Lifestyle - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Get your kids excited about brushing

By Philips Oral Health Every parent wants what’s best for their child’s health, but not all parents are experts in the dentistry field and let’s be honest, we can’t remember brushing our teeth at such a young age and the process is quite different now as an adult. What’s more, brushing your teeth as an adult is a routine activity – a dull process – so if we’re not that excited, how do we get our kids excited about it? Our challenge as parents is to promote good oral health and hygiene to our kids at a young age – rather than getting frustrated trying to convince them to brush properly. Good oral health goes beyond having a nice smile – its fundamentally intertwined with overall well-being. Dental practitioners have long been aware of the relationship between the mouth and the body and poor oral health and gum disease has been associated with several non-communicable diseases – so it’s important that while the kids are young, parents are focusing on instilling life-long good oral habits. Most parents are doing the brushing of their children’s teeth while they are young and until they have developed their motor skills. But demonstrating proper brushing techniques and making the process as fun and creative a possible is critical. Not only is it’s a good learning processes, but a bonding experience as well. So how do you kick start an exciting path to lifelong health oral habits? We have a few tips and tricks to take care of your little one’s oral health: Teach them the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth from a young age. Dental care for children should start as soon as they start developing teeth. Get the right size toothbrush – a long handle may be needed if they are a little reluctant to open their mouths wide – but funky toothbrushes can go a long way. Sing a song, tell a story or watch a movie/video to make tooth brushing fun – this also ensures that they brush for the recommended two minutes. Make sure that you know the right technique of tooth brushing because your child will follow your example When they are younger you can brush their teeth by standing behind them or having them sit on your lap. As they get older they will naturally want to brush themselves – just make sure that they are brushing properly Let them stand on a step or stool to face the mirror and do not forget to teach them to brush their tongue as well as it is a popular hiding place for bacteria Stick to a routine – make sure they don’t miss their daily teeth brushing routine twice a day – in the morning and before bed so there are no excuses. If your children are 6 years and older, alcohol-free mouthwash can be used after they have brushed their teeth as it flushes out any additional bacteria – but remember to get the flavour they like! Make brushing fun again by using an electronic toothbrush as these are more effective than they’ll ever be at removing plaque and bacteria, and will protect your children’s gums from aggressive brushing. An annual dental check-up is essential – so make sure to find a dentist that they like. It should never be a dreaded visit. Remember you are their role model of good oral hygiene – so the more fun you have, the more you use brushing time to bond – the more likely they get excited about brushing!

August 24, 2018

Cosatto Zoomi

Cosatto has been saving the world from boring baby stuff with the coolest designs, funkiest concepts and all-round impeccable styling, making motherhood an aspirational time for many customers. The Zoomi Exclusive 5 Point Plus Anti-Escape System harness keeps children safer than conventional car seats and has been tested for the 9-36kg weight category, approximately 9 months to 12 years of age. Removable, washable covers keep the gorgeous fabrics of these car seats pristine – and you wouldn’t want it any other way when you see the designs. Retailing at approximately R5000, the Cosatto ranges are higher-end, stylish and exclusive and are available now at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 22, 2018

Getting insight into bullying

Rita Niemann Bullying is an example of school violence, which mostly stems from aggression and poor self-image. Bullying can be defined as a conscious, wilful, and deliberate hostile activity and as it tends to happen at any point in time, it makes it very difficult to predetermine. Louw and Louw (2007:230) emphasise the need for humans to belong and states that social development is characterised by an increasing involvement with peers as that contributes towards satisfying emotional needs. Teachers and parents, therefore, must account for the various phases of relationship building during adolescence and must guide children towards sound social and interpersonal relationships. Because bullying cannot be contextualized by group, age or gender, any child can fall prey to a bully. However, children tend to follow the example of their parents and if parents condone acts of aggression or violence, children tend to emulate such acts, resulting in others feeling threatened and unsafe. Legislatively, every learner has the right to be educated in an environment that is “clean and safe” and is “conducive to education” (RSA, 2006). Unfortunately, bullying has become both a national and international concern. Most acts of bullying are related to an imbalance of power to ensure dominance, boosting the bully’s self-image and getting attention (even if it is negative attention). Barbara Coloroso (2005: 49-51) identified different kinds of bullies. Those who: have powerful personalities, are admired by others and are not easily recognised as being a bully. use gossip and verbal abuse to manipulate others. show little emotion, but is determined to continue the bullying. are hyperactive, struggle with schoolwork and have poor social skills. Any child can become a bully’s target depending on the bully’s inner insecurities. Bullies tend to prefer submissive children, but it could also simply be because the person is younger, smaller, thinner, fatter, or even because of his or her gender. Bullies also tend to choose targets who have characteristics they crave themselves, such as being clever and dedicated. Parents and teachers often wonder why victims do not report the bullying. Often, victims of bullying feel ashamed because of what is happening to them, or they feel that there must be something wrong with them. They also fear that the bullying may get worse if it is reported. Bullying must be dealt with swiftly and deliberately – see the follow-up article in this regard. References Coloroso, B. 2005: The bully, the bullied and the bystander. From pre-school to secondary school – how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence. London:Piccadilly. Louw, D., & Louw, A. 2007. Child and Adolescent Development. Bloemfontein: ABCPrinters. Niemann, R., Marais, N., Swanepoel, Z. & Moosa, M. 2016. Problem areas in schools In: Jacobs, M. Teaching-learning Dynamics, Johannesburg: Pearsons Republic of South Africa (RSA). 2006. Regulations for Safety Measures at Public School). Government Gazette No. 26663. Pretoria: Government Printers.

August 21, 2018

Cooing over Communication

One minute they are crying, the next they are conversing! Communication development begins at birth. From the time your precious newborn gives their first cry, they start learning all about language, communication, and connecting with the world around them. Babies have “conversations” through their cries, facial expressions and body language long before the arrival of their first words. The development of language takes place through the encouraging and loving interactions young children have with the people in their lives. It is through responsive and repetitive processes that young children learn how to communicate. Why do baby’s communication abilities matter? Communication skills that are learnt in the first year of life are what set the bar for success in many learning areas. Communication development is directly linked to the development of reading, writing (spelling) as well as building social skills and forming relationships later on in life. Language skills are divided into three main areas – RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE, EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE, and PRAGMATIC LANGUAGE. Development of all areas is vital for effective communication, and begins developing after birth. Receptive communication involves the ability to receive and understand information. Listening and reading fall into this category. Expressive communication is the ability to convey a message to another person. Speaking and writing fall into this category. Expressive skills are more difficult to develop than receptive skills. Pragmatic communication refers to social language abilities or the “rules” of language. These are vital for communicating our personal thoughts, feelings and ideas. It includes what we say, how we say it, our body language and whether the communication interaction is appropriate to the given situation. Language Acquisition Guidelines By Maureen Wilson (Speech Language Pathologist) Age Receptive Expressive Pragmatic 0-3 months Moves in response to sound or voice Shows interest in caregiver Briefly looks at people Quiets in response to sound Excites when caregiver approaches Smiles and coos Quiets when picked up 3-6 months Fixes gaze on face Responds to name Vocalizes to expressions and sounds 6 months Enjoys being played with Initiates vocalizing with another person 7 months Responds to name Responds to ‘no’ most of the time Listens when caregiver is speaking to them Uses hands to request Different vocalizations for different moods Anticipates actions 9 months Babbles Vocalizes to toys or pets Dances to music Intentional two way communication Recognizes familiar people Makes physical contact to gain attention Shouts to attract attention 10 months Plays peek-a-boo Points to request Shakes head ‘no’ Waves ‘bye’ when cued 11 months Recognizes familiar people and objects when named Looks at named pictures or objects Pushes and pulls others to direct them Reaches to request object 12 months Identifies two body parts when asked Gives objects upon request Imitates words to best of ability Uses 5-10 words (typically names and preferred objects) Alters behaviour based on others reactions Vocalizes to respond 14-18 months Follows 1-step instructions without cue Uses gesture + word combinations Uses exclamations – ‘uh oh’ Uses ‘Hi’ and ‘Bye’ Can roll toy back and forth Points to desired objects Comments Protests Acknowledges speakers with eye contact / response 18 months Nod/shakes head for yes/no Identifies 3 body parts on self or doll when asked Understands IN and ON Vocabulary at least 50-100 words (50% nouns) Words are understood outside of routine activities Names familiar objects on request How can I help? Communication skills can be stimulated and elicited from birth. It is so important to provide opportunities for your babies to “talk” to you from birth. Conversations with your baby might feel very one sided initially but your baby will still try to join in! You can encourage communication development by smiling, talking, playing, and reading with your baby. It will help them develop the communication skills needed to build meaningful relationships and succeed in school. Use a high-pitched, sing-song voice. This helps get and keep your baby’s attention while you talk. Play with sounds. Get silly while playing and make sounds that connect with what your child is doing. Use facial expressions and gestures to communicate the meaning of words. Describe your actions throughout the day while performing daily routines such as changing nappies, dressing, feeding, and bathing your child. Pairing the same words with routine activities is a great way to develop language. E.g. “I am changing your nappy, this wet wipe might be cold!” Describe the objects your child walks by when walking around the house / shop / outside. Encourage two-way communication. When your child communicates with you using sounds, words, or gestures, be sure to respond and take turns in the “conversation”. Read with your child. “Reading” can simply mean describing pictures without following the written words. Choose books with large, colorful pictures, and encourage your child to point to and name familiar objects. Expand your child’s vocabulary by building on the words they already know. For example if your child says “dog” you could say “Yes, that’s a big brown dog!” Reword your child’s phrases. If your child makes a speech or language error, respond with the phrase in the correct form. This helps them learn proper pronunciation and grammar. For example, if your child says “Doggy big” you can respond with “Yes, the doggy is big”. Remember to respect your child’s need to disengage when they become tired. Observe and end the conversation when they let you know it’s time to move on to something else. When should I worry? It is important to remember that language development occurs at different rates and all children develop at their own pace. Guidelines are there to show you the averages, when these skills should be present and observable, but do not have to be necessarily mastered. Having a general guideline for milestone development can help to determine whether there is a language delay present. Often, parents want to “wait and see” how things turn out. However, if there is a language delay present, early intervention is the most ideal form of intervention. Early intervention can change a child’s developmental trajectory

