Advice from the experts
Clamber Club

The importance of physical activity in the younger child’s development

In today’s sedentary modern lifestyle, pre-schoolers, toddlers and even infants are spending far more time on electronic devices or watching television than ever before. This means less time being physically active at an age when physical activity is vital for the development of the sensory motor and perceptual skills that are essential for learning. The trap of technology  Increasing screen time has been linked with delays in cognitive, language and motor development, as well as attention problems in young children. It is therefore very important to limit the amount of time your little one spends on screens and should not exceed an hour per day. To make it seem to your child that he’s watching more — and to keep his little brain from going on autopilot as he watches — break up viewing into 10- to 15-minute increments. Rather, children’s time should be spent engaging in physical activities that boost their development both physically and psychologically.  How much physical activity does a young child need? Nicole Hillburn, Paediatric Physiotherapist and Clamber Club Expert says that recent guidelines indicate that infants and toddlers need 180 minutes of physical activity (of any intensity) per day, and children from the age of five need at least an hour of vigorous physical activity every day. “Children of all ages also need to engage in activities, such as climbing playground equipment, which increase their physical strength on a weekly basis,” says Hillburn.  What are the long-term benefits of physical activity? “On the emotional and psychological side, active children tend to have lower anxiety levels and improved mood and self-esteem compared to inactive children,” says Liz Senior, Occupational Therapist and Founder of Clamber Club. “Children who are more physically active are also likely to perform better in the classroom due to the impact exercise has on attention, concentration span and physical strength,” she adds.  Specifically, the health benefits of physical activity include the development of healthy musculoskeletal tissues, cardiovascular system and neuromuscular awareness, not to mention maintenance of a healthy body weight.  How can we keep young children active? The good news is that there are a variety of ways to keep young children engaged in physical activity. Implementing just a few changes in your child’s day can help increase their activity levels – and it can also be a lot of fun!  Here are some age-appropriate ideas:  Vigorous activity for toddlers: Riding bikes Jumping on a trampoline Dancing Learning to kick a ball Chasing bubbles Vigorous activity for pre-schoolers: Jumping on a trampoline Riding bikes Running races outside Playing with a ball Dancing Playing soccer Moderate activity for toddlers and pre-schoolers: Action songs  Water or sand play where there is some movement involved  Scavenger hunt in the garden  Walking around the shops  Strengthening activities are also very important for all ages. These include activities like monkey bars, climbing ladders, fireman’s poles, cargo nets, ring swings etc. You may not have this kind of equipment at home, but Clamber Clubs around the country have specially-designed equipment that enable children to learn through moving their bodies.   Get involved in your child’s development Interestingly enough, children with active parents have been shown to have higher levels of physical activity. At Clamber Club, children and parents have an opportunity to be active together, using their imaginations, experiencing the joy of movement and having fun.   

July 6, 2018
Clamber Club

A balancing act: Developing your child’s vestibular system

The vestibular system is found in the inner ear and responds to head movement and gravity. It connects and organises all other sensory input, contributing to a child’s sense of balance and spatial orientation. Difficulties with vestibular processing and regulation can disrupt everything from gross motor co-ordination and learning to mood and behaviour. Impact on your child’s development The vestibular system works closely with all the other sensory systems to organise and process incoming information about gravity and movement. If you bend down suddenly when holding a new-born, you will notice the baby startle and their arms reach out as if to stop themselves from falling (protective extension). This shows the baby’s developing vestibular system in relation to gravity and space.  “One of the most basic of all human relationships is our relationship to the gravitational field of the earth. This relationship is far more primal than the mother-child relationship. Sensory integration of the vestibular system gives us `gravitational security’ – the trust that we are firmly connected to the earth, and will always have a safe place to stand. Children with vestibular processing difficulties do not feel grounded or safe,” says Nicole Katzenellenbogen, Occupational Therapist and Clamber Club Franchisee Trainer. The vestibular system also sends signals to the neural structures that control eye movements, and helps us to understand if we are moving or if an object is moving. “When a child receives correct information from the vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems, they are able to feel and understand how their bodies are moving and working without their vision,” says Liz Senior, Occupational Therapist and Founder of Clamber Club. “This also allows for fluid bilateral integration to develop – the ability to use both sides of the body together in a smooth and co-ordinated manner,” she explains. This is necessary for gross motor skills such as hopping and skipping, and for functional skills such as tying shoelaces and cutting. The role of balance  “We often take the skill of balance for granted,” says Katzenellenbogen. “Being able to balance is not only about standing on one leg, it is also about carrying a bag and walking at the same time. Balance is dependent on an adequately functioning vestibular system as the sense of movement and gravity is what keeps us upright and helps us understand our relationship to space.” Balance is also dependent on appropriate proprioceptive feedback – our unconscious awareness of our body parts in relation to each other and the environment.  Vestibular and proprioceptive impulses also interact to warn the brain of possible injury to the body when it is about to fall.  Activities to develop your child’s vestibular system Balance is an important aspect of a child’s development and can be improved by stimulating the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, as well as improving postural control.  For babies Vestibular activities:  Sitting on a lap and gently bouncing Bouncing on a therapy ball Aeroplane on your legs  Swinging in a blanket held by two adults Proprioceptive activities: Massage Tummy time  Have baby lie on your legs facing you with her feet on your tummy. Let her kick her hands and push against your body Postural activities: Rolling from tummy to back  Teaching baby to reach for her toes Tummy time For toddlers Vestibular activities:  Dancing around the room, twirling and spinning Sitting on a lap and playing Horsie-Horsie Swinging in a swing or hammock Proprioceptive activities: Crawling through and over various surfaces Pulling and pushing heavy items Create a crash pad for your child to jump and crash on to For pre-schoolers Vestibular activities:  Spinning and running around in circles Holding arms and spinning Swinging in a swing or hammock Merry-go-rounds Proprioceptive activities: Pulling and pushing heavy items Climbing and crawling over various surfaces.  Tug of war, wrestling Postural activities: Jungle gyms and free outdoor play Swimming Balance beams

July 6, 2018
STBB

Chastising Your Child: Parents Take Note

By Shereen Volks, Head of Divorce & Family Law, STBB | Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes The question of whether parents should be allowed to chastise their children has been a heavily debated topic over the past couple of years. In terms of South African common law, parents were allowed to chastise their children, provided that such chastisement was reasonable. Parents could then raise a special defence of reasonable chastisement against assault charges arising therefrom. This principle was confirmed in the judgment of R v Janke and Janke 1913 TPD 382 and in numerous judgments thereafter. To date, no legislation has been promulgated to either regulate what constitutes reasonable chastisement or to prohibit it completely.    It has, however, been argued (after the promulgation of the interim Constitution and later the 1996 Constitution, which focusses on human rights) that chastisement constitutes an infringement on these very rights. In line with this reasoning, the promulgation of the Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996, prohibits chastisement at schools.  The recent judgment in the Gauteng High Court, YG v S 2018 (1) SACR 64 (GJ), took a stance against the defence of reasonable chastisement when it was tasked with determining whether this defence is unconstitutional. The father in this matter (the accused) was charged with assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm after he repeatedly smacked his 13-year-old son. The accused’s defence was that he was merely exercising his parental right of reasonable chastisement. The court found that even if parents’ actions fall within the scope of reasonable chastisement, there is still an element of physical violence involved and it therefore infringes on the child’s right to bodily integrity and dignity. Furthermore, allowing the defence of reasonable chastisement takes away children’s right to equal protection under the law and undermines the state’s obligation to protect children from violence. The infringement on children’s rights could not be reasonably justified and therefore the court held that the defence of reasonable chastisement is unconstitutional.  According to the court, doing away with the defence of reasonable chastisement would not result in harsh criminal sanctions being imposed on all parents found guilty of assault, as these parents should rather be sent for prevention and intervention services with the aim of promoting positive parenting.  Until this matter is dealt with in the Constitutional Court, this judgment does not have a binding effect on any court outside the jurisdiction of the Gauteng High Court. However, it will be considered when any other court is faced with answering the same question.  Contact: shereenv@stbb.co.za 

