JUNE 2013 - issue SIX
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EDITOR’S LETTER
hi!
L
ast week I was lucky enough to have a night out with my sister-in-law to see ‘Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life” (you might recall we spoke with Amity Dry, the woman behind the musical in our May issue). It was a fantastic night out and I found myself laughing and crying along a lot more than I expected. I left the Seymour Centre after the show feeling calm and positive. It is a reminder to us all that no matter our life stage we can only do what we can do and that we need to support the other women in our lives. The characters in the show were such a real representation of what we feel as women, mothers and wives and it gives perspective to know that you are not alone. The shows Sydney tour ends on 1 June but you can visit motherwifemusical.com to stay in the loop with future Australian tour dates. My top five for June are: 1. Lindy Klim shares the beauty secrets you will find in your man’s grooming supplies on p 14. 2. Kiddie Create show us another super duper easy craft project you can do with bits and bobs lying around the house on p 26. 3. I spoke with Sarah Hardie, the woman behind the divine Fabrik and she shares her inspiration and plans with us on p 10. 4. Babble Box is a new kids subscription service launching this month. Sign up to receive a gorgeous selection of the best kids products each month. Find out more on p 23. 5. We spoke with two women who share their expertise in home safety to help you keep your little ones safe at home on p 46. Until next month, you can find us at www.kidmagazine.com.au for more fabulous fashion and kids news.
Sara
editor and chief kid, sara@kidmagazine.com.au www.kidmagazine.com.au
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INSIDE
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Your own piece of Fabrik
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06
Beauty vs grooming
What’s on What’s happening in June. Find out now
Spotlight on HYPOXI
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Win Win Win
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Your own piece of Fabrik
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More amazing prizes to giveaway to our Kid Magazine readers this month. Enter now
We speak with Sarah Hardie, the woman behind divine kids label Fabrik
Beauty vs grooming Lindy Klim spills on how to use your man’s grooming supplies in your own beauty routine
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Spotlight on HYPOXI
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Road testing lip gloss
Vanessa trialled HYPOXI and shares her amazing weight loss results
We tried three great lip gloss products and tell you what we really think
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Road testing lip gloss
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Delicious family recipes
Making moves
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46
Safety in the home
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Outdoor play
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Delicious family recipes
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Safety in the home
Creative Writing Sonja Walker shares her tips on how you can get your kids involved in creative writing
Making moves Kiddie Create have done it again with a super easy truck you can make at home
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Lee Holmes shares the benefits and how to spend more time outdoors
Tasty and easy to make with some surprising ingredients
The experts share their tips on making your home safe for the family
WHAT’S ON - JUNE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Peter Pan on Bluray This mornth, Disney will be releasing the classic Peter Pan on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Share the joy of the boy who never grew up with your kids with a complete digital restoration and crystal clear high defiition picture and sound.
World Environment Day Think green today for World Environment Day. Start your own veggie patch or just talk to the kids about the impact we have on the environment.
Vivid Sydney If you are in Sydney before 10 June, Vivid Sydney is a must-see on yoru agenda. Witness iconic Sydney landmarks lit up to celebrate light, music and ideas. Visit vividsydney.com
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Queen’s Birthday Enjoy the mid-year public holiday and spend some time with the family. Whether it is a long weekend away or a family BBQ make the most of the extra day!
World Blood Donor Day 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day and will focus on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving lives but also helping people live longer and more productive lives.
Kid Magazine, July Issue Love what you see in this issue? Subscribe for free at kidmagazine.com.au/newsletter.html to receive it straight to your inbox next month.
Red Nose Day Friday 28 June is the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids. Funds raised assist SIDS and Kids in providing vital services and programs to the Australian community. SIDS and Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families. Visit rednoseday.com.au to find out how you can get involved.
win with Kid Mag
WIN
visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/win.html for competition details A High Living Tea Prize Pack valued at $29
One of five ‘Furry Tales’ CDs from The Wiggles valued at $14.99 A Cupcake Central prize pack including a copy of ‘Hatch That Dream’ and a Cupcake Masterclass for you and a friend valued at $245
An Ambi Pur Electrical Plug In and Car Mini prize pack valued at $59
One of six LEGO Hero Factory packs valued at $16 each One of three copies of Peter Pan on Bluray valued at $49.95 each One of five copies of ‘Angel of Fire’ valued at $14.95 each
A Wellaby’s prize pack valued at $28
One of five Fast & Fruit prize packs valued at $13 each kidmagazine.com.au 7
Elm Knitwear is a divine new Australian label featuring an effortless mix of classic and new statement styles, pop colours and detailed finishings. The brainchild of Angie Armstrong and Sally Marange; two lovers of easy dressing, all things cosy and knitting. Each piece of made from natural fibres and is designed for the woman who likes uncomplicated style.
fashion bite
A new designer shopping for high-end Australian fa footwear and accessories prices has hit the web. La fashion industry veteran, Fashionista Depot specia end-of-season stock pers by Sara and her team. Sto such as Natasha Gan, Stu Peter Lang at up to 80 pe fashionistadepot.com.au shopping fix.
The kids can now wear their LEGO with a new range of playful glasses available exclusively from Specsavers. The specs are available with SuperTough lenses – perfect for kids as they are less likely to break, crack or chip during every day play, and come with full UV protection. The kids can choose from eight cool and creative frames featuring LEGO minifigure faces on the nose pads, iconic building bricks on the arms and LEGO logos on the temple tips to complete the look. Two pairs from the new LEGO range are available for $249. For more information visit specsavers.com.au.
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Emu Australia’s Little Creatures Kids collection is sending Celebrity Mums Crazy! Made with the finest Australian suede and Merino wool with applique animal detailing, Little Creatures boots boast superior double stitched seams for added strength, moulded suede leather heel cup for better fit and support and durable EMUsole™ made with hardwearing rubber with quality EVA for comfort and support. At RRP $89.95 Emu Australia Little Creatures Sheepskin boots are simply a MUST HAVE for kids this winter! Available from emuaustralia.com
Unleash the handbag designer within to create your own bespoke, one of a kind bag at lambada. com.au. You can custom design every detail of the bag yourself including the colour of the stitching and lining all chosen from the season’s latest trends in style and colour. The bags are made from the highest selection of full-grain leather available on the market including your choice of finish. Visit lambada.com.au to start designing your own bag today.
Love to Dream has released a funky new Love To Swaddle UP™ featuring a vibrant stripe design. The green, blue, berry and oatmeal design makes the swaddle perfect for both baby boys and girls. The limited edition swaddle features the distinctive arms-up design of Love to Dream’s Original Love to Swaddle UP™ allowing babies to access their hands so they can self-soothe and therefore sleep longer. The new design will be available from June at lovetodream.com.au ad all good baby stores for $41.95.
