Tween & Teen - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

What to consider when searching for a school

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

August 14, 2018

Matrics: use the calm before the storm to get your study options sorted

With the holidays almost over and preliminary exams on the horizon, Grade 12s are on the cusp of entering one of the most stressful periods in their school careers. The relatively calm few weeks they still have ahead of them should therefore be used to plan their post-school options, which will free up their physical and emotional energy so that they can wholly focus on doing their best in their final exams. “Deciding what to study and where to study can be hugely stressful, particularly when you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to do with your life, which is the case for many thousands of learners,” says Natasha Madhav, Senior Head of Programme: Faculty of ICT at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education provider. “It is therefore important that learners don’t add this burden of anxiety when trying to prepare for exams. This can be avoided by taking the time right now to investigate their options and, ideally, already submitting their applications for the qualifications and institutions of their choice,” she says. She says the most important advice she has for prospective students, given the difficult economic climate and associated challenges of finding suitable employment after graduation, is to look at qualifications and institutions that will prepare them for a specific career and the world of work. Additionally, they should ideally line up at least one or two additional options, as they may find their circumstances and preferences having changed by the end of the year. “The worst courses of action, are to sign up for an arbitrary qualification with no real understanding of how you can leverage it post-graduation, spending valuable time and money on something that may not lead to a career, or following your friends’ lead because you are not clear on your own aspirations,” she says. Madhav says learners who don’t know what to study, should consider what kind of work they would find interesting, and then work backwards to determine a suitable qualification. “It is also worth remembering that there are literally new fields and careers opening up every year – things that your teachers, parents and friends may not even have heard about,” she says. “So don’t settle on a university and then only investigate what they offer in terms of qualifications. Do it the other way around – determine what you would like to do, determine what qualification would enable you to do that, and then find out which institutions offer that.” If, for instance, a learner is interested in Game Design, it makes sense to find an institution that offers that qualification rather than doing a generic 3-year degree and then attempting to break into the industry thereafter. Or if they are interested in brand management, to determine the best place where they can study this, rather than doing a general business undergraduate degree. The same principle goes for a host of other career-focused fields, such as copywriting and communications, digital design and marketing, IT and networking qualifications, and business qualifications. “The world of work is rapidly evolving, and to be competitive in the job market, candidates must try and match their qualification as closely as possible to the work they would want to do one day,” says Madhav. “Making that determination takes time and clarity of thought in the face of all the options out there, which is why Matrics should make the best of the few weeks of grace they have left and get their future plans sorted now.”

August 13, 2018

Bullying: What parents and schools can do

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

August 9, 2018

What Summer Camp Mom Are You?

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

August 7, 2018

Help! My child is writing exams for the first time

The idea of writing exams rarely brings about emotions of excitement and happy anticipation! In fact, feelings of anxiety, panic and outright fear are what most parents and learners experience when exam time comes knocking at their door! Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says “Generation after generation, people have passed on the baton of fear, anxiety and dread when it comes to exams. The stories are familiar to us all:

July 25, 2018

Chasing academic A’s limits possibilities

Education, as we have known it for the past 100 years, is fixated on academic prowess. The percentage on the report card has always been the benchmark by which we believe we can determine if a child will become a successful adult, or not. Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says “Self-worth is too often determined by academic assessments. Emotional walls are built, intelligence is defined, negative behaviours are acted upon, anxieties and depression are pandemic in young people – all because of society’s fixation on that percentage on the report.”

July 25, 2018

Some helpful tips on making subject choices for all Grade 9 learners

Our Grade 9 learners are currently standing at the crossroad of having to make subject-choices. This, in itself, does not seem to be too big a deal… EXCEPT that the subject choices that they make now will impact their path into the future. In addition, many, if not most, Grade 9 learners are not yet sure of what they want to do when they have finished school.

July 25, 2018

Children can burn out too!

Gone are the days when children went to school, came home, made a peanut butter sandwich and went to play with the neighbourhood kids! Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres explains “Children are naturally high-energy beings and very little thought is given to the extreme pressures and overloading of activities that our children face in the world that we find ourselves living in today! As adults, we are familiar with the challenges of physical and emotional burn-out, but we do not consider that children are prone to burn out as well. In fact, burn out in children, if left unchecked, can lead to depression, complete apathy and a myriad of health issues.” Cindy goes on to explain that many children are being subjected to competitive and pressured activities all day, every day and at a pace that most adults would find challenging to keep up! “Academic expectations, sports (school and clubs), cultural and religious studies, extra lessons, music, art, drama, dance…. the list goes on and on… when packed, back-to-back into the daily schedule of children can lead to overloaded children becoming exhausted and this may lead to burn out!” Parents who notice that their children are showing a combination of the following signs may want to consider that their children may be heading towards burn out-or worse-have already burned out! A loss of motivation or desire for activities that they once enjoyed or looked forward to. Anxiety, fearfulness and panic attacks Fatigue and tearfulness, withdrawn, uncharacteristic tantrums Feelings of dejection, making excuses or simply refusing to attend activities that they may have enjoyed before Physical illnesses, loss of appetite, nail biting Falling behind in academics or other activities Burn out is not something to be taken lightly. Cindy gives the following tips to consider when dealing with burn out in children: Choose to be a mindful parent. Watch, communicate, listen-with-understanding, acknowledge that something needs to change and act to help and support your child! Honestly assess the activities and stress causers in your child’s life. Work with your child to reduce or stop the activities that cause the greatest stress. Allow time for your children to just BE. Allow time for rest and reflection, for childish games and laughter. Teach your children the importance of listening to their bodies and making healthy choices for themselves—choices that are uplifting, enjoyable and less pressured. Be realistic in terms of how many activities your child is doing every day and every week. Watch for signs of exhaustion. Engender a relationship of non-judgemental communication with your child. Guide, support and teach them positive coping skills (which may or may not involve a change in schedule). Choose to create balance in yours and your children’s lives. There is no advantage or positive learning that can take place from overloading a child! It is important for children to learn a variety of skills as they grow, but be aware of how much is expected of them—too much can be counter-productive! Cindy concludes by saying “Burn out in children is more prevalent that we may have allowed ourselves to consider before! It can lead to serious consequences. As parents, it is essential that we acknowledge that children, although naturally high energy beings, can and will burn out if their lives are out of balance and the signs are left unchecked!”

July 6, 2018

Back off your Matrics

I will be 42 this year, and I still from time to time have nightmares about my matric exams. I’ve dealt with a lot of stressful situations since then, but nothing quite compares to that feeling that what happens in those few weeks will determine the rest of your life. The truth? It won’t. And it doesn’t matter even half as much as we make out that it does. I had months of sleepless nights and tears and panic attacks to get those good results that in the end have had absolutely no impact on the course of my life. My brother, in opposition to me, did absolutely no work, dropped out of school in Standard 9 and went on to technikon and is doing brilliantly as a computer programmer. We’ve both done just fine in our lives and matric had nothing to do with it. Added to this, my first high school I attended had one matric for every year I was there who committed suicide during the matric exams. Why? Because of the unnecessary pressure that we put on our kids to perform and the false assumptions that we fill them with that if they don’t do well at this they will be a failure. This is not ok. Not ok at all. In calm, rational reality, if a child fails their matric, or even doesn’t do as well as they would have liked, they can always repeat it later. If they don’t take the right subjects for a chosen career, they can always catch them up later too. It may even be that what they really want to do with their lives (not what we have decided they should do) may not even require a matric at all. My kids spent 5 years in a homeschooling environment where I have watched countless kids who have been homeschooled or unschooled getting their matric without any stress, drama, tears or terror. They simply write their subjects as and when they are ready; they focus on things they enjoy; and they have support but not pressure. Some of them complete their matric when they are 9, some when they are 19, and some at 29. Without the erroneously prescribed timeframes they simply do it when they are ready and when they feel comfortable tackling the challenge. Of course we all want our kids to succeed. But what does their success actually mean to you? And what are you prepared to do to them to get them to achieve it? Does it mean straight A’s even though your child hates you, school and themselves by the end of it? Does it mean pushing kids beyond their limits until they run away, retreat into drugs, or commit suicide? Do you really care about what is right for your child or do you care about what looks good for you? Who are they actually getting those marks for? And why? These are tough questions and they may have the hairs on your neck standing up, but I have watched children die trying to achieve the lost dreams of their parents. A child who grows up happy and with a somewhat ‘mediocre’ life is infinitely more successful that a dead child who failed to live up to their parents’ expectations. We have to redefine what is important and what success actually means. There is no report card on the planet that justifies alienating your children, pushing them beyond their limits or creating lifelong anxieties. We need to start putting matric in perspective. It is one round of exams, that in no way defines who you are or what you are capable of. What they really measure is how well you fit into the system, and 90% of people don’t. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t encourage your kids to do their best. Please do. But include in that helping them to see how well they can do while still keeping their lives in balance. Are your matrics eating well, sleeping well, getting some exercise, keeping their stress levels under control, enjoying their relationships with family and friends, finding time for spiritual and creative pursuits, and having some fun? If not, it’s time to back off with the pressure and help them to get their studies in line with the rest of their lives.

