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Parenting Hub

Review: Shampooheads

Shampooheads, made by kids for kids, is an exciting range of hair products designed especially for the young.  Packaged in funky colours and with names like Blueberry Burst, Tropical Twist and Strawberry Kiss, who isn’t going to want to use it? Even the team at Parenting Hub were enticed by this wonderful new product and much debate was entered into when we received samples for our review.  Shampooheads Professional is an exciting new haircare range, developed with the UK’s most trusted childcare expert, Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE. This range of haircare products has been designed and developed with major contributions from Teens and Tweens, including the manufacturers’ very own kids! Currently there are 7 products available across 3 different ranges, Strawberry Kiss, Tropical Twist & Blueberry Burst. Strawberry Kiss comes in a range of shampoo, conditioner and detangler and smells absolutely gorgeous!  The effect on your child’s hair is immediately noticeable and no longer do you have to worry about trying to comb through tangled, snarled up hair.  This range is mild and gentle, suitable for fine, soft and normal hair. Enriched with soft cotton extract to leave hair feeling moisturised. Tropical Twist is rich and nourishing for thick, coarse and curly hair and enriched with extracts of mango!  It cleanses and moisturises unruly hair.  We couldn’t help but notice how much hair shines after use. Blueberry Burst is energising and fresh. Suitable for all hair types and formulated with extracts of watermint.  Provides a refreshing feel and finish to the hair.  Such an amazing fragrance, a truly amazing product! Shampooheads Toddler range has some really cool names like, Awesome Annie Shampoo and Body Wash, Busy Bob Crazy Gel and Raging Rosie Shampoo and Body Wash.  The beautifully designed packaging will get any little one excited about using hair products.  If you have a toddler who simply hates hair wash day, try Shampooheads Toddler range – it’s sure to bring an end to those hair washday blues! Available for purchase on Shampooheads website http://www.shampooheads.com/shop/, why not click the link now.

September 9, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: LeapStart Interactive

Leapfrog Enterprises remains the leader in innovative learning solutions for children.  The LeapStart Interactive Learning System recommended for ages 2 – 4 year olds, was sent to Parenting Hub so that we could experience this brilliant interactive system first-hand. The LeapStart activity books are specially designed to assist children to build key skills as well as challenge them in order to get them ready for their next step in learning.  What’s great about the whole system is that it works with a library of re-playable activity books with great concepts such as reading comprehension, mathematics, phonics and problem solving, to name a few. Whilst the LeapStart Interactive System requires adult assistance in setting up, the benefit is that you, as the parent, are able to download a 30+ page guide to help foster your child’s development.  With over 15 activity books that have been developed to grow with your child, an exciting 50+ key skills are available at every learning level. Level 1 Pre-School, aimed at ages 2 – 4, teaches early fundamentals like ABC, as well as shapes, colours and creativity. Level 2 Pre-School, aimed at ages 3 – 5, introduces early key skills like phonics, writing, counting and critical thinking. Designed as a fold-away unit that enables the swap-out of re-playable activity books, the LeapStart has a no-slip grip hand, an easy-hold stylis for little hands and includes sound to keep your little one’s interest going.  Fun activities are presented in such a way as to include nifty number tracing, social skills that thrill and letter scavenger hunts.  Tap any page to play music and activities – simple and easy for your child to follow! We at Parenting Hub were also excited to see the value for money in that the LeapStart Preschool, whilst aimed at ages 2 – 4, works with all LeapStart activity books.  These books are available for purchase online and at all LeapStart retail outlets countrywide.

August 24, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Kidz Medi Kit

Enter the home of anyone who has any number of children, and you’ll be surprised to see just how much medication has been accumulated over the years of their being parents.  Most of us try to put together a medical kit, but never quite succeed and generally some medication can be found in our bathroom cupboards, some locked away where it can’t be reached by little fingers and some in a draw somewhere! Then along came Kidz Medi Kit which is available from www.kidzmedikit.co.za or one of the many Kidz Medi Kit agents around South Africa and even Namibia.  This mobile set of drawers, comes fully equipped with everything that you will need as a mom of small children.  From band aids, to burn shields, scissors, a thermometer and constipation treatments, to name a few, the Kidz Medi Kit was put together with the assistance of Dr Willie Roux, who is a paediatrician at the Worcester Kidz Cross Medical centre and also a father of 3. The Kidz Medi Kit is a medical emergency kit tailored specifically for parents, and contains all the basics that you are likely to need as a parent.  It also contains a very informative little booklet that aims to answer all the most common medical questions parents are likely to encounter as well as give advice on how to treat correctly.  Whilst the producers of Kidz Medi Kit will always strongly advise that parents seek the advice of their doctor, especially if they are uncertain, the aim of the helpful booklet is to give parents sufficient information to decide whether or not to treat at home. Be sure to place your order with Kidz Medi Kit today.  Parenting Hub highly recommends that you do.  What we found particularly exciting about the Kidz Medi Kit is that whilst it is stocked with the many products that you need, it also has sufficient space to store your own products that are more specific to your family.  This makes it easier for you to keep all your medications stored in one place.  The kit consists of a set of four drawers, divided into individual slots for easy storage.  This way, your products can be easily found, won’t spill out onto other products and can be safely stored away from prying little hands. Some informative advice we found on Kidz Medi Kit website, we thought would be worth repeating here : Use of your Kidz Medi Kit should not replace consultation with your doctor. When in doubt, rather take your child to the doctor. Your Kidz Medi Kit must be kept out of reach of children at all times. Ensure that all medicines are clearly marked. Note that all medicines have an expiration date. Please discard any medicines that have passed their expiration date. The only safe way to discard of medicine is to hand it in at your nearest pharmacy. Never keep unused antibiotics. A course of antibiotics should always be finished as prescribed by your doctor. If there was a good reason to discontinue use, discard any remaining antibiotics immediately. It is very dangerous to use antibiotics that were prescribed for someone else. Always consult a medical doctor before using antibiotics.  

