The school year is in full swing and children are as busy as ever with all their activities and homework. By following a few lifestyle tips you can keep your child healthy and cut down on their sick days says Bonitas Medical Fund.
If, ‘The journey of a lifetime starts with the turning of a page,’ thenNal’ibali – South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment campaign – has been the catalyst for millions of lifetime journeys. Nal’ibali, (isiXhosa for ‘Here’s the story’), was founded in 2012 to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading. Each year since, it has been leading literacy change in SA by galvanising adults into reading with their children through its annual World Read Aloud Day celebration. What is World Read Aloud Day World Read Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is a sustained initiative to promote a culture of reading aloud with children amongst families, parents, caregivers, educators and society. 13 401 children were reached with Nal’ibali’s first call to action in 2013. In 2021, the campaign, together with its partners, read aloud to over 3 million children. The growth of this initiative suggests that South Africans have embraced the call to read aloud on the day. Reading is the foundation of education, and Nal’ibali works hard to promote reading and literacy throughout the year. Signing up 1 million families As opposed to previous years when Nal’ibali’s focus has been on increasing the number of children being read to on WRAD, in 2022 the target remains 3 million children. However, the NGO aims to sign up 1 million families, with the help of partners such as Standard Bank, Liberty Community Trust, VW and City of Cape Town Library and Information Services to commit to reading regularly to their children over the next three years, starting on WRAD. The importance of families ‘Where schools play a key role in teaching children the mechanics of reading, families play an equally key role in helping children to fall in love with stories and books,’ says Katie Huston, acting Director of Nal’ibali. ‘Children who regularly hear fun and engaging stories understand how books work and are more motivated and better equipped to learn to read themselves and to keep reading.’ Research also shows that families who participate in WRAD keep up a sustained habit of reading and sharing stories. Family literacy is essential for many reasons; one of the biggest is that when family members can read and write, it helps break the cycle of poverty. Here’s the story ‘For children to enjoy a story, they must be able to understand it! Because of this we commission a brand-new story in all 11 official South African languages each year,’ explains Huston. The story is also made available in South African Sign Language and Braille through partners, SLED (Sign Language Education and Development) and Blind SA. ‘We then encourage adults everywhere to pledge to read it aloud to children on the day,’ Huston concludes. This year’s story, ‘A Party at the Park‘, was written by Mabel Mnensa, author of the children’s book ‘Kantinga Finds the Perfect Name.’ This year’s story, ‘A Party at the Park‘, was written by Mabel Mnensa, author of the children’s book ‘Kantinga Finds the Perfect Name.’ Reaching into Africa ‘A Party at the Park’ has also been translated into an additional six languages (Swahili, Shona, French, Chichewa, Portuguese and Lingala) to cater for the approximately two million children who are foreign nationals living in South Africa. In addition, neighbouring African countries have been invited to join Nal’ibali’s WRAD celebration. This is a landmark step for the campaign as it starts to build a pan-African resolve to get children and families reading, and share its reading resources beyond South Africa’s borders. Get the story and pledge to read aloud Members of the public can join Nal’ibali’s 2022 WRAD celebration by making their pledge to read the official story with their children on Wednesday, 2 February via the campaign’s website, www.nalibali.org, or by WhatsApping ‘WRAD’ to 060 044 2254. The official story is available for free download from these platforms and pledgers can choose to keep reading with Nal’ibali throughout the year by opting into its family-reading programme. Pledgers are also encouraged to share pictures of their read-aloud sessions online, tagging Nal’ibali (@NalibaliSA) or using the hashtag #NalibaliWRAD2022.
When selecting that very first toothbrush for newly sprouting teeth, certain factors need to come into play: Soft bristles for delicate gums Small head for little mouths Handle with grip for a non-slip brush Chicco’s manual and electric toothbrushes offer the best solution for early dental development. Whether little ones are still learning the movements of brushing themselves or working alongside an electric brush for that deep clean, their toothbrush will be their daily dental ally and form good habits for their lives moving forward. Available in pastel pink and baby blue, the manual toothbrush is available at a variety of retailers including The Kid Zone, www.shopchicco.co.za, babanino, Baby City, Takealot, Loot and many others. The Chicco Electric Toothbrush is available in dark pink and dark blue with comic characters such as mermaids and pirates on them and available at the same retailers. Pair with great tasting, age-appropriate toothpastes and get them loving their dental routine for life.
Chicco’s new eco-bamboo toothbrush is perfect for toddlers that need a gentle brushing solution. Great for environmentally-aware parents that don’t want to support plastics, these biodegradable toothbrushes keep toddlers teeth clean with a gentle, non-abrasive bristle on a small head, to reach all parts of smaller mouths. Comes in a variety of fun colours and perfectly paired with a wide variety of Chicco toothbrushes including non-fluoride strawberry or apple & banana, fluoride strawberry or apple & banana, fruit mix or mild mint. Grab one now from Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Baby Shopper, www.shopchicco.co.za and others.
Encouraging and maintaining good dental habits is as important for milk teeth as permanent teeth. Cultivating good habits begins as early as before that first tooth has sprung. Keep them excited about dental care with the right products that taste good, ensure efficacy and are fun to use. Chicco’s range of toothpastes start from before baby even has teeth and grow alongside with your little one until they are confident to start flossing on their own. Check out the range: Chicco Multifunctional 2in1 Gum Gel (4m+) Dental hygiene habits should start from the very beginning, even before the first tooth comes in. It is important to prevent the build-up of bacteria and to learn simple gestures that will help to establish good oral health habits in the baby right away. All Chicco products are developed in collaboration with experts, to satisfy the specific needs of each teething stage, right from the first days. Great for rubbing on gums to get used to oral activity. Apple & Banana Toothpaste (6m+ No Fluoride or 12 m+ for fluoride): Strawberry or Apple & Banana flavoured toothpaste that contains Xylitol, known for helping prevent tooth decay. Low abrasion formula does not damage milk teeth. Fluoride free. Delicious taste encourages brushing. Ideal for children from 6 months. Strawberry or Apple & Banana flavoured toothpaste that contains Xylitol, known for helping prevent tooth decay. Low abrasion formula does not damage milk teeth. Contains fluoride. Delicious taste encourages brushing. Ideal for children from 12 months. Fruit Mix Flavour Toothpaste (1-5yrs) Chicco Fruit Mix toothpaste is a great-tasting dental solution for toddlers between the ages of 1 and 5. The yummy fruity taste will keep them brushing for longer with this low abrasion formula that uses xylitol and fluoride as the main bacterial control. Get them used to dental hygiene young with good habits they will keep for life with a gentle and great-tasting introduction to dental care. Mild Mint Flavour Toothpaste (6yrs+) Chicco Mild Mint toothpaste is a fresh dental solution for little kids who have their first big teeth coming through. The mild mint taste will keep them brushing for longer as it gets them used to ‘adult’ toothpaste flavours. Contains a low abrasion formula that uses xylitol and fluoride as the main bacterial control. Get them used to dental hygiene from young with good habits they will keep for life with a gentle and great-tasting introduction to dental care. Available at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Baby City, Babanino, www.Shopchicco.co.za
