Montessori Mag-Nificence Mag Ed 52 March 2019

*FREE DIGITAL MAG *ISSUE 52 MARCH 2019

Montessori GET OUTSIDE

Budding Independence At Home

CALM BODIES CALM MINDS

ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR/OWNER Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Cj Matticks CREATIVE TEAM Designer & Creative Director Linda Navon Content & Layout Assistant Arizona Quinn Digital Manager & Social Media Cj Matticks DISTRIBUTION & ACCOUNTS Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: 087 802 6102 011 026 2643 011 046 8737

FOLLOW US

CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE MONTESSORI MAG We strongly support and believe in the Maria Montessori Method of teaching and learning, and would like to see as many children as possible be fortunate enough to experience Montessori as a lifestyle.

We also believe in the ‘FIRST DO NO HARM’ principle and therefore select our content and advertisers accordingly.

We cover topics around Montessori teaching, learning, lifestyle – in the classroom and at home – and much more. We always include links to our articles and encourage you to follow them for loads of insightful Montessori literature. We include a mix of topics relevant to family life, health and well-being.

TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription to Child of the Universe digital magazines is free of charge. Simply send an email to subscribe@childoftheuniverse.co.za with the subject line: Subscribe Montessori Mag and we will email your mag to you monthly. Alternatively you can pop your information onto our website www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

ISSUU APP Child of the Universe Montessori Mag-nificence is published on ISSUU. Please download the ISSUU app via the Android and Apple App Stores. It is free to use.

Please follow us on there. www.issuu.com/2luni-media

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

contents

By Marnie The Montessori lifestyle? Yes. That is right. Montessori is a way of life. So, what do parents need to know about the Montessori lifestyle? Maria Montessori wrote extensively about the relationship between parent and child. She also wrote about the role of parents in a Montessori environment. The parental role is critical in the success a child has within a Montessori environment.

“The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth.” ~ Dr. Montessori

I often hear from Montessori teachers about the disconnect between parents and teachers within a Montessori environment. The issue is not that parents don’t want to learn, but more an issue of not knowing how or where to learn about Montessori. Where can parents easily education themselves on the basics of the Montessori philosophy? Where can parents learn that they must need to embrace Montessori as a lifestyle and not simple an educational philosophy that begins and ends at the classroom doors?

What Parents Need to Know about the Montessori Lifestyle          

Montessori starts way before an early childhood classroom.

Respecting the child is at the core of the philosophy. Positive discipline is at the heart of it.

“Teach Me to Do It Myself” trumps doing something a capable child can do for himself. Here are a few Montessori at Home ideas.

Intervening is your last resort Child are capable of communicating Books for Montessori Parents Montessori at Home Tips Combine learning & movement as much as possible Connecting the indoor and outdoor classrooms is a key aspect to learning.

Peace education is at the center of the Montessori philosophy

“It is in the encounter of the maternal guiding instincts with the sensitive periods of the newly born that conscious love develops between parent and child.� ~ Dr. Montessori The best thing you can do for your Montessori child is to embrace the Montessori lifestyle in your home and in your parenting.

Two Secrets to Bringing Montessori into Your Home Montessori is a popular buzz word these days. There are many articles and ideas floating out there. So, how do you truly being to take steps forward to integrating these ideas into your home and your family’s life. You feel Montessori is right for your family but feel a bit overwhelmed with the gargantuan amount of information being thrown at you. So, where do you start to take steps towards Montessori in your home?

This post include two key steps in bringing Montessori in the Home!

How to Integrate Montessori in the Home Step #1: Educate Yourself

“Within the child lies the fate of the future.” ~ Dr. Maria Montessori

The first step to integrating Montessori at Home is to educate yourself and to fully embrace Dr. Montessori’s approach to education. Montessori is a lifestyle. It is not learning that begins and ends at the classroom doors. The best way to achieve this understanding and acceptance is to read as much as you possibly can about the philosophy. Read articles, peruse Montessori minded blogs, and read Montessori in the Home books for parents such as Montessori Madness, The Science Behind the Genius, and Montessori: a Modern Approach.

Blogs such as how we montessori, The Kavanaugh Report, Natural Beach Living, Living Montessori Now, Montessori Mischief, Racheous Lovable Learning, and my own blog, Carrots Are Orange, are tremendous resources for you. The authors provide a tremendous amount of Montessori knowledge.

Step #2: Compare & Contrast Why did you choose Montessori over Waldorf or Inquiry based or Reggio Emilia? Where do these philosophies overlap? How are they different? Take a bit of time to understand the various differences and similarities of Montessori and other learning philosophies. By far the best overview I have read is Michael Olaf’s comparison. A much meatier version of the Montessori comparison is found on the Early Childhood Research & Practice website. PBS Parents offers a user friendly comparison of education philosophies.

There is even a video on YouTube comparing Montessori to other philosophies. Once you’re committed to bringing Montessori ideals into your home, embrace the philosophy.

For more, check out Montessori 101 posts!

Montessori and Fantasy-play Misconception: Montessori schools do not allow for fantasy and inhibit children from using their imagination We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry. Dr. Maria Montessori The concepts of creativity, fantasy and imagination are some of the most hotly debated topics in Montessori education. One needs to keep in mind though that they were not Dr. Montessori’s actually words. She used early Italian words which were then translated into these words for the English speaking public in the early 1900’s. Since that time, their meanings have changed.

Today the meaning of creativity, fantasy and imagination almost synonymous, but in Dr. Montessori’s time they had different meanings.

fantasy - the departure of truth from reality. Another more up to date term that I have heard from my Italian speaking family members is “day dreaming”. imagination- the use of ones intellect and ability to design something new and different. creativity- the act of Imagination When Dr. Montessori opened her first school for 3-6-year-olds she filled it with dolls and other traditional make-believe toys, but she soon found that when children were given the opportunity to do real work such as cooking, cleaning, caring for themselves, each other, and the environment, they completely lost interest in make-believe and preferred real work.

As time continued Dr. Montessori also noticed that young children had a hard time distinguishing between real and imaginary. They were constantly asking. “Is this real?” This observation still rings true today, as Barbara Curtis author of the Montessori BLOG Mommy Life says, “How is a three or four year old American child reading picture books to understand that though he's never seen one, a camel is real while a fairy is not? Or that places like the Grand Canyon or the Sahara Desert or Niagara Falls or the Great Wall of China are real while Disneyland is not”

Additionally, part of Friedrich Froebel's kindergarten curriculum was teacher guided imaginary play. Although Montessori agreed with Froebel an many aspects of education, here was one place their beliefs diverged. Montessori felt that instead of pretending to be a farmer, children understand farming better by actually tending a garden, instead of pretending to be cooking dinner, children learn more by actually cooking. So at times some of Dr. Montessori's comments on fantasy were actually a direct commentary on Froebel's guided imaginary play.

It was through these observations that Dr. Montessori spoke out against fantasy- the adult lead departure of truth from reality and why she felt that “real activities� as opposed to make believe ones were more important to the young child trying to make sense of the world around them. It was her belief that the world is such an amazing and wonder-filled place, that we should focus on giving as much of it as we can to the young child to help them discover everything possible about our natural world.

In addition, she believed that dance, art and music activities, usually considered "creative activities" were integral parts of the Montessori classroom.

"Human consciousness comes into the world as a flaming ball of imagination. Everything invented by human beings, physical or mental, is the fruit of someone's imagination. In the study of history and geography we are helpless without imagination, and when we propose to introduce the universe to the child, what but the imagination can be of use to us? I consider it a crime to present such subjects as may be noble and creative aids to the imaginative faculty in such a manner as to deny its use, and on the other hand to require children to memorize that which they have not been able to visualize..... The secret of good teaching is to regard the children's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim therefore is not merely to make the children understand, and still less to force them to memorize, but so to touch their imagination as to enthuse them to their inmost core. We do not want complacent pupils but eager ones; we seek to sow life in children rather than theories, to help them in their growth, mental and emotional as well as physical."

Dr. Maria Montessori Source: http://www.montessorianswers.com/myth-fantasy.html

“Relax.”

“Calm down.”

“Just sit still.”

We live in a busy, fast-paced world where we constantly move from one thing to another. Most children don’t know what it feels like to truly calm down, relax, and just sit still, yet these are requests they hear so often. I believe taking time to explicitly teach breathing and mindfulness techniques to our youth and incorporating these practices into their daily life sets a foundation for their future, and the future of our society.

Yoga pairs mindful breathing with physical postures. Simply put, yoga teaches us to slow down, notice what is happening in our bodies, and become present. Yoga does not need to be practiced in a hot room while you’re standing on your hands. It is for people of all ages and skill levels. That’s why I decided to bring yoga into my special education classroom. I can personally attest to the fact that big changes can happen in just 5-10 minutes with every child, every age group, every body type, and every personality, even while they’re sitting at a classroom table.

The six students in my classroom are ‘exceptional,’ they have varying special needs and some fall under the autism spectrum disorder umbrella. My students, just like all of us from time to time, struggle to regulate their emotions, handle frustration, and calm down. Transitions tend to be more difficult. Schedule changes often lead to meltdowns. I wanted to help them find some sort of coping mechanism.

Teaching children to breathe deep, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, helps them to quiet their mind, calm their nervous system, and reduce stress or anxiety.

Yoga poses have fun names that children connect with and remember. Many of the children love to explore their own creativity and make up names for postures. The poses offer children an opportunity to physically move, follow directions, and improve their balance and flexibility. It offers children an opportunity to play and learn simultaneously in an environment that embraces their uniqueness and supports their strengths.

Since we began practicing yoga daily, I have seen great progress in my students’ ability to calm down, quiet their minds, tolerate change, and handle stress. One day in particular sticks out in my mind. My students were returning from Art class, a class they attend with their same-aged peers. They had a blast learning in a different setting, with a different teacher, and it is a nice break from the strict structure and routines in our classroom.

Naturally, the students are louder and more excitable upon arriving to their usual setting, demonstrating behaviors that are less than ideal only to begin writing activities that are more difficult for my students. On this particular day, instead of jumping right into our usual groups, I decided to practice my own flexibility and take a few moments for deep breaths, and to calm down with my students. I decided we would practice yoga together. At their table, each student was instructed to put their hand on their belly, close their eyes, and we took three deep breaths together. They put their heads on their desk for “desk rest� and I played our quiet song.

This is something they are able to do because we practice daily. It immediately got so quiet in my classroom that I could have heard a pin drop! When the song ended, the students were significantly calmer, less anxious, and ready to move on with the day.

Imagine a classroom, and world, full of calmer, confident, more mindful children. I know I am a calmer, more patient teacher when my students are calm and happy. It is worth taking 5 minutes out of instructional time to create a healthy environment for our students. http://montessorirocks.org/calm-bodies-calm-minds/

There's something magical about spending time outside in nature, particularly for children. Having just spent about a month outside myself, I can speak to the peace and wonder it can bring into your soul. There is always something interesting to see, do, and explore. As an adult, this is one of the easiest spaces to prepare because so much is already in place!

Start by asking "How will my child use this space?" Does she need a safe area to practice cruising, pulling up, and standing? Or perhaps he's interested in frogs, and wants to look for some in the pond down the street. Maybe you just want an area where your children can play while you attend to the garden.

Your space will look different depending on what your child needs at her current developmental stage, and what you have available to you. Remember, a prepared space promotes safety, exploration, and independence while offering the tools for purposeful activity. Here are three examples of a prepared outdoor space so you can get a few ideas!

This is a enclosed patio prepared for ages 2-5 years old. Currently, there are four activities set up: gardening, painting, brick scrubbing, and sweeping.

Here is a corner of a large yard with a family garden. This 3 year old can fill a small watering can on his own, and take care of the plants. He also has a clear place to put his things back when he's done using them.

This outdoor space is prepared for a 9 month old who is just starting to pull up and stand.

The rough wood of the deck is covered with a soft rug, and there is sturdy, safe fencing for her to pull up on. The area is shaded and easily visible for supervised independent play.

Don't have outdoor space? Bring some of nature inside to you, or get out to a park, field, pond, or forest. For outings, I suggest packing a small bag or backpack. A child who can walk can also carry a small backpack for her own water, snacks, and found treasures.

Older children can carry a nature journal, insect catcher, guidebook, snacks, and water.

I always pack things like sunscreen, first aid supplies, wipes, and a cell phone in my own bag just in case. You might also welcome a change of clothes or shoes, depending on what activities you are taking on.

You don't need to be an nature expert to encourage a love of nature, just a sense of curiosity! Keep your eyes open and comment on what you see. When I'm on a walk with toddlers, I comment about the trees changing color, the size of the leaves, any insect, bird, or mammal we see, the color of things, patterns of light, etc. With older children, I ask questions about why the bird is pecking the ground, or comment about the spider web glistening with dew drops. Get a few guidebooks if you don't know a robin from a blue jay, and learn along with your children!

There are also many, many programs and resources available for learning about nature, science, and the environment. Check out your local state park, library, Park and Rec department, or school for information.

Leanne Gray, M.Ed is the owner of The Prepared Environment, which supports families in creating an ideal environment for their children at home. She has over fifteen years experience working with children in both public, private, and Montessori schools, and is AMI primary trained. You can always contact her for personalized support and answers to your questions. www.thepreparedenvironment.com

The Importance of Playing in Nature for Children The ‘X-Box Generation’, ‘Stranger Danger’, protective parenting and a shortage of safe, clean playing spaces are just some of the reasons children are not outside playing in nature as much as they should be.