August 19, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Fungus Amungus

Prima Toys are number one when it comes to fun educational toys and the new Yuck Truck designed to catch and destroy Fungus Amungus collectables is an exciting way to introduce your little one to the ‘germ side of life.” Whilst the Yuck Truck is particularly appealing for little boys and recommended from age 3, little girls will have equally as much fun playing with it. Apparently no funguys are safe with the Yuck Truck!  Little ones are encouraged to go out and catch the super sticky, super gross figures that come so nicely packed into little round containers to keep them safe.  You can spin them in the ‘Spin and Scream Chamber” or smash them with the “Funguy Hammer” and then (of course), trap them in the “Jail Cell” wheels! Open the front hatch and you’ll find a hidden mobile lab inside. The Yuck Truck features : The perfect Funguy catching machine Spin ‘em in the Spin ‘n’ Scream chamber Smash ‘em with the Funguy hammer Trap ‘em in the Jail-Cell Wheels and the hidden Mobile Lab Loads of gross sounds and exclusive sticky Funguy This awesome Yuck Truck does require batteries but who would deny their little one so many hours of fun? There are over 200 super sticky, super gross Funguys on the loose and your little one is given the ‘responsibility’ of catching them before they wreak havoc all over the world! The truck is firmly constructed, comes with starter batteries and only takes a minute to get out of the packaging – something we discovered at Parenting Hub, much to our delight!  We do admit that the Yuck Truck caused quite a stir at the Parenting Hub offices and before we were able to give the truck to Claude (aged 9) to test drive for us, we blush to admit that our staff had unpacked it and had great fun test driving ourselves! We thought that particularly because the Yuck Truck involves a lot of energetic destruction which is so appealing to Claude, that he would be the best choice for comment.  “I’m having such fun, I love the sounds and all the places I can squash and squish all the funguys.” The Yuck Truck is available from all Prima Toys stockists.

August 17, 2016
Prima Toys

Leapfrog unveils the LeapStart – an Interactive Activity Book System for Preschoolers

LeapFrog’s LeapStart Junior, designed specifically for 2 to 4 year-olds, will help kids thrive tomorrow by teaching them the critical skills they need at this early stage. With a library of books across different learning levels, the LeapStart Junior helps children grow and progress. Help your child build tomorrow’s skills today with the new, interactive LeapStart. About the LeapStart LeapStart is an interactive learning system jam-packed with school and life skills for curious 2-4 year olds. The LeapStart activity books are designed to help build key skills and challenge kids to get ready for their next step in learning. The system works with a library of re-playable activity books that get kids excited about concepts such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and social skills, reading comprehension and communication, phonics and problem solving, and lots more. Product Overview Bring learning to life with an interactive early learning system jam-packed with activities for school and life Teaches core and life skills that complement early schooling Includes: kid-tough device with easy-hold stylus for little hands and nursery and preschool sampler book Tap into big fun with the amazing, all-in-one LeapStart interactive early learning system for Nursery and Preschool, jam-packed with key school and life skills for curious 2-4 year olds. The system works with a library of replayable activity books (sold separately) and comes with a Nursery and Preschool sampler book. The LeapStart interactive learning system is designed to help build key skills and challenge kids to get ready for their next step in learning. Get kids excited about everything from counting to creativity, phonics to problem solving and shapes to social skills with replayable activity books bursting with fun on every page. The magic behind LeapStart is a small camera in the stylus that reads invisible dots on every page, triggering engaging audio that helps teach key Nursery and Preschool concepts. Using the easy-grip stylus, kids can tap any page to activate audio responses and play activities designed to keep them engaged and coming back for more. LeapStart interactive early learning system includes a portable kid-tough device with an easy-grip stylus, sampler book for Nursery and Preschool and a downloadable Guide to Getting Kids Ready for School. Requires two AA batteries, not included. Additional activity books are sold separately. The Various levels Level 1 – Teaches ABCs, counting, problem solving, creativity, as well as health, shapes, colors and music. Level 2 –  Pre-school Introduces reading, writing, early math, and school routines as well as teamwork, communication and social skills. For more information please go to www.PrimaToys.co.za

August 8, 2016
Prima Toys

Introducing Finding Dory

Finding Dory, the soon to be released movie about the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, follows on the adventurous escapades of the characters in Finding Nemo. In the new movie, Dory, with the help of Nemo and Marlin, embarks on a quest to reunite with her mother and father. Fortunately for Dory fans, Prima Toys has launched a multitude of memorable toy products around the characters, that are ideal for children aged four and over. The toys are cute, colourful and fun and are the perfect gift for girls who enjoy character play. Below is a list of the top products in the Finding Dory range: Swiggle Fish Swiggle fish are Finding Dory friends with fun fish motion that you control. All the figures have their own unique fish-like movement. All core characters, including Dory, Nemo, Hank, Destiny and Bailey, are available in this range. Finding Dory Big Feature Figures Our big feature figures act just like they do in the movie with super fun actions. Each character has its own signature feature and you can push or pull to release their actions. Ideal for ages four and over. Finding Dory Let’s Speak Whale Now you can speak fluent Whale with the help of your favourite blue tang fish Dory. Speak into the device to record your favourite phrase and play back to hear it spoken in official whale language. Ideal for ages four and up. Finding Dory Bath Squirters Watch out because our Finding Dory fish friends are going to get you wet! The cute Finding Dory Bath Squirters are great for bath time and outdoor fun. Squeeze under water to fill them up, then squeeze to release water and wet your friends! Perfect for ages four and up. All Finding Dory products are available at good toy stores and retailers countrywide. For more information go to www.Facebook.com/PrimaToys

June 20, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Acorn Kids – Kids Box

My son and I were so excited when we opened our box from Kidsbox and saw all the fun bath time toys! Inside our box we found Bath Pops. The packet contained 8 capsules with a small sponge sea animal or shape inside. He watched in anticipation as they dissolved in the water and couldn’t wait to see what was going to emerge. Next we tried out the set of Funky Faces Bath Time Foam Stickers. The pack contained 2 faces with 43 parts that can be used to make loads of funny face combinations. Bath time was never this fun! My son’s favourite ‘toy’ of the lot was the Squish and Squeeze Jelly Bubbles. It is a bright, bubbling jelly that smells absolutely delicious! I had to keep reminding him that even though it smelled yummy, he couldn’t eat it! He loved squeezing the soft jelly between his fingers – such a fun fine motor activity that also creates mounds of bubbles in the bath! We sang the “ABC” song as he pointed to the foam alphabet letters and we counted and tried to recognise the numbers too! If you have a young child that doesn’t particularly enjoy bath time, these fun activities will definitely change that! Your little one will love spending this fun one on one time with you! Buzz Off Spray review (free gift inside Kidsbox) With South Africa’s hot and humid weather there is always a lot of mosquito’s and bugs around at night. I feel terrible when my kids wake up with mosquito bites all over their little bodies. It’s feels like I have failed them as a mom when I see them itching and scratching. Bug bites can make your kiddo MIZZZERABLE. Even with them sleeping under a net, you always get that one mosquito that sneaks in and makes a feast out of your kids! Some kids react much worse to bites and stings than others. My son is one of those kids whose mosquito bites take on a life of their own: they swell up into giant, itchy welts that last for DAYS. A week later, they are still bleeding and (get this) keeping him up at night – Completely unacceptable! Like most matters that involve kids and chemicals, there are differing opinions on what’s best. I am so glad to have discovered this wonderful spray from AconKids. It is called Buzz Off Spray, and it does just that, keeps the bugs away! It is a light and easily absorbed body spray with a gentle blend of herbal oils. Safe to spray onto clothing and bedding too! The best part is that it is safe to use on babies from 3 months, or 6kg. I love the smell of the citronella, cinnamon, lavender and peppermint oils. It sets my mind at ease knowing that I am not putting any harmful chemicals onto my kids’ delicate skin. Just be careful when applying the spray that it doesn’t go into eyes or your kids are not inhaling it!