Encouraging and maintaining good dental habits is as important for milk teeth as permanent teeth. Cultivating good habits begins as early as before that first tooth has sprung. Keep them excited about dental care with the right products that taste good, ensure efficacy and are fun to use. And check out Chicco’s tips to keep their teeth healthier for longer: Start young – a dental check-up from as young as one years old will not only make the dentist feel like a family friend to your child as they grow up, but also stop dental problems in their tracks. Before your baby even has teeth you can gently brush their gums with a very soft baby toothbrush or even a washcloth, to get them used to the feeling of having their mouth cleaned. When those first teeth appear, even just the lower two, start brushing with a baby toothbrush and infant toothpaste. Brush before bedtime – after that, do not give the child any food or drink, except water or unsweetened Rooibos tea until the next morning. Avoid juice, formula, milk or teas before bedtime – the sugary contents of their bottle will be feeding bacteria during the night, causing tooth decay. Cut back on juice in daytime bottles. As a daylong drink for babies, too much juice can lead to tooth decay. Give non-sugary drinks at meals and juice only as a treat. Be aware of the damage a sippy cup is doing to their new front teeth. Many children cling to them, much like a pacifier. Ensure their sippy cup has a silicone spout to avoid dental chips. Watch out for overly sweet medicines. Many children’s medications are flavoured and sweetened. If they are taking medicine before bedtime they may need a mouth rinse to avoid tooth decay formation during the night. This applies specifically to children on chronic medications for asthmas or on antibiotics. Ditch the dummy by 2.5 years of age. Most good pacifiers are orthodontically endorsed such as the Chicco Physio Soft and the Chicco Physio Air, but if they are not they could affect how the child’s teeth alignment. Too much soothing can even affect the muscles of the mouth. This applies to thumb-sucking too. Lead by example. Stand firm on dental rules and allow your children to see your good habits, and they will follow in your footsteps. Be patient. Kids can start brushing their teeth with a little help from grown-ups around two or three years old. However, they may not be completely ready to go it alone until as old as six. Flossing skills may take as long as ten years old. Don’t wait until too late in the day. If your child is tired you may not get much enthusiasm and cooperation with brushing and flossing. Start before it’s too close to bedtime. Let your child choose their own toothpaste. A good quality, sugar-free flavoured toothpaste like Chicco’s Strawberry or Banana and Apple are two delicious flavours that keep children enthusiastic about dental care. Motivation and group efforts encourage children. If they can brush with the whole family or parents they will find it way more fun.
As with all Chicco toys, education and brain development underlying every moment of fun is a priority. The Smart2Play toy range takes it one step further with proactive puzzle games to make even the youngest baby squeal in delight at their achievements. Smart2Play toys transform amusing creative experiences into fundamental cognitive achievements and make for great bonding time with parents and children as you work together to assist and encourage as they achieve. Smart2Play toys are prefect for babies from 6 months and older, depending on difficulty level. Highlights of Smart2Play Smart2Play 2-in1 Stacking Cups The smartest version of a classic stacking toy, that helps develop cognitive skills, logical association, and hand-eye coordination. Game 1. Stack & Learn: 5 cups in decreasing sizes to stack. Game 2. Sort: 5 different coloured shapes to insert in the right hole at the top of each cup. The cups can be placed inside each other, they are decorated with numbers from 1 to 5, and with the correspondent shape, to stimulate logical association and hand-eye coordination. Smart2Play Ring Tower A smart ring tower puzzle that involves two games: Game 1. Stack & Learn: 4 rings in decreasing sizes to stack Game 2. Sort: 4 different coloured shapes to insert in the right hole The rocking base makes the game even more fun. The different raised patterns on each ring stimulate soft motor skills, another important factor for baby’s future handwriting. Smart2Play Sort & Beat Cube Creating amazing hand eye coordination through hammering activities. Game 1: Sort: first shape sorting activity on 2 sides of the cube, with 4 different coloured geometrical shapes Game 2: Beat: The fun activity of hammering the 2 coloured balls on the other 2 sides of the cube Two doors make it easy to release shapes and balls. Smart2Play toys are available at a variety of retailers including BabiesRUs, Takelot, Loot, Babanino, Baby Boom, The Kid Zone, www.shopchicco.co.za and others.
It’s the long school holiday season again, a time when we enjoy long days with family and friends and listen to squeals of delight as our children run around and enjoy the warm weather. It is also a time which brings a harvest of injuries to our children. “Bored children are more likely to investigate new ‘risky’ objects and areas. Children like to explore ‘new territory’, therefore this holiday season we encourage all parents and caregivers to actively supervise their children and be extra be vigilant”, Thilda Nel, Executive Director, ChildSafe. To help ensure your children have fun and stay safe this holiday, here are a few tips from ChildSafe to remember. Be a mindful driver Always keep within the speed limit Keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially now with children home and playing outside Check that there are no children playing around your car before you drive off Remember that children are safer in the back seat Check Your Child’s Car Seat Before Holiday Travel Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat. Also ensure that all passengers are buckled up, even for short trips. Use Booster Seats Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have graduated from booster seats, they should remain in the back seat (firmly buckled up) until they reach the age of 12. At the Beach and Swimming Pools Never leave children unsupervised near or around water. Actively keep an eye on your child near water, even if they can swim or wear safety gear Stay close to your child near water, in case they will need help Restrict children’s access to pools; use a fence with a locking gate On the beach always have children swim where there is a lifeguard Even good swimmers can be swept out to sea by currents. Check warning signs near water before entering the water Consumption of alcohol Parents and caregivers to be responsible when consuming alcohol because numerous injuries to children occur when caregivers are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol consumption impairs self-control and adequate supervision of children cannot take place. Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. Most traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, therefore, please use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a party. Preventing burns Kids love to reach, so to prevent burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge. Do not hold small children while drinking hot beverages. Always start with cold water first when running a bath and remember to test the temperature with your elbow and never leave a child unattended to in the bathroom. Put our braai fires with cold water and not sand. Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach Keep holiday candles at least 30cm away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys. Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes berries, plants and mushrooms. In a poison emergency, call the Poisons Information Helpline – 0861 555 777. Find the Perfect Toy for the Right Age Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right. Before you’ve settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards. Keep Button Batteries Away from Young Kids Keep a special eye on small pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings. Don’t Forget a Helmet for New Bikes or Other Toys If your child’s heart is set on a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they’re having fun. Decorate Your Tree With Your children in Mind Children are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young children. Check the Lights Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Keep yourself and your children entertained, keep them safe, and have a happy, enjoyable summer holiday! In case of an emergency call 10177 or 112.