August 17, 2018

Sports in Education: Core Skills Addressed

By: Zelda Varela (Crawford Preparatory Fourways Sports Coordinator) Can you remember that elated feeling of being part of a team, or maybe not making the A- team and then being so determined that you put in the extra hard work to improve to be selected? Can you remember being forced to run around the field five times, doing push-ups for days at end, because you thought the PE teacher disliked children and was trying to make you suffer? Whether you have good or bad memories related to sport or any physical activity, one thing is for sure, that physical activity promotes not only your health but instils good personal attributes required throughout life. Team sports boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Being part of a team helps children to find a sense of belonging. It teaches acceptable ways to interact with others and how to be considerate and respectful of teammates. Physical activity promotes agility and coordination. It supports healthy growth of muscles and bones, which is critical in schooling years while children are still growing and can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, especially with the highly pressurized society that we find ourselves living in. Through participation in sport your child will gain five different skills including research skills; social skills; thinking skills; communication skills and self-management skills. Social & Communication skills: it teaches acceptable ways to interact with others and how to be considerate and respectful of teammates. Thinking Skills: In a team sport situation, children learn to think and perform under pressure, critical basic thinking skills are promoted, which in turn can help in coping with everyday life. (http://thinkingforsuccess.com/cognition-sports.html) Self-management & Research skills: Be on time for practises/matches. Remember sport clothes and equipment needed for a sport. Children build self-confidence by participating and feeling good about themselves and their achievements. Physical activity helps children set goals for themselves which leads to learning how to deal with failure and success, and to have a positive attitude no matter what the outcome of an event. Encourage your children to get active and uncover any potential opportunities and skills that young people may find useful not only in the sport sector but other sectors of their lives.

August 17, 2018

CAM Regolo

Let baby travel in style with the Cam Regolo Car Seat! CAM, Italian leaders in baby travel, are famous for their impeccable design and style, with matching technology to ensure only the best for your child, whether it be travel products, furniture or décor. The Cam Regolo Car Seat is approved for babies and children in the 9- 36kg weight category, which is approximately 9 months old to 12 years of age. This luxury car seat has various special features to ensure that your child travels safely and comfortably. It has anti-shock side impact protections for the head, a soft head hugger, a headrest adjustable in height with side protections, adjustable backrest in 5 positions as well as an easy mechanism to adjust the height of the harness. To ensure ultimate safety, it has a 5-point harness with padded non-slip harness protectors and crotch strap and an integrated belt guide. It can be fitted on the vehicle’s seat – always in a forward position – by using the standard 3-point safety belt provided in the car. Furthermore, the covers are removable and washable. An excellent higher-end investment that retails at approximately R5000 and can be found at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 16, 2018

Foppapedretti Dinamyk

Foppapedretti is one of Europe’s leading baby travel brands, having creatively and technically mastered the market with over 70 years of dedication to baby products under their belt. Trusted by moms around the globe, Foppa (as it’s affectionately know), is now a go-to name when it comes to child travel, not to mention their furniture and baby décor. The Dinamyk 9-36 car seat is approved for groups 1, 2 and 3 (children from 9 to 36 kg). The anatomic seat has the innovative side protection system SPS (Side Protection System) so that every child can travel safely and comfortably and available in a variety of colours. An incredibly stylish way to travel for your little one! A higher-end car seat, the Dinamyk Retails at approximately R4300.00 and is available at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 15, 2018

Why nutritional supplements taste so good

Taste is highly personal. Think back to the last beverage you ordered. Maybe it was tea – and you were asked if you would like it served hot, iced, sweetened or unsweetened; with lemon or milk. In general, such decisions are influenced by your culture, your location, past experiences and even by your current state of health. “Nutritional products such as Ensure® have important health benefits however the taste of the product plays a critical role in the delivery of the nutrition,” explains Monica Tortorice, a senior flavour scientist at Abbott. We all know that sometimes making healthy food taste great is not as easy as it sounds, same as balancing the nutrients consumers need with the taste they want is a process on its own. This is exactly why Abbott puts flavor, texture and aroma first in every product it makes but also ensuring that products meets the therapeutic nutritional needs of their consumers. “The more nutrient-dense a product is, the more challenging it is to make the aroma and taste appealing,” says Tortorice. “Important ingredients like HMB (also known as beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is found in Ensure® NutriVigor, which helps in supporting muscle health. HMB on its own doesn’t taste that great however we need to include this ingredient to provide consumers with the muscle health support they need. These are primary considerations we take in our development process.” “It’s even trickier making products for people who are ill,” says Normanella DeWille, PhD, a research fellow and product developer at Abbott. “People who have cancer often have their sense of taste impacted. Everything tastes or smells different. At Abbott it’s our job to intensify certain flavour elements and sweetness levels to ensure our nutritional supplements are enjoyed by patients whilst they get the critical nutrition they need.” Starting with the best ingredients and processing techniques Behind every one of our products is a great recipe and quality ingredients. That’s why the Abbott team first sources the best ingredients by partnering with high-quality farms and trusted suppliers. “We look at each ingredient closely for its quality and the benefits it brings to our products,” says Normanella DeWille, “For example, our years of research tells us that combining proteins from milk as well as those from plants gives our products the smoothest mouthfeel possible, which has a huge effect on overall taste and experience.” The processing of these ingredients also matters. For example, exactly how protein is extracted from milk to produce milk protein concentrate affects taste and texture. We find that milk protein concentrate is a key ingredient in a wide range of complete nutrition products including Ensure® and PediaSure®. “If the protein is extracted in a harsh manner, for example through the use of excessive heat, there can be an impact on overall taste and texture,” said DeWille. Therefore, our scientists only work with suppliers that use gentle methods of extracting that protein. Minimizing undesirable tastes If you’ve ever turned up your nose at a piece of pungent fish, you’ve smelled exactly the sort of obstacles flavour technologists are up against in making nutritional products taste great. After all, some of Abbott’s products, include fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids, which play a valuable role in overall health and healing. And while fish oil can taste and smell fishy all on its own, once it oxidizes (reacts to oxygen), that smell gets even stronger. “Fortunately, through a lot of research, we’ve been able to find an antioxidant blend that prevents fish oil from oxidizing,” says DeWille. She explains that, when combined with rosemary extract through Abbott’s pending patent on the technology, those antioxidants help scientists get fish oil into their nutritional drinks and still taste great. The end benefit; your loved ones get all the nutrition they need and a great taste.Tapping into favourite flavours around the world Once a product’s nutritional base is made, it’s up to flavour scientists to turn that base into a nutrient-laden treat, so to speak. Fortunately, Abbott scientists have been perfecting their flavour technology talents for 30 years. While some flavors are universally appealing – chocolate, strawberry and vanilla are popular worldwide, whereas some countries have their own unique flavour preferences. So how do those global tastes play out within Abbott products? For example, mushroom and chicken soup are popular flavours for Ensure® in the United Kingdom. Also, wheat and green tea are loved in China and a special saffron almond flavour is popular in India. Once Abbott identifies preferred flavours and flavour combinations, Abbott scientists are able to dig into them to determine the best way to apply them to nutritional products for that specific market. The products then provide the nutrients that children, moms and adults need daily with different flavours that make drinking the nutritional shake exciting and delicious. Ensure® NutriVigor, Similac Mom® and PediaSure® are available at major retail pharmacies and retail outlets nationwide.