June 15, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review – Boys Froggy Urinal

Potty training your son can be a real challenge, but it shouldn’t be! Usually boys are potty trained on a potty, but when your son is ready to go potty standing up, this awesomely cute Froggy urinal will do nicely!  This simply adorable little urinal is ideal as it encourages correct standing position for urinating just like dad! It is bound to make going to the potty lots of fun! The urinal is made to grow with your child until he is able to use the big toilet all by himself. It easily sticks onto the bathroom wall and so you can adjust it to your child’s correct height. No need for a step stool! It mounts onto tiles or glass with two big suction cups at the back. When my 3 year old saw this potty he was instantly curious about the water wheel in the center. I explained that when he uses the potty he should try to aim at the wheel to make it spin. This simple feature added lots of excitement each time he used the urinal. I love the fact that the urinal is detachable, making it easy to clean. Available to purchase online at www.scarletruby.co.za

June 13, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Mom2B Pregnancy Supplements

Everyone knows how important it is to keep your body at optimum levels during pregnancy.  During this time, advice is coming from all sides and it can become very overwhelming, especially when deciding what’s best to take in order to experience a healthy and happy pregnancy.  Mom2B has all the answers. Parenting Hub was given Mom2B’s range of Pregnancy Shakes and vitamin tablets to review.  Fortunately Parenting Hub always has access to someone who can assist in reviewing all the wonderful products that we are sent from time to time. We asked Margaret to try out Mom2B’s shakes and this is what she had to say:  “Within a few days of starting to drink Mom2B’s Shakes, I could feel the difference in my energy levels.  It was so nice to not feel tired all the time.  Even better was the fact that there’s more than one flavour, and they’re all really delicious!” Another one of our Mom’s who is currently breastfeeding said that she found Mom2B’s shakes so quick and easy and a really nice way to supplement her diet. She also felt that her energy levels were up and that she could cope much better with the stress that comes with looking after a newborn. These Mom2B’s Shakes come in three tasty flavours, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.  They’re packed with vitamins B5, B6, B12, B1, B2, B3, C, D and E as well as biotin, folic acid, zinc, iodine, iron and magnesium.  They’re also low in fat, high in fibre and a great source of calcium and phosphorus – all the necessary supplements required during pregnancy. Produced locally by Nativa (Pty) Ltd since April 1999, this wide range of alternative and complementary health products can be obtained through visiting http://www.nativa.co.za.  Nativa report that feedback from consumers has been excellent, indicating that Nativa products have improved the quality of their lives. Nativa’s values are: Integrity, honesty, excellence, courage and collaboration and through the excellent interaction that Parenting Hub and our clients have experienced, it is very evident that Nativa live up to these values.  Parenting Hub highly recommends Mom2B’s range of products.

June 9, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Snappi Baby Chairs

Babies just love being able to see what’s happening around them.  Being able to be part of the company and seeing the world around them, stimulates their little minds.  Snappi®Baby Chairs have been designed for babies who are not yet able to sit by themselves and can be used by baby from the time that they are able to support their own heads until around age one. Sitting in a baby chair allows baby to see the world from a snug and comfortable position and makes interaction between parents and baby so much easier. “I just love the Snappi®Baby Chair and take it with me everywhere.  Fortunately it’s very light and easy to pack into the car.”  This is what one of our mothers had to say about the Snappi®Baby Chair. Snappi® has been around for 20 years and over the years have developed the Snappi®Baby Chair and accessories, in South Africa, for South Africans with unsurpassed quality and are available from www.snappi.co.za soon to be available from retailers as well. “My sister’s baby-shower is coming up and I’m going to buy her a Snappi®Baby Chair.  I have used mine for both my babies and would not be without it!” said Maria, an avid reader of Parenting Hub. The Snappi®Baby Chair has a flexible inner lining that moulds to baby’s shape.  This naturally allows your little one to find the most comfortable position to suit them and at the same time affording baby the correct support whilst developing pelvic muscles and little backs. “The advantages of having a Snappi®Baby Chair are just too many to mention.  I found that my baby is more stimulated and content when sitting in her chair than at any other time.  She is able to enjoy everyone’s company and feel like she’s part of the family, which for me is the best thing that I can offer her.” Said Trischia another one of Parenting Hub’s mommy-readers. An added advantage that we at Parenting Hub found, is that because baby is so well supported in the Snappi®Baby Chair, baby experiences improved breathing control and digestion, particularly great for babies who suffer from reflux.  Naturally the length of time that baby spends in the Snappi®Baby Chair is entirely at parents’ discretion, but Parenting Hub does not hesitate to recommend this innovative chair for babies.

June 1, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: StudyChamp

Having been homeschooled myself I remember how my mom was always making her own worksheets, writing and drawing and then making copies. She would have loved to have had access to this great website where learning is made so easy! If you want your child to be more enthusiastic and excited about school, look no further. Whether you are a teacher looking for lesson plans or a concerned mom wanting to provide your child with extra lessons or currently doing homeschooling; Study Camp is a one-stop shop where you can download useful worksheets, tests and exam papers for Grade 1 to 7 learners. These documents are designed and developed by a team of qualified and passionate teachers to help your children apply, organise and critically evaluate concepts in the comfort of your home. Literacy, numeracy, phonics and mathematical worksheets are available. The worksheets are colourful, fun, well planned and easy to comprehend.  And each worksheet has a Memo at the back with all the answers to refer back to! I particularly like the online quizzes. You get timed while doing the quiz and when you reach the end, the correct answers are given to you. This is such a fun way to prepare for an exam! Being a teacher myself, I get so excited when I discover a great learning tool! Getting through school shouldn’t be hard. Growing up has enough challenges as it is. Education should be fun, and I believe that Study Champ is making the learning experience just that! Visit www.studychamp.co.za for more information  