July 5, 2018
Clamber Club

The value of sports and exercise

“Children should be playing and moving outdoors instead of sitting indoors” Says Elzanne Van Der Walt, Sports Scientist and Clamber Club Sports franchise owner. Skills learned through playing and sporting activities can contribute to the educational development of children, help children to develop physically, and can shape them to be better human beings. In this article, Elzanne gives us some valuable information and tips on the benefits of sporting for children.” “Sport can affect the development of a child’s self esteem and self-worth.” Dr Glyn Roberts  What can sporting activities do for my child? Teach key values– Participating on the playground and sports field teaches values: Honesty – through fair play and sticking to the rules of the game. Teamwork – through interaction with others, kids learn to play and work together. Respect – for yourself, others and equipment used during the games. Ability to follow rules – to listen to someone other than a parent or teacher, and to abide by the rules for the good of the team. Punctuality – being early, and ready to start when the team does. Controlling emotions – sporting games and activities can often lead to strong emotions, such as disappointment, frustration, exhilaration etc. Part of sports is learning how to control your temper and other emotions so that you can participate effectively and in the spirit of good sportsmanship. Build strong healthy bodies – Sporting activities and exercise can: Immune system– getting enough exercise strengthens the immune system, which fights infections= Heart– improves oxygen supply to the heart muscles and makes the heart more effective. Posture– improves agility, flexibility and overall posture. Lungs– strengthens the muscles used for breathing, making breathing more efficient and increasing lung capacity. Bones–  increases the bone density, making them stronger and less likely to break. Sleep– improves sleep and reduces anxiety. Concentration– increased oxygen to the brain helps to improve concentration. Develop gross motor skills: Body awareness Balance Eye hand and eye foot coordination Coordination of body sides and crossing the body midline Balls skills such as catching, throwing, and kicking Elzanne’s top SPORTING tips: Keep your children physically active– The more active kids are, the higher their skills level will be, the more valuable they will feel, and the more motivated they will be to develop new skills and take on bigger challenges. Learn broad sporting skills when young– A preschooler needs to be learning basic techniques and generalized sporting skills, and not those of a specialized sport. If young children have a broader spectrum of sport skills in general it is much easier for them to decide what sports they favor and to see what they are best at. Then at a later stage (when they are a bit older) they can specialize in whatever they are best at or like the most. Allow for competitionin the older child and learn to lose with grace – Learning to deal with competition is a huge advantage for a child in terms of life skills, and is learnt from participating in competitive sporting games. This is also healthy, but it must be presented and taught the right way. Learning to cope with winning and losing is important. Reduce stress and anxiety– Not all children can cope with stress. Sports is known to be one of the best de-stressors for a child. When we are physically active our body releases serotonin which directly contributes to our feelings of well-being. Develop muscle memory from a young age – Sporting activities require fast reflexes and skilled movements that have been practiced over and over in many different ways. If this muscle memory is there from a young age, the child feels stronger, more confident and relaxed. This improves their self-esteem and sporting ability. “Sports is the best medicine for any child’s body, mind and development” Elzanne Van Der Walt.

July 4, 2018
Prima Baby

CAM Champion Highchair

Let your little one join in at meal times with the Campion High Chair from CAM. The CAM company from Italy is one of the finest producers of baby furniture in the world, and being forerunners in the industry they have not only the best quality products, but also mastered the art of the aesthetic.   Famous for unconventional and always gorgeous enough to not have to store away after meals, the Campion High Chair is one of the products that is now being distributed in South Africa through various retailers.  With 6 adjustable heights, a reclining backrest in 4 positions, 3 trays and storage compartments, the Campion is comfort, convenience and functionality all rolled into one easily folded unit. The character-based designs include owl or bear and are designed in easy-on-the-eye colour palettes, making it neutral enough to match most homes. The Campion High Chair is now available at Hamleys stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, Me Mom & Dad in Greenstone, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.thebabyzone.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

July 3, 2018
Clamber Club

5 steps to getting a good night’s sleep

Tips to ensure that baby andyou get a good night’s sleep Many parents must find themselves wondering where the idiom ‘sleeping like a baby’ comes from, considering the hours of crying, feeding and frustration that usually make up the night time norm. The good news for sleep-deprived moms out there is that there is a slumber-filled solution – it just takes some patience to pull off!    Sleep and your baby “Just as babies must learn how to sit, talk and understand the world around them, they also need to learn how to fall asleep on their own,” says Liz Senior, Occupational Therapist and Founder of Clamber Club. “And as with most of baby’s developmental milestones, there’s no better teacher than mom and dad,” she adds. To start with, it is important for parents to understand how babies sleep. “Babies spend more time in the REM sleep (active sleep) phases than adults because they have so much information to process,” explains Petro Thamm, Clamber Club Expert and Founder of Good Night, a certified Sleep Sense Consultancy. “This means that a parent may think that the infant is sleeping, when in fact, as soon as baby is put down he wakes up because he has not yet settled into a deep sleep.” During the night, babies have sleep cycles that are considerably shorter than adults – 45 minutes long compared to 1.5 hours for adults. Quiet sleep comes at the end of the sleep cycle so when it’s over, your baby either begins the cycle again (re-entering active sleep) or he wakes up. By the age of four months, your baby will be sleeping for six to eight hours a night and by six months, he should typically be sleeping for between 10-12 hours. Thamm offers parents five tips for raising an independent sleeper: Eliminate ‘sleep props’ Children need to develop self-soothing strategies so they’re able to fall asleep independently and put themselves back to sleep when they wake in the night. If they depend on a ‘sleep prop’ (nursing or a bottle, pacifier, rocking, bouncing, patting or riding in the car), they will need someone to help them every time they wake up! Implement an early bedtime An early bedtime is best to ensure that baby doesn’t become overtired, which makes it more difficult for her to settle down and fall asleep. Based on your baby’s age and the timing of their last nap, you should pick a bedtime somewhere between 6–8pm. Create a predictable routine  A bedtime routine is most effective when it is about 20-30 minutes long, and the majority of it takes place in your child’s bedroom. Some activities that work well include a bath, massage, going potty, brushing teeth, reading, sharing thoughts or a favourite song, and cuddling. Keep baby awake while feeding  Feeding (whether breast or bottle) is the number one sleep prop children begin to rely on. Keeping baby awake during feedings will help break the association that sleeping and eating go hand in hand. She will then be awake when she’s put back in bed, letting her practise her self-soothing skills. Consistency Consistency is probably the most important part of teaching your child the skill of becoming an independent sleeper. Once you choose your method, you need to be consistent 100% of the time! If you give up or change rules every night, you will frustrate and confuse your little one. Keeping all sleep situations the same also sends a clear message about what’s expected of them. It’s not always easy, but do your best to stay committed to the process, and try not to fall back into bad habits when you’re exhausted. Having a child fall asleep on her own really is the best lullaby a parent could ask for!