August 15, 2018

Empower your child

Notice your feelings when your child challenges you. We live in a different world today. What may have worked then may not be relevant today. “With the increase of mental health problems, higher occurrences of suicide amongst the tweens and teens and more depression and anxiety experienced by children it goes without saying that parents feel overwhelmed and not always on top of their game,” says Anna Rodrigues Clamber Club Expert and Play Therapist. Playing is a child’s language and can be interesting. As much as they learn from us we too can learn from them. “Children live in the moment, they live in the here and now and the time you spend with them makes a difference to their overall well being,” says Anna. “By playing with your child you are connecting on a physical level and when you start mentioning feelings, connection on an emotional level happens,” adds Anna. During play stating to your child that you are feel happy playing with him and that you are feel excited when you are jumping, dancing and crawling with him makes him feel special and important. When you smile at him, give him a hug and tickle him – you make him feel worthy in that moment. As the parent you become more attentive to your child and realise the time together is magical! There are reasons why children present with challenging behaviour. They may be looking for your attention. They may want to control you and enter into a power struggle with you or they may want you to feel sorry for them or make you feel guilty. This is the moment to notice your feelings. Scene 1: Your child refuses to feed his dog but with a bit of encouragement he gets in and does it. But on another occasion your child persists relentlessly and does not cooperate. Be conscious of your feelings. If you get irritated or annoyed your child could be looking for attention. A way to deal with this would be to reflect on content and feeling. For example: “I see you continue to play and you seem to ignore what I am asking you to do. (Reflect on the content). Perhaps you are feeling a bit tired?” Reflecting on what your child is doing or on what he may be feeling makes him feel he is being understood and this is calming for your child. “This approach may influence him to cooperate,” advises Rodrigues. Scene 2: Your child makes a noise while you and your husband are trying to watch TV. Take note of what you are feeling, you may be getting cross and a power struggle may start to form. The technique to use is to present your child with choices. For example: “You are making a noise and we can’t hear the TV. You can stay and play quietly or we can take you to your bedroom where you can play loudly.” If he continues to make a noise then take him to his bedroom and let him return when he is able to play quietly. Providing your child with choices is empowering for him as it allows him to choose. It also builds a sense of responsibility, as how he chooses to behave will determine whether he stays in his bedroom or plays besides his parents. Scene 3: You are a single parent reading a bedtime story to your 5 year old. Your child says “ Dad reads nicer stories.” You feel this is hurtful and your child may want you to feel bad or guilty because she may be angry being away from her dad. Reply by reflecting on her feelings, “I bet you wish dad were here, I feel sad for you. Maybe you can help me choose a bedtime story every night.” To recap: Your feelings Intention of your child’s challenging behaviour Technique to use You feel annoyed/irritated. Your child looking for your attention. Reflect on what your child is doing and feeling. You feel cross. Your child is looking at controlling or entering into a power struggle. Provide your child with choices. You feel hurt. Your child is wanting to take revenge or make you feel guilty. Reflect on your child’s feelings. In managing your child’s challenging behaviour you are building his character. You want your child to have a sound moral make-up, to be able to love, be responsible and have empathy for others, to be able to solve problems, deal with failure and perform under pressure. William A Ward once said: “ The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates and the great teacher inspires” “You that you are your child’s first teacher, so be the AMAZING teacher,” says Anna.

August 10, 2018

Bullying: What parents and schools can do

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

August 9, 2018

SA women’s risk of ante- and postnatal depression four times greater than global average

According to the World Health Organisation, about 10% to 13% of women experience antenatal and postnatal depression globally, while in most developing countries the condition affects 20% of mothers. In stark contrast, more than 40% of South African women suffer from the condition. Shouqat Mugjenker, Mental Health Portfolio Manager for Pharma Dynamics says no woman is immune to ante- or postnatal depression, but research shows that women living in low to middle-income countries are at particularly high risk. “The high burden of postnatal depression in SA, is likely as a result of women’s exposure to a number of risk factors, which could include poverty, intimate partner violence and the threat of HIV. “Depression can affect new mothers in many different ways and can start a few months before giving birth or at any time within the first year after childbirth. It may develop suddenly or over time. Most women feel tearful and anxious within the first few weeks after giving birth, which is completely normal and commonly referred to as the ‘baby blues’, but if feelings of sadness and low mood lasts longer than two to three weeks, it might be a sign of postnatal depression. “Postnatal depression puts both the mother and baby at risk since some moms could turn to smoking, drugs or alcohol to help them cope and as a result neglect caring for their new-borns, which makes early identification and treatment essential. Suffering from postnatal depression also makes it difficult to bond with your baby, which can make babies more stress reactive and difficult to soothe. This sets in motion a dangerous cycle for both moms and babies. “Unfortunately, postnatal depression often goes undiagnosed as symptoms, such as loss of interest in life, lack of energy, increased irritability, persistent feelings of sadness, guilt and hopelessness are often dismissed or overlooked. New mothers have to deal with enormous change that range from fluctuating hormones to having to adjust both mentally and emotionally to the relentless demands of a baby. Many of the symptoms of depression such as lack of sleep, reduced or increased appetite, problems concentrating and tiredness are also associated with having a new baby in the home, which makes diagnosing even more difficult,” says Mugjenker. Several studies highlight the gap that still exist in the detection of depression in pregnant women and new mothers in SA. A number of screening tools have been tested in the country, but most are time-consuming and difficult to administer in busy, under-resourced maternal clinics. “If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your local clinic, GP or psychiatrist who will be able to confirm a diagnosis and advise on how best to manage the condition going forward. With the right help and treatment you will be able to care for yourself, other family members and your baby,” encourages Mugjenker. For more info on antenatal and postnatal depression, visit Pharma Dynamics’ Let’s Talk website: www.letstalkmh.co.za or contact their toll-free helpline on 0800 205 026, which is manned by trained counsellors who are on call from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

August 8, 2018

Should you insure your baby?