May 26, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: BabyLegends Hugseez

My little two month old and I really enjoyed reviewing the Hugseez. He was so snug and comfortable and enjoyed being rocked to sleep like he was still in the womb! The Hugseez is made out of a very soft, stretchy material. It is super long, so no matter what size you are, it will fit around your waist, chest and shoulders comfortably. It comes with simple instructions showing you exactly how to tie and wear your baby. The instructions are very clear, and explain each step, but it is definitely not as easy as it looks. I often needed hubby or a friends’ help to get baby in and out of the wrap. I enjoyed wearing the Hugseez when I went shopping with baby. It really helps to have both hands free when shopping. The Hugseez got a lot of attention from fellow shoppers. Every time I wore it, someone would comment on how awesome it looked. I was asked a few times if it was comfortable and were I got it from. The Hugseez is by far much better than your normal baby carriers. Whether shopping, tidying up around the house or going for walks, the Hugseez is super comfortable. It doesn’t dig into your shoulders or cause discomfort in any way. Plus it doesn’t have a whole lot of straps and clips, but looks like a stylish shirt with a space for a baby! The Hugseez wrap is easy to clean as you can just pop it into the washing machine and tumble dryer. Available to purchase online at www.babylegends.co.za

May 10, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: Bennetts Baby Bum Creme

As a mommy, you always want to use the best products on your baby. I have always been a huge fan of Bennetts products and have used it on both my babas. Bennetts Baby Bum Creme is an ideal product to use on your baby’s bottom to keep nappy rash away. It is formulated in a moisturising, water-resistant base that forms a barrier between the wet nappy and baby’s skin and helps prevent nappy rash by keeping baby’s skin soft and dry. You can imagine my excitement when I was asked to review the Bennetts Bum Creme, now with soothing D-Panthenol. I wondered how an already great product could get even better. When I opened my tub, the crème looked exactly the same it always has. But when I touched the crème, it was softer and creamer than before. Panthenol has been reported to produce a number of skin benefits. In particular, D-panthenol promotes wound healing, helps restore damaged epithelium, reduces itching and inflammation, improves skin hydration and improves skin roughness. Panthenol has a well demonstrated hydrating and moisturizing effect on the skin. It restores hydration to dry skin. D-panthenol also improves superficial skin damage (seen in dry, rough, chafed skin) by helping regenerate/strengthen the epidermis and stratum corneum (outer skin layers) and thus improving the skin’s protective barrier. D-panthenol was also shown to reduce irritation/inflammation as well as improve erythema (redness), pruritis (itchiness) and other symptoms. The skin healed with the aid of D-panthenol tends to be softer, more elastic and more regular. So to answer my question, “Yes!” a great product CAN get even better! Well done Bennetts!

May 5, 2016
Parenting Hub

Baba Tasha Speaks Afrikaans

“Wow, this is the perfect opportunity to help my little girl with her Afrikaans!”  This, the reaction from an excited Parenting Hub reader, who was asked if she could let her little girl ‘test’ Baba Tasha and give us her unbridled opinion. Whilst Baba Tasha is recommended from age 2 up, our little ‘test driver’ is 6 years old and just experiencing a new language at school.  The opportunity to take Baba Tasha and play and interact with her, was a perfect fit. The feedback that we got was “Baba Tasha was the best thing that my little girl could have received.  At first she didn’t understand everything that she was saying, but that didn’t last long.  The fact that she had so much fun playing with Baba Tasha, meant that she didn’t even realise that she was honing her Afrikaans language skills at the same time, and that meant a lot to me.” Baba Tasha is able to speak 50 different phrases such as “Ek is baie lief vir jou”, “Mamma, tel my asseblief op” and “Ek wil nou bietjie slaap”.  Over and above this, she comes with a spoon, fork and baby bottle, so that your little one can enjoy many happy hours interacting with her, playing her pretend games and learn at the same time! It’s no secret that little girls love to play with dolls.  This affords them the opportunity to learn social skills, especially when other children are included in the game.  Through using their imaginations, dolls which act as props, can enhance your little ones’ playtime experience.  And when they play together, children learn how to problem solve, share and negotiate conflict in a secure, fun and safe way.  Isn’t this what all parents want for their children? Baba Tasha wasn’t designed to specifically help children learn Afrikaans, but in our case, she did.  However, Baba Tasha is perfect for little Afrikaans girls.  At around age 2 onwards our little ones have mastered the art of language and this is so perfect for little girls to have an imaginary baby that speaks to them in a language that they understand.  So well done to Prima Toys – what a brilliant idea! Baba Tasha is available at toy stores and retailers countrywide. Recommended retail price is R469.99 and it is suitable for children aged 2 plus.

May 3, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: The Snappi Baby Chair

At first glance I was impressed by the Snappi chairs two toned colour and elegant, modern design. I was pleasantly surprised by the flexible inner which allows baby to sit more supported and comfortably. The chair is very stable and doesn’t move around on the floor. It has two rubber like “legs” underneath which allows it to stay in place. When baby starts sitting, but needs a little support, the Snappi chair will come in very handy! Gone are the days of positioning pillows all around our baby.  And when baby starts eating solids, the Snappi is a mealtime must-have as it comes with a handy little attachable tray for small snacks. The Snappi is quick and easy to clean. Although it looks solid, the Snappi is light enough to move and carry around. I look forward to using the Snappi chair when my baby is a little older! Available to purchase at leading Baby outlets nationwide

April 15, 2016
Parenting Hub

Join The Secret Spur Tribe

Spur Steak Ranches – great food for great value.  Spur Steak Ranches have always been so well-known for their fun-loving family environment that they provide for all South Africans everywhere.  Not only do they have super-fun play areas specifically for our children, there’s the Spur Secret Tribe that all children can belong to. Parenting Hub visited www.spurtribe.co.za to find out what this Secret Tribe is all about and were overjoyed to find so many fun activities for children.  From ideas on how to arrange and have a Super Heroes Party, A Loom Band Party which they will host for you, right down to party themes like Make a Mess and VIP Rock Stars! With parents constantly looking for healthy food alternatives for their children, meals include Vegan Party Snacks and Spur Slammers which come with four quirky characters to choose from. Members of the Spur Secret Tribe can become part of the Eco Warriors and learn about water, energy, bio-diversity and pollution with loads of activities to do on the website – educating our children through having fun! Join the Secret Tribe and interact with Buttercup, Soaring Eagle and Buffalo Brave, with fun games to play online, outdoor and video as well as board games and different apps to choose from. Then there’s Music and Movies which kids can choose from colouring in options, to book reviews and movie reviews, helping them make smart choices for enjoyable children’s movies to see and books to read. Check out the calendar where so many fun things are happening as well as giving you ideas like Make a Friend Day and Time to Throw a Pet Party Day. Parenting Hub found that it’s really easy to join the Secret Tribe.  All you need to do is collect your Secret Tribe Card from your nearest Spur, then register online with your Secret Card Number – it’s as simple as that, and costs nothing!  In return you get, on your birthday : Spur birthday meal voucher Free soda Competition entry With such an amazing interactive website created specifically for children but with the Spur Steak Ranches special attention to great family values, Parenting Hub highly recommends that you get your child to join the Spur Secret Tribe as soon as possible.