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YOUROWN PIECEOF FABRIK Browsing through the online aisles of the Fabrik store you are transported to days gone by. Days when needlework was a skill mastered by every young woman and fine fabrics were converted into fabulous fashion creations to “ooh” and “aah” over. Sarah Hardie, the founder of Fabrik, was taught these skills by her grandmother leading her into a future of creativity, fashion and Fabrik. After studying fashion and textiles at the University of Technology, Sydney, Sarah began her career at artpark bed linen, followed by nearly eight years at Lee Matthews. Gathering inspiration from both these roles in the use of colours, fabric designs, needlework and other business skills, Sarah was then inspired to create Fabrik while on maternity leave with her daughter, Jemima, four years ago. These days Sarah is mum to three – Jemima (4) her model and muse who tells her what she likes from the range, Jonas (2) who has a tendency to mess up the office and Jasper, only a few weeks old, who sleeps away the days unaware of the beauty his mum is creating. The Fabrik range is inspiring and it is evident that Sarah is passionate about what she does. She explains her inspiration, “it all starts with a fabric I have and then the colour and style come from it”. All the fabrics used in the Fabrik range are unique to the label and based on vintage prints.
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The Eden print in the Autumn/Winter 2013 range is Sarah’s favourite and was inspired by a dress she bought in London at a cute little vintage shop in Oxford Circus. Sarah describes her own style as relaxed, especially with the demands of dropping the kids off to pre-school, heading to work and just running around being a mum “I always like easy cotton pieces, layering and things that I can dress up or dress down”, she said. Jemima of course wears Fabrik and Sarah’s preferred labels for her boys are Munster for Jonas and Petit Bateau for Jasper, with I Am Kidz in Avalon her favourite place to pick her clothes for her boys.
Sarah and her daughter and muse Jemima. Image: Jessica Ross Photography
Sarah says that balance is the thing she finds most challenging with being a mother, wife, and running a small business, “The children go to pre-school to I try to limit working days to the days they are at presschool and at night after they go to bed and then do things with them when we have our days together.” It is no wonder Sarah finds balance a challenge! In addition to her current range, in July Fabrik will be launching womenswear online and exclusive to the Fabrik website. “Everyone kept saying, ‘I wish you had that in my size’, so I thought I would give it a go”. The range will feature similar styles to the girls range with hand dyed and printed organic fabrics. If the range is anywhere near as beautiful as the girls range, it is sure to fly out the door. Visit fabrikstore.com to pick up your own piece of Fabrik for the little princess in your life.
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Éminence have released a Celebrit products of the Éminence celebrity Strawberry Rhubard Hyaluronic S Cleanser (60ml). The serum enhance polishes the skin. Available fro
A recent study by The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) and supported by USANA Health Sciences found that consuming vitamin D before exercising decreased skeletal muscular weakness after in an intense bout of exercise. In other words, taking vitamin D before you exercise can help you recover more quickly afterwards, making it the perfect supplement to pair with your workout.
Lovers of Paw Paw rejoice with two new products in the Nature’s Care Paw Paw range. Nature’s Care Body Balm (30g, RRP $3.99) is perfect for use on elbows, legs and hands – anywhere you need to moisturise and protect skin, keeping it soft and moist. Chapped and dry lips will also be soothed with Nature’s Care Lip Balm (10g, RRP $2.99). The built-in applicator slides the balm smoothly onto lips and leaves a subtle natural Paw Paw fragrance. Nature’s Care Boy Balm is available at Woolworths and Priceline. Nature’s Care Lip Balm is available at Priceline. Visit pawpawaustralia.com.au for more information.
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health beauty
Estée Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush is a soft gel blush that a fresh hues to the cheeks upon application. Pure Color Chee Rush is a lightweight, transparent gel that gives cheeks a she stain of colour for a fresh-faced look. Its water-based formula cool to the touch and leaves cheeks feeling hydrated throu an infusion of natural extracts and moisturising ingredients. packaged in a shade-matched, high-gloss finish pump bottl is oil-free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. RRP $6 esteelauder.com.au
ty Picks Gift Set so you can try the favourite y following. The gift set includes a travel-size Serum (15ml) and Blueberry Soy Exfoliating es complexion while the cleanser refines and om eminenceorganics.com.au for $36.
According to a survey conducted by CENOVIS®, reveals that colds and flus are potentially costing Australian families on average over $750 million each Winter, attributed to loss of income from days off work, medical bills, treatments and lost childcare fees. The survey also revealed that the average Australian family gets sick up to five times each Winter with 85% of Aussie families spending up to $100 each time someone in the family gets sick.
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If your kids hate the sight of blood, then the HELP Hanky is a must add to your first-aid kit. The hanky is red in colour to “camouflage” the blood and as such help calm your child during a stressful time. The company behind the HELP Hanky is First Aid For You, a leading first aid education company. They encourage parents to teach kids how to use the hanky perfect for cuts and nose bleeds. They also encourage all families to be familiar with First Aid principles to be ready for any type of accident. The HELP Hanky is launching at the introductory price of $2.99 and can be purchased by phoning 1300 853 050 or emailing info@firstaidforyou.com.au.
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BeautyvsGrooming
It’s time to raid your man’s shelf in the bathroom ladies! There is no denying most women enjoy their own girly beauty products and nail polish, mascara and fake tan are here to stay. However, we have discovered some products for the chaps that do the trick: some even better than our usual feminine faves! Here are our top men’s grooming products, with a girly twist… Toiletry Bags – opt for a darker shade of fabric, often these can be found in the men’s grooming section and are perfect for avoiding nasty smudges and stains on your pretty, pristine beauty case. Facial Wipes – men’s face scrub wipes are often larger than the female brands which can be super convenient for removing make-up and keeping your skin cleansed on the go. Milk & Co Scrub + Cleanse Wipes, developed by Michael Klim are a favourite of his wife Lindy: “The Milk wipes are double sided, one with exfoliating beads and the other a gentle cleanser, so they are perfect for my skin too,” Lindy said. Deodorant – men’s antiperspirant is a bit stronger than women’s so if you can get a fairly neutral or unscented brand, this is perfect for when you are working out, playing sport, hot summer days or before that big meeting or exam to keep you feeling drier for longer. Razor – Gals we aren’t suggesting you start using his razor on your bikini line right before he uses it on his face (hmm) but a lot of women do opt for a men’s blade because they are often a bit sharper and provide a smoother shave than women’s. Sleek silver or black is also a preference for some over baby pink or purple. Face Scrub – Men have bigger pores than women so often their face scrubs have larger and more concentrated exfoliating beads in them. Lindy loves using the Milk & Co Face Wash + Scrub once or twice a week to help her skin feel rejuvenated. “The natural, marine based ingredients leave my skin feeling polished and fresh and the scent is not too overpowering, like some heavily perfumed products can be,” she said. There you go ladies, try experimenting! You might find a fantastic new hair product or shaving gel that you just can’t live without. These tips come courtesy of Lindy Klim and Milk & Co. For more information or to buy online visit www.milkandco.com.au
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The Darling
STar GazerS
Tinker Bell sprinkled a little extra pixie-dust across the night sky – connect the brightest stars together to help Wendy, John and Michael find the shapes that Tinker Bell has hidden in the stars.