Chicco is a firm believer that babies should move. Keep them moving and growing with a range of toys that is especially designed to work on strengthening muscles from the moment they start moving. Whether with tummy time back exercises, first time walking or energetic play, small movements for growing babies go a long way to provide good skeleton-muscular development. Move & Grow highlights: Move & Grow Tummy Time Pillow Made in association with Boppy, the world’s premier nursing pillow range, these smaller tummy time pillows provide baby with a stable base to start working on their tummy time exercises. With bright colours and add-on toys to make them stretch and keep them entertained, they are available in neutral colour combinations and pink. Move & Grow Activity Walker Walkers are great fun. Helping them take steps with confidence as well as make parents feel much more relaxed about those first wobbly steps, the Move & Grow Activity Walker is a simple way to give them support whilst keeping them entertained. A melody plays as the child walks, stopping when the child stops, which makes for sub-conscious encouragement to keep taking forward steps. The play park on the front of the mobile has several tactile pieces to play with such as spinning balls, lights and shapes. Available in neutral and pink. Move & Grow XXL Activity Playmat Every child needs a good activity mat in their early years. Somewhere to get down on the ground and unpack the toybox without hurting little knees and ankles, the XXL Activity Playmat will soon become your babies very own space of fun and laughter. Padded and comfy and perfect for naps and has 5 durable rings to hang different toys. The cute animals in the mat will stimulate your child’s curiosity and encourage interaction. Easy to close and store away with the two packaging strings. Machine washable. Available in neutral and pink. Move&Grow toys are available at a variety of retailers including select Babies R Us, Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, www.shopchicco.co.za and others.
News headlines across the country were dominated recently by the kidnapping of four young boys from Polokwane. They were thankfully returned with their family a few days ago, but available crime statistics seem to indicate there is a growing trend of kidnappings across our country and many of these never make the front pages. The figure for reported kidnappings in 2010/2011 was 2,839 and the upward trajectory of this particular crime by 133% by 2019/2020 places South Africa at risk of being placed on a “consolidated watch list” of countries viewed as kidnapping hotspots. According to Missing Children South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours in our country. “Parents need to empower their children, teenagers, and varsity-going young adults with all the information necessary to prevent kidnappings,” says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Communications and Marketing at Fidelity ADT. She says there are several tips for parents and family members to consider, and it starts with these safety tips to teach your kids: Children must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. Stick to streets they know and never take shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots and never walk with cell phones and iPads in full view. If they get picked up at school, they should never leave the premises but always wait inside the school grounds for their lift to arrive. Younger children particularly must never get into a stranger’s car– even if the stranger claims that someone they love is hurt and that they have been sent to pick them up. Remind them that you would never send someone they don’t know to fetch them. Consider using a password system. If the person coming to collect you from school cannot repeat the password that you and your child agreed on, they should not get into the car but immediately ask for help. If a stranger approaches your child, they should not talk to them no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab them, they need to fight, kick and shout. If your child does encounter any suspicious activity, encourage them to get a good look and memorise their physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are in. Listen for any names or other details that might help identify them later. Make sure your children memorise their full names, address, and phone number. Using a play phone, teach them when and how to dial 10111. If they are older they should have some emergency numbers programmed into their phone or consider having a safety App on their phone. Hattingh says there are also tips for older children, such as those of varsity age: Older children should be reminded to keep their valuables out of sight at all times and not to use headphones because this will dampen their ability to sense their surroundings. The more you cut your senses off the easier it is for someone to take you by surprise. Stay alert! Alter their route: If they are walking home or to public transport, they need to alter their route. Even if it takes longer, always use a route that is well lit and populated with houses and other walkers instead of taking shortcuts through less-friendly areas. If you feel threatened, you can at least knock on someone’s door for help if you’re walking through a familiar neighbourhood. If you are using a taxi service, ensure that it is a bona fide service provider. Be extra cautious to go and meet anyone who befriends you on social media. Always meet in a public space with two or three friends as backup. Be cautious to be lured by people offering you a job or modelling contract. Remember safety in numbers. “When it comes to kidnapping, the more knowledge both the parent and child have, the better their chances of identifying kidnappers and preventing the unthinkable from happening. As parents, we don’t want our children to live in fear. Still, we live in a world where bad things happen,” says Hattingh.
There’s nothing more rewarding than being a parent, but if you’re trying to be more eco friendly, you know that having a little person in the house makes it difficult. There’s something about kids that just generates more and more stuff, and with that comes waste. Don’t fear though, as you can make some changes to become a more eco friendly parent. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you do so. 1.Pick Out Eco Friendly Diapers There’s no denying that diapers are expensive, and harmful to the planet. You don’t want to contribute to landfill, but you have to use them in some form. These days, you do have options. Many parents like to use cloth diapers. They won’t go into landfill as they’re reusable. Simply wash them once they’ve been worn, dry them, and they’re ready to be worn again. Don’t want to spend time washing diapers? Then you can find eco friendly diapers, that are designed to degrade better in landfill to minimize their impact. 2.Minimize Bath Times You can conserve water by minimizing how often you bathe your child. It’s usually best to bathe them a few times a week, rather than every day. This has other benefits too, such as preventing your child’s skin from drying out. At bath time, make sure you’re using eco friendly products, too. You want to use products that don’t have added scents, as these will irritate your child’s skin and sometimes lead to health problems. 3.Avoid Fast Fashion This sounds hard to do, as kids outgrow their clothes so quickly. You don’t want to support less than ethical clothing practices, but you need to keep that clothing budget to a minimum. There are ways around this, though. For example, if you have friends or family who have kids a little older than yours, you can get hand me downs from them. They’ll usually still be in great condition, as the kids wouldn’t have had long to wear them before they outgrew them. You can also find second hand clothing stores online, where you can find good quality second hand clothing. The more second hand you buy, the less clothing is going into landfill. 4.Breastfeed If You Can There are so many reasons why breastfeeding is good for your baby, but one you may not have thought of is that it’s so good for the environment. Think about it, breast milk is naturally renewable, comes in no packaging, and has lots of health benefits. Of course, not everyone can breastfeed so if you’re not able to, don’t worry. It’s worth giving a shot though, as it’s so good for the planet. 5.Ditch The Car You don’t have to go everywhere by car, all the time. While there are some times when it will be easier to hop in the car, try leaving it at home sometimes. You’ll be helping the planet by reducing your carbon emissions. Plus, kids often love public transport like buses and trains, so they’ll have a great time taking an outing with you. 6.Unplug Sometimes Did you know that around a quarter of the energy consumption in your home is from electrical devices? You can save energy by switching them off sometimes, and you’ll lower your energy bills too. Instead, use these periods to spend more time together as a family. You can play board games or simply chat together, whatever works. You’ll help the environment and grow closer as a family. 7.Buy Used Books You want your kids to have plenty of books to read, but the problem is new books can actually harm the planet. Around 10% of all greenhouse gases in the US come from the paper industry alone, so you can do your bit by buying second hand books. You can also sign up with your local library, and check out new books all the time. There’s lots of ways you can be an eco friendly parent, and you don’t have to make big changes in your life to do so. Try these tips, as they will help you reduce your impact as a parent while still doing your best for your kids.
