Alternatively, arrange the patties on a greased baking sheet and bake at 180°C for 15 – 20 minutes. Serve for breakfast or brunch with wilted spinach, balsamic roasted vine tomatoes, avocado wedges, chutney and a few rocket leaves if desired. FREE RANGE BEEF & PORTABELLO MUSHROOM BURGER with oven roasted tomatoes (serves 2) BLENDED MUSHROOM BURGER PATTY INGREDIENTS 200g Free Range Beef Mince 200g Portabella Mushrooms One bun per burger 4g Finely Chopped Parsley 4g Hudson’s Secret Burger Spice60 Egg METHOD FOR BURGER PATTY Chop the parsley finely. Chop the portabella mushrooms into small pieces,

May 28, 2023

Is playdough therapeutic for our children?

Today we will be covering the topic – of playdough. It has a wide array of developmental learning and sensory benefits for children. What can playdough teach children, and what skills does it develop? Fine motor skills It helps the children`s hand development, strength, dexterity, and controls the need to manipulate everyday items such as scissors, pencils, zippers, and buttons. Social emotions skills Children explore abilities, life experiences, and emotions and learn about cooperation, collaboration, self-control, and making friends. Language and literacy Children discuss what they are creating or their sensory experience; while doing that, they are expanding their vocabulary words like (poke it, squeeze, pull, put and squish it) Science and Maths They create shapes, comparing sizes (small, big, empty, full, etc.) This exercise exposes children to a vast array of Maths and Science concepts. Children can also learn about colours, textures, and shapes as they learn how to manipulate the play dough. It is a fun activity for all children Your child can benefit from using play dough, and these are some benefits Enhances their fine motor skills Improve their pre-writing skills. Develops their creativity and imagination. Enhances Social skills Increases curiosity and knowledge. Develops hand and eye coordination. Sensorimotor, tactile and olfactory. As parents, we always ask ourselves whether play dough is safe for our children. It is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-allergenic except as noted. Children who are allergic to gluten may have an allergic reaction. Lastly, tips for parents and teachers on how to extend playdough activities Mixing different food colouring. Add glitter. Create monster playdough by putting googly eyes. Stick candles as a birthday cake. Use silver wear for cutting, tooth pics, cups, bowls, wine cork, pine corns, bottle tops, strainers, pipe cleaners, and rolling pins. Playdough is therapeutic for children of all ages. Please encourage your children to play using it. Start today. By Tessa Masilo (Teacher at Junior Colleges Sunninghill)

May 26, 2023

The Importance of Emotional self-regulation in Children

When it comes to children of any age, parenting is tough. One might think they know the answer, and then the question is changed. Like us, children sometimes find it challenging to regulate their emotions which often leads to meltdowns and the inability to problem-solve. Emotional self-regulation is as follows: Emotional self-regulation refers to the ability to control and be aware of one’s emotions to take on tasks more effectively. Although this may seem impossible in little humans, it is vital for ongoing development. Children learn to self-regulate over time – some benefits include the following: Improvement in emotional intelligence A sense of self-discipline may develop Becoming more independent Adapting better to environmental changes As adults, we often find it difficult to control and manage our emotions and behaviours, so the question you may be asking yourself now is, “How am I supposed to get my screaming child to manage and control their emotions?” Well, here are a few simple ideas to get you started. Number 1: regulate your own emotions and body before approaching the situation and trying to help your child handle it. It is often said that children feed off of their parent’s emotions and behaviours. As hard as it may be – try to sound calm. It would help if you also let them identify how they may feel. (Feelings chart can assist) Number 2: Participate in regulation strategies with your child. This may be things like spending time in a calm and quiet place; the critical component is a connection or tense and release activities (ball up your fists as tightly as you can while breathing in and releasing your fist or exhaling). There are many more effective strategies, but this step’s primary focus is establishing a calmer environment. Number 3: Make use of a problem-solving wheel with different strategies. Visual aids may benefit your child as they can act as a reminder of regulation strategies. Number 4: Verbal reminder: talk your child through each strategy. Allow them to choose which method they would like to use. Giving your child choices is always an excellent technique to establish independence. Number 5: Listen to your child and ensure that you allow them to express their needs, working collaboratively to find solutions that may be helpful. These simple suggestions make it easier for you as a parent to connect with your child’s emotions and allow them to establish and regulate their feelings. We tend to forget that our little people are people and sometimes require a helping hand to navigate life.

May 26, 2023

Separation anxiety in babies

At around 6 months of age, babies reach a big developmental milestone. They start to perceive relationships, and most importantly, the effect of distance. Babies start to realise that objects and people can come closer, and move further away, or even disappear around a corner or in the distance. This is a wonderful milestone that encourages babies to move by means of rolling, creeping and crawling. You will also start to realise at this stage that your baby is not happy with you putting him down and leaving him behind, because along with this milestone comes separation anxiety. The severity and effect of separation anxiety in babies differs from child to child. It also comes and goes from 6 months until late toddlerhood. Separation anxiety can last between 2 and 3 weeks at a time and has an effect on your child’s mood and behaviour, as well as their sleep. Whether or not your baby has been sleep trained, your baby might start screaming the second you put him or her in their cot and leave the room at this age. At first this might give you a big fright and cause confusion. Here are some tips on how to deal with your baby’s anxiety: Practise separation during the day: From playing peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek, to leaving your child with a trusted caregiver. Practise going away and coming back. Practise reassurance. Don’t let your child get over-tired: Children are more susceptible to separation anxiety when over-tired. Finding the optimal time to put your baby down for sleep might just make a big difference. Have a fixed routine: Routine is predictable and it makes a baby feel safe. During a phase of separation anxiety, stick to your routine and your child will know exactly what to expect. Your child knows that after a nappy change and story in the room, he will sleep, and when he wakes up, you will return. Comfort items: A comfort item is familiar, and is your child’s sleep buddy. It comforts and provides feelings of control and safety at sleep time. Don’t feed the anxiety: Do not make a big fuss about leaving your child; stay calm. Treat the situation like every other day. Children feed off our energy, and if the caregiver gets nervous about leaving the child, the child will definitely feel anxious. The fact that your baby is learning that you are able to move away from him, makes it is a great time to sleep train as they understand what is happening and will be able to learn from it. To teach him or her that they are still okay even if you are not in the room is a way to not feed the anxiety, but to help your baby get used to these feelings for short periods of time. To conclude, if you find that you and your baby are in a phase of separation anxiety, give your baby extra cuddles during bedtime and follow your normal routine. If your baby starts crying in their cot, give him or her some time to work it out for themselves. Do regular checks on your baby for extra reassurance but let your child fall asleep independently as usual. By Magriet Rothman – Good Night Sleep Consultant Resources:https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-sleep-patterns/wonder-weeks-chart-baby-toddler-sleep/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/separation-anxiety/https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/separation-anxiety-and-separation-anxiety-disorder.htm

