Australian Family Magazine Autumn 2015 by Australian Family Magazine

Autumn 2015

Kids and digital learning Exercise with a difference! Make your Will known Grandcare – the pros and cons Community connections – why schools benefit

Special feature – Boosting the immune system with food

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from my desk Lately the news is full of food – whether that’s of the TV cooking show variety, celebrity chefs or diets that are pro or anti-carbs, sugar or fats! Add into the mix that as a nation, our children are larger than ever; just look at photos of children in the sixties and seventies to realise the difference in body shape and sizes. As always in family life, the trick is to find the right balance. Editorially our view is that as parents, to quote a well-known 20th century American paediatrician, “you know more than you think you do”! In that spirit, we seek to provide articles that are informative to help you maintain a happy and healthy family life. In this edition we focus on how to achieve that. If your child is a couch potato, there are ways other than traditional team sports to get outside and get moving best of all, the activities described in Play More, Weigh Less can be done together as a family! And if by any chance there are the odd aches and pains associated with sustained physical activities, it’s important to get those pains checked out, because qualified physiotherapists can do something about Growing Pains. On other matters to do with how best to help children live a happy life, if there are concerns about development, consider consulting with a specialist Occupational Therapist. No longer the out-dated idea of occupying time by “making things”, OT’s specialise in looking at what and how children manage their bodies and social competencies, and work out a program which will benefit your child’s growth both physically and emotionally. And on the topic of feeding the family, we know that parents need all the help they can get to avoid food fights and sneak veggies by stealth into meal times, in order to boost immune systems and ward off winter bugs! Food as Medicine has some strategic tips and recipes good for all the family. Finally, we support all of the educators and services involved in the daily care and education of young children and wish all of those who have been nominated in this year’s Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards the best of luck - and we hope to see you in Sydney for the Gala Dinner in June!

Australian Family Magazine Managing Director Paul Clancy Editor Jennifer Kernahan Contributors Adele Amorsen, Carrol Baker, Sally Barker, Tania Connolly, Ashleigh Mills, Linda Moon, Lakshmi Singh, John Weldon, Aimee York Contributors for Starting Blocks Brooke Lumsden, Louise Wedgwood Design and art direction Gabriela Rovski – Design and

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Australian Family Magazine

Contents

Features 6. Growing up in a digital world by Adele Amorsen Learning to live with screens

10. Play more, weigh less by Tania Connolly Exercise can be fun

16. Where there’s a will by Linda Moon Making your Will protects the family

autumn2015 edition35

20. Growing pains by Sally Barker Why it’s best not to ignore childhood aches and pains

23. OT for children by Aimee York Occupational therapy for children is about play

30. Connecting school to community by Lakshmi Singh Partnerships that work for children

34. Grand expectations by Ashleigh Mills Seniors caring for children

Special feature 24. Food as medicine by Carrol Baker Good diet, better immune system!

Regular features on family life 37. Kidstuff 39. Giveaways 40. Noticeboard 42. Dad’s view by John Weldon Generation ATM

Cover image from Shutterstock

Autumn 2015

Kids and digital learning Exercise with a difference! Make your Will known Grandcare – the pros and cons Community connections – why schools benefit

Special feature – Boosting the immune system with food

Visit: www.australianfamily.com.au Like: www.facebook.com/australianfamily Follow: on Twitter @australianfamily Australian Family Magazine

kidslearning

Growing up By Adele Amorsen

For adults and children alike, our literate world is moving quickly from page to screen. While it may be some time before all of our reading and writing is screen based, this significant social shift has major implications for children’s learning as they grow up in the increasingly digital world of home, school and eventually work.

report released by the National Literacy Trust in 2014 indicates that almost three-quarters of children (72.9%) have access to a touch-screen device at home. Children are also likely to use a touch screen (e.g. apps on iPhones and iPads, programs or websites,) when playing

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educational games (41.8%), painting or drawing (33.2%) or singing songs (23.7%) all in a typical week. Many parents will have had the experience of their phone screens and apps “rearranged” by a bored child and the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that over 60% of Australian children aged

kidslearning

in a digital world five to eight years old access the internet. So we are left in no doubt as to the prevalence of screen based interactions in our homes and schools! Children’s use of technology in homes and schools does present many open opportunities for language and literacy learning. There is an enormous variety of apps, software and computer programs that actively support young children’s literacy learning. This screen based, interactive learning can be very engaging for young children and often entices reluctant readers into reading in a fun and enjoyable environment. The added value of noises and audio support, moving images, narration and interactive play engage young learners as they use many of their senses to interact and learn. Children quickly gain confidence and new basic skills as they repeatedly play games and interact with programs. Professor Susan Danby of Queensland University of Technology, reveals that there are many aspects of children’s development that can be enhanced as they engage in online environments. She indicates that online environments open up the world for children, using the internet to seek information, investigate the world around them, and to problem solve. Professor Danby has observed children searching out what trees to plant in their garden to encourage the butterflies, learning about the life cycles of animals, searching for a video on how to cook a recipe, and how to look after pets. She adds that the internet can provide not just photos and words, as a book might, but video clips that show how, for example, an animal moves and what it sounds like. The use of the internet to engage in real life activities and real world problem solving is yet another benefit of online activity with young children. Professor Danby suggests that the internet can be used to make an online shopping list to buy the groceries, or to compare prices of sporting equipment at different stores. These activities are real-life uses of online activities that also model other online activities, such as doing banking or finding their home and where they live on Google Earth to plot out their walk to school. Professor Danby believes that through their online inquiries, children expand and build their knowledge and learning. In addition to engaging in real world activity, carefully considered use of the internet builds knowledge and new

skills in communication and social interaction as well. The right technology tools let young children communicate with the world in ways that have been previously unavailable. Many websites allow children to create, write and share stories, artwork, poetry, songs, comic strips and digital films. Many contemporary children’s books also have associated websites where children can interact with authors and discuss favourite characters and events in print-based books. Children on holidays or overseas can create and keep a simple blog to stay in touch with those at home or school. Communication becomes a two-way street, as children are provided with a wide and appreciative audience for their creative work. Professor Danby says that the key for successful online experiences is for them to be fun and, importantly, to have meaning for the children. She believes there are lots of ways for young children to participate in internet-connected technologies to promote social interactions and build knowledge. Danby’s observations of children using Skype demonstrate children staying in touch with classmates and family members, and using Skype to contact experts to support their learning, including scientists and book authors. Of course, there are some concerns today about children participating in online activities and how this may be perceived as engaging in solitary activities. Encouraging a parent or sibling to join in, or a friend, either in the same room or connected through internet is the good way to overcome that risk. In fact for shy, isolated or even children who are hospitalised, online engagement can actually increase opportunities to talk with others and to be socially engaged. Engagement with such a wide variety of digital tools encourages children to use a range of traditional literacy skills. In addition, children are now required to develop new literacy skills as a result of their increasing engagement with these digital tools and technologies. The National Council of Teachers of English (2013) identify these ‘new skills’ as the ability to: – Develop proficiency and fluency with the tools of technology; – Build intentional cross-cultural connections and relationships with others so as to pose and solve problems Australian Family Magazine

kidslearning collaboratively and strengthen independent thought; – Design and share information for global communities to meet a variety of purposes;

Great literacy apps Story Kit – edit and customise familiar stories. Felt Board – manipulate felt cut outs for storytelling. Sock Puppets – create your own digital puppet show. Miss Spider’s Tea – read, watch, match, paint and puzzle. Scribble Press – write, illustrate and create your own books. Chicktionary – word creation games. Puppet Pals – create and record digital puppet shows.