Chicco specialises in the creation of toys that will not only entertain and fascinate youngsters, but also provide some form of cognitive and educational skills along the way to enhance brain development from as young as three months old. With children being inherently curious from the day they are born, they actively seek out the brightest colours and most tactile of items to engage their every sense. This is why Baby Senses toys are perfect for those first few months. Designed to make good use of the primary colours, red, blue, yellow and green, Chicco Baby Senses incorporates toys that start as simply as doodoo cloths and grow with your child to include teethers, bath toys, building toys and eventually electronic toys that include lights, sounds and music. Baby Senses highlights: Baby Senses Swimming Penguin, Frog and Whale Three mechanical bath time friends that swim the length of the bath whilst your little one has lots of giggles. Keep them entertained while they get clean. Suitable from three months and up. Baby Senses Giraffe Rattle A soft giraffe rattle to encourage the first explorations of your child’s senses. Soft plastic parts are ideal for teething. Contrasting fabrics and colours to enhance sense of touch. Stimulates child’s curiosity, vision and motor skills with easy to grasp and play with and strong contrasting colours. Great from three months and up Baby Senses Elliot Camping Lover Helps little ones discover the joy of exploring the world around them. Lowering and lifting the lamp turns its light on, which is accompanied by melodies, while pressing the musical note button turns both the light and melodies on. A rotating compass helps them to learn directions and find their way around their environment. Suitable for children aged 6 months and up. Find Chicco Baby Senses at a variety of stores. Full range available at Takealot, Loot and www.shopchicco.co.za
Every parent knows the frustration of buying their child a toy that they’ve been nagging about for ages, only for them to abandon it within a few days. Thankfully, according to Gumtree Marketing Manager Estelle Nagel, the local online marketplace can easily spot which toys didn’t live up to the hype by analysing the listings on its site. “Parents start listing abandoned toys around 28 December. So, by the end of the first week in January, a spike in our listings tells us which toys kids weren’t as excited about over the holiday season,” says Nagel. Gumtree’s analysis of toy listings shows that these are the most commonly abandoned children’s items between 2018 and 2021: · Hatchimals These adorable animals remain a surprise until they noisily hatch from their eggs. But, unfortunately, that’s usually where the excitement begins and ends. Although Hatchimals cost anything from R800 to R1000 per toy, hatched Hatchimals are often resold for between R250 and R500. · Build-A-Bear Similar to Hatchimals, Build-A-Bear is a fun experience that allows children to make their very own soft toys and custom teddy bears. These toys range in price from R250 to R1000 depending on the accessories and toy type. “To cut costs, take your little one to assemble their stuffed bear and buy your accessories second-hand on Gumtree. You can pick up wardrobes full of shoes, sunglasses, and clothes for bears for a tenth of the price.” · Hoverboards Hoverboards were all the craze in 2018, but frustrated parents started listing their hoverboards by 25 December in 2020. “Last year, we had dozens of hoverboards listed by Boxing Day for half price,” says Nagel. “The cause is unknown, but reports of injuries and accidents might be behind the steep abandonment rates.” · LEGO LEGO is incredibly popular, but pieces invariably go missing once assembled, and the novelty wears off. “The good news is that you can often buy second-hand LEGO in bulk as incomplete sets – leaving your little ones free to use their imagination to assemble their very own LEGO world.” · Battery-powered cars Car enthusiast parents will often shell out thousands for mini Ferraris and BMWs for their kids, but they usually end up for sale soon after. “The batteries in these toys need to be replaced quite often, which usually leads to kids losing interest in these cars or simply outgrowing them.” Nagel says kids outgrow toys quickly. So, before committing to a big-ticket item, parents should shop second-hand. “You can teach kids healthy money habits by having your child sell their old toys to buy new ones. Also, make a point of donating or repairing old toys rather than throwing them out.”
Welcome to the most magical nursery atmosphere ever when you introduce any of the Chicco First Dreams toys and accessories into your little one’s life. Designed in a sleep laboratory to create the ultimate in successful sleeping aids, these high-tech items bring not just the cutest items into their bedroom, but do so with smart elements such as perfectly curated night light and sleep-appropriate music too. Mobiles & Projectors First Dreams Rainbow Sky – a crib arch in a rainbow with hanging toys with a centre star that projects soft light in the nursery while playing gentle classical or new age music. First Dreams Next2Dreams Crib Lights – a crib light that fits the side of any type of cot, this projector light shines stars on the roof of the nursery whilst playing classical or new age music. First Dreams Next2Dreams Crib Lights – a crib light that fits the side of any type of cot, this projector light shines stars on the roof of the nursery whilst playing classical or new age music. Night Lights First Dreams Rainbow Bear – a cute baby bear that projects a colourful rainbow of soft light into the nursery whilst playing classical and new age music First Dreams Dreamlight – shaped like a little bear, this small but effective light projects a sift diffused glow into the nursery whilst playing classical and new age music Accessories First Dreams My First Nest – a snuggle nest for baby to hug them from newborn upwards that includes a firm cushioning, outer rim toys, night light and classical and new age music. Use lying down when newborn, for tummy time as baby grows and as a sitting aid for when baby is a few months old All First Dreams items are available in pastels blue or pink and for sale at: Babies R Us, Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino, www.chicco.co.za, select items in Baby City.
Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death in children between 5 and 14 years – 30% of all drownings. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk. Drowning is known as “the silent killer” because when drowning occurs, it happens so quickly and one may have less than a minute to react. There can be very little splashing, waving or screaming. A child can drown in as little as 4cm of water and it takes about 90 – 120 seconds submerged for a child to lose consciousness. Irreversible brain damage occurs after 4 to 6 minutes not breathing. ChildSafe reminds parents and caregivers of the following:
Trusted by doctors, orthodontists and parents for over 63 years, Chicco is a world-famous Italian brand that produces only the best quality pacifiers that align with your babies oral growth and development. The Chicco Physio teat is designed to allow breathing to be the most important factor in a child’s soothing process. Naturally opening up airways, the teat sits comfortably in the child’s palette to avoid moving around and saliva build up. With various sizes available, the Physio teat starts at the smallest size possible with the Physio Micro range of pacifiers. Perfect for even premature babies, this micro teat is the start of the series and the perfect start to a child’s soothing process. As the child grows, the Physio Air teat is slightly larger, with cute fashion buttons and various options available in terms of age and gender. Holes on the pacifier plate allow air between the skin to avoid dummy rash. Luminous versions of the Physio Air are available for night time dummy loss without waking the child. The most popular of the Physio teats belongs to the Physio Soft pacifier range. With colours ranging from nude to pink, purple, blue and green, the Physio Soft is a one-piece silicone dummy with appropriate airholes to avoid dummy face rash. They go up in age groups from newborn and are perfect for those face sleeping moments without leaving harsh marks or hurting little faces. Whatever Physio teat you choose to begin your child’s soothing journey, you will be guaranteed a world-class pacifier with orthodontic approval. Available at Baby City, The Kid Zone, Loot, Takealot and other participating retailers.
