Izibalo Academic Hub

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

We are told that leaders are born and not made.  But what happens at Business Schools? Individuals are taught how to become leaders. BF Skinner once said: “That’s all teaching is: arranging contingencies which bring changes in behaviour.” Izibalo Academic Hub takes pride in transforming hardworking learners into A students.  Why are we so passionate about this? I was an average (80%) Standard Grade Mathematics learner.  No internet, having to wait for months to get a Fisichem study guide delivered to my hostel.  No tutors and no extra lessons, I had no option but to suffer in silence.   I knew that I can achieve 80% for Mathematics at Higher grade, if and only if someone could explain complex topics in a simplistic way. Moreover, why are some topics easy to excel at, as compared to others? In my 15 years of teaching, I have never come across a student who does not understand data handling. But why are they performing poorly at Functions (Graphs) and Geometry?  Is the data handling pedagogy easier than Functions? Quiet frankly I don’t have the answers. However, I have a solid and lengthy interventions on how I assist learners to excel at Mathematics.  My quest on finding methodologies to succeed at Mathematics started in 2007.  I learnt about 21st century teaching skills, flipped classroom models and addressing barriers to learning whilst qualifying as a Mathematics teacher. 21st century teaching skills are about integrating technology into one’s teachings. The software encourages students to sketch a graph on their book and use the software (Geogebra) to see if they have sketched correctly.  A flipped classroom model, is allowing students to engage with the content before it is taught in the classroom.  And my tacit knowledge on how to address barriers to learning is acquired from teaching in different socio-economic settings. One needs to be intrinsically motivated to transform into a higher achiever. Nature and nurture are not mutually exclusive.  Kindly put my services to the test. Izibalo Academic Hub is an online Mathematics academy.  Our mission is to share fun methodologies, to help one succeed at Mathematics. Our vision is to demystify Mathematics as a difficult subject thus making mastering of Mathematics accessible to everyone. I have recently completed my NBT (National Benchmarking Test) and humbled to have put myself in the matrics’ shoes. Please contact me should your child need assistance with NBT preparations as well. You are welcome to follow me on TikTok as well (Olivia Radebe, @Oli542137). I would highly appreciate it if you can offer me an opportunity to nurture your child into a fully-fledged confident Mathematician. Olivia Radebe  [email protected] 0825930187

August 6, 2025
Cartoonito

🌸 Celebrate Women’s Day with Masha and Marina on Cartoonito!

This Women’s Day, Cartoonito is serving up a celebration that’s full of laughter, courage, and just the right amount of mischief — with Masha and Marina leading the way! 🎉💕 Get ready for a marathon of fun with a special selection of 30 episodes from the beloved series Masha and the Bear and the hilarious Zig & Sharko. Whether it’s Masha’s fearless curiosity or Marina’s underwater smarts, these characters show little ones that girls can be bold, clever, and totally unstoppable! From forest adventures to ocean escapades, there’s something for every child to enjoy — and plenty of giggles for parents too. Why Parents Will Love It: ✅ Showcases strong, fun female leads✅ Encourages curiosity, kindness, and creativity✅ Packed with family-friendly humour and silly surprises✅ Great screen-time choice for young viewers So, this Women’s Day, grab a snack, cuddle up, and tune in to a day of animated fun that celebrates girl power, friendship, and fearless fun. 📺 Premiere: Saturday 9 August 2025  ⏰ Tune-In: 06:00 CAT 🗓️ 30 episodes of strong, silly, and smart storytelling!