Websites that allow children to create and share their stories with the world. Please be mindful of identity protection and never use a child’s full name or image. http://www.cyberkids.com/he/html/submit. html www.wheredidtherivergo.co.uk www.digitalfilms.com www.learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org www.comicmaster.org.uk http://www.gigglepoetry.com/ poemcategories.aspx

Websites associated with children’s popular texts http://zacpower.com/ http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/ harperchildrensimages/game/fancynancygame_e.swf http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

– Manage, analyse, and synthesise multiple streams of simultaneous information; – Create, critique, analyse, and evaluate multimedia texts; – Attend to the ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments The Australian National Curriculum also makes very clear expectations of children and teachers around these new literacy skills, specifically outlining the skills and knowledge even young children should develop in Information and Community Technology (ICT). Parents too, recognise the importance of these new skills and strategies. Dr. Susie Formby’s study of children’s use of technology in the early years found that parents have positive attitudes to technology. Three-quarters of parents and practitioners commented that they believe the use of technology is an important skill for children’s involvement at school and that it can support their literacy skills. Mother of four, Kathleen Tipler agrees. “We can see the value of allowing our children to play and work with lots of different types of technology. They need these new skills for school and then for work life after school.” Kathleen also believes this needs to be carefully balanced. “We allow our children to use screens and technology for homework and for play and recreation, but we also have considerable screen free time where our children are encouraged to read print books, and play in more traditional ways.” We can’t go back – screens are a way of life for us all and Australians typically are amongst the world’s fastest uptakers of new technologies. But as in all things to do with family life, balance is important. Children live in the real 3D world, not through the medium of a screen. By embracing both traditional and new literacy skills, they can become capable and confident learners in ways that will allow them to participate fully in their communities now and in the future.

References: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009) Household Use of Information Technology. Canberra: Australian Government www.abs.gov.au ACARA Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au Formby, S (2014). Parents’ perspectives: Children’s use of technology in the Early Years. London: National Literacy Trust.

Australian Family Magazine

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Familyfitness

Play more By Tania Connolly

weigh less

According to the Australian Government Department of Health, the rate of childhood obesity in Australia trebled from 1985 to 1995. Surveys show children are spending significant amounts of time doing little or no physical activity. This sedentary lifestyle increases their chances of becoming overweight in adulthood and developing major health problems.

Australian Family Magazine

Familyfitness

ean Lee’s son lazed in front of a computer for long periods of time, so Lee devised a way to lure him outside. “I have a real interest in the impact electronic devices are having on youth today,” he says, “and what we can do as a society to pull them away from that virtual game play into real game play.” His son enjoyed playing laser tag in purpose-built centres, but Lee found children tended to hide from each other and were mostly stationary. He realised the game could be adapted for outdoors, and with a few modifications, ‘LaserWarriors’ was born.

Laser Warriors The LaserWarriors mobile crew comprises university and high school students who attend birthday parties all over Sydney.

Ideally suited to back yards and parks, the game variations engage children from six to seventeen with escalating levels of strategy, teamwork and consequence. Equipment is arranged to maximise movement. By reloading at a specific base, re-spawning at another location and healing themselves with kits provided in a separate area; children are encouraged to run continuously. A basic team game for six-year-olds lasts for an intense five minutes. In a one-hour booking they can average five games. Lee says, “We always promise that the kids will have a good night’s sleep after.” And adds “…my mission is just to get kids off computers and iPads and into the park!” www.laserwarriors.com.au

Personal Trainer Anna-Louise Moule’s mission, as an Exercise Physiologist, is to encourage children to develop a positive relationship with exercise. Pre-school and early primary age children are introduced to basic gross motor skills; throwing, catching, kicking, running, moving and understanding spatial awareness - in a playful, fun way. Structure, rules, fine motor and sports skills are taught to senior primary school children. Moule says, “For younger children - pre-school to early primary - you usually don’t want them sitting for longer than thirty minutes to an hour.” Moule has encountered overweight children who have succeeded in losing weight through exercise, and gained self-esteem and a positive body image. “It’s just about introducing it in the right way and making sure they’re not going to get either excluded from groups or feel that it’s too hard and stop with the exercise.

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Familyfitness ‘If they’re encouraged in the right way and find an activity that they really enjoy then hopefully that’s going to flow onto keeping exercise as a regular part of their lifestyle.” Ideally, Moule thinks children should be as active as possible every day, and believes parents should limit screen time, introduce television only as a treat, prepare healthy snacks and initiate fun family activities. www.beyondstudio.com.au/#!anna-louise-moule/c90q

Yoga Pop Yoga instructor, Rebecca Quade, and her music producer husband, Andrew Kippel, collaborated on a unique, noncompetitive fitness idea. Yoga Pop classes are a series of yoga poses to catchy melodies and run from Flow Athletic in Paddington, NSW. Aimed at children aged eighteen months to six years, it incorporates elements of magic and make believe in a fun and creative space. Rebecca says, “My hope is that a sense of breathing and moving stays with them for a long time to come. It’s about building a foundation for later in life, and it’s really special to see children and their parents interacting together through yoga.” http://www.flowathletic.com.au/all-classes/yoga-classes/

Cross Fit Kids Is a strength and conditioning program involving gymnastics and weight training, aimed at children aged four and over. They are taught safe ways to move, lift, bend and squat, using their own body weight. Exercise is hidden within fun, gamebased activities like climbing ropes and hanging off monkey bars. Alice, owner of CrossFit Kids SA in East Adelaide, finds it rewarding when children master fundamental skills such as coordination, balance, agility and body-awareness. Achieving goals encourages children to persevere and builds self-confidence. Alice includes nutrition in her classes as, she stresses, all the good work from exercise is undone if children eat chips and sweets every day. She says, “Getting them active and getting them loving something, I think, is very important and the more fun they have, the better.” www.crossfitkidssa.com.au

Obstacle Courses Children crawl through mud, climb ropes, jump into icy water and leap hay bales in an attempt to conquer kidsized challenges, in a fitness craze cleverly disguised as adrenaline-fueled fun, The Mini Mudd Rush takes 45 minutes for groups of 30 children aged seven to thirteen, to complete as many obstacles as possible. They receive a medal, t-shirt, sausage sizzle and juice box on finishing. The Junior Stampede is a two kilometre, 10 obstacle, mud-filled course for five to eleven-year-olds who receive a medal on completion. The Spartan Race has a one kilometre track for three to eight-year-olds and a two kilometre track for nine to

Australian Family Magazine

fourteen-year-olds. Obstacle Racers Australia lists all events in each state on their website. Andrea Coleman, Event Administrator for TriEvents - a leading Australian event management company – advised that registration for the Perth Mini Mudd Rush had risen by 200 children from 2013 to 2014. Preston and Jameilah are typical boys who love getting dirty. They regularly compete in fun runs but wanted something a little more challenging, so they convinced their mother, Toni, to register them for the Mini Mudd Rush. She says, “They had the best time. They came home from it, smiling for the rest of the day. It was awesome.” www.obstacleracers.com.au

The Color Run Described as the ‘happiest five kilometres on the planet’, the Color Run is an annual event hosted in most states. It is open for all ages, with children under five free if accompanied by an adult. The course is looped and as competitors walk, run, cartwheel or dance through each of the four colour zones, they are pelted with 100% food dyed, natural, food grade corn starch. White clothes are recommended for the best effect. Once the course is complete, everyone is invited to join the Finish Festival with dancing, and colour throws every 15 minutes. www.thecolorrun.com.au

Trampolining Is low impact, improves coordination and has cardiovascular and respiratory benefits. Indoor arenas with interconnected trampolines, large air bags, circus-grade sponge on floors, and cushioned walls can be found all over Australia. Bounce has a mini bounce program for children aged three to five. Skyzone offers a Little Leapers session for children five and under, and Boing has a dedicated toddler area. Mother of three, Caroline, was impressed with the “excellent raised viewing area which allows parents to keep an eye on their children” in the one large room at Bounce. Her girls preferred to keep jumping rather than eat party food and were exhausted by the time they left. www.bounceinc.com.au www.boingcentral.com.au www.skyzone.com.au It is believed children benefit from regular exercise in more ways than just staving off obesity; it combats anxiety, promotes better sleeping patterns, aids in thinking more clearly, and children perform better physically and have a more positive outlook on life. What more motivation do you need to make your kids move it! af

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presents

FUNDRAISING CATALOGUES OUT THIS JULY! For almost 30 years Educational Experience has provided educational communities with a unique opportunity for playgroups, centres and schools to raise funds. This year we’ve raised the bar with a whole new range of education focussed toys, gifts, games, books, puzzles and art & craft. Perfect for all age birthdays, Christmas and special celebrations, they’ve all been designed to help children play, grow and learn. Like always, when families purchase any of our quality products, we’ll give back 20 percent in learning resource vouchers to nominated schools, groups and centres. Stay tuned for updates and make sure you visit www.edex.com.au/fundraising to make sure your school, group or centre receives our Fundraising catalogues.

