Advice from the experts
PowerPlastics Pool Covers

Child drowning – a leading cause of childhood death that is entirely preventable

Drowning remains one of the top causes of unnatural childhood death in South Africa and for every child that dies from drowning, five are left with permanent brain damage from the lack of oxygen that occurs in a near-drowning. Manufacturer of the leading child safety pool cover in SA, PowerPlastics Pool Covers, is on a drive to remind parents that drownings are entirely preventable with multiple layers of safety applied to the pool.  The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover and adult supervision at all times should be included in these layers of safety at all times.  The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover offers parental peace of mind as it completely seals off the entire pool. The PVC cover is drawn over strong aluminium batons that rest on the coping, and a tamperproof ratchet fastening system makes it impossible for a small child to access the water. Small drainage holes prevent rain or sprinkler water from collecting on the cover as just a few millimetres of water can be fatal to a curious child. The cover withstands up to 220kg and is easily deployed by two people, or it can be semi-automated for single person usage.  “For years we have been educators in pool safety for children and, with our solid safety cover, parents not only get peace of mind, the cover also allows significant savings on water, power and chemicals, unlike alternatives such as nets and fences which still leave the water exposed,” says Carolyn Idas of PowerPlastics Pool Covers.  “But a cover only saves lives if it is actually on the pool. Being lazy about re-securing a pool after use is surprisingly common. For this reason, we developed our safety cover so that it is hassle-free and does not require brute force. Next time you ‘can’t be bothered’, consider the alternative which could be a drowning due to negligence.” The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover is available in a range of colours, allowing it to blend into the outdoor area, or it can be custom printed with photos and graphics for a unique 3D effect.  Thermal pool covers or ‘bubble’ covers that lie directly on the water should never be considered as child safety pool covers as they do not bear weight. These covers heat the pool and save water by stopping evaporation but their purpose does not include child safety.  “As part of our education in the community, we launched TopStep, the home of pool safety, an educational website with tips and advice on preventing drownings. Aside from covering the pool, every adult in the home needs to know what a drowning in progress actually looks like as TV has created wide misconceptions around this. There is no noise or splashing nor calls for help. Drowning is quick and silent. Visit www.topstep.co.za to learn more about this.”  Even if one doesn’t have children, it is still necessary to consider safety for visitors. Families living in residential complexes with a communal pool should insist that their body corporate install a safety pool cover.  “The bottom line is that children need to be supervised around pools, and as long as the pool is covered by us and other layers of safety are in place, the likelihood of a tragedy occurring in your pool is greatly reduced.” Learn about the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover here or email [email protected] Practical tips for pool safety Don’t let your pool’s water levels drop. Keeping the pool topped up allows for small arms to easily grab the edge if needed.  For every two children in the pool, have one adult supervising. The more children, the more supervisors needed. Be aware that children’s pool parties are high risk events.  For larger groups, give the designated supervisor a bright hat to wear so the children know who to call for help.  Turn off fountains and water features. Not only do they waste water and power, they can cause ripples and splashing, making it harder to see when a child has encountered difficulty in the pool or has sunk to the bottom.  Ensure that every adult in the home knows CPR, including domestic workers. Never hire a baby sitter or au pair who can’t swim. Don’t let anyone who has been drinking or on sedative medication supervise children in a pool.  Don’t leave toys in or near an open pool as children will be tempted to retrieve them. Teach your child to swim fully clothed and with shoes on. If your child develops a fear of water, don’t ignore this – a child who panics is at greater risk of drowning. Never allow swimming after dark. Discourage your dogs from swimming. Children and pets in a pool are not a good mix. Never leave the pool without securing it with your PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover. Never design / build a pool that cannot be secured for child safety.  Drowning myths Television has a lot to answer for when it comes to how drowning is portrayed and there are many myths out there. Be aware of the signs and remember that the appearance of a drowning can vary widely.  Myth #1: Drowning children will shout for help Drowning children are physiologically unable to call out. The respiratory system is designed for breathing – speech is the secondary function. Drowning children’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface but while their mouth is above the surface, they need to exhale and inhale before they sink again. There is not enough time to cry out.  Myth #2: Drowning children wave their arms to attract attention or will thrash in the water Drowning children cannot wave for help. A person who is drowning cannot perform voluntary movements such as waving or moving towards a rescuer. Envisage the surface of the water as a platform. Someone who is drowning often presses down on the surface and tries to use it as leverage to get their mouth above the water’s surface to breathe. So what the onlooker sees are arm movements that can appear