Now that you have a baby bump, you don’t need any other bumps in the road. Those who have held that little bundle in their arms, or seen two lines on the pregnancy test, will know just what it is like to suddenly be a mom and how amazing it is – you’re not sure what Cosmic Approval Process let that one through, but you sure are glad. Your pregnancy is life changing and it somehow finds its way into your every waking moment …. trust us! Some people may not get how you can be ecstatic and absolutely terrified about the road ahead at exactly the same time. There are very few things apart from a call to your mother that will assuage the constant thinking, worrying and planning but, surprisingly, insurance is one of them. Why life insurance during pregnancy might work To help ease the ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’ nerves. Most of a women’s stress during pregnancy is not for themselves, but for the baby. Specifically, angst around the birth and whether the baby will be completely healthy following the birth. The MiLittleLife Birth Benefit offered exclusively by MiWayLife offers cover of up to R180 000 for 14 of the most common and severe conditions affecting new-borns at birth. The product provides cover for several conditions affecting the baby and includes things such as Down’s Syndrome, Cerebal Palsy, Cleft Lip and Club Feet. To help ease the what comes next For those expecting for the first time, you may soon begin to appreciate that the birth is not the destination but merely part of the journey and therefore the worrying doesn’t diminish after the birth. In fact, the bigger your little one gets, the more scrapes they can get into! Newborn cover which evolves naturally into child insurance can take the sting out of this both emotionally and financially, with cover for conditions your tot might develop only after birth. A reassuring 79 conditions, plus a catch all, are covered by MiLittleLife’s Child Benefit, including ICU admission costs and dog bites, plus more specialised congenital issues such as Cleft Palate surgery. Because insurers can be people too. MiWayLife has developed the birth benefit to cover your growing baby bump for a minimum of R20,000 from the first premium and a maximum of R180,000 depending on when the policy was taken. And in the case of pregnancy brain, the offering is human – in case of any missed premiums, there won’t be any penalties; your cover will remain in place. While the amount won’t grow, it won’t shrink either! Because doing something will empower you. Finally, investigating cover for you and your baby might just help psychologically. There is so much that can feel frustratingly outside of your control, from when you fall pregnant to the endless worrying over possible complications during the pregnancy and birth. There’s not a lot you can do to prevent complications from happening, but doing something that might offer you a safety net if things go wrong can help ease your troubled mind. Because you’ve done everything that you can possibly do, and that helps a little. Things life insurance won’t – or might not – work for: As a supplement to normal insurance. The other forms of insurance cover are also there for a reason. It is important that anyone who has any reason to believe they’ll be in hospital in the next two years – like expectant moms – have medical aid, gap cover and life insurance. This doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it sounds. Call up your medical aid or life insurer and ask specific questions about your products. ‘Am I covered for water birth? What about gynae visits? How many? What about anti-nausea meds?’ Ask all of it, because having a baby can be like a wedding: for 8 out of 10 ladies, it costs a lot more than you think from unexpected expenses that add up. As a get-out-of-work-free card. Pregnancy insurance will seldom if ever cover extra leave taken after one’s maternity leave is up. Better insurance products will allow a payout in cash that mothers can choose to use as ‘extra income’ in lieu of leave, but that could leave them high and dry if their baby should fall ill. So, the best policy here is an honest conversation with your boss. That way, your working relationship is secure should you suddenly find yourself needing to take days off if baby requires a procedure. As a substitute for good, old-fashioned relaxation. Insurance during your pregnancy is there to smooth over the little, and bigger, bumps in the road. It gives that extra peace of mind when you’re in the waiting room for the umpteenth time, and takes the financial fear out of the doctor’s statement: ‘we need to run a few more tests.’ However, it’s not a silver bullet for your own state of mind. Insurance can work wonders for your balance sheet, but it works best in tandem with you actively de-stressing, doing pregnancy-safe exercise that boosts dopamine and getting support from various sources, especially if you don’t have a partner walking through it with you. “At MiWayLife, we are constantly working at reimagining life insurance and this presented us with an ideal opportunity in one of the areas that remains under or unserved by the insurance market,” says CEO Craig Baker. “We all know that although the possibility of something unforeseen happening to one of your children is upsetting and frightening, it does not change the reality that bad things happen to good people. Simply spending a few minutes investigating the options and getting the cover in place will provide you with both financial and emotional protection.”

August 6, 2018

Foppapedretti Babyroad 9-36

Foppapedretti is one of Europe’s leading baby travel brands, having creatively and technically mastered the market with over 70 years of dedication to baby products under their belt. Trusted by moms around the globe, Foppa (as it’s affectionately know), is now a go-to name when it comes to child travel, not to mention their furniture and baby décor. The Babyroad 9-36 is the perfect mid-price car seat and is approved for groups 1, 2 and 3 (from 9 to 36 kg). The anatomic seat has an adjustable headrest, removable and washable padded shoulder protection, adjustable 5-point seat belt and double-sided internal reducers for all the various colours available. The weight category of the Babyroad 9-36 makes it perfect for children from about 9 months old to approximately 12 years of age. The Babyroad 9-36 retails on average at R2300 and is available at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 3, 2018

Parents, let’s get our thinking right when it comes to money and what our kids need.

Figuring out what is important, allows us to focus and live the lives we really want. When we think about money and being young parents, we often get stuck in the “stuff I think I need” mindset: “I now need a new car and bigger house, a good running pram and all of these new tech toys for my kids… “. You probably also say to yourself: “It’s helluva expensive and stresses me out as I am not sure that I can afford it, but I want the best for my kids, so let me just bite the bullet.” This narrative can introduce a lot of financial stress into our lives and could easily enslave us to our paychecks, causing us to live from month-to-month paying bills and debt for “stuff we got told we needed” instead of what we really wanted. And before we know, it will affect our frame of mind and happiness, stealing from what we really wanted to do with our lives and who we wanted to be for our kids. Something to remember about money is that no one actually wants money for the sake of it. We want the things that money allow us to do. And when it comes to your kids, we should understand what trade-offs we will be making when we spend money the way we do, and the impact that may have on our kids. Take a little bit of time and think back to your own best childhood memories with your folks… Then think about what it had to cost your parents to create those memories… Often our most impactful childhood memories and what they cost are quite disconnected. Some of my fondest memories are of playing card games while camping with the family, or going on an epic hike with my dad. Or just having my dad next to the rugby field when I scored that try. We all know this and have heard it before: children crave those simple experiences and time with their parents, not the stuff we buy them or where we stay or what we drive. It always comes down to the time we spend with them and the experiences we share where they are the focus point. More than anything else, money allows us to spend our time how you want to. And often, your kids need it to be with them. We should be very careful to give that up for “stuff that doesn’t really matter” in the end. Life is actually quite awesome in that the best things in life is often free when it comes to experiences, as long as we can create the time to experience it. So, stop thinking that you need to be less emotional about money. Money should feel emotional as it is connected to what we can “afford” to do with our time. It’s super important to be smart and structured about it. Know the enemy: every business in the world wants you to buy the things they’re selling. They spend billions each year on marketing and advertising. Their job is to make you believe you want a bunch of stupid stuff you didn’t want before they told you that you want it. These people are extremely good at their jobs. They shape culture, they make you believe ideas like “cars mean freedom” and “your kids will be left behind if they don’t get exposed to this technology” and “expensive means quality”. But these ideas are not your own. They have been implanted in your brain to sell you things. They distract you from the things you really do care about. Remember, life is about trade-offs, and we need to focus our minds and behaviours to be smart when it comes to our money and what we want it to do for us. Making the wrong decisions when it comes to debt and lifestyles can really steal from our families. Debt in particular can ruin us quickly, and it can steal years from you where you need to stress to get back ahead. So, don’t let yourself get trapped. Don’t let people or businesses tell you that you “need stuff”, when it will steal from the things you really want — like awesome adventures with your family, lower stress levels and time to be there when it matters. I know very well everything isn’t for free and that things like education can cost loads and that you may need a big car to get around. The point is just to understand that we need balance things. We need to decide what is important to us, and we need to know that there are smarter ways to do things. This is quite mouthful and does not give you a lot of answers in terms of how to manage your money better, but we will get there. The first step is to make sure we understand what drives our decisions, to make sure we understand that money has trade-offs and to help us think clearly about what we want for our families and for ourselves. And if you still believe it is having a very big, expensive new car, that’s also fine. We just need to become more conscience of what we are giving up for that. Take some time and make your own list of things you want your family to experience and the memories you want to build. Also add opportunities you want your kids to have and what you are passionate about. If our goals are clear, and we know what we are working for, the execution becomes easier. The next step will be to put our plans into action to free ourselves and to focus on the stuff that matters to us and our families. At Hero Life we are happy to help young South African families with their finances or point you in the right direction. Try us @ herolife.co.za or WhatsApp us at +27 73 916 9367 to learn more (on your

August 2, 2018

Coffee: Good or Bad for you?

