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Developing confidence in young children

Self-esteem stems from a sense of competence — or, to put it another way, children gain confidence due to their successes, not because of the recognition they receive from family and friends. As a preschool teacher, I saw many children gain trust and self-assurance as they learned and achieved new tasks and objectives. As parents, it’s normal to want to instill trust in your children. Here are some suggestions for how to do that: 1. Make time to have fun Playtime is one of the most significant investments you can make in your child. Playing with your children for hours demonstrates to them that they are important and worthy of your attention. 2. Give them small tasks to do Children deserve opportunities to show their talents and believe their efforts are respected. At home, this means enlisting their assistance with tasks such as: Putting the table together for dinner or lunch Organising their toys Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping Dishwashing Performing laundry sorting or folding Car washing Gardening Remember your child’s passions and allocate them a job that helps them feel useful. 3. Always pay attention I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to set aside time to give your child your undivided attention. It boosts your child’s self-worth by sending the message that you think they’re important and valuable to you. 4. Frequently encourage your child Consider the last time anyone complimented your efforts and told you they believed in you. This kind of motivation gives people the trust boost they need to keep going and helps children develop the best type of confidence possible. But remember that too much praise can pressure you to succeed and generate a constant need for other people’s approval. It’s preferable to teach your child that the effort—and seeing everything through to completion—is what matters most.

June 9, 2023

Dealing with anxiety during pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a very happy and exciting time of your life, however, it can also be a time that is very difficult for some expecting moms. This is often made more difficult by the fact that many family and friends expect you to be thrilled, and conflicting emotions are often surrounded by guilt. Your mental health is important, and you shouldn’t expect yourself to snap out of it, or soldier on alone. What is anxiety during pregnancy? It’s natural for an expecting mom to have worries, this is a new and ever-changing part of your life. However, if your anxiety is ever-present, can’t be controlled easily and impact on your daily life it may be time to seek help. Worrying is part of being human, and if you have struggled to conceive or have lost a baby before, it’s very understandable that you may worry about your baby’s health. You may also worry about whether you’ll be a good parent or how your family dynamic will change, and these are all normal worries. But if you find your heart racing, your breathing shallow, obsessively worrying with racing thoughts, feeling restless or struggling to eat or sleep you may have anxiety. Anxiety in pregnancy is fairly normal, and you’re more likely to experience it if you’ve had anxiety in the past, have a high-risk pregnancy or are dealing with huge life stresses. What can I do about it? If you think you may have anxiety during your pregnancy, know that you are not alone or abnormal, as many expecting moms have experienced this. If you’re struggling, the best way forward is not put up with it, but to seek help. Speaking to a psychologist is a good way to start dealing with why you are suffering from anxiety and how you can deal with it. Medication during pregnancy can be tricky but are an option if they’ll benefit you and your babies well being. Staying active, eating healthy and trying to get enough sleep are also ways in which you can help yourself. Talking to others that have gone through pregnancy, or making sure that you rely on your family and partner for support are also ways in which you cope with your feelings and feel less isolated.

June 8, 2023

The Importance of Self-Expression for kids

Self-expression is the way of showing who you are to the world, and it’s important to celebrate that uniqueness. When you express yourself, you show the world what you’re passionate about, what you stand for, and what you believe in. This can help you connect with others who share similar interests and values, and it can also help you feel more confident and empowered. However, self-expression can sometimes be difficult, especially for teens who are dealing with a variety of challenges. Some of the most common issues that teens face are: Bullying: Many teens experience bullying, either in person or online. This can make them feel isolated and alone, and it can also damage their self-esteem. Body image: Teens are often self-conscious about their appearance, and this can lead to negative feelings about themselves. Academic pressure: Teens are under a lot of pressure to perform well academically, which can be stressful and overwhelming. Family problems: Many teens come from families that are struggling with issues such as divorce, substance abuse, or financial problems. Mental health issues: Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can be especially difficult for teens, who may not know how to cope with these feelings. Unfortunately, some teens may feel so overwhelmed by these challenges that they consider suicide. It’s important to recognize the warning signs of suicide, such as talking about suicide, withdrawing from friends and family, and giving away possessions. If you or someone you know is experiencing these warning signs, it’s important to seek help immediately. One way to prevent suicide is to encourage self-expression. When teens feel free to express themselves, they are less likely to feel isolated and alone. Here are some ways to encourage self-expression: Encourage creative expression: Whether it’s through art, music, or writing, creative expression can be a powerful way to express emotions and connect with others. Listen actively: When teens feel heard and understood, they are more likely to open up and express themselves. Provide a safe space: Teens need a safe and supportive environment where they can be themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. Celebrate uniqueness: Encourage teens to embrace their individuality and celebrate what makes them unique. As kids grow older, exposing them to inclusive content and products like Monster High enables them to recognise that each of us is unique, and learn to embrace what makes them special. Dealing with self-esteem or mental health is always a challenge, but cultivating an inclusive system of engagement and play is one way to create a more supportive and accepting world.