July 6, 2018
Prima Baby

CAM Smarty Table Chair

Let baby join in all the fun with the CAM Smarty Table Chair.  A vibrantly coloured stand-alone chair that allows your child to be part of any meal time occasion – indoors or outdoors. CAM baby furniture from Italy is one of the leading manufacturers of high quality baby products and with the Smarty Table Chair they have provided a well-priced item that allows moms the confidence to include baby in outdoor social outings in a quick, hassle free manner. The Smarty Chair is one of the most popular chairs for eating out, particularly at a picnic or barbecue.  Adjustable to 4 heights, the chair has adjustable harnesses and a wide, removable tray for easy cleaning.  With the anatomical seat in soft, removable fabric and bright colours, this beautifully deigned chair is yet another item from CAM that parents won’t feel the need to hide away when guests come over.   The non-slip stoppers allow the chair to sit comfortably on any surface.   The Smarty Char is also amazingly compact and can be easily popped into its carry bag. A growing baby necessity, the Smarty Chair is now available in South Africa at Hamleys stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za, www.thebabyzone.co.za & www.purplepepperz.com

July 6, 2018
Good Night Baby

Can Sleep Training harm my baby?

With the stigma around the cry-it-out method – which is what the majority of parents believe sleep training your baby to be – there is no wonder that moms and dads are right to question whether sleep training can harm their baby.  In South Africa, the controversial “sleep training” debate has heated up considerably over the last few months. With so many puritan views on the subject, it’s difficult to discern which information is objective, honest and suitable for everyday families. I am afraid that the vast amount of knowledge and information on the internet has also not helped parents, because there’s no way to judge who is right and who is wrong!? And the “shock effect” that is so popular on social media has caused all of us at one point in our lives to share articles titled “Ferber sleep training harms baby” and the like on social media without even understanding the context or information contained in the article. There are two very different spheres of parenting styles that influence the heated debate on baby sleep trainers. On the one hand you have the attachment approach which is applauded by parents who don’t believe mom and baby should ever be separated and on the other hand you have the parent-directed approach, which is comforting for the parents who know they function better on a good night’s sleep. Essentially, it’s the parent-led or baby-led mommy mantra… And everyone wants to pitch in defending their views on the subject. What is sleep training? Knowledge is power, and it is even more powerful in the paediatric sleep debate. I also honestly believe that most of us have a deeply skewed view of the nature and process of sleep training. Sleep training is not equivalent to crying but sleep training might include crying.  Sleep is a skill and a discipline. It is us (as parents) that often interfere with the process of our children learning how to sleep well (propping our kids up with bottles, feeds, dummies, rocking them continuously, etc.). Think about a child who’s learning to walk: if your child is always placed in a walking ring and is never given the chance to explore or pull themselves up against a couch, how will they learn how to walk? However, in the same breath, you don’t need to explain to your child which muscles to flex for them to walk by themselves. They’ll figure this all out in a safe environment that allows them to practice. In much the same way, a safe sleep environment, with a parent who respects the need of the child to learn to sleep, will be rewarded with a child who learns the skill and the discipline to do so. I prefer the term sleep coaching or sleep consulting rather than sleep training. It is not supposed to be a sleep training technique or approach, but rather a whole eco system and holistic viewpoint of creating an environment which suits your parenting style and allows your baby an optimum environment for sleeping through the night. Can crying harm my baby? Maybe one of the biggest reasons for the “I hate sleep training” slogan is that parents believe sleep training involves crying. When I was a first-time mom, I believed that baby only cried when he was close to dying. Hence, it was the reason I was in a complete panic the first time I took my baby home and he did not stop crying! However, babies cry. Period. Studies suggest that a newborn baby cries on average for 2 to 3 hours a day! All babies cry. Sometimes because they are wet, cold, hot,  uncomfortable, unhappy and/or hungry, and sometimes just because they are babies. Babies cry. A lot. To expect your child to never cry is unrealistic and unnatural. The truth is this – no amount of crying will make a baby sleep without first addressing the fundamental building blocks of excellent quality sleep. Without addressing those, you will only cause unnecessary heartache for yourself.  A client recently asked us to help her sleep train her 9-month-old baby. After a more thorough analysis it became clear that the baby was underfed, and this was the reason for it not sleeping through the night. Once we addressed the nutritional issues this baby slept like… well… like a baby.  Use your instinct as a mother and more than anything your good common sense! Will leaving your 18-month-old (after you’ve addressed all his/her needs) to cry for 10 minutes rather than responding to a tantrum, undo the love and attentiveness you’ve given her the rest of the day (or life!) and harm her? Of course not. Will responding to your toddler who needs your attention right before you breastfeed your second baby  and as such the second baby cries a little,  psychologically damage her? Never! So how can a few minutes of crying harm your child? It simply makes no sense.  The problem comes in when parents read the wrong information on the subject, and leave their children to cry for hours, night after night, without any improvement or success and then they start doubting the process and proclaim that sleep training does not work. It is highly likely that the child was never properly “sleep trained” in the first place.  (And to support this statement, about 85% of the clients that Good Night Child Sleep consultancy work with have done some form of “sleep training” before without success!) What sleep training method should I use? Does that mean then that one sleep training method is better than the other? The truth is that there are many ways to get to same place. You can walk, run, crawl or fly – it all depends on your preferences and your situation. Remember that sleep training a three-month-old is vastly different to sleep training a 9-month-old and the question that you should ask yourself is NOT whether you can allow your child to cry. No child’s needs need to be