Coming to Cinemas from MAY 4 kidmagazine.com.au 16
On Disney Blu-ray ™ & DVD June 5
© Disney
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HYPOXI WEIGHT LOSS FOR TIGHT TUMMIES: A CELEBRITY SECRET NO MORE By Vannesa Thorp If you’re like me and thousands of other women out there who’ve tried every diet and exercise program under the sun with short-lived or disappointing results, it’s time you met: HYPOXI. In the world of diets, there’s the good, the bad and the ugly: some work, others… not so much but most of the time boredom, lack of motivation or our lives just get in the way.
to help kick start your circulation and target those “hard to move” fat stores while you work out. A typical result involves a loss of 20-30 centimeters from the body in 12 sessions.
HYPOXI doesn’t involve any crash dieting, juice marathons or back wrenching jogs. What it will give you, with a bit of work and healthy eating - is results.
After being measured and weighed (they take eight measurements around your body so you can see exactly where you lose your centimeters from) I began my first session in the L250 – a machine designed to help pear shaped women, new mums who want to shake that baby weight or people who don’t enjoy traditional exercise to get into shape.
In a four week period involving a moderate diet and exercise and an easy thirty minute HYPOXI workout a couple of times a week I saw more results than six weeks of personal trainer hell and soul destroying carb denial. I had never heard of HYPOXI before it came across my desk a few months ago. I had been trying to lose that excess baggage around my stomach, hips and thighs for a while and with all the exercise and dieting in the world, the weight just wouldn’t budge. So, I decided to give HYPOXI a try and signed myself up for the suggested twelve 30-minute sessions over four weeks. When I arrived for my first session at the Surry Hills studio in Sydney, I was greeted by the bright and friendly Taryn who took me through all the basic medical questions and explained exactly how HYPOXI works. HYPOXI machines work by combining high and low pressure with exercise
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The machine is a cycle, surrounded by a capsule that seals you off from the waist down, with your legs doing all the work. The workout is by no means tough and the 30 minutes go very quickly, especially when reading your favorite magazine (take the iPad and you can catch up on the latest issue of Kid Magazine). During my first consultation I was also advised to try the HypoxiDermology Machine (HDC) – which adopts ancient Chinese cupping therapy to help reduce cellulite and target my problem areas even more effectively. To start a 20 minute HDC session, you first don a black Michelin Man style suit that covers you from neck to toe, and are then “plugged–in” to a bed with cords that suck all excess air from the suit so the 400 integrated pressure chambers can work their magic. I
would liken the experience to being massaged by an eighty foot octopus – not recommended for ticklish types! You can elect to use the HDC as much or as little as you like, with some clients using it every time they use the L250, or like me, just once a week. I was skeptical about how exactly a machine was going to help me lose those stubborn inches from my body and get me into shape, but over the weeks, I began to notice some changes. My clothes started feeling looser, my fitness improved and I found I had more energy. I was actually really enjoying going to my sessions three times a week (and I didn’t feel like I needed to crash directly afterwards) and having booked them all in advanced it was easy to fit everything else in my busy lifestyle around them. After four weeks of using HYPOXI I am very proud to say that I lost a total of 45 centimeters from my body and
5.1kgs. As you can imagine, I am over the moon with my results, I have dropped almost two dress sizes and am feeling pretty good about it. I used my three HYPOXI sessions a week in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise (two half hour weights sessions and twice weekly long walks), which is why I have seen such amazing results. The machine does work wonders, but to get the best results you can’t sit on the couch eating delicious treats every night. I would recommend HYPOXI to anyone who is having trouble moving those last couple of inches or wanting to gently get back into a healthy lifestyle. There are 70 studios across both Australia and New Zealand so you are sure to find one close and convenient to you. Prices start from $69 for a session or $690 for a 12-session program. I am definitely going to sign up for more sessions to continue with my weight loss journey. Vanessa’s sessions were part of a free media trial to get to know HYPOXI.
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Do’s and Don’ts Maintain a healthy diet. If you aren’t giving your body the nutrients it needs, you aren’t going to see the results you want. Log some extra exercise hours. A weekly exercise regime will boost your results and help you maintain them when your sessions finish. Extra exercise doesn’t need to be intense - a stroll and weekly class like yoga or dance can make a massive difference and leave you feeling good. Do three sessions a week. We all have busy lifestyles, but making a commitment to three half hour sessions a week for four weeks will give you the best results. Book your sessions in advance and the studio will text you a reminder two days before hand. So easy!
Vannesa’s Results I am so excited about my HYPOXI results, I want to share them with the world. I have lost the following weight/measurements: Weight: 5.1 kg Waist: 8 cm Stomach: 9.5 cm Hips: 5 cm Bottom: 4.5 cm Legs: 3.5 cm Single Leg Relaxed: 3.5 cm Single Leg Contracted: 5 cm Knee: 6.5 cm I cannot wait to see what my next sessions will bring. Good Luck to you!
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RoadTestingLipGloss
We test three lip glosses and tell you what we really think! EternalCosmeceuticalsPlump&Shine Infused with a combination of lip enhancing ingredients, Plump & Shine from Eternal Cosmeceuticals hydrates and boosts lip volume. Available in three shades we love that it leaves a great natural colour on your lips and doesn’t dry them out like other products can. One thing to be aware of is the tingly feeling you will get when you first apply the gloss. The feeling is a bit unusual the first time you apply but you do become accustomed to it. A word of advice, don’t lick your lips until the tingly feeling has subsided (after 30 seconds or so) as otherwise your tongue will also be tingling. Overall this is a great lip gloss with the added benefit that you are also getting plumper more hydrated lips. RRP $49, available from eternalcosmeceuticals.com.au
TheBodyShopLipGlossCollection The super fruity flavour of this gloss from The Body Shop will have you licking your lips all day long. The formula is slightly stickier when first applied than we usually like in a gloss but it does last throughout the day (as long as you can keep from licking your lips!). Our favourite shade was Raspberry but with other great colour and flavour combinations such as Watermelon, Lychee, Coconut and Mint you are sure to fine one that suits you. The tube is the perfect purse size and leaves you with smooth moisturised lips. For lovers of a flavoured gloss with loads of shine this is for you. Go light on the application to avoid that excess sticky feeling. RRP $21.95, availabale from thebodyshop.com.au
AustralisColourInjectMineralLipGloss Scented with subtle lychee this natural mineral gloss is gentle on your lips. Active ingredients of vitamins C and E, Kakadu plum and UV filters work to keep lips, smooth, soothed and protected. The Australis gloss was smooth to apply with an angled applicator to more easily mould to your lips and a light formula that leaves a subtle shine and is not too sticky. We did find that we needed to apply this gloss more frequently than the others but that wasn’t too much of a hassle to be able to smell that beautiful lychee again! Comes in a great range of clours from subtle through to the bright and bold. A great gentle lip gloss that leaves your lips soft and kissable. Keep it in your pocket for quick application throughout the day. kidmagazine.com.au 21
RRP $11.95, available from australiscosmetics.com.au
You will love sharing the joy of the boy who never grew up with your kids as Disney releases the classic Peter Pan for the first time ever on Blu-ray 5 June. Peter Pan on Blu-ray is a must own addition to your Disney home entertainment collection. Filled with high-flying bonus features see Peter Pan fly to all-new heights with a complete digital restoration and crystal clear high definition picture and sound.