March 11, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: FirstBike

Unlike kids on heavy pedal bikes with training wheels, 2 – 5 year olds on FirstBIKES can ride for several kilometers at a time and even run up hills — all whilst having fun and boosting their self-confidence! Thanks to its high-tech frame, FirstBIKE is lightweight, durable, and weatherproof, so it doesn’t scratch, splinter, swell or rust. FirstBIKE’s safety features include a child-friendly rear drum brake; steering limiter to help young riders control the bike and ‘horse saddle’ seat preventing children from slipping off. Here is what our mom had to say regarding her son’s experience with the FirstBike! “My 3 year old just love the little FirstBike!   It’s like a proper bike, bike, but without the pedals.   The first thing that he commented on was the bell! “Look mamma, a hooter!” He also enjoyed putting his favourite toys and snacks in the basket and driving around with it. I love the fact that the bike is so lightweight; my son is able to pick it up and manoeuvre around with ease; and doing so in complete silence. The soft rubber tyres are so quiet…very nice for mommy and daddy’s ears…unless he rings the bell repeatedly! The brakes are a very cool feature! He no longer needs to destroy his shoes by braking with his feet or driving into the couch or wall etc to brake himself. This took him a while to figure out and get used to; but once he got the hang of it he too said “I am not crashing!  It teaches them how to balance properly and it really strengthens their overall gross motor and hand and eye co-ordination skills! I would recommend that kids wear a helmet and proper protective gear when using the FirstBike as it is a little faster and higher than the normal scooter/push bike. A truly fun and memorable experience “test driving” this cute little bike!” FirstBike highlighted the key features for us below: 1. Our aesthetically appealing balance bikes are available in 10 sophisticated colors to choose from and 3 tyre options to suit any surface possible. The price range is R1380-1980 (limited edition) 2. FirstBIKE’s unique, injection-molded composite frame made of 30% glass fiber is extremely lightweight (3, 9 kg with a brake), very strong yet flexible. Thanks to the flexibility of the frame and pneumatic Schwalbe tyres of superior quality, FirstBIKES provide shock-absorption to help protect the child’s spine. 3. FirstBIKES are designed to be the safest balance bikes on the market with a range of important safety features including rear drum SafetyStop brake that ensures very gentle and gradual braking; a steering limiter helping the child control the bike and preventing falls; the horse saddle shaped seat from which a child does not slip off when riding downhill (and which is adjustable without tools in seconds), no sharp edges, no protruding screws, and sealed bearings to protect little fingers. 3. FirstBIKE’s innovative LowKit – which attaches easily and additionally reduces the frame’s height – allows toddlers to start riding a bike from 22 months old having their feet safely on the floor to push off and stop using their own legs.  The sooner they start learning to balance on a bike, the better. On FirstBIKES, children learn to ride intuitively and extremely quickly. 5. We are very proud of the quality of our balance bikes – which is why we provide a Lifetime Warranty on the frame and fork and a 5-year warranty on all other parts. Available to purchase online at http://www.firstbikeafrica.co.za or watch one of their video clips below of the FirstBike in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZaeXm92Fk   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6eXrk127D4  

March 8, 2016
Parenting Hub

LeapFrog LeapBand – fitness and activity tracker for kids

Get your child excited about being active with the LeapBand, the newest activity tracker for kids! The LeapFrog LeapBand is a kid’s activity tracker that aims to get children moving with a series of fun physical challenges and games. It is both a watch and a wristband tracker. Kids run, jump and play to earn rewards and power a customizable pet pal that lives on the band. Ideal for children aged 4 to 7. For parents, the controls on LeapFrog Connect make it easy to set play times, challenges and more. How it works The more kids run, jump and play, the more they earn rewards to power a pet pal that lives on the band. Parents can preload 50 active challenges on the LeapBand to get kids moving, such as “pounce like a lion”, “march like an elephant” and “wriggle like a worm”. There are 8 virtual pets for children to choose from. Every pet is customizable so kids can make it their very own. The more kids move, the more points they earn to unlock new pets and pet toys to play with. Setting it Up Parents can set up the LeapBand by connecting it to their computer using a USB cable. They can then download the LeapFrog Connect application onto their computer and use it to set the parental controls or upload more challenges onto the device. The app allows Parents to see their kid’s activity level for an entire week, so they know how active (or not) their child has been. The LeapBand can be charged via the USB cable, either through a computer or a USB wall charger. With normal use the LeapBand lasts for around 3 days once charged. Smart Features The onscreen energy bar changes colour to reflect your child’s activity level. This is tracked by the LeapBand’s accelerometer. The feature allows kids to instantly view their progress. Kids can also see how many joules (jewels) they’ve earned and this encourages them to complete activity challenges to unlock new pets. The LeapBand is perfect for getting kids off the couch and getting them motivated and moving! It is ideal for both girls and boys aged 4 to 7 years. Available at ToyZone, Pick n Pay, Toys R Us and Reggies stores countrywide. RSP: R399.99