•

Healthy Habits – Children who experience growing their own food outside are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables. Playing outside encourages them to engage in energetic physical activities, which helps keep them fit and at a healthy weight.

Absorbing vitamin D from the sun will help strengthen their growing bones.

• • ​

As carers of children, we may prefer to keep them safe within the views of our watchful eyes but are this sedentary generation of children suffering as a result of the way society is going?​ Obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder, misbehaviors, weaker physical skills and co-ordination, inhibited creativity and a lack of social skills are some of the worrying trends arising amongst children today. Are our children innocent victims, made to suffer the consequences of a “progressive society” led primarily by us adults? Are we taking them further and further away from where our species has been growing and adapting throughout evolution? It appears so!​ On the positive side, we are now aware of this and so have the power to do something about it. Let’s first remind ourselves of some of the amazingly powerful benefits of spending time in nature:

•

•

Immunity Booster - Studies have shown that regular time spent in the great outdoors reduces stress levels, perhaps by reminding us there is a bigger picture to consider and enjoy. There also seems to be a co-relation between engaging in regular outdoor activities and an increased number of white blood cells in our bodies, helping to protect us from diseases.

Improved Concentration – Attention Deficit problems and fatigue seem to be relieved from time spent outdoors. Children especially, need time and freedom to engage in exploration and large-motor activities. Their bodies are going through rapid growth, strengthening and conditioning. Once they have satisfied this need they will be better able to concentrate on smaller tasks and mental activities.

•

Creativity and Problem Solving – Children are blessed with a natural sense of awe and wonder about the world they live in. Granting them time outside and leaving them to their own devices, gives them the chance to explore, form ideas and hypothesis, become confident making discoveries and experience challenges which require them to use decision making skills. Qualities such as these will stand to them when they are older, in the ever progressive entrepreneurial work trend we are currently witnessing.

Better Social Skills – Children are more likely to get creative and express their true natures when they are playing outside. Often they create games from nothing, learning lessons such as the need for rules and fair play. Some children may find themselves in the role of group leader, others, team-players, but each will discover what they can bring to ensure the success of the activities.

Playing outside helps children to develop the skills needed for successful communication such as making eye-contact and listening and responding, which they wouldn’t experience to the same extent, whilst distracted playing video games, watching TV. and the likes, indoors.

If you care to research this topic further you will undoubtedly discover more benefits associated with spending time in nature.

However, even if you are only reacting to this article I would urge you to think about and create more opportunities for the children in your care to experience outdoor play.

Ways to Achieve this:​ •

• •

• •

If safety is an issue, do your best to create an outdoor play space with a variety of learning opportunities. You could include sand and water play, muck and green areas with trees to climb and gardening opportunities, with tools at their disposal, playground swing and climbing sets, etc.

Bring your child to a variety of outdoor environments including the beach, park, playgrounds, go for forest and mountain walks etc.

Remember time outside is good for you too!

If you can, enroll your children in community groups and activities such as sports teams, scouts, camps etc. If this doesn’t work for you however, try to at least accumulate a supply of cheap sports equipment such as balls, hoola hoops and skipping ropes and arrange play dates with friends.

As you can see, where there is a will, there is a way! One last thing I will ask you to seriously consider however, is outdoor safety. As adults and protectors of children, it is our duty to educate children on the possible dangers associated with outdoor play, including ‘stranger-danger’, water-safety, road safety, proper use of play-equipment, safety in numbers etc. It is important that children experience freedom and independence but it is also important to regulate, monitor and grant them this at a rate suited to their stage of development and knowledge.

Now in case you’ve forgotten just how good it feels, why not treat yourself to some invigorating time in the great outdoors. After-all, there’s a kid in all of us just dying to get out!

Sinead Hamill is a full-time Montessori Teacher and After- School Practitioner. She trained in St Nicholas Montessori College Dun- Laoighre for four years, where she qualified with a BA Honours Degree.

She has also trained in vocal and performance coaching. Sinead has over ten years experience in the Montessori and Child Care Sector.

Through her experience, Sinead has noticed how receptive children are to movement and music.

With a diverse mix of children entering her class each year she has taught many foreign national children and children with additional educational needs such as Down Syndrome, Autism and Speech & Language difficulties. Over the years Sinead learned the best way to hold her pupils attention was through song and movement. This led her to create songs and rhymes, to accompany the lessons she was presenting. All of her pupils respond without exception very positively to this method of teaching which led Sinead to creating her own educational phonics and solar system CDs.

SAMA MEMBER SCHOOLS & TRAINING CENTRES IN SOUTH AFRICA Eastern & Southern Cape KwaZulu Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Namibia North Gauteng (PTA) South Gauteng (JHB)

Western Cape Swaziland

Seychelles SAMA TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

by Heike Larson

Supporting Your Child’s Budding Independence at Home When toddlers and young preschoolers start in Montessori, parents are often amazed at the sudden spurt in independence and skill their children display.

If your child is starting in a Montessori toddler or preschool program, and you want to witness this incredible development in your own child, it helps if you are able to prepare your home environment in ways that support your child’s new skills and desire to be independent.

Here are some ideas to consider: 1. Provide simple storage spots for belongings right inside the front door.

A small rug to place shoes or a basket to put them into and some hooks to hang jackets are a great start. This can help your child get out of the house and back in more independently, and maybe prevent some meltdowns! A little stool to sit on helps, as well.

2. Make your kitchen accessible to your child.

Find a low shelf or drawer to store cups, placemats, and utensils within your child’s reach. Buy glass cups and inexpensive ceramic plates (IKEA is great!) that you don’t mind getting broken. Invite your child to set his own place at the table. A bigger step stool, or a learning tower can be a great help to little people who want to join you in the fun cooking activities at counter height. And, of course, when it comes time to sit down and eat, encourage your child to feed himself: Even young toddlers can eat finger-foods on their own, and start using a spoon; this is what they do in their Montessori classrooms, too.

3. Organize and simplify the play area.

Fewer toys, displayed on open shelves, are preferable over lots of toys in boxes that the children can’t see.

4. Small chairs and tables Facilitates with independent snack time and organized playtime. Provide some buckets, sponges, rags, and child-sized brooms, and your child can even clean up after himself.

5. Facilitate getting dressed independently.

Low open shelves, low racks, a mirror and a bench with brush or comb can enable even 2- or 3-year-olds to begin to dress independently, especially if you pre-select an outfit the night before, or lay out two simple choices for a younger child.

6. Consider a floor or other low bed.

Some Montessori parents never have cribs; instead, they baby-proof an entire room and let even infants sleep on a floor bed. While this may not work for every parent, a low bed or a twin mattress on the floor can be a great step up after a crib, instead of a toddler bed.

7. Make books accessible and create cozy reading areas.

The more that books are all over your house, the easier it is for your child to grab a book instead of asking for your iPhone or the TV when you are not available to play.

To see growth in your child’s independence, it’s not necessary to reorganize your entire house (who has the time and energy for that?!).

Just pick one or two ideas and make little changes over time. You might think your child is too young to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities for independence—but once she starts school, you might be just as surprised and thrilled as the LePort Montessori parents who wrote the Facebook posts above!

Ms. Larson discovered Maria Montessori’s ideas while in college, and decided back then to have her children attend Montessori schools. Over the years, as she learned more, her interest in the Montessori method only deepened. When her daughter started attending preschool, her discussions with other parents led her to discover that few others shared her appreciation of Montessori’s value–even at a Montessori School! As a result, she developed a deep passion for educating parents about the tremendous benefits that a proper Montessori education offers to young children.

In early 2010, Ms. Larson’s interest in education led her to discover LePort Schools, and she was impressed with the consistently high quality of their Montessori programs. When the opportunity arose, she took on the project of guiding the organization’s development of its new website. In the process, she became fascinated by LePort’s innovative approach to elementary education and pedagogy.

Thanks to Bernadette, a LePort parent of three children, ages infant to preschool, for inviting us into her house to take many of these beautiful pictures!

by Dr Shannon M. Clark Founder of the pregnancy and fertility site BabiesAfter35.com

It’s official. More women are now having babies after age 35 than ever before. The “advanced maternal age” woman is becoming more and more the typical patient rather than the unicorn she once was.

Even so, there's still some measure of fear about pregnancy after age 35. It's a common belief that a woman is automatically high risk if she's over age 35 and in need of specialized, highly advanced care during this potentially very complicated pregnancy. But is this really the case?

Is the “after 35” pregnancy as risky as we think?

I'm a double board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist who works with many high-risk pregnant women. Here are a few things I wish more people knew about having a baby post-35:

1. There is an increased risk for certain complications during pregnancy.

Women older than 35 are at a higher risk for developing diabetes and/or high blood pressure, having a multiple gestation, delivering prematurely, having a large or a low birth-weight baby, requiring a cesarean section, having placenta previa, and experiencing pregnancy loss.

This does not mean, however, that your pregnancy is a ticking time bomb. It does not mean that your pregnancy will automatically result in complications.

During routine prenatal care, these conditions will be monitored no matter the age of the patient. But they are simply more common in a pregnancy after age 35.

Plus, as we age there's the potential for developing medical diseases; an aging woman who becomes pregnant is no exception. If you have these or any other pre-existing medical conditions, in addition to being advanced maternal age, you will be monitored more closely during your pregnancy.

2. Age 35 is a “milestone" because it's the age when the risk of genetic abnormalities starts to increase.

As a woman ages, egg quality—the number of eggs that are genetically normal—starts to dramatically decrease after age 37 and particularly after age 40. This means the chances of early pregnancy loss and having a pregnancy with a genetic abnormality, like Down syndrome, are increased. Unfortunately, these factors have nothing to do with how healthy you are after age 35; these factors are purely due to age alone.

Although this aspect of an older pregnancy is often the most feared, it's a reality that all women after age 35 face. As a result, antenatal testing through a blood test and a detailed ultrasound are recommended for women in this age group. It's also common to offer an appointment for genetic counseling. It's up to each individual, of course, as to what testing is accepted.

3. Otherwise, a healthy woman post-35 should be expected to have a completely normal pregnancy.

After consideration and assessment for the risk of a genetic abnormality, followed by a detailed ultrasound for fetal anatomy, the pregnancy should progress as normal. In this case, the only way a healthy woman older than 35 with no significant pre-existing medical conditions would be considered “different” is due to her age alone.

Of course, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle both during the preconception period and during the pregnancy, in order to minimize potential complications.

Some women report having more difficulties with a pregnancy at an older age, and some women report feeling better. Some women report having a harder time recovering after delivery, and some women report bouncing back easily. Every woman is different. The bottom line is that if you're healthy, you should approach your “advanced maternal age” pregnancy with the same optimism that your younger counterparts are expected to enjoy.

By Lisa Raleigh – Fitness Expert – and New Mommy

When it comes to exercising through pregnancy, it’s not a case of one size fits all. Exercise opportunities depend largely on what your fitness levels are, which trimester you’re in and how you’re feelings. One thing that is unanimous, though, exercise is important. It can help minimize aches and pains, improve your sleep and even lower your risk of gestational diabetes and depression.

Your labour and birth process could even improve!

And getting back in shape afterwards won’t be as challenging. If you’re pregnant and discovering that your moods and energy levels aren’t as predictable as always, here are a few options that might make exercising easier for you.

Some General Exercise Rules: • Always consult your Ob-Gyn before new exercise habits. While it’s usually best to stick with what you were doing pre-pregnancy, there is no reason why new forms of fitness can’t be beneficial and safe. Whatever you choose, get the go ahead from the doc beforehand.

• Improve your suncare habits, Pregnancy hormones can leave your skin more sensitive to sun damage.

Always factor in an SPF when you’re exercising outdoors.

“Always consult your OB-Gyn…” • Plot your potty breaks. Bladder control is of prime concern as you move up in your trimesters.

Whatever the exercise discipline, have an idea of how quickly you can get to a toilet while you’re there.

• Avoid dehydration at all costs. Sufficient water is even more important during pregnancy, as low water levels could initiate early labour.

• Listen to your body. It won’t be capable of what it was before pregnancy, and there will be days when a light walk is a better idea than an hour of hard exercise. Go with your gut feeling.

Conscious Life Magazine

If You’re Feeling TIRED Walking Why: Whether it’s first trimester nausea or final trimester baby weight that’s left you feeling exhausted, walking is the easiest exercise to undertake. It doesn’t take much mental commitment to head out for a walk, and you can add a little intensity with a few speedier intervals or gentle inclines if you feel like it. You can even up the ante with toning shoes for a slightly more intense walk and an increased number of calories burned. Add even more incentive by taking your route past kid-friendly parks. You’ll be too distracted by your research to notice you’re exercising.

“labour & birth process could improve” Precautions: Your feet are likely to swell during your pregnancy, especially during your final trimester. Tootight shoes can leave you susceptible to foot injuries and imbalance, so it’s better to take a size up. Also stick to familiar routes and avoid uneven terrain.

Swimming Why: You aren’t as susceptible to falling or injury, you won’t overheat and your joints will be spared 50% of the impact. Swimming is an ideal, low-impact exercise for women in the later stages of their term and feel a lot less strenuous than a session on the treadmill.

Precautions: Pregnant women don’t only run a risk from high temperatures. They need to avoid chillier ones as well, so steer clear of freezing water. If you think you’re prone to slipping, wear aqua shoes in the shallower areas.