July 6, 2018
Parenting Hub

Winter boredom busters for kids

Winter school holidays are just around the corner, and with it inevitably comes three weeks of your children sitting at home complaining that they are ‘bored’ and being unable to play outside because of the cooler temperatures (especially inland) . Bored children tend to bicker with their sibling or end up being mischievous. The winter chill is unfortunately unavoidable but the boredom that comes with it can be sidestepped completely. Before cabin fever hits your home, and you start counting down the hours until the start of third term, try one of our boredom buster activities – they are all not only kid but Blue Bird Aupair approved!  Holiday Diary – Buy a note book and cover it and encourage your child to write in it every day. If your child is younger than 8, get them to draw pictures, paint or colour their days. They can get creative as they want and stick in photos, do check-lists of activities they want to do and draw pictures to remind them of the ‘winter holidays of 2018’.  Gardening – Checkers’ mini gardens have given children (and their parents!) green fingers overnight. Use the holidays to get the children in the garden, planting, weeding and watering! It brings a new dimension to messy play. Make sock puppets by gluing wool on the top of an old sock and using a permanent marker and scraps of material to make eyes, nose and a mouth, then put on a puppet show.  Have a tea party with the little ladies (and gentlemen) in your home. Encourage them to dress in their ‘Sunday best’ for the occasion. Don’t forget dust off the good cutlery and crockery! Visit the library. Municipal libraries are packed with books which will the entire family’s imagination FREE! Just take along your most up-to-date municipal bill, complete the forms and choose from a plethora of books (and DVD’s). Bake your favourite biscuit or cake recipe and let your child decorate their creation as they please. You supply sprinkles, icing and sweeties and let them do the rest.  Make your own non-toxic play dough by mixing together half a cup of salt, 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, mix in a cup of boiling water and a few drops of food colouring.  Board games. Dust off the old Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders set and revive the old-fashioned fun of playing a game that does not require a battery or TV screen. Or, try teaching your children the lost art of chess or backgammon!  Remember, that young and enquiring minds need to be stimulated and engaged or boredom and the inevitable unruly behaviour will be sure to present itself. With a bit of imagination (and patience) winter holidays can not only be bearable but enjoyable for the entire family! 

July 6, 2018
Toptots Head Office

Why is reading to your child so important?