After 30 years in the biz, local ECD educator launches children’s music album Coming soon to Apple Music and in limited hard copy is a collection of original, locally produced songs about the many sea creatures we can find in our African seas. Appropriate for all ages from birth to ten and beyond, Under the African Sea is a swift and pleasant departure from the clamour of today’s one-dimensional kiddies music that so often conspires to drive parents mad. Rather, this soundtrack is one that the whole family can enjoy and one that will lead to informative and educational discussions around sea life in our local oceans. Produced by Bedfordview-based early childhood development expert Petra Scherf, this collection of songs actually came to fruition years ago. “After a morning on the beach with a friend and our children, I was inspired to write a series of songs about the sea life we had observed. I composed the tunes in my head as I jotted down the words and, just like that, I had a beautiful collection of songs that the children at my school have been enjoying ever since.” This year, Scherf was encouraged to professionally lay down the tracks. “I wanted to share this music with all the children of the world to enjoy. Gregory Nottingham from JAZZWORKS produced the most amazing music based on my tunes and, together with Tulla Eckhart (our main vocalist), Gregory made the songs come alive.” Children from Petra’s preschool created the images used as part of the album cover and Studio esse.nr13 pieced it all together to create the under-the-sea inspired artwork. With the album now professionally produced, Scherf is confident that Under the African Sea can be enjoyed by children across South Africa and beyond. It’s the perfect learning tool for teachers and other child-focused groups that use music and song to entertain, stimulate and educate young children. “The album includes instrumental tracks that can be used by music teachers for percussion and movement, for children to sing the songs karaoke-style or for schools to dance and move together,” says Scherf. She adds that the songs include a variety of music-inspired movements and actions like marching, swaying and diving, which helps develop spatial awareness and language skills. Under the African Sea will soon be release in Zulu and Xhosa and is the first to be produced in a series of Africa-inspired albums that will include On an African Farm, In the African Bush and The African Sky and Beyond.
UCOOK has teamed up with Kath Megaw, one of South Africa’s leading Paediatric Dieticians, to create a range of frozen kids’ meals. The new UCOOK Frozen Kids range launches with six meals and two pizza options with more to come, each boasting the promise of No-Nonsense Goodness to ensure that children get the required quantities of essential vitamins and minerals from a large quantity of hidden vegetables in every dish. The meals are suitable for children from the toddler to pre-teen years. South Africa’s favourite meal-kit delivery company moved into the frozen meals category in October 2020 with a range of UCOOK Craft Meals, aimed at offering convenience to time-pressed customers. With this new expansion into the frozen kids category, UCOOK plans to make their customers’ lives easier than ever before. Kath Megaw says that as the mother of an ex-fussy eater, she inherently understands the concerns that parents of picky or fussy eaters face. “Making sure that your child eats a balanced diet and consumes the required amount of fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals can be difficult and lead to stressful mealtimes,” says Megaw. “Now you can rest assured that your child is eating a healthy balanced meal, which means saving time on dinner-time battles and having to prepare a number of different options.” No-Nonsense Goodness is UCOOK’s promise to parents that their kids will get the benefits of nutritious ingredients crucial for development without compromising on the flavour they love. The UCOOK range has no added preservatives, sugars, sweeteners, artificial colourants or flavours and no added MSG. Each meal has a specially crafted blend of hidden vegetables, with some meals consisting of up to 74% fruits and vegetables. Each meal has an added bespoke Vitamin B pre-mix (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and Folic Acid) to boost the vitamin content. Sarah Hewitt, head of new product development at UCOOK, says that nutrition and immunity are directly related, and in a climate where both topics are particularly high on the consumer agenda, healthy eating is an imperative for all family members. “Following the launch of our range of baby foods, and then the UCOOK Frozen Craft Meals range, it occurred to us that to best serve the needs of our primary consumer, we needed to provide a solution for family members of all ages.” “We’re thrilled to work alongside Kath once again and bring these delicious meals to life as part of the UCOOK range of products,” says Hewitt. Megaw says that she’s often asked about the freezing process and how it affects meals. “Blast freezing preserves all the nutrients in the meal until such time as you choose to heat it up. Following the correct reheating instructions on the pack will ensure that there is no mineral loss or diminishing of the delicious flavours.” The new UCOOK Kids Frozen range launches with the following meals: UCOOK Kids Mac & Cheese UCOOK Kids Beef Lasagne UCOOK Kids Beef Rump Bites & Root Veg Mash UCOOK Kids Chicken & Broccoli Bake UCOOK Kids Mushroom Bites & Root Veggie Mash UCOOK Kids Spaghetti Bolognese UCOOK Kids Double Cheese Mini Pizzas UCOOK Kids Bacon and Cheese Mini Pizzas To explore the range and order your first taste, visit www.ucook.co.za.
Summer brings lots of fun, warm nights and days spent in nature – unfortunately, it also comes with insects. Keep your little ones protected from mosquitos and bugs this summer with Chicco Anti-Mosquito Bracelets and Clip-ons and get the gentlest, most natural solution to all-round cover. Made with naturally effective ingredients such as Citronella and Lemongrass to provide a gentle perfumed repellent that does not affect a babies delicate skin, slip on a bracelet in a variety of colours, wear it in ponytails or opt for the clip-on repellent which works on strollers, prams and t-shirts with ease. Unlike most mosquito repellents the Chicco Anti-Mosquito range leaves a great smelling, natural fragrance, reminding you that every time you protect your baby you are doing the least possible harm to their gentle skin. Available at Baby City, The Kid Zone, Loot, Takealot and other participating retailers.
Original animated ensemble comedy series from Chowder’s C.H. Greenblatt and Warner Bros. Animation marks anticipated return of legendary characters to television after 30-year hiatus Cartoon Network’s young audience won’t be the only ones delighting in the brand-new, animated series, Jellystone! – there’s something nostalgic for baby boomers and millennials in there too! From 15th of November, Africa’s #1 kids’ channel is bringing on the whacky, wonderful, and absolutely hilarious epic ensemble cast of Hanna-Barbera characters, created by acclaimed showrunner and executive producer C.H. Greenblatt (Chowder, Harvey Beaks) and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series presents a reimagined take on these beloved characters, modernising them for today’s family audience and introducing them to a new generation of fans. Set in the charming town of the same name, Jellystone! follows the Hanna-Barbera characters as they live, work, play, and (often the case) destroy the town in some silly way together. Huckleberry Hound proudly serves as the town’s mayor; Cindy, Boo Boo and Yogi are the town’s medical staff; Jabberjaw works at Magilla’s clothing store where they supply all the bow ties and hats to the town’s citizens. Every character has a specific role in the community, and their paths cross in fun and ridiculous ways, turning everyday activities into hilarious pandemonium. “I grew up watching tons of Hanna-Barbera cartoons and have a deep love for these characters,” said Greenblatt. “The massive amount of both classic and not-so-classic characters we were able to use from the Hanna-Barbera library is what really makes the Jellystone! universe special. Rather than recreate the feeling of cartoons of the past, we wanted to have silly, weird fun with these characters and expand their personalities to give them more depth. Chances are, if there’s a character you love, you’ll see them somewhere in this world eventually. We hope long-time fans appreciate our take on this world, and we’re excited that parents get to introduce and enjoy their favourite Hanna-Barbera characters with their kids.” We’re re-writing history at Cartoon Network, so take a trip to Jellystone! from Monday, 15 November, on Cartoon Network Africa.
Summer brings lots of fun, warm nights and days spent in nature – unfortunately, it also comes with insects. Keep your little ones protected from mosquitos and bugs this summer with Chicco Anti-Mosquito Spray and Anti-Mosquito Roll On and get the gentlest, most natural solution to all-round cover. Made with naturally effective ingredients such as Eucalyptus and Citrodiora, the lotion is available in either a convenient spray and rub or a roll-on. Unlike most mosquito repellents the Chicco Anti-Mosquito range leaves a great smelling, natural fragrance, reminding you that every time you protect your baby you are doing the least possible harm to their gentle skin. Available at Baby City, The Kid Zone, Loot, Takealot and other participating retailers.