Angel of Fire is a lively, action, quirky characte tells the story of a chee by a truck in a freaky ac some bizarre visitors, in of scary twins, they tell someone is trying to ki the twins in this race ag be available at good bo
WIN Details page 7
Head for the LEGO Hero Factory b room immediately, ROCKA. The ev rampaging through the galaxy an defeated. This is one tough missio have been equipped with LEGO H Recon Team weapons: a plasma b 360-degree spinning razor shield, and hero core locking clamps. Wit like this, you’re ready for anything can throw at you.
fun b
The Wiggles are back again with their newest sing-a-long album Furry Tales. Anthony, Emma, Lachy are Simon are joined on the new album by their Wiggly friends Dorothy the Dnosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus. The CD featuring 25 new tracks such as ‘The Corroboree Frog”, “Bunny Hop” and “The Monkey Dance” will have you croaking and hopping along with glee. The Furry Tales CD is out now and the DVD will be released on 19 June. Visit thewiggles.com.au for more information.
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up-beat tale for young readers aged 8-12 who like ers and a good dose of humour. Author Wendy Milton eky boy named Zach, who lies in hospital after being hit ccident. Unable to communicate with anyone except ncluding an irritating “winged thing” called Astra and a set l Zach that his being hit by the truck was no accident! Is ill him? To find answers he’ll need the help of Astra and gainst time to thwart his would-be killer! The book will ook stores in June 2013, RRP $14.95
briefing vil brains are nd must be on, so you Hero Factory blade sword, a armored visor th equipment those evil brains
bites
Sign up for a monthly dose of fun and excitement with Babble Box. Each month your kids will receive a box packed with some of the best products in the market. The boxes are tailored to your child’s age and gender from newborn through to four years old. Babble Box will be launching in June and they are giving a sneak peek of their first box (the only time you will get to see a box before it is sent). Orders need to be in by the 30th of each month at babblebox.com.au. Month to month plans are $29.95 and the price reduces for longer subscriptions.
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Using leading edge technology, Creative Baby Inc. designed a new and exciting interactive award winning play mat called the i-Mat™ that stimulates learning as it entertains from the moment parents put their child on it. Featuring a full color illustration of animals from around the world, the iMat serves as a visual fun playland with dozens of cute animals that babies will enjoy looking at and exploring. Unique to this play mat is the magic i-pen that brings the i-Mat to life. By touching the i-pen to the mat, the animals “talk” and songs play. Consumers can purchase the i-Mat at Toys r Us, Bubs Baby Shops and other retailers. Please check www.snazzybaby.com.au for details. The i-mat and i-pen retail for $109.95 as a bundle.
Encouraging Creative Writing in Children – Tips for Parents By Sonja Walker, Director, Kids First Children’s Services, Sydney Studies have shown that creative writing is a vital component in developing children’s cognitive and communication skills.
4. Talk with your child some of their favourite characters. Ask questions like ‘What makes this character interesting?’ This will help your child building their own characters.
There are seven good reasons why children should be encouraged to write creative stories:
5. When your child’s story-writing stalls, encourage them to keep trying to move the story-line forward. Ask questions like ‘What do think could happen next?’ or ‘ How does the character feel about that?’ to keep your child’s creative writing confidence high.
1. to entertain; 2. to foster artistic expression; 3. to explore the functions and values of writing; 4. to stimulate imagination; 5. to clarify thinking; 6. to search for identity 7. to learn to read and write. When parents encourage their children to write creatively, they not only engage their kids’ imaginations but also give their children a chance to dream, problem solve, research and express ideas. Here are some top tips for parents to encourage their children to write a creative story: 1. Encourage your child to be as wild and inventive as possible. Original ideas are always the best, and anything is possible in a child’s own story! 2. Help your child to overcome ‘writer’s block’ by discussing story-starters that might spark imaginative ideas, eg: “The day started normally but when the door-bell rang...” 3. Talk with your child about their favourite stories and why they like them. Talking about well-loved stories often gives children the inspiration they need to build their own plots.
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6. Praise your children for their creative writing. Take the time to read their stories story out loud and use different character’s voices to bring the story to life. Your kids enjoy your attention and this will encourage them to pick up their pens and write again. Sonja Walker is the founder and director of Kids First Children’s Services. She is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years experience and an ambassador for the Pilot Pen Creative Writing Scholarship, a national program which encourages children to step away from the keyboard and write a creative story by hand. The Pilot Pen Creative Writing Scholarship opens on 3 June to primary school children in Years 5 and 6 and closes on 31 July 2013. For further information, visit: www.pilotpen.com.au www.kids-first.com.au
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Making Moves Hit the road with Kiddie Create and their latest project the kids will love. If you have a group of kids for the afternoon, this is an inexpensive way to entertain them and the fun isn’t over when the cars are made. They will love racing their cars around their own custom-made racetrack. You will need: # A box – any size will work! # Wheels – use recycled products like bottle tops # Decorations – washi tape is used in this car but create your own decoration with stamps, stickers, drawings or glue pictures to the sides of the car # A pipe cleaner # Black paper # Toy or LEGO man
Step 1. Start by decorating your car with your chosen decorations. Washi tape can be bought at craft shops or online but you can use anything you have around the house. Pictures from magazines work well or just give the kids a texta and let them get creative Step 2. Attach your wheels to the sides of the car as shown in the picture. You can also add washi tape or stickers to the wheels for extra decoration Step 3. Bend the pipe cleaner into a circle to form a steering wheel and attach to the top of the car Step 4. Place a toy or LEGO man behind the steering wheel so you car has a driver Step 5. Cut the black paper into road shapes so you can get moving. Beep beep!