June 8, 2023

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTDOOR PLAY FOR YOUR TODDLER

We are very lucky in South Africa with the climate that we have. Our children play outdoors much more than most European countries. Whatever the weather though, think of your garden or any outdoor space as Natures Classroom. Every sense and area of learning can be stimulated just by being outside. It is important to create an understanding of the environment from an early age, and the reasons why we need to preserve our world. In this natural wonderland, your baby benefits in many ways: Health Being outdoors means your child is exposed to sunlight and fresh air, both of which have health benefits. The extra space outdoors also means your baby can get moving. Crawling, standing, walking, running, climbing – any age can enjoy moving and it will feel like play rather than exercise. Sensory development Every sense is stimulated in the garden: Place your baby on the grass to feel the texture Crush leaves in autumn Play in puddles and squish the mud between the toes Place your baby on a blanket under a tree and enjoy the watching the leaves moving and the effect it has on light, Feel the temperature in the air, Listen for bugs or birds Smell the earth. The garden stimulates the seeking instinct in toddlers and they will explore and discover things as they go. Every season has something different to offer. Physical development By exploring the garden your baby will develop his gross motor skills as he gets his body moving. Add a ball, bike, trampoline for added enjoyment and movement. Digging in the soil, picking up stones, leaves or worms help to develop fine motor skills. Responsibility Being outdoors means your child is exposed to choices and dangers they will not experience playing indoors. They learn what to avoid, where it is safe to go and dressing appropriately for the weather. Help your baby to learn that the garden is a safe place but that caution is needed. Memory and Success You may find your baby always crawls towards a certain patch in the garden that he likes or you toddler will want to play the same games over and over again. Encourage this use of early memory. Plant flowers, seeds, bulbs and vegetables in your garden and encourage your tot to participate in looking after them and watching how they change every week. There is nothing like seeing the face of a toddler who makes the connection that the bulb he planted in the autumn is the daffodil he sees in spring, or picking the tomatoes from your garden and using them in your salads. What a great success.

June 7, 2023

My First Barbie, the first-ever Barbie doll specifically designed for preschool-aged children

Toy manufacturing giant, Mattel, has announced the launch of its latest creation: My First Barbie. Since 1959, Barbie has been inspiring children with toys that encourage imagination, expression and discovery through play and this year’s line is no exception. This year, Barbie is introducing a brand-new innovation in the dolls category that will change how preschool aged children play and interact with Barbie as a character. My First Barbie, the first-ever Barbie doll specifically designed for preschool-aged children. The My First Barbie doll features the same look and feel that Barbie fans know and love but is updated with large accessories, easy-to-dress Velcro fashions and a larger, soft doll body made for smaller hands and growing imaginations. The My First Barbie line includes easy-to-play accessories such as fashion packs, pets, bedroom playset and a teatime playset, all made for younger fans to expand storytelling themes young kids love. The doll that boasts an array of unique features which make it perfect for little hands. My First Barbie doll is larger than a standard Barbie doll, standing at 34,29 CM compared to the standard 29,21 CM. From its soft and huggable body to its large, easy-to-style hair, My First Barbie is built for the perfect playtime experience. Mattel recognises that young children need toys that are easy to handle and safe for them. That’s why My First Barbie is made with non-toxic materials that have been tested and approved for children aged three years and above. This means that parents can rest assured that their child is safe while they play with My First Barbie. But My First Barbie is not only safe for children to play with, but it also offers many unique benefits. For starters, My First Barbie promotes imaginative play and creativity. Children can create their own storylines and scenarios, and the doll’s versatile hair allows them to try out different hairstyles. This helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. My First Barbie’s colourful outfit also provides visual stimulation and encourages children to explore different colours and patterns. My First Barbie’s smaller size is perfect for little hands and makes it easy for children to carry her around wherever they go. The Mattel Global Consumer Insights team conducted an exploration on what parents look for in a doll for their preschool-aged children. The research showed that while many parents want to buy Barbie dolls for their preschool-aged daughters, some feel like their daughters aren’t old enough to play with the standard sized Barbie doll given their currently dexterity. Preschool-aged kids want to brush hair, change outfits, and tell stories but may require help from an adult with the traditional Barbie scale. In fact, nearly 60% of parents who had not yet purchased Barbie dolls for their 3-year-old daughters cited concerns with dexterity.* Based on description alone of the My First Barbie doll, 94% of parents were interested in purchasing the doll for their daughter.* Parents also indicated that they are likely to choose a toy for their daughter based on a favorite character, and this ‘favorite’ status is often driven by content exposure. This finding led to the creation of My First Barbie YouTube content, the first Barbie animated special designed for preschoolers. Inviting younger kids to ‘meet’ Barbie and be introduced to her inspiring world. In addition to its unique features, My First Barbie also has an affordable price point, making it a great option for parents who want to introduce their child to the wonderful world of Barbie without breaking the bank. This new doll is sure to bring joy and delight to any child’s playtime, while also providing a safe and educational experience. You will see the smile on your child’s face grow as they begin their journey into imaginative play!