June 29, 2018
Capriccio! Arts Powered Pre-School

Arts Powered Learning: choosing a pre-school that fosters creative thinking and a life-long love of learning

Who Are We? Capriccio! Arts Powered Pre-School is a registered Montessori inspired ECD independent school in Milnerton. The Italian wordcapriccio has two interpretations: A lively piece of music; short and free in form. A painting or work of art representing a fantasy or a mixture of real and imaginary features. Both of the above interpretations are representative of our approach to education in the early years, which is designed to harness the full benefits of early exposure to the arts. At Capriccio! our focus is on nurturing each child’s cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and artistic development in a loving, creative and holistic learning environment. We are passionate about the role of art in education and recognise the power it has in instilling within little ones a life-long love of learning. What Are the Benefits of Arts Powered Learning? Studies have shown that exposure to arts education from a young age accelerates positive brain development. Art in all its various forms – music, drama, dance and visual art, has an infinite capacity to affect both the brain and the body, acting as a unifying force that supports and enhances cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills in young children. Ainissa Ramirez once said, “Creativity is the secret sauce to science, technology, engineering and math.” Exposing young learners to arts powered education creates an open learning environment that fosters curiosity and encourages creative thinking and problem solving. These are transferable skills that are essential to building a strong foundation in other learning areas. We believe that children possess an innate property for appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. By engaging this appreciation from a young age, little ones are provided with a means by which to express themselves, which allows them to progress, self-actualise and foster healthy self-esteem throughout their lives. Our Approach to Arts Powered, Montessori Inspired Learning At Capriccio! the expressive needs and individual developmental abilities of each of our little ones are taken into account. By incorporating arts-driven learning and Montessori principals into our curriculum we create a learning environment which provides each child the opportunity to flourish at their own pace. Montessori is a child centred philosophy of education, which recognises that each child has the innate eagerness to acquire knowledge and a deep love of learning.  In keeping with this philosophy, we are focused on following the individual child and acknowledging his or her ability to direct their own learning journey in a carefully prepared learning environment.  We have incorporated the traditional Montessori areas of learning such as, practical life, education of the senses, literacy, numeracy and arithmetic, knowledge and understanding of the world, creativity, and outdoor learning, into our methodology and materials. As Sydney Gurewitz Clemens said, “Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.” It is our belief that art has intrinsic value in giving each child the freedom of self-discovery throughout their learning journey. For more information on our philosophy and approach please visit our website:www.artspreschool.co.za

June 26, 2018
Prima Baby

Oops – Baby’s first Travel Collections

Oops ‘My Sports Bag’ is one of the most popular bags for young toddlers who are just starting to develop some independence and may need a bag to include a swimming costume, towel and maybe a snack. A practical, zipper opening, water-resistant bag that is spacious enough to carry your little one’s sporting gear or travel things, the bags are bright, colourful and feature characters from the famous ‘My City’ or ‘My Forest’ ranges. Perfect for a playdate with friends too. Matching the sports bag is the gorgeous ‘Happy Snack’ lunch box.  A 3D soft cover lunchbox with a thermal lining, the easily-cleaned insides are great for storing food for pre-school, travel trips or just when out and about with mom. It keeps food fresh and delicious for hours and again, has the cutest characters emblazoned on the outside. Grab one now at any of the following retailers: Hamleys Toy Stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, Me Mom and Dad, www.thekidzone.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.loot.com& www.takealot.com

June 26, 2018
Prima Baby

Oops Traditional Wooden Toy selection

Wooden toys always hold a sense of nostalgia about them.  Well crafted, old-fashioned toys that the generations before us enjoyed in many countries are now quite rare.  Oops has held onto the traditional European love of the wooden toy and ensured that children of today still get to enjoy building, playing and learning with the medium of wood. The Multi-Activity Wooden House is the perfect example of traditional play combined with vibrant stimulation.  With the modern Oops characters as residents, the houses include a shape sorter, spinning cogs, a 3D clock and many other elements that generate the interactivity that starts a young mind working.  The ultimate toy that makes learning joyful and fun. The smaller 3D Wooden puzzles from Oops for younger babies are a great starting point for intrigue and fascination.  With just 9 pieces to work with, very young babies can get building bright, character driven puzzles that will improve their coordination and keep them entertained for hours. The Wooden toy selection from Oops is available at the following retailers: Hamleys Toy Stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, Me Mom and Dad, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.thekidzone.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com& www.loot.co.za

June 22, 2018
Clamber Club

Why is my child not walking?

Many parents spend the first year of their child’s life focusing on motor milestones, and are hugely relieved when their baby starts to sit, crawl and walk. The variety of baby and toddler classes and other activities on offer lead to a lot of opportunities for comparison of their child in relation to others. This often leads to parents asking themselves “why is my child not walking yet?”  “There are a few reasons why a child may not be walking at around a year,” says Paediatric Physiotherapist and Clamber Club Expert Nicole Hilburn. “The first thing to consider is when the baby started to sit, and crawl, as late sitters and crawlers will most likely walk late as well. From the start of sitting, a baby usually takes 3 – 4 months to start crawling, and another 3 months or so from crawling to walking,” adds Nicole. Babies with significant birth histories such as low birth weight, prematurity, hospital admissions or prolonged bouts of illness are more likely to be delayed due to decreased muscle strength, or imbalances between muscle groups. What factors prevent your child from walking? “An increasing number of babies are presenting with a condition called torticollis – which is where one of the muscles in the neck is tight due to position in utero, or often due to positioning postnatally in premature infants who have been in the intensive care unit for a while,” explains Nicole. Untreated, this condition leads to decreased use and stiffness of the arm and leg on the same side as the tight muscle in the neck, and may interfere with development. This condition may be present when a baby holds his head slightly to one side, and prefers looking to one side; or cannot look all the way to one side. Babies who use alternative methods of crawling such as bottom shuffling will not develop the core stability and pelvic girdle stability to support them in standing and walking, which will delay the onset of walking. These babies will also struggle to pull up to stand from the floor, due to being on their bottoms and struggling with kneeling. There are a few reasons for bum shuffling – the main reason we usually find that baby’s bum shuffle is due to resistance to tummy time – this leads to weak back muscles, weak arms, and the baby never really experimenting with pushing up off the ground. Excessive use of equipment such as seating devices, and walking rings may lead to walking delays. This is because the child is fully supported in these devices and is not using muscles or engaging postural control while in them. A baby’s temperament also contributes to how quickly he or she will start moving. A very easy-going baby may take longer than a very busy baby. A baby with sensory issues, or who is happy being stable will also take longer to walk, as gaining balance on two legs is much more difficult than being stable on all fours, and these babies may find this frightening. How can you ensure that your baby is on track to walk? Lots of floor play between the ages of 1 and 6 months – on the back and the tummy, which will strengthen the trunk muscles. If a baby looks like he/she is not going to crawl or is using an alternative method to move such as rolling or bottom shuffling, this should be corrected by a physiotherapist, in order to build up appropriate muscle strength in the trunk, shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle. Torticollis should be treated by a physiotherapist. Once a baby is pulling up to stand and cruising, the following tips can be used to promote walking:  Use a wooden wagon to push around Play in the standing position at flat surfaces such as a fridge (e.g. playing with magnets) Encourage play while standing, and give your baby something in each hand, which will encourage standing without holding on Walking with your baby while holding his hands You can also use a hula-hoop if he tends to pull down on your hands a lot – you hold one side and walk backwards and your baby holds the other side – this will give less support, and encourage him to engage his muscles more.