By now you know that creating a predictable bedtime routine helps set your child up for a better nights rest. A previous blog about Bedtime and Naptime rituals for Toddlers mentioned how reading a book together at bedtime promotes cognitive development as well as bonding between you and your little one. But there is more. Interactive, shared book reading can also support a wide range of early language skills. We as parents tend to think we have to read to our child, but it actually has greater benefits if you read with your child. Children learn the most language during enjoyable back-and-forth interactions with you, their beloved parent. When you read with your child regularly, your child may learn language faster, enter school with a larger vocabulary, and become a more successful reader eventually. How do you read with your child? Follow your child’s lead As mentioned in this blog your bedtime routine must be fun. This is not the time to argue with child. Let your child choose the book she wants to read, even if you have read it umpteen times before. You could even allow your child to hold the book and decide when to turn the page. She is more engaged when she plays an active role in the book reading and an engaged child is a learning child! Make it a conversation You can simply read the story, or you can talk about the characters, or illustrations or plot. Watch your child to see what she points to and make a comment about that. Having a conversation about the book helps your child understand the story better and it exposes her to more complex language. Besides, there is nothing more calming than a quiet conversation with mom or dad before bedtime. Don’t ask questions all the time Remember, the aim is to have an enjoyable back-and-forth conversation. You do not want to test your child’s knowledge here. Pause often and wait for your child to participate, rather than bombarding her with questions. If you do want to ask a question, make sure it is an open-ended question such as, ‘How do you think Mouse felt when he found out the Gruffalo really existed?’ It is never too early to start reading with your child and reading with your child is never a waste. Happy reading! www.talkingtokiddo.com By Lize van der Merwe – Speech Language Therapist with special interest in early language development
Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your child is an essential factor to provide a good night’s rest. Children take time to fall asleep; it depends on how sleepy they feel after their bedtime routine and if their naps during the day were successful. It is vital to ensure that their daytime routines and bedtime routines assist in setting the stage for a good night’s rest. If you are sure that your routine is perfect and that your child’s tummy is full, you also need to consider what your child’s sleeping environment is like, as it also has to be conducive to sleep. Let’s look at a few factors that might play a role: Setting the stage for sleep You need to ensure that your child knows that his/her room is for sleeping only. Try to teach your child that their room is a place of relaxation; create a calm and safe space where they know that they can relax. If their room is too engaging and used as a play area, your child will not understand why he/she cannot play when it is time for a nap. Blue light Creating a relaxing atmosphere for bedtime includes making sure no screens are emitting blue light. This consists of any screens, tablets, or monitors emitting blue light like some video monitors do. This light interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. This can cause your child to struggle to fall asleep and to stay asleep. Please note it is not the colour of the light that matters but rather any LED’s that can emit blue or white light. Blackout curtains Light influences sleep; thus, it is vital to ensure that no light enters the room. Any light shining in from outside will also most likely cause your child to wake up early as it will cause melatonin production to stop. To ensure that this does not happen, invest in blackout curtains or adhesives that you stick to your window to ensure no light peeking through the curtains. Night lights Some toddlers do have night time fears, and this is where a night light comes in handy. Having any light in the room does prevent melatonin production, which is why you have to ensure that you install a natural light if you decide to use a night light. Natural light includes night lights like Himalayan salt lamps (non-LED globes to be used). If you have an older child that can understand more advanced concepts, you can also get a clock that shows you when it is time to wake up. A watch makes it easy for children to know when it is time to get out of bed. White noise If you have a noisy environment or multiple children in the house, then using white noise would be beneficial, both during the day and at night. White noise will drown out outside noises and helps your baby not to wake up from birds chirping in the early hours of the morning. Aromatherapy oils Aromatherapy oils can provide a soothing atmosphere for your child, and may help their little brains relax if they smell a particular scent such as lavender; this helps set the stage for sleep. You can use an aromatherapy oil diffuser in your child’s room during the bedtime routine or use a diluted oil to apply to their body. Bedding Always keep safety in mind when it comes to your child’s sleeping space. Keep loose bedding that your child could get entangled in to a minimum and if you have a child under the age of one year, please keep the risk factors of SIDS in mind. Invest in top quality materials such as cotton or hemp that regulate body temperature. Natural fibres do not cause your child to overheat and is breathable for those hot summer months. Give your child a comfort item such as a taglet (not under 6 months of age) to hold onto as a sustainable sleep association. The ideal temperature for sleep is between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius, so dress your child accordingly and adjust the room temperature if possible. Bottles If your child is old enough to reach for his/ her bottle, do not leave a bottle of milk beside their bed. It is essential to keep safety in mind as they can choke while lying down and drinking, and it also causes tooth decay. Please ensure that your child eats and feeds during the day so that he/she does not make up for lost calories at night. Many factors play a role when it comes to sleep. Creating a healthy sleep environment is one of the building blocks that you need to have in place for your child to sleep like a superhero. Please contact us at www.goodnightbaby.co.za if you need further information or a FREE consultation for us to assess your unique circumstances. By Anneri van Rooyen – Good Night Sleep Consultant
Magformers is a magnetic construction toy which allows children of all ages to express themselves through build and play, Magformers is more than just a construction toy. Once the Mag Buddies join the fun your child’s collection becomes an endlessly versatile playset. Meet the Mag Buddies! Magformers MAG BUDDIES are compact sets that come with Magformers magnetic pieces and a figure, making them perfect to collect. With a total of 4 characters, children and adults can choose their favourite set. This special Magformers product is fun for everyone of all ages. When connected all four sets make a series of mega-mansions for the friends to live in and play happily. Visit Max’s playground. Max the playful character just loves to build and play – and he loves hanging out at his ever-changing playground. Sometimes he puts a swing upstairs, other times he puts the slide in his room. Max’s Playground, making design changes is super easy – he just smashes it down and starts again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new playground layout. Maggy’s wonderful house. Maggy loves to decorate and build a beautiful new house every day – and she can, using a mix of magnetic shapes and accessories including a door, window, balcony, furniture, a bed, a bath, TV. She picks and chooses how she wants to live. Sometimes her bedroom is upstairs, other times she builds it at ground level. And making design changes is super easy…just smash it down and start again, because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new home. Minibot is the world’s hardest-working chef. Every day he builds his very own kitchen to whatever design takes his fancy – then cooks up a delicious meal for his friends in his little oven. Each day this busy bot designs a brand-new kitchen layout using Magformers magnetic construction squares and triangles plus chairs, a table, fridge, oven with sliding drawer, windows, and other fun accessories. With Minibot’s Kitchen Set making changes is always as easy as pie – you just smash it down and start again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new design. Milo is the luckiest puppy in the world. This pampered pooch lives the high life in his very own mansion. Every day this happy hound decides how he wants to design his home using stairs, windows, a swing door, an outside kennel, a special tree piece, and other fun accessories. And with Milo’s Mansion Set making design changes is super easy – you just smash it down and start again – because with Magformers magnetic construction it never takes long to build a new layout.