June 7, 2023

Practical tips to care for sensitive skin by SKNLogic

If you’ve ever battled with sensitive skin, you’re not alone. It is fast becoming one of the most common concerns experienced by men and women all over the world. And it can be particularly difficult during winter – because of the low humidity and icy temperatures, this is considered the most challenging season for sensitive skin. There are so many different causes, that sometimes it may be difficult to pinpoint the reason for your skin’s sensitivity. This ranges from exposure to pollution and chemical irritants, to hormonal issues, stress, diet and even ingredients in the skincare products we apply. How will you know if you have sensitive skin? Skin sensitivity may manifest in a variety of different ways such as redness, itchiness, stinging, burning, flaking, tightness or dryness, and may be a constant concern, or flare up from time to time. It can affect the entire body – not just the face – and sometimes goes hand-in-hand with breakouts and dehydration. When it comes to treating skin concerns, it is always best to get to the root of the problem. If your sensitivity is persistent, we recommend booking an appointment with your dermatologist, who will help you to identify the cause of your sensitivity and recommend suitable treatment. Sometimes it’s possible to beat sensitivity by changing your diet or skincare routine, while other times it may require medical intervention such as treating hormonal conditions. One of the trickiest causes is environmental aggressors and pollution, as we simply can’t all move to the countryside to avoid exposure. However, all is not lost. Whatever the cause of your sensitivity, there are a couple of simple things you can do daily to protect and soothe your skin while limiting sensitivity. Avoid hot water A hot shower may feel fantastic during the colder months, but hot water is known to exasperate sensitivity. Most dermatologists recommend showering in warm water under 40 degrees. Not sure how to tell if the temperature is right? If your skin is flushed or red afterwards, the water was too hot. Use a milky or creamy cleanser Gel cleansers are great for oily skin (especially during summer), but they can sometimes strip dry and sensitive skins of moisture. We recommend using a milky or creamy cleanser as these have moisturising properties that will help retain the skin’s moisture. Try SKNLOGIC Gentle Cleanse Cream (R343.00), a gentle, pH balanced, soap-free, creamy cleanser that cleanses without disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier. It hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling conditioned and nourished. Be aware of bacteria Bacteria is all around us, and harmful breakout-causing bacteria lurks in more places than you may suspect. Be sure to change your pillowcase regularly as sweat and product build-up may irritate sensitive skin while you sleep. Wash your makeup brushes frequently and disinfect your cellphone daily – both are home to plenty of spot-causing bacteria. Hydrate Sensitive skin is prone to dehydration, so it’s essential to apply moisture-boosting skincare products that are gentle yet effective (and free from potentially harmful and harsh ingredients). Try SKNLOGIC Omega Face Oil (R265.00). This lightweight, non-greasy facial oil can be used as a moisturiser, treatment product or primer and is suitable for sensitive and compromised skin. It contains nourishing Omega 3, 5, 6, 7 & 9, vitamins C and E and ceramides. Protect your skin from the sun We know how dangerous the sun’s UV rays are for all skin types, and sensitive skin may be extra vulnerable to its powers. Try to avoid spending time outdoors during peak hours (10am – 2pm). If you do go outside, wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses and cover up with loose fitting clothing. And most importantly – always apply a broad spectrum SPF to exposed skin. SKNLOGIC Protect 40 (R305.00) is a broad spectrum sun protection cream that provides effective UVA and UVB protection and anti-ageing benefits. Maintain a healthy diet Sometimes sensitive skin is linked to certain foods in one’s diet, and sometimes it is not. The truth is that everyone’s skin, regardless of the different skin types, will benefit from a diet rich in fresh fruit and veg, lean protein, healthy fats and fibre. In some cases gluten and dairy have shown to affect sensitive skin, so if you’re prone to sensitivity, try to cut back. Skincare regime One of the most important factors in caring for sensitive skin is your choice of skincare products. Harsh ingredients and artificial fragrances or colourants are likely to aggravate sensitivity, as may some preservatives and additives. The key is to find a skincare range that offers effective products that are also gentle. SKNLOGIC products do not contain artificial colourants and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, Sulphates or S.D Alcohol, making them the perfect choice for sensitive and dry skins. SKNLOGIC products are made with the highest quality antioxidants, hydrators, moisturisers and natural ingredients to nourish and protect skin. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for sensitive skin, but with the right products and lifestyle choices, it’s possible to minimise sensitivity and keep skin soothed and moisturised. About SKNLOGIC SKNLOGIC Cosmeceutical skincare aims to provide a skincare solution that works with the skin’s biological processes to achieve visible results. SKNLOGIC has a synergistic approach to science and nature, offering powerful formulas with optimal concentrations of active ingredients to actively improve skin health and appearance from underneath the skin. We use the maximum concentration of key active ingredients and use the highest grade of quality ingredients from around the world. https://sknlogic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SknLogic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sknlogic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SKNLOGIC