May 26, 2023

WHEN AND HOW TO EXERCISE POST CAESAREAN

If you are wondering what life post caesarean surgery is going to be like, this is the blog for you. We will be looking at how and when you will be able to start exercising again after your op, and what exercises may actually aid your recovery. Read on below now for these tips. Pelvic Floor (Or Kegel) Exercises You may have been practicing Kegel exercises before the birth of your child. This is the first type of exercise you will be able to, and should do post caesarean. This will help you with any incontinence you may experience, as well as help you re-strengthen your pelvic floor. Once your catheter has been removed, you will be able to start up on these exercises once more. Abdominal Exercises You will also need to re-strengthen your abdominal muscles. These will help you protect your spine during recovery and keep your core strong. Here is a recommended ab exercise for during recovery: Lie on your side with a slight bend in the knee Relax your abdominal muscles and begin to inhale and exhale gently While exhaling, try to pull in your abdomen muscles ever so gently Whilst doing this, gently squeeze your pelvic floor as well Hold this pose for ten seconds Repeat this process ten times When To Start Physical Exercise Post Caesarean If you want to begin your physical work out again, you will need to wait between 6-8 weeks post caesarean as a general rule of thumb. Begin with light, low-impact exercises such as swimming, Pilates or yoga. Wait until 12 weeks to begin more high impact workouts such as running or resistance training. However, remember to always consult with your doctor before beginning any form (low or high intensity) training post your caesarean operation.

May 25, 2023

Reading with your baby

Babies can have fun with books long before they know any words, and they’ll also be picking up skills they will need later when they begin learning to read. Even small babies love listening to the sound of your voice as you share books cuddled up together, and they soon come to associate reading with this positive feeling of warmth and security. By looking at books, children become familiar with how books and stories work. As babies, they learn which way up to hold a book and how to turn the pages. Later on, they get to know that stories have a beginning, a middle and an end, and often follow a predictable pattern. They also become familiar with storybook language, which is more formal than everyday speech. These are all vital skills that will help a child learn to read when the time comes. Babies have a very short attention span, so it’s best to start with short sessions of just a few minutes at a time. As their concentration improves, you can gradually lengthen the time you spend reading together. As you read, look at each page in turn and give your baby time to look at the pictures. Wait for them to coo or point at things that interest them, and respond when they do. Point to the pictures on the page, say the names of objects and describe what you can see. It’s good to ask lots of questions, such as ‘Where’s the cat? Can you see its tail?’, even though you’ll have to answer the questions yourself. From about 12 months, try to set up regular reading times, maybe first thing in the morning, after lunch, before a nap or at bedtime. Bedtime stories often become an important part of a child’s routine and can be continued long after children are able to read for themselves. Did you know? Studies show that women tend to read to children more than men, but it’s very important – particularly for boys – that dads, or other male relatives, read to children as often as they can. Information taken from: Usborne Parents’ Guide: Help your child to read and write Article By: Usborne Parent Guide Help your child read and write – Usborne Publishing

May 24, 2023

Tips on how to get your child to do their chores

Do your kids whine and moan about having to help you around the house or yard? Does it seem like pulling teeth to get them to do the smallest of tasks? And if you do assign them some household chore, do they avoid doing it until you are yelling and doling out punishments? If you’re finding yourself in this situation way too often, let me offer some advice. When you think back to your own childhood, you probably hated the thought of having to do your chores too. Why? Because many parents ruled with the “iron hand” of autocracy to ensure that you did what you were told. Most parents today have replaced that unhealthy approach to parenting with more democratic means for raising their children. The bottom line is that when you remove fear from rearing children, you leave room for opinions, feelings, and resistance; all things that get in the way of efficiency. So how do you get kids to do their chores? If you’re using more respectful and democratic parenting methods at home like I am, then the secret is to extend that style of parenting to chores. This means setting things up in advance, incorporating their opinions and ideas, and establishing verbal and written agreements. It also means using respect to get them to follow through when they fall short. As part of your next weekly or bimonthly family meeting, establish the list of chores the grownups will do and ask everyone to help construct a list of all the other chores that need to be done. Listen to your children’s and teen’s ideas on how and when these chores will get done. Draft a schedule that everyone agrees to and consider getting everyone to sign it. If any of your children are extremely resistant and uncooperative, postpone the discussion until the next meeting. Chore assignments will be more effective when you have a unanimous agreement by all family members. It’s also equally important that all chores have an assigned date, time, and schedule for completion. There should be no question as to when it should be done and what the finished job looks like. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of using very specific parameters when getting kids to complete tasks. And most importantly, you do not have an agreement with a child until they utter the words of the entire agreement! Whenever you notice that someone did not complete an assigned and agreed upon chore, commit to NOT coaxing, reminding, or scolding. In fact, do not speak at all! Simply find that child in question and placing your hand on his or her back, gently and lovingly guide them to the location of the chore that wasn’t completed. If they resist and fight your guidance, then something in your relationship with that child needs to be addressed before this follow-up method will work. Finally, I’m often asked at what age a child is old enough to help with chores. My suggestion is that children as young as preschoolers can do some chores, but of course, the task assigned to them must be age and ability appropriate. Getting children this young to cooperate with chores and tasks requires that the assignments be few, simple, easy to do, and implemented with lots of fun, excitement, and praise when successfully completed.