July 6, 2018

Preparing youth for the workplace of the future

Entering the working world can be daunting for graduates, and even more so when the workplace is not what they expected. With the pace of mushrooming disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-driven learning, even the youth are feeling a sense of uncertainty. A recent study entitled “The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030” http://futureskills.pearson.com forecast that one in five workers are in professions today that will shrink worldwide. This means today more than ever before students need to make the right decision when it comes to selecting a course to study. To ensure the youth are selecting a career that offers longevity the study indicates that jobs involving knowledge, creation, and innovation are what to search for. While machines get down to the nitty-gritty manual tasks this will mean people are freed up to explore, knowledge share, and find interesting solutions collaboratively to some of the world’s complex problems. Managing Director for Pearson South Africa, Ebrahim Matthews says, “The study highlighted that while many jobs today will still be in demand by 2030 – the skills required for success in these roles are changing. When it comes to the daunting topic of ‘Jobs of the Future’ we are already doing the research to prepare our students for careers that don’t yet exist! There will be jobs that require certain human skills in the future, these cannot be replaced by the automated world – human skill, and experience that ultimately matter to learning.” Tertiary career options need to be taken seriously, for example institutions should forge close ties with various South African corporates and they should become involved in the induction and readiness workshops for students. Mid-year intakes are also a great option for students who didn’t quite know what to study straight after school. The first 6 months of the year could have solidified a career path, and given them more time to save toward studying. Matthews concludes, “Everything we; we do with employability in mind. All our academic programmes are focused on getting our students ready for the world of work. Our courses have been carefully selected to include academic fields that will give students the opportunity to exit with a qualification that is highly desirable in the market.” The full report: Jobs 2030 can be viewed here: http://futureskills.pearson.com.

July 5, 2018

Why a good holiday camp is worth the cost

You want your children to be productive during their school holidays, so you browse around for a good holiday program. However, the cost of a good sleepover holiday camp seems exorbitant. You wonder how the majority of American parents can afford to send their kids to summer camp for the entire school holiday, every year. You did find much cheaper camps – but are they any good? Why are some camps R200 per night, and others up to R900 per night? The price of a camp is often an indication of it’s quality. Although cheaper camps may keep your child busy during the school holidays, there are more pressing concerns you should settle before entrusting your child into the care of others. There are reasons why some camp prices are a little upscale. Here are four reasons that a pricey camp may be worth investing in: Safety You cannot expect a cheap camp to have high-end security measures, because high-end security doesn’t come cheap. Whether it is equipment or general safety measures, if a camp is too cost-conscious you may not be sending your child to the safest camp. For example, Sugar Bay holiday camp is protected by full perimeter electric fences, twenty-five closed-circuit televisions (CCTV), 24-hour armed response, patrolling night watchmen, access control at their point of entry and exit and panic buttons in every cabin. The camp has its own 24-hour Health Care Center for minor health issues, and always has a doctor on call. All equipment and gear is of the best quality to ensure the safest possible camp experience. Staff Cheaper camps may not spend money on providing professional staff training, and costs may also be cut by employing as few staff as possible. On the other hand, each staff member at Sugar Bay Camp is trained in Emergency First Response and CPR. They are also required to provide a police clearance certificate before employment. During their two week training program, all staff receive instruction in child psychology, theory and practice of teaching, leadership and activity instruction. Thereafter, only the best performing staff are selected for employment. Sugar Bay camp also has a strict 1:3 staff to child ratio, which is the highest in South Africa, to ensure that each child receives full-time supervision and individual attention. Activities and Facilities Camps that are easy on the pocket usually have limited and often compulsory activities, as well as inflexible schedules. Most children don’t like the idea of having to participate in activities that they don’t enjoy. Whereas, higher-priced camps are able to offer a wider range of activities and more flexible programs. For instance, Sugar Bay holiday camp offers over 100 activities, none of which are compulsory. Children may decide what they would like to participate in – and when. There are always multiple activities running at any given time, and kids may participate in whichever activity they prefer. This freedom of choice allows kids to make their own independent decisions and encourages them to try new things – like learning how to surf or skateboard. Meals Children require healthy meals and energizing snacks to fully enjoy their camp experience. The most affordable camps often compromise on the quality of food by offering the cheapest meals they can afford at bulk – food that most kids do not enjoy. These camps may also not be in a position to cater for special dietary needs like gluten intolerant, halaal, vegetarian or lactose intolerant children etc. Sugar Bay, on the other hand, offers fresh and tasty meals every day, with different meals served each day. Fresh fruits and veggies are available at every meal time. A balanced meal plan is offered with the right proportions of protein, carbohydrates, dairy and vegetables. All of the baked goods – like bread rolls and croissants – are made fresh on the premises. Individual dietary needs are also catered for. Some examples of breakfasts include: cheese croissants, bacon and eggs, quiche, french toast etc. There is always yoghurt, fresh fruit and cereals available in addition to these main meals. Lunches may be: fish and chips, chicken schnitzel, beef strips with rice etc. There is always a salad bar and fresh fruit available at lunch time. Dinner may be: lasange, cottage pie, curry, grilled chicken and rice, beef stew etc. There is always a salad bar and fresh vegetables available at dinner time. Dessert always follows, some examples of which include: peppermint crisp tart, ice-cream and chocolate sauce, chocolate brownies, malva pudding etc. Despite the exceptional safety protocols, professional staff, variety of activities and healthy and delicious meals, Sugar Bay also imparts life skills that you cannot put a price tag on. Every cent that you spend on a holiday camp at Sugar Bay is a worthwhile investment that accompanies your peace of mind as a parent. If you are interested in booking a camp for your child, or have further questions, contact Sugar Bay via their website, email holidays@sugarbay.co.zaor call (032) 485 3778.

June 26, 2018

ADHD vs Bipolar: Know the difference

Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, sleeping problems, racing thoughts and moodiness. These are all typical symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They are also common symptoms of bipolar disorder – a mental illness known for severe mood swings and depression. But how do you tell the difference? Studies estimate that 20% of people with ADHD will develop bipolar disorder. Conversely, 70% of people with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. The high comorbidity rate and overlap in symptoms make these two conditions difficult to distinguish and diagnose. ADHD is ten times more common and more likely to be recognised while bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed. It is critical to know the difference and get an independent but coordinated treatment plan for both. Untreated ADHD can be challenging but living with a misdiagnosed ADHD and bipolar combination can be dangerous. However, with an accurate diagnosis, the ADHD and bipolar combination can be treated successfully. This will help patients feel more stable in mood and in their ability to live fulfilling lives in their roles as spouses, parents and employees. One fundamental difference is that ADHD mainly affects attention and behaviour while bipolar symptoms mainly affect mood. Distinctions can be drawn between the two based on mood shift triggers, the speed and duration of mood shifts, the onset and consistency of symptoms, and the individual’s sense of reality. The importance of an accurate diagnosis can’t be overstated. With a holistic and dual treatment plan, therapy and life management, individuals with both ADHD and bipolar disorder can live healthy and fulfilling lives. If you suspect that you or a loved one might have ADHD, set the record straight with this self-assessment. If you are unsure about the symptoms or suspect that bipolar disorder might be present, speak to a medical professional. For more information around the symptoms, impact and treatment of ADHD, visit MyADHD.co.za or My ADHD on Facebook.