familyfinance

Where there’s a will Making a Will in a blended family By Linda Moon

It’s a topic that all too many adults shy away from. No parent wants to think about an untimely departure from this life, particularly when they have young children. But making a legal will is an important duty that all parents need to accept to protect their children.

hrissie Black* is keeping her will a secret from her husband. The pair, each with dependent children from former marriages, are unable to agree about it. “He believes that we should be sharing our assets, and split four ways between my two kids and his two,” she said, explaining that she brought more money into the marriage. “I believe I should leave my share to my kids. His kids will benefit from their mother’s will and from his assets... and my kids can benefit from mine solely, as their father has nothing to leave them. I love his kids, but I need to look after mine.” Welcome to the hell of making a will within a blended family. One wonders how the Brady Bunch might have dealt with it. The angst of trying to divide the pot between competing families is an increasingly common conundrum. Blended and stepfamilies represent 10 per cent of Australian families (according to the 2011 Census) - a growth of 50 per cent over the last ten years. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2010) reports that one in every twenty children will experience the death of a parent. Yet, more than 45 per cent of Australians don’t have a valid will, according to the NSW Trustee and Guardian. For those in blended families, it’s particularly vital. With so many competing interests, the likelihood of your will ending up in a dynasty-style bloodbath is greater than for those in traditional, nuclear families. The most common dispute involves a second or third spouse of the deceased and the adult children from past

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marriages, revealed Judy Hayward, a Queensland Law Society accredited succession law specialist. She reported that the number of will contests involving Australian blended and stepfamilies is increasing.

Challenges for blended families “Striking a balance between the needs of children from prior relationships against current partners and their children is the biggest issue,” Judy said. This can be emotionally challenging, involving complicated relationships and family structure. She said the task is made more difficult when there’s not enough wealth to make provision for everyone and the future claims they might make. According to Judy, common concerns include fears a former spouse might motivate the children to make a claim, or that the surviving partner might change the will to favour their own children. This is something that bothers Karen Davey-Phillip and her husband, a blended family with five children from previous marriages. While the couple have reached consensus about their wills, uncertainty remains. “I, of course, want my children to receive my portion, but also want my husband to enjoy a comfortable life,” Karen said. Their respective wills leave the majority of their assets to the surviving partner. “We hope the other will pass on more when they pass,” she confided. “There is no definitive way to know if this will occur and many blended and stepfamilies worry about this. Even the solicitor is confused about how to actually write it up.”

familyfinance

Guardianship Parents can add a separate clause to their will nominating a guardian to care for their children if they pass away before the children reach eighteen. It’s a concern that’s weighed upon Natasha Craig, a mother with a six-year-old daughter from a first marriage and a son with her current husband. Natasha worries what might happen to her daughter if she passed away. “I think of things like: would she still get to see her brother and step dad and my family. We currently have no will. I worry that her step mum might not always do the right thing by her, but also hope that her dad would.” Appointment of a guardian is covered by the Family Law Act, informs Brian Herd, a specialist in elder law, and a former member of the QLD Law Reform Commission. Thus, the guardian is still required to apply to the Family Court and be deemed suitable. “It’s simply a wish, not a legal wish, nor legally enforceable,” he said. Thus, it’s vital to discuss your wishes and plans with your preferred guardian. When choosing a guardian consider factors such as the location, available time, parenting style, values and emotional, financial and physical resources of the guardian, as well as whom the child likes.

Variations in State Laws There are considerable variations in state laws relating to succession (the laws around Wills) said Brian Herd, and it pays to be aware of them as they may affect your Will if you move, die in another state or own property in a different state. Those with a legal right to claim vary state to state, but can include a same-sex partner, current spouse (even if separated), defacto spouse, children, stepchildren, and ex-wives in receipt of child support. For example, currently, up to four spouses have the right to challenge a Will in NSW, whereas in QLD, former spouses cannot claim. In January this year, Victoria amended legislation limiting who can make a claim on a deceased estate to a spouse or domestic partner, child or stepchild of the deceased. Certain others can claim if they can prove financial dependence upon the deceased.

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familyfinance Superannuation “Superannuation is an often overlooked aspect of a will,” advised Tony de Kort, author of My Will, My Way, and a financial planner with 36 years experience. When Sharon Hill’s husband Doug died unexpectedly at 47, she found herself locked in a legal battle with his ex-wife over Doug’s superannuation. Sharon was the nominated beneficiary of Doug’s superannuation: the lump sum was intended to pay out their mortgage in the event of his death. “I was his second wife and he had three (dependent) boys to a previous marriage,” Sharon explained. “Even though he made his wishes clear in his will, the ex-wife was allowed to put in a claim for his superannuation. She appealed every decision and the process dragged on for two years.” Unable to meet the mortgage repayments alone, Sharon was forced to rent out the home she’d shared with Doug, and live in a granny flat. Enduring severe stress at the time, Sharon believes, “the system let me down. Without my family I could have gone bankrupt.”

Recommendations from the experts – Brian Herd, Judy Hayward and Tony de Kort. - Blended families should make a ‘complex will’ as opposed to a ‘simple will’. - Minimise the potential for conflict by making adequate provisions for all those with a right to claim. - Set up your superannuation with a ‘binding death benefit nomination’. You can’t give super away in your will. Your death benefit nomination is your super will. - The right to reside One option for looking after the needs of both the current spouse and children of prior relationships is to grant the surviving partner ‘the right to reside.’ This scenario gives the surviving spouse the right to the property for life. Upon their death it reverts back to the children. - Testamentary trusts Set up a ‘testamentary trust’ – a trust set up in a will to devolve assets (such as superannuation, death benefit or insurance proceeds) to dependent children according to their needs. - Binding financial agreements Another option is a ‘binding financial agreement’. This is like a pre-nuptial agreement but can be entered into before and during marriage. It’s an agreement that certain assets the parties have stay within their family. One problem with this type of arrangement is the fact it can tie up the couple’s assets. It’s also not necessarily binding on the courts.

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Like many Australians, Sharon and her husband weren’t aware that nomination of a beneficiary of superannuation is not a binding agreement. “If someone challenges your distribution, the trustee of the fund can overturn your choice,” Tony revealed.

Which approach According to Brian Herd, people take two approaches to distributing assets in a blended family. If there’s a disparity in wealth in a second marriage, it’s common to take a ‘what’s mine is mine’ and ‘what’s yours is yours’ approach. “It has its limitations because the law says you cannot legally contract out of your will a person’s legal right to challenge it. You can try, but it’s legally ineffective.” The alternative is a ‘balanced approach,’ which attempts to endow everyone equally. Typically, this involves leaving the house and possibly all assets to the partner. Upon their death, everything is split equally to the respective children. The risk here, is that the will can easily be changed by the surviving partner. “This is when you need a contract to protect the surviving children of the spouse that dies,” Brian advised. He recommends couples taking either approach do what is called a ‘mutual will’ with a ‘contract between us’ – a contract they have agreed upon their wills and will not change them. “Most people don’t understand why the courts can change their will,” Brian said. “The law that a will can be challenged has been around for eons to avoid people being burdens on the state – even if they are adults.”

Get specialist advice Tony De Kort believes a solicitor, generalist lawyer or the Public Trustee is inadequate for the complex needs of blended families. “Not one lawyer in this country has had to learn wills and estate planning as part of their degree,” he revealed. Specialist legal advice is vital. “The problem of wills is that they are very legally technical,” Brian said. “If you don’t do it properly, you can create another problem – that it’s legally ineffective”. While the internet is full of advice, beware. Information can be out of date and lacks the context of your situation, Brian warned. However, the cost to see a lawyer specialising in estate planning isn’t cheap, ranging from $2000-$5000, according to Judy. The perceived expense of legal work holds many back from making a will. To not do a will is the cheapest option,” Brian said. “But, if you do that, a blended family inherits a legal disaster. A will increases the prospect of leaving a legacy of harmony to your family after your death.” af

More information Contact the relevant Law Society in your state. * The names of Chrissie Black and Sharon and Doug Hill have been changed to protect their identity.