May 24, 2023

6 Things to remember when introducing finger foods

From around seven to nine months old your little one will be ready to start on finger foods. Keep these important things in mind as your child takes this next step on their exciting food journey. 1. Readiness clues So how exactly do you know that your baby is ready to move from purees on to finger foods? At around seven to nine months old, your child will start to master the pincer grasp – this means they can pick things up with their fingers and don’t need to use their whole hand – and will be able to bring their hand to their mouth with intention. One of the easiest clues that your child is read for finger food is that they will start reaching out to steal food out of your hands or off your plate! 2. Keep it soft When first introducing finger foods start with softer textures so that they are easy to chew or suck and your little one can move the food around their mouth easily. Try mango, avo or banana, as well as sliced hard-boiled eggs and softly toasted bread. Initially you’ll need to take the crunch out of veggies like carrots so that your baby can chew them easily – simply lightly steam or roast. 3. Size it right To make grasping easier, don’t slice food too thinly. Prep food to be about 2-3cm thick and about 6-9cm long. You don’t want your child to feel frustrated because they can’t pick it up! 4. Add dips Finger foods love a dip – and so will your little one. They are a great way to introduce new tastes, flavours and textures to your child and are so easy to make: just add a tablespoon of Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree to yoghurt or smooth cream cheese and mix well. Or you could simply use the puree on its own – there are a variety of flavours to choose from, including Squish 100% Summer Berries, Banana + Apple, and Sweet Potato, Apple + Cinnamon. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are packed full of natural goodness. They are completely free of added colourants, flavourants and preservatives, and have no added cane sugar. The resealable lids on Squish pouches cut back on waste too – just use what you need, then screw closed and pop back in the fridge for later. You’ll find more dip inspiration under the Quick + Easy Recipe tab on our website, like this tasty and nutritious Bean Dip. 5. Take these precautions Choking is always a concern, especially when your little one first starts eating solids and finger foods. Make sure your child is sitting securely in their highchair to minimise choking risks – and sit with them so that you can supervise. Now isn’t the time to multitask! If they start to get sleepy while eating, remove the food. Also, remember your child should not eat in the car, unless there is an adult sitting in the back seat to keep an eye on them. 6. Get adventurous Once your little one has mastered basic finger foods, you can start to increase their menu options. Try these yummy recipes – they’re all packed with Squish goodness: Cheesy Veg Balls and Potato Pops.

May 23, 2023

HOW TO GET KIDS TO NOT HIDE THEIR MISTAKES

It’s a week night and your child is stressing over a test at school the next day. Your child then tells you that some friends are coming by to pick your child up because they are going to the library to study for this exam. You trust that your teen is being truthful and you watch the car drive away, headed to the town library. But what happens next is a parent’s nightmare. Somewhere between your house and the library, your child’s friends discuss going to a party they heard about on social media that has no adult chaperones. Your teen objects to the idea but in that moment influenced by peer pressure, the group decides to go find that party and your teenager goes along for the ride. Your teen may be thinking that there is still a possibility that the library will be their real and final destination that evening. Later that evening, the party-goers begin pairing off and disappearing in rooms and dark corners of the house. Another teenager begins flirting with yours and the situation gets very uncomfortable. Your child immediately exits the house, sits down on the front steps, and calls you from their cell phone. They admit to you not being at the library, apologise sincerely, and provide you with the address to come pick them up fast. I bet I’d have trouble finding any parent who wouldn’t want this to be the outcome for a similar situation involving their teenager. So, in order for your (future) teen to feel comfortable taking this action in a similar situation, what would be required to exist in your relationship with your child? If you said trust, you’re right. In that trust, your teen would have to feel safe calling and being with you, not feeling fearful of repercussions to admitting they made a mistake, and feeling comfortable calling you for help. Back to the present moment, what can you begin doing now on a daily basis to ensure that your relationship with your children will be built on trust? Here are five things you can begin doing right away. Listen More and Lecture Less. Announce an “open door policy” in your family that your children (and teens) can talk to you anytime, about anything, and without judgment, ridicule, or punishment. Remain Calm if You Catch Them in a Lie. Lying is normal for most children and a natural means of protection from parents who get angry and punitive in reaction to mistakes, poor judgment or misbehaviour. Commit to NOT Yelling. No human, child or adult, enjoys being yelled at. It kills the spirit, fosters fear, and provokes fight or flight; your child or teen will yell back or ‘run away.’ Quell Your Anger. Understand your own emotions and do all you can to manage them. If you’re easily brought to anger, seek out professional counselling. Develop the habit of taking a timeout to cool down before speaking or taking action in the face of your child’s behaviour. Apologise When You Make a Mistake. Tell your family that you are working on learning to be a calmer parent (and spouse). When you make a mistake and yell, spank or punish, take ownership for what you said or did and apologise for it. Provide a ‘make up’ to the recipient of your words or actions and acknowledge the fact that you’re a “work in progress.”

May 23, 2023

YOUR GUIDE TO A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Looking after your health is important, but even more so when you are an expectant mom. There are several steps you can take to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and give your little one the best possible start in life, here are a few tips brought to you by Bonitas Medical Fund. Eating right is vital Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop properly. There’s no need to go on a special diet but, it is important to eat a variety of foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need. Eating healthily often means just changing the the foods you eat so that your diet is varied. Staying active is a must Regular exercise will help you control your weight, improve circulation, boost your mood and help you sleep better. Pilates, yoga, swimming and walking are all great activities for pregnant women. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Listen to your body though and don’t overdo it. Be sure to check with your doctor first, before starting any exercise programme. Approach chores with caution Chores like scrubbing the bathroom or cleaning up after pets can become risky when you are pregnant. Exposure to toxic chemicals, lifting heavy objects or coming into contact with bacteria can be harmful. So, avoid heavy lifting, climbing on ladders, changing the kitty litter, using harsh chemicals and standing for long periods of time. Take care of your feet Weight gain during pregnancy throws off your centre of gravity, which puts extra pressure on your feet. This can cause painful flattening out of the feet. You may retain fluids too, which can make your feet and ankles swell. To prevent this, wear comfy shoes with good support. Many pregnant moms find they need a larger shoe size even after they give birth, so go a size up if you need to. Benefits for you and your baby Bonitas offers a wide range of maternity benefits as well as benefits for newborns and babies. These are paid for from Risk so they are in addition to your savings and day-to-day benefits. Some are: Maternity benefits Having children is expensive. That’s why Bonitas pays for your maternity benefits in addition to your savings and day-to-day benefits so you can focus on the things that really matter. Contact The Bonitas Maternity Programme today to see all the benefits when you click here. Bonitas is also in the process of establishing a comprehensive mother and baby support programme which will offer pregnant moms a range of benefits including: 24/7 pregnancy care helpline Dedicated Bonitas care advisors Pregnancy education SMSs and emails Online pregnancy education Bonitas pregnancy events with expert speakers on prenatal and postnatal care The full programme has bee available since March 2020 and will ensure there is sufficient support for moms throughout the pregnancy journey. Education and information will be provided to allow for healthier pregnancies which in turn could support higher incidences of natural birth. But there will also be management and support for pregnancy complications including miscarriage and gestational diabetes. In addition, your stay in hospital when your baby arrives will also be covered. Please make sure you pre-authorise your hospital stay after your 24th week of pregnancy. Please note: Your maternity benefits will depend on the medical aid option you have selected. Newborn hearing screening Significant hearing loss is the most common disorder at birth which is why screening all newborns for hearing loss is internationally recommended. We cover two electrophysiological techniques, auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and optoacoustic emissions (OAE) for all babies under 8 weeks old, in or out-of-hospital allowing you to ensure your baby’s hearing is intact or intervene early if necessary. Congenital hypothyroidism screening Cover for TSH tests (to screen for congenital hypothyroidism) is available on all options for children under a month old. Help is just a call away with BabyLine BabyLine (0860 999 121) is the first dedicated children’s health advice line in South Africa. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is run by paediatric-trained nurses who assist with any queries related to your little one’s health and wellness. The benefit is available to all Bonitas members and is for children under 3 years, it offers: Home care advice Clinic/primary care/GP referral for the same day Clinic/primary care/GP referral for the following day After-hours care within the next six hours Immediate referral to the E