“In the second half of your pregnancy, avoid exaggerated twists and…”

If You’re Feeling STRESSED! Yoga Why: The prospect of a new baby accompanied by changing hormones can leave you a little on the edgy side. Yoga not only strengthens your core and improves flexibility, with its emphasis on breathing and meditation fosters a sense of calm. New studies have even shown women’s depressive symptoms to decrease steadily during consistent yoga training, while mindfulness increased.

Precautions: In the second half of your pregnancy, avoid exaggerated twists and movements that tug on your belly, as well as those that require you to lie on your back or belly for longer than a few seconds.

Inversions like headstands and shoulder stands are a no-no.

Hiking Why: Hiking is a wonderful way to get outdoors and enjoy your environment while also improving your cardio and strength fitness. The fresh air and connection to nature will also work wonders on your mood, while a scenic path acts as a natural destressor.

Precautions: Opt for a steady terrain – save the bundu-bashing or explorative routes for postpregnancy. Check that your current hiking shoes are still meeting your needs and consider taking hiking poles along for added stability. Always take a buddy along for your hikes too.

“…you’ll feel sexier with all the hip shaking…”

If You’re Feeling ENERGENTIC! Zumba Why: Some of the lucky few pregnant women sail through their terms with little aggravation. If you’ve been blessed this way, you can have a blast with a Zumba session. The hip rolling and core conditioning in this standing ab workout works your pushing muscles, while the choreographed moves improve your ever-changing sense of coordination and balance. A lot of women lose confidence during their pregnancy, so you’ll feel sexier with all the hip shaking as an added bonus. You’ll also burn a ton of calories in the process.

Precautions: Stick to the indoor/studio classes versus natural environments with potentially uneven grounds. Your teacher should be trained in prenatal exercise, so make sure she shows you modifications to the usual moves, particular those with a lot of bending and twisting. These classes can also up your intensity without you realizing it, so make sure you can sing along to the music at all times. If you’re lucky, there may even be an aqua-Zumba in your area, which minimizes impact to nearly zero.

“Cycling can ease back pain, boost your mood and improve sleep” Spinning Why: Cycling can ease back pain, boost your mood and improve sleep, which means spinning does just the same. Spin classes are often a go-to exercise for those who love the ‘runner’s high’ and have plenty of energy to expend. Opting for a stationary bike versus cycling outdoors is also a necessary precaution during pregnancy.

Precautions: Spinning classes can be intense – if you’re panting or gasping for breath you need to take it down a notch. Pregnancy is also not the time to join the keen-beans who stand during their spinning session, as it adds intensity and can stress extraflexible joints. If you’re finding your lower back is suffering, relieve the tension by sitting back more – you’ll need to adjust the handlebars and bring them in a little closer to you.

If You’re Feeling STRONG Your normal strength routine Why: If you were training hard before your pregnancy, there is no reason not to stay in the gym. Strength training is one of the best ways to minimize aches and pains, and weight machines are great as they control your range of motion, which is important as your joints increase in flexibility. Building upper body strength also helps with the biomechanics of motherhood – think lifting, bending and holding. A few modifications are all you need for a safe session, as well as aiming to maintain rather than build muscle.

Precautions: Steer clear of machines with pads that press on your belly, and give any exercises with overhead lifts a skip – these can increase the curve in your lower spine during pregnancy. Make sure that any advice you seek on modifying your workouts comes from a credible professional.

Conscious Life Magazine

Pilates Why: Pilates helps maintain a powerful core, which will support your growing belly, minimize back pain and give you strength during delivery. It is also an excellent non-impact form of strength training that boosts your mood and energy.

Precautions: There is a lot of mat work in Pilates, which will mean modifications as you progress through your pregnancy. Make sure your Pilates instructor is killed in prenatal trainer, or seek out a pregnancy-focused class. An angled foam spine support (found in most Pilates studios) will help keep your head higher than your belly during flat back exercises.

“…make sure your trainer comes highly recommended by other moms-to-be.”

If You’re Feeling NERVOUS Prenatal fitness classes Why: Pregnancy is not a smooth trip for many, and many moms are often nervous – especially if it’s their first time. If you have access to prenatal exercise classes, sign up! Not only are the workouts modified for your pregnancy for a guaranteed safe experience, you’ll have the support of other moms-to-be in the class who are also going through what you’re going through.

Precautions: Almost none! If you’ve checked out the credibility of the instructor, you should be in very safe hands. Prenatal instructors will also be more sensitive to your needs and moods than the average instructor.

Personal training Why: If you’re determined to keep fit, sessions with a personal trainer are one of the safest ways to do it.

You enjoy the company of an expert when it comes to modifying traditional exercises, and you’ll have the security of someone double checking your safety the whole way through your session.

Precautions: Credentials are a big one – make sure your trainer comes highly recommended by other moms-to-be.

This article is brought to you by Lisa Raleigh and her new online platform, Mumentoes. For more pregnancy and family content, visit: mumentoes.wordpress.com facebook.com/mumentoes Lisa Raleigh Fitness Trend Influencer, Wellness Activist, TV Personality, Author, Lifestyle and Wellness Expert www.lisaraleigh.co.za email: lisa@lisaraleigh.co.za www.facebook.com/LisaRaleighSA - Facebook @LisaRaleighSA – Twitter LisaRaleighTV – Youtube

Conscious Life Magazine

Coconut Milk Baby Formula Recipe

If there’s a situation where a baby is not getting breast-fed or there needs to be an additional supplementation, this is a great alternative.

It’s free of the chemicals and additives that are present in most formulas and full of nutrients every child needs to develop and grow.

But I want to be clear, breast feeding is by far the best option if possible.

Certain foods can increase lactation, starting with plain old water as many mothers are dehydrated and aren’t even aware of it. Even with adoption, there are cases, where mothers are able to start producing milk. Also, many new mothers struggle with getting their baby to latch properly, and the international La Leche League can possibly help, including finding a local lactation consultant.

The following table shows a comparison of the nutrients present in this coconut milk formula recipe versus that of breast milk. The numbers given are approximations. Again, this is not intended as a replacement for breast milk. You can also check out other homemade formulas to compare the nutrition facts to.

Coconut Milk Baby Formula Recipe Total Time: 5 minutes Serves: 1 Ingredients:          

2 cups canned coconut milk 1/2 cup coconut water 1 tbsp. collagen hydrosylate 3oz (6 Tbsp) water (depending on thickness of other ingredients you may need to change quantity 1/4 tsp unflavored cod liver oil 1/4 tsp nutritional yeast 2 crushed desiccated liver tablets 5 lactose tablets or 4 Tbsp maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis 1 Tbsp grass fed butter, melted

Directions: Combine all ingredients into bottle and mix well.

So you’re looking for an effective birth control method that best suits your body and your lifestyle?

You know about the pill, the Mirena and the injection, but all of these are hormonal contraceptives that will disrupt your endocrine system in order to work effectively. So what other options are out there?

I find that alternative birth control methods are not a topic that I hear very often in women’s daily conversations, and women sometimes ask me: “What happens if I do not want to take a hormonal contraceptive?”

“The Justisse Method has an effectiveness rate of 99.6% when used correctly – exactly the same as the pill.“

Well, what did women do before the invention of the pill a mere 54 years ago?

What are the benefits of The Justisse Method Of Fertility Awareness?

They had an effective method to avoid pregnancy which has been improved over the years and has developed into an effective, scientific method called Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM).

There are a variety of methods that fall under the FAM umbrella, including the Billings Method, the Sympo-Thermal Method, the Creighton Method. They all differ slightly, this article is going to focus specifically The Justisse Method of Fertility Awareness. However these scientific methods should not be confused with the Rhythm Method, which is simply a mathematical calculation and not an effective birth control method.

“…these scientific methods should not be confused with the Rhythm Method, which is simply a mathematical calculation and NOT an effective birth control method.”

Conscious Life Magazine

The Justisse Method has an effectiveness rate of 99.6% when used correctly – exactly the same as the pill. However, the benefits of this natural method go far beyond just a means to avoid pregnancy.

Women who use the Justisse method as a birth control method find notice the following benefits: • The overall costs are far cheaper as there is just a once-off cost to learn the method, and once you have understood and grasped the method there are no further financial costs involved.

• As you are not ingesting any chemical hormones it doesn’t kill your sex drive. Women experience their sexual libido naturally and therefore couples who use this method report having sex more often than couples using hormonal contraception.

• It’s a complete health care option – if your body is not functioning optimally you will be able to see it on your charts. It also enables you to monitor stress levels, helps to keep your lifestyle choices on a healthy path, and provides an early clue to potentially devastating diseases, which enables you to practice preventative medicine.

• There are no side effects (such as weight gain, deep vein thrombosis, breast cancer or strokes).

• The knowledge you’ll gain from this method is empowering, and understanding the ins and outs of your body is liberating.

• This method is a highly effective birth control option, but when you are ready to start a family or grow your current family you will know exactly when to have sex in order to fall pregnant.

“In the past there was very little research conducted into alternative birth control methods…”

So if this method is so effective and there are so many benefits, why have we not heard about it in main stream media, from our doctors or from our moms?

The answers are simple.

In the past there was very little research conducted into alternative birth control methods, which resulted in many unplanned pregnancies. However, times have changed, extensive research has gone into the Justisse method, and we now sit with a highly effective method to avoid pregnancy, achieve pregnancy or simply monitor your reproductive health. The other reason that Justisse method is not spoken about more often is that it takes time to learn this method and doctors do not have the time to sit and teach their patients.

“…without this mucus you actually cannot fall pregnant, so this mucus is very important.”

How does the NFP method work?

This method requires a woman to observe, chart and interpret menstrual cycle events that tell her when she is fertile or infertile.

Each day, you take your temperature with a special basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer and chart what we call cervical mucus.

Cervical mucus is the white, opaque gel-like substance that you have probably noticed on the toilet paper after going to the toilet. Perhaps it even freaked you out a bit. The good news is that you do not have an STI. It is completely normal for all women to have this and it is the basis to understanding when you are fertile and when you are not. Let me highlight here that without this mucus you actually cannot fall pregnant, so this mucus is very important.

“…you will learn how to identify when you have ovulated, when you are fertile, how long your luteal phase is, when to expect your next menstruation…”

Writing down these notations each day will eventually create a fascinating picture of what is happening in your body during each cycle. While learning to chart, you will learn how to identify when you have ovulated, when you are fertile and infertile, how long your luteal phase is, when to expect your next menstruation, how to identify if you are pregnant or not, or if you are eating food that you are intolerant to.

Did you know?

A fact that surprisingly few people know is that a woman is only fertile for a couple of days (sometimes as long as a week) during each cycle, and it is only during this time that she can fall pregnant.

Men, on the other hand, are fertile every single day of the month.

So if a women is only fertile for such a short duration, how do so many women have unplanned pregnancies? Well a man’s sperm can live in a woman’s body for up to five days in the right conditions, so you could have sex today but only conceive next week.

“…a man’s sperm can live in a woman’s body for up to five days in the right conditions…”

A window into your well-being The Justisse method is a very useful way to monitor and improve your reproductive health.

It’s important to be aware that: “The menstrual cycle is a window into the general health and well-being of women, and not just a reproductive event. It can indicate the status of bone health, heart disease, and ovarian failure, as well as long-term fertility.

“The menstrual cycle is a window into the general health and well-being of women…”

“…it is the first sign that something else could be going on” Therefore, if a woman is not having her period, bleeding excessively or having severe menstrual cramps it is the first sign that something else could be going on.” (Paula Hillard, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Paediatrics, University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine)

Understanding that there are alternative effective birth control options that have been around for a long time gives women confidence in their ability to choose the method that is right for them.

Don’t be scared to ask questions. Don’t be coerced into a using method that you do not agree with, and make sure you know the pros and cons of the method you choose.

Article written by Claudia Slattery Justisse Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner MA (PTA) Human Movement Science claudia@butterflywings.co.za www.butterflywings.co.za

TV Personality, Author, Lifestyle & Wellness Expert www.lisaraleigh.co.za lisa@lisaraleigh.co.za www.facebook.com/LisaRaleighSAFacebook Conscious Life Magazine LisaRaleighSA – Twitter

Being on full-time toddler patrol can make exercise seem impossible. The good news is that if you’re looking after your little one and in need of a workout, the two can go hand-in-hand. Pop your youngster in the stroller and head outdoors for this functional and effective stroller workout. Inclines and declines are an important feature, so head out to a hilly spot.

Safety first: make sure the brakes on your stroller are strong and reliable before you get started.

Find an incline and face your stroller towards you, locking the brakes as you position yourself. Line the ground with a towel and lie on your back, propping yourself up on your elbows if you prefer. Start with your knees bent and feet propped up on the stroller at your baby’s feet. Unlock the brakes and perform a leg press, pushing your feet forward until almost straight. Pause for a moment then return to your starting position. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps.

Start with both hands resting on the stroller bar in front of you. Slowly raise your left leg up and back, leaning your torso forward and pushing the stroller forward as you do. Once you’ve formed a straight line with your left leg and body, rise up onto the toes of your right foot. Hold for a moment then lower back down and return to your starting position. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps with each leg.

Stand with the stroller on your right side and feet hip-width apart. Use your right hand to push the stroller away from you, whilst reaching overhead in the same direction with your left arm. Pause when your right arm is full extended, then pull the stroller back in to your starting position. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps with each side.

Conscious Life Magazine

Stand on a gentle decline, with your arms on the stroller bar in front of you, shoulder-width apart.