June 20, 2018
Kaboutjie

4 Important personal hygiene habits to teach your children

Personal hygiene is something that can be taught to children when they are very young. While some may argue it is not worth it to teach a child who may not clearly understand you to wash their hands, once they hear it over and over again, it will begin to sink in. Eventually it will become second nature to them. The 4 most important personal hygiene habits to teach your children at an early age include washing their hands, covering their nose and mouth, bathingdaily, and having good dental health by brushingwith electric toothbrushesand flossing on a daily basis. Hand washing is one of the most important things you can teach your child. This is the biggest way to safeguard your child from sickness. Teach your children to wash their hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, after coughing/sneezing, after playing with pets, after coming home from school or daycare, and after playing outside. To wash hands, a child should first wet their hands with warm water, then lather up with soap. The hands should be scrubbed while singing “Happy Birthday” twice, then rinsed well with warm water before drying off with a towel. Covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing will prevent many germs from being spread. It is best to teach children to cough and sneeze into their upper arm or shoulder to prevent more germs from being spread. However, if your child can not master this, you will need to make sure that they wash their hands as described in number one after they have covered their coughs and sneezes. Taking a bath is essential for good health. Once children are old enough, they may wish to shower. If bath time is not something that your child looks forward to, consider a fun bubble bath or a neat bath toy. Make sure you teach your child that it is essential to wash all parts of the body with soap to stay clean and healthy. Hair should be washed three per week to keep it free from dirt and oils. Hair should be brushed daily to avoid any tangles. While teaching hair care, let it be known to your child that they should avoid sharing combs and brushes with others to prevent the spread of lice. Good dental health is essential for any child. Many argue that it does not really matter if they brush or floss their teeth as they will eventually get their permanent teeth sooner or later. But teaching them now will ensure that they have good dental health for life. Many children prefer to be independent when they are young, so after they have brushed their teeth, you can quickly go over the teeth again to make sure that they are not missing spots. If they do not like brushing their teeth, you can add some excitement to their routine by purchasing an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushescan make brushing the teeth more exciting which could lead to less of a battle on your part. As an added benefit, electric toothbrushes can help clean the teeth better, which will lead to fewer cavities and less plaque and tartar accumulation.

June 20, 2018
Skidz

Why play should be a priority in children’s development

Play is not just fun but also significant for a child’s development. It is fundamental for healthy brain development and is the way that children learn about their world. Play provides the opportunity to explore the world, learn cause and effect and derive meaning form experiences. There are many forms of play which fall within the structured or free play categories. There are 4 general types of play that we will explore, namely: physical, object, rules, and pretend play. Physical play uses the entire body. It develops and strengthens both gross and fine motor skills and keeps children active. This is often explored as free play. Climbing trees, running, pushing and pulling. It also offers social and emotional benefits as children learn to engage with others. Object play refers to the use of toys or any objects that can be used to engage play. This is great for the senses as well as creativity and problem solving. As a child learns to manipulate objects to cause a specific reaction. For instance tying a rope to a bucket and having to pull it. Games with rules such as, board games or team sports, help develop social skills as well as, language and communication skills. This is because they need to learn and communicate turn taking, sharing and empathy. Pretend play aids in a child’s understanding of the world around them. It gives them a chance to let their imagination run free. This could be in the form of acting out real-life situations or by making something up that is weird and wonderful. This is a necessary tool to use in regulation of emotions. This helps children to learn empathy as they get to play a different role than themselves. All these types of play work together to ensure that children learn and develop the physical, social and emotional skills needed for grown up life. Skidz includes all these types of play in each Clever Activity Box. The aim is to give parents the tools and resources needed to spend quality time with their kids. This time spent together is pivotal in teaching them how the world works. It helps their physical development as well as their social and emotional development. Everything a child learns is taught through play and this is what we focus on. Each Clever Activity Box comes with over 100 activities in to do at home. It also includes a fun filled curriculum for each day of the week. The ages range from birth up to 5 years. To get your Clever Activity Box and to spend quality time with your child is as easy as visiting our website www.skidz.co.za. For some more awesome and fun ideas you can also like our facebook page at www.facebook.com/skidzsa

June 18, 2018
Clamber Club

Help your child make sense of the world around them

The importance of sensory stimulation for babies and toddlers The world is an exciting place for children, with new sights, smells and sounds at every turn. Making sense of this sensory information is known as perception, and developing this skill is a critical part of your child’s development. Without it, we would look and never see, listen but never understand. Sense making skills The more children are exposed to different sensory inputs, the more they develop their perceptual skills. “Each sense plays an important role in the development of a child’s sensory system which unlocks the key to how they learn, think and feel,” explains Liz Senior, Occupational Therapist and Founder of Clamber Club. “The role of the senses in learning cannot be overstated,” adds Kelly Westerman, Occupational Therapist and Clamber Club Toddler Milnerton Franchisee. “Parents need to have at least some understanding of what the role of each individual sense is in order to maximise the learning potential of even the simplest everyday experiences, such as bathing, sleeping, feeding and dressing.” Touch  Touch and hearing are two of the senses that develop in the womb. The sense of touch relies on receptors in the skin that tell us about heat, pressure, texture and pain. As the skin is the largest sensory organ in the body it has the greatest potential to be stimulated. These touch experiences will develop what is known as the Tactile System. Smell Receptors in the nose are responsible for receiving and perceiving smells, developing what is known as the Olfactory System. Smell is largely underrated and often ignored as it is less closely linked to physical and intellectual development. However, the sense of smell has an important role to play in our emotional stability and memory recall and should therefore not be ignored. Sight Through sight we are able to learn by visually exploring the world in which we live. We gain an understanding of the relationships between people and objects and experience light, colour and form.  It is for this reason that parents should invest as much time as possible to help their children develop their visual sense. Hearing The most common cause of speech delay in children is hearing loss; a child must be able to hear in order to learn to speak. Children who are able to hear and listen well are able to learn faster, make fewer mistakes and are less easily frustrated. Taste  Children taste everything that goes in to their mouths, and through these taste experiences they develop what is known as the Gustatory System. A child’s taste preferences may also be linked to their temperament. Very relaxed children who require a large amount of sensory input to stimulate them show a preference for strong flavours such as lemon and curry; while children who are easily overstimulated tend to show a preference for bland and salty food. Take your child on a sensory journey Even before a baby is born they begin to use their senses to discover and learn about their world. In the beginning, a new-born is forced to take in just about every single sensory input, but as children grow they are able to filter through the sensory stimuli they receive and refine their various perceptual skills. “As parents you should have an understanding of what senses may be involved in any particular activity and aim to give your children good quality sensory experiences from an early age,” suggests Westerman. This can be done by stimulating each of the senses individually and in combination with other senses. “These sensory experiences will lay important foundations for learning, movement, emotional security and survival,” she concludes.