June 14, 2018

Schools must adapts approach for education and engaging generation Alpha

The traditional approach to education must be revolutionised in order to ensure the best outcomes for the current generation of school children, who are increasingly being called Generation Alpha, and whose world differs materially from the world in which their Millennial parents grew up, an education expert says. “Generation Alpha represents those children who were born after 2010, who are now at the beginning stages of their school careers,” says Jenny Coetzee, career educator and founding member of the ADvTECH Group’s prestigious Crawford School La Lucia. Coetzee, currently MD of the soon to be opened Crawford International School in Kenya, has in the course of her decades-long career forged an exceptional reputation as a visionary pioneer and leader in the education space. She says each generation – whether they be Generation X, Y or Z – grew up in a world different to that of their parents and the generations before them. Just as each of these generations were exposed to unique circumstances, challenges and opportunities, so are the newest generation, whose labelling as Generation Alpha is fast gaining traction. “These children are the most connected, educated and sophisticated generation ever, so when educating, a school should provide an environment that enhances learning for these digital integrators,” she says. “These children live in an open-book environment – just a few clicks away from any information, they connect in a borderless world – across countries and cultures, and they communicate in a post-literate community where texts and tweets are brief, and where visuals and videos have the greatest impact.” She says schools should be putting special emphasis on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, so that students are equipped to see problems from different angles and formulate their own solutions. “Regardless of the field they choose to enter for their careers, the ability to think, be creative and act quickly is an indispensable tool for the future, particularly in view of increasing automation and the expectation of the workplace of the future, as identified by the World Economic Forum. “It goes without saying that technology must be embraced in today’s schools, but what is of crucial importance, is that it is effectively used to enhance pedagogy and improve learning. In order to achieve this, schools must be equipped with high speed internet and embrace the value of social platforms.” Students must also be exposed to new technologies, such as 3D printing, drones and robotics, and schools should articulate the possibilities these new technologies create. They must also expose students to new fields such as user experience design, and the latest schools of thinking such as design thinking modelsas a scaffold for project work. “Just like Generation Z before them, schools looking after Generation Alpha must cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial thinking and leadership are imperative and entrepreneurship courses must form part of the curriculum where collaboration between subject disciplines is encouraged.” Coetzee says it is imperative that schools nurture a global outlook, and that students are able to benefit from strong networks formed with international education bodies. And teachers must be trained in the latest strategies and teaching techniques. “Children come to us naturally curious about their world and wanting to explore it. Their imaginations are vast and untamed, creating endless amounts of practical and impractical things. As teachers we need to continue to nurture them to develop their curiosity and imagination, as well as teach them how to apply them creatively and purposefully using technology as a tool. “We may not know exactly what lies ahead for our students in the future, but we know what skills and tools they will need once they get there: to think critically, to work as a team, but most of all to be curious and excited about learning in this world that is so different from the world in which we were raised.”

June 6, 2018

Understanding the teen years

Raising a teen can be a daunting task. Teenagedom was a very long time ago for some parents, and the thought of raising a teen in todays fast paced, technological age tends to make parents feel overwhelmed straight off the bat. By developing a greater understanding of a teen’s world and compartmentalising it, may make the task a little less stressful for parents. The teenage years are a critical stage on the road to adulthood. These are the years from which well-adjusted adults are moulded. A teen typically operates in three major spheres in their lives; the social, academic and physical spheres. Striking a balance between these three areas can help teenagers to navigate this period more easily, and will set them up for being wholesome adults in the future. What parents may begin to notice is that these three spheres are inextricably linked. Trouble in one area may easily affect another; for example, poor performance in Mathematics over a term, which falls in the academic sphere, could be partly attributed to the loss of a grandparent a few months before, which is the social sphere. Parents can play a pivotal role in helping teens to keep a state of harmony. Although this is the time that teens need to find their independence, they still do require the support of someone to help them through it. Parents can monitor their teen and look for links between behaviour and events in each sphere and intervene where needed. Teens spend most of their time in the academic sphere surrounded by their teachers and friends. As they move further up the grades in school, the academic pressure mounts and the focus on career becomes greater. Many teens get bogged down by the academic pressure, which in turn may affect the other two spheres. Teens of all academic strengths are affected by these pressures and parents may notice things such as social withdrawal or illness creeping in. These are signs that your teen may be under duress and that there is an imbalance. Intervention will be required and the help from professionals, such as teachers, may be required to address the issues. It is imperative for a teen to maintain their physical well-being. Regular exercise and healthy eating habits help to keep a teen aligned. Teens require 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night, which can be difficult to get for them due to homework and study routines that may keep them up. Snappiness and irritability could be due to lack of sleep or hunger, for example. The social sphere includes both family and friends. Teens are social beings and enjoy socialising immensely. One major difference between the generations is that teens of today use the digital world to socialise as well. Teens also begin to slowly separate from their parents on a quest to develop greater independence. This period will not come without bumping of heads; however. Parents may need to incorporate new strategies when it comes to communicating with a teen. Allow your teen the time and space to develop their independence in a healthy and safe way. Parents may also notice that their teen gravitates towards their peers more and more over this period. The trick is not to take this too personally – it is normal. This new-found independence can go a long way in helping the transition from school to university and to the world of work one day. Written By: Donel van Zyl, Crawford College North Coast

June 6, 2018

Talking about periods

HOW SHOULD I APPROACH THIS? Your daughters first period is a momentous event in her life, but it can also be a little confusing and anxious too. When it arrives, it’s important she feels prepared and is aware of what’s happening to her. Discuss the science Although it sounds an obvious thing to say, its worth talking her through the basics of why we have periods, how the menstrual cycle worksand the blood loss she’ll experience. We’ve got all the information you need here to help explain these things, including a Teen Handbook. If she wants to find out herself, direct her to the teen section which includes advice on all aspects of her body Help her feel prepared One of the biggest worries many girls have is starting their period when away from home or in school. Very often, wearing a pant liner on a daily basis can build her confidence as it alleviates any fear that she will be caught unaware. Its also a good idea to give her some pads to keep in her school bag just in case. Lil-lets has a mini purple rangedesigned with petite women and younger girls in mind Is there a minimum age for using tampons? There is no minimum age for using tampons or a medical reason why a girl new to her periods should not use one. However, it is often best for them to understand their flow and monthly cycle before choosing to use this form of protection. Show her products It’s easy to forget that she probably hasn’t seen what a pad looks like. Once you’ve bought a pack, show her a pad, how she should position it and how to dispose of it afterwards. This should give her the confidence to do it herself next time. If you would both rather not have this conversation directly, our Teen Handbookhas explanations of how to use pads so she can have a look in her own time. The same applies to tampons as they can be really confusing, especially as they come in both an applicator and non-applicator formats. Anything else to add? Its perfectly normal for her period to last a couple of weeks too, so again, Its worth sharing this bit of information with her so she will know what to expect. Many thanks to Lil-Lets for their insight, you can read more atÂ https://www.lil-lets.co.za/Advice/Advice-for-parents