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Childdevelopment

Growing pains By Sally Barker

We often hear children complain of a sore neck or back, or ask for help stretching out their arms and legs. The usual response that has carried through the decades is that there’s nothing to worry about, it’s simply “growing pains”. But what if it’s not growing pains? What if the aches, pains, and niggles are an indicator that something more sinister is going on?

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Childdevelopment

What are growing pains? According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, growing pains occur around the point where tendons are inserted into bones, when they’re under stress during a period of growth. Verona advises that children experience pain in a certain body part for more than a week, intervention is needed, because that’s when it is likely to be more than growing pains. The other aspect to consider when children are growing is their skeletal and muscle alignment. “Very commonly young children might have rolled-in ankles, that cause their knees to twist, and then they have knee cap tracking problems, and that rotation from the feet can roll all the way up into the back,” “So, it’s not uncommon to see young teenagers with back problems that have related to alignment issues that they’ve had for years,” Verona says. That’s what happened with Adriana Bianco’s daughter, Alida. She is 24 now but when she was a teenager she suffered from what Adriana thought was just growing pains. “It was just before she started high school, she was about 12 or 13,” “She would wake up through the night complaining about sore backs of her legs,” “I just let it go because everyone said it was just growing pains and not to worry about it,” Adriana says. It wasn’t until Alida suffered a debilitating knee injury while playing soccer that Adriana took her to a physiotherapist. It was then discovered that Alida had serious spinal alignment problems as a result of ignoring her leg and back pain for so long. “She was about 15 or 16 at the time and her knee treatment was very extensive.”

erona Chadwick is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and has been treating children for more than 35 years. She says if children complain about pain for more than a couple of days parents should be concerned. “Rather than thinking she’ll be right, it’s just a growing pain and it’ll go away, if a child is experiencing pain, we really should be investigating why.”

The treatment involved weekly sessions with a physiotherapist and included specialised daily exercises, acupuncture, and massage. “She’s got bad knees now, her posture is really out of whack, and she has back issues. “If I had my time all over again I would investigate it more, I would ask why is this child in so much pain,” Adriana admits. Brad Beer was inspired to study Physiotherapy following a childhood of growth-related injuries himself. As teenager

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Childdevelopment he spent nine hours per week triathlon training. A large component of Brad’s work involves visiting junior sporting clubs educating coaches, children, and parents about growth related injuries. “Growing pains is an umbrella term in terms of it is a convenient diagnosis for parents and the child alike,” “If children are active and experiencing pain, often these indicate the start of certain conditions,” Brad explains.

Conditions

What to look out for? Anita explains that there are clear signs to look for that might indicate that a professional assessment is required. They include: – Neck pain after using a hand held device – Back pain when carrying a school bag – Asymmetries when walking or running – Tightness in turning the neck

The conditions that are related to activity and children’s growth include:

– Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)

Severs Disease - irritation where the tendon joins into the heel bone.

– Poor posture

Osgood-Schlatter Disease - irritation where the patella or knee tendon joins onto the top of the shinbone. Kneecap pain or patella femoral pain. Slipped Femoral Capital Epiphysis - where the growth plate slips off the hip. If left undetected, this can result in serious problems, such as a deformed hip for life. Spondylolisthesis - stress fracture in the back. This can cause long-term problems if left untreated. “Severs Disease, Osgood Schlatter disease, and the knee cap or patella femoral pain won’t have any long term deleterious effect on children, other than perpetuating pain until they actually take action to get it resolved,” “The others you don’t want to miss, if they’re not seen to they can cause problems down the track,” Brad says. Gina Scrivener is proactive with her two sons, Alastair 10 and Tyler 5, and takes them for regular check-ups with a chiropractor, to ensure that their spinal alignment is monitored as they grow. “I feel growing pains is an outdated term and it’s used haphazardly,” Gina says. Gina’s boys are no different to most outdoorsy Aussie kids. They jump on the trampoline, they climb over fences to retrieve balls that have been hit too hard during back yard cricket, and they often play rough and tumble games with their mates. Dr Anita Godden has a special interest in paediatric chiropractic care and says it’s important to check the credentials of the Chiropractor and ensure they have completed postgraduate studies in Paediatric Chiropractic. “Like adults, children can experience mechanical stress in their spine which can lead to pain and tightness,” “As Chiropractors, we believe having a healthy spine encourages a healthy life,” Anita says.

Australian Family Magazine

– Uneven shoulder height’ and/or ‘leg length differences

Brad also believes it’s important to monitor a child’s posture during growth spurts. He says ignoring back pain during that period can lead to stiffness and long-term back problems. “A lot of parents think that their child is being lazy and they’re just stooping, but the key driver of what we’ve identified as poor posture and stooped shoulders is not laziness, it’s actually stiffness between the shoulder blades,” “That stiffness in the middle part of the back starts in childhood and tends to flow on to all the other decades of life,” Brad says. Verona says parents and caregivers should consistently correct postures especially during a growth spurt. She suggests getting all children into general exercise such as swimming, or sports that include pre and post game stretching. “Look at your kids and notice if there’s something not right, watch how they’re walking, how they’re sitting and that sort of thing,” “I know kids will think you’re nagging but you’re just being a caring parent,” Verona says. af

Children grow through three phases

1 The first phase is from birth through infancy to the pre-school years.

2 The second phase extends through school age until adolescence, or puberty, begins.

3 The third phase is the most complicated and stretches through puberty until the bones become solid and adult height is reached.

The Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group

Childdevelopment

OT for children by Aimee York, Occupational Therapist

any people have trouble understanding an OT’s role when working with children. Often, OT’s are instantly associated with Return to Work, and Health and Safety issues. This is applicable to adults, however when working with children it is quite different. As the name Occupational Therapy alludes to, we look at what occupies a child’s time; what their occupations are. For a child, this includes, playing, learning, communicating, socialising, and looking after themselves (eg. toileting, feeding and dressing). If there is dysfunction in any of these areas, preventing a child from being happy and successful in their development, that’s where we can help. Each child is unique, and no matter what the challenge area, the main focus for OT’s is to look at a child’s set of strengths and use them to improve their challenges. If a child has a specific concern or diagnosis, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, our work becomes a bit more specialised. For example, many children with Autism diagnoses may have what is called Sensory Processing Disorder. This means they may be over (hyper-) or under (hypo-) sensitive to certain sensory information. Some Sensational kids may be Sensory Seekers. These are the children you see who are constantly touching, smelling, and feeling things; always on the go and moving; the ones that just cannot seem to get enough! Some Sensational kids are Sensory Avoiders. These are

the children you see who are quite hesitant, not wanting to take a risk; avoid messy play with sand and glue, afraid of loud or unexpected noise, and dislike touch sensations. Children are usually a mix of all of the above, and it’s my role to play detective and figure out their unique sensory profile. Over my time as an OT, it has become apparent that too many families miss out on these essential occupational therapy services due to geographical location, or financial burden - or both. This is why I started KinderCloud. I believe allied health services should be accessible – both geographically and financially – to all families and children Australia wide, particularly for developmental challenges requiring consistent and ongoing support. At best, children in rural and remote locations may only receive sporadic and once-off support, if and when a government funded health professional visits the local town. One of the problems with allied health services in the eyes of funding bodies is that we are not acute. We are not saving lives; we are not needed at the ‘front line’. However, in order to sustain and maintain the best quality life after medical diagnosis, allied health can provide that community based support. The easiest way to compare allied health to front-line doctors is this: a doctor may heal you to help you walk again, but an OT will help you to dance. We enhance the daily experience to inject meaning and motivation into lives.