August 6, 2025
Twinkl

Heritage Month: A Springboard for Teaching Diversity and Inclusion

Every September, South Africa celebrates Heritage Month—a time to honour the rich and diverse cultures that make up our nation’s unique identity. For parents and educators alike, this national observance offers more than just a day of festivities. It presents an opportunity to instil values of inclusivity, respect, and understanding in our children from an early age. In a world that is more connected than ever, teaching our little ones to appreciate different traditions and ways of life is essential. Heritage Month provides the perfect starting point for these meaningful conversations at home and in the classroom. Learning Through Storytelling, Music and Play Want to know a secret? Children learn best when they’re having fun! So, imagine the magic of cultural diversity through captivating stories, catchy songs, hands-on crafts, and fun games.  Think about exploring the intricate beauty of Zulu beadwork, understanding the deep symbolism behind Ndebele or Khoisan paintings, or whipping up the unique flavours of Cape Malay cuisine. These aren’t just activities that teachers and parents can create; they’re vibrant, memorable experiences that help children connect with different cultures. By weaving in crafts, food, and play, we’re not just celebrating differences; we’re reinforcing shared values in ways they’ll truly grasp and remember. Conversations That Matter Beyond the fun activities, Heritage Month gently opens the door to some of the most important conversations we can have with our children: discussions about identity, fairness, and inclusion. Chatting with your child about their own heritage – and encouraging them to swap stories with friends of all backgrounds is a beautiful way to build empathy and self-awareness. It’s not about having all the perfect answers; it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where children feel comfortable asking questions and reflecting on the world around them. The sooner we start having these conversations about inclusivity, the stronger the foundation we build for a generation that instinctively values equality and joyfully celebrates every difference. Making It a Year-Round Effort

August 6, 2025
Parenting Hub

Understanding Your Child’s Anxiety (And When to Worry)

Anxiety is a normal and even helpful emotion—especially for children. It helps them stay alert, solve problems, and develop self-awareness. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or persistent, it can interfere with daily life, friendships, school performance, and overall wellbeing. As a parent, knowing the difference between “normal” childhood fears and a possible anxiety disorder is key. What Does Anxiety Look Like in Kids? Anxiety can show up in many forms. While some children express their worries openly, others may internalise them, leading to physical symptoms or behavioural changes. Common signs of anxiety in children include: It’s important to note that anxiety is often developmentally appropriate at certain ages: Most of the time, these worries pass with support and reassurance. But sometimes, they linger—and intensify. When Should You Start Worrying? Here’s when anxiety might be more than just a passing phase: ✅ It interferes with daily life. Is your child avoiding school, social situations, or family outings because of their anxiety? ✅ It’s persistent. Most childhood fears come and go, but if the anxiety lasts longer than 6 months or gets worse, it may need attention. ✅ It causes distress that seems out of proportion. All kids get nervous, but extreme reactions to routine events may be a red flag. ✅ There’s a family history. If anxiety or other mental health concerns run in your family, your child might be more susceptible. ✅ Your gut is telling you something’s off. You know your child best. If something feels “not quite right,” don’t ignore it. What You Can Do as a Parent Here are some steps you can take to support your anxious child: 🔹 Validate their feelings without amplifying them. Say things like, “I can see this feels really scary for you,” instead of “Don’t be silly.” 🔹 Help them name the worry. Younger kids may respond well to turning anxiety into a character or giving it a silly name: “Oh, Worry Worm is visiting again!” 🔹 Model calm behaviour. Kids absorb your reactions. Breathe deeply, speak gently, and avoid showing panic when they’re anxious. 🔹 Create a worry time. Some children feel better if there’s a set time each day when they can express their concerns. 🔹 Avoid enabling avoidance. Encourage gradual exposure to fears instead of letting your child skip everything that causes anxiety. 🔹 Stick to a routine. Predictability helps anxious kids feel safer. When to Seek Help If anxiety is disrupting your child’s ability to function—academically, socially, or emotionally—it may be time to consult: With support, children can learn to manage anxiety and build confidence. Early intervention makes a big difference—and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sources:

August 5, 2025
School of Rock Parktown North

Unlock Your Child’s Potential Through Music: Why School of Rock Parktown North Is More Than Just Lessons