March 8, 2016
Parenting Hub

Review: The Disney Book Club

In this crazy world of technology and digital media, there’s something so special and comforting about holding a beautifully printed book in your hands.  For little chidren, to look at those glossy illustrations and link them to the story that once they are able to read, they can read to themselves, creates an opportunity for them to be transported to another world, another time and place.  Here they can set their imaginations free and immerse themselves into the wonderful world of make believe. No-one understands this better than Disney Book Club, who make it so easy for parents to build up a library of affordable amazing books that their children will read over and over again and can cherish well into adulthood. Parenting Hub found out that when you join the Disney Book Club, you receive a free gift and two trial books for only R64,99 per book, plus postage.  Membership is free and there are also no joining fees.  Along with your free gift and your trial books, you also receive a beautiful welcome backpack. The team at Parenting Hub were so impressed with this incredible offer! We were sent copies of some of these stunning books to review – titles included : Walle 101 Dalmatians Frozen Planes Each of these books is printed with a font-size that is just perfect for children who are able to read to themselves.  The illustrations are colourful and larger than life so that your child won’t become bored reading to themselves, in fact they will enjoy the simplicity of being able to do so.Parenting Hub and the team, would highly recommend that you join the Disney Book Club where over time, you can inexpensively create a fabulous library of great books for your children. You can signup for the Disney Book Club or find out more information by clicking here 

December 17, 2015
Parenting Hub

Review: Bennetts Hair and Body Wash & Massage Drops

Bennetts Hair & Body Wash now comes in an ideal sized pump action bottle – perfect for mom trying to bath a wriggling baby or just to make bathing for little ones so much more fun! Parenting Hub was asked by Bennetts to check out their Hair & Body Wash and their Bath & Massage Drops.  This is what our reader-moms had to say : “I have always used only Bennetts products for my children.  Now bath-time is even more special with Bennetts Hair and Body Wash in the pump action bottle.  We tried Bennetts Bath & Massage Drops for the first time last night and I was thoroughly impressed with how soft it made my children’s skin.” “Bennetts Bath and Massage Drops really do make a significant difference to your baby’s skin. I could feel immediately how much softer and smoother my baby’s skin felt – will definitely be putting this product into my shopping trolley every month.” Bennetts Hair & Body Wash is mild yet moisturising and gently cleanses baby’s hair and skin.  Bennetts Bath & Massage Drops can be used by pouring into baby’s bath water or applied directly to the skin. The oils dissolve immediately and there’s no after-bath residue – just soft and silky skin. It seems our mothers were equally impressed with both the Bennetts Hair & Body Wash and the Bath & Massage Drops and the team at Parenting Hub were informed unequivocally that they would not hesitate to recommend these products to all their friends and family.

December 14, 2015
Parenting Hub

Review: Cetaphil Daylong After Sun Cooling Gel

Cetaphil Daylong After Sun Cooling Gel is just what every parent needs with our harsh South African climate.  The last couple of months have been particularly hot and with the sun, comes many hours of enjoyment splashing in the pool outside or just playing outside taking in all that a great sunny day has to offer.  The downside of a great sunny day can mean that our children (and us as adults), are often affected by the harmful suns rays resulting in tender skin from over-exposure. Cetaphil Daylong After Sun Cooling Gel is dermatologically tested, fragrance-free, alcohol-free and hypoallergenic, providing long lasting moisturisation for all skin types.  Cetaphil’s innovative ‘Quick Breaking Formula’ feels exceptionally light on the skin. When our team at Parenting Hub tested this great new after sun cooling gel, we found that the gel spreads extremely easily, absorbing immediately and leaving just a soft non-sticky film on our skin.  In fact, Cetaphil Daylong After Sun Cooling Gel evaporated almost immediately and left a rather pleasant cooling and soothing effect. Whilst all our parents have made sure that they have purchased a tube of Cetaphil Daylong After Sun Cooling Gel to keep at home, we at Parenting Hub, have added a tube to our medical kit in the office! Available at Dischem Stores

December 10, 2015
Parenting Hub

Review: Epson LW 600 Portable Label Printer

With a new school year starting, it’s every mom’s nightmare covering school books and endless hours spent writing names etc onto labels.  Now with the Epson LW600 Portable Label Pinter, preparing labels for school books is a breeze. The team at Parenting Hub were sent the Epson LW600 Label Printer to review and many fun hours were spent labelling stationery and files.  It’s so easy to use and the beauty is that it can be used anywhere.  And moms, not only does it print onto sticky back labels, it also prints onto iron-on fabric which means that you can use it to label all your child’s clothing with the greatest of ease – oh yes, and it has a built in cutter as well! The icing on the cake is that you can print labels from your smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac. “This label maker is very welcome technology in our home! It is in high demand around our house – the whole family uses it. It is easy to operate, has a very intuitive app that allows you to print directly from your phone and has a wide range of tapes that it prints to including iron-on, glow-in-the-dark, metallic and reflective tapes and traditional black on white. The Epson LW-600P is a Mom’s Lifesaver’s favourite!”  This is what one of our moms had to say about the Epson LW600 Label Printer. You can even use this amazing little printer to organize your home video collection. Print date labels for food items, QR code labels, or labels to organize cables. Create ribbons for gifts, or even labels with symbols or hand-written messages. Preview labels before printing. or, use smartphones with voice recognition to create labels fast. Simply download the Epson iLabel app for iOS or Android devices or choose from other compatible apps available and you’re ready to make printing labels fun!

December 3, 2015
Parenting Hub

The Gro-egg

The Gro-egg is an award winning nursery accessory that looks great and gives parents peace of mind at a glance – The innovative colour changing room thermometer changes colour to let you know whether the temperature of a room is too low, too high or just right; a yellow glow is the recommended ideal temperature 16-20°C, whilst a blue glow indicates it’s cold 16°C and red shows it’s too hot 24°C.  A quick check on the Gro-egg will let you know whether to cool or heat the room, modify the baby’s clothing or use a different tog Grobag Baby Sleep Bag to make your child more comfortable. Grobag come in a variety of different togs to suit the temperature of the child’s nursery; 0.5 tog for warmer temperatures 24-27°C, 1.0 tog for nurseries of 20-23°C, 2.5 tog 16-18°C and for colder winter temperatures of under 16°C the 3.5 tog. It is very important to dress your child correctly and be aware of nursery temperatures to help check your baby isn’t overheating. The Gro Company works closely with The Lullaby Trust a charity that promotes safer sleep practices, they advise that “Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome… getting a room thermometer will help you create a safer sleeping environment for your baby”. Francine Bates, Chief Executive, The Lullaby Trust The attractive Gro-egg also acts as a gentle night light; its soft glow helps you to check on your baby as they sleep without waking them.   The Gro-egg has an easy to understand colour coded system for parents to recognise when nursery temperatures change so they can keep their children at safe temperatures; Yellow for the ideal temperature as recommended by The Lullaby Trust, red shows too hot 24°C and blue 16°C indicates too cold. Digital thermometer with permanent ‘back-lit’ easy to read LCD readout. It is a gentle night light that reassures parents checking on baby in the dark. Instructions and safe sleep information is supplied with the Gro-egg.    