June 14, 2018
Prima Baby

Being a mom… tired is my second name

Everyone knows that the most beloved children’s franchise in the world is Disney – and children still resonate deeply with the characters despite literal generations having passed since its inception.  Mickey and Minnie Mouse were two of the first creations of the legendary cartoonist Walt Disney and have truly stood the test of time in terms of becoming fast and furious friends with little ones around the globe. Disney Baby, and largely distributed through Prima Baby, have some of the greatest products in the Mickey and Minnie Baby (literal baby version of these adorable characters) and offer moms a great opportunity to collect entire ranges of products for baby’s nursery, or just buy one or two essentials at affordable prices. Disney Baby have a stunning range of products to help soothe the transition from a gummy bear to a gnashy monster, help baby fall asleep quietly or just entertain your little one in his or her own quiet time. With rattles, teething activities and doodoo cloths in both Mickey and Minnie Baby, this adorable twosome can be there for the sleepless nights and painful parts of growing up, as well as the more fun days ahead. Check out the Disney Baby ranges available at: Hamleys stores , Me Mom and Dad Greenstone, Selected Kids Emporium stores ,Dischem Centurion ,  www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.sosobabies.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za.

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

The Hundred Acre Wood comes to life with Disney Baby

As long as most parents and even grandparents can recall, Winnie The Pooh and his friends of the Hundred Acre Wood have been a staple in our children’s upbringing.  Stories that have transcended the ages from old library books across to iPads, Winnie is known for his kind, gentle nature, Tigger for his clumsy tomfoolery and Eyore for always being the depressed one that needed a hug.  Winnie was always there for his unlikely companions and his adventures with his best friend, the wise but nervous Piglet, saw them perusing the Hundred Acre Wood in search of honey, new friends and of course, fresh adventures. Disney Baby have a range of products that will bring that tradition of friendship into the lives of your child – from rattles and mobiles, to developmental stacking toys and of course, gorgeous huge plushes that nobody could resist getting a cuddle from. Check out the Disney Baby ranges available at: Hamleys stores , Me Mom and Dad Greenstone, Selected Kids Emporium stores ,Dischem Centurion ,  www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.sosobabies.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za.

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

Disney Baby helps your little one develop important skills

We all know how curious babies can be.  It doesn’t stop as they grow, it just gets more intense as the thirst for knowledge increases.  Developmental toys have become one of the most purchased items by new moms and one of the most important parts of a babies upbringing.  From the tiniest of noises to the first touch of a strange texture, everything is new and equally important – just look at the fascination with touch phones and iPads. Disney Baby are one step ahead when it comes to incorporating learning into a baby’s playtime.  With Mickey Baby and Minnie Baby as the focal play pals, Disney Baby has created products such as musical touch pads, stacking blocks and light up tummy toys that keep little minds fascinated for hours, whilst all being safe enough to take into the crib with them if they just can’t let go! And the great news is, you won’t have to spend a fortune to keep them entertained and learning at the same time – what more could a new mom want? Check out the Disney Baby ranges available at: Hamleys stores , Me Mom and Dad Greenstone, Selected Kids Emporium stores ,Dischem Centurion ,  www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.sosobabies.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za.

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

Disney Baby offers you the perfect feeding solution

Disney Baby is the proud home of the world’s most beloved mouse Mickey Mouse.  He turns 90 this years and is officially one of the longest standing cartoon characters of all time. Disney Baby are also proud manufacturers of some of the best baby products in the world.  Known for innovation, functionality, affordability and safety, the Disney baby feeding line extends from newborn to toddler. Available in both Mickey and Minnie Baby versions, the products speak for themselves in terms of cuteness.  The ‘baby’ versions of the twosome are fast becoming children’s favourite friends around the globe and luckily, Disney Baby produce entire ranges that can be collected for ultimate cuteness overload. BPA free and anti-colic for the bottles ranges, all plastic is microwavable and dishwasher safe and available in South Africa now at affordable prices. Check out the Disney Baby ranges available at: Hamleys stores , Me Mom and Dad Greenstone, Selected Kids Emporium stores ,Dischem Centurion ,  www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.sosobabies.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za.

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

Fisher-Price Activity Plush Rattle

The Fisher-Price range of textured dolls and rattles for strollers and beyond all have wonderfully stimulating features, as well as being some of the cutest new products on the market. One of the best products in the new fox, bear, lion and monkey ranges is the Activity Plush Rattle.  A soft toy featuring a variety of different colourful textured fabrics and elements, the doll is there to stimulate all that is sensory in your child, whilst being their new best friend during their travels. With a squeaker, a rattle and crinkly paper all combined into one gorgeous pal, the rattle also has teething activity for your little one too munch on during the painful times.  Fisher-Price’s new range of baby products, dolls in particular, are all made with carefully thought out plans to ensure that every item is educational and developmental as well as entertaining. A top line brand that has been one of America’s most popular household names since 1930, Fisher-Price has continued their legacy with the baby ranges and continue to assure only the best reaches your child.  Distributed into South Africa since April by Prima Baby, the product ranges can be found at Hamleys Toy stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.loot.co.za, ww.purplepepperz.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

Fisher-Price Silicone Bibs

Bibs have long been the babies most worn-and washed accessory for obvious reasons. And throughout the centuries moms have come to rely heavily on the clothing protection they supply as babies find their way around bottles, teething drool, general muck and of course, solid foods. Silicone bibs are a relatively new concept to the baby product world.  In terms of hygiene, keeping baby dry, minimising washing time and general upkeep, they are without a doubt, the simplest solution to meal times. The bib pops on, protects baby during eating, pops off and get a wipe down in preparation for the next meal.  Instantly dry with no laundry time. In fact, it’s so simple, one wonders why they weren’t invented years before. Fisher-Price has a brand new range of baby products that has been launched in the South African market through Prima Baby.  Available from April, the silicone bib is one of the most popular items, providing moms with convenience they almost didn’t realise they were missing.  Available in zebra and giraffe characters, the bibs are FDA, EU & LFGB compliant and made from ultra-soft silicone that won’t irritate necks. It is also adjustable, dishwasher safe and can roll up for travels, with its own deep pocket to catch larger food spills.  Available instore now at Hamleys Toy stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, ww.purplepepperz.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za