When you want to make an entrance there is only one stroller that says urban cool with the utmost confidence – the Chicco Ohlala2. In slick Black Nite colouring, this diverse and convenient travel option is an all-round solution when looking for a lightweight, easy-to-fold yet durable solution to shopping, strolling and hanging out with your little one. Easy enough to ‘lift with one finger’, this 3.8kg stroller makes going out with baby so much easier when packing away in cars or accessing stairways. Fully reclining when it’s nap time for baby, you can use the extra coverage of the UV50+ protected canopy to keep harmful rays at bay. With a strong bumper bar protecting from forward falls, baby can hold on and watch the world go by whilst being strapped in with the five-point safety strap. Durable wheels make the Ohlala2 perfect for roads, pavements, malls and hard exteriors. As baby grows, the footrest will make sure they are neatly tucked in and ready to go. Pop your shopping or baby essentials in the large storage basket and be ready to make an impression with this ultra-fashion stroller. Also available in twin mode. Suitable up to 22kgs. Grab one at the reduced price of R1999 from www.shopchicco.co.za while stocks last.
We try to teach our toddlers many things now in the hopes that it will stick with them when they are older. Not all of those lessons will carry through but teaching them to love learning is one that can. This is because the positive or negative thoughts surrounding learning are often derived from an emotional connection to the concept. If your child grows up hearing negative language in reference to reading, writing and learning new things – that emotion will stick with them as they get to school age. However, if they grow up associating learning to be beneficial, exciting and an accomplishment, they will approach their academic lives with enthusiasm. Make it exciting As a toddler, learning should not be seen as a chore. For you or your child. If they see that the learning activity is one you are forced to do and don’t enjoy, they will mimic that. So when you are reading them a bedtime story, building a puzzle or lego, helping them draw a picture – do it with the same enthusiasm you would like them to tackle school work in a few years’ time. Answer all the questions Your toddler will probably hit a stage where they follow you around talking non-stop. It is easy to drown this out (no judgement here) and give a noncommittal nod of the head every now and then. This is the part of your child’s development process that gets them thinking in a critical and exploratory manner. Don’t just encourage it, but engage with it too. Try and really listen to what they are babbling about, give them answers they can understand and ask them questions that will make them think about it even further. It is moments like these where a child’s brain will start getting used to thinking outside of the box. Use games and toys Helping your toddler associate learning new concepts while doing something fun will change their way of thinking as they get older. If you want to help them learn new things or develop new skills, try to do it in a way that makes them feel like it is a game rather than just a learning moment. Whether they become an A grade student or not, the love of learning has more to do with their attitude and effort than the results on their report cards. Remember that learning doesn’t just happen at school but also in everyday moments. We need to try to make sure our children are open to receive those teachable life lessons.
Since its introduction into the market, Magformers has won the hearts of parents and children alike. More than just an educational magnetic construction toy, Magformers has grown into a brand parents trust, children love and that grows as your child does. Just as Magformers start the play journey as 2D flat magnetic shapes and transform into amazing 3D structures, so too Magformers has become a journey of growth and change you can explore with your child as they grow and develop. The award-winning design of the Magformers magnetic construction toy helps to explore and develop children’s creativity. At the core of the product, is the concept of 3D Brain Training – which helps children to develop comprehensive three-dimensional thinking through play. The Magformers family of products has something for children as young as 18 months and evolves and grows with your child to their tween years. The wonderful thing about Magformers is that even adults can’t put them down, with the “click” as the magnets meet being just too alluring to resist. Join us as we explore the Magformers family and find the perfect starting point for your child’s amazing Magformers journey. Sensorimotor Stage – 18+ months From birth to age 3, 80% of a child’s brain development is formed. This development is accomplished through sensory stimulation activities. This positions the Stock-O range perfectly to aid in early development Magformers Stick-O’s is the chunky magnetic construction toy for little hands. Designed to be super fun, safe and durable, kids can have endless enjoyable hours making all sorts of cute and imaginative creations. It’s also a great introduction to the wonderful world of magnets. The Magformers Stick-O collection uses hidden encased magnets to ensure children’s safety and are “tiny hand approved.” The size and shape of the pieces are made to fit perfectly inside toddlers’ hands or in the hands of children with functional challenges. This feature helps develop fine motor skills while playing. Exploration Stage – Age 3-5 During this phase children passionately exlore their environment. This stimulates their curiosity and develops their symbolic thinking. It is at this stage where children engage in imaginative and pretend play. My First Magformers is the perfect guide to assist children in exploring the world around them. Learn 6 different colours, 2 geometric shapes and all 6 Magformers building techniques. Create towers, houses, and the Magformers Magic Ball. Magformers My First Sets are safety tested from ages 18 months+ allowing your child the best start to learning as soon as possible. The My First Line uses a solid colour scheme, compared to a translucent one, as young children’s eyes are still developing and recognise solid colours easily. The learning content that is included with the My First products is specifically designed to help young children learn their geometric shapes and colours as well as developing essential life skills such as 2D to 3D modelling, problem solving and more. The transition from the My First range to the Magformers Basic Plus range is seamless as all the sets are fully compatible and interchangeable. Independent Behavioural Stage – Age 5-7 It is during this stage that children’s actions are triggered by their self-reliance. This is when children truly come into their own and express and develop their own unique ways. The Magformers Basic Plus and Themed Sets are the perfect outlet for children to explore and express themselves creatively during this stage. Unlock the ultimate playtime with Magformers. Selected sets include play cards to lay ideas flat and then roll, pull-up, transform, fold combine and wall to create exciting 3D ideas. The basic principle is that your creativity and, of course, the amount of fun you have while playing is unlimited. The frequent admiring looks of those who get to see your creations are also limitless. Concrete Thinking Stage – Age 7-12 During this phase, children are busy developing their observational and analytical skills. Children will be able to think critically about their experiences and reproduce those through play. So, what better time than this to click, connect, create, and explore endless construction possibilities with Magformers House Set. Your little one can build anything they can imagine when they use the Magformers Magnetic Rainbow shapes and the character and accessories to create and decorate houses. Each geometric shape contains magnets that never reject, so you’ll always hear the Magformers click. When playtime is over, use the magnetic power to simply stack and store. Compatible with all Magformers, add the Maggy, Milo, Minibot and Max sets, or any of the Town Sets for extended building fun! At every stage of your child’s development, Magformers will be a trusted partner helping your little ones develop and grow, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself joining in on the addictive Magformers fun.