©Disney
Coming to Cinemas from MAY 4
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On Disney Blu-ray ™ & DVD JUNE 5
THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PLAY By Lee Holmes, NSW Office of Communities Computers, television and video games are fast becoming a major element in children’s play as more and more children are spending their playtime indoors and in front of a screen. Nowadays in metropolitan areas across the country, children are less likely to have access to natural surroundings and green spaces. Rosemary Davis is the Director in charge of the NSW Government’s eleven sport and recreation centres – community facilities boasting many hundreds of hectares of pristine countryside. She says: “The outdoors provides limitless potential for discovery and exploration. It confronts children with positive experiences of vitality and complexity, but imposes no agenda on them. There are three types of outdoor play, backyard play, playground play and wild nature play. Backyard
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unstructured, free play allows children to use their imaginations whilst building dexterity and physical strength. The playground and nature are the best places for children to take advantage of open spaces and fine tune their motor skills by being physical and adventurous. They can freely practise running, climbing, swinging, jumping and learn ball handling skills such as throwing and catching. In Australia we have an abundance of bushland and a magnificent natural outdoor environment for children to immerse themselves in. Rosemary says “Parents can play a significant by getting kids out of the house and down to the park, buying them active gifts such as bicycles, skipping ropes, Frisbees and sporting equipment”.
Here are ten fun ways for parents to encourage children to experience the great outdoors: Create a homemade tent. Find an area where children can make their own tent or cubby house. You’ll need a couple of old sheets, clothes pegs a blanket and some rope. Plant something and watch it grow. Children love to participate in the process of growing things in a garden. Many schools are encouraging children to be involved in school gardens. Try water painting. All children need for this activity is a bucket of water and a brush. Children can paint the side of a building, learn about evaporation and exercise at the same time. Create a simple treasure hunt. A treasure hunt can also be played indoors, if you are really struggling to find space but its best to be played outdoors. Hide treasure and plant clues for children to use their cognitive skills and imagination. Design and build an obstacle course. If you have access to a backyard or park, why not set up a mini obstacle course? You can use old tyres, pillows, cardboard boxes, chairs, buckets, hoops and rope. Plan and take part in an Australian Bush Walk. A bush walk is an excellent way for children to discover and appreciate our unique natural environment. Plan a sporting match or join a sporting club. Children can develop their sporting skills and learn how to work as part of a team. It will keep them on their toes and encourage physical activity. Discover camp. NSW Sport and Recreation Centres (dsr.nsw.gov.au/kidscamps/ ) are a great way for your child to get active, try different experiences and meet new friends. They will develop skills in a fun, secure and professionally run environment. Visit goplay.nsw.gov.au. A FREE activities calendar for parents and care-givers which features lots of affordable, family-friendly, educational and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Mobile users can download the free Go Play iPhone app at the App store.
END
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Fast & Fruity are an exciting new range of great tasting, all-natural fruit pouches. Perfect as a quick and easy breakfast topping or ingredient for anything from smoothies to ice blocks and pancakes. The pouches are conveniently re-sealable, have no added sugar, preservatives, sulphites or sodium and are gluten-free. Available in three flavours – be-licious berry and apple; golden peaches with a hint of vanilla; and sunshine sweet tropical fruits. Available in Coles stores nationally, $4.59 for a 500g pouch pack
food bi
Learn the tips and tricks that Central, and her team of Pastr their new book “Hatch That Dr 18 hours of releasing onlin recipes for their famous Red more about
A refreshing change from the usually long list of ingredients we so on our food labels is the new EatRite wholegrain brown rice crackers. The two flavours of Tamari Seaweed and Black Pepper & Sesame each have five ingredients or less, all listed on the front of the pack. Made with natural ingredients the crackers are gluten free and make a great healthy snack. EatRite rice crackers are available in the health food aisle at Woolworths, Coles, IGA, selected Foodworks and health food stores for RRP $3.50 each.
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The Baker Girls have done it again with their new release of the Vintage Cupcake Kits. Whatever the occasion you will be able to create the most stunning (and importantly tasty) cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. Each kit has enough supplies for 24 cupcakes include the wrappers, fondant, cutters, cake and icing mix and any other decoration required for the cakes. Prices start from $49.95 and are available from cake2therescue.com.au
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Littlelock Glasslock food storage containers are the new answer to storing and reheating cooked baby and toddler food. Made from tempered glass, which is stronger than conventional glass, they are safe for use in the freezer, microwave (without lid) and dishwasher. They are also free form many of the nasties found in the plastic containers we so often use. They are durable, airtight and leak proof. Available in 2 convenient sizes (120ml and 210ml) and three great colours, prices start from $29.95 for a set of 3 120ml containers. Available from littlelock.com.au.
Sheryl Thai, Founder of Melbourne’s Cupcake ry Chefs use in the Cupcake Central bakery in ream�. The first 100 pre-copies sold out within ne in April and it is no wonder with the secret Velvet and classic Vanilla Vanilla cupcakes. For Cupcake Central visit cupcakecentral.com.au
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T2 havenot forgotten the little ones when it comes to throwing a tea party to make the Mad Hatter envious. From teeny tea sets to yummy sweet teas, the T2 kids range is as sweet as a doormouse. Featuring six special members of the animal kingdom, the range is suitable for any age. Mealtimes will have that added element of fun when you serve your snacks with a side of the sweetest blends of delicious tea. Available from t2tea.com
Minty Lanb Rissoles Serves 4 500g minced lamb 1/2 cup sultanas 2 teaspoons GF curry powder 8 chopped fresh mint leaves In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together and season with sea salt and cracked pepper. Roll into 8 evenly sized balls and cook in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through and quite crunchy on the outside Recipe from 4 Ingredients Gluten Free Lactose Free, RRP $19.95
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Cacao & Date Truf fles Serves 16 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted 3 tablespoons shredded coconut 1/2 cup pistachios, lightly toasted and crushed Blend together the cacao, dates and coconut. Roll into balls and then into the crushed pistachios to coat. Chill before serving. Recipe from 4 Ingredients Gluten Free Lactose Free, RRP $19.95
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Chocolate, Quinoa & Pecan Mud Cake Serves 8 2 cups quinoa, rinsed 3 eggs, separated 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 200g dark LF chocolate, melted Preheat the oven to 180째C. Line 2 x 20cm greaseproof cake tins with baking paper. In a saucepan, combine the quinoa and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, stir, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove the quinoa from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. In a separate bowl, combine the quinoa, egg yolks and pecans, and mix well. Add the melted chocolate, and then gently fold through the egg whites. Pour into the prepared cake pans and bake for 30 minutes. Recipe from 4 Ingredients Gluten Free Lactose Free, RRP $19.95