June 13, 2018
Prima Baby

Fisher-Price Turtle Shaped Sorter

Fisher-Price has been a trusted name in child products and toys in America since the 1930’s. One of the world’s leading and most established manufacturers of quality products, the company has just released a baby product line which not only provide moms with a sense of surety of quality, but also a sense of nostalgia for the brand that most of they themselves were raised on. One of the key elements to the Fisher-Price toy range for babies is the lines’ awareness and proactivity in the developmental field – the concept of not only entertaining, but also educating and stimulating little growing minds. Items such as the Turtle Shaped Sorter brings young imaginations to life in the form of a friendly character, with shapes to fit inside his shell.  Watch baby connect the puzzle pieces as they fit the back shapes inside the shell and start to develop the sense of shape and hand-eye coordination, identify different sizes and set patterns and encourage logical thinking abilities. With stimulating primary green and red colours, the turtle is an all-round fantastic addition to any little ones’ toy box. Grab a Fisher-Price turtle shaped sorter instore now at Hamleys Toy stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, ww.purplepepperz.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za

June 13, 2018
Parenting Hub

Oops Soft Toys and Rattles

Oops is one of the world’s more forward-thinking baby development product companies and has been at the heart of stimulating little minds for many years. It is through sheer creativity and experience that this line has become one of the most popular brands in Europe, centred around certain slightly left-off-centre, quirky characters such as Mr Wu, Chocolate Au Lait, Mushee, Happy and Cookie. The characters all live in their lands of either ‘forest’ or ‘city’ and the thinking behind every single item is not only to entertain and amuse, but to stimulate minds in all the right ways, at all the right ages. The multi-activity toys are high-quality, brightly created characters made with multi-sensorial curiosity in mind.  Including sounds, vibrations and teething action, a best friend will be made from the fun play time with Mr Wu or Chocolate Au Lait baby toys. Oops rattle toys provide a variety of textured and coloured rattles that develop upper body strength whilst keeping your child engrosses in the joyous activity of pure discovery. Oops baby Toys and Rattles are available now at the following retailers: Hamleys Toy Stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, Me Mom and Dad, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.thekidzone.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.loot.co.za

June 13, 2018
Clamber Club

Positive Potty Training

Learning to use the toilet is an important milestone for both parent and child.  It’s a big step for toddlers, as they are required to move out of a comfort zone and learn how their little bodies work.  “Parents and caregivers should enter the potty training phase patiently and with few expectations of how it should go,” advises Michelle Mendonca, Clamber Club Expert and Clamber Club Preschool owner.  “What works for one child doesn’t necessarily work for another. Although teachers are very keen to assist parents with the potty training at school, it is vital that they keep it up at home,” adds Michelle. How can you help make potty training easier? “Children are often unsure or intimidated by the toilet, so anyone training them needs to make them feel safe and relaxed,” says Mendonca. Here are Michelle’s top tips:   When introducing the toilet to a child, consider getting a toddler toilet seat with a smaller hole that fits on top of the big toilet seat and a step so that they can climb up by themselves. The step will make them feel more stable. Encourage independence and reassure them that they are ready to use the toilet. Often the idea of wearing underwear with popular characters printed on them is very appealing to the child, and assists the process. How they progress will also depend on the reaction they get when they use the toilet.  Positive reinforcement is key. Every visit to the toilet should be met with a lot of excitement and praise. Receiving positive feedback makes children more motivated. Children using the toilet for the first time should wear clothes that are easy to take off or pull down. Avoid complicated buttons, dungarees and too many layers of clothes. Not being able to remove their clothes in time could negatively affect their experience with toilet training. Most children still need to wear a nappy at night for a while but letting them drink less before bedtime usually helps to get them off the nappy completely. “Setting a potty alarm that goes off every 20 minutes has worked really well in our preschool,” says Michelle. Have a pleasant alarm tone that won’t cause panic, or sing them a special toilet song to let them know that it’s time to visit the toilet.   In the beginning there will be hiccups, they might not do anything when you put them on the toilet and then have an accident 5 minutes later. This is normal, use a reassuring voice and put them at ease.  Pack extra changes of clothes in your child’s school bag just in case. Choose what works for you and do what is consistent with your parenting style. Stay positive, be encouraging with progress and patient with any failures.  Happy toilet training!

June 8, 2018
Munchkins

Veggies for vitality: Get your munchkins to gobble more greens

Diet – probably one of the most dreaded four-letter words in domestic history. The reason why nutrition often feels like a real burden is because our society’s concept of and relationship with food are quite rotten. As a result, there exists a confusing mess of contradicting information on what really constitutes a “healthy diet”. To pile on the pressure, you now have kids whom you love to bits and want to feed wholesome food and it’s most of the time a struggle, right? My own pursuit of answers to the much-debated topic of diet led me to a very simple (and I like to think obvious) conclusion: Eat. Real. Food.To clarify – the closer to nature, the more it will nurture. Conversely, if it is modified (processed or refined), it is best to stay away from it. A “real” diet is inevitably loaded with the substance of life: vegetables! “But my child is a fussy eater!” you say. Let me spill the beans on how you can help to fill your child’s tummy with nature’s best: Start smart The hard truth is: your child will most probably not be begging for broccoli if his palate is spoiled with “easy” foods, such as sweetened yoghurt, crackers and other refined edibles. A baby’s first foods should be freshly prepared vegetables, fruit, natural fats, proteins and whole grains rather than commercially processed baby food. Weaning foods lay the foundation for eating habits. If children won’t eat anything but white bread with cheese spread, we have to ask ourselves: Would that have happened without the option of this “meal”? Our babies have clean dietary slates – they learn to eat what we feed them. So, let them have veggies! What if it is too late for the right start? Detoxing your family from “fake” factory foods and replacing them with wholesome alternatives is a beautiful Plan B. However, it costs commitment! It will be challenging until the whole family, as well as your grocery shopping, cooking, and snacking habits, have adjusted. Cheat them to eat them If mealtimes are mostly synonymous with war, try dosing fussy eaters with vitamins, minerals and fibre by sneakily masking veggies or fruit in their food. Here are some ideas: Make smoothieswith added vegetables. You can even freeze this blend and offer it as popsicles or sorbet. Check out this recipe for a delicious green smoothie. Baked goods(made from healthy flour alternatives) are brilliant hideaways for wellbeing foods! Add grated or pureed veggies, such as carrots, baby marrows, cauliflower or pumpkin to muffins, biscuits, crumpets, breads, wraps and more. Sweeten with blended fruit like banana or dates. See these inspiring recipes for spicy pumpkin muffinsand cauli-wraps. (Google will gladly contribute many more ideas!) Hide veggies in meat recipes(like these fantastic meatballs) – add them to quiches, blend them into yummy soupsor puree them into flavoursome saucesas topping or filling for brown rice, quinoa, omelettes and more. Go on, become a master of disguise… The real deal should also appeal We should be cautious of always offering veggies in easily edible forms. When we do this, we are not accustoming children to their taste and texture and thereby not training them to be vegetable victors. That does not mean that you can’t make it less painful and more fun! Dangle a carrot in front of their noses like this: Build vegetable pictureson their plates. The internet is packed with creative ideas! Give them healthy dipslike hummus, cream cheese or mashed avocado to dunk veggies into. Gardeningis a great way to get kids excited about plant foods! Let them help and witness their greens grow. The key often lies in variety. If Fussy Fiona absolutely refuses mushrooms, give up and give celery. But try again next month. Home-grown habits The apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to diet. In the end, what you cook and eat yourself is what your child will model. Yup, this means the pressure is on! But luckily it will pay off for your own wellbeing too. A final word of encouragement: Our survival instinct will eventually force us to eat what is available. Your child will not starve if you replace comfort foods with vegetables. May your efforts to fill the apple of your eye with good food bear much fruit! Hopefully, your tantrum-prone little eater will soon be as cool as a cucumber when there is salad for supper!