May 21, 2018

Matric subject choices: Avoid risky selections in face of changed requirements

In coming months, Grade Nines will choose which subjects to pursue during their final school years, on which they will be tested when they sit for their final Matric exams. And while the Department of Basic Education recently announced the withdrawal of the “designated subject” list – the list of subjects from which students who want to pursue a degree after school have had to select their subjects – there are some serious considerations not to be ignored, an expert says. “Some may argue that the withdrawal of the designed subject list gives young people more choices, but we urge schools and learners not to make risky and uninformed changes,” says Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education provider. She notes that the original list contained many of the traditional subjects used to gain access to University, and that many of these subjects required learners to master skills that will be important when seeking entry into a public university or private higher education institution. “These skills include argumentation and reasoning, found in subjects such as History, logic and mathematics as found in Accountancy and Maths or Maths Literacy, and evidence and scientific reasoning skills, as found in Physical Science and Life Sciences. “Additionally, the two-language requirement also ensured a well-rounded educational experience for students living in a multilingual country. The reasoning behind the original inclusion of these subjects should be remembered, and students are encouraged not to put together a collection of subjects that are all of one type which will result in them developing less holistic academic skills. The impact on their studies later in life will be real,” says Coughlan. In addition, learners considering their subject choices should remember that despite the change of requirements at school, Universities were not at the same time required to change their admission requirements. “Higher education institutions need not change entry requirements if they don’t want to, and one can be sure that many – if not most – won’t. Definitely not in the short term, and particularly not for those qualifications that currently require Mathematics or Life Sciences. We therefore encourage learners to do their homework before opting out of these traditionally required subjects.” The third consideration follows from the first two, says Coughlan. “Some subjects, such as Design, were omitted from the original list but have been accepted by some institutions for several years now as part of conditional admission requirements for certain qualifications. Design thinking is a strong and necessary skill for modern living and it is likely that it will become more and more acceptable for admission to higher education.” Design therefore is one of the examples that should be considered as part of a portfolio of creative subjects after learners have checked its acceptability to the higher education institution of their choice, Coughlan notes. “In light of these changes in subject choice requirements, and given the risk of learners opting for perceived easier subjects or subjects that are too similar in nature, we urge learners to investigate their options carefully, and schools to support them in making informed decisions,” says Coughlan. “The public higher education sector is not likely to change quickly to accept subjects they currently do not accept, and while the private higher education sector may be more progressive, our advice remains the same as it has always been: to select subjects that keep your study options open. This means learners should include at least one subject in which they know they can excel, and then others that will teach you a range of different skills. “In today’s volatile and uncertain world, it is more important than ever before to cultivate an extended base of skills from which you can draw, to improve your chances of succeeding.”

May 18, 2018

CHANGES YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER IS GOING THROUGH

HELP! SHE’S BECOMING A TEEN! Pointing out that the teenage years can be fraught is like telling a new mum she’s going to have to change a nappy or two. As puberty starts to take hold, hormones begin to make teens more irritable, which combined with the changes to her body could mean you’re in for a bumpy ride. Some girls see all of this as a really positive sign that they’re becoming a woman. Although, many girls wonder if they’re normal, especially if they’re the first or last in their class to see signs of puberty appearing. One of the most important pieces of advice we can give you is to just keep on reassuring your daughter that everyone is unique so she may experience the changes at different times or in a different order to her friends. For most girls, puberty starts around the ages of 11 and 12, but it can start as early as 8. The first signs tend to involve breast development and hair growing under the arms and between the legs. It’s then usually a couple of years later that the first period arrives. Again they could start as early as 8 though, or in some cases not until she’s 18. Many thanks to Lil-Lets for their insight, you can read more at https://www.lil-lets.co.za/Advice/Advice-for-parents

May 16, 2018

Technical Matric opens door to practical careers desperate for skilled workers

Despite thousands of South Africans struggling to find employment because they never finished school, few are aware of the option of completing a Technical Matric, which allows them to access a myriad of careers where employers are desperately seeking skilled staff. “If your lack of a Matric Certificate is holding you back, it is important to know that it is never too late to get your qualification, and also that there are more options open to you than a regular matric,” says Zabo Mhleli, senior Student Advisor at Oxbridge Academy, which serves more than 20 000 South African distance learning students every year. He says the Technical Matric qualification is a great option for those who never completed their Matric Certificate, but who are neither in a position nor inclined to return to school. “This qualification focuses on technical subjects as well as business languages, and also provides more hands-on experience than the National Senior Certificate curriculum. Once passed, the Technical Matric qualification allows students to continue with any N4 qualification because it is considered equivalent to a regular Matric,” he says. The Technical Matric is a Department of Higher Education qualification, and students are required to complete four technical and two business language subjects in order to graduate. An added bonus is the fact that it can be studied via distance learning, Mhleli notes. He says while the Technical Matric Certificate won’t grant a student access to university, it does provide access to a range of solid opportunities, including furthering one’s studies at N4-level and providing a qualification that one can rely on when applying for apprenticeships and entry-level technical positions. “This qualification is a particularly good option for those with good numerical skills who also enjoy working with their hands. It is equally appropriate for people who have a passion for designing, conducting experiments or doing other types of practical projects. “We also have many students who signed up because they already work in a technical field, but now need a Matric to qualify for promotion,” he says. Mhleli says the local job market is tough, and not having a Matric makes it substantially more difficult to find work and build a career. However there continues to be a huge demand for qualified vocational professionals, with employers desperate for workers with technical knowledge and experience. “We want to urge those who have given up hope to investigate their options particularly on the technical front, and to not resign themselves to never living up to their potential. A Technical Matric can be completed on a part-time basis from home, which also means saving on transport, accommodation and all the related costs associated with furthering one’s studies. There are thousands of technical positions waiting to be filled, and a Technical Matric is an excellent way to gain the qualification you’ll need to be able to supply in this demand.”

May 8, 2018

What role should parents play in academic achievement?

Hilda Erasmus – Specialist: Foundation Phase Nowadays, parents have a lot more control over their children’s lives and they want to be constantly informed about their children’s movements. Social media also allows parents to belong to groups so that they can be informed about every aspect of their children’s lives. With this, they also take responsibility for what their children should, in reality, be learning by themselves. Have you ever heard of the term “helicopter parenting”? Well, if you have not heard of it, you have definitely seen it. These parents are constantly carrying everything behind their children to ensure that the child has everything that their heart desires. The children become so dependent on the parent that they do not get the opportunity to grow into independent adults. So now the big question, how involved should you, as a parent, be in your child’s academic career? There are a few simple rules that parents can apply: The younger the child, the more time you, as a parent, should spend helping the learner with tasks and homework, guide the child to academic maturity so that they can tackle tasks by themselves later on. Make sure that your child has enough playing time, to master basic skills such as tying shoelaces, riding a bike and cutting things out. These important skills will help them to concentrate when they need to learn. Limit them to minimal screen time. It’s very easy to put a child in front of the television so that you can get things done. Children, however, need to learn to think for themselves, to keep themselves busy. This is the basis of problem solving. If you give your children all the answers, they will never learn to think for themselves. Learners must be restricted in their extra-curricular activities. Use the money you would have spent on these activities to buy books for your children. Foundation Phase learners’ schedules do not need to be more packed than their parents’ schedules and it is important that they should relax. Make sure that your child has a place to do their homework. The kitchen table is not necessarily the best place. Do not do your child’s homework but also do not leave your child to struggle on their own. A learner that lies down on their book dejected often does not know what to do, sometimes they are just too shy to ask again after it has been explained to them as they are worried that they will get a scolding. At the end of the day, it all comes down to maintaining a healthy balance. Children should think for themselves, with the vigilant eye of a parent making sure that their children learn from their mistakes without burning their fingers.