May 22, 2023

These 5 foods can help boost your child’s immunity this winter

These 5 foods can help boost your child’s immunity this winter The food your baby and toddler eats can positively impact their immunity. By including these five foods in your little one’s meal and snack times you can help promote year-round good health. You’ll find a whole range of recipes on the Squish website – click here – including this Summer Berry Swirl Ice Cream made with yoghurt. Squish Purees containing sweet potato are great on their own, or can be added to recipes to create tasty meals, like this Chicken + Sweet Potato Risotto and these Sweet Potato Pancakes. Try this quick and easy Cheesy Mixed Vegetable Egg Scramble – it’s always a winner! Looking for more immune-boosting recipes? Click here.

May 22, 2023

6 tips for easy weaning

Weaning your baby from breastmilk or formula on to solids is an exciting next step in their growth and development. But every baby is different, and some take to the exciting new tastes and textures of solids easier than others. These simple tips will help take the stress out of your baby’s weaning journey. 1. Don’t be over ambitious Weaning is a process and won’t happen overnight. Remember that up until now your baby has been accustomed to getting food delivered by a bottle or breast and will need time to adapt to the new tastes and textures of solids. Let your little one set the pace, and don’t force the issue. If they outright reject the food you offer, pack it away, offer breast or bottle, and try again later or the following day when your baby is well rested and isn’t too hungry. 2. Start small Start small – and don’t introduce too many tastes at once. Offer only a small amount of food at a time – around a quarter of a teaspoon – then slowly build up the amount of food your baby has in one sitting. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are specifically created for weaning babies and because they have a screw-top lid you can just use what you need then pop the rest in the fridge. This really cuts back on food waste – and saves you money – especially when you’re starting off on your baby’s weaning journey and are only serving a small bit at a time. 3. Watch what you add Don’t make the mistake of adding salt or sugar to try and make food more appetising – babies haven’t yet acquired a taste for seasoned food. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree is made from quality fruit and veg and doesn’t contain any colourants, preservatives or flavourants – and it has no added sugar or salt. This means it really is as good as homemade! 4. Check heat Always check the heat of your little one’s food before you serve it by testing a small amount on the back of your hand. Squish 100% Veggie Purees can be heated in the pouch by placing it in warm water or decanted into a microwave-friendly bowl and heated on low in the microwave. 5. Try, try and try again Experts say it can take seven tries before your baby will accept a new taste – so don’t give up. If they reject one flavour today, don’t force them to eat it. Instead try again at the next feed, or the next day. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees come in a variety of flavours, giving you plenty of mealtime options. Our fruit puree range includes Apple; Pear; Apple + Guava, Banana + Apple; Pear + Prune; Banana + Strawberry; Fruit Salad; Mango + Banana; and Summer Berries. Squish fruit and veg puree range includes Butternut + Carrot; Pear + Sweet Potato; Mixed Veg; Apple, Beetroot + Guava; Apple, Sweet Potato + Sweetcorn; and Sweet Potato, Apple + Cinnamon. 6. Get ready for mess! Mealtimes are going to be messy – there is absolutely no doubt about that! It is better to simply accept you’ll be doing a bit of a clean-up, rather than turn what should be a special time to bond with your baby into a stressful occasion or battle of wills. You’ll have plenty of time in the future to teach your little mealtime etiquette!

May 19, 2023

10 tips for parents of fussy eaters

Having a fussy eater is more common than you think and there’s nothing like a food battle with your offspring to raise your stress and anxiety levels. Paediatric Dietician Kath Megaw says that fussy eating in children isn’t just common, it’s completely normal. “While we don’t know exactly why kids become fussy, neophobia (the fear of novel foods), seems to be part of the answer. A fear of trying new foods is hard wired within us from prehistoric times when some of our food choices may have proved poisonous,” says Megaw. Fussy eating generally starts after the age of one, a time of empowerment for a little one where they feel the need to assert their authority and eat what they want. Around this stage the growth spurt slows, and so the demand for energy is less, which means their appetite may be lower, escalating the fussiness. Finally, food may be fuel to us, but to a toddler it is also power, power to play up to your parents and get their undivided attention! Megaw recently worked alongside UCOOK to develop a range of nutritious, no-nonsense frozen kid’s meals. She says that witnessing the battles of parents daily inspired her to help develop a range of foods that are attractive to fussy eaters but contain essential vitamins and minerals from a large quantity of hidden vegetables in every dish. Megaw offers 10 tips for parents of fussy eaters: 1.You are not alone 30% of children go through a fussy eating phase. Remind yourself of this every time dinner erupts into a full-on food fight. This is a phase and like teething and colic it too will pass, be patient! 2.Try not to get frustrated Most children will eat when they are hungry. Whilst feeding your offspring might seem the most natural and basic duty of a parent, it can be a battle. However emotional you feel about your child’s eating habits keep it to yourself as they will only play up if they feel they are getting attention. 3.Set an example Mealtimes are important for a family as a focus for communication and bonding. Aim to have everyone eating the same thing in the same sitting. Children mimic their parents, so try to eat all the vegetables you’d like to see them eating. 4.Have a routine Schedule three meals and a few small snacks throughout the day and stick to it like clockwork. Allocate 30 minutes for meals and then lift the plate whether it’s finished or not, without making a fuss. Making them sit staring at a cold plate creates negative associations and ultimately adds to your own frustration. 5.Don’t let them fill up on liquids Overdrinking is one of the main causes of fussy eating. The tiny stomach of a child is easily filled up with fluid reducing their appetite for food. 6.Keep trying As we are hardwired to fear new foods, similarly we favour sweet foods over bitter ones as our instinct tells us the latter might be bad or even deadly. Children like foods that are most familiar to them. If at first you don’t succeed you may need to try 10-14 times before they will actually taste it. 7.Hide the goodness Hide your healthy foods in clever ways so that children get used to eating these foods unknowingly. This will train their taste buds without them even knowing about it. 8.Start small Avoid offering large portions of food. Aim for small portions, which enable them to ask for more, the holy grail for the parent with a fussy eater! Limit their choices. A huge array of food on a plate will only put them off. 9.Make it fun Encourage your kids in the preparation of food and make it fun. Dinosaur pasta and fairy mash sounds much better than boring bolognese and potatoes. Be adept at sneaking vegetables in, concealed in pasta tubes, grated, diced or pureed. 10.Beware the bribe If you offer an alternative of chips, biscuits or lollies, then they are sure to perform at the next mealtime knowing you will cave in. Praise a clean plate and avoid confrontation if they have only picked at the food. Megaw says that many parents feel isolated and alone in these struggles, which is unnecessary. “Ultimately, if your child is displaying worrying symptoms like behavioural issues, fatigue, digestive problems or weight loss seek advice from your Paediatrician, GP or Paediatric dietitian.” The new UCOOK Kids Frozen range launches with delicious options including UCOOK Kids Beef Rump Bites & Root Veg Mash and Mushroom Bites & Root Veggie Mash as well as old favourites like Mac & Cheese and Chicken & Broccoli Bake. See more at https://www.ucook.co.za/craft-kids.