The health effects of coffee are quite controversial. Depending on who you ask, it is either a super healthy beverage or incredibly harmful. But despite what you may have heard, there are actually plenty of good things to be said about coffee. For example, it is high in antioxidants and linked to a reduced risk of many diseases as well as improved sports performance. Some studies have even shown that coffee drinkers live longer. The truth is… there are some important negative aspects to coffee as well (although this depends on the individual). Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that can cause problems in some people and contribute to anxiety and disrupt sleep. This newsletter takes a detailed look at coffee and its health effects, examining both the pros and cons. COFFEE: THE FACTS Coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, with around two billion cups being consumed in a day. With Finland drinking more coffee than any other country in the world. Coffee is a major dietary source of caffeine and has received considerable attention regarding health risks and benefits. Caffeine is a chemical compound which acts as a stimulant when consumed. Many of us are aware of the effects of caffeine on our bodies as we try to wake up in the morning, or stay awake at the end of a long day. However, for some individuals, excessive caffeine consumption (more than 2-3 cups of coffee or 200 mg of caffeine per day) can have negative consequences on their bodies including an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack). Caffeine metabolism – rate of breaking down caffeine After drinking a cup of coffee, most of the caffeine gets absorbed by the body and circulates for a few hours while slowly degrading in our body. 95% of caffeine is broken down inside the liver using an enzyme called Polymorphic Cytochrome P450 1A2 enzyme (CYP1A2). How long the caffeine stays in the body is measured by the half-life of the substance. The half-life is how long it takes for half of the caffeine ingested to be metabolized or eliminated from the body. In most healthy adults, the half-life of caffeine ranges from 2 to 4 hours. The longer the half-life (or the longer it takes for the caffeine to breakdown) the more severe the caffeine related symptoms. The half-life of caffeine as well as the way you handle caffeine and the intensity of the symptoms depend on a variety of factors such as: The amount of caffeine consumed Liver function What drugs or medications are taken at the time of caffeine intake Levels of enzymes that break down caffeine (polymorphic cytochrome P450 1A2 enzyme) Overall health status Age The majority of the population can handle moderate amounts of caffeine very well (around 400ml or 2 cups of coffee) and can enjoy its health benefits with only a few minor negative effects. However, in some cases the effects of caffeine on the body and health can be more negative than positive. The positive or negative effects of caffeine on health mainly depend on an individual’s genetic predisposition. How we react to caffeine is dependent largely on genetics & varies between individuals. GENES DETERMINE HOW COFFEE AFFECTS YOU Not everyone responds to a single cup of coffee (or other caffeinated beverage) in the same way. Depending on a person’s genetic make-up, he or she might be able to guzzle coffee right before bed or feel wired after just one cup, based on research (Java gene study). DNA plays a big part in how much coffee we can drink, to the point that some of us should avoid or at least reduce coffee or other caffeinated drinks. There are a number of genes that determine how well we can take a caffeine hit, since they influence the rate of the breaking down of caffeine, sensitivity and tolerance to caffeine and also the rate of breaking down other harmful substances induced in the body by caffeine. There are a few genes responsible for how efficiently we deal with caffeine in our diet: Gene CYP1A2 (Cytochrome P450 1A2) is responsible for releasing the liver enzyme that determines how quickly our bodies break down caffeine. Gene COMT (Catechol-0-Methyl Transferase) is responsible for making an enzyme which controls the breakdown of stress hormones called catecholamines. Caffeine increases the release of catecholamines. CYP1A2 There are two variations of the CYP1A2 gene which affect how quickly a person metabolizes caffeine – one that helps metabolize caffeine faster and another that helps metabolize it slower. Those who produce less of this metabolizing enzyme (polymorphic cytochrome P450 1A2) are referred to as SLOW METABOLIZERS and then take longer to rid the body of caffeine, staying longer in the system in higher amounts and making its side effects feel more intense and prolonged. Slow metabolizers are regarded as being caffeine sensitive. These individuals usually feel the effects after drinking one or two coffees. Common caffeine sensitivity symptoms include jitteriness, increased heartbeat, nausea; sweating, dizziness, diarrhea, insomnia, headache. The other variant of the gene causes the liver to metabolize caffeine very quickly – referred to as FAST METABOLIZERS. These individuals metabolize caffeine about four times more quickly than people who are slow metabolizers. COMT The COMT gene has a number of variations – one variation causes low COMT enzyme activity. So the less active the COMT enzyme is, the bigger the concentration of catecholamines. When caffeine is in high concentrations, there is a further increase in the release of catecholamines. High amounts of catecholamines increases the probability of damage to cells in the heart muscle resulting in an increased risk of a heart attack. The risk of a heart attack grows if you are a slow metabolizer and have low COMT activity. SLOW CAFFEINE METABOLIZERS Slow metabolizers are caffeine sensitive, thus frequent coffee consumption are associated with health risks. The increased disease risk may be due to the fact that caffeine hangs around longer in a slow metabolizer, it has

August 1, 2018

The need-to-know about ADHD medication abuse

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stimulants are prescribed by medical professionals to improve concentration, memory and motivation to complete tasks. Without treatment, ADHD symptoms (inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity) can have an adverse impact on one’s social interactions and functioning in the school and work environment. When taken as prescribed, ADHD stimulants are safe and effective. With an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, individuals with ADHD can face and overcome the challenges of modern life and live fulfilling lives. However, the misuse of stimulants by ADHD and non-ADHD children and adults has increased drastically over recent years. This is due to misconceptions and a lack of knowledge regarding the associated risks and potentially dangerous consequences. ADHD stimulants are commonly believed to give short bursts of enhanced concentration and academic or work performance. Reports reveal the occasional recreational use of stimulants by school children but most who misuse ADHD medication rely on it in high-pressure situations such as exams and working on big projects to improve multitasking, memory and performance. But to maintain this unsustainable level of efficiency, increased dosages and rates of use are often required. It is crucial to understand the dangers of stimulant abuse and the impact thereof on the brain. The effects and risks of ADHD stimulant abuse Research shows that ADHD is caused in part by chemical imbalances in the brain and structural differences in grey matter – a core component of the central nervous system. Grey matter is responsible for memory, executive functions, impulse control, emotions and speech. Likewise, dopamine and norepinephrine levels have an impact on concentration, memory, problem solving, decision making, motivation, impulse control, emotions and social behaviour. Prescription stimulants provide mental stimulation to harmonise chemical imbalances. It enables individuals to focus on the task at hand with enhanced concentration and energy. However, the abuse thereof can result in a lack of concentration, sleep deprivation, depression, social anxiety, an inability to communicate effectively, a fast and irregular heart rate, high body temperature, psychosis, paranoia and hallucinations. Understanding the prescribed uses of ADHD medication Modern-day school and workplace pressures are mounting. To keep up with life at breakneck speed, children and adults with or without ADHD are becoming overly reliant on coping mechanisms of all sorts, including ADHD stimulants. Explaining to a loved one with ADHD the importance of using medication as prescribed will go a long way in encouraging the responsible use of all sorts of stimulants and substances. Here’s how you can encourage a healthy understanding and appropriate use of ADHD medication. No evaluation. No meds. A comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis by a licensed medical professional is essential before considering any form of ADHD medication. Reports show that some individuals exaggerate their symptoms to get a larger dosage to misuse or shared with non-ADHD individuals. Having an in-depth knowledge of ADHD symptoms and how it typically presents in a friend or family member will help you draw that fine line and accurately report the symptoms. Know what the fuss is about Learn all you can about the effects of ADHD stimulants on your children and adults as well as the effects and potential reasons for misuse. Equip loved ones with life management skills to rely on instead of medication when balancing academics, work and social activities. With the right practical resources, individuals with ADHD can improve their focus and organisation skills. Explain the risks of abuse Children and adults with undiagnosed ADHD often struggle with social interactions and may be more susceptible to peer pressure. The desire to fit in can be a strong incentive to misuse or share medication. Explain the impact of ADHD on the brain and the risks of misusing or sharing prescribed medication with non-ADHD individuals. Know the red flags of abuse Signs of treatment abuse can range from signs of anxiety, manic behaviour and dilated pupils to sleep deprivation and difficulty concentrating. If you suspect a loved one may be misusing, sharing or abusing stimulant medication, share your concerns with a medical professional. Living with ADHD can be challenging. There is no room for the additional dangers of stimulant abuse. The importance of an accurate diagnosis and treatment usage can’t be overstated. If you suspect that an adult loved one has ADHD, suggest this self-assessment to see if their symptoms are consistent with ADHD. For the assessment of children, consult a licensed medical professional. With a holistic treatment plan, therapy and life management skills, children and adults with ADHD can manage everyday challenges and live successful lives.

August 1, 2018

6 Simple Practices to Keep Your Child Active and Healthy

No one said that parenting would be easy, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Although it’s normal to worry about your kids when they’re heading off to school, you can lower those anxiety levels by preparing for the transition. You also need to accept that your child is growing, and you can’t keep him or her in a protective bubble. In fact, over protective parenting can have far worse consequences for your child, persisting into adulthood. If you’re worried about frequent infections, fatigue or low energy, learning problems, and so on, there are steps that you can take to better prepare your child for the demands and stress of schooling. Before you try to impart good habits and practices to your child, just remember that kids can be quick to call you out on your hypocrisy and double standards, so be a good role model, or learn to cheat smart and not get caught!