As parents, we know that reading a book to our child before bedtime is a good routine to put in place. We also know that after the ‘witching hour’ (feed, bath and bed), our energy levels aren’t at their highest. As a matter of fact, reading a story, sometimes three times in a row at your child’s insistence, is the last thing you want to do. So how important is it that you introduce the concept of reading to a child from a young age? Does it really make a difference in their development? Studies and research say yes. These studies show that early language and literary development start in the first three years of a child’s life. Now this isn’t to say that your toddler should be reading and writing words. This literary development comes in the form of your young child enjoying books being read to them, exploring pictures within those books and the bonding experienced when a parent spends the time reading to them. Reading to your child teaches them all kinds of vital skills. They learn how to physically handle the book and turn pages. It helps increase their concentration and memory. You will find your child pointing to the pictures as you read the words, showing that even at such a young age they have an understanding of the story and recognise different elements and characters. Read to them often enough, and you can even video them babbling along and pretending to read themselves. Still not convinced? Did you know that most children’s books contain 50 percent more unusual or rare words than children’s TV shows, or even college students’ conversations? Which means your child is growing their vocabulary each time you read them a new story. And the better your child’s vocabulary is by the time they reach school going-age, the better chance they have at exceeding in their academic life. Now that you know the importance of reading to your children, where should you start? There are many books out there to choose from. They need to be age appropriate, picture- filled and have a fun story line to follow. Buy books that are soft-covered and small in size – meaning that your tot will be able to handle them with ease.

July 6, 2018
Prima Baby

CAM Volare Changing Station

CAM introduces the new Volare Changing Station – one of the most beautiful necessity items in your little one’s bath time routine. Designed with the character-based friends owl and bear, the changing station has two matching items available, namely the Idea Chair and the Campion High chair, but is sold and used separately as a bathroom or nursery item. With drop prevention system and a soft changing mat, a bathinette with two anatomic seats, the Volare Changing station makes baby’s bath time easy and convenient for parents. It comes with a storage compartment for sponges and soaps, a plug with a drainage pipe and a drawer to hold bottles.  Ideal for even the smallest bathroom, the changing station also folds up for compact storage. The Volare Changing Statin is available now at Hamleys stores, selected Kids Emporium stores, Me Mom & Dad (Greenstone), www.takealot.com, www.loot.com, www.thebabyzone.co.za& www.purplepepperz.com

July 6, 2018
Mia Von Scha

To Answer or Not To Answer? That Is The Question.

When I first had kids I thought it was important to answer them when they asked a question. So when they hit the “why?” stage (and mine were close together so they were both doing it at the same time) I was answering upward of 50 questions every hour almost every hour of the day.    One day as we were going for a walk they asked me why all the dogs in the neighbourhood barked as we went past. I told them that the dogs are protecting their property and think we might be burglars. To which my 3 year old replied, “You’re not a burglar you’re the answer lady!” I liked being the answer lady until they started asking questions I didn’t have answers for. From around 4 they started to ask about what happens after we die and can everything get sucked into a black hole and what is our purpose and how did the universe begin and other such perplexing inquiries.I don’t have all the answers. None of us do. We are not encyclopedias or the Internet or philosophical sages. I realized that by providing the answers I’d been robbing them of the opportunity it to have wonder at the world: To ponder and contemplate and question and be in awe. One of the most marvelous things about life is the mystery that it holds which comes in all the unanswered questions. It’s like the hugest puzzle we’ve ever attempted and we’ll be lucky in our lifetime to place one piece correctly and get a sense of how it contributes to the bigger picture. Children approach the world with this incredible awe and by answering all their questions we take away some of the mystery. We teach them to assume that there is an answer and an explanation for everything and that nothing is particularly magical. We take away some of the excitement of trying to figure out what’s going on for ourselves. So now what I do when they ask me a question, is that I throw it back at them with an… “Aah. That is an interesting question. In fact philosophers like you, throughout time, have been pondering that same thing. I’d love to know what you think about that.” Or if it’s a more factual question I suggest ways they might find out the answer themselves. Or I encourage them to think about it or set up an experiment to test their hypothesis. Or I suggest someone we know who is an expert in that field that they might be able to consult if they want to delve deeper. I’m always open to having a discussion on something they’re exploring, but instead of being the answer lady I prefer now to be the “with you in the wondering lady”.  It has helped me to grow as a person to not expect every question to have an answer: To know that some things are beyond my grasp right now and some things will be forever outside of my realm of understanding. The world is a little more alive when we look at it through the eyes of a child and ask “why?” without necessarily expecting an answer. “Why?” shows a fascination with this very extraordinary place that we call home. As much as your children are genuinely trying to understand the world and may even need a concrete answer sometimes, it is important for us to acknowledge and value the questioning as much (or more so) than the answer.

July 6, 2018
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
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: [email protected] 

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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Load More

Sidebar Image

Scroll to Top