May 19, 2023

WALKING RINGS… YES OR NO?

There is much discussion and debate on whether walking rings are beneficial or dangerous to babies. Once very popular and widely used, there has been a strong debate on their usefulness in recent years. We will take a closer look into these reasons and decide whether it is worth the risk. 1. Walking rings can cause a risk of serious injury; The risk of falling down stairs or tripping over can result in head injuries, concussion, skull fractures, and or soft tissue injuries to the head and neck. The raised height of the baby means they are in closer reach to hot drinks, kettle and iron cords, stoves, cleaning products, etc. Walking rings make it easier for babies to reach up and pull things down. 2. Walking rings may result in delayed motor development. The natural process of walking includes babies learning to roll, sit, crawl, scoot and stretch. These pre-walking skills help a baby strengthen their muscles and learn to balance. Walking rings may visually appear as though they are helping your baby to walk. However, they can delay their motor milestone development, and in fact, they can hinder your child’s mental and learning development as well. Walking rings prevent your baby from viewing their limbs and feet, which help babies visually guide their legs across the floor. The visual-motor skills are critical for a child’s development of depth-perception and visual processing needed for tracking words across a page, moving their eyes from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. Walking rings limit eye and foot coordination, which is necessary for motor planning and sequencing (praxis)– generating an idea of what you want to do (ideation), figuring out how you are going to do it (organisation), and then carrying out what you want to do (execution). Children with poor planning and sequencing may find difficulty when needing to think harder to complete new physical tasks due to poorly integrated information from the sensory systems. Under-developed planning and sequencing skills impact a child’s ability to organise themselves and learn new routines. It also prevents your baby from using the natural movement needed for cross-laterality, which is important for right and left-hemisphere brain development, fine and gross motor skills, balance, posture, and language skills. The advantages of using a walking ring are as follows: Providing your baby with a source of entertainment Allows parents the opportunity to do some household tasks while babies keep themselves busy. Given the high risk of injury and the possibility of delaying development and milestones, you have to ask yourself whether it is worth taking the risk. I raised my babies in an era where walking rings were very popular, and our babies spent much of their day rolling around the house in them. However, now being able to make an informed decision with the experience I have through witnessing the injuries and delays involved in walking rings, I would recommend baby learn to crawl and walk on the floor. I honestly believe that the risk is too high, and our babies are far too precious to take that risk. Teacher Natalie Early Childhood Educator The importance of Breastfeeding

May 19, 2023

Developing trust between toddler and sibling

The relationship between siblings is very special, no matter what the age. A good, trusting relationship does not just automatically happen. As a parent, opportunities for developing this kind of relationship need to be given so that it can be built from a very young age. When a child is told that a little brother or sister is on the way there is much excitement! But after the baby is born things aren’t quite as they imagined. Their little brother or sister cries a lot and takes a lot of mom and dad’s attention. It’s hard for toddlers to play and share when they don’t know how to socialize. This is the important time when the parents step in and they can practically help build and foster a relationship of trust between the siblings which will hopefully continue until they are adults. Trust has a major part to play in a sibling relationship. The meaning of the word trust is “a firm belief in the honesty, truthfulness, justice, or power of a person or thing” (Barnhart, 1987). When siblings have a sense of trust in their relationship, it provides a good foundation for a meaningful relationship. If a good relationship is in place when they are young this helps as they grow older and face challenges in life. They know that they are there for each other. Erik Erikson was an American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst who had a theory about the psychosocial development of people. He is well known in the area of child development and he has some valid points when looking at the importance of relationships between people. In his theory he focuses on 4 stages of psychosocial development in children. The first two are applicable to young children. Stage one is called Trust verses Mistrust and this occurs from birth to about 1 year. A child needs to feel a sense of belonging and warmth from his family. He needs to feel that he can trust his family to provide for his needs. We can take this further and also apply it to a relationship with a sibling. A trusting relationship between siblings is there so that they feel they can rely on someone and relate to someone besides their parents. If there is mistrust between the child and the family at this young age he will develop a sense that no one can be trusted and that the world is an intimidating place. The second stage is Autonomy verses Shame and Doubt. This occurs in the ages 2-3 years of age. During this stage of the child becoming more independent the older sibling has a vital role to play. He will learn a lot from the older sibling and will model what he sees. The older sibling can encourage the younger one as he grows and learns. Having a trusting relationship between the sibling’s means that the younger sibling can trust the older sibling and feel comfortable to learn from them. If a younger sibling is battling with something and no one intervenes, they can feel a sense of failure and doubt themselves. Tips to build a trusting relationship between siblings: Friendship: Siblings should be encouraged to be friends. Encourage them to play together and spend time together. Find games and activities that they both enjoy and encourage them to take turns to choose what game to play. Individuality: Help your children to realize that they are unique individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. Siblings will argue and compete to see who is better! Parents need to intervene and help them see that there are advantages to having a sibling who has different strengths from their own. They can help with their problem areas. Provide opportunities to talk about their differences and unique traits. Helping each other: Giving opportunities to help each other, instead of the parents always intervening, also helps develop trust in their relationship. They learn to rely on each other and ask for help when needed. They also realize that their sibling is always there for them. Sorting out conflict: Conflict and arguments are bound to happen. Siblings need to realize that it’s ok to get cross with each other but the situation needs to be dealt with then and there. Working through the emotions and the cause of the problem, with the parent’s guidance, not only helps the sibling’s problem solve but also helps them to realize the importance of solving conflict. Even with conflict it is important to emphasize the fact that they still love each other and can trust each other. When helping them to solve conflict they also learn to understand each other more and it creates a sense of empathy. Saying ‘I love you’: These are very powerful words and it means a lot to vocalize this from a very young age. Siblings should be encouraged to say ‘I love you’ regularly to create a deeper relationship. Teaching young children to get on and have a good relationship can be challenging, but it is very important for them to realize that friends come and go but siblings are forever. Written By: Lauren Reddell (Gr 000 teacher at Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Little Falls)