May 16, 2018
Prima Baby

Fisher-Price Alphabet Blocks

For decades, and indeed probably centuries, building blocks have always been a part of a child’s toy box.  The traditional, nostalgic aspect of the wooden toy is one that Fisher-Price have retained through much of their new baby products line, which was launched in South Africa in April through Prima Baby. The alphabet blocks provide baby with hours of fun and entertainment, but essentially they are one of the most important developmental toys a child can own.  Combining skills such as colour co-ordination, hand-eye co-ordination, balance and patience, most adults can even remember the joy and frustration these toys could bring as building large structures took loud tumbles or alternatively, became giant buildings to let the imagination run wild in.   With 26 alphabet blocks, baby can create their own sets of patterns based on the prints thereon, assisting with logical thinking abilities, fine motor skills and logical combinations. A wonderful gift for newborns to grow into and toddlers to immerse their minds into, the alphabet block is a great gesture at baby showers and early birthdays. Alternatively, parents can just go pick up a set themselves instore now at Hamleys Toy stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, ww.purplepepperz.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za & www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za

May 4, 2018
Parenting Hub

Bring meal times to life with JJ’s Animal Snackers: A friend in a bowl

Stir your child’s imagination, excite their mind and stimulate their sensory ability with JJ’s Animal Snacker bowls, now available in SA through Prima Baby. When every spoonful activates an animal sound, what baby wouldn’t want to laugh with the roar of the hippo or the meow of the cat whilst eating? The animal sounds of the snacker teaches babies to accept new ideas and interact with challenging concepts – literally with every spoonful of food!  The magic spoon is activated by moving within the bowl and in turn lets out an accompanying sound that is either friendly dinosaur, cat, doggie or pig. Despite being loads of fun and laughter for child and parents, the bowls are also microwavable and dishwasher safe too.  A strong suction cup keeps base secure to table or highchair to avoid spills.  Try an Animal Snacker bowl today to bring some new fun to meal times. Ages: 10 months and up. Available at: Hamleys Toy Stores, selected Kids Emporium stores,  www.loot.co.za, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.purplepepperz.com, www.takealot.com& www.sosobabies.com

May 2, 2018
Toptots Head Office

Tactile Defensiveness

Ben’s* mom describes her child as “temperamental and anxious”. “He doesn’t like to go anywhere without me, even getting him to school has been a challenge. “ Ben* is tactile defensive. He does not like to be hugged and cuddled, and if his mom wants to hold his hand, he will only allow her to hold onto his little finger. He is very particular about the clothes that he wears, and will not tolerate having his nails cut. He hates getting dirty and will not play with glue or paints. He is an extremely fussy eater and is limited to very bland foods with certain textures. He gets very stressed in busy environments, and is happiest playing on his own. Tactile defensiveness is the tendency to react negatively and emotionally to touch sensations that other people may hardly feel or notice. It’s a result of poor processing of this type of sensation and thus the brain is over-sensitive to touch and views many typical touch sensations as being harmful thus resulting in the flight-fright-fight response. Signs to look out for: Dislikes having face or hair washed. Dislikes having teeth cleaned and resists tooth-brushing. Overly distressed when having hair/ finger-nails/ toe-nails cut. Dislikes being touched and pulls away from hugs and cuddles. Displays negative reactions to certain types of clothing. Dislikes putting hands in sand, paint, play-dough etc. Avoids going barefoot – especially on sand or grass. Seems overly fussy about the temperature or texture of food. If your child has more than two or three of these signs, it may be helpful to consult an Occupational Therapist trained in Sensory Integration, to see if your child presents with Tactile Defensiveness. Tips on stimulating the tactile system: Provide your baby with lots of touch input – swaddling with a blanket; cuddles, kisses, tickles and massage. Let your toddler crawl over different textures – grass, sand, carpets, floors, cushions, blankets etc. Let them play outside without their clothes and shoes so that they can experience the feel of different textures on their skin. Engage in creative tactile tasks like finger painting, paper-mache, using glue, playing with glitter, modelling with clay or dough or using tissue paper. Hide objects to be found in bowls of jelly, rice, pasta, sand or shaving cream. Allow your child to help with baking and cooking i.e. kneading bread dough or handling soggy spaghetti. Play dress up games where your child can feel different textures of clothes on their skin, clips in their hair, jewellery etc. Most importantly allow your child to get dirty and messy and to enjoy the freedom and joy that comes from exploring new sensations of touch, texture and temperature. This will allow their sensory system to learn to process this information in a way that is healthy and optimises their response to touch!

May 2, 2018
Skidz

HOW DOES PLAY PROMOTE HEALTHY SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Play is a child’s language, his work, his relaxation and the way he builds relationships. Forming a healthy relationship with parents help children to feel secure. This sets the stage for a child’s social and emotional development for the rest of his life. Social development is how we interact with others, the ability to form secure relationships. Emotional development is the ability to regulate and express our emotions. Strong social-emotional development is the basis for all later social, emotional and academic success. According to the National Academy of Sciences there are three qualities children need to have to be ready for school. Intellectual skills, motivation to learn and strong social and emotional capacity. How do we as parents create the opportunities needed to develop these skills? It is simple, children need to play. Children use play to release emotions, work through feelings and understand their world better by play-acting in situations they can control. The give and take patterns of play allow children the opportunity to practice the skills necessary for healthy emotional development. Here are some practical ways to help: Suggest ways for children to interact and play together. If you see a child struggling to build a tower, suggest that one helps by holding it while other one builds. Help children learn to take turns, or share what they have. “Ethan wants to play too but he has no play-dough. Let’s give him some of ours so we can all play together.” Help your child build empathy and sympathy for others. If someone got hurt let him give a hug or a special toy to help him feel better. Teach him to help someone up if they fell. Build your child’s vocabulary regarding feelings. Being able to express his feelings adequately will result in less frustration and aggression. For example, disappointment, nervous, frustrated, curious, amazed and astonished. Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Help him to talk about how he is feeling. Comfort and hold him and speak to him softly and calmly. Love your child and show affection towards him. Give him lots of hugs and cuddles. Tell him that you are proud of him. Role play and pretend play are lovely ways to teach children about feelings. Tell a story about how the bear got hurt, or how someone said something ugly to him. Explain how he is feeling and give your child a chance to explain what feelings the bear could be having because of what has happened. Let him help the bear with suggestions of how he can make him feel better.