November 22, 2015
Parenting Hub

Review: Babysense Bamboo Receiver Blanket

If you’re looking for receiver blankets for your new baby, look no further than the Babysense Bamboo Receiver Blanket.  Naturally hypoallergenic and beautifully soft to the touch, Babysense Bamboo Receiver Blankets are 100% bamboo fabric! When out and about, the generous size means you can turn one into an impromptu stroller shade or a soft place to lay your baby down.  The 100% bamboo fabric is silky soft, delicate yet durable with a bit of stretch allowing you to wrap your baby totally snug. Babysense Bamboo Receiver Blankets are antibacterial which means that they contain a unique natural antibacterial bio-agent.  They absorb more moisture than cotton and are lightweight with an open weave.  Bamboo is the fastest growing renewable resource on earth.  With no pesticides needed for it’s growth, bamboo is naturally pest and pathogen resistant. The Babysense Baby Receiver Blanket is an absolute basic necessity for the early days.  They are especially convenient for extra warmth, can be used to cover your pram, for feeding and even to cover your baby’s mattress, changing table or play area. The team at Parenting Hub highly recommend that if you are an expectant mom or just looking to buy a gift for a friends’ babyshower, you cannot go wrong with the Babysense Bamboo Receiver Blanket. About the Baby Sense 100% Bamboo muslin blankets 100% Bamboo muslin blankets are part of the high quality Baby Sense product range. The Bamboo muslin is naturally hypoallergenic and perfect as a year-round blanket. It is silky soft to touch and its generous size means you can turn one into an impromptu stroller shade or soft place to lay your baby on. Its delicate, yet durable weave with a little bit of a stretch, allow you to wrap your baby nice and snug. The benefits of a Bamboo muslin receiver are that it is antibacterial, it absorbs more moisture than cotton, it is naturally silky to the touch, breathable and eco-friendly. About Baby Sense: At Baby Sense, everything we do is inspired by wonderful moms, and is perfected over many years. It all starts with a strong foundation of expert knowledge and practical learning, and results in beautiful, practical and well researched products that moms across the country have come to rely on. Our products and services include a range of parenting books, baby products, apps, articles, seminars and workshops plus loads of tips and advice that has all been developed by leading parenting experts. We’re all about designing products and providing information to empower parents around the world to experience this most precious and fascinating journey confidently and beautifully. For more information, visit www.babysense.com or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/babysense or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/babysense

November 18, 2015
Parenting Hub

Review: Growing Kids with Character 2.0

How many parents have said these words : “Children should come with a handbook but because they don’t I’m just winging it, hoping that everything that I do is right.” Parenting Hub is very happy to announce that this is no longer the case.  Hettie Brittz from Evergreen Parenting, finally has the answer.  Evergreen Parenting has developed a complete parenting guide entitled Growing Kids with Character 2.0 and is a must for every parent. With facilitators and consultants in every province in South Africa, Evergreen Parenting offers courses and talks, available in English and Afrikaans for parents.  Along with their wide range of resources available for every family, school and church that has children in their care, there are books, DVD’s and CD’s as well as Incentive Charts and other Discipline Tools. Growing Kids with Character 2.0 teaches us that : Every child is unique and needs to be parented creatively Every child has a valuable calling and destiny Every child needs to be ‘pruned’ and ‘cultivated’ with care Adults can bend saplings without breaking them when they bend them according to their inborn nature Yes, there is a manual for each child, after all! There is hope for every parent-child relationship Facilitators run courses every year.  These courses are interactive with DVD clips and a full colour handbook.  They are ideal for parents of children of all ages, from cradle to wedding day! A Compassionate Discipline System for schools is offered and The CD’s computer system is a one-stop discipline solution No red tape or paper work, lengthy procedures or complex point systems CD’s generate learner reports, schedule parent-teacher meetings and ensures consistent discipline according to the School law, while allowing for individuality A positive, values-based focus on character growth with a reward system Discipline guidelines according to 8 types of misbehaviour An effective anti-bullying policy and sensible corrections Training and support by experts

November 3, 2015
Parenting Hub

A Simple Solution To Sleep

If your child is anything like my children, early morning is what it is all about.  It seems to be the question every mother asks… how can I get my child to sleep longer.  Obviously there is no simple fix and this is simply something that parents deal with each day.  However, once your child reaches the age of being able to understand their little world around them, there certainly are solutions available to aid in getting that lie in that you have been dreaming of. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love clever products.  I love innovation and products that can truly change and assist my world.  My youngest set of twins were very keen to try this product when it was sent through for us to review.  Not only do we battle to keep them in their beds each night, but I have not personally slept late in a long time!  Bring on…. The Gro Company GroClock. Firstly my twins loved the idea of them having a clock in their bedroom, especially one that changes all the time and they were keen to give our test run a go.  The GroClock is really appealing to the eye and it provides a simple yet affective function. Anything and everything has been thought out when putting this product together. So how does it work? The basic function of the GroClock is to indicate to your child when it is time to go to bed and when it is time to get up each day.  The colour and changing display, changes throughout the night. Starting at a warm blue, which is particularly calming for a child’s bedrooms through to sunrise orange and then a little ray of sunshine indicates when it is time for your child to get up in the morning. The GroClock has various settings that you can enable.  Not only do you set the sleep and wake up mode but you are able to add additional settings for a day-time nap.  The screen brightness is also adjustable ensuring that your child is not disturbed by other night lights. The recommended age for the GroClock is from 2 years +, and is definitely a must for all parents. Available at leading baby stores and online retail outlets like the BabyGroup or visit their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ElegantBambino

October 9, 2015
Parenting Hub

Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s – Disinfecting Solution

Protecting baby from unwanted infections, particularly in the early months, is of utmost importance to all moms and dads.  With Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution it’s easy to safeguard your baby’s environment. Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution is a highly effective and safe cleaning product that can be used to disinfect bottles, teats, dummies, toys, cutlery, teething rings and other metal or plastic objects that your baby comes into contact with. Free from colourants and chlorine, this safe and non-toxic disinfectant is designed to kill 99.9% of germs.  Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution has no odour and does not leave any residue taste. The team at Parenting Hub were very excited when asked to get our moms to try out this fabulous new product. We asked some of our Moms to use Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution for a two week period and give us their feedback. “Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution is very easy to use.  It was also a great quick-clean tool for items like toys and teethers.”  “I used to prefer steaming my bottles as I always thought that this was a more convenient option for me, but since using Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution, I’m totally sold!  I found this product particularly useful especially now with the unpredictable load-shedding that has been taking place.” Babies are especially vulnerable to illnesses during the first year of their life and so sterilising bottles, teats and toys can eliminate viruses, bacteria and parasites that do gather on bottles and in baby’s milk and can make them ill.  Baby can develop anything from mild thrush to more serious illnesses like vomiting and diarrhoea, if bottles and teats go unsterilised. We were told by our Mom’s that they would highly recommend Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution to any busy mom trying to balance work and family life.  “It has now become a product that I add to my shopping cart when buying groceries.  I will never be without Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Disinfecting Solution again.”