May 19, 2023

Introducing Tree Hut Beauty

The beauty brand that’s here to elevate your body care routine to a self-care ritual The wait is over – Tree Hut Beauty has landed in SA! Known for beautifully scented, filled-with-goodness, feel-good body care, Tree Hut is here to elevate your daily beauty rituals. A family business hailing from the US, Tree Hut believes that everyone deserves to take time in their day to feel good, even if it’s just in the shower. For almost 20 years, this feel-good brand has brought the spa into the home of consumers with pampering products that are jam-packed with goodness. Tree Hut skincare and body products are designed to transform your hygiene routine into a self-care ritual allowing you to indulge, relax and take a few moments for yourself. Whether scrubbing, shaving or moisturizing, Tree Hut never skimps on good ingredients, so the result is soft, smooth skin every time. Tree hut products are formulated with high concentrations of skin-loving, plant-based ingredients such as: Shea Butter, Cupuaçu Butter, Sugar, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Guarana, Aloe, Fruit Enzymes, Fruit Extracts, and Vitamin C. These natural ingredients are carefully selected to soften, moisturize and nourish skin so that you can achieve an all-over healthy glow. Tree Hut products are proudly made without Parabens or Sulphates. The collection consist four categories: Classic The best-selling crowed-pleasers loved by all. Scents include Coconut Lime, Moroccan Rose and Exotic Bloom. Solution The power players infused with skincare actives to elevate your exfoliation to a full body treatment. Scents include Strawberry, Pineapple, Vitamin C, Watermelon and Vanilla. Destination The tropical and sunny blends that transport you to exotic destinations and a dream holiday in seconds. Scents include Coco Colada, Desert Haze, Papaya Paradise, Tahitian Vanilla Bean, Tropic Glow, Bikini Reef and Blue Lagoon. Sweet The deliciously sweet scents fit for any sweet tooth. Scents include Cotton Candy and Peach Sorbet. The product range consists of: Shea Sugar Scrubs (R395.00) This best-selling product line is available in a variety of scents – you’ll want to collect them all! Made with real sugar, Shea Butter and a special six-oil blend that leaves skin smooth and hydrated, the range features best-sellers for a reason – customers can’t get enough! Whipped Body Butters (R395.00 – R439.00) Ultra-nourishing Shea Butter is whipped with softening plant oils for an airy, glide-on formula. It’s the perfect finish to the Tree Hut body care routine. Bath Soaks (R325.00) Unplug and unwind with a deeply relaxing bath soak. Epsom salts ease achy muscles and Shea Butter softens, while the signature scents provide you with a spa-like experience. Bare Moisturizing Shave Oils (R395.00) This luxurious shave line will have you ready for your close-up! Say goodbye to stubble, nicks and bumps, and say hello to beautifully smooth skin. Achieve the closest shave possible and long-lasting smoothness. Each shave oil is powered by a proprietary technology to prevent nicks and cuts by enhancing contact between the razor and the skin for a closer shave. They contain nourishing Shea Butter along with a blend of other nourishing oils such as Jojoba, Argan, Grapeseed and Vitamin E. Sugar Lips (R275.00) Dry lips got you down? These natural formulas are here to smooth away flakes and restore softness. Buff away rough patches with real sugar and Shea Butter in a scrub that’s so natural you can simply lick your lips and enjoy the result! Ready for a feel good glow from head to toe? Sweeten your self-care routine with Tree Hut’s affordable, quality body care products and make every day a spa day. SHOP www.medhealthsup.com and visit www.treehutshea.com for more information. Follow Tree Hut on social media: Facebook: Tree Hut South Africa Instagram: @treehut_southafrica

May 18, 2023

The benefits of imaginative play/role play

Not only is this a fun and exciting game to play, but it can benefit a learner in so many aspects of their life, such as fostering creativity, being able to express and act out in a situation, and manipulating different tools into an object such as using a block as a phone. By this, they tap into that creative side of their brain. It promotes physical development: For example, dressing and undressing a baby doll’s clothes helps develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It helps them develop their language and social skills: by conversing with others and expressing themselves while playing a game of Mommy, daddy, and baby. They learn how to have conversations, take turns when talking, ask questions, and make gestures. It also helps them develop their listening skills. This helps them develop problem-solving and self-regulation skills: If there is a situation where children cannot get what they want, for example, they are playing a game, and all the children want to play the role of mommy, they learn to solve the problem and manage their emotions for the game to continue. Role play change is a great way to develop positive behaviour: Swap roles with your children; you be the child and allow them to be the parent in the game. Create a scenario for the child to decide what to do in this situation, for example, getting ready for school and what all needs to happen before going to school. We must make the bed, get dressed, have breakfast, brush our teeth, etc. See how the child reacts in this situation. This is a great way to promote that positive behaviour. Here are a few tips on how to encourage imaginative play Have all sorts of different props for the children to play with. Allow children to explore and play as much as they can. Play lots of dress-up games, and have different outfits for them to dress into to play different roles. Always involve your children in your everyday lives, make them part of your chores and, allow them to help you put the washing in the machine, stand alongside you while you cook or bake. Promote many conversations and help them think creatively, such as bedtime, and let them pretend to sleep in a rocket ship.