KinderCloud provides occupational therapy, counselling, and dietetics via Skype consultations. Most commonly, we look at children who have sensory based concerns, emotional and behavioural regulation challenges, school based issues, social skills challenges, and dealing with changes in routines. We also offer individualised workshops for parents via Skype about these topics. Using the web camera via Skype means that you don’t lose that vital non-verbal communication of body language and facial expression. Because we are purely online, our fees are reasonable to help the families that need it most. KinderCloud specialises in working with children and their families, however we often help adult clients as well. In many cases, as much as a child may need therapeutic support, the parent or carer may need an equivalent amount of support themselves. It’s about empowering parents to be independent in their ability to care for their child in their own home. Once we reach a stage where Skype is simply not enough for some clients, it is essential to then be able to link the child in with appropriate services and support systems in their local community. If you would like more information about how KinderCloud can help you and your child today, please call Aimee for a chat on 0409 279 728, or email info@kindercloud.com.au. Alternatively, you can look up our website at www. kindercloud.com.au. af Australian Family Magazine

familynutrition

Food

as medicine By Carrol Baker

With the cooler months upon us, families look forward to evenings spent snuggling by a warm fire, rugging up and playing outdoor winter sports, and fun filled popcorn and movie nights. But autumn and winter is also when more children catch colds and the flu.

othing makes children more miserable than stuffy or runny noses, headaches, chills and fever. The good news is there are things you can do to improve your child’s germ fighting ability, and help them make a swift recovery. It all starts by boosting their natural immune system. The body’s natural immune system is made up of a whole lot of different things, including organs, vessels, proteins and cells. Among these are an army of white blood cells that circulate destroying bad bugs when they enter the body. Then there are the big guns – T and B cells – which back up the body’s natural defences to build up immunity against invading infections. How our immune systems work is in fact pretty cool – but it isn’t infallible, because there are always new viruses around, which is why kids and adults pick up germs and get sick. Researchers at Harvard Health publications tell us that like any fighting force, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Samantha Pavish Dietitian from www.KinderCloud.com.au adds that because a large proportion of immune system fighters do reside in the gut, they need healthy nourishment. “Kids need to eat a broad range of unprocessed foods, fibrous plant based foods, wheat, seeds, and grains,” she says. So fill your child’s lunchbox with wholegrain rolls and wraps, nuts (if permitted), lean proteins, and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables – many of which are high in Vitamins A, C and immune boosting Zinc. There are many powerhouses of readily available food sources to help your child’s immune system to fight the good fight. But there are also foods to avoid – such as sugar. It’s already earned a bad reputation as a contributing factor to rising childhood obesity levels. But now there’s even more reason to reduce sugar intake. Researchers in America

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have shown dietary sugars (particularly fructose) negatively regulates the body’s natural ability to fight against viral and bacterial pathogens. Samantha advises to always check food labels – because no added sugar on a label doesn’t mean it’s low in sugar. “It can be misleading, so look at nutritional labels, and aim for less than 10 grams per 100 grams serving,” she says.

Stress less These days with demanding and often competing schedules, children are under pressure. Stress produces a physiological response in the body, affecting cortisol levels, which in turn depresses the immune system. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University showed when 276 people were exposed to the rhinovirus (cold) those with high stress levels were twice as likely to get sick. So a little more chill-out time, and free play (for you and your child) will help keep those bugs at bay!

familynutrition Immune boosting foods that your kids will love

Tempting fussy eaters

Yoghurt – chock full of immune boosting gut microbes. When packing a yoghurt for school lunches, wrap in an ice pack and eat at first break so it doesn’t breed bad bacteria.

Boosting your child’s immune system through their diet is one thing, but it can be a challenge for parents to convince children to try new foods; however there are some ways to make it a little bit easier, and dare we say it, even fun!

Sweet potato – children are sweet on sweet tasting vegetables, and these little gems deliver taste, and nutrients including Vitamins A, C and Manganese. You can eat them cold too – in salads and roasted as snacks.

Serve up fruits, vegetables, and other foods in different shapes - make fish shaped salmon cakes, or butterfly shaped garlic bread. With a few inexpensive cookie cutters you can create even more.

Kiwi fruit – has more Vitamin C than oranges. Snack on them whole, make fruit kebabs, or add to yoghurt.

According to Aimee York Paediatric Occupational Therapist from www.KinderCloud.com.au it can help to also make a game of it. Aimee cautions, it can be messy, (but what child doesn’t love mess!) “Set up an obstacle course, with food at the end of each segment they haven’t tried before, which the child needs to at least try before moving onto the next obstacle,” she says.

Mushrooms – get creative with mushroom dishes your kids will enjoy like making pizzas from portobello mushroom caps, or frittatas or breakfast wraps with egg and mushroom. Cocoa powder – packed with Zinc which balances the immune system response to infection. Try a small sprinkle of cocoa over banana and toast, or a delicious warming hot chocolate! Berries – sweet crunchy blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain high levels of Vitamin C and Antioxidants. Mix with breakfast cereals, or warm winter puddings. Brazil nuts – are high in selenium and Vitamin E which both boost immunity. Chop and make a tasty trail mix with sultanas, dried apricots, shredded coconut, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Garlic – is a nutritional rock star because it contains a natural detoxifying agent. Serve as warm toasty garlic bread or dice, roast and mix with creamy potato mash. Oats – contains beta-glucan which activates the body’s immune cells. Serve cooked oats for breakfast with warm milk and a dash of healthy cinnamon – the perfect immune enhancing dynamic duo.

It also pays to experiment with temperature, texture and colour. Some children are oversensitive to hot and cold foods. For example, if your child won’t eat warm oats, try serving them cold. Then there’s texture – certain foods are smooth and others are coarse, and feel differently on your tongue. “A child might not like cooked carrot, but enjoy the crunch of raw carrot sticks because of its firmer texture,” says Aimee. As humans we also eat with our eyes too! So if your child turns their nose up at orange sweet potato, maybe try the purple kind. “We all have different preferences, and often children can’t communicate what they prefer, so it looks like a blatant refusal, and becomes a behavioural issue,” says Aimee.

Get kids involved

Salmon – filled with Omega 3 essential fatty acids and Vitamin D for increased immunity. Tempt the kids with crunchy salmon patties, or mini salmon quiches.

It can be empowering for children to be involved in the process, of shopping for healthy food, and preparing meals. Lisa Pikulyk, Director of The Joey Club in Brisbane says growing food in a veggie patch is a positive way to

Catch more ZZZZ’s

Germ warfare

A calm and regular bedtime routine promotes restful sleep – without enough snooze time, the body has to work harder to maintain its natural immunity defences. Aimee says many children like ‘deep pressure’ in the form of weighted blankets on their beds. Setting the scene with soft lighting, lavender oil, and reducing screen time to put the body into sleepy mode can also help.

Washing your hands frequently and properly is important. Lisa says it’s a simple way help create a safe, and healthy and environment for children, and reduce the spread of germs. “Wet hands and apply soap, rubbing hands together vigorously, paying attention to palms, backs of hands, between fingers, under nails, and wrists. Rinse well to remove bubbles and germs and then where practical, dry your hands with a paper towel,” she says.

Australian Family Magazine

familynutrition encourage kids to try new things. “In our veggie patch we’ve grown things some children have never laid eyes on before – like eggplant, some children thought it was a type of egg,” she says. “We made Bubba Ganoosh with it and they were scraping their plates and asking for more.” Simply trying foods with their peers can also encourage children to experiment with new tastes. “Tasting food in an early childhood community environment is different to trying it in isolation,” says Lisa. “Children think if my best friend John is going to try it, I’m going to too!”

Going covert When it comes to finding sneaky ways to get reluctant kids to eat healthy foods, most parents could give secret agents a run for their money. Hands up if you’ve ever grated

a little zucchini into spaghetti bolognaise? Here are a few more ideas. Try pasta bake with a little chopped spinach tossed in, add a little green to a breakfast smoothie with some avocado, or experiment with preparing vegetables in different ways – try sweet potato or kale fries, or cooked cauliflower in a blender (it’s similar to potato mash).