July 24, 2018

Pets in the digital age: what we can do to keep those we love safe

Kaspersky Lab, together with the research agency Opeepl, surveyed 7,740 household pet owners from 15 countries around the world* to find out how modern technologies affect pet safety. It turns out that every fifth pet owner uses some type of digital device to monitor or secure their domestic pet, and for 39% the use of such devices, ended up posing a risk to the pet or its owners. At the end of May this year, Kaspersky Lab published a report on vulnerabilities in cat and dog trackers that allow attackers to manipulate information about the pet’s location or even steal its owner’s personal data. In the course of the latest study, it was found that the penetration of technologies and digital devices in the daily life of pets is not limited to just trackers. Among popular tools cited by respondents were web cameras for watching pets, smartphones and tablets with games designed for pets, digital toys, automatic feeders/water dispensers, and much more. However, can there be any guarantee that a malfunctioning temperature controller will not overheat the fish, or an unresponsive auto-feeder will not leave a cat to starve? Such cases can be distressing for both the pets and those who take care of them. According to the survey, for example, half of the devices used for pets have access to the internet, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. 14% of the surveyed pet owners reported that at least one of the digital devices they use for their pets had been hacked. Other problems reported by respondents included that the device stopped working or started malfunctioning. In the vast majority of cases, this resulted in a risk to the pet’s life (32%), its health (32%), its emotional well-being (23%), and even the emotional well-being of its owners (19%). “Technology makes life easier not only for people, but also for our furry friends. With the help of technology, we can protect our pets, take care of them, and provide them with comfort. However, as is the case with any digital equipment, it’s important to remember the risks: any device can break down or be hacked by a cybercriminal. To avoid any unpleasant consequences, it’s important to implement simple security measures in advance, and have a backup plan in the event of device failure or infection. And, of course, you need to choose your digital device carefully, focusing on the most important thing – your pet’s safety,” saysDavid Emm, Principal Security Researcher from Kaspersky Lab. The experts at Kaspersky Lab suggest the following simple rules to ensure the security of your household pets: If you are the proud owner of a smart home, set safety rules for the pets who live there, like this Kaspersky Lab employee has in his pet-friendly smart home (watch the video here); Pay close attention to the security issues of connected devices before purchasing. Information on discovered and patched vulnerabilities is usually available online and is often easy to find. It is likely that the device you are going to purchase has already been examined by security researchers and it should be possible to find out whether the issues found in the device have been patched. The best choice is to buy products that have already undergone several software updates; Before you start using your device, change the default password and set a new strong password; Do not allow access to your device from outside of your local network, unless you specifically need it to use your device; Disable all network services that don’t need to use your device; Regularly update your device’s firmware to the latest version (when such updates are available); To overcome the challenges of smart device cybersecurity, Kaspersky Lab has released a solution for smart homes and the internet of things – Kaspersky IoT Scanner. This free application for the Android platform scans the home Wi-Fi network, informing the user about devices connected to it and their level of security. *Only those pet owners who used at least one smartphone were surveyed. The survey took place online in May-June 2018. Countries included: Singapore, Australia, India, Japan, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, UAE and Russia.

July 12, 2018

Play with purpose is essential for children with autism

Play is a powerful tool autistic children need to boost their development and an essential way for them to learn a range of skills. This according to Keri Delport, director of Autism Western Cape – an organisation committed to empowering individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and educating their families and communities on the disorder. Autism is a neuro-development condition that impacts the way the brain works and processes information. In South Africa more than seven thousand children are born with autism every year; this means that 160 autistic children are born in the country every week, which is roughly 23 per day. “Autistics are incredible people who open doors for other people in different ways. They are extremely honest and tend to live in the moment. They focus really well when things interest them and have terrific memories once they understand a concept. It’s for this reason that play is so important. It provides the level of physical and psychological support the child needs and helps to develop language, creativity and problem-solving skills,” she says. Delport explains that engaging in play is the start of an important cycle for autistics, forms an integral part of teaching them how to interact with other children and is “absolutely necessary” to develop their social skills and encourage independence. Play types: Explanatory play – allows children to explore the toy in its entirety and helps him/her learn more about the world through shape, colour and texture Functional play – allows children to use the toy the way it’s designed to be used and helps to develop social skills. Sensory play – an invaluable form of play, provides children with a level of input to support their sensory modulation needs Toy types: Teddy bears and mouthing blocks Puzzles and Lego Play dough and kinetic sand Delport says parents play a crucial role in ensuring that autistic children “play with purpose” and advise that parents introduce children to toys/games that don’t overwhelm or pressurise them in order to boost their self-confidence. “After all, as Jean Piaget said: ‘play is the work of childhood’,” she says. And to encourage a culture of play with autistics and motivate parents to allow their autistic children to engage in play, Delport says Autism Western Cape recently partnered with toy retailer Toy Kingdom to host the first ever Autism Hour in several stores around the country. During this hour, specially trained staff was at-hand to assist and interact with autistic children; and carried-out sensory demonstrations that focussed on toys that stimulate senses. Since this disorder is characterised by several marked differences including social interaction and sensory activities, stores dimmed the lights and turned-down the music to create a safe space and ensure autistics feel comfortable and welcome. “This is a pioneering initiative in South Africa and provided autistic children the space they needed to play and simply be themselves. It also served as a space where parents could come together, support each other and feel less judged. We hope to see more of these initiatives rolled-out in the country in due course, they are extremely valuable,” Delport says.

July 9, 2018

Social/Emotional Development Starts with Dad

The good news is that according to the US Census Bureau: “Between 1960 and 2016, the percentage of children living in families with two parents decreased from 88 to 69. Of those 50.7 million children living in families with two parents, 47.7 million live with two married parents and 3.0 million live with two unmarried parents.” The bad news is while Dad’s are living with their children they are not seeming to connect with them at early ages as much as needed. I think what we need here is to begin to recognize and accept the fact that Dads are different in how they relate to infants and young children and not only accept it but celebrate it. How do Dad’s relate differently? Research shows men are different right from the beginning. * Dads hold and stare into infant faces for hours to form their bond. * Dads never pick up a child the dame way twice * Dads tend to allow children to struggle longer to acomplish a task and celebrate with children each time they overcome. * Dads are more physically stimulating in how they interact with infants. These things are not ‘bad’ just different and very important for kids. This is how they learn to relate to the world. Men are wired differently and it is this difference that allows kids to develop a sens of anticipation and excitement about life. Dad is just often more exciting to deal with than Mom. There are some women who have a hard time with this and want to protect infants from this “rough housing” not realizing this is meeting a need the infant has which can not be received any other way. Men are just naturally different with children and this builds skills in children who do not regularly relate to men have a harder time developing. Much of the truth of this lies in the trouble children have when entering school. Social/Emotional development is the most important aspect of a child succeeding in the classroom. Children cared for by stay-at-home Dads, and male ECE teachers tend to be more resilient and have a greater ability to handle stress. Thus, they do better in kindergarten where these skills are essential in leaning to manage the more demanding world of elementary school classrooms. Society has long thought that women ae more emotional than men. However, recent psychological studies have shown this is not the case. Men are far more emotional than women however, they are taught to keep a tight reign on these emotions. In fact, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs in an interview with Eric Metaxas spoke of a man in an argument can have his heart rate spike to 99 beats a minute which shows he is in warrior mode which if not controlled will cause him to physically strike. Women rarely get to this point in their emotional frustration level in an argument. As an early childhood educator I believe this is why when it come to young boys we see more aggressive tendencies until they learn to gain more control over their emotions. Knowing this explains why men are the actual social/emotional trainers, because they deal with emotions on a much more stringent level than women. Dads also tend to teach kids to think things through by walking kids through the thought process asking questions which asks kids to think through a process. Before age 5-8 when the process of myelination (nerves are coated by a sheath to keep nerve impulses to travel smoothly along nerve endings.) occurs children think out loud. Men tend to pick up on this naturally. The create a bond between Dads and kids. It is this relationship which helps Dads to: * Understand what kids are thinking and ask why * Help kids work out problems by asking open-ended questions * Get into the problem with the children and help them solve the answers So, why does this matter? Dads and their purposeful and meaningful interactions with kids help them to start off with skills, abilities, and temperaments which provide a strong foundation for thier abilities. Plugging into the role of Dad when baby is born is the best thing for kids. Mom’s who encourage Dads to coneet and stay connected are encouraging the relationships all children beed to be able to connect with the world with confidence.