Starting with arms fully extended, slowly pull the stroller to you, pinching your shoulder blades together as you do. Pause for a moment then return to your starting position. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps.

Now stand on a gentle incline, with your arms on the stroller bar in front of you. Starting with your arms partially bent, push the stroller ahead of you until your arms are straight. Pause for a moment then draw the stroller back in towards you. Keep your arms closer together to work your arms, and further apart to work your chest.

With the brakes of your stroller locked, get into plank position in front of your baby. Keeping your core muscles and torso tight, lift up on arm at a time for a minimum of 5-10 seconds. You can tickle baby’s toes or play peek-a-boo whilst you do this. Swap arms and repeat. Aim for 3 sets with each arm.

*Make it harder: Lift one leg up at a time and hold for a more challenging move.

Conscious Life Magazine

THE STRESSED-OUT CHILD

By Maren Schmidt – Kids Talk “My seven-year-old daughter says she’s stressed-out. But what kid isn’t stressed-out nowadays?” my dentist said.

As I lay there mouth opened, unable to speak, I thought about my dentist’s daughter and other stressed-out kids.

Seven seems young to say you’re stressed-out.

Maybe ninety-seven is too young to say you’re stressed-out.

Are kids more stressed-out than generations past?

My mother dealt with World War II when she was seven. My grandmother was seven during World War I. We had monthly atomic bomb drills when I was seven. Perhaps we didn’t have the language for stressed-out. Maybe we had a stronger social network to relieve the tensions of the time.

Somehow, I sense an underlying truth in my dentist’s question, “What kid isn’t stressed out?”

Stress is not all bad.

It can help energize us to get things done in our lives. Stress is the body’s chemical and neural response to a situation that is threatening or frightening. With stress our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises, stress hormones increase. The fight or flight instinct emerges in our behavior and our thoughts.

Stress can become toxic when our body’s systems stay on high alert for weeks or months at a time. Elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, can damage vital parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus, which regulates memory and learning. Sleep and appetite are disrupted and behavior problems related to our flight or fight instincts may appear. Lingering illnesses, such as the cold or cough that won’t go away, may be signs of toxic stress in our children, and in ourselves.

Our children cannot deal with the fears and subsequent stresses of life on their own. Our children need the presence and assistance of caring adults who can reassure and comfort them. Children who emerge from severe traumas with few or no serious effects have strong relationships with supportive adults.

Positive adult relationships help keep stress levels in a manageable zone for children.

With reassurance and trust from adults, a child’s brain development and physical health are not compromised by the overabundance of stress hormones.

A stressed-out child is a child who feels frightening or threatened. Let’s listen and help our children name their fears and learn how to deal head on with those fears with our loving support. Let’s help every child feel safe and loved.

Dr. John Gottman, in Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, tells us that the fears that most children face, varied as they may seem, are related to these six issues: • • • • • •

Fear of powerlessness Fear of abandonment Fear of the dark Fear of bad dreams Fear of parental conflict Fear of death

We can help our children by assisting them in recognizing their fears, and giving those fears a name when they appear. We can talk about those fears in an empathetic way and not dismiss our children or their fears as being babyish. We can give our children strategies for dealing with dangerous situations, for example having a fire escape plan for your family, how to call for help or how to deal with strangers. We can help our children learn skills to cope with the feeling of powerlessness.

We also need to listen for the emotion behind the questions our children might ask.

Asking about power outages may be a question about how to deal with the fear in complete darkness, and not a question about electricity generation.

The stories that children, around age six, love to listen to and read, usually address all of the fears listed above. In books, such as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, The Lord of the Rings, Charlotte’s Web to Harry Potter, the issues surrounding these six fundamental childhood fears are handled in a way that speaks the truth to our children. These stories ignite our children’s imagination about how they might act in similar situations.

By Leanne Gray

Encourage your child to solve problems, be persistent, and own her choices.

(Part 2 of 3)

Last edition we talked about supporting children between the ages of 2.55 in growing their independent skills. This week, we're focusing on the next stage, children between ages 6-9.

There's a remarkable thing that happens right around age 6. Children begin to loose their baby teeth, gain a logical abstract thinking mind, and throw everything you say right out the window.

In Montessori, this transition is the change from the first plane (ages 0-6) to the second plane (6-12).

There is such a huge shift in the way this human now sees the world, communicates, and learns, that she needs a whole new environment to support her. As a result, elementary classrooms are more peer and group focused than Primary classrooms, have way more information and resources available to the children, and have a much higher expectation of self-directed work.

This plane is called the age of reason. Your child will be testing her new logical thinking powers, and will not take your advice at face value (or at all). She needs to reach that conclusion herself. Your job is to minimize the long-term serious consequences, NOT protect her from mistakes. Ex: Let her fall down if she miscalculated a jump, but not so far she breaks her legs. Your child now needs less help with physical independence, and is hungry for intellectual and emotional independence. Elementary age children are developing a conscience, and establishing a value and belief system through every social interaction. They need lots of unstructured time with their peers, opportunities for increased responsibility at home and in the community, and autonomy. Be sure you are offering many opportunities for responsibility of themselves, in the family, and in your community.

Continue to enforce environmental controls, limits, and expectations, but put the responsibility back on your older children for their actions, behavior, and choices. No nagging, reminders, guilt trips, bribes, or empty punishments. Use real life examples like issuing “warning” tickets, or organizing a town hall style family meeting to discuss infractions. Allow your child to feel the full weight of consequences for their actions (within reason). Restrict freedoms as needed (like temporarily revoking a license if you prove you aren’t fit to drive), and clearly state what your child needs to do for the freedom to return.

Stop interfering. This is hard! Your job is not to fix anything, or offer solutions. Instead, guide your children HOW to solve and fix problems by walking them through logical problem solving steps if they are stuck, and offering possible solutions only when they can’t come to them on their own.

At no point do you say “Here’s how you solve that.” Offer questions, not answers. The elementary age child needs to practice her reasoning skills and learn how to work through a problem. Ask guiding questions like: Where could you find out more about that? Have you checked the dictionary? The goal is to teach your children how to handle future problems in a confident, responsible way. Providing answers and solutions undermines this process.

Eg: I can’t find my socks. “Where did you have them last? Where have you looked?” Don’t “rescue” your children from the consequences of their actions, especially the small ones. (don’t go find their socks for them or immediately buy new socks).

Do offer honest, real answers to questions your child can’t easily look up or answer, ex: death, sexuality, human culture, ethics, etc.

Distance-education & tutor centre DawnCroft Ed is an alternative schooling solution which aims to support parents whose children prefer to study from their own homes in the comfort of their own personal space as distance learners Students are aided in the flexible group tutor sessions through the process of completing the NSC (National Senior Certificate) .

Our students are nurtured in a constructive affirming environment by tutors and facilitators that have a passion for education.

• • • • • • •

Competitive prices Personal attention 1:5 tutor-student ratio Flexible schedule No uniforms Learn Study Skills Registered with SACAI

Tel: 079-520-0547 Fax: 0866-238-103 algabil@tiscali.co.za www.dawncrofted.com

Model values and behavior. The six year old is very sensitive to values and highly impressionable. Be sure you are walking your talk and provide a clear model of behavior. You better believe your child is watching your every move and will call you out for being a hypocrite! The work of this age is all about understanding social structures, “how do I fit in with other around me?” including communication, power, cooperation, persuasion, fairness, and right/wrong. Guide your child to express negative emotions in an appropriate, healthy way (i.e.: excusing yourself when you are upset, apologizing, expressing anger without hurting others or things, etc) This is best explained after the fact, when both of you are calm. I highly recommend using needs and feelings to express your emotions.

Encourage empathy, critical thinking, and respectful arguing by playing devil’s advocate to challenge your child's current conclusions—whether you agree or not. Ask a lot of questions, or present conflicting facts or points of view. Beware of your own judgments and assumptions.

Stress the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are non-negotiable, and can be proven.

Opinions must be respected, and good opinions have reasoning behind them (from facts).

E.g.: You can't tell a person who says they don't like peas that they are wrong. That's an opinion, not a fact. You can, however, persuade them that peas are indeed delicious.

Teach your children any missing skills or tools that they need to solve their problems or meet a goal.

This could be using a index, how to fold a shirt, how to phrase your emotions, etc. Follow these problem solving steps to break down a big idea together:

Problem solving steps:     

Identify what you want to do, and why.

Consider what a successful outcome looks like. (These steps might be intuitive and quick.)

Brainstorm the steps to get there (I like the little card method for big projects) Organize the steps into a logical order.

Decide on what you need to do, any materials, and do it.

See how I guided a six year old to design, plan, and implement his garden project here.

Using the 7 Types of Intelligences to Help Your Children Discover Their Gifts

By Renaye from Adventures in Wisdom

Grades, “IQ” tests, and other standardized tests have caused major debates amongst parents and the education community because many believe they don’t measure the “whole child”.

The 7 intelligences are grouped into what Gardner calls three different “frames of mind”: 

 Although these tests might predict how a child will perform in school, they don’t predict which children will become powerful leaders, accomplished composers, unique artists, great musicians, creative inventors, professional athletes, top-ranked sales people, inspirational teachers, spiritual leaders, or great writers.

In his ground breaking book “Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, Harvard Psychology Professor Howard Gardner asked a different question. Instead of asking “How smart are you?” he asked the question

“How are you smart?”

What a powerful question for parents to explore with their kids!

In his book Gartner outlines 7 different segments of intelligence. Although each person exhibits some level of ability in all areas, most people tend to shine in two or three areas. As parents and mentors we have an opportunity to help our kids explore each of these segments in more depth so they can discover and further develop their natural talents and abilities.



Linguistic Intelligence and Logicalmathematical Intelligence which are categorized as “academic” and emphasized by public schools and IQ tests.

Musical Intelligence, Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence, and Visual-spatial Intelligence which tend to be categorized as artistic abilities.

Interpersonal Intelligence and Intrapersonal Intelligence which are categorized as “people skills”.

Let’s understand each in more detail and look at how we can help our kids explore each area.

Linguistic Intelligence Children with strong linguistic intelligence tend to think in words. They love to read, write, play word games, study foreign languages, etc.

Professions include areas such as writers, journalists, interpreters, and attorneys. If you think your child has talent in this area, he can explore it further by participating in a journalism club or debate club, by writing, or by studying a foreign language.

Logical-mathematical Intelligence Children with strong logical-mathematical intelligence tend to think conceptually. They love numbers, patterns, mathematics, and science. Professions include areas such as engineering, computer science, research science, medicine, and accounting. Schools provide a lot of opportunities for children to explore this area of intelligence.

Musical Intelligence Children with strong musical intelligence tend to think in terms of sounds and rhythms.

Professions include areas such as performing and/or composing music. Encourage your child to study a musical instrument, participate in a choir, and explore a wide variety of music genres.

Visual-spatial Intelligence Children with strong spatial intelligence are strong at working in three dimensions. They tend to love maps, models, and building things.

Professions include areas such as architecture and interior design, photography, engineering, and mechanics. You can help your child develop in this area by giving her models to build (including Legos!), having her create maps, or by taking a photography class.

Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence Children with strong Kinesthetic Intelligence tend to process knowledge through physical touch. They will learn more by doing an activity versus reading about the activity. Professions include areas such as sports, dancing, theatre, firefighter, and any work that requires them to be good with their hands. If you think your child has a natural intelligence in this area encourage her to explore many avenues of physical expression – sports, dance, acting, sewing, woodworking, etc.

Interpersonal Intelligence Children with strong interpersonal intelligence understand people – they are good with communication, relationships, and getting along with others. Professions include areas such as teaching, counseling, marketing and sales, management, non-profits, medicine, and politics. Provide opportunities for your child to work with and lead others. Examples include participating in Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, mentoring programs, volunteer organizations, and other clubs.

Intrapersonal Intelligence Children with strong intrapersonal intelligence really understand themselves. They are deep thinkers and tend to be self-motivated.

Professions include writing, philosophy, psychology, clergy, and art. If your child exhibits strengths in this area, give her time to be alone to think and create.

So why is understanding these areas of intelligence so important?

First, if your child tends to struggle in the traditional classroom finding other areas where he can excel can greatly enhance his self-esteem and joy in life. Whenever kids feel they are good at something it enhances their self-esteem and self-confidence.

Second, when kids understand more about “how they are smart�, it enables them to choose extracurricular activities, classes, and careers that leverage their strengths and natural abilities.

And finally, even if your child does well in school, exploring all areas of intelligence will empower your kids to find their passion and purpose in life.

When people create lives based on a passion and a sense of purpose they tend to live happy fulfilling lives.

I invite you to share this article with your kids and have fun exploring!

Click on book cover to order on Amazon

Do you want to work with kids?

Become a Life Coach and train with Renaye anywhere in the world.

Contact details below.

Adventures in Wisdom A fun life coaching program for empowering kids www.AdventuresInWisdom.com

Contact: 083 327 7062 info@hannaford.co.za www.hannaford.co.za

By Sergio Salotto

Raising a child is possibly one of the most beautiful, exciting, interesting, but challenging, difficult and responsible tasks in life for a parent.

For some parents, the task looms so large and scary, that it drives them to rather give the child up for adoption. Having a child – especially the first – can and often does unexpectedly turn the parent’s lives and routines totally upside down. It takes away the freedom and independence they enjoyed; the child becomes the centre of their world; it is demanding and needy; there may be little to no time for themselves; and so on.