June 6, 2023

The sensitive period of a child

A sensitive period is a block of time in a child’s life where they show intense interest in particular objects and experiences surrounding them in their environment. Children go through many sensitive periods for a certain time. They don’t all peak, develop or end simultaneously but can overlap each other. Sensitive periods urge the child to focus on specific aspects of their environment, creating a need for interest to develop characteristics. They do not happen by chance, and they cannot be recaptured again, causing a disruption in the learning process. Once its purpose is fulfilled, it disappears, leaving the child refreshed and content. Sensitive period learning is spontaneous, joyful, and easy learning. Co-ordinated movement appears in the womb and continues throughout life. The developmental aim is to explore the environment and to perfect personality through exploration. The inner work focuses on the child’s attention on learning to move and balance. The signs are each milestone of the child’s motor skills. The help they require from adults around them understand the desperate need to move, handle, and manipulate objects, space, and opportunity to explore their environment. The rhythm and flow of the sounds of words without necessarily understanding what they mean from the human voice stimulate the sensitive period for language. The child is exposed to at every given opportunity. The signs we see are each milestone in language development, watching the mouth, babbling, syllables, and love for songs stories, and poems. The child will listen carefully to sounds around them and try to copy them. The child will learn new words easily. The child will try to read and write long before they have the skills to do so. Once this is fulfilled, the child loves to talk and contributes to groups and activities. If this is not fulfilled, the child withdraws, finds it difficult to settle to work and concentrate may not join in activities. Rich exposure to language and seeing adults talking, singing, reading, and writing is the best exposure for the child to gain access to this. The more exciting this is made, the more interested they will be. It is as if a particular time has been set aside for exploring and appreciating the mysteries of creation and nature, which an adult often overlooks. The child needs this time to explore the world. Attention to detail is this particular time. The child will focus on the finest details in every aspect of life. They notice and are highly interested in tiny objects and the fine detail in objects, pictures, movements, and sounds. The aim of this is to develop attention and concentration. The child may sit for hours in joyful contemplation and be very observant of the fine details that an adult may miss. The child will sometimes point this fine detail out. For example, the child may see a chip on a mug and not use it or become distressed if something is replaced and does not match. Respect for this need needs to be given time to look at. Allow the time to stop and explore something they have noticed with the child. The need to see, touch, taste, smell, hear and manipulate everything around them is the block in time for the refinement of sensory impressions. This is the need to explore the surrounding environment with all the senses. The child learns only through their senses and personal experiences being hands-on. This aims to gain information, order impressions, pair and classify, grade or categorise, and consolidate knowledge. The signs we see daily are an overwhelming interest to touch and manipulate everything. This should be encouraged at every given moment. Refinement of sensorial impressions lays a firm foundation for future learning. The child attempts to learn the manners and customs of their environment and to serve others and themselves; therefore, it is food to involve them in daily life as much as possible. The child is intensely interested in the customs, habits, and culture of the surrounding community, which is known as an interest in social relations. Mothers usually recognise the child’s need for more comprehensive social experiences, and this is typically the age children start playgroups or daycare. The child is acutely observant of the social group, especially in the family unit. The child is also sensitive to fine detail at the same time, so this period is an extra spotlight on the detail of family and social experiences. The child observes all aspects of social life, how we greet each other, respect and treat each other, how we dress, habits, beliefs, how we speak, gestures and attitudes, and outlooks on life. They try to imitate what they see and hear. The child depends on loving and trusting relationships designed to meet their developmental needs to realise their full potential. In conclusion, the child learns from repetition; during these times, repetition is very important for the child to perfect their needs and wants.

June 6, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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