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Peach Pie 500gm Pouch Fast & Fruity Peach Sweet short pastry (23cm pie dish) 3 tablespoons corn-starch 1 cup juice (can use pre drained F&F to reduce liquid) 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon butter Pre heat oven to 180deg. Line 23cm pie dish with bottom pastry; trim even with edge. In a small saucepan, combine the corn-starch, gradually stir in juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice and butter. Gently blend into peaches. Pour peach mix onto crust. Roll out remaining pastry; make a lattice crust. Trim, seal edges. Bake at 200째 for 50-60 minutes or until crust is starting to brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
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Fluf fy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting by Cupcake Central Ices approx. 24-30 cupcakes 250g butter 6-8 cups soft icing sugar mixture ½ cup milk 2 tsp vanilla pinch of salt Using paddle attachment on your mixer or using a hand mixer, beat butter until white and fluffy. Sift icing sugar mixture into another bowl. Add 5 cups of sifted icing sugar, turn the mixer on low and gradually increase speed to med-high. Add salt, vanilla extract and milk, beat until combined. Continue to add icing sugar until desired consistency and sweetness is reached. Beat for approximately 2 mins until it is light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl to ensure thorough mixing and no lumps form. Add a few drops of food colouring of your choice if desired, beat until thoroughly combined. Tips: • The quality of your butter is important. Try to source unsalted butter from New Zealand as it has a higher and richer fat content • Soft icing mixture will create a fluffier buttercream, pure icing mixture can create a heavier, sweeter buttercream • Use pure vanilla extract rather than essence as there is more flavour in extracts. We like to use Nielsen Massey Bourbon Vanilla Extract • A pinch of salt will give another dimension to the buttercream and added flavour • Store unused frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks and take it out to room temperature, beat until fluffy to use Source: Cupcake Central’s “Hatch That Dream” cookbook www.cupcakecentral.com.au
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Burritos Serves 4 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 500g lean beef mince 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 green capsicum, seeded and finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 400g tomato puree, preferably salt-free 1 cup beef stock, preferably reduced salt 60g All-Bran Original Salsa: 2 tomatoes, diced 1 cucumber, diced 1 small avocado diced ½ red chilli, chopped (optional) 2 tablespoons lemon juice Coriander leaves, chopped Lettuce 8 wholemeal tortillas Shredded lettuce Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the beef and cook, stirring until brown. Add the garlic, capsicum and spices and stir for 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened. To prepare the salsa combine all ingredients. Roll the meat filling in the tortilla with salsa and lettuce. *Fibre per serve = 11.5g or 38% of recommended daily intake. Note that fibre per serve is an estimate only, based on Foodworks 2007. Figures are rounded to the nearest 0.1g and may differ to what is actually consumed.
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Beef Burger Serves 4 500g lean beef mince 60g All-Bran Original 40g reduced fat mozzarella cheese 4 tablespoons spicy tomato chutney or tomato sauce Large handful rocket leaves 4 small wholegrain rolls Combine the beef and All-Bran. Form into 4 patties and refrigerate for 30 – 45 minutes. Heat a heavy based frypan over medium heat. Sprinkle the patties with salt and cook on one side for 4 minutes. Turn and place Ÿ of the cheese on top of each patty. Cover and cook for 4 minutes. ightly toast the rolls. Place the bases of the rolls on serving plates and top with the patty, sauce or tomato chutney, rocket leaves and tomato. Cover with the top of the roll. *Fibre per serve = 11.5g or 38% of recommended daily intake. Note that fibre per serve is an estimate only, based on Foodworks 2007. Figures are rounded to the nearest 0.1g and may differ to what is actually consumed.
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Stir Fried Quorn Mince with Hoisin Noodles Serves 4 1/3 cup hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons salt reduced soy sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry 1 teaspoon finely chopped red chilli 300g packet frozen or chilled Quorn Mince 1 tablespoon peanut oil 4 spring onions, chopped 100g snow peas, halved lengthways 1 bunch pak choy, roughly chopped 1/4 cup water 1 cup bean sprouts 350g thin egg noodles, cooked Combine hoisin sauce, soy, rice wine and chilli in a bowl. Add Quorn Mince, stir well to coat in sauce and set aside. Heat oil in a wok, cook spring onion for 1 minute. Add Quorn Mince mixture, stir fry for 2 minutes. Add snow peas, pak choy and water; cook for 1 minute to soften vegetables. Lastly toss in bean sprouts and noodles, heat through and serve immediately.
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Quorn Cottage Pie Serves 4 Topping: 700g potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped 225g parsnip, peeled and chopped (optional) 2 tablespoons skim milk Filling: 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 300g packet frozen Quorn Mince 100g frozen peas or mixed vegetables 400ml salt reduced vegetable stock 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon no added salt tomato paste 2 tablespoons reduced salt soy sauce 1 tablespoon corn flour mixed to paste with 1 tablespoon cold water Pre-heat oven to 180째C. Boil the potatoes and parsnip until tender. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and fry gently until the onions are soft. Add the frozen or chilled Quorn Mince, frozen vegetables, vegetable stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce and season to taste. Simmer ingredients together for 5 minutes. Add the corn flour paste and simmer gently until the sauce thickens then place in an ovenproof dish. Mash the potatoes and parsnip with the milk until smooth, season to taste. Place the topping over the Quorn filling and fluff up with a fork. Bake for 20 minutes or until the topping is golden and crisp.
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Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese Serves 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, finely diced 1 large carrot, finely diced 1 stick celery, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 200g mushrooms, finely diced 400g can no added salt chopped tomatoes 1/2 cup no added salt tomato paste 250ml salt reduced vegetable stock 100ml red wine 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried mixed herbs 300g packet frozen or chilled Quorn Mince 375g spaghetti, cooked Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions, carrot and celery and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring for a further 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable stock, red wine and herbs and stir well. Simmer covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir the frozen or chilled Quorn Mince into the sauce, bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes. Season to taste. Drain the cooked spaghetti, spoon over Bolognese sauce and serve garnished with fresh basil or oregano. kidmagazine.com.au 41 kidmagazine.com.au 41
Chilli Con Quorn Serves 4 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 300g packet frozen or chilled Quorn Mince 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chilli powder 400g can no added salt chopped tomatoes 1 cup salt reduced vegetable stock 1 green capsicum, deseeded and chopped 420g can no added salt red kidney beans, drained 1/2 cup no added salt tomato paste Heat oil in a large frying pan. Cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Add frozen or chilled Quorn Mince, chilli powder and cumin; cook for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, vegetable stock, capsicum, kidney beans and tomato paste. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with jacket potatoes or boiled rice. consumed. TIP: Top with a spoonful of light sour cream if desired. Serve as a filling for tacos.
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Little Michael likes
Never Land Fun & Games Peter Pan wants to rescue Wendy
from Captain Hook. Lead Peter to her.
to play games, but he could use your help with this one. Find and circle the hidden words.
Captain Hook
John
Wendy
Never Land
Smee
Michael
Peter Pan
Lost Boys
Tinker Bell needs her wings to fly. Draw them in and color everything.