April 19, 2018
Kaboutjie

The end of day naps

Much to my horror my 3 year old daughter recently declared that she does not have day naps any more. I have tried my best to change her mind and for a good few weeks still attempted to get her to sleep but it has become clear that no matter what I try this girl has made up her mind. We have battled and once again I have lost! As much as I love my daughter I loved the short break during the afternoon when I can relax a bit, she is incredibly busy and always demands a huge amount of attention from me which can be incredibly tiring. As with any change in routine and new milestones this time is exceptionally tough. I thought the change from 2 day naps to 1 day nap was hard, this is much worse. By 3pm in the afternoon she is tired and gets progressively more difficult as the day goes on. It is hard to try and discipline her in any constructive way as she is overtired: self-control has gone out the window. She cannot listen, she gets rude and cheeky and rough. It is like trying to deal with a person drunk or high on drugs! I need to be patient and remember that she is just a little person, that is tired and going through a major change in her life. At times this is almost impossible as it feels like my child was stolen and a gremlin put in her place! The last few days have been slightly better, but to be honest I don’t think it has anything to do with her, it all comes down to the decision I made recently to stay calm, not get upset and to be more loving towards my child no matter what she does. What age did your child stop sleeping during the day?

April 11, 2018
Parenting Hub

The angry toddler

Suddenly I have an angry toddler on my hands. I always thought the Terrible Two’s started at 2 years old. Much to my horror my daughter started with tantrums at about 1 year old and they have just been building in ferocity ever since and she is nearly 3 years old now. I came to the conclusion that firstly as a busy mom with my own business and a new baby she is looking for attention. As much as I try my best to be an attentive, loving mommy at all times the truth is that there is just not enough time or energy to devote to this! The attention she of course does get on a regular occasion is when she acts out and I lose my temper too. All the small little achievements go unnoticed and the naughty things get the kind of airtime she craves. The second thing that I believe very much adds to this difficult stage is she was not able to understand her feelings properly and certainly not able to voice them appropriately. I decided a little while ago to try and focus intensely on this “little” problem. I tackled it from the two areas I felt needed to be addressed. The first thing I did was start talking to her about feelings. If she threw a tantrum for any reason I would ask her if she is feeling angry, hurt, sad or scared. Very soon she caught on to this and now very often instead of throwing herself on the floor she will voice her feelings in the correct way. She will tell me “I am ANGRY with mommy” or the one that really gets my heart strings tugging is when she tells me “Calista is very, very sad now”. The next step in this process was to ignore as much of her bad behaviour as humanly possible (no easy feat!) and to try and acknowledge each and every good thing she did in the day and applaud and congratulate her. To be honest in the beginning it was not easy because we were all (the entire family) stuck in a rut with her bad behaviour and when I asked my hubby to come on board with my plan he said he is struggling to find anything that works. My heart went out to my daughter at this moment, mainly because he was spot on. I started with little things (because that is all I could find) and made a huge fuss about it. It did not take long at all for her to bask in the glory of Mommy’s praise. It made me realise how I had been dealing with things incorrectly for so long. I then decided that it might be good to give her specific “chores” every daythat she knows will make us proud. Her list of daily duties includes setting the table (minus anything breakable which really just means putting the salt & pepper and cutlery on the table), taking her plate to the kitchen when she is finished eating, taking her empty milk bottle to the kitchen sink every morning and making her own bed. She has now been completing her daily chores every day with great pride. We also try and pack away her toys at the end of the day together. To be honest sometimes I don’t have the energy and just leave everything lying all over the floor! A very successful tool that I added in here is a rewards chart. I just bought pretty cardboard, kokis and a whole stack of stickers. We sit down together and make her chart. She chooses the stickers she wants to decorate it with and stick it on the wall. Every time she does something good I put a gold star on the chart until she has 10 stars and then she gets a reward, something small like Jelly Tots or a bowl of ice cream. We also used this chart for potty training; every time she used the toilet she got a star too. The difficulty with this method is that she caught on very quickly and each time she hit 7 stars she would stand in front of the chart thinking and then run to the toilet and make a wee. Then she tells me “Wee in toilet, want a star” and I put a star up. Then she stands in front of the chart again and I can see this little mind ticking away and off she runs to the toilet to try and squeeze another one out. Even though she never actually produced anything she tells me again she needs a star. The clever little manipulator was at work again. I stuck to my boundaries each time and told her it is only if she makes a wee or poop on the toilet, not for sitting on the toilet and producing nothing. Of course she would then cause a fuss. My daughter still has tantrums but nothing like before. Some days we have no episodes at all which is a complete turnaround considering a few months back it felt like all day every day was a continuous tantrum to get through. Her first reward chart was on the 28th March, nearly 3 months ago and the change in my child has been tremendous. It took patience, understanding and a bit of effort to make a change but well worth it. Good luck to all the mommies that are still struggling with this phase, I hope something here can help you get through the day! Update 01/07/2016: I just reviewed some awesome products for Jitterbugs which included lovely reward charts and reward stickers! How do you handle toddler tantrums?

March 30, 2018
Kaboutjie

10 Development differences between girls and boys

While every child develops at his or her own pace there are certain developmental differences between girls and boys that do stand out. 1. Physical growth Girls and boys actually grow at a similar rate until elementary school. Girls start growing at a fast pace in late elementary school and the boys then catch up and overtake growing taller than girls. 2. Onset of Puberty Girls hit puberty at an earlier age than boys. Some girls begin puberty as young as eight years old, but others as late as twelve years old. Boys usually start hitting puberty at the earliest only around the nine year old mark. 3. Verbal Skills Girls usually start talking much earlier than boys do. They also have a higher vocabulary and much more complex understanding of language than boys. This extends right to school years where in general girls have better spelling, writing, reading and overall language skills than boys. 4. Gross Motor Skills Boys are known to be more active than girls in general and they show more advanced gross motor skills such as running, jumping and balancing. 5. Fine Motor Skills Girls show more skill than boys with fine motor skills such as writing and holding a pen. 6. Spatial Skills This is one of the major differences between the developmental differences in girls and boys. Boys have a much better grasp of spatial skills. Girls seem to struggle more with boys excelling in this from the age of nine years on. 7. Hand eye coordination Boys generally have a better grasp of hand eye coordination skills probably due to the fact that their gross motor skills and spatial skills are more advanced than girls. 8. Handling and understanding emotions Girls tend to learn how to understand and handle their emotions faster than boys. This could be a result of girls being able to communicate easier than boys. Girls tend to express their emotions verbally while boys express themselves physically. 9. Sensory and Cognitive Development Before the age of three years old girls tend to have more advanced skills in memory, touch, hearing, smell and vision. After the age of three years old this gap gets narrowed when the boys skills advance with hand eye coordination and spatial skills. 10. Potty Training When it comes to potty training girls vs boys the girls tend to take the lead here, starting potty training much earlier than boys. They not only start earlier but they tend to master the skill in less time with fewer accidents than boys. When children grow up into adults there are often differences between them as men and women. Some of these are because often men and women do have aptitudes for different things. However, a lot of differences in adults come about from gender stereotyping while the child is growing up. It is interesting to note how men and women very often seem to gravitate towards certain careers. This is true not only in the workplace, but also in education. For example some statistics from the team at DevelopIntelligence highlight the large gap between male and female students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields at school. What developmental differences between girls and boys have you noticed?

March 28, 2018
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