A healthy attitude to food Samantha says the biggest thing to influence a child to develop lifelong immune boosting eating habits is their parent’s attitude to meals and mealtimes. “Sit around the table together and share meals as a family,” she says. “Also don’t use vegetables (or foods your child doesn’t particularly like) as a punishment or a threat. For example, if you don’t eat your vegetables you won’t get dessert.” af

Recipes from Start Something Healthy, Kids Recipe Collection 1 at www.cenovis.com.au

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce Everyone has a recipe for homemade pasta sauce but we think this one is pretty tasty and packed full of vegetables for the whole family. Ingredients: 8 large fresh tomatoes (tinned tomatoes are great too – aim for 800g) 1 clove garlic 250ml stock (vegetable/chicken/beef) 2 large carrots 1 large zucchini 1 stick celery 1 medium onion 2 tablespoons oil (spray oil is fine too) 1 bunch parsley (optional) 140g tub tomato paste

Method: Heat oil in wok or large pan. Roughly chop celery, onion, carrots and zucchini and add to pan to brown. The size of your vegetables will depend on time available and how fussy your kids are about seeing them in their food, as a rule, 5-10 mins should be enough time to cook through. Next, crush the garlic clove and add to heat stirring occasionally to prevent any ingredients from sticking to the bottom. Coarsely chop tomatoes (if fresh) and add to pan along with 1 cup of stock and tomato paste. Stir mixture together ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

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Reduce heat to medium and cover, allowing sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat once vegetables have become soft. To ensure they’re completely disguised use a hand blender to smooth the sauce. Helpful hint: To make this sauce a bolognaise, simply add minced meat or meatballs to the pan to brown after removing the sauce to blend. Once the sauce has blended to the consistency required, add back to the mince and simmer for a further 15-20 mins (or until the meat has been cooked through). Then continue with step 6 from above. For grown ups: If you’d like to add a bit more kick to bolognaise try adding capsicum, chillies, Cajun spices or red kidney beans. Most of these additions can be made just before serving so the kids can have a milder version while the adults can heat things up.

familynutrition Heavenly Hummus Hummus is a quick and easy dip that can be prepared ahead of time to ensure the liks have a healthy after school snack.

Ingredients: 600g canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained 3 garlic cloves, or 2 teaspoons garlic paste 100ml Olive Oil 3 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh or lemon squeeze) 60ml water Carrot, cucumber or celery sticks to serve 2 tablespoons tahini paste – optional

Method: Combine chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and optional tahini paste in a food processer or stick blender until lightly combined. Add the water and continue to blend until a smooth consistency is formed. Set the dip aside in a small bowl and slice up the carrot, cucumber and/or celery into sticks and serve alongside the dip.

Chocolate Beetroot Cake This cake is a great way to disguise vegetables in a family favourite. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups well-drained, mashed, cooked beetroot ½ teaspoon vanilla essence 1 ½ cups white sugar 250ml vegetable oil 3 eggs 1 ¾ cups plain flour 1 ½ teaspoons bicarb soda ¼ teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Pour into prepared pan and place on middle shelf in oven.

Method:

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a prick test reveals the mixture has baked through.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease cake pan. We suggest a 20 x 30cm rectangle or an 8 inch round cake pan.

Allow cake to cool on baking rack before icing with your favourite flavours.

Combine beetroot, eggs, vanilla, oil and sugar in bowl and blend on a low speed to form a creamy consistency. Once achieved, set to one side.

Fresh beetroot works best for this recipe, so once purchased, wash and peel then cut into cubes as you would when preparing mashed potatoes.

In a separate, dry bowl combine flour, bicarb soda, salt, and cocoa ensuring all dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Bring a medium pot of water to the boil and add the beetroot cubes.

Slowly add the mixtures together ensuring they are well combined to create a smooth batter.

To cook the beetroot:

Cook until soft or you’re able to pierce them with a knife, then drain and set aside in a separate bowl to cool.

Australian Family Magazine

familylife

Connecting school to By Lakshmi Singh

Research shows that families play a crucial role in the delivery of a positive and rewarding education for children.

n OECD study recently found that a strong correlation exists between test scores and parental engagement with students. Academic results aside, student wellbeing is also greatly influenced by parental engagement in studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; school lives.

Australian Family Magazine

familylife

community More than simply volunteering at school classrooms and events, parental and community engagement spans a continuum. Schools might help families with specific learning programs, or organise working groups with external agencies to support community health, cultural, recreational, social support and other programs or services. Experts say students’ outcomes at school are enriched when parents are also included as part of their child’s learning process.

Range of benefits Children, their families, teachers and the entire school all benefit from meaningful relationships, says Jac Van Velsen, National Professional Development Officer, KidsMatter Primary at the Principals Australia Institute. KidsMatter Primary aims to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing by providing a framework for schools to work with families. The focus is on the development of a whole-school approach in promoting qualities like resilience, self-awareness and empathy – foundations that contribute significantly to children’s success at school and their ability to cope throughout their lives. “When we build students’ social and emotional skills, the whole classroom becomes a safe environment to ask questions, to enquire, and to learn. The culture becomes one where children can focus on learning – their concentration is better, their motivation is better, and their behaviour is better. They also know there is support available if they need it. When we see this kind of culture in a classroom, not surprisingly, we see better academic results,” says Van Velsen.

The presence of this kind of network is also extended to families and the benefits include easily accessible support services and the fostering of greater connectedness within the school community. A ripple effect is often noticed in any situation where a good idea catches on and teachers also benefit, says Chris Champion, National Implementation Officer, KidsMatter Primary at Principals Australia Institute. “Increased staff satisfaction, and increased professional learning opportunities, lead to improved student learning and behaviour,” he says. Consciously creating an inclusive culture means teachers feel a sense of empowerment, further contributing to great rapport between child, teacher, family and the school.

Partnerships that work Modern schools are diverse communities and school leadership teams must consider new means and paths to reach out for and take into consideration such factors such as ethnic culture and languages, family structure, students with special learning and access needs amongst other factors. The Melbourne Declaration on the Educational Goals for Young Australians highlights the responsibility of training providers, business and the wider community in delivering education along with the schools, students and families. Peter Garrigan, President of the Australian Council of State School Organisations says that community agencies, either government-based service providers as well as voluntary or not-for-profit community groups

can forge stronger bonds between groups with different socio-economic backgrounds. The Partnership Brokers Programme helps schools find partners in education and training providers, business and industry, parents and families as well as community groups - offering information, mentoring and support. It could be tutoring programs for children of a particular language background or the formation of a sports team for families of children with special needs. A partnership with the local Indigenous support group develops cultural responsiveness and increased understanding of important events. It’s the delivery of a rounded education program that helps children prosper, regardless of their background. When schools, families and community organisations work together to support learning - children do better in school, stay in school longer and like it more. Literacy and numeracy improve and when families take part in schoolcommunity events, community well being is improved. As more evidence is being uncovered regarding the impact of a strong engagement culture between schools and the wider community, more effective methods of connection are being developed. Home visiting is another strategy which has been used in many schools in the United States with great results. In Australia, Ravenswood Heights Primary School in Tasmania has developed a program where a member of the school leadership team visits the home of a student to gain a background picture which might help explain or solve problems experienced at school. As a result, the school has Australian Family Magazine

familylife “Schools need to ask families about the best way to communicate with them. In some instances, this may include social media – but it’s important to remember that some families do not have access to technology,” she says. It is with this in mind that Lauren Hankinson, principal of Urbenville Public School created a Twitter and Instagram account for the school but also provided means for parents who do not use social media.

set in place diverse programs and community connections with the local child care services, kids’ yoga, parent training on literacy and the usage of electronic devices. In 2013, the school’s Year 3 NAPLAN numeracy scores were above the state average and equal to the Australian mean for the first time and suspension rates dropped by 20%. Such was the effectiveness of embedding the school and its services within the community, The Grattan Institute highlighted the school as one of the ‘TurnAround Schools’ in 2014. Benalla East Primary School, which uses the KidsMatter Primary framework recognised that community engagement shouldn’t be limited to the traditional and encourage students’ participation in activities ranging from woodworking to visiting the local aged-care facility. The school staff communicate with parents by a range of methods including text messages, emails, phone calls and face-to-face meetings. As a result, parent and carer satisfaction survey increased from 25% in 2010 to 75% in 2011. Developing functional and valuable engagement is central to the KidsMatter framework and specific lessons targeting areas of concern for children, parents and educators are included within it.

Australian Family Magazine

“KidsMatter guides a series of professional learning sessions with school staff,” says Chris Champion. “Relationships with parents and carers are embedded throughout this learning – however one of these sessions, in particular, is focused on parents and carers.” The Kool Kids Positive Parents (KPPP) project aims to combat behavioural problems and provides targeted sessions. Children are taught emotional literacy, parents learn behaviour management skills and teachers undertake professional development and have classroom strategies to handle conduct disorder.