July 6, 2018

What I learned from my journey through Postnatal Depression…

I’m no stranger to depression. From as far back as I can remember I’ve had bouts of it, some severe, some just dragging out like a rainy British summer. So when I read about PND in a pregnancy book I felt sure that I would recognise it if it hit me. I didn’t. The first time I realised something was wrong I was already on my way to familicide. I was literally loosening the top of the gas bottle where my husband and baby were sleeping peacefully when it occurred to me that this was not normal. The thing is, I didn’t feel depressed. All that was going through my mind was how nice it was going to be to have a really long sleep.Depression in the past for me had always meant crying… And crying… And crying. This was different. It manifested as an underlying irritability. Everything and everyone was annoying. My temper was short and my tongue was vicious. And the layers of guilt piled up high on top of that. The morning after that realisation I called the PND help group. Even then I was fighting to stay off meds. I wanted to be a “good mother” and breast feed for as long as possible. I was told that a good mother is one who is alive to see her child grow up and bottle fed babies grow up too. Too true. And so began my journey to figure out what went wrong and how I could shift this depressive state once and for all. My first glimmer of hope came from a talk I went to by a prominent nutritionist. He spoke about research they had conducted into PND and how the vast majority of cases we’re deficient in omega 3s. This specifically affected vegans and vegetarians. I had been a vegetarian for 20 years. I put myself onto a high dose of omega 3 fish oils (yes, I had to do some soul searching and moral debating first) and I weaned myself off the anti depressants within 6 months. During this time I did further research into PND and found four pervasive factors that contribute to your chances of going down this slippery slope: The first is your perception of the birth. Well I definitely ticked that box. I saw the whole experience as the most traumatic event of my life. I had anger at the midwife for misunderstanding my needs and requests. I had anger at my husband for not having to go through it; for just getting to enjoy the good bits. I had anger at myself for being so traumatised that I was unable to bond with my baby. I had A LOT of emotional processing to do. I set out to acquire the skills to do that. I had no intention of spending years in a psychologists office rehashing the event. I wanted results, and I wanted them yesterday. Babies grow fast and there was one growing up in front of me needing me to be in my best possible state to raise her. The second is your relationship with your mother. Research shows that women with a poor relationship with their own mother have a much higher chance of having a traumatic birthing experience and a higher chance of depression post partum. Tick again. My relationship with my mother was not horrific, more like not there. Again, I set about finding the tools for letting go of the past and any lingering hurt, anger and resentment. What I found was a way not just to understand the past but to actually come to a place of gratitude for everything that has ever happened, even the stuff we label as bad. A life of gratitude is a long way from a life of depression. Number three is the instant and dramatic shift in values that you experience. It is like being kicked out of comfort zone so far that you have no idea what your comfort zone even looks like and no strength to crawl back in it if you did find it. It takes time and patience to form a new one and usually if the shift has been dramatic it means that your kids are coming out somewhere near the new top. The fourth idea I came across much later, and that is the link between depression and fantasies. All depression has its basis in an unfulfilled fantasy and nowhere is a fantasy more thrown in your face than in motherhood. The moving pictures and glossy pages that fill your pregnant world are endowed with images of doting mothers, smiling sweetly down at their breastfed babies. They are not filled with bedraggled mothers wincing in pain as their babies latch into their cracked, bleeding nipples. They show you images of happy families, their white clothes blowing in the breeze as they throw their giggling baby into the air on the beach. They don’t show you the mother who cannot leave the house for fear of leaking through the two boat-sized pads she is wearing to soak up the B-grade horror movies’ worth of blood she’s losing daily. They show you happy families snuggling in bed together doting on their newborn with their hair looking gorgeous and their make up already done. They don’t show you the unshaven husband sleeping in the couch because to his sleep deprived wife his snoring is more like a log than a straw breaking that poor camels back. We get sold a well-meaning lie. The truth is uglier and harsher, but real. And acceptance of reality is one of the cornerstones of emotional well-being. I had to face a lot of ugly messy truths, including the one where I was a less than perfect mother. And that is true. And that is ok. You see what makes me good at what I do is not that I was or ever will be the perfect parent. What makes me good at what I do

July 6, 2018

Children can burn out too!

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

July 6, 2018

Why new moms must re-look insurance needs before baby arrives

Expecting a new baby is always an exciting time, particularly for first-time moms who are exposed to a whole new world of baby related must-haves. While it’s easy to get swept up in pre-baby planning, it’s just as important to ensure you are prepared by updating your insurance requirements before your baby arrives, according to Casey Rousseau, Marketing Manager of 1st for Women Insurance. “Generally speaking, there are five main insurance requirements all new moms should re-look in the run-up to the big arrival – car, home, personal, portable possessions and life cover,” she says. There will be a number of once off purchases which you, or even family members and friends, will make before baby arrives, and with the right insurance policy in place, you can keep it that way. Some of these items include: · Cot: R700 – R11 250 · Compactum: R1 300 – R3 200 · Baby monitor: R600 – R4 200 · Humidifier: R250 – R1 200 · Breast pump: R300 – R1 200 · Pram and carry: R1 000 – R3 000 · Car seat: R1 000 – R3 000 In terms of home insurance, Rousseau says it’s not just about adding all your expensive new purchases to your home policy, but also finding out what insurance would be required for specific baby-related items transported in your vehicle such as a pram, car seat, and anything stored in your baby bag. “In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen or damaged with your critical baby essentials inside, they would in fact fall under the portable possession section of the policy, and not the car insurance policy, meaning it is always best to check with your insurance provider on what type of cover you will need,” says Rousseau. “There are also various personal insurance policies available such as cellphone policies, personal accident or scratch and dent policies to name but a few, which you can also consider adding to your insurance basket to ensure comprehensive insurance that best suits your lifestyle,” she adds. And while baby equipment and gadgets are replaceable certain things are not, and for this reason Rousseau emphasises the importance of thinking long term when it comes to securing the financial future of your child. Life cover is essential if you want to ensure your child is financially well taken care of should anything ever happen to you. “It’s very important for families to think about not only the type of insurance cover they need in preparation for a growing family but to also consider the benefits provided. With 1st for Women for example, our Guardian Angels Lifestyle Assistance benefit includes Nurse@First, a service which moms can call at any time of the day or night to get advice on what to do if their baby is sick, while the Guardian Angel on Call benefit provides emergency medical assistance when you are in a severe accident,” says Rousseau. “By being prepared before your baby arrives and ensuring your insurance needs and the benefits offered through the policies are right for you, it’s one less thing to worry about as a new mom. With insurance specifically designed for women, we know how helpful it is to have less to think about, so that you can get on with enjoying your journey into motherhood,” she says.

July 6, 2018

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

What new parents need to know about life insurance

Who Needs Life Insurance? Becoming a parent is an exciting, often scary adventure. Long before that happy day, when you get to hold your newborn (and then swiftly hand them over to the nearest grandmother), there’s a lot you need to think about and organise. It’s easy to get caught up—in creating the ultimate, Instagrammable nursery, or squabbling over a name that won’t cause your child a lifetime of teasing—and lose track of your primary role as a parent: to simply provide for your child; both now and in the future. You may have already drawn up a budget with some estimated costs for extra food, housing (if you need a larger space), your child’s daycare, etc. And perhaps you’ve even started putting money away to go towards their future education, which we know isn’t cheap. If so, you’re doing well, but I’d bet good money that you haven’t included life insurance in there. If you’re failing to see why life insurance is relevant to becoming a family, then this article is for you. How can life insurance protect my child? Providing for your child isn’t just about taking care of their current needs; it’s about preparing for their future needs too. Life insurance covers those needs by paying out to your beneficiaries if you die or become disabled. Neither scenario is nice to think about, but not being able to provide for your child or leaving your partner with the financial burden of having to do so alone, is a far less pleasant thought. Who should get insured? Both parents should get insured because, if something happens to either one, the other will have to pick up the slack. This applies to stay-at-home parents just as much as it does to the breadwinners, because you would need to replace their contributions towards childcare and housekeeping with daycare or a housekeeper, and that costs money. Which types of life insurance should you get? There are many different life insurance products out there, which can make choosing the ones that are right for you as new parents quite overwhelming. To protect your new family, you should be looking at products that cover you if you die or if you become disabled. If you die, your debts need to be settled and having a product that pays out a lump-sum amount is a perfect match for this need. You might also want to get cover that replaces a part of the income you would’ve contributed to the household. If you were to become disabled and couldn’t do your job anymore, you’d want your family to continue to flourish with an income protection benefit that pays you a salary for as long as you cannot do your job. How much cover do you need? The right amount of cover depends on you and your situation, and would be influenced by specific details like how much you earn and how much debt you have. Whatever your situation, you need enough life insurance to cover your family’s financial needs. Now, you could calculate this the hard way, or simply get your Indie plan which will show you in under 7 minutes exactly what you need for peace of mind. How much will it cost you? We’ve already established that having a child is expensive, but losing a parent is a financial risk you just can’t afford to take. You pay for insurance on a month-to-month basis, which is called a premium. Your premium will be calculated based on your risk and will take into account how much cover you need, how old you are, your gender, your health, and whether or not you smoke or take part in any dangerous hobbies. If you’re young and healthy, your premiums could be surprisingly low. When should you get it? The good news is, the younger you are when you get insured, the lower your premiums ought to be because you’re likely to be viewed as low risk by the insurer. So it makes a lot of sense to get covered now. Also, with Indie, you have the added bonus of earning Bounty when you get insured, which is money that’s invested for you and grows until you’re 70; so you’ll be covered and investing at the same time. Talk about smart parenting. How do you get it? Traditionally, life insurance is bought through a broker, or partially online with compulsory medical screening thereafter. But between caring for your newborn, trading in the coupé for a station wagon, figuring out how on earth the car seat works, and keeping your career on track, you don’t have time to be running around in search of life insurance. You ought to be able to get it in less time than it takes to watch a “Build Your Own Crib” video and, unlike the crib, it should be instantly ready and unwaveringly reliable. With Indie you can get covered in 6 minutes, so there’s no time like the present. https://www.indiefin.com https://www.facebook.com/indiefin/ https://www.instagram.com/indie_fin/ https://twitter.com/indie_fin