May 1, 2018

Why outdoor play is vitally important for children

Children are spending an increasing amount of time indoors due to all the technology that can be easily accessed at home. Indoor technology has replaced traditional outdoor playtime. Yet, outdoor play offers social, mental and physical benefits that many children are missing out on. Here are five reasons why parents should encourage outdoor play: 1. Combat Obesity Technology is turning more of our kids into couch potatoes, and the lack of exercise is the main reason why kids are becoming obese. Children should be active for at least an hour a day, which means they should be running, climbing and jumping outdoors. 2. Improve Mental Health Spending time outdoors has been found to increase lifespan, reduce symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety, decrease smoking rates and reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Spending time outdoors is also beneficial for immunity development, due to our bodies being able to create important vitamin D after sunlight exposure. 3. Connect with Nature Being outdoors helps kids value the importance of the natural environment. When they learn about climate change, extinction of species and other biological affects at school, they are more likely to care about their own impact on the planet if they have experienced nature for themselves. For example, if a child plays in the garden and curiously observes bees pollinating the flowers, and then they hear about the endangerment of bees at school, they will care that one day they may not see bees in their garden anymore. Being disconnected from nature fosters an indifference to environmental causes. 4. Life skill development Through experiential and physical education children are able to learn various important life skills such as problem-solving, social skills, negotiation, and creativity. Playing outdoors with a sibling or friend will teach them self-control and how to abide by rules. Building a fort teaches them about the physical properties of various materials – how to balance things on top of one another, what material is best to use as a roof that will keep out the sun and rain etc. 5. Cultivate Creativity Playing outdoors encourages creativity because having no access to technology will force them to be innovative and use of their imagination. Just like how it was generations ago, children will be able to integrate pieces of nature into their games by using their imagination. Think of when toys were too expensive and we made use of sticks as magic wands and stones were the substitutes to marbles. Similarly, experiencing beautiful scenery may inspire them to write, draw or paint what they observe outside. One way to break these indoor technology habits is to send your children to a holiday camp where outdoor play is made exciting again. One such camp is Sugar Bay Resort, a popular holiday camp for kids that has the perfect formula for outdoor play and freedom of choice. Children check-in their cellphones when they arrive and the kids have so much fun outdoors, that they never complain or ask for their phones back. When they return home, they often return with a renewed desire and the self-discipline to disconnect.

April 30, 2018

Help! My Child is in the wrong crowd

‘We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them in mutual weirdness and call it ‘friendship’’ This quote from Dr Seuss beautifully illustrates our inherent need to connect with others who make us feel valued and accepted. Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says ‘The need for human connection sees many young people getting involved in friendships which are not good for them. The ‘wrong crowd’ friendships are those relationships which do not uphold positive behavioural choices and who are consistently seeking ways in which to harm others or engage in self-destructive activities.’ Cindy goes on add ‘All negative behaviours stem from fears rooted in negative self-belief. We cannot control the behavioural choices of others but we can do something to assist our children in making better friendship choices.’ Consider these helpful hints: 1. BE the person you wish to see in your child. Teach your child about positive friendship choices by having positive friendships in your life. Let go of toxic relationships-it takes courage but you will give your child the courage to do the same. 2. Foster communication channels with your child which are based on trust and non-judgemental support and love. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your imperfect child could feel safe enough to speak of his imperfectness to his imperfect parent, knowing that, together, you will find positive solutions? 3. Help your child develop a strong sense of self-value. This will give him the courage to stand firm in his convictions and be able to say ‘no’ to negative peer pressure. He will not have anything that needs proving because he will know who he is! 4. Teach your child about consequences. All choices have consequences and nobody can escape this! 5. Teach your child to honour and respect himself just as you honour and respect yourself. In this way, your child will not have a need to become involved in destructive relationships. 6. Find ways for your child to enjoy activities beyond the school environment. Hiking, dancing, art, music and so many other activities will keep your child from becoming bored and tempted into negative groups and it has the added benefit of learning new skills and developing confidence! 7. Dream big! Remind your child of the possibilities that lie ahead for him/her! Having something to work towards is a wonderful way to stay out of trouble despite negative peer pressures! Cindy summarises by saying ‘You cannot force a change in friendships but you can help your child develop a better sense of self. Children who respect, honour and appreciates who they are, are less likely to seek connection with those who do not mirror their values.’

April 23, 2018

Five ways to crush first year

It’s time to pack your bags and head off to varsity – a whole different world to the one you’ve been used to at school. There’s loads more people to meet, places to go, and things to do… which could all be a little intimidating as you take your first step toward young adulthood and independence. Respublica, South Africa’s leading student accommodation provider, has welcomed thousands of first years to its halls over the last nine years, and offers the following tips to crushing your first year at varsity! Dare to dive right in Carpe the heck out of that diem and take part in as many activities and events as you can. While you may feel safe signing up for activities similar to those you aced in high school, now’s the time to try something different! Stretch your skills across the arts and culture, student traditions or even new sports that you’ve always wanted to try. There are also many different ways to serve your fellow students through fundraising or Students Representative Council activities. Friends are the family you get to choose They say the friends you meet at varsity will stick with you through life, and while it may be easy to stick with that one person you know from home who’s at varsity with you, take the chance to broaden your friendship circle and meet new friends from all walks of life! Strike up a conversation with the person you probably wouldn’t have spoken to at school, socialise with class mates, hang out with other students in your res who are studying completely different degrees. If you’re a gamer, chat to a rugby player, if you’re an arts major, chat to an accounting or law major– you’ll be surprised just how much you have in common! Varsity is the place where lifelong friendships are built, most often through chance encounters in unexpected places Work hard and play hard While you’ve been looking forward to the varsity social scene since you first filled in your application, don’t forget that your studies are the main reason you’re here – and you need to give them as much (if not more) attention. When you’re looking for accommodation, choose a res that gives you the perfect combination of entertainment areas and study spaces and academic support – with the best being those that offer a res-life programme to help you achieve that perfect balance between work and play. Avoid the budget blues If you’ve moved away from home for your studies, chances are that this is the first time you’ll be completely responsible for your own budget. Now’s the time to make sure you’re fully aware of all your costs, so that unexpected surprises like laundry costs or Wi-Fi in res don’t break the bank. Better yet, choose a residence that offers all-inclusive packages that cover all the essentials (including uncapped WiFi, on-site gym, laundry service and weekly housekeeping) in the monthly cost, and you’ll avoid having to choose between food and clean clothes at the end of the month. Healthy body = healthy mind The mythical first year fifteen is more of reality than many expect as many students find themselves stopping all physical activity once they get to varsity to attend classes, study and embrace newfound social lives. Remember to keep up with your exercise regime, even it’s an early-morning run around campus a few times a week. Alternately, choose a res that has an in-house gym with no extra membership fees, and you can make sure that you get a full-body workout, when it suits you. All Respublica residences include free uncapped WiFi, a computer lab and study rooms, a gym, a games room, a chill room, laundry facilities and a swimming pool, making sure that there is space to do anything you choose – whether it’s socialising, studying, or keeping fit and healthy.