What begins as a wonderful and exciting journey, for many, this may change and become a state of frustration, anxiety, stress, anger, or depression, which start surfacing and begin to strain the bonds of the relationship.

If things were fine before baby came along, the child is likely be held responsible for the issues the arise between the parents. In many cases, the child becomes the object upon which the parents vent their dissatisfaction – with some cases even resulting in horrific abuse and death of the child.

But there is another level of “abuse” we practice that we do not recognise as such because it does not fall in the categories of being physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Instead, it is considered and accepted to be good, responsible parenting – as I elaborate below.

But is that what unconditional acceptance and love of self is really all about?

The part of conceiving a child is generally one of joy and fun. When it is confirmed that mom is pregnant, there is even greater joy. But at the same time, the realisation begins to set in of the responsibilities that are about to be taken on – creating the ideal home environment, afford it the best education, provide an upbringing the child can one day be proud of, and of course someone the parents will be proud of.

It is generally believed that new-born children are born with a blank mind, that they know nothing about life; that as parents we “own” it and so are entitled to decide what is right for the child. Parents thus take on the role and responsibility of ensuring the child is taught, equipped and educated about all its needs to be successful and socially acceptable. These teachings will take the form of schooling, religious instruction, guidance for conforming to social norms and values, acceptable behaviour and all the many other things we need in life.

As a child, of course, we have no idea of our parents’ ideals or the plans they have for us. We just do things in the only way we know. Such as:  Crying when we are hungry, have a full nappy, want attention – don’t like to be left alone.  Eating our food with our hands; pounding our hand into the plate of food and make it splatters all over (great fun).  Not welcoming mummy, daddy, granny, grandpa with a hug and kiss – we might more readily hug and kiss the dog ... no disrespect intended; we just found the dog to be more important in that moment (isn’t that what free choice is about?).  Knocking things off the coffee table out of curiosity to see what happens.  Throwing a tantrum in the middle of the supermarket – do we really care or worry about what other people think? Hell no, we just want what we want.

To our parents, this is misbehaving, naughtiness, disrespect. Something they feel must be corrected, taught manners, obedience and discipline.

How do they achieve this? By reprimand and punishment – physical, emotional, screaming and shouting, threatening and all the many things most of us will likely have experienced in our childhood.

As we grow and learn to talk, we note that what we say is considered pretty insignificant; we are not given the space to express what we feel or want – even if we are, no one really listens. And our parents keep reminding us that they know what is best for us. As a child, how can we argue or question that?

Through these experiences we begin to wonder, question and eventually conclude that maybe the way we are is simply not enough; and we internalise the belief that we are "not good enough."

This leads to us deciding that unless we change, we will not be accepted and loved - our greatest fundamental fear and need. In order to make it with our parents (be accepted and loved), we decided that perhaps we need to change our behaviour and attitudes to conform and meet their expectations of how we ought to be (our first compromise on who we truly are).

Then one day we are sent off to school – a daunting and terrifying step for some children, an exciting “adventure” for others. In this new environment we encounter other children, teachers, rules and regulations, disciplines, etc.

For example: Learning to read and write.  Learning the multiplication tables et al through repetition.  Having to pass tests and exams to prove our level of competence, intellect and acceptability  Behave in class in a manner that is acceptable to the teacher, conform to the school’s rules and regulations else we are punished – from both the school and (likely) our parents (we are so terrible).  If our standard of work is not to the level of others, we get classified as "abnormal", in need of specialized education or psychological assessment – measured against what society has determined to be the accepted norm.  No one is really interested in our unique individuality and talents. We are required to meet and conform to the expectations of our teachers, peers and school environment.

From the above we realise that to be accepted, we need to behave and do things in the required manner if we are to avoid rejection and punishment. We also learn that in these social environments, if we do not do things as expected and required, we again will not be recognised and accepted. And so we experience how also in this environment we are not allowed to be ourselves – who we are. All of which reinforces our feelings and belief that perhaps we are truly just, "not good enough" – a belief that is becoming more and more our reality.

We also come to experience and realise that this cycle of needing to conform does not end at the school going years. Even as adults we experience and face the same situation in our world of business, politics, religion, and ... practically every other social environment.

The requirement to compromise ourselves for the sake of being accepted eventually becomes second nature. And this ultimately results in us living and experiencing our life as victims of our circumstances; unable to exercise freedom of choice to be who we really are. The same way it has been for our parents; and their parents; and their parent’s parents.

To address these “challenges” in a constructive and meaningful manner, we need to reassess the parenting processes we are practicing - as handed down from generation to generation.

And unless we stop, reconsider and have the willingness to change, we shall continue to exacerbate the problem and also shall pass on the same teachings and practices to our children for their children.

Our role and responsibility towards our children is far greater than what we are doing. The way we are doing things is, in my view, comparatively easy to do because all it requires is for us to exercise control.

What we need to recognise is that our children do not belong to us, we do not “own” them.

Whether we believe that children are sent to us

by God, or that they chose us as their parents, or whatever other belief one may identify with, what all of us ought to be doing is to feel honoured and respectful of having been granted the privilege to conceive and give birth to such a wondrous creation and Being of “God”. Our responsibility therefore should be one of guiding and helping our children to be who they really are by creating an environment that is supportive and allows them to manifest, or “showcase” who and what each child brings to this life. We should not be in fear of letting go of the beliefs we are holding on to; want to hold on to our senses of rightness at all costs; we need to have the willingness to be wrong and create a truly win-win environment where everyone can be who they really are – unconditionally.

Understanding Self-Discipline It has been said that the only true discipline is self-discipline.

With self-discipline we take ownership of our own behavior.

We take responsibility for our lives.

by Maren Schmidt

As we discipline our children we might consider that our goals should include these objectives of helping our children take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for their lives.

Too often discipline is delivered as punishment that creates feelings of intimidation, humiliation or embarrassment. If we want our children to learn to own their behavior and take responsibility we need to find a way to encourage our children, not discourage our children.

The word discipline has its roots in the word ”disciple,” meaning ”pupil” in Latin. As parents we are the teachers, and our children are our students.

The relationship of teacher/student, parent/child and leader/disciple must be based on respect and trust. Our children must know that they can learn from us in a safe, secure and consistent environment, free from intimidation, humiliation and embarrassment. When we react in a crisisoriented manner trying to help our children learn to be responsible, respectful and resourceful, we often display the very behaviors that we wish to stop in our children.

If we are harsh in our reactions to situations, belittle our children or set arbitrary or inconsistent standards, our teaching can create an angry and frustrated response in our children, leading to distrust and disrespect.

Our challenge as leaders of our young disciples is to guide the whole child–body, mind, heart and spirit.

We must model the self-discipline, the vision, the passion and the conscience we wish our children to develop.

Any worthy challenge requires mindfulness and compassion for a successful end. We need to be mindful of our thoughts and our actions. Do our ideas and deeds lead our children to take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for their lives?

Can we bring our passion and our love to every aspect of this essential work of guiding our children?

Take a few minutes to think of the strengths of character you wish to instill in your children. How can you lead to those ends with selfdiscipline, vision, passion and conscience?

Positive psychologists have identified six types of core virtues that appear in all cultures–wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence–comprised of twenty-four character strengths:

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning and 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

perspective.

Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity and vitality.

Humanity: love, kindness and social intelligence.

Justice: citizenship, fairness and leadership.

Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility and modesty, prudence and self-regulation.

Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor and spirituality.

I encourage you to make a list of these twenty-four character strengths and brainstorm how you can help your children use these strengths to become responsible for their own behavior and their own lives using body, mind, heart and spirit. That is the nature of true self-discipline.

By Julie Kleinhans

As a parent, it's extremely easy to worry about your child's future. You want the very best for them. As they are getting older, you may find yourself becoming more concerned about what their future will look like and if they will become a confident, happy, productive adult.

First I'd like to ask you two important questions: 1. Do you want your child to engage in a future that they are passionate about?

2. Are you open to your child exploring any passion that they have?

I ask these questions because many parents have pre-determined ideas about what their children should do with their life or what they think their child would succeed in. In order for your child to truly find their way, they will need your support to travel any path.

I’ll give you an example. When I was a teacher, I remember having a quiet boy named Jordan in class. He didn’t like school very much because he didn’t feel that he was a good student. One thing he was passionate about was video games. He loved all aspects of the video-gaming world.

When I spoke to Jordan about all of the possibilities of having a career in the video gaming industry, his entire perspective about his future changed.

A shift in his perspective allowed him to get excited about the possibilities of himself as an expert in video gaming, making lots of money designing cool games.

The thought that he was talented at something that can be applied to his future career helped him to feel much more confident about his abilities.

You can nurture this confidence and excitement with your own children. Here are three things you can do right now to inspire your children and remove your own worry.

Stop Comparing Your Child to Other Children in a Way that Puts Them Down It is very hurtful to a child when they are compared to other children in a way that puts them down.

Instead, use comparison in a way that lifts everyone up by showing your child the value that everyone contributes. For example: “Sam is great at math and doing well in his math classes.

Becky, you may be struggling with math right now, but that’s okay.

You will eventually learn what you need to know. You are doing so well in your English class. We are proud of you and Sam exactly as you are.”

It is important to boost confidence in every child so they can thrive.

Help Your Child Focus on What They Enjoy Doing Every person is talented in so many things. Including you – Mom or Dad! Help your child to focus and nurture what they do enjoy doing and get creative with them to think outside the box.

You may want to make a list with your children of the things you each really enjoy doing. This could be a fun family activity for everyone to write their lists together and then participate in those activities on the list.

Get ready to think in and outside the box. For instance, things like painting and playing catch may be on the list. Some other things people enjoy doing but don’t always think of is making lists, planning, cooking, reading, etc. Look at everything each of your enjoy doing and help each other with your “Enjoyment List”.

You each may forget things you enjoy doing and reminding each other makes this an extra special family experience. You may be surprised what your children notice about you and they may be surprised about what you notice with them.

Remember that so many things you enjoy can be turned into careers. A person that enjoys painting may become an artist, an art curator, own a gallery, etc. Your child may like to play catch now and in the future could do it professionally as a player, a coach, a manager, a sports news person, etc. Someone that enjoys making lists and planning may become a great project manager, travel agent or entrepreneur.

Cooking is a great skill that can be applied to restaurants, cooking shows, books and more.

Those that enjoy reading may become authors themselves, editors, proofreaders, book store owners or work in book publishing.

There are a myriad of opportunities for any and all passions that you and your children have!

Find Your Child a Mentor in the Passion That They Have If your child is interested in a particular career, help them find an adult in that field to have a conversation with. I recommend having a conversation with this person first to be sure you are okay with your child learning from them. Then set up a phone call or an in-person meeting for your child.

Your child can talk to this person about how they got to where they are today and some of the obstacles they overcame to succeed.

Have your child make a list of everything they’d like to know and see about this career choice, so they can make the most out of their experience. Having a tour of the work facilities of this career would also be helpful so your child can envision if this is a place for them.

It’s important for children to explore their passions without judgment. Allowing them to find their way will most certainly guarantee their success.

“Youth Empowerment and Education Mentor Julie Kleinhans works with parents, teachers, teens and young adults to love themselves, be successful and embrace their own uniqueness. Get her FREE Guide for Parents and Teachers “5 Steps to Productive, Confident and Happy Kids” at www.MindFocusGeneration.com.”

By Amy McCready Nothing grates on parents’ nerves quite so much as the sounds of sibling fighting coming from the next room—unless it’s the shouts of “Moooommmmm, he hit me!” that often follow.

While the occasional disagreement is normal, and even healthy, true sibling fighting is a highly emotional issue that can negatively impact family relationships, even into the adult years. So, why can’t our children just get along?

This may not be music to your ears, but the fact is that parents are often to blame in unknowingly encouraging sibling fighting.

With a few tweaks to your parenting style, however, you can make a big difference in family harmony.

Let’s begin by becoming more aware of two seemingly innocent things parents do to intensify rivalry. In my next post, we’ll talk about three strategies for dealing with kids fighting.

Two Things Parents Do to Contribute to Sibling Fighting 1. Use Labels – Spoken or Implied Whenever we label our kids, using terms such as “the smart one” or “the wild one,” we lay the groundwork for sibling fighting.

For instance, if you call Little Brother the “family athlete,” then you can bet Big Brother will feel like he’s the opposite of that. Or if Big Sister is the “problem child,” then Little Sister will probably be feeling pretty superior as the well-behaved one.

Whether the label is positive or negative, it’s a recipe for a fight as kids struggle with the comparisons you’ve put in place.

Sometimes labels aren’t spoken—they’re implied. One example of this is a “go-to” kid.

This is the child you consistently approach for help when you want something important done quickly and without a fuss.

While the go-to-kid feels important, by overrelying on him you imply to your other children that they aren’t as capable, which in turn leads to undue competition.

2. Reinforce “Victim” and “Aggressor” Roles As parents, we often feel like it’s our job to sort out the “victim” in a disagreement, as well as the “aggressor.” In order to make sure justice is served, we soothe the “victim” with hugs and kind words, while sending the “aggressor” to her room with a “you should know better” reprimand.

However, this type of treatment does neither child any good.

Showering the “victim” with attention lets him know that acting as the weaker player in the argument (whether he really is or not) will get him lots of attention—and you can be sure he’ll repeat his performance another time. Meanwhile, the “aggressor” gets it confirmed that there’s power in being the bully—and you’ll see her behavior repeated as well.