July 6, 2018

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

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

Sherpa Kids International now in Western Cape

Sherpa Kids – an internationally respected and trusted aftercare organisation that focuses on putting the ‘care’ back into aftercare – has successfully launched in the Western Cape. Janine Hammond, Regional Managing Director of Sherpa Kids in the Western Cape, says, “As a working mom, I know what a huge deciding factor it is when looking for schools to find a preschool or primary school that offers a good aftercare system. We saw the great work that Sherpa Kids is doing in schools in Gauteng, and around the world in places like New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, and we knew absolutely that preschools and primary schools in the Western Cape will benefit from this programme.” Sherpa Kids officially launched their before-school care, aftercare, and holiday care in South Africa in 2013. The name “Sherpa” is an homage to the mountain tribes who carefully guide climbers through difficult conditions by using their skills and knowledge in order for them to successfully reach their summit. Outsourcing aftercare is the way forward “Aftercare is often just an afterthought for SGB’s and principals who are dealing with other bigger issues. It is also often a burden to an already-exhausted, over-tasked teaching base,” says Janine. “However, just like most business owners in Cape Town know, outsourcing is fast becoming the best way to make everyone happy; protect the health and wellbeing of your staff compliment, and still keep a great brand reputation for your school by outsourcing your before-school, aftercare, and holiday care needs to the experts. This gives the teachers some breathing space, gives the parents peace of mind, and makes the children happy.” “Leaning on someone else’s expertise for aftercare allows Principals and teachers to focus on their core business,” says Janine, “while still giving children the stimulation and supervision they need. The Sherpa Kids facilitators are the ‘fresh legs’ so desperately needed after teachers have already worked a full day.” The answer to unregulated aftercare Preschool and school are tightly regulated by government, however aftercare is completely unregulated. That means, anything can happen in aftercare, and anyone can run an aftercare. “We approach aftercare differently,” says Janine. “Our people are thoroughly trained, regularly assessed, and kept accountable to international aftercare standards. This is why schools love us. Above all, they love children and want to see them thrive.” Western Cape Private and Public Schools approve In the short time since Sherpa Kids arrived in the Western Cape, both public and private schools have recruited Sherpa Kids to run their aftercare. El Shaddai Christian School and Somerset College were the first to sign up, with Hout Bay International, Elkanah House in Table View, Forres Preparatory, and Shelanti Private School quickly following. Says Kobus Stofberg, Director of Extra-Curricular Programme for Hout Bay International School, “The (holiday) programme was a great success and reports from students and parents was very positive. They offer a good, interactive programme with enough variation to keep everyone entertained and stimulated.” Not only are Principals thoroughly pleased, but parents are seeing the difference in their children too. Says Dave from the Southern Suburbs about a recent Sherpa Kids Holiday Club, “Sherpa was fantastic for our sons; and super helpful at that time of year for us.” Says Janine with a smile, “We know we’re doing something right when parents tell us their kids don’t want to leave aftercare when it’s hometime.” Going forward, Sherpa Kids Western Cape hopes to give schools a stimulating, reliable alternative to their current aftercare situation. To Contact Janine Hammond Email: [email protected] Phone:+27 72 190 2995 Web: www.sherpakids.co.za

July 4, 2018

Another antibiotic winter looms unless decisive action is taken

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

July 3, 2018

Pregnancy: Taking care of your nutritional and financial needs

By 1Life You’ve finally taken steps to confirm the reason behind your weird cravings, unexpected emotional outbursts, the fatigue as well as all the other unusual things that have been happening to your body of late and so begins the journey towards motherhood. One moment you only had yourself to worry about, and now you’re making way for the new bundle of joy that’s growing inside of you. When you are expecting, taking care of your nutritional needs goes well beyond ‘eating for two’. Instead, there are certain nutrients that your body needs during this journey, to ensure your baby is healthy and that you keep yourself in excellent condition as well. Maryke Gallagher, a registered dietician in Cape Town and President of the Association of Diabetics in South Africa, states that from a nutritional point of view, the first 1000 days are the most important. This includes the time the baby spends in the womb, where the first 1000 days are said to set the stage for healthy brain development, growth and appropriate weight gain and building a strong immune system. Having a healthy nutritional plan is therefore vital and can also assist with protecting against chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure later in life. As a result, what you put in your body during this period is extremely important. Some crucial nutritional needs include: Energy needs: These increase in the second and third trimester, but this does not mean you should eat for two. It means increasing the energy intake by 800-200kj per day, the equivalent of a small meal snack, like yoghurt, fruit and nuts, or a slice of rye bread with nut butter and a fruit. Protein needs increase: Focus on eating more safe proteins, at least twice per week. Options that are generally considered safe include trout, salmon, herring, pilchards and mackerel. Plant proteins are mostly incomplete proteins. This means that legumes like lentils, chickpeas and butterbeans need to be combined with grains such as brown rice, quinoa or barley to form complete proteins. Soya beans and tofu are some of the only complete plant proteins. It is generally believed that it is safe to be vegetarian while you are pregnant if you plan carefully to eat sufficient proteins that meet the body’s demands. Omega 3 Fatty Acids: These essential fats are important in pregnancy for healthy brain development in the baby. Fish is one such example of a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which you should consider before taking supplements to ensure that you are meeting your daily requirements. These type of vitamins reduce the risk of preterm birth and play a role in the visual acuity of the baby. Later in life, they play a role in the IQ and behaviour of the child. They also play a role in regulating the mood of the mother. Total fat intake: Every cell in the body is made up of fats, and cell membranes consist of phospholipids that influence how well cells communicate with each other within the body. Plant fats are particularly valuable and include nuts, seeds, avocado, olives, olive oil, and flaxseed oil. Micronutrients: These are essential vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. During pregnancy, the important ones are Folic Acid, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, B12 and Choline. Choline plays a role in the first trimester development of the baby, in particular the brain development and formation of neural pathways. Choline is found in animal-protein-rich foods such as eggs and beef. Haricot beans, soya protein, pulses and dairy products (like milk and yoghurt) are good sources of Choline. Folic acid is found in fruits and vegetables such as leafy dark green vegetables, liver, legumes and fortified cereals. The above is all important to keep in mind. However, your nutritional needs are in fact only one of very many aspects that you will need to consider as an expecting mom. As you enter this new life stage, your financial needs are also set to change and you will then need to start asking yourself questions about your financial plan. Things like, can you provide for the wellbeing and financial security of your child, the schools you want them to attend and if you are saving enough towards their future education. Safeguarding your assets is also an important consideration, which ensures that these will go to your child in your absence. These are the first of many aspects related to your financial planning that you will need to consider as you enter this new chapter. When starting your pre–birth financial planning, do a financial needs analysis to determine what your future financial plan should look like. Then ask yourself if your current long-term insurance provider can adjust your cover to cater for your growing family and financial needs. If they are unable to, look for a provider who can – and one who will become your partner in providing financial assurance as your family grows.

June 27, 2018

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2 years	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid	1 day	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_gat_gtag_UA_18530557_4	1 minute	No description
pron_ip	session	No description
pvc_visits[0]	1 day	This cookie is created by post-views-counter. This cookie is used to count the number of visits to a post. It also helps in preventing repeat views of a post by a visitor.
tk_ai	session	Gathers information for WordPress by themselves, first party analytics tool about how WP services are used. A collection of internal metrics for user activity, used to improve user experience.