April 20, 2018

Don’t let your year go to waste- there are still great options for study in 2018

With the academic year now in full swing, many prospective students who missed out on a space at their chosen institution, or those who considered furthering their studies but left it too late, mistakenly think that their chance will only come around again next year. But education experts say there are quite a few options still open to people who find themselves sitting at home while their peers are studying, and to those who want to earn while they learn. “There are actually so many fantastic opportunities still out there,” says Renee Hill, Managing Director of Capsicum Culinary Studio and The Private Hotel School, both brands of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. “Prospective candidates should know that some top institutions accept enrolments throughout the year, while others offer mid-year enrolments around June and July,” she says. Additionally, distance learning – which often has courses for which you can enrol at any time – is always an attractive option for those people who want to boost their career prospects, but who have to juggle a job, a family or both. Another group of people who may benefit from mid-year enrolments, are those students who realise soon into their first year of study that they made the wrong choice about course or institution. But Hill says prospective students who are considering signing up for a qualification in coming months should be as careful about their decision as they would be if they signed up at the start of the year. “Always check that the institution and the course you want to follow is respected in the industry, and that they are registered and accredited. Do not, out of desperation, be tempted to sign up with just anyone who printed some fliers and rented some office space in your town. You have to do your homework to ensure that the time and money you spend on gaining your qualification will be recognised and respected in the workplace,” she says. In addition, those who are considering the distance learning route should ensure that they are prepared for the increased demands that will be placed on them, and get in the right headspace before they start their studies, adds Sanet Nel of Oxbridge Academy, ADvTECH’s distance learning institution which serves more than 20 000 students annually. “Distance learning can make a tremendous difference to your career prospects and is great because it is quite flexible so you can study at your own pace. But it also comes with very unique challenges, and anyone considering it should make sure that they tackle this life-changing project with a strategy that will ensure their ultimate success,” she says. “You have to make sure that you have the right structures in place that will enable you to balance the demands of your studies with your personal and work life. So it is very important to get organised, with a daily schedule that takes into account all your responsibilities. You also need to become very disciplined, so that you don’t fall behind on assignments or studying for assessments.” Nel says distance learning students should also remember that they are not alone, even though they might feel like it sometimes. “Just like at contact institutions, good distance learning providers will have ample resources to assist you in making a success of your studies, and we encourage our students to get involved and make use of these opportunities for collaboration, discussion and support,” she says. Regardless of the reason why someone wants to embark on studies during the course of the year, it remains important for them to consider all their options and ensure a good fit between where they want to go and how the studies can help them get there, says Hill. Signing up with a contact institution will, for instance, provide benefits of gaining valuable experience while also making contacts in the industry which could open doors in future. Signing up with a distance institution on the other hand, will have the benefit of a person being able to remain in their current position while potentially gaining a valuable qualification to complement an existing one, or to provide the academic qualification to match their existing experience which increases earning prospects. “Most importantly, you have to decide what you want to do first. Then do your research of all your options and the institutions that offer them. Ultimately, those who would like to study should know that they don’t need to write off the entire year just because things didn’t work out right from the start. And also that there is no need to compromise on academic excellence, as there are many options of the highest standard out there, even at this late stage.”

April 18, 2018

Opinion piece: Is the failure to protect your child from the dangers of the Internet irresponsible parenting?

By Andrew Wilson, CEO at LucidView What does the job of a parent entail? In short, the aim is to raise well-balanced individuals that are independent free thinkers, capable of creating a life for themselves outside of the parental home. One of the most important tasks for us is undoubtedly to keep our children safe, protecting them from physical, mental and emotional harm and minimising their exposure to danger. However, there are some parents that think nothing of giving their children unrestricted Internet access because they haven’t yet realised the extent of the very real dangers that lurk on the web. Those parents that do perceive risk might have limited means of controlling Internet usage. Parents have a non-negotiable obligation to ensure that the Internet access they’re providing for their children – be it for entertainment, education, or communication purposes – is clean and safe. To do this, it’s important to discuss the dangers of the Internet with children and teach them how to protect themselves online and then to take matters into your own hands by blocking access to unsafe, undesirable content in your home. What dangers do children (and teenagers) face online? Kaspersky Lab and market research and consultancy Kids & Youth conducted an online survey of 3,780 families with children aged 8 – 16 (one parent and one child per family) in seven countries and the results were sobering. The Growing Up Online – Connected Kids survey showed 37% of children have come across unwanted content or incidents on the web while 47% of constantly-connected children have encountered online threats. Here’s the kicker: two-thirds of the children responded that they’re afraid of online threats just as much as real life ones, or even more so. The dangers of exposure to explicit content should not be underestimated. Age restrictions on films are there for a reason, and the same rules should apply for minors when using the Internet. Exposure to pornography, sites that promote violence or cruelty to people or animals is not what builds well-rounded, free-thinking individuals. Rather the opposite in fact and the harm from such exposure is accumulative and occurs over long periods of time, causing untold emotional and behavioural damage. Parents should, therefore, block all access to such content that they deem unsafe. Parental controls have traditionally been software-based, complicated to set up and expensive. Aside from enabling Safe Search features and monitoring browser history, there was no easy way for parents to enforce their rules regarding internet usage. Until now. Is there a solution? A particular passion project that stemmed from a realisation that there was a pressing need to give our children safe, clean Internet access, the LucidView Enforcer is a device that does exactly that. By default, it blocks the three major types of unsafe content: pornography, gambling, and piracy (such as the illegal sharing and downloading of copyrighted songs and movies) and can easily be configured to block other sites or content types that parents themselves deem to be unsafe. In addition, products on the market today should also have reporting functionality, keeping a log of every connection that passes through the device. This is necessary to deliver monthly reporting that gives parents insight into what sites kids on the home network are frequenting, and also how much time they are spending on certain online activities. Organisations should be making it easier for parents to enforce their rules regarding screen time and Internet access to give their children the time they need to do things like play outside, read a book and spend time with their families – all the childhood activities that are so vital for healthy mental and emotional development. Failure to manage Internet usage is irresponsible parenting When faced with the fact that unrestricted Internet access means that parents are opening their children up to (possibly accidental) exposure to explicit or age-inappropriate content, cyber-bullying, gambling, or websites that encourage harmful or illegal practices, like eating disorders, crime and even terrorism, the reality is that the Internet is a much scarier place for children than we as parents might think. Yes, we want our children to have access to all the knowledge in the world, but we need to make sure that they’re not distracted by harmful content in their quest to learn and entertain themselves. This means taking complete control over Internet usage in our homes (and even questioning what protective measures are in place at school). Anything less is simply irresponsible parenting, especially considering how easy and inexpensive it has become to do so.

April 13, 2018

How The Way You Feel About Yourself is Interpreted to How Your Child Feels About Themselves 

(attend one of our free EQ talks – click here for details) Emotions are energy and movements within our bodies based on how we interpret life and events. When we fall in love, our bodies feel wonderful, warm, tingly, cosy and excited as endorphins are released by the brain into our bodies. However, when we feel scared or threatened, our bodies feel constricted and tight which comes from the adrenalin and cortisol released to activate the fight or flight response. We experience hundreds of different feelings but interestingly enough all of these feelings are produced from two core feelings; love and fear which all starts with whether we feel accepted or not. Acceptance is a Primal Need Acceptance is our most primal human need. Every one of us strives for acceptance; who we are, what we stand for, what we believe and what we look like. ALL of this combined is what creates the way we feel about ourselves and how we respond and express ourselves. When we accept and love ourselves, we feel emotionally safe and are able to express ourselves from a place of love. But when we believe that we are unacceptable, we become defensive and express ourselves from a place of fear, which can come across as anger, frustration, irritation, impatience, judgement or by being dismissive. Rose-Tinted Glasses I’m sure you have heard the saying ‘seeing life through rose tinted glasses’. Well here’s the thing, we all have our own pair of tinted glasses that we view life through. When someone close to you – a partner, child or friend expresses their feelings of discontent to you, we immediately tend to assume it’s about us. We ‘view’ their words through our ‘glasses of non-acceptance’ and fear kicks in. We interpret whatever they are saying as criticism or believe that we did something wrong and feel responsible for their feelings and in the process become defensive. Putting our Parents On Pedestals So where does all this non-acceptance or acceptance of ourselves start? It starts in childhood and with our parents. If our parents like themselves and they feel good about themselves, those feelings are transmitted to us verbally and non-verbally. But if our parents are not okay with who they are, then this too gets transmitted to us verbally and non-verbally. Children tend to make everything about themselves, they put their parents on pedestals, and whenever something doesn’t feel right, they think that it’s because of them. My mom loved to turn simple events into adventures. She always tried to look on the bright side. I recall one evening sitting at the kitchen table watching her make pancakes. I adored my mother, we were extremely close and as I watched her, I picked up her distress. I realised that her act of excitedly making pancakes was to mask the fact that all we had in the form of groceries was milk, water, eggs and sugar; the very same ingredients needed to make pancakes. I felt my mother’s distress of not knowing where the next meal was going to come from and in my ‘adoration for my mother,’ I came to the conclusion that if I wasn’t there, then her burden would be less. From that moment on, I grew up not wanting to be a burden to anyone and took on a stance of ‘I can do without’ and therefore I did go without so much for so many years until I uncovered this crazy belief and got rid of it. As you can see from that example, I made my mother’s feelings all about me, it changed me as a person, it changed the way I felt about myself and it changed the way I expressed myself. Not for one instance did my mother tell me I was a burden, I concluded that all on my own. You see, the only way you can change the tint on your glasses is by changing your internal view, which basically means to change the way you view yourself. How Acceptance helps your child Acceptance is a choice, to accept yourself, means being totally open and honest about who you are, and then giving yourself permission to be that person. The minute you do this, you change the tint of your glasses and not only are you able to see all the good stuff about you and your life, but you are able to do the same with others. Your defensiveness of yourself and your judgement of others disappears. Once you accept yourself, you are able to accept others for who they are too. And, more importantly you will role-model this to your children, they too will feel acceptable just as they are. I am not saying that this includes accepting bad behaviour. what I am saying is that your children need to know that who they are is acceptable, that they are enough and worthy of your love and respect, that it’s not dependant on their good behaviour. Click here to attend one of our free EQ talks in April and May