Fortunately, there are more helpful strategies for dealing with sibling fighting that don’t reinforce the “victim” and “aggressor” roles—and instead teach them how to resolve their own conflicts in the future. We’ll cover these in the next post. In the meantime, you can begin to improve family dynamics simply by taking a good look at how you compare and respond to the sibling fighting in your house.

9 Things You Should Never Say to Same-Sex Parents

by Elizabeth Small

As a parent, and a modern family law attorney, I’ve heard all kinds of illinformed comments from the mouths of grown-ups, everywhere from the playground to the courthouse. And grown-ups should know better.

Here are nine things you should never say to same-sex parents.

“Who’s the mom and who’s the dad?”

For many same-sex families there is no “mom” and “dad.” Those words apply to individuals who identify as female and male respectively, which is just not the case with most same-sex families.

Furthermore, such a question reinforces gender stereotypes, which damage all parents, not just same-sex couples. Really ask yourself, what are “dad” things and what are “mom” things anyway. I suspect that such notions are based on some pretty thin logic.

“Did you use a sperm donor?”

I don’t know, did you conceive your child in missionary position? What is your social security number? How many sexual partners have you had? Oh, I thought we were exchanging inappropriately personal information.

“Aren’t you worried that the child will grow up gay?”

Are you worried that your child will grow up to be rude? But in all seriousness, this one is a doozy. This question implies that you believe something is wrong with being gay. Same-sex parents, like all parents, worry about their children’s well-being, not their sexuality.

“What about when he wants to meet his real dad?”

He doesn’t have a real dad. He has two moms. Can’t we all agree that being a “Dad” requires more than an ejaculation?

“Who is the real mom?”

Do you mean, which mom carried the pregnancy? That is a very different question, and not really pertinent. Both moms are the “real” moms.

“Isn’t it confusing that she has two moms?”

I don’t know, how do you manage with only one mom? Children form independent bonds with each parent, regardless of those parent’s genitalia. Kids care that they are safe and loved. That is all.

To gay dads, “Oh! That’s why she’s such a fabulous dresser!” Or to lesbian moms, “But what if she’s a girly girl?”

Okay, do I have to explain that this reinforces stereotypes? No single attribute makes you a same-sex parent other than loving someone of the same sex.

“When did you tell him the truth?”

Do you mean the truth about how the world is filled with ignorant people? Thanks for helping with that lesson! But if you mean the story of his conception, well then, that seems like an odd topic at 9 a.m. on the sidelines of a Pee Wee football game.

“Brittany, this is my friend Katie, Katie is Henry’s mom and she’s married…to another woman! Isn’t that great!”

News Flash: same-sex parents could just be called parents. Tokenism and exceptionalism have no place in parenting. It’s hard enough just getting the kids to school.

Elizabeth Small is a lawyer by training, a writer by nature, and a wife and mother by calling. She is currently writing a book on reproductive ethics.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

This grounding exercise helps children feel stable, calm, and focused...

By Jessie Klassen

Trees provide the perfect example of the importance of staying grounded to be strong. Grounding does for us what roots do for trees. When we are grounded, we feel strong and able to handle anything that comes our way, just like the roots of the trees hold them steady when the strong winds blow.

Often times, simply being out in Nature, hugging a tree, or barefoot on the grass is enough to stabilize and calm our energy. But, sometimes we need to do more.

“Be a Tree” Try imagining yourself as a tree.

Imagine your back as a trunk and that you have long roots that grow from the bottom of your feet, deep into the Earth.

If you’re able, stand with feet planted on the ground. If you can’t stand, sitting or lying down will work too.

Grounding works well when we bring awareness to our bodies. To do this, squeeze your muscles as tight as you can and hold them like that for a moment.

Holding your breath, clench your toes, your fists, your leg muscles, your butt cheeks, your tummy, and even your face.

Then let it all out with a big exhale, imagining all this energy you were hanging on to is flowing out of your body, down through your roots, and into the Earth.

Now shake any of this excess energy out of your hands.

Repeat this exercise several times until you feel calm.

If you can think of something in particular that has either upset you, or made you feel angry, you can imagine this anger, worry, or pain, all balled up in your hands.

Make fists, and with a deep inhale, lift your fists up high above your head, and with a big, long exhale, drop your hands down and “throw” this anger into the Earth.

Once again, shake this excess energy out of your hands.

Repeat this several times until you no longer feel so angry or upset, and on the last time, do it very slowly and deliberately.

We can also simply imagine ourselves with a trunk and tree roots reaching down into the Earth.

Whenever we feel insecure, scared, nervous, or anxious, we can imagine everything that is worrying us to flow down our trunk, through our roots, and into the Earth where it is dissolved.

This can be done anytime, anywhere, and is always helpful.

Use your imagination and be as creative as you like with your “trunk” and your “roots”. Picture them anyway you like. There is no wrong way to do this, it just has to feel right for you.

Tips for staying grounded: Limit time spent on electronic devices, as these quickly un-ground our children. Although there is nothing wrong with learning how to use these devices, a little time on them goes a long way.

When waiting somewhere, play “I spy” or ask one another questions.

When on car trip, look out the window and notice your surroundings. Focusing on what is around us and what we notice with our physical senses helps to keep us grounded.

Artificial stimulation such as television and media tend to cause our children to absorb energy that isn’t theirs, and often needs to be released through physical activity or an exercise such as this one.

Limiting the time that you spend on social media will set an example for your children to follow.

A regular routine of daily chores is also crucial in keeping children grounded.

Chores help develop problem-solving skills, self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and purpose. They will feel more connected to their life and the everyday tasks that life requires, as well as feel as though they are contributing to the family home. It is when doing chores that many lessons can be learned in an easy manner.

Encourage conversation, share what you know, no matter how small it may seem. This engages children.

When possible, involve your kids when you are doing chores or other everyday tasks. This is valuable time when you can connect. I heard many intriguing stories, learned valuable life lessons, and have had some of my most enjoyable memories from working alongside my parents.

I hope that you have found this helpful! I would love to hear from you. You can contact me via my website www.jessieklassen.com. While there, feel free to subscribe to my free weekly “ish” newsletter where I share advice, wisdom and lessons that I have learned from my life lived close to Nature.

About the author: Jessie Klassen is a writer, farmer, and the mother of 3 sensitive children.

She is also a Reiki Master and empath herself, who is committed to raising her children in an accepting and spiritually-connected environment, grounded in Nature. Through her work, Jessie is inspired to help others connect with the magic of Nature to rediscover the magic of their own lives.

Jessie released her first children’s book, “The Sapling” in 2017. It is the story of a little sapling who with the help of a wise old tree, overcomes her fears of growing big and becomes the tree she is meant to be!

You can connect with Jessie at www.essieklassen.com

By Amy McCreedy Perhaps your budding artist suddenly disowns the crayon mural in the hallway. Maybe your daughter, who has spent the last hour making mud pies in the backyard, tells you she’s already washed her hands, despite mud caked on her hands. Or your teen tells you he got home last night at curfew when you heard him come in a half-hour late. Whatever the lie, it’s a frustrating challenge for parents. But when we understand why kids lie, we can help our kids become more honest.

Lying isn’t always done with ulterior motives. When your preschooler starts lying, it’s simply a new developmental milestone, according to research by Kang Lee, a University of Toronto professor and director of the Institute of Child Study. This shift signifies changes in the way your child organizes information. It’s a normal step, so you don’t need to worry about your little one becoming a pathological liar. The study shows that lying is common from age 4 to 17, and by age 7, kids can tell a lie so well that often their parents can’t even tell they’re being untruthful. But after age 17, lying decreases – so it’s not necessarily a problem that will follow our kids into adulthood.

That said, many times kids do have a legitimate reason for stretching the truth – they want to avoid punishment, disappointing their parents or an unpleasant outcome. Would you be honest if you knew it would cause you humiliation, a lecture, a punishment or being yelled at?

It’s hard for a child to tell the truth when they know those will be the outcomes. Your child doesn’t want to disappoint you, either. So they may fib about a poor choice they made or make up ridiculous stories to impress you.

And naturally, when our kids blatantly lie to us, we want to punish them to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens – when we punish kids for lying, they’ll keep doing it in the hopes of avoiding any future punishment. So if we can’t punish them, how do we put a stop to the lies? Keeping in mind the reasons why kids lie, we can create an environment where they feel safe telling the truth. The following seven tips can help you make your home a more honest place.

Keep calm and parent on. Watch how you respond to misbehavior and mistakes in your home, whether it’s spilled juice on the carpet or unfinished chores. If your kids worry about being yelled at or punished when they mess up, they won’t want to come to you with the truth.

Focus on using a calm voice – yes, it can be tough, but it’s possible. That doesn’t mean kids are off the hook for lying. But instead of getting angry and assigning blame, discuss solutions to the problem with your child .Don’t set up a lie. If you can see piles of laundry on your daughter’s floor, don’t ask her if she’s cleaned up her room yet. When we ask questions to which we already know the answer, we’re giving our children the opportunity to tell a lie. Instead, emphasize ways to address the situation. If you know Evan hasn’t touched his homework, ask him, “What are your plans for finishing your homework?” Instead of “Where did all this mud come from?” ask, “What can we do to clean this up and make sure it doesn’t happen next time?” This can help head off a power struggle and allows your child to save face by focusing on a plan of action instead of fabricating an excuse. It also teaches a lesson of what they can do next time – sitting down with homework right after school or taking off their shoes in the mudroom instead of the living room – to avoid problems.

Get the whole truth. While we may want to put our child on the spot when we catch them in a lie, accusing or blaming them will only make things worse. Getting to the root of the problem and understanding why she couldn’t be honest with you will help you encourage your child to tell the truth in the future. Open up a conversation gently, saying, “that sounds like a story to me. You must be worried about something and afraid to tell the truth. Let’s talk about that.

What would help you be honest?” You can use the information you glean to help her be more truthful in the future.

Celebrate honesty. Even if you’re upset that there’s a sea of water on the bathroom floor because your daughter tried to give her dolls a bath in the sink, commend her for coming to you and telling the truth. Tell her, “I really appreciate you telling me what really happened.

That must have been difficult for you, but I really appreciate you telling the truth and taking responsibility.”

Delight in do-overs. Think of mistakes as a way to learn how to make better choices. When we stay calm and avoid yelling or punishing our kids for mistakes, our kids will be more likely to admit their slip-ups in the future. Turn the mistake into a learning opportunity. Ask, “If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently?” and brainstorm different ideas. If someone else was affected – maybe he broke his sister’s scooter – ask what he can do to make it right with the other party.

Show the love. Let your kids know you love them unconditionally, even when they make mistakes. Make sure they know that while you don’t like their poor behavior, you will never love them any less because of the mistakes they might make. This helps your kids feel safe opening up to you.

Walk the talk. Remember that your kids are always looking to you and learning from your actions. Those little white lies we tell, whether it’s to get out of dog sitting for the neighbors or helping with the school fundraiser, aren’t harmless – they’re showing your kids that it’s okay to lie.

These tips will help start your family on a path for a more honest household. But remember that it takes time to build up trust. Be patient. However, if your child continues to lie often or lies with the intention of hurting others, you may want to consider counseling or other professional help.

Creating an environment where kids feel safe telling the truth not only cuts down on lying day to day, but it helps your child build character traits that will serve her throughout adulthood.

Feeling overwhelmed? Ready to say goodbye to TANTRUMS and TEARS and create an environment for JOY and PEACE? Sign up for our free video series to learn No Stress Steps to Get Kids to Listen…Without Losing Your Cool. Get instant access to videos here: http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/parent-training.

Homemade Playdough Station

By Stephanie Rose

The first thing you want to do is make up your playdough, I tried a new soft playdough recipe that has a wonderful texture to it and is super easy to make with just 3 ingredients. Here is the recipe…

You will need: • • •

1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup hair conditioner food coloring

Instructions: Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine, after the food coloring is somewhat incorporate you are going to want to get in there with your hands and really work it. You may feel you need to add a bit more cornstarch to make it a little less sticky, or more conditioner to moisten it a bit, do this a little at a time until you get a good texture.

The next thing I did to get our Invitation to play station set up was cut out some foam pieces, I cut wings and small pieces of flame for fire breathing dragons.

I added the foam pieces to my divided tray along with the playdough, googly eyes, craft sticks, feathers and pipe cleaners. You can get these big divided trays at Dollar Tree, I keep a couple on hand for various play and projects.

Kids on Camera TV and Print Media Casting Agency

.

Kids on Camera offer training for youngsters on how to be professional on camera and help build their selfconfidence. That's what they'll need in the industry to seal the deal and get that commercial they have always wanted.

Our Confidence Training classes are from the ages of three years old and up. We train kids to look into the camera and speak with confidence, and the older kids learn how to present. We sing and dance and have prizes and loads of fun.

R200 for two hours of training, including a certificate.

To register a profile on our database is R350 once off fee.

All ages are welcome.

WhatsApp Natasha on 083 714 3241 See our website for details. www.kidsoncamera.co.za

Matching Objects to Similar Cards

Your child’s first meeting with a dog may be a magical and memorable encounter. A wagging tail, a slobbery kiss and a wet nose may be among the features that accompany the dog’s furry coat to leave a lasting impression.

Aside from using your own language to introduce this new creature to your child, try a fun game of matching with a set of cards and some toys that replicate these items.

The activity will familiarize your child with the words needed to describe the objects and create a link between the two-dimensional world of familiar items and the pictures that go with them.

By asking your child to associate the picture with the toy or object, they will find the words needed to describe both. Watch their language skills take flight in the process!