May 18, 2023

5 easy freezer hacks for babies and toddlers

With just a little forward planning and some imagination, your freezer can become your go-to pantry for quick and easy snacks and meals. Try these five clever tips, hacks and ideas – they’ll save you precious time and energy. 1. Goodness-packed slushies Keep a stash of Squish 100% Fruit Purees and Squish Yogi pouches in your freezer. Pop one in your child’s lunchbox and by snack time it will have gently melted, creating a delicious slushie they can enjoy straight from the nozzle. Squish 100% Fruit and Yogi pouches are made using quality fruits, and are free of colourants, added sugar, flavourants and preservatives, so you know they’ll be getting only nature’s best. Plus, the frozen pouches will keep the rest of the lunchbox goodies cool too. 2. Meals in minutes On busy days it isn’t always easy to find time to prepare a healthy supper from scratch. That’s when you need to have a nutritious meal on hand to simply grab out of the freezer and heat in the microwave. Next time you have mince leftover from suppertime, place it in small silicone cups, then add a layer of Squish 100% Veg Puree and top with mash. Any of the Squish flavours will work well – try Squish 100% Butternut + Carrot Puree or Squish 100% Mixed Vegetable Puree. Place the silicone cups in the freezer and rest assured that you’ll always have a balanced meal on hand for your toddler. These are also really handy to take along for weekends away. Visit the Squish website for more delicious freezer-friendly recipes. 3. Shards of deliciousness Get your little one involved in helping you make these yummy yoghurt shards. Mix together plain yoghurt and any leftover Squish 100% Fruit Puree you have in your fridge. Squish pouches come with a resealable lid, which means you never have to waste a drop. Mix yoghurt and fruit together well, then spread evenly over a baking tray lined with clingfilm or baking paper. Now dot with your toddler’s favourite fruit, cut into small chunks. Freeze overnight. Break into shards for your child to enjoy as a snack – it’s also delicious crumbled over oats or cereal. 4. Make it a double Did you know you can substitute the sugar in your favourite pancake or muffin mix with Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree to make them even more tasty? Next time you’re baking, make a double batch then pop them in a zip-lock bag and freeze. That way you’ll always have tasty snacks on hand to add to your child’s lunchbox or for an afternoon treat. 5. Cool bananas Little ones love these fun and delicious Bananasicles – and they couldn’t be easier to make. All you need is an ice lolly stick, banana, plain yoghurt, and Squish 100% Fruit Puree – use Summer Berries to make them pop! Cut the banana in half lengthways, then gently push in the lolly stick. Place on a baking tray lined with clingfilm or baking paper. Mix together the yoghurt and puree, then spread the mix over the bananas, and place in the freezer for one hour. For special occasions, finish off with sprinkles. For the full recipe, click here. For more tips, hacks and recipes, visit squish.co.za

May 18, 2023

BABY PROOF YOUR HOME LIKE A PRO

Wouldn’t you like one less thing to worry about in your home? Especially now that you have a curious little one meandering around without a care about anything that could be dangerous. In a matter of seconds, your child could get into a potentially hazardous situation in the house. At Safety 1st, we have the babyproofing products you need to keep your child safe, from the kitchen to the bathroom to every other room. Safety Gates Once your little one is on the move – the race is on. And as fast as you think you are, they are somehow faster. Keep your wobbly walker from accessing certain areas of your house by installing baby gates in your home. But how do you know which safety gate to choose? Well, it all depends on where the baby gate is going. Pressure-mounted gates are perfect for the bottom of staircases or doorways. Since they adjust and stay in place by using pressure, you can install the gate without drilling into the wall. If you need a baby gate at the top of the stairs, you’ll want one that securely mounts to the wall. These gates extend to ensure the proper fit, but you’ll need to get your drill handy. At Safety 1st, we have baby gates that are perfect for just about anywhere you need one in your home, including walk-through gates, doorway gates, pressure mounted, hardware mounted flat step, tall and wide, and more. Locks & Latches Curious kids love opening and closing doors, drawers, and cabinets until you find yourself so exhausted from telling them to stop that you need a nap. Since it isn’t safe to play with what’s tucked away inside, Safety 1st designed childproof locks and latches, including magnetic drawer locks, appliance locks, and latches that help protect your child from getting into areas they’re not supposed to be exploring. Keeping your child safe is our top priority, which is why they are very easy for you to install and use, in case you were wondering. It’s ok if your home doesn’t have traditional doorknobs. We have locks that fit lever handles, too. Shop our childproof cabinet locks, latches, and much more! Plug Protectors As much as you tell your little one not to play with something, they don’t always listen. So, you need a stronger line of defense when it comes to electrical outlets. Play it safe by installing plug protectors. The plug protectors are removable (by you) and help stop little ones from sticking who knows what into the unused outlets. When it comes to in-home safety, there are a few other ways to protect your little one, too. For instance, cord shorteners are a great way to wrap up long cords to help prevent your little one from getting caught in one. One thing parents don’t always think to cover is a power strip, but the exposed outlets that aren’t being used can also pose a danger. Shop our selection of plug protectors, plus much more.

May 17, 2023

The importance of learning to tie your shoelaces

In the age of velcro straps and slip-on shoes, the skill of tying shoelaces has been forgotten. As children enter their foundation phase schooling years, they become more independent with self-dressing. Children should begin to learn to tie their shoelaces between the ages of5 and 7 years old. Tying shoelaces requires strong fine motor skills, including; finger isolation, hand-eye coordination, and hand strength. As well as promoting self-confidence and independence. Learning to tie shoelaces for the first time can be rewarding yet frustrating as children become overwhelmed. To avoid tears and foster a positive learning experience, follow these simple tips: Let your children pick their own shoes; this makes it more exciting and attractive. Start practicing with the shoe NOT on their foot. Place it either on a table or on their lap. Choose a time during the day when you won’t be rushed. After school as opposed to during your morning routine and do this daily! Show your child your own shoes while they practice along with their own shoe. To avoid confusion, practice one step at a time. Master the first step before moving into the next. Choose a method and stick to it. Whether it be the traditional method or the ‘bunny ear.’ Method. Avoid using left and right unless your child is aware of and is adept at using these terms. Instead, use stickers or different coloured laces, then use the terms sticker or nonsticker,or red and blue lace. Most importantly, have patience and remain calm. Tying shoes requires many advanced. Skills. Enjoy this learning experience with your child. This is an important milestone in their lives and a life skill they will never forget.