Welcome to the world of stylish baby feeding. The champion of all highchairs is back with the brand new, most versatile option yet – the Polly Progres5. As advanced as a highchair can get, this bold and daring red polka dotted high-fashion baby product is designed with convenience in mind so you can #parentmore as you give them the best possible feeding and weaning experience. Allowing you to start feeding with ease from newborn, the Polly Progres5 grows with your child until they are ready to join their family at the big table. And even then, the Polly can come along. The fully-reclining seat is a first for Chicco highchairs. Bottle feed from newborn and allow the chair to continue supporting as your child grows. The Polly Progres5 has all the convenience of an everyday highchair with superior adjustability and functionality. 4 recline positions with one-hand adjustment and 8 height positions make it easy to bring growing children up to the table. Snap-on highchair with booster tray includes removable liner and stores on rear legs. The highchair seat easily detaches from frame to create the booster and stool configurations. When it’s time to grow up the fold-away foot rest swings out of the way to create stool configuration. Highly space-saving, the highchair is only 11.5 inches when folded for storage in between meals. And with an extra padded cushion, the Polly Progres5 is the most comfortable seat in the house. Modes: Baby: Reclining seat mode and fully upright mode for baby feeds. Toddler Booster: Highchair seat detaches from frame to create high-back booster. Big Kid Booster: Zip-off extension panel and fold-away arm rests convert booster to a more portable seat. Youth Stool: Highchair frame converts to height-adjustable stool with snap-on seat. With a 12-month guarantee you can rest assured that the Polly Progres5 is the only highchair you will ever use again. Grab them on special for a limited time at www.shopchicco.co.za for R4499.
Many babies learn how to crawl at the same time they learn to sit on their own. Crawling, however, takes longer to perfect than does sitting without assistance. At six months, expect your baby to sit for a second, but balance will come later; also, you will probably notice your baby get into a crawling position, but not know how to proceed after that. Even though ‘crawling’ usually means progress on hands and knees, many babies use other moves to get them where they’re going. Rolling, slithering, ‘bottom shuffling’ (when a baby pushes around while sitting, using one hand to make the propelling motion), and pulling along on elbows are all manoeuvre used instead of the conventional crawling, so don’t be surprised if you see those first. Still other babies learn to crawl in the ordinary way, and then figure out that they can move faster on their hands and feet than their hands and knees. If something is out of reach of a six-month-old baby, you may see that baby pull up the knees under the body, push up with hands and often manage to get the tummy off the floor. For that moment, the baby is in a crawling position, but needs encouragement to actually add forward motion to the mix. By the ninth month, early crawlers start to make some real progress – though it’s often backwards, away from the object they’re trying to reach! Upper-body control is more developed than leg-control, so a baby tends to push harder with hands and arms than with knees – propelling the baby backwards. Not to worry (and try to reassure your frustrated baby, too!), this is just a short-lived phase. The biggest advantage baby has when it comes to solving problems is with the development of large and small muscles over the course of the first year, helping various tasks become easier. The two-block stack that will seem too complicated for your little architect one month will become an easy three-block stack just a few weeks later. When baby starts to focus on lower muscles (around 10-12 months), you might want to put favourite toys on the couch, encouraging your child to stand in order to reach them. This helps build balance and strong leg muscles necessary for cruising, a forerunner to walking. Once a baby solves the problem of how to stand and balance, and how to move one foot in front of the other, watch that glowing smile of accomplishment – your baby is now beginning to walk. Who’d ever thought it would happen so fast? Once you’ve reached this stage, you know your baby really ‘did it’ – and your family will never be the same. Talk about an accomplishment you can be proud of! Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition. A perfect product to help a child develop like this would be the Fisher-Price® 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot available at retailers nation wide. The Fisher-Price® 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot is a transforming playtime buddy for baby featuring 4 ways to play and lots of fun music, lights and hands-on activities. Each bot has its own fun for little ones to discover, from spinning eyes to silly popping balls to exciting crawl-and-chase play. Baby can play and explore each bot individually or build them up into one big interactive buddy with fresh music, sounds and phrases! And with Smart Stages® technology, you can switch up the learning content to best fit your child’s age and stage. 4 toys in 1 to keep playtime going as baby grows from infant to toddler to preschooler (ages 6 months-5 years) Each individual toy is filled with fun activities for babies to explore. Put them all together to build an interactive electronic robot buddy! 3 Smart Stages® learning levels with 120+ songs, sounds and phrases about numbers and counting, the alphabet, shapes, colors and more Press any button on the motorized bot to send it zooming forward with music & lights, encouraging baby to crawl and chase Lots of hands-on activities for sitting babies, including press-down antenna, twist & flip gears, ball-popper, and spinning & clicking arms By Dr. Bettye M. Caldwell Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics in Child Development and Education.
It’s something to celebrate when your tiny tot tastes something other than formula or breast milk for the first time. But often, the overload of information makes parents fearful of starting solids. Go with your gut and take your cues from your kiddie. If they’re old enough and face-planting into your plate to try to share your lunch, it’s usually a sign they’re ready! Here are some simple tips for a solid start to solids. Nadia Jansen van Rensburg, co-founder of Rooted Natural and a clinical dietitian with a special interest in paediatric nutrition, says, “We started Rooted Natural because we wanted children to have a healthy relationship with food right from the get-go. It’s natural for parents to be preoccupied with whether their little ones are eating well. But it can become an unhealthy obsession very easily, which means missing out on the joy of the experience. “The best advice is to be relaxed and let your baby lead the process. Repeated exposure of as many tastes, textures, smells and colours as possible. We eat with all our senses!” Here are van Rensburg answers parents’ most pressing questions when it comes to solids: When should I start solids? It’s different for every child. From four to six months, infants are developmentally and emotionally ready to start exploring a new method of feeding – and new foods, flavours and textures. Their nutritional needs increase and the introduction of solids helps to optimise growth and brain development. Plus, more energy from food supports their increasingly active bodies as they begin to sit, play and crawl. It’s a wide window period, so take your cues from your little one. They need to be able to sit with minimum support and have good head and neck control. Children often show you when they’re ready by grabbing at food, and sucking their lips or opening their mouths when morsels are nearby. How do I set the scene for success? It’s a great idea to get into regular feeding rhythms right from the start. Sit your little one at the table in a chair or in a chair with a clip-on tray and make sure their feet are supported. Avoid screens and any distractions. Try to get them excited about the food – its taste, textures, colours and smells! Positively talking about food is an important part of the process. Allow them to play! Play is a pivotal part of children’s learning process so let them have fun with their food. That’s how they’ll learn to eat by themselves. Time it well. Your baby should be rested, hungry and interested; not overly hungry, overtired, stimulated or fed. Importantly, you need to be relaxed as well. Go with a single flavour at first. Think about starting with vegetables, then progressing to fruit, grains and protein combinations. Should I do the puree or baby-led weaning approach? That’s up to you! The more traditional take is for first foods to be smooth, soft purees, then there’s a progression to textured purees and, eventually, whole meals. The latest trends and research are seeing parents include the baby in the meal – e.g., if they reach for a whole broccoli stem, let them try it. There’s no right or wrong! We recommend combining the two methods. This way, you ensure adequacy, but baby also gets to play, participate and explore, which fuels tactile development. Remember, the bigger the mess, the higher the success! Van Rensburg concludes, “Our Rooted Natural brand was designed to bring fun to the feeding process, with wholesome, sugar-, salt- and preservative- free foods that let children play with new tastes and textures. Healthy kids are happy kids. I’m a dietitian and my co-founder, Kirby, is a professional chef. We combined our love of food to create a range of organic, earth-friendly baby and toddler food that takes the stress out of solids. “We encourage you to relax and enjoy this new chapter. It’s a beautiful, exciting one. Most importantly, you’ve got this. You’re a brilliant parent. Go with your gut and learn with your little one.” For more information on Rooted Natural, visit RootedNatural.co.za or follow on Instagram and Facebook.