Communicate Champion says that as long as partnership programs respectfully engage with families, are proactive and sit alongside the work a school is doing to develop an engaging curriculum, they can result in positive benefits. The programs being trialled across Australia range from the tried and tested through to those methods utilising the latest technology. It is important that schools don’t just use one method to try and connect with families and embrace a wide variety, says Van Velsen.

“Both the Twitter and Instagram feeds are also available from the school website,” she says. “Tweets are also printed on a noticeboard outside the school office and photos from Instagram are put in the school newsletter that is printed and sent home each fortnight.” Not only does Urbenville’s communication strategy cater to those parents seeking “real-time” information, much like they consume from other sources, it delivers an exemplary lesson in responsibility for students using social media, she says. Whether they are at the forefront of innovation or rehashes of older methods, schools and organisations like the Family School Partnership Bureau and KidsMatter Primary are committed to improving parental engagement. And that is proving to be delivering great results for the children of Australia. af

More information KidsMatter Primary - http://www. kidsmatter.edu.au/primary/ Turning around schools - http:// grattan.edu.au/static/files/ assets/518f9688/805-turning-aroundschools.pdf Family-School Partnerships Framework - http://www. familyschool.org.au/index.php/ what-we-do/current-projects/familyschool-partnerships-frameworkreviewing-and-refing/

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familylife

Grand expectations By Ashleigh Mills

With Australian grandparents providing more care for grandchildren than ever, it’s no surprise they are feeling the crunch.

n the day he looks after his grandson, Brian who is in his sixties, often gets approving glances when he comes across other grandmothers and mothers. “Your grandchildren are so lucky to have you,” one mother coos, as Brian pushes his grandson on the swing in the park. His role is not an unusual one. Brian is just one of the estimated ten per cent of people aged over 65 in Australia who provides informal childcare for his grandchildren each week. He has been looking after his grandson and granddaughter one day a week since his daughter returned to work five years ago. The relationship between Brian and his grandson, who is now six, is tight. “I have a very strong bond with my grandson now because I was with him for all that time,” Brian says.

Australian Family Magazine

Grandparents are estimated to save families in New South Wales a huge $1.8 million per week or $88 million a year in childcare costs. Increased cost of housing, accessibility and affordability of childcare are major factors to be considered when parents return to work; as well parents of very young children may feel some reluctance over using a formal day care setting, preferring the security of care by a trusted family member – and who more so than their own parents? With all that, it’s no surprise that grandparents are becoming the biggest provider of informal childcare. But grandparents from all walks of life are feeling the crunch. Many want to be involved and help when they can, but finding the balance to manage childcare, their own relationships, health and interests can be challenging.

familylife Those with more time available feel the crunch the most. Sue is in her sixties and is “mostly retired”. She was always keen to support her daughters to return to work and offered to provide childcare. What Sue didn’t expect though, was for both her daughters to get married and have children around the same time. Last year, in the spirit of fairness, Sue found herself caring for at least two grandchildren two to three days a week. Mostly she loved the experience. “The rewards

Grandparent types According to researchers at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, grandparents as care givers (and whom are mainly grandmothers) fall into four categories: Avid – their lives revolve around their grandchildren Flexible – involved with their extended family, but reserve time for their own lives Selective – their grandchildren are important to them, but have their own working or retirement life which takes priority Hesitant – do not want to care for grandchildren, or do not have the time, usually as a result of heavy commitments in their own lives.

Images by James Mills – www.jamesmills.com.au

bring more than the times when you are a bit tired and stressed,” she says. Occasionally, on some days she would have all four grandchildren in her care at once. “It ended up being a bit much in the end,” admitted Sue. Retirement brings a chance for much earned ‘me time’ but the expectation to provide childcare often conflicts with travel. Grandparents can sometimes feel that they are letting their children down when their plans change. “If we want to go away on holidays and we know it is going to affect the childcare, we tend to feel a bit guilty about that,” Sue says. This is a challenge that Liz, in her sixties, knows all too well. Liz has four grandchildren under six and spends several months abroad each year with her husband. Travelling is something the pair wanted to pursue once they were free from the strain of running a business and maintaining the family home. While Liz is open with all her children about wanting to travel as much as she can, while she still can, she admits the choice has strained the relationship with her daughter, who feels she should be home getting to know her grandchildren. For her part when she is at home, Liz loves the time she has with her grandchildren, having them stay with her for weekends and joining them at swimming Australian Family Magazine

familylife lessons. Liz says, “I want to do it because I want to do it, I don’t want it to be something that I have to do.” How has it come to this? Have grandparents always been expected to look after grandchildren? Consensus was reached between the grandparents interviewed that this expectation is a new one and could be the result of increased family pressure. Brian says, “The pressures on families today are much greater, in particular the need to have two parents working.” In the past many mothers did not work, or chose careers that would fit around the needs of running a family, such as nursing or teaching. Now, the numbers of women in all kinds of work are on the rise, and so are the numbers of working mothers. The proportion of mothers in the workforce has increased from 43 per cent in 1981 to 63 per cent in 2009. Throw into the mix managing drop-offs and pick-ups with the commuting time in Australian cities, it’s obvious why working parents are reaching out for help. As a family mediator, Dr Karen Phillip sees the expectation and pressure on grandparents growing. In her therapy work with families, she observes that childcare arrangements can often be ‘muddy’. While most grandparents are happy to look after their grandchildren and spend time with them, “problems can arise when the expectation is on the grandparents without clear communication,” she says. Of course, not all grandparents have the luxury of experiencing these problems. Some Australian grandparents are battling for access to see their grandchildren due to family separation, or at the other extreme, have grandchildren in their care full time. For those who are undertaking regular care Phillip says it is essential for everyone to sit down together and make clear arrangements. “Be open. You need to be straight up and carefully direct; make it very clear what it is you require, what you need and what you are able and unable to attend to, ” she says. Parents would do well to always have a plan B, which is “different to the one of phoning the grandparents straight away when emergencies arise”, she says. “Their role is not of a parent. They are there to mind, spoil and spend time. Grandparents have raised their families and lived their lives and these are their twilight years,” she says. Not all grandparents have reached their twilight years, some are still working. This can bring another level of guilt when they are not available to help. Terri, a school principal, and grandmother of four agrees. She has made it clear to her children that while she is still contributing to the workforce she is not available for regular childcare, but admits that this choice brings with it guilty feelings. She says: “there is a longing and a big pain that comes when you hear that the kids are sick, because you love your grandkids, and you want to help your kids as much as you possibly can.”

Australian Family Magazine

As someone who has a foot on both sides of the fence, as a grandmother and a teacher, Terri sees the value in fostering positive relationships between children and their grandparents. To young children, grandparents can add a sense of belonging and security. At school, Terri observes that time spent with grandparents brings a different perspective to the pressure that parents often put on their children. Terri says, “Very often parents will want their children to be the brightest in the class and the grandparents look beyond that. I think us grandparents are an amazing bunch of people.”

Grandparent across cultures The roles and responsibilities of grandparents vary across time, culture and tradition. Migrant grandparents will often be more likely to provide care for their grandchildren on a regular basis, and fall into the avid category. In Chinese families, grandparent provided childcare is the norm, to help both parents work to give their children the best start to life. This stems from deep family traditions in China which are still popular; it is estimated that 90 per cent of children in Shanghai are cared for by their grandparents. In cultures where grandparents have more responsibility, the risk of burnout is high. This is true in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) cultures where grandparents play a huge role in the teaching of language, culture and tradition. It is not uncommon for elders to be called ‘grandmother’ or ‘grandfather’ by many people. ATSI grandparents are often young with many health issues. They often care for others while needing care themselves. Burnout poses a risk to the sharing of heritage, knowledge and stories. This issue is being addressed in many communities so that cultural knowledge can be protected. af

More information Council on the Ageing (COTA) – an initiative to promote and protect the wellbeing of older Australians. www.cota.org.au/ australia The changing role of grandparents. Gay Oilchtree, Australian Institute of Family Studies, (2006) Government information portal and advice for parents and grandchildren. http://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/

Advice from experts Dr Karen Phillip is a family mediator, life coach, author and counselling psychotherapist. http://www.karenphillip.com.au/

kidstuff Peppa Pig by George’s Balloon, Ladybird, $7.99

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The best thing about a caravan is that it is a mini-house on wheels, with all the comforts of home! Three friends Sam, Dave and Joe are on their way to the seaside for a holiday, when Ray the dog is bounced out of the caravan and into the creek! The creek flows to the sea where they are heading, but Ray is rescued long before that!