May 17, 2023

Chat apps – the devil you think you know…

Towards the end of 2020, WhatsApp made a big announcement that they would be updating their privacy policy applicable to all the WhatsApp users. At that stage, WhatsApp’s privacy policies already granted the sharing of personal information to Facebook, but limited to the phone numbers and device information. The update to the policy would allow WhatsApp to also share payment and transaction data to better target advertisements and expand the ecommerce capabilities. WhatsApp received significant backlash from users with a lot of users starting to investigate alternatives before the effective date of the new privacy policy. Many people, including groups of families and circles of friends, migrated to Signal and Telegram. Almost a year later, at the end of 2021, we have to ask: “The devil you know, or the devil you don’t?” FYI play it safe received a message from an enlightened parent. As a family, they decided to swap WhatsApp for Telegram. They were not aware of the risks of this new chat app and didn’t know about the security settings that should be set – especially if children use the app. This parent started noticing a change in their teenager’s behaviour and investigated by going through her Telegram messages. The app allows people to discover and chat to people “nearby” and also have “nearby groups”. She started dabbling in drugs, because it was super easy for her to buy what she wanted and to start experimenting. What started off with a bit of weed, progressed to harder drugs, which quickly escalated to heroin addiction. Fortunately, her father intervened and responded with urgency and together, they found the right support. Well done, Dad! When you are starting to use an app, and more importantly, when your children start to explore new apps, make sure to go into each setting and select the most private and most secure options. It is equally important to discuss this with your children and explain to them why you are putting these security measures in place. Location services on chat-type apps should never be allowed and all the necessary private information should only be visible to your child’s contacts. FYI play it safe monitors the contents of every single app. Whether your child is doing a Google search, chatting with his online gaming-friends in a chat room, or using social media. As parents, you don’t have to read through thousands of messages to really know what’s going on, because FYI play it safe does that for you and will alert you if your child is exposed to a potentially harmful situation. Monitoring includes signs of cyberbullying, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, when they talk to strangers or predators, or if they engage in adult content such as pornography, sexting or any form of drugs. Be the cyber-smart parent. FYI play it safe is the one app no parent should be without. Download the app at www.fyiplayitsafe.com and follow the easy three-step sign-up process to start your free 7-day trial.

May 15, 2023

How long should a mother breastfeed for

As a lactation consultant I often get asked how long should a mother breast feed for? The World Health Organisation have had the recommendation of: exclusive breast feeding for 6 months and prolong breast feeding for 2 year or longer for a while now. This guideline is very helpful for mothers to realise what is considered normal and beneficial to both mom and the baby. Breastfeeding is seen as the normal way of feeding a baby. Study after study has show in increasing clarity how beneficial breast feeding is to baby and mom. Prolonged breast feeding of 2 years or longer is due to the continued benefits. Mothers can now feel assured that they can breast feed their baby for as long as they both desire with positive health benefits due to breastfeeding for the entire time. Human breast milk has a unique composition that is rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory agents and living leukocytes all these components contribute to helping the child’s immune system develop. Breastmilk is dynamic and it changes to meet the needs of a growing or ill infant. Studies of exclusive breast feeding over 6 months have shown lower rates of respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhoea, otitis media and obesity. Let’s unpack that for a child that is living in South Africa. The under 5 stunting rate in South Africa is 27%, which is above the world average. Stunting is an indicator of long-standing undernutrition. With breast feeding for longer we would be able to reduce this statistic. The illnesses mentioned above have major effects on children’s growth and development specifically if they happen often. Breast feeding helps to prevent these illnesses and help to promote better growth and development of children. For example, a child that has reoccurring ear infections this can affect they way that they hear. Causing them to have delayed speech or to miss hear sounds. This can have a negative affect on the child’s speech and learning. The health benefits are for all babies that are breast feed and not just those that have lower social economic backgrounds. Mothers who breast feed for longer than 6 months have a reduced risk of developing diabetes by half even if they have had gestational diabetes. Cholesterol levels can also be lowered in mothers that are breast feeding, maternal weight loss and reduced risk of different types of cancers. Baby’s skin also benefits from breast feeding as there is a reduced risk of skin issues, allergies and eczema. The preventative effect from cancer is not just for the mother but also for the child. The mother’s immune system works with the baby’s immune system though exchange of milk and baby’s saliva to share information about health and need for immune responses. This is very important as the baby gets older and is exposed to more bacteria and viruses. Ways that we can assist mother with prolonged breast feeding is to be accepting. It is as simple as that. We know that there are benefits for both the mom and baby- I would also like to add to the extended family as well. There is no need to comment or ask when the mother will stop breast feeding. Let mom and baby enjoy their breast-feeding time together because it the grater scheme of life it is a very short period. Shops and restaurants need to make it easier for mothers to breast feed in private or public as she feels comfortable. In the working environment, there are guidelines that HR departments can follow to allow the mother to express at work so that the mother is able to maintain her supply when she returns to work. For the mom to express efficiently and effectively they need a strong breast pump like the Ameda Mya Joy. This breast pump is a hospital grade breast pump that can effectively drain and empty your breasts. This is important for mothers that are pumping at work because effective draining is key to maintaining your breast milk supply. By having a good milk supply, that you can express easily in the 30 minutes break expressing breaks, helps to keep your breast milk stash fully supplied and helps to reduce stress around pumping. Another breast pumping tip is to have a great pumping bag that can fit all your pumping equipment and a milk cooler bag that keeps your milk the correct temperature while you travel home. See the My Breastpump bag and Cooler bag on our website.

May 15, 2023

HELP! MY KIDS WON’T STOP FIGHTING!

Parents generally see their children as wonderful gifts from the heavens but children don’t always see each other in that same light. They first see their primary caregivers, and the love and attention they get from them, as a limited commodity. They then see their siblings as competition for that love and attention and sometimes feel they have to fight for it. When a new child enters the family, the oldest or older children sometimes feel as if they have been dethroned and now have to share their parents with this new child. This can bring about feelings of animosity and jealousy between children. To deal with this problem effectively, parents can find ways that will allow the older child to become a teacher or leader to the younger child(ren). You can also give the older child special privileges and give them special time with you, such as one-on-one dates to help them feel like they haven’t lost their place in the family. Fighting and other forms of sibling rivalry also occur as a result of these feelings. Avoid racing into every little argument or disagreement. If you do, it will teach your children to create problems just to get you involved. It will also train them that they are NOT accountable for stopping fights and working things out, it teaches them instead that YOU are responsible for doing that. Because you ARE responsible for keeping everyone safe, sometimes the only solution is to just separate them. This is especially true for when toddlers and preschoolers hit one another or begin to fight. It just means they’ve had enough of that other person for a while and they want them out of their space. Avoid using punishments like time out and avoid taking sides. When a conflict breaks out, just separate both of them. It doesn’t matter who started it or who did what, just separate them in different spaces to be apart. And during this moment of behavior management, remain calm and talk very little. You can easily transfer your own negative feelings into the relationship between the children. Sometimes the conflict between the children is actually an imitation of what’s going on with the adults.

May 12, 2023

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2 years	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid	1 day	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_gat_gtag_UA_18530557_4	1 minute	No description
pron_ip	session	No description
pvc_visits[0]	1 day	This cookie is created by post-views-counter. This cookie is used to count the number of visits to a post. It also helps in preventing repeat views of a post by a visitor.
tk_ai	session	Gathers information for WordPress by themselves, first party analytics tool about how WP services are used. A collection of internal metrics for user activity, used to improve user experience.