While traditional lessons have their place, they’re not always the most engaging or inspiring, especially for kids. At School of Rock Parktown North Parktown North, we do things differently. Our unique, performance-based approach teaches children to play instruments by putting them in a real band, playing real music, and performing live on stage. It’s exciting, empowering, and packed with lifelong benefits, both musical and personal. If you’re looking for an activity that builds confidence, inspires creativity, and helps your child thrive, read on to see how School of Rock Parktown North Parktown North can change their tune. Music Lessons Reimagined At School of Rock Parktown North, we believe that kids learn best when they’re having fun, and nothing’s more fun than being in a band. Instead of only learning in isolation, our students take part in weekly individual lessons and band rehearsals, where they learn to play alongside others and prepare for a live rock concert. This hands-on, high-energy approach keeps students motivated and helps them progress faster than traditional methods. Learning becomes purposeful, social, and something they truly look forward to. Whether your child wants to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or sing, they’ll be part of a supportive, exciting environment that builds confidence. Why Performance Makes All the Difference We place a strong emphasis on live performance because it brings out the best in young musicians. When children know they’re working toward a real show, they become more engaged, disciplined, and excited to practise. But the benefits go far beyond musical skill: For many children, that moment on stage is life-changing. Experienced Musicians Who Inspire Our teachers are working musicians with real-world experience. From gigging and recording to touring, they bring music to life in a way that resonates with students. Importantly, they’re also trained in School of Rock Parktown North’s teaching approach, making them excellent mentors who know how to connect with children and keep them engaged. They meet each student where they are, tailoring lessons to individual interests and learning styles. A Curriculum That Strikes the Right Chord We follow a structured yet flexible curriculum that teaches kids the foundations of music, technique, theory, rhythm, and more, through the lens of songs they love. Whether your child is into classic rock, pop, punk, or indie, they’ll be learning music that excites and challenges them. This balance of structure and creative freedom helps children develop a solid musical base while exploring their individuality. More Than Just Music At its core, School of Rock Parktown North is about helping young people grow, not just as musicians, but as confident, capable individuals. Parents often tell us about the transformation they see: Music is an incredible outlet for self-expression, emotional regulation, and social connection. And when it’s taught in an environment that’s fun, dynamic, and nurturing, the results are powerful. For Kids of All Ages and Abilities One of the best things about School of Rock Parktown North is that it’s inclusive. Whether your child is just picking up an instrument for the first time or has been playing for years, there’s a place for them here. We welcome children of all skill levels and help them grow at their own pace, in a setting that values effort, creativity, and collaboration. It’s not about being the best, it’s about enjoying the journey and learning to shine in your own way. What Parents Are Saying “Our son found his confidence at School of Rock Parktown North. He used to be nervous in front of people, now he’s the one volunteering to play solos!”– Jess, Parktown North mum “It’s the highlight of the week for both our kids. They’ve learned so much musically, but more than that, they’ve found their tribe.”– Thabo, father of two Ready to Rock? At School of Rock Parktown North Parktown North, we do more than teach music, we help children find their voice, build self-belief, and experience the joy of creative expression. From the very first lesson to their moment on stage, we’re with them every step of the way. If you’re looking for an enriching activity that nurtures your child’s growth while being fun, engaging, and totally unforgettable, this is it. Book a Free Trial  WhatsApp: 074 322 2000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.schoolofrock.com