April 10, 2018

10 Reasons why colouring pages are healthy for your child’s development

Coloring pages is an awesome and fun activity for children, as well as for adults. Coloring in may seem like it is all fun and games but the truth is that coloring pages provides many benefits for healthy development for kids. This makes coloring pages an important part of your child’s development and education. If you are looking for some reasons to encourage your child to spend some time coloring pages look no further. **Disclosure – this post is sponsored by Top Coloring Pages. However the opinions expressed in this post are all my own.** Here are 10 reasons why coloring pages are vital for your child’s healthy development: Improves Hand Eye Coordination Hand eye coordination refers to your child’s ability to guide his or her hand guided by vision. It is so important for a child to develop good hand eye coordination skills and what better way to go about it than coloring pages? Your child will need to learn how to hold the pencil, how to sharpen the pencil and how to color in the lines. Improves Concentration Now I don’t know what your children are like but mine are like Gummi Bears… on speed. My daughter is all over the place – except when she is absorbed with coloring pages and drawing. She can sit for hours at a time with her pencils. Coloring pages teaches children to focus and concentrate on the task at hand which is going to be a very important skill needed for their years at school! Improves Handwriting Skills Long before your child starts writing or even drawing your child will start coloring in. The skills they need for coloring in are going to be the start of your child writing. Your child will need hand strength to start writing and to be able to hold the pencil correctly, as well as the hand eye coordination mentioned above. Improves Fine Motor Skills Fine motor skills are the small movements that your child makes such as picking small things up between his fingers and holding a spoon. Coloring pages will help your child to develop good fine motor skills which will help your child in other areas of his or life such as mastering a knife and fork or tying shoe laces. Improves Confidence and Self Esteem Coloring pages is an excellent activity to boost your child’s confidence and self esteem. Your child will quickly improve at coloring in and every project that is completed will give your child a sense of accomplishment. Boosts Creativity Your child will use his or her imagination when choosing colors and how to go about making their coloring pages vibrant. Your child will have to think about different color combinations and play around with what they enjoy. Coloring pages gives your child an amazing way to express himself. You will find your child’s personality shining through in his coloring pages making them uniquely his. Stress Relief and Relaxation Coloring pages are incredible for stress relief for children as well as for adults. Coloring in is very meditative and calming on the mind while at the same time keeping the mind busy in a creative way. Coloring pages are just plain fun, they bring enjoyment and increase happiness. Many people, including children, can develop negative habits and coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. Coloring pages are a great, healthy alternative to help with relieving stress and worries. Increased Knowledge Coloring pages are a fun and easy way for your child to learn new things. Your child can learn about colors, different shapes, animals, patterns and much more. You can find educational coloring pages to help your child learn about numbers, writing and many more things. You can get bible story coloring pages to help your child in bible studies and any other topic of interest that your child is learning about at the time. Boundaries and Structure Learning about boundaries is part of child development and coloring pages teaches youngsters structure with having to follow he rules of coloring in. A child must learn to color in the lines and to keep coloring in the same direction to create a neat and beautiful piece of art. School Preparation Coloring pages involves pencils and paper, just like school does. Children will be doing written work, essays and tests. Coloring pages lays down a good foundation for your child being familiar with and comfortable putting a pen to paper. The boundaries and structure that coloring provides will also help them to adjust easier to the structured work that can be expected in school. So as you can see there are loads of great reasons to get your kids coloring pages. You can even get yourself an adult coloring book and join in the fun with your kids. It will be a great for your own stress relief as well as provide a fun activity for you to bond with your children and spent some quality time with them. Let your kids have fun when they star coloring in, help them to choose coloring pages that inspire them like their favorite characters, famous people or animals they love. You can buy coloring books, or you can easily print coloring pages from the internet. Check out Top Coloring Pages for a wide variety of free coloring pages!

April 9, 2018

Vitamin B12 deficiency: A silent epidemic with serious consequences

Vitamin B12 deficiency isn’t a bizarre, mysterious disease. It’s written about in every medical textbook and its causes and effects are well-established in the scientific literature. However, B12 deficiency is far more common than most health care practitioners and the general public realise. Research suggests that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 years have vitamin B12 levels in the low normal range – a range at which many individuals experience neurological symptoms. Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency are easily mistaken for signs of other ailments. If you’re feeling more anxious, tired, or worn out than usual, a B12 deficiency may be to blame. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful, so keep reading for some insight. WHAT DOES VITAMIN B12 DO? Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and is also the only B vitamin that is almost exclusively found in animal foods. The human body needs vitamin B12 (together with folate) to make red blood cells, DNA and help promote healthy function of nerves. In addition, B12 is one of the vitamins responsible for a well-functioning metabolism and robust energy levels. Like most vitamins, B12 can’t be made by the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food or supplements. And therein lies the problem: Some people don’t consume enough vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others can’t absorb enough, no matter how much they take in. The absorption of B12 is also complex and involves several steps – each of which can go wrong. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common. WHO IS AT RISK FOR B12 DEFICIENCY? There are many causes for vitamin B12 deficiency. In general, the following groups are at greatest risk for a deficiency: Vegetarians and vegans Because B12 is not generally found in plant-based foods, vegetarians are at risk for B12 deficiencies. This explains why studies consistently demonstrate that up to 50% of long-term vegetarians and 80% of vegans are deficient in B12. People aged 60 or over The condition is more likely to occur in older people due to the cutback in stomach acid production that often occurs with ageing, making it harder to absorb this vitamin. It has been estimated to affect about 40% of people over 60 years of age. It’s entirely possible that at least some of the symptoms we attribute to “normal” ageing – such as memory loss, cognitive decline, decreased mobility, etc. – are at least in part caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. People who regularly use PPIs or acid suppressing drugs If you take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) e.g. omeprazole (antacid or heartburn drugs) you may be at risk for B12 deficiency. These drugs reduce acid production in the stomach and acid is needed to absorb vitamin B12. Medical conditions Conditions that interfere with food absorption, such Coeliac or Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bacterial overgrowth (intestinal dysbiosis), atrophic gastritis (thinning of stomach lining) or gut inflammation, pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition where the body destroys intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of B12) can cause B12 trouble. Certain medications Use of some commonly prescribed drugs such as metformin (insulin resistance and diabetes), or anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin may cause a B12 deficiency. Heavy drinkers or alcoholism Drinking alcohol, even in moderation (more than one alcoholic drink a day), can have profound effects on the way your body absorbs vitamin B-12. Genetic variations Common genetic variations may interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, and subsequently levels of the vitamin in the blood. Weight loss surgery People who have stomach stapling or other forms of weight-loss surgery are also more likely to be low in vitamin B12 because the operation interferes with the body’s ability to extract vitamin B12 from food. SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly. A vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in four stages. Stage 1 – beginning with declining blood levels of the vitamin Stage 2 – progressing to low B12 levels within the body’s cells Stage 3 – increased blood level of homocysteine and reduced ability to repair and produce DNA Stage 4 – finally, macrocytic anaemia Anemia A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anaemia (low red blood cell production). Red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body. When the body does not produce enough red blood cells, the amount of available oxygen in the body, decreases as well. B12-related anaemia can cause many other issues, including: Extreme Fatigue: It’s normal to get tired during the day if you didn’t sleep well the night before, just ate a large meal, or completed strenuous exercise. But it isn’t normal to experience an overwhelming fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. Muscle Weakness: You might experience soreness after a hard workout for a day or two, but if your muscles feel like you just ran a marathon after a simple activity like brushing your hair, you may be anaemic. Heart Palpitations: Feel a flutter in your chest? You could be experiencing heart palpitations due to decreased oxygen circulation. Breathlessness: Breathlessness is normal after activity, but if you find yourself short of breath during rest, it’s an indicator that something’s not right. Just like heart palpitations, anaemia can cause breathlessness due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Pale Skin: Red blood cells are responsible for the rosy colour in our cheeks. When red blood cell production decreases—as it does in anaemic individuals—the skin becomes pale and colourless. Pins-and-Needles Sensation You know the pins-and-needles sensation you often get when your foot falls asleep? This sensation is called peripheral neuropathy and can be linked to nerve damage caused by a B12 deficiency. According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, a B12 deficiency damages the sheath that surrounds and protects nerves, resulting in an unpleasant and sometimes painful tingling sensation. Other diseases such as diabetes can