ŠDisney
Coming to Cinemas from MAY 4 On Disney Blu-ray ™ & DVD JUNE 5
Think of a if you wer Polywoo waste, materia environme
Ambi Pur has released two new products to ensure your home and car will smell fresh. The Ambi Pur Car Mini keeps your car odour free for thirty days through the unique no-leak wick, ensuring it stays full even when the scented oil is low. Your home will also smell sweet with the new Ambi Pur Electrical Plug in air freshener. The advanced odour elimination technology freshens the air whilst eliminating odours for up to eighty days. The Ambi Pur Car Mini has a RRP of $5.99 and the Ambi Pur Electrical, RRP $8.99.
From 17 June you will be able to dress up your walls with exclusive photography from iconic landscape photographer Ken Duncan and thousands of other AFL, nature and vintage designs at artworldpod.com. You can customise the size of the artwork to suit your home or office and choose from both paper and canvas prints. ArtWorldPod.com used between 8-10 colours when printing to provide the maximum colour gamut, with the ink life rated at 100 years in the right conditions. Prices for all items range between $32 - $300. kidmagazine.com.au 44
hom
all the milk bottles you have used in your lifetime and then imagine re able to convert them into something usable. This is exactly what od Outdoors furniture range is made from – post-consumer bottle such as milk and detergent bottles or other HDPE post industrial al. It takes about 280 bottles to produce one chair! The furniture is entally friendly and hardwearing. Visit polywoodoutdoors.com.au to see the entire range.
me bites
The new Electrolux Ultrasteam™ Iron has been specially designed to make ironing easy. The Multi-zone soleplate ensures steam is deeply and evenly distributed through the fabric and the Expert Pro tip delivers steam in those easy to access areas of your garments. It also has the benefit of auto safety shut off so if you get distracted while doing your ironing you can safely know the iron will switch off. Prices start from $99. For stockist information visit electrolux.com.au.
Protect your family and home in style with the Australia Standards certified Chick-a-Dee smoke alarm. This innovative bird-shaped smoke detector combines form and function in a truly unique device. The Dutch designed product is currently available in white with a black and white version soon to be released. The Chick-aDee smoke alarm is available at chick-a-dee.com.au for $79.95.
After a stringent review of the quality, effectiveness and safety profile of Protect∙A∙Bed® products, the baby and infant range will now proudly display the SIDS and Kids Friendly logo on all products as well as information on safe sleeping guidelines for children. The range includes cot and bassinette protectors, single mattress protectors as well as linen protectors and sheets. In conjunction with this partnership Protect∙A∙Bed® and SIDS are developing an iPhone app that will help parents with safe sleeping practices when transitioning toddlers from a cot to a bed. The new Protect∙A∙Bed® packaging with the SIDS logo will be rolled out over the coming months across a variety of retail outlets. kidmagazine.com.au 45
SAFETY IN THE HOME The experts share their tips
I am sure every Mother could tell you about at least one time when her heart skipped a beat (or two) as they watched their child in a potentially dangerous situation in the home. I recall a time when I was about five and my sister (aged three) locked the glass door behind my Mum and I as we walked outside to play. Mum calmly tried to reason with my three year old sister who took the opportunity of freedom that she had created for herself to walk to the fridge, take out the glass bottle full of milk, walk it back to the door and in front of Mum and I slowly poor the contents on the floor. I remember sensing the panic in Mum but she remained calm trying to do everything she could to persuade my sister to safely place the glass bottle on the floor and to open the door. In the end it was a neighbor climbing through the open bathroom window that brought a swift end to the drama. Mum’s hair however had gained a few more greys that day. While we were lucky that nothing more serious happened, unfortunately in too many cases children are injured or worse in incidents that occur around the home. According to Kidsafe, every year in Australia approximately 280 children die and 58,000 are admitted to hospital due to unintentional injuries. The home is the most common location for these injuries to occur.
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Dreambaby® Co-Founder Carolyn Ziegler
What to look for As the Co-Founder and Product Development Director of Dreambaby® Carolyn Ziegler has years of experience in working in the area of child safety. Carolyn says, “ Laundries, bathrooms and kitchens are big hazard areas for small children but really there are many dangers throughout the home. With preparation, a lot can be improved safety wise”. Some of the common hazards and controls Carolyn points out are:
• Block kitchens and bathrooms off with child safety gates (these are also great for keeping pets confined to a particular room in the house) • Move sharp and poisonous (including regular medications) out of reach and locked away • Properly secure cabinets and drawers with child locks and latches. Ensure you use a variety of different locks as kids easily cotton on and a variety will keep them on their toes longer • Use a door stopper or under door gripper to prevent doors slamming on little fingers
F168 Dreambaby® Window Latch in use
• Refrigerator latches help prevent accidental poisoning from items on the fridge such as medicines which need to be kept chilled • A child can drown in a toilet so a toilet latch will assist in preventing such an accident • Blind cords should be kept out of reach of babies and children so invest in blind cord wind-ups from the time you bring bub home from the hospital • Blocking off power points with outlet plugs is also an important step at home • Keep all pet doors locked so children can’t try to climb through and end up stuck!
joined the ‘Kids Can’t Fly’ campaign, spearheaded by the frontline trauma doctors at Westmead Children’s Hospital. The campaign sends a simple message that kids really can’t fly and securing windows to prevent falls is vital in preventing injury. F807 Dreambaby® EzyCheckTM Flex-Loop Lock
F102 Dreambaby® Outlet Plugs
F123 Dreambaby® Toilet Latch
Reaching great heights Between 2011 and the end of 2012, 39 children aged nine or younger were hospitalised in NSW as a result of window falls. Dreambaby® has F191 B Dreambaby® Extra Tall Gate
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The campaign has resulted in new legislation introduced into NSW. All windows above ground floor in new strata buildings are now required to have locks or devices to prevent them opening more than 12.5cm with older buildings having the same locks and devices fitted retrospectively within five years. Carolyn says, “Now we just have to make sure that other states follow and that laws are introduced to make balconies safer.” Carolyn’s advice for your own windows and balconies is to ensure that windows and sliding doors are secure. “There are many widow locks and latches that work both externally and internally so do your research.” On balconies, she warns the risk is when children can climb on furniture to peer over which can lead to accidental falls. “Always move chairs, tables and other furniture away from the edges of balconies but preferably don’t have furniture on balconies at all! Also if travelling, remember to prevent access to hotel balconies which pose the same issues as high rise apartment living.”
Chemical alert Barb de Corti, founder and CEO of ENJO Australia found that after a few months of removing all the chemicals from her home and introducing ENJO that her sons severe asthma had improved and after 12 months it was practically non-existent. “The only products I used were dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent – I chose the ones with the least amount of chemicals in it,” says Barb. The advice from the reformed selfconfessed bleach queen is to “go on a product diet. Scrutinize your product labels the way you would your food labels. If you see a word you don’t know, look it up and get the scoop.” ENJO Australia’s range of planet friendly cleaning products have been praised as a quick and easy solution to healthy cleaning. The microfiber technology paired with water is all you need for an easy chemical free clean. If the leap to water for all of your cleaning is too far, Barb also recommends Method products which eliminate all the nasties.