When neighbours fall ill, good neighbours pitch in and help out by making a meal. And so Molly begins her culinary adventures as her fame spreads far and wide. She ends up making and baking for all – tuna spaghetti for her mum’s friend Betty, and even a lobster roll for a teacher in Seoul! For all future junior master chefs!

Teddy took the Train, by Nicki Greenberg, Allen & Unwin, $19.99

The Complete Guide to a Dog’s Best Friend, by Felicity Gardner and David West, Lothian, $14.99

George has a problem. Grandpa Pig has bought him a beautiful green dinosaur balloon, but it keeps floating away, even from Inside the house. Luckily, Polly Parrot comes to the rescue.

Hop Up! Wriggle Over! By Elizabeth Honey, Allen & Unwin, $19.99

Come and spend a day playing with a bunch of Aussie animal...families! Mother animals spend their day guiding their young through a typical day, with plenty of sound effects and activities that animals normally cannot do to add to the fun and humour.

Hilarious advice from one dog to another on being a good friend! Those who love dogs will recognise young puppy behaviour here - variously described as gardening (aka hole digging), taking out the rubbish (bin-raiding) and cleaning the toilet (no need to elaborate!). A funny re-imagining of the adventures of a lost favourite Teddy. Rather than being left behind, this intrepid Teddy heads off for the proverbial teddy bears’ picnic. Tired after the party, Teddy does what many do, falls asleep on the train, and misses his stop! Will he make it home safe and sound?

The Book With No Pictures, by BJ Novak, Puffin, $19.95

A Curry for Murray, by Kate Hunter and Lucia Masciullo, UQP, $24.95

Caravan Fran by Cheryl Orsini, Lothian, $14.99

There are picture books with no words, and then there’s this book which plays on the fact that without images we must listen carefully to the sound, and imagine the shape of words

Australian Family Magazine

Kidsread

kidstuff

themselves. Readers and their young listeners can have a lot of fun with that concept - so give it a try!

Going Bush with Grandpa; one Rule for Jack; The Memory Shed by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith, Omnibus for Scholastic, $9.99 In this series of easy chapter books, concertinos to country, the land and family

are placed in the context of the everyday world of a child. While there are hints that this family may be indigenous – that is not the point of the stories. Pete, Grandpa and Ace the dog go camping in the bush and strike it lucky; Grandma wants to clean out the old shed but discovers many lost memories and Jack can’t believe his bad luck when he has to wash not only himself, but Rusty the dog who has rolled enthusiastically in horse manure!

mumstuff Sleepy Magic by Danielle Wright, Featherbound Publishing, $29.95 Let’s face it a good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold (to mix a few metaphors). This book is aimed at parents of children aged between 3 and 10 - the ages of the rebound bed visitor, bad dreams and other assorted sleep disruptions. Sleep Magic uses techniques of meditation, breathing techniques and visualisations to make bedtime and sleep a secure and calm environment. Available also at www.daniellewright.com.au

The Family Project: a creative handbook by John-Paul Flintoff and Harriet Green, illustrated by Sarah Jane Coleman, Guardian Books. A family record book with a difference - each page invites the children and parents to write or draw what makes their family unique and special – and not a screen in sight! A project book to create the story of you, with sections for celebrations, travel tales and memoirs of special places and objects.

Australian Family Magazine

Ride, Ricardo, Ride by Phil Cummings and Shane Devries, Omnibus for scholastic, $24.99

Picture books are a sensitive way to teach children about conflict, loss and remembering. The story of Ricardo’s bike and its hiding away sums up the disruption of war, and touches very lightly on the accompanying loss of freedom and family. The end of the story is both a celebration and a commemoration as Ricardo retrieves his bike and rides once more. Stunning computer-animated-style illustrations in strong colour tones add to the stark reality of war.

Me and Moo by P. Crumble and Nathaniel Eckstrom, Scholastic Australia, $24.99

There are stories about teddies and stories about doggy friends, and then there are stories about animal friends that start off small and just keep growing and growing! Moo is part of the family, goes to school and then tries to sleep under the bed until one day he is just too big! Cartoon graphic drawings of Moos and friends Oink, Cluck and Baa add to the story fun.

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For more information, visit www.betadine.com.au. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. ® Betadine is a registered trademark under licence from Mundipharma B. V, Netherlands.

Australian Family Magazine

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Australian Family Magazine

Dad’sview

Generation ATM There’s always food in the fridge, the light always goes on when you open the door, there’s always petrol in the car and The Big Bang Theory is always on Channel 9. Such is the way of the world these days. Oh, and there’s always money in the ATM too, according to my brood. Money doesn’t grow on trees I say, ‘Yes,’ they reply, ‘we know. It grows inside the cash machine’. Hard to argue with logic like that: seeing is believing after all. And our kids? (my kids? I’m getting on now, so I’m not sure how many others remember the following.) They never got to see us spend our lunch times queuing in the bank just so we could we could withdraw enough money, to then queue for the remainder of our break in the post office to pay the gas bill. They didn’t see us trying to work out on a Friday afternoon, how much money we’d need for the entire weekend. They never saw us pull out an empty wallet on Sunday morning, saying, ‘Well that’s it, I’m broke until Monday.’

By John Weldon

don’t even need our cards (let alone cash) to buy things any more – we just touch our phones to a thingumabob and ‘Kaching’ payment made. For our kids this translates to the buying of ‘in game credits’ or ‘one click’ buys straight from EBay to PayPal with not a single physical dollar involved. And if they spend too much we pay the bill, so it’s totally consequence free for them. No pain and lots of gain. At the risk of sounding like the old man that I am fast becoming, may I just say it was different in my day, although it didn’t make a jot of difference. Those of my generation grew up with parents who were born in or around WWII. Our parents had parents who’d lived through the depression, so they knew times when money was scarce. They hung on like grim death to every cent they earned, they planned every expenditure, they saved and they budgeted. And we* watched them and their frugality and we said, ‘no, not for

Maybe if ATMs spoke to us in the same way that our parents did, we’d manage our money better and so set a better example to our children. What would happen if the cash machine said no and if instead of willingly handing over the moola it gave us a lecture, ‘What are you wasting your money for. You can eat better at home for a quarter of that? Transaction declined because you really should be saving that money for the mortgage and isn’t your credit card maxed out already?’ What if the machine said to my daughter as we stood before its holy presence, ‘You do realize your old man’s going to blow all this cash at Bunnings on another drill that he just has to have don’t you?’ Would we get it this time around? Would our kids get it? Or would we all just zone out, withdraw all our cash and head overseas like the good old days?

They never, ever see us run out of money. For them, money has always been a 24/7 phenomenon. They’re the ATM generation. They do see us punch a few buttons at the hole in the wall and walk away with a wad of notes. They do see the supermarket check out kiddies asking us if we’d ‘like any cash out?’ like McDonalds peeps asking us if ‘we’d like fries with that?’ And they do see us flashing cards: credit, debit, ATM cards, fly by, loyalty, shmoyalty cards; and ‘cards never run out dad’. They see money as ubiquitous and easy to come by. Add to this the idea that spending is becoming ever more convenient (convenient for whom?) all the time. We

Australian Family Magazine

me’. We rebelled against that, choosing to travel rather than buy a house. They shunned credit, we embraced it and the addictive lure of that never–run-dry money teat. If it was hard for us to get smart about money with role models like that what chance have our kids got with we spendthrifts as exemplars?

*When I say ‘we’ I of course mean ‘me’. I’m just trying to make myself look like much less of a financial dead loss by tarring my whole generation with the same brush…No need to thank me, it’s just the kind of guy I am.

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