By matching cards to real life objects your young child can now bridge the gap between their newly-discovered items and the proper vocabulary used to name them.

by Jeanne Marie Paynel: Voila Montessori

Child of the Universe Montessori Mag

6 GREAT REASONS WHY SCHOOLS SHOULD CHOOSE CHAMELEON VILLAGE REPTILE & CONSERVATION PARK – THE INTERACTIVE REPTILE EXPERIENCE! • •

•

• • •

We are the zoo that comes to you, first hand encounters without the stress or hassle of organising expensive field trips.

Close and personal encounters without the glass separating you from these vibrant exotic animals.

Interactive learning where you don’t just watch a snake move, you feel a snake move, great for kinesthetic learning.

The opportunity to speak face to face with experienced animal handlers. When visiting a zoo little time is often spent with the keepers, during our visit we are present to answer questions.

Tailor made and customised experiences that best suit your learners in an environment that best suits you.

An opportunity for students to learn about, the importance of wildlife conservation.

Suitable for all age groups, book us for the day and we cater from Pre-primary, Primary and High Schools.

OR

WHY not bring your picnic basket and visit our Parks for the day!

• • •

Hartbeespoort Aquarium Chameleon Village Reptile & Conservation Park Bird Park

For additional information contact us on 012 253 5119 / 082 469 2979 or email us on chameleonvillagereptilepark@gmail.com

Conscious Life Magazine

Salsa Fresca

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

5 medium tomatoes cut into ½-inch pieces 1-2 jalapenos seeded and minced 2 garlic cloves minced ¼ medium red onion chopped 3tbsp fresh lime juice ½tsp salt ⅛tsp black pepper 1tbsp cilantro chopped

Instructions

In a bowl, gently stir together all the ingredients.

Berbere Spice Mix Berbere Spice Mix Berbere is a blend of spices used in Ethiopian cooking.

If you don’t have whole spices, you can use ground ones.

Ingredients

Instructions

• • • • • • •

Remove the seeds from the cardamom pod. Toast the cardamom, clove, allspice and fenugreek seeds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until the spices become fragrant. Remove from the heat, let cool and grind in a mortar and pestle until fine. Stir in the ginger, nutmeg, and turmeric.

1whole cardamom pod 1whole clove 2whole allspice ⅛tsp whole fenugreek seeds ⅛tsp ground ginger ⅛tsp ground nutmeg ⅛tsp ground turmeric

Stovetop Pizza Stovetop Pizza These days, pizza is the favorite food of many children. Making your own pizza is a satisfying accomplishment. This delicious version uses fresh tomatoes and less cheese than most. You can bake these pizzas on cookie sheets in preheated 425 degree oven instead of cooking them on the stovetop.

Makes 3 10-inch pizzas.

Ingredients Pizza Dough • 1cup warm water • ½tsp baking yeast • 1tsp honey • ¾cup whole wheat flour • 1¾cups unbleached white flour • ½tsp baking powder • ½tsp salt Pizza Toppings • ¼cup shredded Parmesan cheese • ½cup grated mozzarella cheese • 5 Roma tomatoes, diced • ½ red bell pepper diced • 2tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves • ¼tsp salt • ⅛tsp freshly ground black pepper • 2tsp olive oil

Instructions Make the pizza dough In a medium bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes, until the yeast is dissolved. Stir in the honey and whole wheat flour. In a separate bowl, stir together the white flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the whole wheat mixture, stirring to form a rough dough. On a clean, lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth.

Cover the dough and let it rise while you prepare the pizza toppings.

Prepare the pizza toppings In a small bowl, combine the cheeses. In another bowl, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Make the pizzas Divide the dough to make 3 equal balls. On a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll each ball into a circle that is 10 inches in diameter. Heat a 12-inch skillet or griddle over medium high heat until it is hot. Transfer the rolled pizza crust to the skillet or griddle and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Turn the dough. Spread one third of the tomato mixture on top of the cooked side of the dough to make an even layer.

Top with ¼ cup of the cheese mixture. Cover the pan and continue to cook the pizza until the toppings are hot and the bottom of the crust is golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the pizza to a cutting board and cut into wedges to serve. Repeat this process to make 2 more pizzas.

Healthy Falafels

By Lisa Raleigh

Ingredients:

Method:

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

• •

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 small red onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 T fresh parsley, chopped 3 T whole-wheat flour 1 t coriander powder 1 t cumin powder ½ t baking powder Himalayan rock salt Black pepper Sprinkle of turmeric 1 small egg 2 T coconut oil

Conscious Life Magazine Conscious Life Magazine

• • • •

Preheat oven to 190° Celsius.

Blitz all ingredients apart from coconut oil in a food processor.

Pop tray with coconut oil into the oven to melt the oil.

Roll dough into small, slightly flat falafels (cooks faster), making sure they are coated fully in oil.

Pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes, turning at halfway.

Serve with salsa, hummus and tzatziki.

Power Chocolate Smoothie

By Lisa Raleigh

Ingredients:

Method:

•

•

• • • • • •

1 heaped T pumpkin / sunflower seeds 1 heaped T goji berries 1 t raw cacao 2 T chocolate / vanilla protein powder ½ frozen banana / regular banana and a few blocks ice 1 cup coconut water Drizzle honey (optional)

Conscious Life Magazine Conscious Life Magazine

Blend & Enjoy!!

Book Review by Heidi van Staden

THE DEEP WELL OF TIME

By Michael Dorer In 2009, I had my first experience of Montessori stories from Mr. Dorer in Cape Town at the South African Montessori Association conference. Hearing them told, with such detail, drama and passion was enthralling. Everyone loves stories and it is in our African blood to love being told stories.

Having a natural storyteller bring to life the Montessori materials and concepts in such a dramatic and imaginative way inspired my own inner story-telling diva. I attempted after that encounter to retell those fabulous stories as best I could. The children loved them none-the-less. Marigold and her farm-measuring triumph, a potter named Tan and his dilemma with his beautiful (but broken) plate and the wonderfully expressive story introducing the Euclidean geometry concepts were told to them over and over.

In reading ‘The Deep Well of Time’ for this review, I was transported back to the beginning of time with the Great Lesson stories, and was especially gratified to find the elusive Great River story included. It is easy to imagine a group of elementary children getting caught up in the events at the Adjective’s Picnic, and knowing that they will always know, forever more exactly what an adjective is and how it functions. Mr. Dorer has also included stories from his colleagues Larry Schaefer and Jonathan Wolff - both of whom have regaled us at South African Montessori Association conferences as well.

The great American novelist, Toni Morrisson said, “If there is a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” Mr. Dorer has written the stories that we all want to hear. These are stories that will create a bond between the teacher and the child and more importantly between the Montessori materials and the child. The countless children that these extraordinary gems will touch in times to come is truly a gift.

I reckon Maria Montessori is smiling, she may even be saying, “Michael, tu racconti le storie grande!”

Heidi van Staden 29.06.2016 www.montesoriservices.com/the_deep_well_of_time

BOOK TO BE LAUNCHED IN AUGUST AND AVAILABILITY WILL BE NOTIFIED IN OUR NEXT EDITION AND VIA NEWSLETTER.

Do you have a son who struggles with reading and writing?

If so, you are not alone.

By Kara Do your boys struggle with reading? If so, you are not alone. It’s a fact that boys don’t read as much as girls. This reading gender gap is affecting boys’ performance in high school and beyond. So how can we encourage boys to read?

Here are some tips to encourage boys to read: Quick facts about boys and that show why getting them to read is so important.

Boys are falling behind girls in reading in every state and in every grade.

Boys are more likely than girls to be placed in special education.

Boys are more likely than girls to drop out of high school.

Boys are less likely than girls to go to a university.

All of these things are tied to reading ability and as a mom of 4 boys, this is pretty scary! But there are some things we can do to encourage our boys to read.

HOW TO ENCOURAGE BOYS TO READ 1. READ TOGETHER I started reading to my sons shortly after they were born. Even now we spend time reading together and I take that time to discuss what is happening in the stories we read. My boys are always excited to get one-on-one time with mom and reading with someone else helps them to pay attention to the book.

When you start young, they grow up with a love of reading.

2. SLOW DOWN One of my boys has one speed: FAST. It is hard to get him to sit down to read and then it is hard to keep him focused on what he is reading. It was while reading with my son that I realized he wasn’t comprehending very much of what read. He was reading for speed and just wanted to get finished with chapters. I set time limits, instead of page requirements for him to read. That way, he isn’t in a hurry just to finish a chapter so he can do something else. His reading skills have improved exponentially over the past year.

3. MAKE IT FUN – NO PRESSURE I remember trying to force my oldest son to learn to read. I even checked out reading programs from the library and would make him sit while I tried to teach him. He hated it. I hated it. We were both unhappy.

Once I took the pressure off, he learned to read easily. We loved reading the I See Sam Phonics Books.

These were recommended by our first preschool teacher and I ordered the entire set. All of my boys have learned to read with these fun books and their silly characters. My boys never felt like they are being pressured. They actually loved seeing what shenanigans the characters would be a part of next.

4. GO TO THE LIBRARY I started taking my boys to the library story time when they were toddlers. They had fun listening to stories and looking for new books. Now, they get excited to go to the library to choose out something new. My older boys even ask the librarians for suggestions of books they might like. Our library has a free summer reading program where kids earn prizes for reading, weekly story times geared towards different age groups and a book club for older kids.

5. GIVE BOOKS AS GIFTS My grandma gave us a book for every birthday and every Christmas. It was those books that I enjoyed the most and anticipated. In order for boys to enjoy reading, books need to be readily available and they need to be exposed to a variety of different books.

6. CHOOSE READING MATERIAL THAT THEY ENJOY I have always had the belief that as long as my boys are reading, then I don’t care what they read (as long as the material is age appropriate). One of my boys went through a comic book phase. But he would sit and read comic books for hours. I was happy that he was reading. Find something that they are interested in and make it available to them.

7. BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL EVENTS THAT ENCOURAGE READING Our school has reading week once a year where students are encouraged to read as much as they can and take Accelerated Reading tests for comprehension. There are a lot of rewards and parties for their hard work and I know they can use parent involvement to help them out. I try to take my boys in early during the week so they can take A.R. tests before school.

8. BE IN CONTACT WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER If your child is struggling with reading or not wanting to read, his/her teacher is your best resource. Go to them with your concerns and they should be able to help you to work out a plan to help your child.

9. SET READING GOALS If your child is hesitant to read, set some reading goals with them. I love that our school participates in the Accelerated Reading program. Children are encouraged to read and reach different A.R. goals where they are recognized by the school. Last year, my 3rd grader met his goal of getting 250 AR points and had his name put on a plaque in the school. That was a goal he has had for a couple of years and he was excited to meet it. But even at home, a simple reward for finishing a book or reading so many hours, can really encourage boys to read.

I love this quote and really believe it:

"I'm scared I'll forget you..."

From the perspective of a young child, Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it is like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of the loved one, to help in the grieving process. Heartfelt and comforting, The Memory Box will help children and adults talk about this very difficult topic together. The unique point of view allows the reader to imagine the loss of any they have loved - a friend, family member, or even a pet. A parent guide in the back includes information on helping children manage the complex and difficult emotions they feel when they lose someone they love, as well as suggestions on how to create their own memory box.

The Memory Box is a 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards winner--a contest intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children's books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading.

The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a message of acceptance and unity.

In the beginning, there were three colors . . .

Reds, Yellows, and Blues.

All special in their own ways, all living in harmony―until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds?

A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

Conscious Life Magazine

Vegan Diet “The Healthy Natural Alternative�

Article by Vondis

A VEGAN DIET FOR YOUR DOG – A FIRST IN SOUTH AFRICA Vegans and vegetarians are often faced with the dilemma of choosing the best diet to feed their companion canines, taking into consideration not only their own ethics, but also the best interests of the dog/s they are taking care of.

Fortunately, even though many people would assume that a dog couldn't possibly be fed a 100% vegan diet, nothing could be further from the truth!

Despite descending from wolves, the domestic dog is classified as an omnivore.

The classification in the Order Carnivora does not necessarily mean that a dog's diet must be restricted to meat.

Unlike an obligate carnivore, a dog is neither dependent on meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill its basic dietary requirements.

Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods including vegetables and grains, and in fact dogs can consume a large proportion of these in their diet. In the wild, canines often eat available plants and fruits.

As a matter of interest, there is even one dog which could completely be a Vegetarian and that is the Chow Chow. The Chow Chow originated in China (Tibet) where it was raised as a meat source for human consumption.

Since the Chow Chow was used as a meat source for human consumption, it was fed a diet of grains and vegetables - to produce a tender marbled meat.

Some may still argue that a vegan diet for a dog is unnatural in some way, but its important to note that in nature dogs wouldn't eat anything like what is commonly found nowadays - in a can or in pellet form..

Most commercial pet food is made of very questionable meats, not fit for human consumption, that would otherwise be thrown away.

These foods are filled with preservatives and other additives that, over time, can detriment the health of your pet. Indeed, studies conducted on pets fed commercial meat pet food reveal that diet-related complications can include "kidney, liver, heart, neurological, visual, neuromuscular and skin disease, bleeding disorders, birth defects, compromised immune system and infectious disease.“ So, not only is it possible to feed dogs a nonmeat diet, it can also be very nutritious and balanced. In Europe, there are plenty of commercially available, healthy vegan diets.