August 5, 2025
Freebees PR

Simple tips to fall asleep faster and get better quality shut-eye

Several factors contribute to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From diet to exercise, managing stress, and resting, the body requires a holistic approach to function at its best. One variable that is often overlooked is sleep.  Getting enough (and good quality) sleep is crucial when it comes to health and well-being. And there is so much more to sleep than feeling rested and energised the next day. Enough quality sleep supercharges the immune system, helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduces stress and improves mood, improves focus and mental clarity, and lowers the risk of developing long-term health problems like heart disease. What is considered “enough” sleep? Eight hours per night is generally accepted as a good amount of sleep, but studies are indicating that nine to ten hours may be optimal, especially for women, who tend to need more sleep than men.  In reality, few of us sleep as much as we want to. Whether it’s due to stress, blue light, lifestyle, location, or a life stage (such as having a young baby), we may find ourselves getting less sleep than we need.  So what can be done? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for better sleep, there are a few basic things that all of us can do to help prepare our minds and bodies for rest, create a serene atmosphere, and improve the quality of our sleep. Set the mood Setting up your bedroom for sleep is one of the most important things you can do to prepare your mind and body for a restful night, particularly if you’ve had a busy or stimulating day. Switch off devices like TVs, cellphones and wifi. Set the mood with sounds that calm and relax. The Relaxound Oceanbox is the ultimate bedtime (or any time, really!), treat. It plays gentle sounds of the ocean, allowing you to relax intuitively and drift off to sleep to the soothing sounds of the sea.  Switch off the main lights and harsh lamps, and instead, light a candle in your bedroom to set a peaceful mood and create a warm glow. The SKNLOGIC Body Candle is a great choice, as it’s free from synthetic and harmful ingredients, and doesn’t contain soy or paraffin wax. Once the soy-free wax has melted, it can be massaged into the skin like a body oil. It has a lovely fig scent that fills the room without the addition of harmful ingredients found in synthetic fragrances and petroleum-based wax. Fill your bedroom with scent Did you know that certain scents can help you unwind and relax? Essential oils like lavender and bergamot have sedative and relaxing properties, making them a popular choice for night-time products, such as candles, diffusers, and body products. About half an hour before you plan to go to bed, add a few drops of SOiL Sleep Blend Essential Oil to your SOiL Ultrasonic Diffuser and allow the scent to fill the room. The diffuser uses water to disperse the molecules of your chosen oil into the atmosphere via a fine mist. The Sleep Blend is perfect for night-time, as it comprises lavender, bergamot, vetiver, and sweet marjoram – the ideal sleep concoction.  Take a relaxing bath A warm bath before bedtime can help relax your body and improve your sleep. This is because a warm bath helps lower your core body temperature, which is a natural signal for your body to prepare for sleep. To make the most of your bath time and help you completely relax, we recommend incorporating a self-care element in the form of pampering products. A good quality, natural bubble bath like Earthsap Lavender & Juniper Berry Foam Bath helps ease tension and relax your mind, leaving your skin soft and supple, and your mind serene. Not into bubbles? Try Earthsap’s Milk & Honey Bath Soak instead. A relaxing blend of Epsom salts, soy milk, and honey, this natural bath salt is infused with gentle scents of lavender, peppermint, lemon, and orange to calm the senses and soothe a tired body. An all-over body scrub and moisturising session might not put you to sleep, but this simple act of self-care will relax your body and help you feel more serene as you head off to bed. BodyLab’s Hyaluronic Complex + Exfoliating Salt Scrub is gentle yet effective in sloughing off dry and dead skin cells and stimulating blood flow. It has a delicate, fresh lavender scent, making it the perfect night-time treat. Gently scrub in circular motions, starting from the bottom of your body and moving up, towards the direction of your heart. After your bath, moisturise your body with BodyLab’s Magnesium Body Lotion. Magnesium is a fantastic sleep aid, and this moisture-rich lotion has soothing, calming, and skin-softening effects.  For the little ones If you have a baby or toddler at home, night-time rituals are a must for peaceful sleep. Much like us, babies and young children will also benefit from soft light, a warm bath and a gentle massage before bed. Set the mood in baby’s bedroom by switching off the main light and switching on a dim night light. The Infantino Soothing Light Projector is a beautiful starry nightlight designed to soothe your little one to sleep. It comes with two modes: a starry projector and a calming night light. Each mode is accompanied by a diverse selection of lullabies. It features a built-in timer and an optional attachment for use with a crib or bedside table.  Relax baby’s body with a gentle massage after bath time. Sanosan Baby Care Lotion contains natural milk protein to soothe and care for baby’s skin. Gently massage the lotion into baby’s skin from head to toe for all-over relaxation. Prefer an oil formulation? SOiL’s Baby Massage Oil contains a gentle blend of chamomile, lavender and olive oil to keep baby’s skin moisturised and help relax colicky babies.  Once baby is ready for bed, they’ll probably need a pacifier to help soothe them to sleep. Vital Baby’s range of Soothers is super comfortable

August 5, 2025
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