Barb de Corti, CEO and Founder of ENJO Australia
Barb’s advice for chemical removal in the home: •Start by removing all chemicals before baby comes home. Did you know that traditional cleaning products containing chemicals can be found in the bloodstream of newborn babies •Ditch any products that recommend you wear gloves and a mask •Look for chlorine-free alternatives and nappies made from recycled content wherever possible •Ensure there is a safety lock on any cupboards containing detergents – the bottles are so colourful and children can mistake them for juice
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Hazards no more Kidsafe Australia recommends three tips when it comes to dealing with hazards in the home: 1. Spot the hazards – get down on your hands and knees and view your home from your child’s point of view 2. Decide how to deal with the hazard – this will depend on the type of hazard you are dealing with. This may involve removing the hazard completely (e.g. removing poisonous plants from the garden) or guarding against the hazard (e.g. installing gates at the bottom of the stairs)
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3. Make the changes – once you have identified any potential hazards in your home and decided how best to deal with them, it is important that you make any changes as soon as possible. Children won’t be protected until the changes have been made. Kidsafe’s homes safety checklist will assist you to identify potential hazards around your home.
END
For more information on home safety or to contact you state or territory Kidsafe office visit kidsafe.com.au Visit dreambaby.com.au for information and to purchase their safety solutions ENJO Australia products can be purchased from enjo.com.au
Home Safety
Checklist Yes No
HOME ENVIRONMENT
Yes No
Is there an electrical safety switch to prevent electric shock?
Is the bath water temperature always “tested” before putting the child in? (start with cold, add hot, then finish with cold – recommended temp 38°C)
Are electrical appliances, plugs and cords in good condition? Are safety plugs fitted in unused power points?
Are the shampoos, soaps and cosmetics out of reach of children?
Is the hot water delivery temperature for your home at a maximum of 50°C?
Are all water containing devices (such as baths, buckets) emptied immediately after use?
Have you removed any potentially poisonous house plants?
KITCHEN
Do you have smoke alarms located between the sleeping areas and the rest of the house?
Is the kettle out of children’s reach and emptied after each use? Is the microwave positioned out of reach of children?
Are heaters and fans guarded, and candles not left unattended?
Do you use the back hot plates and turn pot handles around to prevent pots being pulled from the stove?
Are there barriers or gates on steps, stairs and changes in floor levels to prevent falls?
Are lighters, matches, knives and other dangerous objects such as cleaning products stored in a place where a child cannot reach them?
Are railings free of footholds that children could climb? Is all top heavy furniture such as bookcases, tall boy drawers, televisions and TV cabinets secured to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if climbed on?
Are plastic bags out of reach or tied in the middle? Do you have locks on cupboard doors and pantries?
Is your swimming pool or spa fully enclosed by a safety fence with a fully functioning self-closing, self-latching gate?
Does the highchair have a five point harness and is it stable?
Is the ground around the house and gutters kept clear of material that burns?
Do you have a fire blanket and fire extinguisher at the exit to the room ready to use in the event of a fire?
Do you have a home fire escape plan?
Is there a barrier across the doorway to prevent your child access to the kitchen?
Are all balcony entry points locked and are the rail heights at least 1.2m high?
Are curtains away from the stove?
Are windows locked and shielded with firm screens?
Does the bath and shower have a non-slip surface and handrails affixed?
LAUNDRY Yes No
Are cleaning products, bleaches and detergents stored out of reach in a child resistant cupboard ‘Locked Up and Away?’ Is the nappy bucket used with a lid on and kept out of reach of children?
Are sharp objects, (eg razors), kept in a locked cupboard out of reach of children?
Are sinks and washing machines empty when not in use?
Are hairdryers and electric razors unplugged when not in use?
Do appliances with lids switch off when machine is opened?
Are medicines in a lockable cupboard ‘Locked up and Away?’
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Yes No
Do your electrical appliances have short cords that do not dangle over the bench?
Have long cords been bound with twist ties or extra cord hidden?
BATHROOM
Is there a child resistant lock on all toilet and bathroom doors?
Yes No
Home Safety
Checklist Yes No
LAUNDRY (cont.)
Yes No
Are tablemats used instead of tablecloths?
Do you clean the lint filter of your dryer before every use?
Are hot drinks placed well out of reach of children?
Is the floor kept dry and non-slippery?
Are there safety guards attached to the wall around fire places, fuel, stoves and heaters?
CHILD’S BEDROOM
Yes No
Is the cot away from the window?
Are heaters kept away from curtains, furniture or other flammable material?
Are curtain cords secured out of reach (not near the cot) & shortened?
Do your children only wear clothing that is made of low fire risk material or designed to reduce fire risk?
Are the cot rails 50-95mm apart and mattress firm fitting?
Is your handbag or visitor’s handbags kept out of children’s reach?
Is everything I need close to the changing table?
GARDEN SHED/OUTDOORS
Are the toys kept where children can reach them without climbing?
Are pesticides, paints, chemicals and other poisons stored in tightly covered, labelled, original containers out of reach of children ‘Locked Up and Away?’
Is the furniture free of sharp corners? Are all garden tools locked away? Are the toys suitable for the child’s age (eg NO strings and ribbons)?
Is the garden free of poisonous plants?
Are electrical appliances and cords out of reach of young children?
Can the shed or garage be locked?
Electric blankets and hot water bottles are not recommended for children, but have you checked them for wear before using them for adults?
Is the area free of drowning hazards? Eg ponds, pet water bowls, buckets. If you have a pool is it fenced? Is the play area separated from the driveway?
Is all top heavy furniture such as bookcases, tall boy drawers, televisions and TV cabinets secured to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if climbed on?
LIVING AREAS Are sharp edges on tables and furniture covered? Are blind and curtain cords looped up high or shortened and out of reach? Are glass doors protected by safety film, colourful stickers or made of safety glass? Is alcohol stored in a child resistant cupboard? Are toys stored in an area to allow free passage after use? Are rugs and mats secured to prevent a fall (eg non-slip backing)? Are chairs and tables difficult to overturn?
Is the play equipment stable and in good condition? (regular maintenance checks required)
Yes No
Is there a soft surface under play equipment over 500mm high to cushion falls? Are pathways clear to prevent tripping? Are branches pruned above eye level to avoid eye injury? Are garden statues and birdbaths cemented in to prevent a crushing hazard? Are electrical equipment, power points and light switches protected from the weather? Are all flammable liquids stored safely (as per their directions)? Do you have a fence or gate that restricts access to your driveway and onto the street? Is the sandpit covered when not in use?
Are cigarettes, ashtrays, matches and lighters out of reach?
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Yes No
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JUNE 2013 - ISSUE SIX