July 21, 2015
Parenting Hub

Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s – Baby Stain Remover

Purity & Elizabeth Anne has developed a Baby Stain Remover which comes in a handy ‘roll on’ dispenser for easy application particularly to smaller garments. The convenient roll-on dispenser also ensures that there is very little wastage of this exciting new product that is free from colourants and chlorine. Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Baby Stain Remover has been dermatologically and clinically tested for mildness and is tough on stubborn stains yet kind to sensitive skin. Parenting Hub asked some of our readers to try this amazing new product for themselves and see what they thought.  They were extremely pleased with the results.  One mom in particular who is very reluctant to use stain removers because of her son’s very sensitive skin, said that she found Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Baby Stain Remover especially useful and gentle on her son’s skin. “When I received my sample of Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Baby Stain Remover, I immediately decided to test it on my baby’s Christening gown which had been stained with medicine and was really surprised to see the stain disappear before my eyes!  I had previously tried other products that just didn’t work.” Everyone wants their baby to look their best at all times but of course sometimes this just isn’t possible and it’s so easy for baby to soil their beautiful clothing.  Made from fabrics that are kind to our little ones skins, baby clothing can very easily become stained.  Having a handy stain remover in your handbag is every mom’s prayer answered! The general consensus from our testers was that the roll on applicator was handy to use and made it easy to work the liquid directly into the fabric without any waste.  Most stains disappeared after the first wash, but with some stains one more application was required to do the job. “Purity & Elizabeth Anne’s Baby Stain Remover is a great product to keep on hand, and we would definitely recommend it for those stubborn stains that often leave your baby’s clothing ruined.”

July 13, 2015
Parenting Hub

Cetaphil Daylong Kids SPF 50+

  As South Africans, we all love our long hot summer days. We know that we have to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, even during winter when the sun only appears to not be as harsh. Cetaphil Daylong Kids SPF 50+ is a sun protection skin cream that takes a scientific view to protecting your skin from the effects of the sun. It provides a medical approach combining optimal quality, exceptional protection, and great skin feeling. The pump action container makes it easy for you to quickly apply.  Cetaphil Daylong Kids SPF 50+ is dermatologically tested, very water-resistant, non-greasy and won’t block pores. “I was so impressed to see that the pump dispenser provides exactly the recommended dosage amount for absolute total sun protection. It was also so convenient that I could apply the same sunscreen to my child’s face.” Said a Parenting Hub mom when recently asked to try Cetaphil Daylong Kids 50+ sunscreen on her children. Another Mom said “As we are all fair-skinned people in my family, I decided to visit Galderma Laboratories’ website to see if I could find out more information about protecting my childrens’ skin and was pleasantly surprised to see that they have loads of information about all skin types.  I did find that particularly useful and will definitely only be using Cetaphil Daylong Kids 50+ for my children in future.”

July 11, 2015
Parenting Hub

Mysmartkid Smartbox – Learning Through Play

What an amazing product the Smartbox from Mysmartkid has proved to be!  Our first Smartbox was received with great excitement and did not disappoint.  Mysmartkid have a programme that has been developed by experts in the field of early childhood development and it is evident in the choice of educational toys, puzzles and activities that are included in the Smartbox. Each toy has been carefully selected to incorporate the six development areas whilst being age-appropriate.  Parents are encouraged to play with their children and to guide them through each activity included in the Smartbox, but our experience with the Smartbox has proved that because they are age-appropriate, your little one will have no difficulty in accomplishing each game, puzzle and activity on their own.  This not only demonstrates to you, the parent, that your little one can work independently, it goes a long way to increasing your child’s sense of well-being and self-confidence. And so in our first Smartbox, we received a number of really interesting toys and activities for Emily to enjoy.  Her first choice was to create little insects from the Shrink Insect box.  She was required to colour them in herself with the coloured pencils supplied as well as cut them out once she had completed colouring them in.  Punching holes proved a little challenging, but she managed to do that too and together we prepared her shrink insects for the oven.  Eagerly she awaited them coming out the oven to see if they had really shrunk and to complete them by creating legs with the beautiful brightly coloured pipe-cleaners also provided in the Smartbox.  Through this activity, she had made toys for herself to play with and her sense of accomplishment was visibly evident. Emily’s next choice of activity from the Smartbox was to plant the seeds that were all neatly packed together with the very necessary soil, nutrients, tools and seed trays.  Making up the soil was great fun for her and she enjoyed plunging her hands into the wet soil and mixing in all the relevant ingredients and then dividing it into the seed trays.  Preparing each seed tray and dropping the seeds into each compartment was made easy for Emily with the scoop provided in the Smartbox and all the seeds were clearly marked so that she knew what she was planting.  Also included in the Smartbox from Mysmartkid was a progress sheet which she is still working on with her mom, to document the growth of her little plants which are looking really great and probably can be planted into the garden as soon as Spring arrives! Then on a quiet afternoon in her school holidays, Emily decided it was time to play with the last toy in her box which is called Elastica.  This is such an educational toy with a great element of fun and involves having to create images with different coloured elastics that are applied to a pin board.  Included in the Smartbox are a number of cards with the images and instructions on how to achieve them.  There is also a book that you can work with your little one and focuses on achieving solving maths problems.  This particular product can be used in the classroom as well as by occupational therapists to help with fine motor coordination and problem-solving skills. Whilst we await the delivery of our next Smartbox for Emily, we have chosen a few toys off the Mysmartkid website to supplement Emily’s participation in the Mysmartkid early childhood development programme.  We would highly recommend that all parents with young children become members of Mysmartkid.  The benefits of early learning for young children through play, are supported by the team of experts at Mysmartkid who have developed the programme.  It is evident from what Emily has already achieved from just one Smartbox of toys, that the selection for the Smartbox has been done by experts. With everything that we as families are faced with today, the pressures on ourselves as parents as well as on our children to perform, the Smartbox offers our children an outlet to play, learn, develop and grow and that’s what all parents are looking for.

July 2, 2015
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