There is no reason why vegan / vegetarian pet lovers in our country shouldn't have the same choice.

For this reason Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition has developed a well researched balanced Vegan diet, where you can be assured that your companion will receive all the correct nutrition and thus enable them to lead happier, healthier lives.

Vegan Diet Recipe and Nutritional Value In presenting any nutritious meal for human or pet, meat or vegan, there are two important considerations. The cooking method which you use to prepare your food and the other is the quality and choice of ingredients.

Vondis has always adopted scientific procedures to prepare the food and therefore, certain ingredients are left to simmer on a low heat and there are some that are included raw.

This very special Vondi’s cooking process ensures maximum nutritional value and digestibility.

In choosing the ingredients, we have utilized scientific and nutritional data to formulate a recipe that is totally balanced and nutritious and that will ensure a healthier and longer life.

Some of the ingredients include brown rice, millet, lentils, peas, barley, wheat germ, rolled oats, beetroot, butternut, sweet potato, carrots and a variety of freshly picked herbs.

To ensure the perfect balance we also supplemented with calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, taurine, yeast, lecithin, kelp, dandelion and vitamin c.

So, not only is it possible to feed dogs a nonmeat diet, it can also be very nutritious and balanced. In fact, what started out as diet for moral and ethical reasons, has now be become popular for the treatment of ailments like skin disorders, arthritic problems and bladder disorders.

NOTE: Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition non vegetarian meals include Beef, Chicken, Mutton, Ostrich and Special Chicken for Sensitive Skin.

Safe Gardening with Dogs and Cats 12 Common Garden Plants Poisonous to Pets

By Stephanie Rose Do you like to garden with pets? Dogs and cats can be great garden company and it’s important to keep them safe. I have had my fair share of four-legged garden helpers and I will say that some needed a lot of training to safely roam the garden, while others were able to work it out on their own. When I adopted a young Labrador Retriever, I quickly needed to learn which garden plants were safe for her to eat and which were not because she ate everything. This was very concerning until I learned about twelve common garden plants poisonous to pets.

I watched my lab one day as she explored the peas. She has seen me pick a pea pod and eat it. I then fed one to her. She loved it! The next day, I went out to the garden to find her eating the entire pea patch in one sitting. I guess she had developed a taste for gardening.

As I looked around the garden, I knew that protecting my vegetable garden was hopeless, but that protecting her from poisonous plants was essential. I researched which garden plants could cause her harm and I was shocked by the results. Not only is the list long, but so many of these plants poisonous to pets are common in home gardens.

While the term “poisonous plants� makes us think of rushing a comatose animal to the vet, many poisonous plants will only cause digestive upset or have an unpleasant flavor that will help the animal learn that not everything tastes as good as fresh garden peas.

I was told a story where a dog ate a bunch of ghost peppers off a backyard bush. Those peppers are not only hot but also dangerous for a dog to eat. The dog needed to spend a few days in the vet’s office and had to deal with terrible burning pain. Luckily, the dog made a full recovery and when he got back home, he wouldn’t even walk near the part of the yard that the peppers were growing in (even though the plant had been removed). This pup will surely be savvier in his future culinary adventures.

While there are some plants that will teach your pet a valuable lesson, there are others that you want to avoid altogether. I have researched and compiled a list of the 12 plants that you absolutely do not want Fido or Fluffy to eat.

Common Garden Plants that are Seriously Poisonous to Pets If your pet eats any garden plants that you are unsure of you should take them to the vet for a checkup, especially if you notice your pet acting strangely, seeming lethargic, or drooling. There are many toxic garden plants that can cause varying symptoms depending on pet size and amount ingested. Often, the poisoning is less serious. But to be safe, it’s a good idea to watch your pets and take them to a vet if there is any suspicion that they may have been poisoned.

• • • • • • • • •

Bulbs: Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Autumn Crocus Castor Bean Foxglove Lilies Lily of the Valley Milkweed Oleander Rhododendrons / Azaleas Yew

There are certainly other common garden plants that are poisonous and could have severe consequences. Please look up the plants in your home garden to be sure that you are providing a safe environment for your pets.

Of course, it is impossible to watch them at all times and we can hope that with our guidance they stay away from things that make them sick. If you notice your pet acting out of the ordinary, perhaps more aloof or more cuddly, drowsy, drooling, or with diarrhea, it is worth taking them to the vet immediately to see what could be the cause. You know your pet best, and only you can help them when they need it most.

Ensuring your Pet’s Dental Health Natural love…The autumn hat and lawn party was well underway, when I caught a glimpse of him. A flash of velvet black hair, but it was the unexpected locking of our eyes, emerald green, that made my heart beat just a tiny bit faster. I was mesmerized.

He gave me one last over-the shoulder look before disappearing in a little grove of betula albas shielding the manicured lawn and prize-winning rose garden from the path winding down to the river.

I slowly made my way through the throng of people, eyes nailed to the spot where I last saw him standing in case he reappeared, and entered the grove. Would it be rude of me to leave the party and wander of on my own in the hope of another opportunity to see him? It took only a split-second to settle my doubt.

Nobody seemed to have noticed that I had slipped away, and as I moved further into the grove and along the winding path to the river, the sounds and laughter of Annika’s autumn party became less and less audible until I could only hear my own footsteps and the distant humming of the river. Where did he go?

The path winded steeply downward and passing a thicket I slowed, and stopped. I was being watched, I could sense that, but I could not see him. I didn’t move a limb and only my eyes darted left and right looking for a clue in the denser bush. And then…there he was, crouching on a branch just a couple of centimetres of the ground, the most beautiful black velvet kitten in the whole world. I had found him!

Velvet is now nearly a year old and no longer flearidden and fending for himself. His coat has blossomed into a thick coat, inviting and soft to the touch. He frolics around the house and garden, chasing after butterflies in the meadows and fearlessly scaling the giant trees. His favourite pasttime? Napping with my daughter.

We take care of him NATURALLY, as we would with all our furry, (and some not so furry) clients.

“Good dental care is just as important for animals as it is for humans” One of the major areas of neglect in even the most caring of animal owners is the lack of proper ANIMAL DENTAL CARE. Good dental care is just as important for animals as it is for humans. Your pets ‘s oral health plays a major role in their whole body health. The lack of a good dental care program not only affects the mouth, but can lead to a variety of more serious health problems affecting the kidneys, heart and lungs. Good dental care can help your pet living a longer and healthier life.

When there is a lack of dental care, periodontal disease creeps in. This is defined as an infection of the tissue that surrounds the teeth. There are various stages/levels of periodontal disease, and a quick peek inside the mouth of your pet will tell you the status of his dental health. Periodontal disease starts out as plaque. Plaque is a bacterial film that attaches itself to the teeth, just as with humans. When the bacteria die they can be calcified by the calcium in the saliva, and forms calculus or tartar. This is a hard and uneven substance which allows for more accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

In the event that dental and gum disease had already started, a natural homoeopathic remedy can also go a long way to counter-act the disease. Eco-teeth is a registered homoeopathic product developed specifically for the treatment of animals with dental and gum problems, and we have seen significant results with both advanced gingivitis, and just using it as part of a routine oral dental programme.

“…we have seen significant results with advanced gingivitis…”

In the initial stages plaque is soft and brushing or chewing hard food and toys can dislodge it. However if left to spread, plaque can cause gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become swollen and red and bleeds readily.

If you allow the plaque and tartar to develop below the gum line, you will need professional cleaning by your vet. If the build-up continues to go untreated, then infection can form around the root of the tooth, and finally the tissue surrounding the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth erodes and the tooth becomes and loose. This is an excruciating process for your pet and he will not be able to feed.

“Be PROACTIVE, and use preventative dental care by brushing your pet’s teeth, and using a remedy to reduce the build-up of tartar” HOW TO AVOID IT • Check your pet’s teeth frequently • Brush your pets teeth regularly • Use a natural remedy that reduces the rate of tartar build-up • Have their teeth professionally cleaned by the vet should that be necessary Be PROACTIVE, and use preventative dental care by brushing your pet’s teeth, and using a remedy to reduce the build-up of tartar.

We do understand that pet owners do not always make the time to brush their pet’s teeth, and using a product that can assist in reducing the build-up of tartar becomes even more crucial. Be proactive with regards to dental care of your beloved pet and don’t wait until dental disease sets in.

This product can be utilized in different ways. Firstly you can place it in their drinking water every second day, to slow the build-up of tartar as part of a dedicated oral hygiene programme. It will also take care of smelly breath! Secondly you can squirt it into their mouth on a daily basis, for a period of time, should they already be experiencing some gum and dental disease. It has proved to have a significant effect on dental disease.

We love animals, NATURALLY Erika Bornman CEO-Eco-Vet www.ecovet.co.za

EVERY HOME NEEDS A LOVING PET! THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WAITING TO BE ADOPTED – PLEASE REACH OUT! WE ALSO ENCOCURAGE YOU TO REACH INTO YOUR HEARTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND REALLY NEED YOUR HELP.

CHILDHOOD CANCER Awareness & Early Detection CHOC’s Awareness Programme It is estimated that currently less than half of children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed, and many of those who are diagnosed are in advanced stage of illness. One of the reasons for this is a lack of awareness and knowledge in parts of the health system regarding the early warning signs of childhood cancer.

As a result, CHOC initiated an Awareness Programme to disseminate the early warning signs that the South African Childhood Cancer Study Group drew up.

The objectives of the programme include ensuring that all children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed as early possible and that the early warning signs of childhood cancer are well known in all parts of the health system (including primary health care clinics and all hospitals).

Cancer Facts Cancer incidence Although childhood cancer is relatively rare, the incidence rate has been increasing. According to a 2014 report by the American Cancer Society, it is now estimated that one in 408 children worldwide will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 15. Yet with early detection and treatment in paediatric oncology units, globally the survival rate can be as high as between 70% and 80%, with variance depending on the type of cancer.

Common childhood cancers Cancers in children tend to be different from those found in adults, most often occurring in the developing cells like bone marrow, blood, kidneys and nervous system tissues. Life-threatening blood disorders include aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Despite being relatively rare, in Western countries childhood cancer is the second most common cause of death in children aged 5 to 14 years, after accidents, whilst in Africa it does not make it into the top 10 common causes.

According to the most recent South African Children’s Cancer Study Group (SACCSG) registry statistics, for 2009 to 2013, the five most common childhood cancers in South Africa are leukaemia, followed by lymphoma (tumours that begin in the lymph glands), then brain tumours, nephroblastomas, or Wilms tumours – cancer of the kidneys - and then soft tissue sarcomas, which are tumours that begin in the connective tissue.

The Saint Siluan Early Warning signs These early warning signs were drawn up by the South African Childhood Cancer Study Group and they have been adopted by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. St Siluan was a monk who prayed for humanity ceaselessly.

If you detect any of the warning signs in your child please contact your nearest CHOC region contact your nearest treatment centre or SMS the name of your province to 34486, at a cost of R2. A CHOC representative will contact you shortly thereafter..

There is also a TOLL-FREE HELPLINE: 0800 333 555 that sisters and doctors at the primary healthcare clinics can call (hosted at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital) for advice on whether to refer the child for further investigation and to which unit. http://www.choc.org.za/regions.html

Keeping more than hope alive for nearly four decades

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation was established in 1979 as a support group to parents of children with cancer, by parents of children with cancer. Having experienced the immense emotional and financial toll that cancer takes they recognised there is more than one victim in the family of the child with cancer.

Their aim was to ease the burden on parents facing the same journey by providing access to relevant, accurate information, as well as emotional and practical support.

From the onset CHOC provided support in the hospital wards, hence the name Children’s Haematology Oncology Clinics, or CHOC. Gradually parent groups were set up in other key centres, where the major state-funded academic hospitals are located and paediatric oncologists practice.

In 2000, these regional entities merged into a national organisation. CHOC now has a head office in Johannesburg, six regional offices, two branches, and 13 accommodation facilities close to treatment centres. With occupancy steadily increasing our budget for maintenance and running costs of the accommodation facilities in 2015 will amount to R7.132 million, with each facility costing over half a million and we have a total capacity of 66 030 bed nights per annum.

We do not receive funding from government but rely heavily on donations from caring corporates, individuals and parents of children with cancer. Funds raised are used to provide all-encompassing support – from direct practical help to the children and their families and those involved in the treatment – to necessary equipment.

Donate to CHOC The support of corporations and individuals is vital to the ongoing work of CHOC.

At Operation Smile we believe every child suffering from cleft lip or cleft palate deserves exceptional surgical care.

For too many families around the world, safe surgery is not an option.

At Operation Smile we believe every child deserves exceptional surgical care. We believe all children deserve to be treated as if they were our own.

EVERY 3 MINUTES, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and may suffer from torments, malnourishment and difficulty with speech.

We dream of a world where no child suffers from lack of access to safe surgery. Learn why we do what we do in the video below.

That’s what drives each and every one of us: our global network of medical professionals, who donate hundreds of thousands of hours toward the care of children around the world each year, and our supporters who are moved every day to make a difference in the lives of children they’ve never met.

How you can help Operation Smile South Africa Building 17, 103/104, Waverley Office Park 5 Wyecroft Rd, Observatory 7925 (+27) 021 447 3608 infosa@operationsmile.org NPO number 083-117 NPO

A child’s cleft lip or cleft palate can be repaired for as little as R5500 and in as few as 45 minutes, but your gift is more than a surgery. All of our supporters give renewed hope to children and families around the world.

with much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers namaste