April 5, 2018

5 Fun kids activities to help improve speech & learn different languages

All children develop speech and language skills at different ages and different speeds – that’s completely normal, and as parents it’s our job to support them in any way we can. There are lots of small things you can do to help kids pick up new words, whether in their first language or another. The key thing is to make each step as fun and engaging as possible. Here are our top five ways to making learning about language more fun: Find a way to start the conversation When it comes to developing conversational skills, kids need something interesting to talk about more than anything else. Even the quietest little ones will get chatting once you hit on a topic they that grabs their attention! It’s just about finding out what they love and talking about it with them. Do they like the beach? Try asking them to describe different types of shells! Are they into tractors? Go to your local farm and name each one by colour. Mystery boxes This is a fun – if sometimes messy – game for kids that’s great for helping to improve speech and language skills. Assemble a range of different household items and put each one in a box with a hole cut into the lid. Ask your kids to close their eyes and put their hand in a box. They will then have to use their language skills to describe the item in as much detail as possible – this is especially good for practicing the use of adjectives. To make it extra fun, let your children decorate the boxes with glitter and paint before you start. And don’t worry too much if it gets messy – you can easily find out how to remove paint stains from clothes here. Spend time with foreign language speakers If you want to instil a love of different languages in kids, what you need is for them to spend time in the company of those who speak something other than English. Make this fun by finding a relative, baby-sitter or friend who enjoys playing with children, but will do so while talking in their mother tongue. Label household items A good way to get your child used to language is to help them associate visual and audible cues. If they are struggling to name particular objects, label those items and ask your child to read the word on the label out loud every time they use it – this will help them develop their reading skills, too! It’s also a useful technique for helping them learn new languages: tag household items with their word in the new language and repeat it each time the item is used. Ask open questions Sometimes the simplest things work the best. If a child isn’t much into talking, get them to be more chatty by asking open questions. These are questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. So rather, for example, than asking ‘Did you have fun at school?’ you could say ‘Tell me about something you did at school today.’ There are many things you can do to encourage your child to speak and enjoy language – both their own and new ones. Try out these different ideas and see which one works for your family. What fun things have you tried to help your children with their speech development?

April 4, 2018

10 Tips for home education success

By Danielle Barfoot, written for Impaq (Formally known as Impak Onderwysdiens) The scheduled academic year for mainstreamers may already be in full swing, but the great thing about teaching your child yourself is that you can start – or switch to – home education at any time. Whether this is the first time you are home educating your child, or whether you’ve been doing it for years, here are some practical tips to ensure a successful and less stressful academic year. Start with a lesson plan: If the prospect of planning an entire year’s worth of lessons seem overwhelming, turn to the materials supplied by your curriculum provider. It should include an easy to follow lesson plan and proposed weekly time allocations for each subject. Create the right environment: Home education can take place virtually anywhere, and each set-up looks different – you don’t need to invest lots of money or dedicate an entire room to the endeavour. However, do make sure that there is an inspiring space that is free of distractions and conducive to learning. Keep track: You must keep a solid record of everything your child is learning, including assessments. Check with the DBE for their exact record-keeping requirements. Set realistic expectations: You probably have an idea of how things should go, but it’s easy to expect too much. As with life, not everything always goes to plan, so be sure set realistic expectations for yourself and your child. Be consistent…: The gravity of your responsibility for the educational success of your child should encourage you to set a plan and keep to it. On some days it may be difficult to say no to outside distractions, but staying focused will pay off in the long run. …but flexible: That said, not all families thrive on having a detailed list of what to do and when to do it. The beauty of home education is that, when life happens – your child gets sick, exciting opportunities arise and unexpected adventures call – you can plan your child’s education around it. Take a break: Another benefit of home education is that you don’t need to wait for scheduled public or school holidays. If you start to notice that your child’s enthusiasm is lacking and you’re losing your temper in the process, it may be time to take a break. A trip to the park, a nature walk, or a family vacation are great ways to relax and destress. They could, of course, also serve as exciting learning opportunities. Make learning fun: Learning doesn’t just happen from books, so be sure to include hands-on experiences in your home education plan. Excursions and experiments are a great way to bring concepts to life and give your child a new understanding and appreciation of a particular topic or subject. The world is your classroom: Almost everything we do involves some skills – thinking, reading, problem-solving, etc. Once you view every situation as educational, whether you are baking something, setting the table, or going grocery shopping, you will be amazed at what your child can learn. Remember the end goal: When things don’t go according to plan – you will experience frustration or exasperation – keep perspective. Success goes beyond the details of what is taught when educating your child; it is the relationship you have with your child at the end of the journey. Make no mistake, home education can be hard. There is no one size fits all programme and it will take trial and error to get the right balance. So, as you follow this journey, don’t let anyone tell you how to educate your child. And if things don’t feel right, then make changes. Don’t worry if your solution is different to somebody else’s – no-one knows your child better than you, so trust in yourself and keep these tips in mind. Things will work out!

March 29, 2018

Teaching table manners

Teaching table manners is something vital in my home. I’m not a mom that has loads of rules and I am quite flexible with a lot of things, but one thing that was enforced by my mother in my childhood was sitting down at the table as a family for every meal. We used to beg her all the time to sit in front of the tv with our plates on our lap. The odd times she did allow this is was a great treat! Looking back I realise that at the time I thought it was a stupid rule: to always sit as a family at the table for supper. There were times when we all sat at the table stony faced and angry because of a family tiff (either between siblings or with my mom), nobody speaking and death looks being passed around. Strange how things turned around when I first became a mom! I now look back at this simple rule and remember the wonderful family meals we had, especially when we got older and everyone was off on their own daily missions but at the end of the day we all came together for that one meal, to connect. I thank my mom for having the wisdom to do something so simple for us as a family. When my daughter was born I told my husband that it is very important to me that we get a table and sit for dinner together which he thought was strange. He was not very impressed either when I told him that part of this family dinner rule is that the tv is turned off as we have an open plan house! Not only does it bring the family together, it is also a very good opportunity to teach my children basic manners. It is also the start of teaching my children the importance of helping around the house and doing their bit. Here are the basic rules we follow: Wash hands before coming to the table. My 3 year old is responsible for setting the table. No toys at the table. No phones, iPads, laptops, books at the table. No throwing or grabbing of food. No banging utensils. No spitting food out. Stay seated at the table for the entire meal. No yelling or loud noises at the table. Asking to be excused from the table. Using the words “please” and “thank you”. Saying thank you for the meal. My 3 year old and I clear the table at the end of every meal. If you are religious it is a great opportunity to say grace together with your family before your meal. What do you do for family meal times?

March 29, 2018

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